ElectriClub

To the Head of the Class

The Tesla Model 3 gets the buzz, the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf are known entities. Then along comes the all-new 2019 Kia Niro EV that should start getting the well-deserved attention as arguably the best in class electric vehicle under $37,000.

Kia recently invited two dozen automotive journalists to Northern California for a first drive experience in the Niro EV. We were handed the keys to one of the nifty small crossovers at the San Jose Airport and instructed to follow the navigation, over Highway 17, through the Santa Cruz Mountains and into Santa Cruz, about a 30-mile drive. The front-wheel drive Niro EV handled the nearly 1,800-foot elevation rise with ease, climbing and cornering without any challenges to the 150-kilowatt electric motor.

Kia hits the long-range EV on the mark

The Kia Niro first came onto the scene as a 2017 hybrid, a year later the 2018 PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), and now to complete the trio, the 2019 EV. Clean Fleet Report has reviewed the Niro Hybrid and PHEV (check out the review links at the end of this story). Kia’s self-described “commitment to both people and nature” is reinforced by its eco-friendly philosophy, management and cars, something Clean Fleet Report applauds.

Smooth Operator

The Niro EV shares its drivetrain with the Hyundai Kona EV, both producing 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. Zero-to-60 times are just under eight seconds, but it felt quicker than that, especially when zipping around town and when in the sport mode. The three other driver-selectable drive modes are eco, eco+ and normal, with eco being the default setting. Eco is the compromise setting for range and responsiveness, while sport mode is where the more spirited driving will be found.

The Niro EV’s a smooth and functional package

The 2019 Kia Niro EV has an EPA estimated driving range of 239 miles, but Kia has performed real-world tests that have delivered 275+ miles.

The liquid-cooled 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery pack is replenished through plug-in charging and regenerative braking. The regenerative charging system converts kinetic energy into electric energy when applying the brakes or coasting and stores it in the battery. This process can be viewed on a dash gauge, where you can watch the power flow into and out of the battery and engine.

The Kia Niro EV also has the ability for one-pedal driving with the steering wheel mounted paddles. By pulling on the left paddle the Niro can be brought to a complete stop, which means you do not need to depress the brake pedal. If you keep the paddle pulled tight, the car will not creep and then will only move when you step on the accelerator.

The three plug-in charge options can all be controlled by an app, which allows you to set the day and time of charging. Here’s how long they take:

• 120V (Level 1)                17 hours
• 240V (Level 2)                 5 hours                
• 480V DC Fast Charging 100 miles in 30 minutes or 80 percent in 75 minutes or less

Driving Experience: On the Road

The Niro EV’s 3,854 pounds feel solid and confident on the road. The well-distributed weight is due to the under-seat battery placement, creating a low center of gravity resulting in very good driving dynamics. The motor-driven power steering was well-tuned for road feel, with maneuvering in town, especially parking, being easy. The front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension delivered a smooth and stable ride. Tire and wind noise were at a minimum, with the road surface the determining factor for the 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/55R low-rolling-resistance tires transmitting noise to the cabin. When pushing corners a bit too fast, there was minor body roll.

A front plug–where it should be

The previously mentioned regenerative braking system has four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist. The stops were straight and true, with no brake fade and a pleasant hybrid braking whine when stopping.

But what is that other noise when driving under 20 miles per hour? Have aliens landed? Not quite, but the sci-fi whirring noise, heard when driving slowly, is the pedestrian warning system. Consisting of a speaker mounted behind the front bumper, this futuristic sound makes it so pedestrians have an idea the Niro EV is close by. Without it, there is no sound at all coming from this all-electric crossover.

Smooth Design: In and Out

With the hybrid and PHEV Niro models preceding the EV version, what differentiates them from each other? Kia as taken the stylish and uncluttered Niro and added a few EV-only bits and pieces. The front fascia has the grill closed off with a diamond-patterned faceplate, and the lower air intake is trimmed with a tasteful blue accent. The charge door is located on the front, which is far more convenient than when placed on either fender.

A smooth-sailing design

LED daytime running lights are located in the bottom fascia, completing the front end design. The side profile draws a nice line to the A pillars, leading to a gently sloping roof with rack rails, a shark fin antenna and an integrated spoiler over the rear hatch window. The horizontal LED taillights and smooth surfaced hatch finish off the attractive rear. Blue accents adorn the lower rear fascia, with a very demure “Eco electric” badge on the lower right corner of the hatch.

Climbing inside, the spacious cabin includes ample leg and headroom for two six-footers in the rear seat, separated by a center armrest with cup holders. If there are no passengers out back, fold down the 60/40 split rear seat and the storage area is not only impressive, but access is easy through the large hatch opening. Plus, the flat load floor provides for extra cabin space and legroom.

The leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats were comfortable and supportive. The driver gets 10-way power adjustable with lumbar, while the passenger gets six-way manual adjustments. We like that the view off the road is from a higher vantage point than a sedan (6.1-inch ground clearance), but not as high as a SUV.

The center dash in our Niro EV Premium came with an 8.0-inch touchscreen housing Kia’s UVO eServices infotainment system, which included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with smartphone integration via Bluetooth. The eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with a subwoofer, plays AM/FM/CD/MP3/AUX and Sirius/XM. The leather-wrapped steering wheel had controls for audio, telephone and cruise control. Big thanks to Kia designers for the knobs and wheels to control the radio and automatic temperature control.

Safety and Warranties

The Niro EV comes with an extensive, inclusive and impressive list of standard safety features. They include seven airbags, forward emergency braking and collision warning, stability control, smart cruise control, blind spot monitoring, park assist with front and rear sensors, vehicle stability management, traction control, hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, engine immobilizer, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert.

The 2019 Kia Niro EV has not been rated by the National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute fo Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the IIHS did rate the 2019 Niro PHEV as a Top Safety pick, its highest rank.

