Tag Archives: Electric Vehicles

How Far Can The Latest Electric Cars Really Go On A charge?

Range anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership, even though most modern electric cars can drive much further on a full charge than their ancestors could.

But as What Car? discovered, there’s a huge disparity between between current EVs in terms of how far they can travel, how that real-world range compares to the official range, and how efficient they are in terms of miles travelled per kWh of energy consumed.

To separate the EV champions from the also-rans, the Brit mag took 10 of the newest and most popular electric cars available in Europe, including the Mazda MX-30, VW ID.3, Kia e-Niro, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi Q4 e-tron and Tesla Model 3, and drove them until they died.

In the interests of safety and consistency they performed the test, not on the road, but at a former GM proving ground in Bedfordshire. Starting with a full charge, each car was repeatedly driven around a 15-mile loop that included 2.6 miles of simulated stop-start driving, four miles at 50mph and eight miles at 70mph.

Related: EPA-Rated Mustang Mach-E GT Range Beats Even Ford’s Estimates

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Unsurprisingly, given its tiny 35.5 kWh battery is the smallest of the bunch, the Mazda MX-30 gave up the ghost first, dropping out after just 115 miles (185 km). That’s against an official WLTP range of 124 miles (200 km). Although the car is coming to the U.S. there’s currently no EPA rating, but since EPA numbers are consistently more realistic than WLTP figures, you can guarantee it’ll be lower.

The new Fiat 500e EV was even more disappointing. It might have outlasted the Mazda, covering 140 miles (225 km) before keeling over, but Fiat says it can do 198 miles.

At the other end of the list the Tesla Model 3 Long Range proved the most efficient, achieving 4.1 miles per kWh, but could only manage 284 miles against a WLTP rating of 360 miles or 576 km (the EPA estimate is 353 miles). The Porsche Taycan 4S’s 281 miles (452 km) doesn’t sound that great until you consider its official rating, which is 290 WLTP miles and just 227 EPA (467 / 365 km respectively).

But the range king was the Ford Mustang Mach-E with the 88 kWh battery. It was the least efficient and couldn’t get close to Ford’s 379 WLTP claim, but its 302-mile (486 km) real-world rating almost perfectly tallies with the EPA’s 305-mile (491 km) figure. So if you’ve got range anxiety, get the Mustang.

GMC Reveals New Details About Its Other Electric Pickup, The Sierra EV

GMC has high hopes for the Hummer EV, but that isn’t the brand’s only upcoming electric pickup.

Last November, GM announced the Hummer would be joined by a more mainstream GMC full-size pickup. It’s slated to be a ‘professional grade’ version of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the brand has revealed a little more about it during a media briefing.

While officials wouldn’t confirm whether or not it will be called the Sierra EV, Roadshow posted a teaser of the upcoming model and it looks quite a bit different than the Hummer EV. There isn’t much to see as the truck is covered by a sheet, but the model appears to be a single or double cab pickup with a bulging hood and a nearly vertical front fascia.

Also Read: GM Announces A Slew Of New Electric Vehicles – Including What Sounds Like An Electric Sports Car From Cadillac

Little else is known about the truck, but MotorTrend reported it won’t be a hardcore off-roader like the Hummer EV. Of course, that’s not really surprising as the Sierra EV – or whatever it’s eventually called – is slated to be more mainstream and affordable.

GMC was tight-lipped about when the truck will be launched, but GM has previously announced plans to introduce 30 EVs globally by 2025. Several “key high-volume entries” will arrive by 2023, although it remains unclear if the Sierra EV is among them. That being said, GM has previously revealed four electric GMC models have been “pulled ahead” including a pickup by 40 months.

While the Sierra EV is likely a few years off, the GMC Hummer EV is slated to be launched this fall. It will be followed by the Hummer SUV in early 2023 and it’s possible the Silverado and Sierra EVs could share their powertrain with entry-level versions of the Hummers.

If that’s the case, they could potentially have a dual motor setup producing up to 625 hp (466 kW / 634 PS). Furthermore, like the Silverado EV, we can expect a range in excess of 400 miles (644 km).

European Union Could Ban All New Combustion Engine Cars From 2035

The European Union plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine cars from 2035.

