Category : Features
A Question of Reassurance
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing EV adoption in the UK? Fundamentally, the most obvious challenge is the current cost of EVs. Even with the government subsidy which is due to … Read More »
In Detail: Honda Integrated Motor Assist
IMA has since been found not only in the second-generation Insight, but also in the Jazz Hybrid, the now discontinued Civic Hybrid and with a larger engine in the sporty CR-Z coupe, as well … Read More »
Is Renault's future electric?
A cornerstone of Carlos Ghosn’s plans for Renault is electric vehicles. You could argue he’s betting the farm on it. Renault has launched an extensive EV programme, seeing the launch of four battery-electric vehicles … Read More »
Know Your EV
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) Battery electric, or pure electric, vehicles are only ever powered by electricity, meaning zero CO2 emissions at the point of use. The drivetrain usually consists of one or more electric … Read More »
Nissan's steep learning curve
Nissan broke new ground last year when it brought its first electric vehicle, the LEAF, to the UK. Though rivals were already offering electric cars, the LEAF’s blend of practicality and unchallenging ownership experience … Read More »
In Detail: Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Stack
Instead of carrying a large on-board battery, hydrogen fuel cells use a chemical reaction to generate their own electricity, and this then powers an electric motor. Refuelling takes less than five minutes, the range … 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
In Detail: GM Voltec Range-Extended Electric Drivetrain
Designed to bridge the gap while hydrogen fuel cell and public charging infrastructure develops across Europe, both vehicles feature an efficient petrol engine to maintain battery charge once it drops below one third of … Read More »
Is the 100g/km fleet a reality – or will it be soon? By Nigel Underdown, head Of Transport Advice, Energy Saving Trust
But is it a sensible ambition for the average fleet manager? No – at least, not as an aspiration in isolation from other key considerations. Sure there is an impressive crop of 99g/km and … Read More »
Electric for the masses?
By the time you read this the Geneva Motor Show will be over and the motoring journalists will have attended all the launch events and published their first impressions. Of course, missing from the … Read More »
Time for sensible EV advice
The main issue is a complete lack of neutrality about electric vehicles, in all forms, which I think is breeding blurred perceptions of the whole market. While the concept itself isn’t new, the reality … Read More »
The 64,000mpg question
I’ve heard one motor manufacturer claiming 140mpg for a plug-in hybrid with a range of 20 miles or so on its electric motor. The petrol engine produces 40mpg. Therefore you could conclude that if … Read More »
The future could be electric, but…
I have just been reading an article on the Fleet sector in Australia and I quote “the Mitsubishi iMEV will go on sale in Australia for $48,000 – you can buy an equivalent sized … Read More »
