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Showing posts with the label Electric cars

What will the future of motoring be like?

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Technology is advancing at rapid rates, and the way that we drive is constantly changing. So what’s in store in the future? Of course, there’s no definite answer to this question, but there are plenty of concepts being worked on right now that could shape the future of motoring. One thing we could see is a lot more electric powered cars. They may not all be fully electric, but they’ll probably use the engine to support an electric motor. Cars should become more efficient, more environmentally friendly and just an all-round better driving experience. On the subject of electric cars, a fully electric car could become incredibly more efficient. Currently, the biggest problem with electric cars is the lack of charging and poor driving distance. However, we could see this be solved in the near future, with quicker charge times and up to 500 miles distance on a single charge. Wireless chargers could become an easier way to juice up your car, simply needing you to park your car ...

Electric cars may not be as revolutionary as you think

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Electric cars seem like a thing of the future. While they’re becoming more and more popular on our roads, they are yet to dominate over their petrol counterparts. It seems like they’re a phenomenon that’s appeared in recent years. But what if we told you that there were electric cars on the road as early as the 1800s? Lead-acid rechargeable batteries were invented in 1859, which allowed for the beginning of the journey towards electric vehicles. In 1881, the design of these batteries were improved and allowed them to be mass produced. This meant that there was potential there for electric vehicles to be developed and even be available to the mass public. In the UK, Thomas Parker built the first practical electric car in 1884. He was responsible for electrifying the London Underground, and was conscious of fuel efficiency as well as the air quality in London. In 1888, the Electric Construction Corporation was formed and they dominated the British electric car market of...

Why you should switch to an electric car

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As electric cars become more popular, it’s becoming easier to own one of your own. Charging points are popping up all over the country, from shopping centres to supermarkets and even your local pubs! But what are the benefits to taking the plunge and owning your own? We’re here to tell you some of the advantages of going green. Cheaper to run While the average electric car may be a bit pricier than the petrol one you’ve been looking at, you’ll be saving money in the long run. Government grants are available to go towards the cost of purchase - you could save up to £3500 on your next new car. Electric energy is also a lot cheaper than petrol and diesel, meaning you’ll be getting more miles for your money. What you spent on your car you’ll get back in what you saved on petrol. An electric car also has a less complicated engine than a petrol car. This means there’s less likely to go wrong, saving you a few pennies on maintenance costs. If you drive around London, you won’t...

This could change your mind about electric cars

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By now we are all aware of the benefits that driving an electric car bring; less emissions, a quieter engine and lower running costs than a traditional car. But there’s one thing that puts many of us off making the investment into an eco-friendly vehicle – the lack of charging ports across the UK. However, there is some good news that might convince you to think greener. Owning an electric car will become even more convenient in 2019 as Volkswagen partners up with supermarket giant Tesco to bring over 2,400 charging points to their stores, spread across 600 locations. This will mean an impressive 14% increase in charging ports across the UK, an important move to reducing emissions on the road. Even better news is that the standard ports will be free to use, so you’ll be saving on those costly petrol fill-ups. This partnership isn’t the only one in the UK to be rolling out charging ports in 2019. Pub chain Marston’s have teamed up with Engenie to do the same. 400 rapid cha...

The top 5 electric vehicles on the market in 2018

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Although last week the UK government officially removed plug-in hybrid grants and reduced discounts for certain EV’s (electric vehicles), this change has reflected the huge reduction in costs for EV’s. This has meant that the market for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly driving is more accessible than ever for the average driver! If you’re still looking to invest, we’ve compiled a helpful list of the 5 best cars currently available in the UK: 1.      Nissan Leaf Unanimously regarded in the industry as the number one EV for drivers, the second-generation Nissan Leaf is a truly commendable vehicle. It’s relatively cheap for EV’s – priced at around £26,000 – and has one of the cheapest costs for running, with a claimed range of 217 miles on a full charge. The design of the second generation is also a lot sleeker than the first, vying for mainstream appeal rather than sci-fi undertones. A great choice for first-time buyers. 2.   ...

