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Chevrolet Spark EV, Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

Be a vehicular environmentalist with these fuel-efficient cars in 2016

February 13, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Car manufacturers have been working hard to produce cars which have lower emissions and have as little an effect as possible on the environment. However, despite the good intention behind these vehicles the number of sales is declining, in parallel with the reduction in the cost of fuel. As fuel becomes cheaper it is easier and more affordable for consumers to return to standard gasoline engines.

However, manufacturers are continuing to bring new, fuel efficient cars into production; this may be in part due to these cars being designed whilst fuel process were exceptional high. The range of new, fuel efficient cars expected to be released in the near future include the Toyota Prius hybrid, Chevrolet Volt ‘extended range’ electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf full electric vehicle and the new Tesla X model.

In fact the twelve greenest cars at the moment are all electric vehicles, which should not really be a surprising fact. The fact that the market for these vehicles is slowing will force the prices down and help people who want to help the environment but couldn’t previously afford to. These people are being aided by discounts, cash rebates and the federal tax credit which can go as high as US$7,500!

The Best

The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive received a green score of 63 from the ACEEE and is, for the third year running, the greenest car available in the US. It can achieve a whopping 107 miles per gallon in a combined environment. Although the Chevrolet Spark EV gives it a good run for its money; it also scores 63 and can do a huge 119 miles to the gallon!

Top Fuel Efficient Cars

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Convertible / coupe which can do 68 miles on one charge and 107mpg.
Chevrolet Spark EV is only available in California, Maryland and Oregon. It can do 82 miles on one charge and 119mpg.
Fiat 500e is available in California and Oregon and can go for 82 miles without a recharge. IT can achieve 104mpg and scored 62 in the ACEEE ratings.
Toyota Prius Ecco is a hybrid electric / gas combination which can achieve 56mpg and scored 61 in the ACEEE tests.
Volkswagen e-golf can travel 83 miles on one charge at an average rating of 116 mpg. It scored 61 and is available in a wide range of states.
Nissan Leaf; this all electric vehicle can do 107 miles on one charge and achieve 116mpg!

Kia Soul Electric is only available in California, it can do 93 miles on one charge and achieves 105mpg
Toyota Prius C is a hybrid which scores 61 in tests and can offer 50mpg.
Standard Toyota Prius – this vehicle is also a hybrid and scores 58 in the tests while providing 52mpg.
Ford Focus Electric can cover 76 miles in one charge and offers 105 miles per gallon. It is available across America and scored 57 in the ACEEE tests.
Chevrolet Volt – this hybrid vehicle offers 53 miles on one charge and 106 miles per gallon on electric only power or 42mpg in gasoline mode.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid; with a score of 56 this vehicle takes the number twelve spot and offers 44mpg under a hybrid electric / gasoline mix. It scored 56 in the ACEEE test.
Porsche 911 Carrera S – the 911 Carrera S can get to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. This makes it both fast and fuel-efficient. There’s a 3.8 flat six engine under the hood that helps this beauty get to 400 hp.

The Rating

The rating is decided based upon the mile per gallon figure, the emissions and the overall impact on the environment which includes the effect of its manufacture. Even a zero rated emissions car will have had an environmental impact depending upon the materials used and how the power is generated to both manufacture it and run it. Whilst an electric vehicle is going to be much more environmentally friendly than a petrol powered one, the actually effect on the environment is controlled by how the electricity is generated which powers it.

By Christopher Austin and Design911.co.uk!

Nissan Leaf

City Driving: Does It Make Sense To Buy A Nissan Leaf?

November 17, 2015 admin Leave a comment

If you commute to work and back each day, there’s one car you will no doubt come across on your travels. The Nissan Leaf is Japan’s flagship electric vehicle. It’s a compact hatchback that looks like a “regular” car and doesn’t sport any unusual styling.

It’s also one of the best-selling electric vehicles of 2015 – a trend that’s set to continue. But, if you’re trying to cut down on your commuting costs, should you consider a Nissan Leaf? The answer is “it depends.”

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Here are some reasons why it may make sense to trade your gas guzzler in for a green Nissan Leaf:

It boasts zero emissions

Carbon emissions may not be at the forefront of your mind, but they should be! Even if you’re not an environmentalist, there’s one train of thought to consider. Vehicles that aren’t good for the environment will get taxed a lot more in the future.

That means the car you drive today could cost you a fortune to keep on the road in the future! Electric vehicles offer zero emissions. As such, many governments encourage people to buy such cars by charging low tax or even none at all!

Financial reasons aside, the Nissan Leaf is a green vehicle. It won’t emit any nasty carbons into the atmosphere, especially when it’s idle. If you abhor petrol and diesel fumes, you’ll love the Nissan Leaf!

