EV Powered Magazine - MAY 2022 EDITION

EDITOR’S NOTE

The future is bright.

As the days become longer and the sun begins to shine, this issue is dedicated to shining a light on the continued growth of the electric vehicle industry. Sales are booming, EV hubs and charging stations are popping up on every corner, and there a number of interesting electric cars soon to be released.

One of those is the Lotus Eletre, the ‘world’s first’ electric hyper-SUV which was announced at the end of March, and it’s clear to see why this bright yellow masterpiece has landed itself on our front cover this month. You can find out everything you need to know on Lotus’ latest EV invention in our exclusive feature on page 19.

We have also combined the two hottest trends in the automotive industry for our four-page feature on page 15: electric cars and SUVs. Having been the most popular vehicle class for quite some time, we’ve compiled our list of the best electric vehicles on the market today (and one or two that are just around the corner).

The electric motorsport season is well underway, and last month I was able to jet off to Rome for my first E-Prix of the season. Italy, and Rome in particular, is a magical place and it was only right that the weekend delivered a classic pair of races, and you can read all about it in our special Formula E feature on page 11. There is also a preview of the next round of Extreme E which takes place in Sardinia.

Elsewhere in this issue we will have a review of a brand-new electric van, an in-depth review with one half of McLaren Racing’s Extreme E team, as well as your usual features, columns and more!

We hope you enjoy this issue and if you’re looking for more electric vehicle news, reviews and features, then be sure to check out our website, YouTube page and all our other channels.

Aston Martin to develop high performance battery technology with Britishvolt

The collaboration, formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding, further supports the ultraluxury manufacturer’s plans to launch its first battery electric vehicle in 2025.

The collaboration with Britishvolt, the UK’s foremost investor in lithium-ion battery cell technologies, brings together two innovative leaders in UK engineering to create the next generation of cell and battery technology designed specifically for high performance cars.

A joint research and development team from Aston Martin and Britishvolt will design, develop, and industrialise battery packs, including bespoke modules and a battery management system. The two organisations will work together to maximise the capability of special cylindrical high performance cells being developed by Britishvolt for use in high performance Aston Martin electric vehicles.

The collaboration with Britishvolt is complementary to Aston Martin’s strategic technology agreement with Mercedes-Benz AG. Any investment will be funded by existing capital expenditure commitments to developing electric vehicles.

Tobias Moers, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “This powerful collaboration combines Aston Martin’s 109 years of engineering mastery with the expertise of a fast-growing UK technology business. Working

together with Britishvolt, I believe we can create new technologies to power benchmark-setting Aston Martin electric cars that will match our reputation for high performance and ultra-luxury with the highest standards of sustainability.”

The GoHub is a revolution in public charging provision, providing a community-based solution that can be installed anywhere, at a much lower cost and at a much faster rate, while enabling any parking space to be a charging spot. Speaking about the announcement ZipCharge Co-founder, Jonathan Carrier said: “We intend to establish the world’s first vertically integrated ‘energy point operator’ (EPO) to serve hundreds of millions of people around the world so everyone can access convenient and low-cost energy. The ZipCharge Go and the GoHub enable the storage of clean energy, which can then be distributed for a multitude of uses from charging an EV to powering equipment.”

Aston Martin has moved another step forward in its journey to electrification, with an agreement to develop bespoke high performance battery cell technology alongside Britishvolt.

Volkswagen Group deliveries of all-electric vehicles up by 65 percent in the first quarter

The Volkswagen Group successfully continued its global electric offensive in the first quarter of 2022, lifting deliveries of all-electric vehicles by 65 percent year-on-year

Despite supply bottlenecks for semiconductors and wire harnesses, 99,100 BEVs have been handed over to customers by the end of March, up from 60,000 in the opening quarter of the previous year.

The biggest increase was seen in China, where 28,800 customers took delivery of a BEV manufactured by a Group brand – a more than four-fold increase versus the prior-year period.

In terms of BEV deliveries by region, Europe was still clearly in the lead, with 58,400 vehicles (share of 59 percent) in the first three months.

GreenFlux and

Osprey

Charging Network establish roaming connection

GreenFlux, a leading provider of EV charging software and services, has signed a roaming agreement with Osprey Charging Network, opening the UK rapid-charging network to nearly 90,000 EV drivers.

The agreement is expected to be a key enabler of cross-channel charging across Europe and the UK, with Osprey being among the first few major UK networks to open its chargers at this scale to drivers from mainland Europe.

Osprey operates one of the largest fast-charging networks in the UK, with more than 300 chargers in over 180 locations. Their charging network spans across the entire country, from Cornwall in the south-west to Perthshire in Scotland. Osprey’s charging stations are co-located with food & beverage and retail venues in towns and along major motorways and A-roads.

LEVC expands Belgian dealership network

LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) has announced a new addition to the company’s expansive European dealership network, with the appointment of Celis Group, based in Belgium’s northeastern Limburg province.

Situated in the metropolitan city of Hasselt, Celis Group’s dealership is now providing complete sales and aftersales support for LEVC’s sector-leading electric TX taxi and VN5 van. Celis Group brings LEVC’s total number of European dealerships to 35 and is its second location in Begium.

Celis Group brings extensive knowledge of Geely Group brand vehicles, specialising in Volvo sales from both its Hasselt and Sint-Truiden showrooms. Three electric VN5 vans have already been delivered to Belgian vehicle rental company, Top Rent, as customers begin to enjoy the benefits of zero range anxiety, emissionfree sustainable transport solutions.

Commenting on the announcement, Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO said: “Increasing the number of LEVC dealerships in Europe plays a major role in delivering our ambitious growth strategy. The Celis Group offers customers leading industry expertise in Belgium, as well as extensive knowledge of our TX and VN5 vehicles and will contribute to growing LEVC’s presence in the vital European market.”

Simply Electric energises for second year

Beaulieu

Returning for its second year, following its successful introduction to the packed Beaulieu events calendar in 2021, this year’s rally is set to bring together a fascinating selection of EVs.

Electric car drivers have already been busy booking their places for the show, with examples of the Renault Zoe, Hyundai IONIQ, Jaguar I-PACE, Honda e Advance and Skoda Enyaq joining a selection of Teslas, Kia e-Niros, BMW i3s and more. Look out for

GRIDSERVE completes upgrade of UK’s motorway EV charging network

an example of the pioneering but diminutive G-Wiz expected to attend too – with all EVs invited to join the display, there are sure to be all shapes and sizes of vehicle represented.

A big hit at last year’s rally, Hub Cycle Works will also be at the show, demonstrating their impressive e-bikes on a special course, showing how plug-in and pedal power can work hand-in-hand for exciting two-wheeled travel.

GRIDSERVE has completed its extensive upgrades of the Electric Highway EV charging network across the UK’s motorways.

Just ten months into ownership of the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway, the company says it has now transformed the network, with upgrades to all its chargers across the UK’s motorways.

Since June 2021, over 300 existing Medium Power Electric Highway chargers at over 130 motorway service areas run by Extra, Moto, Roadchef, Welcome Break and Westmorland, have been replaced by GRIDSERVE, and now provide contactless card payment, 24-hour support, realtime status updates and much more.

In addition to upgrading the medium power chargers with the latest technology, GRIDSERVE has already started to deliver new High Power Electric Hubs, which consist of six or more high power chargers, with three of these new sites operational today and a further nine currently under construction.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ford’s first E-Transit rolls Off production line

Ford Pro is now shipping the first production units of its all-electric E-Transit van to customers across Europe from the Ford Otosan factory in Kocaeli, Turkey with over 5,000 customer orders received before vehicles roll off the assembly.

Electrified BMW models on top at industry awards

A range of electrified BMW models have conquered industry awards in recent weeks, including Top Gear Electric Awards and the Fleet News Awards 2022, where BMW was named ‘Fleet Manufacture of the Year’ for the fourth consecutive year.

Ohme becomes EV charger provider for the Motability Scheme

Ohme, the UK’s multi-award-winning smart home charger provider, has partnered with Motability Operations to become the official EV charger provider for customers on the Motability scheme.

is buzzing with excitement as Simply Electric returns to the grounds of the National Motor Museum on Sunday 29th May.

