Automobiles Review

Tag: electric car

  • Chevrolet Volt to conquer China in 2012

    Volt at Shanghai Port thumbThe first Chevrolet Volt has made its debut this month in China at the HaiTong Port in Shanghai. The car is part of a 10-vehicle General Motors demonstration fleet which is going to be presented in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. All of the exhibited electric vehicles will give customers the chance to experience an industry-leading electric vehicle in daily use. Moreover GM will use information taken from the test drives and charging experience in order to understand better the application of electric vehicles in China. Therefore the company will provide consumers with hands on exposure to the extended range vehicle concept. This is very important step that GM will undertake to prepare for an expansion of offerings of vehicles powered by electricity. In addition GM will also work closely with government and industry officials. The aim is to help develop a public vehicle charging infrastructure.

    The award-winning Volt will be sold through thirteen especially selected dealerships in eight substantial cities in the country. To conquer one of the first global markets such as China, Volt provides drivers with no compromises in performance or driving range, having in mind that it is the first extended range electric vehicle. Moreover Volt provides up to 80 kilometers of electric driving. And then after battery consumption it can drive another 490 kilometers using an on-board engine generator! Therefore there will be no fear of being stranded by a spent battery. The car is the best electric vehicle solution for China nowadays, because it is not limited by range or a public charging. More importantly the Volt is also very economical to operate. For instance when it is charged during off-peak hours it costs less than one-tenth of the amount of driving on petrol vehicle alone.

    Volt models for retail sale, priced at RMB 498,000, will arrive in early 2012 at thirteen selected dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan.

    Chevrolet Volt at Shanghai Port
    Chevrolet Volt at Shanghai Port

    Source: General Motors

  • 2012 Kia RAY EV

    KIA REV EV thumbKia Motors is proud to introduce today Korea’s first electric vehicle today – the brand new Kia Ray EV! This zero-emissions city car has lively performance and a range of up to 139 km (86 miles) on a single charge. The vehicle is produced exclusively for the Korean market. The new electric car is a close relative of Kia’s 1.0-liter gasoline powered Ray CUV, which went on sale in Korea last month. The front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is engineered for a 10-year life cycle and skillfully packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor. The electric motor ensures responsive performance with torque of 167 Nm (123 lb-ft) (an increase of 77%). Furthermore the acceleration from 0-100 km/h of this model is 15.9 seconds, while top speed is 130 km/h (81 mph). If you buy this car you will need six hours of recharging time and you have to use a 220V household supply. But if you are in a hurry, then there is a fast-charge mode, which requires only 25 minutes.

    Furthermore the Ray EV’s automatic transmission offers the driver a choice of two modes while in ‘D’ drive. Namely they are ‘E’ (or ‘eco’) mode, which optimizes the delivery of the motor’s torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range; and the ‘B’ (or ‘brake’) mode – which can be selected when driving downhill on highways and on mountain roads to maximize braking power.

    2012 KIA Ray EV
    2012 KIA Ray EV

    The exterior of Kia Ray EV looks very similar to Ray CUV, with the following differences: a flap in the front radiator grille which covers an electricity inlet for a 220V supply for the slow recharge mode; another inlet (for the fast recharge mode) fitted in the same location as the fuel intake of the regular models; special ‘Zero Emissions EV’ decals on each front door; super-smooth 14-inch alloy wheels which improve aerodynamic performance by minimizing drag. On the other hand the interior of the new electric vehicle includes a unique instrument cluster, displaying electric motor operation, battery status and distance to recharge. It is also equipped with the first-ever EV-specific navigation system. This system features a 7-inch screen and provides important information for EV drivers. For example, it can show the nearest locations of the slow/fast recharging stations. Moreover the display shows a circular shaped area in which the model can travel with its current level of battery power, so that drivers can see which destinations are reachable without a recharge. In Korea there are 500 slow/fast recharge stations, but the government is taking steps to increase this number to 3100 by the end of 2012.

