Electric Vehicles This Week: Tata Nano EV To Be Launched As Jayem Neo; Mahindra Partners With Uber And More

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A recent study by global financial services company UBS predicts that one out of every six cars sold anywhere in the world will be electric by 2025. "The shift to electric cars will come faster and in a more pronounced way, fueled by the diesel demise in Europe, battery technology advancements and regulation in China and Europe," prophesied the report. While it might be an overly optimistic take on what the future of electric vehicles might look like, one cannot overlook the massive strides the industry has made in the last decade or so. In India, despite a myriad of challenges and obstacles, EVs are steadily gaining traction, thanks in part to favourable government policies and the entry of international players like Honda, Suzuki and now Hyundai.

Coming to developments that took place over the past week, the Indian government has approved the use of digital payments for charging of electric vehicles. Tata Motors has announced a much-awaited partnership with Jayem Auto to launch Nano EV, under the name of Jayem Neo. Ola is eyeing an alliance with Tata, while rival Uber has already inked a collaboration with Mahindra to launch electric cars in Delhi/NCR and Hyderabad.

Given that so much has been happening in the country's electric vehicle sector, we bring to you the second edition of the weekly EV roundups.

Let's take a look at the recent developments in the world of electric vehicles:

Tata Motors Teams Up With Jayem Auto To Launch Nano EV; Ola To Join In

Tata Motors has announced a partnership with Coimbatore-headquartered Jayem Auto to launch an EV version of Tata Nano. Dubbed as Jayem Neo, the car is said to boast a range of 150 km with air-conditioning. As part of the alliance, Tata will reportedly be supplying the chassis and body shells of these electric vehicles.

The core electric drive system and powertrain are being developed by a technology company called Electra EV. According to sources, the 48-volt electric car will ultimately be assembled and marketed by Jayem Auto. In a related development, homegrown cab aggregator Ola is looking to forge a collaboration with Tata Motors, with the aim of deploying Jayem Neo on its fleet in Delhi/NCR by the end of 2017.

Tata Motors has been dabbling with EVs for some time now. The Nano EV concept car, for instance, was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. Even before news of Tata's partnership with Jayem surfaced, the Mumbai-headquartered company reportedly begun testing its Nano Electric Vehicle in Coimbatore in August this year, in the presence of Chairman Emeritus Ratan N Tata.

Mahindra And Mahindra To Launch Electric Vehicles On Uber Platform

After joining hands with Zoomcar to bring EVs to Mysuru, the country's electric vehicles manufacturer has forged an alliance with ride-sharing startup Uber. As per reports, the aim of the partnership is to deploy hundreds of Mahindra's electric hatchback e2oPlus and electric sedan eVerito on the cab aggregator's platform in New Delhi and Hyderabad.

Confirming the development, Mahindra MD Pawan Goenka said, "As pioneers of electric vehicles in the country, we would like to be at the forefront, leading this charge towards smart and sustainable mobility."

In addition to supplying the electric vehicles at competitive prices, Mahindra will be providing insurance, maintenance and financing services to Uber and other companies that are part of the alliance. As per the terms of the deal, Uber and Mahindra will collaborate with other public as well as private entities to set up common-use charging stations in major cities across the country.

Govt. Permits Digital Payments For Charging Of Electric Vehicles

In a bid to ensure fast and smooth adoption of electric vehicles, the Government of India has announced that users will be allowed to pay for the charging of EVs through digital payments solutions as BHIM app and Bharat QR Code.

As per sources, the decision has been made based on the suggestions put forward by the Committee for Standardisation of the Protocol for Charging Infrastructure. In a report submitted in May this year, the panel had said, "The customers need to be billed for the charging and payments need to be made. There are multiple options, including debiting the user's account based on VIN (vehicle identification number). Direct debiting the funds to user's equipment based on VIN will be adopted."

"Alternately, a mobile application to be defined, which allows a user to charge using BHIM or Bharat QR code or other digital payment schemes specified by Indian Government, to be used both for AC (alternating current) as well as DC (direct current) chargers," added the report.

Gujarat Clocks Highest EV Sales, Followed By West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh

Gujarat, WB, UP, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have emerged as the frontrunners of the burgeoning electric vehicle race. According to a report by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), these five states clocked the highest number of EV sales during FY2016-17.

As per the findings of the study, Gujarat topped the list with sales of just over 4,330 units. WB appeared in the second place with sales of 2,846 units, followed by UP which sold a total of 2,467 electric vehicles during the said period. Rajasthan reported sales of around 2,388 EV units, while Maharashtra came in fifth with sales of 1,926 units.

Delhi, which topped the list in the previous year, dropped to the 7th position with only 1,072 e-vehicles sold. Of the total EVs sold in the last fiscal year, nearly 92% were two-wheelers, while four-wheelers accounted for less than 8% of the total sales. Compared to the 37.5% jump in sales recorded during FY16, the fiscal year ending in March 2017 saw a mere 13.6% increase in EV sales.

Government Approves Standardisation Of EV Charging Stations

The Indian government has reportedly approved the standardisation of electric vehicle charging stations, on the basis of suggestions made by the Committee for Standardisation of the Protocol for Charging Infrastructure.

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Headed by former Adviser to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Ashok Jhunjhunwala, the panel has recommended uniform standards for charging stations, in order to ensure that they are compatible with different models of electric vehicles manufactured by different companies.

The two models of the Bharat Public EV Charger that have been approved for installation across the country are Bharat EV Charger AC-001 and Bharat EV Charger DC-001. In addition to integrating grid responsive billing, the committee called for metering of EV charging as per units consumed by each vehicle.

Mahindra To Launch Two New Models Of EVs By 2019

The Mumbai-headquartered automotive giant has announced plans to launch two new models of electric vehicles in India soon. As per reports, the company sold a total of 600 electric cars in the first seven months of this year. Mahindra is currently in the process of developing an EV version of its micro SUV KUV100, which will be launched sometime in the next 12 months.

The second model, which will be available commercially by 2019, is being built by Mahindra-owned Italian premium car design firm Pininfarina. Speaking about the company's future plans, Mahindra MD Pawan Goenka recently said, "Our first new electric car will come by 2018 and the second one will be launched by the end of 2019 and we are very excited for both."

To realise its electric mobility goals, Mahindra has also committed over $92.7 Mn (INR 600 Cr), which will be invested over the course of three years. As stated by Goenka, these two new EV models will be produced at the company's plant in Bengaluru.

Hyundai To Enter Indian EV Market With Ioniq

In line with the government's mission to switch to 100% electric vehicles by 2030, South Korean automobile company Hyundai has announced that it will be introducing its EV brand Ioniq in India soon. As per sources, the company is gearing up to showcase the electric car at the upcoming Auto Expo, which will be held in Delhi in February 2018.

Hyundai currently sells Ioniq in the US, Europe and East Asia. Commenting on the development, Rakesh Srivastava, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyundai Motor India said, "We will bring electric cars to India and will meet the timeline given by the Union government. Hyundai has the technology required for electric vehicles so we will bring them in all the segments we are present."

BMW Looks To Tie Up With Other Companies To Develop Small Electric Cars

Coming to international news, German automaker BMW is reportedly eyeing partnerships with companies across the globe to develop mini electric cars of the future. The move is aimed at lowering the cost of manufacturing EVs by teaming up local enterprises.

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Peter Schwarzenbauer, Management Board Member of BMW AG, recently told Reuters, "We are talking to many OEMs (manufacturers) around the world, not only in China, (about) how to electrify smaller cars. There's no final conclusion on it."

In China, it is currently in the middle of discussions with Great Wall Motor Co about a potential collaboration to build small electric vehicles. At present, BMW does not produce small EVs out of Europe, mainly because of high manufacturing costs. If talks fructify, BMW will be launching a new electric MINI model by 2019. During the interaction with Reuters, Peter also revealed the company's plans to someday turn MINI into an entirely electric brand.

India And The UK To Sign MoU With Focus On The Urban Transport Sector

The governments of India and the UK will reportedly be inking a pact of cooperation in terms of policy planning, technology transfer as well as institutional organisation, with the aim of driving growth and development in the urban transport sector. To that end, the Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the UK government's Transport Secretary Chris Grayling sat down in London a couple of days ago to draft a memorandum of understanding on the same.

