Category Archives: Electric Cars

News and reviews of the latest electric cars (full electrics and plug-in hybrids).

Aston Martin agrees deal to make electric vehicles with US firm Lucid

July 26, 2023Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, OpinionRepost

British carmaker to use components from Lucid to produce luxury high-performance battery electric models

Aston Martin has struck a deal with the US firm Lucid to start making “ultra-luxury high-performance electric vehicles” from 2025.

The British luxury carmaker, whose losses more than doubled last year to almost £500m, has struck a cash and shares deal valued at £182m in which Lucid will take a 3.7% stake in London-listed Aston Martin.

The carmaker, which sold 6,400 luxury vehicles last year and has spent heavily on new models, said it would select powertrain components from Lucid for initial and certain future battery electric vehicle (BEV) models.

The company said the deal, which involves a minimum spend of £177m with Lucid, would help drive its plan to launch its first BEV in 2025.

“Combined with our internal development, this [deal with Lucid] will allow us to create a single bespoke BEV platform suitable for all future Aston Martin products, all the way from hypercars to sports cars and SUVs,” said Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin’s chief technology officer.

Mercedes-Benz holds a 9.4% stake in Aston Martin as part of a long-term strategic deal that includes technology sharing and representation on the British carmaker’s board.

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Street-racing in a Nissan Leaf is pushing Texans go to electric

July 25, 2023Electric Cars, Leaf, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanRepost

Teresa Porter pulled up to the red light and turned to eyeball the crimson pickup truck to her right. Her silver fingernails gripped the steering wheel. Her foot sank hard into the brake, ready to pounce on the accelerator.

“He came to play,” she muttered, turning back to face the road. Her brow furrowed under a mop of curly hair. Lil Jon’s “Get Low” pumped from her speakers.

When the light turned green, the pickup roared to life and peeled out with a screech. But it was no match for Porter, who quickly sprinted to the lead. “Smoked him off the line,” she said later of her victory.

The most unusual thing about this short one-block drag race? Porter’s car was silent. The winning vehicle was electric. A Nissan Leaf.

Cruising the main drag here on a Saturday night is more than a joyride for Porter, the 46-year-old founder of the Heart of Texas Electric Vehicle Association. A trash-talking, L&M-smoking gear head who spent her childhood fixing cars and hanging out at dirt-track races, she is on a one-woman, uphill mission to convince Central Texas to go electric.

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Off-peak kerbside EV charging costs drop by 10% in one month, says AA

July 24, 2023Away From Home, Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

The AA has revealed that off-peak slow kerbside electric vehicle (EV) charging in residential streets has dropped more than 10% in the past month to 33p/kWh.

According to the May 2023 AA EV Recharge Report, peak slow charging has also dropped by more than a quarter from 72p to 53p.

A reduction in the cost of kerbside EV charging is a positive for many within the industry. Previously, many had highlighted that with the introduction of the Energy Price Guarantee, home charging became significantly cheaper than public charging.

This caused issues when considering a “just transition” with this causing further EV charging disparity in the UK with those that are able to afford a driveway able to benefit from cheaper charging rates.

But with AA declaring that slow kerbside charging rates are now beginning to drop, this is a major boost for the industry and could well support the greater adoption of EVs on UK roads.

“Drivers without a driveway looking to switch to an EV will be happy to see off-peak kerbside charging now cheaper than the Energy Price Guarantee. This means they will feel some of the benefit EV owners with dedicated off-street parking have,” said Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA.

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Electric cars are ‘far more reliable and cost-effective’ than petrol and diesel vehicles

July 21, 2023Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, FAQ, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion, SalesRepost

Electric cars are “far more reliable” than petrol and diesel vehicles, according to one expert who spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about how EVs were better than ICE vehicles.

The popularity of electric cars is growing massively, with the UK seeing its one-millionth EV registered last year, hinting at further growth to come.

With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles just a few years away, many are looking at electric cars as their next vehicle to purchase.

While some people will have concerns about the reliability of electric cars and whether they will suit their needs, many are confident that people will adjust.

Farhad Tailor, managing director at V12 Sports and Classics, spoke about his experience with electric cars and whether they are easier to maintain.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said: “Based on our experience, there are far less things that go wrong with an EV.

“For customers, they are far more reliable and cost-effective to maintain than an internal combustion engine vehicle.

“A typical annual service can take as little as half an hour as it just involves a visual check.”

He added that the same can be said for second-hand electric cars, despite some having fears of EV batteries degrading over time.

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Southampton City Council: Rise in electric cars improves air quality

July 20, 2023Buying a new car, Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Opinion, PollutionRepost

A COUNCIL scheme to improve the air quality in Southampton has taken shape as the number of electric cars in the city has risen over 50 per cent from the previous year.

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Ora Funky Cat UK review: electric hatchack comes up short on range, price and quality

July 19, 2023Buying a new car, Electric Cars, ID.3, Leaf, MG, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Opinion, Renault, Volkswagen, ZOERepost

The first in a new wave of Chinese electric cars stands out for its looks but little else in a crowded market

There’s something to be said for making a splash when launching a new brand or product.

Good or bad, an eye-catching design and an interesting name can help establish a brand in the minds of the public and pave the way for future plans. So Ora is certainly onto a winner with the Funky Cat which not only has a name you won’t forget but brings a wide-eyed and unusual look that’ll stand out in most car parks.

Ora is one of a wave of Chinese brands setting their sights on the UK with a host of electric cars, and the Funky Cat is its first offering, aiming to compete with models such as the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4 in the electric hatchback segment.