The 2019 Niro EV comes with these warranties:

• Powertrain 10 years/100,000 miles
• Battery 10 years/150,000 or 100,000 miles (depending on state)
• Basic Five years/60,000 miles  
• Roadside Assistance Five years/60,000 miles
• Corrosion 10 years/Unlimited miles

Pricing

The dash layout is logical and easy-to-use

Pricing has not been announced, so check with your Kia dealer, but the expected price range for the 2019 Kia Niro EV is $36,500 – $41,000. The Niro EV qualifies for federal and state credits, and in some states, is eligible for a HOV sticker.

When it does go on sale, it will be available in the 12 ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) states: CA, OR, WA, NY, NJ, MD, MA, CT, RI, TX, WA, HI.

Observations: 2019 Kia Niro EV

Kia is all-in with vehicle electrification, and Clean Fleet Report is glad they are. We have reviewed all their hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles, and have been impressed with them all. Kia completing the Niro family with the all-electric version places them in the rare air of competing head-to-head with these cars. Alphabetical, with range and base MSRP.

• BMW i3 – 153 miles @ $44,450
• Chevrolet Bolt – 238 miles @ $37,495
• Hyundai Ioniq EV – 124 miles @ $29,815
• Hyundai Kona EV – 258 miles @ $36,450
• 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus– 226 miles @ $39,990 (est., available this spring)
• Tesla Model 3 (Mid-range)- 264 miles @ $42,900

A new benchmark for affordable EVs

For versatility, ride, comfort, range, and standard safety equipment, the 2019 Kia Niro EV is hard to beat. Before visiting your Kia dealer, do some homework on the competitors, talk with your tax advisor for clarity on the federal and state credits, and then make an appointment to meet with a Kia factory trained electric vehicle specialist.

Then, don’t be surprised if you drive home in a Niro EV.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Whatever you buy, Happy Driving!

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Niro variations & the growing long-range EV crowd

First Drive: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid

News: 2018 Kia Niro PHEV Introduced

Road Test: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid (John’s view)

Road Test: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid (Steve’s view)

Road Test: 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid (Larry’s view)

Road Test: 2017 Kia Niro FE Hybrid

Road Test: 2018 Kia Niro PHEV (John’s view)

Road Test: 2018 Kia Niro PHEV (Steve’s view)

LA Auto Show: 2019 Kia Niro EV Debut

CES News: 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus Goes the Distance

Personal: My Two Years with the Chevrolet Bolt EV

News: Tesla Model 3 the Story of the Year

News: BMW Electification Push

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq EV

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

Pioneer of Autonomous Electric Transports

When is a truck no longer a truck? What if it no longer has a seat for the driver? What if it even lacks a cab, but can still do the same work? Is it still a truck? 

Moving beyond the cab and driver

Robert Falck has leapt beyond those questions. He is serial entrepreneur who took his degrees in business, finance and mechanical engineering to Volvo Group (the truck company), where he was director of manufacturing engineering assembly at Volvo GTO (Group Trucks Operations) Powertrain. He left Volvo Group three years ago to found his own company, Einride, where he felt he would be better able to bring his vision to life. That vision is nothing short of a complete transformation of short-haul over-the-road goods transport. 

Falck’s inspiration came out of his understanding of the transport system:

“I wanted to solve the transport problems,” Falck told Clean Fleet Report. “I realized the industry was changing fast,” so he left the big multinational corporation to found a more nimble, technology-oriented company focused on a bold concept of the transformation of the transport industry to an emissions-free, safe, cost-effective and sustainable mode.

The Traditional Truck Is Gone

The key to Falck/Einride’s approach is the abandonment of traditional truck configurations. The company’s fresh approach looks at goods movement and envisions the most environmentally efficient way of transporting those goods.

“We looked at logistic needs,” Falck said, “and designed something with an increased payload that was smaller, more agile and therefore more cost-competitive.” Falck indicated that T-pods (his name for his basic “truck” unit) would be custom-designed for individual applications, optimizing their business case. The 200 kilowatt-hour battery pack found in the T-pod could be scaled up or down depending on the regular loads being hauled.

The T-pod is essentially a trailer with no tractor that drives itself

Building on the new electric vehicle convention, a skateboard EV platform, Falck envisions a variety of task-specific vehicles rather than a standard tractor paired with a variety of different trailer/utility combinations, all requiring a driver. The initial models Falck built are the T-pod, a 26-ton delivery model, and the T-log, designed to haul logs.

The T-pod is essentially an electric delivery van box without a cab. Similarly, the T-log looks like the trailer of a logging truck. Both models are outfitted with cameras, radar and Velodyne lidar with an Nvidia Drive computer to find their way. Ericsson and Telia’s 5G connectivity ensure smooth data transmission and operation. The vehicles operate autonomously with the backup of remote-control by a human operator through Einride’s partnership with Phantom Auto. That may be where truck drive jobs migrate to—a desk job with multiple computer screens where a remote pilot can take over on “edge cases” where on-board technology is out of its depth.

Falck looked at the trips that trucks were performing and concluded that some of them could be better performed by autonomous vehicles. He looked beyond the vehicle, too, to the tasks at hand. From that he crafted vehicles tailored to the task and capable of dropping the cost of short-range (200-500 kilometers/125-300 miles is the sweet spot for this technology according to Falck) trips by 50 percent compared to the incumbent diesel trucks.

A Driving Mission

“Einride’s driving mission is to lead the sustainable transition of road freight transportation. 5G provides the connectivity and reliability we need to safely introduce the T-pod on public roads, paving the way for a 90 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions and an elimination of NOx emissions,”  Falck said this week.

Falck started by analyzing the work to be done & designed vehicles around that

The T-pods began working for paying customers in Europe late last year and 25-30 will be coming to the U.S. this year, Falck told Clean Fleet Report. He added that U.S. production is also planned for the future. A public demonstration of the T-pod will take place next week at the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

“This is how the future looks,” Falck said. The trillion-dollar transport industry better be ready for a new approach from a company that defines itself not by the specs of its trucks, but as the “intelligent movement company.”

