Hyundai is on the rise

Hyundai once again raised the bar for plug-in electric car sales, achieving in December a new all-time record of 8,174, which is 276% more than a year ago. The plug-ins now account for a record high 5.3% of total volume for the South Korean brand.

The year 2018 closed with 53,114 plug-in electric sales for Hyundai – 144% more than a year ago and an average share of 3.1%. With such great progress, we assume a six-digit result in 2019.

Additionally, Hyundai sold some 168 NEXO hydrogen fuel cell cars in December and 949 in 2018.

Hyundai plug-in electric car sales – December 2018

Hyundai is able to sustain a rate of more than 5,000 Kona Electric per month, which is almost 26% of all Kona sales in December:

• Hyundai Kona Electric – 5,350 (1,087 in Sout Korea) and 22,787 YTD
  
• Hyundai IONIQ Electric – 1,911 and 21,002 YTD
  
• Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In – 798 and 8,977 YTD
  
• Hyundai Sonata Plug-In – 115 and 348 YTD
  

Source: Electric Vehicle News

If you’re an avid skier, this Tesla Model 3 modification has your name on it.

YouTuber Brian Jenkins of i1Tesla has made a name for himself with videos showcasing original concepts. While many YouTubers tend to recreate much of what others have done before, Jenkins makes a concerted effort to be different. Sometimes this leads to quirky shares like that of a box boy tin man for Tesla Autopilot testing. Other times, he dives into some pretty interesting DIY projects that may appeal to certain Tesla owners. This most recent video shows Jenkins doing surgery on his Model 3 to add a ski pass-through.

So, what if you have a car full of passengers and need to transport skis or any other long item in your Model 3? A trunk pass-through between the rear seats is the most obvious answer. Of course, this is not something the Model 3 offers. However, if you’re handy, you can make it happen.

We’ve included Jenkins’ entire press release below the video description. What do you think of this idea? Is it something you’d use? Do you have any concerns that it diminishes the car’s structural integrity? Let us know in the comment section below.

Video Description via i1Tesla on YouTube:

Model 3 Ski / Trunk Pass-Thru

This was a fun project brought to me by a subscriber that saw this on Reddit. I was able to complete this in about 6 hours of work total over two days.

The intro took me 5 hours to edit!

i1Tesla shows-off Model 3 Ski Pass-Thru

Another “first” from Brian Jenkins, the DIY Guy on the i1Tesla YouTube channel

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: Another amazing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project has been revealed on the i1Tesla YouTube channel. You may recall that Brian Jenkins, the DIY Guy over at i1Tesla, was the first to bring us a simple and inexpensive modification to fully open the Model 3 frunk hands-free. The latest creation from Jenkins’ lab is a Tesla Model 3 modification that allows objects as long as 10 feet to be hauled inside the modestly-dimensioned Model 3. 

What is commonly known as a “Ski Pass-Thru” is a small opening between the trunk and the rear passenger seating area permitting long but narrow cargo (like snow skis or 2×4 lumber) to fit completely inside the vehicle. “I wasn’t sure it was even possible, but it was an interesting feature request from an i1Tesla member that I thought should be explored”, Jenkins said.

Jenkins was the first to perform this customization on his own Tesla Model 3. He even put the entire project on video for the world to see how it’s done. While he admits this DIY project isn’t for most people due to the complexity (and the fact that you have to cut through the steel seat back plate), he wanted to demonstrate that it was indeed possible. 

The i1Tesla video shows step-by-step the removal of the rear seat, the customization of the backrest, and the finished installation. The pass-thru feature remains hidden behind the rear seat folding armrest when not in use keeping the interior appearance factory stock. Simply folding down the armrest reveals the pass-thru directly into the trunk space. If you need to pick up some lumber, haul snow skis, or some other long (but narrow) item you no longer need to take the pickup truck. Just jump into your Model 3 and get the job done quickly.

Brian has plans to do more of these unique DIY projects on his channel to demonstrate the possibilities for the Tesla Model 3, and to help owners make practical improvements that save time and money. The i1Tesla channel was also the first to develop a simple and inexpensive option to fully open the front truck (the “Frunk”) without having to lift the hood by hand. This DIY video was so popular that Amazon quickly sold-out of the parts, and it is estimated that thousands of Model 3 owners now have fully-opening frunks with the touch of a button, all thanks to Brian’s innovation and YouTube channel. 

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Volkswagen warns about electrification of entry-level models

Electric cars for years were more expensive than comparable-class conventional cars. The higher initial prices were offset by lower costs of electricity (vs. fuel) and expected lower maintenance costs over a lifetime.

With mass electrification just around the corner, initial prices of BEVs were becoming more competitive, while performances is often better. Decreasing battery costs per kWh of capacity opens way for fast expansion.

However, according to Hans Dieter Pötsch Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, in the case of small, entry-level cars, all-electric versions are expected to remain more expensive than gasoline versions.

The fact is that it’s easier to electrify high-end, premium models, SUVs – or, in general, expensive and bigger cars. Small city cars require the lowest battery costs to become competitive.

