Alex Grant
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 »
UK faces legal action for not meeting NO2 limits
Laid out in 2008, the Directive set strict limits for particulate and nitrogen dioxide emissions for all EU member states, with a deadline of 1st January 2010. The deadline could be extended to the … Read More »
BYD and Greentomatocars cancel plans for electric taxi fleet in London
The two companies had formed an agreement in October 2012 to deploy 50 of the Chinese carmaker’s electric vehicles for use in the capital. In a joint statement, the two companies said that discussions … Read More »
Nissan installs first rapid charging points in Brittany
Located in the Morbihan department, it’s the first network of its kind in Brittany, installing seven rapid chargers along the region’s major routes – the RN24 and RN165 – to allow long-distance electric vehicle … Read More »
DfT expects £170m underspend on ULEV financial support
Plans to improve uptake of ULEVs – which emit less than 75g/km CO2 – were laid out during the 2010 spending review, where the government announced a £400m funding package to cover charging points, … Read More »
MGM Resorts adds EV charging to Nevada hotels
The ChargePoint EV Level 2 chargers will be located in the hotels’ car parks and valet areas and will be available for employees and guests to use at no cost. All feature J1772 charging … Read More »
ABB to supply home chargers for Daimler-BYD joint venture
Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd (BDNT) was formed in February 2011, and has since been working to develop the DENZA – an China-only electric vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class platform. The … Read More »
Toyota begins wireless charging trial
The technology will allow drivers to park over a charging pad which wirelessly transmits a charge to a receiver on the car, in turn charging the battery. Toyota first showed an interest in the … Read More »
Road Test: Volkswagen e-up!
Volkswagen has been hinting at this model since its concept car namesake was first shown in 2007, and it forms part of plans to put an electrically-driven model in every sector that the Group … Read More »
Ikea Houston gains electric vehicle charging points
Blink, which was recently acquired by the Car Charging Group after former owner Ecotality filed for bankruptcy last summer, has 13,750 charging locations spanning 35 states and three countries. Access to the points in … Read More »
Toyota to recall 1.9m Prius hybrids for software fix
The recall affects 30,790 UK-registered vehicles, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries as a result, though there have been 11 field reports in Europe of the issue occurring. Other hybrid vehicles … Read More »
Joint venture targets double efficiency of electric vehicle batteries
Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the joint venture brings together expertise from Robert Bosch, GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Corporation to form a new company, called Lithium Energy and Power. The aim is to bring the … Read More »
Honda EV trial to investigate solar power benefits for small islands
Working in partnership with Toshiba, which has developed the photovoltaic charging station, and Miyakojima City, the trial will investigate the environmental and cost benefits of adopting solar-powered chargers to reduce the dependence on oil-based … Read More »
Ecotricity tariff includes 1,000 free EV miles
The Green Electricity + Car tariff offers 100% renewably-sourced energy with a discount equivalent to 1,000 miles of driving in an electric vehicle, as well as access to Ecotricity’s Electric Highway, a network of … Read More »
Kia shows first electric vehicle for Europe
Set to launch in Europe in the third quarter of 2014, with right hand drive versions coming to the UK shortly afterwards, it features a 107bhp, 210lb.ft electric motor powered by a lithium-ion polymer … Read More »
