tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332184307725890862024-03-05T15:33:39.476+00:001.5° - Sustainable ideas and innovations to give us a fighting chance of keeping the planet within 1.5° of warmingRichard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-59163562700488577442019-07-29T21:14:00.002+01:002021-03-02T09:18:39.600+00:00For Sale: Earth's most important domain?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeVv5Chmhghm-FEqyrMOMow1-5_pphZT0vPmSxL7T2yrH5m-aWjudAUoKdBtldEYr6V0n5ElhDlWyiZK9DtYCzHl7gR0OSyChGEM5DGNd4nKxonRAezHYUdmNyIAT-2VNIYkczz_YL3k/s1600/Domains+for+Sale.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeVv5Chmhghm-FEqyrMOMow1-5_pphZT0vPmSxL7T2yrH5m-aWjudAUoKdBtldEYr6V0n5ElhDlWyiZK9DtYCzHl7gR0OSyChGEM5DGNd4nKxonRAezHYUdmNyIAT-2VNIYkczz_YL3k/s1600/Domains+for+Sale.png" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On Monday this week, we reached <a href="https://www.overshootday.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Earth Overshoot Day</a>, the date which marks when humankind uses-up more of earth's resources than it can replenish during the year. So despite being the most intelligent species on Earth, we're not being very intelligent about how we live within its bounds.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">"...despite being the most intelligent species on Earth, we're not being very intelligent about how we live within its bounds"</span></blockquote>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We're also facing increasing incidences of extreme weather, which although may cause inconvenience when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/26/uk-weather-rail-travel-disrupted-after-extreme-heat-causes-chaos-great-northern-thameslink-east-midlands" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">national infrastructure cannot cope</a> (e.g. in the UK, we had the <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2019/new-official-highest-temperature-in-uk-confirmed" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">hottest day on record last week</a> - and buckling rails caused misery for commuters)... in increasing parts of the world, it translates into crop failures, famine and mass migration.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">1.5°</span></h3>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The respected <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">IPCC </a>predicts that under most scenarios modeled, the earth's average temperature will increase by 1.5 degrees from pre-industrial levels, by the end of the 21st Century. This in-turn, will lead to even more catastrophic changes to our weather, landscape, oceans, land use and biodiversity. <u>We are living in a climate emergency.</u></span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The concept of working collaboratively to limit global temperature increases to within 1.5 degrees has gained significant momentum - and as organisations commit to aligned '<a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Science-Based Targets</a>', we're seeing the seeds of positive, affirmative action being taken. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And it makes sense - not only do organisations have a moral duty to show climate leadership as part of their core purpose, but such action can help to attract and retain talent, mitigate climate risks from business operations and identify new opportunities for revenue generation.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">If you share the vision that the 1.5 degrees concept can be used as a long-term, global platform to demonstrate climate leadership, engage with stakeholders and help move society back onto a sustainable footing... I might be able to help!</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">"...the 1.5 degrees concept can be used as a long-term, global platform to demonstrate climate leadership, engage with stakeholders and help move society back onto a sustainable footing"</span></blockquote>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I'm selling the following web domains* and would be delighted to see them put to better-use than I've ever been able to:</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">www.1point5degrees.com</span></h3>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span></h3>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">www.OnePointFiveDegrees.com</span></h3>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">If you or your organisation is interested please do contact me directly:</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="goog_365188067"><br /></a></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="mailto:richard@1point5degrees.com">richard@1point5degrees.com</a> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> Alternatively, if you know of any sustainability professionals who work in organisations where this opportunity may resonate with them, please do add their names as a comment to this article.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Thank you.</span><br />
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</span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">*the domain names are for sale, and once sold, the new owner would use it/them to address/point to their own content, e.g. a new global campaign to engage customers. The existing content which these domains point to (my personal sustainability blog) would not be sold. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">N.B. This sale is being made on a personal basis and is unconnected to my current employer.</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-11154201738468737092018-04-28T14:58:00.000+01:002018-11-16T15:19:54.485+00:00To Uber or not To Uber, that is the question...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Verbification is something which brands often aspire to - namely that their company (or application/service) becomes used as a verb in popular culture. Examples might include "Why don't you <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Google</em></a> it?", "I'm going to <a href="https://www.shazam.com/gb" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Shazam</em></a> that [music]", "Make sure you <em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Strava</a> </em>your run, so I can check out your route", or to a long-standing example - "I'm going to <a href="https://www.hoover.co.uk/en_GB/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><em style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Georgia, "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hoover</em></a> the carpets".</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And of course Uber have achieved this accolade too - "Uber it home" and "Just Uber it" are frequently muttered by cosmopolitan city dwellers all around the world. But what of Uber's future - will verbifaction be a constraint for them in future of transportation?</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Uber plays a dominant role in the fast-moving field of urban mobility, and for a significant population in cities around the world, offers a more attractive proposition than a private car, public transport, or traditional taxi. Innovations like ride-sharing have helped keep costs down for customers further.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The developments of powertrain electrification, collaborative consumption (the 'sharing economy'), autonomous vehicles and V2X technologies are opening-up new commercial models; But with these technological and societal changes comes an even bigger prize - '<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mobility as a Service</span>', or MaaS. This concept delivers:</div><ul style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Seamless integration between multiple modes of transport, from walking and cycling, through to trains, trams and of course on-demand services</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Innovative ticketing and billing solutions, minimising costs for customers and providing a single source of journey history</li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reduced congestion and pollution as perceived barriers to public transport and cycling are reduced</li>
</ul><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And in the last few weeks or so, two announcements from Uber would suggest that, perhaps inevitably, they would like to play a dominant role in these emerging ecosystems.</div><h3 style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei"; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; margin: 2.4rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/09/uber-acquires-electric-bicycle-sharing-startup-jump-bikes/" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Uber acquires bicycle-sharing startup Jump</span></a></h3><div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-full-width" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><img data-li-src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQHa7KJh-35LPQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=3By086-8tCsmaMZnhxu5uh_DyWFPN_AqmkpMF8tD93Y" data-media-urn="urn:li:digitalmediaAsset:C4E12AQHa7KJh-35LPQ" src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQHa7KJh-35LPQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=3By086-8tCsmaMZnhxu5uh_DyWFPN_AqmkpMF8tD93Y" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 743.991px;" /></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bicycle-sharing schemes have become commonplace in most urban centres, with the original approach of docks (e.g. 'Boris Bikes' in London, and one of the original <a href="https://www.thelocal.fr/20180302/paris-takes-over-rollout-for-disastrous-velib-bike-hire-system" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">but currently challenged</a> Velib in Paris), now being challenged with dockless schemes like those from Ofo and Mobike:</div><div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-middle" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><img data-li-src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQFgVJPvJLRf4w/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=whWSMMt34nr4Bg8oseu0jBUKmNUIOZ7IHQEtLME68Sk" data-media-urn="urn:li:digitalmediaAsset:C4E12AQFgVJPvJLRf4w" src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQFgVJPvJLRf4w/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=whWSMMt34nr4Bg8oseu0jBUKmNUIOZ7IHQEtLME68Sk" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 432px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the U.S., Uber has acquired Jump, a start-up that combines the dual convenience of dockless bikes, with electric pedal-assist.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From a sustainability perspective, this is a really positive move for Uber, and helps add more weight towards the inevitable tipping-point towards mass-adoption of cycling in city centres.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://blog.masabi.com/blog/masabi-and-uber-announce-first-of-its-kind-ride-sharing-and-public-transit-ticketing-partnership" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #665ed0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Masabi public transport ticketing partnerhip</span></a></div><div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-full-width" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><img data-li-src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQHza1gFYJ2j0g/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=tc4kuBBQ9lBmGih8s-NaDZ_pdv0qd_f0y42fF1lVIwc" data-media-urn="urn:li:digitalmediaAsset:C4E12AQHza1gFYJ2j0g" src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E12AQHza1gFYJ2j0g/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=2124126000&v=beta&t=tc4kuBBQ9lBmGih8s-NaDZ_pdv0qd_f0y42fF1lVIwc" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 743.991px;" /></div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The second announcement starts to reduce the friction between changing modes of transport - in this case between an Uber ride-sharing journey, and traditional public transport. Masabi's global leadership in mobile ticketing and SaaS solutions, integrated into the Uber App, will surely help the movement of people across cities, reduce barriers to public transport uptake, and be another nail in the coffin for private car ownership.</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, with Uber's global leadership, I'm optimistic these moves are sending a strong message into the industry that 'Mobility as a Service' (MaaS) will enter the mainstream in the coming years, and coupled with EV adoption rates rising, should have a positive benefit for air pollution, congestion an even waistlines!</div><div style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75); font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 3.2rem; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, in the future, people may indeed still 'Uber' around the city, but perhaps it will mean something all together more varied than sitting in the back of a Prius...</div><div><br />
</div></div>Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-60420106708047470682018-01-21T13:07:00.001+00:002018-04-08T15:49:19.911+01:00A Sustainable Voice-Controlled #SmartHome Cookbook [Recipe 1 - MUSIC]<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With voice-control being the latest 'must-have' feature in people's homes, for many it may mean ditching their older technology, potentially contributing to the global crisis of eWaste (a concept perhaps not yet reaching the popular consciousness of plastics, but it will and should!).</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I wanted to see if it was possible to still get at least <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">some</em> of the benefits of the latest technology, relying predominantly on some of the existing technology I already had in my home, <i>maximising the reuse, and minimising the eWaste of technology</i>.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my #SmartHome Cookbook, I'm starting with a recipe for music streaming - one of the core features which the new Amazon Alexa and Google Home speakers major on. £30 later, I've made an OK start...</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 old speaker, e.g. iPod speaker dock </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Google Chromecast Audio (£30) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Existing middle-range Android smartphone (tablet also fine) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Google Home App (free) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seasoned with additional free Apps from Play Store to suit taste </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[for voice control] Google Assistant App (free) </span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recipe</span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 1.) </span>Dig out one of those old powered speakers you've got, any make/model, but it will need an AUX-IN port. Plenty available on eBay.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my case, about six years ago, I was lucky enough to receive a Bose Sounddock as a gift. It was for connecting my old iPod Mini to (remember those?), and worked well. Until the iPod connection broke. </span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Broken iPod connector on my old Bose Sounddock</span></em></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I of course looked into fixing it, and a year ago, I almost pursued an option to bluetooth-enable it with a DIY upgrade for about £60 - allowing me then to stream music to it from my phone. That never happened, so the speaker had been pretty much gathering dust... [iPod mini still used, but in my car]</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 2.)</span> You need to buy a <a href="https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_audio" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Google Chromecast Audio</a> - the only thing which will need to pay for, and retails at a modest £30 in the UK. Also available second-hand from eBay for considerably less. Don't get it confused with other Chromecast devices available, used for streaming video.</span><br />
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-middle slate-image-embed-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-color: initial; border-radius: 20px; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow, color; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-center-align-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M21,5H3V3H21V5ZM15,9H9v6h6V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H8a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,8,7h8Zm5,12H3v2H21V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-full-width slate-image-embed-button slate-image-embed-button__active" style="background-color: #0084bf; border-color: initial; border-radius: 20px; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow, color; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-full-width-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M20,5H4V3H20V5ZM18,9H6v6H18V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H5a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,5,7H19Zm1,12H4v2H20V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Chromecast has its own power supply, and comes with a standard 3.5mm lead for connecting to the AUX-IN port of the speaker (other leads and connections are available too)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYX9Zbt52jOfExWQglQq7GkUSnggfyxXTURAviEkYsHlgWlIzBgB4DCUecTAnT1-yTHU7m_EHKytq0i_2_CIIT2VENSrSPpeUwEzxvZXbsaDptIJMoIs2BFsK7-Qp_52d3zFPksiMglo/s1600/Bose+and+Chromecast+WM-OV6A1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYX9Zbt52jOfExWQglQq7GkUSnggfyxXTURAviEkYsHlgWlIzBgB4DCUecTAnT1-yTHU7m_EHKytq0i_2_CIIT2VENSrSPpeUwEzxvZXbsaDptIJMoIs2BFsK7-Qp_52d3zFPksiMglo/s320/Bose+and+Chromecast+WM-OV6A1420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-left slate-image-embed-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-color: initial; border-radius: 20px; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow, color; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-left-align-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M21,5H3V3H21V5Zm0,2H15V9h6V7ZM11,9H5v6h6V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H4a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,4,7h8Zm9,4H15v2h6V11Zm0,4H15v2h6V15Zm0,4H3v2H21V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 3.)</span> On your smartphone (or tablet), <a href="https://www.google.com/chromecast/setup/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">setup the Chromecast</a>, where you'll be prompted to download the Google Home App (n.b. supports other operating systems too, e.g. Apple iOS and Microsoft). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDRanwfYvq4v9E7O1N7ecskGIJOrwJRyNccguBFTctSZ6vOxkaAqS_bqoUet6m9VDIREsmA4svFDs1i3u8IGDW4355pD8777dqtZX9GibDsV0lU7dWZ34ZThx-sS1BqazyXfhtHjy5aE/s1600/Screenshot_20180113-114101.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDRanwfYvq4v9E7O1N7ecskGIJOrwJRyNccguBFTctSZ6vOxkaAqS_bqoUet6m9VDIREsmA4svFDs1i3u8IGDW4355pD8777dqtZX9GibDsV0lU7dWZ34ZThx-sS1BqazyXfhtHjy5aE/s320/Screenshot_20180113-114101.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-full-width slate-image-embed-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-color: initial; border-radius: 20px; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow, color; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-full-width-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M20,5H4V3H20V5ZM18,9H6v6H18V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H5a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,5,7H19Zm1,12H4v2H20V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 4.)</span> Follow the small number of setup steps, ensuring the smartphone/tablet you're using is on the same wi-fi network as the Chromecast, which should be 'auto-discovered'. Any firmware updates will happen during this process.</span><br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STEP 5.)</span> Use various Apps to 'cast' ('send') any music from your smartphone to the speaker, via the Chromecast. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFixwyfDolL4mO8FXzxJjmDj-1hS_ImFDRB18OpjerTxpDQF5UkgEm4cl0sUwOYNJjhQr-anueAS8r3btma0-4krOlKi-fWcI2gkC1awUhXj7g3nSqWo0gkLwmA-bl2gigzcRFQbGlMWQ/s1600/Chromecast_cast_button_icon.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFixwyfDolL4mO8FXzxJjmDj-1hS_ImFDRB18OpjerTxpDQF5UkgEm4cl0sUwOYNJjhQr-anueAS8r3btma0-4krOlKi-fWcI2gkC1awUhXj7g3nSqWo0gkLwmA-bl2gigzcRFQbGlMWQ/s320/Chromecast_cast_button_icon.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my case, I already had BBC's excellent iPlayer Radio App, some of my own music previously synced to Google Music Play, and have started using the free Spotify App (n.b. Chromecast will now support Spotify <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">without</em> having to upgrade to Premium). Via a Chrome web browser on a PC, I can also cast audio from YouTube. There are <a href="https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_audio_apps" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">many</em> additional apps supported</a>.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So far, so good - <u style="box-sizing: border-box;">I have a #SmartHome speaker for only an additional £30 outlay, and have saved my broken Bose Sounddock being another piece of eWaste - in my case a hefty 2.2kg of hard-to-recycle plastic and electronics.</u></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Incidentally, on my reckoning, my setup is in some ways better than the current plethora of Bluetooth speakers on the market, as:</span></div>
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<li>It casts via wi-fi at a higher quality than Bluetooth can manage </li>