In addition, we just stumbled on yet another new acronym. Falck calls this an AET—autonomous electric transport. So, I guess it is no longer a truck.

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Electric Truck News

News: Freightliner Delivers eM2 Electric Truck

10 Arguments For/Against Electric Trucks

News: UPS To Test Thor’s Electric Delivery Truck

News: Mercedes eActros Electric Truck Begins Testing

News: Volvo Announces Electric Truck

News: Ford F-Vision: An Electric Autonomous Semi Concept

News: FedEx To Add 1,000 Chanje Electric Vans

Flash Drive: 2017 Chanje V8070 Electric Van

News: Volkswagen e-Delivery Trucks in Brazeil

News: Toyota Shows Off Next Gen Fuel Cell Electric Truck

News: Hyundai Fuel Cell Semi Shown

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

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The Dutch love affair with the bicycle has emerged as an obstacle to government plans to introduce driverless cars to the roads of the Netherlands. A report on the levels of preparedness around the world has crowned the country as the leader in efforts to get ready for the new technology. 

This article was written by The Guardian.

The Dutch government is working with Germany and Belgium on establishing “truck platooning” – where one human-driven vehicle leads a convoy of autonomous ones — on major roads. Under the plans, about 100 driverless trucks would drive the “Tulip corridors” at night – from Amsterdam to Antwerp, and from Rotterdam to the Ruhr valley – fully maximising the routes through which the Netherlands distributes its goods using 5G technology and 1,200 smart traffic lights. The Dutch infrastructure minister, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, has announced a “driving licence” for self-driving cars, through which it would certify new autonomous models, and a framework of legislation – known as the Experimenteerwet zelfrijdende auto’s – is being prepared.

But a report by the professional service company KPMG highlights a major problem for Dutch ministers in introducing the technology to urban centres, where the bicycle is increasingly king. Driverless cars detect other road users using a variety of cameras or laser-sensing systems to ensure that they stop if an object is detected in their path. But the varying sizes and agility of cyclists, with their sudden changes in speed and loose adherence to the rules of the road, present a major challenge to the existing technology. That challenge is particularly stark in the Netherlands, where 17 million people own 22.5 million bicycles.

More than a quarter of all trips made by Dutch residents are by bike. Of all trips of a distance of up to five miles, a third are made by bicycle, with the rate only dropping to 15% for trips up to 10 miles in length. Stijn de Groen, an automotive expert at KPMG, said in the report that for this reason the government would be best to focus on motorways. “We have a lot of bicycles”, he said. “In urban, crowded areas it will be very difficult to start autonomous driving.”

The report concludes that as a result it might “make more sense to keep transport modes separate rather than integrating [autonomous vehicles] to work there”. The Bloomberg Aspen Initiative on Cities and Autonomous Vehicles has predicted that by 2035 up to 25% of new vehicles sold could be fully autonomous. The KPMG report ranks the UK as seventh in the preparedness league. The consultancy firm notes that in August 2018, parliament passed the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act, which adapts the existing motor insurance framework by extending compulsory insurance to automated vehicles as well as the driver.

Last November, the government also announced support for three public trials in 2021, including self-driving buses across the Forth Bridge in Scotland and self-driving taxis in London. KPMG’s 2019 autonomous vehicles readiness index warns, however, of the failure of the UK authorities to invest in digital infrastructure. “It lags behind other countries in 4G coverage, global connectivity, quality of roads (especially smaller roads) and logistics infrastructure,” the report concludes.

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В този блог: Елон Мъск в Европа да види как вървят първите Model 3 доставки.

Очакваме наши приятели скоро да получат своите дългоочаквани Model 3 електромобили в България, което вече е буквално въпрос на дни след като първите кораби с масовия модел на Tesla започнаха да пристигат в Холандия.

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The Audi Luxury EV Is Here

The automotive world is changing rapidly, maybe more-so than at any other time in history. To start, several manufacturers have announced that by 2030, most or all of their vehicles will have some sort of electrification propulsion. Then, we also are seeing the high-end of the auto market get crazy competitive. And without a doubt, Tesla can be thanked for spawning this revolution of luxury, all-electric or plug-in electric vehicles coming online.

Audi throws a party to introduce its first all-electric offering

Audi has jumped in with their first ever, all-new all-electric E-tron SUV. The 2019 Audi E-tron is now (February 2019) in dealerships for customers to place reservations, with dealer test drives sometime in late February or early March, and first deliveries scheduled for late Spring 2019.

The Intro Event

Clean Fleet Report recently attended an invitation-only event at Audi Mission Viejo in Orange County, CA. Let’s start with the Audi dealer experience. Much like what you will find from other premier and luxury brands, when visiting an Audi dealership you will be dealing with highly educated and product-knowledgeable representatives. It is not a pressure sale, but what is called consultative selling.

A perfect pairing–handmade sushi and a stunning new electric car

The E-tron event was attended by about 50 people, ranging in age from late twenties into their seventies. The gleaming dealership had two E-trons on display in the showroom that had been emptied of everything but a dessert table, tended bar and a made-on-the-spot sushi station.

While this was not a drive event, there was ample time to sit in each of the E-trons and go through the electronic-everything cockpit. There are three E-tron models of Premium Plus ($74,800), Prestige ($81,800) and First Edition ($86,700). Each comes with a different standard equipment list.

Our experience was in the nicely outfitted Prestige trim level. As can be imagined, the interiors are luscious with fine leather and wood trims. Everything you would expect is on a vehicle of this stature from advanced driver safety systems to the high-quality Bang & Olufsen audio system are included.

