Monthly Archives: November 2018

SWARCO eVolt launches innovative new charging network App for EV drivers

November 10, 2018Charging, Electric Cars, Evolt, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

SWARCO eVolt, the nationwide supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, has launched SWARCO E.Connect, an EV Recharging network for eVolt and third party-manufactured charging stations across the UK and Europe.

The location and live status of all charging points can be viewed online or via a dedicated App on the automated live-map, while a journey planner feature gives drivers the opportunity to carefully plan their route and identify the available charging points on the way, should they need to stop and recharge.

EV drivers can join SWARCO E.Connect for free online or via the mobile app store, with no connection fees for charging their EV at any of the charge points across the network in the UK and Europe. For those who do not wish to, or are unable to access the app, an RFID access card can be purchased for a one-off cost of £10; subscribers simply need to tap their card on the reader on the charger unit to connect their account.

For charge point owners, SWARCO E.Connect can be integrated into existing parking management systems and can also incorporate fault management processes so that any historic, technical issues with the charge points can be viewed. Advanced reporting tools including environmental impact statistics, such as comparative national data on carbon emissions, can be accessed via the online portal. Automated usage statistics are delivered in a weekly report.

SWARCO E.Connect is compatible with all charge point manufacturers and service companies to ensure the most efficient uptime across the network, with all faults being reported immediately and not requiring manual intervention. It can also be integrated with other SWARCO products and services.

Justin Meyer, General Manager at SWARCO eVolt, says SWARCO E.Connect offers significant benefits to both EV drivers and charge point owners: “The advanced reporting tools available will give owners accurate and insightful data on the environmental impact of the charging points.”

“E.Connect is unique in the sense that EV drivers can join, access the network and charge their vehicle completely free of charge. We are committed to lowering emissions providing reliable and high-quality charging infrastructure across the UK, Europe and beyond.”

SWARCO E.Connect also operates a 24/7 365 days a year helpline for drivers and charge point owners to ensure that any issues can be addressed efficiently and effectively.

Source: Gravity London PR

Southwark Council begins roll out of lamppost electric vehicle charging

November 9, 2018Char.gy, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Southwark Council is launching a network of 50 lamppost electric vehicle charge points after partnering with char.gy to deliver installations in two areas of the borough.

Two chargers are already live, with plans to roll out the rest of the network across Borough & Bankside and Dulwich by the end of January.

Char.gy designs and manufactures the units, which are rated at 7.7kW charging speed. However, due to the availability of power from the lampposts, these are reduced to around 5.3kW in most instances.

Lamp post charging has become an area of interest for local authorities, particularly those in London, as they offer a solution to residents without off street parking without adding to existing street furniture.

In addition, char.gy can offer load management across multiple chargers, queuing or delaying charging periods or reducing speeds at times of grid constraint.

Richard Stobart, chief executive of char.gy, said: “Char.gy offers easy, affordable, open-access EV charging without the need to dig-up residential streets across Southwark to lay additional cables or add on-street electricity cabinets. We look forward to offering this convenient means of on-street charging as a vital step towards reducing vehicle emissions across London.”

Electric vehicles are going to render the fight over fuel economy standards moot

November 8, 2018Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion, Pollution, SalesRepost

The auto industry is headed for revolution, Trump notwithstanding.

Though it may seem like several dozen scandals ago, the Trump administration is just now finalizing plans to freeze national fuel-economy standards in place, rather than steadily increasing them as Obama planned.

This is a terrible idea, for reasons I have detailed at length — it will cost consumers more, ensure more air and climate pollution, and, obviously, yield less fuel-efficient vehicles. It’s a bad idea economically, environmentally, and in terms of America’s international reputation.

I’m not going to go through all that again, though. Instead, in this short post, I want to do two things: point out a fact about the political calculations of this plan, namely, that it is opposed by the very corporate entities for which it was designed; and, second, make a bold prediction about the effect of electric vehicles on this fuel-economy debate. Basically, I think EVs are going to render the whole dispute moot!

First, the fact.

Car companies don’t like this plan

Car companies have acted with grotesque dishonesty throughout the history of the fuel-economy debate. It was only when Obama bailed them out — literally saving them from bankruptcy — that they agreed to come to the table to work out increased national standards.