GILMOUR: EMMA THE CHARGE LEADING

How has life been in Extreme E so far?

It’s been a bit unusual. Everything has happened so quickly after the end of the 2021 season, then it was the first event in February and now we’re kind of waiting to go again. It was great to finally get started and to be a full-time driver with McLaren and now we’ve got a full season to get some mileage under our belts and to keep building on our experience.

rally programme based back here in New Zealand so I’ve been doing quite a bit of driving on gravel roads. All seat time is good seat time, but nothing quite prepares you for what Extreme E is, the unpredictably of the terrain that we race on, plus racing wheel to wheel. Being able to do some rallycross is a really nice fit with the kind of racing that Extreme E is.

What was it that attracted you to Extreme E?

drivers. You’ve got so many World Champions on the field with the likes of Carlos Sainz and Johan Kristoffersson – all these amazing drivers lining up on the start line, competing in electric vehicles which is the future of motorsport. There are so many cool things about Extreme E and it’s hugely exciting to be a part of.

How important is it that women are centre stage for Extreme E?

That is one of the biggest challenges with this series. We have very little time driving and there’s five events spread out over a year, so there is a lot of downtime. I’m lucky that I also have a

When I first heard about Extreme E, I thought it was that far into the future it was like a video game. I didn’t think it was going to be real because even having a male and female team with equal driving duties, because no other motorsport has done that. I’ve had lots of really cool opportunities by being a female in motorsport, but probably never that equal opportunity where you’re just as important as the male on the team. Then the fact that it is a brand-new motorsport with world class

It’s massive. It’s one of the best things that’s happened for women in motorsport in recent times. For women to be there on an equal footing, it’s not like we’re just there to make up the numbers, we’re as important as the male drivers. I think showing how well it can be done and how successful it is and how much it opens it up to a larger audience. Especially for young kids watching at home, seeing males and females compete equally in motorsport is really exciting.

What do you do in the long breaks between races?

How hard is it to stay prepared?

In her first full season of Extreme E, McLaren’s Emma Gilmour talks to EV Powered about her goals for the season, the role of women in motorsport and what to expect from Extreme E this year.

How have you found working with the team at McLaren?

They’re a fantastic team. Obviously, everyone is very, very good at what they do, so it’s so cool to be working with a team that just has so much experience on hand and whatever they do, they do it to their absolute best. We did a bit of test-

ing together at the end of last season, so when we went into the first event this year in Saudi, we had some experience of working together. It was a very big learning curve for us in Saudi. We came in as well prepared as we could and I think we executed it really well. To get to the final in our first weekend competing together was a really great effort and it was sad how it all ended.

What makes Extreme E so exciting?

Quite often, the drivers are as surprised as the spectators at home watching as to what happens. That’s what’s really cool about Extreme E. It hasn’t taken an existing form of motorsport and electrified it and just made it male and female. They’ve taken something completely new and made it short and sharp. It’s exciting. You don’t have to invest your whole afternoon to see what happens. It all happens pretty quickly, and I think you saw in Saudi how competitive all of the teams are, so anything could happen come a race weekend.

It feels like there’s a real sense of community to Extreme E. Do you get to spend much time with the other teams and drivers?

It’s a wonderful atmosphere inside the pit lane. I think with the nature of it, going to these remote locations and we have the communal catering areas with our portable cups and all that sort of

EMMA AND TEAMMATE, TANNER FOUST, FINISHED FIFTH IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE EXTREME E CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SEASON

ALL EXTREME E TEAMS FEATURE BOTH MALE AND FEMALE DRIVERS

thing, it keeps it pretty down to Earth. But I think we all appreciate that we’re at the frontier of it. We know that we have to be adaptable, and we all have respect for what each driver is up against. When something is a bit more established, you sort of know what you’re in for, but I think with Extreme E, we’re all learning at the same rate, so you have a real empathy for your fellow drivers. Knowing how hard it is out there with the limited seat time, you have that appreciation for each other’s efforts.

What are McLaren’s goals for this season?

We’re realistic and understand that it’s a tough ask [to win the championship]. Coming in a season down on the rest of the field in a very competitive field as well. But McLaren’s heritage, means we’re here to win, we’re not here just to make up

the numbers but we also understand that it’s going to take a bit of learning and that we’re going to have to learn as we go. We have our eyes on the top step of that podium but understand that there’s going to be a learning curve as part of this year.

Which races and locations are you most looking forward to this year?

I really enjoyed Sardinia last year. I don’t know how similar the course will be and if it has remnants of what it was like last season, but I really enjoyed my time there with Veloce. Senegal looked quite challenging with the dunes, and I didn’t drive it but I got an idea of what it was like. I’m really excited to be travelling to those parts of the world. I think what is so exciting about Extreme E is that you can’t go and do laps and laps

on a simulator. You’ve got to be as prepared as you can with a little of knowledge that you get.

How would you sell Extreme E to someone who has never experienced it before?

To sum it up, it’s a brand-new race series that’s travelling to remote parts of the world that have never seen motor racing or probably any live sport event. There’s no proper race track as such, we’re racing cross country on fully electric vehicles with a male and female driver. A few of my friends have commented that if you didn’t have a sense of the scale, it would be like you’re watching remote control off road buggy things because they look so far out when they’re racing side by side. Anything can happen and it’s exciting racing and it’s always action packed.

Chris Pateman-Jones:

bays we will have in that 10-12,000 that we have contracted and going forward.

“It’s something that is really important to us. We started the business with the idea of accessibility being around affordability and economic accessibility when we very quickly realised that it was a lot more than that, and disabled accesses and vulnerability is something we should think about. We have done redesigns of our bays to make sure accessibility is included within that.”

In the report, Connected Kerb made a number of suggestions to government on how it could accelerate the UK’s transition to electric vehicles, with a number of recommendations which ranged from focussing on future-proofed, long-life durable chargers to launching an education programme to inform the public of the benefits of electric vehicles.

However, the report also mapped out a real-world example of how government could electrify the NHS, a project that could potentially light the fuse on a mass-migration to electric vehicles.

What does an electric future really look like?

Following the Government’s recent landmark announcement, which revealed plans to have 300,000 charging points by 2030, the answer for many will be a vast network of fast-charging EV hubs that can have cars charged in 20 minutes and on their way again.

However, for Chris Pateman-Jones, the CEO of EV charging firm Connected Kerb, the priority is ensuring anybody and everybody can make the switch to an electric vehicle, a process that begins by making EV charging affordable and accessible to everyone.

“The whole focus of Connected Kerb is to provide convenient, affordable and reliable charging infrastructure for those that can’t charge on driveways,” he said on The Everything EV Podcast.

In order to achieve that ultimate goal, Connected Kerb published its report entitled ‘How to meet the UK’s EV charging needs by 2030’ which called for a “step change” in the ambition of the UK’s EV charging rollout to deliver the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

“We tried to develop a report that provides a balanced review as to what charging infrastructure is needed,” Pateman-Jones said, outlining the premise of the report. “Most investment has gone into rapids and is now going into ultra-rapids, and

there is a degree to say that it is falling behind in the on-street, residential and workplace setting. The report is trying to show with data that it is an important area that is being missed out and there are going to be people left behind.”

Although Connected Kerb is focused on bringing convenient and affordable charging solutions to those that cannot charge at home, the company is also setting its sights on rolling out an expansive network of accessible chargepoints.

Working alongside Motability, the disability charity which also backed the report, PatemanJones said Connected Kerb is now working to ensure its network is suitable for all users.

He said: “We’re doing some really interesting work with Motability and some of their partners on the accessibility of our network, and us making some public commitments on how many accessible

Pateman-Jones explained: “In reports like these, it’s all pontificating over theory, and we thought let’s put this practically as to how you might do this and how you might give central government more responsibility as well.

“At the moment, it would be fair to say that central government has set targets and provided funding, but they haven’t really done a huge amount in actual tangible work. What they’ve done is passed on the responsibility of deployment to local authorities. So we thought ‘what is the biggest employer in the UK?’ which is the NHS and the government has direct influence over those estates and the government also has a very attractive salary sacrifice and vehicle scheme for NHS workers.

