Alex Grant
Tesla adds battery protection to Model S electric car after battery fires
The protection is Tesla’s response to two high profile car fires last year, where the battery pack was piked by objects on the ground during an accident. However, the company pointed out that nobody … Read More »
Oslo could ban petrol and diesel cars by 2035
The proposal, which will be put forward at the party’s annual meeting this weekend, is designed to reduce traffic and improve air quality, by making conventionally-powered models less attractive to own, according to Norwegian … Read More »
Audi forms green energy partnership for A3 e-tron
The company sources its energy from hydro-electric power stations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with the origin and quality of the sources certified by TUV Nord. It means A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid customers will … Read More »
Northumberland Council deploys first electric vehicles
The latest additions follow a six-month trial of three electric vehicles, including the LEAF, and an analysis of whether the technology could cut travel costs as well as carbon emissions for the council. Because … Read More »
European parliament targets eight million charging points by 2020
In its Clean Power for Transport report, the European Parliament said the plans were aimed at reducing the region’s dependence on imported oil. It added that 94% of energy consumed by transport was oil-based … Read More »
BMW plug-in hybrid supercar cuts CO2 emissions to 49g/km
The second car to launch as part of BMW’s electric i sub brand, following the i3, the i8 combines a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 227bhp with a 129bhp electric motor and lithium-ion battery … Read More »
S-Class Hybrid joins London blue chip chauffeur fleet
The Glasgow-based company has a fleet of 70 Mercedes-Benz models distributed across its operations in Edinburgh, London, Paris, America and Asia, and the 44.8mpg, 147g/km S400 L Hybrid was chosen because it best matches … Read More »
Long Termers: Vauxhall Ampera Electron
As temperatures have dropped, I’ve found myself growing accustomed to using the cabin heaters almost every morning – before I unplug the car from my wallbox. Operated from a button on the key, which … Read More »
Audi moots electric versions of R8 and TT
Development was already advanced by the time Audi pulled the plug on its first electric supercar, setting a lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in Germany with a 375bhp R8 e-tron test car – … Read More »
Honda predicts 2020 ramp-up for hydrogen fuel cells
Although Honda will launch a larger-volume fuel cell vehicle next year, Thomas Brachmann, the carmaker's chief project engineer for powertrain technology, said it foresees a few hurdles to overcome before the technology can become … Read More »
Mercedes-Benz predicts long road to electromobility
Speaking to news agency Headlineauto, the manufacturer’s head of sustainable research and development, Dr Herbert Kohler, said conventionally-powered models have a long future ahead – particularly diesels for heavy commercial vehicles – and may … Read More »
Electric Cadillac ELR coupe to launch in Europe
The ELR shares its drivetrain and platform with the Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, offering an electric range of around 50 miles but with the backup of a range-extending petrol engine for longer drives. … Read More »
Tesla to triple European service centre network
There are 17 service centres in operation across the region, including the UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway Switzerland and the UK, prioritising countries with electric vehicle incentives. New additions – of … Read More »
City of Québec joins state-wide EV charge point network
It continues to build on Electric Circuit’s existing network of over 250 charging points located in car parks and at grocery stores and restaurants throughout the eastern part of Québec state The units are … Read More »
Kia targets 15% CO2 reduction for new mild hybrid system
Developed in Germany, the system comprises a 48-volt lead-carbon battery and motor-generator, the latter offering regenerative braking while decelerating, functioning as the engine starter and alternator and providing power while cruising or at low … Read More »
New charging cable lets Renault ZOE owners plug into a domestic socket
Described by Renault as an occasional use cable, it greatly improves the supermini’s flexibility but also restricts charging times. Renault says drivers can expect to add around 16 miles of range in three hours … Read More »
Honda begins tests of advanced hydrogen fuelling station
The station uses the new MC Fill high-pressure hydrogen filling protocol, said to reduce refuelling times by 45%, compared to existing protocols at the same 700-bar storage pressure. By monitoring outlet temperatures means most … Read More »
Nissan reveals production e-NV200 electric van
Produced alongside the petrol and diesel versions at Nissan’s factory in Barcelona, the e-NV200 has been developed and modified in line with the feedback from real-world tests conducted in Europe, Japan and North America. … Read More »
Chinese company Wanxiang confirms Fisker buyout
Founded in 2008, Fisker had been developing high-performance range-extended sports cars, with sales of the 47g/km Karma underway in Europe and development of the smaller Atlantic also in progress by the time it filed … Read More »
South Coast NHS Trust fleet completes plug-in hybrid trial
Recently completed, the trial deployed the plug-in hybrid as a single responder vehicle based out of Hastings. SECAmb also deployed a network of new electric vehicle charging points at the Trust’s Make Ready Centres in … Read More »
