Opel is planning to install more than 160 charging points for EVs at their research and development centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany. This is where the German carmaker will be researching future electrical grid concepts with the University of Kassel and the charging infrastructure specialists Flavia IT and Plug’n Charge.
Weiterlesen
The Norwegian Coca Cola division has purchased 100 of the European version of the Chevy Bolt, adding them to the company fleet. They will also be installing 176 charging stations at their Norwegian HQ.
Weiterlesen
Opel-Vauxhall presents a new concept EV. The GT X Experimental is a compact SUV, that is more than an experiment. Opel aims to electrify its entire line-up by 2024 and this latest fully-electric study is showing off how these future plug-ins may look like.
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Ten months after French PSA has taken over Opel, they have come to an agreement regarding the Opel facilities in Germany. The Eisennach factory will start making the Grandland X including a PHEV version from mid-2019. Further investments into R&D are planned as well.
Weiterlesen
Karl Thomas Neumann, the former Opel/Vauxhall CEO has found a new job at Evelozcity. He joins former BMW and short-term Faraday Future managers in their endeavour to go it alone in California and launch three EV by 2021.
Weiterlesen
IONITY, the high power charging cooperation between BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen, along with subsidiaries Audi and Porsche, is negotiating with other potent partners such as utilities and even Tesla, who maybe interested in joining.
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Former Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann had been trying to turn the brand into an all-electric outlet, first for GM and the PSA. While his efforts were fruitless in the end, he is going all-electric in his personal life. His wife and Neumann now own both a Tesla and a BMW i3.
electrek.co
Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller stated in an interview, that they were to look into electrifying vans. He declined to mention details regarding the long term planning by the German car manufacturer. They also plan an electrifiable SUV.
Weiterlesen
Sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars have been on the up in the Netherlands this January. Compared to the same month last year, PEV sales grew by 126 percent overall, with sales of all-electric cars undergoing a massive recovery.
Weiterlesen
Opel specified plans to launch an all-electric Corsa by 2020 and wants to build the EV in its facility in Spanish Zaragoza, making it the first factory in Europe to produce an all-electric Opel/Vauxhall model.
Weiterlesen
The German car brand plans to re-open its order books for the Ampera-e before this month’s end. This step is part of Opel’s electrification strategy under its new parent company PSA.
Weiterlesen
PSA Group, which paid General Motors 1.3 billion euros for Opel, now wants about half of the money back after discovering Opel’s emission strategy hinged on sales of the Ampera-e mainly, which was finally not included in the sale.
Weiterlesen
The PSA group prepares the implementation of a 220m euro joint venture together with Japanese company Nidec. Both partners seek to produce electric motors for BEVs as well as HEVs at a site close to Paris.
Weiterlesen
PSA subsidiary Opel has revealed its roadmap “Pace”, a strategy plan that shall guarantee Opel’s return to profitability by 2020. Most important from an electric mobility viewpoint is Opel’s intention to offer all of its European carlines additionally with either electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrains by 2024.
WeiterlesenAn Opel Ampera-e travelled 750 km on one charge and got filmed along the way by a team of German VOX channel. The record range was reached by extreme “hypermiling” that is driving at 40 – 50 kph mostly and so the trip from Görlitz to Aachen took 25:30 hours.
electrek.co, carscoops.com
600 km range and a top speed above 200 kph, that is BMW’s i Vision Dynamics. Rather than the Gran Coupé being just visionary a EV, series production has been planned but not yet scheduled. In any case, it will sit well between the i3 and i8 and amongst the 25 electrified models the carmaker has promised to launch by 2025.
carscoops.com, motor1.com
All electric Mercedes: Long has it been teased and now it is released, the EQA, Daimler’s electric compact concept. It has an electric drive at each axle with a combined output of 200 kW. Range was given at 400 km, depending on the chosen battery that can also fast-charge inductively.
