Electric Vehicles: An Introduction.

 

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly popular choice for environmentally conscious consumers. These vehicles run on electricity rather than fossil fuels, making them a clean and efficient transportation option.

One of the biggest benefits of EVs is their reduced environmental impact. Because they don't burn fossil fuels, they produce zero emissions while driving. This makes them a much cleaner option than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change.

EVs are also generally more cost-effective to operate than gasoline-powered vehicles. Because electricity is typically cheaper than gasoline, it can be less expensive to drive an EV over the long term. Additionally, EVs require less maintenance than gasoline-powered vehicles, which can save money on repairs and maintenance costs.

There are several different types of EVs available, including all-electric vehicles (EVs that are powered solely by electricity) and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs that have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine). All-electric vehicles have a limited range (typically around 100-300 miles), so they may not be suitable for long road trips. However, they can be charged at home or at public charging stations, making it easy to keep them powered up.

Hybrid electric vehicles have a longer range because they have a gasoline engine as a backup. They can switch between the electric motor and the gasoline engine as needed, depending on the driving conditions.

EVs are becoming more widely available and affordable as technology improves and production increases. Many automakers now offer a range of EV models, and governments and businesses are investing in infrastructure to support the growth of the EV market.

Overall, electric vehicles are a promising option for those looking to reduce their environmental impact and save money on transportation costs. While they may have some limitations compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, they offer many benefits and are an increasingly viable transportation choice.

• Charging infrastructure: One of the challenges of electric vehicles is the need for charging infrastructure. While it is possible to charge an EV at home using a standard electrical outlet, it can take several hours to fully charge the battery this way. To charge an EV more quickly, it is necessary to use a higher-voltage charging station. These stations can be found at public locations or installed at home, and they can charge an EV in as little as 30 minutes to an hour. The availability of charging stations can vary depending on location, so it's important to consider this when deciding whether an EV is a practical option.

• Battery lifespan and replacement: The batteries in electric vehicles typically have a lifespan of around 8-10 years, depending on the make and model. While EV batteries are designed to last for many years and miles, they will eventually need to be replaced. The cost of replacing an EV battery can be significant, so it's important to consider this when deciding whether an EV is a good choice.

• Range anxiety: One of the concerns that some people have about EVs is the limited range of the battery. While most EVs can travel 100-300 miles on a single charge, this may not be sufficient for long road trips or for those who need to drive long distances on a regular basis. If you anticipate needing to drive long distances frequently, an EV may not be the best choice.

• Upfront cost: While EVs can be cost-effective to operate over the long term, they can be more expensive to purchase upfront than gasoline-powered vehicles. This can be a barrier for some consumers, especially if they are considering an EV as a second or third vehicle. However, many governments and automakers offer incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs, which can help offset the upfront cost.

• Performance: Electric vehicles are known for their smooth, quiet operation and instant torque, which makes them fun to drive. They can also be very fast, with some models capable of reaching high speeds. However, because the weight of the battery adds to the overall weight of the vehicle, EVs can sometimes feel heavier and less agile than gasoline-powered vehicles.

Overall, electric vehicles offer a clean and efficient transportation option that can be cost-effective to operate over the long term. While they may not be suitable for everyone, they are an increasingly viable choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact and save

money on transportation costs.

Model 3 Scores 5-Star Green NCAP Rating

Model 3 has been awarded 5-stars with a Weighted Overall Index of 9.8/10 by Green NCAP, an independent initiative helping consumers evaluate vehicle sustainability. In its analysis, Green NCAP considers a vehicle’s energy efficiency, as well as its emission of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants.

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Opening the North American Charging Standard

With more than a decade of use and 20 billion EV charging miles to its name, the Tesla charging connector is the most proven in North America, offering AC charging and up to 1 MW DC charging in one slim package. It has no moving parts, is half the size, and twice as powerful as Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors.

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Tesla Welcomes Joe Gebbia as New Independent Director to its Board

We are pleased to welcome Joe Gebbia to Tesla’s Board of Directors, effective September 25, 2022.

