Monthly Archives: October 2018

BMW i3 updated with more range and new trim options

October 13, 2018Electric Cars, i3, i3 120Ah, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

BMW i3’s new 42.2kWh battery pack unlocks up to 193 miles under new WLTP rules

BMW has once again updated the i3. The electric hatchback is now equipped with a denser battery pack, unlocking greater claimed ranges for both the base i3 and the more powerful i3s. BMW has also tweaked the model’s trim and finish options.

Cell capacity in the base i3 increases from 94Ah to 120Ah, meaning the battery pack capacity now stands at 42.2kWh. That’s almost double the size of the original model launched in 2014, which had a battery pack rated at 22.6kWh.

The new battery has been developed in partnership with Samsung and sits in the same housing as the previous pack.

Tested under new WLTP rules the 168bhp car now covers a maximum claimed range of 193 miles on a single charge – an increase of 34 miles over the previous iteration of the i3.

…

More tweaks include a new metallic beige and grey body colour, new interior upholstery options, the availability of adaptive LED headlights, and an updated iDrive infotainment system with a new menu layout.

Groupe Renault is launching “Advanced Battery Storage”

October 12, 2018Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, Energy Storage, News, Reviews and Comment, RenaultRepost

Groupe Renault is launching “Advanced Battery Storage”, the biggest energy stationary storage system from electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Europe

Groupe Renault is announcing the launch of its “Advanced Battery Storage” program, which aims to build the biggest energy stationary storage system using EV batteries ever designed in Europe by 2020 (power: 70 MW / energy: 60MWh).
This system, installed on several sites in France and Germany, will facilitate the integration of renewable energies into electric grids.
“Advanced Battery Storage” is part of Groupe Renault’s strategy to develop a smart electric ecosystem in favor of the energy transition.

Groupe Renault, the European leader in electric mobility, announced today the launch of Advanced Battery Storage, a stationary storage system for energy developed exclusively from EV batteries.

It will have a storage capacity of at least 60 MWh, making it the biggest system of its kind ever built in Europe. The first facilities will be developed in early 2019 on three sites in France and Germany: at the Renault plants in Douai and Cléon and at a former coal-fired plant in North Rhine-Westphalia. The storage capacity will then be gradually expanded over time to contain the energy of 2,000 EV batteries. At this phase, the system will have reached – or more likely, exceed – the 60 MWh, equivalent to the daily consumption of a city of 5,000 households.

The purpose of this system is to manage the difference between electricity consumption and production at a given time, in order to increase the proportion of renewable sources in the energy mix. This means maintaining the balance between offer and demand on the electricity grid by integrating different energy sources with fluctuating production capacities. The slightest gap between consumption and production sets off disturbances that can compromise the stability of the local frequency (50 Hz). “Our stationary storage solution aims to offset these differences: it delivers its reserves to a point of imbalance in the grid at a given time to reduce the effects,” said Nicolas Schottey, Director of the Groupe Renault New Business Energy program. By helping to maintain the balance of the grid, the stationary storage system will boost the economic attractiveness of low-carbon energies.

This stationary storage system is built using EV batteries compiled in containers. The system uses second-life batteries, as well as new batteries stored for future use in standard replacement during after-sales operations.

“This unique assembly will give Advanced Battery Storage the capacity to generate or absorb, instantaneously the 70MW power. This high power combined with high capacity of our solution will allow to react efficiently to all major grid solicitations”, explains Nicolas Schottey.

Demand for used electric vehicles continues to rise

October 11, 2018BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah, Model S, Model X, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Sales, Tesla, ZOE, ZOE Z.E. 40Repost

Strong demand for electric vehicles (EVs) saw values rise 0.9% in September, while average used values remained static, says Cap HPI.

Particular strength has been seen for pure battery electric cars with values increasing for as diverse models like the Renault Zoe, BMW i3 and Tesla Models S and X.

At three years and 60,000 miles, average used values didn’t move in September, while newer cars have increased by a negligible 0.1% at the six month and one-year points. Older cars have dropped slightly, but the 0.3% decrease at five-years-old is again negligible.

Porsche stops making diesel cars after VW emissions scandal

October 10, 2018Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Pollution, PorscheRepost

The German carmaker Porsche says it will stop making diesel cars, and concentrate on petrol, electric and hybrid engines instead.

It follows a 2015 scandal in which its parent company, Volkswagen, admitted it had cheated emissions tests for diesel engines.

Diesel cars over a certain age have been banned in parts of some German cities in a bid to cut pollution.

The Porsche chief executive said the company was “not demonising diesel”.

“It is and will remain an important propulsion technology,” Oliver Blume said.

“We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free.

“Petrol engines are well suited for sporty driving.”

Existing diesel car customers would continue to be served, he said.

Porsche did not build its own diesel engines, preferring to use Audi ones.

“Nevertheless, Porsche’s image has suffered, Mr Blume said.

