...by the same team who beat it last time.
Yep, the Japan EV Club have taken their electric powered Daihatsu Mira van to a massive 623 miles, a full 278 miles further than the last record, a figure they themselves had snatched from two Aussies in a Tesla Roadster.
The significantly more efficiency-honed Mira has benefitted from even lower rolling resistance Toyo tyres, as well as a carbon fibre seat to reduce weight. Average speed throughout the journey was 25mph, so although impressive the record probably isn't representative of real-world conditions. That said, the record is probably more akin to the typical inner-city driving conditions that many EVs will be particularly suited to.
Last time, Tarmac asked you to place your bets on how long it would take for the record to be beaten. We'd be honest and say that nobody expected the same team to beat it, let alone so comprehensively...
Anyway... place your bets, anyone?
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Showing posts with label electric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electric. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Driven: Nissan Leaf
Having announced that they were to be building the Leaf EV at their Washington plant in the UK, Nissan have been taking the car around the UK on a whistle-stop tour of Europe.
Whilst the car was on display at one of the few public showings, Tarmac managed to get a drive in the prototype. Whilst the test car is based on the Tiida model, the running gear is very similar to that which will be seen in the production Leaf in a few years time.
First impressions of the concept car are good. It looks, too all intents and purposes, like a regular car. This of course is for good reason, as regular cars are what people actually want. With the best intentions in the world, electric quadricycles like Reva's G-Wiz will never become commonplace as they can't offer the space and pace that people accept from the cars they're used to.
To this end then, the Leaf is off to a good start. It's a five-door hatchback with space for five, a good boot, and an inoffensive shape that manages to retain a bit of character. The front is modern and equipped with large headlights similar to those on the Ford Fiesta, and the rear has a hint of the last-generation Renault Megane about it. Even the interior is much like a normal car, with normal controls and two hooded instrument clusters. Only the large digital display in the centre console really hints at the Leaf's high-tech drivetrain.
From this point, the package starts looking quite different from regular cars. The shape has been specially designed for aerodynamic efficiency - those lights split airflow over the mirrors to reduce drag, and thanks to LED technology consume less power, too. The large Nissan badge on the nose sits on a hinged flap that opens up to reveal two charging points, one for quick chargers that can provied up to 80% charge in half an hour, and the other for a more leisurely charge. Range is around 100 miles which doesn't sound like a lot, but most research seems to suggest that the majority of journeys in the UK are over fewer than eight miles, so even if you didn't put the car on charge every night most people would still have enough for ten journeys.
The batteries themselves are stored under the cabin floor. The electric motor they power delivers 80kw of power, or around 107bhp. They also give a huge 280nm (206lb ft) of torque from zero rpm.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Tiida-based test car and moving off, this torque is immediately noticeable. Movement is instant and remarkably smooth in a way that even the best automatic transmission in a regular car can't manage. Throttle response can't be faulted. The silence is rather eerie at first but it makes the car seem supremely relaxing to drive - I suspect that the utter silence and smooth power delivery would make even the worst city driving seem far less stressful. As would the controls, which are simplicity in themselves - a tiny joystic selects drive (left and back), reverse (left and forwards) and a little button on the top selects park.
The test car didn't have regenerative braking but the production Leaf will do. As such, the brakes felt quite sharp, having probably been beefed up in the test car to make up for the lack of engine braking. Normally, simply backing off the power would see significant braking from the motor - to the point where using the car's brakes would be an uncommon occurence in town.
Propulsion aside, it again feels just like a regular petrol or diesel powered car. It's difficult to make too accurate a judgement on the finished product given that I only got a three laps of a very short circuit in which to test the car, but both ride and steering seemed fine - presumably no different from the petrol-powered Tiida. Again, this is important in attracting the buying public to the car - all the benefits of EV technology but with none of the drawbacks of cars like the G-Wiz.
Overall, I came away very impressed with the Leaf and itching to have another go. Electric cars are rapidly getting to the point where they can be considered serious alternatives to petrol and diesel cars for many people.