How to save money on an electric car

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It’s quite insane to imagine, but 2018 is nearly coming to a close. Regardless of whether you have a new year’s resolution lined up for 2019 or not, it’ll be year filled with advancements and new beginnings – but are you prepared to capitalise on these changes? Many publications cite electric vehicles as one such advancement that will take the world by storm in the next few years. However, many road-users aren’t aware of which method of running and charging an electric car is the most effective. We’ve lined up a few suggestions that might help you make this decision. 1.      Charge your electric vehicle at home This will be the go-to for most electric vehicle owners, with 85 per cent choosing to do so – it’s convenient and doesn’t cost much. Most electric vehicles will require a 13amp domestic power supply to be charged, which is essentially the same power supply required by hoovers or a TV. You would use a standard 3 pin plug with an EVSE cable or wal...

How to avoid a £12.50 daily charge – Is going green the answer?

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Global warming is a threat – to the planet, and by extension our way of life. Arguably one of the largest contributors to this disaster is nitrogen dioxide emissions, primarily originating from the burning of fossil fuels. The consequences for our continued usage of these fuels are usually referenced in long-term, far-reaching effects. But some of these effects might strike closer to home, and sooner than you think. London’s financial district contains some of the worst hotspots for nitrogen dioxide in the UK – due to the vast amount of diesel cars that drive through these areas. Although nitrogen dioxide isn’t hazardous to health in sparse levels, in a concentrated area it can be extremely dangerous – creating smog and acid rain with its pollution. So, with something that alarming boiling within the heart of the English capital, what can be done? In short, the British Government’s answer to this crisis comes in the form of a trial scheme , to ban non-electric cars in certain s...

British Gas to provide charging solutions for Mitsubishi Motors UK

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Mitsubishi Motors UK has just announced that British Gas will be the exclusive supplier of electric vehicle charging solutions for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Customers of Mitsubishi Motors UK will have access to a range of British Gas charging solutions and can provide them with a dedicated circuit from £375, which protects their home electrical supply from overload. Alternatively, British Gas can install a wall-mounted charging solution from £799, which can cut charging time by around a third (charging times assume the battery is charged constantly at the max rate with 100% efficient charging). Thanks to a partnership between British Gas and POLAR, customers in London, the East of England, the Midlands and Milton Keynes may be eligible for a free Chargemaster Homecharge–i unit, as well as access to a network of public charging points(the density of charging points varies by region). Mitsubishi Motors were the first mainstream manufacturer to the global market with the pure-EV Mitsub...

Strategy to promote plug-in vehicles not driving widespread uptake

According to a report from the House of Commons Transport Committee, consumer demand for plug-in cars and vans remains very low and the Government grant to encourage demand may not be proving effective.  The Plug-In Car Grant was launched in January 2011 and is aimed at both private consumers and businesses. The Grant offers 25% off the vehicle price, up to a value of £5,000. Eligible vehicles can be electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen-fuelled, but must comply with certain performance, environmental and safety standards in order to be eligible. Ultra-low emission vehicles can benefit from tax exemptions including Vehicle Excise Duty, reduced Company Car Tax and other local measures such as congestion charge exemptions. To give an idea of how many vans/cars have taken up the grant so far, since the inception in 2011, 1,052 eligible plug-in car grant vehicles were registered, compared to 111 in 2010.  Not nearly enough according to MP's. Launching a new report from the Transport Sel...

mia: the 100% real electric car

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The mia electric car is a refreshing addition to the electric car market. It has all of the attributes that make electric cars so popular in urban areas, for instance; it's compact, economical, yet still maintains some semblance of style. No tricks, no gimmicks, no fancy packaging, or quirky design is needed; its simplicity is what makes this an ideal electric car. Having low to zero emissions is a crucial component when selecting an electric car, especially if you live in a large city where congestion charges are an economic concern. The mia is a common sense car, as it has zero emissions and a range of up to 125 km. You can zip around town, take the children to school, or head off for a weekend drive with this roomy 100% electric car. The driver’s seat is uniquely positioned front and centre to offer a panoramic view, although this means that there is no placement for a front passenger seat. The back passenger seats come in two seating arrangements. In the standard mia, the 2 ind...