Seat Mii Electric goes on sale The Mii Electric launches the electrified Seat range Orders are now being taken for Seat’s Mii Electric, with the first 300 customers set to benefit from a free home charger, charging cable, and three years’ free servicing and roadside assistance. Featuring a range of 161 miles on a charge (WLTP) from its 38.8 kWh battery, the Seat is fitted with a 61 kW electric motor. The Mii Electric uses a CCS inlet to allow rapid charging at up to 40 kW. This means a charge to 80% will take less than an hour, while charging at home or in public on a 7 kW unit will take about four hours. Seat has kitted out the Mii Electric in one trim level, and it’s well equipped. Fitted as standard are 16-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, leather steering wheel and gear selector, heated front seats, air conditioning, cruise control, automatic wipers, and rear parking sensors. Seat’s Drive Mii app is also available to download on to customer’s smartphone, which acts as infotainment system when fitted into the car’s cradle. This includes navigation, and an eco trainer. The addition of the Seat connect app also means drivers can access the usual EV features, such as remote climate control, pre-conditioning, driving data, and charging management. The Mii Electric sees the launch of an updated VW Group electric citycar range, with a refreshed VW e-up! and new Skoda Citigo-e iV due – all sharing the same powertrain. The Seat Mii Electric can be ordered now, with pricing at £19,300 including UK Plug-in Car Grant. Deliveries are expected towards the end of Q1 2020.
Origin: Seat Mii Electric goes on sale
electric
Ford to reveal Mustang-inspired electric SUV next month
Ford will reveal its new Mustang-inspired electric SUV, conceived as a high-performance rival to the Tesla Model Y, next month. The American firm has released a teaser featuring a sketch of the new machine’s profile, confirming it will be launched on Sunday 17 November, just ahead of the Los Angeles motor show where it will likely be shown in public for the first time. Due to go on sale in 2020, a concept will be unveiled later this year, Ford claims the as-year-unnamed model will transfer the spirit of the iconic Mustang pony car into a truly 21st century model. The new model was given the ‘Mach 1’ tag during early development because of strong public opinion against the use of the branding historically reserved for Mustangs. However, the Blue Oval recently applied to trademark the ‘Mach-E’ nameplate, which seems a perfect fit, given the car’s brief. The new car will be the first Ford designed as an electric car from the ground up, with a bespoke new platform enabling both rear and four-wheel drive. It will crown the brand’s wide-reaching electrification plan under which European customers will be offered a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric version of every new model launched. The only technical detail Ford has officially revealed is the car’s range: it will be capable of 370 miles of WLTP-certified range on a single charge, beating the Tesla Model X (351 miles) and Jaguar I-Pace (292 miles). A less expensive version with less battery capacity and range is also expected. Ford claims charging will be “effortless” and it is “redesigning the ownership experience to ensure it addresses customer pain points that currently hold back broad (electric car) adoption”. The car’s performance remains undisclosed, although chairman Bill Ford has previously claimed it “is going to go like hell”. At a Bank of America summit last month, a Ford presentation showed that it would offer a higher-performance variant of the electric crossover, targeting the more accelerative versions of Tesla’s EVs. Although it is not officially confirmed, reports suggest Ford will reveal the car’s name along with the concept before the year is out. Like many of Ford’s recent models, it’ll be a globally engineered vehicle with few changes between regions. UK deliveries are tipped to start in late 2020. It’s not the only EV in Ford’s product plan, because the Michigan-based maker is also working on a more affordable electric crossover. Codenamed CX430, it will be based on the latest Focus platform and be similar to the Kuga. The CX430 has been in Ford’s product plan for several years. The long-awaited push into electrification comes after news that Ford will be dropping former best-sellers from its US line-up: the Taurus, Fusion and Focus, alongside the Fiesta. Ford’s supermini never found huge popularity in the US, but the momentous decision to end Ford’s 110-year presence in the US passenger saloon market sent a clear signal that profitability, not diversity, is the new focus for the
