Category Archives: Electric Cars

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

The top 5 electric vans

June 25, 2020e-NV200, Electric Cars, Electric Vans, eVito, Kangoo Z.E., Master Z.E., Mercedes, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Renault, VolkswagenRepost

There might not be a big history of electric vans in the UK, but expect this to change rapidly as the number of battery-powered commercial vehicles is set to grow in the coming years. Here we recommend 5 great electric vans…

While you could count the number of electric vans on one hand in recent times, this will be very different in just a few years’ time.

Electric vans provide the same benefits as electric cars, but there are some additional challenges that private drivers won’t have to factor in. The obvious benefit is the lack of emissions, with EV vans able to drive around without producing any tailpipe emissions. These are the factors to consider when deciding whether an electric van will work for you or not.
ULEZ charges
This means that they aren’t subject to any of the inner-city charges that are either already in place or are planned for the coming years. In London they are exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge that operates 24 hours a day and costs £12.50.

They are also exempt from the London Congestion Charge (£15.00 a day as of 22 June) although that will end in 2025. As all the current electric vans are classified as light commercial vehicles, they are not eligible for the LEZ that applies to heavy duty vans and trucks. Future charge zones are designed to reduce pollution in urban areas above all else so it is highly likely that electric vehicles will be exempt from charges in other cities for the foreseeable future, too.
Range
The range that a van can travel between charges is the biggest barrier for many, and it is fair to say that a battery-powered van will not be able to replace a diesel model if you are going to do anything other than short-distance urban deliveries or predictable daily routes.

As it stands, the longest official range available in an electric van is 143 miles from the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33, while many, like the VW e Transporter and Mercedes eVito offer an official range of below 100 miles.

This range will be impacted by how fast you drive, how cold the weather is and, crucially, how much weight you carry in the back. Hauling around a full payload could reduce the range by around 10%, or 10 miles or more, so it is a notable factor.

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A fateful decision for Spain: Another COVID-19 recovery package supporting electric vehicle uptake?

June 24, 2020Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

A few days ago, the German government agreed to a €130 billion COVID-19 economic recovery package.

A significant portion of that stimulus, about €8 billion, is earmarked for the automotive industry in Germany. Previously, President Emmanuel Macron announced a similar €8 billion COVID-19 support package for the automotive industry in France. Next in line is Spain, where a decision by the government about support for the automotive industry is expected any day.

The French and German programs include additional support for electric vehicles. In France, the purchase premium for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) will increase from €6,000 to €7,000 for vehicles with a purchase price of up to €45k. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will be newly eligible for a purchase premium of €2,000. In Germany, the government subsidy for BEVs will double from €3,000 per vehicle to €6,000 for vehicles under €40k, and from €2,500 to €5,000 for vehicles costing between €40k and €65k. For PHEVs the government subsidy will also double from €2,250 to €4,500 for vehicles costing up to €40, and from €1,875 to €3,750 for vehicles between €40k and €65k. In addition, manufacturers remain obliged to pay an additional purchase premium of €2,500 to €3,000 for BEVs and €1,875-€2,250 for PHEVs.

The German government decided to send an even stronger signal for a quick transition to electric vehicles by not including any purchase premium for combustion engine vehicles. Furthermore, it decided to strengthen the CO2-based portion of the vehicle ownership tax. In France, on the other hand, buyers of a new or used combustion engine vehicle can benefit from a conversion premium. However, this subsidy in France is capped at €3,000, is only available for low-income households, and is and limited to a maximum of 200,000 vehicles with emissions below 137 gCO2/km (in WLTP-terms) that replace a vehicle that is at a minimum 9-years-old. Although this policy will have a negative effect on the French vehicle fleet CO2 emission level, as we explain here, this effect is likely to remain limited.

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Revealed: There are twice as many public charging points for electric cars in the UK as there are petrol filling stations

June 23, 2020Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

DfT data shows there were 17,947 public electric car charging devices in April
That compares to 8,046 filling stations in the UK, according to latest figures
While availability is up, stats show there is ‘uneven geographical distribution‘

There are officially more than twice as many public charge points for electric cars in the UK than there are petrol stations, the Department for Transport has confirmed.

As of 1 April, there were 17,947 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK – 3,107, or 17 per cent, of which are rapid devices, the government said.

BP Chargemaster Rapid Charger at Milton Keynes Charging Hub (Image: T. Larkum)

The UK Petroleum Industry Association’s latest figures show there were 8,046 filling stations as the nation.

The figures were published as part of the DfT’s ongoing tracking of public chargers as ministers continue to push motorists to choose electric vehicles to reduce traffic-related air pollution.

The data, provided by Zap-Map, shows that since 2015, the number of public charging devices has grown by 402 per cent.

A charging device is a unit capable of charging the batteries of one or more plug-in electric vehicles simultaneously. There is often more than one device at a location.

