Monthly Archives: September 2020

Ubitricity Electric Avenue project lamppost charging (Image: Siemens)

Average EV range exceeds 200 miles

The average range of the latest electric cars exceeds 200 miles, according to new research from Cornwall Insight.

It analysed the WLTP-reported range of all the electric vehicles (EVs) currently available in the UK and found that, on average, EVs can cover 202 miles.

“Range anxiety is one of the key barriers to EV adoption, but, our latest research, shows that the average range for electric cars stands at around 202 miles. Suggesting that the range offered by electric cars at present is practical for a range of scenarios. The improvement in mileage is due to growing investment and more models being announced by car manufacturers,” said Tom Lusher, analyst at Cornwall Insight.

Ubitricity Electric Avenue project lamppost charging (Image: Siemens)
Ubitricity Electric Avenue project lamppost charging (Image: Siemens)

Tesla models were found to offer the longest range, with the Model X achieving more than 350 miles from a single charge.

The research also highlighted that cheaper EVs, like the Peugeot e-208, Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona can now comfortably offer more than 200-miles of range when compared to older models, like the Volkswagen e-Golf.

Lusher added: “The fleet industry represents a large proportion of the transport industry and the mileage issue has dulled uptake, however, as overall mileage of EVs are improving we are now approaching the point where EVs will make a viable alternative to petrol or diesel.”

Read more: FleetNews

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Tesla Model 3 Unveil (Image: Tesla)

UK In August — 9.75% Electric Vehicle Market Share, More Than 2× August 2019

The UK saw 9.75% plugin electric vehicle market share in August 2020, up from 4.4% in August 2019. Year to date plugin share now stands at 8.2%. The overall auto market was down 5.8% compared to a year ago, at just over 87,000 units.

The UK auto industry body, the SMMT, doesn’t report individual model results in its monthly general summaries. However, we can get a sense of the UK’s favoured plugin models in the first half of 2020 (i.e., not yet including July or August sales), from the European Alternative Fuels Observatory.

Tesla Model 3 Unveil (Image: Tesla)
Tesla Model 3 Unveil (Image: Tesla)

We can see that the Tesla Model 3, Nissan LEAF, MG ZS EV, Jaguar I-Pace, and Renault Zoe were the most popular BEVs, all selling over 2000 units in the first half of the year. The BMW 330e and the Mitsubishi Outlander were highest selling PHEVs.

The MG ZS EV deserves a shout out for grabbing the 3rd place spot for BEVs in its first full year of availability — a great achievement.

Notably, the Tesla Model 3 was by far the most popular UK plugin in the first half of the year, outselling the next 4 BEVs combined. Let’s see if September will bring another strong end-of-quarter performance for the Tesla.

Read more: Clean Technica

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Government should scrap VAT on ELECTRIC VEHICLES to bring price in line with petrol cars says SMMT

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on government to commit to significant long-term incentives for electric vehicle (EV) purchase and binding targets on charging infrastructure, as a new survey suggests almost half of UK motorists don’t feel ready to make the switch by 2035.

The call was made as more than 20 leading car brands came together at a special EV driving event to highlight the growing range of exciting new technologies already on the market, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to getting Britain’s motorists on the road to zero.

EVs are rapidly growing in popularity, with demand more than doubling over the last year thanks to massive industry investment worth some £54 billion in 2019 alone.

Over the last 12 months, the number of plug-in hybrid and full electric models has leapt from 62 to 83, with more scheduled for launch in the coming months. Consumers can now choose from a raft of technologies to suit their driving needs, from plug-in hybrids capable of an average 38 miles’ zero emission driving on a single charge, to full electric models with ranges of up to 300 miles, and hydrogen-electric cars that emit nothing but water.

A new SMMT survey by Savanta ComRes confirms keen interest from consumers in this technology with drivers most attracted to the lower running costs (41%) and chance to improve the environment (29%). However, while these cars now account for one in six models on sale (17%), they make up just one in 13 purchases (8%).

The survey found the biggest factors holding buyers back are higher purchase prices (52%), lack of local charging points (44%) and fear of being caught short on longer journeys (38%). While, encouragingly, a third (37%) are optimistic about buying a full EV by 2025, 44% don’t think they’ll be ready by 2035, with 24% saying that they can’t ever see themselves owning one.

SMMT is calling for a long-term commitment to incentives, including the continuation of the Plug-in Grant and its re-introduction for plug-in hybrids – a technology critical to the transition, giving higher mileage drivers reassuring flexibility and delivering environmental benefits now.

