tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41240670798260227822024-03-13T04:45:29.207+02:00Africa Electric CarNews and views from the world of electric vehicles in AfricaThe Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-38952741772344613152017-10-27T19:51:00.001+02:002017-10-27T19:51:32.774+02:00Where are the EV variants of ICE MODELS?<p dir="ltr">Though companies like BMW, Nissan and Renault are selling their battery electric vehicles in reasonable quantities, where are the fully electric versions of their ICE models? Where is a battery version of a BMW 3 series or 7 series. Cars that could take on the Tesla 3 & S directly. Motorists in the market for a new vehicle need an electric option whatever vehicle they're after.</p>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-75414828673025091832017-10-18T17:08:00.001+02:002017-10-18T17:08:17.277+02:00Be like the Netherlands<p dir="ltr">In the last few days the Netherlands has committed itself to banning the sale of fossil fuelled cars by 2025 and banning there use by 2030. This I think is a far more realistic timeline than other countries saying they're going to outlaw diesel and petrol vehicles by 2040 or later. The date of 2025 is going to force vehicle manufacturers into action. If they want to sell vehicles in the Netherlands then they will need to offer electric vehicles for sale. Even now people will be wanting to buy electric cars because they know come 2025 an ICE vehicle will have no resale value. This is also something we can all look forward to seeing happen within a decade, we won't have to wait dozens of years to see a fully electrified nation.</p>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-47156575254135052092017-07-24T19:05:00.000+02:002017-07-24T19:05:08.593+02:00Allego to operate fast charging at Shell stations in Netherlands and UK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://chargedevs.com/newswire/allego-to-operate-fast-charging-at-shell-stations-in-netherlands-and-uk/">Allego to operate fast charging at Shell stations in Netherlands and UK</a></b><br />
News article from <a href="https://chargedevs.com/">Charged Electric Vehicle Magazine</a> about how Netherlands-based charging operator Allego has partnered with Shell to install and operate DC fast chargers at selected Shell stations in the Netherlands and the UK.<br />
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Locally in South Africa I have noticed more and more service stations having a multitude of fast food outlets on their forecourts, even those in urban areas and not just those on the freeways. Maybe this is in anticipation that before too long motorists might be spending a bit longer at the service station while they charge their electric vehicles.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-13515701806902608732017-07-21T19:25:00.000+02:002017-07-21T19:25:02.974+02:00Eskom establishes large-scale battery test and demonstration facility<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/eskom-establishes-large-scale-battery-test-and-demonstration-facility-2017-06-23">Eskom establishes large-scale battery test and demonstration facility</a></b><br />
Not actual electric vehicle news but EV related news. <a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/">Creamer Media's Engineering News</a> reports that South African power utility Eskom has unveiled a battery testing and demonstration facility at Eskom’s Research and Innovation Centre in Rosherville, Johannesburg. The purpose of this facility is to compare different types of battery storage to help support the grid and also store renewable energy sources such as solar.<br />
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This will be especially relevant for the inevitable imminent increase in the number of electric vehicles on the roads. One of the common criticisms of electric vehicles by South Africans is that our power grid has been notoriously unreliable over the past decade. Obviously for electric cars to be viable a reliable source of electricity is vital. With Eskom now looking at power storage systems it looks like we are on the way to having a more stable grid.<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-50899629232007221462017-07-15T22:37:00.000+02:002017-07-15T22:37:06.782+02:00On-The-Air (14/07/2017)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/on-the-air-14072017-2017-07-14/rep_id:4136">On-The-Air (14/07/2017)</a></b><br />
A very pro-mining interview with <a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/topic/martin-creamer">Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly</a> clean energy vehicles. In particular he is championing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles because they, like catalytic converters for internal combustion engines, require platinum which South Africa is by far the biggest producer of.<br />
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As I've said many times before hydrogen fuel cell vehicles make very little sense. Unlike battery electric vehicles that can be charged anywhere there is a electric plug socket, fuel cell vehicles need to be filled at a pump, at the moment there are very few of these, and most of them are concentrated in either California or Japan. Creamer claims in the interview that fuel cell cars can get a range of 500km, the latest fully electric Tesla Model S already has a 500km+ range so why is there the need for the added complexity of a fuel cell when a simple battery electric powertrain is capable of the same range.<br />
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Battery technology is also improving at an exponential rate and at the same time prices of battery cells are dropping. Where around $35,000 would only get you an electric car with roughly 100 mile range a year ago, it will now get you one with over 200 mile range in the case of the Chevy Bolt and the new Tesla Model 3. Before the end of the year the new Nissan Leaf should also be offering a similar range at a similar price to these two. At this rate it won't be too long before the average affordable electric car has a plus 300 mile (500km) range.<br />
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Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will also require regular servicing due to the added complexity whereas battery electric vehicles require virtually no major maintenance checks.<br />
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In the end the consumer will decide and no doubt they will decide they would rather have the simplicity and low running costs of an electric vehicle.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-13142303957242576402017-07-06T19:39:00.002+02:002017-07-06T19:39:54.085+02:00Plans in California and China will change SA’s car choices<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/South-Coast-Fever/plans-in-california-and-china-will-change-sas-car-choices-20170629">Plans in California and China will change SA’s car choices</a></b><br />
