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The WhichEV View: Stellantis opens 100% EV-only UK manufacturing plant

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There is a lot of talk in the media about the fact that the UK government has put in place provisions to ensure that every electric vehicle sold in the UK must use material sourced in the UK. That amount needs to be 40% of the total production of each vehicle.
This has led to the opening or commitment to open at least three large-scale EV battery plants. Stellantis has taken this one step further, by committing a £100 million investment in Elsmere Port.
This will be the first 100% EV production plant in the United Kingdom and will create a lot of jobs both inside the factory and the surrounding area and along the supply chains for the plant itself. The initial focus will be on van like products either for personal or commercial use…
To read more about this Stallantis initiative, head over to WhichEV.

The WhichEV View: Affordable EVs now arriving with 300+ mile range

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By WhichEV

This multi-award winning MG4 EV design has now been revised with a much stronger power train/battery combination, with the updated version now offering a 323 mile range. That means the car is is likely to be able to complete London>Manchester without stopping – opening up new possibilities for fleet users.

As WhichEV points out in its Care of the Year guide, theMG4 EV costs less than half as much as a Tesla Model Y, and as a result is the more significant new arrival in the last 12 months.

It probably won’t sell as many units as the Model Y even after a full year on the market, but it draws a line in the sand about EV pricing. While the MG4 EV uses some cheap materials and still needs a little more work in its infotainment (albeit much better than before), in every area it’s more than just acceptable.

In fact, it’s great to drive, immensely practical, and – most importantly – sets a new benchmark for EV value. If any car released in the last year sets the direction for electric cars, it’s the MG4 EV. This car comes close to making EVs better than ICE in every way – including sticker price.

Read WhichEV’s full review of the original MG4 EV.

The WhichEV View: 2023 UK EV sales pass landmark half-year figure

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So far in 2023, almost 600,000 cars have been sold with some kind of electric drive motor inside – compared to only 455,000 with just a petrol engine.

Pure battery electric vehicles have accounted for over 175,000 sales so far – which means the year could end with well over 300,000 new EV sales in the UK.

More EVs were sold in 2021 than in the first 10 years of modern EV sales (from 2010 to 2019).

Now we’re almost seeing that level of sales in one half of a year.

For a full analysis of the data, hop on over to WhichEV.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Autonomous driving levels explained

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BMW is taking a giant leap forward in the world of autonomous driving with the launch of its state-of-the-art test site, the Future Mobility Development Centre (FMDC), in Sokolov, Czechia. Representing an investment of 300 million euros, the FMDC is the first of its kind in central Europe and is set to play a pivotal role in BMW’s future mobility development.

Encompassing a vast expanse of 600 hectares, the site is dedicated to the ongoing research and testing of automated driving and parking technologies. Notably, this impressive investment will create over 100 new jobs and, in line with BMW’s commitment to sustainability, will operate entirely on 100 percent green electricity.

Transformed from a former mining region into an innovation hub, the FMDC’s strategic location offers an array of real-world conditions for testing highly and fully automated driving and parking, complementing virtual simulations of driving scenarios. By combining both virtual and real-world testing, BMW aims to meet the stringent safety requirements of its customers effectively. The FMDC joins the ranks of BMW’s existing group of test sites in Aschheim near Munich, Miramas in France, and Arjeplog in Sweden. This facility will be used to help develop future generations of electric car from BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce.

So what is autonomous driving and what do the various levels (from 1 to 5) actually mean in the real world?

Head over to WhichEV for the full lowdown.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Does LEVC’s Space oriented Architecture point the way for fleets?

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By WhichEV

LEVC is the original ‘London Black Cab Company’ from the Victorian era – and it’s still making interesting vehicles today. As they move across to electric power trains, so they will expand the variety of vehicles offered – and the range of features included.

Specifically, they have just made the move on a full accessible taxi that has integrated ramps and enough internal space to allow a wheel chair to spin 360 degrees.

Backed by huge Chinese producer Geely (who own Volvo, Lotus, Polestar etc), LEVC is using intelligent design to create a variety of products from common core modules – including Electric Vans.

This ability to create/adapt/innovate comes from the underlying ‘Space Oriented Architecture’, where ‘proven sections’ can be integrated in interesting new ways. LEVC has used this SOA to create the perfect taxi for disabled people in cities.

In the near future, Fleet Managers will be able to take advantage of this kind of design – in order to create the perfect vehicle for their needs.

Everything from cabs and vans to ambulances will be catered for – and not at ‘silly money’.

Read more about this topic over at WhichEV.

