While there has been a huge amount innovation in light electric vehicles over the last few years, such as 60 mph (97 km/h) electric bicycles and 400 mi (644 km) range electric tricycles, most of the innovation has been in performance – not design. Until now, that is.
Here’s a wacky new electric scooter design that has been finding a surprising amount of success around the world.
Source: Charge Forward
This weekend marks the start of another Drive Electric Week, a yearly series of EV meetups where EV fans can see and drive their favorite models and EV owners can meet up to chat amongst themselves and with curious members of the public about the experience of owning an EV. This will be the 8th annual event, with a record 316 events registered across the US, Canada and New Zealand.
The week is organized by Plug in America, an organization which advocates the transition to electric transportation, along with Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association. Every event is free to attend for owners and non-owners alike, and attending is a great way to get the word out or get your questions answered about electric vehicles.
Source: Charge Forward
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), Tesla and its lithium-ion battery partner Panasonic are the leaders in EV battery technology, especially in terms of costs of the cells and packs.
One of the reasons is low cobalt content in the cells (below 10% of cathode weight). Elon Musk said in June that the target for battery cell cost in 2018 is $100/kWh, and $100/kWh on the pack-level within two years.
In fact, Tesla already delivers the car with the cheapest cost per kWh in the form of the Model 3.
BNEF’s research revealed that other suppliers offered cells for $120/kWh in 2017, but to reach $100/kWh on the pack-level is in general not expected for the industry until 2025.
Anyways, the lowest battery costs gives Tesla an edge compared to other electric car manufacturers and BNEF expects that the advantage will carry on for several years.
“If Tesla reaches its pack-price milestone, it will be several years ahead of our industry benchmark,” BNEF said in the report. The researchers noted that others made batteries for as low as $120 per kilowatt hour in 2017, “which suggests that Tesla is not alone in being ahead of the curve.”
Well, having cheaper batteries will definitely help Tesla to grow quickly in an increasingly difficult market where competitors are introducing long-range electric cars.
Source: Bloomberg
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Today only, BuyDig via Rakuten offers the Nest Learning Thermostat E bundled with a Google Home Mini for $143.65 shipped when promo code SAVE15 has been applied during checkout. For comparison, the thermostat alone usually sells for around $169 while the Google Home Mini goes for $49. This is a great way to cut down on energy use and jump into smart home control for less. Rated 4.7/5 stars.
Source: Charge Forward
Sure, the above video is just a quick look, but Practical Motoring links to a full-fledged written review of the all-new 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. It’s complete with details regarding specs, performance, ride and handling, price, ownership, and safety. Then publication takes all of this into account to provide us with an overall score and a final verdict.
Let’s skip right to the conclusion here before you take in the specifics of the entire review. According to Practical Motoring, the Hyundai Kona Electric achieves an overall score of four out of five. The verdict reads:
Let’s put the electric thing aside for a minute. Assuming you’re OK with a compact car not a family hauler, here’s a crossover that’s extremely lively, smooth and easy to drive. Very well equipped too. If you merely commute, you’ll never need to go to a fuel station. Now, the EV bit. It’s got similar range to vastly more expensive cars. Just plug it in one night on your driveway or garage and that’s enough for several days’ normal driving. If you want to do long journeys, it will serve better than any other affordable EV.
The reviewer gives the new Hyundai EV its highest score of 4.5 out of five for safety. Performance, ride and handling, and infotainment and controls all achieve a score of four, while the Kona Electric’s interior and practicality earn a 3.5.
To read the entire review, follow the link in the video description below. Then, scroll down, check out the gallery, and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
Video Description via Practical Motoring on YouTube:
Assuming you’re OK with a compact car not a family hauler, the Hyundai Kona Electric crossover that’s extremely lively, smooth and easy to drive. Very well equipped too. And, if you merely commute, you’ll never need to go to a fuel station again. Read our full review at: practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2019-hyundai-kona-electric-review/
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Filippi finished 21st in the season four standings with 1 point, 45 fewer than teammate Oliver Turvey, who was 10th in the drivers’ championship.
The Italian driver was also replaced by Ma Qing Hua in Paris as NIO exercised its right to make a driver change ahead of the final three events of the 2017/18 season, before returning to the squad for the remaining four races.
“I don’t know exactly how much I can say about it, [but] I can tell you I have a signed contract already, which has been signed [since] last September and is still going for longer,” Filippi told Motorsport.com
“So from my point of view I expect to keep doing Formula E.
“I’m going ahead with development of the Gen2 car. I’ve driven it recently and I’ll be driving again. So, from my point of view, I am going ahead with that.
“The team has given me a lot of faith. For sure I wanted to do more, and I feel I can do better than this. I don’t feel that I’ve done what my potential is in reality.”
Filippi, who is understood to have recently tested NIO’s Gen2 car in Spain, described his debut FE season as a “rollercoaster”.
“Horrible is unfortunately the word,” he said. “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. It started well, competitive, [and] then I had some unlucky moments.
“I was competitive in Hong Kong and in Marrakesh and Santiago but it’s been a bit of an unlucky situation.
“After that I was struggling a little bit in qualifying sometimes and it became sort of a mental thing.
“Rome could have been a turning point because I was very competitive there, very motivated, but unfortunately everything went wrong.
“In qualifying I just couldn’t get to do it and in the race I was just involved in an accident I couldn’t avoid.
“That would have been a very important turning point for me because of the home race and everything.
“Then after that it was [about] chasing the result that wasn’t coming and when it’s like that it’s hard.
“For sure I feel I under achieved compared to what my expectations were. It’s a bit of a shame.
“[New York] wasn’t bad. [I was] unfortunate with the safety car [in race one] because we had a different energy strategy.