“The diesel crisis caused us a lot of trouble.”

Groupe Renault unveils France’s first Smart Island on Belle-Île-En-Mer

October 9, 2018Electric Cars, Electric Vans, Energy and Climate Change, Kangoo Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Renault, ZOE, ZOE Z.E. 40Repost

Groupe Renault, Morbihan Energie, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis have joined forces to create FlexMob’île, an innovative programme aimed at accompanying the energy transition on the French island of Belle-Île-en-Mer.
This smart electric ecosystem is founded on three core activities, namely the sharing of electric vehicles, the stationary storage of solar energy and smart charging.
FlexMob’île sees Groupe Renault continue to develop the principle of smart islands, the first of which was Portugal’s Porto Santo.

Belle-Île-en-Mer (France), September 21, 2018 – In association with its partners the Belle-Île-en-Mer Community of Communes, Morbihan Energies, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis, Groupe Renault – a major player in the world of electric ecosystems – is delighted to unveil a brand new joint project known as FlexMob’île. The aim of this smart electric ecosystem is to facilitate the energy transition on the French island of Belle-Île-en-Mer which lies off the coast of southern Brittany. This initiative follows in the footsteps of the innovative Smart Fossil Free Island programme which has been operational since last February on the Portuguese island of Porto Santo in the Madeira archipelago.

For the next 24 months, Groupe Renault and its public and private partners will be developing a smart electric ecosystem that has been conceived to reduce the island’s carbon footprint and increase its energy independence.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Belle-Île-en-Mer Community of Communes, Morbihan Energie, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis on this project which is unprecedented in France. Our goal is the same as with Porto Santo. That is to say the implementation of global solutions that meet local needs using both tried-and-tested and more recent technologies. It will be possible to carry over the Belle-Île-en-Mer system not just to other islands but also to cities and suburban areas,” says Gilles Normand, SVP, Group Electric Vehicle Division.

The Tesla Model 3 | Top Gear

October 8, 2018Electric Cars, Model 3, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaRepost

Step inside Tesla’s brand new Model 3 and journey with us as we take it for a long drive.

Jack Rix from Top Gear.com takes a look.

Jaguar I-Pace review

October 7, 2018Electric Cars, I-PACE, Jaguar Land Rover, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Could this week’s road test subject be the most significant new car to leave the halls of a British manufacturer since the McLaren F1?

Don’t bet against it. For one thing, it is remarkable that the Jaguar I-Pace – not just a new Jaguar but a new breed of Jaguar, remember – was conceived in a mere four years.

Regardless of our verdict, this is a courageous project from a marque whose total annual sales amount to a fraction of what big-hitting Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz can muster. Despite the greater R&D budgets of its rivals, Jaguar has become the first established luxury car brand to bring its expertise to bear on a zero-emissions product.

The curious paradox is that the I-Pace is simultaneously the most limited and unrestricted Jaguar yet built. On one hand, to fulfil its potential it relies on the scope of a charging infrastructure outside of Jaguar’s direct control, and owners will need to plan activities in a way they simply wouldn’t need to if they owned a petrol-powered car. On the other, this opulently sleek, long-range electric car is claimed to accelerate to 60mph in less than five seconds but is uncommonly spacious within owing to its cleverly packaged powertrain.

It can also perform software updates ‘over the air’; can wade to a depth that’s typically the preserve of purpose-built off-roaders; is clever enough to save battery charge by only activating air vents for the seats in which passengers are actually sitting; and should, claims Jaguar, set new benchmarks on crossover SUV handling with perfect weight distribution, a low centre of gravity and a focus on feel. Early drives have suggested its four-wheel-drive powertrain also has huge potential off the beaten track, though that is to be followed up on another occasion.

On this one, our aim is to discover whether the I-Pace is good enough for you to put that Tesla Model S order on hold; or maybe even if its versatility and dynamism can convince us to give up hydrocarbons altogether.

Kia Niro EV offers over 300 miles of real world range for half the price of its rivals

October 6, 2018Electric Cars, Kia, News, Reviews and Comment, Niro EVRepost

KIA has confirmed that the new Niro EV’s real-world range which rivals the likes of Tesla and beats car such as the new Jaguar I Pace, Audi e-Tron and Mercedes EQC but will cost half the price.

Kia has confirmed the impressive real world range for the new Niro EV.

It will be able to achieve range of up to 301 miles on a single charge when it goes on sale towards the end of 2018.

Powering the car is a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery.

Its range was confirmed on the WLTP combined cycle. On the WLTP ‘urban’ test cycle, the e-Niro is capable of travelling for up to 382 miles (615 km) – further than many petrol cars.

Kia has also optimised the battery to be able to use a ‘fast charger.’

When plugged into a 100kW fast charger the Niro’s battery pack can be recharged from zero to 80 per cent in just 54 minutes.

There is also a smaller 39.2 kWh battery pack variant which produces 193 miles of real-world range on a single charge.

