Monthly Archives: November 2014

Mercedes B Class Electric

Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive first drive review

B-Class, Electric Cars, Mercedes, News, Reviews and Comment

Exceptionally refined with punchy overtaking abilities and impressive ride and handling. Premium driving experience at expense of ultimate usability

What is it?

This is the Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive, the manufacturer’s pure electric version of the newly facelifted B-class.

Rather than follow the lead of the BMW i3 and build an electric car around an all-new architecture, this EV is based on the standard production car, which has needed the minimum of amount engineering changes.

Taking inspiration from the original A- and B-class models, the new-generation car has the option of a ‘sandwich’ version of the rear half of the car’s platform.

Called the ‘Energy Space’ by Mercedes, raising the floor in the rear half of the cabin frees up underfloor space, which, in the EV, accommodates the lithium-ion battery pack. This space is also used by the natural gas-powered version of the B-class to accommodate three gas tanks.

The upshot is that the B-class is as effectively as spacious as the mainstream versions, which means a good 500-litre boot, generous head and legroom and the option of a fold-forward front passenger seat, which allows loads well over two metres long to be swallowed.

The electric drive system has been sourced from Tesla (interestingly, the day this production car was launched to the press was same day Daimler disposed of its four per cent stake in Tesla, which it had held since 2009).

The B-class Electric Drive has a three-mode operation. Economy Plus – designed for constant steady-speed journeys – reduces the output of the motor to just 83bhp and top speed to 68mph. Economy reduces output to 132bhp and Sport offers the motor’s full 179bhp. However, the two Economy modes can be overridden and full power and torque accessed by the driver using the kickdown function.

If the ‘Collision Prevent Assist Plus’ system is added as an optional extra, this B-class acquires a very neat radar-assisted recuperative braking system. Using information from the radar about the state of traffic ahead, the car can use battery-charging braking to slow itself or, when the road ahead is clear and/or downhill, switch to ‘sailing mode’ which doesn’t use any battery power.

Fully recharging the B-class via a 16-amp home wall socket will take around nine hours if the battery is empty. Using a 400-volt three-phase electricity supply (rather more common in Asia than Europe), the car can be recharged in just three hours.

What is it like?

Very impressive indeed. In terms of all-round refinement and pace, the electric B-class is far better than its internal combustion engine sister cars. Indeed, the car’s effortless torque and near-silent progress puts it in a category of its own.

This car has the refinement that would shame some luxury models and the kind of effortless overtaking ability that would trouble some hot hatches.

What’s most disorientating is that these two sides of motoring excellence are delivered in a humble-looking baby MPV. It’s hard to work out why, but even the steering response and ride quality of the electric B-class is markedly better than what we experienced with the all-wheel-drive B220 and the gas-powered B200.

On the wider issue of the facelift, there’s no doubt that B-Class looks much better. The somewhat melted appearance of the original version has been fixed thanks to a much more taught front bumper design and wheels that now properly fill the arches.

It’s also a handy size, well-packaged and nicely finished inside. The big, tablet-sized screen on the dashboard might look a little clunky, but is ideally placed and the graphics and presentation of Mercedes-Benz’s sat-nav system is first rate.

Should I buy one?

There’s no doubt this is a delightful car to drive, genuinely enjoyable and satisfying. The downside, of course, is the limited range of the electric B-class and – without a supply of industrial three-phase electricity – the lengthy recharge time.

True, being able to replenish the battery overnight would be fine for anybody whose daily mileage is less than 100 miles.

The price of this car (post government grant) is just about that of a B220 diesel with an automatic transmission. In terms of driving pleasure it is leagues ahead.

As odd as may seem, any lover of driving ability will love the B-class, regardless of its market position as a truly ‘green’ MPV.

Source: Autocar

Slow Charging the ZOE at Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)

People’s Climate March – Part 1

Blog, Charging, Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, Model S, Renault, Tesla, ZOE
Fast Charging the ZOE at Toddington (Image: T. Larkum)
Fast Charging the ZOE at Toddington (Image: T. Larkum)

On 21 September I had a bit of an adventure, travelling down to London to attend the People’s Climate March – my first ever protest march.