<li>It doesn't drain the battery on my smartphone in the same way Bluetooth would (the smartphone acts effectively as a remote, that's all) </li>
<li>It doesn't have the same range restrictions of Bluetooth </li>
<li>Multiple devices can be connected to the Chromecast </li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I understand it, I could also buy additional Chromecast Audio devices, allowing me to replicate a Sonos-type multi-room setup, for significantly less outlay.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkrL0iva9UdyeQHWukdYzOrDI7tRMsSTptYZNx0sXbjOLTE4wJjoamQMEj9_KUwiLCSGB5Q6d0Cq3ase8br1iY625nfOQMCy3_ah-PUndrsLPcb81ZIj4ah0NP5m8PYEGIasBhmXqn-M/s1600/Bose+and+Chromecast+WM-OV6A1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkrL0iva9UdyeQHWukdYzOrDI7tRMsSTptYZNx0sXbjOLTE4wJjoamQMEj9_KUwiLCSGB5Q6d0Cq3ase8br1iY625nfOQMCy3_ah-PUndrsLPcb81ZIj4ah0NP5m8PYEGIasBhmXqn-M/s320/Bose+and+Chromecast+WM-OV6A1405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[optional] STEP 6.) - Voice Control. </span>Download <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googleassistant&hl=en_GB" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Google Assistant</a> from the Play Store, and if you haven't already discovered it, you'll realise it opens-up a whole new world of opportunity (with a dash of frustration and amusement thrown-in too!). Rather than a dedicated and separate smart device (e.g. Google Home, Amazon Alexa), this will let you use your smartphone to provide at least <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">some </em>of the same functionality. For example, you can ask it to "Play next Song", "What is this Song?", "Find Songs by <artist x="">", "Increase volume to 80%", etc. Here is a link to some <a href="https://support.google.com/googlehome/answer/7030379#basiccommands" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">more relevant voice commands</a>.</artist></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, yes, I'm a bit late to the world of the voice-controlled #SmartHome, but am pretty pleased with what I've been able to achieve with minimal outlay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-----</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All registered trademarks used belong to respective organisations</span></div>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-15557868982261313642018-01-01T19:24:00.001+00:002018-01-01T19:33:30.317+00:00Modular vehicles - has their time come?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the world of mobility, we have firmly entered a new era:</span></div>
<ul style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New business models allow the convenience of <em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">journey access</em> via smartphone to trump car ownership</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the end of the decade, electrified powertrains are going to be on the shortlist for most new vehicle purchases going forwards</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Increasing levels of autonomy will transform our relationship with vehicles</span></li>
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<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing that hasn't been really challenged yet is the physical design of the vehicles we move around in - a car still looks like a car, and a bus still looks like a bus. But perhaps the benefits of <em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">modularit</em>y can bring two distinct advantages - improved utilisation, and better consumer choice. The concept has been tried before in concept form, but perhaps now, the planets are aligning in a way which makes it a real opportunity to pursue.</span></div>
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<div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-middle" contenteditable="false" data-imgsrc="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAqGAAAAJDQyNDhkMDQwLWRiMjktNDM1Ny1iOTA1LTc3NDk4MTdmMDAyZA.jpg" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Staying on the road...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With some vehicles moving from infrequent personal usage to near-continuous shared use (e.g. as a taxi, car sharing, ride sharing, courier companies, etc.), any 'downtime' for a vehicle is a potential loss of revenue to its operator. It's therefore critical that servicing, maintenance and repairs can happen swiftly. So, alongside a vehicle proactively monitoring its health and alerting when there are problems, the physical design must allow the easy repair of vehicles.</span></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm yet to come across a volume manufacturer which differentiates itself by advocating easy repairs (franchised dealerships making significant revenues from labour time during repairs may be a factor). By way of inspiration though, Gordon Murray Design has developed <a href="http://www.gordonmurraydesign.com/en/products/current/ox.html" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The Ox</a>, a flat-pack vehicle, where the ability to service and repair it in unforgiving environments is part of its design.</span></div>
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<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gordon Murray Design Ox</span></em></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Features include:</span></div>
<ul style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consumables such as the air filter are located within a locker door, behind the cabin, whilst the engine bay can be accessed from under the seat bench</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good ground clearance means many repairs can be made without putting the vehicle up on a ramp</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many body parts are interchangeable</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The windscreen comprises three identical and flat panes of glass, preventing costly bespoke replacements which most windscreens suffer from</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could a similar 'circular economy' principle of repairability / modularity be applied to vehicles used in cities too? In fact, as autonomous fleets of vehicles are introduced, will it be <em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the</em> key differentiator which can make such operations a success - surely more so than the 0-60mph time at least!?</span></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I expect battery densities and charging infrastructure (including inductive charging) to improve markedly in the coming years, but swift 'battery swap stations' could still offer value. The model was tried by 'better place' with electric cars, but they filed for bankruptcy in 2013. However, <a href="https://www.gogoro.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Gogoro</a> has introduced a similar model to support electric scooter hire in cities, allowing batteries to be swapped-out in as little as 6 seconds.</span></div>
<div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-full-width" contenteditable="false" data-imgsrc="https://media-exp2.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAMABADGAAgAAQAAAAAAAAr3AAAAJGUwZWVkMGQwLWI3ZTMtNDJiNi1iNmRmLTJiZjJhZjg4YTAwNg.jpg" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><img class="slate-image-embed__resize-full-width" src="https://media-exp2.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAMABADGAAgAAQAAAAAAAAr3AAAAJGUwZWVkMGQwLWI3ZTMtNDJiNi1iNmRmLTJiZjJhZjg4YTAwNg.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: outline 0.223s, width 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; width: 744px;" /></span><button class="slate-image-embed__link-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-radius: 20px; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; opacity: 0; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999px; top: 0px; transition: all 0.332s ease-in; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-label="Links" color="true" role="img" size="medium" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="link-icon"><svg class="artdeco-icon" height="24px" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24px" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><span style="font-size: small;"><path d="M17.29,3a3.7,3.7,0,0,0-2.62,1.09L12.09,6.67A3.7,3.7,0,0,0,11,9.29a3.65,3.65,0,0,0,.52,1.86l-0.37.37a3.66,3.66,0,0,0-4.48.56L4.09,14.67a3.71,3.71,0,1,0,5.24,5.24l2.59-2.59A3.7,3.7,0,0,0,13,14.71a3.65,3.65,0,0,0-.52-1.86l0.37-.37a3.66,3.66,0,0,0,4.48-.57l2.59-2.59A3.71,3.71,0,0,0,17.29,3ZM11.13,14.71a1.82,1.82,0,0,1-.54,1.3L8,18.59A1.83,1.83,0,0,1,5.41,16L8,13.41a1.79,1.79,0,0,1,1.74-.48L8.28,14.4A0.94,0.94,0,0,0,9.6,15.73l1.46-1.46A1.82,1.82,0,0,1,11.13,14.71ZM18.59,8L16,10.59a1.79,1.79,0,0,1-1.74.48L15.73,9.6A0.94,0.94,0,0,0,14.4,8.27L12.94,9.74A1.79,1.79,0,0,1,13.41,8L16,5.41A1.83,1.83,0,0,1,18.59,8Z"></path></span></g></svg></li-icon></button></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gogoro electric scooter battery swap station</span></em></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horses for Courses</span></span></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traditionally, when buying a car, a compromise has been inevitable, as one vehicle cannot meet every requirement over its useful life. For example, a sporty two-door coupe for a weekend getaway is great, but at other times, a load-lugging estate is better; and perhaps a 4WD vehicle with ground clearance is required for an off-road adventure, yet for the daily commute into work, a moped would suffice.</span></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was recognised back in 2010 with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/peugeot-tries-mu-rental-scheme/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Peugeot's innovative rental scheme, Mu</a>, where by subscription, users could access anything from a moped to a boxer van. More recently, other OEMs have started exploring similar business models, e.g. <a href="http://www.porschepassport.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Porsche Passport</a> and Volvo Group's stunning EV, the <a href="https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/215025" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #827be9; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Polestar 1</a>. Subscription-based vehicle access is a natural extension of today's PCP finance deals, so I'd expect to see a lot more brands introduce these in the next 12-18 months, keen to reinforce their brand with their increasingly fickle customer base.</span></div>
<div class="slate-resizable-image-embed slate-image-embed__resize-middle" contenteditable="false" data-imgsrc="https://media-exp2.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAMABADGAAgAAQAAAAAAAAu6AAAAJDBlZjc5NDZjLTNlYzAtNDg2Ni1iNTlkLTAyODRhYzVkM2UzYw.jpg" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; transition: 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-full-width slate-image-embed-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-radius: 20px; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-full-width-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M20,5H4V3H20V5ZM18,9H6v6H18V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H5a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,5,7H19Zm1,12H4v2H20V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 0px 4px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><button class="slate-image-embed-button__resize-bleed slate-image-embed-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-radius: 20px; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-indent: -999px; transition-duration: 167ms; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1); vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-hidden="true" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="content-full-bleed-icon"><svg height="24" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><path d="M17,5H7V3H17V5Zm2,4H5v6H19V9m1-2a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v8a1,1,0,0,1-1,1H4a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V8A1,1,0,0,1,4,7H20ZM17,19H7v2H17V19Z"></path></g></svg></li-icon></button></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><img src="https://media-exp2.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAMABADGAAgAAQAAAAAAAAu6AAAAJDBlZjc5NDZjLTNlYzAtNDg2Ni1iNTlkLTAyODRhYzVkM2UzYw.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: outline 0.223s, width 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; width: 432px;" /></span><button class="slate-image-embed__link-button" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); border-radius: 20px; border-width: 0px; color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; opacity: 0; outline-width: 2px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999px; top: 0px; transition: all 0.332s ease-in; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; z-index: 0;"><li-icon aria-label="Links" color="true" role="img" size="medium" style="box-sizing: content-box; display: inline-block; height: 24px; left: 20px; margin: -12px 0px 0px -12px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 20px; width: 24px;" type="link-icon"><svg class="artdeco-icon" height="24px" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="24px" x="0" y="0"><g class="large-icon" style="fill: currentColor;"><span style="font-size: small;"><path d="M17.29,3a3.7,3.7,0,0,0-2.62,1.09L12.09,6.67A3.7,3.7,0,0,0,11,9.29a3.65,3.65,0,0,0,.52,1.86l-0.37.37a3.66,3.66,0,0,0-4.48.56L4.09,14.67a3.71,3.71,0,1,0,5.24,5.24l2.59-2.59A3.7,3.7,0,0,0,13,14.71a3.65,3.65,0,0,0-.52-1.86l0.37-.37a3.66,3.66,0,0,0,4.48-.57l2.59-2.59A3.71,3.71,0,0,0,17.29,3ZM11.13,14.71a1.82,1.82,0,0,1-.54,1.3L8,18.59A1.83,1.83,0,0,1,5.41,16L8,13.41a1.79,1.79,0,0,1,1.74-.48L8.28,14.4A0.94,0.94,0,0,0,9.6,15.73l1.46-1.46A1.82,1.82,0,0,1,11.13,14.71ZM18.59,8L16,10.59a1.79,1.79,0,0,1-1.74.48L15.73,9.6A0.94,0.94,0,0,0,14.4,8.27L12.94,9.74A1.79,1.79,0,0,1,13.41,8L16,5.41A1.83,1.83,0,0,1,18.59,8Z"></path></span></g></svg></li-icon></button></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volvo Polestar 1</span></em></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, although a business model can introduce some flexibility in providing the most appropriate vehicle for ones needs, it doesn't necessarily challenge the vehicle design itself... but potentially this can offer even more opportunity.</span></div>
<div style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 3.2rem; margin-top: 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A modular design could help in the following use-cases:</span></div>
<ul style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); line-height: 32px; margin: 3.2rem 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An autonomous ride-sharing shuttle that can autonomously add passenger modules, to support more passengers during peak times</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A vehicle which knows it's been booked for a long-distance trip, so it adds another battery module</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A consumer who wants to rent a vehicle for a house-move, so books one with extra load-space available</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ability to 'swap-out' any damaged components for a spare part, allowing the vehicle to continue being used (much like in Formula 1, where a damaged nose cone can be swapped in seconds)</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: inherit; margin: 2.4rem 0px 2.4rem 3.2rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Banks of battery modules can be autonomously moved to 'pinch points' in the smart-grid, where additional capacity is required (or where excess generation can be stored)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elements of this modular world have been envisaged by Vincent Chan in his Citi.Transmitter </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">study:</span><br />
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<em style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summary</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Modular vehicles aren't a new idea, but until now, there hasn't really been a scalable rationale for pursuing them. With fleets of autonomous and electrified vehicles only a few years away, isn't it time for modular vehicles to have their time?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images © of respective owners, unless otherwise stated</span></div>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-29043346696936569482017-11-05T13:53:00.001+00:002017-11-05T14:03:41.274+00:0045th Tokyo Motor Show - Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Tokyo Motor Show is back again, allowing mainly the Japanese manufacturers to showcase their latest design thinking in new concepts. Technical details seem a little hard to come-by, so this post is simply a run-down of some of the more interesting visual concepts - giving us hope perhaps, that we may not all be driving (or being driven in) bland homologous shapes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/115895/summary-of-honda-announcements-and-exhibits-at-the-45th-tokyo-motor-show" target="_blank"><b>Honda Sports EV Concept</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hot on the heels of the <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2017/09/Frankfurt17.html" target="_blank">Urban EV Concept revealed recently at the Frankfurt Motor Show</a>, and teased a few weeks ago, Honda have now revealed their gorgeous Sports EV Concept.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfriLb-4Gug0Wn1I6989HFcsTCZKQHL94DmRXPaXQSXjY0XabwfmFNRcIBwhaTN_F53l_wqj6i4MxsyPuD2RT3gICZhivUQgvWvlHijCU269ctGpVqulhYLz29WD6qHt_Saxn0c5djPA8/s1600/Hond+Sports+EV+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="705" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfriLb-4Gug0Wn1I6989HFcsTCZKQHL94DmRXPaXQSXjY0XabwfmFNRcIBwhaTN_F53l_wqj6i4MxsyPuD2RT3gICZhivUQgvWvlHijCU269ctGpVqulhYLz29WD6qHt_Saxn0c5djPA8/s400/Hond+Sports+EV+Concept.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda Sports EV Concept</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkMZDfppVwrHFER4isqAp6JZAvzH7SuSNMn8sAI1Pixu6lzBjxVmXGET618Ir_F3o-15ZSU0PX4P3Wkox2qiwLrXtcE1xVzDM2U-_GgudD9l4UKDa1qdTO-ABi1lUS50-BDndJU7C2Lg/s1600/Honda+Sports+EV+Concept+Rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="705" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkMZDfppVwrHFER4isqAp6JZAvzH7SuSNMn8sAI1Pixu6lzBjxVmXGET618Ir_F3o-15ZSU0PX4P3Wkox2qiwLrXtcE1xVzDM2U-_GgudD9l4UKDa1qdTO-ABi1lUS50-BDndJU7C2Lg/s320/Honda+Sports+EV+Concept+Rear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda Sports EV Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/innovation/motorshow/2017/tms2017/concept_car/" target="_blank"><b>Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the UK, Mitsubishi had a surprise hit with its <a href="http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/new-cars/outlander/explore-phev/" target="_blank">Outlander PHEV</a>, helped considerably by tax incentives (now significantly reduced for private buyers, as it's not a pure EV). At Tokyo, a new e-Evolution Concept has been revealed, under the design philosophy of "Robust and Ingenious".</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLRvN6DSpZCpwiqJdwAz6JgeUbUqM4zRsgw-hU3AHFrezdXwAYlGh_6sHDHeAscy1ZJ0jKHdumARff8I67hGO76GUI4KCNakCgrHzdylN6fjdDJBTgZCQ-SNQClJj3GJLh6ikp9uK9R4/s1600/Mitsubishi+e-Evolution+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="610" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLRvN6DSpZCpwiqJdwAz6JgeUbUqM4zRsgw-hU3AHFrezdXwAYlGh_6sHDHeAscy1ZJ0jKHdumARff8I67hGO76GUI4KCNakCgrHzdylN6fjdDJBTgZCQ-SNQClJj3GJLh6ikp9uK9R4/s320/Mitsubishi+e-Evolution+Concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2017/1016_zoom_01.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2017/1016.html" target="_blank">Mitsubishi Electric EMIRAI 4 Concept</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mitsubishi Electric (not to be confused with the automotive brand above which is part of the Renault/Nissan Alliance), revealed a concept called the EMIRAI 4, exploring how connectivity and autonomous features can improve safety, convenience and the environment.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGwrsftQbom9cdbuHq5siBEwFu2G8Hwfp-D02N5lcEQdJ9jgXbdHONhCl1yLiJMX93VZsygaHeXp9MPDZmD2szH7uqvRgsv7xWkplBj8DKLjAAqApAO1TQdJRs4mahhBW8xJ09KTjyQY/s1600/Mitsubishi+Eletric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="540" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGwrsftQbom9cdbuHq5siBEwFu2G8Hwfp-D02N5lcEQdJ9jgXbdHONhCl1yLiJMX93VZsygaHeXp9MPDZmD2szH7uqvRgsv7xWkplBj8DKLjAAqApAO1TQdJRs4mahhBW8xJ09KTjyQY/s320/Mitsubishi+Eletric.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mitsubishi Electric</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/eu/en-gb/media/pressreleases/426208675/nissan-unveils-imx-zero-emission-concept-at-tokyo-motor-show24" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/eu/en-gb/media/pressreleases/426208675/nissan-unveils-imx-zero-emission-concept-at-tokyo-motor-show24" target="_blank"><b>Nissan IMx</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan has a worldwide hit with the Nissan Leaf, and with a new model recently launched, no doubt will continue to drive higher sales. They also have innovation coming with some of their <a href="https://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/uk/en-gb/media/pressreleases/145248/nissan-and-enel-launch-groundbreaking-vehicle-to-grid-project-in-the-uk" target="_blank">vehicle to grid (V2G) initiatives</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Tokyo, Nissan revealed the IMx EV, which has a planned range of 600km, and can drive fully autonomously, with the steering wheel disappearing into the dashboard.