Insightful article from <a href="http://www.news24.com/">News24</a>. South Africa makes up only 0.68% of the global car market and because of this, whatever direction the global car market goes, we will have to follow.<br />
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China accounts for about 40% of the world's new car market and California sells roughly half the total number of light vehicle sold in the entire US. Representatives from California recently met with their Chinese counterparts to discuss how they can cooperate in accelerating the deployment of zero-emission cars, trucks and buses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgrfREU7i2SMSE3Ili6BwMwJ8msjSRDoxLxnwgIkzjP0N-8zMoiYGUWNPx7lklCrsvR0NoHXIEHjEOwoLYKmV7eUPl_ipWb7FxCQfHvwYzr6rcNShaulYHQwXK6VEOZtt4vUgktw0P7o/s1600/e2194c9aa73f49a79272cef26eb12ef0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="521" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgrfREU7i2SMSE3Ili6BwMwJ8msjSRDoxLxnwgIkzjP0N-8zMoiYGUWNPx7lklCrsvR0NoHXIEHjEOwoLYKmV7eUPl_ipWb7FxCQfHvwYzr6rcNShaulYHQwXK6VEOZtt4vUgktw0P7o/s320/e2194c9aa73f49a79272cef26eb12ef0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chinese Youxia X is one of the more <br />elegant electric cars being built in China.</td></tr>
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With these two markets being so large and important to the world's car manufacturers it goes without saying that manufacturers will build suitable vehicles that comply with the regulatory demands of these regions. In other words California and China are going to force the auto industry to go electric and the rest of the world will be obliged to follow suit.<br />
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The South African car manufacturing industry and government should be paying close attention to this and take it upon themselves to roll-out adequate charging infrastructure before the inevitable mass arrival on our roads of electric vehicles. Obviously it's not going to happen overnight but at least they can start putting charging points along major routes and incentivising places such as shopping mall's restaurants and hotels to put in destination chargers so electric vehicle owners can charge up their cars while visiting such establishments.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-67158998020191592722017-07-04T20:20:00.002+02:002017-07-04T20:20:56.807+02:00How much it costs to buy and own an electric car in South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuzm-ElmU2eWpzUBFBW8m4MQI0JB5Xj1uJqilVVzrtVko2zCGTo6WoY_vuYWiUUqt6N0mLC29qRsKvX_0q4ZNAog2a7I3er64XZQVy-rAQMrvu8fi3jEUz52_I9KAKJ9fsYx-kd8s4Uk/s1600/Ontheroad3.jpg.ximg.l_full_m.smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1224" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuzm-ElmU2eWpzUBFBW8m4MQI0JB5Xj1uJqilVVzrtVko2zCGTo6WoY_vuYWiUUqt6N0mLC29qRsKvX_0q4ZNAog2a7I3er64XZQVy-rAQMrvu8fi3jEUz52_I9KAKJ9fsYx-kd8s4Uk/s400/Ontheroad3.jpg.ximg.l_full_m.smart.jpg" width="400" /></a><b><a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/181669/how-much-it-costs-to-buy-and-own-an-electric-car-in-south-africa/">How much it costs to buy and own an electric car in South Africa</a></b><br />
<a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news">BusinessTech</a> looks at the cost factors associated with buying and owning an electric or hybrid car in South Africa. Read the <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/181669/how-much-it-costs-to-buy-and-own-an-electric-car-in-south-africa/">full article here.</a><br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-89194754031459098922017-06-28T19:22:00.000+02:002017-06-28T19:22:12.286+02:00Mpumalanga holds Electric Car Race Competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLh1pdKhOYU">Mpumalanga holds Electric Car Race Competition</a></b><br />
Science learners from schools in and around Mpumalanga have constructed battery and solar operated vehicles to encourage them to venture into car manufacturing in the future. 27 teams took part in a race where the fastest car runs at 30 kilometers per hour to test the endurance of their vehicles. Organisers of the Electric Car Race Competition aim to inspire learners to study Maths and Science.<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-23675226404429933592017-06-28T11:53:00.002+02:002017-06-28T11:53:54.092+02:00Here is what’s holding electric cars back in South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/181495/here-is-whats-holding-electric-cars-back-in-sa/">Here is what’s holding electric cars back in South Africa</a></b><br />
A rather poorly researched negatively biased article full of electric vehicle misconceptions from <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news">Business Tech</a>. It seems they're more concerned with the potential drop in the demand for platinum as less ICE vehicles get produced and there is less need for platinum for catalytic converters for them. Below I try and counter their arguments.<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUY2OUORhXN3iW24VB-CvuqaEEP7JAYobQJaOH0ElfRPmqDtZpG4sZnq0F5kPTEiNkrhMIRZaUtmO1pdt61OqmBoS0gTzNFT9myMdXS1gIkEEhitb_xrQsDAd60tEHwj07YfiDMhjGA/s1600/Electric-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJUY2OUORhXN3iW24VB-CvuqaEEP7JAYobQJaOH0ElfRPmqDtZpG4sZnq0F5kPTEiNkrhMIRZaUtmO1pdt61OqmBoS0gTzNFT9myMdXS1gIkEEhitb_xrQsDAd60tEHwj07YfiDMhjGA/s320/Electric-car.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><b>Time to fill up/charge: It takes say 10 minutes to fill up with petrol and 5 hours for a EV. This means that petrol is 30 times more time efficient.</b>This is simply not true. A Tesla Supercharger station will charge a Tesla Model S battery up to 50% in 20 minutes or 40 minutes to 80%. 50% charge in a Tesla should give you a 200km range. Tesla isn't yet available in South Africa but should be here within a year or two with the Model 3 and at the same time they will no doubt start to roll-out charging infrastructure as they have in the other markets they are active in. What the author means about petrol being 30 times more efficient, I don't know?</li>
<li><b>Range on full tank/charge: Petrol is ~1.5 times more efficient.</b>Hmmmm... once again difficult to fully understand what point the writer is trying to put across. Electric vehicle ranges vary from 135km per charge for a Nissan Leaf to over 500km for the top of the Range Tesla Model S. Obviously someone who busy a Nissan Leaf is someone who doesn't plan doing many journeys over 135km and who's daily motoring will generally be under that mark. If you are never going to do more mileage in a day than the maximum range of your electric vehicle then you have nothing to worry about. Do whatever driving you need to do for the day, come home at night, plug your EV into the mains electricity and then in the morning it's ready to go again.</li>
