EU carmakers: cut carbon emissions by 60%.

A white paper by the European Commission on transport, called for carmakers to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 if EU climate change goals are to be achieved.
The paper also calls for the use of conventionally fuelled cars in cities to be halved by 2030 and then completely phased out by 2050.

ABB launch new DC fast charger

The GreenCarWebsite reports that ABB has launched a new charging solution for electric cars.

According to the international firm, its new Terra Smart Connect DC fast charger represents a significant breakthrough which will improve the business case for installing electric vehicle fast chargers throughout Europe.

Available for delivery across Europe from the second quarter of the year, prices start from €9,988 for small volume orders.

The Terra SC is a cost-effective direct-current (DC) charger specifically designed for convenient fast charging in commercial and office areas. It fully charges an electric car in 30-120 minutes, achieving an 80 per cent battery recharge in less than half an hour.

The Terra SC comes with outdoor stainless steel housing, a full-colour 8 inch intuitive touch-screen user interface and all the smart connectivity features that ABB’s Terra chargers are known for. It is quick and easy to install at almost any location due to its ultra-thin design and simple floor and wall-mount connections, which create maximum space efficiency. On top of that, the Terra SC – unlike some other DC fast chargers – uses the widely available 3-phase 32A input, which eliminates the need for a costly grid connection upgrade.
    
With the number of electric vehicles around the world rising, there is growing demand for charging infrastructure. ABB estimates that the market for charging solutions will be worth $1 billion by 2017. Since launching Europe’s first commercially operated fast-charging station in the Netherlands in May 2010, ABB has delivered and installed many DC charging stations and networks throughout the region. In January, ABB won a tender offer to build a network of 200 fast chargers throughout Estonia, creating the world’s first DC charging infrastructure with full nationwide coverage.

Arnie on EVs

"Whenever we have a downturn economically, things like new ideas slow down also — this is natural. That’s why it’s very important to go and push and push and push ... it’s all a matter of making an effort and focusing ... so that you always remind people ... this is still important. Even though the economy’s down, we still have to breathe the air, we still have to drink the water."

Arnold Schwarzenegger

What price electric cars?

You probably have read that the UK price of the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot ion has just been reduced by nearly £7,000 to £21,216 (after incentives). The question is, will these vehicles sell at this price and in my opinion, unfortunately they will not.

These are not fleet cars, they are second cars for the family and for inner city commuting. I doubt that families will pay more than £15,000 for these vehicles. So what's the solution? Follow Renault's lead and de-couple the battery from the vehicle by leasing it. Reduce the ticket price to say £14,000 - the Renault Zoe will go on sale from £13,650 - and like Renault charge £80 per month to lease the battery pack.

California to build $100m recharging network

The state of California has announced plans to build a US$100m electric vehicle charging network of 200 fast charge stations spanning the San Francisco Bay area, San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The network will be built by NRG and take 4 years to complete.

NRG is already building what it claims to be the country's largest privately funded recharging network in Texas, including the largest network of DC fast chargers.

Geneva 2012 EV photo guide

Here is a very nice photo tour of Geneva EVs 2012 courtesy of TheChargingPoint.com

Zoe: 130 miles, 84 mph, £13,650

At last. An electric car at the right price. The Renault Zoe deliveries will start in the Autumn, the first electric car that has potential to get private motorists to buy en masse (well, in the thousands anyway).

The 5 door hatchback will have a range of 130 miles, a top speed of 84 mph and cost just £13,650 plus a monthly payment for the battery.

VW Cross Coupe concept

This is the VW Cross Coupe concept, introduced at this week's Geneva show.

A diesel plug-in hybrid, it offers 131 mpg, 137 mph top speed and 0 - 62.5mph in 6.5 secs.

Hyundai i-oniq erEV concept

The Hyundai i-oniq is to be showcased at Geneva. It is an electric sports hatchback that features a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder ‘range extender' petrol engine – used as an onboard electrical generator rather than to provide power directly to the wheels. Instead, drive is provided by an electric motorproducing 111hp. 
In electric-only mode, i-oniq has a claimed range of 75 miles, while the petrol generator allows a total range of 435 miles on a fill. Hyundai says the i-oniq produces just 45 g/km of CO2 in range-extended mode.
It features Hyundai's new design signature and 'penthouse' roof.
Stylish.

BMW Born Electric video

Here is BMW's video for the i cars.