“Those three things combined offer a massive opportunity to see a governmental body taking a real lead in deploying charging. It is a workforce that spans all the parts of society from a socioeconomic perspective, and it’s also an equal opportunities employer. It does a lot of things which means it would be a really good example to see this being deployed. One where other bodies can look at it and go’ if it’s good enough for the NHS, which is a body we really respect, let’s go for this.’ With a million employees, there’s a lot of vehicles involved in that, so there’s a real opportunity to see a quick transition.”

Scan the QR code for the full episode:

THE STORY SO FAR FORMULA E:

BY CRAIG EVANS

ROUND ONE:

Diriyah delight for De Vries

It was reigning champion Nyck de Vries who started his title defense in style with a controlled win in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The Mercedes BenzEQ driver looked untouchable throughout the course of the opening day of the season, topping every session.

Diriyah was the first time that Formula E employed a knockout qualifying format, with the drivers going head-to-head in a series of duels, fastest lap wins. The Mercedes-EQ drivers seemed to need no time to settle into this new format as they put in impressive performances, with De Vries going on to claim the Julius Baer Pole Position.

De Vries’ teammate, Stoffel Vandoorne, looked to be in control of the race after taking an early lead. However, it all came unstuck for the young Bel-

gian when he made an uncharacteristic mistake and missed the first activation loop on his second Attack Mode. This handed De Vries the lead one lap later, when Vandoorne had to go offline again to ensure he claimed his final Attack Mode. The pair then went on to a dominant 1-2 victory for Mercedes-EQ, finishing eight seconds ahead of Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis.

Sam Bird crossed the line in fourth with former Audi, now ROKiT Venturi driver, Lucas Di Grassi rounding out the top five. Porsche showed some impressive pace at the start of the race with Andre Lotterer challenging Dennis for the final podium place early on, but as the race went on Lotterer struggled with his usable energy and tumbled back down the field to 14th place.

Nick Cassidy continued to show impressive one lap pace as he claimed the bonus points for the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap on his way to finishing

ROUND TWO: Mortara masters the desert

Only one day later, round two of the championship got underway and once again the Mercedes powertrain was the one to beat. However, this time the dominant performance came from ROKiT Venturi Racing as Edoardo Mortara led home a 1-3 finishing for the Monaco based team. His teammate Lucas Di Grassi came home third with the Venturi pair split by Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns.

Again, it was the second round of attack mode activations that saw the main flurry of racing action. On lap 16, then race leader, Nyck De Vries, was overtaken by Lucas Di Grassi, the Brazilian’s move allowed his teammate, Edo Mortara, to follow him

seventh. Two-time champion, Jean-Eric Vergne, followed him in eight with rookie Oliver Askew ninth. The other Jaguar of Mitch Evans took the last of the points-paying positions.

through. Mortara then repaid Di Grassi, by overtaking him for the race lead only one lap later.

Porsche’s Andre Lotterer made massive improvements after his 14th place finish on the opening race, continuing his battle with Jake Dennis and two-time Champion Jean-Éric Vergne. Lotterer, unlike the day before, would be able to hold off both and come home in fourth place.

After having it all go his way in race one, Nyck De Vries had a very different set of fortunes in race two. Scrapping with the Venturi pair early on lead to him slowly slipping down the running order. Damage following contact with Jean-Eric Vergne meant his day went from bad to worse, finishing tenth, claiming only the one point.

Venturi left the opening weekend of the championship leading both the Constructors and Drivers Championship, not a bad start for the Monegasque team.

Viva la Mexico

Round three of the season got under way on 12th February and Formula E returned to fan and driver favourite, México City. The duels qualifying format proved once again to be a success, with many of the head-to-heads going down to the wire. However, it was the final duel, between Pascal Wehrlein and Edoardo Mortara, which provided the best finish of the bunch. Mortara was pushing right up to the line and on the final corner asked a little too much of his Venturi, sending the car into a spin and crossing the line backwards, only two tenths off Wehrlein.

Whatever issues Porsche had in the opening two rounds were definitely put behind them, with the team executing the perfect race, Wehrlein leading all the way from pole. His teammate, André Lotterer, claimed second place meaning that Porsche’s first ever win in the series was a momentous first 1-2 finish.

Once again it was standings leader Edo Mortara who had the early pace in the race but even he was no match for the Porsche pairing as they stormed through to victory. Defending Champion De Vries finished sixth with Maximilian Guenther and Jake Dennis rounding out the top ten.

Evans conquers Rome

As the series headed to the streets of Rome, it was double delight for Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans, who secured back-to-back victories in the Eternal City. In Round 4, the Kiwi climbed from ninth on the grid to secure his first victory of the season and his second in the Italian capital city.

Evans repeated his magic the very next day, this time deploying a risky but ultimately effective Attack Mode strategy, saving his eight-minute power boost until the very last second to jump up the order and into the top spot.

The double victory was enough to haul Evans right into the mix of the Drivers’ Championship, lifting him to fourth in the standings. Leading the way is DS Techeetah’s Jean Éric-Vergne, Envision’s Robin Frijns and Mercedes EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne.

The series heads to Monaco on 30th April for Round 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

PORSCHE’S PASCAL WERHLEIN CELEBRATING HIS FIRST EVER FORMULA E VICTORY

This article was written before Round 6 of ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Monaco

Drama in the desert

Reigning Champions Rosberg X Racing started the second season of the Extreme E Championship exactly where they left the first, by winning the opening round Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia.

Their strong start to the season now means that of the six Extreme E races there have been, RXR have won four of them. However, it isn’t the same pair of drivers that won the championship driving for Nico Rosberg’s team last year. Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky made a move from one F1 World Champions team to another, when she moved from JBXE to RXR to partner remaining driver Johan Kristoffersson.

RXR’s closest championship challengers, X44 also maintained an impressive record in qualifying as they took pole, making it six pole positions from six X-Prix’s for Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez. The pair finished the first qualifying race a close second but really showed why they’ve been so difficult to beat in qualifying with a dominant display in the second qualifying race.

Much like its on-track cousin, Formula E, Extreme E also made changes to the qualifying format going into this season. Five cars are now allowed to compete in the qualifying heats, an increase of two from the inaugural season.

In its first season in Extreme E, McLaren XE had a qualifying race of two halves with Tanner Foust putting in an amazing debut performance for the team. In a lovely late breaking move, Foust swept down the inside of the Andretti United car on the way into the switch zone in quail race one.

As Emma Gilmour took the wheel a technical issue meant that her car was unable to leave the pit box and by the time the issue had been fixed the team were last. McLaren would fight their way back into the final race of the weekend with an outstanding performance from both drivers in the crazy race.

The final race of the weekend saw an early red flag which brought the session to a close after massive crash for McLaren’s Tanner Foust. In a tussle for positions early during the first lap, Foust made contact with the back of reigning champions RXR, dislodging their rear bumper.

McLaren were classified as fifth despite the amazing effort from the pair during the qualifying stages.

The resumption of the final saw the drivers battle it out in a one lap shootout, and as the drivers climbed to the top of the massive hill at the end of the lap, it was RXR’s Kristoffersson who exited out in front and across the line for yet another victory.

Round 2: Island X-Prix Sardinia, Italy – 6th-7th June

Round 3 Sardinia, Italy – 9th-10th June

Round 4 Antofagasta, Chile – 10th-11th September

Round 5 Punta Del Este, Uruguay – 26th-27th November

The second round of the season, the Island X Prix was scheduled to take place 7-8 May on an Italian military base in the Capo Teulada region of SouthWest Sardinia. However, due to the current global events, the base is now required for training purposes and unavailable.

In order to accommodate this, Extreme E will now host its very first double header in Sardinia with the first event taking place on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th, with the second only two days later on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July.

After the double header in Sardinia, Extreme E will make its long-awaited South American debut, when the series heads to Antofagasta in Chile for the Copper X-Prix. The season finale will this year take place in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, when the series hosts the ‘Energy’ X-Prix in November.

