Tag Archives: EV
3 Important Things To Learn About The 2018 Lucid Motors Air
The release of the Tesla Model S triggered companies to do research on what could possibly be the best and most affordable electric cars. And while most companies are intent on electrifying their lineup with mass-targeted EVs by 2020, specialty manufacturers like Lucid Motors Air is coming up with their own version of a funky electric sedan.
1. Exterior
Based on the photos of the car from a source, the two most noticeable things about the Lucid Air is the lack of radiator grille and the massive windshield. The engineers over there were pretty confident that the lack of the grille won’t hinder the airflow needed for the motor and batteries, and that’s largely thanks to the vents in the front hood. The massive windshield adds to the very modern styling.
2. Interior
The unique exterior would only need to be completed by the superior styling of the interior, too. The primary focus of anyone who would see the interior of the car is the floating dashboard with a huge display module at the front of the driver. This includes three different displays—one for navigation and driver information center, one for the instrument cluster, and one for the battery charge state, range, etc.
The front cabin might be nice, but the rear passenger seats are on another level. Angled like a bathtub, which means the seats are reclined, the rear cabin is unparalleled in comfort and luxury. There’s a long center console in the middle of the seats that also houses a small display to let passengers control various features.
3. Drivetrain
Lucid developed its battery for over a decade, allowing it to go 400 miles on a single charge on 1,000 horsepower of near-instance go juice. The engine itself is an electric motor and transmission that are probably better than what we now see in the market.
The base model of the Lucid Motors Air offers up to 240-mile range with 400 horsepower in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. It should be able to compete with the Model S, including a much cheaper price of $52,500.
Once it is launched, there will also be a Launch Edition that has 1,000 horsepower and 315 miles of range on a single charge.
BMW Prepares to Challenge the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is set to be revealed this month. Looming in the scene is BMW with its plan to launch an all-electric sedan to take on the company led by Elon Musk.
According to Trusted Reviews, citing German publication Handelsblatt, BMW has set its sights on introducing a car that will rival the Tesla 3 and the company will reveal it at the Munich Auto Show in September.
The Tesla Model 3 challenger will come from the 3 Series range of BMW. The fully-electric sedan will be the company’s first in its bid to enter the electric vehicle segment of the market, which is dominated by Tesla.
The source claimed that the electric 3 Series will have a range of at least 400 kilometers. No other details have been revealed yet though. It should be noted too that BMW had not released an official statement about the matter so take this with a grain of salt.
At present the BMW 3 Series saloon car has a starting price of £25,740. An electric variant of the vehicle might cost more than that due to the cost of developing and manufacturing one. Add to that the expenses of sourcing parts like the battery and electric motor. On the other hand, the German luxury automaker might not jack up the value of the coming EV too much so that it will be competitive with the pricing of the Tesla Model 3.
The BMW 3 Series has been in production since 1975. The product is the entry-level luxury car of the German automaker. The vehicle is currently in its sixth generation model.
A plug-in hybrid model of the 3 Series was introduced last year. The car has gained good reviews so for its design and easy-to-use features. We think it is just right for BMW to follow up on its success by producing its new EV under the 3 Series platform.
3 Things We Learned From the Upcoming 2018 Nissan Leaf
Spy shot of the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV. (Photo Source: Autocar)
In our previous article, we have mentioned that Nissan is already clearing up the supply of its first-generation Leaf electric vehicles. In an effort to reach that goal, the automaker has partnered with other companies to provide US customers with up to $10,000 discounts on its lease. The move is to pave the way for the coming of the 2018 Nissan Leaf.
Thanks to leaks, teasers and reliable reports online, we have learned more about the electric car. Here are the top 3 juicy stuff we uncovered about the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV:
Design
The new Nissan Leaf EV is heavily inspired by the Micra. The leaked photo here and the spy shot on top show the electric car with more aggressive styling.
The new design is in contrast with the existing Leaf with mild-looking fascia. The baggy camouflage wrap of the spied new model of the auto make it hard to distinguish its body lines and actual edges though.
