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VW opens new Wind Tunnel Efficiency Centre

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Volkswagen has launched a new hub that tests vehicles under real-world climate conditions.

The car manufacturer’s Wind Tunnel Efficiency Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany can test cars at wind speeds of up to 250km/h, simulating real traffic conditions, with the aim of reducing drag, fuel usage and emissions.

It claims driving simulations under all climate and environmental conditions normally experienced throughout the world can also be conducted at temperatures between -30°C and 60°C.

Dr Frank Welsch, Board Member for Technical Development said: “These tests are a key factor in improving efficiency and reducing emissions. Thanks to the new centre, we are also outstandingly well positioned for the future with respect to other development areas such as aeroacoustics and electric vehicle range.”


Carmakers plan supercharging highway for EVs

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Major carmakers across Europe have joined forces to create a supercharging highway for electric vehicles (EVs).

IONITY, a joint venture between BMW, Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, aim to develop and implement a High-Power Charging (HPC) network to make long distance journeys easier for EV drivers.

The companies have set a target to launch around 400 HPC stations by 2020, with 20 stations to be opened to the public this year, located on major roads in Germany, Norway and Austria.

Through 2018, the network will expand to more than 100 stations, each enabling multiple customers driving different manufacturer cars, with a capacity of up to 350kW per charging point.

Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche said: “The launch of IONITY represents a breakthrough in the move towards a comprehensive rapid charging infrastructure in Europe.

“Creating a functioning charging infrastructure is necessary for ensuring electromobility is accepted and further expanded. With the rapid charging network from IONITY, we are ensuring that our customers can use electric cars on long journeys without compromising on convenience.”

UK roads to see 200k electric cars by end of 2018

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The electric vehicle (EV) market is expanding rapidly, with the UK’s roads estimated to have around 200,000 EVs by the end of 2018.

That’s according to latest statistics from Chargemaster, which found EV registrations rose by nearly 50% last month compared to the same period in 2016.

The UK saw a decline in diesel registrations by 29.9% in October – the seventh consecutive monthly fall.

More than 120,000 plug-in cars are now registered in the UK.

David Martell, CEO of Chargemaster said: “We will probably end this year with 45,000 new plug-in cars having been registered and we expect to see around 70,000 registered in 2018. By the end of the year, we estimate that there will be 200,000 electric cars on UK roads, rising to 500,000 by the end of 2020 and to one million by the end of 2022.”

London lamp posts to power electric vehicles

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A new project which allows residents to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) by plugging into lamp posts has been launched.

Kensington and Chelsea Council has joined forces with OVO Energy and Berlin-based Ubitricity to install an extra 50 SimpleSockets, which are charging points that fit directly into existing lamp posts.

It follows a trial by the council earlier this year and is now being expanded across central London.

The charging points will be located next to pay and display parking bays and will have a tariff of £0.165 per kWh of electricity.

To access the network, users will have to buy a cable with an inbuilt electricity meter from Ubitricity, with two options of £199 and £299.

There will also be additional charges of £1 for each charging session and £1 per hour after the first 24 hours of being plugged in – this is to stop people leaving their vehicle plugged in longer than they need to.

The additional income will be given to the council, which will use it to maintain the equipment and potentially fund future deployments and replacements.

Cllr Gerard Hargreaves, Kensington and Chelsea Council Lead Member for Transport said: “There is growing demand for charging facilities and a growing number of electric vehicles in Kensington and Chelsea. Most residents do not have access to off-street parking to charge an electric vehicle.

“Retrofitting street lamps with charging technology allows drivers to conveniently charge their vehicles closer to home, while helping to tackle air pollution in London. Lamp post charging is also more cost-effective and much less obtrusive as the charging points require no additional street furniture.”

IEA: Growth of EVs won’t reverse rising oil demand

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Rising oil demand will be slowed down but will not be reversed even as the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) rise “steeply” in the next two decades.

That’s according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), whish forecasts global oil demand will continue to grow to 2040, although at a steadily decreasing pace.

Fuel efficiency and rising electrification are expected to bring a peak in oil used for passenger vehicles, even with the car fleet doubling to two billion vehicles. Oil production is only expected to reduce by 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) or around 2% off global oil demand.

Other sectors, namely petrochemicals, trucks, aviation and shipping are forecast to drive up oil demand to 105 billion bpd by 2040.

The US is projected to become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas by the mid-2020s and a net oil exporter by the end of that decade.

Demand for global energy is to grow 30% over the next two decades, with increasing electrification transforming traditional ways of meeting demand.

Clean energy technologies are expected to meet 40% of this growth and the boom years for coal are to be over, in the absence of large scale carbon capture and storage.

The IEA’s World Energy Outlook adds the world’s growing energy needs will be met by renewables and natural gas over the next 25 years as fast declining costs turn solar power into the cheapest source of new electricity generation.

