Category Archives: Electric Cars

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

Nissan Leaf vs Renault Zoe: which electric vehicle is best?

November 12, 2015Electric Cars, Leaf, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Renault, ZOETrevor Larkum

They are two of the most affordable EVs around, but which is best for you?

Electric vehicles are now a viable alternative to their diesel- and petrol-powered counterparts. Offering low running costs, sophisticated travelling and a range long enough for most journeys, they are – rightly – more popular than ever.

The statistics back up this surge in popularity. The UK’s Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders claims 512 electric vehicles were sold in the first month of this year, which has a lot to do with the Nissan Leaf and the Renault Zoe. Based on affordable city-runners like the Nissan Micra and Renault Clio, both cars bring all the benefits of electric power to a tried-and-tested platform. The result? Electric power for the masses – and at a very reasonable price.

But which EV is best for you? We analyse the key aspects of each car, from the running costs and performance to the technology inside, to find out which provides the most seamless, cost-effective crossover from a traditional car.

Will everyone be driving electric cars in 10 years?

November 10, 2015Charging, Electric Cars, Opinion, SalesTrevor Larkum

People working in automotive development labs today see cars which will hit the road in a couple of years time and know their internal combustion counterparts cannot compete: they see the tipping point today.

For most of us, it is still a future event. Today’s electric vehicles need to become more affordable. They need longer range and an infrastructure to support them. Fastned’s CEO, Michiel Langezaal, says everything will move quickly after these issues are addressed. Everybody may be driving EVs in 10-15 Years.

Phase One: The Netherlands

Fastned is currently in what Langezaal calls phase one, building up a network of charging stations in the Netherlands.

“Every light is green. There is no red light, or even yellow signal. Revenues are growing; usage of the network is growing. The signs that we see at the Tesla superchargers – waiting lines – are indications of what we will see in the coming year at Fastned as well. We have to work hard on procuring permits, building the infrastructure and finance it,” said Langezaal.

How the Nissan Leaf has blazed a trail

November 9, 2015Electric Cars, Leaf, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanTrevor Larkum

Sales may not knock you off your feet, but the Nissan Leaf’s creator says it is a crucial car that will leave a lasting legacy

“A lot of people underestimated just how big a commitment the Leaf was from Nissan,” says Tom McCabe, a senior engineer who’s been working on the world’s best-selling electric car for the past six years.

He’s right: here is a major car manufacturer that didn’t just flirt with electric car technology with an out-there concept car at a far-flung motor show, but went out and made a full global model built on three different continents.

“It was a huge commitment to move the game on and change the conventions of the industry,” McCabe adds. “Competitors are now realising this is something that needs to be done properly. More people are following now.”

Nissan is approaching the fifth anniversary of Leaf production, and it is the sixth anniversary of the model’s appearance at the 2009 Tokyo motor show after its debut earlier that summer. At this year’s show, the next-generation Leaf is being previewed with a new concept car that also introduces autonomous technology to the model.

It feels fitting, then, to look back on the impact the world’s first mass-produced electric car has had on the industry – and, autonomous tech aside, just what the future has in store for the Leaf.

The Japanese manufacturer has now sold close to 200,000 Leafs globally and 10,000 in the UK, almost 3000 of which were in the first half of this year alone, an achievement that was good for a 63.3% market share of electric vehicles.

How to Charge a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Maximising Range in a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Renault To Increase ZOE Production

November 5, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Sales, ZOETrevor Larkum

Renault believes in the strong potential growth for ZOE electric car sales, and as such is gearing up for increased production.

The Flins factory (in France) is already producing about 120 ZOE a day (up from 90 in the Spring, when the Superbonus was launched in France).

Now the company says that production will expand again – to 150 units a day by the end of November. The sudden change is probably adjusting for expected growth from the expanded diesel scrapping scheme in France next year and also higher demand throughout Europe.

To date, over 18,000 ZOE were sold in just France alone (nearly 7,000 in the first nine months of 2015) and 32,000 in total worldwide.

At 150/day, Renault would be able to deliver 3,000 ZOE a month (considering the French employees on the single shift working 20 days a month). Annual production would be ~36,000, a level of sales that the ZOE has never experienced such high volumes in the past.

Source: Inside EVs

Renault Electric Car Sales Up 25% In September

November 4, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, Sales, ZOETrevor Larkum

Renault, thanks to having one of the most popular pure electric cars in Europe – the ZOE – increased its BEV car sales in September by 25% year-over-year.

Renault BEV Sales Worldwide – September 2015 (Image: InsideEVs)

Most of the total 2,149 (1,665 for ZOE) car sales worldwide obviously come from Europe (over 97%) where the company makes its home.

With an additional 169 Twizy, total BEV sales hit 2,318 (up 19% because Twizy is down 25% YoY).

1,665 ZOE’s sold stands for nearly 72% of all electric Renaults.

In the first nine months of 2015, the French manufacturer sold nearly 12,000 ZOE, compared to just over 6,000 year ago.

