Figures recently released show that the Nissan LEAF maintains its position as the most popular electric car or van in the UK, with at least 5,838 vehicles registered by the third quarter of 2014, representing over a third of all EV sales.
The registration data also shows the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has made a dramatic entry to the UK market; the electric SUV is already in second position with over 2,706 sales less than a year after its UK release.
In third and fourth places are two more established plug-in hybrids, the Toyota Prius PHEV (with 1,226 registrations) and the Vauxhall Ampera (1,039 vehicles). The BMW i3 now ranks fifth with at least 1,029 UK registrations (454 all-electric and 575 range-extender variants).
The Renault ZOE and Tesla Model S are also selling well in the UK with over 775 and 474 sales respectively; the two models in fourth and fifth sales positions across Europe as a whole (YTD October 2014).
UK electric vehicle registrations UK (Image: Next Green Car)
With the recent announcement from OLEV that 23,083 claims have been made through the Plug-in Car Grant scheme, the number of electric cars and vans in the UK now exceeds 24,500 vehicles for the first time.
Another indicator that the EV market is gaining momentum is the number of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models available in the UK. While only 9 EVs were available for the major manufacturers in 2011 (excluding quadricycles), this increased to 18 models in 2013, and now stands at 24 high-quality cars and vans (in 2014) with more models due for launch in 2015.
Dr Ben Lane, Director of Next Green Car said:
“The strong growth of the EV market in the UK as elsewhere provides yet more evidence that the light-duty vehicle market is undergoing a radical change with consumer preferences changing from petrol and diesel models to electric power-trains. With sales growing exponentially, the EVs are set to become commonplace on UK roads within the next few years.”
After a few difficult years, Renault is finally moving upwards with electric car sales. Year 2014, with just over 18,000 EVs (almost 15,700 cars) sold, is still 3% down compared to 2013 (or 0% if we exclude Twizy), although the last couple of months of 2014 were really strong.
December ended with new record of over 3,300 sales (over 3,100 without Twizy) and it’s the very first time when Renault exceeded the mark of 3,000.
Growth year over year in November almost hit 50%, while in December it reached 57% for cars.
Renault Electric Car Sales (Image: InsideEVs)
All the good numbers comes from one car – the ZOE, because the three other models have seen sales going down. Fluence Z.E. almost doesn’t count (out of production), Kangoo Z.E. is struggling to sell at its pace from 2012 & 2013 (28% down year over year), while Twizy again weakened by 20% to 2,450.
ZOE shines at over 11,000 and this makes it the second best selling all-electric car in Europe, just behind the Nissan LEAF.
More than half (probably ~53%) of Renault ZOE sales occurred in France. Total number of ZOEs on the roads is now over 20,000.
We believe that Renault sold over 40,000 electric cars and additionally over 14,500 Twizys for a total ~ 55,000 EVs globally to date.
It turns out my Renault ZOE is no longer the only one in my local area, around Northampton. An almost identical but newer Dynamique Intens has turned up, and I’ve seen it in Northampton and nearby Wellingborough. It’s even the same Energy Blue colour. I’m embarrassed to say I can always tell which one is mine, it’s the dirtiest one!
Catching a quick charge at the local Renault dealer (Image: T. Larkum)
While catching a charge recently at the Renault dealership in Bletchley I spotted a ZOE with the rather neat registration number of “EV13 ZOE” (where, of course, EV is ‘Electric Vehicle’).
ZOE with custom number plate (Image: T. Larkum)
Meanwhile I saw the first BMW i3 in my home town of Northampton recently. It was just sitting outside the local shopping centre/health centre looking entirely at home. For sure it will be the first of many.
The first BMW i3 spotted in Northampton (Image: T. Larkum)
Interesting and potentially huge news is coming out of France in regards to the new, next generation Renault ZOE and next-gen Nissan LEAF.
According to Les Echos, the new versions of both models will be ready in 2017 with double the range of today’s Renault-Nissan electric cars.
In the case of the next-gen ZOE, Beatrice Foucher, Director of Renault’s electric program, stated that the aim is 300 km (186 miles) of real-world range (and 400 km stated on NEDC).