Electric Motor
There is no word yet about the possible boost in the electric motor output of the EV but it is speculated to get more driving range. From full-charge, he car is estimated to run up to 340 miles on pure electric power before its battery runs out of juice. The number is more than double the capability of the current model of the Leaf.
Arrival
The 2018 Nissan Leaf will likely be unveiled a couple of months from now. The sale of the car might start in December. However, other sources claim that the car will hit the market during the early part of next year.
Photos
Check out the teaser and leaked spy shots of the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV in the gallery below:
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- Spy shot of the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV. (Photo Source: Autocar)
Top 5 Reasons Why the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Will Be a Hit
The arrival of the Chevrolet Bolt EV is a milestone for the automobile industry. This only means the electric vehicle variant isn’t going away, and it’s actually here to stay.
Here are the top 5 reasons why the the Chevrolet Bolt EV will succeed in the market, according to a source:
1. It’s Priced Below $30,000
The Bolt is really priced at $37,495 in LT trim, but a $7,500 federal tax credit can pull that price down to under $30,000. That’s not to mention that there are states and municipalities that offer incentives if you use an electric car.
2. It Can Run Up to 238 Miles
The Bolt can cover 238 miles of ground, but that’s a relaxed and leisurely drive up the California coast. The exponential effects of aerodynamic mean that the faster you go, the more energy you consume. When set to 75 mph with the climate at 72 degrees, the Bolt’s battery can last up to 190 miles. That’s more than you need for daily driving. The Bolt also has three controls on its digital instrument panel: minimum, maximum, and a more prominent best estimated based on your driving style, use of accessories like headlights and audio and ambient conditions.
3. Fast Charging is Becoming Available
If you’re worried about the charging time, don’t be. For $750, Bolt owners can have the direct-current fast-charging capability via a Combined Charging System (CCS) port. As of September, there are already 1,061 CCS connectors in the US. These stations charge at 50 kilowatts, which, according to Chevrolet, means an added 90 miles of range in 30-minute charging. But that’s nothing compared to Tesla’s 2,010 Supercharger hookups with 120 kilowatts capacity.
4. It Offers Comfortable Driving Experience
The Bolt delivers comfort to both the driver and the passengers even over broken pavements, thanks to the low-mounted battery that is cushioned by well-tuned damping. In terms of chassis tuning, it is similar to the Cadillac CT6 and the Chevrolet Malibu.
5. It’s Less Than a Crossover, But More Than a Sedan
The Bolt is originally marketed as a crossover, though it looks nothing like it. The only thing similar with a crossover is the tall seating position because of the underfloor battery pack. It doesn’t have the ground clearance, though, of a crossover.
Chevrolet Released Pricing For 2017 Bolt EV
It looks like Chevrolet is keeping up its promise to offer the 2017 Bolt EV at an affordable price as it recently announced an MSRP of $37,495, including destination charge. This is rather cheap considering the Bolt EV has an EPA-rated 238 miles on a full charge.
Also, depending on individual tax situations, customers may even receive a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a net value of $29,995. Alan Batey, president of GM North America and leader of Global Chevrolet, said that “value” is the hallmark for Chevrolet and their offering of an affordable Bolt EV proves their intent of letting their customers access an electric vehicle with plenty of range.
According to reports, Bolt EV buyers can expect range, cargo space, technology and safety features that all come standard in this vehicle with crossover proportions. Bolt EV is considered a smart buy for any customer, thanks to its dependable performance and sales and service support from a nationwide network of Bolt EV certified Chevrolet dealers.
With the Bolt EV, you’re not only saving on fuel and saving the environment at the same time, you’ll also be getting well-appointed equipment and features.
The Bolt EV is offered in the standard but well-equipped LT trim, which has a starting price of $37,495. It comes with a wide array of features such as Regen on Demand™ steering wheel paddle, rear vision camera, 10.2-inch diagonal color touch screen and MICHELIN™ Self-sealing tires (in certain circumstances). The top of the line is the Premier, which features all the equipment in the LT trim plus leather-appointed seats, front and rear heated seats, surround camera and rear camera mirror.