This commitment, alongside VAT exemptions for all zero emission capable cars, would reduce the upfront price of a family car by an average £5,500 for battery electric cars and £4,750 for plug-in hybrids, and for an SUV by £9,750 and £8,000 respectively – vital given the high cost of producing this advanced new technology. This would bring them more in line with petrol and diesel equivalents and potentially drive some 2.4 million sales over the next five years, with an estimated 28% market share by 2025 compared with 8% today.

Read more: TaxiPoint

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Charging Station in Sunderland (Image: Fastned)

12m drivers considering an electric car in next two years

Uswitch estimates drivers will save a combined £4bn a year.

An estimated 12 million British drivers are considering buying an electric vehicle in the next two years, according to new research. The study of more than 2,000 UK adults by comparison site Uswitch found 30.7 percent of drivers expect to look into the prospect of an electric car over the next two years, while some are already convinced.

Just over one in 10 (11 percent) of respondents said they would be buying an electric vehicle (EV) in the next 24 months, suggesting electric power is about to become much more popular. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), electric cars have accounted for 4.7 percent of all new cars registered over the first seven months of this year.

Charging Station in Sunderland (Image: Fastned)
Charging Station in Sunderland (Image: Fastned)

But the figures suggest that is about to increase, and if all those considering an EV do make the switch to battery power, Uswitch estimates they could save a fortune. In fact, with an estimated average saving of £329 a year, the company thinks those drivers could save a combined total of £4 billion in fuel alone every year.

Overall, Uswitch’s research suggests petrol and diesel car owners spend an average of £74.86 a month on fuel. However, the study found electric car drivers were only adding an average of £30.90 a month to their bills by charging their vehicles. When adjusted for average mileage, the company reckons electric vehicle owners save £27.48 a month over their fossil fuel-powered peers.

And Uswitch says EV drivers could save even more if they think about how and when they charge. Simply by charging at home with a 7 kW wallbox, Uswitch says a 100-mile charge will be around £2 cheaper than charging at a motorway service station – although it will take longer. And by being on the best tariff, Uswitch says EV drivers could save up to £92 a year.

“Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and 12 million drivers could soon be swapping their petrol or diesel car for a more environmentally friendly one,” said Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com. “The good news for these drivers is that EVs come with an additional financial benefit too — they cost far less to fuel than a petrol or diesel car.

“However, charging costs can vary depending on your energy tariff. If you are still on your supplier’s standard variable tariff, charging your car could cost an additional £7.69 a month unless you switch to a more competitive fixed-term deal.”

Read more: msn

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IONITY rapid charge points at Leeds Skelton Lake Services (Image: IONITY)

Transitioning to EVs could create 30,000 jobs says SPEN

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) could create around 30,000 new jobs along with other economic benefits across the UK.

According to a new report by the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Energy Policy and supported by SP Energy Networks (SPEN), if the investment in upgrading the network to allow a 99% EV uptake by 2050 in the UK was made, this would not only create tens of thousands of jobs but increase GDP by 0.16%.

Jobs would be created in the network, construction and service sector supply chains, with the average wages within these increasing by 0.1% thanks to the investment as well. Additional roles will be created in related areas as well, such as developers of bodywork and delivery drivers for EV companies.

IONITY rapid charge points at Leeds Skelton Lake Services (Image: IONITY)
IONITY rapid charge points at Leeds Skelton Lake Services (Image: IONITY)

Scott Mathieson, director of Network Planning and Regulation at SPEN, said the company’s work is “far more than just keeping the lights on.”

“Investing in EV infrastructure and adoption of EVs will help shift a post-COVID 19 economy onto a pathway for a green economic recovery.

“This robust analysis demonstrates why providing the right environment for greater investment in the infrastructure to support EVs now is so crucial to creating a much-needed economic stimulus and enabling the UK to meet Net Zero targets. By working together, we can help develop a better future, quicker.”

The report comes after it was revealed that 45% of young people consider sustainable sectors like the EV sector, offer more secure career paths and over half of young people want a job that helps to protect the planet.

Professor Karen Turner, director of the Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde highlighted that the transport sector decarbonising will be key to the UK hitting its binding net zero by 2050 target.