All the high-tech you would expect

As of the event we attended, Audi had not released final range estimates, which is always top-of-mind for an electric car owner. The E-tron will compete head-to-head with the Tesla Model X that is rated at 237 miles in the base trim at $88,000, and the Jaguar I-Pace at 234 miles and $69,500. So, expect the E-tron to fall somewhere in the 240-mile driving range and a price competitive with both brands.

Clean Fleet Report will do a full road test of the 2019 Audi E-tron in the next few months. Until then, call your local Audi dealer and see if they have an E-tron on display, and schedule an appointment with a factory trained EV expert that can walk you through what should be a very nice SUV.

[See image gallery at www.cleanfleetreport.com] Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

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Join LEVA-EU next May for a visit to the China Cycle Show, the number one tradeshow in China. We will also visit a number of very interesting e-bike component manufacturers and do some spectacular sight-seeing! This is the ultimate networking event for European e-bike manufacturers/assemblers who are interested in forging new relationships with high quality component suppliers.

This E-bike BizTrip 2019 is an initiative of LEVA-EU, the only trade association in Europe to be working exclusively for light, electric vehicles including electric bicycles. LEVA-EU has entrusted the organization of the trip to Nieuwsfiets Media & Events. The trip will take place from 6 till 15 May 2019 and is specifically designed for electric bicycle manufacturers/assemblers from all over Europe. The destination is China and starts with a visit to the China Cycle Show in Shanghai, followed by factory visits to Bafang (E-bike motors), Lishui (controllers), Phylion (batteries) and Worldpower (batteries). Very soon, we will confirm a fifth factory in Shenzhen. In addition, the group will travel to the province of Hunan for some spectacular sight-seeing and a special LEVA-EU Conference in Zhangjiajie. This national park was used as a “background” for the scenery in James Cameron’s world famous movie “Avator”.

LEVA-EU conference

Zhangjiajie is not by coincidence on the programme. Last year, LEVA-EU has entered into a partnership with Hunan’s Culture and Tourism Department to mutually promote green mobility. In Zhangjiajie, which is part of UNESCO World Heritage, the LEVA-EU Conference will take place. This conference is a joint initiative of LEVA-EU with CCCME, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic products. It is aimed at bringing together European manufacturers/assemblers with Chinese suppliers.

Unique combination business + pleasure

This trip will provide European e-bike manufacturers/assemblers an interesting and unique look behind the scenes of the Chinese E-bike industry. This special China trip is open to both members and non-members of LEVA-EU. It will be an interesting and inspiring event in several ways. “Trips like these are great network opportunities“, explains Arnauld Hackmann, who has more than 11 years of experience in organizing trips for the (e)bike-business to Asia. “This trip is a unique combination of business and pleasure. You will be spending quality time with interesting people from the e-bike business, visiting a major trade fair and high quality component factories. In addition you will get to see very special and beautiful hot spots in China. For example In Zhangjiajie, we will be taking the Bailong lift, which is the highest outdoor lift in the world. We also visit Tianmen Mountain with its fantastic glass skywalk. All in all, I am confident it will be a great and unforgettable trip.”

All further details as well as a registration form or on our special LEVA-EU page: https://leva-eu.com/leva-eu-2019-e-bike-biz-trip/.

Filed under: Green,Electric

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Following the IMCO vote, not all electric bicycles will be excluded from the Motor Vehicle Insurance Directive. LEVA-EU is working for the exclusion of at least one more category of electric bicycles, i.e. L1e-A “powered cycles”. The category is already hampered by its technical rules and will be further obstructed by a mandatory insurance.

The current Directive gives the Member States the competence to exclude certain vehicles from the MID. In the majority of the Member States this clause was used to exclude electric bicycles with motor power up to 250W and assistance up to 25 km/h. In a number of Member States, other light, electric vehicles such as electric scooters, self-balancing vehicles, electric hoverboards, etc. are also excluded on the basis of this clause.
All the above could have been jeopardized because the European Commission believes that a larger variety of vehicles should be included. They proposed a text to the European Parliament (EP) aimed at making these vehicles subject to a mandatory motor vehicle insurance.

IMCO Vote

IMCO, which is the Parliamentary Committee responsible for this Directive, did not accept the original proposal of the European Commission (EC). They decided that a mandatory motor vehicle insurance must apply to all L-category vehicles in Regulation (EU) No 168/2013. As a result, Member States retain the competence not to apply a mandatory motor vehicle insurance to:
1) Electric bicycles with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and maximum 250W
2) Self-balancing vehicles and vehicles without a seating position, such as electric scooters, hoverboards, etc.
However, all other categories of electric bicycles in Regulation 168/2013 will definitively become subject to a compulsory Motor Vehicle Insurance.  In LEVA-EU’s opinion it would be a serious mistake to include L1e-A vehicles in the MID.  This concerns electric bicycles with a motor assistance up to 25 km/h and a maximum continuous power of 1 kW, which are categorized as L1e-A “powered cycles”.

Legal bottleneck

The only difference between this category of electric bicycles and the category with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h that is excluded from Regulation 168/2013 is the fact that they have a higher maximum continuous power. This higher power is by no means meant to make the electric bicycles faster, the motor cuts out at 25 km/h anyway.
The limit of 250 W, which applies to the category that is excluded from Regulation 168/2013, has been determined in 1999 in a completely arbitrary way. It was the limit of one of the very few electric bicycles on the market at that time, i.e. the Yamaha Pass.
Since then, this arbitrary limit continues to cause a legal bottleneck for the development of electric bicycles.
Regulation 168/2013 and the resulting type-approval procedure is an extremely expensive, complicated and inaccurate technical framework for these vehicles. As a result, there are hardly any vehicles type-approved in this category. The very few companies that do try to cope with the legal bottleneck of type-approval for L1e-A”powered cycles” will encounter another setback if member states will be forced to make L1e-A “powered cycles” subject to a motor vehicle insurance.
Today, there are Member States, such as Belgium, which have given L1e-A vehicles the exact same status as a conventional bicycle. This includes among other things, bicycle status on the road, objective liability, financial compensation for commuting, no compulsory helmet, etc. If L1e-A is not explicitly excluded from the new MID, all this will be jeopardized and the legal bottleneck for L1e-A will become even worse. Furthermore, there are no safety arguments to include L1e-A in the Motor Vehicle Insurance Directive.