It’s perfect for city driving

Electric cars are usually suited to those that do a lot of local, daily driving. So, if you commute to work on the other side of town, the Nissan Leaf is the car is for you.

First of all, it offers plenty of range from a single charge. Of course, if range anxiety worries you, there are some things you can do to increase your range. For instance, only fit good tyres to the car such as the Bridgestone Potenza ones. And you can adjust your driving style for economy rather than speed.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Nissan Leaf does around 84 miles to a single battery charge. So, let’s say your place of work is five miles away from home, and you do around 20 miles of driving on the weekend. You’d only do 70 miles of driving a week, and you only need to charge your battery once a week!

It’s compact size makes it easy to park

In a busy town or city, it’s often hard to find a suitable parking space when you’re out and about. The good news is that parking is no longer stressful when you drive the Nissan Leaf.

It’s a compact hatchback and can fit into even the tightest of spaces! Plus, there’s plenty of technology to lend a helping hand. For example, the car comes with an “Around View Monitor” that gives you a 360-degree view around you. That’s thanks to the cluster of cameras that give a bird’s eye view of your surroundings.
In a nutshell, the Nissan Leaf is your perfect partner for city driving. It might not be the world’s most luxurious car. But, it’s a car aimed at those that want to lead a greener and more frugal lifestyle.

Toyota Prius Plug-in

A Weekend With The Toyota Prius Hybrid

November 13, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Credit

We wanted to find out how the Toyota Prius Hybrid performs over a standard weekend for city dwellers. So, we contacted a supplier and arranged to borrow a model for three days. After picking the car up on Friday, we had to spend around half an hour reading the manual to ensure we knew how to keep it running. Of course, hybrid models have to be charged at specialist points around the country. That meant we had to download a map of all the nearest charging stations and electric points. As you will discover, the Prius is a fantastic car that more people should consider.

Comfort

We drove the car for around one-hundred miles during the weekend it was in our possession. At no point did the driver or passenger feel uncomfortable. We found that this was the case, even after more than three hours in the vehicle. The model we borrowed came with leather seats as standard. However, some of the cheaper editions are made with other materials. To be honest, we don’t think it would have made much difference either way. The seats are designed to support your back and ensure you don’t feel pain in your legs on long journeys. Out of ten, we give the Prius a nine rating for comfort.

Reliability

Our team became concerned about reliability when we looked at the number of charging stations. There were quite a few in our local area, but some towns and cities were severely lacking. Thankfully, we didn’t run out of charge at any point. Planning our route to ensure we passed lots of charging stations probably explains why that happened. However, as more people purchase the cars, garages will have no alternative but to install the right equipment. Of course, hybrid models can run solely on standard fuel. It just didn’t make sense to use a hybrid model in that manner. Out of ten, we give the Prius an eight rating for reliability.

Safety

You only have to search online to see the Toyota Prius hybrid has a fantastic safety record. We added some snow tyres and made sure there was enough antifreeze in the boot to keep us going. However, we needn’t have worried because the car never presented a problem. Stopping times are perfect, and the cold weather didn’t pose a problem. The model we borrowed came with a driver, passenger, and rear airbag as standard. So, we felt completely safe travelling around the country. Out of ten, we give the Prius a nine rating for safety.

Conclusion

After spending a weekend with the Toyota Prius hybrid, it became clear we were dealing with one of the best cars of its kind. Anyone who’s looking to buy an economical model this year should give it some serious consideration. It’s ideal for commuting around large busy cities because you won’t use a lot of petrol. Also, it can reach average speeds for a car of its size, and so driving on the motorway is enjoyable. The only quibble we have is with the price. The range starts from just over £21,000, and that seems a little expensive. Hopefully, prices will begin to drop as more people become interested in hybrid models.

Ford Focus Electric

The Ford Focus Electric 2016: A Car For Eco-Friendly Drivers To Finally Get Excited About?

November 11, 2015 admin

Ford has played an integral role in the growth of the electric car market. And the Focus Electric has been one of the flagship models for environmentally conscious drivers to eulogise over. The 2016 incarnation looks set to take the industry by storm, but is it worth the hype?

One word answer: definitely.

However, I’m sure you want a little more information than an emphatic yes. Well, there are plenty of reasons to start getting excited about this model. Here’s why your anticipation should be hitting overdrive.

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Closing The Gap

Let’s make no mistake, driving an electric car is not perfect. It would be wrong to suggest otherwise, and there are pros and cons to be had from driving an electric vehicle. However, the Focus Electric 2016 is set to be the most popular edition yet. Subsequently, this should help overcome some of the negative issues.

Ford is a powerhouse in the automobile industry. Their continued progress will lead to improvements throughout the industry. Quite frankly, this could have huge benefits for drivers of electric cars everywhere – even if they aren’t driving a Focus Electric.