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Model Y Earns 5-Star Safety Rating From Euro NCAP

At Tesla, vehicle design is an iterative process through which we aim to make some of the safest cars on the road even safer. Today, Model Y is our latest vehicle to earn a 5-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

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BENTLEY SECURES UK PRODUCTION OF FIRST ELECTRIC CAR – COMMITS TO £2.5 BILLION SUSTAINABILITY INVESTMENT IN A DECADE

 

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• Major sustainable investment in UK economy secures Bentley’s future at Crewe plant
• First Battery-powered Electric Vehicles (BEV) due in three years’ time
• BEVs key to Bentley’s ground-breaking Beyond100 plans
• Beyond100 strategy is redefining company as benchmark luxury automotive manufacturer
• New ‘Bentley Dream Factory’ announced as industry-leading sustainable investment in historic Crewe campus 
• Dream Factory will transform Bentley operations into the future benchmark of luxury car manufacturing with unique customer and employee experiences. Ultra-flexible, hyper personalised facility combines craftsmanship and digital manufacturing concepts 
• Go-to-zero approach on manufacturing will reduce environmental impact to a minimum for every vehicle built in Crewe
• Ambitious approach will make Bentley exclusively electric and end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030 

(Crewe, 26 January 2022) Bentley’s first-ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) will be developed and built in the UK with the company committing to investing £2.5 billion in sustainability over the next ten years. The announcement is a major boost for the UK economy and also helps secure Bentley’s first step into electrification at the production plant, where all Bentley models are built and 4,000 colleagues work.

The first BEV is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2025 and will mark a significant moment in Bentley’s long and illustrious history. It is also a critical step in the company’s Beyond100 strategy – the ground-breaking plan launched in 2020 that will ensure Bentley is exclusively electric and end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030.     

The significant investment programme will also result in a complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio, and the historic Crewe Campus by embedding an industry-leading greenfield facility into a world-leading, next generation digital, low environmental impact, high-value advanced manufacturing facility.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said:

“Beyond100 is the boldest plan in Bentley’s illustrious history, and in the luxury segment. It’s an ambitious and credible roadmap to carbon neutrality of our total business system, including the shift to 100 per cent BEV in just eight years. 

“Our aim is to become the benchmark not just for luxury cars or sustainable credentials but the entire scope of our operations. Securing production of our first BEV in Crewe is a milestone moment for Bentley, and the UK, as we plan for a long-term sustainable future in Crewe.”    

Peter Bosch, Board Member for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, added:    

“Today is arguably the most important day in Bentley’s modern history, and is a testament to the hard work and skill of our colleagues in Crewe. The journey really does start now. We are already marking the pinnacle in luxury car production and have already transformed our factory to become carbon neutral, with industry-leading environmental credentials. With our new ‘Dream Factory’ concept, we now go to zero also with water, waste and other environmental impacts until 2030. Unique craftsmanship, customer interaction and employee experience will be enhanced by digital tech, higher flexibility and new ways of personalisation. We will develop the best of Crewe into the future benchmark of luxury car manufacturing.”    

Further significant announcements on Bentley’s Beyond100 strategic plan will be made today at 4pm GMT in a press conference. Please register to view, here – www.bentleymedia.com/livestream   

TECH U.S. chip giant Nvidia is finding success in China by riding the country's EV boom

 

KEY POINTS

• Several Chinese electric carmakers from Xpeng to Nio are turning to semiconductors from U.S. chip giant Nvidia to power their semi-autonomous driving systems.
• One analyst said these advanced driver-assistance systems, or ADAS, could be a “key differentiator” for electric vehicle makers.
• Tesla designs it own chips for its semi-autonomous features. Chinese EV companies are using Nvidia chips to increase the competition with the U.S. auto giant.

• Several Chinese electric carmakers are turning to U.S. chip giant Nvidia to power their semi-autonomous driving systems, as they ramp up competition with Tesla in the world’s largest car market.