Is this the car which will bring sustainable motoring to the masses? </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdO9NdowXbXzFUCdI0xnyU_0FnxXSl4JEBTDKzPYjCV0MT3Nkkx4sVk_IzXo-H_F_msyyZBOoxYs_5dCYJRlLNTjAgxUncKIxpbrWCpVctQ2WIlDuISoQ1s1swZeZmVb25jB8By9R7A4/s1600/Nissan+IMx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdO9NdowXbXzFUCdI0xnyU_0FnxXSl4JEBTDKzPYjCV0MT3Nkkx4sVk_IzXo-H_F_msyyZBOoxYs_5dCYJRlLNTjAgxUncKIxpbrWCpVctQ2WIlDuISoQ1s1swZeZmVb25jB8By9R7A4/s320/Nissan+IMx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan IMx</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2017/0922.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.globalsuzuki.com/globalnews/2017/0922.html" target="_blank"><b>Suzuki e-SURVIVOR</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in the 1980's, Suzuki had a near monopoly for small 4WD cars, with the Jimny/SJ413 and Vitara models. The market evolved though, and with SUVs and crossovers the form factors of choice, and 4WD powertrains available from most manufacturers, Suzuki have lost market share. So, as they approach their centenary in 2020, how are they embracing the market for four wheel drive EVs? Well, take a look at this, the e-SURVIVOR:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFHqWx7r2Nyq1_TAKUZK52zHvS29IzlCkPCNFOLUxndgclF7dyCZSa8bDafGZDLtItIIYkiUYtyNrul090NDis0RBGccDQ3Eff7lvJ59Yay1QPOsedAEYj02iN2ukbsEqDN8KNYsgx_c/s1600/Suzuki+e-Survivor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="400" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFHqWx7r2Nyq1_TAKUZK52zHvS29IzlCkPCNFOLUxndgclF7dyCZSa8bDafGZDLtItIIYkiUYtyNrul090NDis0RBGccDQ3Eff7lvJ59Yay1QPOsedAEYj02iN2ukbsEqDN8KNYsgx_c/s320/Suzuki+e-Survivor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, it's a slight contrast to the rest of the bunch... but actually could carve out a useful niche for certain applications.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/2017/10/toyota-defines-future-mobility-concept-series/" target="_blank">Toyota Concept-i Series</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota have been one of the vanguards of powertrain innovation for many years, and if rumours are true from the motor show, their developments in solid-state battery technology and cost-effective hydrogen power, could give them the edge in coming years too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alongside some innovative new hybrid-powered designs, Toyota added to its Concept-i Series, with the RIDE and WALK.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAO6I-21D2YUYEzPDOcIcGRpPhl37-GFeyd3sotMMseceU1AnMtvAdpTYG-ROcbMa2L5fMgXv_UuJaX-cvOEAKYaEGJXVURyYLWh9a96-BLS_0Exrjvq2q1tUarymurD2JBoKU31dsWVA/s1600/Toyota+Concept-i+Series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAO6I-21D2YUYEzPDOcIcGRpPhl37-GFeyd3sotMMseceU1AnMtvAdpTYG-ROcbMa2L5fMgXv_UuJaX-cvOEAKYaEGJXVURyYLWh9a96-BLS_0Exrjvq2q1tUarymurD2JBoKU31dsWVA/s320/Toyota+Concept-i+Series.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Concept-i Series</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/19064111/" target="_blank">Toyota Fine-Comfort Ride</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fuel-celled powered comfort has been provided with Toyota's slightly peculiarly named Fine-Comfort Ride.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9XY4jrojAFuI_XcVWMiUF223V6B-fG5Nai4DxeFMABnVnPBfPRnnZPBBp8R1Kz5EfuvqoDV1WdfkWMvKpnU3-8LyF2TCZJ3z6h0sharwLUQXKpjOJIJt-jZffoH7nZSoJIo70yPh6KI/s1600/Toyota+Fine-Comfort+Ride+TOKY+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="640" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9XY4jrojAFuI_XcVWMiUF223V6B-fG5Nai4DxeFMABnVnPBfPRnnZPBBp8R1Kz5EfuvqoDV1WdfkWMvKpnU3-8LyF2TCZJ3z6h0sharwLUQXKpjOJIJt-jZffoH7nZSoJIo70yPh6KI/s320/Toyota+Fine-Comfort+Ride+TOKY+2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Fine-Comfort Ride</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/19063778/" target="_blank"><b>Toyota Sora</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another reveal of note was their concept fuel-cell bus, called <a href="http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/19063778/" target="_blank">Sora</a>. We should expect to see an evolution of this concept on the streets of Tokyo during the 2020 Olympics, with an additional application of being an emergency power source in case of natural disaster.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mq231eVtoKkxZkAhqOUChJnonZ6TghnkIAq1CwCyQMEpJvVMFVnqLcC_lFhmBojCbYsHhzBE83_Tc36KKb9piqfkEGDeShapiHk9r26zICo09-ZCJrNWo2ba-Y-6b6bcBDhk3grX-dA/s1600/Toyota+Fuel+Cell+Bus+Sora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="640" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Mq231eVtoKkxZkAhqOUChJnonZ6TghnkIAq1CwCyQMEpJvVMFVnqLcC_lFhmBojCbYsHhzBE83_Tc36KKb9piqfkEGDeShapiHk9r26zICo09-ZCJrNWo2ba-Y-6b6bcBDhk3grX-dA/s320/Toyota+Fuel+Cell+Bus+Sora.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Sora Concept Bus</span></td></tr>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-43222142186359450472017-09-13T21:05:00.000+01:002017-09-16T09:32:08.425+01:00Frankfurt Motor Show - Sustainability Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I first started writing about the sustainability highlights of the global motor shows in 2015 (which of course wasn't <i>that</i> long ago), things were very different. 'Dieselgate' hadn't happened, and for the majority of manufacturers, introducing a mild-hybrid into one model felt like a sensible 'toe-dip into the water' around future powertrains. Fast forward to today, and Frankfurt 2017 was always going to be a milestone, with the German automotive industry using it as a showcase of their future strategies. Rather than outline <i>all</i> of the new models and concepts, I've picked-out a few of the significant updates, with each title providing a link to further information from the manufacturer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-aicon-concept-car-autonomous-on-course-for-the-future-9332" target="_blank">Audi Aicon</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi have revealed their Audi Aircon design concept, with advanced autonomous controls meaning the inside space is a luxurious place to relax.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FJ79CbP-oly9KYleQElIgT2ToEKvYTLa6WkEgusxt7tIexwivy7ggS1c-3g8Uqg6reNMWBf02GgeJT-NyRbW7ZhwC6XzwgoGr_U8113a7yZ0FWJSb6QP_zwCfvqELPDju6tkHFZVb0/s1600/FRANKFURT+-+Audi+Aicon+Design+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="595" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FJ79CbP-oly9KYleQElIgT2ToEKvYTLa6WkEgusxt7tIexwivy7ggS1c-3g8Uqg6reNMWBf02GgeJT-NyRbW7ZhwC6XzwgoGr_U8113a7yZ0FWJSb6QP_zwCfvqELPDju6tkHFZVb0/s320/FRANKFURT+-+Audi+Aicon+Design+Concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi Aicon Design Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0273661EN/the-new-bmw-i3-the-new-bmw-i3s?language=en" target="_blank"><b>BMW i3s</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Announced towards the end of August, the BMW i3S is a sporty take on their highly successful i3 (which has also had some revisions). Coming with a 135kW electric motor, and sports suspension, the i3s should appeal to the more enthusiastic driver. A 2 cylinder petrol engine is available to provide range extension too, as an option.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlrGaFBdXgBllTXBEs8C-tiWmmI5_NS4TaMHrOLcWElUdQvLCj71ze5D5IMeJtkaTRpFn6spWkpUaeWRN9SkhW49uvAIyZHilN7-fZoiXSjCbqPQzR3kThsLYhBEciIE3tevU9sUZ6uA/s1600/FRANKFURT+-+BMW+i3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlrGaFBdXgBllTXBEs8C-tiWmmI5_NS4TaMHrOLcWElUdQvLCj71ze5D5IMeJtkaTRpFn6spWkpUaeWRN9SkhW49uvAIyZHilN7-fZoiXSjCbqPQzR3kThsLYhBEciIE3tevU9sUZ6uA/s320/FRANKFURT+-+BMW+i3s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BMW i3s</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0274370EN/the-bmw-i-vision-dynamics-a-new-form-of-electrifying-driving-pleasure" target="_blank">BMW i Vision Dynamics (i5</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still at BMW, their much anticipated EV to sit between the i3 and i8 has been revealed in concept form. It is likely to be called the i5, with four doors, and an anticipated range of 373 miles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's due to be launched in 2021, perhaps giving the chance for Tesla, Jaguar and even Mercedes to build significant market share with their respective models. I'd also assume that with improved battery densities, they might revise the range upwards before then?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Worth also mentioning that BMW have announced their intention to offer 25 models with an electrification option by 2025, with 12 of them being pure electric.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm4c9c0htFwOiVx88kiooTWs8aS6L8jEl6GMLziEX9ydrWvhzOTVc44oJc5vBcaaBXcOsu5say3TNvVxtNYSGWsEJam-CIApYskJwoQq63bKfIDB_POghKK_X-mru9ECEYIxyUZPOkRE/s1600/FRANKFURT+BMW+i5+P90276446_lowRes_bmwi-vision-dynamics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="599" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcm4c9c0htFwOiVx88kiooTWs8aS6L8jEl6GMLziEX9ydrWvhzOTVc44oJc5vBcaaBXcOsu5say3TNvVxtNYSGWsEJam-CIApYskJwoQq63bKfIDB_POghKK_X-mru9ECEYIxyUZPOkRE/s320/FRANKFURT+BMW+i5+P90276446_lowRes_bmwi-vision-dynamics.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BMW i Vision Dynamics (i5)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/113163/honda-to-unveil-cr-v-hybrid-prototype-at-frankfurt-motor-show" target="_blank">Honda CRV</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the number of SUVs being sold in Europe, and the vast majority being diesels (Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and stablemate Lexus NX300h/RX450h being exceptions), it's great to see the popular Honda CRV getting a Hybrid option. But perhaps what's more interesting is that the only other option in Europe will be a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine - a very clear sign that they don't see the market for diesels in the very near future.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqaI7W_kYrzaICDtgyxyxxWWCb5P4aJp-rGAv6sPIrVnOBFL_-2Gri_5Z111qn_YU5_EHb4uK4Mg6aqxkAI20iZSzO281CqzVGHt9afoq6F0S5qWvWbuYLDItvIrj_C-BeR1rDrXnAfE/s1600/FRANKFURT+-+Honda+CRV+Hybrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="620" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqaI7W_kYrzaICDtgyxyxxWWCb5P4aJp-rGAv6sPIrVnOBFL_-2Gri_5Z111qn_YU5_EHb4uK4Mg6aqxkAI20iZSzO281CqzVGHt9afoq6F0S5qWvWbuYLDItvIrj_C-BeR1rDrXnAfE/s320/FRANKFURT+-+Honda+CRV+Hybrid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda CRV Hybrid</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/113861/honda-urban-ev-concept-unveiled-at-the-frankfurt-motor-show" target="_blank">Honda Urban EV Concept</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda have stolen a lot of headlines, and perhaps some hearts, with its cute and gorgeous Urban EV Concept. With a more than a whiff of Mk1 Golf, I expect VW are fuming at such a vehicle being released in Frankfurt! Although it's just a concept, Honda have confirmed a 2019 production release for something very similar, so I'd be surprised if it isn't a strong seller.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGxVFdpprG50cF8Xieb8ztM1NtnN5NgMH8bHzMS_537Ev4iKFR_Q69olY7yIpNhQyY4_xBcM_pWZGVu4Lzf9dNHLBVu8nlC65OW5fmv9JjLXsIujoUNmNwXdiLedICbXRnqdI5febOhI/s1600/FRANKFURT+Honda+Urban+EV+Concept+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="620" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGxVFdpprG50cF8Xieb8ztM1NtnN5NgMH8bHzMS_537Ev4iKFR_Q69olY7yIpNhQyY4_xBcM_pWZGVu4Lzf9dNHLBVu8nlC65OW5fmv9JjLXsIujoUNmNwXdiLedICbXRnqdI5febOhI/s320/FRANKFURT+Honda+Urban+EV+Concept+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda Urban EV Concept</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBbQQJ5400oYlzSRO9anBI_MGXGTRvVKTmtyB_-IcnJ_wkHZQImye5yWKaf4sEwaF-y7Rh7H1y5ertnNKXzUEJk5gdNfxii07f3nPS0u9RIuqYOIof68VVoO-ga-AHpxhxIe8J63zHqM/s1600/FRANKFURT+Honda+Urban+EV+Concept+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="620" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBbQQJ5400oYlzSRO9anBI_MGXGTRvVKTmtyB_-IcnJ_wkHZQImye5yWKaf4sEwaF-y7Rh7H1y5ertnNKXzUEJk5gdNfxii07f3nPS0u9RIuqYOIof68VVoO-ga-AHpxhxIe8J63zHqM/s320/FRANKFURT+Honda+Urban+EV+Concept+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda Urban EV Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda have also committed that every new European model will have an electrification powertrain option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, Honda also released more information about their Power Manager proposition. Similar to solutions from Nissan, it's some clever hardware and software which will allow a user to optimise the energy consumed, stored and sold through a 'Vehicle to Grid/Home' (V2G/H) solution.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EakAIdI27K148Zemg5baADgs9xYRuLSlEeWiTsQms-czONN7c-f6sDlsEkdclOuUrjhxYxkC_i5huiSKxt964GjFEJr1Km4IodXZkEB27l4jUL_tJ_mwIEsoTSxeB3y3OUXsCjKwY2o/s1600/FRANKFURT+-+Homda+Power+Manager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="581" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EakAIdI27K148Zemg5baADgs9xYRuLSlEeWiTsQms-czONN7c-f6sDlsEkdclOuUrjhxYxkC_i5huiSKxt964GjFEJr1Km4IodXZkEB27l4jUL_tJ_mwIEsoTSxeB3y3OUXsCjKwY2o/s320/FRANKFURT+-+Homda+Power+Manager.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda Power Manager</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.jaguar.com/en-gb/news/2017/09/jaguar-charges-i-pace-all-electric-race-series" target="_blank">Jaguar IPACE eTROPHY</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've already seen the launch of the iPace, due to hit showrooms next year. But Jaguar didn't disappoint us - outlining the introduction of a new racing series to run alongside the Formula E races. Much like the existing Touring Car Championship in the UK, let's hope it delivers a really exciting and engaging showcase for EVs. Jaguar Land Rover will offer an electric option (inc. hybrid) in all its model lineup from 2020, with rumours of a plug-in Range Rover Sport to be released this year</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Sy8jkzxsW6_vlmntksOi0qeTN0YG7mRq32KOQlVQ7UkEgCoA2hVhKr-OraY3tc5DeF0ahysEYDM5Xv4rZhMHFbu8AVLG5lD_hjnZ93aLLowJ2ihvYRWsdYw7zkHb5sdZaSUQlUphi9s/s1600/FRANKFURT+Jaguar+ipace+trophy+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Sy8jkzxsW6_vlmntksOi0qeTN0YG7mRq32KOQlVQ7UkEgCoA2hVhKr-OraY3tc5DeF0ahysEYDM5Xv4rZhMHFbu8AVLG5lD_hjnZ93aLLowJ2ihvYRWsdYw7zkHb5sdZaSUQlUphi9s/s320/FRANKFURT+Jaguar+ipace+trophy+race.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JAGUAR IPACE eTROPHY</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=29182459" target="_blank"><b>Mercedes EQA Concept</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By 2022, Mercedes-Benz Cars is planning to have more than ten all-electric vehciles on the market - and their EQA concept shows how they might tackle the compact segment. It will have twin electric motors (one per axle), and a range up to 400km.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq426H4_zCSV7TKnq5zs1H3CLWCbkbZb-zZ4OR6p29T0TSV3wk8mU9F4k7IRcDuzceEHjjBy_b0z8wRMvCuRgsznGXtP5P9FrMPkMpH3vjAl7hLY6OHKdz4r8Wew6zBIZKQ_1Jbl3voc/s1600/FRANKFURT+Mercedes+EQA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq426H4_zCSV7TKnq5zs1H3CLWCbkbZb-zZ4OR6p29T0TSV3wk8mU9F4k7IRcDuzceEHjjBy_b0z8wRMvCuRgsznGXtP5P9FrMPkMpH3vjAl7hLY6OHKdz4r8Wew6zBIZKQ_1Jbl3voc/s320/FRANKFURT+Mercedes+EQA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes EQA Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0273920EN/mini-at-the-2017-frankfurt-motor-show?language=en" target="_blank"><b>MINI Electric Concept</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not wanting Honda to take all the cuteness points, MINI (part of the BMW Group) have revealed their MINI Electric Concept, planned to be built in Oxford (but powertrain built in Germany)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nNZzfbIwIHm68cpVCZ0ehITl3O5hlLx72zAHu2h-WMw7m9I4Tsq9zUCfPWgxq3TJYR-9pcObwGNebm3iddAXcWeev6KdJGZbmYv_xRBT3xnCddBBUUIAxU-FLfpXZtEwHJM6wS1kiKc/s1600/FRANKFURT+Mini+Electric+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nNZzfbIwIHm68cpVCZ0ehITl3O5hlLx72zAHu2h-WMw7m9I4Tsq9zUCfPWgxq3TJYR-9pcObwGNebm3iddAXcWeev6KdJGZbmYv_xRBT3xnCddBBUUIAxU-FLfpXZtEwHJM6wS1kiKc/s320/FRANKFURT+Mini+Electric+Concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MINI Electric Concept</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=29042725" target="_blank"><b>Smart Vision EQ ForTwo Concept</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With traditional car ownership dwindling, and car/ride-sharing models growing in significance, I was surprised not to see more models explicitly designed to support these new business models. Daimler-owned Smart have done so though, with a neat concept, the Smart Vision EQ ForTwo Concept.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio08FMNVPlGvoiVlmBE_ekyttZKa9VRzxFTQNJDI-tUC1uuptXMyfJkBUO9kfrksnp4Jk2oi1A5CLFvH9YH_34ZmfaOloDn1wztoJjLDM5INjTfsId8LrRrbR9Zs8LwEC1tlt77kk9Wps/s1600/FRANKFURT+Smart+Vision+EQ+ForTwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio08FMNVPlGvoiVlmBE_ekyttZKa9VRzxFTQNJDI-tUC1uuptXMyfJkBUO9kfrksnp4Jk2oi1A5CLFvH9YH_34ZmfaOloDn1wztoJjLDM5INjTfsId8LrRrbR9Zs8LwEC1tlt77kk9Wps/s320/FRANKFURT+Smart+Vision+EQ+ForTwo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Smart Vision EQ ForTwo Concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.samsungsdi.com/sdi-news/1682.html" target="_blank">Samsung SDI</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, Samsung revealed some battery innovation, with a modular system, allowing additional modules to be added to deliver additional range. They've also introduced a reduced height form-factor, inevitably of interest to car manufacturers wanting to maximise internal space. </span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHtWei4xCGBNJdFyIyDn31nMh3ls-MwWi6zoPGy4iATUtv8DtRYpMzaEKgeB3C7qCiFG5kdWu_DMRzcqVOnnsuFuJX4D14Ru5JBYyk2aWxEwm8P8Vqx8GdbQk16LcPKfrxKBWEI3HXq4/s1600/FRANKFURT+Samsung+SDI+1505178656454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHtWei4xCGBNJdFyIyDn31nMh3ls-MwWi6zoPGy4iATUtv8DtRYpMzaEKgeB3C7qCiFG5kdWu_DMRzcqVOnnsuFuJX4D14Ru5JBYyk2aWxEwm8P8Vqx8GdbQk16LcPKfrxKBWEI3HXq4/s320/FRANKFURT+Samsung+SDI+1505178656454.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Samsung SDI</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-46891827102035444142017-05-29T13:45:00.001+01:002017-09-06T20:15:30.777+01:00Sustainable Mobility - What's Next?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regular readers of my <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/search/label/Mobility" target="_blank">blog</a> or my Twitter feed (<a href="https://www.twitter.com/UK_Richard" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1694543874"></span>@UK_Richard<span id="goog_1694543875"></span></a>) will know that I've been writing sustainability updates on mobility for several years. These have included briefs on the global motor shows, reflections on emerging mobility business models, and the inevitable resurgence of cycling in city centres. It's been fascinating to document some of the changes which have happened, including:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hybrid powertrains</b> being an option in almost every model from each manufacturer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disruptive <b>EV-only start-ups</b> providing a wake-up call to the incumbent OEMs caught napping</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf3sPqbXo_Iw1nqoEneNHTMaQh_VICrDwbHMxKHSAHZSP3Exb_LJ7hO4hqK2uRI5MGTTOccWFmRqzYain9646A1A5uUA0IQbXmuJNUI1rSWX9MW9NhiOnFlwRytZQhWMAOl5xltNwKqs/s1600/Tesla+Model+X+-+section-hero-cutout.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1600" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf3sPqbXo_Iw1nqoEneNHTMaQh_VICrDwbHMxKHSAHZSP3Exb_LJ7hO4hqK2uRI5MGTTOccWFmRqzYain9646A1A5uUA0IQbXmuJNUI1rSWX9MW9NhiOnFlwRytZQhWMAOl5xltNwKqs/s320/Tesla+Model+X+-+section-hero-cutout.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Model X, a pure-electric SUV</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'<b>Dieselgate</b>' and the accompanying toxic air pollution acting as a 'burning platform' for regulatory change, and even civil unrest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pace of <b>autonomous vehicle</b> technology raising fundamental questions about the role of the driver (not to mention liabilities and the insurance industry) - but potentially providing step change improvements in safety</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hydrogen fuel cells</b> refusing to disappear as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, but with unanswered questions about the viability (and sustainability) of a distributed refuelling infrastructure</span></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV-LlsDn_ggesOZeivdXjTC3qGA7ZQ4b9QDX748orx5U5TDx_dnqQq-uV0a0EzHlbnfMShFUujSSqsWxjmW2o58apJSeiM6lccgTRw4iv4Sg98jKmZSN6QRxdQZarZ-2BjWzq6SuxD40/s1600/nikola_one_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV-LlsDn_ggesOZeivdXjTC3qGA7ZQ4b9QDX748orx5U5TDx_dnqQq-uV0a0EzHlbnfMShFUujSSqsWxjmW2o58apJSeiM6lccgTRw4iv4Sg98jKmZSN6QRxdQZarZ-2BjWzq6SuxD40/s320/nikola_one_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hydrogen fuel-cell enabled Nikola One EV</span><br />