“[In race two] with Antonio [Felix da Costa], he admitted he made a mistake and I unfortunately paid a very high price for that.
“It would have been better to have finished with some points – it would have been nice.”
NIO was unable to comment on its season five driver contract situation when approached by Motorsport.com.
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After two weeks of teasing, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its EQC electric SUV today in Stockholm.
The vehicle is the first electric vehicle to be built from the ground up and the first part of its new EQ electric brand.
It’s ‘the Mercedes of electric vehicles,’ said CEO Dieter Zetsche.
more…
Source: Charge Forward
Mercedes-Benz released initial specs of its newest electric car, the EQC crossover SUV, Tuesday in Stockholm. The answer to the inevitable range question about its rival to the Jaguar I-Pace: “about 200 miles,” Mercedes says. The SUV’s 80-kwh lithium-ion battery sits under the floor between front and rear sub-frames. DON’T MISS: Mercedes EQC…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews
The first all-electric car under the technology brand EQ (EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence”) was unveiled today by Mercedes-Benz in Stockholm, Sweden. The full proper name of the car is Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC.
The German manufacturer says that the EQC will benefit from the quality, safety and comfort expected of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but at the same time “is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look while representing the design idiom of Progressive Luxury“.
The 80 kWh battery (10 kWh more than in the concept version) is expected to last for up to 200 miles (320 km). Then, the car will be able to recharge at 110 kW (from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes).
According to the press release, the 80 kWh is the usable amount: “The lithium-ion battery, which has a usable energy content of 80 kWh supplies the vehicle with power.”
“The EQC is equipped with the latest generation of a lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery serving as the energy source for both electric motors. The battery consists of 384 cells and is located in the vehicle floor, between the two axles. The battery system is modular in design, consisting of two modules with 48 cells each and four with 72 cells each. The powerful high-voltage battery has a nominal voltage of approx. 350 V and a nominal capacity of approx. 218 Ah, for an energy content of 80 kWh (according to NEDC/WLTP).
The integral overall cooling concept of the EQC, consisting of a heat pump function and two electric PTC heater boosters, not only includes the power electronics, the electric motor and the rotor, but also the battery. The entire battery system is liquid-cooled. At low temperatures a battery heater ensures outstanding performance and efficiency (see Climate control section).”
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC battery
For powertrain, Mercedes-Benz decided to go with two asynchronous motors – one for the front axle and one for the rear axle. System output of the all-wheel drive EQC stands at 300 kW and 564 lb-ft (765 Nm). Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (almost 100 km/h) will be possible in 4.9 seconds.
“Intelligent Drivetrain: The EQC features an all-new drive system with compact electric drivetrains at each axle. These give the EQC the confident and dynamic driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive vehicle. To reduce power consumption, the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is optimized for best possible efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear e-motor adds sportiness.”
“ECO Assist System: Gives the driver comprehensive support when driving predictively: by prompting the driver when it is appropriate to lift off the accelerator–for example when the vehicle is approaching a change in speed limit, and by functions such as coasting and specific control of recuperation. For this purpose, navigation data, traffic sign recognition and information from the intelligent safety assistants (radar and stereo camera) are linked and processed.”
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC
The driver will be able to choose between many modes:
“The following programs are available:
- COMFORT: Default setting; accelerator pedal characteristic supports a comfortable driving style, but also automatically becomes more dynamic depending on the driving style.
- ECO: Driving program focused on high efficiency and low consumption.
- MAX RANGE: Intelligent driving program that can help the driver achieve the maximum possible range.
- SPORT: Driving program focused on the best response for the highest driving performance.
- INDIVIDUAL: Allows the driver to customize each individual parameter separately.
One-pedal driving: manual selection of braking recuperation
The driver is also able to influence the recuperation level using paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddle on the left increases the level of recuperation, the paddle on the right reduces it. The following stages are available:
- D Auto (recuperation via ECO Assist to suit the situation)
- D + (coasting)
- D (low recuperation)
- D – (medium recuperation)
- D – – (high recuperation). This makes one-pedal driving possible, because in most situations the recuperative deceleration is enough to not require use of the brake pedal.”
One of the interesting things is the new head unit generation from Mercedes-Benz called MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). It features a new user interface and natural speech recognition and a touchscreen.
“Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX): A completely new multimedia system featuring innovative technology based on Artificial Intelligence and an intuitive operating system. MBUX technology is pioneering a new level of in-car experience. MBUX can be operated by Voice Control, the Touchscreen (a first for Mercedes-Benz vehicles), Touchpad and Touch Control Buttons on the steering wheel. The system has learning capabilities and intelligent Voice Control with natural language understanding and a verbal cue of “Hey Mercedes.””
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC
Among other features, the EQC is equipped with a heat pump:
“Pre-entry climate control: This ensures that the vehicle interior is at the desired temperature on departure. It can be programmed directly via MBUX or via the Mercedes me connect App. A sophisticated system with a heat pump and electric heater boosters pre-climatizes the interior for optimal comfort in the cold winter or hot summer days.”
Production of the EQC will start in the plant in Bremen, Germany from 2019 and later in Beijing, China by Beijing Benz Automotive Co. Ltd. (BBAC). In the U.S., sales of the EQC will begin in 2020. The prices are not yet know.
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC preliminary specs
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Check out the EQC in the gallery of images below:
Source: Electric Vehicle News
Here’s livestream video of the Mercedes-Benz EQC world debut.
Link to debut post below:
Video description:
Live stream of the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz EQC in Stockholm. Electric now has a Mercedes. #switchtoEQ#EQC More information about the new EQC: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/EQC
More information to follow soon…Stay tuned!
Source: Electric Vehicle News