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Renault Kangoo Z.E. Line-up Bolstered by New Business+ Model

June 20, 2020Electric Cars, Electric Vans, Kangoo Z.E., News, Reviews and Comment, Renault, RenaultRepost

New Business+ trim level now available for popular Kangoo Z.E. range
Added to line-up following increasing demand for zero-emission commercial vehicle
New trim features additional equipment for enhanced driver comfort and convenience
Available in medium and long-wheelbase panel vans, Kangoo Z.E. range now mirrors ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) version
Popularity continues to rise since its launch in 2017 with year-on-year sales increase
Latest selection of finance offers from Renault Pro+ add further appeal to the full electric model
Orders open now, with prices starting at £19,836 + VAT and after Plug-in Van Grant

Renault Pro+ today announces the addition of the feature-packed Business+ trim level to the Kangoo Z.E. electric van range. Based on the existing and popular Business trim, the Business+ brings a host of upgrades and equipment delivering enhanced comfort and convenience for drivers.

The Kangoo Z.E. continues to be a hit since going on sale in 2017, with a 217% increase in volume in 2019 compared with the previous year, representing a 30.15% share of the electric van market.

Available in both medium and long-wheelbase panel vans, the Kangoo Z.E. Business+ retains the 33kWh battery and 44kW motor, for the same 143-mile (WLTP) range and zero tailpipe emissions. The Business+ features £1,070 worth of equipment for just £600 compared to the Business version, offering strong value for money.

Sophisticated look and generous equipment list

On the outside, the new Business+ trim benefits from metallic paint with body-coloured bumpers front and rear for a more sophisticated look, while electrically operated and folding wing mirrors are finished in stylish gloss black.

Inside, there’s a comfortable cab environment for the driver and passenger thanks to a central armrest with storage below and an overhead parcel shelf to boost practicality. Further back, the generous load area comes fitted with a practical rubber floor covering.

Making life easier for the driver is standard-fit one-touch functionality for the electric front windows, while rear parking sensors give drivers greater confidence when dealing with tight spaces or difficult manoeuvres.

This all builds on the Kangoo Z.E’s already generous equipment list, payload ranging from 605kg to 640kg and enough space to accommodate a British or Euro pallet. It also benefits from the comprehensive Renault Pro+ three-year/100,000-mile warranty.

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Engie expands GeniePoint network with new rapid installs

June 19, 2020ChargePoint Services / GeniePoint, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and CommentRepost

Engie is expanding its GeniePoint network with the installation of thirteen new rapid chargers in the west midlands.

The installations of the 50kW+ chargers are part of a new partnership with Bromsgrove District Council, with BMM Energy Solutions set to carry out the physical installations. Engie will provide ongoing operational, customer service and maintenance services for the next decade.

The first installation is due to start in summer 2020, with all chargers to be installed by the end of the year hopefully.

All of the new GeniePoint chargers will be supplied with 100% renewable energy and will be pay as you go, offering contactless or debit card payments.

Bromsgrove District Council won funding for EV charging as part of the government’s Ultra Low Emission Taxi Infrastructure Scheme, with the new chargers to be free to use for registered Taxi and Private Hire vehicles for the first year. After this initial period, there will be a 75% discount for 2-5 years and a 50% discount after.

Councillor Margaret Sherrey said it was “fantastic news” for the district.

“Now we can get the ball rolling to develop and implement clean transport options for our residents as well as giving EV users from elsewhere in the UK the opportunity to stop or visit Bromsgrove to ‘recharge their batteries’”.

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The Automotive Market Is About To Be Disrupted: Where Will It Leave You?

June 18, 2020Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, SalesRepost

The Tesla Model 3 is now the best-selling vehicle in California in all categories, as it already is in the arguably less representative market of the Netherlands.

The data is published by the California New Car Dealers Association, which is probably contemplating in despair how the best-selling vehicle is precisely one that does not get distributed through dealers. In short, Tesla’s achievement has been to make electric vehicles more desirable than their internal combustion competitors.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the automotive market is changing. GM is launching a new electric delivery van in a bid to prevent Tesla taking over that market the same way they did in the consumer segment, and announces plans to introduce at least 20 all-electric models in all categories by 2023. In the same sense, Amazon is working to add 100,000 Rivian all-electric vans to its delivery fleet.

Electric vehicles are no longer the preserve of the rich: China now produces models with starting prices of around $1,000 that you can buy through Alibaba. More and more manufacturers are accelerating their plans to try to position themselves in a market where it will take them at least several years to cast a shadow on Elon Musk’s company. But one thing is already clear: with much longer lifetimes and significantly cheaper maintenance costs, electric vehicles are changing the economic parameters of driving.

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EV sales predicted to surge as showrooms reopen and demand bounces back

June 17, 2020Electric Cars, SalesRepost

Google Trends data show that, since the PM’s launch of the COVID-19 recovery strategy on 11th May, there has been a significant boom in demand across the UK automotive industry, which is especially evident in the electric vehicle industry judging by a new analysis tool built by LeaseFletcher.

Demand is now parallel with the numbers pre-lockdown according to The Road to Recovery Dashboard: Electric Vehicles, part of a tool built by LeaseFetcher, a car leasing comparison site based in Scotland. Pulling its raw data from Google Trends on a weekly basis, the tool provides an invaluable insight into consumer sentiment and behaviour.