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</tbody></table>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The implication on the electricity grid with <b>EVs acting as portable energy storage</b>, whilst often needing to charge at the same time, during the evening peak</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cycle sharing schemes</b>, including the introduction of <a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/chinese-bike-sharing-company-ofo-is-coming-to-cambridge-in-the-uk" target="_blank">dockless ones</a>, and e-Bikes</span></li>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/H50ytGRynZ4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H50ytGRynZ4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Car sharing, evolving into <b>'Mobility as a Service' (MaaS)</b> models, supporting multi-modal journeys with single payment gateways and routing, allowing train operators to extend their reach beyond the platform</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ride hailing</b> business models like Uber, reinforcing the doubts the younger generation have about whether car ownership is even desirable anymore</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Train electrification and growth of light-rail, including use of <a href="http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/raising-the-baar-for-battery-powered-trains.html" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">batteries</a>, where line electrification isn't economical, or <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/03/22/worlds-first-zero-emissions-hydrogen-train-coming/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">hydrogen fuel-cell</a> powered trains</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/raising-the-baar-for-battery-powered-trains.html" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank"><img class="" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAzMAAAAJDczZmEyYmNmLTI0YzAtNDM3My1iZjgyLTkxMDE3MDkzNGJhYQ.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: outline 0.223s, width 0.223s; vertical-align: baseline; width: 432px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.975em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">RailBaar static train battery charging</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time to gaze into the crystal ball to outline some of the changes we might expect to see in the next 5-10 years. In sustainability, experience would suggest that for mass adoption, a few factors need to work together - personal aspiration, the right regulatory framework, cost parity, technology availability, social acceptance, etc. But it's clear that in the mobility sector, the planets are aligning nicely to allow us to be very optimistic about the future.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Vehicle Design</b></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To-date, the majority of EVs have replicated existing form factors (SUVs, saloons, etc.). However, I expect we'll see three emerging form factors start to gain more traction:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Micro-delivery vehicles. Competing perhaps with air-borne drones and pedal-powered solutions, Small form-factor delivery EVs will start to gain market share in busy urban cities. Deutsche Post's spin-off <a href="http://www.streetscooter.eu/" target="_blank">StreetScooter</a> is a great example.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CLjRWo8bGzi-AzUS5Ssc0WDi8O8m3gIksW6wpSxhPW9fas6To0nh-AS5jzUVZA1qRt7DTETSI0PsjBYSOyK6BVwbWrAPqs8eoBr1iUczG-U7RDLVzlGztCbI8-DY94l69UmO67l01DQ/s1600/StreetScooter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="340" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CLjRWo8bGzi-AzUS5Ssc0WDi8O8m3gIksW6wpSxhPW9fas6To0nh-AS5jzUVZA1qRt7DTETSI0PsjBYSOyK6BVwbWrAPqs8eoBr1iUczG-U7RDLVzlGztCbI8-DY94l69UmO67l01DQ/s320/StreetScooter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">StreetScooter</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As on-demand ride-sharing grows in cities, I'm expecting something with more seats than a car, but less than a bus to be the perfect compromise, much like what <a href="https://medium.com/citymapper/smartbus-7b6848241526" target="_blank">CityMapper</a> are trialling. Efficiently and predictably getting people to their destinations, public transport will become desirable again!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDh3SQLyGVhTQeJnh2E20UAETlEZnPnUz8aPnLMSv_pNVfRu7j7hcQpPJCrvsNbkK6nR81GfJQxWgE5RWxUrwLDmzehdh9wA6k1_tkLBEAFMDnwZjxM0FG2IvPUOalHAA4X2QtGTI2HM/s1600/CityMapper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1070" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDh3SQLyGVhTQeJnh2E20UAETlEZnPnUz8aPnLMSv_pNVfRu7j7hcQpPJCrvsNbkK6nR81GfJQxWgE5RWxUrwLDmzehdh9wA6k1_tkLBEAFMDnwZjxM0FG2IvPUOalHAA4X2QtGTI2HM/s320/CityMapper.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CityMapper Minibus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Electric scooters, including being used in <a href="https://www.cityscoot.eu/en-savoir-plus/?lang=en" target="_blank">sharing business models</a></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDjGkjQ-1g60SquCZMN1wMkQehM-YINcmuAqCsKazw-xv8Put6DZNA-MC-a8c6DNVhIh6X0dv0kVvi7yotSrnVQMVe7YeJABiX208maeiUTVyJqq1QXAI84Brv3zlwLy3ewZRfM3xS94/s1600/9-gogoro-2-offroad-rr45+EV+Scooter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDjGkjQ-1g60SquCZMN1wMkQehM-YINcmuAqCsKazw-xv8Put6DZNA-MC-a8c6DNVhIh6X0dv0kVvi7yotSrnVQMVe7YeJABiX208maeiUTVyJqq1QXAI84Brv3zlwLy3ewZRfM3xS94/s320/9-gogoro-2-offroad-rr45+EV+Scooter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gogoro 2 (offroad version)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, as cities become ever louder voices in supporting innovative mobility solutions to combat air pollution, I'd be surprised if we don't start to see a lot more <b>tram systems</b> being built in cities, and perhaps even the <a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring/return-trolleybus" target="_blank">trolleybus</a> will return?</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Modularity of vehicle design</b> seems likely, allowing a vehicle to be 'right-sized' for a particular time of day. However, this will take a few different forms:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Allow the physical joining or <a href="http://freightinthecity.com/2017/05/man-db-schenker-use-truck-platooning-real-world-distribution-work-next-spring/" target="_blank"><b>sensor-based 'platooning'</b></a> of vehicles travelling on the same route to travel in a 'chain', 'disconnecting' as they branch-off to their final destination</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An individual vehicle made of <a href="http://jalopnik.com/there-should-be-modular-cars-that-can-do-anything-1689917124" target="_blank">modular core components</a>, allowing for example, an extra row of seats, or additional storage to be added</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Autonomous vehicles</b> are coming, with most manufacturers promising at least one model by 2020/21. I am expecting a split though:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A.) the technology and user experience that allows passengers to avoid driving all together, perhaps exploiting super-fast internet access to watch entertainment, do work, or even keep fit on the move</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">B.) less intrusive autonomous driving capabilities, which do not detract from the enjoyment of driving, but enhance it, whilst providing the option to communicate with other autonomous vehicles and improve occupant safety</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's rightly a focus on exhaust emissions from vehicles, and of course EV powertrains will prevent that. However, one of the 'elephants in the room' is that there's significant energy involved in manufacturing the vehicle in the first place. As society moves from individual ownership to shared fleets, we should see increasing focus on <b>extending the life, durability and maintenance of vehicles</b>, with</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sensors to monitor all aspects of vehicle health remotely, to support preventative maintenance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Modularity / ease of disassembly to allow damaged components to be swapped-out</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simple battery swap-outs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use of remanufactured parts, whilst retaining (or exceeding) existing warranties</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Safety features meaning a step-change reduction in accidents</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mobility Ecosystem (including Vehicle to Infrastructure - V2I)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I expect to see a significant increase in the ways vehicles interact with the environment within which they are operating. There are some barriers to this, including the need for common standards, data privacy and cyber-security, but some concepts are very likely to gain traction, as the 'Internet of Things' (IoT) starts to create the 'smart city' of the future:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Traffic signal integration</b>. Essentially an evolution of existing sensors which can detect traffic queuing at red lights, interaction between the approaching vehicle and lights will help smooth traffic through an area, much like what <a href="https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/2016/08/audi-announces-first-vehicle-to-infrastructure-service" target="_blank">Audi have trialled in the US</a>. Prioritisation could be made to the emergency services, or perhaps even those that pay a premium?</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tUf4WIB0HMMrFftippcGeJU2Qq3SlfO-EueP4gXUu3YGtJK_QrSPSMXVarw2elSLYIKej2-60Urd1kgcyyrUN6yHzguHaL8UDhxi4d5UVx2vQFuaBPc_5dLh9N3hjH9lYXsYZZBC9Xw/s1600/news-2016-audi-tli-vegas-4-lr+Traffic+Light+Integration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tUf4WIB0HMMrFftippcGeJU2Qq3SlfO-EueP4gXUu3YGtJK_QrSPSMXVarw2elSLYIKej2-60Urd1kgcyyrUN6yHzguHaL8UDhxi4d5UVx2vQFuaBPc_5dLh9N3hjH9lYXsYZZBC9Xw/s320/news-2016-audi-tli-vegas-4-lr+Traffic+Light+Integration.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi's V2I traffic-light integration</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Street light integration</b>. Even with LED luminaries, street light costs are significant - yet often unused roads are being lit. It's straightforward to detect upcoming traffic (or pedestrians) and turn on lights, only when required.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Street light EV charging</b>. With the need for a significant rollout of public EV charging points, allowing <a href="https://www.zap-map.com/london-street-lights-converted-to-ev-charge-points-for-trial/" target="_blank">vehicles to plug into street lights</a> seems like a pragmatic approach to take. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5wI9lke9LIYpmXy5dfKgjvY_J5gLx5YfexQ2HXg_s5d4KFGJ_Sg6imfV5OE7EWa2BoegHSkAUsy1NcDUSBrKkeIFS3-7ZbdXqZ3DSAg6XEz7x92SP2bFxNhdsUGGPnbUel3uRYDuwVg/s1600/london-street-lights-converted-9c26e4b5+EV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="580" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5wI9lke9LIYpmXy5dfKgjvY_J5gLx5YfexQ2HXg_s5d4KFGJ_Sg6imfV5OE7EWa2BoegHSkAUsy1NcDUSBrKkeIFS3-7ZbdXqZ3DSAg6XEz7x92SP2bFxNhdsUGGPnbUel3uRYDuwVg/s320/london-street-lights-converted-9c26e4b5+EV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Charging an EV via a street light in London, UK</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Smart parking. </b>As a precursor to autonomous vehicles being able to park themselves to charge, we are going to see a proliferation of 'smart parking' solutions. These will help drivers find, reserve and pay for parking spaces, with costs determined by factors like day of week, time, and local traffic and weather conditions. As around 30% of drivers in urban areas are actively looking for a parking space, this has a huge opportunity to reduce congestion and air pollution. A virtuous circle could exist where redundant car parks could be converted to green spaces, helping improve air quality further.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Vehicle to Home (V2H) / Grid (V2G).</b> A charged Electric Vehicle is portable energy storage - potentially an important asset to the local electricity grid operator, especially when aggregated across a fleet. We will start to see incumbent energy suppliers and new aggregators offering incentives for vehicles to be charged (or not charged) at certain locations and times. And within the home too, a connected EV could act as battery storage to store excess generation from solar panels, and conversely used to power the home at night.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dynamic Wireless EV Charging</b>. After a recent successful trial by <a href="http://media.renault.com/global/en-gb/renault/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=91420" target="_blank">Renault and Qualcomm</a>, we may start to see charging of electric vehicles whilst they are travelling, eliminating the need for static EV charging points. More generally, inductive charging will grow, removing the hassle of managing burdensome EV cables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dynamic Road Pricing</b>. Road charging today is relatively crude, either tolls on stretches of road, or charging zones. In the near future, we will start to see more innovative charging models, based on other factors, such as the number of occupants, which powertrain mode is used, local air quality, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Smart-ready Roads</b>. Autonomous vehicle technology relies on clear road markings and signs. We are starting to see <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151--412752--,00.html" target="_blank">trials of smarter roads</a>, surely an important prerequisite to facilitate the safe transition to fully autonomous fleets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Inter-modal Integration</b>. With superfast connectivity and big-data solutions, there isn't an excuse now for better integration between different modes of transport. Expect to see boundaries continuing to blur between public and private transport, with incumbents and start-ups offering a seamless experience between rail, road and river, with integrated ticketing systems, timetables (or on-demand), and route optimisation. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/6/11612766/deutsche-bahn-german-autonomous-car-public-transit-railway" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Deutshe Bahn</a> are looking at providing on-demand last-mile autonomous vehicle pickups from train stations, for example.</span></li>
</ul>
<h4>
</h4>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
<br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regulation</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, it's worth noting the local, regional and national governments, law-enforcement agencies and standards bodies will have an important role to support this rapid change. The following areas will be of particular interest:</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Managing the transition away from diesel (and perhaps petrol too), with changes required to support scrappage of vehicles, vehicle excise duty, support for dwindling fuel retail outlets, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ensuring compatibility and quality standards for EV charging points</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Rules' for autonomous vehicles, e.g. how should they behave given the choice between crashing into another car, or hitting a pedestrian?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How best the insurance industry should evolve to support autonomous vehicles and sharing business models</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cyber-security and protection of personal data</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Protecting the electricity distribution grid from additional supply and demand spikes caused by EV charging and V2G/V2H models</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Supporting peer-to-peer EV chargepoint models, considering safety of vehicles and users</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Competition rules, as incumbent vehicle manufacturers, and energy suppliers/distributors may exploit a potentially dominant position</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EV battery re-use and ultimate disposal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vehicle design and manufacturing standards to support the circular economy, including quality of remanufactured parts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Protecting customers if finance houses (e.g. from car manufacturers) have over-exposed themselves to risk with diesel depreciation (most private vehicles are bought on PCP in the UK)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regulation and standards to support new 'smart city' solutions, like dynamic road pricing, smart parking and traffic light integration</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The decarbonisation of public transport, and allowing new service entrants to challenge the incumbents with innovation business models (i.e. opening-up monopolistic routes to competition)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Support for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Further promotion of safer cycling</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Standards for inter-modal ticketing solutions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Skills training for professional drivers, who may see their roles being taken-over by autonomous vehicles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Managing our skies (and underground?) - supporting drones for deliveries and movement of people</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To summarise then, we're about to enter an unparalleled level of change in how people and goods move between places. If we get this right, we'll be moving around in a much cleaner environment, more quickly arriving at our destination, and turning wasteful commute time into productive, creative, social experiences. Exciting times indeed...</span></div>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-17243965359813377682017-02-16T22:14:00.004+00:002017-05-29T13:11:31.361+01:00London's Air Pollution - Tactical Fixes?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As air pollution in cities continues to make headlines and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38506735" target="_blank">health impacts become clearer</a>, national governments and cities are <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38980510" target="_blank">under pressure</a> to introduce new regulations. There are of course a large range of options in the regulator's tool-box, from congestion charging </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); white-space: pre-wrap;">(e.g. </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39001734" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #8c68cb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">London's upcoming T-Charge</a><span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and tailpipe emission regulations, through to incentives to promote vehicle sharing or </span><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/madrid-spain-capital-car-ban-temporary-air-pollution-levels-rise-a7500741.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">temporarily banning certain vehicle registrations</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Specific 'anti-diesel' measures are also emerging (e.g. </span><a href="https://www.westminster.gov.uk/trial-diesel-based-parking-surcharge-low-emission-neighbourhood" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">parking surcharge in Westminster Council, UK</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">), as a broader appreciation of impacts from carbon, NOx and particulate emissions is understood. And technological innovations will continue to provide solutions, from powertrain advances, to '</span><a href="http://whimapp.com/uk/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Mobility as a Service</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">' propositions and </span><a href="https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/2016/12/audi-launches-vehicle-to-infrastructure-tech-in-vegas" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">V2I solutions</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">UK's capital, London, is far from immune from air pollution, in fact it's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/06/london-breaches-toxic-air-pollution-limit-for-2017-in-just-five-days" target="_blank">breaching all sorts of limits</a>. It's also where I work, with part of my regular commute being between Waterloo, over towards the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JI7bqTEwSIa1FpJuVUPUcdYJRR8-SPnCGHi6rmXmrr9w7bBif1Xc-OfNKCL7KtTSbEftRswTxI1EiJ7ArGW08cefhfyUiEt026J2Y5UpLItPwCcVasWf6iq8Ab4HWcWNuuCv-qQhCh8/s1600/St+Pauls+Cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JI7bqTEwSIa1FpJuVUPUcdYJRR8-SPnCGHi6rmXmrr9w7bBif1Xc-OfNKCL7KtTSbEftRswTxI1EiJ7ArGW08cefhfyUiEt026J2Y5UpLItPwCcVasWf6iq8Ab4HWcWNuuCv-qQhCh8/s320/St+Pauls+Cathedral.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">St. Paul's Cathedral, London</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are plenty of ways to get between these two parts of London - all of them (except taxi) being relatively sustainable - Santander Cycle Hire, the Electric-powered 521 bus, the underground tube, or my choice - walking.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B4K8ZeMX3Iu2nIDfUJfLlRFBt3UVdtfK6T9WePuYl1MPKujhepVy5mDzPhold75QbmJriwpmW85QDYicAGNRhwc5rrenuh8Z6Ac09b3sL7bbYi8jJxLikOIDJSrAebVb63-y3CS9aqw/s1600/Pollution+-+521+Electric+BYD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B4K8ZeMX3Iu2nIDfUJfLlRFBt3UVdtfK6T9WePuYl1MPKujhepVy5mDzPhold75QbmJriwpmW85QDYicAGNRhwc5rrenuh8Z6Ac09b3sL7bbYi8jJxLikOIDJSrAebVb63-y3CS9aqw/s320/Pollution+-+521+Electric+BYD.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A BYD Electric Bus on the 521 route in London, 15th Feb 2017</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKXVa1fv3ALDvWz28D_Rhhu4__lLBqK1i5jWOQPvyKcmq3wg0OiUXhCN9L2M0TMdfaDqFdlLnM107QENLRZRCwTJM9VGl2y1K_5rCMUdLyx67bHb0SY6aZ3LwQXoTjkvTv87YWdAsvo8/s1600/Pollution+-+Santander+Cycle+Hire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKXVa1fv3ALDvWz28D_Rhhu4__lLBqK1i5jWOQPvyKcmq3wg0OiUXhCN9L2M0TMdfaDqFdlLnM107QENLRZRCwTJM9VGl2y1K_5rCMUdLyx67bHb0SY6aZ3LwQXoTjkvTv87YWdAsvo8/s320/Pollution+-+Santander+Cycle+Hire.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London's cycle hire scheme, 16th Feb 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, none of these sustainable forms of transport mean the user is immune to air pollution (in fact, perhaps surprisingly, it's </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38969190" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">particular bad on the underground</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">). Whilst Sadiq Khan (The Mayor of London) continues his focus on shaping strategic interventions, below I've outlined three relatively simple tactical things, which might improve things in London just a little...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the three simple steps I'd consider:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Update the Routemaster timetables to avoid peak times</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tourists and Londoners alike love our classic Routemaster buses, so it was great to see them reinstated on 'Heritage routes' in 2005. Since July 2014, they only serve Route 15 (<a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/15/" target="_blank">between Trafalgar Square and Blackwall</a>).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW3GN2tfoEuu4iO1ltBZQ1LFsFSp6u_CEoZkd3vVmSCuZeJVocrEaZyU5cuNUNMydOTvnL-_V9qaOCF7COeTsadUu-eBnrugGx-lvh_7rvNkAO7rhwhGvxnOxJURWXV2lV35Fnz25E80/s1600/Pollution+-+Routemaster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW3GN2tfoEuu4iO1ltBZQ1LFsFSp6u_CEoZkd3vVmSCuZeJVocrEaZyU5cuNUNMydOTvnL-_V9qaOCF7COeTsadUu-eBnrugGx-lvh_7rvNkAO7rhwhGvxnOxJURWXV2lV35Fnz25E80/s320/Pollution+-+Routemaster.