Alex Grant
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 »
Plug-in sales doubled in 2015, ACEA data shows
ACEA data shows 185,266 plug-ins registered across Western Europe and EFTA countries during 2015, compared to 91,409 units in 2014. Excluding LPG and CNG vehicles, plug-ins accounted for 45.1% of all alternatively-powered vehicles registered … Read More »
Mobile batteries could triple EV ranges this year
The Nomad, developed by Nomadic Power of Stuttgart, is a compact trailer with a rechargeable battery on board. Part funded by a €2m (£1.54m) European Commission grant, the company is targeting series-readiness by the … Read More »
Used EV batteries could cure charging problems
The E-STOR system, designed by Connected Energy, stores energy in batteries taken from end-of-life Renault electric vehicles, which are said still have considerable capacity despite being beyond their usable on-road lifespan. This could … Read More »
First Drive: Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine
The stats behind Volvo’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, read like a recipe for success in upper-echelon company car fleets. So it should come as no surprise that it’s already … Read More »
Bracknell Forest deploys second electric vehicle
The council’s second electric vehicle, the van will be used by its couriers, who have a typical daily round of between 65 and 70 miles – well within the e-NV200’s range. Charging points … Read More »
Ireland's €7m rapid charge project completed
The €7m (£5.4m) project was completed working with BMW, Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen, and co-funded by the European Union, via the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T), which aims to improve and establish sustainable links … Read More »
3,500 new charging points for Southern California
The California Public Utilities Commission, which authorised Southern California Edison to install 1,500 charging points in January, has now granted permission for San Diego Gas & Electric to launch a similar pilot. Set … Read More »
Road Test: Toyota Auris Hybrid Business Edition
Such is the familiarity and outward normality of the Auris Hybrid that, now in its sixth year on sale in the UK, it’s easy to overlook the role it’s played in exposing people to … Read More »
Honda Clarity Fuel Cell pricing announced
Due to launch in selected European markets later this year, the Clarity Fuel Cell is unique in that it packages the entire drivetrain and fuel cell stack in the space usually used by the … Read More »
Chargemaster planning London-wide rapid charging network
Chargemaster is to install a network of up to 200 rapid chargers at public car parks across London by the end of 2017, with approvals in place for the first 30 sites to go … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Still growing exponentially and beloved of company car drivers, the C-SUV segment is synonymous with diesel power, particularly in fleet. It’s a crowded sector and a tough one to crack, even following segment norms, … Read More »
Southern California to gain 1,500 charging points
The $22m (€20.2m) “Charge Ready” project is a pilot scheme aimed at investigating how infrastructure can improve adoption of plug-in vehicles, and was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission this week. CPE … Read More »
Intertek opens UK's largest EV and hybrid test centre
Run by global certification company Intertek, the expanded laboratory will employ 100 people locally. Facilities include battery simulators for testing long-range packs, emissions measurement equipment and six 1,000kW powertrain development test cells – even suitable … Read More »
Geneva debut for Hyundai's Prius rival
Due to be launched this summer, the Ioniq is the first car to be available with a choice of alternative drivetrains and no conventional petrol or diesel version. It shares its all-new platform with … Read More »