As stated by Gadkari, the collaboration is expected to help transform the transport space through the integration of more advanced customer service/data analysis as well as better use of IT systems. With assistance from the UK government, India is also looking to expedite the adoption of electric vehicles in India.

Govt. Needs To Spend $100 Bn On Battery Factories: Report

According to a recent report by think tank NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute, for the government's electric mobility dream to come true, it will have to make provision for a robust and competitive battery manufacturing supply chain.

As per the study, to be able to switch to 100% electric vehicles, India will need a minimum of 20 gigafactories to product batteries at a total investment of $100 Bn. Stating the challenges that need to be overcome, the report said, "Due to the uncoordinated efforts by different stakeholder groups and the relatively nascent stage of battery manufacturing in India, investment risks in this sector are considered to be high."

"India does not have reserves of some of the most important Li-ion components, including lithium, cobalt, nickel or for that matter the copper used in conductors, cables and busbars. In order to achieve large-scale domestic production of EV batteries, India would likely need to forge international partnerships and ventures to secure access to key minerals in line with its battery technology and roadmap," added the report.

Volkswagen Commits $41 Bn Investment In Battery-Powered Cars

To take on competitor Tesla, German automobile company Volkswagen has announced that it will be adopting a long-term strategy centred around battery-powered cars. To realise this goal, the carmaker has committed a massive $41 Bn investment over the next five years.

Raising concerns about the risk of running short of key raw materials needed for automotive batteries, Matthias Wachter, Head of Security and Raw Materials of BDI (Federation of German Industry) said, "The risk of running into bottlenecks in raw material supply is increasing because demand is growing faster than production capacity. "Without sufficient supplies for instance of cobalt, graphite, lithium or manganese there won't be any future technology 'made in Germany'."

With global automotive players like Hyundai, BMW and Volkswagen eagerly eyeing a piece of the electric vehicles sector, the market is expected to undergo rapid growth and development in the coming months. In the context of India, there has a massive influx of funding and government backing that is likely to bolster the country's fledgeling EV market in the years to come. On one hand indigenous companies like Tata Motors, Jayem Auto and Mahindra are doubling down to manufacture electric vehicles locally. On the other, startups like Ola and Uber are looking to tap into the opportunity by forging partnerships with established players. To be able to realise the dream of all-electric cars by 2030, however, the government needs to make provisions for low-cost battery manufacturing within the country. How far the Indian government is successful in its mission remains to be seen.

Until then, stay tuned for the next edition of our weekly series of Electric Vehicles Roundup!

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.
Source: Electric Vehicles This Week: Tata Nano EV To Be Launched As Jayem Neo; Mahindra Partners With Uber And More

European Plug-In Electric Car Sales Surge, While Diesel Collapses In October

4 hours ago by Mark Kane

Plug-In Electric Car Sales In Europe – October 2017

October brings significant growth of plug-in electric car sales in Europe. Around 27,800 were delivered, which is 56% more than one year ago.

Recent delivery of 500 Renault ZOE Z.E. 40 available in Zity car sharing service in Madrid

The steady move up resulted in around 2.1% market share.

At the same time, Europe observes collapse in diesel-powered cars, which in one year lost nearly one fifth of its market share, shrinking from nearly 49% to barely 42%. Two years ago it was more than 51%.

In total, more than 242,000 plug-in electric cars were sold in Europe in the first 10 months of 2017.

The best selling model in October was Renault ZOE with 2,205. The YTD number is 26,143 – nearly 10,000 more than the second best BMW i3.

Second in October was the Volkswagen e-Golf that nearly beat ZOE – 2,159 in October and 10,091 YTD.

The top 10 selling plug-in models for 2017 YTD:

#1 Renault ZOE – 2,205 (26,143 YTD)

#2 BMW i3 – 1,687 (16,567 YTD)

#3 Nissan LEAF – 1,075 (15,914 YTD)

#4 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – 1,494 (15,477 YTD)

#5 Tesla Model S – 773 (11,365 YTD)

#6 VW Passat GTE – 1244 (10,787 YTD)

#7 Mercedes GLC350e – 1,056 (10,332 YTD)

#8 VW e-Golf – 2,159 (10,091 YTD)

#9 Tesla Model X – 616 (9,392 YTD)

10 BMW 225xe Active Tourer – 939 (8,763 YTD)

Comparison of plug-in electric car sales in the U.S. and Europe.

Plug-In Electric Car Sales In Europe – October 2017

Source: EV Sales Blog

Tags: europe, featured, sales

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Source: European Plug-In Electric Car Sales Surge, While Diesel Collapses In October

The global electric car rental market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 11.01% during the period 2017-2021

LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

About Electric Car Rental

Car rental services operate on the model of renting automobiles for short periods of time, generally ranging from a few hours to a few weeks. There is a network of local branches that assist the customers with easy pick up and drop facilities. Car rental agencies serve people who require a temporary vehicle; for example, those who d o not own a car or tourists. The demand for car rental services has increased due to the growth of the tourism industry and the cost advantages they offer to the users.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219323

Technavio's analysts forecast the global electric car rental market to grow at a CAGR of 11.01% during the period 2017-2021.

Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global electric car rental market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.

The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:• Americas• APAC• EMEA

Technavio's report, Global Electric Car Rental Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming ye ars. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

Key vendors• Avis Budget Group• Enterprise Holdings• Europcar Group• Hertz• Sixt

Other prominent vendors• BlueIndy• DriveElectric• Drive Electric Orlando• DriveNow• Easirent• Green Motion• Wattacars• Zoomcar

Market driver• Increasing demand for rental cars due to rise in international tourism• For a full, detailed list, view our report

Market challenge• Global power crisis hindering the growth of EV market• For a full, detailed list, view our report

Market trend• Technological advancements in battery technology• For a full, detailed list, view our report

Key questions answered in this report• What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?• What are the key market trends?• What is driving this market?• What are the challenges to market growth?• Who are the key vendors in this market space?

You can request one free hour of our analyst's time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219323

About ReportbuyerReportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

For more information:Sarah SmithResearch Advisor at Reportbuyer.comEmail: query@reportbuyer.comTel: +44 208 816 85 48Website: www.reportbuyer.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-global-electric-car-rental-market-is-forecasted-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-1101-during-the-period-2017-2021-300563325.html

Source: The global electric car rental market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 11.01% during the period 2017-2021

Tesla Model 3 video review, Volvo XC90 plug-in range boost, dealers unprepared for electric cars: Today's Car News

Prototype production of battery modules for BMW Group's fifth-generation electric powertrain

Enlarge Photo

Today, we've got a pair of articles on the Tesla Model 3, including a poll; a quiet but important electric-range boost for the 2018 Volvo XC90 T8; and some (more) bad news about car dealers. All this and more on Green Car Reports.

Over the weekend, as we do every seven days, we ran down last week's most important green-car stories.

The USPS is being urged to select an electrified vehicle for its next huge order of postal-delivery trucks.

A Tesla Model 3 video review has come out that compares the electric car to its larger, pricier Model S sibling.

We've seen it before, and yet another study shows car dealers are woefully unprepared for electric cars as their volumes increase.

Quietly, the 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid SUV gets a bigger battery, and both higher electric range and better energy efficiency.

Tesla cofounder Martin Eberhard has sold his battery-technology firm to Chinese startup SF Motors.

We asked in June how many Tesla Model 3s you thought would be delivered by December 31. In light of recent "production hell," we're asking again.

Finally, BMW is building a huge battery lab to test cells and modules for future electric and plug-in hybrid models.

_______________________________________

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Source: Tesla Model 3 video review, Volvo XC90 plug-in range boost, dealers unprepared for electric cars: Today's Car News

Tech expertise on car giants' boards has risen 50 per cent in the past year as electric and driverless race heats up

Car giants are increasingly turning to tech expertise to bolster their boards amid a global drive to push ahead in the fields of driverless and electric vehicles.

According to research by executive search firm DHR International, the number of board members with tech backgrounds at the world's 30 largest car manufacturers rose by 50 per cent, from 22 to 33 directors, over the past year.

But it still marks a small proportion of the overall total: that is 33 out of 325 board members. Despite the addition of 11 new board members with a tech background in the past year, the overall proportion remains relatively low, with 10 per cent of board members having tech experience.

Read more: Roadblock for London's electric taxis on rapid charge point delays

Among the car giants, three per cent have board members from consumer tech firms like Apple.