Source: Inside EVs

Call for charging point road signs

November 2, 2015Charging, Ecotricity, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, NissanTrevor Larkum

Nissan and Ecotricity join forces to call for official EV charging point road signage
There are more than 9,000 electric vehicle charging points across the UK, but still no official signage
Campaign calls on government to take action and raise awareness of UK EV infrastructure
Latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) stats reveal over 11,500 all electric Nissan LEAFs have been sold since its launch in early 2011

London, 22 September 2015 – Nissan, manufacturer of the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV), the Nissan LEAF, and Ecotricity, who operate Europe’s biggest and most comprehensive rapid charging network, the Electric Highway, have today called on the UK government to introduce official road signage for the UK’s growing number of standard and rapid EV charging points.

Despite there being more than 9,000 EV charging points nationwide, there is still no official, recognisable signage available to direct motorists to them – even though there are official signs for “migratory toad crossings”, of which there are only 140 across the UK.

Nissan and Ecotricity claim the time is right for the new UK Government to take action and raise awareness of the UK’s EV infrastructure by introducing universal symbols that can be used to designate the different types of EV charging points available on Britain’s roadways, notably standard and rapid chargers.

The campaign will be calling on key influencers in the motoring and sustainability sector to share their views on the UK’s electric vehicle charging network in order to encourage the Department for Transport and Office for Low Emission Vehicles to take action.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Jim Wright, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, explained:

“At Nissan we believe that all electric driving offers a number of benefits to UK motorists and should be made accessible to all. That is why we have partnered with Ecotricity to call on the new Government to give electric vehicles the prominence they now deserve and introduce official signage for charging points across the UK.”

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said:

“Both the cars and the infrastructure are in place to support the electric car revolution in Britain – there are Electric Highway pumps at almost every motorway services, while companies like Nissan are developing top quality electric cars.

“It’s time to introduce charging point road signs in Britain – they’ll provide necessary direction for the thousands of electric car drivers in Britain as well as increasing public awareness that the infrastructure is ready for them to make the move to an electric car.

“Over the past four years, we’ve installed Europe’s most advanced electric car charging network right here in Britain – it has 250 pumps, 20,000 members and nearly 15 million emission free miles driven since its inception.

“The growth so far in 2015 has been phenomenal – nearly two million miles driven on the network every month. The argument for road signs could not be stronger.”

Ecotricity recently revealed that Electric Highway members have now driven over 15 million miles since the charging network’s inception in 2011, with that number now growing by nearly 2 million miles a month and over 1,000 new registrations each month.

Nissan has sold more than 11,500 all electric Nissan LEAFs since the vehicle was launched in the UK, and almost 200,000 worldwide, in 2011 and 2010 respectively.

Nissan’s current electric vehicle line-up includes the 100% electric Nissan LEAF and the e-NV200 van, providing a sustainable solution in the commercial vehicle sector. To date, Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 owners have covered more than one billion all-electric miles.

Next generation of motorists want to own more electric cars

November 1, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

A SURVEY of teenagers and learner drivers has found that the next generation of motorists see electric vehicles (EVs) as their car of choice by 2026. Their view is supported by futurologist Dr Ian Pearson, who forecasts that EVs will be the new normal in just over 10 years.

The views of 800 young people aged between 14 and 17 were sought by the joint industry and government-funded Go Ultra Low campaign, which is seeking to increase the number of car buyers considering ultra-low-emission vehicles by helping them understand their benefits, cost savings and capabilities.

The study found that 81% of 14-year-olds plan to make the first car they buy an EV, as prospective drivers are more focused on a low emission future and look to benefit from the increased availability of used electric cars.

The young people interviewed also said that their generation tends to associate electric cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions (56%), cleaner air (48%), and ‘the types of cars that everyone will be driving one day’ (34%).

Today’s learner drivers also said that they want to driver a cleaner, greener car when they pass their test, while 88% of all the young people surveyed felt that more motorists, regardless of their age, should be driving a plug-in car in 2015.

Best electric cars in the UK: Which EVs to buy in 2015

October 31, 2015Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesTrevor Larkum

There are more electric cars than ever, but which is the best one for you?

Ultra-low emission registrations up 386% on first quarter of 2014 (Image: OLEV) — Ultra-low emission registrations up (Image: OLEV)

In 2015, the electric car market is booming. According to the UK’s Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 512 electric cars were sold in January of this year, a 58% rise from the same period in 2014. Sales of hybrid cars increased even more dramatically, with a rise of over 1,035% on the year before.

So why the huge upturn in electric cars? Simply put, electric cars are now a viable mode of transport. Electric vehicles (EVs) have manageable range, a good network of charging stations and excellent fuel economy, making them perfect for quick trips from A to B, or extended city driving.

It’s not just a niche sector, either. First pioneered by the Toyota Prius, the EV and hybrid market has gone on to see cars released from premium marques such as BMW, Volkswagen, Kia and Renault. Electric vehicles are no longer a gimmick – they’re the future of transport.

But which are best electric cars on the market today? We’ve compared the range, cost, features and economy of each EV to find out which is best for you.