EV News, Developments and Releases

[crmalcolm]

CEO Adrian Hallmark has provided clarity on Bentley's approach.

'We won’t do a 12-cylinder plug-in hybrid'

'Bentley is going all-electric by 2030, and says that by 2026 it will only sell EVs and plug-in hybrids. But what does that mean for the company’s legendary twin-turbocharged W12 engine, as fitted to the new Continental GT Speed?

“We’re not going to create a plug-in hybrid with a 12-cylinder,” says CEO Adrian Hallmark. “The reason for that is mass. To package a battery and the 12-cylinder into the current car would be a massive challenge… if you put another 250kg of battery into the heaviest car we currently do, it just pushes it into a different dimension.”

Makes sense. Future plug-in Bentleys may therefore use the 3.0-litre V6 as-fitted to the current Bentayga Hybrid, and/or the 4.0-litre V8 from the Porsche Panamera & Cayenne Turbo S e-Hybrid. The company’s ‘Beyond100’ plan promises that by 2023 every Bentley will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain – at least one of those will be launched this year.'

[GORDON STREETER]

https://activenews.co.uk/british-fir...tor-conundrum/
BRITISH FIRM CRACKS ELECTRIC CAR MOTOR CONUNDRUM

[crmalcolm]

The Mercedes EQS will do 477 miles on one charge

The headline facts here are a claimed range of up to 477 miles on a single charge, power outputs of 329 or 516bhp, and a new modular battery concept with a useable battery capacity of 90 or 107.8 kWh. It’s also the most aerodynamic production car ever made, with a drag co-efficient of just 0.20. That’s a level of slipperiness once thought impossible on a road car, but critical to the energy efficiency of a new-age EV. (It’s achieved on a car wearing 19in wheels in Sport driving mode.)

[crmalcolm]

2023 Hummer EV is 819bhp 4x4 with "maximum off-road ability"





Joining a closely related Hummer pick-up truck, the SUV sits atop GM's advanced Ultium electric car platform and promises a choice of "maximum driving efficiency or maximum off-road ability".

The car's blocky two-box silhouette, rugged styling and slatted front grille are reminiscent of the Hummer H2 and H3 but, with the large combustion engines making way for a much more powerful tri-motor set-up, the EV will offer significantly improved performance both on and off-road.

GM estimates a maximum output of 819bhp, which is 167bhp less than the top-rung version of the pick-up but nonetheless enough to take the SUV from 0-60mph in 3.5sec.

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

2023 Hummer EV is 819bhp 4x4 with "maximum off-road ability"
<Pics removed for space>

Joining a closely related Hummer pick-up truck, the SUV sits atop GM's advanced Ultium electric car platform and promises a choice of "maximum driving efficiency or maximum off-road ability".

The car's blocky two-box silhouette, rugged styling and slatted front grille are reminiscent of the Hummer H2 and H3 but, with the large combustion engines making way for a much more powerful tri-motor set-up, the EV will offer significantly improved performance both on and off-road.

GM estimates a maximum output of 819bhp, which is 167bhp less than the top-rung version of the pick-up but nonetheless enough to take the SUV from 0-60mph in 3.5sec.

Dread to think how much that weighs!

[S griffin]

I think it would probably break the weigh scales

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

2023 Hummer EV is 819bhp 4x4 with "maximum off-road ability"

Joining a closely related Hummer pick-up truck, the SUV sits atop GM's advanced Ultium electric car platform and promises a choice of "maximum driving efficiency or maximum off-road ability".

The car's blocky two-box silhouette, rugged styling and slatted front grille are reminiscent of the Hummer H2 and H3 but, with the large combustion engines making way for a much more powerful tri-motor set-up, the EV will offer significantly improved performance both on and off-road.

GM estimates a maximum output of 819bhp, which is 167bhp less than the top-rung version of the pick-up but nonetheless enough to take the SUV from 0-60mph in 3.5sec.

That is quite possibly the ugliest vehicle ever created. Seriously - what were they thinking? I mean, the Hummer has always been ugly but that is a whole new world of awful.

Also - surely having such a ridiculously huge vehicle is kind of defeating the whole point of EV's? Reduce emissions by getting rid of the ICE but use half a planet to actual build the thing.

[S griffin]

Yeah, it ain’t gonna win any beauty contests, even against other Hummers!

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The headline facts here are a claimed range of up to 477 miles on a single charge...

the improving range/battery life are improving at such a rate that i feel like i am less certain my next car will be electric.

mind you for me, the current approx 250miles that most EVs currently offer is more then enough for my needs but knowing there will soon be something that easily offers twice that range means that has become my new measuring point.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

mind you for me, the current approx 250miles that most EVs currently offer is more then enough for my needs but knowing there will soon be something that easily offers twice that range means that has become my new measuring point.

For me - the biggest consideration (and hence potential to opt for an EV) is the speed with which the range can be replenished.

So for instance - a range of 200km is no issue, if I can replenish at least 75% of that in less than 5 minutes. I can then consider a cross-continent drive comfortably.
Whereas a range of 400km is less appealing, if it takes 1-2 hrs to replenish with 100km+ of range.

I appreciate it is not every day that I am driving over 100km, but I want the ability to do so if my circumstance requires.

[GORDON STREETER]

The advance in battery technology over the years is certainly working. I know a forestry firm that now use a lot of battery chain saws, I was talking to one of the workers that claims his new one can run all day on one charge. Obviously it depends on how much work he is doing but I must admit I was impressed.

[NaBUru38]

I can't say it's ugly. I think it looks like a 2020s Hummer.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

For me - the biggest consideration (and hence potential to opt for an EV) is the speed with which the range can be replenished.

So for instance - a range of 200km is no issue, if I can replenish at least 75% of that in less than 5 minutes. I can then consider a cross-continent drive comfortably.
Whereas a range of 400km is less appealing, if it takes 1-2 hrs to replenish with 100km+ of range.

I appreciate it is not every day that I am driving over 100km, but I want the ability to do so if my circumstance requires.

for sure but both increased range and recharge time seems to be advancing quickly with each newly announced model so its only a matter of time when you can have both the comfort of extra range and faster recharge times...so why not wait?

i suppose the leasing/subscription options will reduce my fear of being stuck with something becoming obsolete too quickly though.