The French government has passed a law which will require all car parks with more than 80 spaces to install solar canopies over at least half the area they cover. The move is expected to generate around 11 gigawatts of energy.
MINI’s Oxford factory is now offering owners of classic Mini models the chance to have their cars converted to electric. The original petrol engine of the classic Mini is replaced by a electric motor and battery by a dedicated team at the plant.
.
@ElecHighway
has opened its 2nd Electric Forecourt at Broadland Gate Business Park, adjacent to the A47 near Norwich. It hosts 22 high-power chargers with up to 350kW of power, eight Tesla Superchargers and six low power AC chargers.
OFFICIAL: VW is set to ditch the futuristic look of current ID range and go back to basics with its new £22k ID.2 supermini.
⚡️ Front-wheel drive
⚡️ 280 miles claimed range
⚡️ On sale 2025
⚡️ 10-80 charge in 20 mins
⚡️ Proper buttons
Everything we know ⬇️
We’re a bit unusual at . In an industry which is around 80% male dominated, the women of the team outnumber the men almost two to one. To mark International Women’s Day, each one of us will choose our favourite electric car and tell you why.
#IWD2022
New plans to allow electric cars to drive in both directions on one-way streets are set to become a reality in the UK. The move, which is being introduced to encourage electric car uptake, has the potential to significantly shorten journeys for drivers.
Shell has ripped out fuel pumps at a forecourt in West London to open its first all-electric charging hub. The new site in Fulham features nine 175kW chargers, a full canopy, shop and cafe. And it looks fan-bloomin-tastic.
Full details:
Tesla has introduced a controversial ‘scrappage’ scheme for buyers who trade in an older petrol or diesel car. During the month of June, customers whose car is valued at less than £2,000 will get an additional £2,000 off a Model 3 or Model Y.
Full story:
It's official: Tesla is opening its Supercharger network to UK non-Tesla drivers from today.
⚡️ Access to 15 sites and 158 Superchargers
⚡️ Payments via Tesla app
⚡️ 60p per kWh for non-members
⚡️ Lower price (tba) per kWh for £10 per month members
Another day, another HUGE reveal in the electric car world. Say howdy to the new Ford Explorer...
⚡️ Built on VW MEB platform
⚡️ 56-80kWh batteries (TBC)
⚡️ 218-335 WLTP ranges
⚡️ 170kW DC charging
⚡️ £35k-50k (est)
⚡️ Deliveries by end 2023
REVIEW ⬇️
Right, it must be at least 3 hours since the last retro-inspired EV broke cover, so here's another one to get us hot under the collar. It's a reborn Renault 4, which is tipped to appear in the French firm's rejigged EV line-up as a 5dr hatch and van.
Here you go gang… the embargo has just lifted.
Say hello to the
@Hyundai_UK_PR
Ioniq 5N.
⚡️84 kWh battery
⚡️ 640 bhp
⚡️550lb ft of torque
⚡️0-62 3.4 secs
⚡️£65k
It’s just been unleashed at
#GoodwoodFOS
&
@GinnyBuckley
had a sneak preview.
What do you think?
Video live now!
Charging an electric car can cost £80 per month more for drivers with no access to home charging. We're calling for VAT on public charge points to be reduced from 20% to 5% and for energy providers to introduce cheaper night tariffs at public chargers.
Nissan has confirmed that it's working on a sub-£20k next-generation electric Micra and will introduce it in 2024. The brand is targeting a range of 250 miles and the car will share hardware and production with the reborn Renault 5.
More details here:
MG has revealed the shape of its new compact hatchback, which is set to hit the UK with a £26k price tag. Although the newcomer could wear the MG4 tag in the UK, the number 4 is considered unlucky in China, where it will be sold as the Mulan.
More:
Now that’s a frunk!! Say hi to the
@LucidMotors
Gravity. Lucid are coming to the UK, but we’ll have to be patient!
⚡️seats up to seven
⚡️range of over 440 moles
⚡️0-60 in under 3.5 seconds
⚡️towing capacity of 6,000 lbs
⚡️set to cost around $80k
What do you think Electrifiers?
