Alex Grant
Driven: Peugeot 508 Hybrid4
The 508 HYbrid4 breaks that mould. It uses the same 161bhp diesel engine and 36bhp electric rear axle as the RXH, but without the chunky bodywork cladding and raised ride height of its closest … Read More »
First drive: Lexus GS 450h
The old GS, with its un-European styling and hybrid-only range, couldn’t quite cut it against the tactile plastics and low-CO2 diesel engines of the German rivals. But it seems Lexus has learned from those … Read More »
Tesla delivers first Model S electric executive cars to American customers
Designed from its inception as an electric vehicle, the Model S is benchmarked against the biggest selling models in the executive segment and offers a range of up to 265 miles from the battery … Read More »
Siemens charging point keeps Climatecars electric minicab fleet moving
The Siemens CP500A fast charging point, which provides fast charging facilities for two electric vehicles at the same time, has been installed to charge a number of new 100% electric saloon cars with zero … Read More »
Nissan LEAF to prove its durability in two-day London taxi trial
Rides will be offered between 10am and 6pm both days to those who put a message on social network Twitter containing the hashtag “#6XCHEAPER” and each journey will be logged to show passengers what … Read More »
Amsterdam gains 18 charging points to support car2go electric rental fleet
Daimler-owned car sharing service car2go has announced 18 new electric vehicle charging points at three car parks across Amsterdam this week, installed to support its fleet of smart fortwo electric drive rental vehicles based … Read More »
Hertz and Italo-NTV to offer discounted electric vehicle rental in Rome
The partnership forms part of the Rome Manifesto, which aims to increase the use of electric vehicles and sustainable transport in the Italian capital. Ticket holders will be able to rent the vehicles from … Read More »
Mitsubishi to unveil world-first Outlander Plug-in Hybrid SUV at Paris Motor Show
Based on the new Outlander shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the plug-in hybrid version has electric motors front and rear with a small petrol engine working as a generator or to … Read More »
BMW announces support package for electric vehicle range
Speaking at the opening of the world’s first BMW i showroom on Park Lane in London this week, Ian Robertson, member of the board of management for sales and marketing at BMW AG, said … Read More »
GM delivers Volt test car to Tianjin Eco-City
The delivery follows a memorandum of understanding, signed in April between GM and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment an Development Company (SSTEC) to investigate how an electric vehicle could be integrated into a smart … Read More »
Electric smart fortwo production begins at Hambach plant
Demand for its predecessor outstripped Daimler’s initial planned production run of 1,000 vehicles. The new model will be sold in almost twice as many markets, with a five-figure production run of an unconfirmed size. … Read More »
Dust to dust EV benefits
Green Illusions, a book by a California-based scholar, claims the process of manufacturing electric and part-electric cars is carbon-rich. Factor in the mining of rare-earth metals, used in batteries, and the book says electric … Read More »
Driven: Citroën DS5 D-Sport Hybrid4
So there’s an air of familiarity to the DS5. It’s as streamlined, technology-rich and futuristic as its closest predecessor, and home to Citroën’s latest innovations. This is a leftfield alternative in a straight-laced segment, … Read More »
Midlands EV owners to get 60% discount on home charging units
The partnership offers the reduction at point of sale, with an equal discount on installation by a British Gas engineer, plus a free electrical survey, advice on which charging point best suits customers’ needs … Read More »
First portable EV charger gets UK government funding approval
Unveiled at the Fleet World EV and Low CO2 Fleet Show in April, the Charging Solutions EVRESCUE unit has attracted the attention of roadside assistance companies, as well as car manufacturers and dealerships. It … Read More »
Diesel-rivalling Lexus GS hybrid confirmed for 2013 launch
The model will launch as part of plans to grow GS sales to 2,500 units in 2014, of which 60% are predicted to be conquest buyers according to Toyota GB president and managing director … Read More »
In Detail: Mercedes-Benz Modular Hybrid System
Unlike some other hybrid systems, this is completely modular and very compact. It adds 100kg to the kerb weight of the E250 CDI on which the model is based, and fits an unmodified bodyshell … Read More »
Hybrid to boost Yaris fleet appeal
Speaking at the press launch, Toyota GB managing director Jon Williams said carbon-based taxation meant the majority of choices were made on CO2 output, and that the carmaker would be launching hybrid versions of … Read More »
First Drive: Toyota Yaris Hybrid
So while most manufacturers are bringing electric vehicles to market, Toyota has stuck to its core technology and is broadening its hybrid family worldwide. European buyers will get this in its smallest form with the … Read More »
Korean-built Fluence Z.E. scheduled for 2013 domestic launch
Badged as the SM3 Z.E., the car will be built alongside the conventionally-powered SM3 at the carmaker’s Busan factory, instead of the Bursa, Turkey facility where the mechanically near-identical Fluence Z.E. is built. The … Read More »