For all the above reasons, LEVA-EU is now lobbying the European Parliament with a view to having category L1e-A excluded from the Motor Vehicle Insurance Directive.

For further details, please contact LEVA-EU Manager, Annick Roetynck, annick@leva-eu.com, tel. +32 9 233 60 05.

Filed under: Green,Volkswagen,Electric,Future

Continue reading Bet everything on EVs: Inside VW's $91 billion strategy shift

Bet everything on EVs: Inside VW's $91 billion strategy shift originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2019 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Electric,Supercars

Continue reading Pininfarina opens applications for Battista electric hypercar

Pininfarina opens applications for Battista electric hypercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2019 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Geneva Motor Show,Aston Martin,Crossover,SUV,Concept Cars,Electric,Future

Continue reading Aston Martin brings a Lagonda SUV concept to Geneva

Aston Martin brings a Lagonda SUV concept to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Tesla,Electric

Continue reading Tesla knocks another $1,100 off Model 3 price

Tesla knocks another $1,100 off Model 3 price originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

В този блог: През януари е стартиран специален електромобилен проект с множество партньори наречен EVC1000.

Заглавието казва всичко, но то е и в името – 1000 км пробег с едно зареждане е постижение, което сега още никой не може да предложи на пазара или най-малкото на приемлива цена.

The EV You Don’t Plug-in

 When Clean Fleet Report twice reviewed the 2017 Toyota Mirai, we found it to be a comfortable riding midsize sedan that gets excellent fuel economy. You can read our reviews here and here.

Fuel cell cars are still tethered to the pump

Performance was good, with a near silent driving experience coming from the hydrogen-powered electric motor. Back then the only real challenges with owning a Mirai were the hydrogen fueling station availability, and the cost of hydrogen, at about $13-$16 per kilogram, which equates to about $5-$7 per gallon of gasoline. Toyota is sensitive about this cost, so with a purchase or lease they include a pre-loaded, $15,000 fuel card for their customers, which is the equivalent of about three years’ worth of hydrogen gas at 12,000 miles per year.

The 2019 Toyota Mirai FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) remains a California-only car. In 2017 you could only lease a Mirai, but now in 2019, you can also own one. When first launched, Toyota was controlling ownership because, with the hydrogen fuel cell technology being so new, they wanted to keep a close eye on who had one and how they were performing. Thus, the early drivers became a laboratory on wheels.

We recently had the opportunity to drive the 2019 Toyota Mirai for a refresher on this viable alternative to a plug-in electric or gasoline-powered car.

The 2019 Mirai Experience

Even with consumer ownership of a hydrogen fuel cell car having been proven to be safe and reliable, there still are a couple unique considerations to owning a Mirai in the Golden State. You will want to live near one of the eight Mirai dealers and near one of the 35 public hydrogen fueling stations.

The choices–and fill up–are simple

With four dealers each in Northern and Southern California, and those being grouped in the heavy population areas, the dealer experience will be far different than any other car you have owned. Not bad, just different. The second 2019 consideration is the need to live near one of the 35 hydrogen fueling stations in the Golden State, which are mapped here.

The California dealers traveling, south to north: Tustin, Orange, El Monte, Santa Monica, San Jose, Sunnyvale, San Francisco and Roseville. So, from this list you can see the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Orange counties are well-served. But what about the rest of you?

This is where it might get tricky, as Toyota may strongly suggest (maybe even discourage) you from buying a Mirai if you do not live close to a Mirai dealer. But what about fueling?

The 2019 Toyota Mirai is EPA rated at 67 MPGe, or miles per gallon equivalent. MPGe is a measurement of how efficient a car powered by electricity is, using the same amount of energy as is contained in one gallon of gasoline. You can use MPGe to compare to other electric vehicles.

The high fuel economy, the 35 hydrogen fueling stations in California (with more being built), will get you pretty much anywhere you need, or want, to go. The best source for locating a hydrogen station is at the California Fuel Partnership. Here you will find stations listed as being online, temporarily down for maintenance or under construction. With the current operating stations, you can drive from Reno, Nevada to the Sonoma and Napa wine regions, and to the US/Mexico border. Not bad at all. Since the stations are all automated (there are no attendants onsite), you can fill 24/7/365 and be on your way.

The dash and seating are solid Toyota

As an example, if you lived in San Diego County there are no Mirai dealers, but there are two hydrogen fueling stations. With the Mirai having a conservative 250-mile driving range, it would seem a safe bet that you could live anywhere in San Diego and have no issues with access to fuel. Obviously if anything ever went wrong with the Mirai, getting it to an Orange County dealer could be a challenge. Hence, the Toyota dealer may qualify you in a way you have never been qualified before when buying a car.

The fueling process itself has not changed since 2017, remaining pretty straight forward and simple. If you can fill your tank with gasoline, then you will have no problems with hydrogen. Once at the station, the fueling process is explained through a video that plays on the pump, with step-by-step instructions. Quick lesson: The nozzle notches into the car, followed by the twisting of a handle to lock the nozzle in place. It can be a bit tricky, be patient, it will eventually fit. If there are two pressure options on your pump, you always want to select 70 Bar, which is 10,000 PSI. The filling will start and stop for a few seconds at a time, but a complete fill is under five minutes. When removing the nozzle you will notice it is cold. This is because the hydrogen gas is cooled to right around zero degrees Fahrenheit to increase the hydrogen’s density, which results in more gas filling the tank. That’s it!