Current board members with a tech background include Eddy Cue, a non-executive director at Ferrari, who is also senior vice president of internet software and services at Apple. Catherine Barba is an independent director at Renault-Nissan, and previously served as internet director at Publicis.

Earlier this year, Ford named Jim Hackett, previously head of its driverless cars division as its new chief executive, amid plans to improve its position with tech developments affecting the industry.

And last month, he unveiled plans to cut spending on traditional cars to ramp up its work on trucks, as well as electric cars.

Frank Smeekes, managing partner at DHR International, says: "Traditional car manufacturers must step up technological expertise to stay at the forefront of automotive innovation, as customer expectations of car tech has rocketed."

"Having a variety of views and other perspectives from innovative industries at the top car manufacturers will help them better face the challenge of consumer tech giants."

He added:

Expertise in tech, especially consumer-focused, is particularly important to have at a board-level. Executives with such a background will be more likely to support new design concepts, in addition to increased research and development throughout lower tiers of management.

Read more: Full speed ahead: More cash for tech in Budget

Source: Tech expertise on car giants' boards has risen 50 per cent in the past year as electric and driverless race heats up

BMW Recalls All i3 Electric Cars Over Crash-Test Result

Vehicles recalled: 2014 to 2018 BMW i3 electric cars.

The problem: NHTSA testing found that a small female driver not using her seat belt could be at risk for a neck injury in a specific front crash.

The fix: The repair is still being determined.

How to contact the manufacturer: Owners will be notified in January, BMW says. Customers with questions may contact BMW Customer Relations at 800-525-7417 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign number: No NHTSA campaign number yet.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall. Plug in the 17-digit vehicle identification number at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. It will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.  

Source: BMW Recalls All i3 Electric Cars Over Crash-Test Result

Chevy Bolt: “Best Electric Car To Buy” Status For Two Consecutive Years

12 hours ago by Steven Loveday

Chevy Bolt EV

For the 2017 model year, The Car Connection said no affordable electric vehicle can touch the Chevy Bolt EV, and this year, nothing has changed.

Aside from Tesla, which doesn't specialize in affordable EVs, GM seems to be years ahead. If we peer ahead to what's on the table for the next year or two, only the new Nissan LEAF (when it arrives in January with a 40 kWh/~150 mile offering, and then next Fall in a longer range ~60 kWh/225 mile option), will challenge the Bolt when considering price and range. The Car Connection shares:

Inside the Chevy Bolt

"Last year, we pointed out that the Bolt EV rendered all other affordable electric vehicles 'outdated and nearly obsolete,' and it remains the case."

In regards to the current first-generation Nissan LEAF, the Bolt has significantly more range. This also holds true for the first (base) iteration of the 2018 LEAF, as well as the base Tesla Model 3. Of course, Tesla is currently building a 310-mile Long Range Model 3 at the moment (albeit very slowly), but it's much more pricey than the Bolt.

The Chevy Bolt brings 238 miles of all-electric range to the table and costs about $30,000 if you factor in the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The Car Connection says:

"The choice is as clear today as it was a year ago: 'range anxiety' is a thing of the past with the Chevrolet Bolt EV."

We don't know if we'd go so far as to say that there's no range anxiety with 238 available miles and limited charging infrastructure. However, the Bolt is truly today's range champion and it will only get better from here. GM has grand plans to use the Bolt as a platform to move toward a future of electric vehicles.

The Car Connection didn't pick the Bolt based on range and price alone, however. The publication shares that it drives like a regular car "with a mountain of torque." It handles well; provides a smooth, quiet ride; and has a spacious, quality interior with "plenty of tech, too, but it's not overwhelming." The Car Connection concludes:

"Over the last year, we've had plenty of time to ponder the question: Can the Bolt EV be truly 'groundbreaking' if it acts like a regular car?

Absolutely."

Source: The Car Connection

Tags: Best Electric Car, chevrolet, chevrolet bolt, chevy bolt EV, EV Buying Guide, general motors, gm

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Source: Chevy Bolt: "Best Electric Car To Buy" Status For Two Consecutive Years

Commentary: A New Electric Truck? Tesla Should Stick to Cars.

Last week, Tesla unveiled a prototype of an electric, semi-autonomous truck that is set to enter production in 2019. But the company's foray into the commercial truck space is unlikely to be a game changer for the cost-sensitive big rig market.

Tesla brings brand value to those who can afford it, but most companies will ask whether the brand is worth it.

The internal economics look challenging. If the Tesla truck could make more trips in a given period or arrive an hour earlier, customers may be willing to pay extra for better service. But few things shipped by semi-trucks are time-sensitive, so customers are unlikely to agree to a Tesla brand premium, and thus higher transportation costs.

One thing acting in Tesla's favor is the distinctive truck design. Companies may be eager to flout their green credentials by having their merchandise hauled by Tesla trucks. This might be the reason Walmart (WMT) and Canadian supermarket chain Loblaw have already placed orders for the new vehicles. It is also true that autonomous driving technology will lead to genuine efficiencies in the industry through platooning, remote operation, or full automation.

However, these advances, in addition to plug-in hybrid technology, could be applied to the existing truck stock. There seems little reason for Tesla to manufacture its own skeleton to house its fuel-cell technology when truck chassis are already in mass production at a lower cost.

Other companies might progress faster in bringing zero-emission trucks to market, simply because they are opting not to reinvent the wheels that lie between the drivetrain and the tarmac. The recent application of Toyota's hydrogen fuel-cell technology, housed in Kenworth semis, demonstrates how this partnership model could proceed.

It is undeniable that the new Tesla (TSLA) trucks have an array of impressive features, but many of these seem odd when viewed in the context of driverless technology. Much of last week's launch presentation was spent on the new cabin design and safety features: Drivers can stand up in the cockpit; the trucks have a low center of gravity, which reduces the possibility of rollover; and there's a mechanism that will alert relevant parties that the driver is non-responsive. The trend toward ever-greater automation, however, may render these capabilities redundant if the driver is removed from the vehicle entirely and replaced by a robot or a remote operator. The cabin headspace could instead have been used to provide extra battery capacity.

At this point, it seems the new truck will benefit humanity and other road users, while truckers will see little impact on the bottom line.

With impressive acceleration capabilities, Tesla truckers will be able to burn off sports cars at the lights and power up steep inclines at highway speeds fully laden. This will enable them to get to the half-hour recharge station several minutes before rival diesel drivers reach the adjacent gas pump.

Zero-emission haulage would be great for the environment, but everyone benefits equally if air quality or greenhouse gas levels are improved. This benefit is the primary argument behind subsidies offered by governments around the world. To reach the socially optimal rate of electric vehicle adoption, the external benefits enjoyed by everyone must be priced somewhere into the equation. Tesla seems willing to launch its truck without the prospect of a subsidy, which means it must live or die based on the economics of the potential owner considered in isolation.

Tesla has produced what looks like a wonderful machine for the environment and much safer for soon-to-be-redundant truck drivers. But with production of the new trucks not set to begin until 2019, and taking into account the prevailing problems with the Model 3 production line, it may be years before we see these vehicles on the road, if at all in their current form. In the meantime, Tesla will face stiff competition from existing industry players who are already well advanced in the development and implementation of new zero-emission truck designs.

Tony Hughes is managing director at Moody's Analytics.

Source: Commentary: A New Electric Truck? Tesla Should Stick to Cars.

UPS has a plan to transform diesel trucks into electric vehicles

What's This?

Some UPS trucks will get an electric makeover.

Image: Stephen Chernin/Getty Images

UPS is giving some its fossil-fuel powered vehicles a green energy makeover. 

The company has over 108,000 delivery vehicles deployed on routes around the world. More than 770 of those are powered by electric or hybrid motors, and UPS wants to add to that number without actually buying any new vehicles.  

UPS will team up with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to convert up to 1,500 diesel trucks to new all-electric systems.

The program, which will be based in the Bronx in NYC, depends on $500,000 from NYSERDA to develop and test the conversion system. UPS and transportation energy company Unique Electric Solutions (UES) LLC will collaborate on the project. If all goes according to plan, the converted e-trucks will start running NYC UPS routes next spring. 

The UPS trucks will be outfitted with UES chassis kits, which will replace the conventional setup with a 225kW electric motor to the rigs. The new system will make the vehicles up to 20 percent more energy efficient, according to the company.

The all-electric powertrain convertor kit.