A document viewed by Bloomberg reveals that the European Commission intends to require emissions from new cars and vans to drop by 65 per cent from 2030 and drop to zero from 2035. These standards will include rules that require national governments to bolster vehicle charging infrastructure.

Europe intends on becoming the world’s first net-zero emissions continent by 2050. Before that happens, it has set a target to cut greenhouse gases by at least 55 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030.

Read Also: Stellantis To Spend $35 Billion On Electrification Strategy For All 14 Brands By 2025

“There’s no way around it, reaching net zero by 2050 means phasing out combustion vehicle sales by 2035 at the latest,” head of advance transport research for BloombergNEF, Colin McKerracher, said.

Passenger cars account for about 12 per cent of total CO2 emissions in the European Union and existing fleet-wide emissions goals require a 37.5 per cent reduction from 2030. Barclays Plc believes it will be difficult for carmakers to achieve a 60 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 even with plug-in hybrids, meaning more all-electric models will be required.

“These targets should not come as a surprise, although they clearly require an accelerated shift,” Barclays auto analyst Kai Alexander Mueller said in a statement.

“Tightening the CO2 targets this much is a huge boost for Europe’s EV market,” added McKerracher. “The steady drumbeat of European automakers upping their EV commitments recently is probably an indication that they knew much tighter targets were coming.”

Halo Launches New Rideshare Service With Remote-Operated Drone Cars

Halo, a rideshare company working with T-Mobile, launched today promising to offer users a driverless electric car service. Sort of.

Someone will be driving Halo cars at all times, but when your car gets to you, it won’t have a driver behind the wheel. That’s because (at first, anyway) someone will be driving the car remotely, essentially using a sim-racing setup. That remote operator will then hand the controls over to the user, who drives the car to their destination.

When you’re done with the car, the remote operator takes over, allowing you to get out without considering parking because the car will simply take off like a remote-operated drone.

Read Also: Volvo Wants To Speed Autonomous Drive Development With Opt-In User Data Collection

Service will initially be offered in urban parts of the Las Vegas Valley later this year, the company says. Although the cars will depend on users and operators to drive them, Halo says that its vehicles will learn from the drivers and build towards level 3 autonomous capabilities over time. The service will also help people get used to seeing “driverless” cars whizzing around.

“Full autonomy is a massive challenge from both a technical and social trust perspective that won’t be solved for years to come,” said Anand Nandakumar, the founder and CEO of Halo. “But Halo has been designed to address these challenges by building automation over time starting with a solution that consumers will feel comfortable using today.”

Halo was founded by executives from Uber, Cruise Robotics, Proterra, Amazon, and more. It received initial investment from T-Mobile’s 5G Open Innovation Lab.

“Innovation and driving change for the better is our DNA at the Un-carrier, and we’ve unleashed a 5G network that will transform industries and change our world for the better,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “I can’t wait to see what comes next as we work with startups, developers and entrepreneurs like Halo building the next big thing in 5G!”

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Pininfarina Battista To Be Showcased At Goodwood Festival Of Speed

The all-electric Pininfarina Battista hypercar will be showcased at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed running from July 8 to July 11.

Last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic and at this year’s event, the Battista will be featured at the Electric Avenue exhibition space. This area will be located at the heart of the event and forms part of the Festival’s focus on innovation.

Read Also: Pininfarina Launches Bespoke Wallbox For Battista Electric Hypercar

Pininfarina hasn’t said whether or not the Battista will run up the famous hill climb.

“We are excited to bring Battista to the iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed for the first time,” Automobili Pininfarina chief executive officer Per Svantesson said in a statement. “This hyper GT and our future portfolio of luxury electric cars will offer the beautiful design and personalisation opportunities one expects from Automobili Pininfarina, with thrilling performance enabled by zero-emissions powertrain technology and an array of sustainably sourced design features and finishes. Goodwood’s Electric Avenue is a perfect showcase for this vision of future luxury.”

Customer deliveries of the Pininfarina Battista will start later this year, with the Jardine Motors Group being the automaker’s London and southern UK retailer.

The hypercar is powered by a 120 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and has no less than four electric motors driving all four wheels. All up, it pumps out a combined 1,873 hp and 1,696 lb-ft (2,300 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 2 seconds and reach a 350 km/h (217 mph) top speed.