The current generation of ZOE can go 210 km (130 miles) in NEDC testing.
Nissan apparently could equip the new LEAF with a 48-kWh battery pack, according to the report out of France.
Les Echos sees progress in battery technology, as well as in falling prices per kWh – from $1,000 in 2010 to $400 in 2014 and $180 in 2025 (forecast).
Towards the end of 2009, zero-emission electric cars were little more than concept cars. At that year’s Frankfurt motor show Renault displayed four electric prototypes – the Fluence, Z.E sedan, the Kangoo Z.E van, the Twizy tandem two-seater and the ZOE subcompact… but that’s all they were: ideas. Electric cars were an utopian dream, something for the sci-fi magazines.
What a difference five years makes. Today electric cars are a reality. Manufacturers, led by Alliance partners Renault and Nissan, have a growing number of pure electric vehicles on sale – indeed, the trail-blazing Nissan LEAF is the world’s bestselling EV.
Major cities across the globe all have extensive recharging posts in place, and extended fast charging networks now link countries. Electric bikes and scooters are readily available and Renault is behind a global single-seat motor racing championship purely for electric vehicles – Formula E.
Cities and towns in France – 18 in all, including Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux – have car-sharing programmes, called Autolib, based around electric vehicles. EVs have caught on in London, too, where the electric Nissan e-NV200 has been developed into an iconic black cab and is due to start taking fares next year.
So what’s going to happen between now and 2020? There can be no doubt that charging networks will continue to expand and sales of EVs will rise and rise. And, who knows, electric vehicles might no longer need humans behind the wheels. Autonomous cars might be at the concept stage at the moment… but as we have seen, a great deal can happen in five years.
Figure 1: ZOE Headlight Bulb and Owner’s Manual (Image: T. Larkum)
The headlights in a Renault ZOE are not particularly powerful at the best of times, but recently it became clear that my car was giving out so little light that it must have a blown headlamp. Having often changed the bulbs in other cars I decided to take this job on myself, despite finding that changing the bulb in my wife’s Ford Focus was something of a trial.
Figure 2: The left-hand headlight assembly with the rubber cover removed (Image: T. Larkum)
I dived into the Owner’s Manual (see Figure 1) to confirm the type required – “Bulb Type: H7, use anti U.V. 55W bulbs so as not to damage the plastic on the headlight” – and picked one up from the local Halfords.
Figure 3: Renault ZOE headlamp bulb assembly (Image: T. Larkum)
The process of changing the bulb (the left-hand one) was surprisingly easy:
1. Pull off the rubber cover. See Figure 2 – the bulb is located in the housing just below the big white sticker.
2. Reach into the housing and grasp the headlamp assembly – it’s pretty fiddly, particularly if you have large hands – see Figure 3.
3. Twist the headlamp assembly anti-clockwise about 20 degrees. This is the trickiest bit as it’s both hard to hold and see. I jiggled it and eventually it turned enough to come out.
4. Pull out the bulb from its holder, and replace. Again this is a bit tricky as the bulb can be seated very firmly, just pull and jiggle to get it out. See Figure 4.
5. Repeat sequence in reverse, but try not to touch the glass of the new bulb.
Figure 4: Headlamp assembly removed ready for new bulb (Image: T. Larkum)
That’s it – job done, and it was much easier and quicker than many other cars (including the Ford Focus!).
Last year marked a big breakthrough for electric cars; the majority of major manufacturers invested heavily in developing electric drive-trains and subsequently added an array of appealing battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models to their rosters.
By the end of 2014 there were over 17,000 plug-in cars and vans on UK roads with that number expected to more than double by the end of this year.
As noted by Dr Ben Lane, Managing Editor of Next Green Car: “2015 will see a continuing roll out of battery electric and plug-in hybrid models as UK motorists become more accustomed to electric drive-trains. This year will be the year when EVs start to considered as ‘normal’.”