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Routemaster Bus on Route 15, London, 15th Feb 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although they've been refurbished since being originally built, they certainly aren't using cutting-edge powertrain technology - and are often stuck in congestion, with engines running. On the assumption that these buses are some of the least emissions-friendly running in London, should timetables be updated, so they only run when there is less likelihood of traffic jams? Or should they be taken off the roads altogether? Longer-term, hopefully a <a href="http://blog.cumminsengines.com/2016/06/23/iconic-london-red-double-decker-bus-goes-green-with-cummins/" target="_blank">Euro VI compliant Cummins engine</a> could mean their emissions can be reduced dramatically.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Discourage drivers leaving engines idling at traffic lights</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In England, leaving an engine idling whilst parked is actually <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2002/0110423887" target="_blank">illegal</a>, but doesn't apply when waiting at traffic lights or in a traffic jam. However, for a large number of London's roads during rush hour, cars are only inching forwards over a period of minutes, with engines left on. Start-stop technology means this is not a problem for some new cars, but the vast majority of cars, vans and lorries on London's roads today don't yet benefit from this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Blackfriars+Bridge/@51.5097074,-0.1065963,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x487604ad954d31a7:0x4e26b9c44832a446!8m2!3d51.5097041!4d-0.1044023" target="_blank">Blackfriar's Bridge</a> Northbound in the morning as an example. Whilst cyclists, buses and walkers continue unhindered, the rest of the traffic can be stuck in traffic for an extended period.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDyoNnvbN2g7qEMYl5G_BoE-7QH4msxOzEfO1WVP0TplhZZJXnDVkmVjaCGmQ5oOY3PYSv_nXwu0lxEMeUME-CxqFYdChkSd7Ohs4Y1LenSVH_ItOGRts2hpOBRyiyKWXyy0Hemo-yvw/s1600/Pollution+-+Blackfriar%2527s+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDyoNnvbN2g7qEMYl5G_BoE-7QH4msxOzEfO1WVP0TplhZZJXnDVkmVjaCGmQ5oOY3PYSv_nXwu0lxEMeUME-CxqFYdChkSd7Ohs4Y1LenSVH_ItOGRts2hpOBRyiyKWXyy0Hemo-yvw/s320/Pollution+-+Blackfriar%2527s+Bridge.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A queue of traffic Northbound over Blackfriar's Bridge, London, February 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A cost-effective 'nudge' might be to erect signs on the lamposts (helpfully next to the driver's windows in the centre of the bridge) asking drivers to switch off whilst queuing. How else could behavioural change be used to make switching engines off the 'social norm'?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Adapt taxi ranks to be on downward slopes</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst we wait for taxis to have <a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/98450/new-2017-london-taxi-more-details-of-cleaner-tx5-hybrid-revealed" target="_blank">hybrid powertrains</a>, taxi ranks are currently full of diesel-powered taxis, nudging forwards every few moments, as a new passenger at the front of the queue heads-off (often to pay for the privilege of being stuck in traffic around the corner). It would take a bit of re-positioning, or some adaptations, but wouldn't a downward sloping taxi rank mean the engines could be left off, allowing drivers to move forwards without the engine being on?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggey5gF2D3USE68jFmzN7vuwiRtLou_DJCQ7XVr90vgCRTOwDa5-BPKMgGyngNaFSSrFbTf0EitOylxBRPml5XSb7My5H2tDiSSlg0CgZTZpb1fQEtGYoQbmibRFulzcCPg5XACAZAFHg/s1600/Pollution+-+Taxi+Ranks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggey5gF2D3USE68jFmzN7vuwiRtLou_DJCQ7XVr90vgCRTOwDa5-BPKMgGyngNaFSSrFbTf0EitOylxBRPml5XSb7My5H2tDiSSlg0CgZTZpb1fQEtGYoQbmibRFulzcCPg5XACAZAFHg/s320/Pollution+-+Taxi+Ranks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The front of the (very long) taxi rank at Waterloo Station, London, 15th Feb 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images © Richard Waters </span><br />
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-20266608319289249302016-09-30T18:19:00.004+01:002016-09-30T20:01:20.720+01:00Paris Motor Show 2016 - Sustainability Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Paris Motor Show (Mondial De L’Automobile) may not have attracted all of the big automotive brands, but even so, from a sustainability perspective, it may just mark the tipping-point where the electric vehicle becomes a realistic proposition for mass market consumers, with several key launches outlined below. For a few years now, I have been writing about sustainability-related news from the <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/search/label/Mobility" target="_blank">motorshow circuit</a>, and the majority of stories a have been about hybrid powertrains entering into most model lineups. It's therefore really exciting to see the growing dominance of pure-electric solutions, with traditional barriers of range anxiety and availability of charging points reducing. Ironically, <u>'Dieselgate' may be one of the most successful catalysts in society's transition towards sustainable mobility</u>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As an aside, we are also seeing some fundamental shifts in business models for the whole industry, with the previously aspirational concept of car ownership being challenged. New technology using autonomous fleets will introduce a blur between private and public transport. It's actually at another venue in Paris where some of this is being explored and showcased, at the <a href="http://www.autonomy.paris/en/" target="_blank">Autonomy Festival of Urban Mobility</a>. But manufacturers are starting to respond slowly, but surely, leaving an interesting mix of OEMs and startups vying for the same revenue streams.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the cars...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/instance/ko.xhtml?oid=13886650" target="_blank">Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a potential competitor to Tesla's Model X (and an electric Jaguar F-Pace), Mercedes have introduced an all-wheel drive electric concept car, called 'Generation EQ'. A range of 500km is touted, with a power output of up to 300kW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact, Generation EQ is heralding a new electric sub-brand, EQ, which stands for 'Electric Intelligence'. Additionally, a newly announced sub-division called <a href="http://www.daimler.com/innovation/specials/electric-mobility/case.html" target="_blank">CASE</a> (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) will hopefully herald a raft of sustainable innovation.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jVEW6sgNDHGV6LJeCk4NI5Z_-omciQf0XbzyEq1Lf0nnFqAIBenjX9-rlDM_vP3U53WjYMX6J1M3XdjkwA0BGC8oSi0EOAvKy3YE1CHQ3Z0HDw3dyqaqLc84KyKEL666nf4Qwb84VcE/s1600/Mercedes+EQ+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jVEW6sgNDHGV6LJeCk4NI5Z_-omciQf0XbzyEq1Lf0nnFqAIBenjX9-rlDM_vP3U53WjYMX6J1M3XdjkwA0BGC8oSi0EOAvKy3YE1CHQ3Z0HDw3dyqaqLc84KyKEL666nf4Qwb84VcE/s320/Mercedes+EQ+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.opel.com/media/intl/en/opel/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/intl/en/2016/opel/08-24-ampera-e-world-premiere-paris.html" target="_blank"><b>Opel Ampera-e</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although not destined for the UK, the Ampera-e is launching in Europe with an impressive range, ahead of some of its competitors. Its US sibling is the Chevrolet Bolt, and the stats are impressive, with an 150kW motor offering-up 50kph in 3.2s, and range of 222 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzudAVOUhImbc5kv413hUglyg3eHETovWBXfkhE_iXSUfz3XHzI8-LCLZ5mzbXR-OXrsTW4sVwymKYTNcVt1Sc5ed3trEDNjFionF04tVA4YEeF4YSFuExbC1mHXUYHMyOuXwYTEvX64/s1600/Opel+Ampera-E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzudAVOUhImbc5kv413hUglyg3eHETovWBXfkhE_iXSUfz3XHzI8-LCLZ5mzbXR-OXrsTW4sVwymKYTNcVt1Sc5ed3trEDNjFionF04tVA4YEeF4YSFuExbC1mHXUYHMyOuXwYTEvX64/s320/Opel+Ampera-E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Opel Ampera-e</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.renault.com/global/en-gb/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=83191" target="_blank"><b>Renault Zoe Q90</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Renault Zoe has been upgraded, with a 41kWh battery offering 250 miles of range (somewhat less for 'real world' conditions), all helping to alleviate range anxiety.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92sHFzPtbPYDjP1gvoOWZbWpdqScYxFqrRrSAdMPa15pUJ7q6eXPe1bx_Pck1Ysap-VeY6UFLpoxdvDJyDhhW7c7L4L1f3NwtoDh5LQR0rz7yyinEF_VAbrk_YvHNTwwW3zMXWf_QEHs/s1600/Renault+Zoe+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92sHFzPtbPYDjP1gvoOWZbWpdqScYxFqrRrSAdMPa15pUJ7q6eXPe1bx_Pck1Ysap-VeY6UFLpoxdvDJyDhhW7c7L4L1f3NwtoDh5LQR0rz7yyinEF_VAbrk_YvHNTwwW3zMXWf_QEHs/s320/Renault+Zoe+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Renault Zoe</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://press.renault.co.uk/pressRelease.aspx?articleId=31c5b90b-de31-424e-8bec-8e17939b5dc2" target="_blank">Renault Trezor</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Renault have launched the sensual Trezor ("Treasure") at Paris, with a 260kW motor, helping the 2-seat 4.7m long GT get to 62mph in less than 4 seconds.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOQorHCZ-7-HK4pt31kwgQHuEBy7TJpVVV5IFnSVwS0BnIFLaA0bP6DzipP-OS0HwhkThwUzNfuowuyzFIibGUvNIIJb75eZwCX6s1L1_CxNhmuizfYy_VrTVyENFgel2WZ2NR5o_pqI/s1600/Renault+Trezor_Concept+Paris+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOQorHCZ-7-HK4pt31kwgQHuEBy7TJpVVV5IFnSVwS0BnIFLaA0bP6DzipP-OS0HwhkThwUzNfuowuyzFIibGUvNIIJb75eZwCX6s1L1_CxNhmuizfYy_VrTVyENFgel2WZ2NR5o_pqI/s320/Renault+Trezor_Concept+Paris+2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Renault Trezor</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/paris/smart-electric-drive-paris/world-premiere-for-the-fourth-generation-smart-electric-drive/" target="_blank"><b>Smart Electric Drive</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due for a European launch in early 2017, the three sibling models (fortwo, forfour and fortwo cabrio) will offer compact electric city driving. A 17.6kWh battery and 60kW motor will offer a range of around 155km. Although the non-petrol versions have been around for a while, they haven't had a huge success. However, when clean electric power is combined with urban car-sharing schemes, you could see it as a really potent mobility solution for our cities. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QoEnKQjS6LmuYuukeovwq5RZmr3DhvDHogMI-yCvUiUAHKEge_K1OrFFWd6KwEeS4vTU9YJ4XhVNF75PL54jgqKjFt66HriFU5Irqeh12qUHkxL-zKTlFDMtzV4RCEfDGsQyYpfY1uU/s1600/Smart+Electric+Drive+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QoEnKQjS6LmuYuukeovwq5RZmr3DhvDHogMI-yCvUiUAHKEge_K1OrFFWd6KwEeS4vTU9YJ4XhVNF75PL54jgqKjFt66HriFU5Irqeh12qUHkxL-zKTlFDMtzV4RCEfDGsQyYpfY1uU/s320/Smart+Electric+Drive+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Smart fortwo cabrio electric drive</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.vw.com/release/1279/" target="_blank">Volkswagen I.D.</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to be launched in 2020, the VW Golf sized I.D. is part of VW's strategic response to 'dieselgate', and part of the stated ambition to have sold a million EVs by 2025.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The I.D. has a retractable steering-wheel, so it's out of the way when used autonomously in 'I.D. Pilot mode' (likely to be supported from 2025). The 125kW electric motor has a range from 249 miles (potentially more with different battery configurations).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'll expect to see a similar 'design language' echoed in a wide variety of EVs from VW in the future...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YaXKvIPSCLyF-xPVJHD1yTbBNTlODLLW6wskzwwhx2BzelCSSIyYVGcbN-djLe6OnB8wlkdEyEzcaZqnBlx5BmRiEVUsWEgZ4ujPSlLEIHxDAZEMFfFhyphenhyphentrETESf23_zDtsaTRhvQAs/s1600/volkswagen_showcar_id_6546+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YaXKvIPSCLyF-xPVJHD1yTbBNTlODLLW6wskzwwhx2BzelCSSIyYVGcbN-djLe6OnB8wlkdEyEzcaZqnBlx5BmRiEVUsWEgZ4ujPSlLEIHxDAZEMFfFhyphenhyphentrETESf23_zDtsaTRhvQAs/s320/volkswagen_showcar_id_6546+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">VW I.D.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were some nice hybrid concepts too - here's a couple:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://int-media.citroen.com/en/citro%C3%ABn/mod%C3%A8les/concept-cars/cxperience-concept/cxperience-concept-exceptional-experience-citro%C3%ABn#prettyPhoto" target="_blank">Citroen CXPERIENCE</a></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhQPmFLVNBQreQEEOFo9RsBLI-QCV3cvajWEyNwJs32zZztYNcOoMD0H6dGsZeNeL6K8P-ziXQ3STq-vX_g9ayOpqNDEOTxDYOOczS9gHrd59NqPvyA4AJ8tqleH-10QY1RNVHkx88TE/s1600/Citroen+Cxperience+Concept+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhQPmFLVNBQreQEEOFo9RsBLI-QCV3cvajWEyNwJs32zZztYNcOoMD0H6dGsZeNeL6K8P-ziXQ3STq-vX_g9ayOpqNDEOTxDYOOczS9gHrd59NqPvyA4AJ8tqleH-10QY1RNVHkx88TE/s320/Citroen+Cxperience+Concept+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citroen CXPERIENCE (concept)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.mitsubishi-media.co.uk/release/1310/" target="_blank">Mitsubishi GT PHEV</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClj1ZzKxx3XfAs7rPQxB6NkfUj2LQ-mvbhYDNsq8NfwwWrQ07HEz4qLglaBVpusAkF-_VIFwKbjT501bZhGXF6pbr6RXyXn4Eq9U0JUTBe871cU5Vk1M45V7WT5glbOkOYVHj6-Z3rF8/s1600/Mitsubishi-GT-PHEV-Concept+Paris+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClj1ZzKxx3XfAs7rPQxB6NkfUj2LQ-mvbhYDNsq8NfwwWrQ07HEz4qLglaBVpusAkF-_VIFwKbjT501bZhGXF6pbr6RXyXn4Eq9U0JUTBe871cU5Vk1M45V7WT5glbOkOYVHj6-Z3rF8/s320/Mitsubishi-GT-PHEV-Concept+Paris+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mitsubishi GT PHEV</span><br />
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-80113919038583194982016-07-24T13:42:00.000+01:002016-07-27T15:01:38.478+01:00"Tesla Master Plan - Part Deux" - initial reflections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier this week, Elon Musk released his second </span><a href="https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/blog/master-plan-part-deux" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10 year Master Plan</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, outlining his strategy to help deliver Tesla's Mission of "accelerating the advent of sustainable energy". By bringing <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/22/business/dealbook/tesla-solarcity-elon-musk.html?_r=1" target="_blank">SolarCity and Tesla together</a>, the foundation is very strong, and Elon's plan is summarised in his own words as:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage</span></em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments</span></em></span></li>
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</span>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Develop a self-driving capability that is 10X safer than manual via massive fleet learning</span></em></span></li>
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</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enable your car to make money for you when you aren't using it"</span></em> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Below, I'll outline why I believe Tesla is absolutely tackling some of the key challenges we face in order to live more sustainably - and shaking-up entire industries in the process. But I'll also outline the importance for Tesla to:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Understand what Tesla's <em>core competencies</em> are, which lead to <em>long-term competitive advantage</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Understand which parts of the <em>value chain</em> it should play an active part, versus which it should play a supporting role</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Decide whether it can continue to be an aspirational consumer brand <em>and</em> be attractive to other customers, across a breadth of propositions</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll take each of Master Plan bullets in turn and provide some thoughts - I'd welcome your feedback.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Create stunning solar roofs with seamlessly integrated battery storage</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The cost of solar PV <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/26/solar-panel-costs-predicted-to-fall-10-a-year" target="_blank">continues to plummet</a>, and despite the reduction in government subsidies in some countries, it is an increasingly attractive technology for providing reliable, clean energy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvrq5xKAQ4PkYMAFXkX2zb3KjGumgrN3Fn70GWc3ndm0K544A_l04T3A53W1KwNpJTz2mRoVmLBGww0STY4GUMDedfm1LmJdn5I1npwF166WNQo9Wslj__h8_RG6zYofL5gnxEnY_q6I/s1600/Solar+Panels+-+Linkedin+Background-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvrq5xKAQ4PkYMAFXkX2zb3KjGumgrN3Fn70GWc3ndm0K544A_l04T3A53W1KwNpJTz2mRoVmLBGww0STY4GUMDedfm1LmJdn5I1npwF166WNQo9Wslj__h8_RG6zYofL5gnxEnY_q6I/s320/Solar+Panels+-+Linkedin+Background-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Solar panels</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In isolation though, one of the constraints for residential solar is that it's often generating the most energy during the middle of the day - whilst the property may well be unoccupied. Smart appliances (e.g. washing machines, dishwashers) may go some way to better match energy supply with demand within a home (they can be scheduled), but <em>energy storage</em> is arguably more attractive, allowing energy generated during the day to be stored for use during evening peaks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZD91lbhCnBaqg5vkGsISwET9Sgo1OmVcy0uTRNNu3DiLS3IJBuMtx9cXT7ZctdY6cpcc9aW-O_5XNaqOUvrZiB3OQnK5rcbSnxVUyyg5CxfYY6Sse8XeStVMxfDrLe3DCVwnZ419cmo/s1600/powerwall-battery-group%25402x.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZD91lbhCnBaqg5vkGsISwET9Sgo1OmVcy0uTRNNu3DiLS3IJBuMtx9cXT7ZctdY6cpcc9aW-O_5XNaqOUvrZiB3OQnK5rcbSnxVUyyg5CxfYY6Sse8XeStVMxfDrLe3DCVwnZ419cmo/s320/powerwall-battery-group%25402x.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Powerwall</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla have released their <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/05/TeslaPowerwallTesla.html" target="_blank">Powerwall</a> and with the incorporation of SolarCity, they are looking to provide</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One
ordering experience, one installation, one service contact, one phone app". This could be a real differentiator in a fragmented market, especially with limited competition in energy storage (although the competition is coming fast, e.g. <a href="https://www.sonnen-batterie.com/en-us/sonnen-reduces-us-residential-energy-storage-system-cost-40-new-sonnenbatterie-eco-compact" target="_blank">Sonnen have just reduced their costs by 40% in the US</a>, and <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/06/DaimlerStorage.html" target="_blank">Daimler have entered the market</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some thoughts to consider though:</span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 'sexiness' of the Tesla cars appeals to buyers, and Tesla is hoping some of that magic will wear-off into domestic energy storage. However, although there may be some differentiation in phone apps and aesthetic design (but will the mass-market want to show-off batteries on the wall?), solar + storage is a relatively commoditised proposition - and it may lead to it being very price competitive. Of course, Tesla is hoping its economies of scale through the Gigafactory will help. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the Master Plan, there's no explicit mention of integrating an EV's battery in a 'Vehicle to Home' way, albeit I'd assume software could be developed for the car battery's integrity to be maintained, whilst also offering the chance to provide energy for the evening domestic peak. I </span><a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/12/VehiclesPowerFuture.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">recently wrote</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> about how Nissan (and also BMW) are trialling such a concept.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tesla with SolarCity appear to be looking to cover a large part of the value chain, from building the batteries (the cells are sourced Panasonic and Samsung), through to product design (hardware and software), installation, operations and servicing. It's unusual for a young organisation to be able to continue to maintain excellence across such a diverse range of capabilities, without exploring franchising, licensing, outsourcing, or different routes to market.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Solar and storage solutions aren't going to penetrate every household. Challenges of house ownership, inappropriate rooftops, installation inconvenience, buyer apathy, costs of technologies and local regulation are all barriers to be overcome.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Energy Storage also has significant potential in commercial buildings, industry and within the smart grid itself. It's not clear if Tesla see that as a significant route to market or not. It would help deliver economise of scale... but are Tesla/SolarCity the obvious choice of supplier for potential buyers?</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments</u></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tesla's plan was always to introduce EVs at a more affordable pricepoint than the Model S and <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/09/ModelX.html" target="_blank">Model X</a>, and with the upcoming <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2016/04/TeslaModel3.html" target="_blank">Model 3</a>, it's well on the way to achieving that - <em>if</em> it can produce at the volume and quality required. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0UjCC4jOrElY0pvtfAYVjkEzyxTdAbMTIs4jYvcbK5rXuwP1JusInHu9WPVce00xYOticcvgEGEPkRbOZXY-3o662Gn1XVUa3HyFsD2alJXvsZK25sTwroZd-p37NJyECSHhe9ABGVA/s1600/Teslamodel-s-photo-gallery-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0UjCC4jOrElY0pvtfAYVjkEzyxTdAbMTIs4jYvcbK5rXuwP1JusInHu9WPVce00xYOticcvgEGEPkRbOZXY-3o662Gn1XVUa3HyFsD2alJXvsZK25sTwroZd-p37NJyECSHhe9ABGVA/s320/Teslamodel-s-photo-gallery-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Model S</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW3kCwvrm_J5ksTF36if1xf0FlcUDg6bIjCrMm0hpcnR7HPqrOl7_GBVrT5lINnBMeFWNPM5AYvUV7a_cOoO6-SRL2F9jG196dYmXksYw4aciAayVnFrshCYD-c6yQZW15qwhHG6UkME/s1600/Tesla+Model+X+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW3kCwvrm_J5ksTF36if1xf0FlcUDg6bIjCrMm0hpcnR7HPqrOl7_GBVrT5lINnBMeFWNPM5AYvUV7a_cOoO6-SRL2F9jG196dYmXksYw4aciAayVnFrshCYD-c6yQZW15qwhHG6UkME/s320/Tesla+Model+X+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Model X</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">As well as a suggestion of an electric-powered pickup truck (a popular format in North America, but not in Europe), and a more compact SUV, the latest Master Plan aims to tackle two other areas - mass-transit, and freight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><em>Mass transit ("high passenger-density urban transport")</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With air pollution a growing problem in cities, and the need for shared transport to have a growing role to help tackle congestion, EV-powered urban transport must be part of the solution for future smart cities. In fact, some manufacturers already have solutions (e.g. <a href="http://www.byd.com/la/auto/ebus.html" target="_blank">BYD</a>) and there are also <a href="http://ballard.com/power-products/motive-modules/bus/" target="_blank">hydrogen fuel cell powered</a> and <a href="http://www.wrightbusinternational.com/datasheets/Wright%20Bus%20Milton%20Keynes%20PDF.pdf" target="_blank">induction-plate charging solutions</a>. Meanwhile, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/18/self-driving-mercedes-benz-bus-takes-a-milestone-12-mile-trip/" target="_blank">Mercedes recently showcased</a> some impressive autonomous features of a bus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elon hints at potentially reducing the size of buses, and I strongly believe there is a huge opportunity there - on-demand services which sit in size between traditional scheduled buses, and ride-sharing taxi services (like <a href="https://www.uber.com/ride/uberpool/" target="_blank">Uber Pool</a>). Such 'micro-bus' services are very common in some parts of the world, and I assume it's partly regulatory barriers which prevent them being more prevalent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Smart cities must support the full breadth of shared mobility solutions, and to maximise the sustainability of travel, it may also be that light-rail, trams and trolley-buses have a growing role to play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">For Tesla's mission then, tackling 'high passenger density urban transport' is an obvious segment to go for - the question for buyers (not users) of such services, e.g. city authorities, is why Tesla?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Freight</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With freight, there's a real challenge with electrification, as batteries take-up precious space and are an additional weight to shift. <span style="color: red;">***UPDATE July 27th - Daimler have just revealed their </span><a href="http://www.truck-bus-van.com/c/fdb551dc96c361f686314ab1fde49f2b3a43931a" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">eTruck</span></a><span style="color: red;"> which seems to meet this challenge***</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpNEdirsfuA9c_6pELn8_r4GqKC86ETZ9tMvChqL25YrWOKGw8j5zlsJOkJmu7-2wzNG3LukjQB0Rra0uiv2745PnuZG86bK3OftIfXnhkLOf2d7mACKbhdT6T4l7U5b8Upvq_yGrx3o/s1600/Daimler+eTruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpNEdirsfuA9c_6pELn8_r4GqKC86ETZ9tMvChqL25YrWOKGw8j5zlsJOkJmu7-2wzNG3LukjQB0Rra0uiv2745PnuZG86bK3OftIfXnhkLOf2d7mACKbhdT6T4l7U5b8Upvq_yGrx3o/s320/Daimler+eTruck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daimler eTruck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scania have approached the task in an innovative way, with their </span><a href="https://www.scania.com/group/en/worlds-first-electric-road-opens-in-sweden/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Electric Road Trial</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - using overhead cables to provide the electricity. Other ways to move freight more sustainably are using technology to provide safe 'platooning' - conveys of lorries travelling very closely behind each other, much like a team of cyclists does. It's been <a href="http://www.its-ukreview.org/european-truck-platooning-challenge-proves-successful/" target="_blank">successfully trialled in mainland Europe</a>, and the UK Government has approved a trial there too.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYltlZ01T4R_dGV3RYrBZZyZktyRI-o_bNumze06Z0rN4dLHS1JZglCFCR_SdQj_zJToV8xvdssOIj71WwQVcxAycgwJ1omCEmqmliPQD33US6Ag3ZiYkPqZGASkbu7jprXfglu3hJaA/s1600/Scania+Electric+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYltlZ01T4R_dGV3RYrBZZyZktyRI-o_bNumze06Z0rN4dLHS1JZglCFCR_SdQj_zJToV8xvdssOIj71WwQVcxAycgwJ1omCEmqmliPQD33US6Ag3ZiYkPqZGASkbu7jprXfglu3hJaA/s320/Scania+Electric+Road.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Scania's Electric Road, Gävle, Sweden</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It will be interesting to see how Tesla tackle the freight challenge - and they've promised 'fun', which is intriguing (and terrifying) in equal measure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As well as improving the drivetrain of freight, from a sustainability perspective, there are (at least) three other approaches which would reap additional dividends:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">changing attitudes to consumerism, so less 'stuff' is travelling around to meet our insatiable needs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">modal shifts to rail and water barges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">better logistics management, using technology to share empty return legs for other products</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It will be interesting to see what Tesla has to offer in this space.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<u><strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Develop a self-driving capability that is 10X safer than manual via massive fleet learning</span></span></span></strong></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tesla have already gone to market with autonomous features ahead of the competition, with Elon arguing that, despite a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/30/tesla-autopilot-death-self-driving-car-elon-musk" target="_blank">recent tragic fatality</a>, it is safer than relying on just human input. As more miles are undertaken in autonomous modes, more learning will occur, systems refined, and safer roads will become a reality. Most manufacturers are citing around 2020/21 for having autonomous vehicles available, and there's an acknowledgement that regulation may take a while longer. So Tesla continue to push boundaries, not without its risks, but perhaps ultimately helping us all to travel safer (and more sustainably).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwZYpe3So9Hu8eqVKLDjtecJTDacWmpZ00wLieGB0IMNbnyXeZwNuaOVejhyphenhyphenciPFa_RS7oNFJPGaR7KmYCbEkZ0ZuIFqmQSEr9IFeBKyf8tjgD_W_4AZ_zNU2b4IsPe5jw2hw2QWk5Xg/s1600/Tesla+slide-dashboard_us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwZYpe3So9Hu8eqVKLDjtecJTDacWmpZ00wLieGB0IMNbnyXeZwNuaOVejhyphenhyphenciPFa_RS7oNFJPGaR7KmYCbEkZ0ZuIFqmQSEr9IFeBKyf8tjgD_W_4AZ_zNU2b4IsPe5jw2hw2QWk5Xg/s320/Tesla+slide-dashboard_us.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">One of the interesting reflections for the Tesla brand and autonomy beyond the early adopters is how to manage the tension between giving an amazing driving experience for the enthusiastic driver, versus providing autonomous features, allowing the 'driver' to just be another passenger. I sense long-term that brands, customers, ownership and business models will not happily straddle both. Interestingly, <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-audi-strategy-idUKKCN1030AP" target="_blank">Audi have just announced a new subsidiary, SDS</a>, for developing its autonomous vehicles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><u>Enable your car to make money for you when you aren't using it </u></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've always been a huge fan of the 'sharing economy' (or 'collaborative consumption' to give it an alternative term). From a sustainability perspective, it 'maximises the utilisation of a physical asset', or in simple terms, lets other people use something when the owner doesn't need it, allowing the owner to make some money in the process. AirBnB has taken shared accommodation by storm, and there are plenty of <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2014/12/CarShare.html" target="_blank">mobility business models</a> already - car sharing (e.g. ZipCar), ride hailing (e.g. Uber) and lift sharing (e.g. Lyft). Incumbent automotive manufacturers like BMW are getting directly involved too, and in fact GM's first autonomous car will be electric - and <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/gms-first-autonomous-car-will-be-electric-and-launch-on-lyft-2016-7" target="_blank">launched via ride-sharing platform Lyft</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tesla's proposal for car sharing seems to be two-fold:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">"You will also be able to add your car to the Tesla shared fleet just by tapping a button on the Tesla phone app and have it generate income for you while you're at work or on vacation"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"In cities where demand exceeds the supply of customer-owned cars, Tesla will operate its own fleet, ensuring you can always hail a ride from us no matter where you are."</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From a sustainability perspective, Tesla is right to acknowledge the trend, and like other manufacturers, should look to make its vehicles as reliable and easily-repairable as possible to support the increased utilisation car-sharing demands. However, I do struggle a little to see what this will look like in reality. Some of the challenges include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Would a proud Tesla owner who enjoys the driving experience of their Tesla really want to run the risk of strangers driving their car?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Insurance liabilities are already complex once autonomous capabilities are introduced into vehicles. But when an owner then shares such a vehicle with a stranger who may not be familiar with the car, it's even more challenging. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">Although I could see third-party ride-sharing companies (or cities themselves) running Tesla vehicles in their fleet, the additional overhead of Tesla managing the local operational challenges of its own fleet seems optimistic.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Summary</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elon Musk's vision and ability to execute is unique, and should be applauded. He's absolutely right to stretch the role that electrification has in mobility, and accompanied by renewable generation, helps distance critics where the carbon intensity of the electricity grid is not favourable. And i</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t's so satisfying to see such vision, leadership and investments in sustainability, helping nudge other companies to take notice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the recent Master Plan though, I am left with a few lingering thoughts:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 'sexiness' of the brand which has been so attractive to the early adopters may fade as it tackles a broader portfolio of propositions, aims for scale, and competition enters the market. What <em>is</em> Tesla's USP in the long-term, and who is the buyer?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regulatory barriers and associated enablers like insurance products may not move at the pace which Telsa needs to maintain its competitive advantage... and the emerging and established players in both automotive and energy aren't likely to let Tesla stay ahead of much longer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is Elon trying to do <em>too</em> much, rather than focus on 2 or 3 things and execute them brilliantly?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time will tell, but I hugely admire what Tesla is trying to achieve and wish Elon and the whole company every success.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-----</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images © respective owners</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-78215037681613174482016-05-02T22:03:00.000+01:002016-05-04T20:58:31.292+01:00Beijing Motor Show 2016 - Sustainability Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year's Beijing Motor Show introduces further advances in sustainability - a market segment which is no doubt going to continue to become mainstream as air pollution in China's capital continues to cause concern (see </span><a href="http://aqicn.org/city/beijing/us-embassy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for realtime figures).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the sustainability highlights by manufacturer (only some of which will be household names outside China).</span><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/auto-china-2016-audi-presents-audi-connected-mobility-concept-5969" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi Connected Mobility Concept</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tackling urban mobility is a huge challenge, and Audi has developed a new concept, which attempts to address <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aspect - the 'last mile'<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, especiall<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y where con<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gestion (or lack of parking) is a problem</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xEBqvUlyXKW60ZrY-skdqTIZ7nUh5zdGJDwNTswikkXO21P7GyW2t_dc5-1E9nB4xu7ZrETgrID6MrL-E2EPcrX3oGcMl9pgDciaQGQQ38-9bKQuytCY-xPIgjcBgXiA_ZAK9q_FU7g/s1600/Audi+Connected+Mobility+Solution+Beijing+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xEBqvUlyXKW60ZrY-skdqTIZ7nUh5zdGJDwNTswikkXO21P7GyW2t_dc5-1E9nB4xu7ZrETgrID6MrL-E2EPcrX3oGcMl9pgDciaQGQQ38-9bKQuytCY-xPIgjcBgXiA_ZAK9q_FU7g/s320/Audi+Connected+Mobility+Solution+Beijing+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Audi's Connected Mobility Concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hidden within the rear bumper of a Q3 SUV is a longboard, which is electrically powered, and charged by the ca<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r</span>. The car's sat<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-nav integrates with appointment calen<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">da<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r, and can determine if it's quicker to park the car locally and take the longboard to the final destination.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0ykQLNF1rMAwS21ZS0yGw1haXpjC7OiUouLydd0gu9yOSseKr6OlnW0hqKbRwonO95QyX6UqDoZxl57qncCr9g1ZF2hshrvP3EmTdQ2VfwZXxk5Mk-6yim8tJkojchzADcUZvVEWsw/s1600/Audi+Connected+Mobility+Solution+2+Beijing+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0ykQLNF1rMAwS21ZS0yGw1haXpjC7OiUouLydd0gu9yOSseKr6OlnW0hqKbRwonO95QyX6UqDoZxl57qncCr9g1ZF2hshrvP3EmTdQ2VfwZXxk5Mk-6yim8tJkojchzADcUZvVEWsw/s320/Audi+Connected+Mobility+Solution+2+Beijing+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Audi's longboard in action</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://www.baicintl.com/archive-news/baic-group-on-auto-china-pacesetter-of-the-automotive-industry/" target="_blank"><b>BAIC ARCFOX-7</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">BAIC Motor have introduced a new concept car, the ARCFOX-7. A 4WD system delivers a maximum speed of 260kph, and 0-100kph acceleration in less than 3 seconds.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1RxJDX68MOZvKYwQoeMm0IGLEVpA-pVGdUP7VL-ESxBx3moLPH1WRIvyWudzNKp16eyqGrSpsYfoX0XWe915Y27eA1TBPtiKJVUwXhAZXS0j3jBmPDkMENKePaWjHBbIGh5Pra3AHmI/s1600/BAIC+Beijing+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1RxJDX68MOZvKYwQoeMm0IGLEVpA-pVGdUP7VL-ESxBx3moLPH1WRIvyWudzNKp16eyqGrSpsYfoX0XWe915Y27eA1TBPtiKJVUwXhAZXS0j3jBmPDkMENKePaWjHBbIGh5Pra3AHmI/s320/BAIC+Beijing+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BAIC ARCFOX-7</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://int-media.citroen.com/en/citro%C3%ABn/marque/salons/chine/china-citro%C3%ABn-continues-its-offensive-beijing-motor-show" target="_blank">Citroën (Dongfeng) E-Elysée</a></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due in 2017 in China, an all-electric version of the C-Elysee. A Lithium-ion battery promises a 250km range, and can be charged in as little as 30 minutes.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2g7gSSCx_aiBa8W2lILh3Va9NIG7SLqOy3kYJ-rQjKebdB-NpLambCjK6KOKx0dq5ssiDw8_n-5yIYZX4o04gmZ4AP1i-OQUlArWHWGlRpfMcYNARRPPutbp3nQOoJr9W8TCUas1Jo8/s1600/citroen+e-elysee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2g7gSSCx_aiBa8W2lILh3Va9NIG7SLqOy3kYJ-rQjKebdB-NpLambCjK6KOKx0dq5ssiDw8_n-5yIYZX4o04gmZ4AP1i-OQUlArWHWGlRpfMcYNARRPPutbp3nQOoJr9W8TCUas1Jo8/s320/citroen+e-elysee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Citroen E-Elysee</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.ch-auto.com/" target="_blank">CH Auto Qiantu K50</a></b></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Chinese manufacturer Qiantu Motor (majority owned by C H Auto) have revealed their near-production K50 electric sports car (and Roadster version too). An electric motor for each axle will generate 408hp, and there should be a 300km range. It's got solar panels on the roof. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjubwnzO4fw_5UxprbUFIYYLFZvzgOiHIpoLmRRWYu_9mmiMBh2CTSAOaLuzK64LKDhfWKE7vWlKRjGMAnfdnBYZEXGTeCAi2me7g31PZoU75oFo-Sjs7WMP7WayNJQgUkBAM45NKLxvc/s1600/Qiantu+K50+Beijing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjubwnzO4fw_5UxprbUFIYYLFZvzgOiHIpoLmRRWYu_9mmiMBh2CTSAOaLuzK64LKDhfWKE7vWlKRjGMAnfdnBYZEXGTeCAi2me7g31PZoU75oFo-Sjs7WMP7WayNJQgUkBAM45NKLxvc/s320/Qiantu+K50+Beijing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Qiantu K50</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A new factory will be able to produce 50,000 clean-energy vehicles, expanding to 500,000 eventually.</span><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://media.vw.com/release/1178/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">VW are on a mission to put their 'diesel-gate' challenges behind them, and there's no better way than continue their path towards electrification. A new hybrid Touareg replacement is inevitable, and the T-Prime Concept GTE gives us a good indication of their plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0cWsjy4roZPm-P4xzvwo8UfnEizOTOjA4RhOEiLMiCAePvEWwOUA2F1fH37NHTtjmC-MM22vgfLrS1mSHZe8X7v_uV5IgRPp2wwSztn4hyIVCdy3Mg14mPIOmg5RxLRI6kDzWDZ0Xzo/s1600/VW+t-prime_concept_gte_5990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0cWsjy4roZPm-P4xzvwo8UfnEizOTOjA4RhOEiLMiCAePvEWwOUA2F1fH37NHTtjmC-MM22vgfLrS1mSHZe8X7v_uV5IgRPp2wwSztn4hyIVCdy3Mg14mPIOmg5RxLRI6kDzWDZ0Xzo/s320/VW+t-prime_concept_gte_5990.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volkswagen claim the car will have an electric-only range of 31 miles... and 87mpg using the NEDC cycle. A 14.1 kWh battery is mated to a 2.0 litre petrol engine, with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and 4 wheel drive.</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-76076247357227653112016-04-01T08:54:00.000+01:002016-04-25T20:57:51.659+01:00Tesla Model 3 - the world's most important product launch?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="article-content">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, likes his 'Apple-esque' reveals, and
overnight, he introduced the much anticipated Model 3. This is the
mass-market vehicle which was always been part of the overall plan to
make electric cars available to all.</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were reminded of the importance of Elon's mission right from the start of the event - "<em>It's very important to accelerate the move to sustainable transport</em>". There were then graphs showing how the growth of carbon emissions into the atmosphere is continuing to grow.</span><br />
<div class="article-body" dir="ltr" itemprop="articleBody">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="center" data-loading-tracked="true" height="227" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAATlAAAAJGQzMGViNmU2LTU4MDUtNDE1My04M2MwLWQ4YjhiYWEyOTI3Nw.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Record CO2 emissions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
was a reminder of the cars launched to-date (the low-volume Roadster,
followed by the premium Model S and Model X SUV) - and a reiteration
that the business strategy absolutely relied on the need for premium
models to help setup the investment into the mass-market car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="center" data-loading-tracked="true" height="217" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAATiAAAAJDk3NjhmM2QwLWY3ZWYtNDQzZC1hYWQ5LWM2NzQ0Mjc1ZGNkOA.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla's family of electric cars (Roadster, Model S, Model X, and a mysterious sheet)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
Model 3 itself is aimed squarely at mass-market, but it's probably the
German manufacturers, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz who might be most
worried (in particular the M3, S4 and AMG-lines), as "At Tesla, we don't
make slow cars".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The base model should accelerate from 0-60mph in 6 seconds, Autopilot safety features are standard, five adults can sit <em>comfortably</em>, and it's hoped to have a range of at least 200 miles. Four wheel drive will be an option, and faster models will follow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="center" data-loading-tracked="true" height="222" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAhXAAAAJGJkY2U4OTBmLWUyMjEtNDMwZi1iZmFhLWZhMGU0NWQ5ODEzZQ.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Model 3</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Additionally, Tesla is aiming to double the number of super chargers
next year, and quadruple the number of destination chargers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, all-electric vehicles provide pollution-free local air, so
they're terrific for the local air environment (in some cities,
including London, 1000's of people die prematurely from air pollution).