Origin: Ford to reveal Mustang-inspired electric SUV next month
Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
American start-up Bollinger Motors has revealed pricing for its electric off-road SUV and pick-up truck, ahead of the pair’s public debut at next month’s Los Angeles motor show. Both models will be available from $125,000 (£97,200) in the US, and can be secured now with a refundable deposit through the firm’s website. They have been engineered to be road-legal across the globe, suggesting pricing for other countries could be announced in due course. The B1 and B2 are both based on Bollinger’s in-house-developed Class 3 electric vehicle ‘skateboard’ platform. The chassis and body are made from aluminium, making it light and easy to manufacture, with simple-to-replace body panels. With a motor on each axle giving four-wheel drive, the rugged, boxy models produce a combined 614bhp and 668lb ft of torque for a claimed 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and a top speed of 100mph. Range hasn’t been confirmed, but Bollinger’s battery pack is an enormous 120kWh in capacity. The company previously proposed a range of 200 miles from a 100kWh battery. Drive is through a two-speed automatic gearbox with high and low ranges, while there are front and rear electronically locking differentials. Designed for extreme off-road use, the B1 and B2 have 50/50 weight distribution, 10-20in of variable ground clearance, 10in of wheel travel, all-round ventilated 11.75in disc brakes and geared axle hubs. Payload is a strong 2359kg, while towing capacity is 3402kg. For context, the Toyota Hilux pick-up manages up to 3500kg. The Bollinger models also have a unique ‘pass through hatch’ running their entire length. Electric rivals will include the R1T and R1S from well-funded compatriot firm Rivian and the best-selling Ford F-150. Bollinger was founded by industrial designer Robert Bollinger in 2015 to “reinvent trucks, not just electrify them” when he saw the shortcomings of traditional trucks on his farm. “It was time we did something new,” he said. “I just wanted to build the best truck without compromise.” Bollinger says it has received more than 30,000 expressions of interest in its vehicles and plans to begin production in
Origin: Bollinger reveals US pricing for rugged electric SUVs
The RX-8’s spirit lives on in Mazda’s first electric vehicle
What is it? The MX-30 is the first EV from Mazda. Its also the production version of the prototype we drove a couple of months ago in NorwayWhy does it matter? Well, for one thing the MX-30 breaks from the EV orthodoxy that says the cure for range anxiety is bigger batteries. In its current guise, its 355-volt battery tops out at 35.5 kWh, which, though Mazda has not released final figures, should be good for 200 kilometres or so of all-electric motoring. That should be more than enough for most peoples daily commutes, even those commuting into large urban centres from suburban outreaches.But instead of offering bigger batteries for those looking for inter city travel, Mazda is adding a range-extending, gasoline-fed engine so that the current lack of a recharging infrastructure. And not just any range extender, but a rotary engine the likes last seen in the companys RX-8 sports coupe. Not only is the Wankel engine more compact, affording the MX-30 generous cabin space, but held at a constant rpm (as generators are wont to do) rotaries can prove quite frugal. In other words, the MX-30 looks to be the EV the world needs enough electric range to motor daily without emissions and a convenient range extender for long-distance motoring if not the EV it desires. Another takeaway from the RX-8 is the MX-30s rear suicide doors Mazda calls them freestyle that open from the rear. Like the RX-8s, they are smaller than traditional rear doors but open a ingress/egress-aiding 80 degrees. Looks wise, Mazda says the MX-30 shows off its new Human Modern design. What they really mean is that its a slightly European take on the classic sport-cute. For those looking for current offering to judge the MX-30 against, the new Mazda is about the same size as Kias Niro.Inside, the cabin is perhaps that should be read easily the best yet crafted by Mazda. Pretty much all the controls even the air conditioning system are now touchscreen controlled, the dashboard is ultra clean with barely a switch of button to interrupt its horizontal flow, and Mazda has trotted out some Heritage Cork trim to highlight the MX-30s greenness.When is it coming?We will be getting