08 June 2018 | Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Tested, World Rallycross Goes Electric and Daimler Unveil Electric Trucks
Episode 144, Jun 07, 2018, 11:01 PM
World Rallycross Championship Electric Car Switch | Kia Niro EV Revealed To Public | GM To Sell Honda Advanced Electric Car Batteries In North America | Driver In Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crash Did Not Have Hands On Wheel | New Nissan Env200 Campervan | Daimler Trucks North America Unveils Two Electric Models | Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo | EV Charging Map Allows Round Australia Trips
It’s Friday 8th June 2018 and this is your EV News Daily. Good morning, good afternoon and good evening! Wherever you're listening around the world, a very warm welcome from London, UK. Here is today’s news about electric cars and the future of transport. My name is Martyn Lee and I go through every EV article online so you don’t have to.
WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ELECTRIC CAR SWITCH
- The plans I've talked about on previous podcasts, to switch World Rallycross Championship cars to being electric, has been approved by the governing body the FIA World Motor Sport Council. I first heard of plans for this last year, and then earlier this year invitations were sent out for companies who wish you tender for the supply of the battery and chassis.
- This is very significant news as it starts from 2020. World Rallycross is a fast-paced, high adrenaline sport for drivers and spectators alike, with the electric cars eligible for both manufacturer teams and privateers.
- Every constructor will have the same battery and chassis package, which will be open for privateer teams to homologate as well.
- We now know Williams will provide all the batteries, as they have done to Formula E up to now, with Formula E moving to McLaren for the 2018/19 season.
- IN fact some of those specs from Formula Ewill be used to derive the regulations which will govern the manufacturers and private teams on the powertrains they design.
- The stats: two motors, one on each axle, and total power of 500kW.
https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/136578/world-rx-2020-electric-car-move-approved
KIA NIRO EV REVEALED TO PUBLIC
- KIA has revealed its all-new Niro EV at the 2018 Busan International Motor Show today in Korea. They are finally showing off to the public what you and I have talked about for a while since we saw the concept at CES plus official pics last month. As Hyundai have done with the Kona they've taken the combustion car and added some batteries.
- The charge point is in the front grille behind a flappy slidey cover, and the small LED headlights are something we're seeing more from EV designers. Of course no need for air intakes to keep an engine cool makes the front look way better.
- As we've mentioned the Kona, in the same way the Niro offers a 64kWh lithium-polymer battery for 279 miles of range. However even though they're sister companies, it's not the same battery as it would be fair to assume. In fact more than one EV blog I've read today said they're fitting the same packs - oopsie! Different suppliers and different chemistry. That's not EPA rated yet though so expect something around 240 miles, still better than base spec Model 3.
- The motor drives the front wheels with 150kW of power and a brisk, without being face-melting, 0-60mph time of 7.8 seconds. That's the same for both battery options. And charging speeds? Yes they're confirmed for 100kW.
- The smaller pack is 39.2kWh for 186 miles of range. And if you're like me, I always find myself thinking I need the long range, but when you look at the journeys we make, 186 miles is just fine in nearly all cases. Even if that range came down to real world 100 miles you know the price of a Kia will be super competitive.
- Inside we have some blue accents for snazziness, look out for a 7inch touchscreen with plenty of buttons, this is no Tesla minimalism. There's an included wireless phone charger, plus plenty of safety tech like Forward Collision Warning with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Intelligent Stop & Go, and Lane Following Assist.
- As for their version of Autopilot, it's Level 2, so you'll stay in lane on the freeway with accelerating, decelerating, braking and steering up to 80mph.
- Korean sales start soon with prices elsewhere announced later this year - that's as specific as they'll be. With 5,000 domestic orders in Korea I would expect them to either service all of them first, or a at split it 50:50 for Korea vs Rest Of The World.
GM TO SELL HONDA ADVANCED ELECTRIC CAR BATTERIES IN NORTH AMERICA
- Reuters just reported: "General Motors Co will supply advanced batteries to Japan’s Honda Motor Co, the companies said Thursday, a move that could significantly reduce the cost of future electric vehicles at both automakers after 2020. GM and Honda on Thursday said they would “collaborate” on the batteries, with GM supplying cells and modules, mainly for electric vehicles to be sold by both companies in North America. A source familiar with GM’s plans said its current battery cell supplier, Korea’s LG Chem, is expected to provide cells for the new battery, which is mainly a GM design. The new batteries are expected to begin production around 2021, the source said."