Of course, this is very much price-dependant. The number being thrown about at the moment is around £27,000 which is a lot for a small family car, but as with any technology the early adopters will bear the brunt of higher prices and this will bring down the unit cost for the manufacturers.
The Nissan Leaf is a good car even at this early stage, and a serious indication by Nissan that electric cars can walk the walk as well as talking the talk.
You can follow updates on the Nissan Leaf on their twitter page: https://twitter.com/UKNissanLEAF
All photos: ©Tarmac 2010
Whilst the car was on display at one of the few public showings, Tarmac managed to get a drive in the prototype. Whilst the test car is based on the Tiida model, the running gear is very similar to that which will be seen in the production Leaf in a few years time.
First impressions of the concept car are good. It looks, too all intents and purposes, like a regular car. This of course is for good reason, as regular cars are what people actually want. With the best intentions in the world, electric quadricycles like Reva's G-Wiz will never become commonplace as they can't offer the space and pace that people accept from the cars they're used to.To this end then, the Leaf is off to a good start. It's a five-door hatchback with space for five, a good boot, and an inoffensive shape that manages to retain a bit of character. The front is modern and equipped with large headlights similar to those on the Ford Fiesta, and the rear has a hint of the last-generation Renault Megane about it. Even the interior is much like a normal car, with normal controls and two hooded instrument clusters. Only the large digital display in the centre console really hints at the Leaf's high-tech drivetrain.From this point, the package starts looking quite different from regular cars. The shape has been specially designed for aerodynamic efficiency - those lights split airflow over the mirrors to reduce drag, and thanks to LED technology consume less power, too. The large Nissan badge on the nose sits on a hinged flap that opens up to reveal two charging points, one for quick chargers that can provied up to 80% charge in half an hour, and the other for a more leisurely charge. Range is around 100 miles which doesn't sound like a lot, but most research seems to suggest that the majority of journeys in the UK are over fewer than eight miles, so even if you didn't put the car on charge every night most people would still have enough for ten journeys.The batteries themselves are stored under the cabin floor. The electric motor they power delivers 80kw of power, or around 107bhp. They also give a huge 280nm (206lb ft) of torque from zero rpm.Sitting behind the wheel of the Tiida-based test car and moving off, this torque is immediately noticeable. Movement is instant and remarkably smooth in a way that even the best automatic transmission in a regular car can't manage. Throttle response can't be faulted. The silence is rather eerie at first but it makes the car seem supremely relaxing to drive - I suspect that the utter silence and smooth power delivery would make even the worst city driving seem far less stressful. As would the controls, which are simplicity in themselves - a tiny joystic selects drive (left and back), reverse (left and forwards) and a little button on the top selects park.The test car didn't have regenerative braking but the production Leaf will do. As such, the brakes felt quite sharp, having probably been beefed up in the test car to make up for the lack of engine braking. Normally, simply backing off the power would see significant braking from the motor - to the point where using the car's brakes would be an uncommon occurence in town.Propulsion aside, it again feels just like a regular petrol or diesel powered car. It's difficult to make too accurate a judgement on the finished product given that I only got a three laps of a very short circuit in which to test the car, but both ride and steering seemed fine - presumably no different from the petrol-powered Tiida. Again, this is important in attracting the buying public to the car - all the benefits of EV technology but with none of the drawbacks of cars like the G-Wiz.Overall, I came away very impressed with the Leaf and itching to have another go. Electric cars are rapidly getting to the point where they can be considered serious alternatives to petrol and diesel cars for many people.Of course, this is very much price-dependant. The number being thrown about at the moment is around £27,000 which is a lot for a small family car, but as with any technology the early adopters will bear the brunt of higher prices and this will bring down the unit cost for the manufacturers.The Nissan Leaf is a good car even at this early stage, and a serious indication by Nissan that electric cars can walk the walk as well as talking the talk.