SWEDISH-DUO MIKAELA ÅHLIN-KOTTULINSKY AND JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON SECURED THE FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON FOR RXR

ELECTRIC SUVs THE TOP 10

There are two clear trends within the automotive industry at the moment: electric cars and SUVs. With that in mind, here are our picks for the ten best electric SUVs on sale today...

POLESTAR 2

PRICE: £39,900 (Standard Range Single Motor)£45,900 (Long Range Dual Motor)

RANGE: 273 Miles (SRSM) - 335 Miles (LRDM)

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge at a 50kW Charger, 60 Minutes

Despite being a relatively new car brand in the grand scheme of things, Swedishmanufacturer Polestar, which originally began as the performance arm to Volvo, has seen a great deal of success with its two launches so far, aptly named the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2.

With the Polestar 1 being released as a plug-in hybrid sports car, Polestar made its second release a fully-electric SUV that

was set to go toe-to-toe with Tesla, thanks to its futuristic design and impressive entry level range.

The Polestar 2 has been regarded as one of the best electric vehicles on the market since its launch in 2020, but the wait is now on for Polestar’s third EV - yes, you guessed it, the Polestar 3 – which is rumoured to be coming in 2023.

TESLA MODEL X

PRICE: £73,135 - £148,405

RANGE: 333 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% at a Tesla Supercharger, 30 Minutes 50kW Charger, 40-60 Minutes

Tesla’s Model X has provided more substance to the claims of the Californian-manufacturer being the true kingpin of the EV world. Much like it’s impressive Model 3 saloon, the Model X is one the most innovative electric SUVs on the market today, with a whole host of quirky features, as well as some remarkable tech-specs.

This chunky seven-seater can accelerate from 0-60mph in little over two seconds in the higher end models, with a standard top speed of around 155mph. Although those

figures may grab the headlines, anyone considering the Model X will be pleased to learn that its real-world range 333 miles and fast-charging capabilities makes this SUV suitable for everyday life.

However, the Model X is tremendously expensive, especially when compared to some of its closest rivals. With a top-spec model setting you back almost £150,000, Tesla’s Model X certainly exists as one of the most premium EV SUV options out there.

AUDI Q4 E-TRON

PRICE: £40,750 - £42,250 (Sportback Version)

RANGE: 273 Miles (SRSM) - 335 Miles (LRDM)

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge at 50kW Charger, 40 mins Capable of Fast Charge in 29 mins

Over the next three years, Audi plans to offer 20 fully electric vehicles, and the first of those 20 comes in the form of the Q4 e-tron. As is customary with every Audi, the design of the Q4 e-tron is classy and suitably futuristic, with its patterned grille design and

slick body shape, combined with a typically luxury interior. Its range is as competitive as its price tag, which makes the Q4 e-tron one of the most appealing options for anyone considering an electric SUV.

LOTUS ELETRE (2023)

PRICE: Unknown

RANGE: 348 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charged in Less Than 20 Minutes (Using 350kW Fast Chargers)

Ok, so it might not be on sale today, but we couldn’t talk about electric SUVs without mentioning the world’s first electric hyper-SUV. The Lotus Eletre looks fantastic on and off paper. It’s down to produce around 600bhp which propels it straight to the top in terms of performance, it will outrun most of its SUV competitors like the Audi e-Tron & Mustang Mach-E GT, only

just falling behind the Tesla Model X Plaid.

The Eletre boasts a large 100kWh+ battery pack which Lotus claim will give you a range to be around 348 miles, making it one of the best on the market. Find out all you need to know about the Eletre with our exclusive feature on page 20 of this issue.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

PRICE: £36,995 - £42,840 (Ultimate Edition)

RANGE: 310 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge at 50kW, 50 mins

With a 350kW Supercharger, 18 mins

When Hyundai first released images of the Ioniq 5, it instantly became one of the most talked about EVs, without it even being released. With its retro hot-hatch style and ‘Robocop’ looking headlights, along with its catalogue of wacky features, the Ioniq 5 was one of the most highly anticipated EVs of 2021, and thankfully, it delivered on the hype.

The Ioniq 5 swept up the car of the year awards thanks to its design, its space-

age interior and its range and ultra-fast charging capabilities. With ambitious plans to sell 1.87 million EVs by the end of the decade, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 has provided the Japanese-manufacturer with the recipe to success, and with 17 new electrified models promised by 2030, we could begin to see Hyundai pulling out in front in the EV race.

VOLKSWAGEN ID.4

PRICE: £36,500 - £57,300

RANGE: 310 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge at 50kw, 60 Minutes

The Volkswagen ID.4 SUV has become the Group’s best-selling EV so far this year, topping the sales charts for Q1 2022 ahead of its little-brother, the ID.3, and its premium counterpart, the Audi Q4 e-tron.

Volkswagen’s first electric SUV has clearly proved popular, with more than 30,000 units being sold in the first three months of this year, more than

double the amount of ID.3’s sold in the same period.

It is no wonder that, considering the success of the ID.4 and the demand for SUVs, that Volkswagen will soon be releasing the latest member of the ID family, the ID.5. With production already underway, the ID.5 is scheduled to be released later this year, and if it follows the blueprint of the ID.4, it will be onto a winner.

BMW i X

PRICE: Starting from around £70,000

RANGE: 324 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge from a 50kW, 60 Minutes

For one of its most recent electric imaginings, BMW has stepped away from its original chunky i3 supermini and has instead produced a distinctive looking SUV that offers a great range and impressive performance.

With a beefy-body fitted with a traditionallyBMW large grille design, the iX is certainly one of the biggest and most eye-catching vehicles on this list, but whether you love or hate how it looks, there is no doubting the power that it possesses. Its pair of electric motors produce 516hp and a 0-60 time of just 3.6 seconds.

Complete with an adjustable air suspension and a rear-wheel-steering system, the iX packs a serious punch.

The inside of iX is a tech-fest with a 12.3” screen which replaces the traditional dash, as well as a separate 14.9” infotainment screen which is controlled by a see-through rotary knob on the centre console. As well as a large panoramic sunroof, hexagonal steering wheel and leather seats, the interior of the iX goes some way in justifying is sizeable price tag.

FORD MUSTANG MACH-E

PRICE: £41,330 - £46,650 (4WD Model)

RANGE: 379 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge in 45 Minutes on a Fast Charger, 50kW in Around 45 Minutes

When Ford gave the Mach-E the Mustang name it had rather large shoes to fill. As the manufacturer’s first fully electric car, the Mustang branding symbolises its intent to commit to an electric future, and Ford has certainly set the bar high with the Mach-E.

From its design to the way it drives and all the little details in between, Ford has produced an electric SUV-crossover that ticks all the boxes for anyone considering making the switch

over to electric. The Mach-E has even set a Guinness World Record earlier this year for the lowest energy consumption in an electric car on a journey from Lands’ End to John O’Groats.

With the Mach-E, Ford has got off to a lightningfast start in its plans to go all-electric by 2030, and for its entire passenger vehicle fleet in Europe to offer a zero-emission variant by 2026. If the Mach-E is a sign of things to come, then we’re in for a real treat.

TOP TEN EV SUVS

JAGUAR I-PACE

PRICE: £64,625

RANGE: 292 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% Charge at 50kW, 70 Minutes

Supercharger 150kW, 40 Mintues

The Jaguar I-PACE is one of the oldest models on this list when deliveries began all the way back in 2018. Despite being four years old already, it still remains one of the best electric SUV options out there.

With its iconic design shaped by legendary British designer Ian Callum CBE, the I-PACE rivals every car on this list from an aesthetics point of view, and also holds its own when you begin to compare range, charging and performance. Although it exists as one of the most expensive EVs on this list

after all these years, the I-PACE still boasts a high-end range of 292 miles, and a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric SUVs around.

Whilst the I-PACE has been Jaguar’s only BEV to date, the manufacturer recently outlined its electrification plans with its ‘Reimagine’ strategy, detailing a shift towards electric vehicles from 2025. Following the success of the I-PACE, the hype is beginning to build for Jaguar’s next fully electric car.