UPS didn't didn't provide a range estimate for the converted trucks, but UES says on its site that its uniqueEV chassis kit can offer between 40 to 125 miles per charge, depending on the configuration.

The project aims to perfect a system to convert up to three of the diesel trucks daily, with plans to transform about 1,500 vehicles (66 percent of UPS' NYC fleet) by 2022. 

UPS is embracing electrification, and recently made a public goal stating that one out of every four vehicles purchased by 2020 will run on alternative fuels or some other "advanced technology." The company has already begun to make good on its comments, buying 200 hybrid trucks last month and queuing up as the first customer for Daimler's new all-electric FUSO delivery trucks. 

The all-electric UPS trucks might not be as eye-catching as those decked out with T-Swift album ads, but the new delivery vehicles could mark an important new practice for companies that manage massive fleets of diesel-powered vehicles. If the program is a success, we might see even more conversion programs put into practice as every industry that depends on the internal combustion engine shifts their focus to electricity.   

Source: UPS has a plan to transform diesel trucks into electric vehicles

BMW Recalls All i3 Electric Cars Over Crash-Test Result

Vehicles recalled: 2014 to 2018 BMW i3 electric cars.

The problem: NHTSA testing found that a small female driver not using her seat belt could be at risk for a neck injury in a specific front crash.

The fix: The repair is still being determined.

How to contact the manufacturer: Owners will be notified in January, BMW says. Customers with questions may contact BMW Customer Relations at 800-525-7417 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign number: No NHTSA campaign number yet.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall. Plug in the 17-digit vehicle identification number at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. It will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.  

Source: BMW Recalls All i3 Electric Cars Over Crash-Test Result

Skoda Auto To Produce All-Electric Vehicles From 2020

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Source: Skoda Auto To Produce All-Electric Vehicles From 2020

COLUMN-Nickel loses its electric car fizz, realises it's still a steel play: Russell

(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)

* GRAPHIC-Demand for battery materials: reut.rs/2zzGHaG

By Clyde Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The nickel market is learning that there is a difference in believing you are the next big thing in battery metals and the reality that you are actually still beholden to the Chinese steel sector.

Nickel was one of the darlings at last month's annual London Metal Exchange Week, with everybody from producers, to traders and consumers talking up its prospects on the back of the expected surge in electric vehicles.

The euphoria helped drive benchmark LME nickel to a more than two-year closing high of $12,920 a tonne on Nov. 6, but since then the price has stumbled.

Nickel closed at $11,575 a tonne on Nov. 17, a drop of 10 per cent in under two weeks, while Shanghai Futures Exchange contracts also showed a similar decline, dropping 9.5 percent from their peak on Nov. 7 to end at 93,630 yuan ($14,144) a tonne on Nov. 17.

The positive long-term outlook for nickel as a key component for batteries for electric vehicles hasn't changed in the past two weeks since LME Week, but what has changed is the market view of the short-term outlook for China's vast steel sector.

About 70 percent of global nickel supplies are used in making stainless and other steel products, compared to about just 4 percent in batteries.

While the use of nickel in batteries is growing at an annual rate of close 6 percent, according to the Nickel Institute, it will take several years before this demand becomes sufficient to act as a standalone driver of prices.

In the meantime, steel is where the action is, and given that China represent s about half of global steel output, it isn't hard to see why this sector is key to nickel's fortunes.

The major theme currently in China steel is the output restrictions being enforced by the authorities over winter as part of efforts to limit pollution caused by burning coal in industrial processes.

The weight of these output cuts is still to show up meaningfully in production data, but already there are indications that China is cutting production.

Average daily crude steel output dropped for a second month in October, falling 2.5 percent to an average 2.334 million tonnes a day, down from September's 2.394 million.

Average crude steel output will fall below 2.3 million tonnes in November as 28 cities fully implement output curbs between mid-November and mid-March, according to Qiu Yuecheng, an analyst with the steel trading platform Xiben New Line E-Commerce in Shanghai.

CHINA'S NICKEL APPETITE

Even without the current steel restrictions, China's appetite for nickel has been subdued so far this year.

Imports of refined nickel are down 51.4 percent to 155,382 tonnes in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year.

The drop in refined imports has been somewhat offset by an 8.8 percent gain in imports of nickel ores and concentrates to 25.96 million tonnes in the first nine months.

However, the big mover has been in imports of what China customs terms ferronickel, which are up 54.3 percent to 1.09 million tonnes.

However, the major part of that is cargoes from Indonesia, which shipped 792,393 tonnes in the first nine months, a jump of 57.1 percent over the same period in 2016.

But Indonesian ferronickel doesn't fit the usual definition of the benefici ated, intermediate stage nickel product, as it has a much lower nickel content.

This can be seen in the price, with Indonesian ferronickel imports in September having a landed price of $1,375.98 a tonne, while those from next biggest supplier New Caledonia came in at $3,009.44 a tonne.

Chinese nickel supporters have basically turned to low quality, partly beneficiated nickel from Indonesia as a substitute for refined nickel and nickel ore.

The ready availability of this grade from Indonesia suggests that the market is far from tight, and that Chinese nickel producers have been able to show flexibility and adapt to the shifting dynamics of the market in Asia.

Overall, the picture that emerges is that while nickel may well catch a ride on the predicted boom in electric vehicles, this is a story for the future.

The current picture is one where China steel output still drives the market, and this is looking somewhat bearish for the next few months over winter, but may well enjoy a resurgence in the spring of 2018.

Editing by Richard Pullin

Source: COLUMN-Nickel loses its electric car fizz, realises it's still a steel play: Russell

Car Review: Hyundai Ioniq Electric

I wouldn't want to be all prosaic when assessing the technological triumph that the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is, but I have to tell you from the outset that it has the best auxiliary controls that I've experienced in any new car. By auxiliary I mean the ability to switch radio channel, alter the temperature in the cabin and set the sat nav, as well as the more advanced stuff like talking to it and using the car as a phone.

You see, most manufacturers get it wrong. Either they go all absolutists and basically ban buttons and have just one dial for everything (Renault did this a few years ago). They can then boast about a "clutter-free" dash, but it'll take you too long to switch over from Radio 5 Live when "Thought for the Day" comes on the BBC's Today programme.

Alternately they blind you with buttons, like Lexus used to, and you're left with scores to choose from when you're just desperate to demist the windscreen. BMW, Audi and Mercedes have experimented with big control wheels between the front seats, which are an unhappy compromise. Hyundai, though, have cracked it, with a few piano-style buttons under the main iPad-style touch screen that get you to the basics (radio, sat nav, heating) immediately. It's an ergonomic breakthrough.

Piano-key buttons under the display screen are far more intuitive than in other cars

As I say, though I wouldn't want to detract from the significant step forward for an electrified car future that we have here. The Hyundai Ioniq is available in three electrified or semi-electrified forms; a petrol/electric hybrid, a plug-in petrol/electric hybrid (the same, but you can top up the batteries from the mains too), and a pure electric version. This is the one I chose to test out, and is the one that matters. It matters, that is, because it'll do more than 100mph, and it also makes few concessions to its new propulsion in terms of styling and equipment. Whatever temptation the engineers had to strip weight and extras out of the car to promote fuel efficiency and range have been resisted. So the compromise here is an overall range of about 130 miles-plus, which covers the majority of journeys of course, and always "range anxiety", but you can still have electric seats and four electric windows and climate control and all the usual stuff. 

Sport mode is very responsive indeed, and keeps going right up to the national speed limit

I can bear witness to the car's smoothness, quietude and comfort, and that it will take you about 130 to 150 miles on a fully charged battery in cold weather and, like all electric cars, do so for very little money – a couple of pounds, depending on your electricity tariff. If your electricity firm favours green energy (like, say, Ecotricity, who I have used to "fill up" electric cars) then you have personal transportation that will make virtually no impact on the environment in operational use.

I concede that it isn't perfect; like all consumer goods, it will take vital irreplaceable elements from the planet such as cobalt and lithium – the so-called "white petrol" of the future – and it consumes the usual quota of plastics, steel and aluminium to build it, just the same as most conventional cars. It will also cost time and money to recycle its batteries when then they get to the end of their lives. There is also, as with any "normal" new car, plenty of energy that is used up, green or otherwise, in the welding and assembly and marketing and head offices required to turn a car from a collection of minerals and componentry into a branded marketable object of desire. So "green car" is relative; it's less green than a Welsh cob, I suppose. 