  Chinese start-ups Xpeng and Nio are using the Nvidia Drive Orin chip in their latest cars. Baidu, which last year launched an auto unit called Jidu, announced plans to use the same Nvidia chip in its upcoming car, as well as Polestar, a brand under Chinese auto giant Geely.

  With this chipset and accompanying software platform, Nvidia promises the capabilities for fully autonomous driving.

  “For a Chinese EV company, or globally, there is not much to match what Nvidia can offer,” said Bevin Jacob, partner at Shanghai-based investment and consulting firm Automobility.

  However, these Chinese carmakers are not putting out fully autonomous cars. Instead, they are focusing on so-called advanced driver-assistance system, or ADAS. These are systems that allow the car to carry out some functions semi-autonomously, such as lane switching. For example, Tesla’s ADAS is called Autopilot while Xpeng’s system is Xpilot.

  ADAS — along with other features like fast charging and range — are “key differentiators” in the high-end electric vehicle space, according to Aakash Arora, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group.

• “Most EV models today compete in price segments where having ADAS is critical from a customer expectation perspective,” Arora said. “Early adopters of EVs are also likely early technology adopters and value technology features more.”

  Tesla competition in China

  Competition in China’s electric vehicle market, which is expected to show strong growth again in 2022, is intensifying.

  Nvidia is a beneficiary of this intense competition among China’s EV makers.

  Elon Musk’s Tesla, which has a factory in Shanghai, sold a record number of China-made cars in December and its brand remains strong despite facing one of its worst public relations crises in the country last year.

  The U.S. electric vehicle maker does not use Nvidia chips. Instead, it designs its own semiconductors to power its ADAS called the Full Self-Driving (FSD) chip.

• While Tesla is investing in chip design, that’s not realistic for all EV companies, particularly start-ups that are focused on ramping up production and getting cars into the hands of customers.

  That’s why they’re turning to Nvidia for chips to power ADAS features to rival Tesla.

  “Tesla has a clear and definable lead around FSD with Chinese EV players now aggressively partnering with Nvidia to close this perceived technology gap,” Daniel Ives, managing director at Wedbush Securities, told CNBC by email.

  “Nvidia has strong roots in the China market and further building out its auto chip business around FSD is strategically important.”

The New 2022 Zero SR Is The Perfect Electric Motorcycle

Zero announced the release of the all-new Zero SR lineup for the 2022 model year, and its range is about to get extra compelling.

Zero Motorcycles has unveiled its 2022 electric bike range, coaxing out more range and debuting a new 2022 Zero SR model. It also sees the launch of the Zero Cypher Store, which will allow riders to pay to unlock features like faster charging, extended range, and better performance, as readily as they might make an in-app purchase on their smartphone.

The 2022 Zero SR offers more range, new in-app purchase options, and better performance, making it the perfect motorcycle. The increase in competition from its rivals appears to be spurring Zero to strive for betterment. continue reading

What is an electric vehicle?

An EV is a shortened acronym for an electric vehicle. EVs are vehicles that are either partially or fully powered on electric power.

Electric vehicles have low running costs as they have less moving parts for maintaining and also very environmentally friendly as they use little or no fossil fuels (petrol or diesel). While some EVs used lead acid or nickel metal hydride batteries, the standard for modern battery electric vehicles is now considered to be lithium ion batteries as they have a greater longevity and are excellent at retaining energy, with a self discharge rate of just 5% per month. Despite this improved efficiency, there are still challenges with these batteries as they can experience thermal runaway, which have, for example, caused fires or explosions in the Tesla model S, although efforts have been made to improve the safety of these batteries. continue reading

Most anticipated electric vehicles of 2022

Here we sit on the precipice of 2022, which is hopefully a shiny new start and not “2020 II.” One of the more optimistic outlooks we can share in the new year is the prospect of further EV adoption, led by an absolute slew of new EV models from all of the major names in vehicles. Below are some of the most anticipated electric vehicles scheduled to arrive in 2022, along with a little blurb about each so you can start planning which ones you want to test drive first. continue reading