When Trump took over, they immediately reversed course and, like jackals, descended on the new administration, pleading for regulatory relief, for a few more years of SUV profits.

And as in so many other areas, Trump gave business what they wanted. More than what they wanted. So much of what they wanted that they don’t want it anymore! Let me explain.

The administration has been holding public hearings on its proposal, and not surprisingly, it has received a torrent of opposition from the usual suspects — environmentalists, health groups, California. What is somewhat surprising is that considerable opposition has come from the auto companies themselves. (Also speaking out against, Axios reports: Shell Oil! When you’ve lost Shell …)

Ford has opposed it, along with the United Auto Workers. “Let me be clear,” said Bob Holycross, Ford’s global director of Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters. “We do not support standing still.” GM and Chrysler have also lobbied the administration to alter its plans.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a major automaker trade group, has also opposed the plan. “We support standards that increase year over year,” said AAM CEO Mitch Bainwol at a hearing.

“The industry is united in its request that the agencies work out an agreement with California” for a single, rising national standard, Honda said in recent comments.

As for Trump’s plan? “We didn’t ask for that,” Robert Bienenfeld, Honda’s assistant vice president in charge of environment and energy strategy, told the New York Times. “The position we outlined was sensible.”

Electric vehicles will be allowed to drive at higher speed limits than gas cars, says Austrian government

November 7, 2018Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, Model 3, Model S, Model X, News, Reviews and Comment, Pollution, TeslaRepost

A new initiative from the Austrian government is set to reward electric car owners with a unique incentive.

On October 25, the Austrian ministerial cabinet announced that it would be adjusting the speed restrictions for electric vehicles traveling in the country’s IG-L-Hundred zone, which covers a total area of 440 kilometers (273 miles). With the updated rules in place, owners of Teslas and other electric vehicles will be allowed to travel up to 130 km/h (80 mph) on the highway, 30 km/h (20 mph) faster than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts.

Austrian Minister of Sustainability Elisabeth Köstinger noted that the speed limit exception for electric vehicles is part of the country’s initiative to encourage the adoption of sustainable transportation. Together with the adjusted speed limits, the Austrian government is also pushing to open bus lanes for zero-emissions cars, and promote free parking programs for electrified vehicles.

“The exception for electric vehicles in the IG-L-Hundred is an advantage that we want to give owners of e-vehicles to internal combustion engines,” Köstinger said.

While the specifics of the speed limit incentive are yet to be fully announced, the Austrian government’s wording on the program suggests that the exception would be tailor-fit for battery-powered vehicles like Tesla’s electric cars. Köstinger, for one, noted that the top speed advantage would be given to EV drivers over drivers in vehicles with internal combustion engines. With this statement in mind, it appears that hybrid vehicles such as the BMW i8, which are equipped with a internal combustion engines and electric motors, would not be awarded the same top speed incentive.

The country’s EV community would likely appreciate a speed limit incentive for electric cars, and if it proves effective in Austria, there is a good chance that the program would be adopted in other regions as well. Electric cars, after all, emit no emissions regardless of their speed, and with the advent of high-performance vehicles like the Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3, EVs are now more than capable of maintaining high speeds for long periods of time. With batteries getting cheaper and better, electric cars will soon be able to travel even farther than before as well. With this in mind, even simple perks like a higher speed limit would likely encourage even more drivers to join the growing electric car movement.

Tesla shares jump as Musk delivers quarterly profit, cash

November 6, 2018Electric Cars, Model 3, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaRepost

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) reported a net profit, positive cash flow and wider-than-expected margins for the latest quarter on Wednesday, delivering on Chief Executive Elon Musk’s promise to turn the electric carmaker profitable as higher production volumes of its new Model 3 began to pay off.

Tesla reiterated that it expected to repeat its net profit in the current quarter, helping drive the company’s shares up 14 percent in after hours trading.

The controversial Musk, who has often set goals and deadlines that Tesla has failed to reach, surprised investors by delivering on his pledge to make Tesla profitable for only the third quarter in its 15-year existence, providing a positive end to a difficult quarter for the CEO whose leadership was openly questioned only weeks ago.

“We can actually be cash flow positive and profitable in all quarters going forward,” Musk said, qualifying that he excluded those in which a big debt payment comes due, such as the first quarter of 2019.