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Price: £28,995 (incl £5,000 govt grant)

Motor: 88Kw Electric; 1-sp auto

Power output (PS): 119.7

Battery capacity: 28kWh

Top speed (mph): 103

0-60mph (seconds):  10.2

Fuel economy (mpg): n/a

Range: 130 miles+

CO2 emissions (g/km):  0

BIK (%): 7

Unlike some of its rivals (such as the Nissan Leaf) the Ioniq doesn't yet feature the CHAdeMO system of ultra-fast charging, so you either plug it into the domestic mains or, more likely, a "Type 2" charging unit that runs about twice as fast, which you can either find at commercial charging points (supermarket car parks, motorways, for example) or you'll have fitted to the side of your home (say) with a government grant. It is perfectly practical, and I especially appreciated the design of the domestic charger, which makes it impossible for the careless user to blow the house fuses – something many householders will be understandably concerned about. It is fool proof, unlike some rivals. It still took about six hours, though.

Like many cars nowadays the driver gets a choice as to driving style, with a button that will make your Ioniq "Sport" or "Eco"-oriented. Obviously there are more compromises there – more Sport means less range, but it's useful nonetheless. Sport mode is very responsive indeed, and keeps going right up to the national speed limit. 

Electric means high initial price tag tempered by very low running costs

So the Ioniq is a contender, though there's a new Nissan Leaf coming soon which will move the benchmark up a little further – more range, superior performance, faster charging, equal economy (one hopes). The pure electric car segment is much the most exciting, if still small (about 2 per cent of sales) pocket of the industry. It is growing extremely fast, and we've all seen the headlines about the Government's targets for electrification. The Ioniq, like most of its peers, is also an economic compromise; high purchase price tempered by very low running costs, fine reliability but also restively rapid obsolescence as the technology moves on. It still won't suit many, but the Ioniq, like its peers, is edging into the mainstream.

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Source: Car Review: Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Let’s Count All Eighteen Upcoming All-Electric CUVs

The 2018 Jaguar I-Pace at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show

Come count crossovers with us

Everyone, it seems, wants a crossover (CUV) these days. Soccer moms, millennials — name the demographic, and unless they're in the market for a pickup truck, there's a good chance a smallish SUV with all-wheel-drive is on their car-shopping radar. It makes sense, then, that automakers are looking to these vehicles as worthy candidates for electrification.  Over on the InsideEVs Forum, we're tracking what all-electric CUVs are here and what's coming to the segment on our Counting Crossovers thread. So far, our tally totals eighteen here, or on the horizon.

Besides makes, models and expected production dates, we're also filling in details like prices, battery size, and expected range as they become available. We encourage you to go have a look (and maybe let us know if there's something we've missed), but first, we want to talk about a few that excite us the most.

Here and now

Tesla Model X with falcon wing doors aloft.

In the "already arrived" category, the Tesla Model X (right) stands alone.With the first deliveries taking place over two years ago, this CUV (ok, it leans more towards being a full-size SUV, but we're using "squishy" definitions) has blazed the trail. Unfortunately for those of us slim of wallet, it starts at $89,000, which gets you the smaller 75 kWh battery option, good for 237 miles of range. Though its sales haven't eclipsed those of its sibling Model S, as might have been expected, around 35,000 examples have been delivered since production started, so current production doesn't lag far behind the sedan.

What's Next

It's uncertain at this point what the first competitor to the Tesla in the segment will be, but certainly an electric Jaguar will be one of them. The I-Pace (top), which we think cuts a rather handsome figure, is said by the company to be first sold in the 2nd half of 2018. There are some grounds to suspect it may be a bit ahead of that schedule, though, as supplier Magna Steyr has said production will begin "...in the first quarter of 2018."

When it does arrive, expect the stats to echo those of the concept version, with 400 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque from two electric motors powering all four wheels. The concept's range was stated as  310 miles on a NEDC cycle, so in America expect the EPA to bless it with something in the neighborhood of 265 miles. Though its 90 kWh battery may be a bit slow to fill up — think 90 minutes from empty to 80 percent from a DC 50 kW charge station — its acceleration of 0-to-60 in four seconds may keep you from dwelling on that weak point. With a base price tag reading under $100K, this is a vehicle with the Tesla Model X square in its sights.

2018 Audi E-Tron Quatrro

Premium CUV shoppers may stroll past these two choices next year, though, once the Audi  E-Tron Quattro hits. Also a handsome machine, it cradles a 95 kWh battery in its belly, which should give it approximately 275 or so miles of range. It's spritely, but not quite as quick as the Jaguar, putting up a 4.6-second 0-to-60 performance. For some, charging speed may be more important and here, the Audi delivers. If you can find a Combined Charging System (CCS) station with 150 kW, something we expect will be more common soon, it should fill as fast as a Tesla. That means empty-to-80 percent in about 30 minutes, or full in just under an hour. If Audi manages to hit its early price target of £60,000 in the UK, we may see it in the U.S. near $79,000.

What's affordable

Although the previously mentioned three vehicles are all quite appealing, the vast majority of consumers will want something far more affordable. In the coming year, it seems only the Korea-based duo of Kia and Hyundai will be serving up crossovers that fit that bill. The Kia Niro EV is perhaps the best known quantity, since it is already available in the US, and elsewhere, with an internal combustion-based drivetrain. Details are still vague regarding the electric version, but last we heard, we should see a pair of battery pack options  of 39.2 kWh and 64.2 kWh on offer. Range, then, would probably be about 140 and 230 miles.

The gasoline-powered 2017 Kia Niro in red

The Kia Stonic will be that brand's second all-electric CUV, sharing a platform with the Hyundai Kona EV, (the third Korean model expected for 2018). Since we've heard Kona EV will have the same battery options as the Niro EV, it's quite possible that the Stonic will as well. Pricing at this point is anyone's guess, and ours is that they three will occupy various spaces between $30,000 and $40,000.

With their entry to the market so close, it's quite likely the trio will make their official debuts during the upcoming car show season, perhaps as soon as the LA Auto Show, which starts December 1st. If not then, we'll be keenly watching their booths during North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. All the particulars should be made public around the times of their unveiling.

What we want

Ultimately, what we want in a CUV is what most others want: a vehicle big enough for our families and stuff, which can travel at least 200 miles on a charge, recharge quickly, and do all of that while looking good. Among the dozen crossovers set to arrive post-2018, there are any number which excite us. Certainly the Tesla Model Y is one we are keen to lay eyes on, since that company tends to have pleasant technological surprises with each new addition to its lineup, and its constantly expanding, simple-to-use Supercharger network takes much of the worry away from long-distance trips. Another is the Volvo XC40 EV, which will be that brand's first 200-mile plus all-electric, and available in 2019.

 If an all-electric crossover is in your future, or if you're just curious to see how the market is shaping up, we invite you to track all of the above crossovers, as well as the many unmentioned models with us on the InsideEVS Forum.
Source: Let's Count All Eighteen Upcoming All-Electric CUVs

GM CEO Mary Barra hints at Bolt EV-based crossover SUV, details future electric vehicles

General Motors CEO Mary Barra gave investors a detailed playbook for the automaker's future electric vehicles plans Wednesday, including a possible glimpse at a crossover based on the Bolt EV.

Barra gave the presentation for investors at the Barclays 2017 Global Automotive Conference in New York.

A picture of a possible Bolt EV-based crossover was included in the presentation. A spokesman for GM said the picture was a "demonstration of an all-new CUV segment," but not necessarily a new product. The image lacks badges, but offers some new GM design elements such as rear roof pillars similar to those of the new GMC Terrain. A Bolt EV-based Buick Encore has been rumored, but not yet confirmed.

A small crossover may be unveiled next January at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A spokesman for GM confirmed that the automaker would sell four new electric vehicles by 2020, but didn't say when those cars would be revealed.

Barra shared the automaker's longer-term strategy for EVs, including autonomous ride-sharing services. In the presentation, she outlined plans for GM's electric-vehicle platform that will eventually include five SUVs, including two luxury SUVs; two crossovers with one luxury version; two cars, including one luxury car; a commercial van; and a shared self-driving, ride-sharing vehicle. Barra said vehicles from the new platform would arrive around 2021. 