Pricing

There has been a small base price increase from 2017 when the Mirai MSRP was $57,500. The 2019 Mirai comes in at $58,500. This price excludes the $930 delivery fee. Oh, and don’t forget the $15,000 fuel card that will reduce the overall cost of ownership.

The Mirai–inside out

The 2019 Toyota Mirai qualifies for California incentives that can reduce your final cost. Clean Fleet Report recommends contacting your CPA before considering a Mirai purchase so you are completely clear on the tax credits. Not relying on the dealer to provide this information will serve them and you best.

Also worth noting is the Mirai qualifies for California’s coveted red car pool sticker, allowing the driver, with no passenger, to use the HOV lane. This is no small thing when trying to get anywhere on a freeway in the Golden State.

Observations: 2019 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV

Will a 2019 Toyota Mirai fit your lifestyle and driving pattern? If you are considering buying a midsize sedan, then quite possibly it could. The Mirai drives and handles like any other car, has the performance of an electric car (which it should because it is an electric car) and gets great fuel economy. If you are comparing it to a plug-in electric car, then it has the advantage of refilling the full driving range in a matter of minutes as opposed to possibly hours.

Where you live counts big with the Mirai

If you live within 25 miles of a Toyota dealer that sells the Mirai, go check it out. You will be impressed with the ride and performance on this car with a proven technology that just isn’t too common on the road…yet.

Whatever you end up buying, enjoy your new car and as always, Happy Driving!

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

[See image gallery at www.cleanfleetreport.com] Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Other Fuel Cell News & Reviews

News: Toyota Mirai Passes 3,000 Sales

News: Hyundai Nexo FCEV Goes on Sale  

Road Test: 2017 Toyota Mirai (Steve’s view)

Road Test: 2017 Toyota Mirai (John’s view)

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Tucson FCEV

First Drive: 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Electric

News: 2019 Hyundai Nexo FCEV

News: 2016 Toyota Mirai Seeks To Be the Prius of Fuel Cells

First Drive: 2016 Toyota Mirai

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.

Filed under: Green,Spy Photos,Truck,Electric

Continue reading Electric Ford F-150 prototype spotted charging

Electric Ford F-150 prototype spotted charging originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Honda,Technology,Electric

Continue reading China's CATL, Honda plan to cooperate on EV battery development

China's CATL, Honda plan to cooperate on EV battery development originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

В този блог: Норвежката компания Pon Equipment е направила първия по рода си електрически трактор.

След развоен процес продължил осем месеца, машината е преоборудвана от дизелова в електрическа, с огромна 300 кВтч батерия. Това е първият от осем такива багера, поръчан от най-голямата норвежка строителна компания, Veidekke.

Filed under: Green,Geneva Motor Show,SUV,Concept Cars,Electric

Continue reading GFG Style to unveil Kangaroo ‘hyper-electric SUV’ concept in Geneva

GFG Style to unveil Kangaroo ‘hyper-electric SUV’ concept in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,BMW,Crossover,SUV,Electric

Continue reading BMW iNEXT in production spec makes an undercover appearance in Sweden

BMW iNEXT in production spec makes an undercover appearance in Sweden originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Sedan,Electric,Luxury

Continue reading Lucid Motors in talks about sharing its technology with other automakers

Lucid Motors in talks about sharing its technology with other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Earnings/Financials,Green,Tesla,Electric

Continue reading Panasonic shares plunge after profit warning, Tesla's big Maxwell deal

Panasonic shares plunge after profit warning, Tesla's big Maxwell deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2019 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Geneva Motor Show,Coupe,Electric,Luxury

Continue reading Hispano-Suiza returns to Geneva with a new electric car

Hispano-Suiza returns to Geneva with a new electric car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Tesla,Volkswagen,Electric

Continue reading VW's Electrify America buys Tesla Powerpacks for EV charging stations

VW's Electrify America buys Tesla Powerpacks for EV charging stations originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arrives in April with All-New Plug-in Hybrid Drivetrain and a Really Big Grill

BMW continues its move forward to electrify its line-up with the official launch of the 2020 7-Series premium sedan that includes an all-new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain. Three different versions of the plug-in hybrid will be offered worldwide, including the 745e, the 745Le and the all-wheel drive 745e xDrive, the latter being the only variant planned for the U.S. market.

More Power, Longer Electric Driving Range

The new 2020 model marks the second-generation 7-Series plug-in, but gets a complete makeover under the hood. It abandons the previous model’s 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine in favor of a 3.0-liter inline-six. The new six-cylinder gasoline engine produces 282 horsepower (hp) and 332 pounds-feet (lbs.-ft.) of torque, up 28 horses and 37 pounds-feet from the old four-cylinder model. The engine is paired to a single electric motor mounted inside the sedan’s eight-speed automatic transmission. The motor itself makes 111 hp and 195 lbs-ft.

Bigger grill, but also bigger EV range

Like other PHEV powertrains, the motor and gas engine reach their individual peaks at different times, giving the BMW 745e xDrive an officially rated combined 389 hp and a peak of 442 lbs-ft of torque in Launch Control mode. That’s enough to provide a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 in combination with performance tires, according to BMW.

Along with the swap in combustion engines, the 2020 BMW745e xDrive also receives a larger lithium-ion battery, which is now stored under the rear seats, freeing up more cargo space in the trunk. It boasts an energy density of 12.0 kilowatt-hour (kWh) instead of the 9.2 kWh of the 740e. As such, the electric range increases 6\six miles to a claimed maximum of 34 miles on the European test cycle, numbers typically higher than EPA estimates. Top speed in pure-electric mode is 87 mph.

Can’t Miss That Enormous Grill

The new plug-in hybrid joins the broader BMW 7-Series line-up getting an exterior mid-cycle refresh for the 2020 model-year. The most notable change is BMW’s signature twin kidney grill, which dates back to the 1933 model 303.