carscoops.com, autoblog.com, autocar.co.uk
And the fuel cell Mercedes has been revealed in full as well and is ready to go on sale by 2018. The GLC F-Cell plug-in hybrid carries 4.4 kg hydrogen on board, enough for 437 km with another 49 km of range being kept inside an additional 13.8 kWh battery.
autoblog.com, autocar.co.uk
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Baden-Württemberg will demonstrate E-Mobility expertise at EVS30: The State Agency e-mobil BW and its cluster networks “Electric Mobility South-West” and “Fuel Cell BW” participate in the joint booth “German Regions” at EVS30. The partners will proudly present the accumulated know how of the German South-West in the field of electric mobility solutions. Come and visit us at Hall 1, Booth A33. EVS30 will take place on October 9-11, 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany. www.e-mobilbw.de (Exhibitors at a glance – PDF)
Urban EV by Honda: The Japanese surprise with an electric concept for city-dwellers in Frankfurt and say a series version would make it to Europe no later than by 2019. Technical details of the litte four-seater are scarce but Honda has dedicated a whole new platform to it.
electriccarsreport.com, autocar.co.uk, carscoops.com
VW I.D. Crozz revised: Known since April, Volkswagen has further developed its fully electric SUV for the IAA, bringing it closer to the series version that is expected by 2020 (we reported). Its twin electric motors come with a combined power 0f 225 kW and VW targets a 500 km range.
carscoops.com, electriccarsreport.com, autocar.co.uk
Opel’s first PHEV: The brand based in Rüsselsheim is not dead but tries to venture further into electric territory instead. At the IAA, Opel now announced the Grandland X to become the first model with a plug-in hybrid variant. It will most likely borrow the drive from the Peugeot 3008.
autonews.com, gm.com
30 EV by 2025: Volkswagen is on the charm offensive with chairman Matthias Müller promising 80 electrified models in less than ten years. This means that by 2025 every fourth car sold through the group could be all-electric, in VW’s world that means up to 3 million units a year. The so-called Roadmap E also earmarks over 50bn euros to procure the batteries needed to power the projected e-fleet (150 GW) and while VW remarks that this is the equivalent to 4 Gigafactories, it has not said anything about setting those up itself. Still Müller claims “we will lead the transformation” of the industry and that includes two entirely new electric platforms, upgrading plants, training the workforce, increasing charging infrastructure, and advancing battery technology and production together with partners.
electrive.net, volkswagen-media-services.com
Daimler pushes electrification: Mercedes wants to offer electric options for every car comes 2022, CEO Dieter Zetsche revealed in front of investors. This translates to more than 50 models and includes the ten all-electric cars Daimler recently brought forward (we reported). The CEO also confirmed what insiders long expected when he said that Smart will become an all-electric brand in Europe. In the States, the take over has been completed earlier this year reportedly. To make up for its lower margins on electric cars, Daimler plans to increase its savings.
reuters.com (line-up), reuters.com (savings)
ICE to go bust in China: The combustion engine’s days are numbered in the world’s largest car market. As if the upcoming EV sales quota would not be enough, Beijing is now looking to ban sales of conventional fuel cars entirely. The question is only when. The vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has not given a time line but predicted that “measures will certainly bring profound changes for our car industry’s development” – and those from abroad we may add.
reuters.com, bloomberg.com, electrek.co
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EVs are a matter of profitability indeed, at least for PSA CEO Carlos Tavares. After taking over Opel recently, previous plans to turn it into an all-electric brand were put on ice but now the new owner showed openness to the idea under one condition – they must be profitable.
europe.autonews.com
Sweden works with incentives rather than punishments and just renewed its e-mobility funding schemes. By 2018, an additional 5bn SEK (over 500m euros) will help environment and climate initiatives along. Buyers of electric cars may thus receive up to 6,000 euros through the government and the initiative also includes light electric vehicles for which one can claim up to 1,000 euros or 25% of the purchase price. Solar cells and charging infrastructure have made it onto the funding agenda as well.
government.se, taz.de (in German)
Get over the SUV hype: BYD wants to launch a couple of mini and compact EVs in China over the next two years as it sees demand increasing in towns and villages. So much so that BYD believes such smaller (and cheaper) electric cars will soon account for up to 75% of its EV sales.