The pricing released includes the destination and freight charges, but excludes taxes, title, license and dealer fees. Select dealerships across the US are expected to start offering the 2017 Bolt EV by late this year.
Watch the Remote Control Feature of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 is characterized by “hot and cool” design coupled with a powerful engine and a bunch of technical innovations under the three-pointed star marque. Recently, it was discovered through a YouTube video that the concept car can also be driven using a remote control.
Marchettino, an Italian-based car lover, shared a four-minute clip showing the remote control feature of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 in his channel. In the video, a guy can be seen holding a device similar to a video game console controller. Then he uses the controller to move the electric vehicle back and forth on the lawn. After that, he loads the car into the trailer with precision.
There are a lot of practical applications offered by the remote control element of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6. One of them is it allows the driver of the car to move the car in and out of the parking area conveniently no matter how narrow is the space around it. That is similar to the key feature of the Pilot Parking Assistance provided by the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Video
Watch the video below of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 where its remote control feature is demonstrated:
Other Tech Found in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
Another noteworthy tech in the concept car can be found in its front windshield. According to the Global Media site of Daimler, the glass also functions as a transparent display driving and navigational data are shown there.
The embedded display in the windscreen of the concept EV augments the outside world with additional information for safer and more convenient driving experience. The function can be controlled by the occupants of the car by simple hand gestures.
Digital information can be seen in the glass trim part of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6’s cabin. Among the data that can be accessed are the body sensor displays as well as seat control, climate control and emotional lighting effects.
Mercedes-Benz Is Planning A Sub-Brand For Electric Models
Recent reports have indicated that known luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to build an entire sub-brand for electric vehicles, following the success of Tesla’s luxury EVs. It seems the German automaker wants to cash in to what was once perceived to be merely a hype tech geeks, engineers and moguls have created.
Last June, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler, said that the automaker plans to introduce its first EV at the Paris Motor Show in October. According to reports, the model would be a direct competition to the Tesla Model S, and will have a 310-mile range either to meet or exceed what the Tesla model can deliver.
Expected to be built in Germany, Merc’s new EV will carry whatever moniker the automaker conceives to challenge BMW’s i label.
Tesla’s Model 3 currently has 373,000 reservations, so it’s fairly obvious this is not merely a trend. Mercedes wants to capitalize on that interest, and the timing now is just about right.
But to get to that point, the company has to invest extensively in research and development toward EVs. This is in part of the German automaker’s larger plan to boost its R&D spending from $6.3 billion in 2014 and $7.3 billion in 2015.
Passenger cars are not the only vehicles Daimler is looking to turn into electric-based. The Urban e-Truck prototype has proven that electric distribution is already a must in deliveries within the city.
Mercedes-Benz is not exactly oblivious of what Tesla has been doing. Its parent company Daimler has invested heavily in Tesla, and in fact earns a 10-percent stake in Tesla Motors in 2010, though its remaining 4 percent was sold in 2014.
It has even purchased Tesla batteries for the B-Class Electric and Tesla was the one that developed the whole propulsion system for the early version of Smart Electric Drive.
LAPD To Use 100 BMW i3 EVs
What could possibly make the Los Angeles Police Department even more glamorous than it already is? You know, protecting the rich and famous of Hollywood is also a lot about having the right machinery, and by hooking up with BMW to get the i3 EVs, LAPD just purchased the perfect partner.
And what can top having a BMW for a police fleet? Having an electrically charged BMW. LAPD is even answering to the United Nations’ great call of reducing carbon dioxide emission, and using electric cars instead of gasoline-powered ones.
BMW’s i3 will be LAPD’s first electric vehicle. The German brand beat out Tesla for the opportunity to roam the streets of Los Angeles. Now, LA residents can enjoy seeing the cute little i3 on the road.
