Using hydrogen fuel cell technology, the self-contained, zero-emissions system can provide charging anywhere it is needed.
The H-Power EV Charger can be operated completely off-grid or in conjunction with grid power.
It provides a ‘de-risked solution for car park operators to respond rapidly to growing EV demand,’ claims AFC Energy, the company behind the technology.
AFC Energy sees fleet operators, commercial vehicles and car park operators as the key audience for the hydrogen chargers, which are scalable from two to 100 charge points at a single site.
Further applications include motorway service stations, hotels, supermarkets, shopping malls, construction sites, mines and marinas.
‘Constraining mass deployment’
AFC Energy CEO Adam Bond said: “It can no longer be denied that EVs have become part of today’s mainstream automotive experience, but there are many areas where infrastructure is constraining mass deployment.
“Our system is independent of the grid and delivers EV charging in the most remote off-grid locations or in highly populated urban areas where supply is over-subscribed. With this system, we provide a solution to support the industry’s emerging need for a national network of EV charge-points.”
AFC Energy says it can work with all EV charging platforms to provide its system as part of an integrated emission-free charging system.
In finished form, the H-Power systems are available in three standard configurations:
H-Power (L20)
H-Power (L160)
H-Power (L400+)
Rapid charge points supported
2-8
15-30
25-100
Storage capacity (kWh)
72-288
288
360
Recharge rating (kW)
20
160
400+
Available from
December 2019
June 2020
June 2021
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-hydrogen-system-delivers-off-grid-electric-car-charging.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-12-05 09:24:172019-12-05 09:24:17New hydrogen system delivers off-grid electric car charging
‘A retro-styled electric masterpiece’, reads one headline for the Morris JE van. ‘Brilliantly retro’, says another. ‘Retro-cute’ and ‘the cutest electric van I’ve ever seen’ concludes this quartet of rather gushing and sickly-sweet intros.
I’m sorry, but I’m just not buying it. Quite literally, given the fact that the JE van is expected to sell for around £60,000 in 2021.
It’s a ‘reimagining of the original [and] iconic’ J-type van, says Morris Commercial, before describing the 1950s classic as ‘unapologetically distinctive’.
What’s the obsession with reimagining stuff from our past? What next, a reimagining of other distinctive elements of 1950s Britain, such as polio, pea-soupers and women tied to the twin-tub washing machine?
Mind you, there’s no knowing what Britain will look like two years from now.
Putting aside the pros and cons of electric vehicles for a moment, shouldn’t the designs be forward-thinking, progressive and challenging? I’m not sure a van that looks like something Mr Tumble might drive is going to do much for the EV market.
The company claims it will appeal to a wide range of customers, but the list is exhausting, if not exhaustive.
Small boutique businesses, larger corporate fleets, luxury and lifestyle brands, the hospitality industry, the sport and leisure industry, high-end manufacturing, the events industry and green logistics.
And… breathe. Anyone for a game of monkey tennis?
Of those, who is going to want to drop £60k on Mr Tumble’s company wheels? I can’t see an artisan coffee company ditching the H-van for one of these. Is a fleet buyer going to say “no thank you” to the resources and support of Volkswagen, Renault, Nissan and the like?
The figures don’t add up. A range of 200 miles and a one-tonne payload might look acceptable in 2019, but the technology should have moved on by 2021. The LDV EV30 boasts another name from Britain’s ‘glorious past’, 200 miles of range and a one-tonne payload. The price? Rumoured to be in the region of £30,000.
Morris Commercial says it will create “an individuality in a market where dull, generic design is normal”. Which is one way of justifying an exorbitant price tag and a dashboard that looks straight outta LazyTown.
Vans are ‘dull’ and ‘generic’ because that’s what the market wants. These vehicles are built to do a job on time, reliably, efficiently and without fuss. Sure, there’s a place for vans without ‘clean me‘ perma-scrawled into the dirt on the back doors – I know folk who love their vans more than their family car.
It’s just that most vans I see look like they’ve been used as target practice at the local paintballing centre within a few months of hitting the road. How is the JE’s carbon-fibre body going to withstand even the lightest of damage?
