Alex Grant
Used EV batteries help stabilise solar farm output
The project is the result of a joint venture between Sumitomo and Nissan, who formed a company called 4R Energy Corporation in September 2010 to investigate ways to reuse electric vehicle batteries after their … Read More »
Long Termers: Vauxhall Ampera Electron
On the whole I’ve found my first three months to be very positive. I love the power delivery in electric mode and the convenience of having a charging point on my driveway, and friends … Read More »
Hybrid and electric vehicles not the solution to U.S. air quality, report says
Researchers at North Carolina State University analysed the potential impact of widespread use of electrically-driven vehicles, based on 108 different battery vs oil cost scenarios in the run-up to 2050. The report showed even … Read More »
Europe's 1,000th rapid charger goes live
Installed as a collaboration between Ecotricity and Nissan and Renault UK, the chargers feature AC charging cables compatible with the Renault ZOE and DC cables compatible with the Nissan LEAF’s rapid charge port. In … Read More »
What does the demise of the Renault Fluence Z.E. say about new technology?
It’s a reflection of how quickly technology is evolving at the moment, particularly within the sphere of electromobility. Renault quite rightly investigated battery swap technology ahead of the Fluence Z.E.’s launch in 2011, but … Read More »
Cadillac supplies free home charge station with ELR coupe
Based on the same drivetrain as the Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, the ELR offers a 37-mile electric range before its 1.4-litre petrol engine is used to drive a generator and keep the battery … Read More »
Peak charging doubles EV recharge costs, says study
Due to be published in the February edition of the Applied Energy journal, the study was funded by CMU’s RenewElec project and the National Science foundation, and looked at the effects of electric vehicle … Read More »
London Taxi Company shows plug-in hybrid Black Cab
Part of Chinese manufacturing giant Geely, which also owns Volvo, the company has developed a purpose-built taxi cab which can be driven using electricity, but has a conventional engine to extend the range as … Read More »
Thriev adds BYD e6 to all-electric chauffeur fleet
Based in Edgware Road, Thriev has its own rapid chargers on site, and will soon have BYD’s own charging equipment installed, claimed to fully recharge the e6 in two hours. The e6 is BYD’s … Read More »
Electric Highway connects Southampton with Scotland
Working with Renault and Nissan, the AC/DC rapid chargers are located at service stations and inner-city Ikea stores on major routes nationwide, providing an electric vehicle with 80% charge in half an hour and … Read More »
FedEx to test Nissan electric van in Washington D.C.
The van will be used on a number of delivery routes to assess its suitability as an alternative to a conventionally-powered van. Although it’s the first time the company has tested the e-NV200 in … Read More »
Road Test: Renault ZOE Dynamique Intens
Range isn’t much of an issue in this segment. Superminis typically cover mostly local, short routes where the claimed 130-mile NEDC range on offer from the ZOE is plenty. We tested the car in … Read More »
Tesla extends European fast charge network
Spanning The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the new units bring Tesla’s European network to 14 sites, following the first installations in Norway last year. A network which will eventually extend into the UK, … Read More »
Dutch demand high for Mitsubishi's first plug-in hybrid
The car launched in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands last October, and has just been approved for the UK government’s plug-in vehicle grant, cutting the price by £5,000. It features electric motors at … Read More »
New all-electric chauffeur company launches in London
Named eConnect Cars, the private hire company has a fleet composed entirely of LEAFs in the range-topping Tekna trim, which includes front and rear heated leather seats. All cars leased, with plans to grow … Read More »
Nissan breaks 100,000 electric vehicle sales
The LEAF is the world’s biggest-selling pure electric vehicle, and since 2013 has been locally built in Sunderland for European customers, Smyrna, Tennessee for American markets as well as remaining in the Oppama plant … Read More »
Renault ends production of Fluence Z.E. electric car
The car had been developed with battery swap technology in mind, and a version compatible with Isreaeli company Better Place’s swap stations was available in Israel and Denmark, the biggest markets for the Fluence … Read More »
Road Test: Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
Under the bonnet is the familiar 215bhp D5 diesel engine, powering the front wheels. The rear wheels are driven using a 70bhp electric rear axle, supplied by a lithium-ion battery under the boot floor. … Read More »
Fuel cell vehicles as significant as hybrids, says Toyota
The carmaker unveiled a concept car at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, announcing that it was working with the State of California to roll out a supporting refuelling infrastructure. Hydrogen fuel … Read More »
BYD's 291bhp plug-in hybrid is coming to Europe
The Qin, which will be sold in Europe under a different name, features a drivetrain combining a 152bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 148bhp electric motor, both of which can work independently or in … Read More »