But, whilst the grid electricity still relies on fossil fuels, there is
still an 'elephant in the room' - the carbon emissions caused by power
generation. The good news is of course, renewables as a percentage of
generation are continuing to grow, and with the growth of energy storage
(partly due to Tesla's </span><a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/powerwall" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Powerwall</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">), we are able to use it more efficiently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, when it comes to the ability to produce all the batteries
required in the Model 3, it's reassuring to see that the Gigafactory is
coming along nicely - it will "produce more lithium-ion batteries than
all other locations put together" - and "it's operational today".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="center" data-loading-tracked="true" height="223" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrinknp_800_800/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAYqAAAAJGNmZTU3ZWVmLWU0MDctNDQwNC04ZDBmLTA5MDk2NjVhODg5ZA.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gigafactory - the largest building footprint in the world</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deliveries start in 2017, with prices from $35,000 USD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can watch the launch event at </span><a href="https://model3.tesla.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://model3.tesla.com/</span></a>.<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images / screenshots © Tesla Motors</span></div>
</div>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-14479987521756637892016-03-23T20:25:00.002+00:002016-03-25T14:57:45.484+00:00New York Motor Show 2016 - Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last year, the </span><a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/04/NewYork2015.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2015 New York International Auto Show</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> revealed a few key SUV hybrid launches - the BMW X5 xDrive40e, Lexus 450h, Mercedes GLE 500 e 4 Matic, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">This year, the <a href="http://www.autoshowny.com/" target="_blank">Auto Show</a> introduces a more modest range of vehicles which are 'sustainable'... in fact, so far, two (and I'm excluding models which have already been revealed outside US).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><strong><a href="http://www.genesisnewsusa.com/us/en/media/pressreleases/257/genesis-reveals-hybrid-sports-sedan-concept-at-new-york-international-auto-show" target="_blank">GENESIS Hybrid Sports Sedan New York Concept</a></strong></span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hyundai's luxury brand, GENESIS, has revealed a hybrid concept:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyVM1w5xHPgJGA7d8Aj4xGgGpHAupuud8dOn6-Z5z9Y8z_0Z2I0XJu_L0rj6xxMebs8Y6zK95aLXuPwGg-hrMJ6QkzsqTnjpNcsAkrbXUodxP2OeviTce5-DJIo_MjULm6KYI2Qp_wcw/s1600/GENESIS+Hybrid+Concept+NYIAS+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyVM1w5xHPgJGA7d8Aj4xGgGpHAupuud8dOn6-Z5z9Y8z_0Z2I0XJu_L0rj6xxMebs8Y6zK95aLXuPwGg-hrMJ6QkzsqTnjpNcsAkrbXUodxP2OeviTce5-DJIo_MjULm6KYI2Qp_wcw/s320/GENESIS+Hybrid+Concept+NYIAS+1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GENESIS Hybrid New York Concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Powertrain details are not available, other than a 242bhp 2.0 litre GDi engine will be used, alongside an electric motor, and 8 speed automatic transmission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2S_3p7V5QvF9A-xnYcvPlMOZInMBTHaL2xKCsILzS7H_hvmqI_yvGGRP2-qUlIU2Jh88wKlky4sQ2551Hyu7mF7qGFU2E2VrO8_YV_zMTrlH2yox9UtocImQGiVghu-zn2PPIH97KsU/s1600/GENESIS+Hybrid+Concept+NYIAS+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2S_3p7V5QvF9A-xnYcvPlMOZInMBTHaL2xKCsILzS7H_hvmqI_yvGGRP2-qUlIU2Jh88wKlky4sQ2551Hyu7mF7qGFU2E2VrO8_YV_zMTrlH2yox9UtocImQGiVghu-zn2PPIH97KsU/s320/GENESIS+Hybrid+Concept+NYIAS+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GENESIS Hybrid New York Concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong><a href="http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/nyas+toyota+prius+prime+debut.htm" target="_blank">Toyota Prius Prime (Plug-in Hybrid)</a></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it comes to future powertrains, Toyota have had more experience than anyone else, launching the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the first generation Prius, in 1997. Their new generation Prius was released last year (with its striking angles dividing opinion as ever), and in New York, they've launched the plug-in hybrid version, called 'Prime' (meaning 'best').</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uAzjKSuAhh18HS68UstaYbz-U-lpRGzvkr_-l5kUXTJZq6PnTkdwyxa2PEduZt2QlfpP71P4xUkorXFSqFnnmIpfggYjPJjqlAwSLv5On29be8TtpZOmusDfbcBx2tDETopX8O9sx_0/s1600/2017_Toyota_Prius_Prime_01_147F8488B0069894830BB5CA3B28EB2465138498_low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uAzjKSuAhh18HS68UstaYbz-U-lpRGzvkr_-l5kUXTJZq6PnTkdwyxa2PEduZt2QlfpP71P4xUkorXFSqFnnmIpfggYjPJjqlAwSLv5On29be8TtpZOmusDfbcBx2tDETopX8O9sx_0/s320/2017_Toyota_Prius_Prime_01_147F8488B0069894830BB5CA3B28EB2465138498_low.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since about 300BC, when </span><a href="http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/elements/bookIX/propIX20.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Euclid first produced evidence of there being an infinite number of prime numbers</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, there has been a fascination about prime numbers. And arguably, the numbers of the Toyota Prime are no less impressive:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">202mpg</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">32g CO2/km</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">84mph in battery-only mode</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">31 mile electric-only range, courtesy of a 8.8kWh battery</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">2 hour, 20 minute charge time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A petrol engine with 40% thermal efficiency</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here's a video from Toyota, which doesn't give any more details, but is impressive none-the-less:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BS8usnK7BrM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BS8usnK7BrM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vbS4VNhiN5OKW9zZVNqERG3bhWOSnLeHVmGOt_FjR7zy-m19YdhFes8Lgr4DUTMsy_dmnkW9QDm1A3bs81anVVwaQwFaPviZWcF3giBPs83ejt2Oka1G81mcEONmnQxtmRMzXm2XrIM/s1600/2017_Toyota_Prius_Prime_04_F64C6364D93ADA47A176EEC31F97996D849E6212_low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vbS4VNhiN5OKW9zZVNqERG3bhWOSnLeHVmGOt_FjR7zy-m19YdhFes8Lgr4DUTMsy_dmnkW9QDm1A3bs81anVVwaQwFaPviZWcF3giBPs83ejt2Oka1G81mcEONmnQxtmRMzXm2XrIM/s320/2017_Toyota_Prius_Prime_04_F64C6364D93ADA47A176EEC31F97996D849E6212_low.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, as a very blunt reminder of some US driving habits, here's a photo of the Lincoln Navigator Concept, with its 3.5L twin turbo-charged V6</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHW7S9GltNa4tQowxnvAAnj-Am0bLwcB2DhozisN-tQnsofrkQ2YKC-ddq-KzWg5FiMbvjfZcC1T4-KwidB9uz9cZFUoFQFith0ikrKLh5C9Ae64Sq3gRzcRvCPHvcyECupPVi39JwDI/s1600/LincolnNavigatorConcept_06_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHW7S9GltNa4tQowxnvAAnj-Am0bLwcB2DhozisN-tQnsofrkQ2YKC-ddq-KzWg5FiMbvjfZcC1T4-KwidB9uz9cZFUoFQFith0ikrKLh5C9Ae64Sq3gRzcRvCPHvcyECupPVi39JwDI/s320/LincolnNavigatorConcept_06_800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lincoln Navigator Concept - not so sustainable!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-7327129704958708732016-02-27T18:54:00.000+00:002016-03-02T20:12:44.932+00:00Geneva International Motor Show 2016 - Sustainability Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIikSixZhyphenhyphent0arvMeN1tjFnhI63k9eLfMpyHbilOzNQKNNii3GgRAlE3MwzwTYJGLmP0f2boXwEop8vmi-3aG_MZbV90Ks_M3ZDcX3dQR4Hb9zIHd08XC3hLmS2FypC3wJPZDzwFMZw8/s1600/Geneva+Motor+Show+2016+GIMS+logo_gims.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIikSixZhyphenhyphent0arvMeN1tjFnhI63k9eLfMpyHbilOzNQKNNii3GgRAlE3MwzwTYJGLmP0f2boXwEop8vmi-3aG_MZbV90Ks_M3ZDcX3dQR4Hb9zIHd08XC3hLmS2FypC3wJPZDzwFMZw8/s1600/Geneva+Motor+Show+2016+GIMS+logo_gims.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 86th Geneva International Motor Show gets underway in early March, and it's a key time of year for manufacturers to introduce models with the European buyer in mind. Alongside the exotica, of course there are a large number of concepts and launches which help deliver a more sustainable driving experience. Here are the sustainable highlights...</span><br />
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<b><a href="http://arashcars.com/af10/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arash AF10</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you were playing 'Top Trumps', you'd do worse than to have a card for the Arash AF10. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgynmAxXA5e4hMZlNiYNwWVgLde-4DZB1c1NcXwZoFeTnjHQtLeQACKOULTezOeTH3iAFqpC8yWAUZ6yWhhs0UeLRO4gKrZ_nh37dlAuPigAScWyDpnHUC-WmP4z5ttMcSmjvii5H9wE/s1600/Arash+AF10+Geneva-front-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgynmAxXA5e4hMZlNiYNwWVgLde-4DZB1c1NcXwZoFeTnjHQtLeQACKOULTezOeTH3iAFqpC8yWAUZ6yWhhs0UeLRO4gKrZ_nh37dlAuPigAScWyDpnHUC-WmP4z5ttMcSmjvii5H9wE/s320/Arash+AF10+Geneva-front-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arash AF10</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">0-60mph - 2.8 seconds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2080 bhp</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">200mph+ top speed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">1 petrol engine</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">4 electric motors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial";">5 gearboxes</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>BMW 740e iPerformance</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The BMW 740e iPerformance is a plug-in hybrid, which is the first to use the important iPerformance subbrand. This demonstrates where <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">technologies</span> from the 'i' sub-brand (i3/i8) are being mainstreamed into the main BMW lineup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The powertrain is the same as the X5 xDrive40e, namely a 2 litre petrol engine, mated to an electric motor. LWB and xDrive variants will be available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://int-media.driveds.com/en/concept-cars/ds-e-tense-%E2%80%9Cl%E2%80%99art-en-mouvement%E2%80%9D-unique-electrifying-high-performance-vehicle#prettyPhoto" target="_blank"><b>DS E-TENSE</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The PSA Group recently re-launched its DS brand as a premium offering. And for Geneva, they're introducing a all-electric concept vehicle, the DS E-TENSE. The electric motor produces 396bhp, from a 53kWh battery.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKrjIAejxPvDoOCsqj4waKn-NT9rzej8hyphenhyphengDqo5Vgj5pTHO9GDq6WL1MUHa8MPbLUNt3eXkhpoJjS2rdtp5z6XWMirPbHSaVwlAJgdIRY4sR2Fj7NLeG1afND6Cf3gcvfW_Epa0Beoo/s1600/DS+E-TENSE+Geneva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFKrjIAejxPvDoOCsqj4waKn-NT9rzej8hyphenhyphengDqo5Vgj5pTHO9GDq6WL1MUHa8MPbLUNt3eXkhpoJjS2rdtp5z6XWMirPbHSaVwlAJgdIRY4sR2Fj7NLeG1afND6Cf3gcvfW_Epa0Beoo/s320/DS+E-TENSE+Geneva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DS E-Tense Concept</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.hyundaipressoffice.co.uk/release/744/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hyundai IONIQ</span></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like most car manufacturers, Hyundai has probably looked at the success story of the Toyota Prius with initial scepticism and pity, quickly turning into envy! Well, Hyundai hopes it has got a 'Prius killer' on its hands, with the new IONIQ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93-zd1G9Aw1-MhYyNBPlPjpst2DbEhCNNGB8h9uBgZ5VGhQmZLdrjXd2yq7Nju9SVO7iIFV9tf77Y8G6uD0HLQDULM0SR8sEDOXfAx21e5dbXHyXhX3CvVuCB6dXmk2UpjXLiJfx-Cuw/s1600/Hyundai+Ioniq+Lineup+Geneva+200086453256cca10ab7007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93-zd1G9Aw1-MhYyNBPlPjpst2DbEhCNNGB8h9uBgZ5VGhQmZLdrjXd2yq7Nju9SVO7iIFV9tf77Y8G6uD0HLQDULM0SR8sEDOXfAx21e5dbXHyXhX3CvVuCB6dXmk2UpjXLiJfx-Cuw/s320/Hyundai+Ioniq+Lineup+Geneva+200086453256cca10ab7007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The IONIQ lineup includes the three main powertrains which have the potential to become mainstream in the next few years - pure electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid - the world's first model to do so. [Remember, they already brought the ix35 fuel-cell SUV to market, so have hydrogen covered too].</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hybrids have a 1.6 litre petrol engine, then depending on the model, different specifications for the electric motor output and battery capacity are used. It will be really interesting to see how the different models sell in different markets - an experiment even Toyota will watch with interest.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kiapressoffice.com/Release/42640" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kia Optima Plus-in Hybrid</b></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "arial";">Kia will be revealing their Optima Plug-in hybrid at Geneva, with a 33 mile pure electric range, provided by a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack paired with a 50 kW electric motor. There's also a 2.0 litre diesel engine.</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6y8w-i3P0Ebdeydm0zau3rg_Ss38eaOTXq7jLhVtg_O6rTWpiMae4Z3GVs9SEi3nzHvoY958-2xPC0TtM5D3tawKfOuexqHmgE-JiEHmwoxUhp64Cirr3mgAPxKotNcHcuqnoeaRfJ8/s1600/Kia+Optima+Hybrid+Geneva+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6y8w-i3P0Ebdeydm0zau3rg_Ss38eaOTXq7jLhVtg_O6rTWpiMae4Z3GVs9SEi3nzHvoY958-2xPC0TtM5D3tawKfOuexqHmgE-JiEHmwoxUhp64Cirr3mgAPxKotNcHcuqnoeaRfJ8/s320/Kia+Optima+Hybrid+Geneva+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/world+premiere+lexus+lc+500h+geneva+motor+show.htm" target="_blank"><b>Lexus LC500h</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexus will launch a hybrid version of the LC500, using a 3.5L V6 petrol engine, coupled with an electric motor</span>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-AY7pyzUTjRa_VJS1KHdBEV_2wnHlrD0n9eTNOhH5RmZHphj3otaffR2Vm9qGj_ziVTbv-7lqqhVmsgl_FF-wXDT1Mzb8A7-mA1cX9tpmw3dnJ00FkZvHFC4IGmkBVLMzgZaaKnuy1g/s1600/Lexus_LC_500h_Geneva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-AY7pyzUTjRa_VJS1KHdBEV_2wnHlrD0n9eTNOhH5RmZHphj3otaffR2Vm9qGj_ziVTbv-7lqqhVmsgl_FF-wXDT1Mzb8A7-mA1cX9tpmw3dnJ00FkZvHFC4IGmkBVLMzgZaaKnuy1g/s320/Lexus_LC_500h_Geneva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexus LC500h</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGXKtrgqi3XDHRnb8XpZ7n_8WjUcdrD-TodljVBhGBWlxFY9pWd0DABRLqsNXos0cEr1fd8E_GT1T7OpBKnIOL0EFbqNidggNFrmXtbRAz2mL11mi4ZRxt29XHo2bg_MkYx1zAT1oYak/s1600/Lexus_LC_500h_Geneva+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGXKtrgqi3XDHRnb8XpZ7n_8WjUcdrD-TodljVBhGBWlxFY9pWd0DABRLqsNXos0cEr1fd8E_GT1T7OpBKnIOL0EFbqNidggNFrmXtbRAz2mL11mi4ZRxt29XHo2bg_MkYx1zAT1oYak/s320/Lexus_LC_500h_Geneva+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexus LC500h</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/ev3/" target="_blank">Morgan</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Morgan Motor Company is one of the few surviving British car manufacturers, with an illustrious history dating back to 1909. With a strong heritage of coach-building, the family-run company is keeping apace with its multinational manufacturer competitors, by introducing a new concept at Geneva, the EV3. A 62bhp electric motor and lithium battery gives a range of 150 miles, a top speed of 115mph and 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Morgan EV3</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the medium-term, Morgan are also <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">benefiting</span> from </span><a href="http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/morgan-motor-company-benefit-6m-government-funding/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">£6m of funding from the UK Government</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, to help develop hybrid and electric powertrains.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com/uk/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=143211" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan</span></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan have partnered with renowned architects Foster & Partners to outline a vision of the future fuel station - and my personal view is that is spot-on (except maybe the driving the car <i>into </i>work, literally!) They have created a video which helps bring the concept to life:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZC1p32KRc80gQUlnwakq9W2ELFtEtT6ZSMY8Kzw3i_01eAR61Qvux8Oul_TQLyLRnQQ3rmWnfcujUGBO7xd54GcnxzF4qUjZ3JbffwfAlHTxaiLWUTYMLZkAHUMbLP5YvocpR0rtp1s/s1600/Nissan+Fuel+Station+Future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZC1p32KRc80gQUlnwakq9W2ELFtEtT6ZSMY8Kzw3i_01eAR61Qvux8Oul_TQLyLRnQQ3rmWnfcujUGBO7xd54GcnxzF4qUjZ3JbffwfAlHTxaiLWUTYMLZkAHUMbLP5YvocpR0rtp1s/s320/Nissan+Fuel+Station+Future.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/news/international-debut-for-new-ssangyong-tivoli-xlv-and-midsize-siv-2-concept-at-geneva/18325" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>SsangYong SIV-2 Concept</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SsangYong are due to release a mild-hybrid concept, the SIV-2 [SIV = Smart Interface Vehicle]. A 1.5 litre petrol engine will be paired with a 10kW electric motor, supported by a 0.5Kwh battery.</span><br />