I don’t doubt the hard work that’s gone into creating this ‘masterpiece’. But harking back to a bygone era hints at a lack of creativity and an absence of ideas. Besides, I have a feeling the ‘retro-cute’ market will be swallowed up by Volkswagen’s Buzz Cargo thingy.
I could be wrong (and it wouldn’t be the first time). Maybe the commercial sector is waiting for Mr Tumble to roll into LazyTown in a blaze of zero emission glory. Me, I’m just waiting for someone to unearth a barn-find Bedford CF Electric.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Morris-JE-electric-van.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-11-14 16:24:292019-11-14 16:24:29Opinion: Why must we go back for the future?
Renault has partnered with Seine Alliance and Green-Vision to launch the first all-electric boat powered by ‘second life’ batteries.
The Black Swan can carry up to eight passengers and is powered by four batteries removed from Renault electric cars. They power a pair of 20kW electric motors to deliver two hours of cruising. A full charge takes two to three hours.
The boat – a converted Italian craft – was originally powered by an internal combustion engine. With the inner workings removed, the Black Swan weighs 278kg less than before.
Stainless steel housings have been designed for the batteries to ensure safe, water-tight operating conditions. It is hoped that electric boats can improve air quality and reduce noise pollution in and around inner-city rivers.
The Black Swan has been demonstrated on the River Seine in Paris and is a precursor to what Renault is calling a “new generation of boats”. Its electric car batteries are reconditioned and repurposed to give them a ‘second life’.
Gilles Normand, senior vice president of electric vehicles at Renault, said: “We are proud of having contributed to the Black Swan project alongside Seine Alliance and Green-Vision.
“Once again, this approach has shown that, used in a second life as energy storage units, the batteries from our electric vehicles represent an essential lever for the acceleration of the energy transition.”
It is hoped that the Black Swan will be pressed into active service in the first quarter of 2020, once the necessary government permits have been obtained.
Didier Spade, chairman of Seine Alliance, added: “As host to the Olympic Games in 2024, Paris has a duty to provide innovative solutions for the environment.
“Seine has already shown itself to be exemplary in respect of energy performances in the transport sector. Our company has once again brought an electric boat project to fruition with the aim of raising the awareness of all of the river’s users.”
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Black-Swan-electric-boat-in-Paris.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-11-07 09:11:542019-11-07 09:11:54‘Second life‘ batteries used to power Renault electric boat
There are now more charging locations than petrol stations, it says, but there are still over 100 local authorities with fewer than 10 public charging devices per 100,000 people.
New figures show that there are 15,000 charging devices across the country, equating to 22,500 places to charge.
London leads the way, with almost 4,000 public electric charging points installed in the region. Scotland has more than 1,500, with the North West, South East and South West just behind.
’The new normal’
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Your postcode should play no part in how easy it is to use an electric car, and I’m determined electric vehicles become the new normal for drivers.
“It’s good news there are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but the clear gaps in provision are disappointing. I urge local councils to take advantage of all the government support on offer to help ensure drivers in their area don’t miss out.
“To help increase the provision of charging locations, the government is offering grants for the installation of charge-points on the street, in work and at home. We are also offering grants to lower the upfront cost of these cars so everyone is able to experience the benefits.”
Funding is available
Minister for the Future of Transport George Freeman added: “Mapping charge-points and producing a league table of availability by council area is intended to raise awareness.
“There are now more than 22,500 public charge-points and at least one rapid charge-point at over 95 percent of all motorway services areas.
“To help level up the country, we’ve recently doubled the funding available for councils to build charge-points on residential streets.”
Funding for charging points is available via a number of schemes, including:
A £5 million on-street residential charge-point scheme.
Workplace charging scheme, offering £500 per charge-point socket and £10,000 per business.
Electric vehicle homecharge scheme, offering £500 per socket.
In a video message on Sunday, the German chancellor said investment in charging stations would encourage demand for electric cars and accelerate the shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Germany currently has around 21,000 charging stations, while the UK has around 10,000, according to the latest Zap-Map figures.
“For this purpose, we want to create a million charging points by the year 2030 and the industry will have to participate in this effort, that is what we will be talking about,” Merkel said in her weekly podcast.