the MX-30 in the second half of 2020, and pointing out the importance of Canada to Mazda and its EV aspirations I suspect the former should be read avoiding penalties from Quebecs ZEV mandate we will be one of the first three markets to receive MX-30s.Check out all of our latest auto show coverageShould you buy it?Well, that depends on how pretentious and gullible you are. If you fall for the Elon Musk logic that anything short of a pure EV is climate change denial and that one needs at least 500 kilometres of range to be considered a real EV, then I dont think the MX-30 is for you.But if youre looking for a pragmatic solution to the automobiles future, the MX-30 with its rotary range extender will let you cut 80 per cent of your greenhouse gas emissions (and your monthly gasoline bill) while having the combined convenience of charging at home and gassing up quickly on the highway. From that perspective, it might be the best thing
Origin: The RX-8’s spirit lives on in Mazda’s first electric vehicle
Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
A pure electric black cab has been launched, rivalling the plug-in hybrid LEVC TX and offering up to 187 miles of range. The Dynamo Taxi, produced by new cab maker Dynamo, is the first fully electric taxi since the 1897 Bersey Taxi. The vehicle is based on the Nissan e-NV200 Evalia MPV, which Dynamo buys from the maker and modifies. Dynamo has added wheelchair accessibility and re-kitted the model’s interior to meet strict London taxi regulations. Other changes include incorporating contactless payment into the Evalia’s infotainment system. There is also an enlarged glass roof and heated seats, while Dynamo claims the seating has been overhauled to better cater for passengers. The cab has the same drivetrain as the standard Nissan e-NV200, producing a range of up to 187 miles. Recharging the Dynamo from empty to 80% takes between 40 and 60 minutes on a 46kW fast charge. The reworked Nissan also benefits from a significantly tighter turning circle to help drivers navigate London’s streets. Dynamo aims to produce at least 500 taxis next year, with a minimum of 1500 targeted for 2021. Although the taxi was launched in London, Dynamo hopes they will be adopted across the UK. Dynamo CEO Brendan O’Toole said: “The UK’s new-car market is experiencing an electric revolution, with record numbers of fully electric vehicle registrations taking place each year. Electric vehicle technology is now a viable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, and it’s imperative the UK’s taxi market changes with the times. “The Dynamo Taxi is the UK’s first Transport for London-approved fully electric taxi and is designed with both drivers and passengers in mind. With a low starting price, and a reliable vehicle architecture in the Nissan e-NV200, we are offering a truly unique solution to the tens of thousands of taxi drivers in London and cities across the UK.” The taxi costs £55,495 outright. This figure is reduced to £47,955 for buyers eligible for a £7500 government plug-in car
Origin: Electric London black cab launches with 187-mile range
Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
Not one, but two companies this month unveiled something electric car enthusiasts have been asking for for a long time electric crate motors that can be pretty easily swapped into whatever gasoline-powered vehicle theyll physically fit into. Batteries not included.According to Autoblog, upstart Electric GT (EGT), led by Eric Hutchison, plans to soon offer both a single- and dual-motor EV conversion kit.Both can be bolted onto manual transmissions, and many motor mounts and plate adapters for various gearboxes have already been developed; the company can custom-design adapters, too.The company first gained popularity (or notoriety) for swapping an electric drivetrain into a Ferrari 308, swapping out the cars old 2.9-litre V8 which made 280 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque for three AC51 HPEVS electric motors making a total 465 hp and 330 lb.-ft. View this post on Instagram Perfectioneering. 44 Drop in Crate Motor revisions for the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40. well and a few other cool 44’s. Bark if you like it and Share it if you ❤️ it! . . . . #bronco #fj #fj40 #efj #electric4x4 #rivian #toyotaFJ #fjcruiser #ev4x4 #classic4x4 #motorswap #offroadev #offroading #lsswap #montereycarweek #thequail electeicswap #goodidea #goodservice #thequail #montereycarweek #plugplayev #electriccratemotor A post shared by Electric GT (@electricgte) on Aug 22, 2019 at 8:33pm PDTThe new e-crate motor is shaped like a classic V8 motor, except its about 5 inches longer than most classic Chevy or Ford small-blocks. The single-motor kit makes 140 hp and 240 lb.