Category Archives: Volkswagen

News and reviews of Volkswagen electric cars (including plug-in hybrids).

Electric Highway use quadruples in nine months

BMW, Charging, Ecotricity, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Volkswagen
Nissan Leaf: The Electric Highway covers 90% of the UK's motorway services (Image: Ecotricity)
Nissan Leaf: The Electric Highway covers 90% of the UK’s motorway services (Image: Ecotricity)

The Electric Highway rapid charging network has had almost a four-fold rise in the number of vehicles plugging in over the last nine months, according to green utility company Ecotricity, which is responsible for running it.

A total of 4,080 cars used the network in the last quarter of 2013, more than doubling to 8,891 in the first quarter of this year, and 15,152 in the second quarter – a 271% rise, as plug-in car registrations in the UK continue to climb.

The network, which now spans 90% of all UK motorway service stations and includes 170 charging points, has so far provided 250,000 kWh of 100% renewably sourced electricity, or over a million miles of electric driving, for free.

By the end of the year, Ecotricity expects to have rapid chargers at all service stations in the UK, giving an 80% charge in under half an hour, with many sites gaining a second unit with the new Combined Charging System connector, compatible with BMW and Volkswagen’s electric vehicles.

As a result, the company estimates that it will have reached two million miles of free electric driving to its membership base, which is gaining 800 registrations each month.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity and the Electric Highway, said: ‘Fast chargers are a massive turning point for electric cars in Britain, knowing you can recharge a car in 20 minutes, or about the time it takes to have a cup of coffee, and travel the length and breadth of Britain if you want to – is a massive boost.’

Source: EV Fleet World

BMW, Nissan, Renault And Volkswagen Join Forces For EV Charging

BMW, Charging, Electric Cars, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Renault, Volkswagen
UK Rapid Charge Network
UK Rapid Charge Network

UK Rapid Charge Network (RCN) project, through the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) program, attracted four automakers – BMW, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen, which will join forces to build a network of a multi-standard fast chargers in Ireland and Europe.

According to the latest news, 10 out of 74 of the multi-standard chargers are already installed and a further 28 have been commissioned.

All of them will be 44kW CCS, 44kW CHAdeMO and 43kW AC systems, so no EV will be left without a charge option.

“Nissan is joined in the project by BMW, VW and Renault: it’s the first time leading BEV companies have united to accelerate the growth of EV charging infrastructure, seen as a key enabler towards making zero-emission mobility a market reality. The project, managed by Zero Carbon Futures in Sunderland also draws on the network expertise of ESB, one of Ireland’s foremost energy company and leader of a previous TEN-T project completed this summer, and Newcastle University.”

“When complete, the UK Rapid Charge Network (RCN) will comprise more than 70 multi standard rapid chargers covering some 1,100km of major trunk routes and providing EV-friendly links to five seaports and five international airports.”

“Running on two priority road axes on the mainland of the UK, the RCN will link major ports and cities including Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead, Birmingham, Felixstowe, Leeds and Kingston upon Hull. There will also be networks embracing Dublin, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland.”

“The UK RCN is part of the European Union-financed Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T) and represents a substantial partnership investment of €7,358,000, half of which is being funded by the EU.”

Baroness Kramer, UK Minister of State for Transport stated:

“We are serious about plug-in vehicles and have a comprehensive package of measures to help consumers and industry make the switch to electric. The UK now has the best rapid charging network in Europe. Projects like this highlight how industry is showing its confidence in the rapidly growing market.”

Source: InsideEVs