Today, the German Chancellor will hold meetings with senior industry executives, parts suppliers and labour unions on how to boost sales of all-electric vehicles.
Topics will include investment in the electric car charging network, manufacturers and the government sharing the cost of subsidies for the purchase of electric cars, plus investment in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
There are also concerns that Germany faces a surplus of car industry workers, as fewer employees are required to build electric cars.
“We want to take our specialist workers along on the road to a modern, climate-friendly future,” Merkel said.
A poor charging infrastructure, high purchase prices and limited range are three of the most common reasons cited for drivers not making the switch to electric cars.
Germany is at the forefront of a new generation of electric vehicles. Before this evening’s meeting, Angela Merkel will visit the Volkswagen factory in Zwickau to mark the start of production of the new ID.3 – the company’s first mass market all-electric vehicle.
Once complete, the plant in Zwickau will be Europe’s largest factory exclusively building electric cars, building 330,000 cars every year.
Stephen Weil, the prime minister for Lower Saxony, home of Volkswagen, wants to see 100,000 public charging points in place by 2021.
“An extremely demanding time lies ahead for the German automotive industry that must be accompanied actively by policymakers,” he said.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Angela-Merkel-wants-one-million-charging-points.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-11-04 07:13:012019-11-04 07:13:01Germany to get ONE MILLION electric car chargers by 2030
In a boost to electric car owners, E.ON has switched on its first ultra-fast electric vehicle charging points in the UK.
The pair of 175kW charge points are located on the site of the former Armada public house, just off the M6 on the outskirts of Birmingham.
Ultra-fast charging delivers up to 100 miles of electric car range in just 10 minutes.
They support both CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, making them suitable for the vast majority of electric vehicles in the UK. They’re the first of 180 ultra-fast chargers promised by the firm by 2020.
To use the charging points, customers have the option of paying by contactless or their smartphone, using the E.ON Drive app, or logging on to the E.ON EV Pay website for pay-as-you-go access.
‘Landmark year’
Michael Lewis, chief executive of E.ON UK, said: “These new ultra-fast chargers are our first of their type in the UK and will give further support to the growing number of drivers moving away from fossil fuels towards electric vehicles.
“Whether it’s at home, at work, or out and about we’re developing the solutions to help drivers run their vehicles conveniently and with confidence.”
Poppy Welch, head of Go Ultra Low, added: “This announcement is the latest development in what has been a landmark year for the UK’s charging infrastructure
“With the UK already being home to one of Europe’s largest rapid charging networks, and a steady increase of charge points across both rural and urban locations, these additions from E.ON will now make it even easier for electric motorists to charge up on the go.”
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/EON-Ultra-fast-chargers-in-Birmingham.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-10-24 15:51:442019-10-24 15:51:44100 miles in 10 minutes: new ultra-fast EV chargers arrive in UK
Green number plates: the answer to a question that was never asked or another step on the way to the normalisation of electric cars?
By 2030, the government wants between 50 and 70 percent of new cars sold to be ultra low emission. There’s a long way to go: year to date, battery electric vehicle sales account for a 1.3 percent market share, albeit up 122.1 percent on the same period in 2018.
Limited driving range, an inadequate charging network and high list prices are common complaints and reasons not to adopt. These won’t be obstacles forever.
So how do green number plates support the mass adoption of electric vehicles?
The government says they offer a “very visible way of distinguishing such vehicles and raising their profile”, arguing that they will “help inform road-users and normalise the idea of clean vehicles”.
Around half of all respondents in a recent survey said the visibility of electric cars on the road is a key factor in the normalisation of the technology. Electric versions of the 208 and Corsa could look too similar to the conventional versions to stand out. Right now, the EV sector needs vehicles to act like mobile billboards – a kind of ‘do as I do’ or ‘follow my leader’ approach.
In this context, the proposed green number plates don’t go far enough. Rather than replacing the traditional yellow and white plates with a green background, the government’s preferred option is for a green flash on the left hand side of the plate.
A green background is unlikely to work, it says, because to make it suitable for ANPR, it would need to be a shade that is less visible to the human eye, reducing the awareness benefits. It would also be slower to implement.
