Motors – Electric Cars

How Elon Musk’s drive for charging range has upped the game for his motor manufacturing rivals.

Tech wizard Elon Musk is so excited about his electric car revolution that he struggles to keep his feet on the ground… or is that because his other big project involves space travel?

Whichever it is, the recent rumours surrounding a proposed 90-acre electric car plant being built in Somerset suggest the world’s richest person – whose Tesla and SpaceX brands have been gamechangers in their respective sectors – has our future exploration of green tech and outer space in his safe hands.

As far as electric cars go, Musk sits at the forefront of an evolution that, within a generation, will have shifted from alternative to normal. Indeed, the only thing that has held back this revolution has, up until now, been the recharging needs of electric cars.

While these incredible vehicles have presented a new way of getting from A to B, along the way giving us one of the cheapest and greenest advancements ever conceived, the replenishing of power has been an issue.

And yet, improvements in technology have meant the range of our electric vehicles is better than ever. Take last year’s Tesla Model S, for instance. Musk’s pioneering vehicle brand is ripping up the rulebook and this shimmering, humming piece of tarmac tech will take you 402 miles on a single charge… that’s right up there with petrol and diesel vehicles. The only downside is the £75,000 price tag!

And what makes the Tesla brand so engaging as a tech entity that leads the way, is that others will always come along looking to replicate. Musk has opened up the motoring world’s consciousness to a new vision of electric cars that are also premium cars. Yet as a cheaper, what about the Chevrolet Bolt EV? You’ll be looking at around £30,000 for a car that will take you well over 250 miles on one charge.

Hyundai (the Kona Electric also hits 250 miles) and Kia (the Niro Electric will take you 230 miles before you plug in again) both represent good value, and 2018 models can be picked up second-hand for around £15,000; while for those seeking a bit more status, there is of course the ever-popular Jaguar I-Pace - up to 300 miles in a car that balances eco and image perfectly.

Musk’s impact on the electric car market is one that cannot be underestimated, yet so great is he as a visionary and pioneer of eco tech, he knows whatever move he takes next, others will follow. For Elon Musk, the pressure remains firmly on.

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BEDSLIFE MEETS... Ian Logan CEO SI Waterscapes

How long have you been working with water features and ponds? At 11 years old, I built my fi rst pond to put some frogspawn in. I also kept tropical fi sh and wanted to be a marine biologist. After leaving university, I worked for a local aquatic centre who were one of the early importers of Koi from Japan. I started SI Waterscapes two years ago because Aquascape Inc, the world leaders in pond building, made their products available in the UK.

Training to become a certifi ed Aquascape Contractor took nearly a year and included time in the USA working with the leading pond builders. Ongoing training with UK Aquascape ensures a network of support for complex builds and large projects so the customer is always assured of the highest standards.

How do your water features di er from an average garden pond?

They are dramatically different. You will only see clean healthy water in a pond or stream that looks like nature created it and it has always been there. No ugly pumps, fi lters or liners; just a beautiful eco-system which is friendly to families, pets and wildlife. You won’t even know where the pond fi nishes and the garden starts.

Your ponds and waterfalls are described as ecosystems, why? An eco-system mimics mother nature. We use natural stones, water circulation, plants and fi sh to form a natural cycle and that is why the water stays so healthy.

What are the main benefi ts of a water feature? We choose holidays near beaches, rivers and lakes because we are naturally drawn to water. The sight and sound of a stream is soothing and creates a positive mood. It is the same for wildlife; birds hone in on the sound of water and as a result you will see many more garden visitors.

How much ongoing maintenance is required?

It’s not quite none, but close. Much less than a lawn. Once a month you might need to empty a removable basket. We offer a spring clean and autumn service to prepare for the season.

What budget will I need?

We have something for most budgets starting with patio ponds for under £1000. Streams and waterfalls start at around £2500 and eco-system ponds start at £4950. All fully installed by us and guaranteed. How much does it cost to run a water feature?

Running costs are mainly power. Pond pumps are extremely effi cient now, starting at about 40 watts which is about the same as a lightbulb. Lights are 12 volts and use little energy. Food and water treatments may cost around £50100 per year.

I would love a SI Waterscapes feature in my garden, what happens next?

We have a simple process. In the fi rst instance, please send me some photos of your garden from all corner angles. I especially want to see the view towards the house. Our website has a free download called The Book of Dreams to provide ideas and help you decide on style. We can then discuss ideas, talk budgets, looks etc until you feel you’ve arrived at the right choice. This isn’t something you can pick off the shelf. There is a waterfeature for everyone and each one is a bespoke design.