Read more: Current

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Hurricane evacuations and electric cars—here’s what we know

On Tuesday, Ars took a look at how Houston handles hurricanes, particularly in light of the city’s botched response to Hurricane Rita in 2005. Back then, millions of Houstonians poured onto the roads to escape the storm’s grasp only to find impenetrable traffic. Senior Technology Editor Lee Hutchinson was one of them, describing a “stupid fucking shambolic evacuation” that crept along at an average of 6.7mph (10.8km/h) for nearly an entire day and night in brutal Texan heat and humidity. Many just ran out of fuel on the road, a consequence of idling bumper to bumper for hours and hours with the AC running.

FURTHER READING
Science and steely nerves spared Houston from a nightmare hurricane evacuation
In the comments, a reader asked a question that provoked a long discussion in the Ars office that morning—what does this mean for electric vehicles?

e-Car Club Nissan Leafs in Northampton (Image: T. Larkum)

Don’t sweat it
As it happens, sitting in stationary or walking-pace traffic for 20 hours is the kind of thing at which an EV excels. Unlike a car with an idling engine, an EV’s battery only has to energize the electric motor when motion is actually called for. Add in regenerative braking that recovers some of that energy instead of wasting it as heat, as friction brakes do, and it’s advantage EV.

That still applies even if the outside weather is hotter than body temperature. As all EV drivers know (and many EV critics like to point out), turning on the climate control in an electric car has a negative effect on your predicted range.

But keeping cool is unlikely to require more than 2kW, since the electric air conditioning condensers used by EVs require less energy to operate than the belt-driven versions in conventionally powered vehicles. Running a Tesla AC continuously in a heat wave will eventually deplete its battery, but only sometime after your neighbor’s thirsty V8 freedom-mobile runs dry.

In an ideal world, as long as your evacuation destination is within range when you set off, the wrath of Mother Nature should not dissuade you from going electric—thereby helping to save Mother Nature.

But we don’t live in an ideal world; we live in one that’s warming, with increasingly destructive storms from which people will need to flee. Those who don’t have the range to evacuate on a single charge will need to stop and plug in.

Read more: ars Technica

Government to set legally binding air quality targets

The Government is planning to set new air quality targets under its Environment Bill to help reduce public exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

The UK currently falls short of WHO recommended limits of PM 2.5s, which are produced by vehicle engines and known to damage the lungs and heart.

The Government said it is fully committed to tackling air pollution and that is independent of being a member of the EU.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) long-term targets will be supported by interim targets to ensure the UK stays on track with the Government’s five-year trajectory.

George Eustice, Environment Secretary, said: “The targets we set under our Environment Bill will be the driving force behind our bold action to protect and enhance our natural world – guaranteeing real and lasting progress on some of the biggest environmental issues facing us today.

“I hope these targets will provide some much-needed certainty to businesses and society, as we work together to build back better and greener.”

To set the targets, which will also apply to any future Governments, Defra said it will use “an evidence-led process in collaboration with independent experts and stakeholders to make sure these are strong, meaningful and environmental outcome focused”.

To hold the Government to account, the new environmental watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection, will also report annually on the progress that has been made in improving the natural environment in accordance with these targets.

Once proposed targets are developed, businesses, communities and civil society will have an opportunity to share their views in response to a public consultation that is expected in early 2022.

Legislation to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the UK’s presidency of COP26 in November 2021 will also keep the UK at the forefront of international work on air quality.

Whilst investment into alternative fuel power will have a greater long-term impact, TRL is calling for an increased focus on immediate short-term actions such as wider uptake of Clean Air Zones (CAZs) and Low Emission Zones (LEZs).

Multiple CAZ plans have been either put on hold, or cancelled as councils consider alternative options in the wake of Covid-19.

Read more: Smart Transport

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Tesla Model 3 (Image: Tesla.com)

Global Plug-In Electric Car Sales July 2020: The Market Takes Off

Tesla exceeds 200,000 YTD, while 9 other brands sold more than 10,000 passenger plug-in cars.

After about a year of relatively low growth or noticeable decline inf global plug-in electric car sales, July 2020 finally brings us a strong bounce up.

With close to 248,000 sales (the 4th best monthly result ever), sales improved by 76% year-over-year, and market share is up too, at 3.7% (7% decline in the overall car sales helped a little bit).

All-electric cars hold the majority of plug-in car sales (64% and 67% YTD), although growth of 63% year-over-year in July is significantly lower than in the case of plug-in hybrids (up 106% year-over-year).

During seven months of 2020, almost 1.2 million passenger plug-in cars were sold globally, which is 5% than a year ago at this point, but the perspective is positive as Europe is booming and China has returned to growth.