Without the awareness, what’s the point? The government says cars with green number plates could enjoy access to bus lanes or low emission vehicle lanes, reduced rate parking and entry to electric charging bays. But aren’t these enforceable by ANPR cameras?
Enter a bus lane or low emission zone in a non-compliant diesel and you can look forward to a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) gracing your door mat within a few days. Slapping a green sticker on your diesel car’s number plate isn’t going to stop that.
On the subject of bus lanes, isn’t the plan to grant access to electric cars missing the point? As the adoption of electric cars increases, won’t this cause congestion, reducing the benefit of using public transport? In the short term, it’s likely to raise the blood pressure of commuters queuing to get into town while a bus lane sits empty alongside them.
One thing that isn’t immediately obvious in much of the online coverage is that the government is unlikely to make green plates compulsory. Instead, it would prefer a non-mandatory but opt out approach, where the plates are encouraged but not essential.
Green, black and white
This has the potential to cause confusion, especially when it comes to local authorities offering free parking or access to certain roads to electric vehicles. Would a zero emission car without a green number plate be fined for using a free parking space? If EVs are exempt anyway, what’s the use of the green plates, aside from building awareness?
One obvious benefit is that it should be easier to identify cars that shouldn’t be parked in an electric charging bay. This might shame some drivers into parking elsewhere, although, once again, if the green plates aren’t mandatory, who’s to say that the driver hasn’t opted out?
As for awareness, the government will need to launch a campaign to support the rollout of the green number plates. If a consumer isn’t informed or bothered about the increasing number of electric cars, a thin green band on the side of a number plate isn’t going to catch their eye.
Maybe the government would be better served investing in a campaign that promotes and raises awareness of the growing electric charging network, while further incentivising the adoption of electric vehicles. Seeing friends and family switching to EVs will do more for the industry than a green number plate.
Green number plates might be the answer to a question nobody asked, but finding the solution is far from black and white. You have until 14 January to share your views.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Green-number-plates-opinion.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-10-22 16:35:102019-10-22 16:35:10Green number plates: the answer to a question nobody asked?
Only a fifth of UK drivers support the introduction of green number plates for zero emission cars.
This news comes as the government launches a consultation that it says will “turbo-charge the zero emission revolution”. It believes green number plates will raise awareness of electric vehicles and stimulate sales.
It also says local authorities will be given powers to incentivise and reward electric car drivers, such as allowing cars with green number plates to enter bus lanes and to pay less for parking.
The government highlights a similar scheme in Ontario, Canada, where drivers of electric cars were given free access to toll lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes. The province saw an increase in EV registrations during the trial.
’Badge of honour’
But there are concerns that the green number plates could become a ‘badge of honour’, possibly resulting in a divide between EV drivers and those in traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.
RAC head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: “While the sentiment seems right, there are question marks as to whether drivers would see this as a badge of honour or alternatively it could foster resentment among existing drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles.
“On the face of it, drivers we’ve questioned don’t seem too impressed – only a fifth think it’s a good idea and the majority said the number plates wouldn’t have the effect of making them any more likely to switch to an electric vehicle.
“Incentives may make a difference in the short term and the possibility of free parking and the permission to use bus lanes at certain times could encourage some to switch. However, many drivers remain cool on the idea even with this encouragement.”
‘Positive and exciting’
The government is seeking views from the industry and public, right down to the design of the number plates. Three proposals are on the table: a fully green number plate with black lettering, the addition of a green flash on the exiting yellow and white plates, or the addition of a green dot or symbol.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is in the driving seat of global efforts to tackle vehicle emissions and climate change and improve air quality, but we want to accelerate our progress.
“Green number plates are a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads.
“By increasing awareness of these vehicles and the benefits they bring to their drivers and our environment, we will turbo-charge the zero emission revolution.”
The consultation opens today and closes on 14 January 2020.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Green-number-plate-on-electric-car.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-10-22 07:44:262019-10-22 07:44:26Only 1 in 5 drivers in favour of green number plates
Electric cars can travel up to THREE TIMES the distance of their petrol or diesel rivals for the same money, according to new research.