caixinglobal.com
BMW operates on the opposite end of the scale with its Concept X7 iPerformance ready to debut at the IAA. The extra large SUV will have a plug-in hybrid drive that could be regarded as a cosmetic measure. A series version may plow the tarmac as soon as next year.
bmwgroup.com
In his drive to make the Vatican carbon-neutral, Pope Francis took charge of an Ampera-e presented by Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann himself. The bold move met the occasion of a conference on ‘Laudato si’, Pope Francis second encyclical with the subtitle “On Care For Our Common Home.” It could hardly be more timely.
cruxnow.com, vatican.va (Laudato si)
We stay within the spiritual realm as we begin yet another break following the German calendar that assigns Pentecost a bank holiday on Monday. We will be back with all the latest news for you on Tuesday, 6 June and wish you a sociable time until then!
PEV platforms by Geely: Volvo’s Chinese patron is working on two novel architectures for both plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. First to utilise the base will be a compact PHEV SUV and an electric car with a 500 km range. Expect the new high end models around 2020.
gasgoo.com
Surprise guest: An electric pick-up truck concept from Canada was unveiled in Ontario. Its maker Havelaar Canada, itself unknown, hopes to join the likes of Tesla as well as Workhorse, who too look to electrify this American icon of transport. Havelaar’s Bison E-Pickup features AWD and is said to last for 300 km on a charge. A development partnership with the University of Toronto has them look at all aspects of EV technology but production is unclear. Over at Workhorse however, they ponder to expand manufacture to include private consumers in the W-15 plug-in hybrid pick-up pool. Interest may be expressed via their website.
electrek.co (Bison), autoblog.com (Workhorse)
More news from Canada tell of tomahawks not bisons as Dubuc Motors aired a specc for its electric racer amidst confirmation of production by 2018. Four electric motors toss the Tomahawk along with a combined force of 1,356 Nm. 600 km may be well within reach of the 100 kWh battery and the Canadian company plans to produce a few thousand units. Crowdfunding for the animated vehicle remains open.
newswire.ca, invest
Renault’s Zoe is bound for Australia after the firm’s local branch successfully applied for approval. With access granted, the small but best-selling dame might make an entry soon but low incentives make for a difficult market. South Korea has more favourable EV conditions and so PSA ponders to ship the Zoe from Europe over there from 2019 to keep the local Renault Samsung SM3 Z.E. company.
caradvice.com.au (Australia), koreaherald.com (Korea)
Ampera-e open to Swiss: GM’s electric model is en route to the Alps and buyers in Switzerland pay a minimum of 41,900 Swiss francs. Dealers will take charge of the first units by Q3 2017 and have reserved the second biggest volume of Ampera-E in Europe. Only real numbers Opel/ Vauxhall would not state. Order books have previously been opened in the Netherlands and Germany, while Norway already collected the first charge.
gm.com
Electric cabs only in Oslo? Norway’s capital may be next to move towards a diesel-free future as Oslo wants to eject all diesel taxis and allow electric ones only, Taxi Times reports. The cleanse could start by 2022 with the city council’s decision due by 2018 and a group for the transformation process been established already. It would be a regional regulation made possible by the Norwegian government’s decision to leave taxi transport rules to municipalities.
taxi-times.com (in German), dagbladet.no (in Norwegian)
Meanwhile, Norwegian civilians are taking deliveries of the Ampera-e aka the Chevy Bolt. Opel chose Norway’s national holiday to serve the first three customers and said there are another 4,000 orders awaiting fulfilment.
opel.com
Policy pledge on pollution: With the General Election in the UK on the horizon, opposition parties rush to swing voters and thus the Liberal Democrat manifesto promises a ban on sales of diesel cars from 2025. It is part of the party’s Green Transport Act, which also wants to increase electrification.
