Topic: Electric Vehicle News Thread

[EV Dan]

Renault Twizy 40 arrives in Canada
18 March 2016

Twizy, Renault’s all-electric quadricyle, has been certified by Transport Canada, and is now set for release on the Canadian market.

How far does it go on a charge?

Up to 100km, likely on the optimistic Euro test. There is an 80km/h model that comes with a more powerful motor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Twizy

[Ex-airbalancer]

You can rent one in Maderia, very tight for 2 people
http://www.citybubbles.pt

[KD]

You can rent one in Maderia, very tight for 2 people
http://www.citybubbles.pt

Perfect for places like that.  Same for Bermuda.

[me_2]

The Twizy RS F1 would have been funnier version to import 

https://youtu.be/fo3hhvHJlKU

[Ex-airbalancer]

You can rent one in Maderia, very tight for 2 people
http://www.citybubbles.pt

Perfect for places like that.  Same for Bermuda.

I was told it had a hard going up some of the hills , they are pretty steep

[Blueprint]

Cool vehicle except it only goes 40... Wtf?

The Twizzy doesn't meet any NA passenger car safety standards, therefore it's restricted to low speed roads (posted at 60 km/h or less) and must wear a "tractor tag" in the back, like the Zenn did. The car could be faster, but standards are standards for a reason!

[pi314]

17000??? In what world is this a better idea than a Smart EV?

EDIT: I guess the EV is 26000 now? But they were leasing for quite cheap. I wonder what EV rebates this is eligible for.

[Rupert]

   These are just people carriers...as if you don't want to take stuff...a bit more than a library book. If using just around town then you want more body to carry a load of groceries...a box from Kennel Depot...golf bag or two. Carry the body further forward and back...with even just ledges and canvas cover and stake sides. No-one is hitting the right spot here IMO. When they do, the sector might take off.
   If municipalities got on board and provided dedicated lanes for these vehicles and roads under and over highways...lot's could change. There are communities in Florida and elsewhere in the US, dedicated to this kind of local travel. Industries producing all kinds of small vehicles and bodywork have sprung up. Great for seniors!
Here Fredericton is a great location I think for off highway commuting. One large shopping mall and no access from the major housing estates without driving on the Trans Canada. One dedicated road underpass and use of bike lanes would make this kind of local travel viable there. 40 is a good speed maybe.
   Heck...they even have a breakdown cart with a wheel lift
   

[EV Dan]

http://gas2.org/2016/04/08/volocopter-makes-first-manned-flight/
This is beyond awesome, but i'd rather not have ppl flying them, not in the cities anyway.

[rrocket]

All Tesla Model Xs under recall...

3rd row seats could fail in an accident

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/11/tesla-recalls-2700-model-x-cars.html

[rrocket]

Geez.this vehicle sounds like a turd for quality....And like many of us said...the stupid falcon wings were a problem waiting to happen..

I LOL at the owners pretending like stiff like this is normal and no biggie..

http://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-x-is-suffering-from-quality-issues-1771913072?utm_source=recirculation&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=wednesdayAM

[johngenx]

It's no secret that Tesla quality is hit and miss at best.  What Tesla are masters of is dealing with issues and making customers feel like the koolaid is still the best tasting thing they've ever had.

There is something to be said for that.  Most makers use the "deny deny deny" model of dealing with issues.  Kudos to Tesla on that front.  Bummer about the cars being problematic.

[EV Dan]

Ford is to join the 200 mile race:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-28/ford-plans-long-range-electric-car-to-compete-with-tesla-gm
Hopefully whatever it is, it will sell in higher than "compliance" numbers. Ford buying a Model X for over $200,000 is a curious tidbit.

[bye]

I LOL at the owners pretending like stiff like this is normal and no biggie..

Being a Tesla owner, my perspective of quality is based on how amazing the service experience is when work is required.   We received a top of the range performance model loaner last year when we had our first maintenance.   So it's not like we're suffering when there is a quality issue, and for sure, Tesla solves it to owner satisfaction in most cases I've heard.

A friend asked about our Tesla today when I picked up my son from a play date, and my only complaint is the car is a bit big for my tastes, but given that I commute in a Smart Electric Drive, I like small nimble cars.

Must be nice for Tesla to not need to spend anything like the big auto makers do on marketing and yet get so much press coverage, I wonder why, could it be the amazing products, could it be the 97% owner satisfaction and therefore strong viral marketing, could it be youtube and theP90D drag racing videos...

Looking forward to what Tesla reports on their earnings on Wednesday, maybe a Gigafactory update or some other tidbit to keep the interest high.   

[EV Dan]

The latest trend in EVs: "mainstream" cars are getting bigger batteries with every new generation or refresh. The i3 is about to receive 50% more kW-hours under the floor, which makes its battery bigger than the Leaf's 30kWh and also qualifies it for substantiation green rebates in ON.
http://insideevs.com/official-2017-bmw-i3-gets-33-kwh-battery/

[bye]

The latest trend in EVs: "mainstream" cars are getting bigger batteries with every new generation or refresh

The range of my little Smart ED is plenty for what I use, and most people I know could live with it's range for their commutes and daily errands/side-trips.

But yes, more and more range for the same price is something we should expect to see consistently as the technology is improved generation by generation (where a generation is 18 months in the tech world).

There will be enough choices on the market within the next year or two in terms of price/range/luxury/performance so that we should see if people are truly ready to embrace electric vehicles at least as their commuting vehicle.   

For me, the future is already here.  Everyone asks the same questions about EV's, and the more they hear the answers, the more they become comfortable with the idea.

[Ex-airbalancer]

A couple of new EVs parked in EV charging spots I never seen these before 

[me_2]

A couple of new EVs parked in EV charging spots I never seen these before 

Last January, I stopped  at DC Fast Charger same model as pictured post above but both recharge spaces were ICED (blocked by an ICE). I had no choice to leave for the next one but I was lucky enough, it was 10 km away, downhill.

[bye]

I stopped  at DC Fast Charger same model as pictured post above but both recharge spaces were ICED (blocked by an ICE)

People like @airbalancer laugh at the situation, it's similar to those who smoke in front of child care centers, or park in handicapped spots, or other strange anti-social behaviours.

I've never been ICE'd for a charging spot, not even close, although I did have a word with a restaurant owner in NY where two monster trucks were parked in supercharging spots.  Given that he negotiated with Tesla to put the chargers in those spots close to his establishment to attract visitors, it was in his best interests to keep those visitors happy, which he gladly did.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Are the charging spots in Ontario or Quebec tow-away zones? Standard parking ticket?