The future is only looking bright for electric mobility and there a number of exciting EV prospects expected to feature prominently this year. Below is Zap-Map’s list of top 10 electric vehicles coming soon in 2015:
1. Tesla Model X – BEV
Tesla Model X (Image: Tesla)
Originally scheduled for 2013, Tesla recently announced that the eagerly anticipated Model X crossover will be launched in the third quarter of 2015. Despite being larger than the Model S, the all-wheel electric drive will give the Model X a similar level of performance (that’s 0 to 60 mph in around 5.9 seconds!). With 10% additional weight, the expected driving range will be slightly less; around 170 miles for the 60 kWh battery pack or 230 miles for 85 kWh battery. One the striking features of the next Tesla will be its rear ‘Falcon’ doors which open upwards instead of swinging outward. Final pricing has yet to be announced. Although it’s been a while coming, with the new Model X, Tesla is unlikely to disappoint.
2. Volkswagen twin-up! – PHEV
Volkswagen twin-up! PHEV (Image: VW)
The twin-up!’s 55kW powertrain consists of a 0.8 litre TDI diesel engine working in conjunction with a 35kW electric motor. The energy storage system includes a lithium-ion battery (energy capacity: 8.6 kWh), a conventional 12V battery for on-board electrics, and a 33 litre capacity fuel tank. On the official test cycle, the twin-up! delivers a combined fuel economy of over 250 MPG with a CO2 emissions of just 27 g/km. In zero-emission operation the PHEV can cover a range of 31 miles and is anything but a slouch: the twin-up! accelerates up to 62 mph in 15.7 seconds and has an all-electric top speed of 80 mph. Pricing to be announced.
3. Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – BEV
Mercedes B Class Electric (Image: Mercedes-Benz)
The Mercedes-Tesla relationship is evident (and welcome) in the B-Class ED with the drive-train and battery pack coming from the California-based company. Capable of 125 miles per full charge, the B-Class ED provides electric motoring in a quality package with more reserved styling than some other brands such as the BMWi range. While the motors can deliver up to 179 bhp (Sport mode), two other driving modes are available: ‘Economy’, where power is limited to 131 bhp; and ‘Economy Plus’ with just 87 bhp and a maximum speed of 70 mph. Expected to be priced from around £27,000.
4. Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid – PHEV
Volvo XC90 PHEV (Image: Volvo)
No doubt encouraged by the huge success of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volvo will bring its own plug-in SUV to market in 2015, in addition to the usual range of petrol and diesel engines. While all will offer four-wheel drive, for the first time there will also be a front-wheel drive option. The XC90 PHEV will also feature a collection of entertainment and safety technology including a 9.3 inch screen compatible with Apple’s new CarPlay interface and Volvo’s new collision avoidance system. The XC90 range is priced from £45,750.
5. Volkswagen Passat GTE plug-in hybrid – PHEV
Volkswagen Passat GTE PHEV (Image: VW)
Now in its eighth incarnation, the new Passat range includes the GTE, the first Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive. Powered by a turbocharged direct injection petrol engine (TSI) and an 85kW electric motor, the GTE is capable (on the official test) of over 141 MPG (petrol) and 13.0 kWh/100km (electric) with CO2 emission of under 45 g/km. On a full tank and fully recharged 9.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, the new PHEV has a total driving range of over 620 miles. In ‘E-Mode’, the Passat GTE can also cover a distance of up to 31 miles with zero emissions. AC charging options include standard (or ‘slow’) charging at 2.3 kW from a domestic socket in 4.25 hours or an optional a home 3.6 kW charger which provides a full charge in 2.5 hours. Anticipated pricing from around £20,000.
6. BMW X5 e-drive – PHEV
BMW X5 e-Drive PHEV (Image: BMW)
The BMW X5 e-drive concept was first unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show and is seen as the logical next step for the successful X5 series. Combining a four-cylinder combustion engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and lithium-ion battery, the plug-in hybrid can driver approximately 19 miles solely on electric power. There is a choice of three driving modes, depending on requirements and situation – the intelligent hybrid drive option for a balance between sportiness and efficiency; pure electric and therefore emission-free driving; or Safe Battery mode to maintain the current battery charge. According to BMW, the X5 e-drive is capable of 74.3 mpg and on average emits 90g of CO2 per kilometre. Estimated to be priced at £55,000 – £60,000, the X5 e-drive is on course to directly compete with the Volvo XC90 PHEV.
