Category Archives: Electric Cars

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

Nissan to turn over new Leaf on September 6

July 18, 2017Electric Cars, Leaf, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanJo

Pioneering electric car must make big advancements in range, tech to keep pace.

After seven model years and hundreds of thousands of units sold, it’s finally time for Nissan to reveal a new Leaf. The Japanese automaker has just confirmed that its second-generation all-electric hatchback will bow on September 6, although it remains cagey about further details.

The next Leaf is expected to draw its styling inspiration from Nissan’s well-received IDS Concept, an aggressive-looking five-door showcar from 2015 featuring next-generation electric propulsion as well as autonomous drive tech. The new hatchback — which will likely come to market as a 2018 model — is expected to substantially improve on the 107-mile range offered in today’s car.

It had better. Fresher competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Ioniq and next-generation Volkswagen E-Golf have all eclipsed Nissan’s pioneering EV in both range and in-car electronics, and Tesla’s Model 3 looms large over the segment (even though it hasn’t been shown in production form yet). In other words, Nissan is going to have to seriously up the Leaf’s technology game in order to compete in this small but fiercely competitive segment.

The company may well be up to the challenge. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has made developing all-electric powertrains a cornerstone of the brand’s future product plans, and as the first modern mass-production electric automobile, the Leaf maintains a special place in the company’s heart.

To that end, the Yokohama-based automaker recently disclosed that the next Leaf will be available with a version of its ProPilot driver-assist technology. The hardware will manage acceleration, braking and steering within a single lane on the freeway to help increase safety and lower driver stress. Thus far, class rivals have yet to bring anything similar to market.

Source: Road Show

Paris to host on-demand driverless vehicle service

July 17, 2017Autonomous Driving, News, Reviews and CommentJo

Europe’s first on-demand driverless vehicle service on open roads is set to begin operating in France later this year.

The pilot service, a collaboration between Delphi and French-based public transport operator Transdev, will see autonomous vehicles operating in Saclay, a Paris suburb, and Rouen in Normandy.

In Paris, initially one shuttle will operate along a fixed route from the train station to the campus of the University of Paris-Saclay.

In Rouen the service will operate in an area of the city where there is currently no public transport, and will initially consist of two driverless Renault Zoe cars.

Customers will be able to use a smartphone app to book a ride in the vehicles, which will be tracked by a remote control and command centre. A driver will initially sit in on the journeys to monitor the vehicles, but by 2018 the companies hope to operate the service without a driver on-board.

For the pilot the companies have chosen the so-called “last-mile” of public transport – the journey between a train or bus station and the commuter’s place of work, for example – as it is seen as an area of particular need, according to Serge Lambermont, director of automated driving at Delphi.

“People like to travel by public transport, but this last mile, how to get from your subway station to your destination, is an inconvenience,”

he said.

“So if you can arrive with the ticket already on your smart phone connecting you to an automated, mobility-on-demand taxi or pod system, which takes you on to your location, you take all the inconvenience out.”

The vehicles will be equipped with a range of different sensors, designed to complement each other. Each vehicle will be fitted with short range radar, for example, with sensors at each corner and two at either side, as well as one forward facing image radar and one rear facing long range radar.

Accelerate electric vehicle targets to more than half of new car sales, urges new report

July 16, 2017Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

A key Government advisory body has called for an electric vehicle boom to help meet legally binding climate targets.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), an independent advisory body, has urged the Government to set a target that electric vehicles should make up at least 60pc of new cars and vans sold in the UK by the end of the next decade.

The drive should include financial support, tax incentives and a strategy to roll out electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as tougher emissions standards on new car sales beyond 2020, the committee said.

The committee’s chairman, Lord Deben, said:

“The UK has shown global leadership on climate change, but progress will stall at home without urgent further action.

“New plans, for a new Parliament, are needed as a matter of urgency to meet our legal commitments, grasp the opportunities offered by the global low-carbon transition, and protect people, businesses and the environment from the impacts of a changing climate,”

he added.

The report warned that it is “no longer justified or wise” to delay the publication of the Government’s emissions reduction plan which is required by law.

The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 42pc from 1990 levels, even while GDP climbed by 62pc, in large part due to the shutdown of coal-fired power plants and a threefold increase in renewable energy in less than ten years.

But the committee’s report to parliament has warned that this progress will not be enough to meet the UK’s legally binding target to cut emissions by 57pc from 1990 by the end of the next decade unless the Government kickstarts a major drive to roll out electric vehicles.

The call comes in the wake of major commitments from the governments of China and India which have both set ambitions electric vehicle targets to help tackle air pollution.

Renault Commended Twice In Awards

July 16, 2017Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, ZOE Z.E. 40Jo

Renault received commendations in two categories at last night’s Auto Express Awards with ZOE in the Electric Award category and All-New Grand Scénic in the Best MPV category.