Last month, GM announced that it would sell two new electric vehicles within the next 18 months, and offer up to 20 electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles by 2023.

The four new vehicles by 2020 won't be based on the new platform due by 2021, and will likely share some structure with the Bolt EV.

Barra said the automaker would make profitable EVs from the new platform and drive down battery costs from the Bolt EV's $145 per kwh to less than $100 per kwh.

Source: GM CEO Mary Barra hints at Bolt EV-based crossover SUV, details future electric vehicles

Who will sell the first affordable AWD electric SUV? Poll results

Of our eight Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy award winners since 2011, five have been compact five-door hatchbacks.

It's a good, sensible format, by far the most popular segment in Europe and stronger even in Canada than in the U.S.

Sadly, U.S. car buyers are not only ignoring small hatchbacks but passenger sedans as well—and moving wholesale to SUVs and crossover utility vehicles of all sizes.

DON'T MISS: All-electric Buick small SUV to be based on Bolt EV: report

And that's a big problem for electric cars, since over the last seven years, the vast majority of them haven't fit into that segment.

Tesla aside, in fact, there are currently no battery-electric utility vehicles offered today—despite Chevrolet's bizarre efforts to claim the Bolt EV as a "crossover."

Carmakers watch the market, though, and it's safe to expect multiple all-electric utility vehicles within, say, two or three model years.

We asked our Twitter followers which of several makers that have shown all-electric concepts they expected to offer the first one on the market.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the combination of Nissan and its new alliance partner Mitsubishi got the nod from the largest number of survey participants.

READ THIS: Nissan IMx Concept electric SUV debuts at Tokyo Motor Show

Almost four out of every 10 respondents (39 percent) chose "Nissan or Mitsubishi," perhaps prompted by separate electric crossover concepts shown by each maker over the last three years of auto shows.

The second choice was Tesla, at 30 percent, most likely referring to the Model Y more affordable crossover, to be built on Tesla Model 3 underpinnings. The Model 3's current "production hell" makes the Model Y schedule somewhat uncertain at the moment.

Third, just slightly below Tesla, was "Chevrolet or GM" at 26 percent. That company's recent statement that it would launch two more battery-electric vehicles in the next 18 months likely played into that result.

Separate reports indicate that the replacement for the aging but successful Buick Encore subcompact crossover will be an all-electric vehicle built on Bolt EV underpinnings, presumably with the missing all-wheel drive added.

CHECK OUT: Electric BMW X3e to come in 2020, but BMW i5 defunct: what happened, and why?

BMW, which pioneered the advanced-technology i3 in 2013, came in last among the four with just 5 percent of the votes. Its reported 2020 schedule for an all-electric version of its popular X3 crossover utility may have played into that.

As always, please note that our Twitter polls are far from scientifically valid, due to small sample size and self-selection by those who choose to participate.

_______________________________________

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: Who will sell the first affordable AWD electric SUV? Poll results

Are car buyers the biggest problem for electric cars? (Yes, of course they are, but it's price)

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier and 2017 BMW i3 electric car, Aug 2017 [photo: Tom Moloughney]

Enlarge Photo

While it's clear that the transition to plug-in electric cars is accelerating across the globe, in the short term electric cars still face numerous hurdles.

Charging infrastructure remains inconsistent, vehicle range is still an issue, and ultimately, the inherent and appropriate conservatism of car buyers themselves acts as a brake on adoption of electric cars.

More importantly, price is still a major obstacle for car buyers.

DON'T MISS: UBS study predicts electric-car cost parity in Europe could arrive by 2018

Consumers overlook plug-in and battery-electric cars for a mix of reasons, but ultimately, it's the price that matters most.

CNBC reported on Tuesday that the average new-car buyer is the electric car's worst enemy as they seek affordable, practical transportation.

Lack of familiarity with and knowledge about electric cars plays a major role, but ultimately the choice comes down to one thing: price.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car, June 2017 road trip from VA to KY and back [Jay Lucas]

Enlarge Photo

Until electric cars get closer to price parity with traditional cars powered by internal-combustion engines, many shoppers will likely avoid them altogether.

Perhaps when electric cars' sticker prices are within, say, 15 or 25 percent of a fossil fuel-powered car, then consumers at large will be willing to consider them more seriously.

The conversation isn't helped by the potential end of the federal $7,500 income-tax credit for purchase of a plug-in electric vehicle.

READ THIS: Electric cars will cost less to buy than regular cars by 2025: analysis

That tax credit was designed to help reduce the price gap for consumers between traditional cars and the more expensive technology required to deliver a zero-emission vehicle.

Incentives are universally cited as important by those buyers who take the plunge and opt for a plug-in car, and the tax credit's potential disappearance wouldn't be ideal for automakers or consumers.

"It would be backward to repeal this credit just as the next wave of electric cars at closer-to-average price points come to market," said Genevieve Cullen, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association advocacy group.

The survey also indicated that so far, many shoppers don't see electric cars as a way to meet their transportation needs—even though they most often can and do.

Further education about electric cars and how they operate will likely help raise awareness.

CHECK OUT: Car buyers have no idea electric-car charging stations even exist

One example: Most drivers still aren't aware of the electric-car charging stations that exist near their workplaces and homes.

The price differential between plug-in cars and comparable gasoline models will continue to decline as battery costs fall at an average rate of 7 percent a year.

For the moment, however, new-car buyers' focus on sticker price remains an impediment to mass-market acceptance of those vehicles.

_______________________________________

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter

Source: Are car buyers the biggest problem for electric cars? (Yes, of course they are, but it's price)

Nissan fleet for Expo Dubai; to include electric vehicles

Expo 2020 Dubai is joining forces with leading vehicle manufacturer Nissan to demonstrate and showcase the future of intelligent mobility – starting with a fleet that includes electric vehicles. 

The Japanese firm was revealed today as Expo 2020 Dubai's latest Official Premier Partner at an event held at the Expo site, where Nissan also unveiled the second generation of its electric car, the Nissan LEAF, for the first time in the Middle East. 

As Expo 2020's Official Automotive Partner, Nissan will provide the Expo 2020 fleet, including electric vehicles and next generation cars featuring advanced technologies. Expo 2020 will be the first major organisation in the Middle East to use the Nissan Leaf, which is already the world's best selling electric car. Learnings from the partnership will help accelerate the electrification of mobility in the region. Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology will also be extensively showcased at the mega-event taking place in 2020.

The deal was signed by Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, and Kalyana Sivagnanam, President for Middle East and Regional Vice President for Africa, Middle East and India at Nissan.

Al Hashimy, said: "World Expos celebrate human ingenuity. We're seeing that ingenuity making mobility more intelligent and more sustainable through electric vehicle technologies. 

"Nissan is at the forefront of these exciting changes and we're delighted that they have become our Official Automotive Partner to collaborate with us in this area, and to use Expo 2020 Dubai as a platform to show these transformative technologies to millions of people from around the world."

Nissan has a successful track record in the delivery of large, complex global partnerships, having recent sponsorships with the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, UEFA Champions League and ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Expo 2020 fleet will total around a 1,000 Nissan vehicles to support both the preparations for and delivery of the event. The vehicles will range from sedans and SUVs to pick-up trucks and buses. They will be used for a variety of purposes, including construction, VIP visits and transport for participants and organisers.

Nissan will also provide support for the fleet, such as maintenance, roadside assistance, insurance and Expo 2020 fleet branding.

Sivagnanam said: "Nissan's appointment as the Official Automotive Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai is testament to our shared vision – to shape the future of mobility and enhance the lives of people around the world through innovation. The long-term alliance also reflects our commitment to supporting the nation's aspirations of being a global role model for innovative mobility. We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with Expo 2020 Dubai as we focus on revolutionising the mobility sector through our innovative and sustainable vehicle line-up.

"Furthermore, as sustainable transport continues to be a key goal within the UAE Vision 2021, Nissan is playing a leading role in advancing the development of this sector. The new, zero-emission Nissan LEAF embodies 'Nissan Intelligent Mobility' – our approach to changing the way cars are driven, powered and integrated into society. Nissan's Intelligent Mobility vision also ties into the UAE government's ambition to reduce carbon emissions and promote the growth of electric vehicles across the nation."

Nissan also showcased a premiere video of its BladeGlider electric concept car that will be exhibited at the Nissan booth at Dubai Motorshow, taking place from November 14-18, 2017 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The video will be released on November 13. 