7. Renault Zoe 2015 (new battery) – BEV
Renault ZOE EV
Renault’s battery-electric Zoe, the second best-selling EV after the Nissan LEAF, will be revitalised by a smaller and more efficient electric motor in 2015. By reducing the motors size, Renault expects a 10% increase in the Renault Zoe’s official 130 mile range. Renault also claims the improvements will reduce charging time by 20-30 minutes when using low-level power supply such as a 3kW 3-pin slow charging unit. The upgrades to the Zoe will be added to all new models from Spring 2015 Renault say.
8. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV S – PHEV
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV-S (Image: Mitsubishi)
Following on from the successful Outlander PHEV launch in 2014, Mitsubishi plans to release the Outlander PHEV-S. Power for the Outlander PHEV-S is expected to come from the same four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol and twin electric motor system that drives the original car. This will see up to 204bhp sent to all four wheels, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds and a 106mph top speed, whilst offering 148mpg and emissions as low as 44g/km CO2. The main difference will be in appearance, offering a refined interior and exterior design that will magnify the Outlander PHEV’s unique driving experience. Pricing to be announced.
9. Audi Q7 Quattro plug-in hybrid – PHEV
Audi Q7 e-tron Quattro (Image: Audi)
The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro, which will be launched soon after its conventionally powered counterparts in the spring, is the first plug in hybrid from Audi with a diesel engine. It is also the world’s first diesel PHEV with quattro all-wheel drive in the premium SUV segment. It returns the equivalent of up to 166.1mpg, which corresponds to less than 50 grams of CO2 per kilometre and can travel just under 35 miles on battery-electric power alone. Pricing to be announced.
10. Peugeot Quartz – PHEV
Peugeot Quartz PHEV (Image: Peugeot)
The Quartz plug-in hybrid concept mixes elements of a crossover vehicle and a saloon, to bring a new take on the SUV segment. It uses a plug-in hybrid drive train comprising of a 1.6-litre petrol engine supplemented by two 85kW electric motors, driving each axle. When the vehicle is in ZEV mode, it utilises the electric motor only and can cover up to 31 miles on a single battery charge. Peugeot have estimated the vehicle will not reach production until 2016; it will be interesting to see if the striking design mellows between now and then.
A new ownership package for two of Renault’s most popular electric vehicles has been welcomed by the leasing industry.
It will now offer customers in the UK the chance to buy the Kangoo ZE and Zoe with a battery; previously the only option was to lease the power source separately.
It’s a shift in policy that has won the support of some of the country’s biggest leasing companies, which struggled to forecast accurate residual values for the vehicles.
In fact, Zenith Leasedrive simply chose not to include the Kangoo ZE and Zoe in its EV line-up at all, but told Fleet News that both vehicles will now be offered to customers.
Ian Hughes, commercial director at Zenith Leasedrive, said:
“We are delighted with the change of direction by Renault in its electric vehicle strategy.
“It was particularly difficult to forecast an accurate residual value in circumstances when a vehicle is bought but the battery hired – a bit like trying to sell a car without an engine.”
The policy required Alphabet to create a complicated “workaround”, according to its head of consultancy services, Jon Burdekin. He said:
“This move from Renault removes the complication. It will also remove any potential confusion in the market as to whether the battery is included in the quote or not. By making things easier to understand, Renault brings itself in line with other manufacturers in an area which it was previously behind on.”
Lex Autolease, like Alphabet, was already offering Renault EVs, with Kangoo ZE and Zoe amongst a fleet of some 700-plus plug-in vehicles leased by the company.
But Chris Chandler, Lex Autolease’s principal consultant, also recognised the difficulties that came with the leased battery option. He said:
“The introduction of a battery purchase option will make contract hire simpler for Lex Autolease. It is much simpler for us as a business to own both the battery and the vehicle.”
The French manufacturer had insisted that its battery leasing model offered the best deal for drivers contemplating a plug-in car. It argued that it reduced the transaction price of its plug-in vehicles and made them more competitive (fleetnews.co.uk, March 11, 2014).