- This looks like the classic win-win. The next gen batteries will be higher energy density than those used in the Bolt and for instance.
DRIVER IN FATAL TESLA AUTOPILOT CRASH DID NOT HAVE HANDS ON WHEEL
- This is such a horrible story to report on but I want to quickly update you. "The driver of a Tesla who fatally crashed in California in March did not have his hands on the steering wheel at the time of the accident, said a preliminary report from the National Traffic Safety Board on Thursday." according to CNBC.
NEW NISSAN eNV200 CAMPERVAN
- Nissan's hidden gem is the eNV200, electric van and people carrier which has recently been updated with the 40kWh battery, and thermal management to handle those who use it as a van and rapid charge regularly for business.
- "Nissan has taken the covers off a new in-house campervan range at the 2018 Madrid Motor Show. The campers, which are currently exclusively for the Spanish market, with an all-electric e-NV200 version included in the line-up." say AutoExpress: "All the campervans offer an extendable roof, which the maker claims allows four people to sit and stand in comfort. They all also come with a double bed, however, the NV300 is the only van to offer sleeping for four, thanks to a second double bed which is made available once the roof is raised. Inside this larger NV300-based model, there’s a fridge, sink, hob and heater to make sure occupants don’t freeze during their fine dining experience."
- The campervan eNV200 will be popular for those wanting to cut their emissions whilst enjoying the classic campervan roadtrip experience.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA UNVEILS TWO ELECTRIC MODELS
- Daimler press office have been in touch with news that: "Freightliner Trucks premiered two fully electrified commercial vehicles, a Freightliner eCascadia™ heavy-duty truck and a Freightliner eM2 106 medium-duty truck today, during the Daimler Trucks Capital Market and Technology Day here. Freightliner plans to deliver an Electric Innovation Fleet of 30 vehicles to customers later this year for further testing under real-world operating conditions."
- "The eCascadia has up to 730 peak horsepower. The batteries provide 550 Kwh usable capacity, a range of up to 250 miles and have the ability to charge up to 80 percent (providing a range of 200 miles) in about 90 minutes. The Class 8 tractor is designed for local and regional distribution and drayage. The eM2 has up to 480 peak horsepower. The batteries provide 325 Kwh of usable capacity, a range of up to 230 miles and have the ability to charge up to 80 percent (providing a range of 184 miles) in about 60 minutes. The eM2 is Freightliner's electrified solution for local distribution, pickup and delivery, food and beverage delivery, and last-mile logistics applications."
- What did Daimler Trucks chief Martin Daum say? “We are the undisputed global leader of the trucking industry and we intend to remain in that position with electric trucks and buses."
- Just a reminder on the Tesla Semi range - 500 miles. Which Elon said yesterday was already being improved on for the truck which goes on sale in 2020.
PORSCHE MISSION E CROSS TURISMO
- As well as the Porsche Mission E, the recently unveiled Cross Turismo version is a more rugged version of the same car. Designed to fit your skis in, in you will.
- And some of the early test mules have been given to journalists in North America.
- BMWBlog praised the steering and handling, but also said: "It’s also really, really fast. They weren’t allowed to drive it past 50 mph but Porsche claims it has 600 hp from its dual electric motors and is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and 0-124 mph in 12 seconds. The latter performance figure is actually faster than the Tesla Model S P100D. The biggest trick up the Mission E’s sleeves, though, is the fact that it can charge faster than any other electric car before it. With the capability of 800-volt charging, the Porsche Mission E can 250 miles of range in 15 minutes."
- More of those chargers will be appearing very soon especially in Europe where several networks are at advanced stage of installing them.
EV CHARGING MAP ALLOWS ROUND AUSTRALIA EV TRIPS
- "It’s now possible to drive around Australia in an electric car, thanks to a comprehensive EV charging station map. The Tesla Owners Club of Australia (TOCA) released its Round Australia Electric Highway map this month." according to EnergyMatters.com.au "However, the map is not complete. There are still gaps in fast-charging stations and places where three phase is not available. As a result, TOCA and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) are offering help to property owners. TOCA and AEVA will give a 32 amp 3 phase electrical outlet free to any site which will help build the Round Australia and Red Centre routes to distance intervals of 300 km max. The property owner must install it reasonably promptly at an accessible location, and agree to let electric vehicles charge there."
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