KIA EV6

PRICE: £41,695 - £52,695

RANGE: 230 Miles

CHARGE TIME: 80% in 18 minutes Using an Ultra-Fast Charger (150 kW)

Much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 received a lot of attention prior to its release and, having also claimed a number of ‘car of the year’ awards, it seems to have delivered on all the hype.

With a slimline, futuristic design housing a 77.4 kWh battery capable of producing 226 bhp, the Kia EV6 combines power and fun with a dose of practicality, thanks to its 328 miles of range and fast-charging capabilities which will allow you to recoup 10-80% of range in just 18 minutes. This fully electric SUV crossover is available

in either rear-wheel drive or a more sportier all-wheel-drive setup, which will offer you a 0-60mph time of just over five seconds.

Following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed eNiro, Kia says its EV6 marks a “new era” for the manufacturer and “sets the standard for years to come.” With two seriously impressive electric models under its belt already and with no fewer than 14 electrified models on their way by 2027, Kia could well position itself at the top of the electric vehicle table.

INTRODUCING THEELETRE

Lotus has pulled the covers off the all-new Eletre: the world’s first fully electric Hyper-SUV with 350kW charging and 370 miles of range.

The all-new and all-electric Lotus Eletre will be available from next year, with manufacturing to begin at ‘all-new hi-tech’ facility in China later this year.

Labelled as “bold, progressive and exotic, with iconic sports car DNA” by the team behind the new hyper-SUV, the Eletre will offer 350kW charge time of just 20 minutes for 248 miles of range, with a target driving range of 373 miles on full charge.

The Eletre, known until recently as only by its Lotus codename, Type 132, is 4WD, has a battery capacity that’s over 100kWh and with power from 600hp. This will help the Eletre achieve its party-piece of a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds.

Matt Windle, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, said: “The Eletre is a bold and revolutionary new car, delivering on our commitment to move Lotus into completely new automotive segments as we widen our global appeal and accessibility. This is a momentous point in our history and a clear signal of our ongoing desire to transform our business.

“It is a true Lotus, and we’re confident it will delight performance car customers and offer a distinct alternative to the segment’s established players. The Eletre has the soul of a Lotus and the usability of an SUV. Alongside the Emira sports car, this is the perfect two-car garage from Lotus.”

PRODUCTION

Lotus has confirmed that the Eletre will be the first in a new range of premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles to be built at an all-new stateof-the-art production facility in Wuhan, China. The cars design has been led by the UK, supported by collaborative work with teams in China, Sweden and Germany. The overall exterior and interior

design has been led by an international team based at the Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Warwickshire, UK.

It will also be built on Lotus’ all-new and highly versatile Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), which will be the basis for an all-new range of

LOTUS ELETRE

EXTERIOR DESIGN

“The Eletre is a progressive all-electric performance vehicle embodying emotion, intelligence and prestige,” according to Ben Payne, who led the design for the Eletre. “As the first of the brand’s lifestyle cars, it sets the standard for what will follow. We have taken the iconic design language of the Lotus sports car and successfully evolved it into an elegant and exotic Hyper-SUV.”

With the ambition of creating a ‘high-riding sports car’ rather than an SUV, Lotus adopted the ‘carved

by air’ design ethos which also inspired the Evija and Emira.

A signature element of the design is its ‘porosity’ –the aerodynamic principle of air flowing through the car as well as under, over and around it. It is most obvious where air is channelled under the leading edge of the car, emerging through two exit vents in the bonnet above. There are other examples of porosity ahead of and behind the front wheel arches, behind the rear wheels, and even at the top of the D-pillar. For the driver there

are clear benefits to porosity – less resistance in cutting through the air, delivering a more efficient journey in terms of improved vehicle range, speed and performance.

At the front of the Eletre, there are very sharp and crisp leading edges, with very slim and technical light clusters which house the Daytime Running Lights and scrolling directional indicators. The main lamps, which are available with matrix technology to permit constant high beam use without affecting oncoming traffic, are housed below, recessed and partially hidden.

premium lifestyle performance electric vehicles from Lotus.

The Eletre is the latest in a long line of Lotus road cars whose name begins with the letter E, and means ‘Coming to Life’ in some Eastern European languages.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

The design of the front grille, which consists of a network of interconnecting triangular petals, will remain closed when the car is at rest or when there’s a need to reduce drag during driving. Whilst the car is moving, the pattern will open to feed air into the radiator, cooling the electric motors, battery pack and front brakes.

Lotus claims the Eletre offers “the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV” and the angular rake of the windscreen which flows seamlessly all the way to the D-pillar and innovative ‘air blade’ at the rear of the car intensifies that claim. This design feature is another example of porosity and is an aerodynamic performance enhancement taken directly from the front bumper of the Emira.

Other noticeable design features include a deployable LIDAR sensor mounted at the top of the windscreen, a full-width ribbon light at the rear, and door mirrors that have been replaced by Electric Reverse Mirror Display (ERMD), which house three different cameras – one for the rearview mirror, a second to help create a 360-degree view of the car from above to aid parking, and a third that’s part of the intelligent driving technologies.

INTERIOR DESIGN

As is the case with most modern electric vehicles, the interior of the Eletre features an array of sustainable materials. The interior uses premium feel and highly durable man-made microfibres on the primary touchpoints, and an advanced woolblend fabric on the seats. The hard materials are from recycled carbon fibre, with the entire interior designed to maximise weight savings.

Once again drawing inspiration from the Evija and Emira, the cockpit is driver-focused with a higher

An intuitive light bar will also run across the cabin, which will change colour to communicate with occupants when, for example, a phone call is received, if the cabin temperature is changed, or to reflect the vehicle’s battery charge status.

The Eletre will also feature a 15.1” OLED touchscreen infotainment unit, with a drivers head-up display which offers augmented reality (AR) technology, which is standard equipment on the car.

The latest connectivity technology, including 5G compatibility, is part of the Eletre package. This enables continuous connection to the car via smartphone app, OTA software updates and the ability for customers to purchase new features enabled via software as they become available. A smartphone app for Eletre owners will include access to driving logs, vehicle and charge status, remote features, location services and a host of other functionality.

PERFORMANCE

Dynamically, the Eletre has been developed to deliver everything you would expect from a Lotus – outstanding ride and handling, highly communicative steering and exceptional driver engagement,” said Gavan Kershaw, Director of Attributes and Product Integrity at Lotus.

From a performance perspective, we know the world is watching so there has been an obsession with getting everything just right. Everyone is delighted with it – it’s a world-class product and a true Lotus.”

The Eletre is built on an all-new 800v dedicated electric vehicle architecture with integrated, high-voltage power distribution system. This architecture uses aluminium and high tensile steel for optimum structural rigidity. The flat ‘skateboard-style’ battery pack and electric motors are close to the ground to create a low centre of gravity. The high energy density of

centre console, and a triangular-themed décor that mirrors the design of the front grille.

the battery pack aims to achieve the best possible balance of performance and driving range.

There are two electric motors, one driving the front wheels and another driving the rear wheels. A three-in-one electric drive system integrates each motor with a controller and reducer, an efficient design which makes the unit smaller and lighter – a very Lotus solution.

The car has five-link suspension at the rear for optimised ride and handling, while standard equipment includes air suspension and Continuous Damping Control (CDC). Active ride height, active rear axle steering, an active anti-roll bar and torque vectoring via braking are all available.

The car comes with four drive modes, which adjust the steering, damper settings, powertrain and accelerator pedal response. The modes are Range, Tour, Sport, Off-Road and Individual, and are standard on all versions of the car.

“

From a performance perspective, we know the world is watching so there has been an obsession with getting everything just right. Everyone is delighted with it – it’s a worldclass product and a true Lotus. ”

DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Through the Eletre’s suite of LIDAR sensors, the cars Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) support end-to-end autonomous driving technology and is future-proofed for further development, achievable because of the hardware that’s already integrated. Further capability can be added via OTA software updates, as and when it is allowed by local market regulation.

