Alex Grant
Tesla opens final assembly plant in the Netherlands
Located in Tilburg, a town just north of the Belgian border and around 70 miles from Tesla’s regional headquarters in Amsterdam, the 18,900 square metre facility will also head up Europe’s parts distribution and … Read More »
Norway considers banning EVs from bus lanes
Speaking to Norwegian news channel NRK, Ivar Christiansen, director of the Public Roads Administration, said: ‘It is positive that we are increasing the electrification of our vehicle fleet, but it is also important for … Read More »
Diesel hybrid Range Rovers available from September
Available in the Range Rover Sport and full size Range Rover, both of which are now using a lightweight aluminium body structure, the drivetrain combines a 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel engine with an electric motor … Read More »
Tesla Model S achieves best ever crash test score
Recently launched in Europe but as yet untested by Euro NCAP, the Model S achieved the full five stars in all areas tested by the NHTSA, which is only matched by 1% of vehicles … Read More »
S-Class plug-in hybrid avoids the Congestion Charge
Launching in 2014, the S500 Plug-in Hybrid combines a 329bhp turbocharged V6 petrol engine and 107bhp electric motor, the latter being capable of driving the car for up to 18 miles on battery power … Read More »
New Volvo engine family is ready for electric drive
Developed under the Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) moniker, Drive-E engines are based on a capacity of 500cc per cylinder and share key components such as fuel injection systems to reduce cost. The carmaker said … Read More »
Ford drops hybrid efficiency in line with real-world figures
To date, the carmaker has assessed its hybrids' fuel economy in line with EPA guidelines, but has faced complaints and a lawsuit that the official figures were not realistic in real-world use. It will … Read More »
ECOtality warns of potential bankruptcy filing
The company said it had appointed FTI Consulting to investigate whether the business could be restructured or sold, but added that it may be unable to raise the capital to continue trading during the … Read More »
Tesla Model S delivered to first European customers
In its Q2 financial results, the California-based carmaker said it sees Norway as a key market – expecting to sell 800 vehicles there this year, and with plans to roll out its Supercharger network … Read More »
Frankfurt debut for Infiniti's C-segment concept
The carmaker has been hinting at a compact model for almost a year, showing the LEAF-based LE concept the 2012 Paris Motor Show and announcing at the end of the year that it would … Read More »
Nissan LEAF joins Motability Scheme
Nissan is a Motability Premier Partner, and each of its 200 plus dealerships feature at least two trained sales and aftersales specialists to work with the scheme, which provides people receiving the Higher Rate … Read More »
Schneider named as BMW's global charging point partner
The partnership extends to all global markets for the vehicle, where Schneider will offer a package comprising electrical surveys, supply and installation of the BMW i Wallbox, as well as providing ongoing maintenance and … Read More »
EST brings fleets and EV stakeholders together online
Sponsored by EDF Energy, the forum provides an online platform for companies to discuss maximising the range and cost savings and offer advice to one another, supplemented by blogs and articles from stakeholders. The … Read More »
Alphabet begins electric car share trial
The company, which operates a in-house car share fleet made up of BMW and MINIs, said a lack of practical experience with electric vehicles was one of the biggest barrier to fleet uptake, and … Read More »
Toyota hints at forthcoming performance hybrid
The carmaker has used its Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R) for two Le Mans events. It uses a motor housed in the gearbox to recover and store energy during deceleration, which can be stored in … Read More »
City Car Club adds 75 Auris hybrid estates to its fleet
The club has a fleet of 860 vehicles, of which more than 80% are Toyota models including the Yaris Hybrid, spread over 14 UK cities with one-hour loans available. A further 350 Toyotas are … Read More »
Plug-in sales growth outstripping total UK market
Strong demand from both private and fleet sectors contributed to a 12.7% year-on-year sales rise during July, and as a result the SMMT has revised its 2013 total sales forecast to 2.216m units – … Read More »
Lib Dems propose CO2 cap for UK roads by 2040
If the plans were to become party policy, it would mean only hybrid, electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and possibly a few of the most efficient petrol or diesel models, would be permitted … Read More »
Compact diesel range extender aims to cut EV costs
The unit uses proven components to aid reliability, and Hyperdrive said it can be used in cars, light commercial vehicles and marine applications, as well as providing a backup power source for battery chargers … Read More »
Changing Perceptions
Electric vehicles mark a new venture for British Gas. One of a number of new companies to take an interest in motoring as electromobility begins to gather pace, it’s found the emerging sector to … Read More »