I have been concerned about climate change for about three years, and have blogged about climate and energy for the last two. Wanting to know more about the scientific understanding of it I completed an online educational course ‘Climate Change in 4 Dimensions’ earlier this year. While I would highly recommend the course, learning more about the subject has only reinforced my concerns. The scientific conclusions are clear – the climate is changing fast, it’s caused by human carbon dioxide emissions, and it’s going to have major impacts on our lives and especially on the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Having made many changes in my lifestyle to reflect my concerns – including installing solar panels on our house, switching to a renewable energy supplier, and buying and blogging about my Renault ZOE electric car – it seemed to me that the next natural step was to become more active politically. I’m not sure what direction that will take long-term, but I felt it was necessary to start by ‘standing up to be counted’ and attending the first ever Climate March.

Slow Charging the ZOE at Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)
Slow Charging the ZOE at Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)

I toyed with the idea of going by train but somehow it seemed most appropriate to go by electric car. I therefore headed out along my regular and familiar route down the M1 towards London, stopping as usual at the Toddington Services fast charger on the way. I then drove into north London and parked up at a slow charger in Highgate (the same one I had used previously when attending a rock concert in Kentish Town).

Tesla Model S in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)
Tesla Model S in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)

I walked south from where I parked to Kentish Town underground station so I could take the tube down into central London. On the way I was surprised to pass two electric cars – clearly they are more popular in London than in Northampton – and I took that to be a good omen.

The first was a navy blue Tesla Model S parked on Highgate Road, in a bus lane outside a restaurant. It’s a big, good-looking car – though I don’t imagine that most people can tell it’s electric.

Renault ZOE in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)
Renault ZOE in Highgate (Image: T. Larkum)

Then a few minutes later I saw a ZOE, much like mine apart from being white. It was just parked in a side road, probably in front of the owner’s house, looking perfectly natural.

Climate March poster on the Underground (Image: T. Larkum)
Climate March poster on the Underground (Image: T. Larkum)

The trip on the underground was uneventful, heading to Temple for the start of the march. I was encouraged on the way to see a couple of posters by the escalators publicising the event. I anticipated that would mean the march would be well-attended, and so it transpired.

[Part 2]

Northampton e-Car Club Nissan Leafs

Blog, Electric Cars, Leaf, Nissan

A few weeks ago I spotted a set of electric cars parked up near the town centre in Northampton. Today I parked up nearby on my way to picking up my girls from choir and had the opportunity to investigate further.

There are three 2014 Nissan Leafs in a row, all black and marked ‘www.e-carclub.org‘ on the boot. They are parked in specially marked bays by the Derngate theatre, and just next to a recently installed pair of EVlink fast chargers.

Clearly they belong to the E-Car organisation, but I have not yet learned anything more about them. There is a passing reference in a news release from another company, but clear there has not yet been an official launch of this E-Car site.

I’ll post more news as I get it.

Update: there has since been a press release about it.

Tesla Model S Taxi in Norway (Image: J. Tisdall)

A Trip by Tesla Taxi in Norway

Blog, Electric Cars, Electric Taxis, Model S, Tesla
Tesla Model S Taxi
Tesla Model S Taxi

On a business trip last month (21st October) I arrived with a colleague at Haugesund, a small airport on the windswept west coast of Norway.

We were quickly out and walked over to the taxi rank and straight into a Tesla. I was delighted as I am very interested in electric cars, and the Tesla is definitely the flagship EV in my mind.

Tesla Model S Taxi: 17" Touchscreen
Tesla Model S Taxi: 17″ Touchscreen

I made sure I got the front seat. The car is a delight. Comfortable, quiet and smooth. The dashboard contains an absolutely enormous LCD screen with a myriad of context relevant data.

