We’ve got silly solar legislation, a bespoke Tesla wagon, large-scale plant-based minced meat production, a “recycled hawtness” double-decker bus conversion, more Volkswagen defeat device recalls, a healthy serving of cold fusion and tinfoil hats, and more in today’s cleantech and clean transport roundup.
Some cities are working to quell city air pollution faster than others. UK cities are beginning to charge higher-polluting vehicles to drive into their center. As one big example, London’s “T-Charge” is increasing the cost of a journey by up to £21.50 for the highest polluting cars and vans. This charge is shifting more drivers to rail and bus services. EVs, especially small ones such as an electric smart car, provide some relief for people who need to drive — but transit is a key.
A New Go Ultra Low cost calculator finds that the typical 100% electric car in the UK could cost on average just 3p per mile to run. That is a notable bit of savings compared to 9p for the comparable diesel car. The first savings, in my experience, regard the smell, the lack of particulate exposure, and freedom from the filmy dirty feeling of gas in the car and in the air.
The new 2020 plug-in electric vehicles sales target at BMW is 500,000 units, the company’s CEO, Harald Krueger, has stated in an interview with the Germany newspaper WirtschaftsWoche.
Reuters is reporting that 90% of Tesla automobiles need repairs after they come off the assembly line, with up to 2,000 parked outside awaiting attention. That’s according to 9 former employees who worked at the Tesla assembly plant in Fremont, California. Sour grapes? Possibly. Notably, 2 of the 9 were part of a group of 400 workers fired recently by the company, so they may have an ax to grind against their former employer. Still, the reports are cause for concern.
As pre-orders pass 10,000 across Europe, drivers can now use a new Nissan online reservation system for the 2018 Nissan LEAF — in the UK and Poland, at least, but presumably all other European markets as well. Well, you can order 2.ZERO special versions, not other trims yet.
The new Honda Clarity lineup certainly strikes a nice balance between affordability and modern-day luxury. And Honda is dead smart to tap into that neglected market.
Yet another one of the top auto manufacturers in the world, in this case Honda, has now expressed interest in developing its own solid-state battery technology for use in elected vehicles, going on recent reports.
The new extended-range electric taxi model being made by the London Electric Vehicle Company will be exported to various parties in Norway beginning in 2018, the company has revealed.
Just two days ago, we were wondering what the future of the once-promising Faraday Future (FF) would be. Our question was promptly answered. Much as we predicted, ex-employees banded together to form two electric vehicle (EV) startups and continue the electric future.