-ft.; while dual-motors make 240 hp and 340 lb.-ft.Swindon Powertrain in the U.K. is also throwing its hat into the e-crate ring, and will offer a smaller, more European-style motor.Swindons motor is a more conventional transverse design for front-wheel-drive cars or small mid-engine cars. It weighs a more Chapman-esque 70 kg and makes a respectable 110 horsepower. Dimensions are 600 mm wide by 440 mm deep by as little as 280 mm tall, meaning it will fit almost anywhere, including under the hood of a Mini.Its worth noting if you convert your classic car to electric power, though, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), the global organization dedicated to preserving older vehicles, recently announced it will consider your car or any vintage EV-converted car desecrated.The group regularly lobbies governments around the world for classic car owners rights; but in their eyes, your EV-converted antique aint a classic car any more, so youll be on your
Origin: Electric ‘crate motors’ make turning your gas car into an EV easy
General Motors could revive Hummer as electric SUV brand
American automotive giant General Motors (GM) is considering a revival of the Hummer brand for a new line of premium electric SUVs and pick-up trucks, according to Reuters. The company is reportedly aiming to put a new range of large luxury EVs, codenamed BT1, into production at its Detroit-Hammtramck factory by the end of 2021. The first BT1 model, currently known as Project O, is said to be a pick-up for an as-yet-undetermined brand, with internal sources suggesting use of the Hummer name is “under consideration”. It will be followed by a hardcore performance version in 2022. Claimed to also be in development are an electric pick-up for GMC and an electric SUV for Cadillac. Both are set to arrive in 2023. GM is investing $7.7 billion (£5.9bn) into preparing its US factories for the shift to electrification over the next four years, with the Detroit-Hammtramck facility being upgraded at a cost of $3bn (£2.3bn) to produce electric trucks and vans. The large EVs will sit stop a new skateboard-style chassis, similar to that of start-up company Rivian, which combines motors and batteries for cheaper production costs. Around 80,000 units per year are expected to be produced. Regarding GM’s choice to develop premium EVs before more affordable models, Auto Forecast Solutions’ Sam Fiorani told Reuters: “It makes perfect sense to hit the high end of the market in order to generate some revenue that might actually turn a profit.” Such a move, he noted, has proved lucrative for Tesla, which launched with the low-volume Roadster before going on to rival BMW and Mercedes-Benz with the Model S. GM recently ended production of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, citing a decline in demand for saloon models. Its replacement, the Bolt, is an electric hatchback that’s expected to cost its maker between $8000-$9000 per unit as a result of the augmented cost of EV production compared to that of conventionally powered cars. Production of the iconic Hummer H2 and smaller H3 ended in 2009, as GM eyed a return to profit following a high-profile bankruptcy announcement. The BT1 electric pick-up is likely to be priced to compete with the Rivian RS1 and could beat Tesla’s long-awaited truck to
Origin: General Motors could revive Hummer as electric SUV brand
Plugged In Podcast: From electric Porsche replicas to three-wheeled city cars
Meccanica founder Jerry Kroll with the Sparrow electric car, which served as the prototype for the Vancouver-based company’s Solo vehicle. He will be the first guest on Plugged In, our new podcast on EVs.Gerry Kahrmann / Postmedia Plugged In connects you to the ever-expanding Canadian electric vehicle network, featuring in-depth interviews with experts, engineers and everyday EV owners from across the country and from around the world.In this inaugural episode well speak with Jerry Kroll, the founder of Vancouver-based electric vehicle manufacturer Meccanica. You might be familiar with the companys three-wheeled, single-seat Solo, which has been displayed at auto shows across the country and has been a sensation on social media platforms.Jerry epitomizes the passion that people working in the electric vehicle segment have, not just for the remarkable technology itself, but also for the bigger picture of how the technology can impact the future of our planet.Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.