Close-up of Tesla Touchscreen
Close-up of Tesla Touchscreen

We got talking with the driver. He had received the car in March and, so far as he knew, he was the only Tesla operating as a taxi driver in that region. He said on most days he worked the full day on one charge. Only if he had some exceptional journeys might he need to recharge.

Cable opens Cleaner Vehicles Centre (image: Warwick.ac)

Cable opens Cleaner Vehicles Centre

Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced further funding of £32 million for two new projects to research electric motors manufacturing technology for electric vehicles and develop cleaner internal combustion engines, during a visit to officially open the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) headquarters at the University of Warwick.

The two new projects are led by Jaguar Land Rover. They will be part of the projects announced this year that will safeguard 2,500 jobs, in the £1bn industry and government commitment to turn low carbon propulsion technology into products developed in the UK.

The APC projects committed so far will reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to the output of 250,000 cars per year over the next decade.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Green technology will drive the cars of the future and UK designers and manufacturers must continue to be leading innovators in this field. That’s why we’ve collaborated with industry to provide £1billion joint investment in the Advanced Propulsion Centre – one of the driving forces behind our automotive industrial strategy.”

“The APC will be the hub for projects as diverse as using motorsport braking systems in buses, and streamlining the production of electric motors. It’s these kind of initiatives that will enable our automotive sector to raise the bar in innovation, give businesses the confidence to invest and create high skilled jobs.”

Speaking at the opening of the APC Hub at the University of Warwick, Chief Executive Tony Pixton said:

“The Advanced Propulsion Centre is now active as an enabler for low carbon propulsion development and production in the UK. Today’s news confirms we are on track to support and create more than 30,000 UK jobs over the next decade, cutting CO2 emissions and driving exports.”

“We are delighted to welcome the Business Secretary and Co-Chair of the Automotive Council, Dr Vince Cable MP to the APC Hub to announce the latest investments and launch the next funding competition in our ten year programme of investments. The APC is leading the development of the UK as a Propulsion Nation as we expand from the Hub with the announcement of the new London Spoke, in conjunction with Loughborough University and adjacent to the proposed Centre of Excellence for Digital Engineering and Test.”

The APC helps forge partnerships between those who have good ideas and those who can bring them to market. The services provided by the APC enable projects which provide profitable growth and sustainable opportunities for the partners involved and contribute to the UK’s economic prosperity.

Loughborough University in London welcomed the news that the first APC Spoke will be located at its premises on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park campus.

Vice Chancellor and President of Loughborough University, Robert Allison, said:

“We are delighted that Loughborough University in London is to host this first, and highly important, Spoke of the Advanced Propulsion Centre.”

“Loughborough University has been training automotive engineers since 1919 and our research in powertrain engineering, propulsion and manufacture is recognised as world-class. Powertrain and propulsion development is a key strategic area for Loughborough: indeed earlier this year we announced a five-year investment of £1.5 million in research appointments, which will help us to develop the new advanced propulsion technologies required for the move to zero emission vehicles. We are therefore exceptionally well-placed to support this very important and hugely exciting development.”

Announcements about further spoke locations, funding competitions and the development of the APC team will be made in the coming months.

Source: Newspress

La Poste Renault Kangoo ZE (Image: Renault)

La Poste & Renault enter partnership

Electric Vans, Kangoo Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Renault

Philippe Wahl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of La Poste group, and Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Renault group, have signed into a partnership to pursue and strengthen their cooperation on the search for eco-mobility solutions.

Since the launch of France’s low-carbon vehicle project in January 2009, La Poste group, which has the country’s largest industrial fleet with some 69,000 vehicles, has equipped itself with a complete range of electric vehicles, including small light commercial vehicles, quads, three-wheelers and electrically assisted bicycles.

The Renault group and La Poste group are working together in a wide range of fields on forward-looking issues independently of their business relations. By signing the new partnership agreement, the two French companies are pursuing their collaborative efforts on the search for eco-mobility solutions. Through research work and studies, the two groups will develop pilot projects on new mobility solutions and continue to foster the sustainable mobility of the present and future, focusing on four main areas:

1. Improving vehicle range to accelerate rollout

The two companies plan to dialogue and share information on their tests and study programs to improve the range of the clean vehicles produced by Renault that are currently part of the La Poste fleet. R&D projects have already been initiated in this area. The “MobilHyTest” range extension falls within the scope of today’s partnership.