telegraph.co.uk, autocar.co.uk
Rheinmetall enters e-mobility: An order worth 100m dollars has reached mobility and military supplier Rheinmetall, which is to deliver electric motor housings over the next seven years. The commission comes from an unnamed but “globally operating German carmaker” who is to utilise the casings for cars build for the Chinese market. Consequently, production will take place at Rheinmetall’s Chinese subsidiary KPSNC in Shanghai from mid-2018.
rheinmetall.com
Volvo opens order book: The second-gen Volvo XC60 is now available in the USA, where it will hit the shelves this autumn. Prices for the top line T8 Twin Engine with a 400 hp PHEV system start from 52,900 dollars.
electriccarsreport.com
Campaign concept vehicle: Japanese Asahi Kasei and GLM have come up with a three-seat electric SUV. The 225 kW concepts builds on GLM’s EV platform but will most likely never roll off a production line. Asahi Kasei rather sees the electric car as a vehicle to presents its materials and tech to OEMs.
asahi-kasei.co.jp
Renault expects EV price parity: After Volkswagen and BMW, the French follow suit in their prediction of a drastic decrease in costs for electric vehicles thanks to better battery technology. Renault’s leading EV figure, Gilles Normand, said that the Zoe will reach price parity with small combustion-engined cars by the beginning of the next decade. Already, sales of the little EV have increased by 90 percent between 2016 and 2017. For the C-segment, prices will equalise around 2025, according to Normand.
autoexpress.co.uk
Ford’s electrified cars may grow into a whole line-up of no less than 13 models by 2022, plans uncovered by Autocar suggest. Ford trademarked the Energi label for such electrified vehicles as the C-MAX in its plug-in hybrid version. Plus, there will be other PHEVs like the F-150, Mustang as well as the Transit Custom and an all-electric SUV (we reported). Next in line may be the Kuga and Explorer.
autocar.co.uk
Mahindra to electrify all models: The Indian carmaker decided that all new platforms are to offer options for electrification from the start, including light commercial vehicles. The move will enable Mahindra to easier electrify each and every model in the future.
business-standard.com
Ampera-e pricing NL: Opel released prices for its Ampera-e aka the Chevy Bolt in the Netherlands, where it will be offered from 40,995 euros. Deliveries are to start early next year via 28 selected Opel dealers, the so-called Ampera-e-Agents.
opel.nl (in Dutch)
Kiepe Electric is the new name for the recently acquired Vossloh Kiepe now owned by Knorr Bremse. The subsidiary will concentrate on systems for electrification in the bus and rail sector.
automotiveworld.com
As Mini readies the Countryman plug-in hybrid version for its official outing at the end of June reportedly, some journalist got the chance to take it for a first ride. Impressions are good but be warned that its electric range revolves around 30 rather than said 42 kilometres.
autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk
Reading tip: Two acting Tesla-Managers have opened a new company. Redwood Materials says it will recycle and reuse materials but it unclear if it is a Tesla subsidiary and also which materials it will rework. Batteries maybe?
electrek.co
Click tip: Opel launched an online tool, that simulates the Ampera-e’s (Bolt) range under changing circumstances like speed, outside temperature and air con.
opel.de via insideevs.com
Events for the upcoming week: Ecosummit Berlin (May 09-10; Berlin, Germany) ++ Conference on Future Automotive Technology (May 09-10; Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany) ++ E-Mobility Conference (May 10; Paris, France) ++ IDTechEx Show (May 10-11; Berlin, Germany) ++ FIA Formula E, Round 5 (May 13; Monaco) ++ You can find a complete list of upcoming events at electrive.com/calendar
Reading tip: In its first “Automotive Disruption Radar”, consultant group Roland Berger systematically depicts global transformation processes in the car industry, including the electric mobility sector. Their study found that 37% of respondents worldwide consider an EV as their next car – in China even 60%.
rolandberger.com
Video tip: The Opel Ampera-e performance is subject of a detailed test report published by Autogefühl. With 43 minutes, the video requires a bit of patience but that is also true for the Ampera-e itself. After all, the model will initially be launched in very limited edition only.