<li><b>Price: A more affordable electric car has a range of 100 km and takes around 8 hours to fully charge at home, and even these cars are still expensive when compared to similar petrol engines. Tesla’s are 50% more expensive than similar petrol cars.</b>Most people sleep for about 8 hours a night so of course it makes the most sense to charge your electric vehicle at the same time. Admittedly some current electric vehicles such as the two available in South Africa, the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3 do have ranges on 135km and 160km respectively on a single charge. This is probably more than enough range for 95% of the populations motoring needs. However more and more electric vehicles are coming out with ranges of 300km plus. These include the already released Chevy Bolt & Tesla Model S/X, the upcoming Tesla Model 3 and the second generation Nissan Leaf. Prices of electric vehicles are more than a comparative fossil fuel powered one but the initial extra expense will be more than made up for by saving in fuel costs after a few years. Prices of electric cars are coming down all the time and at the same time their ranges are increasing. The Tesla Model 3 should be around the same price as a BMW 3 series of Mercedes C class, so not 50% more expensive.</li>
<li><b>Green: In countries like South Africa (and India, Australia, China etc), where coal is the main source of fuel for power generation, the carbon footprint is roughly equal. The carbon footprint of an electric car In South Africa is five times that of an electric car in Sweden.</b><br />Even if the carbon footprint is roughly equal, it's still better to have electric vehicles than fossil fuel powered vehicles. Besides everything else, power stations don't blow their exhaust gases straight into the faces of pedestrians and other road users, the don't create air and noise pollution in the middle of cities where most people are. At least you'd be able to walk down the side of a busy road without having to shout to make yourself heard over the noise of petrol and diesel engines and without having to breath in exhaust fumes. As electricity gets greener as solar and wind get cheaper then the carbon footprint from all EV's will also drop.</li>
<li><b>Heading off the beaten track (driving in the bush) is out of the question.</b>Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana and Londolozi Game Reserve are already using electric vehicles for game drives.</li>
<li><b>Towing a trailer or a caravan severely restricts range.</b><br />Just like it does with a petrol or diesel vehicle.</li>
<li><b>Back-yard DIY maintenance and servicing is off the table.</b>This has to be the most nonsensical and ignorant argument of them all. An electric vehicle literally needs little or no regular maintenance, apart from topping up the window washer fluid and rotating/replacing the tyres. Compare this to modern ICE vehicles which are so complex nowadays, you <u>have </u> to get them serviced by the official agents.</li>
<li><b>The anticipated advancements in technology is perversely a negative against buying an electric car today. There are clearly going to be great advances in EV technology in the years and decades to come. However, this will make the (expensive) car that you buy today quickly obsolete. The likelihood is that as with any technological advance, EV’s may become a more affordable alternative much later in its evolution.</b>Quite the opposite is true. If you buy a Tesla for instance, it gets upgrades downloaded via the internet. A good example of this is the Tesla Autopilot self driving system. Most Teslas have the hardware already installed and as the Autopilot software improves, Tesla will automatically update your vehicle. If you were to buy a Tesla today, in a couple of years you'd probably have the option of the same vehicle being able to drive fully autonomously.</li>
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-21346260493735995142017-06-20T19:50:00.000+02:002017-06-20T19:50:02.044+02:00New car battery promises instant recharging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://mg.co.za/article/2017-06-15-00-new-car-battery-promises-instant-recharging">New car battery promises instant recharging</a></b><br />
Exciting news in an article from <a href="https://mg.co.za/">Mail & Guardian</a>. The Ifbattery has been developed by a group of researchers at Purdue University in the United States.<br />
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Unlike conventional batteries which need to be recharged, and even the quickest car chargers take at least 20 minutes to get a meaningful charge, recharging of the Ifbattery is done by first emptying the batteries used fluid contents and then refilling via a pump with freshly charged fluid.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Gnn0nLjZDyNfGVO40VY6MCeDGRHb98iY8XZ870V3LpCcAlLMpFpIpn3oYPs0PC0NN_XABx1UhyHEKDKLL9kty_Tj0FiOlGWicpvF-rHvJaaSKsgo65BvVtFwGzaDFMsu1pdWCihyphenhyphenAU/s1600/ifbattery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Gnn0nLjZDyNfGVO40VY6MCeDGRHb98iY8XZ870V3LpCcAlLMpFpIpn3oYPs0PC0NN_XABx1UhyHEKDKLL9kty_Tj0FiOlGWicpvF-rHvJaaSKsgo65BvVtFwGzaDFMsu1pdWCihyphenhyphenAU/s400/ifbattery.jpg" width="400" /></a>The Ifbattery uses a mixture of water, ethanol, aluminium and zinc to cause a chemical reaction. The article says that existing petrol pumps could be retrofitted to refill batteries instead of petrol and diesel tanks. The emptied contents of the flat battery could also be recharged to be used again.<br />
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If this technology comes to fruition it would mean that recharging an electric car would take no longer than filling up with petrol. Unlike fossil fuels though, the chemical mixture being used will be fully recyclable and will be recharged and used to fill another battery. It appears to have all the benefits of an electric vehicle with all the benefits of an ICE vehicle. It's also something that gives the oil companies an incentive to get behind electric vehicles. They will still be able to keep their chains of filling stations and instead of pumping gas they'll be pumping battery fluid. Everyone appears to be a winner.<br />
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This technology would really be a benefit to countries like South Africa where major cities are far apart and at the moment there are very few charging points and as far as I know there are no charging stations on the major intercity routes.<br />