Volkswagen ID.3 electric car (Image: Volkswagen.com)

We’re largely past the days of Chinese cars being carbon copies of European models but there is an element of Mini to the Funky Cat’s front end and smidge of first-gen Leaf to the sloping, wide tailgate. It looks better in the metal than in photos, which don’t do its proportions any favours, but it still divided opinion during our time with it and is likely to be a bit of a Marmite prospect on the roads.

Under the funky skin, the Funky Cat packs a 48kWh battery and a 169bhp motor. That offers fairly middle-of-the-road performance, with 0-62mph of 8.3 seconds and the usual initial surge tailing off as speeds rise.

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A standards war? A win for consumers? What the Ford and GM Tesla deals mean

July 18, 2023Away From Home, Charging, Ford, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaRepost

And imagine if EV charging eventually follows the gas station model.

The news that rocked the electric transportation world earlier this month — General Motors’ deal to give its drivers access to the Tesla Supercharger network — is no doubt a big turning point for EVs in the U.S. It followed an identical deal in May between Ford and Tesla. Earlier this week, Rivian said its customers could access Tesla’s charging network starting in 2024. Together, these pacts could have serious ripple effects for the development of the charging network across the country.

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

But they also generate a lot more questions than answers. Will these partnerships create a standards war between types of EV chargers? And will that hurt or help consumers? Experts don’t agree on that point, and they make varying predictions for what this news portends. It could usher in a new model for charging akin to gas stations, or it could be little more than a blip for drivers who will simply end up with a lot more charging options.

“I think it’s great news for the industry, and more generally for EV drivers, and for accelerating the electrification of the transportation fleet,” said Jeff Allen, executive director of Forth Mobility, an electric transportation advocacy group. “It’s creating more options for folks to charge, for one thing. And it is also going to push everybody to up their game in terms of reliability and customer experience.”

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Hyundai creating “a stir” in fleet with fully-electric Ioniq 6 saloon

July 17, 2023BMW, Electric Cars, Hyundai, i4, IONIQ Electric, Model 3, News, Reviews and Comment, TeslaRepost

Hyundai is looking to follow up the success of its Ioniq 5 by targeting conquest sales from traditional premium brands with its new Ioniq 6 fully-electric saloon.

The car, which launched earlier this year, is being positioned to appeal to user-chooser drivers who are in the market for a Tesla Model 3 or a BMW i4, seeking a long range and an engaging drive.

Tim White, head of fleet at Hyundai Motor UK, said: “The Ioniq 6 has certainly been causing a stir since it went on sale a few months ago.

“Just as Ioniq 5 did, we are hoping it will attract more new customers to the brand who previously may not have considered Hyundai, especially from drivers that may have previously chosen a more traditionally-perceived premium brand.”

The brand is strategically positioning Ioniq 6 with the corporate end-user side of its business as this segment continues to be its core focus.

“The launch of Ioniq 6 has kept the team busy, with fleets looking to either offer the car at a higher car policy grade to Ioniq 5 while others have placed it parallel to the car,” said White.

To come later in the year is the new Kona Electric. To prepare for this, Hyundai has operated with minimal volume of the existing Kona Electric, which means it has focused on positioning both Tucson PHEV for fleet drivers not yet ready for a full EV and ensuring Ioniq 5 maintains a competitive position.

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What is electric car preconditioning and why should I use it?

July 14, 2023Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Preconditioning is one of the lesser-known but brilliant features of electric cars. Whether it’s a scorching afternoon in summer or a freezing morning in winter, you can benefit from it.

Put simply, preconditioning allows you to pre-heat or pre-cool the car’s cabin before you start your journey. Not only will you feel more comfortable, you’ll maximise the car’s driving range and prolong the life of its battery.

Let’s call that a win-win-win situation. So, how does it work?

How does preconditioning work?

Preconditioning can be activated via the car’s infotainment system or a connected smartphone app. By scheduling your daily departure times, the car will heat or cool its interior to optimum temperature – you just climb in and go.

Crucially, when the car is plugged in, electricity is drawn from the mains and not the car itself, so this has no impact on driving range. You start your journey with a 100 percent full battery.

Also, because the car’s windows will be free of mist and ice when you enter the cabin, you won’t waste time waiting to clear or defrost them.

Does preconditioning improve EV range?

Preconditioning doesn’t add miles as such, but it will preserve the predicted range available at the start of the journey. Because you won’t need to use the air conditioning on a high setting, you’ll consume less energy.

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Debunking the Top 10 electric vehicle myths

July 13, 2023Buying/Leasing, Charging, Charging, Electric Cars, Mitsubishi, News, Reviews and Comment, Outlander PHEVRepost

Are you unsure about switching to an electric vehicle? Go Zero Charge debunks the Top 10 electric vehicle myths to help you transition to electrification.

As the UK heads toward the looming ban on the production of diesel and petrol cars in 2030, there’s still a significant gap in electric vehicle (EV) awareness and education in the motoring space, causing unfair prejudice against EVs due to myths that have grown in popularity.

In response, the team of EV experts behind the Optimus, www.GoZeroCharge.com‘s top-of-the-line smart EV charger, have exposed a handful of the most common electric vehicle myths in a bid to encourage more motorists to make the transition.

There’s no financial upside

One of the most common electric vehicle myths is that there are no financial upsides. In fact, owning an EV can lead to significant cost savings, particularly with the current measures in place to provide financial advantages to EV owners.

For instance, EVs are currently exempt from vehicle tax, although this exemption is scheduled to change from April 2025, when standard road tax rates (currently £165 per year) will be applicable.

In addition to the current vehicle tax exemption, some energy suppliers offer cheaper tariffs specifically for EV charging, and certain car parks provide free parking spaces for electric vehicles.

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