Monthly Archives: February 2023

Help middle-class drivers make the switch to used EVs, says Auto Trader

Buying/Leasing, Cost of ownership, Electric Cars, I-PACE, Jaguar Land Rover, News, Reviews and Comment, Tesla

Middle-class households will need incentives to buy used EVs in order to meet climate targets.

That’s according to Auto Trader, which says the government is falling short on making the uptake of used cars, particularly used ones, attractive, unlike abroad.

Used EV demand is said to be dropping thanks to increasing electricity prices, and the cost of used EVs, especially luxury ones, has dropped, with The Times reporting the average price of a used Jaguar I-Pace, pictured, to have decreased by 14.6 per cent in a year, while the Tesla Model X is down by 12.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, the price of a used Nissan Leaf has gone down by 1.6 per cent, while the cost of a Smart ForTwo has dropped by 1.3 per cent.

Jaguar I-PACE at Fully Charged Live show (Image: T. Larkum)
Jaguar I-PACE at Fully Charged Live show (Image: T. Larkum)

A working group has been set up by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to look at the used EV market, including how to stimulate demand, and Auto Trader warns in a report that ‘with supply ahead of demand, the used electric vehicle market needs urgent attention to address the imbalance’.

Auto Trader brand director Marc Palmer was quoted by The Times as saying: ‘What we really need is more mainstream demand.

‘We need middle-income households to be able to access electric cars and to be reassured electricity is OK.

Read more: CarDealer

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Just about to finish at Cherwell (Image: T. Larkum)

Moto exceeds 200 ultra-rapid EV charger installations in the UK

Away From Home, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment

Moto, one of the UK’s largest motorway services operators, plans to install just over 1,600 ultra-rapid EV chargers by the end of the decade, and it has now opened 12 new ultra-rapid chargers at Moto Reading Westbound on the M4. This brings to 211 the total number of ultra-rapid chargers owned by Moto.

The new chargers are supplied by renewable energy and the charging hub has been opened by Moto, GRIDSERVE and Tesla.

The 350kW-capable ultra-rapid chargers can deliver up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

By integrating further EV charging capabilities in the Midlands region, an extensive network is being created allowing EV drivers to navigate around the area via motorway networks. By having sufficient amounts of service stations with EV charging capabilities, this helps to decrease range anxiety and could in turn prompt further drivers to switch to EVs.

A row of electric cars at a rapid charger station (Image: Ecotricity)
A row of electric cars at a rapid charger station (Image: Ecotricity)

“When we opened our first ultra-rapid EV Charging Hub at Moto Rugby, we knew it represented a major turning point in the feasibility of EV vehicle ownership – signalling the arrival of more accessible, more reliable and quicker on-the-go charging options,” said Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan.

“Now, just 18 months later, having over 200 such charge points across our network are a vast achievement. Together, with our partners, we have overcome significant planning, legal and infrastructure barriers to deliver a better charging experience for EV owners, as well as make the prospect of EV ownership more attractive.

Read more: Current+

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Zappi 2018 EV Charge Point (Image: myEnergi)

EVs soften car crash

Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, FAQ, News, Reviews and Comment

BRITISH car production slumped to the lowest level since the 1950s in 2022 with 775,914 vehicles coming off production lines.

The sharp decline was caused by a crippling shortage of semiconductors, factory closures and supply chain issues caused by Covid lockdowns in China.

However, electrified vehicles continued to boom and accounted for almost a third of cars which, according to industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was worth £10 billion in exports alone.

In 2022, UK factories turned out a record 234,066 battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) electric vehicles, with combined volumes up 4.5 per cent year-on-year to represent 30.2 per cent of all car production.

 

“The response from police drivers to the BMW i3 has been very positive. It’s actually a very quick car.”

Total BEV production rose 4.8 per cent, with hybrid volumes up 4.3 per cent, and boosting output of these vehicles will be critical in the attainment of net zero, for both the UK and major overseas markets.

Overall, the annual total was 84,561 units down on 2021 and 40.5 per cent off the 1,303,135 cars made pre-pandemic in 2019, equivalent to a loss of more than half a million cars.

The figures come as fresh SMMT analysis confirms the increasingly important role of electrified vehicle production to the UK economy, especially the value of exports.