Nissan joins a number of other global brands that are Premier Partners of Expo 2020 Dubai – including Emirates Airline, Accenture, DP World, Emirates NBD, Etisalat, SAP and Siemens.

Partnerships are an integral part of preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai, with some of the world's most innovative firms helping to deliver a World Expo that will be a celebration for all, where everyone can learn, innovate, create progress and have fun by sharing ideas and working together. – TradeArabia News Service

Source: Nissan fleet for Expo Dubai; to include electric vehicles

Never mind electric cars. Electric roads are the key to the future.

Thon oversees highway electrification projects for the power and industrial technology company Siemens, which is building the road in Carson and has tested similar highways in Germany and Sweden.

"The advantages of this system is, first, it's zero-emission," Thons says. "So the noise level is really reduced. And furthermore you have economic benefits because the electric drive requires less energy than the diesel one."

The road's setup will be familiar to anyone who has seen a trolley or streetcar trundle through a city. Specially designed trucks run underneath electric lines, each equipped with an instrument called a pantograph that makes connection to the lines and draws power to propel the vehicle. Currently, three trucks — a battery-electric, natural gas and electric hybrid, and a diesel hybrid — are testing out the mile-long road, which cost $13.5 million to build.

Source: Never mind electric cars. Electric roads are the key to the future.

Chevrolet's Bolt is the People's Electric Car

Chevrolet just won the race to produce a truly affordable electric vehicle with triple-digit range. WIRED transportation editor Alex Davies takes the new car for spin at CES 2016.

READ MORE SEE LESS

Source: Chevrolet's Bolt is the People's Electric Car

Tesla’s electric cars just got more Chill

Tesla may be giving gas-powered supercars sleepless nights with the torque-tastic straight line speed of its EVs, but a new mode promises something different at the other end of the scale. With each progressive version of the Model S and Model X, Tesla has been pushing the performance envelope, taking advantage of the instantaneous power that makes electric motors so alluring once you've tried them.

All the same, there are times when cutting the 0-60 mph time down to a scant few seconds might not be the ideal. Just as picking up grandparents in a supercar isn't necessarily the most appropriate decision, so hurtling toward the horizon whenever you graze the accelerator in your EV isn't always the preferred behavior. Now, Tesla has quietly added a way to address that.

It's called "Chill" and, Electrek reports, Tesla described it as "a new acceleration" when it added the feature in a recent firmware update. As with previous upgrades, Tesla pushes the software out overnight when its cars are idle; sometimes, it's only when you consult the changelog that the differences become clear.

"You can now choose between two acceleration options in your vehicle: Chill and Standard," Tesla's notes for the 2017.44 update read. "Chill makes acceleration more gradual – ideal for smoother driving and a gentler ride for your passengers."

Exactly how it manifests isn't entirely clear at this point, though it seems likely that Tesla has tamped down on some of the power along with softening the throttle response. That would be in line with the often-called "Comfort" mode other luxury cars offer, which generally exhibits a more languid approach to speed. Given an electric car's performance is all software controlled, and the Model S and Model X's dashboard controls are predominantly digital, it's even easier for Tesla to add a scaled-back mode for those who don't want neck-jolting acceleration.

Jalopnik, meanwhile, spotted a DragTimes video in which the new Chill mode feature is tested out:

The firmware update also brings a promised feature which Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussed earlier this year with an owner on Twitter. The driver pointed out that a "comfort exit" mode – common on other high-end vehicles, where the steering wheel pulls back when the engine is stopped and the driver's door opens, so as to make it easier for them to get out and back in again – might be a useful addition to his car. Musk concurred, saying that it was on the roadmap for a future update.

That update has arrived, with both the steering wheel and the seat adjusting to give maximum entry and exit comfort. The position settings are stored to the car's keyfob, which means that different drivers can be recognized and have their own custom configuration restored as they approach the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Tesla is also readying some more comprehensive updates. The automaker confirmed earlier this month that it was preparing Autopilot upgrades, including changes to the so-called "Vision Neural Net" that sees the EVs collaborate on identifying road changes and more.

Source: Tesla's electric cars just got more Chill

Ford: We'll Build Electric Cars in China Soon

It's official: Ford Motor Company(NYSE: F) has entered into a new joint venture that will build electric vehicles in -- and for -- China.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd

It's the latest move in Ford CEO Jim Hackett's effort to push the Blue Oval more quickly into the high-tech future. Here's what we know.

© Ford Motor Company Ford's Asia Pacific chief, Peter Fleet (right), with Zotye Auto director Ying Jianren as they announced a new joint venture to build electric cars in China. A joint venture to build EVs in China

Here are the high points of the deal announced by Ford and its latest Chinese business partner:

Ford's partner in the deal is the privately held Chinese automaker Anhui Zotye Automobile, known as Zotye Auto.

Ford and Zotye Auto will each own 50% of the new joint venture, which will be called Zotye Ford Automobile Co., Ltd. ("Zotye Ford" for short).

Pending regulatory approval (never a sure thing in China), Zotye Ford will develop and manufacture "a range of stylish and affordable electric vehicles for consumers in China."

The partners have invested a total of 5 billion yuan (about $756 million) in the venture.

The vehicles built by Zotye Ford won't be Fords (or Zotyes); they'll be sold under a new Chinese brand.

Zotye Ford plans to build a dedicated research and development center, a new factory in China's Zhejiang Province (near Shanghai, on China's eastern coast), and its own sales and service network.

The deal isn't a surprise; Ford and Zotye Auto said in August that they were exploring the possibility of a joint venture focused on electric vehicles. Ford's Asia Pacific chief, Peter Fleet, said that Zotye Ford's vehicles will be aimed at young urban buyers: "Subject to regulatory approval, Zotye Ford will introduce a new brand family of small all-electric vehicles. We will be exploring innovative vehicle connectivity and mobility service solutions for a new generation of young city-dwelling Chinese customers."

About Ford's new EV partner: Zotye Auto

Zotye Auto is a privately held automaker headquartered in Huangshan City, about 300 miles west of Shanghai. It's pretty small: Zotye sold about 323,000 vehicles in 2016, according to JATO Dynamics. (For comparison, Ford shipped about 6.7 million vehicles in 2016.)

To the extent that Zotye Auto was known at all outside of China before its association with Ford, it was because of its SR9 model, an inexpensive SUV that looks a lot (and I mean a whole lot) like a Porsche Macan. But in addition to the SR9 and Zotye's other internal-combustion SUVs, the company has had some recent success with small, affordable electric vehicles. Its E200, a tiny two-seater, has done fairly well in smoggy Beijing, where internal-combustion vehicles are restricted due to air-quality concerns.

© Zotye Auto Zotye's tiny E200 is a two-seat electric car aimed at young urban buyers.

Ford has characterized Zotye Auto as the market leader in China's "all-electric small vehicle segment." It has sold more than 22,500 all-electric vehicles in China this year through October. (That may not sound like a lot, but consider: General Motors sold just over 17,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs in the U.S. over the same period.)

What it means for Ford

It's an interesting venture. The market for small affordable electric vehicles in China is still small in terms of total sales, but stricter regulations on internal-combustion engines make it likely that it will grow quite large in time. This new joint venture will give Ford a stake in that market, which if nothing else will help inform its efforts to develop a line of Ford-brand electric vehicles for global markets. It's also good business: The Chinese government wants to see manufacturers building electric vehicles under Chinese brands; it's likely that Ford is earning some useful brownie points here.

Between Zotye, which has already staked out a share of the market as it exists today, and Ford, a global automaker with a reputation (in China, at least) for building premium, high-quality vehicles, the joint venture seems to stand a good chance of success. But of course, it's early days: If the market for these little vehicles grows significantly, other global automakers will enter the fray.

Zotye Auto is an addition to Ford's previously announced electric-vehicle efforts. The Blue Oval announced earlier this year that at least 70% of Ford-brand vehicles sold in China will offer "electrified" drivetrain options by 2025. ("Electrified" is Ford-speak for hybrids as well as fully electric vehicles.)

More broadly, Ford is known to be working on an accelerated plan to develop battery-electric vehicles. The company is expected to share details sometime in the next few months.

Zotye Ford will be Ford's third joint venture in China; it follows Changan Ford, which builds Ford-brand passenger vehicles, and Jiangling Motors, which builds commercial vehicles under the Ford and JMC brands.