The purchase of the i3 is part of LA’s initiative to convert 80 percent of all its municipal vehicles into electrically powered ones by 2025. And since this is the police department’s first EV, the purchase also includes 100 Level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers. This will ensure that the i3s are charged up and won’t be missing power while on the road.
The i3s won’t be used for emergency calls, though. Neither will it be used to hunt down and run after perpetrators. The BMW i3 EVs will essentially be used for non-emergency calls for now. Although, who knows in the future how BMW will plan to upgrade the vehicle?
LAPD’s primary problem with the i3s’ capacity to respond to 911 calls is their need to be plugged in overnight to recharge. Emergency calls, of course, can happen even in the middle of the night.
So for now, emergency calls and running after suspects in LAPD would remain to be a job for the Ford Crown Victoria that may or may not be equipped with the Ford Police Interceptor utilities. There are also a couple of other sedans and Chargers from Dodge.
Source: Car And Driver
Mercedes-Benz To Introduce Four Electric Vehicles By 2020
Mercedes-Benz is looking at releasing four electric vehicles by the end of the year 2020. Sources said the company will be producing two sedans and two SUVs to comprise the first tranche of electronically powered vehicles Merc is looking at developing.
Each electric vehicle model will share the basic elements of models already part of Merc’s current lineup, but the company also promised that the models will have distinct designs to set them apart from their conventionally powered counterparts.
This move came on the heels of the German government’s announcement of sales subsidies for all EVs priced at less than €60,000, or $67,150 based on current exchange rate.
This German government policy is part of the bigger scheme to attract would-be buyers to consider EVs instead of gasoline- or diesel-powered engines.
Of course, such a decision from Merc can also be seen as the company’s attempt to keep up with the fast-rising EV market, something other automakers have taken advantage of in the past months. Tesla Model 3’s 370,000 orders certainly made an impact.
Merc has reportedly taken a €500 million expansion of their existing battery production facilities in Germany to prepare for their EV plans.
Although not a surprise, Merc’s move is still a welcome development. There are no details released regarding this new direction the company is taking, but R&D chief Thomas Weber hinted that the current C-Class and S-Class models, as well as the GLA and GLC SUVs, will be the templates for the four EVs planned.
In particular, the GLA-based SUV model will tap the reworked version of the MFA platform that Merc is already using on its B-Class Electric Drive, which is technically Mercedes’ first EV. The other three models, on the other hand, will probably use the evolved version of the MRA, which was developed particularly for electronic vehicles.
Audi To Launch 300-Mile Fully Electric SUV In 2018
It’s that time of the year again when Audi starts churning out reports on deliveries—said to be 1.8 million cars in 2015 and 620,100 in the first quarter of this year)—as well as big investment plans for the future. Prospective plans will start at €3billion in property and technology in 2016.
Then, of course, there’s also news of a new car. Audi revealed it will begin launching a new EV every year starting 2018. The initial plan is to launch a sporty SUV that claims to have a range of more than 500 kilometers (310.69 miles). That’s more than what the Tesla Model S, which currently stands at a highway range of 303.2 miles, can do. That is according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
But this isn’t much of a surprise since Audi announced at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show the arrival of the E-ton Quattro Concept, which will be in production in a few months’ time. What’s even better is that the production car will be patterned perfectly after the concept, which will have two electric motors—one for each axle with a combined 503bhp.
Audi also claims it would have 4.6 secs to 62 mph, 131 mph and that 310-mile range.
Although this isn’t a surprising development, it’s still nice to see Audi keeping its word.
Audi hinted of a new A8 too, which would be one of the 20 “new or upgraded” Audis to come out this year. The A8 is going to be the first car in the brand’s history capable of “piloted driving.”
Details are not exactly out there yet, but it looks like the A8 will be able to drive itself temporarily on motorways at speeds of up to 37 mph—a technology already available in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It remains to be seen how Audi is going to utilize this same technology on its cars.