Yet new models are on the way, with Nissan promising its e-NV200 and both Peugeot and Citroën showing electric vans at last year’s CV Show, though we’ve yet to see any of
Thing is, with electric cars, we’ve heard all of this before. Every single one seems to be launched with the claim it is a ‘game changer’. The problem is it’s a game
But Lexus made the shrewd move of not joining the crowd. Now adopted across the range, the CT took on what has traditionally been a diesel-heavy sector with a single drivetrain option
The Panamera S E-Hybrid, a high performance, low-carbon luxury car, competes in a corporate-dominated market sector, and offers a glimpse of some of the Group’s most advanced hybrid technology. So this is
Volkswagen has been hinting at this model since its concept car namesake was first shown in 2007, and it forms part of plans to put an electrically-driven model in every sector that
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
Lexus has continued to invest in hybrid drivetrains while others stick with diesel. Since 2005, starting with the RX 400h, every model in the Lexus range has had a hybrid option, from
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
It sounds excellent on paper. There’s a combined 220bhp on offer from its petrol-electric drivetrain and, as this is a parallel hybrid, the electric motor can provide up to 100% of the
Like most manufacturers, Kia is investing heavily in its future drivetrains at the moment. Micro-hybrid, parallel hybrid, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains are under development and due for a production
The i3 is the first of BMW’s new plug-in vehicle sub-brand, and not only has it made strides in the engineering of the car itself, but it’s taken six years studying the
Battery electric vehicles are still a relatively small market in the UK and Ford believes this is a niche car. So training and equipment will be focused on the Dagenham Ford dealerships
Both will be propelled by a similar electric motor, driving the front wheels, and a Lithium-ion battery pack. This battery pack is built into the floor between the two rear wheels, partly
To give some background, BYD, an acronym for Build Your Dreams, has been involved in the domestic automotive industry for ten of its eighteen year history. But it’s growing, with ventures including
This first batch, of 1,000 vehicles, is being built alongside conventionally powered ix35 SUVs at Hyundai’s plant in Busan, South Korea. It’s an updated version of the car decision makers and journalists
Based on the 1 Series Coupe, the ActiveE is the latest in a line of BMW and MINI test cars built to glean data about real-world usage to inform the production version
Sector: Compact executive Price: £24,495–£38,485 Fuel: 60.1–65.7mpg CO2: 99–109g/km Forget the sub-100g/km for a moment and take a look at the styling. Different. Striking. Bold. That first one is key, as really it’s pretty difficult to get too
Sector: Luxury Price: £65,550 Fuel: 44.1mpg CO2: 149g/km Never one to shy away from filling a market niche with a new model, Audi has modified its flagship A8 saloon for the hybrid
Now having been launched and with sales underway, it certainly it looks the part, with cute styling and a very well designed, high quality airy cabin. But the aesthetics are barely half
Since March 2011, another eight manufacturers have launched plug-in vehicles, charging point availability has rocketed and LEAF sales are growing. Substantial media and public attention has made the LEAF a figurehead for