The Renault ZOE, fitted with the new 250-mile range (NEDC) Z.E.40 battery, was commended in the Electric Award category. The Renault ZOE’s new Z.E. 40 battery delivers almost double the range of the previous battery, providing motorists with an electric vehicle option that is better suited to many lifestyles with the average daily commuting distance being well within the ZOE’s capabilities.

The All-New Grand Scénic, recently launched in the UK, was commended in the Best MPV category.

Commenting on the commendations, Graham Hope, Editor at Auto Express said: “The ZOE is doing a great job of making electric motoring a realistic option for more and more buyers. With its increased range, it makes running an EV viable for many, it doesn’t cost the earth to own and it’s an enjoyable car to drive, too.

Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said of the results:

“The 2017 ZOE with the Z.E.40 battery, as well as interior and exterior upgrades, builds on its previous success and now delivers the longest range of any mainstream electric vehicle. We’re delighted that Auto Express have commended these as vehicles in their respective segments.”

BMW tech wins big at the 2017 Auto Express New Car Awards

July 15, 2017BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i8, News, Reviews and CommentJo

Auto Express singled out BMW for tech innovation across the board

The Auto Express New Car Awards took place yesterday, and among all the awards – from the Pick-up of the Year to the Small SUV of the Year – there were two slightly newer categories; Best Electric Car and the Technology Award. As you’d expect, the first went to the best EV on the roads today, and the latter was awarded to the brand with the most innovation across the board – and BMW won them both.

Electric Car of the Year – BMW i3

The BMW i3 is one of the most important cars on the road today. Sure, it’s not got the speed or the glamour of its i8 sibling, and it doesn’t sale in the same numbers as the Leaf, but the i3 is still an iconic electric car. Inside and out, it displays new thinking, innovative design and a sophisticated technology – three things BMW’s i brand has become known for. Fresh from a new facelift, Auto Express awarded it the title of Best Electric Car, beating competition from the new Renault Zoe and the Tesla Model S.

Technology Award – BMW

BMW also won the Technology award, but before we explain why, it’s worth outlining exactly what the award is for. Rather than in-car tech alone, the Technology Award is designed to recognise brands that are innovating across the board, inside the car and out, from apps to hybrid vehicles.

MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – Part 2: Driving and Charging

July 14, 2017Blog, Cooper Countryman PHEV, Electric Cars, MINITrevor Larkum

Part 1 is here: MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – First Impressions

In terms of driving I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, I have been driving electric for 4 years so am rather spoiled and hate the thought of having to go back to a piston engine.

However, fair play to MINI, the transition from electric to combustion is barely noticeable when travelling at speed such as on the motorway. The noise and vibration are kept to a minimum.

The driver’s displays and controls are nicely done – similar to those in the i3, except that the satnav/media screen is a touchscreen. You can choose to operate it with the usual MINI/BMW joystick control or just by pressing on the screen. The state of charge is indicated by a big illuminated ring around the screen area.

Charging was straightforward – it has a Type 2 socket (same as the ZOE and i3) so I was able to plug it in while parked on my drive. The charge socket is on the front nearside wing (the petrol cap is on the rear offside wing). As it starts to charge a ring around the socket flashes amber, once it’s fully charged this goes to a constant blue.

The MINI PHEV has a switch to set the drive mode – this allows you to keep it electric, keep it petrol (to save the battery for later) or let the car decide the most economic balance (much like a hybrid). I was keen to test the electric range so coming in to work this morning I put the MINI into the all electric mode.

I was pleasantly surprised to find, by keeping my speed to no more than about 60mph, that I was able to do the whole journey on electric. That’s a distance of about 23 miles so better than I had expected. Of course, you would likely not get so far if you have a heavy foot and drive fast, or in cold weather. A real-world range of 17-20 miles is probably a better expectation.

Nonetheless if you have a commute of up to about 20 miles I’m sure you could adjust your driving style appropriately so that you never need to use any petrol. Certainly I managed to drive from Northampton to Milton Keynes on 50p of electricity rather than £5 of petrol. And with charging at work your commute range could be doubled.

Naturally as a premier car the MINI Countryman PHEV has some nice features. I liked the independent climate controls for driver and passenger. My children liked the so-called ‘puddle light‘ that comes on at night by the driver’s door – and looks rather reminiscent of Batman’s famous Batsignal!

Overall I was impressed with the MINI Countryman PHEV. While it’s electric range may be poor compared to an all electric car it is still far ahead of a conventional combustion car or a hybrid. It could work really well for someone with a commute of up to 20 miles who could do most of their driving on electricity, but then revert to petrol for holidays and other long trips.

