smart thinking on the way forward – by Dave Moss smart has come a long way since the early 1980s, when the idea of the compact car which came to carry the name first began to take hold, born of growing concerns over congestion and urban air pollution. Production versions of the model we now recognise as the fortwo eventually emerged – after a very lengthy and troubled gestation – through a … [Read more...]
Genesis G70 Shooting Brake – Road Test, plus Genesis Subscription service and new electric models news
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line gets a further airing... In December last year we visited the new South Korean luxury brand’s model line-up reviewing several models including their latest addition – the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake. Now Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) has had the opportunity for a much longer test drive period. Britain is a very lucrative if sometimes … [Read more...]
Volkswagen ID.3 – Road Test
The VW ID.3 Family Pro Performance tried by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency)… Volkswagen’s ID.3 is their first purpose-built electric car and it’s good. It’s about the same size as a Golf, but the new modular electric drive matrix powertrain and floorpan gives it the interior space of the larger Passat. The flexibility of the floorpan is mirrored by the range of batteries and … [Read more...]
Upgraded Nissan LEAF – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) connects with the latest Nissan LEAF. It was the first and for some it’s still the best modern electric car you can buy in Britain. The Nissan Leaf is the world’s best selling electric passenger car and a benchmark for newer rivals, a genuine five-seater with a good practical range over 200 miles and comes with a sensible choice of domestic or fast … [Read more...]
Government cuts grants to buyers of electric vehicles…
The Government is immediately slashing the grant for battery electric vehicles, lowering the price ceiling while altering the qualification for electric vans – and further reductions will come. Robin Roberts reports... Its unheralded announcement about the changes effective today have been criticised by car makers, dealers, motoring organisations and fleet companies, who say it sends the wrong … [Read more...]
Volvo V60 Recharge – Road Test (plus Volvo range electrification news)
VOLVO GOES ON EMBRACING ELECTRIFICATION FOR ITS MODELS + V60 RECHARGE ROAD TESTED. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Volvo, part of the Chinese Geely industrial conglomerate, is now well known for their commitment to full electrification of all their models by 2025. They have recently confirmed they will develop and assemble their own electric motors at their powertrain plant in Skovde … [Read more...]
All-electric Vauxhall Corsa – Road Test
Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Nav 11kW plugged-in… …and driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Britain’s oldest car-maker is gearing up for the electric future, beginning with the Corsa-e. The highly popular small hatchback is a natural starting point aimed at those who mostly commute or have low mileage lifestyles. It has dabbled in the EV sector between 2012 and 2015 with the … [Read more...]
MINI Electric – Road Test
POSSIBLY THE RIGHT CAR AT THE RIGHT TIME AGAIN – THE NEW MINI ELECTRIC. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his verdict... The original Mini designed by Sir Alec Issigonis came about because of the Suez crisis and the subsequent petrol rationing, creating a demand for affordable motoring. In an answer to that call the first petrol powered Mini rolled off the production line in Oxford … [Read more...]
News – Electric car prices around the world
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports on the prices of electric cars around the globe... New research reveals the cheapest and most expensive countries around the world to purchase an electric vehicle… Many of us are likely researching and dreaming of our next set of wheels whilst we're in lockdown; and many will have their mind set on going green and getting an electric … [Read more...]
Green Dragon EV Rally 2019 – Results
An electric atmosphere… Robin Roberts reports. Last weekend thousands of shoppers, holidaymakers and sports enthusiasts saw some of the world’s most advanced cars in Swansea, for Britain’s first exclusively low carbon rally. Fuel cell models lined up with a wide range of battery electric vehicles from nearly every manufacturer selling in Britain, to compete in the Green Dragon EV Rally and … [Read more...]
Kia e-Niro – First Impressions
KIA’S ROAD TO GREENER MOTORING WITH THE e-NIRO… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) takes a test drive. Alternatively fuelled vehicles, pure electric, petrol-electric hybrids and plug-in hybrids saw a 21% increase in UK new car sales last year to 141,270 units, but only 15,474 of those vehicles were pure electric models. So far this year only around 2,000 battery electric cars were sold in … [Read more...]
‘me’ micro electric – First Ever UK Road Test
In a Wheels-Alive ‘exclusive’, we bring you the very first UK road test drive report on the new ‘me’ ('micro electric') all-electric city vehicle. Ant Henson has taken to the streets of London to put this charming diminutive newcomer through its paces… With emissions-based road charging becoming the norm in the capital (and potentially soon other cities around the country), is it time to … [Read more...]
EV shock news
Motorists have a potentially lethal ignorance about the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles... A survey for the Institute of the Motor Industry revealed a widespread lack of awareness about the benefits – and risks - of electric motoring. Some 82% of drivers said they feel they don’t know enough about electric vehicles to wave goodbye to their petrol/diesel while two thirds (66%) … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Best Of Both Worlds?
A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Sports Utility Vehicle? What a good idea… Kim Henson test-drives Mitsubishi’s innovative 4x4 Outlander PHEV... It takes some doing to combine, within a single Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), electric propulsion (primarily for local runs), a petrol engine, four wheel drive, true practicality in a range of roles, and cost-effective operation. However, with their already … [Read more...]
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
Tom Scanlan tries Audi's latest fascinating A3... The car has a combination of a re-worked 1.4 TFSI petrol engine producing 150PS and a 70 kWh electric motor. Total maximum output is 204PS. As a 'come and buy me' incentive, Audi has endowed the e-tron with some upgraded equipment over the non-hybrid equivalent Sportback. However, the whole package costs well over £5000 more, even taking into … [Read more...]
Tesla Model S
Tesla? What’s that? Well, petrol-heads would know, even if there’s no petrol anywhere near it... by Tom Scanlan The designers of these American 100% electric cars have achieved a lot. The cars themselves are the ultimate expression so far of what can be achieved using just electricity. Their performance is in the supercar range and they are extraordinarily impressive to drive. Until very … [Read more...]
MG Electric Vehicle Concept car – on the road
An electrically powered MG? Certainly! Kim Henson reports. During a recent, fascinating tour of MG’s assembly plant and Technical Centre at Longbridge, Birmingham (to read about this, please click HERE), I was given the chance to test-drive a prototype of MG’s ‘EV (Electric Vehicle) Concept’ car. This is a small, electrically-powered, front wheel drive four seater, built on a … [Read more...]
