Alex Grant
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 »
New ActiveHybrid 7 offers 158gpkm CO2 emissions
Many of the changes come from the new engine. The new ActiveHybrid 7 uses the same six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine as the 740i, instead of the V8 used in the first generation model. A … Read More »
First Drive: Honda FCX Clarity
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles share a few basic components with a pure electric car. There's an electric motor powering the wheels, no reliance on petrol or diesel, and a lithium ion battery storing power. … Read More »
Nissan to build electric van in Barcelona
The battery-electric vehicle uses powertrain components from the LEAF, and will be offered in a choice of passenger or panel van versions, both built in the same facility as the conventionally powered NV200 on … Read More »
SEAT delivers three plug-in test vehicles in Barcelona
The manufacturer is developing both technologies for a production car in the coming years, and has already loaned electric Altea XL test vehicles to Spanish utility company Endesa and the Catalan Energy Institute for … Read More »
Zipcar adds Ampera to London fleet
The company, which already offers a growing fleet of the mechanically identical Chevrolet Volt in Chicago, will add the Ampera to a 9000-vehicle global fleet, of which 1,700 are based in London. It was … Read More »
AEON Retail begins one-month Nissan e-NV200 trial in Japan
The company is the second in Japan to trial the battery-electric van, following a trial last July by the Japan Postal Service in Yokohama. Nissan in the UK has also recently carried out pre-launch … Read More »
How low can you go? The sub-50g/km fleet
City cars Traditionally a bread and butter segment for electric cars, the city car segment has near mechanically identical battery-electric offerings from Mitsubishi, Citroën and Peugeot. Renault’s futuristic Twizy two-seater will also launch this … Read More »
Audi opens EV and Hybrid battery centre in Germany
The 3,500 metre-squared facility took two years to complete, and is based in Gaimersheim, two kilometres from Audi’s plant in Igolstadt. It employs around 100 newly-hired electronics experts, and is home to Audi’s electromobility … Read More »
In Detail: Lexus Hybrid Drive
Last year, UK sales were dominated by hybrid technology, with some 77.3% of all cars sold here featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive. Contributing heavily to the carmaker’s 33% sales uplift in 2011 was the CT … Read More »
New standard set for cross-manufacturer fast-charging
The Combined Charging System project is supported by Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, who have all agreed on a single-port recharging technology which could be used in Europe and the … Read More »
Production EX9 9F could be Bentley's first plug-in hybrid
First shown at the Geneva Auto Salon in March, where its aggressive, radical looks were one of the biggest talking points of the event, the concept car appeared in Beijing with a 600bhp twin-turbo … Read More »
Leviton selected as charging point supplier for American Honda
As part of the deal, Leviton will provide the manufacturer’s customers and dealers with charging points starting with the introduction of the Fit EV this summer. It also extends Leviton's portfolio of electric vehicle … Read More »
Extended-range electric F-150 joins Chicago car club fleet
The partnership between ALTe Powertrain Technologies and Club Assist, which provides equipment and services to car clubs, will deploy an ALTe-converted Ford F150 truck on the company’s Illinois fleet, based out of Chicago. Data … Read More »
Toyota GB reveals Prius Plug-in pricing
The announcement is the third within a week, after UK specification was revealed for the Yaris Hybrid and seven-seat Prius+ MPV, both of which set best-in-class CO2 emissions. Prius Plug-in uses the familiar Hybrid … Read More »