Maximilian Szwaj, Vice President of Lotus Technology and Managing Director, LTIC, commented: “The Eletre is packed with relevant technologies which take Lotus to a new level in the premium lifestyle segment, and also sets new standards across the global automotive landscape. ADAS technologies such as LIDAR sensors and cameras will become increasingly common on new cars as we move into a more autonomous era, and to have the world’s first deployable LIDAR system on the Eletre is a signal of the technology vision we have for Lotus. This car has tech for today, and also for tomorrow, as it’s been developed to accept OTA updates as standard. I’m hugely proud of what the LTIC team, working in close collaboration with colleagues in China, has achieved.”

CHARGE YOUR HOW TO

Don’t they take hours and hours to charge? There are not many chargers, are there? What do you do if you run out of power? These questions have followed the electric vehicle industry around from the earlyadoption-era and still exist today from those that have yet to experience driving, and charging, an electric vehicle.

In this special feature, we break down each and every way that you can charge your electric vehicle, and how you might be able to charge in the future.

AT HOME

Charging at home is the most common way of repowering your EV. By plugging into your designated home charging point, or via a threepin plug socket, this is often the cheapest and most convenient way to charge your car.

According to EV chargepoint provider PodPoint, a typical electric vehicle with a 60kW takes just under eight hours to charge from empty to full via a 7kW charging point. The charging time can double if you charge via a traditional 3-pin plug socket.

If you’re looking to purchase an electric vehicle and want to invest in your own home charging unit, then the Government will help cover some of the costs. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides grant funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart chargepoints at domestic properties across the UK. However, as of April 2022, the scheme was revised to no longer include homeowners (including people with mortgages) who live in single-unit properties such as bungalows and detached, semi-detached or terraced housing.

As of this year, all new homes and buildings will also have to install electric vehicle chargepoints, with the UK being the first country in the world to introduce this policy. The new legislation will also require large scale renovations, which will have at least ten parking spaces, to fit charging points.

PUBLIC CHARGING

Often known as ‘route charging’, the UK’s network of public charging points allows electric vehicle owners to charge whilst out and about and at faster speeds than at home. With certain chargers offering speeds of up to 350kWh, drivers can charge from 20-80% in as little as 15 minutes. Chargepoint operators such as IONITY offer charging speeds of up to 350kWh with no power sharing, meaning drivers can access these ultrarapid speeds whenever they charge.

Charging an EV is often seen as the biggest question mark for anyone considering switching to an electric vehicle. So how exactly do you charge your EV?

ELECTRIC CAR

With over 30,000 charging points across the UK as of April this year, drivers have an ever-growing network of chargers available to them. It was also announced recently that the government will invest £1.6 billion to expand the UK charging network, with around 300,000 public chargers expected to be available by 2030. The number of chargers set to be installed by the end of the decade will be equivalent to almost 5 times the number of fuel pumps on our roads today. This announcement coincided with the news that bp pulse, one of the UK’s leading chargepoint operators, would also invest £1 billion in electric vehicle charging in the UK over the next ten years.

Whether you are popping to the shops or are clocking in for work each day, a number of venues, workplaces and points of interest have also installed electric vehicle chargepoints, in order to accelerate the UK’s transition to EVs.

“

With these chargers ranging from regular 7kW chargers to ultra-fast and ultra-rapid points, this expanding network of chargers allows EV owners to top up their charge away from home, and can also provide handy solutions to those without a home charging option.

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A great example of destination chargers is Tesco’s nationwide rollout of PodPoint electric vehicle chargers. The supermarket recently installed its 500th charger in the UK, and has delivered over two million complimentary chargers, thanks to the majority of its 7kW chargers being free to use whilst you are shopping.

“

With more than 400,000 home chargers in the UK, community charging opens up a vast network of charging solutions to EV owners without their own home chargers. ”

“Community charging allows anybody to own an EV,” said Joel Teague, founder of charging app, CoCharger. “Community Charging enables ‘Hosts’, who have EV chargers on their driveways to share them with ‘Chargees’ - motorists who can’t charge at home and would welcome the chance to access convenient, affordable charging on a neighbour’s driveway.”

With more than 400,000 home chargers in the UK, community charging opens up a vast network of charging solutions to EV owners without their

own home chargers. This solution also offers added safety and security for drivers, as Teague explained.

He said: “I’ve found myself stood at a charger in a nempty car park at 2am, thinking how much less secure it felt than my own driveway or one of the more modern charging facilities now appearing. Parking up and using the same driveway belonging to the same, known neighbour each week is certainly a very different experience to spending time at a public charger, and for me it would feel a lot more secure.”

EV CHARGING IN THE FUTURE

A number of innovative charging solutions are beginning to enter the market, all with the aim of making charging more convenient and more accessible.

One such solution is wireless EV charging, otherwise known as ‘inductive’ charging. The contactless technology enables electric vehicles to be charged automatically without need for cables or any driver interaction with a charge point.

In December last year, On-street EV charging firm char.gy began a trial of public EV inductive

COMMUNITY CHARGING ALLOWS ANYBODY TO OWN AN EV, ACCORDING TO CO-CHARGER FOUNDER JOEL TEAGUE

charging in Buckinghamshire. The trial launched in Marlow under the auspices of Buckinghamshire Council, using a low-power inductive charging installation provided by technology partner IPT Technology and adapted vehicles that are available for public hire through the hiyacar.co.uk app and website.

With an existing portfolio of lamp post charging technologies and services already providing solutions for urban on-street parking, char.gy says its new inductive innovation “automates and further streamlines” the charging process, declutters the residential kerbside in urban areas and provides a solution accessible to all drivers.

One company in the US is going a step further by building a one-mile stretch of road that will allow electric vehicles to charge as they drive. Electreon Wireless was selected to build an electric road system (ERS) in Detroit as part of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program.

The road is scheduled to be operational by 2023, with vehicles being charged by a magnetic frequency that will transfer power from metal coils in the road to a receiver fitted on the electric vehicle.

For charging on the go, ZipCharge has developed a portable EV charging pack can provide users with up to 20-40 miles of range wherever they are. The portable charger works through high energy density NMC lithium-ion battery cells and associated power electronics. A bi-directional AC-DC inverter enables two-way charging from the grid to the unit, and from the unit to the grid, so the power bank can be used to store cheap off-peak energy and feed it back into the grid at peak times.

ZipCharge Co-founder Jonathan Carrier said: “One of the key barriers to wider uptake of EVs is charging anxiety; the inability to charge near or at home. ZipCharge removes that hurdle and in doing so, will democratise EV ownership.”

TURNING POINT: ARE EVS FINALLY TAKING OVER?

With ICE vehicle sales plummeting and sales of electric vehicles continuing to grow, Charlie Atkinson assesses the figures to determine whether we really are heading to an electric future.

A year to remember

It has been a challenging few years to say the least. We have seen a global pandemic, supply chain shortages, a crisis in Ukraine, and even a ship being stuck across the Suez Canal, resulting in billions of dollars’ worth of trade being halted. All of these events casted uncertainty over every aspect of business, not least the automotive industry. Yet whilst sales of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) endured its very own crisis, electric vehicle sales boomed.

According to the International Energy Agency, global electric car sales more than doubled over the past twelve months, reaching 6.6 million, compared to just 3 million in 2020. In comparison, the ICE vehicle market endured some of its worst months on record.

The EV market was breaking records of its own, too, but for all the right reasons. The United States surpassed half a million EV sales for the first time. China almost tripled electric car sales from 1.2 to 3.4 million. Australian electric vehicle sales were

up almost 200% on 2020. In the UK, more battery electric vehicles were sold in 2021 than over the previous five years combined.

So far, so good

It has been more of the same this year. As the ICE vehicle market showed feeble signs of recovery, the electric vehicle sector has continued its surge forward.

In March 2021, new car registrations in the UK fell -14.3% to 243,479 units, resulting in the weakest

March since 1998, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Whilst overall registrations in Q1 2022 were down -1.9% compared to last year, March saw the best ever month for battery electric vehicles with 78.7% growth to 39,315 units, while all electrified vehicles account for one in three registrations.