Prices are here, and a form to get a quote: Prices for the Mini Countryman Plug-In Electric Hybrid

If instead you’d like us to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership of a MINI PHEV compared to a fossil car or another electric car then go here: Total Cost of Ownership

For some quick videos see: MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) electric car videos

Our thanks go to Wollaston BMW for the loan of the car.

MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – First Impressions

July 14, 2017Blog, Cooper Countryman PHEV, Electric Cars, MINITrevor Larkum

We currently have a plugin MINI Countryman on loan (technically it’s an “F60 MINI Cooper S E ALL4 PHEV Countryman AUTO” but that’s too much of a mouthful) and I was lucky enough to get the first go with it last night. What’s special about this MINI is that it has a conventional petrol engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor and battery driving the rear wheels.

This means it can drive entirely on electricity for up to about 20 miles and then go over to petrol for longer journeys (300 miles or so). Also, it can act as a hybrid like a Prius to get good economy. Finally, the drive layout means it can be used in four wheel drive mode – very useful in rain and snow.

I drove it home, had use of it for the evening, and drove it back to the office today.

The first thing that struck me when I was it was the size – this is not a small car! Having grown up with the original Mini (my Dad had a series of them) I was surprised just how big the new MINI Countryman is.

It is intended, of course, for families with children so its size shouldn’t be a surprise. The upside is that it has a lot of interior space and feels very roomy.

In fact, I took a number of passengers in the back and they all remarked on how much space there was, and in particular its high ceiling.

It also has a pretty big boot.

Part 2 is here: MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – Part 2: Driving and Charging

Volkswagen Is Bringing 2 New Electric Cars to U.S., Report Says

July 14, 2017Electric Cars, I.D Buzz, I.D., I.D. AEROe, I.D. Cross, I.D. Lounge, News, Reviews and Comment, VolkswagenJo

A leaked slide confirmed the plans to unveil two new U.S.-bound EVs under the Volkswagen brand.

Volkswagen Group is getting ready to hit the EV market hard. Between the recent news of a new Microbus successor and the continual improvement of Audi-brand EVs, Volkswagen is positioning itself in a very good way. But after a slide deck was reportedly leaked by Autoblog Netherlands, it seems that two new models are headed to the States.

The blog, which is written in Dutch, reveals the planned markets for several releases of electric vehicles under the Volkswagen brand between 2019 and 2022. These two models, the I.D. Lounge and I.D. AEROe are set to be released in the United States and China sometime between 2020 and 2021, assuming things go according to plan. To put this in perspective with Volkswagen’s other releases, the timeline also shows the following vehicles and the possible target dates for their corresponding markets:

Volkswagen I.D. – Released in the European market sometime around 2019
Volkswagen I.D. Cross – Released in the European and Chinese markets sometime between 2019 and 2020
Volkswagen I.D. Lounge – Released in the Chinese and United States markets sometime around 2020
Volkswagen I.D. AEROe- Released in the Chinese and United States markets sometime between 2020 and 2021
Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ – Release is still to be decided presumably between 2021 and 2022

Judging by the images, which are cars covered by sheets, the I.D. Lounge appears to be a full-size SUV, while the I.D. Aero seems to possibly fit a smaller hatchback profile, similar to the existing Audi A3 E-Tron. It is likely that these models will also be built in Volkswagen Group’s large electric assembly plant in Brussels, assuming it is up to the task of eight (five Volkswagen and three Audi) new EVs in the next five years.

MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) electric car videos

We are lucky to have been lent one of the new MINI Countryman plug-in hybrids for a couple of days.

This morning I took the opportunity to do some quick videos around the car to give a taste of what it’s like.

Prices are here, and a form to get a quote: Prices for the Mini Countryman Plug-In Electric Hybrid

If instead you’d like us to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership of a MINI PHEV compared to a fossil car or another electric car then go here: Total Cost of Ownership

Projections estimate UK electric car sales will hike in the next five years

July 14, 2017Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentJo

Recent studies have suggested that electrically powered vehicles could become more affordable within the next five years.

The revolution of electric cars got off to a somewhat slow start in the UK, but figures have been slowly improving over the last few years with sales in 2015 reported to be around 49,700.

With the battery pack accounting for around 25 per cent of the overall price, electric cars were somewhat unaffordable on their initial launch.

However, research conducted by Nature.com highlighted battery pack prices (measured by the cost per kilowatt-hour) fell by around 80 per cent between 2010 and 2016, causing vehicles sales to soar in the UK.

Using current trends and patterns, optimistic researchers have predicted electric car battery prices might pass the affordability threshold soon after 2020, with overall sales figures said to be at a staggering 1.6 million in the UK alone.

However, more conservative forecasts have predicted vehicle battery packs will hit the affordability threshold by 2030, with sales figures estimated to be at around 13.6 million.

Source: Car Keys