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The group of researchers working on this revolutionary battery at the moment only amounts to three people. They are looking for funding to further their research. Hopefully this won't be the last we hear of the Ifbattery.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-40499297877205356232017-06-20T19:21:00.000+02:002017-06-20T19:21:54.436+02:00My favourite EV related YouTube channels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a> channels I have discovered about electric cars. Descriptions copied from the associated YouTube page.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKtaH6RMcn22L3_ArtDBgw" style="font-weight: bold;">James Cooke</a><b> </b>My daily VLOG about all things tech. Well mainly Tesla and Drones actually... for now!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMFmrcGuFNu_59L0pHcR0OA/featured" style="font-weight: bold;">Now You Know</a><b> </b>Now You Know is a educational technology YouTube channel creating unique videos on everything from Tesla and other electric cars, to vermicomposting and banana ice cream. We use everything from drones and GoPros to our Tesla Model X to show you the world from a different perspective Zac & Jesse, along with their trusty side-kicks Bobby & Brent, are trying to leave the planet just a wee bit better than how they found it by making videos packed full of information, motivation and mirth.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC675NhQ4EU5TzwCMwYp5XCw" style="font-weight: bold;">Transport Evolved</a><b> </b>Welcome to the official YouTube Channel for Transport Evolved, the daily multi-media news site for the latest news in the world of greener, cleaner, safer, smarter transport.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzz4CoEgSgWNs9ZAvRMhW2A" style="font-weight: bold;">Fully Charged</a><b> </b>Fully Charged is a weekly + series produced and hosted by Robert Llewellyn (Red Dwarf, Scrapheap Challenge, Carpool). It's not only about electric cars, bikes, boats and planes but how we generate and even own the electricity to power these machines. From looking behind the myths of renewable energy, to seeking the truth about conventional generation Robert Llewellyn demonstrates what the future could have in store for us all.</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdTYHvdML-EXsPeiiYJLqA" style="font-weight: bold;">Like Tesla</a><b> </b>How is it living with the Model X? Are those doors actually functional? Are the white seats really stain resistant? In our Like Tesla family videos you'll get to see how life really is owning the Tesla Model X and living with an EV. Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbEbf0-PoSuHD0TgMbxomDg" style="font-weight: bold;">Teslanomics</a><b> </b>Hola everyone! I'm Ben Sullins and here at Teslanomics we look at the economics behind everones' favorite EV, Solar, Battery and Tunneling? Company :) Every week I break down data about someting Tesla related to see what the data really shows. From time to time I'll do reviews of Tesla related products, apps, and even other EVs. So if you like looking at the charts and love Tessla, I'd love for you to join the community!</div>
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-87597238439397969022017-06-12T17:44:00.002+02:002017-06-12T17:44:37.799+02:00BMW SA seeks greater govt commitment for EV expansion in SA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2QgxnN3Cktj4GpXA7251Vjk-dNzXdQnWw3mpuXehxhuncc1T6GFyTFNPBNzFn0YsRKXgGk3_SngJBx_eqKtKf32uOLRpiXkuldYYRFNxHJ1Tazj7nCyihBjfCSRp5l84uI4KPQISMw8/s1600/0000655242_resized_bmwi201751022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1022" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2QgxnN3Cktj4GpXA7251Vjk-dNzXdQnWw3mpuXehxhuncc1T6GFyTFNPBNzFn0YsRKXgGk3_SngJBx_eqKtKf32uOLRpiXkuldYYRFNxHJ1Tazj7nCyihBjfCSRp5l84uI4KPQISMw8/s320/0000655242_resized_bmwi201751022.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/bmw-celebrates-being-sas-top-ev-seller-seeks-greater-govt-commitment-2017-06-08">BMW SA seeks greater govt commitment for EV expansion in SA</a></b><br />
CEO for BMW in Sub-Saharan Africa, Tim Abbott has called on the government to give more commitment to electric vehicles to increase consumer confidence in them.<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/">Creamer Media's Engineering News</a> BMW would like to see legislation favouring electric vehicles as well as government investment in charging infrastructure.<br />
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At present BMW SA has 54 EV charging stations and are reviewing new sites for more chargers in Gautang and Kwazulu Natal.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-1042150901852436592017-06-12T17:30:00.000+02:002017-06-12T17:30:13.621+02:00Pros and cons of electric vehicles in SA - reader<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Lg4nNaajo2Ha3B_Kr_sxFmDiFUhIec2qJ9-Y_n2223Vi75YV9g5ZZc7Wz-RtqyezI-8Ig89ApzdEmjeBwMdK4GDGf29lO4E0zRbvNr6mR4sC5yCnkcgPF4ntCpJB-A5Bp5jsv8TxDmk/s1600/ab86180a51ff4d97b20fd01798346faf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="626" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Lg4nNaajo2Ha3B_Kr_sxFmDiFUhIec2qJ9-Y_n2223Vi75YV9g5ZZc7Wz-RtqyezI-8Ig89ApzdEmjeBwMdK4GDGf29lO4E0zRbvNr6mR4sC5yCnkcgPF4ntCpJB-A5Bp5jsv8TxDmk/s320/ab86180a51ff4d97b20fd01798346faf.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><a href="http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Gear_and_Tech/pros-and-cons-of-electric-vehicles-in-sa-reader-20170601">Pros and cons of electric vehicles in SA - reader</a></b><br />
Excellent article by <a href="http://www.wheels24.co.za/">Wheels24</a> reader Dewald Carsterns on the advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric vehicle. Quite rightly the advantages Dewald lists far outnumber the disadvantages. I won't spoil it by going into too much detail. You can read and enjoy the full list <a href="http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Gear_and_Tech/pros-and-cons-of-electric-vehicles-in-sa-reader-20170601">here.</a></div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-68732100587809510112017-06-07T18:47:00.001+02:002017-06-07T18:47:45.729+02:00Is BMW i8 & i3 Selling Like Hotcakes in South Africa?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://techfinancials.co.za/2017/06/05/is-bmw-i8-i3-selling-like-hotcakes-in-south-africa/">Is BMW i8 & i3 Selling Like Hotcakes in South Africa?</a></b><br />
<a href="https://techfinancials.co.za/">Tech Financials</a> look at the sales of the battery electric BMW i3 and the PHEV BMW i8 in South Africa.<br />
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<a href="https://techfinancials.co.za/2017/06/05/is-bmw-i8-i3-selling-like-hotcakes-in-south-africa/"><i>Since market introduction in March 2015, a total of 419 BMW i models have been delivered to customers in South Africa, according to BMW South Africa. They said in a statement that the BMW i3 alone has sold 203 units, making it the most successful EV, while the BMW i8 ranks first among PHEVs with a total of 216 units delivered to customers.</i></a></blockquote>
Though not mind blowing figures, they are significant amounts. It equates to just under 10 of each model per month the past two and a bit years. Considering the i3 comes in around about R600,000, depending on the variant and the i8 is a wallet lightening R1,750,000, I'd say sales are pretty impressive.<br />
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Possibly aiding sales is the commitment BMW have put into charging infrastructure in the country. They have so far 54 charging stations and have signed a memorandum of understanding with Nissan, the only other local manufacturer offering a fully electric vehicle, to jointly expand the local charging network.<br />
