Monthly Archives: August 2015

Lands End and John O’Groats to be connected by Electric Highway

August 21, 2015Charging, Ecotricity, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentTrevor Larkum

Good news on the roll-out of currently the best charging network

Ecotricity is to install a rapid charging point at John O’Groats in Scotland within weeks, completing coverage on the iconic route from the northernmost point of the UK to Lands End in Cornwall.

The point will become part of the Electric Highway, which includes almost 250 charging points at 150 locations across the UK, in most cases offering an 80% charge for compatible electric vehicles within half an hour.

With sites at 95% of Britain’s motorway service areas, as well as Ikea stores in city centres, the Electric Highway is now delivery enough energy to power a million miles of electric driving every month. The electricity used is supplied using renewable sources.

Dale Vince, founder of the Electric Highway, said:

“The idea of being able to complete that iconic journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats in any electric car you can buy from a showroom is something quite special – if you’d have said that was possible five years ago, people would have laughed at you.

“Our Electric Highway already covers over 95% of the motorway network, and we’ve begun the installation of electricity pumps on A-roads and strategic locations such as airports and ports – with significant new funding just secured, we’ll be stepping on the gas in the coming months to keep pace with demand.”

Source: EV Fleet World

End of fossil fuel use on horizon

August 20, 2015Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, OilTrevor Larkum

Finally the G7 world leaders are waking up to what needs to be done

(From 13 June) This past week, the Group of Seven (G7) world leaders met in Germany for the group’s 41st annual summit.

Needless to say, much was discussed, from the threat of international terrorism to the stability of national economies and, of course, climate change.

G7 leaders in Krun, Germany (Image: White House/P. Souza)

In relation to that final point, the leaders made an ambitious declaration.

The group’s members will use their collective influence to try to stop fossil-fuel consumption by the end of this century.

A goal of reducing consumption by 40 to 70 percent from 2010 levels by 2050, and eliminating it completely by 2100, was set in the summit declaration.

The G7 comprises the world’s seven largest economies–including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S., and U.K.–as well as representatives from the European Council, EU Commission, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

New London Fire Brigade electric car charge points

August 19, 2015BP Chargemaster, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentTrevor Larkum

An interesting development – public charging points at fire stations. Presumably intended for visitors rather than passing members of the public?

Chargemaster, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of electric vehicle charging equipment, has completed the installation of 156 charging points at 71 fire stations and five other Brigade sites across London.

The charging points have been installed to support the London Fire Brigade’s growing fleet of electric support vehicles and 18 of the points in 9 locations are also available for public use.

As part of the Brigade’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the organisation selected Chargemaster’s popular twin socket fast charging units that can supply charge at a rate of up to 22kW.

Members of the public can use the charge points at Croydon, East Ham, Edmonton, Finchley, Hainault, Harold Hill, Hornsey, Ilford and New Malden fire stations, and can register for access and unlock the charging points on the spot via their smartphone.

The charging points are part of Chargemaster’s POLAR network, one of the largest in the country with over 4,000 publicly available charging points, which have a reliability and availability record of more than 99% according to Chargemaster.

Government funding contributed 75 per cent to the total cost of installing the charging points, while the remaining cost was covered by Chargemaster, which was appointed following a competitive tender to install and manage the charging point sockets.

Speaking about the co-funding deal between Chargemaster and the Department for Transport, Transport Minister Andrew Jones, commented:

“I want cleaner, greener cars across the capital and this money will make a real difference.

“The Department for Transport’s funding for the 156 new charge points will make it easier for people to use these increasingly popular low emission vehicles. It is an example of Britain leading the way in developing sustainable transport options that are accessible to everyone.”

Chargemaster CEO, David Martell, said:

“We are pleased to have worked with London Fire Brigade and to have invested in partnership with Government to expand the charging network available to electric vehicle users in the city.

“All charge points were installed on schedule and are now part of the UK’s most reliable charging network. We are committed to increasing the uptake of electric motoring in the UK and to make it as convenient as possible for motorists.”

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson, said:

“I am delighted the Brigade’s electric vehicle charge points have been installed across London and are now ready for use by both Brigade staff and members of the public.

“Electric cars offer big environmental benefits and play an important part in keeping London clean. The new charging network not only makes it easy and convenient to charge up a car’s battery making electric cars easier to use, but also reaffirms London Fire Brigade’s commitment to lead on sustainability in the fire service and reducing our impact on the environment.”

The Brigade currently uses five electric cars through its lease car scheme and hopes to have a further five in its fleet towards the end of year, as a result of additional government funding secured from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

To view all the EV charging infrastructure available to the public in the UK, including the 9 installed at London Fire Brigade sites, go to Zap-Map.com.