Musk reiterated that Tesla currently does not plan to raise equity or debt.

Tesla said it would begin taking orders in Europe and China for the Model 3 before the end of 2018. Deliveries would begin to Europe in late February or March, and those to China in the second quarter, if not before, Musk said.

Musk said he planned to begin local production in China next year in a ‘capital efficient manner,’ suggesting the company might use a similar tent structure for car assembly that has already been used at its Fremont, California, plant. He gave no further details on plans in China.

Meanwhile, seeking to quell speculation that a large number of prospective buyers had canceled their reservations due to delays receiving their cars, Tesla said only 20 percent of North American reservation-holders had canceled their bookings.

Free cash flow at $881 million was positive for only the third time in Tesla’s history and was helped by a surge of new production of the Model 3, lower capital expenditures, and more efficient use of working capital.

While still below the production target it set for June of 5,000 Model 3s per week, the roughly 4,300 Model 3s the company is now averaging per week were enough to boost results.

Renault EVs drive forward the Eden project’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions

November 5, 2018Electric Cars, Electric Vans, Kangoo Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Renault, ZOE, ZOE Z.E. 40Repost

Renault electric vehicles will continue to play a major role in the day-to-day running of the Eden Project and its drive to educate its millions of visitors on the environmental benefits of EVs after the world-famous attraction took delivery of a new fleet of 100 per cent electric ZOE and Kangoo Z.E models

Comprising of three Renault ZOE hatchbacks and 14 Renault Kangoo Z.E. in Van and Maxi Crew Van Cab specifications, the vehicles replace the Eden Project’s previous Renault EV fleet. The latest vehicles complement Eden’s existing Renault Twizys. The quadricycles’ compact dimensions make them ideal for use across the entire Eden site – even in the narrow pathways through the tranquil, climate-controlled Biomes.

The usability and high visibility of its previous Renault EVs has allowed the Eden Project to lead by example when it comes to raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles in reducing carbon emissions. Compared to equivalent diesel and petrol vehicles, its original Renault EV fleet saved nearly 17 tonnes of CO2 since its inception in 2016, clocking up nearly 94,000 miles in and around its award-winning facility.

The mix of ZOE and Kangoo Z.E. will fulfil a variety of roles across the Eden Project, being used by its maintenance, horticulture, security, live programming and catering teams. A number of the vehicles will also be assigned to help with the provision of onsite medical support and transporting less able-bodied visitors around the site.

With zero tailpipe emissions and being near silent in use, the Renault EVs have little impact on the tranquillity and striking landscape of the Eden Project. Notably, during the last two years the lack of noise has allowed the busy Eden Live Team to work round the clock without affecting the visitor experience, while the fleet has also chauffeured presenters and celebrities to help facilitate the wide variety of filming that the renowned Cornish venue hosts every year.

Uber updates London electrification plans with new ‘clean air fee’ and charger partnerships

November 4, 2018Electric Cars, Electric Taxis, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Uber has teamed up with seven electric vehicle charging suppliers to offer its drivers cheaper prices for home charge points, while adding 15p per mile to each London journey to fund the switch to EVs across its London fleet.

The company’s latest Clean Air Plan is aiming to get every car in London on the Uber app to be fully electric in 2025 – a significant change to its pledge made in September last year to transition its London fleet of uberX vehicles to hybrid or fully electric by 2019, followed by the rest of the UK in 2022.

From early 2019, a ‘clean air fee’ of 15p per mile will be included on every trip booked through the app in London – averaging at 45p a journey – to be put towards aiding drivers in upgrading to an EV.

The amount of support drivers could receive will be based on the number of miles they have driven, with those using the app for an average of 40 hours per week likely to expect around £3,000 within two years’ time and £4,500 in three years.

This is in place of a similar charge proposed by Uber in September last year of 35p per journey to be put into a ring-fenced Clean Air Fund offering up to £5,000 to drivers towards the cost of upgrading to a hybrid or fully electric vehicle.

The company expects to raise £200 million in the coming years, with a goal to have all Uber vehicles fully electric in London in 2025, with the first 20,000 drivers upgrading to electric vehicles by the end of 2021.