It has been a similar story throughout the year. In February, the headline of SMMT’s monthly report read: “UK car production falls for eighth consecu-

tive month,” whilst adding: “It was another bumper month for battery electric vehicles.” In January, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes stated: “Once again it is electrified vehicles that are driving the growth.”

Manufacturers have also enjoyed a positive start to the year from an EV perspective.

BMW almost doubled its all-electric car sales in the first quarter of this year, despite the brand seeing a 7.3% decline overall. Mercedes-Benz also saw its sales of electric and plug-in vehicles more than triple in the same period, selling 21,900 units in the first three months of the year.

All around the world

The growth of the electric vehicle market is not just restricted to the UK and Europe, however. China has led the electric vehicle revolution for many years now and that trend has continued this year, with New Energy Vehicles (NEV) seeing an increase of 138% so far.

Even in the US, a country that is lagging behind in terms of EV adoption, EV sales are soaring. In the first quarter of this year, Volvo saw sales of its plug-in electric vehicles double in comparison to the same period in 2021. Tesla also sold more than 100,000 Model 3 and Model Y’s in Q1.

There has even been growth in places where EV adoption is at its lowest. In March, Australia experienced its best month ever for electric vehicle sales, with battery-electric car sales accounting for 2.5% of the market last month.

EV readiness

It is clear to see from all the data that the world is gearing up for an electric future, but which countries are truly prepared to go electric?

As per LeasePlan’s EV Readiness Index 2022, which assesses 22 European countries based on their preparation for electric vehicles, Norway is the country that is most ready to adopt an fully-electric future.

The top three countries in the Readiness Index are the same three countries as last year, with Norway, the Netherlands and the UK occupying the top spots. However, Austria has climbed up the rankings slightly to share the third spot with the UK.

Out of the 22 countries, Greece has made the most improvements, up 16 points to 23 points, thanks to an increased EV market share and a reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for electric vehicles.

Norway Netherlands

UK Austria Sweden Belguim Finland Germany Luxembourg Ireland EV

Sweden and Belgium have also increased their scores significantly, with improved charging infrastructure and more favourable government incentives for EVs. However, Norway and the Netherlands may find themselves further down the table in years to come as a result of small increases in government taxation.

Worldwide, EY’s EV Country Readiness Index ranks ten global automotive markets on their preparedness, with China, Sweden and Germany leading the way. The UK has ranked fourth in this table, although it did land in the top three for the categories of regulatory and demand readiness, ahead of Sweden and Germany.

Are we ready?

2022

What is a NIO Power Swap Station

and how does it work?

For NIO, battery swapping is a game-changing solution that addresses the cost, range and durability of EV batteries, providing benefits to users from the moment they first drive their NIO vehicle to the moment they sell it.

With ambitious targets for NIO’s rollout in place and our Battery as a Service (BaaS) subscription model set to launch in several key markets in 2022, NIO Power Swap Stations will become more visible to consumers over the next few years.

One of the major gripes prospective EV owners have is the amount of time it takes to recharge an EV, either at home or while on a lengthy journey, and the Power Swap Station eliminates this. Especially as EV adoption increases, not everyone will have access to residential or public charging. Here a battery swap offers an experience similar to refuelling a gas-powered vehicle, but without the hassle of paying for petrol or getting fuel on your shoes.

Users drive the vehicle into a pre-marked bay in front of the Power Swap Station and then the vehicle takes over, autonomously positioning itself precisely inside the swap bay. Once in place, a mechanical platform lifts the vehicle, allowing the battery swapping process to get underway. A laser-guided mechanism removes the ten screws that hold the current battery in place. The depleted battery is lowered away from the car and moved aside while a fresh battery – charged to 90 per cent for longevity – comes out of what we call the ‘battery hotel’. This is then positioned under the

car and screwed into place. Once the new battery is installed, the car powers back up and the user can drive out of the Power Swap Station and continue their journey. From start to finish, the entire process takes about five minutes: the same time it takes to fuel a conventional combustion car. Better still, it’s a flexible service, as users don’t need to plan for a swap far in advance. Drivers can check the availability of batteries at Power Swap Stations while on a journey and book themselves in moments before arriving. In China, NIO is offering batteries of different capacities, so users can also upgrade or downgrade the battery capacity – either 75 kWh, 100 kWh, or soon we will release a 150 kWh battery for 1,000 km journeys – depending on their usage needs.

Looking ahead, not only is there a clear convenience factor at play, as the combination of recharging at home and swapping allows NIO customers to tackle any length of journey and

situation with confidence, it also protects the residual value of NIO models. Users are always sure to have a healthy battery and the opportunity to upgrade when new technology arrives.

Battery swapping forms a key part of NIO’s BaaS subscription model. At its core, BaaS allows NIO users to switch batteries on demand, either to quickly recharge their vehicle or upgrade to a unit with a greater range ahead of a long journey. It also allows NIO to sell cars without a battery, lowering the price point of its models, and instead offer users a subscription to the battery that best suits them.

To date, over seven million battery swaps have been completed, the majority of which have occurred in China. However, NIO is expanding to Europe as we speak and is beginning to offer users swapping and BaaS. In Norway – the first country to accommodate Power Swap Stations in Europe – 600 swaps have been completed since January. NIO’s goal is for 1,000 Power Swap Stations to be active outside of China by 2025. By then, the target is to have 4,000 swap stations in use worldwide, with battery swapping becoming a common practice among its EV users alongside typical charging solutions.

Listen to Gert-Jan Geerinckx’s episode of the Everything EV Podcast by scanning this QR code!

Gert-Jan Geerinckx, head of power for EV manufacturer NIO in Germany, gives us insight to NIO’s battery swapping technology, which has become an integral part of the brand’s user experience in response to the key challenges that EV owners face.

NEW VAN IN TOWN

But until only recently, you could only get a decent, reliable electric van from one of the main manufacturers, such as Nissan, Vauxhall, Peugeot and other OEMs. But in 2022, there’s a new player in the e-Van market, that goes by the name of Innovation Automotive.

Billing itself as the UK’s first multi-brand electric vehicle company, Innovation Automotive unveiled the DFSK EC35 all-electric van back in March this year, with the aim of bringing practical, capable and affordable electric van to market.

So, will the new van in town be able to compete with the growing list of electric vans being released by the major OEMs? EV Powered’s Charlie Atkinson got behind the wheel to find out.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Well, pretty much like every other white, electric van, really. There’s not a great deal to shout about when it comes to the DFSK EC35, other than specific features like its halogen headlights and 14” steel wheels. Other than that, it just looks like your average white van.

Thankfully, when it comes to vans, it’s not a beauty contest, and whilst there are certainly

The market for electric vans is growing, with an increasing number of businesses across the UK looking to transition their fleets over to electric.

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flashier models out there, the focus is instead on practicality, sturdiness and, especially with this being an electric van, range, charging and cost.

THE IMPORTANT BITS

With the DFSK EC35 being sold as an affordable alternative to its competitors, let’s start with cost. Excluding VAT, the basic price for the EC35 is £25,444, but with the government’s plug-in van grant (which has recently been extended for another two years) you will save £5,000 on the purchase of this van, bringing an on-the-road price to £20,999, once delivery and First Reg Fees (FRF) have been added on. Including VAT, the onthe-road price comes in at £26,188.

For the price, Innovation Automotive will also throw in a five year or 75,000 mile warranty, and an eight year or 100,000 mile warranty for the traction battery. All new EC35 vans come with three years roadside assistance from the AA, too.

Including VAT, the DFSK EC35 is only marginally cheaper than the likes of the Citroen e-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert, Vauxhall Vivaro-e and the Toyota Proace Electric, which all come in at £26,450. So, how does it compare to its rivals in terms of range?

The EC35 has a WLTP combined range of 166 miles, which is tested with a 300kg payload. The estimated range does increase to 205 miles for driving in the city. This range is about the same as a Citroen e-Berlingo, a Peugeot e-Boxer or a Vauxhall Movano-e, whereas other models, such as the Fiat e-Ducato, will offer combined ranges of over 200 miles, although these are generally more expensive.