Source: Next Green Car

Tesla and i3 are Top Two Cars of 2015

August 18, 2015BMW, Electric Cars, i3, Model S, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaTrevor Larkum

CNET has recognised the Tesla Model S and the BMW i3, giving them the top two spots in its Top 5 Cars of 2015.

Both vehicles are deserving of their rank. The Tesla Model S P85D redefines the electric car segment due to its sheer power and speed, while the i3 makes its mark by being the world’s most efficient electric car and perhaps the most exotic electric car out there today with its use of carbon fiber, available REx and more.

Source: Inside EVs

Keeping up with the Joneses with an electric car

August 17, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

Finally electric cars become aspirational!

New research released today by Go Ultra Low has found that the majority of car buyers aspire to own high-tech, ultra-low emission electric vehicles to score social points over their neighbours and peers.

According to Go Ultra Low, it is clear that many UK drivers aspire to the cost benefits, style and convenience of electric motoring. The survey found that 67% of the population identified alternatively-fuelled vehicles as a purchase consideration.

Three quarters of motorists said that running costs were the biggest consideration when choosing their next car, making the argument for switching to ultra low emission vehicles even more compelling.

Hetal Shah, Head of Go Ultra Low, said:

“Our research shows that, after purchase price, the top things motorists look for in a new car are affordable running costs, comfort, space and style. The huge variety of electric vehicles now on the market is changing motorists’ concept of desirability.

The majority of consumers surveyed aspiring to the new breed of quiet, refined, technology-packed plug-in vehicles. We’re confident that this year alone we’ll see thousands more motorists up and down Britain plugging-in to this growing trend.”

Renewable Energy reaches the end of the beginning?

August 16, 2015Energy and Climate Change, Oil, Opinion, Solar Power, Wind PowerTrevor Larkum

A positive view of renewables from an oil publication

In April, 2010, BP took the front page, and held it for months, as it struggled to plug the blowout on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico that would cough up 3 or 4 million barrels.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster was a bitter reminder of the coming difficulties and risk involved in getting what is left of the world’s oil reserves up and out of places that are a lot harder to get at – deep sea, where pressures are extreme; the arctic, where conditions are even more challenging; tar sands, the poster child for too much carbon; and in thousands of small, disparate patches, where ‘tight oil’ comes from driving water, sand and a few chemicals into fissures miles underground. In the U.S., these wells average around 100 barrels a day (see chart below). Herding cats does not seem a likely way to make the U.S. the swing producer to knock Saudi Arabia off its perch.

Things got harder for explorers as 2014 came to an end, and the price of Brent, the international benchmark, was well on its way to a total 61 percent fall in under 12 months. The question is not so much whether the price of oil will be high enough to get the next trillion barrels out of the ground (roughly the current world rate of consumption for another 30 years); it is whether or not the climate can “afford” to have that happen. Peak oil, whether from insufficient supply or demand, makes for an interesting cocktail party discussion. It has even become a political litmus test. However, it is largely irrelevant. Sheik Yamani’s dictum, that the Stone Age did not end because we ran out of stones, should not be dismissed.

Driving the Kia Soul electric car for a week

August 15, 2015Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Soul EVTrevor Larkum

A fair review of the Kia Soul EV from a ‘petrol sniffer‘…

Day one: The Soul EV arrives at my office full, but not completely chock full, of electricity. It’s a pure electric car with no range extender back up and I’ve got a big journey tomorrow so I plug it in. The charging socket is in the middle on the front, rather than where the fuel hole would be on the side. In fact, the normal filler flap has completely disappeared which means they’ve altered the rear wing pressing for this one model, which in turn means they’ve spent some money on it. Putting the electro-umbilical point in the middle makes sense, especially if you’re neurotic about cable stretch.

Later I’m driving home without the stereo on, enjoying the smooth silence of electricalicityness when my brother rings me and his call connects through the Bluetooth. It’s only then I notice the light-up rings around the door speakers pulsing every time he speaks. I’ve seen this on a diesel powered Soul. They do it in time to whatever you’re listening to on the stereo. In a normal Soul, it’s a bit idiotic. In this electric one, it’s idiotic and a waste of precious electricity. Fortunately, you can turn it off.

Day two: The Soul EV has a claimed range of 132 miles. But even after a full charge last night the most it would show was 92. It’s a bit parky. Maybe that’s why. The problem is, today I’ve got to drive to somewhere that’s about 60 miles away. This might sound fine, but experience tells me that the range-o-meter on an electric car can be cheerily optimistic right up until the point you attempt to keep up with normal traffic or go onto a motorway. Then it plummets to the point where you it becomes clear you’re not going to make it and you will run out somewhere in the countryside and be unable to get help and have to live out your days in a forest. So this could go horribly wrong. Except, it doesn’t. The Soul turns out to have the most accurate range predictor I’ve ever seen. As long as you don’t ineptly mash the throttle like Maldonado on a pit entry, it seems to tell the truth. A mile goes by, it clicks off another mile. Sometimes it doesn’t even do that. I make it to where I’m going without range stress and buttockular clenching then plug it in, knowing I’ll get home again just fine. Which is an pleasant surprise.