2. Making vehicles used in urban areas cleaner

Current projects concern research into solutions for parcel delivery needs in urban, peri-urban and rural areas for 5 m3 to 17 m3 vehicles. A key player in urban logistics, La Poste every day tackles the same equation of meeting the growing demands arising from e-commerce by delivering parcels in city centers while limiting the harmful impacts stemming from traffic and parking. The aim is to generate solutions for a cleaner and quieter urban logistics better adapted to its environment, and also to improve the working conditions of mail delivery and collection staff.

3. Working on different sizes of electric vehicles

The two groups will conduct a watch, carry out tests, and dialogue on new vehicles measuring up to 17 m3 for mail use and in respect of competition law. Several new ideas have already emerged, including in the 8 m3 segment, the “service” vehicle segment and the small urban vehicle segment.

4. Contributing to future road mobility with the advent of connected vehicles

Through their collaborative work, Renault and La Poste are making an active contribution to the development of connected and communicating light commercial vehicles by 2020, as well as to their management and monitoring in professional contexts.

Source: Renault

Tesla Model S Euro NCAP Crash Test

Tesla Model S scores Euro NCAP five star safety rating

Electric Cars, Model S, News, Reviews and Comment, Tesla

Despite some much overblown crash controversy in the US, the Tesla Model S has once again proved its safety credentials, adding a five star Euro NCAP score to its five star result from the US road safety authority, NHTSA.

In the latest round of safety tests, the Model S secured a five star result alongside the new Nissan Pulsar, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Skoda Fabia. Also tested was the Suzuki Celerio which scored a less impressive three star result.

For the Model S though the latest result reaffirms just how safe electric cars are despite overblown coverage of a number of crashes involving Model S cars last year, which might have suggested the car was a fire risk.

An investigation into fires involving the Model S by NHTSA last year, reaffirmed that the Model S was safe, although Tesla did nonetheless decide to make a few tweaks to improve the car further including adding a new titanium body shield.

Read more: Green Car Website

BMW i3 (Image: BMW)

Non-EV vehicles should not be classed as “green cars”

Opinion

The finalists for the Green Car of the Year 2015 have been announced, and what is most striking about the list is that only one of the cars is a sole electric vehicle.

Fuel efficiency has been improving year-on-year, but it is surprising to see the diesel Audi A3 TDi and Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI make the shortlist. Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than their petrol counterparts, but while CO2 emissions have been pushed down over time, the nitrogen dioxide given off by diesel engines has resulted in pollution levels in London that the EU has described as excessive.

The inclusion of the Honda Fit (known as Jazz in the UK) 1.5 litre Earth Dreams was a similar surprise as while it offers an estimated combined EPA MPG of 41 and clever i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology to improve engine efficiency, it remains a petrol car, with all the non-green credentials that entails.

The Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel makes a greater claims to being green with its 3.6-litre hardened engine that can use the cleaner Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to fuel, with drivers able to drive for 150 miles around a city without a single drop of conventional petrol.

However, the only truly green car in the list is the BMW i3 that has been designed from the ground up to be a purely electric vehicle (EV). Rather than refitting an existing model, BMW used data from millions of miles driven by volunteers in its electric Minis and 1 Series to create an electric car designed for the city. The company built the car using aluminum, magnesium and CFRP to bring its weight down to 1,200kg including batteries, which allows it to cover up to 100 miles from a single charge.

Green Car Journal says that the finalists are selected for their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance and availability to mass markets, but with the recent improvements in electric car technology the awards should exclude all diesel and petrol engines at this point. Companies such as BMW have a wide range of new cars available, and if organisations want to push other manufacturers to follow suit and build truly green EV cars, then their green credentials need to be celebrated in awards like these.

Source: Descrier.co.uk