Origin: Plugged In Podcast: From electric Porsche replicas to three-wheeled city cars
Swindon Powertrain creates compact ‘crate’ electric motor
Swindon Powertrain, the company behind the E-Classic electric Mini, is developing a ‘crate’ powertrain for manufacturers to electrify low-volume models. The 107bhp unit will facilitate the switch to electrification, the firm says, for “manufacturers currently frustrated by the lack of compact, high-power EV systems available to buy in low volumes”. The powertrain is being developed in partnership with electric motor manufacturer iNetic and engineering firm Code, with funding coming from the Niche Vehicle Network, a body that supports more than 900 of Britain’s lowest-volume automotive production and engineering companies. The unit is described as ‘turnkey’, meaning it’s ready for installation straight from the box, and is claimed to offer the highest power-to-volume ratio on the market. Primary intended uses for the new motor include sports cars, classic cars, small commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles such as golf buggies. The unit weighs just 70kg and, measuring 600mm by 440mm by 280mm, is said to be appropriately sized for fitment into the engine bay of an original Mini or the frame of a quadbike. Swindon Powertrain also states that waterproofing options will enable it to be used in compact off-roaders. It claims that as well as operating as a standalone motor, the unit could also be used as the electric component in a hybrid vehicle’s drivetrain. The firm plans to put the unit into series production before June 2020 and will cover the cost of any necessary research and validation processes, which it says will further ease costs for
Origin: Swindon Powertrain creates compact ‘crate’ electric motor
Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
The four-wheel-drive XC40 Recharge features two 201bhp electric motors, one mounted on each axle, that combine to offer 402bhp and 487lb ft of torque. That enables it to achieve 0-62mph in 4.9 secs, with a limited top speed of 112mph. Power is drawn from a 78kWh underfloor battery, with Volvo citing a WLTP-certified range of more than 248 miles. Charging is available through an 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC fast-charger, which the firm says can deliver an 80% charge in 40 minutes. The vehicle largely retains the exterior and interior styling of the conventional XC40, albeit with the addition of a new sealed fascia in place of the traditional radiator grille for the combustion engine. The model also gets Recharge branding and other minor design tweaks, while the charging port is located on the rear pillar of the car in the same place as a traditional petrol cap. Built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform as the regular XC40, the Recharge version retains largely the same dimensions with a length of 4425mm and a width of 2034mm. Because of the underfloor batteries, the XC40 Recharge has a slightly reduced ground clearance of 175mm, compared to 211mm on the regular model. The XC40 Recharge offers 413 litres of luggage capacity, a reduction of 460 litres for the regular model although, due to the space saved by the lack of a combustion engine, it gains a 31-litre ‘frunk’ storage area underneath the bonnet. The machine weighs a minimum of 2150kg, compared to 1497kg for the combustion-engined version. The XC40 Recharge is also the first Volvo to feature a new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. That system features Volvo On Call, the firm’s digital platform. The likely initial price of the XC40 Recharge is similar to that of the closely related Polestar 2, the first electric model from Volvo’s spin-off performance brand. That model, which features the same electric powertrain – and identical power, torque output and range – costs £49,900 in its initial Launch Edition. Planned base models are likely to cost around £34,500. To accompany the launch of the XC40 Recharge, Volvo is also revamping its sales process. From early next year, customers visiting its website will be asked first if they want an electrified car, and a range of financial incentives designed to encourage efficient electric driving will also be offered. With Volvo aiming for plug-in hybrids to account for a fifth of its total sales next year, the firm is planning to triple production capacity for its electrified models, including the XC40 Recharge. It will also offer a new Designer’s Choice selection for Recharge models, which it says will feature “radically reduced delivery
Origin: Volvo reveals XC40 Recharge as first full electric model
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