The grill has grown in size over the years, but the 2020 7-Series grew by 40 percent in surface area over the previous model. The larger grill is offset by new, slender LED headlamps, bold character lines in the hood and bigger lower intakes. The rear of the vehicle gets tweaks, too. The LED taillights are slimmer than those of the current generation and are connected by a narrow light strip extending the width of the vehicle.

Still with tailpipes, but they may see less use

Inside, the 2020 BMW 7 Series features all-digital instrumentation and BMW’s latest generation of iDrive that has intelligent voice recognition and hand gesture features for various controls. The configurable screens include the ability to inset the navigation map in the main cluster display; there are up to 10 pages of custom screen displays.

Among the standard features on the all-new 2020 BMW 7 Series are dynamic damper control, air suspension, soft-close doors, panoramic sunroof, Harman-Kardon premium sound system, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 2020 BMW 745e xDrive arrives at U.S. dealer showrooms in April accompanied by its gasoline counterparts. Pricing will be revealed at a later date.

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—More BMW Electrification News

News: BMW iX3 All-Electric Crossover Spotted

Event: BMW Vision iNext Revealed

News: BMW Electrification Push Bearing Fruit

Interview: BMW’s Goal: 25 Electrified Cars by 2025

Filed under: Green,Emerging Technologies,Technology,Crossover,Sedan,Concept Cars,Electric,Future,Luxury

Continue reading NIO blames system update for stalled EV in Beijing traffic

NIO blames system update for stalled EV in Beijing traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

В този блог: Audi e-tron ще може да се зарежда с една карта на повече от 72000 станции из Европа.

Компанията обяви старта на Audi e-tron Charging Service – услуга, която може да се използва в мрежите на над 220 доставчика (за начало) в 16 държави от ЕС. Всичкото това с един договор и една карта/приложение за достъп.

Startup Wants to Sell 10,000 Units In The U.S. This Year

We’ve been down this road many times for more than a decade; Chinese automakers trying to crack the U.S. market. Only this time it’s not a car, it’s a “pickup truck.” Well, sort of.

Bloomberg is reporting that China’s Kaiyun Motors is set to begin exporting its petite Pickman electric pickup truck to the U.S.. Folks who work on the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and FiatChrysler’s Ram pickups won’t lose any sleep over this news.

Small, but electric and functional

The tiny pickup is targeted to sell for $5,000 in the U.S.—and for good reasons.

The Kaiyun Pickman has a 5.5-horsepower motor that’s good for a top speed of just 28 mph and a battery that provides 75 miles driving range on a full charge. This classifies it as a low-speed or neighborhood electric vehicle (LSV/NEV). Regulations regarding their operation vary state to state, but they are street legal (with restrictions) in most states.

Five-figure Ambitions

Kaiyun Motors’ founder, Wang Chao, told Bloomberg in a phone interview it has the required approvals and plans to sell as many as 10,000 of its Pickman electric trucks in the U.S. this year. The company cleared regulatory approvals and certification processes for sales in the European Union in January and will start shipping the first batch of Pickmans to Germany and Italy after this month’s Lunar New Year holiday, he said.

Not many amenities in this little truck

Wang said his company shipped a small volume of Pickmans to the U.S. over the past year to test them out and get consumer feedback. The company has continued to tailor the vehicle to the market. As a result, the company has added some unspecified “reinforcements” and options such as air conditioning, heated seats, alloy wheels and a gun rack.

Calling the Kaiyun Pickman a pickup is a stretch, but it’ll be able to haul up to 1,100 pounds, which, if true, puts it within spitting distance of some full-size pickup trucks. That might be enough of a spec to attract a few folks in the construction industry, farmers and those who have large industrial facilities.

“Two-thousand nineteen will be year one for Kaiyun as we take on overseas markets, including the U.S.,” Wang told Bloomberg. “We can make our Pickman as successful as the F-150.”

Now that’s a real stretch.

When the all-electric eCOPO Camaro was first unveiled at last year’s SEMA show, its creators claimed it was putting out

The post 700 HP Electric eCOPO Camaro Hits the Drag Strip (w/ Video) appeared first on Gas 2.

В този блог: След новината за Zafira, има потвърждение и за електрически Vivaro.

Говорим за един и същи ван с много разновидности, който се предлага и в момента от Peugeot, Citroen и Toyota. От 2020 г. форматът се разширява и Opel пуска електро версии на Zafira и Vivaro.

恭喜恭喜!

It was a true pleasure working with all of you in the past year. We are looking forward to continuing our cooperation next year.

In the meantime, we wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Chinese New Year!

我们祝大家新年快乐!

The LEVA-EU team:

Annick Roetynck, General Manager
Bram Rotthier, Technical Director
Dennis Hu, Director China Affairs
Quinten De Cauwer, Communication Officer
Daan van Dieren, Policy Officer

Electrified Cars Sweep Field in Overall Rankings

Every year the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) picks the “greenest” vehicles on the market. The group’s list, released last week, did not include a single vehicle from the Detroit Three automakers (General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and also consisted solely of electrified vehicles. Topping the list was the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. It was joined by six other full electrics and three hybrids.

The Kia Soul EV’s on the ACEEE list

The ACEEE also took another look at energy efficiency that probably makes more sense in the real world, since the cumulative sales of the 10 Greenest Cars barely registers compared to the current best-sellers. In this list they listed the greenest cars in each of six categories. This list had more variety to it, encompassing a variety of powertrains. Only one of the Top 10 green cars was on the second list, a reflection of the narrow range of electrified vehicles available and also some of the inherent biases of the ACEEE scoring system.

ACEEE scored the cars based on the whole environmental impact of a vehicle, including air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity and vehicle tailpipe.   

Taken together, these two list frame the work we do here at Clean Fleet Report, giving readers more detail on what it’s like to live with the greenest cars in every category. Here are the lists with links to road tests we have done and news stories on the vehicles:

Top 10 Green Cars

1. 