Tesla Model 3 (Image: Tesla.com)
Tesla Model 3 (Image: Tesla.com)

Model rank
The top selling models last month were:

Tesla Model 3 – 22,461 (#1 YTD: 164,800)
Renault ZOE – 9,410 (#2 YTD: 46,511)
Tesla Model Y – 7,540 (#11 YTD: 20,955)
Wuling’s Hong Guang MINI EV – 7,348 (outside top 20)
Hyundai Kona Electric – 6,257 (#4 YTD: 25,549)
The Model 3 is pulling forward quickly and is so far ahead that we can already assume it’s the best-selling car of the year 2020, just like in 2019.

Renault ZOE is really strong and clearly stands out from the rest of the pack. The time will tell whether it will be caught by others, like Model Y or Wuling’s Hong Guang MINI EV (with over 50,000 orders).

By the way, Hyundai Kona Electric passed the Volkswagen e-Golf and is now targeting the Nissan LEAF.

Read more: Inside EVs

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Fiat 500 Electric (image: fiat.co.uk)

Fiat 500 Review

The third-generation Fiat 500 city car has arrived, more than half-a-century and six million sales after Italy’s favourite small car first launched. It marks a historic turning point too – this 500 is all-electric, which should be no surprise given the Fiat’s trendsetting past.

For the time being, Fiat will also continue to sell the mild-hybrid petrol ‘old’ 500 for customers who want a cheaper small car, but the ‘new’ 500 will come with just one zero-emissions powertrain. The la Prima special edition is the only one available from launch and costs a rather significant £26,995 including the government Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) and a home wallbox charger. That’s a lot for a Fiat 500, and puts the car close on price to the upmarket MINI Electric and Honda e.

Fiat 500 Electric (image: fiat.co.uk)
Fiat 500 Electric (image: fiat.co.uk)

Like other electric cars, if you can stomach the high price – or more likely find an affordable finance deal – the running costs start to pay dividends immediately. Tax is free, company-car drivers have much smaller bills and recharging the battery pack costs under £10. The 500’s large 42kWh also gives it an edge over the MINI and Honda, with a range of 199 miles – just over 50 more than those two. The Renault ZOE can go even further, however, with a range of almost 250 miles.

With 117bhp and instant pulling power, the 500 feels effortlessly quick around town, getting up to speed in next to no time. It also boasts a sharp turning circle and its ride can even soak up potholes, making it an ideal urban runaround. Its range and up to 85kW fast charging should also make longer trips relatively straightforward.

Fiat has been careful to preserve the 500’s unmistakable design, despite the car growing in every direction. Perhaps most impressively, the addition of a large battery pack hasn’t made the cute Fiat look too tall – it’s only gained 26mm in height. Meanwhile, features like split LED headlights that the bonnet intersects lend a modern look, and the lack of a grille points to the past, when the engine was mounted in the back.

Clean lines extend to the interior, where there’s now less clutter and a wider fascia. There’s also a far more powerful infotainment system, thanks to the arrival of U Connect 5, with a digital instrument display and high-definition 10.25-inch touchscreen. Occupants will enjoy more space and there’s a better driving position, but the boot remains compact at 185 litres.

Safety also takes a leap forward, thanks to new sensors that will offer the latest autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring to help avoid collisions.

Read more: CarBuyer

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BMW i3 120Ah (Image: BMW Group)

BMW And VW Ramping Up i3 And e-Golf Production Due To COVID Disruption, Rising Demand

Demand for electric cars is on the rise in Europe and elsewhere around the world, prompting BMW to ramp up production of the i3 and VW to build the e-Golf for longer than originally planned.

BMW has significantly increased production capacity compared to the original plan for the second half of 2020 at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The company is extending shifts and shortening breaks to increase the number of vehicles built per day from 114 to 130.

BMW i3 120Ah (Image: BMW Group)
BMW i3 120Ah (Image: BMW Group)

In addition, the automaker has cancelled the one-week summer break for the i3 assembly line. Automobilwoche reports the decisions are motivated by increasing demand and the need to recuperate the long production stoppage in the second quarter of the year caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. In the first half of 2020, BMW built just over 12,500 i3 EVs, while in the entire 2019 calendar year production reached 38,937 units.

As for the VW e-Golf, production will continue at the Transparent Factory in Dresden until Christmas, contrary to initial plans. However, e-Golf production ended for good at the Wolfsburg plant on July 23.

VW currently makes 74 e-Golfs every day but aims to reach an output of 80 vehicles per day. Mind you, this will only continue until Christmas, when the Dresden plant will be converted to build the ID.3 starting January 2021.

Read more: CarScoops

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