The WhichEV View: Volta Trucks signals ambition with new Service Hub in London

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By WhichEV

Volta Trucks, the all-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services provider, has celebrated the official opening of its innovative Truck as a Service Hub in Tottenham, London.

The event was attended by controversial Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan as well as Tottenham MP Rt. Hon. David Lammy, industry leaders, key customers, and stakeholders.

Situated on White Hart Lane in Tottenham, the cutting-edge facility marks the first of its kind in the UK. It is designed to be the primary destination for routine servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles in the London area.

The state-of-the-art hub offers comprehensive support to fleet operators transitioning to electric trucks, featuring administrative offices and a Volta Trucks Academy Training centre, as well as a customer call centre providing round-the-clock assistance and technical support for the trucks that we saw being built during our visit earlier this year.

Read the full story over at WhichEV…

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Global EV market penetration heading to 15%

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By WhichEV

IDC is reporting that the number of EVs in use across world is heading toward the 12 million mark, while around 1 in 4 of the EVs sold are in Europe.

BYD, Tesla and SAIC represent over 36% of the EVs sold globally (their share of the huge Chinese market is over 53%).

The ATTO 3 from BYD is being sold through multiple UK dealers, including Stratstone – which has traditionally been a Jaguar house.

WhichEV spoke with Stratstone and they told use that they feel comfortable integrating BYD into their range, as there is little/no overlap with Jaguar or any of the Land/Range Rover products

The ATTO 3 is already affordable (around £37,000), but the new BYD Dolphin will push prices down below £30,000 and that leaves the tantalising prospect of the BYD Seagull which could retail in Europe for a little over €10,000 and in the UK for less than £10,000 – with the higher end BYD Seal around £40,000

If the next generation of Chinese EVs can offer fleet managers products from £10,000 to £50,000 – through major local dealers that can offer local support – just how fast could fleets move across to pollution free vehicles?

Click to read the full story over at WhichEV...

The WhichEV View: Stellantis urges UK Government to renegotiate Brexit

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By WhichEV

In a startling development, Stellantis, one of the largest automakers globally, has warned the UK government that parts of its car industry could be lost unless the Brexit deal is renegotiated.

The company, known for producing brands like Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, and Fiat, had previously committed to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK.

However, it now claims that it cannot adhere to the trade rules outlined in the Brexit agreement regarding the sourcing of parts. The collapse of Britishvolt at the start of 2023 was a key factor.

The UK government responded to Stellantis’ concerns, emphasising its determination to ensure that the country remains competitive in the car manufacturing sector, but unless large scale battery production in the UK becomes a reality in the very near future – then car companies will have no possibility to avoid costly tariffs on products like the new Vauxhall Astra Electric.

Click here to read the full, fascinating story over at WhichEV.

THE WHICHEV VIEW: Solar panels – The next big leap forward for EVs?

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We all know that the smaller, lighter, cheaper electric vehicles will kickstart a transportation revolution. But what about the cost of refuelling?

Various crises around the world has meant a massive jump in the cost of all forms of energy.

But the sun continues to shine, its power is free and available – and the technology required to harness that energy, continues to improve.

While it is easy to imagine buildings of the future, being completely covered in solar panels that charge either cars directly or battery storage for use later – many vehicle manufacturers are now looking at integrating solar panels into the vehicles themselves.

Elon Musk believes that it will be possible to generate 20 to 40 miles of range per day per car – simply by covering available surfaces with solar cells, allowing the car to charge when it is not being driven.

Between building-based and on-the-car photovoltaic cells – can we really moved to a future where we have a far smaller reliance on the grid?

For the full story, head over to WhichEV.

Connected Kerb plans 10,000 new EV charge points

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By WhichEV

Connected Kerb’s new partnership with Surrey County Council will see up to £60m invested in public EV charge points, resulting in a 25% increase in availability across the UK.

At the time this story was published, the UK had just shy of 39,000 public charge points across the country. Measured against that installed base, it’s easy to see what a mammoth commitment is being made when Connected Kerb announces plans for an additional 10,000 points. From this one company alone, that’s a promise to increase the nation’s charging options by 25%. We’re keen to know how long this will take, how much it will cost and will the chargers be concentrated in South East England.

One scheme is focused on streets and public car parks across Surrey, with over 1,500 locations to benefit from this new network of chargers. It will be the largest roll-out of its kind by any local authority. Right now, the country can only offer one charger per 9,000 residents, which is clearly going to present a challenge as the market moves to stop petrol/diesel car sales by 2030.

To read the full story, hop over to WhichEV…