However, while looking at those figures alone would have you thinking that it would be the owners of the purely electric model covering most no-emissions miles, a recent study suggests the exact opposite.
The EV Project Vehicle Summary Report, issued by the US Department of Energy (DoE), collected data between the months of April and June this year and compiled them for some surprising results.
It revealed that in spite of having more battery on board to take them further, Nissan Leaf drivers actually covered fewer miles than Volt owners. They back this up with more numbers: 629 miles per month for the former, and 759 for the latter.
A number of factors could be affecting these readings, though, so they’re not necessarily accurate without question, yet they do offer an interesting suggestion that Bob Lutz may have actually had a point about the Chevy using the gasoline engine only when needed; if owners operate it properly (i.e. keep the battery charged at all times via socket and plug) the 1.4-liter petrol engine is rarely used.
In fact, it was found that the 759 aforementioned miles of range actually constituted around 75 percent of the total number of miles driven (1,012 of them on average, to be precise).
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Greencareports
With a 64 year-old Dakar rally winner on board, the first one in Japan's history, a local team has officially made itself worthy of media attention, after having covered 1,300 km (807 miles) aboard a Suzuki Every kei van, that was probably filled full of batteries in the back, and only charging it up once beforehand.
Apparently, Suzuki did sell an electric version of the Every, but its quoted range was nowhere near what was achieved today, hinting at extensive yet unspecified modifications done to it for the staged drive around the village of Ogata, in the Akita Prefecture.
Regardless, the attempt dwarfed the previous one by almost 300 km (186 miles) and landed the participants a chance at a Guinness world record. However, it probably won't last long, and we’re now looking forward to seeing the next, better vehicle, the one that will break the 2,000 km (1,242 mile) barrier.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Japantimes via Green.Autoblog
It’s probably partly down to the price, which puts it in Tesla Model S territory, and with only 35 miles (56 km) of EV-only driving available before the 1.4-liter 84 hp petrol engine from a Chevy Aveo kicks in to recharge the 16.5 kWh battery pack.
But none of that matters to CNET and their recently uploaded video feature of the ELR, which focuses, as we’d expect from them, on the technology it comes with, the way it works, and if it’s usable, useful or just annoying.
Too bad it’s so darn expensive, because as this video proves, it really has a lot going for it, from the good-looking interior and exterior, to its undeniable green credentials if run on battery power most of the time, and operated in the correct fashion, taking its power from the socket and not the petrol engine.
By Andrei Nedelea
Calling it a three-wheeler EV is an understatement, because it not only looks like it’s from 2025, but it’s also a shape-shifter with two wheels at the front and one wider one at the back.
The front fork can pivot between a low-slung high-speed position to a more upright stance that is designed for low-speed riding (driving?) with improved maneuverability characteristics.
The unorthodox approach to its design is continued to the way you control it. There are no handlebars or a steering wheel in sight, and you steer it by turning two individual handles that in turn angle the wheels to change direction.
Like we said in regards to the Nissan IDx Freeflow concepts, if this is the manufacturer’s idea of the future, then we’re really interested and want to see more. Check out the photo gallery and the video (courtesy of Reuters) below to see what we’re on about here.
By Andrei Nedelea
Called Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology (BDNT), the JV is dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles. To prepare for the market introduction of the Denza EV, BDNT is currently carrying out intensive testing of pre-production. So far, the Denza has been tested in dusty, summer conditions in the South of China, with winter tests to begin soon in the freezing cold of north-eastern China.
The plant in Shenzhen is also running production tests in order to start building what BDNT calls “the safest and most reliable electric vehicle”, designed and engineered in China for the local market.
Previewed by a concept car at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the Denza EV may be based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive, judging from the shape of the development prototype shown in the photo.
Following the car’s premiere in Beijing, the first Denza dealership will open in the Chinese capital by mid-2014, with further dealerships being built simultaneously in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Three of China’s leading automobile dealership groups, Zhongsheng Group Holdings Limited (Zhongsheng Group), Lei Shing Hong Auto (China) Management Co., Ltd. (LSH), and Pangda Automobile Trade Co., Ltd. (Pangda Group), will become the first dealers responsible for the distribution and service of Denza electric vehicles, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.
Mercedes isn’t the only German maker to create a new brand for electric cars in China as BMW has done the same with Zinoro, which has already released its first model, the E1.
By Dan Mihalascu
The announcement was made at the Guangzhou Auto Show, where the ForTwo Electric Drive celebrated its Chinese debut. The EV is already available to buy from dealerships around the country.
The new generation Smart Electric Drive has been available in Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan since production began in 2012. The model is the number one battery-powered electric vehicle in Germany, making up around 40 percent of the EV market. Smart says roughly 93 percent of customers would recommend the smart electric drive.
The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive is powered by a 55kW (74hp) electric motor delivering 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of instant torque which helps the EV sprint from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 125 km/h (78 mph) to help the car achieve a driving range of 145 km (90 miles).
Smart sales in China rose 43.8 percent in 2012, with the country set to become a crucial market for vehicles with alternative drive systems, thanks to supportive measures from the local government. Many analysts predict China will become the world’s largest market for alternative drive vehicles as well.
By Dan Mihalascu
Zinoro is a joint-venture between BWM and their local manufacturing partner Brilliance Auto, with the name meaning promise in the local language.
BMW says Zinoro's goal is to become "a premium Chinese brand that is caring, respectful and contemporary", adding that, "ZINORO 1E is not aiming at sales volume of today. Instead, it is future-oriented to build the ZINORO brand image, raise customer understanding and acceptance of electric vehicle, and drive the commercialization of electric vehicles."
On the styling front, BMW's designers made subtle changes to the car's front end and rear end eliminating some, but not all, BMW cues like the double kidney grille, and adding new bumpers and head/tail light clusters. More of the same applies to the lightly tweaked interior that hasn't changed much from the X1.
BMW calls the Zinoro E1 an…ESAV, which stands for Electric Sports Activity Vehicle. Under the metal, there's an electric motor likely sourced from the i3 - since it develops the same 125kw (168hp / 170PS) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) of peak torque, and three lithium batteries mounted at the front under the engine hook, the center and the rear replacing traditional gasoline tank. Luggage space stands at a respectable 306 liters.
According to the automaker, the E1 has a top speed of 130km/h (81mph) and a driving range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles), with a full charge taking 7.5 hours.
Standard features will include a navigation system, Bluetooth, Auto A/C, Multi-function leather steering wheel, front seat adjustment electric with memory for driver's, PDC, Rain sensor, seat heating for driver and front passenger etc. Active safety technologies include ESP, PSS, and Tire Pressure Monitor.
BMW's China brand said that in order to "attract and encourage" more customers to accept electric vehicles, the 1E will be offered initially as a lease, with the company to open up stores Beijing and Shanghai for brand communication and customer service, beginning from early next year.
Live photos via Auto-Sina