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Honda Ridgeline Jumps On The Electric Pickup Truck Bandwagon

The pickup truck is shaping up to be one of the largest growth segments in the world of electric vehicles and with Ford recently unveiling the F-150 Lightning, we suspect other legacy automakers will soon follow suit.

Seemingly inspired by the growth in demand for electric pickup trucks, designer Rene Garcia has imagined what an electric version of the Honda Ridgeline could look like. While the Japanese automaker has not indicated in any way that it is working on such a model, Garcia’s creation certainly has a lot going for it.

While the truck retains the same name as the ICE-powered Ridgeline, it looks completely different. Underpinning it is a chassis housing the batteries in the floor and with electric motors at both the front and rear, the pickup truck could deliver up some very respectable performance.

Read Also: Honda Hopes Rugged New Ridgeline And Upcoming Passport Will Cash In On The Tougher SUV And Truck Trend

The exterior design of the electric Ridgeline could be best described as ‘radical.’ The front end lacks a traditional grille and features intriguing LED headlights and turn signals. Two orange tow hooks and a winch are also visible, as is a prominent skid plate. The hood is also quite unique and has cutouts that allow you to see the strut towers.

Elsewhere, the electric pickup features rear suicide doors. Thus, since it lacks B-pillars, both doors can be opened up providing occupants with uninterrupted access to the cabin.

Speaking of the cabin, it is just as wild as the exterior and features a curved screen that stretches the width of the dashboard in a similar way to the screens of the Honda e. There is also a yoke-style steering wheel, wooden accents, ambient lighting, a digital rear-view mirror, and seats clad in brown leather with wooden backs.

Note: This is an independent design study from Rene Garcia and is not related to or endorsed by Honda

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This Is How Rivian Plans To Establish Itself As A Serious EV Player

Rivian wants to establish itself as a serious contender within the electric vehicle space and will do so with a number of unique initiatives.

Not only has the company confirmed the R1T and R1S will be delivered with a 175,000-mile warranty for the battery pack and electric drivetrain components but it has announced that it will personally deliver new vehicles to the homes of customers where a Rivian Guide will provide buyers with a comprehensive tour of their EV. Moreover, if anyone who has purchased a R1T or R1S decides they don’t actually like it, they can return it within seven days or 1,000 miles, Car and Driver reports.

Read Also: Rivian Announces Tesla-Beating Standard Warranties For The R1S And R1T

It has also been confirmed that Rivian will offer financial services for buyers and will sell its own comprehensive vehicle insurance that will also cover Rivian accessories and off-roading. While some details about Rivian Insurance remain under wraps, it works with third-party insurance carriers such as Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company for its cover. Rivian owners who use the R1T and R1S’s Driver+ Active Driving Assistance safety technology will also be able to reduce their insurance costs by earning rewards when they renew their policy.

As part of its expansion, the electric startup is going on a hiring spree and has more than 1,500 job openings, including a handful of positions in Canada and the UK. Some of these openings are as Event Team Managers that will see employees spend four months on the road across the U.S., and potentially Canada, promoting the brand’s EVs at demonstration drives.

What’s more, Car and Driver reports that Rivian employees will also be offered a 24-month, $1,000-a-month payment discount if they purchase a new R1T or R1S.

Rivian will begin delivering customer cars this summer but anyone placing a new order today will have to wait until 2022 to take delivery.

Europe’s 2021 Toyota Proace City Van Goes Electric With 174-Mile Range

Nearly two years after Toyota first announced its plans to expand its Proace City lineup  with electric versions and just months after releasing the larger Proace Verso EV, the Japanese automaker has unveiled the zero-emission versions of its compact light commercial vehicle (LCV) and people carrier.

As with the Proace Verso, the smaller Proace City model is built by the former PSA Group (now incorporated into the Stellantis group), being based on its compact van series that includes the  Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo, and Opel/Vauxhall Combo.

Set to arrive at European dealers in the fourth quarter of the year, the two Proace City models will launch in different configurations, including a panel van, five- and seven-seat versions with standard and long wheelbase, and a crew cab. The load and towing capacities of the ICE-powered models are matched by the electric versions, with up to 800 kg (1,764 lbs) and 750 kg (1,653 lbs) respectively.