Hans Dieter Pötsch said that because of that, electrified entry-level cars will become more expensive and “unaffordable for people on low incomes in the future”.

“We have the clear goal of making electromobility accessible to a broad section of the population, that is to make it affordable,”

“The current price level cannot stay the same if these cars are equipped with electric motors. Therefore, it will inevitably lead to significant price increases in the small car segment.”

If we understand it right, it seems that it will be far easier to achieve a high share of BEV sales for Porsche and Audi, than in case of Volkswagen, and the cheapest electric cars (e-up! for example) – at least in near term – will remain mostly ICE.

Source: Reuters

Source: Electric Vehicle News

TESLA MODEL S TO RACE IN FIA-SANCTIONED ELECTRIC PRODUCTION CAR SERIES

It might seem like a no-brainer that the world’s quickest production cars would be dominant competitors on the world’s racetracks. However, while Teslas have been distinguishing themselves in certain corners of the motorsports world – including street racing and autocross – they have yet to participate in any major racing series.

*This article comes to us courtesy of EVANNEX (which also makes aftermarket Tesla accessories). Authored by Charles Morris. The opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily our own at InsideEVs.

Above: A look at the Electric GT’s Tesla Model S P100D which debuted at the Circuit de Barcelona / Catalunya (Image: Electric GT)

However, the dream of Tesla racing will soon be a reality. The Electric Production Car Series (originally called Electric GT), has been officially sanctioned by the FIA, the governing body for world motorsports. The EPCS will be the second FIA racing series for electric cars, joining the Formula E series, which recently kicked off its fifth season.

For the first season, all teams will use a race car based on the Tesla Model S P100D. However, the circuit is open to other makes of EVs, and it probably won’t be long before some of them join Tesla on the racetrack. (The current season of Formula E includes a separate series of races featuring the Jaguar I-Pace.)

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Above: Testing at Pau Circuit over a year ago with the EGT Tesla P85. Pirelli wet tires. Asphalt temp 4C. Normal speed video. (Youtube: Electric GT Holdings)

The modified Model S, which was tested at a French track in January 2017, features a beefed-up powertrain with 580 kW (778 hp) of power and 734 lb-ft of torque, as well as improvements to aerodynamics, suspension, braking and cooling. The interior of the car has been completely removed, resulting in a weight reduction of roughly 1,100 pounds compared to the production Model S. Acceleration from 0-100 km is 2.1 seconds, and top speed is 250 km/h.

MAGNUM CAP will be the official provider of charging systems for the series. Each race will have 20 CHAdeMO-standard DC fast chargers, each providing around 55 kW of power.

Above: This Model S is pure adrenaline (Image: Electric GT)

The inaugural season of the EPCS is expected to being late this year or early in 2020, with races in the UK, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and a couple of other locations yet to be announced.

===

Written by: Charles Morris; This article originally appeared in Charged; Source: Electric GT via Green Car Reports

*Editor’s Note: EVANNEX, which also sells aftermarket gear for Teslas, has kindly allowed us to share some of its content with our readers, free of charge. Our thanks go out to EVANNEX. Check out the site here.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

smart EQ is rated at just 57 miles (92 km) of EPA range

Daimler‘s plan envisions a new, upgraded smart car in 2019, which undoubtedly indicates unveiling at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Because the brand is going all-electric and intends to stop selling gasoline cars entirely (it already happened in some markets), the premiere is expected to be the electric smart EQ – fortwo and probably forfour, too.

The move to BEV-only brand requires a significant increase of value proposition if smart hopes to maintain its sales volume. One such important improvement could be doubling battery capacity (and range), which was hinted by the smart vision EQ fortwo from 2017, which was equipped with about a 30 kWh pack (compared to the current 17.6 kWh).

Will we see a smart electric with a lot more range later this year? We sure hope so.

Source: pushevs.com

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Take that, Harley!

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Will join the PHEV version.

The BYD Song MAX is an MPV model developed by Chinese automaker BYD that went on sales in the third quarter of 2017 and its PHEV version has already been launched last year. According to China’s local media, the BEV version of the BYD Song MAX is expected to hit the market this year.

As the photos taken by local media shows, the BEV version displays a striking resemblance to the gasoline-burning version, yet some nuances could be noticed at the front face. Featuring BYD’s latest iconic “Dragon Face” design, the new model has a grille looking like a mouth agape, which is decorated with multi-banner chrome trims extending to the outline of headlights. It is noticeable that the grille features more segments separated by chrome trims than the existing gasoline-powered version, also carries slimmer fog lights.

As to the side profile, the upward-sloping lines are in tune with the floating roof. At the rear end, above a chrome trim that pierces into taillights on both sides is a logo of Chinese character “宋” (Song).

The BYD Song MAX BEV version measures 4,680mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,680mm tall with a wheelbase spanning 2,785mm, the same as the gasoline version.

Such facilities as the panoramic roof, luggage rack, radar, privacy window and side curtain air bag will be offered to customers as optional choice.

Powering the vehicle will be an electric motor that does 120kW. The lettering of “MAX EV500” suggests that its maximum range may be 500km.

Source: Gasgoo

Source: Electric Vehicle News