youtube.com
First details on Volvo EV: A 400 km range is a must, said Volvo about the first all-electric model due in 2019. If the EV will be dedicatedly electric or rather build upon an existing model is a question for the coming months. The price will be between 35,000 to 40,000 dollars.
autonews.com
PSA pushes for 80% electrification by 2023: No less than 27 of all 34 planned new models by Peugeot, Citroën and DS shall have a hybrid or electric variant by 2023, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares announced. That would be 80 percent of the French groups line-up and a considerate expansion of electrification. Previously, PSA had just seven PHEV and four EV lined up until 2021.
ccfa.fr (in French) via insideevs.com
VW begins battery research: Volkswagen has decided to start R&D for battery cells at its Salzgitter facility and has recruited the first employees already. The move is part of the so-called Zukunftspakt (pact for future), designed to make the carmaker future-safe with a focus on e-mobility. It is likely to include battery mass production in Germany as well, at least that is what VW’s mighty workers’ council pushes for. A pilot production is in the making.
automobilwoche.de (in German)
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Deloitte paves the way for eMobility: Deloitte Italy has approached Alphabet to consult them in analysing their existing fleet. The Electrification Potential Analysis unveiled the possibility to replace 33% of its combustion engine vehicles with EVs, resulting in a 9.1% reduction in CO2 emissions. www.alphabet.com/AlphaElectricDeloitte
Opel has confirmed the Ampera-E’s delivery schedule for Europe as was previously planned. The first Ampera-e will arrive in May in Norway. Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann took to Twitter to spread the news – Tesla style – but has so far failed to answer numerous comments asking for a more detailed plan with regards to Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands …
twitter.com, insideevs.com
Foxconn to build e-motorcycle: Chinese Evoke Motorcycles has hooked up with iPhone supplier Foxconn to develop an affordable electric motorbike. Orders for the Urban S Smart are written now at a price of 9,400 dollars each. The 9 kWh battery is made by Samsung and supplies a 19 kW electric drive.
electrek.co, motofire.com, evokemotorcycles.com
Car bans in Spain: Both Barcelona and Madrid are looking to clean up their air. In the case of the Catalan capital, cars older than 20 years will be banned from entering its vicinity from 2019. Madrid may go a step further as it discusses an EV-only city centre by 2025.
Barcelona, Madrid
EV-only Opel to go through? GM’s European brand may indeed go all-electric as planned even if sold to PSA, Manager Magazin reports. GM would licence its electric car tech to the French group, at least for the Ampera-e. So it is possible PSA will put the idea Opel had been working on into practice.
autonews.com, manager-magazin.de (original source)
Kia Niro fully electric by 2018: Like Hyundai with the Ioniq, Kia is to electrify the Niro successively. Already this year, the hybrid crossover will get a plug and by 2018, there will be a Niro EV, COO Michael Cole announced. The E-Niro will utilise the Ioniq Electric’s motor.
autorai.nl via carscoops.com, greencarreports.com
Schaeffler completed the acquisition of Compact Dynamics as planned. With the integration of the expert for electric drives, Schaeffler strengthens its e-mobility activities.
schaeffler.de
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Electric GT to kick off in England: The world’s first electric GT racing series, which uses remodelled Tesla Model S P100D, will launch at the UK Silverstone Circuit on August, 12. More races will take place in the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal Spain and France until November.
autocar.co.uk
Land Rover Defender inspired: Chemical company Ineos plans to build a hybrid and/or entirely electric 4×4 that takes inspiration from the Defender, Autocar reports. 2020 is set as production start and the firm plans to produce up to 15,000 units annually.
autocar.co.uk
Toyota pushes hybrids in India,where it just launched the Camry Hybrid as well as the new Prius. The Japanese see India as a “crucial” market for green technology. Also, Indian carmaker Mahindra Electric wants to scale up production at its Karnataka facility from 2,000 to 5,000 units by next year.