Planning an electric car trip across Europe this summer? Everything you need to know about chargers, tolls, permits, pets 🐾 and passes neatly explained by ’s new contributor (+road trip veteran) Andrew Till (aka
@tillathenun
).
*drumroll* We’re beyond excited to officially welcome Tomi
@GadgetsBoy
to the team. He’ll be our gadgets and tech guru so please welcome him to the gang!
For the first time ever, the total number of pure electric vehicles on the road (332,299) has overtaken the number of plug-in hybrid models (327,183) according to analysis of official data by the RAC. The Tesla Model 3 was the UK's best-selling car in Sep.
MG has announced the price and specification of its new MG4 EV.
⚡️ From £25,995
⚡️ SE Standard Range, SE Long Range, Trophy
⚡️ 51kWh – 218 miles WLTP range
⚡️ 64kWh - 281 miles WLTP
⚡️ 150kW DC charging for 64kWh pack
⚡️ 7 yr warranty
⚡️ Sept UK launch
Hyundai has released 1st images of its new Kona – and its looks are already dividing opinion. It shares its platform with the Kia Niro EV and will feature a 64kWh battery + 72kW rapid charging with V2L. Thoughts, electrifiers? Are you a fan of the design?
We have news! 📣
Ginny, Nicki & all the
@ElectrifyingCom
gang are thrilled that the brilliant
@Nicola_Hume
is joining the team.
We love girl power!⚡️
Nicola will be a regular on our
@youtube
channel so make sure you subscribe.
Right then, any ideas for a first triple test?! ⬇️
DRIVEN🚗⚡️: Volkswagen ID Life. It's small, cute and only has half a steering steering wheel, but this quirky sub-£20k electric Volkswagen could be a complete game changer when it lands in 2025. But what's it like to drive? We found out...
Review here:
Good news for estate fans! VW's forthcoming MEB-based estate is set to get the ID.7 Tourer name. VW has just registered the name in Europe and is likely to start production the Passat-sized model alongside a saloon variant from early 2024.
More details:
....and the covers are officially OFF. This, electrifiers, is the new Kia EV6, set to land in the UK later this year. It’s built on the same fast-charging base as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, but that’s about it for tech details. So what do you think team? Y or N?
The Polestar 2 is getting a significant engineering and design upgrade with bigger batteries (69kWh and 82kWh), longer ranges (+25 and +65 miles) and new front end design. Single motor models switch from front to rear-drive. On sale now from £44,490.
More HUGE charging news.
@GRIDSERVE_HQ
has taken a 25% stake in
@ecotricity
and will replace ALL existing M’way chargers with NEW units (CCS, CHAdeMO + AC) with contactless payments. All sites will additionally get 6-12 350kW ultra rapid units as part of the project.
Say hi to the new Renault 5 electric. Join Ginny as she enjoys EXCLUSIVE access to the reborn icon + original design concepts. Has Renault built a winner?
⚡️ 40-52kWh battery
⚡️ 100kW DC
⚡️ 248 mile range
⚡️ £25K (est)
VID
P:
Volvo has revealed its new EX30, aimed squarely at the Kia Niro EV and Vauxhall Mokka-e, with a starting price of £33,795.
⚡️ Single Motor | 270bhp + 51kWh battery
⚡️ Single Motor Extended Range + 69kWh battery
⚡️ Twin Motor | 424bhp + 69kWh battery
American electric car maker Rivian is in talks with the UK Govt to build a factory in the UK. The brand is said to have identified Gravity, a 616-acre campus near Bristol, as a favoured site for manufacturing its R1 models.
Hyundai has released the first official images of its new IONIQ 5 hatch. It’s the first model to be built on the brand’s E-GMP platform. Expect details on battery size and range over the next few days.
Looks good though, right?
EXCLUSIVE: Transport Minister Rachel Maclean tells us that the Govt will spend £1 billion to guarantee drivers at least SIX 150 kW+ chargers at all Motorway Services by 2023. Ecotricity stranglehold set to end with new suppliers to pitch.
Full interview:
BREAKING: ŠKODA has revealed its new Enyaq Coupe and vRS performance range-topper.
