Alex Grant
Tesla to build world's largest battery factory in Nevada
Set to be operated in partnership with Panasonic, the Gigafactory will employ 6,500 people building lithium-ion battery packs for over 500,000 vehicles per year by 2020, with aims to reduce costs through economies of … Read More »
First Drive: Volkswagen Golf GTE
There’s an obvious niche for this car to fill. With surprisingly high economy for the power available, a quarter of all Golfs registered in the UK this year have been the GTI, GTD or … Read More »
Electric Highway use quadruples in nine months
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 … Read More »
Used tyres could improve EV battery performance
The team at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered that carbon black, a man-made substance similar to graphite which is used in tyres, could be recovered and modified to produce high … Read More »
Kia to boost California's rapid charge network
Selected dealers in the region will get ABB Terra 53 40kW charging points, capable of charging the Soul EV to 80% capacity in 33 minutes, which will be added to the state’s existing network … Read More »
Extra $1m charge point funding announced for California
The funding will be split equally between the two regions, with Corridor Power Inc using its share to build a fast charging 'Plaza' in Encinitas and the County of Sonoma aiming to invest in … Read More »
Toyota hydrogen tank gets world-first certification
Until now, Toyota would have had to get each tank individually inspected before it could be installed into a vehicle, impacting on manufacturing times and inventory control. Certification means the process can be significantly … Read More »
Kent company launches 34-vehicle Tesla hire and chauffeur fleet
The company, which is part of plant hire specialist H.E. Services Group, is targeting environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses primarily in London and the Home Counties, but can deliver anywhere in the country if the … Read More »
California landlords must approve EV charge points
Bill AB 2565 was passed 52 votes to 25, and will void any terms in leases renewed or extended from 1st January 2015 which would otherwise prohibit a charging point being installed at a … Read More »
Climate-neutral factory is first German e-NV200 customer
The company, based near Dusseldorf, operates the first climate-neutral factory in Germany. It uses 100% hydro-electric power for machinery and heating, and this will be used to charge the e-NV200 as well as the … Read More »
UK's first Tesla rental fleet arrives in London
The company, which launched early this year, expects to have all ten vehicles available by the end of the year, growing to 15 during 2015 and with plans to open additional centres in Bristol … Read More »
Prototype Saab electric vehicle shown in Sweden
Based on the petrol-powered 9-3 Aero, which restarted production last December, early prototypes of the electric version will serve as a test bench, helping employees across the company to understand the technology, and serving … Read More »
Signs of Change
Electric Vehicles: How is the market performing? The SMMT recorded 2,558 pure electric vehicle sales during the first six months of 2014, a 143.9% year-on-year rise. Business sales more than doubled year on year, … Read More »
Cost and charging points more important than range, study says
Zhenhong Lin, a researcher at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee, optimised electric vehicle range predictions based on the individual driving patterns of 36,664 sample drivers in the United States. The results … Read More »
Saleen shows Tesla-based electric supercar
The FOURSIXTEEN was unveiled at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event, with the California-based manufacturer announcing it would be priced at $152,000 (£92,000) including the cost of the Tesla Model S P85 it … Read More »
Refrival to trial Nissan e-NV200 in Madrid and Seville
The company, which is part of the Heineken Group, has a diverse fleet of over 600 vehicles to fit a plethora of different uses, and is looking to reduce the environmental impact of its … Read More »
Tesla extends Model S electric drivetrain warranty
It means customers who choose the larger 85kWh battery pack, which so far is the more popular unit, get an unlimited mileage warranty on the entire drivetrain. The 60kWh battery has a 124,000-mile cap, … Read More »
Volvo announces Polestar upgrades for V60 PHEV
The new software increases the diesel engine’s output by 15bhp and 22lb/ft, to 227bhp and 346lb/ft, which combine with the 68bhp electric motor to improve in-gear performance for overtaking, and also reduces the sprint … Read More »
United States to fund $55m in clean car projects
Funding will be split between 31 projects across the United States, with 19 of these aimed at improving the competitiveness of plug-in vehicles, including the use of lightweight materials in their construction. Plug-in vehicle … Read More »
London chauffeur fleet to use 100% renewable energy
Based in Canary Wharf, the company has a fleet of top-spec Nissan LEAFs and targets price parity with minicabs for short journeys and executive chauffeur services for longer trips. Customers are provided with a … Read More »