Since 2017, the value of BEV, PHEV and HEV exports has risen seven-fold, from £1.3 billion to more than £10 billion.

As a result, electrified vehicles represent 44.7 per cent of the value of all UK car exports, up from a mere 4.1 per cent.

Read more: Eurekar

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Mythbusting the world of EVs: are energy prices killing electric cars?

Charging, Cost of ownership, Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion

With electricity prices on the rise, what’s cheaper? And what’s the underlying issue at play here?

MYTH: “Energy prices are killing EVs”

Spiking electricity prices have brought a spate of screaming headlines: “Shock – charging an electric car is as expensive as refuelling a diesel.” Yes, on average, the electricity price has gone skyward. But it’s still easy to travel cheaper per mile than diesel, and actually the public charger price is falling from its peak. Like the diesel price, which you might have noticed also had a convulsion.

Actually you could have done an ‘electricity dearer than diesel’ trip any time in the past three years. Underlying all this is the extreme – and extremely upsetting – variability at any given time of electricity prices. The dearest high power DC chargers, Ionity, have been 69p/kWh since they began trading three years ago. That’s well over 20p a mile, meaning if a diesel is doing better than 40mpg it’s cheaper.

But no one regularly charges at those. If you use public (not home) 7kW AC you’ll probably be around half that Ionity rate. If you plug in at home and have a tariff that responds in real time to local demand, you might still pay perhaps 10p/kWh overnight, or about 3p a mile.

Read more: TopGear

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Tesla Model 3 (Image: Tesla.com)

Hyundai Ioniq 6 UK first drive

Hyundai, IONIQ Electric, Model 3, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion, Tesla

Sleek Ioniq 5 sibling finally reaches the UK to take on the Tesla Model 3

Last year, the Toyota GR86 famously sold out in just 90 minutes, giving Glastonbury a run for its money in the popularity stakes. But there was another fast-selling in-demandcar that slipped under most people’s radar: the Hyundai Ioniq 6 First Edition, which was all gone in just 24 hours.

Granted, that’s not quite Billie Eilish fast, but for an electric car, and a Hyundai at that, it’s still some statement. As a result of its global popularity and the (yawn) ongoing supply problems, we’re only just getting into a first review of the car in the UK, despite it being available in Korea back in October. The proper dealer allocation won’t even come through until March, with UK prices for the Ioniq 6 starting at £46,745

 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Image: hyundai.co.uk)
Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Image: hyundai.co.uk)

What can people expect when it does finally arrive? Certainly one of the more individually styled cars on the road. I was in the design preview briefing for the Ioniq 5 with Hyundai chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke and thought at the time that car was punchy, but on the road the 6 is arguably even more distinctive, with its streamliner profile and twin-deck rear.

Read more: Autocar

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Truth about electric cars running out – how often it happens, and how it’s fixed

Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion

Helen Skelton reignited fears of electric car blackouts this week with an Instagram post

TV presenter and Strictly star Helen Skelton this week reignited questions over electric cars when she posted a video to her Instagram account showing she had broken down after running out of charge. Some people are put off switching from petrol and diesel to electric because of fears over how, where and how often they will have to stop to ‘top up’.

Those fears were also realised before Christmas when there were pictures of huge queues of electric cars waiting to charge at motorway service stations.

 

Posting to her social media on Monday, Helen Skelton revealed her car had run out of charge. She wrote: “I thought electric cars were the future,” followed by mind-blown and angry emojis. She said: “I had an electric car over a decade ago – a Nissan Leaf. It didn’t work out. I could never charge it and it was really impractical.”

She continued: “Over a decade later, an electric car – not working out. Can’t charge it and not for the first time…stranded.”

Read more: WalesOnline

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Charging a Nissan Leaf in the garage (Image: Chargemasterplc.com)

EV drivers could face £1,000 replacement fee by failing to use solar compatible charger

At Home, Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, MyEnergi Zappi, News, Reviews and Comment

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers may be costing themselves £1,000 in the long run by failing to install solar-compatible chargepoints, home tech manufacturer myenergi has warned.

As domestic solar installation rates continue to rise – rates in 2022 tripled to those in 2021 – myenergi has called for UK households to seriously consider installing EV chargers that integrate with solar generation, to maximise future savings.