You can follow updates on the Nissan Leaf on their twitter page: https://twitter.com/UKNissanLEAF
All photos: ©Tarmac 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Smart saved with Renault partnership
A recently announced deal between Daimler, and Renault-Nissan will see the next generation of Smarts sharing platforms with the French marque. The alliance also sees each company taking three percent of the other's shares.
This news is good for Smart, as the company has long been struggling to turn a profit and the deal guarantees its future. A short wheelbase platform being developed by the new pairing will underpin the next generation Smart, as well as the Renault Twizy and a new Nissan small car to take on Toyota's iQ. A longer wheelbase will also be used, which could provide a replacement for the short-lived Smart ForFour.
The move also increases the chance of a full production electric Smart, given that the Twizy is currently an electric-only concept.
Source: AutoExpress
Image: Tarmac
This news is good for Smart, as the company has long been struggling to turn a profit and the deal guarantees its future. A short wheelbase platform being developed by the new pairing will underpin the next generation Smart, as well as the Renault Twizy and a new Nissan small car to take on Toyota's iQ. A longer wheelbase will also be used, which could provide a replacement for the short-lived Smart ForFour.The move also increases the chance of a full production electric Smart, given that the Twizy is currently an electric-only concept.
Source: AutoExpress
Image: Tarmac
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Previous electric car range record already decimated...
Not even so long as one month ago a team of two drivers recorded 313 miles in a Tesla Roadster to set a new electric vehicle distance record.
Clearly, members from the Japan EV Club (Japanese site) thought they could do better, and have gone 44 miles better in a Daihatsu Mira EV van. Sanyo provided the batteries and the whole lot is transmitted through the Mira's standard five-speed transmission. Even though conditions look less than ideal and the trip from Tokyo to Osaka isn't the flattest and most EV-friendly journey in the world, the team benefited from the Mira's light weight, a large battery and some low rolling-resistance Toyo tyres. The journey took 13 hours, and if you can read Japanese, there's probably more information on the team's own website.
Place your bets on how long it takes for another team to break the record again... News via AutoBlogGreen and Car Watch (Japanese site).
(Image: Car Watch)
Clearly, members from the Japan EV Club (Japanese site) thought they could do better, and have gone 44 miles better in a Daihatsu Mira EV van. Sanyo provided the batteries and the whole lot is transmitted through the Mira's standard five-speed transmission. Even though conditions look less than ideal and the trip from Tokyo to Osaka isn't the flattest and most EV-friendly journey in the world, the team benefited from the Mira's light weight, a large battery and some low rolling-resistance Toyo tyres. The journey took 13 hours, and if you can read Japanese, there's probably more information on the team's own website.
Place your bets on how long it takes for another team to break the record again... News via AutoBlogGreen and Car Watch (Japanese site).(Image: Car Watch)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Abandoned fuel stations to go electric?
A plan to keep the increasing number of electric cars available buzzing along the streets has been revealed by US firm Evoasis.
The San Diego based company has announced that they have plans to turn disused fuel stations, both in the UK and elsewhere, into electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The plan is known as R2G (Red 2 Green), the name coming from London's red buses and tube routes, with green being fairly self-explanatory. The best news is that rather than standing outside in the cold watching your bank balance decrease, EV owners will be able to go inside, watch films and download music and TV in a lounge area. Charges are expected to take around 20 minutes, as this is the typical time for a "fast charge" in many EVs.
The other benefit to the system is that while your EV is plugged in, Evoasis want to offer diagnostics and battery tests, as well as the ability to download content for your in-car entertainment.
The first stations are due to be rolled out this Autumn, likely starting with major locations in London such as Euston or Waterloo station, with others following. This should follow hot on the heels of cars such as the new Mitsubishi iMiev which is due in the Summer, and benefit drivers of cars like the THiNK and NICE which are already becoming popular.