Nissan Leaf gets approval for vehicle-to-grid use in Germany

November 3, 2018Charging, Electric Cars, Leaf, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, V2GRepost

So-called vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is a connection between the EV and the grid through which power can flow from the grid to the vehicle and vice-versa. That potentially enables car owners to sell energy to the network, while utilities could use electric cars as a backstop if demand rises.

Nissan said it would initially target corporate clients with fleets of more than 60 electric vehicles, adding that services based on V2G technology would be offered in Germany from next year onwards.

There will be 280 million electric vehicles by 2040, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency, compared with more than 3 million last year.

“We strongly believe in an emission-free future,” Guillaume Pelletreau, Vice President and Managing Director, Nissan Center Europe, said. “Leaf batteries could make an important contribution to energy transition in Germany and a sustainable future.”

Electric vehicle chargers could offer £6 billion opportunity to 2040 across shops, workplaces and motorways

November 2, 2018Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

An investment opportunity of up to £6 billion is available to 2040 owing to the need for millions of electric vehicle chargers at workplaces, shops and motorway services, according to a report out this week.

Released by Aurora Energy Research and supported by Eaton, NatWest, Lombard and the Renewable Energy Association, the study states the number of chargers needed at commercial and industrial (C&I) units could hit 3 million.

This would occur under a high deployment scenario with 35 million EVs on the road in Great Britain, as demand for charging facilities away from the residential sector increase.

Demand for these would be spread across fleet vans, workplace commuters, pubic car parks, and motorway stops, requiring between £2 billion to £6 billion of investment to fund the total cost of equipment and installation.

Dr. Felix Chow-Kambitsch, head of flexible energy and battery storage at Aurora said:

“High electric vehicle deployment over the next twenty years will radically transform Great Britain’s energy system, stimulating innovation through a shift to ‘smart’, increasing flexibility and enhancing the role of renewables in the energy mix.

“Commercial and Industrial ‘smart’ charging has a key role to play in meeting high levels of consumer ‘away-from-home’ EV charging demand and represents an exciting development for the whole energy industry.”

Response to BEIS Committee report on electric vehicles

November 1, 2018BP Chargemaster, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

Following the release of the Commons’ Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS) report into the future of electric vehicles published today, a number of interested parties have responded.

On the whole, the response has been positive, with the main criticism being that the government needs to be doing a lot more now to boost the roll-out of charging points. One dissenting voice comes from SMMT.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive:

“Government’s 2040 ambition was already extremely challenging, so to fast-track that by eight years would be nigh on impossible. We said we need world class infrastructure and world class incentives to have any chance of delivering so the recent cuts to the Plug-in Car Grant and lack of charging facilities – both of which are severely criticised by the Committee – show just how difficult it would be to accelerate this transition.

“Zero emission vehicles make up just 0.6% of the market meaning consumer appetite would have to grow by some 17,000% in just over a decade. This is unrealistic and rejects the evidence put forward by SMMT on behalf of the industry, which is investing billions into these technologies but which recognises consumers need greater confidence and support if they are to buy these vehicles in the numbers we all want.”

David Martell, Chief Executive of BP Chargemaster, said:

“We welcomed the invitation from the BEIS committee to present evidence to its enquiry and we are pleased to see many of our concerns are addressed in its findings.

“The largest factor limiting the growth of the UK EV market today is the number of electric cars physically available. There is probably sufficient demand for around 100,000 new EV registrations in 2018, but that number is likely to be around 60,000 due to supply constraints.

“In terms of charging infrastructure, while the committee endorses the provisions in the Automated and Electric Vehicle Act 2018 to ‘ensure interoperability’, it ignores the fact that this ease of access already exists thanks to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations 2017, which mandate ‘ad hoc’, pay-as-you-go access to all public charging points – so the aim of interoperability has already been achieved with existing legislation.

“The committee’s finding that EV charging infrastructure is ‘not fit for purpose’ does not correlate with the overall customer experience and appears to be based on outdated information, and figures relating only to publicly-funded charging points, ignoring the fact that the majority of new infrastructure is being privately-funded. BP Chargemaster will continue to expand its affordable, reliable and convenient charging network over the coming years, to make driving an EV as easy as possible.”

BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said:

“The Government’s electric vehicle strategy needs to move from one based on visions to one based on actions. If India, China and Scotland feel able to set a target of banning new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032, then the UK should be brave enough to meet that challenge as well…”