Alex Grant
Spotlight: Nissan LEAF
The second-generation of Nissan’s pioneering electric hatchback will arrive in Europe early next year, offering more range, extra power and less controversial styling. Alex Grant finds out more.
Long-range EVs could require “charging forecourts”
A national network of high-powered electric vehicle charging stations will be essential as new models start to offer hundreds of miles of range, according to a new report by the National Grid.
Electric and diesel variants drive H1 uplift for Nissan GB
Nissan GB has seen little slowdown in demand for diesel engines, despite the electric LEAF accounting for almost a third of its UK sales growth in the first seven months of 2017, according to … Read More »
Volkswagen Bus to return as an EV
Volkswagen has greenlighted production of an electric van and MPV, said to be inspired by the split-screen Transporter and Microbus of the 1950s.
Q&A: Simon Lonsdale of ChargePoint
With the first of a network of its 200 easily-upgradable ultra-fast charging points about to be deployed in a partnership with InstaVolt, Simon Lonsdale, vice president, business development at Californian manufacturer ChargePoint explains the … Read More »
Port of Southampton deploys first EVs
Associated British Ports has deployed 13 electric vehicles at the Port of Southampton, in a move aimed at improving local air quality in the city.
Q&A: David Martell of Chargemaster
As Chargemaster moves to renewable energy sources for its POLAR network, and opens the first multi-brand, all-EV showroom in Milton Keynes, CEO David Martell says it’s a case of ‘when’ instead of ‘why’ for … Read More »
National Grid: only 8% rise in peak energy demand by 2040
Charging the UK’s electric vehicle fleet in 2040 would only require a 5GW increase in peak energy demand – six times lower than some news reports have suggested, according to the National Grid.
Hybrids could soon change driving mode to suit local air quality
Hybrids could soon be remotely switched to drive on electricity when local air pollution is high, using technology which is about to undergo on-road trials in Leeds.
Shell extends its hydrogen filling network
Shell has added four hydrogen filling stations to its network in Germany, bringing the country’s strategically-deployed network to 32 sites.
Toyota and Mazda to co-develop electric vehicles
Toyota and Mazda have formed a partnership to co-develop electric vehicles, in a move aimed at increasing the speed at which new technology can be brought to market.
ULEVs added to government greenhouse gas data tables
The UK government has included plug-in vehicles on its greenhouse gas conversion tables for the first time, aimed at helping fleets to better understand their environmental impact of new drivetrains.
Study suggests estimated grid demand from EVs is exaggerated
Moving to 100% electric vehicle sales in the UK by 2040 would only cause a 10% increase in demand on the electrical grid, according to a study from Cambridge Econometrics.
Cenex to overhaul National Chargepoint Registry
Cenex is to take charge of the UK-wide database of charging points, in a move aimed at providing better live data to drivers and routing companies.
Queensland to get 1,000-mile electric highway
Queensland is to get a network of rapid electric vehicle charging points spanning the 1,000-mile Bruce Highway along the state’s east coast.
DfT mulls changes to gross weight limits for electric vans
The Department for Transport is considering raising the weight threshold for light commercial vehicles from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes to offset their heavier drivetrains, in turn making them more cost-effective to operate.
Government air quality plans: what you need to know
As the UK government sets out its plans to curb air quality issues across the UK, Alex Grant picks out the key points for fleets.
POLAR network switches to renewable energy
Chargemaster’s POLAR network of 5,600 charging points will be supplied by renewable energy from the 1st of August, aimed at cutting carbon emissions for users.
Battery-electric MINI due in 2019
MINI’s first electric vehicle will be based on its three-door hatchback, and launch in 2019, the company has confirmed.
Hyundai to electrify several core models by 2020
Hyundai will add 14 electrified models to its line-up by 2020, including hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, according to its European COO, Thomas Schmid.