businessinsider.in (Toyota), business-standard.com (Mahindra)
Island solution: Diesel may be scrapped in London, where Mayor Sadiq Khan called on the government to implement a 515m pound programme. His proposal includes 3,500 GBP each for up to 70,000 van and minibuses as well as a 2,000 pound credit scheme to help low-income families scrap up to 130,000 cars. 1,000 GBP would go towards scrapping the oldest taxis. The British government said it would update its air quality plans soon but did not give specifics. Khan has lobbied to clean up London’s act and looks to expand the city’s congestion zone since his election (also see our series).
bbc.co.uk
Getting to know the e-Ampera: GM’s electric car also known as Bolt EV is about to go on-sale in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. Only Norway has filled its order books already and 3,400 units sold are enough to publish a few more details: certified NEDC range is 520 km from a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery integrated in the underbody. Output is at 150 kW.
opel.com
Macan PHEV? Porsche’s revised Macan got caught on camera during winter testing in Scandinavia. Sales shall start next year and may include a plug-in hybrid variant.
motorauthority.com
Not only Tesla but Lexus too plans to enter the Indian market. Toyota’s precious sister will launch the RX450h, LX450h, and ES300h – all three of them hybrids – on March, 24.
financialexpress.com
Start on a high note: Nissan sold 30,000 new Note e-Power with range extender just three month after it kicked off in Japan. With a total of 42,000 Note, 70 percent of all buyers opted for electrification.
forbes.com
2017 Prius plug-in reviewed: Is the latest Prius PHEV yet another leader coming from Toyota? “Not quite,” Matt Saunders concluded. Yes, the Prius has a bigger battery and is a “clever car” overall but it is not another “reinvention” of the hybrid hatchback but its continuation rather.
autocar.co.uk
Lucid Motors unveils electric sedan: The wraps of the EV called Air have been taken off. The futuristic lined, Porsche Panamera like car boasts 735 kW and a 100 or 130 kWh battery pack. The first 255 models are said to hit the road in 2018 and will be offered as a ‘Launch Edition’ for around 160,000 dollars.
electrek.co, insideevs.com, carscoops.com
Even tighter constraints for EV makers in China? The Chinese government has presented two draft laws to the WTO. One concerns the reported EV quota said to go into effect in 2018, and that despite pleas from Germany hasn’t been watered down. The other draft law is about “production approval” and could be even more crucial. It says carmakers will have to proof their ability to build EVs – even Chinese joint venture partners of international companies are concerned. These would therefore have to receive exact design plans for upcoming models. The law could go into effect in summer 2017.
sueddeutsche.de (in German)
Extended EV alliance: After essentially taking over Mitsubishi, Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has taken another carmaker under his wing as CEO. Shortly after he announced that all three brands will align and standardise their electric drivetrain technology. That means also that Renault and Nissan will have access to Mitsubishi’s plug-in technology.
nikkei.com
CEP strike a balance: 250 new fuel cell cars hit the road in Germany this year and because of technical development and standardisation, drivetrain production cost has come down 75 percent. And because of the international 700 bar standard, components for H2 fuelling stations dropped around 50 percent.
cleanenergypartnership.de
Ampera-e to cost more than the i3 or Leaf: As reported yesterday, the Opel Ampera-e can now be ordered in Norway for 32,300 euros. A price that won’t translate to other markets. But when comparing it to other models in the Nordic country, it becomes in what price range the Opel will be positioned. It will thus be more expensive than the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf.
autonews.com
Production start: Volkswagen has kicked off production of its seven-seater called Atlas in Atlanta, U.S. As previously reported (back than, the car was still called CrossBlue), a plug-in hybrid version is in the pipelines. Though no official details have been released yet.
carscoops.com, greencarcongress.com
The Opel Ampera-e can now be ordered in Norway, where it will become available this spring, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland. The EV is listed for the equivalent of 32,300 euros, though the price won’t translate to other markets. With the exception of Norway, where every Opel dealer will offer the Ampera-e, the car will only be sold at select locations, while the number available is also limited. In the U.S. the first three Chevy Bolt have now been delivered to customers in San Francisco.