Solar power is expected to lead capacity additions, driven by deployment in China and India while in the EU, wind is set to become the leading power source soon after 2030.

Dr Fatih Birol, IEA’s Executive Director said: “Solar is forging ahead in global power markets as it becomes the cheapest source of electricity generation in many places, including China and India.

“Electric vehicles are in the fast lane as a result of government support and declining battery costs but it is far too early to write the obituary of oil, as growth for trucks, aviation, petrochemicals, shipping and aviation keep pushing demand higher. The US becomes the undisputed leader for oil and gas production for decades, which represents a major upheaval for international market dynamics.”

Global energy-related carbon emissions are forecast to “increase slightly” by 2040 but at a slower pace than in last year’s projections, however, the IEA warns this is still “far from enough” to avoid severe impacts of climate change.

Budget 2017: Hammond pledges £540m for EVs and charging infrastructure

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Philip Hammond has announced a £400 million fund for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects across the UK.

As part of his 2017 Budget announcement, the Chancellor also pledged to invest an extra £100 million to help people buy EVs and £40 million will go towards charging research and development.

He believes there is “perhaps no technology as symbolic as the revolution gathering pace around us as driverless vehicles”.

He said: “Our future vehicles will be driverless but they’ll be electric first and that’s a change that needs to come as soon as possible for our planet.

“I can confirm today that we will clarify the law so that people who charge their electric vehicles at work will not face a benefit-in-kind charge from next year.”

The government has also committed to electrify 25% of cars in central government department fleets by 2022.

It hopes to see fully self-driving cars on UK roads by 2021 and will therefore make “world leading” changes to the regulatory framework, such as setting out how driverless cars can be tested without a human safety operator.

The National Infrastructure Commission is to launch a new innovation prize to determine how future roadbuilding should adapt to support self-driving cars.

Mr Hammond also announced a tax hike for diesel cars which will finance a new £220 million Clean Air Fund, tax breaks for the North Sea oil and gas sector and is considering introducing a tax on single-use plastic items.

EVs could offer 11GW of grid flexibility by 2030

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Electric vehicles (EVs) could offer 11GW of rapid flexibility to the UK’s energy grid by 2030.

That’s according to energy tech developer Open Energi, which suggests smart charging, which is when vehicles are charged automatically at optimal times, could support renewable generation, balance supply and demand and alleviate strain on the network.

The firm finds by 2020, an estimated 1.6 million EVs on the road could provide up to 550MW of turn-up flexibility and around 1.3GW of turn-down flexibility.

In 2030, with nine million EVs on the road, this rises to up to 3GW of turn-up and 8GW of turn-down flexibility.

This means rather than threatening grid stability with massive spikes of demand, EVs could be used as an asset to work for the benefit of the system.

For example, ‘optimal night-dispatch’ can ensure all vehicles are charged by the time they’ll be used the next day without compromising local network infrastructure by powering them up all at once.

Dago Cedillos, Strategy and Innovation Lead at Open Energi, said: “There has been a lot of attention given to the worst-case scenarios but smart charging technology means EVs can be managed to the benefit of the system and help accelerate our transition to a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future.”

Shell teams up with carmakers for EV charging

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Shell has joined forces with car manufacturing giants to offer high-speed charging points for electric vehicles across Europe.

It has signed an agreement with IONITY, a joint venture between BMW Group, Daimler, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen Group with Audi and Porsche, which was formed to create a network of 350kW chargers next to major highways.

They will provide EV chargers at 80 of Shell’s biggest roadside fuel stations, initially focusing on 10 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the UK.

The charging points will take five to eight minutes on average to charge EVs – up to three times faster than any charger currently available.

The news comes after Shell’s announcement it is buying Dutch EV infrastructure firm NewMotion, which operates Europe’s largest charging point network.

István Kapitány, Shell’s Global Executive Vice President of Retail said: “Customers want to go on long journeys in their electric vehicles and feel confident that there are reliable, comfortable and convenient places to charge them quickly.”


Lancashire Council to get 150 EV chargers

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Lancashire County Council is to install 150 electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

They will include 18 rapid chargers and 66 dual-socket fast chargers, with the first units to be installed in early 2018.

They will be part of Chargemaster’s EV charging network POLAR, which already has more than 5,500 chargers nationwide.

The project follows a successful bid by Lancashire County Council under the Department for Transport’s Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund.

Part of the funding is being used to replace old streetlights with LEDs, which the council says has already resulted in “hundreds of thousands of pounds a year” in energy savings.

Nearly half of UK businesses ‘holding back on EVs’

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Nearly half of senior decision makers in British businesses don’t plan to invest in electric vehicle (EV) technologies until after 2025.