⚡️ 77kWh battery
⚡️ Range up to 339 miles
⚡️ vRS packs 296bhp / 460Nm torque
⚡️ 135kW DC charging
⚡️ UK deliveries July, prices TBA
Full story and more images:
Volkswagen has confirmed that a sub-£20k long-range electric car is coming by 2025 at the latest. Expected to be badged ID.2, it will be the size of the current Polo and is tipped to come with a 57kWh battery and a 250 mile range.
Full story here:
It’s the hope that gets you… Saw the lights on, pulled in to charge… Payment terminals dead despite chargers saying available. Waited 10 mins on the phone. Nothing. Not good enough
@bppulseuk
.
COMING SOON: Hyundai IONIQ 6. Everything we know about the car that will sit above the amazing IONIQ 5 in Hyundai's all-electric sub-brand. Set to launch in the UK early next year, will this be another winner for Hyundai? Thoughts, electrifiers?
Remember THAT
@JeremyVineOn5
interview with Mike Parry which contained some rather questionable 'facts' about electric cars? Well,
@GinnyBuckley
and
@tomwookieford
have been through the whole thing to bring you ALL the correct facts. FULL VIDEO:
Sainsbury’s has launched Smart Charge, a new EV charging business that will give drivers access to rapid charge points across its stores. The company has promised it will have more than 750 150kW bays live by the end of 2024.
Could this be the UK's best-value electric car? The Chinese-built Ora Cat 01 goes on sale next month with prices likely to be under £25k. Two battery sizes will be offered, 48kWh or 63kWh with ranges of 209 and 261 miles. Rapid charging at 80kW.
Story:
Still think a 50kW charger is rapid? Tesla has reportedly commissioned its first 4 new Megachargers with outputs of 1500kW (1.5MW) each. Designed for the brand’s new all-electric Semi lorry, they use a solar and battery storage system to reduce grid load.
Feature: Are electric cars just too fast? A Hyundai IONIQ 5 is faster to 60mph than a Lamborghini Countach – the poster supercar of the 70s and 80s. Should carmakers be focusing more on efficiency instead?
Isn’t
@YouTube
a wonderful thing?
We’ve discovered a video of the boss
@GinnyBuckley
getting her first experience of an electric car (the
@VWUKPress
Golf CityStromer) back in 1998!⚡️
Talk about being an early adopter. Can anyone beat that?!
For the first time ever, electric cars have filled the top two spots in the UK monthly registrations chart.
@SMMT
figures show that the
@tesla
Model Y was the most popular new car in the UK (by reg) in March, outselling the Model 3 by just seven cars.
MG has announced prices for the new, facelifted MG5 which will arrive at dealers in September.
⚡️ SE - £30,995
⚡️ Trophy - £33,495
⚡️ 61kWh battery
⚡️ 249 mile WLTP range
⚡️ 87kW DC charging
⚡️ Deliveries from Sept 22
More details here:
Wow! Škoda has just dropped details of its next SIX electric models – and they are all due before 2026.
⚡️ Elroq compact SUV
⚡️ £25,000 small hatchback
⚡️ Family estate BEV
⚡️ 7-seat SUV
⚡️ Enyaq Coupe facelift
⚡️ Enyaq SUV facelift
MORE ⬇️
It's here! The all-new Dacia Spring...
⚡️ From £15,500 (est)
⚡️ 26.8kWh battery
⚡️ 137 mile WLTP range
⚡️ 30 kW DC charging
⚡️ 65bhp
⚡️ UK orders open 12 March
Video:
Review:
How efficient is your next electric car? Today launches a new E-Rating™ – a smart algorithm that calculates the real-world efficiency of an electric car. It combines official data with scores based on kit and our own test figures.
A LOT of love for this at HQ. Forget the concept tag, Alpine bosses have told us that 85% of the Alpine A290B concept design will be transferred to the production version that arrives next year.
Full story + pics ⬇️
The UK's biggest trial of Vehicle to Grid tech (V2G) has been successfully carried out by
@OctopusEnergy
and
@NationalGridESO
. Tests carried out earlier this month involved 20 cars that successfully fed charge back into the grid during imbalances.