However, pricing expert CAP refused to forecast used values for Renault’s EVs until the battery was included, and new tax rules meant the cost of replacing the battery would have to be added to the car’s list price for P11D purposes from 2015/16 (fleetnews.co.uk, April 5, 2013).
Renault hopes that by simplifying its offer to the leasing industry it could create greater traction in the fleet market.
“This will open the door to fleet [customers],”
said Ken Ramirez, managing director of Renault UK.
“The addition of full purchase versions on our core EV models will offer business customers a greater choice and further strengthen our position in the EV market.”
The Zoe i – the ‘i’ stands for battery included – is available from £18,443 on-the-road, after the Government’s plug-in car grant, compared to £13,995 on battery lease. The Kangoo Van i range starts at £16,161 (+VAT) after the grant, compared to £12,995 (+VAT) if the battery is leased.
Steve Jones, general manager of asset risk at Leaseplan, agrees that the change could generate more interest from corporate customers. He said:
“Both Zoe and Kangoo are strong propositions in the electric vehicle market, but the leased battery added a level of uncertainty for fleets and contract hire companies alike.
“The process came across as complicated and some companies may not have considered Zoe and Kangoo ZE in their selection process as a result. Now this complexity has been removed, it’s much easier for customers to work with Renault so we should start to see an increase in adoption.”
This could also have a positive effect on RVs.
“The used car market doesn’t like uncertainty and the position on the battery lease has always been that,”
explained Nick Hardy, sales and marketing director at Ogilvie Fleet.
“The true test will be in how the used car market views these vehicles in three to four years’ time and what, if any, difference it makes with actual, real-world residual values.”
ZOE rapid charging at Chieveley Services (Image: T. Larkum)
In October I managed, for the first time ever, to drive 300 miles one day in my Renault ZOE. I like to think that puts me in the ‘elite club’ of long distance electric car drivers!
Of course, I’m not the first ZOE owner to join – at least two other members of the MyRenaultZOE forum (Timbo and Surya) beat me to it. Nonetheless, I consider it an important personal achievement, more significant than my previous record of 360 miles in a weekend.
It’s not just that it was a good distance but that it was actually done on a business trip. With an electric car I travelled half the length of the country, arrived on time for a series of business meetings beginning at 1030, and drove back home afterward. All without drama – though undoubtedly with a debt of gratitude to the excellent rapid-charging infrastructure we have in England.
Itinerary on Google Maps (Image: T. Larkum)
I left home in Northampton at about 6.30am (marked ‘A’ on the map) and the first stop was at Stony Stratford (‘B’) near Milton Keynes to pick up a colleague. We headed south down the M40 then A34 towards our destinations in Southampton and Portsmouth.
I had originally planned to charge at Peartree, near Oxford, on the A34 but it was out of action so we went to Plan B and carried on to Chieveley Services (‘C’). Filling up took no longer than a typical coffee and loo stop and we were on our way again.
I had hoped to charge again before Southampton but time was tight so we went straight to our first meeting (‘D’), and then on to another meeting in Portsmouth (‘E’). Rather than risk a drama heading back up low on charge, I decided to top up at IKEA (‘F’) in Southampton.
Plugging in at IKEA Southampton (Image: T. Larkum)
This turned out to be the only pain of the day – by this time it was evening rush hour and we wasted a lot of time stuck in traffic on the way there. Having charged, however, it was then just a simple case of retracing our steps back up north. We did another coffee and loo stop at Chieveley, then we drove to Stony Stratford, and then I drove the last leg back to Northampton.
Sharing Chieveley with a Nissan Leaf (Image: T. Larkum)
I got back home having driven about 280 miles. Following some local errands and other driving I finally put the car back in its garage, and on charge, having driven nearly 303 miles since leaving earlier that day.
303 Miles in a Day (Image: T. Larkum)
It was great to have driven so far in one day on electricity, and producing no emissions, for a fraction of the cost of a fossil fuel car. The initial charge was on Economy 7, and all the public charges were free courtesy of the Ecotricity network. Even better, all the electricity used was renewable, again courtesy of Ecotricity.