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This shows that both companies are showing a long term commitment to plug-in electric vehicles in South Africa. There won't be, nor should there be, mass sales of electric vehicles until the charging infrastructure is in place first. When the consumer buys an electric vehicle, he or she needs to know there are ample places to charge their vehicle. Nobody is going to buy an electric car if they don't know where they're going to be able to charge it. The last thing the electric car cause needs is frustrated consumers not being able to locate chargers or having to queue to use a charger because there are insufficient numbers of chargers.<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-11870633321976510762017-06-02T19:12:00.001+02:002017-06-02T19:12:46.369+02:00BMW vs Mercedes - Hybrid vs Hybrid - Electric Range Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZdk4Tl9e6g">BMW vs Mercedes - Hybrid vs Hybrid - Electric Range Challenge</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB-mfYAd3oJLEkoMxjRAxbg">Cars.co.za</a> compare two PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicles, the BMW 330e and the Mercedes C350e. They attempt to drive both 20km through Cape Town traffic on battery electric power only without having to resort to using the petrol engine.<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-81384019585924119282017-06-01T19:50:00.004+02:002017-06-01T19:51:15.437+02:00May in rear-view<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A selection of articles from the past month.<br />
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<li><b><a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/a-south-african-gigafactory.html">A South African Gigafactory?</a> </b>Putting a case for Tesla to build a Gigafactory is SA.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/electric-car-superstar-podcast-episode.html">Electric Car Superstar Podcast Episode 189 - Hybrid blues: China policies force Toyota into electric U-turn</a> </b>I read another article for The Electric Car Superstar Podcast</li>
<li><b><a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/gm-to-halt-india-sales-and-sell-south.html">GM to halt India sales and sell South Africa plant</a> </b>General Motors announced they were pulling their South African operation, denying us the chance to ever see the Volt or Bolt in this country.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south.html">The most fuel efficient cars in South Africa right now</a> </b>Of course the Nissan Leaf tops the list</li>
<li><b><a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/elon-musks-boring-company-releases-new.html">Elon Musk’s Boring Company releases new images of its electric vehicle concept for passengers</a> </b>A bit of gushing over South Africa's best export</li>
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-39608521465980365832017-05-26T22:14:00.002+02:002017-05-26T22:18:05.753+02:00Elon Musk’s Boring Company releases new images of its electric vehicle concept for passengers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://electrek.co/2017/05/26/elon-musk-boring-company-electric-skate-concept/">Elon Musk’s Boring Company releases new images of its electric vehicle concept for passengers</a></b><br />
<a href="https://electrek.co/">Electrek</a> reports in <a href="https://electrek.co/2017/05/26/elon-musk-boring-company-electric-skate-concept/">this article</a>, on the passenger sled concept for Elon Musk's Boring Company. An autonomous minibus type vehicle that will utilise tunnels to swiftly transport passengers across cities.<br />
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Recently <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/being-boring.html">I was a bit skeptical about the whole Boring Company tunnel concept</a>. With more thought though it is beginning to make sense.<br />
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Elon Musk is a step ahead of the rest of the World. He was producing electric cars almost a decade ago before most auto makers were even thinking of producing electric vehicles. Now that other manufacturers are rushing to get their electric vehicles out to compete with Tesla, Elon Musk is already on the next page.<br />
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Transporting regular passenger cars through tunnels is not the end game result for The Boring Company. Musk is envisaging ride sharing autonomous vehicles that have the advantages of a taxi in that they can pick up passengers at their door but at the same time also have the advantages of an underground train, the ability to travel at high speed underground from one point in the city to another.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQajxZ1PXUGZLOJ8rpSQ8VY3AmnE6J1Zic4j2CzIo7uVBsX4dYrNgJn9VxEU9QUTgLMMBGN6R3Xw8rEbHiEjr4UM6SC3CzKyuSadwfzofjXP_c2_8jKtQNc-n7sF_3XHAoun1LpKjiM8/s1600/skate_5_23_2017_001_s2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="996" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQajxZ1PXUGZLOJ8rpSQ8VY3AmnE6J1Zic4j2CzIo7uVBsX4dYrNgJn9VxEU9QUTgLMMBGN6R3Xw8rEbHiEjr4UM6SC3CzKyuSadwfzofjXP_c2_8jKtQNc-n7sF_3XHAoun1LpKjiM8/s320/skate_5_23_2017_001_s2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a vision of how autonomous vehicles will actually end up operating and serving us. They'll be no need for it to be your car and you to be the driver as it won't need a driver. Whenever you need to go somewhere you'll just hail a ride. Just like Uber are doing already. With an autonomous minibus though where there is no driver to demand a salary and it can hold more passengers, the economies of scale should reduce the cost of a ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiq9rDv-6Hm76yMVl7pqK3EfV0AaOvvbu1ycWU0p10x17L2mn05FQKQbgKMoF2kBWK11NSsQcyeAAZjT7BvLtBmWOonktl3y35DOxBhu2fHjiv2mktTU6OzM8lJlCKSdvwD6ILy3RB2A/s1600/skate_5_23_2017_00141-e1495763856436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiq9rDv-6Hm76yMVl7pqK3EfV0AaOvvbu1ycWU0p10x17L2mn05FQKQbgKMoF2kBWK11NSsQcyeAAZjT7BvLtBmWOonktl3y35DOxBhu2fHjiv2mktTU6OzM8lJlCKSdvwD6ILy3RB2A/s320/skate_5_23_2017_00141-e1495763856436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Maybe Tesla will become like Apple. In the 80's and 90's Apple were famous for their desktop computers and laptops. In the 2000's they were synonymous with first the iPod and then the iPhone and iPad. At the moment Tesla is known as the leading maker of electric cars. In ten years they'll be known for their autonomous mass transit network and Tesla cars will just be a legacy product<br />
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Recent history has taught us that tech companies that don't adapt quickly fall by the wayside. Automakers should really be paying attention to Elon Musk lest they become the next Kodak or Nokia.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-51137854572122553262017-05-24T21:26:00.001+02:002017-05-24T21:26:34.564+02:00Diesel vs petrol vs electric car sales in South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/176301/diesel-vs-petrol-vs-electric-car-sales-in-south-africa/">Diesel vs petrol vs electric car sales in South Africa</a></b><br />
