When we can, we try to show electric cars at public events, and it is pretty clear from talking to members of the public that perception and acceptance of electric cars is increasing fast. We have recently showed the i3 at Milton Keynes shopping centre, and a Renault ZOE in Kings Langley.
The Fuel Included i3 on show at the Holcot Car Boot Sale (Image: T. Larkum)
Ahead of either of those events, however, we showed the i3 at the Holcot Car Boot Sale. This is a very large event, known officially as the ‘Car Boot and Farmers Market’ and held at the Holcot Showground every Saturday and Thursday from April to October each year. Holcot is off the A43 about halfway between Northampton and Kettering.
At the time there weren’t actually any good offers available on the i3. However, that has now changed as we have arranged PCP deals on the i3 at very good rates. We are therefore in the process of contacting those people at Holcot who expressed interest in the i3 to offer them a test drive.
In our experience, with the i3 it’s a case of once driven, forever smitten!
Our compliments go to the Rugby Bodyshoppe for a job well done. It’ll be good to see the back of the courtesy car, a Lexus 300 hybrid, which was a rubbish drive compared to the i3.
375 National Academy of Sciences members sign an open letter expressing frustration at political inaction on climate change
Severe Flooding, Against a Background of Wind Turbines (Image: T. Larkum)
Yesterday, 375 of the world’s top scientists, including 30 Nobel Prize winners, published an open letter regarding climate change. In the letter, the scientists report that the evidence is clear: humans are causing climate change. We are now observing climate change and its affect across the globe. The seas are rising, the oceans are warming, the lower atmosphere is warming, the land is warming, ice is melting, rainfall patterns are changing and the ocean is becoming more acidic.
These facts are incontrovertible. No reputable scientist disputes them. It is the truth.
Despite these facts, the letter reports that the US presidential campaign has seen claims that the earth isn’t warming, or it is only a natural warming, or that climate change is a hoax. These claims are false. The claims are made by politicians or real estate developers with no scientific experience. These people who deny the reality of climate change are not scientists.
These claims aren’t new. We see them every election cycle. In fact, for the Republican Party, they are a virtual litmus test for electability. It is terribly sad that the party of Lincoln (the president who initiated the National Academy of Sciences) has been rebuked by the National Academy today. It is sad that the party of Teddy Roosevelt, who created the National Park System, is acting in a way antithetical to his legacy. It is also sad that the party of Nixon, who created the Environmental Protection Agency, now is trying to eliminate that very organization.
What is perhaps most sad is that the party of “fiscal conservatism” is leading us on a path that will result in higher economic and social costs for all of us.
What we don’t know is what the future will bring. Will the warming be gradual or sudden? Will ocean rise increase at a faster rate or not? Will we continue to see major ice shelf collapse? Increased droughts and heat waves? Will we be able to adapt?
There are already over 60,000 home charge points for electric cars in the UK, and new research finds these sockets will be one of the most desirable features of neighbourhoods in the future.
Public want ‘positivity’ lamp posts, electric car charging points and fingerprint-activated door locks in future neighbourhoods
The study, conducted by electric car campaign Go Ultra Low, suggests technologies such as electric car charging points, ‘positivity’ lamp posts which beam colourful lighting during winter to combat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and fingerprint-activated door locks could be some of the most sought-after features for house buyers in two decades’ time.
Electric charge points on homes aren’t just a trend for the future. Government statistics show there are already over 60,000 home chargers in the UK as motorists take advantage of a £500 government grant towards installing one. Data from charging providers shows that around 90% of electric car charging is done at home.
The survey shows the most desirable feature of future neighbourhoods is next generation smart lamp posts (chosen by 52% of respondents). However, a close second is having electric vehicle charge points on every house – chosen by 49% of people surveyed. These were followed by front door locks which can be opened using fingerprint technology (37%), communal rainwater recycling technology (37%) and Wi-Fi emitting trees (22%).
The results also show that most people think electric cars will become an essential part of housing developments across the country. Nearly three quarters (72%) said they expect electric vehicles to be the most common type of vehicle on residents’ driveways. According to just over a quarter (26%) of people, hydrogen cars will also be a more familiar fixture in the future.
Those surveyed predict that technology will make them more willing to share a car with their neighbours over the next 20 years. Almost half (48%) of people expect to be sharing electric cars with other people who live on their streets, with over a tenth of people agreeing that this could lead to stronger relationships between neighbours.
The 10 most desired features for future neighbourhoods from the research are as follows:
‘Positivity’ smart lamp posts using colourful hues to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (52%)
Electric car charge points on every house (49%)
Locks on front doors which can be opened by fingerprint (37%)
Water recycling capabilities (37%)
Rainwater harvesting technology (34%)
Outdoor solar powered charging stations (28%)
Electric car sharing schemes (24%)
Trees emitting Wi-Fi (22%)
Fox proof bins (20%)
Robotic gardeners (11%)
Maxwell Hutchison, architect and former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said:
“Green technology that enhances our lives will fuel neighbourhoods of the future. Whilst ‘positivity’ lamp posts and robotic gardeners may be a way off, developments such as electric car charge points, electric car schemes and rainwater harvesting technology are starting to be implemented by new cutting-edge housing developments.
“The UK already has its first eco town being developed in Oxfordshire, and there are others on the horizon, with features that include shared electric car sharing schemes and electric car charge points for every house.”
Poppy Welch, Head of the Go Ultra Low campaign, said:
“Electric cars are on track to become an essential part of everyday life, and our research backs this up with strong demand for charge points and EV sharing schemes.
“Electric cars are high performing, fun, exciting and financially compelling. There are currently over 75,000 on UK roads, a growth of 37% in a year, based on sales from January to September. Their role both now and in the future is unquestionable, as indicated by the £80m invested by government in further improving the nation’s electric vehicle infrastructure.”
In this video, Mat Watson and Rebecca Chaplin hit the roads of London in a BMW i3 for a challenge with a difference.
The pair took it in turns to drive some of the city’s busiest areas without pressing the brake pedal and attempted to get by just using the electric car’s regenerative braking alone.
Like many electric cars, the BMW i3 begins to recover energy as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator. When it’s accelerating the battery powers the wheels but when it’s braking the motor acts as a generator, charging the battery and gently bringing the car to a stop at the same time – if you’re on flat ground that is.
Each of would drive just over three miles and the person who used the brake pedal the least would win. Of course, they weren’t allowed to cause an accident by not braking so planning ahead and paying attention would be key!
London Fire Brigade has invested in a fleet of electric cars in a bid to reduce the impact of its vehicles on air quality in the capital.
The new fleet includes 52 ultra low emission BMWi3 ranger-extender model cars and a further five hybrid cars for fire officers attend emergency incidents and other Brigade business across the capital.
The i3 cars are LFB branded and fitted with blue lights and sirens. They can reach top speeds of 90 mph and go from 0 to 80 mph in seconds.
Charge points have been installed at 73 fire stations around the capital – following work to establish a network of charging stations during 2015.
Commenting on the new fleet, London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, said:
“Officers often travel at speed across London, so it was essential the cars could stand up to the rigours of being a blue light vehicle, as well as having green credentials.
“I am proud that the Brigade is leading the move from diesel to electric, which will make a big difference to the air quality for Londoners.
“In our 150th year, while celebrating our past we’re also investing in the future and it’s vital that we adopt policies today that future generations will thank us for.”
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