More👇
It’s finally here! Meet the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, revealed in all its glory today. Longer than an ID.4 but shorter than a Tesla Model Y, it’s set to land in the UK this autumn.
What do you reckon, electrifiers?
👍 or 👎
#idbuzz
#vw
Full details here:
Fiat boss Oliver François is planning to axe grey cars from the brand's range – including the 500e.
"We have a recession coming, so I’m seriously considering killing the grey. We are a colourful brand. Simple, colourful, joyful.”
Full story:
BYD has confirmed UK pricing for the new Dolphin🐬
⚡️ 45kWh Active £25,490 - 93bhp - 211 mile range
⚡️ 45kWh Boost £26,490 - 178bhp - 188 mile range
⚡️ 60kWh Comfort £29,490 - 201 bhp 265 mile range
⚡️ 60kWh Design £30,990 - 201bhp - 265 mile range
More⬇️
smart has unveiled its first purpose-built electric car - the
#1
.
⚡️ 66kWh battery
⚡️ 260-273 mile WLTP range
⚡️ 150kW DC charging / 22kW AC
⚡️ 4.2m long (same as VW ID.3)
⚡️ 273 / 411-litre boot: 15-litre frunk
⚡️ £32-36k (estimated)
⚡️ UK launch 2023
If the current trend towards not fitting a rear wiper troubles you, Polestar's new 4 may concern you further. Not only is it missing a wiper, it also comes without a rear windscreen...
⚡️ 94kWh battery
⚡️ 372 mile WLTP range
⚡️ 534bhp
⚡️ From £55k
More⬇️
Remember THAT
@JeremyVineOn5
interview with Mike Parry which contained some rather questionable 'facts' about electric cars? Well,
@GinnyBuckley
and
@tomwookieford
have been through the whole thing to bring you ALL the correct facts.
Electric vehicle insurance has risen by £313 year-on-year while the cost for petrol-powered cars has risen by even more: £337. Despite the hikes, the average policy cost for an electric car is £50 cheaper than for petrol models.
FULL STORY:
Tesla has slashed prices in the UK, knocking up to £9,100 off its Model Y and 3 ranges. The move is expected to cause anger among the 16,368 buyers who took delivery in December at much higher prices. Price cuts have already sparked protests in China.
…
Kia EV6 FIRST DRIVE. It's one of the most anticipated new electric cars of 2021... and we've just been behind the wheel. With ultra-rapid charging and more than 300 miles of range, is it everything we wished for?
The verdict is in...
We 😍 this.
#Airstream
eStream concept has an 80kWh battery and twin 242bhp motors to deliver power assistance while being towed. This reduces power drain on the towcar. Van can also be 'driven' via an app for parking + offers 2 wks of off-grid living.
Has MG just started an EV price war?
The brand has confirmed that the MG5 EV estate will cost under £25k and come with a 52.2kWh battery / WLTP range of 214miles. That makes it cheaper (+ bigger) than a Nissan Leaf and a Renault Zoe!
Thoughts team?
Skoda has revealed the first details of its £22k baby electric SUV which is set to arrive next year. The Epiq will be based on the same MEB platform that will be used on the new Volkswagen ID.2 and Cupra Raval. It has a projected range of 250miles.
STORY
Is the electric car world about to have its Concorde moment? The BMW i3 (the greatest electric car ever made, according to owner and devotee
@eIectric_mike
) goes out of production this month, taking with it a host of innovations. We lament its passing...
MG has revealed more details of its forthcoming MG4. It’s set to launch in Europe later this year with 2 battery options – 51kWh and 64kWh and rear-wheel drive. Ranges are 217 and 280 miles. Sub £30k price target.
More here:
Up with the lark to drive this on UK roads for the first time. Say hello to the new BYD Atto 3.
⚡️ Prices: £36,490 - £38,990
⚡️ 60.5kWh LFP battery
⚡️ 260 miles WLTP range
⚡️ 88kW rapid charge
⚡️ UK Deliveries from 15 Mar
Hit us up with your questions
Wow! The new Dacia
#spring
will start from just £14,995 when deliveries start in October.