Sales of diesel, petrol & electric cars all fell in 2016 from their 2015 levels reports <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news">Business Tech</a>.<br />
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Diesel powered vehicles went from 189,000 to 173,000, petrol dropped from 397,000 to 345,000 and electric vehicles went from 79 sales in 2015 to only 41 last year.<br />
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A bit of quick mental arithmetic tells me that electric cars are accounting for roughly 0.01% of new vehicle sales in South Africa and at present heading south. As a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car_use_by_country">comparison</a>, as of 2016 plug-in electric vehicles accounted for 29.1% of new car sales in Norway, 6.4% in the Netherlands, 1.37% in the UK and 1.31% in China.<br />
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With the pending <a href="http://www.enca.com/life/motoring/breaking-tesla-coming-south-africa">arrival of Tesla in South Africa</a> with their Model 3, we should see the downtrend in electric vehicle sales in the country permanently reversed. That could be a year or two though as the <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/04/tesla-boss-promises-more-of-same-thing.html">right hand drive version of the Model 3</a> will only be coming sometime in the middle of next year.<br />
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Until then we will just have to hope that we see a bit more enthusiasm regarding electric vehicles from <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/04/what-current-electric-cars-should-come.html">manufacturers with a presence in SA</a>. Now's there chance to get a head start over Tesla in this country. They need to get there electric vehicles on sale here and advertise the advantages to the public. <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/05/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south.html">With the cost of petrol the highest in the world compared to salaries</a>, the cost savings of having an electric car are going to appeal to South Africans. We just need the manufacturers and government to get behind them.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-35540997223883649302017-05-22T19:06:00.001+02:002017-05-22T19:06:59.896+02:00Interview with Andy le May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/features/interview-andy-le-may/">Interview with Andy le May</a></b><br />
<a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/">ESI Africa </a>has an <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/features/interview-andy-le-may/">interview</a> with the founder of <a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/">EWIZZ electric vehicles</a> Andy le May. The mission statement on the <a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/">EWIZZ web site</a> gives a brief explanation of the products they offer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S4zmhdGc-Vy0nQXDYzguDdmM5sVDjkwjOWDFhq8rUisHTCodWKG4PfiSwNSk9CZs9w6I_jsnD_BxP2WEUwS3ugsOYCpKYybjNmOAuiZe_uxXkd2MvvB_75XLnpTCV3zt554tdlcisNY/s1600/Volt-6-Cargo-portfolio-side-red1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8S4zmhdGc-Vy0nQXDYzguDdmM5sVDjkwjOWDFhq8rUisHTCodWKG4PfiSwNSk9CZs9w6I_jsnD_BxP2WEUwS3ugsOYCpKYybjNmOAuiZe_uxXkd2MvvB_75XLnpTCV3zt554tdlcisNY/s320/Volt-6-Cargo-portfolio-side-red1.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/mission/">EWIZZ is driving the development and mass adoption of next generation electric vehicle technologies in South Africa.</a></i> </blockquote>
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<i><a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/mission/"> Why? It’s simple. Electric vehicles are just much better technology. They are more efficient, reduce emissions and drive down transportations costs. For too long we have only had petrol and diesel based vehicles that are expensive to run, pollute our environment, affect our health and are changing our climate. All that has now changed. EWIZZ is putting the latest electric vehicle technologies in the hands of South Africans.</a></i> </blockquote>
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<i><a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/mission/">EWIZZ started in 2012 and is a registered MIB (Manufacturer Importer Builder) and motor dealer. EWIZZ works closely with Melex electro vehicles who have been EV space Africa for over 17 years. EWIZZ/Melex offices and workshops are in Cape Town and we have dealers around the country. With our experience, we offer and support the best electric vehicle solutions for South Africa. That means a combination of the most sustainable, reliable and affordable technology. EWIZZ is focussed on personal electric mobility solutions such as our range of electric scooters and motorcycles whilst Melex are focused on Golf carts, utility vehicles and buses.</a></i> </blockquote>
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<i><a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/mission/"> Through our internal R&D, and collaborations with Universities, local business and funders, EWIZZ is driving the development of local technology solutions for the EV market to increase and develop local content and expertise.</a></i> </blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.ewizz.co.za/mission/"><i> EWIZZ electric vehicles are drastically reducing transport costs, journey times and transport emissions, which improves our collective health, productivity and competitiveness.</i></a></blockquote>
Read the interview <a href="https://www.esi-africa.com/features/interview-andy-le-may/">here.</a> </div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-90804000243972858642017-05-21T14:27:00.000+02:002017-05-21T14:27:10.502+02:00The most fuel efficient cars in South Africa right now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/173817/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south-africa-right-now/">The most fuel efficient cars in South Africa right now</a></b><br />
<a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news">Business Tech</a> gives a run down on the<a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/173817/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south-africa-right-now/"> most economical new cars</a> on the market with information sourced from Bloombergs April global fuel price index report. Not surprisingly <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/173817/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south-africa-right-now/">the list</a> is populated mostly by hybrid powered cars and headed of course by the all electric <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/living-with-leaf.html">Nissan Leaf</a>.<br />