In March, demand across the automotive industry nosedives. Now, following the announcement on the 11th of May, introducing step one of the recovery strategy, demand is once again on the rise. While search volume for ‘electric car’ hasn’t yet returned to its pre-COVID levels, there’s every indication that it will do soon. Specifically, the Tesla Model S and Model X have seen strong recoveries, matching and even exceeding interest this time last year. Demand for the compact BMW i3 has recently returned to its pre-COVID levels, while the higher-end Audi e-Tron has already exceeded this. This is a strong recovery considering the demand fell by 70.1 percent and 63.5 percent respectively from the 8th of March to the 22nd of March.

“The dashboard aims to observe long term and immediate changes in demand and will help inform predictions about the future for the electric vehicle and automotive industry”

said Will Craig, Founder of LeaseFetcher.

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Corsa-e review: New electric hatchback will be very familiar to Vauxhall owners

June 16, 2020Corsa-e, Electric Cars, VauxhallRepost

Mirror Motoring’s Colin Goodwin gets his hands on his first car after lockdown – the Vauxhall Corsa-e electric vehicle that sprints to 60mph in 7.6 seconds in Sport mode

The last car that was delivered to me to test before the lockdown was a Renault Zoe, which as you probably know is a fully electric car.

The first car to be delivered in the eased lockdown is a Vauxhall Corsa-e, also an electric car.

So for the limited amount of driving that I’ve done during the last two months, which is mainly going back and forth caring for my 94-year-old mum, all of it has been in an EV.

I’m getting pretty used to this electric business. Wouldn’t say I was at the evangelist stage yet, but I’m warming to it.

The Corsa-e is essentially the same car as the Peugeot e-208 but not quite as good looking. Vauxhall was quick out of the box with this car because there is no fully electric Ford hatchback and very few from other rivals.

There’s really only the aforementioned Zoe, the Mini E and Honda E – the latter offering a shorter range and higher price.

The Corsa-e has a 100kW electric motor and a 50kWh battery giving it a range in ideal conditions of 209 miles, which is about 25 miles less than the Renault.

Vauxhall will also give you a wall-mounted fast charger and fit it for free. This is just as well because charging the car from a domestic socket will take up to 24 hours.

Use a public rapid charger and you will be able to bring your Corsa-e’s battery up to 80% charge in 30 minutes.

Slip inside and you’ll see a rather more straightforward interior than the Peugeot’s. No nice piano keys to operate oft-used items like radio and sat nav, no futuristic 3D virtual cockpit and no wacky tiny steering wheel.

But never mind, there’s not much wrong with the Vauxhall’s interior and it’s very well put together.

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MPs call for accelerated rollout of EV infrastructure and emission zone extensions

June 13, 2020Charging, Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Pollution, SalesRepost

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Air Pollution has called for an accelreated roll out of electric vehicle infrastructure and for emissions zones to be extended to help tackle climate change as the coronavirus lockdown starts to lift.

The APPG has launched its Strategy to Reduce Coronavirus Infection as we emerge from Lockdown in order to keep air pollution low.

The group said studies in the US, China and Europe have identified the strong correlation between areas of high air pollution and COVID-19 deaths.

Part of the suggested proposals include extending emission zones in UK cities, introducing scrappage schemes for older vehicles, accelerating the roll out of EV infrastructure and bringing forward a ban on new fossil fuel engines to 2030 at the latest.

Geraint Davies, chair of the APPG Air Pollution, said:

“There is a risk that increased private transport as lockdown measures are reduced will increase pollution levels beyond pre-lockdown levels.

“Government must provide a clear message that pollution should be reduced, while supporting greener transport with fiscal measures and giving local government the tools to help do the job.”

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Electric cars gain market share in Europe despite Covid-19 crisis

June 12, 2020Electric Cars, Energy and Climate Change, News, Reviews and Comment, Pollution, SalesRepost

Data suggests that carmakers are making progress towards meeting emissions reductions targets

Electric and hybrid cars gained traction among European buyers in April despite coronavirus lockdowns stalling the market, suggesting carmakers are likely to avoid potential fines potentially worth billions of euros if they fail to reduce average emissions.

Battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 17% of sales across all European markets, including the UK, in April, according to data collated by industry analysts Jato Dynamics. That was more than double the 7% market share achieved in April 2019.

The data show buyers were more likely to opt for electric and hybrid cars even as overall sales fell dramatically. Total car sales, including petrol and diesel models, fell from 1.34m units in April 2019 to 292,600 vehicles in April 2020, the lowest level since the 1970s, Jato said.

Sales of battery electric cars fell by 29% during the month compared with the previous year, but performed far stronger than the 78% decline seen across the market as a whole as sales of petrol and diesel cars decreased much faster.

Sales of plug-in hybrid cars rose by 7% according to Jato. Volkswagen, Volvo and Ford all benefited from strong growth in sales of plug-in hybrids.

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