⚡️ 26.8kWh battery
⚡️ 45bhp - £14,995
⚡️ 65bhp - £15,995
⚡️ 137 miles WLTP range
⚡️ 30kW DC charging (only on 65bhp models)
⚡️ Order books open now.
FULL STORY:
Is Toyota heading back to the future? The Japanese brand has filed a patent for a bizarre manual gearshift and clutch for an electric car and could introduce it on a future model.
Would you choose to change gears again? No, us neither.
Full story:
A British firm has developed the world’s first hot air tyre that reduces the weight of an electric car. A Tesla Model Y fitted with Hotyres has a kerb weight of just 1,484kg, a reduction of nearly 500kg over the standard car.
We've just driven a pre-production MG4 around the streets of Rome. The pasta was great, but what about the car? First impressions here:
⚡️ 64kWh battery
⚡️ 280 mile est range
⚡️ 125kW DC rapid charging
⚡️ £26k - £30k estimated pricing
⚡️ On sale late 2022
News: GRIDSERVE
@ElecHighway
is to open 20 ‘Electric Hubs’ by the Spring of 2022, each with 6 to 12 ultra high-power 350kW units. In the next phase a further 50 additional sites will follow, inc 36 charger Gatwick hub.
More + full list of locations here:
It’s (almost) here. The long-awaited Volkswagen ID. Buzz is set to break cover early next month. As part of VW’s launch prep, a disguised version has already made it into the UK.
#idbuzz
.
@Fastned
has just opened its first ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging station in Greenwich, London (SE7 7QU). The station comprises 6 x 300kW units, each of which is supplied by 100% renewable energy.
Ora has confirmed that it plans to introduce a second model to the UK next year – the Lightning ⚡️Cat.
😺 82kWh battery
😼 281 mile range (est)
😿 80kW DC rapid charging
😺 All-wheel drive
😺0-62mph - 4.0 secs
🙀£50,000 (est)
Oh, hello! The classic Dune Buggy is about to be reborn in all electric form. Meyers Manx - the company that created the original Beetle-based Dune Buggy is set to launch a rebooted e-version with 40kWh battery and up to 300 miles of range. We 😍 it.
GRIDSERVE
@ElecHighway
has just powered up a new 12 x 350kW hub at Thurrock Moto services on the M25. Remarkably, it's the 4th hub to go live in the last 5 weeks.
Discover where the next hubs are set to open:
Wowsers!
Italian design house MA-DE has designed an odd but curiously lovable Fiat 126 all-electric throwback. Dubbed the Fiat 126 vision, it's just at the design stage for now, so your guess is as good as ours as to when or if it might become a reality
Thoughts, team?
#EV
Chinese brand BYD will launch in the UK through showrooms operated by Pendragon, which owns the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands. The first model to launch is likely to be the Atto 3, which is set to arrive early next year. Other models to follow.
NEWS: Osprey Charging has announced plans to build 150 all-new rapid charging hubs as part of a £75 million pound rollout. 10 hubs will be started this year - all featuring new Kempower power-sharing tech. Full story including hub locations now live:
The
@TheAA_UK
Driving School is to offer instructors fully electric vehicles for the first time, with a choice of a Vauxhall Corsa-e, or Peugeot e-208 and e2008s.
During lessons, learners will also learn how to charge and live with an electric vehicle.
MG has sold more than half of its 2022 allocation of the new MG4 before a car has been delivered. Dealers have already taken more than 1,000 confirmed orders, with more than 70% opting for the range-topping Trophy model. 2,000 units will arrive this year.
MG is planning to revive its classic roadster in all-electric form. A series of EU patent images – rendered by - reveals that the Chinese brand is working towards a 2024 launch to coincide with MG's centenary.
Audi coming to the rescue of the world's long-ignored estate car fans. The A6 Avant e-tron estate is coming and it looks 😍
⚡️ 100kWh+ battery
⚡️ 435 miles range (est)
⚡️ 800v system - 270kW DC charge
⚡️ 186 mile of range added in 10 mins
⚡️ Here late '23
Our review of the new MG4 has just gone live. Does the keenly-priced 4 live up to the hype now that we've finally driven it on UK roads? Video review to follow...