   The Honda Insight was the only car to make both of ACEEE’s lists

   Hyundai Ioniq Electric

2. Hyundai Ioniq Blue
3. BMW i3
4. Honda Clarity Electric
5. Kia Soul Electric
6. Nissan Leaf
7. Honda Insight
8. Hyundai Kona Electric
9. Volkswagen e-Golf
10. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Top Green Cars in Each Class

Subcompact car                 Chevrolet Spark

Compact car                       Toyota Prius c

Midsize car                          Honda Insight

Large car                              Honda Civic Five-Door

Small wagon                        Kia Niro

Medium wagon                   Volvo V90

Small SUV                           Toyota RAV4

Medium SUV                      Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Large SUV                           GMC Acadia

Ford offers the most environmentally friendly truck, according to ACEEE

Minivan                                Chrysler Pacifica

Pickup                                   Ford F-150

Two-seater                           Mazda MX-5

This should help you expand your shopping list. Incidentally, ACEEE also published its 10 Meanest list of vehicles at the other end of the environmental scale. We’re proud to say Clean Fleet Report has stayed away from all of them. You can see how much time we’ve spent in the top green cars.

Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Some of Our Top ~10 Lists

Top 10 Electric Cars

AWD Cars with the Best MPG

Top 10 Best MPG AWD SUVs/Crossovers

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Road Test: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

Road Test: 2017 BMW i3

Flash Drive: 2017 Honda Clarity Electric

Road Test: 2016 Kia Soul EV

Road Test: 2018 Nissan Leaf

Road Test: 2019 Honda Insight

News: 2019 Hyundai Kona Crossover Goes Electric

Road Test: 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf

Road Test: 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Road Test: 2014 Toyota Prius c

Road Test: 2016 Honda Civic

Road Test: 2017 Kia Niro

Road Test: 2018 Toyota RAV4

Road Test: 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Road Test: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Road Test: 2018 Ford F-150

Road Test: 2018 Mazda MX-5

Filed under: Celebrities,Green,Tesla,Sedan,SUV,Electric

Continue reading Who knew that service parts belong in service centers?

Who knew that service parts belong in service centers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Toys/Games,Porsche,Sedan,Electric,Performance

Continue reading Porsche Mission E comes to Playmobil, fully electric and driving

Porsche Mission E comes to Playmobil, fully electric and driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Green,Motorsports,Videos,Chevrolet,Green Driving,Coupe,Electric,Racing

Continue reading Chevy eCOPO Camaro at the drag strip is surreal and awesome

Chevy eCOPO Camaro at the drag strip is surreal and awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

US startup Rivian Automotive made quite a splash when its R1T electric pickup truck and R1S electric off-roader debuted at the Los Angeles motor show in November. Much like another EV startup – Bollinger Motors with its B1 electric SUV – Rivian has created a vehicle with strong appeal among a swathe of people unlikely to ever be lured into a Nissan Leaf.

We spoke to Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s vice president of design, about the two new electric vehicles.

Filed under: Hyundai,Crossover,Electric,Performance

Continue reading Hyundai Tucson N due in two years with 'at least 340 hp'

Hyundai Tucson N due in two years with 'at least 340 hp' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2019 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Earnings/Financials,Government/Legal,Green,Plants/Manufacturing,Tesla,Sedan,Electric

Continue reading Tesla begins sales of cheaper Model 3 variant in China

Tesla begins sales of cheaper Model 3 variant in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2019 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 3rd Light Electric Vehicle Summit, LEVS, takes place on 14 and 15 March 2019 in Lisbon. The call for papers for this edition of LEVS will be closing on 4^th February 2019.  Do not miss this unique opportunity to present your work to the premier panel of specialists in the field in submitting a presentation proposal by Monday at the latest ! Please note that, in order to ensure smooth & quality organisation, no application will be accepted after this date.

Furthermore, the very early bird rate will also be closing on this day?  Register today and get a discount to be part of constructive discussions aimed at building the eMobility of the future. LEVS takes place in one of the most advanced cities in the field of  smart mobility, with light electric vehicles playing an important part

LEVS aims at providing a premier & high quality global platform to foster exchange of views between R&D actors, industry, authorities, end-users and NGO’s in the field. Be part of this exciting event and:

o    Learn from other’s experience;

o    Present your work and achievements;

o    Find partners to develop synergies & build new projects ;

o    Join forces to lobby relevant authorities to get support .

Submit your paper

Further details on LEVS are here: http://www.levs.mobi/

LEVA-EU member and battery manufacturer Phylion has received from TÜV Süd a technical report stating that the company is now officially EN ISO 13849-1:2015 (PL c, category 2) and EN15194:2017 clause 4.3.22. certified.

Since 2006, Phylion has distributed more than 3 million e-bike batteries making it one of the leading manufacturers in the industry.  According to Phylion they are the first battery manufacturer to be certified based on combination of software and hardware solutions for the full range of EPAC batteries.

The revised EPAC-standard EN 15194:2017 will be definitely come into force next April. It includes stricter reliability and safety requirements for electric bicycle and electric system.

Phylion was one of the first lithium-ion battery suppliers on the e-bike market in Europe. After some years of experience, the company opened a European office in 2009. At that time, the Netherlands was their main market in Europe with a strong focus on e-bikes.

Phylion  only produces high power lithium ion batteries. The name Phylion derives from the ‘Physics research institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for Li-Ion’ based in Suzhou, near Shanghai.

“We have been continuously engaged in technological innovation,” says Phylion in a statement on the EN 15194:2017 certification. “This technical report represents a big step forward in our battery product development.”

Filed under: Green,Tesla,Crossover,Electric,Luxury

Continue reading Tesla tooling up to build Model Y at the Gigafactory, Musk says

Tesla tooling up to build Model Y at the Gigafactory, Musk says originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.