Those developments should have you excited, regardless of whether you plan to drive this model.

Brake Coach

Arguably the coolest feature on the Ford Focus Electric is Brake Coach. In a nutshell, it allows the driver to charge the battery simply by braking better.

That’s right, the feature will actively harvest the energy lost through braking to help charge the car. It’s a great feature that could save you from getting stuck without any juice. It will allow drivers to take longer trips without worrying where the nearest charging facilities are. Moreover, that saved energy is helping the planet. That’s something that all eco-friendly drivers will be happy to hear about.

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Owners of older models will already know about Brake Coach. But, as expected, it’s becoming more advanced each year. Be excited.

More Readily Available

This edition will mark four years since the first Focus Electric entered the global car market. Naturally, that means we’re seeing better features than ever before. But perhaps the most important aspect is that it’s helping electric cars become more accessible.

People aren’t going to buy electric cars unless it’s convenient. Moreover, many drivers won’t buy them because they simply aren’t aware of them. However, the 2016 edition will be seen in more dealerships than ever. Ford dealers like the one at http://www.tch.co.uk/ could soon be making headway into the way we view electric cars altogether. And the Focus Electric is a central figure.

The increased availability won’t just improve awareness. Many drivers will like the idea of driving an electric car, but will feel hesitant until they’ve driven one. Booking a test drive could be the difference between interest and wanting to purchase.

For electric car drivers looking for a new model in 2016, there will already be a huge deal of excitement surrounding the Ford Focus Electric. But the fact it could change this sector of the industry should be reason for eco-friendly people to celebrate everywhere.
We can’t wait for its release.

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Plug-In Battery EVs vs. Conventional Vehicles: A CO2 Equivalent Emission Analysis

October 12, 2015 admin 1 Comment

Here is a life cycle emissions comparison between electric vehicles and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles that I wrote with a team of other graduate students a few years ago in 2012. It might be of some use to anyone who wants to learn more about life cycle emissions analysis and comparisons. This lifetime emissions analysis includes manufacturing, vehicle operation, and disposal emissions. Notably, it also takes into account which state of the USA a person would charge his/her vehicle in, and how that the electricity generation portfolio of that state affects life cycle emissions. Anyways, feel free to download and share.
[embeddoc url=”https://onelectriccars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/E555-Plug-in-EV-Emissions.pdf” download=”all”]

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How Manufacturers Can Make A More Convincing Case For Electric Cars

August 27, 2015 admin Leave a comment

There’s no denying that one of the most exciting types of vehicles you can buy today are electric cars. From the unique Renault Twizy to the luxurious Tesla Model S, there’s a car for everyone.

You would think that there’d be a huge take-up of electric cars. Especially given their environmental benefits. But, sales of EVs have yet to compete with those of conventional vehicles.

So, is there anything that electric car manufacturers can do to offer a more convincing case? Well, it turns out there is, and some of the following ideas are already in development:

Image Credit

Extend the range on a full charge

One of the biggest criticisms EV manufacturers face is the limited range offered. Many electric cars can only achieve a realistic range of just 100 miles before needing a charge.

Some vehicles, such as the Tesla I mentioned a moment ago, offer more than three times that amount. But, for most EVs, the capacity isn’t available. There are two reasons that stand in the way: technology and cost.

The former is something that car makers are working on as I type this. But, the main issue is with the latter reason: the cost. You can’t increase battery capacity without passing on the cost of extra parts. And that means fewer motorists will buy EVs.

Car makers need to increase battery capacity. And they need to do so without driving up the cost of buying their vehicles.

Wireless charging

Another bugbear that electric vehicles must contend with is charging. Sure, you can have a dedicated charging point installed at your home. And you can use one of the many public ones available in most areas.

But, that means you have to wait while your car is getting a charge before you can continue your journey. The answer to that conundrum, of course, is wireless charging!

In England, trials are due to start of under-road charging for electric vehicles. That’s thanks to a five-year, £500-million project. In South Korea, wireless charging is already available – albeit for the country’s electric buses.

If wireless or “inductive” charging were available, it would get rid of “range anxiety.” And I can tell you, I’d be the first person to sell my car with AutoTrader and get a new electric vehicle. I’d also encourage the rest of my family to do the same!

Better prices

The main hurdle with electric cars is that some of them are out of people’s reach. They cost more to buy than conventional petrol and diesel alternatives. That’s because the technology costs car makers more money to use. And that means those extra costs get passed onto you, the consumer.

Car makers and their suppliers need to reach better deals to help lower the cost of electric vehicles. There is only so much in the way of fossil fuels that we can use on Earth!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading today’s blog post. Do share with us your thoughts on the subject, and feel free to share a link to the article on your social media pages. See you soon!

On Electric Cars