That’s according to npower Business Solutions, which says the 45% of the market not getting involved with EVs are put off by a lack of existing charging points (32%), poor battery life limiting journey times (30%) and high installation costs (29%).

More than half of the 1,083 respondents told npower they do not feel informed about the opportunities EVs could offer for their business.

The results of the survey suggest 38% of senior decision makers agree it would be beneficial to have EV charging facilities at their business sites.

Jason Scagell, Director of Vehicle Charging Solutions at npower, said: “With business investment in EVs stuck in the slow lane, the measures announced in the Budget have come at the perfect time.

“We hope that this commitment will help ensure the UK has the necessary infrastructure in place to support a strategic move to EVs by enterprises.”

Good Energy and NewMotion launch smart EV partnership

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Good Energy has launched a pilot scheme for electric vehicle (EV) smart charging with NewMotion.

The 100% renewable energy provider will have EV charging points installed at its offices in Wiltshire by the smart solutions provider.

Following the six-month trial, the companies aim to work in partnership to develop an electric vehicle charging proposition for Good Energy’s business and domestic customers.

NewMotion’s smart technology monitors usage, manages charge costs, provides journey planning and load balances power requirements on the National Grid.

Dr Randall Bowen, Director of Business Services at Good Energy, said: “We’re delighted to be working with NewMotion to diversify our offering and invest further in our electric vehicle capabilities.

“Electric vehicles form an important part of our new strategy: an increased focus on clean technologies.”

Good Energy has also recently partnered with the Eden Project to launch its first energy storage solution.

More than two-thirds of Brits say EVs are next big thing

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More than two-thirds of the British public expect electric vehicles (EVs) to become the next major trend in home technology.

That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 people, conducted by OVO Energy, which suggests 37.8% expect battery-powered cars to hit the mainstream sooner than innovations such as virtual reality headsets and webcam doorbells.

Despite around 87% of the public saying they ‘would’ or ‘definitely would’ buy an electric car, the data also reveals a host of concerns regarding the technology.

More than half of people older than 55 and 43% of those aged between 16 and 24 said high costs would put them off – OVO says EVs actually work out cheaper than petrol or diesel vehicles in the long run.

It also shows a perceived lack of charging points, with 56% saying there weren’t yet enough available.

Nearly half said this would give them ‘range anxiety’ and 43% said the clean cars take too long to charge compared to filling up at a petrol station.

Data from London’s cabbies to help plan EV network

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Data from London’s black taxis is to be used to help plan the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

UK Power Networks has launched a project to establish what investment is needed and help prepare for a future when all of London’s cabbies have made the switch to zero-emission capable vehicles.

The project aims to provide an insight into when and where plug-in taxis and private hire EVs charge, so the necessary investments and infrastructure can be planned to accommodate them.

It will use real-life data from the London Electric Vehicle Company’s (LEVC) test fleet to model how all the new charging points needed could affect the electricity network.

Transport for London recently introduced new licence requirements for all new black cabs to be zero-emission capable from 2018, with the same applying for all new minicabs from 2023.

Ian Cameron, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “This project is an important step in allowing us to understand exactly what we need to do to facilitate more zero-emission vehicles to charge quickly and easily.

“By getting a really accurate picture of exactly how and where this sector of EV charging will interact with the network, we’ll be able to make informed decisions on how to support low carbon technologies.”

First public ultra-fast EV chargers hit Europe

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Europe’s first public ultra-fast charging points have gone into operation in Germany.

Provider Allego says they will mean the average electric vehicle (EV) can be filled with enough charge to drive at least 100 kilometres in only five minutes.

The infrastructure in Kleinostheim, near Frankfurt, makes up the start of what will be a transnational corridor running through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to Austria, made up of 21 ultra-fast charging stations.

The four ultra-fast 175kW chargers will be upgraded to enable up to 350kW in early 2018.

Similar facilities will be erected at intervals of 150 to 200 kilometres along the motorway to open up the whole region to the drivers of clean cars.

Chief Operating Office of Allego, Ulf Schulte, said: “We are delighted to be setting a milestone for future electro-mobility in Europe with this new generation of fast chargers.

“The ultra-fast charging stations are designed to accommodate many current and future types of e-car. They are particularly suited to the new long range e-cars that will be available from 2018.”

A 2,000 kilometre EV superhighway has been announced in Queensland, Australia.

EV battery facility speeds ahead with £80m funding

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A new battery facility for electric vehicles (EV) in Warwickshire has received £80 million in funding.

The money for the National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility has been provided by Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Coventry City Council and Warwick Manufacturing Group.

These partners want the site to promote collaboration between manufacturers, researchers and economic development leaders so they can work together to drive progress in EV technologies.

It will focus on developing a range of battery innovations in areas such as chemistry, electrodes, cell design, module and pack levels.

The project partners say the facility will also benefit from its proximity to several of the UK’s leading car manufacturers.

Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark said: “The new facility, based in Coventry and Warwickshire, will propel the UK forward in this thriving area, bringing experts from academia and industry together to deliver innovation and research and development that will further enhance the West Midlands’ international reputation as a cluster of automotive excellence.


Hampshire IT firm boots up EV fleet

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A Hampshire IT firm has bought six electric vehicles (EVs) for its engineers to get around in.

Taylor Made’s new BMWi3s mark the start of a move towards electrifying the business’ entire 50-strong fleet.

Ahead of the government’s plans to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars from 2040, the company also installed three charging points at its Cams Hall Estate headquarters.

This will allow the ‘pool cars’ for the company’s 115 employees to remain charged at all times – this is important as they often have to run out and help clients at very short notice.

Founder and Managing Director of Taylor Made, Nigel Taylor, said: “Our current vehicles have relatively low emissions but we’re keen to take our carbon footprint down even lower.

“Making a positive impact on the world around us is important to all of us here at Taylor Made.”

Only five councils take advantage of EV funding scheme

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Ministers have called for councils to do more to cut emissions after only five local authorities across the UK took advantage of an electric vehicle (EV) scheme.

The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, launched in 2016, offers funding for local authorities to buy and install electric car charge points for public use.

However, Transport Minister Jesse Norman and Climate Minister Claire Perry say involvement in the scheme has been very disappointing, meaning people are being denied the opportunity to take advantage of the technology and reduce their carbon footprint.

They have written to councils urging them to sign up and have 75% of the cost of procuring and installing charge-points made available.

Local authorities have to fund the remaining quarter of investment through public or private sources.

Mr Norman said: “Charge points can be anything from new points popping up on streets to adapting existing lampposts to make the best use of space.

“The money has been available since 2016 but so far only 5 councils have come forward so there is £4.5 million still available for them – enough for thousands of extra points.”

Global emissions ‘will plateau by 2030’

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Major shifts in the global energy landscape, particularly related to electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable generation, mean global carbon dioxide emissions will plateau by 2030.

That’s according to data and analytics specialist McKinsey Energy Insights (MEI), which forecasts by 2030, 20% of global car sales will be EVs, rising from 3% in 2020.

The report says renewables are likely to take almost all the growth in global power generation through to 2050 and predicts it will become more economic to build renewable capacity than operate existing gas- or coal-fired power plants within a decade.

It suggests this will trigger further declines in fossil-fuel power plant use, with solar and wind growing up to 10 times faster than gas.

Despite these green developments, MEI warns increased global energy demand is likely to mean emissions will remain at more than double the level required for international climate obligations.

Ole Rolser, Associate Partner and Solution Leader at MEI, said: “Despite the significant momentum around EVs and renewable energy sources taking an increasing share of the power market, energy-related emissions remain flat from 2030 to 2050.

“To realise the 2°C pathway scenario, we’d have to see much broader, much more disruptive change than what we’re seeing now.”

Wheely powerful charging network to hit Europe

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A new high power charging network for electric vehicles (EVs) across European cities and motorways has been announced.

Technology firm Allego and EV infrastructure operator Fortum Charge & Drive aim to facilitate the use of low carbon vehicles across urban areas in more than 20 countries by 2025.

The plan will include the installation and operation of 322 ultra-fast chargers and 27 smart charging hubs to help power a wide range of vehicles quickly and easily.

The first round of the project will start in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK.

Rami Syväri, Vice President of Fortum Charge & Drive, said: “We believe in an open infrastructure approach. This means that it is intended to welcome every citizen and different car models at our chargers.

“The idea is therefore also to combine multiple charging solutions to meet different needs and speeds.”

Roll-out is planned to start in the first half of 2018.

Smart charging ‘could save EV drivers £170 a year’

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Smarter electric vehicle (EV) charging systems that ensure cars are charged during periods of peak supply could save the average owner around £170 a year.

That’s according to new research, which predicts the number of battery-powered cars on UK roads will grow from around 120,000 today to 10 million by 2035.

If battery costs fall faster than expected, the figure could rise to 15 million EVs in 2035.

Aurora Energy Research states adding 10 million EVs will increase overall power demand by 19TWh per year – equivalent to 6% of current power demand.

It adds: “Evidence shows that at present, most EV owners plug in and charge their car when they get home from work, increasing the evening peak demand for electricity.

“If 10 million EVs were added to the grid and charged in this way, it would require 3GW of additional generation capacity at peak times, as well as requiring potentially costly reinforcements of the power network.”

However, it suggests if EV charging is “smart”, the challenges are significantly reduced.

That includes encouraging people to charge off-peak with cheaper tariffs and energy suppliers optimising EV charging to charge at the lowest price.

The research adds either way, EV owners stand to save around £170 per year.

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