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Strangely the <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/02/bmw-i3-driven-reviewed-in-south-africa.html">BMW i3</a> is only third on the list and is given a fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km. I can only presume they are quoting figures from the range extender i3 REX model which has a small petrol generator to keep the battery topped up. The fully electric i3 like the Leaf has a fuel consumption of 0L/100km.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislwK1cM0YHRi0hlU3EXIhBlGTmp0EwGGdTqXv79wKsF3YKPB7TyKwrIVEARvZFLNuVpQTqa0CjHm3eKrnZiOj4MOeKLesvoMglNsi971GR3qgkD9_-ZHLb5QxZxEt2i3vdhLDwRl_QBw/s1600/Nissan-leaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislwK1cM0YHRi0hlU3EXIhBlGTmp0EwGGdTqXv79wKsF3YKPB7TyKwrIVEARvZFLNuVpQTqa0CjHm3eKrnZiOj4MOeKLesvoMglNsi971GR3qgkD9_-ZHLb5QxZxEt2i3vdhLDwRl_QBw/s320/Nissan-leaf.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/173817/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-in-south-africa-right-now/"><i>The index measures “affordability” as the cost of a litre of petrol relative to a country’s average daily wage, while overall spend represents how much the average driver spends on petrol in a year, relative to the average salary. According to the 2016 index, South Africa is ranked last – spending the highest proportion of the average salary on petrol in a year. </i></a></blockquote>
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These statistics should make it clear that personal motorised transport is very expensive for South Africans. With electric vehicles these running costs would be reduced by at least 80%. It makes sense to drive an electric car in this country. Manufacturers not offering their fully electric or <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/04/plug-in-hybrids-phevs-in-south-africa.html">plug-in hybrid</a> models yet in this country need to start <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/04/what-current-electric-cars-should-come.html">making them available</a> to South Africans and they need to work together to create sufficient <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/the-need-for-electric-vehicle.html">charging infrastructure</a>.<br />
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When <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/04/tesla-boss-promises-more-of-same-thing.html">Tesla arrive in South Africa</a> with their all electric Model 3 within the next couple of years, they will also put up their own network of <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/03/where-should-tesla-place-their.html">Supercharger fast chargers</a> and destination chargers. The present car manufacturers with a presence in the country need to prepare themselves in time.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-58209025736441385642017-05-18T20:41:00.001+02:002017-05-18T20:41:47.220+02:00GM to halt India sales and sell South Africa plant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/29b83d5e-3bae-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23">GM to halt India sales and sell South Africa plant</a></b><br />
It appears any chances we have of seeing the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid or the 380km all electric range Chevy Bolt in South Africa have been reduced to roughly zero with news that General Motors are to pull out of the country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsn_3EXrvFgbc8RLMp-6KiltmhoT6tUCdnCH9g7zL1iNbRymLuUlEc51XUSZ8QIzaH3HtsP_nHc34Cfdm85SMVCKxpKtfwCF8e6LZJgHKjqMTPWy13CeGHPYdnhf3yr5Gb2JR2J5GKCc/s1600/620x349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsn_3EXrvFgbc8RLMp-6KiltmhoT6tUCdnCH9g7zL1iNbRymLuUlEc51XUSZ8QIzaH3HtsP_nHc34Cfdm85SMVCKxpKtfwCF8e6LZJgHKjqMTPWy13CeGHPYdnhf3yr5Gb2JR2J5GKCc/s320/620x349.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's a major disappointment that one of the world's leading producers of plug-in vehicles should be dis-investing at a time like this. Though we haven't seen either of GM's plug-in vehicles in the country there was maybe a hope that they would introduce the Bolt as a competitor to the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf battery electric cars, both on sale in South Africa but both with a battery range of less than half of the Bolt.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-37849634332536825342017-05-17T19:46:00.000+02:002017-05-17T19:46:04.345+02:00Chargie Opens Bookable Electric Car Charging Service In UK — Aims For International Market<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/17/chargie-opens-bookable-electric-car-charging-service-uk-aims-international-market/">Chargie Opens Bookable Electric Car Charging Service In UK — Aims For International Market</a></b><br />
<a href="https://cleantechnica.com/">Clean Technica</a> report that <a href="https://www.chargie.net/">Chargie</a> have launched a peer-to-peer electric car charging service in the UK. This service allows electric car owners to book a charge via <a href="https://www.chargie.net/">www.chargie.net</a> at a domestic charging point belonging to another electric car owner.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/17/chargie-opens-bookable-electric-car-charging-service-uk-aims-international-market/">“The EV owner wanting to charge their car finds an exterior-wall-mounted chargepoint on the Chargie website and sends a booking request to the owner. The owner can then review the profile of the person making the booking before accepting or declining it. Once the booking is accepted, the user pays via Chargie and the system contacts both parties to confirm details.</a></i> </blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl8IaHHtFosoEGyFazO7ssV4rWHEgoSdIhI_gUcie5EpidJXYyIrgYo0dC_6MoVYIxw56PmJPgeCYoeL2RNtEEKcLWqUtKm3fGylBZpMMTYWwZk6sj4FkD5e_5_HtANTsuH7mb-J5v6A/s1600/Screen-Shot-2017-05-16-at-4-570x421.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl8IaHHtFosoEGyFazO7ssV4rWHEgoSdIhI_gUcie5EpidJXYyIrgYo0dC_6MoVYIxw56PmJPgeCYoeL2RNtEEKcLWqUtKm3fGylBZpMMTYWwZk6sj4FkD5e_5_HtANTsuH7mb-J5v6A/s320/Screen-Shot-2017-05-16-at-4-570x421.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/17/chargie-opens-bookable-electric-car-charging-service-uk-aims-international-market/"><i> “The chargepoint owner specifies their per-charge cost when they register on Chargie and Chargie adds a small service fee, which is halved if the person has already put their own chargepoint on the network. Registration and search are free, and chargepoint owners can specify when their units are available.”</i></a></blockquote>
So far there over 60 EV owners in the UK have registered their charging point on the site since the service started on 2 May. There has already been interest in the service from other countries, including South Africa.<br />
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Seeing as the placement of charging infrastructure is seemingly moving at sub-snail pace in this country, the sharing of private charging points could be very welcome.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-22159331748885802472017-05-16T22:00:00.000+02:002017-05-16T22:01:38.086+02:00Minibus taxis go green(er) with LPG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/minibus-taxis-go-greener-with-lpg-8203128">Minibus taxis go green(er) with LPG</a></b><br />