ON THE INSIDE

Whilst it might not lose any points in terms of range, the EC35 does fall short when it comes to storage and cargo volume. Compared to other

electric vans available, the cargo volume on the EC35 is a little small with only 4.8 cubic meters available. For reference, the similarly sized Citroen e-Dispatch has a cargo volume of up to 6.6 cubic meters.

But still, you’ve got two sliding doors for easy access and a rear tailgate, and you’ll still be able to carry up to 1,015kg. It might not be able to compete with the bigger, more expensive electric vans, but for vans of this size and at this price, it’s a decent, practical amount of storage.

Up front, the EC35 is pretty kitted out with reversing sensors, Bluetooth, DAB, air conditioning and a 6.8” infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so it’s got pretty much everything you want.

ON THE ROAD

Unfortunately for Innovation Automotive, the EC35’s performance on the road really lets it down.

The ride is uncomfortable, with an unforgiving suspension that drastically rattles the entire van over even the smallest of bumps. The flimsy-feel of the van’s structure results in a lot of road and wind noise, with sound of the battery winding up as you accelerate also loud and clear.

It also falls short on its claimed range. With 75% charge reading on the drivers display, a 12-mile journey saw the range fall to 52%. At this rate, the EC35 would only offer a 52-mile range, which is a significant drop-off from the 166-mile combined range advertised. This is with an empty load and on a journey around a town centre, with a short journey on a dual carriageway.

On the positive side, the van offers a good, high driving position, and it retains the essence of an electric vehicle with sharp, responsive acceleration. Other than that, however, it is a bleak report for the EC35, and struggles to compete with the reliability of some of the other electric vans produced by the major OEMs.

THE FINAL VERDICT

Unfortunately, Innovation Automotive’s DFSK EC35 electric van is far from perfect. The positive aspects, such as the fully-kitted out interior, reasonable load volume and cost, are hamstrung by significant flaws in performance and range.

Although it enters the market as one of the most affordable options, the old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true, and anyone looking for a new e-van is better off paying slightly more for one of the many reliable and trusted electric vans available on the market today.

AUTOFLIGHT: Taking inner-city mobility to the skies

Decades ago, visions of the future consisted of self-driving cars, video telephones and even robot servants. And whilst in 2022, we have autonomous vehicles, iPhones and helpful smart speakers, there is one aspect of retrofuturism that has yet to find its place in the modern day. Until now.

AutoFlight is a global high-tech startup, founded in China, dedicated to developing and manufacturing autonomous aerial vehicles. That’s right – flying cars.

These autonomous aircrafts, named ‘Prosperity I’, are much more than just electric flying cars, however. AutoFlight intends for these vehicles to operate as air taxis around bustling city centres, seating up to three passengers per flight.

And we are not light years away from having these air taxis whizzing above our heads, either. AutoFlight expects to have certification for these vehicles completed by 2025, and with plans for them to be operational by the end of the decade.

The man tasked with pulling all this together is former Airbus manager Mark Robert Henning, who joined the company at the beginning of the year. With over 26 years experience in the aviation industry, AutoFlight presents a new challenge to Henning, and it is one he is looking to tackle head on.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Henning told The Everything EV Podcast. “It’s a change from what I did before. This is the revolution of flying because now we can develop something that is really going to change the way mobility can be provided to our society.

“It’s going to be a super journey to get there. We will a see a lot of development to get it done. Everybody is really supporting to get air taxis working. We have so many people pulling in the same direction, so this is really going to happen.”

It will certainly be a long and arduous journey for AutoFlight, but the company has reached one critical milestone already with the completion of the proof-of-concept, transition test flight for the Prosperity I, which took place in January this year.

Explaining how the Prosperity I works, Henning said: “The aircraft has a rear wing with highaspect ratio, so a big wingspan to be efficient in cruise flight. We have a concept called ‘lift and cruise’ with eight propellors for vertical flight, climbing up to 150 feet, then accelerating with a propellor for cruise flight. After a certain speed, over 100kph, the aircraft will start to fly with the

wings, meaning you can switch off the wing propellors. Now you can be super-efficient in cruise flight.

“On average, the cruise flight should be between 180-220kph. With that speed, and the weight of the aircraft, the project range is between 18025km. The energy eating part of the flight, which is the vertical flight, is reduced to a very short segment, and that’s why in our configuration we can fly to a 250km range.”

With this being a project for the future, what is the timescale for AutoFlight, and how will that future look with the Prosperity I just 150m above the ground in cities all across Europe?

Henning said: “We think at the end of 2025, we can finalise our certification. After the certification is obtained for the Prosperity I, we can commence with the real transportation of human beings.

“At the beginning, it will probably be business applications. But ultimately, step by step, the more these aircrafts fly, the more services there are, and they shall be available as an alternative transportation mean for everybody. It shall not be for the rich people on the Côte d’Azur to fly out to their yachts. That is not the use case and the application that we are designing it for.”

Scan the QR code for the full episode:

Mark Robert Henning, managing director of AutoFlight Europe, discusses the company’s innovative fully electric air taxis and the challenges the company has faced on its journey so far.

EV CHARGING SURVEY REVEALS TRENDS IN BRITONS’ CHARGING BEHAVIOUR

Zap-Map has published its annual EV Charging Survey which analyses usage of Britain’s electric vehicle charging network.

The survey is based on the responses of more than 3,000 EV drivers across the UK with the aim of uncovering new trends in charging behaviour, most notably in the area of high-powered, ‘en route’ charging and the increasing popularity of charging hubs.

High-powered charging on the up

It found a significant increase in both the installation and usage of high-powered (ultrarapid) charging devices across the country in 2021. With the vast majority of EV drivers (93%) continuing to use the UK’s public charging networks, and 40% using public chargers at least once a week, the survey found that rapid chargers (25kW to 99kW) are still used by the most EV drivers overall.

However, the report also revealed that the usage of ultra-rapid chargers jumped to 27% of EV drivers, up from just 16% in the previous survey.

Another trend the survey highlights is the growth in popularity of EV charging ‘hubs’. Typically, groups of between four and ten charging devices, these hubs feature rapid or ultra-rapid devices that can generally add between 70 and 200 miles of range in around 30 minutes charging time.

As a result, the survey also found that networks installing these charging hubs saw high increases in demand from electric vehicle drivers. InstaVolt leapt up to 42% of EV drivers from 26% previously.

GRIDSERVE Electric Highway was another popular choice in its first year at 29%, while high-powered networks IONITY and Osprey also saw huge increases in the proportion of drivers using their networks.

Although charging hubs led the way in terms of growth of usage, supermarkets and motorway

charging stations remained the most used charging locations for EV drivers, with 52% and 50% of respondents claiming to use those chargers most frequently.

High-powered charging on the up

Supermarkets have also seen an increase in chargepoint installations, highlighted by Tesco’s having recently reached the milestone of installing EV chargers at 500 stores across the UK. In this instance, free charging sessions on the network increased from 500,000 in April 2021 to more than two million by the end of February, an increase of 300% over the past year. Since Tesco, Volkswagen and Pod Point launched the network in 2019, the charging points have provided more than 41 million miles of free electric driving to motorists – the equivalent to travelling from Earth to the moon and back 85 times.

As well as this, motorway service areas have seen charging facilities being upgraded over the last year

Melanie Shufflebotham, Zap-Map Co-founder & COO, commented: “As the number of EV drivers on the road approaches half a million, a robust charging infrastructure is essential, and the public charging network is growing and developing to meet these changing needs. This new survey shows that the 60% growth in high speed ultra-rapid chargers and the installation of charging hubs across the UK in 2021 are being used by an increasing proportion of EV drivers.

“We know that EV charging use cases are diverse, as the survey makes clear, and we absolutely need a range of charge speeds to match them. However, amongst other considerations, the demand for highpowered chargers revealed in this report indicates that ultra-rapid chargers and charging hubs continue to be a crucial area of investment – for the simple fact that they make long journeys easier.”

by GRIDSERVE. In addition, both retail and public car parks remain popular locations for charging, although usage has dipped in the last year.