Best of all, I was able to claim a mileage allowance for the business trip from my employer. I was paid at a standard rate of 40p per mile, so actually received £112! A good day all around.
Eddie Pictured standing in front of the Renault ZOE
Retired accountant Eddie Dewson knows how to crunch numbers and make them add up, which is why he was first attracted to the Renault ZOE. A £5000 Plug-IN Car Grant from the government means the ZOE is more affordable than many of its petrol- and diesel-powered rivals, so the cost of the ZOE was already appealing to Eddie.
When Eddie then looked at the standard specification of the ZOE Dynamique Intens, it didn’t take a calculator to work out how much better kitted out the Renault is next to its rivals for the same price. He notes: ‘The ZOE has a very high spec, which includes a reversing camera and air conditioning that is excellent thanks to the powerful fan – something you need for driving in and around London.’
However, 71-year old Eddie isn’t so easily swayed by the equipment list and wasn’t a senior accountant for a global company without looking at all of the facts and figures before making his decision.
‘I was really intrigued by the possibility of charging the ZOE at home,’ says Eddie. ‘We’re lucky to have a driveway and off-street parking at home in Reigate, so having the Wallbox fitted for free made complete sense. When you look at the cost of charging the ZOE overnight with off-peak electricity, it really starts to make a big difference to running costs.’
This is a big consideration for Eddie and his wife Marie. As very active and involved grandparents, they spend a lot of time driving into London to see their kids and many of their 10 grandchildren. Initial worries about the range of an electric car were soon dismissed by Eddie as he started to drive the ZOE and he found the range on a full charge was more than enough to drive into and around London and then back home on a single charge.
A shot of the Renault ZOE charging in front of houseA shot of the Renault ZOE charging in front of house
Eddie says: ‘Charging the ZOE couldn’t be simpler at home. Just plug in the socket and the car does the rest. In the morning, it’s ready to go and it’s great being able to step into a car that’s already at the right temperature to cope with the weather, hot or cold, thanks to the pre-conditioning offered with the ZOE.
‘I also found the range wasn’t affected much by using the air conditioning, so trips into London are easy. If I do need to top up the charge, there are loads of charging points all over London and the Renault’s R-Link made it easy to find them.’
As a keen driver, Eddie enjoyed the ZOE’s zesty performance and comments: ‘There’s surprisingly strong acceleration off the mark and the Renault is happy to cruise on the motorway too. You certainly don’t notice any lack of an engine other than how quiet the ZOE is compared to other cars. Even using the performance, though, the battery doesn’t run down and with the regenerative braking that gets a lot of use in London traffic it’s easy to maintain the range of the car. It’s also fun to drive the ZOE in any kind of conditions and on any road, so it just works as a great car regardless of what sort of power it uses.’
With the performance to Eddie’s liking, how does it fair with his grandchildren? ‘They loved it,’ smiles Eddie. ‘Not just because it’s different but because it looks good and there’s plenty of space in the back seats and boot. It’s easy to fit three kids in the back seat safely, which is perfect for taking the grandchildren out.’
Eddie also notes the ZOE’s doors open far wider than most superminis’ and says: ‘The doors are a generous size and give a large opening. This is important for me as I have restricted movement in one knee, so it’s great to be able to get in and out of the ZOE so easily.’
Along with the practical side of the ZOE, Eddie returns his accountant’s mind to the financial element: ‘When you factor in the ZOE can travel into the Congestion Zone for free, it makes a big difference to the running costs.’
Compare the ZOE to a Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI BlueMotion five-door, which is a car any accountant would consider a solid financial bet, the ZOE soon emerges as the winner. Using the HonestJohn Fuel Calculator for Eddie’s 10,000-mile per year driving, we can see the more expensive Polo would cost more than £2000 per year more than the ZOE with the cost of paying the Congestion Charge included. Even without this cost, it would take the Polo 18 months just recoup its higher list price next to the ZOE’s.
Those are just the sort of figures to make any accountant smile, but what really impressed Eddie the most was the overall ability of the ZOE. When it comes to the crunch, the Renault ZOE adds up.