carscoops.com, opel.com (Opel), insideevs.com (Bolt)
Zoe gets CCS: Eric Feunteun, head of emobility at Renault, confirmed to French Autoactu that the Zoe will be equipped with a CCS inlet by 2019. Whether the current generation Renault Zoe can support 150 kW is not clear but likely, since Renault is expected to use the same battery technology in models to come.
autoactu.com (in French), insideevs.com
Honda electrifies: The Japanese want to offer plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars in its small car segment by 2020, Autocar reports, quoting Honda’s head of sales Jean Marc Streng. The Honda Jazz could be one of the first models to be fitted with an electric drivetrain.
autocar.co.uk
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EVS30 – Call for Papers deadline approaching: Scientific abstracts can be submitted for the renowned 30th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS) until January 20, 2017. Don’t miss your chance to become part of the premier event on electromobility. EVS30 will take place on October 9-11, 2017 in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information, visit www.evs30.org
Change of personnel: Gilles Normad will become Senior Vice-President Electric Vehicles at Renault from January 1st. Normad previously headed the automaker’s Asia/Pacific region, focusing on the expansion into China. The French are now gearing up for a surge in EVs and also hired a chief engineer for electric drivetrains.
europe.autonews.com, renault.com
Musk to advise Trump: The Tesla CEO, as well as Uber boss Travis Kalanick have joined Donald Trump’s advisory council called Strategic and Policy Forum. Though Musk was most likely asked to join the team not for him pushing electric cars, but his company SpaceX.
insideevs.com, electrek.co
Kia Niro Hybrid reviewed: It’s a good car for those who don’t like the futuristic lines of the Toyota Prius, but essentially, the latter is the better hybrid, Auto Express finds. Though unlike the Japanese, Kia uses lithium-ion polymer technology, doubling its battery’s energy density and cutting down weight.
autoexpress.co.uk
Video tip: For the first more detailed video test drive of the Opel Ampera-e, Ralf Hannappel, Opel’s Director Electrification Europe, takes the wheel and during the ride, walks us through some of the EV’s details.
youtube.com via insideevs.com
Reading tips: Bloomberg believes that the new U.S. government won’t have much influence of EV subsidies, as they are capped at 200,000 units per manufacturer – a mark Tesla won’t reach until 2018. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers didn’t waste any time asking the new administration to ease emission rules. And looking at who is up for running the U.S. environment ministry, there will certainly be more coal and petrol in the future…
bloomberg.com (subsidies), insideevs.com (emission rules)
Another battery upgrade for the i3? Under pressure from the competition, BMW will again upgrade the battery pack of its i3 in 2018, German Auto Motor und Sport has learned. Due to better cell chemistry, the EV will then go 450 km on one charge according to NECD.
welt.de, automobil-produktion.de (articles in German)
Audi pulls the plug: The carmaker has stopped the production of its R8 e-tron sportscar, after building less than 100 units. Auto Motor und Sport meanwhile reports that following the electric SUV announced for 2018, Audi plans a Tesla Model S fighter one year later, as well as two smaller electric cars after that.
caranddriver.com (R8 e-tron), auto-motor-und-sport.de (new Audi; in German)
5-series with plug arrives in March: BMW has lifted the curtain on its seventh generation of its 5-series, said to arrive at dealerships in February 2017. The plug-in hybrid version 530e iPerformance will follow in March and boast 185 kW, as well as an all-electric range of 45 km.
greencarcongress.com, bmwgroup.com
E-SsangYong from 2019? The next generation of the Korando will include an all-electric variant, according to Dutch AutoRAI. The SsangYong SUV will then have a range of 300 km (NECD).
autorai.nl (in Dutch) via carscoops.com
Megawatt EV caught on camera: First photos on NextEV’s electric supercar have emerged online. The official presentation of the EV that boast more than 1 MW is scheduled for the 21st of November in London.
carnewschina.com
Opel opens new engine testing facility: The 210m euro Global Propulsion Center is located at Opel headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Opel continues to work closely with GM facilities in the field of electric drivetrains.
autonews.com