Article form <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/">IOL</a> on the conversion of minibus taxis to LPG (liquid petroleum gas).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/minibus-taxis-go-greener-with-lpg-8203128"><i>Versus SA Autogas, has already converted more than 100 minibus taxis. The company installs the required equipment, including an 80-litre LPG tank, in the taxis and turns them into hybrid vehicles that run on both LPG and petrol. </i></a></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagCwjx0WvAgd9FsSdcRIIeFnVlB-TEoNTAcs-4g9Oeqq3RT8-LU8ZJ2TfjQgAEAIeJS6Y4fGK9WxuydK2d5fyS_NXm6uvDANkv0PllIvo_C-sKREanYf1Hx5dAkLl-cu3qOCdETl7yAQ/s1600/94003967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagCwjx0WvAgd9FsSdcRIIeFnVlB-TEoNTAcs-4g9Oeqq3RT8-LU8ZJ2TfjQgAEAIeJS6Y4fGK9WxuydK2d5fyS_NXm6uvDANkv0PllIvo_C-sKREanYf1Hx5dAkLl-cu3qOCdETl7yAQ/s320/94003967.JPG" width="320" /></a>According to a taxi owner/driver Flyman Stanley there is some considerable saving over using petrol.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/minibus-taxis-go-greener-with-lpg-8203128"><i>Stanley said he used to spend approximately R850 a day for a full tank of petrol, which is 50 litres, but now spends about R740 to fill up. “I can go about two days driving on a full tank of LPG, whereas in the past I had to fill up with petrol every day,"</i></a></blockquote>
Obviously conversion to LPG is a sensible option for the minibus taxi industry, where the biggest cost is fuel. Looking at these figures it appears the running cost of LPG is roughly 40% of that of petrol. It also produces fewer emissions, making it better for the environment as well as passengers and pedestrians in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.<br />
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The downside of LPG as an automotive fuel at present is the scarcity of filling stations. At the moment there are only two LPG filling points for the Johannesburg Southern Suburbs Taxi Association, for who Versus have so far converted 100 taxis.<br />
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The cost of an LPG conversion appears to be between <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/lpg-taxis-save-on-fuel-run-cleaner-1143399">R30,000-R40,000 per taxi</a>. Converting them to battery electric power would most likely cost ten times that amount if I use <a href="http://www.freedomwon.co.za/e-mobility/conversions">Freedom Won's cost of converting a Land Rover to electric</a> as a marker. This is no doubt a major obstacle and until this price drops, we are unlikely to see any taxis converted to electric propulsion.<br />
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The advantages of EV conversion would be even cheaper running costs, roughly 20% of a petrol engine, and the fact that you can put a charging point literally anywhere. Saying that, the charging infrastructure would need to be in place at taxi ranks before any EV conversions take place.<br />
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Though electric conversion would be ideal, LPG conversion is a big improvement for both the taxi operator and the environment and until EV conversion becomes practical and affordable, it seems like the right way to go.</div>
The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-83364622820984773202017-05-11T20:11:00.000+02:002017-05-11T20:11:15.035+02:00BAW expansion shot in arm for creation of jobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/life/motoring/2017-05-11-baw-expansion-shot-in-arm-for-creation-of-jobs/">BAW expansion shot in arm for creation of jobs</a></b><br />
Article from <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/">Business Day</a> about Chinese automaker BAW increasing it's investment in South Africa. BAW assembles the Sasuka minibus taxi in Springs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Db5cR4Tt4zve7SK8zw5xWZZ4HfVVjn_ZA6-yTzTu0KjY8bBxPDJGHmajT-kiRxtiL4ty_jn8Y38NwWaujo7gLRsDu1jvw-D4f-m6QLjqgMEnHY9AHNsCRDtzb1ZH50ZzdTHUEeJMUQk/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Db5cR4Tt4zve7SK8zw5xWZZ4HfVVjn_ZA6-yTzTu0KjY8bBxPDJGHmajT-kiRxtiL4ty_jn8Y38NwWaujo7gLRsDu1jvw-D4f-m6QLjqgMEnHY9AHNsCRDtzb1ZH50ZzdTHUEeJMUQk/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a>They are planning to launch a diesel powered taxi next month. Considering the bad press diesel has been getting recently around the world, this is a bit of a surprise. I honestly can't think of a worse fuel to use for a vehicle which is constantly around people. Passengers waiting at the side of the road or at the taxi rank are going to be assaulted with smelly diesel fumes, not to mention the extra noise that accompanies a diesel engine.<br />
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On a more positive note, BAW are also considering building electric vehicles in SA. The article suggests urban delivery vehicles will be the target for electric power, this should be a prime market for EV's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4124067079826022782#editor/target=post;postID=8608240940194849793;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=40;src=postname">as I explained back in March.</a> Electric powered vans will mean huge savings for courier firms and other businesses that use vans constantly for short to medium journeys.<br />
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I'd really like to see electric powered minibus taxis. They'd save the owners a fortune in fuel bills and maintenance costs, and they'd make a more healthy environment for their passengers and other pedestrians. I don't see why it would be difficult to put up some quick chargers in taxi ranks. If the vehicle had a battery with 300km range, it could charge overnight and then just top up while it's waiting to load with passengers at the rank. These top-ups would probably give it another 150km throughout the day. I'm guessing urban minibus taxis don't do more than 450km in a day.<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4124067079826022782.post-60869635512627102602017-05-07T19:48:00.001+02:002017-05-07T19:48:38.661+02:00Possibility of electric car manufactoring in South Africa with Hungarian cooperation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yCF33SuICY">Possibility of electric car manufactoring in South Africa with Hungarian cooperation</a></b><br />
Rather vague news snippet about possible Hungarian co-operation in manufacturing BYD electric vehicles in South Africa. Whether this is in anyway connected to the <a href="http://africaelectriccar.blogspot.co.za/2017/01/cape-town-to-acquire-ten-electric-buses.html">Cape Town BYD electric bus deal</a>, I don't know?<br />
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The Swirl Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07353890593313818063noreply@blogger.com0