Models equipped with the 64kWh battery pack are paired with a 150 kW (204 ps) motor, producing 395 Nm torque.

This allows the vehicle to sprint from zero-62mph in just 7.8 seconds.

Standard 39.2kWh battery pack variants are paired with a 100 kW (136 ps) motor, also producing 395 Nm torque.

It enables the car to travel from zero-62 mph in 9.8 seconds.

The car is expected to costs around £30,000 when it goes on sale which makes it over half the price of a lot of its rivals including the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-Tron, and Mercedes EQA.

Renault EZ-PRO: Urban delivery goes robo

October 5, 2018Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, RenaultRepost

In a world where fast paced urbanization means that more than 60% or 70% of the population, depending of the region, will live in towns and cities by 2030, moving people is not the only task that needs to be rethought. A new era is also beginning for transporting goods: rapidity, flexibility and reliability are the watchwords of the new requirements for consumers at a time that is also seeing a rapid rise in online purchasing. This is accompanied by ever faster and more accurate delivery times with increasingly strict regulatory constraints in towns and city centers.

Providing sustainable mobility for all, today and tomorrow is Groupe Renault’s credo. To accomplish this, we are committed to offering mobility solutions that meet the needs of the many and staying true to our DNA. Tomorrow’s mobility will be electric, connected, autonomous and shared. This naturally includes the delivery of goods, and in particular what is known as “the last mile”.

Our vision for the future of last-mile delivery builds on our experience of nearly 120 years in the utility vehicle domain and our passion for innovating in order to make our customers’ lives easier. It is nourished by our DNA which places people at the heart of the design of our vehicles. It is also based on our openness to partners, who we work with in an open innovation approach that makes it possible to go further as we explore new horizons.

This is what makes this vision unique. It is articulated around four strong axes:

We believe that urban last mile delivery sector is one of the most important areas to disrupt in order to create a future that is clean, free of un-needed congestion, and efficient.
We believe that commercial delivery is flexible, and that a same platform can be used either in B2B and B2C scenarios.
We believe that delivery of parcels has to be seamless. End users can choose precisely where, when and how to have goods delivered.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we believe the future of last-mile delivery still has a human touch – someone who remains an essential link in the delivery chain.

Renault’s vision is today illustrated by EZ-PRO, a robo-vehicle concept for last mile urban delivery that includes a concierge, in a robo-vehicle scenario with human touch.

Source: Renault Media

Seven Reasons Why The Internal Combustion Engine Is A Dead Man Walking

October 4, 2018Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion, SalesRepost

The age of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is over. Electric cars are the future. The transition has just begun, but the move from ICE vehicles to Electric will happen sooner and more quickly than most people suspect.

What are the factors that lead me to say this with such confidence?

1 China says so!

China is now the world’s largest car market (of the 86m cars sold in 2017, 30% (25.8m) were sold in China, compared to 20% (17.2m) in the US, and 18% (15.6m) in the EU).

Unsurprisingly, car manufacturers want to have access to this market. However, China has passed a law which requires any vehicle maker to obtain a new energy vehicle score of at least 10% by 2019, which rises to 12% by 2020, and on up to 20% of sales by 2025.

As a result of this announcement, all the major OEM’s have suddenly found EV religion. A slew of announcements has followed about the 10’s of billions of dollars or Euros they are investing in their EV development programs and the partnerships or huge investments they are creating to secure their battery supply chain. The CEO of Porsche has even gone on record as saying that after 2030 all Porsche cars will be 100% electric.

So, China has spoken, and the car manufacturers have listened. In the next 18 months, expect the number of electric vehicle models available to purchase, to increase significantly.

2 Battery Costs are falling

The main cost of an electric vehicle is the cost of the battery. These price of these batteries is falling significantly.

Lithium-Ion batteries cost $1,000 per kWh in 2010. By 2017 that cost had fallen to $200 per kWh, and it won’t stop there. At the Tesla shareholder meeting on June 5th of this year, Elon Musk stated that Tesla would be at $100 per kWh within 2 years. $100 per kWh is widely agreed to be the figure where EVs and ICE vehicles will have a comparable upfront purchase price.

So, by 2020 the cost of batteries will have fallen 90% in 10 years, and the price will continue to drop.

3 Battery capacity is increasing

Lithium-Ion batteries are increasing in energy density at a rate of 5-8% per annum. Mercedes has said that their fully electric Mercedes EQC, which will come to market in 2019, will have an expected range of 500km. While the Tesla Roadster, which launches in 2020, has a stated range of 1,000km. When Electric Vehicles have a range of 1,000km, it is the ICE vehicles which start to have a range problem.

Moreover, other battery technologies like solid-state batteries will come on stream giving us batteries that are cheaper, faster charging, and with even greater range still.

4 Electric car batteries have a very long life

Contrary to what many believe, the batteries in electric vehicles don’t degrade over time (or over miles/kilometers driven either).