Long story short: There's some real upside for Ford here

The upshot: The new joint venture seems likely to enhance Ford's standing in China, and to provide useful information and expertise for its own electric-vehicle development efforts -- and it could be profitable in time, too.

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Source: Ford: We'll Build Electric Cars in China Soon

Lamborghini, MIT envision the self-healing electric supercar

There is no price guidance nor timeline on the Terzo Millennio concept -- a production model will not be available for years, if it ever gets there.

The next generation of Lamborghinis could act as their own superpowered batteries and be able to repair themselves.

Lamborghini unveiled the Terzo Millennio ("third millennium") concept car at the EmTech conference in Cambridge, Mass., on Monday. The car is the product of the first 12 months of a three-year partnership between the automaker and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

True to Lamborghini tradition, the car has a lean, windswept design and the brand's trademark Y taillights. The windshield seems to extend from the top of the car almost to the driver's toes, and the body crouches so low it almost looks like an outgrowth of the road.

But the most remarkable aspects of the car are invisible -- not least because they don't exist yet.

Lamborghini plans to develop supercapacitors that can provide the fast and intense energy needed to power a supercar and would allow for all-electric models. The lithium ion batteries in today's electric cars release energy more slowly and run down over repeated charges because they depend on chemical reactions. Supercapacitors store energy physically and don't generate the heat of lithium ions, but as of yet they don't offer as much power. The technology is currently used in hybrid vehicles, but for limited functions like getting stopped engines going again.

Photo credit: BLOOMBERG

"A lot of the innovation that came and made its way into consumer cars started with things like Formula 1 and supercars," says Mircea Dinca, an associate professor of chemistry at MIT, whose lab is one of two working with the automaker. "I think that if Lamborghini and we deliver on this promise, it will be really cool for the future of all transportation."

Lamborghini also intends to make the supercapacitors out of carbon fiber panels that can be used to form the body of the car so the Terzo Millennio draws energy from its own body. In other words: the car itself is the battery.

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Source: Lamborghini, MIT envision the self-healing electric supercar

Meet the DIY mechanics retrofitting classic cars with electric motors

© Provided by CNET EV West is a boutique car garage specializing in removing combustion engines and replacing them with electric batteries.

Editors' note: This article is part of Dear Future, a collaboration between CNET and VICE Motherboard that looks at major innovations -- in robotics, space travel, VR and more -- shaping the world around us. 

"What sound does daddy's car make?" Michael Bream asked his son, Eli. The two-year-old paused for a moment. "Vroom," he said.

"No, that's not it," Bream said. Something clicked inside Eli and he made another, softer noise. "Woosh." Bream nodded.

Bream's car and the classic hot rods his shop modifies don't sound like normal vehicles when you race them on the highway. That's because they run completely electric—no gas required. I paid a visit to Bream's shop, EV West, in Southern California this October.

EV West is a boutique car garage specializing in removing combustion engines and replacing them with electric batteries. Bream and his team of around a dozen technicians have transformed everything from a 1950s Volkswagen bus to a Ferrari 308 GTS from gas guzzlers to fully-electric rides.

Older vehicles are often less efficient and release more carbon emissions than their newer counterparts, but many people choose to drive them anyway because, well, they look cool. Thanks to EV West,  car fanatics don't need to compromise between the environment and having a classic ride.

© Provided by CNET dear-future-ev-west-6.jpg

Jehu Garcia's Volkswagen Bus runs on off-the-grid-sourced electric power.

"We're part of the anti-Tesla crowd but in a very positive way," Bream told me.

Bream's small car garage is located behind a string of commercial warehouses in San Marcos, California, a sleepy suburb not far from San Diego. The whole place feels more like a computer lab than a car shop. There's no gasoline smell, and the garage is devoid of the kind of grease I associate with my local mechanic. On the walls are old car posters that have been photoshopped to boast the benefits of electric power.

In one corner is a Tesla Powerwall, a large battery that stores energy harvested from 18 or so solar panels on EV West's roof. Bream's team uses the Powerwall to charge many of its electric cars.

© Provided by CNET Dear Future EV West

Jehu Garcia's VW Bus is all EV inside.

EV West acquires batteries for its cars in an usual way. When a Tesla Model S crashes, its parts are often sold at auction. Bream's garage then snaps them up, and installs them inside vintage cars. The old engines are sold on the secondhand market, where there's still demand for original vintage parts.

Modifying a car to utilize electric power doesn't come cheap. If you want to have EV West do it for you, it'll cost around $18,000. That's if you bring in a vintage Volkswagen Beetle and want it outfitted with an electric battery that has a 100 mile range. Different model cars and larger batteries will cost you extra. You'll also need to be patient: business is booked for the next year.

"We really take our time to make sure [the cars] are up to our standards," Bream told me.

© Provided by CNET evbike

Even children's bikes can be electrified.

While wandering around Bream's shop, I met some of the gearheads who work for him, like Spencer Larue. In college at San Diego State University, he built an electric mini bike that he ripped around indoors. "Because it's electric, I could cruise down the hallways," Larue said.

After checking out the garage, Bream took me for a ride in a vintage electric Volkswagen Beetle painted bright yellow. "This is an old car," Bream said. "Sometimes the doors open." He then ripped the Bug around a weedy field behind the garage, as a half-dozen or so of his mechanics watched me scream out the passenger side window.

Riding in a vintage car modded to use electric power feels strange. The car quietly surges forward, and doesn't rumble at all. It feels smooth in a way that a manual transmission isn't supposed to. It's like the car is somehow running on butter. The experience is pleasingly futuristic—even if the upholstery your butt rests on is decades old.

EV West is ultimately a tiny shop that's part of an equally small industry—at least for now. The garage only mods around a dozen cars per year, and less than one percent of vehicles on the road worldwide today run electric.

© Provided by CNET Jehu Garcia and Michael Bream

Jehu Garcia and Michael Bream.

At the same time, EV West stands at the edge of a promising future for electric vehicles. They're set to outsell fossil-fuel powered cars within two decades, Bloomberg's New Energy Finance group predicts. Cars with a plug will constitute a third of the global auto fleet by 2040, displacing eight million barrels a day in oil production, according to the same report. That's significantly more oil than all of ExxonMobil produces each day.

One of the reasons experts predict electric vehicles will finally become mainstream is that the cost of producing the lithium-ion batteries they depend on is dropping rapidly. Battery prices are crucial because they represent one-third of the cost of building an electric car. The cost of making one fell 35 percent in 2015, and the world's lithium mines are already bracing for a major uptick in sales of electric vehicles in the next couple of years.

"I fear people won't do the right thing [drive electric] until it's cheapest," Bream told me. "My only true hope is that these renewables will be cheaper."

© Provided by CNET VW Bug with Tesla Model S guts

This Volkswagen Bug has been treated to electrification at EV West using Tesla Model S bits.

Experts estimate that Bream's hope could soon become reality. By 2040, long-range electric cars will cost less than $22,000 in today's dollars. That's pretty cheap—a 2017 Honda Civic costs about the same.

One question left to answer: If electric cars hit the road en masse, how will we harness the necessary electricity to power them? The answer is likely renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Solar power in particular is promising: It's currently the fastest growing source of new energy, according to the International Energy Agency. Jobs in the industry are also reportedly growing 17 times faster than the US economy.

Still, there's reason to be skeptical about a future where electric cars rule the road. For now, they can't go very far without recharging, and charging stations remain scarce. As electric cars help bring the cost of oil down, there's also a chance other parts of the world will double-down on newly cheaper fossil fuels.

© Provided by CNET dear-future-ev-west-8

That's not a gas nozzle being hooked up to EV West's 1978 Ferrari 308.

Michael Bream and his team at EV West have chosen to remain optimistic, for good reason. Every car in their garage is a testament to how the power of clean, electric energy can transform how we get around. Especially the bright red 1978 Ferrari 308 GTE.

The car was burned in a fire and later restored to utilize a new power source, making it the world's first electric Ferrari. Eric Hutchison, a friend of EV West, found the sportscar at a junkyard, bought it for a steep discount, and rebuilt it. Riding in the car feels particularly rebellious when you consider that Ferrari's chairman Sergio Marchionne once said that an electric Ferrari would be "obscene."

I bet he's never taken the world's first for a spin.

Source: Meet the DIY mechanics retrofitting classic cars with electric motors