…

Goodbye: The Soul EV is going away again. It feels like a very thoroughly developed electric car, usual long distance and charging limitations notwithstanding. It’s not as strenuously normal as the VW e-Golf and not as self-consciously wacky as the Nissan Leaf. It also seems much better at predicting its own range than either. If you’ve got 25 grand to blow on a school run-ish sort of car that lives in town it could be quite handy. I liked it.

Acceleration of electric car sales

August 14, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

Good news about the sales of electric cars (from 11 June)

A record 9,000 new ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were registered in the UK in the first quarter of 2015.

The figures, published by the Department of Transport, represent a 366% year-on-year surge.

The department said the increase was driven by more vehicles being eligible for grants, which subsidise up to 35% of the cost of a plug-in car and 20% of the cost of a plug-in van.

The models accounting for the most registrations in the latest quarter were the Mitsubishi Outlander with 4,596 and the Nissan Leaf with 1,705

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:

“I am delighted to see such a huge rise in the number of people buying ultra low emission vehicles.

“The Go Ultra Low campaign is making low emission vehicles an increasingly popular choice and the government is investing £500 million over the next five years in making them more accessible to families and businesses across the country.

“It’s a great example of Britain leading the way in developing sustainable transport options that are affordable for everyone.”

Around 14,500 ULEV’s were sold in the UK in all of 2014, itself a fourfold increase on 2013.

There are now more than 20 plug-in models available to buy compared with just six in 2011, with each of the 10 best-selling brands in the UK now having a ULEV in its range.

UK plug-in car sales led by Mitsubishi Outlander

August 13, 2015Electric Cars, Mitsubishi, News, Reviews and Comment, Outlander PHEVTrevor Larkum

The Outlander PHEV continues its sales success in the market, according to the Daily Record.

Mitsubishi have never been the most fashionable car firm – until now.

Sales are up 133 per cent thanks to their Outlander plug-in SUV becoming an overnight success.

The Outlander became the UK’s favourite plug-in vehicle in March this year, when it overtook the Nissan Leaf’s all time sales. In May 2015 it outsold its nearest competitor by nearly three to one, indicating a strong market preference for the versatility and practicality of hybrid plug-ins over pure battery electric vehicles.

The Outlander PHEV has a range of 32.5 miles in electric mode alone – more than enough to accommodate the average daily commute. The vehicle’s official fuel consumption figure is 148 miles per gallon and it has emissions of just 44g of CO2 per kilometre.

Mitsu’s SUV success has also had an impact on UK electric sales.

Interestingly, 11,842 ultra-low-emission vehicles were registered last month, a four-fold increase on the same period last year.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says the rise is down to better consumer awareness of the benefits of Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicles, as well as a wider choice. Just six ULEVs were available to choose from in 2011, compared to around 20 today.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said:

“The remarkable growth in demand for plug-in vehicles is expected to continue as the range of ultra-low-emission vehicles on sale increases.”

Diesel cars may get pollution penalty from 2016

August 12, 2015Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, OilTrevor Larkum

This sounds like good news for London’s pollution problem, and for electric car sales

DRIVERS OF diesel cars could be hit with a “pollution penalty” every time they enter London from as early as next year in an attempt to clean up the capital’s air quality.

The charge would be the first of its kind in Britain and comes after new evidence revealed that diesel cars are far more polluting than official figures suggest. A Sunday Times investigation last month found that even diesel cars certified under EU rules as the cleanest yet built are emitting exhaust fumes at up to 9.9 times the official limit.

Diesel cars have traditionally been more fuel-efficient than petrol counterparts but produce higher levels of particulates and nitrogen oxides, which are thought to contribute to respiratory illness and have been blamed for more than 50,000 early deaths in Britain each year.

As previously reported in Driving, London is currently in breach of EU air-pollution rules and the government must submit new air-quality plans to the European Commission by the end of the year or face mounting fines for failing to hit its targets.

Members of the London assembly passed a motion last week calling on the capital’s mayor, Boris Johnson, to investigate new ways of bringing down the city’s pollution levels.

The Liberal Democrat assembly member Stephen Knight said:

“To help tackle the problem, every tool in the public policy toolbox needs to be used, and one option that could be investigated is adapting the congestion charge to add a modest levy on all diesel vehicles entering central London from 2016.”

Source: Driving