Daily Archives: September 1, 2017

Skoda announces EV offensive as Czech national EV network approved

September 1, 2017Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SkodaJo

Skoda is ramping up plans to launch four electric vehicles (EVs) by 2021 and a further two by 2025, including two SUVs and an image-boosting sports car.

The news comes as the European Commission approves the Czech Republic’s plans to launch a country-wide alternative fuel vehicle charging network, including recharging points for EVs, as it prepares for the upcoming EV revolution over the next decade.

First among Skoda’s EV plans will come the plug-in hybrid version of its Superb sedan in 2019, as well as an all-electric version of the small Citigo in the same year. Following this, 2020 will see the launch of Skoda’s first next-generation EV built on Volkswagen Group’s (VW’s) new MEB architecture, a model which has been unveiled in concept form as the ‘Vision E’ coupé-SUV.

This is expected to become the most expensive vehicle in the brand’s 122-year history and especially targets the surging Chinese EV market, where EV sales are expected to become mainstream first. The cost – around €44,000 (£40,000) – is due to the high number of batteries required to achieve Volkswagen Group’s ambitions for a 500km (310 mile) standard range for its EVs. While expensive for Skoda, it is still only half the price of the Tesla Model X. Alongisde other MEB vehicles, it is likely to be built at VW’s factory in Bratislava, the capital of auto-hub Slovakia, and due to Skoda’s success in China, it is being given almost the same priority as VW’s first MEB –based car, the Volkswagen ID.

Finally, in 2021, Skoda will add a second smaller EV more in line with the brand’s traditional pricing, which may carry the historic Felicia E name. This will essentially be Skoda’s version of the Volkswagen ID hatchback, including the rear-mounted 168bhp electric motor, and so will be smaller than the Octavia hatchback but roomy due to the clever MEB architecture.

More details surface on VW, Audi and JLR’s model electrification plans

September 1, 2017Audi, Electric Cars, Jaguar Land Rover, News, Reviews and Comment, VolkswagenJo

Further to the news reported yesterday (15 August) that Skoda is ramping up plans to launch four electric vehicles (EVs) by 2021 and a further two by 2025, including two SUVs and an image-boosting sports car, more details of EV plans from Volkswagen Group’s other brands Volkswagen (VW) and Audi have come to light.

Also, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plans to offer plug-in hybrid variants of its best-selling Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models from the beginning of 2018.

According to an article published on autoblog.com, the I.D. Crozz crossover will be VW’s second EV based on the dedicated MEB (modular electric drive) platform, following the I.D. hatchback. The Crozz is now scheduled for a market launch at the end of 2020 or early in 2021. Autoblog also reports that the Crozz will even be the first MEB-based vehicle to launch in the US as there are no plans to introduce the I.D. hatchback there.

Whereas the I.D. hatchback has a quoted range of 373 miles on the European test cycle, the Crozz is quoted at 311 miles. As the Crozz will feature four-wheel drive, it will be powered by two motors producing a total of 302 horsepower, compared with the 168 horsepower reported for the regular I.D. hatchback.

As previously reported, the I.D. Buzz microbus-styled minivan (pictured) is expected to arrive in showrooms by 2022 and so will be VW’s third EV offering, but autoblog also suggests that this model could now come to market much later, possibly not even until 2025.

Meanwhile, Autocar reports that the second-generation Audi Q3, which is scheduled for launch within the next year, will be offered in both plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions. According to Autocar, ‘Ingolstadt sources involved in the engineering of the new Audi also confirm that the German car maker is working on a pure electric version of the second-generation Q3 as part of plans to meet China’s new energy vehicle regulations.’ Audi is also planning to introduce an electric version of its new Q2 subcompact crossover to the Chinese market within the next year.

UK announces ‘innovative’ customs ‘partnership’ for post-Brexit trade, SMMT wants interim single market access

September 1, 2017Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

UK announces ‘innovative’ customs ‘partnership’ for post-Brexit trade, SMMT wants interim single market access

The SMMT and Freight Transport Association (FTA) have largely welcomed the first landmark UK policy paper outlining Britain’s Brexit negotiating strategy with the EU, which involves a proposal for an ‘innovative and untested’ new UK-EU customs ‘partnership’, which would avoid customs checks and enable ‘frictionless’ trade. This would involve importers from outside the UK and EU paying whichever tariff out of the UK or EU is higher, and then reclaiming the difference if the goods are sold in the region with the lower tariff. The plan also includes a transition period where UK customs arrangements remain equivalent to that of the EU; the SMMT, however, continues to call for full single market access during this period.

Customs arrangements are particularly crucial for the automotive industry, due to Rules of Origin requirements as well as ‘just in time’ production lines – and low margins that have little room for flexibility.

However, the SMMT warns that maintaining the substance of customs arrangements will not be enough, and that single market access is also essential for a smooth transition period. Hawes says:

‘To maintain frictionless trade and ensure business only has to adjust to one change, interim arrangements must retain membership of a customs union with the EU and full participation in the single market. Any other arrangement risks additional administration, delays and costs, undermining the competitiveness of UK exporters and increasing the costs of imports. We will continue to work with government to try and avoid such an outcome.’

The FTA, whose members operate half the UK fleet with more than 220,000 goods vehicles, was fully positive of the plans, but called for experts to play a greater role in negotiations to achieve the best deal.