A new ‘miles per pound’ (mpp) figure reveals how much a car can travel for £1 of petrol, diesel or electricity. This creates a level playing field for new cars, making it easier to compare conventional cars with their electrified rivals. Based on these figures, electric cars are CHEAPER to run.
Although electric cars tend to be more expensive to buy than their petrol and diesel counterparts, the monthly running costs are much closer, working in favour of EVs.
For example, the Kia e-Niro and Renault Zoe 65kW can achieve 33.1 miles per pound (mpp) of electricity.
Meanwhile, the most economical version of the Ford Fiesta can achieve a figure of 9.3mpp.
The Tesla Model 3 standard range is the third most economical (32.3mpp), the Volkswagen e-Golf fourth (30.8mpp), with the BMW i3 fifth (30.0mpp).
‘Demystifying the running costs’
Keith Adams, editor of Parkers, the website behind the research, said: “We created miles per pound as a way of demystifying the running costs of electric vehicles (EVs) because above and beyond their range, and how long they take to charge, there is little uniformity in how carmakers express just how much energy these cars use.
“In a nutshell, it tells you how much it costs to drive any EV after plugging it up at home and topping it up on domestic electricity.
“In addition, miles per pound should help drivers who know how many miles they cover in a year to work out up-front fuelling costs, and possibly choose a more expensive electric car over its petrol counterpart.”
Top five electric cars
Kia e-Niro First Edition: 33.1mpp
Renault Zoe 65k: 33.1mpp
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range: 32.3mpp
Volkswagen e-Golf: 30.8mpp
BMW i3: 30.0mpp
Top five hybrids
Toyota Yaris: 10.1mpp
Toyota Corolla: 9.5mpp
Kia Niro: 9.3mpp
Lexus CT: 9.5mpp
Suzuki Ignis: 9.3mpp
Top five petrol and diesel
Honda Civic Saloon 1.6 i-DTEC: 10.8mpp
Ford Focus 1.5 EcoBlue: 10.8mpp
Honda Jazz S 1.3 i-VTEC: 10.3mpp
Dacia Logan MCV Blue dCi 95: 10.3mpp
Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi: 10.1mpp
The miles per pound data is only available for cars on sale since 2017 and that are also currently available to buy new.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/11_cars_decade.jpg10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-10-21 08:04:342019-10-21 08:04:34Proof: Electric cars ARE cheaper to run than normal ones
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most talked about cars in Britain. Our Tim Pitt said “it could be a game-changer for Tesla: the car that propels it into the mainstream“. But how much does it cost to charge?
You’d be forgiven for feeling slightly confused. Some Tesla owners don’t pay for using the Supercharger network, while others do. Cutting to the chase: you WILL have to pay to charge a Tesla Model 3.
Anyone who bought a Model S or Model X before 2 November 2018 enjoys free and unlimited access to the Supercharger network. Cars bought after this date are subject to an annual allowance of 400kWh before paying to use the network.
BREAKING: All new Model S and Model X orders now come with ⚡ free ⚡ unlimited ⚡ Supercharging ⚡
Then, in August 2019, Tesla reinstated the unlimited free Supercharging as part of the Model S and Model X sales package. It isn’t clear how long this will last, but it doesn’t apply to Model 3 owners.
Model 3: cost of charging
How much you pay to charge your Tesla Model 3 depends on where you’re charging. The following guide is based on prices correct at the time of writing:
Tesla Supercharger: based on a price of 24p/kWh, a full charge in the Model 3 Standard Range Plus costs £12. This delivers a range of 254 miles.
Public charging network: using a Pod Point rapid charger should cost between £7.52 to £10.26 for a 20 to 80 percent charge. Other rapid chargers are available.
At home: based on a cost of 14p/kWh, it should cost £7 for a full charge when using a domestic supply.
Prices vary, while access to a rapid charger network could involve a registration fee and monthly charge.
There are currently nearly 15,000 Superchargers across the world, and that number is growing all the time. However, it’s worth noting that the Model 3 is the first Tesla to come with a CCS charging port, so you aren’t restricted solely to the company’s Supercharger network.
https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Model-3-Red-Rear-Sunset.png10801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-10-18 08:09:592019-10-18 08:09:59How much does it cost to charge a Tesla Model 3?
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