Also Read: 2021 Toyota Proace Verso Joins The Electric Crowd With 330Km/205Mi Range

The 2021 Proace City uses the same electric powertrain as the Proace Verso. It comprises of an electric motor that drives the front wheels and generates 136 PS (134 HP / 100 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque, and a 50 kWh battery. The 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration takes between 11.2 and 11.7 seconds, depending on the configuration, and top speed is limited to 135 km/h (84 mph). The targeted range on the WLTP test cycle is between 260 and 280 km (162-174 miles).

Recharging the battery using the standard single-phase on-board charger is basically an over-night operation, as it takes 7.5 hours. With the optional three-phase 11 kW charger, the time to fill up the batteries drops to 5 hours. The battery also supports 100 kW DC fast charging, and it can be charged to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

Much like its bigger sibling, the 2021 Proace City has a switch that allows drivers to choose between Eco, Normal and Power modes. Each of them adjusts output and torque, with the peak achieved in the latter setting only.

The equipment range will mirror the ICE-powered versions. Thus, the Proace City Electric compact van will launch in the Base and Comfort specifications, while the Verso minivan will be offered in the Combi, Shuttle, Family and Family+ versions.

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Great Wall’s ORA Lightning Cat Is An Electric Sedan That Looks Unashamedly Porsche

This is the Ora Lightning Cat concept and while it features an all-electric powertrain, it does take plenty of styling inspiration from Porsche, both the Panamera and 911.

Unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Lightning Cat has a set of simple oval-shaped headlights and lacks a front grille. Great Wall has also equipped the vehicle with a unique set of wheels with curved spokes finished in silver. Making the car stand out even further is an intriguing two-tone paint finish combining a matte grey finish with metallic bronze accents on the doors and front wheel arches.

Read Also: What The Punk Cat? There’s An Electric Four-Door Beetle, It’s Just Not Made By Volkswagen

While the front does somewhat resemble a 911, the roofline of the Lightning Cat is unique and gently curves back from the windshield. The car is also equipped with an active rear wing as well as a tailgate and taillights not dissimilar to the VW Beetle, even if the rear end treatment – again – takes inspiration from Porsche’s styling.

The inside of the Lightning Cap presented in Shanghai is clad in bright orange upholstery across the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels. Also found within is a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, a widescreen infotainment system, a second touchscreen on the center spine, and digital gauges. Seats in the second row are finished in a shade of dark brown.

Great Wall has equipped the vehicle with a pair of electric motors that provide drive to all four wheels. The car manufacturer says the eventual production model will be able to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds.

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Images ORA, Xcar, Auto Sina China

Electric Sea-Doos And Can-Ams Are Coming As BRP Is Electrifying Their Lineup

BRP has announced plans to offer electric vehicles in each of their product lines by the end of 2026.

In order to achieve this goal, the company is investing $300 million over five years to pay for “product development, specialized equipment, infrastructure, production tooling and facilities.”

BRP is keeping details under wraps, but said the first model will arrive within two years. It will be followed by a “rapid roll-out across all product lines.” While specifics are lacking, we can expect to see electric Sea-Doos and Can-Ams as well as electric snowmobiles from Lynx and Ski-Doo.

Also Read: BRP Introduces Six EV Concepts Including An Electric Ryker And Sea-Doo

The EVs will use Rotax modular electric powerpack technology and be created with the assistance of a new electric vehicle development center in Canada. The latter will feature “state-of-the-art equipment including several sophisticated test benches and dynamometers, plus an ultramodern robotized manufacturing cell for electric batteries.”

BRP CEO José Boisjoli stated, “We have always said electrification was not a question of ‘if’ but a question of ‘when.’ Today, we’re very excited to unveil more details of our plan to deliver market-shaping products that will enhance the consumer experience by offering new electric options.” He added the company is “leveraging our engineering know-how and innovation capabilities to define the best strategy for developing electric-powered products.”

While a lot of questions remain, the original EV concepts give us an idea of what to expect. They included an electric Sea-Doo personal watercraft, an electric version of the Can-Am Ryker and a slick electric motorcycle.

Note: Concepts pictured