Alex Grant
Renault hints at 200-mile battery option for ZOE and Kangoo
Eric Feunteun, Head of Renault Electric Vehicles, said the company is working to improve energy density through better cell chemistry, to provide longer-range batteries within the same physical space – just as Nissan has … Read More »
Pan-European charging network reaches UK and Ireland
Operated by utility companies Ecotricity in Great Britain and ESB in Northern Ireland, the €7.4m (£5.8m) Rapid Charge Network comprises 74 units and spans around 680 miles of major routes and was part-funded by … Read More »
Honda hints at full PHEV model range
Speaking in a web-broadcast press conference from Japan today, president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo said plug-in hybrids would be “at the core” of its global electrification strategy, introduced in stages across its biggest-selling products. … Read More »
Hyundai IONIQ to debut with three electrified drivetrains
Based on a new platform designed specifically for alternative drivetrains, the IONIQ will launch in Europe this summer and is mechanically similar to Kia’s Niro hybrid crossover, which will also feature plug-in versions in … Read More »
Dundee taxi company to triple its electric fleet
The company already has 30 taxis on its fleet, supported by five rapid chargers and ten 7kW chargers from Evolt, which were installed by APT Controls. These are in constant use, with the rapid … Read More »
Toyota's hybrid Juke rival to be unveiled next week
Previewed by the C-HR concept car last year, Toyota says this will be a coupe-SUV crossover, smaller than the RAV4 and designed to be fun to drive rather than focusing on practicality as in … Read More »
Hybrids most efficient at reducing climate change, study shows
The results of the study, by Dr Eckard Helmers at Trier University with Michel Cames of the University of Luxembourg, were presented to the European Parliament this week by environmental action group Green Budget … Read More »
Volvo V90 estate to include plug-in hybrid
Based on the S90 saloon, the V90 is likely to be the bigger-selling version and will aim for conquest customers from Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF. A T8 … Read More »
Kia Optima PHEV targets 37g/km CO2 emissions
Unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show last week, the European-market version will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, alongside the first ever Optima Sportwagon and Niro hybrid crossover. The 201bhp … Read More »
Nissan e-NV200 becomes a portable air quality lab
Enviro Technology Services, in Stroud, is making its Air Quality Monitoring Vehicle (nicknamed the ‘Smogmobile’) available for local authorities and private companies to hire, for quick, low-cost analysis of pollution in specific areas. … Read More »
Aston Martin signs MoU to develop 2018 EV
The carmaker will work with Chinese technology company LeEco to launch a production version of the RapidE concept car, shown in October, and this includes adopting components from new US-based EV startup Faraday Future. … Read More »
Deutsche Bahn adds EV rental to train bookings
Cars will be provided through DB’s car sharing subsidiary Flinkster, at first via a pilot project at two stations in Berlin, with rentals costing from €29 per day and cars available for up to … Read More »
BMW plug-in hybrids to get iPerformance branding
The iPerformance branding will debut on long and short-wheelbase versions of the 7 Series Plug-in Hybrid, which will feature a BMW i logo on the wings and blue elements in the grille and wheel … Read More »
Tesla simplifies UK Model S line-up
The new Model S line-up will include two battery capacity options, 70kWh and 90kWh, the latter had been introduced as a £2,500 upgrade on 85kWh versions last year and is only offered with dual-motor … Read More »
FedEx Express Japan deploys two electric vans
Based out of Shinsuna station, which now has a charging point for the two vehicles, the vans join a global fleet which includes 397 hybrids, 404 electric and 40 hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, as well as … Read More »
Kia unveils three hybrids at Chicago Auto Show
The Niro arrives this summer using a dedicated eco-car platform shared with Hyundai’s forthcoming Ioniq, which will be available with plug-in hybrid and fully electric drivetrains, the former also confirmed for Kia’s model. … Read More »
Toyota's hybrid crossover to use UK-built engines
Set to be based on the C-HR concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, the crossover will be smaller than a RAV4 and sales are expected to be weighted towards the hybrid … Read More »
Tesla Model 3 unveil due on 31st March
Confirmed as part of the company’s Fourth Quarter 2015 Financial Results, the Model 3 will be roughly the same size as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, targeting a much higher-volume … Read More »
GM to launch 300-mile Ampera-e EV in Europe next year
Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last month, the Bolt features a 60kWh battery – twice the capacity of the latest Nissan LEAF – and offers a range of 200 … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota Prius
Arguably launched before its time, the first Prius was a 20th Century solution to 21st Century problems. Years before legislation twisted the arms of other brands, it gave Toyota a platform to lead on … Read More »
