Day: December 8, 2021 (Page 1 of 2)

U.S. government to stop purchasing ICE vehicles by 2035

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

David Shepardson and Ben Klayman / Reuters »

The U.S. government plans to end purchases of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 in a move to lower emissions and promote electric cars under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

The government owns more than 650,000 vehicles and purchases about 50,000 annually. Biden’s executive order said that light-duty vehicles acquired by the government will be emission-free by 2027.

Total federal government operations will reduce emissions by 65% by 2030 under the plan. The government will seek to consume electricity only from carbon-free and non-polluting sources on a net annual basis by 2030 and have net-zero emissions by 2050.

Elsewhere » Green Car Reports

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning reservations are now closed

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Drive »

Demand for the electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has been so extreme that the automaker poured an extra $250 million into its factory to increase production. Any more than that, though, it seems Ford isn’t yet prepared for—otherwise, it might’ve kept reservations for the Lightning open, rather than close them like it did today.

“As we prepare to make history together, we’ve closed reservations so we can start accepting orders,” reads a passage on the Lightning’s Ford product page. An email from a Ford dealer to an F150Gen14 user reveals the Blue Oval was already planning to close its reservation book on this date, and that Ford will begin making headway on its order bank in January. Come spring 2022, the truck will finally enter production.

Ford apparently has more reservations than it has production capacity for the 2022 model year, as the dealer’s email states “not all reservation holders will receive an invitation to place an order for 22MY.” This becomes even more apparent when you consider Ford CEO Jim Farley told Automotive News that reservation totals were nearing 200,000.

BMW iX achieves highest possible five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety assessment

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

BMW iX EV

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) – the consumer protection institute specializing in automotive safety – awarded the BMW iX the highest possible rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety assessment. During the course of the test program, which was further intensified in 2020, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship impressed with both its outstanding occupant protection and its advanced driver assistance systems, which are particularly effective in helping to prevent accidents.

The BMW iX achieved five-star ratings in all test categories of the Euro NCAP crash test. In the assessment of adult occupant protection, the testers highlighted among other features the effectiveness of the new interactive airbag between the driver and front passenger seats, which provides additional protection against injury in the event of a side collision. Child safety in the rear of the BMW iX was also given the highest possible score for both frontal and side collisions.

Among other features, the BMW iX has a front collision warning system with brake intervention that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. In addition, the automatic emergency braking system now also reacts in turning situations, helping to minimise the risk to pedestrians when turning and the risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning left.

Other standard features of the BMW iX include an attention assistant, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition, all of which scored positively in the Euro NCAP crash test. The Driving Assistant Professional package is offered as an option, which also includes steering and lane guidance assistance. In a separate assessment, BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional in the iX3 was also recently awarded the top rating of “very good” by Euro NCAP.

EVs are 3 times more likely to require assistance due to tire issues than range problems

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

Next Green Car »

New analysis from LV= Britannia Rescue, a provider of breakdown cover in the UK, shows that electric vehicles (EV) are three times more likely to break down because of tyre or wheel issues, compared to problems with the battery.

LV= Britannia Rescue’s research looked into its breakdown call outs over the last three years. The analysis highlighted that 37% of the time EV drivers get in touch because they have encountered tyre or wheel issues, compared with just 11% for running out of charge.

“Range anxiety has been built up to be a thing for people to be concerned about when it comes to going green, but our data shows that in reality it’s a very rare issue for electric car drivers,” said Henry Topham, Managing Director of LV= Britannia Rescue.

Issues with the tyres or wheels are often associated with the heavier weight of EVs, which can be up to 50% heavier than petrol or diesel models.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer issued an executive directive requiring the state departments and agencies to collaborate with the legislature to prepare the state to build up the electric vehicle infrastructure

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

Transportation Today »

In anticipation of receiving billions in federal funds over the next five years, specifically for electric vehicles from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Whitmer’s directive is designed to support the state’s automotive industry while creating jobs and working to save drivers time and money.

“Right now, we have an historic opportunity to put Michiganders first and use the billions in funding we are expected to receive under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to save drivers time and money while creating good-paying clean energy jobs for Michiganders,” Whitmer said. “With this executive directive, we are getting ready to deliver critical resources to communities across Michigan, empowering them to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure and help the state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification. This directive, along with ongoing tax credit incentives for consumers, will help boost Michigan’s economy as Michiganders continue purchasing electric vehicles and supporting the electrification of Ford, Stellantis, and GM. The new bipartisan infrastructure bill will build on work we have already done in this space and help us usher in a new era of prosperity for our state. I look forward to working with the legislature to invest these dollars and get the job done.”

More than 50 firms join to form the National Electric Highway Coalition to development of a vast network of rapid EV charging stations across the USA by the end of 2023

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

National Electric Highway Coalition Member Service Territory

The National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC) is a collaboration among electric companies that are committed to providing EV fast charging stations that will allow the public to drive EVs with confidence along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023. The NEHC is the largest such alliance of electric companies that have organized around the common goal of deploying EV fast charging infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs and to help ensure that the transition to EVs is seamless for drivers.

On Tuesday 2021.12.07 the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) announced the formation of the NEHC, which merges the Electric Highway Coalition and the Midwest Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Collaboration and now includes additional participating electric companies from across the country.

Currently consisting of 51 investor-owned electric companies, one electric cooperative, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, the coalition is committed to providing EV fast charging ports that will allow the public to drive EVs with confidence along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023.

“It is important that we stop selling fossil cars.” » Electrify Everything » Oslo, Norway plans to slash carbon emissions by 95% compared to 2009 levels in the next 8 years

2021-12-08 / Robert Vinet

The city of Oslo is taking this initiative and moving ahead of the national government.

CleanTecnica »

Einar Wilhelmsen is a member of the Green Party and the finance minister for Oslo. At the Nordic EV conference recently, he told Elbil, the Norwegian electric car association, “It is important that we stop selling fossil cars. That process must be turned off completely. It is clear that we will struggle to get rid of every fossil car sold now, so this should simply not happen anymore.”

The City Council plans to create a zero emissions zone in the center of the city where only electric vehicles will be permitted, a policy initiative that will encourage people to buy electric cars. In coming years, that zone will be expanded to cover more of the city. The city does not intend to ban the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered cars and trucks. It believes its zero emissions zones will accomplish that goal without resorting to mandates.