Images ©Evoasis via AutoExpress
The San Diego based company has announced that they have plans to turn disused fuel stations, both in the UK and elsewhere, into electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The plan is known as R2G (Red 2 Green), the name coming from London's red buses and tube routes, with green being fairly self-explanatory. The best news is that rather than standing outside in the cold watching your bank balance decrease, EV owners will be able to go inside, watch films and download music and TV in a lounge area. Charges are expected to take around 20 minutes, as this is the typical time for a "fast charge" in many EVs.
The other benefit to the system is that while your EV is plugged in, Evoasis want to offer diagnostics and battery tests, as well as the ability to download content for your in-car entertainment.
The first stations are due to be rolled out this Autumn, likely starting with major locations in London such as Euston or Waterloo station, with others following. This should follow hot on the heels of cars such as the new Mitsubishi iMiev which is due in the Summer, and benefit drivers of cars like the THiNK and NICE which are already becoming popular.
Images ©Evoasis via AutoExpress
Saturday, August 2, 2008
"Nice" car at the British Motor Show 2008
Although a full British International Motor Show report will follow on this blog, there was one vehicle that caught my eye in particular on the Nice Car Company stand amongst all the upright, ungainly electric city cars and converted electric vans.
The car in question was the Super Light Sport Car Concept, an very small, very light electric two-seat "sports car". Weighing only 400kg, which for the record is 320kg less than a Lotus Elise S1, it has a 100 mile range which is much more impressive than the usual forty to fifty miles electric cars make do with. Unfortunately there were no performance figures for the car on the nearby information sheet.
I had a sit inside the car (when I finally got a chance, as the thing was surrounded by kids all day, the size of the thing making it look more like a toy than a car). It needs some work on ergonomics, as the driving position was a little... odd... for me (at around 170cm tall), my right leg being almost completely stretched to press the accelerator pedal all the way down and the steering wheel quite close by virtue of the cockpit being tiny. The seats aren't moveable, being simply strips of cushioned padding on the cockpit base. This might make it difficult for anyone under or over a certain size to get comfortable.
Apparently the production car would have fully electric controls, though the steering had a mechanical connection to the wheels so it's to be assumed that electric steering means electrically assisted.
I'd love a drive in one, and it did look like it'd be great fun. A 100 mile range would get you a very long way in town without having to be recharged. Performance wise I think that as little as 60-70mph would be enough, around the same as a small 125cc motorcycle or scooter. With an electric motor delivering instant torque and such light weight acceleration wouldn't be too bad either, which is important in the cut-and-thrust of inner-city driving.
The only problem might be the crowd of children you'd have to push through when you get back to the car park...
Images: Shane O' Donoghue @ The Car Enthusiast
The car in question was the Super Light Sport Car Concept, an very small, very light electric two-seat "sports car". Weighing only 400kg, which for the record is 320kg less than a Lotus Elise S1, it has a 100 mile range which is much more impressive than the usual forty to fifty miles electric cars make do with. Unfortunately there were no performance figures for the car on the nearby information sheet.
I had a sit inside the car (when I finally got a chance, as the thing was surrounded by kids all day, the size of the thing making it look more like a toy than a car). It needs some work on ergonomics, as the driving position was a little... odd... for me (at around 170cm tall), my right leg being almost completely stretched to press the accelerator pedal all the way down and the steering wheel quite close by virtue of the cockpit being tiny. The seats aren't moveable, being simply strips of cushioned padding on the cockpit base. This might make it difficult for anyone under or over a certain size to get comfortable.
Apparently the production car would have fully electric controls, though the steering had a mechanical connection to the wheels so it's to be assumed that electric steering means electrically assisted.
I'd love a drive in one, and it did look like it'd be great fun. A 100 mile range would get you a very long way in town without having to be recharged. Performance wise I think that as little as 60-70mph would be enough, around the same as a small 125cc motorcycle or scooter. With an electric motor delivering instant torque and such light weight acceleration wouldn't be too bad either, which is important in the cut-and-thrust of inner-city driving.
The only problem might be the crowd of children you'd have to push through when you get back to the car park...
Images: Shane O' Donoghue @ The Car Enthusiast
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