Alex Grant
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 »
Smart EV charging trial aims to avoid costly grid upgrades
The Low Carbon London trial aims to address potential inadequacies in the hardware of the UK electrical grid – it is estimated that if 25% of drivers switched to electric vehicles, half the transformers … Read More »
Honda still committed to hybrids, but not in Europe
In a statement, Honda said it would continue to roll out its efficient engines, transmissions and electrification under the Earth Dreams Technology banner, something it expects to complete over the next four years. Earth … Read More »
Honda to drop Insight and CR-Z hybrids in Europe
A spokesperson from Honda said both cars are due to be replaced at the end of the year, but neither of the next-generation hybrids will be sold in Europe. According to SMMT figures, … Read More »
Bhutan takes first steps towards electromobility
Bhutan’s electrical grid is supplied by an abundance of renewably sourced hydro-electricity, enough that energy is its biggest export. Plans to increase the numbers of electric vehicles on the roads are aimed at reducing … Read More »
Electric car sharing club secures £500,000 funding
The UK’s first all-electric car sharing club was founded in 2011 based on investment from the Sustainable Venture Devleopment Partners and support from the Technology Strategy Board, with an aim to provide affordable and … Read More »
Volkswagen unveils 35g/km Golf GTE plug-in hybrid
Due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the GTE brings Volkswagen’s performance Golf family to three models, sold alongside the petrol GTI and diesel GTD, and its low CO2 emissions should make … Read More »
