Alex Grant
Cheshire East Council takes first step towards EV fleet
Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member for communities, has authorised officers to apply for a 75% grant to fund the new additions. With lower fuel and maintenance costs, the council says these will cut running … Read More »
Toyota hydrogen fuel cell car available to order
Already an area with a high take-up of plug-in and hybrid vehicles, the state is expected to be one of the biggest global markets for hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota has appointed eight dealers to … Read More »
Hackney Council installs on-street rapid chargers
The units have been installed on Bentley Road in Dalston, Calvert Avenue in Shoreditch and Reading Lane in Hackney Central, and were 75% funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, with the remainder … Read More »
Draft bill to push plug-in vehicles on German fleets
It’s an acceptance that more needs to be done to promote electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Germany – the 12,000 currently on its roads is far short of the one million target by … Read More »
Range and performance upgrades for Tesla Model S
The new 90kWh battery is a £2,500 upgrade on 85kWh vesions, and features improved cell chemistry with use of silicone in the anodes. This is said to offer a 6% increase in range – … Read More »
Volkswagen shows robot-assisted rapid charger
Undergoing ongoing research, the e-smartConnect system uses a LBR iiwa lightweight robotic arm developed by Kuka to plug a rapid charging cable into the car. Volkswagen says the technology is a response to growing … Read More »
Dual-standard hydrogen station goes live in Munich
Located on Detmoldstrasse, the station is part of the European HyFIVE project, which is bringing five car manufacturers together with hydrogen stakeholders to conduct research and set standards across Italy, Denmark, Austria, Germany and … Read More »
Volvo confirms Polestar-tuned performance plug-ins
Based in Sweden, Polestar has to date offered performance-boosting software upgrades for Volvo’s cars, as well as versions of the S60 and V6. It has also worked with Volvo in motorsport since 1996, though … Read More »
Renault broadens ZOE line-up with long-range version
With the R240 motor, named after its range in kilometres, the ZOE offers a class-leading 149-mile range from a single charge, based on the New European Drive Cycle, thanks to improved electronic management, and … Read More »
Half-year ULEV registrations exceed 2014 total
According to Go Ultra Low, in the period between January and the end of June, 14,586 vehicles eligible for the government’s Plug-in Car Grant were registered in the UK – equivalent to one every … Read More »
EU project targets autonomously charging electric vehicles
Using a test car based on an e-Golf, the V-Charge (Valet Charge) project will design a system which can be used in ‘mixed traffic’ – it won’t be confined to set test zones. The … Read More »
Fiat to focus on hybrids, not EVs, for Europe
Speaking to EV Fleet World, Luca Napolitano, head of brand for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said there was no demand for an electric drivetrain in the region, despite Fiat offering an electric 500e … Read More »
Hyundai-Kia begins wireless charging R&D
Over three phases, the project is targeting a wireless system with 92% grid-to-vehicle efficiency, capable of transferring at up to 10kW – faster than most public pedestal units used in the UK. This will … Read More »
IKEA Canada to offer country-wide EV charging
The stores will form part of the Sun Country Highway network, with each location getting 60-amp charging stations with two J1772-standard connections, compatible with North America’s biggest-selling plug-in vehicles. IKEA’s stores are located alongside … Read More »
Chargemaster investment targets black spots in UK charging network
The multi-million pound investment will include offering free of charge replacements for local authorities who had charging points installed under the Plugged-in Places scheme, many of which have come under criticism for being unserviceable. … Read More »
Road Test: Ford Mondeo Hybrid Titanium
Press the start button in the Mondeo Hybrid and something unusual happens – it’s silent. We’ve become so used to Ford’s fleet stalwart rumbling into life with the clatter of a cold diesel engine … Read More »
BMW confirms sub-50g/km plug-in hybrid MPV
It’s the production reality of BMW’s Concept Active Tourer, which previewed its first MPV back in 2012, shown in almost showroom-ready form this week. Based on knowledge from the i sub-brand, BMW is planning … Read More »
Rhône-Alpes region gets first hydrogen station
The company has three hydrogen range-extended Renault Kangoo Z.E.s on its fleet, which will use the station, but the facility will also serve French postal service La Poste, which is testing the same vehicles. … Read More »
Aldi installs first EV chargers in Germany
Working with RWE as technology partner and supplier, the network will offer free half-hour charges to 80% for compatible electric vehicles, said to be roughly the same time it takes to do a weekly … Read More »
First Drive: Mercedes-Benz GLE 500e
Given the inherent weight, drag and drivetrain load disadvantages of an SUV, it should come as no surprise that plug-in hybrid technology has become par for the course at the premium end of the … Read More »