    In addition there are further innovations included in the design of this car. Firstly the electric motor achieves 93% efficiency, which is the best in its segment! Secondly, the lithium ion polymer battery’s cell is optimized and highly integrated, which has enabled its weight to be reduced by 13% and its energy density to be increased by 15% compared to competitors’ systems. Next, the on-board charger, current inverter, high-low voltage converter and EV-specific VCU (vehicle control unit) feature advances over previous equipment. Moreover Ray EV is also equipped with a new type of regenerative braking system. This unique system features an Active Hydraulic Booster that utilizes the electric motor, instead of the gasoline engine in the regular model. The goal is to create hydraulic pressure for the brake system.  Hence, the result is consistent brake pedal force throughout a wide variety of driving conditions and the ability to harvest excess energy and use it to recharge the car’s battery. Unlike regular gasoline vehicles, Ray EV makes no engine noise. Therefore to prevent accidents, Kia has fitted Ray EV with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System). When driven at speeds below 20 km/h (12 mph) this system delivers a sound of recorded gasoline engine noises, which are also produced whenever the car is backing up.

    Kia has thought for the safety and security of the passenger and the driver too. This has been achieved with six air-bags and electronic stability features – VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and HAC (Hill Assist Control, to prevent roll-back) coming as a standard.

    Furthermore Kia is planning to manufacture 2,500 units of the Ray EV in the forthcoming 2012. Firstly they will be provided to government departments and public offices as part of Kia’s long-term real-world research and development program to provide environmentally friendly transport to Kia customers around the world during the next decade.

    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV
    2012 Kia Ray EV

    Kia Ray EV – Technical Specifications

    DIMENSIONS
    Length               3593 mm     Width              1595 mm
    Height               1700 mm     Wheelbase     2520 mm
    Kerb weight     1185 kg

    POWERTRAIN
    Electric motor     50 kW
    Max power          68 ps         Max torque     167 Nm (17.0 g/km)
    BATTERY
    Power                   330V Lithium ion polymer
    Capacity               16.4 kWh
    Charge time         6.0 hrs (slow) / 25 minutes (fast)

    PERFORMANCE
    0-to-100 kph     15.9 sec (to 62 mph)
    Max speed          130 kph (81 mph)
    Max range          139 km (86 miles)

    Source: KIA

  • 2012 Vauxhall Ampera will cover up to 350 miles on electricity

    Vauxhall Ampera E-REV will make the longest journey by an electric car on British roads. The vehicle is going to try to cover 170 miles from in Luton, Bedfordshire to its passenger car plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

    “It’s quite poignant that Luton, our home for the last 105 years, should mark the starting point of not just this historic journey, but also the future of E-REV vehicles in the UK. In the last century, Vauxhall has pioneered innovation and technology for mainstream car buyers, and this commitment will continue with the Ampera. (more…)

  • European price list of Nissan Leaf – Zero-emission vehicle

    Nissan International SA informed that Leaf – Zero-emission car is priced under 30 000 Euros ( 25,641 Pounds) and it will hit the European markets in July. The company also announced specific prices for the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, UK and Portugal.

    Nissan Leaf is a compact, zero-emission five-seater, which is fully equipped and features AC, sat NAV, a parking camera, a quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity. (more…)

  • Citroen C1 ev’ie to be charged with Axeon’s batteries

    Axeon, Europe’s largest independent lithium-ion battery systems supplier, is to develop a new high capacity battery for the electric Citroën C1 ev’ie, manufactured by the UK-based Electric Car Corporation, with a view to supplying between 300 and 500 batteries in the 12 months following a successful trial.

    Axeon, based in Dundee, is Europe’s leading designer, developer and manufacturer of customised advanced lithium-ion battery packs and charging systems for a wide range of automotive and other applications, with its core business in developing and supplying such systems for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles. (more…)

  • Opel To Reveal Ampera Electric Car At Geneva Motor Show

    Opel has announced Ampera as the name of its revolutionary extended-range electric car. The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15). (more…)

  • Pininfarina B0 (B Zero) guest of honour at Dream

    The Pininfarina-Bolloré electric car in the spotlight for a whole weekend during the exhibition dedicated by TWDC to the car of the future. (more…)