 

Untethered and Tethered Charge Points (Image: POD Point)
Untethered and Tethered Charge Points (Image: POD Point)

“While there are a number of excellent products available to specify, we believe that consumers should be thinking about the future. Charging your EV with mains electricity is typical today, but with decentralised domestic energy generation becoming ever-more commonplace across the UK, drivers should specify a device compatible with renewables to prevent buying twice,” said head of corporate communications at myenergi, Tom Callo.

“At myenergi, we believe that any EV driver who either has solar panels – or has the opportunity to install them in the future – should invest in a solar-compatible charger. With ongoing concerns around the rising cost of energy, taking advantage of solar power to keep costs down has become a hugely desirable option.

“Any EV driver installing a non-compatible device may come to regret their choice, as they will need to replace it if they choose to invest in renewables. Car manufacturers and leasing companies that are recommending non-solar chargers should therefore be making it clear that these chargers will not necessarily be future-proof for many.”

Read more: Current+

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Mercedes-Benz reveals plans for new global EV charging network

Charging, Mercedes, News, Reviews and Comment

During the Mercedes-Benz tech talks at CES 2023, chief technology officer Markus Schäfer announced plans for a branded Mercedes-Benz high-power charging network, which will begin in North America this year, followed by rollout in Europe, China and other main markets.

The North American charging network, consisting of over 400 charging hubs with more than 2,500 high power chargers, is scheduled for completion by 2027.

 

Mercedes eVito electric van (Image: DPD)
Mercedes eVito electric van (Image: DPD)

Mercedes have revealed that hubs will typically offer 4 to 12 high power chargers (HPCs) with 350kW charging power, however some regions and locations will have as many as 30 HPCs.

Wait times will also be kept to a minimum, said the car manufacturer, with the help of intelligent charge-load management, which will allow EVs to charge at maximum capacity.

The network will be open to all electric vehicle (EV) brands, whilst Mercedes customers will receive exclusive benefits including chargepoint reservation privileges.

Chargepoint hubs will be located at regular intervals near motorways, major intersections as well as metropolitan areas and will include safety measure such as surveillance cameras. Hubs that are able to accommodate roofing infrastructure will power these cameras using photovoltaic systems, in line with Mercedes’ sustainable business strategy “Ambition 2039”.

Read more: Current+

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UK gains 106 high-speed EV charging hubs in 2022

Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment

The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network gained 106 high-speed charging hubs in 2022, representing an increase of 80%.

There are now 295 locations in the UK with four or more high-speed charging points.

As of the end of December, data from Zap-Map shows that the number of ultra-rapid charge points grew almost 80% in 2022. These high-speed devices – which cater to drivers travelling long journeys and looking to charge as quickly as possible – increased from 1,290 at the end of 2021 to 2,295.

Zap-map rapid charger growth

Zap-Map Co-founder & COO Melanie Shufflebotham said: “Over the next few years, the UK will need a mix of charging solutions to suit a wide variety of use cases.

“Focusing solely on the number of charging devices masks the different types of charging available, what they’re useful for, and which ones are needed where.”

One of these key areas is the provision of on-street charging infrastructure. Found on residential streets, these devices tend to be either slow or fast chargers and provide an alternative to charging at home.

2022 saw significant growth in this area, with the number of on-street charging devices increasing by 36% – up from 8,842 devices at the end of 2021 to 12,009 devices by the end of December.

What happens if your EV runs out of battery power?

Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment
Q: What happens if your electric car runs out of battery?

A: A modern EV won’t just suddenly stop in the middle of the road if it runs out of charge. While it’s tempting to think than an electric car flat battery is the same as an empty fuel tank in a conventional car, an EV is actually a bit smarter than that.

It will try to protect its occupants and other road users if the unthinkable happens and it’s in danger of depleting its batteries.

Read more about EVs

Even so, many would-be EV owners find themselves asking what happens if my electric car runs out of power.

Different manufacturers have different protocols for what happens when the batteries are empty, but they all have strategies along similar lines. So, let’s look at precisely what happens when a Hyundai Ioniq threatens to run out of volts.

Read more: CarsGuide

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