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<b><a href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/2016/03/toyota-c-hr-at-the-geneva-motor-show-2016/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota C-HR</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota have revealed a production version of the C-HR, prototypes which have been seen in previous motor shows. There is a full hybrid option and it's based around the Prius architecture, but arguably its looks will appeal to a different customer segment. It is reported to have emissions less than 90g/km.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiLgy0BqxQBf1naC-mMRryjtPW8sjowPEnvisQj5s5ggjlo0GZgBzEP4cLg2YsSpCIyfXYCaqkosXRC3tzjx43gdBiWu-ltZHtJ7jSHbVUi0Mc9CvXivK36sOKPz0KcuMtUG3pbjP4Y/s1600/Toyota+C-HR+Geneva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiLgy0BqxQBf1naC-mMRryjtPW8sjowPEnvisQj5s5ggjlo0GZgBzEP4cLg2YsSpCIyfXYCaqkosXRC3tzjx43gdBiWu-ltZHtJ7jSHbVUi0Mc9CvXivK36sOKPz0KcuMtUG3pbjP4Y/s320/Toyota+C-HR+Geneva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota C-HR</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images © respective manufacturers</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-38925583183219512612016-02-20T19:40:00.000+00:002016-02-22T07:31:39.718+00:00Vive la France - Sustainability Leadership<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On May 14th 2010, the UK's Prime Minister, David Cameron <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pms-speech-at-decc" target="_blank">said</a> "<i>I want us to be the greenest government ever - a very simple ambition and one that I’m absolutely committed to achieving</i>"... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2016, as UK citizens consider their membership of the EU, the news is full of debate about the relative merits of staying or leaving. Whatever the decision, our friends in France can not only teach us about great cooking, but also sustainability leadership. In fact, they have been delivering innovative business models and regulation which has the potential to nudge the nation to be a global sustainability leader. Let's explore some of their innovations in a little bit more detail...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Mobility</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Air pollution is becoming a huge problem in large cities (London is not an exception, with an estimated </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/nearly-9500-people-die-each-year-in-london-because-of-air-pollution-study" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9,500 premature deaths each year</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">),</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and in Paris in May 2014, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26599010" target="_blank">drastic traffic restrictions</a> were imposed. There's more need than ever, then, for new mobility solutions to be promoted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cycle hire</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Long before London's cycle hire scheme was launched, back in 2007, Paris introduced their </span><a href="http://en.velib.paris.fr/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vélib' cycle hire scheme</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. With over 20,000 cycles and more than 1,200 stations, it's a sustainable and fit way to travel within the arrondissements of Paris.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWdVRpwbM5IS4JhKu5AA-Qft2PWkpvMFikkFI7bXJxn95VbjfdZE1WLk320qdH6buY7E5ejjdem3EKk01E3MSyYql7obZgDk_-7a-FdHEvqIPix1-D9ssOlixYkXPHLHp39PUwRJufGU/s1600/Velib+Paris+Cycle+Hire+WM-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWdVRpwbM5IS4JhKu5AA-Qft2PWkpvMFikkFI7bXJxn95VbjfdZE1WLk320qdH6buY7E5ejjdem3EKk01E3MSyYql7obZgDk_-7a-FdHEvqIPix1-D9ssOlixYkXPHLHp39PUwRJufGU/s320/Velib+Paris+Cycle+Hire+WM-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cycle Hire in Paris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Electric Moped Hire</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon, there will be two-wheeled collaborative consumption competition, when <a href="https://www.cityscoot.eu/" target="_blank">Cityscoot</a> [in French] launches, an electric moped scheme. Available to riders over the age of 20 with a valid moped licence, they will be bookable from a smartphone app for €3/15 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFtTFv59XB9PvJybgbePDa8wMm9VDI0rrzlAYSJ0SpIYhMeZWl_iNlOEuBx9NqWAXLDT9sjajr0yR1O2MgaGAIgh7k2HYq1UPBmWahCDN5JYdvBwwXhdQeNU3Ox-i5ENTvQwM4V33ak8/s1600/cityscoot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFtTFv59XB9PvJybgbePDa8wMm9VDI0rrzlAYSJ0SpIYhMeZWl_iNlOEuBx9NqWAXLDT9sjajr0yR1O2MgaGAIgh7k2HYq1UPBmWahCDN5JYdvBwwXhdQeNU3Ox-i5ENTvQwM4V33ak8/s320/cityscoot.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cityscoot electric moped hire in Paris</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://fr-mu-by.peugeot.com/accueil.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Peugeot Mu Vehicle Hire</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before many car manufacturers recognised the upcoming threat of 'access over ownership' business models, Peugeot launched Mu, allowing users to rent a car, moped or even van, depending on their needs. Of course, their electric vehicles are available to rent as part of the scheme (e.g. <a href="http://www.peugeot.co.uk/showroom/ion/5-door/" target="_blank">iOn</a>). The scheme also launched in the </span><a href="http://www.mu.peugeot.co.uk/discover-mu-by-peugeot/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">UK</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> back in 2010, as well as Germany, Spain and Italy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLToBn0_zIthKbaJI8duSb_z5eDPZTLqVI7TUffcfBTR4rKjPNTQb-TbXz5Gv1COiPj33JqIUOIQT8vzfq3ZY0LFMQtx2eq7u_drANJnnNcx-DC9jeaU4SyEDLalunikYOxPSMqX6Xi2M/s1600/Peugeot_iOn_compact_styling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLToBn0_zIthKbaJI8duSb_z5eDPZTLqVI7TUffcfBTR4rKjPNTQb-TbXz5Gv1COiPj33JqIUOIQT8vzfq3ZY0LFMQtx2eq7u_drANJnnNcx-DC9jeaU4SyEDLalunikYOxPSMqX6Xi2M/s320/Peugeot_iOn_compact_styling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peugeot iOn Electric Car</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Electric Vehicles</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's not just Peugeot who have 100% electric cars available, Renault has a range of vans (<a href="https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/kangoo-ze.html" target="_blank">Kangoo Z.E.</a>), as well as its tiny <a href="https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/twizy.html" target="_blank">Twizy</a> and <a href="https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/zoe.html" target="_blank">Zoe</a>, and Citro</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">ën (part of the PSA Peugeot Citro</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">ën group) has something to offer too with the <a href="http://www.citroen.co.uk/new-cars-and-vans/citroen-families/electric-cars" target="_blank">C-Zero</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrTHSraib4RxQVoNR6Fftbj-hEhAe8FQosRdx7pcLqMCJjcuUE4mhJVwn5Q4WDLk1T-CG4Z_ljoyoB24L4lqCjTMbY8I9KxrUXdaEGyq1tRFC_85d1Cb21dgDYrjnGnnDtjCV7LQbi4Q/s1600/renault-twizy-M09eph1-design-gallery-005_jpg_ximg_l_12_m_smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrTHSraib4RxQVoNR6Fftbj-hEhAe8FQosRdx7pcLqMCJjcuUE4mhJVwn5Q4WDLk1T-CG4Z_ljoyoB24L4lqCjTMbY8I9KxrUXdaEGyq1tRFC_85d1Cb21dgDYrjnGnnDtjCV7LQbi4Q/s320/renault-twizy-M09eph1-design-gallery-005_jpg_ximg_l_12_m_smart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Renault Twizy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tni6XtPU4B3o-WvrrBx5wo7hrV8FpUiiW7YcQB1YphEDGo-Kkj7o4MoJxbRPoCTA8TVbftY_rJ1JrqbwDCPKZx1TU1i6eEsMRHQWPnDOVJLXqHOGXPgsFHHpQjOaepLGrDYSrd_tWhE/s1600/Renault+hero_3d_uk_kangooZE_F61e_nbi_ph2_oqng_desktop_jpg_ximg_l_12_m_smart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tni6XtPU4B3o-WvrrBx5wo7hrV8FpUiiW7YcQB1YphEDGo-Kkj7o4MoJxbRPoCTA8TVbftY_rJ1JrqbwDCPKZx1TU1i6eEsMRHQWPnDOVJLXqHOGXPgsFHHpQjOaepLGrDYSrd_tWhE/s320/Renault+hero_3d_uk_kangooZE_F61e_nbi_ph2_oqng_desktop_jpg_ximg_l_12_m_smart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Renault Kangoo Z.E.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mkt_v77MgLIt56eRxwQSDOTCFK5Kom0ZQMxJn5pozqfDA5EhFaG7w19W-W20Aw0ynQZsY-RfrOUfBtJ26F9LV1Qvk9cH1DX3eHuoW5qMXYzCXkFi1ksip9smaDtrFgw4w_gPoU9XlFk/s1600/citroen-c-zero_28397.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mkt_v77MgLIt56eRxwQSDOTCFK5Kom0ZQMxJn5pozqfDA5EhFaG7w19W-W20Aw0ynQZsY-RfrOUfBtJ26F9LV1Qvk9cH1DX3eHuoW5qMXYzCXkFi1ksip9smaDtrFgw4w_gPoU9XlFk/s320/citroen-c-zero_28397.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Citroen C-Zero</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And of course, with a significant amount of France's electricity generation coming from nuclear (<a href="http://www.rte-france.com/en/eco2mix/eco2mix-mix-energetique-en" target="_blank">check out this great site to see the energy mix</a>), there's less of an issue of fossil-fuel power plants polluting the environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Finally, <span style="font-family: "arial";">Renault have <a href="http://media.renault.com/global/en-gb/renault/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=75381" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2288bb;">announced a partnership</span></a> with Connected Energy, where their E-STOR proposition uses batteries from Renault cars to support storage from intermittent renewable sources, or for EV charging solutions.</span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Solar Roads</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">France hasn't stopped with the vehicles on the roads, it's even considering the roads themselves. Colas has introduced <a href="http://www.wattwaybycolas.com/en/" target="_blank">Wattway</a>, and there's now a plan for <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2016/02/07/france-wants-to-install-1000-km-of-solar-roadways-over-the-next-five-years/#53d9c959857e" target="_blank">1000km of roads to be made of solar panels across the country</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtBh9rQeikBZ8GrAIVejvwN55w1mU04c2E0xnEdQN_uHxPle4P5kdFzk01w8k7zkPQKPlAUwPmZRgivssx9cjK-t49oXxDcrKlAE3Zc9mGVgWvjnPNzeEUywoM9epyZQeyrJ2Capdcz8/s1600/Colas+Wattway+Solar+road+France.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtBh9rQeikBZ8GrAIVejvwN55w1mU04c2E0xnEdQN_uHxPle4P5kdFzk01w8k7zkPQKPlAUwPmZRgivssx9cjK-t49oXxDcrKlAE3Zc9mGVgWvjnPNzeEUywoM9epyZQeyrJ2Capdcz8/s320/Colas+Wattway+Solar+road+France.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Colas Wattway Solar Road</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Food waste</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Food waste is a huge problem at all points along the supply chain from farmer's field, through to the fridge in the customer's home. France is looking to tackle the problem between the two, </span><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/french-law-bans-supermarkets-throwing-away-and-spoiling-unsold-food-giving-them-to-food-banks-and-a6855371.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">banning supermarkets from throwing-away or spoiling food</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Solar / green <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rooftops</span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QmDanVpjU3wV-GMlcm1-YMCPZSZvzQYjavo1oZBN9HmZXuZmeJrAgx_SizisnCIAWdP2vS_6V3Q3-gJs8Iwt3s7NBxSzBfsrIfgrG8-ll2Npp_tM9sJs_-OaCEgWgp7gJ5o43URes7w/s1600/Solar+Panels+-+Linkedin+Background-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QmDanVpjU3wV-GMlcm1-YMCPZSZvzQYjavo1oZBN9HmZXuZmeJrAgx_SizisnCIAWdP2vS_6V3Q3-gJs8Iwt3s7NBxSzBfsrIfgrG8-ll2Npp_tM9sJs_-OaCEgWgp7gJ5o43URes7w/s320/Solar+Panels+-+Linkedin+Background-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">France has another leading policy with </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/20/france-decrees-new-rooftops-must-be-covered-in-plants-or-solar-panels" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">new rooftops in commercial zones around France</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, which must now be built with solar panels, or a 'green roof' covering part of the roof.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Grenelle II - Sustainability Reporting</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In April 2012, France decreed that companies must report according to article 225 of law No. 2010-788, or 'Grenelle II', as it's known. Courtesy of a </span><a href="https://www.alcatel-lucent.com/sustainability/grenelle-II-index" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">helpful description from Alcatel-Lucent</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, it essentially means that corporates must produce an independently-verified report on the environmental, social and societal aspects of their business operations, alongside the financial results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Corporate Lead<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ership</span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As well as an active automotive sector referenced above, some other large French corporations are making positive steps to a more sustainable society.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Axa</i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Axa is a French insurance company, as has woken-up to the fact that climate change poses a fundamental threat to its customers, and therefore it's viability as a sustainable organisation. It has several impressive initiatives underway:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Group has taken tangible steps to address climate change, in particular by </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/22/axa-divest-high-risk-coal-funds-due-threat-climate-change" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">divesting €0.5 billion from coal companies</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and by tripling its green investments to reach €3 billion by 2020</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.axa.com/en/about-us/climate-insurance-solutions" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Specialist insurance for the wind energy industry</span></a></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">AXA Investment Managers have launched </span><a href="https://www.axa-im-international.com/axa-world-funds-planet-bonds" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WF Planet Bonds</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, to support environmental investments at scale</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Veolia</i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Veolia has long seen the business opportunities around the 'circular economy', and has successfully reinvented itself as a 'resource management' services provider. It's a member of the </span><a href="http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ellen MacArtthur Foundation</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and is helping push the circular economy agenda. One such initiative, is where they have created a <a href="http://www.veolia.com/en/veolia-group/media/news/groupe-seb-veolia-and-eco-systemes-team-recycle-small-electrical-household-appliances" target="_blank">recycling loop for small electrical appliances</a>, in partnership with Groupe SEB and Eco-systèmes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcuiYweev_s1_UN5bz3FiXKBeX0kywOG_qk1UPlNDlofBDwx9VifRMr6PcC-KX3SwClImHdOvGmHRAV_q7tbSjACSTKEDwDTnD32HZcBXJnM1Ug4QSaviRotgV0ks1EP6aandERcy4_Q/s1600/Veolia+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcuiYweev_s1_UN5bz3FiXKBeX0kywOG_qk1UPlNDlofBDwx9VifRMr6PcC-KX3SwClImHdOvGmHRAV_q7tbSjACSTKEDwDTnD32HZcBXJnM1Ug4QSaviRotgV0ks1EP6aandERcy4_Q/s1600/Veolia+logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BNP Paribas</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Innovative startup, <a href="http://www.qarnot-computing.com/" target="_blank">Qarnot Computing</a>, has developed a distributed data centre solution, where schools and offices around Paris can host servers, which are then used to heat their premises, for free, using excess heat as radiators. <a href="http://www.bnpparibas.com/en/news/qarnot-computing-recycle-heat-and-heat-free" target="_blank">BNP Paribas</a> have agreed that 5% of its computing power to support risk calculations will be used via this platform, reducing their carbon emissions required to support this computing effort by 75% (mainly due to reduced cooling needs).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images
© respective manufacturers/organisations, unless otherwise stated</span> </div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-76025107160140654272016-02-13T21:32:00.001+00:002016-02-15T09:43:14.225+00:00Auto Expo 2016 (India) - Sustainability news from Tata Motors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As part of my ongoing low-carbon virtual visits to the world's motor shows extracting interesting sustainability updates, I'm heading to New Delhi in India for the <a href="http://www.autoexpo-themotorshow.in/" target="_blank">Auto <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Expo</span> 2016</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to check what Tata Motors have been up to... Whilst we wait for autonomous vehicles and traffic light integration, have Tata offered us a glimpse <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at</span> the future of urban mobility in the </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shorter-term</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">?</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Motors</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Motors are owners of Jaguar Land Rover, and haven't yet made much traction with hybrid/electric powertrains in their Jaguar or Land Rover brands, other than:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JLR have <a href="http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/i-pace/94356/jaguar-s-all-electric-suv-due-in-2018" target="_blank">just registered</a> the i-Pace and i-Type names, presumably for electric versions of the F-Pace and F-Type Jaguars</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a <a href="http://www.landrover.co.uk/vehicles/range-rover/hybrid.html" target="_blank">hybrid Range Rover</a>, but it has <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">minimal electric</span> range, and not a mass-market pricepoint</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They released the Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) <a href="http://www.jaguar.co.uk/about-jaguar/concept-cars/cx75.html" target="_blank">C-X75 concept</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in India though, where air pollution is such a problem that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/31/delhi-driving-restrictions-car-ban-pollution-india" target="_blank">Delhi has introduced alternate day driving restrictions</a>, there are some interesting developments from JLR's parent, Tata Motors.</span></div>
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<a href="http://corp-content.tatamotors.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/03064431/Tata-Magic-Iris-Ziva-Fuel-Cell.pdf" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Magic Iris Ziva Fuel Cell</span></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Last mile commuting' in India <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">offers</span> a huge opportunity for low-carbon solutions, with inefficient 'auto rickshaws' and taxis dominating the streets. Tata have revealed a four-wheeled concept to enter the market, the Tata Magic Iris Ziva Fuel Cell. Critically, it's hydrogen-powered, so the only emissions are pure water. It seats four passengers, and the driver (this sounds optimistic seeing the pictures!).</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT3MJLtlDSHTysNH7wmJl2HKN_Dn7itJmryMvNdZHt3TVjkjshebbRkoa9eXysAJM6S8tQ0lUV43zsH99qjxhEz-ZXFcpzeN62msdpnjb1ZlJZ_FVKyZMjzJ3tNSt1P1DSm4djQAQ0WY/s1600/Tata+Magic+Iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOT3MJLtlDSHTysNH7wmJl2HKN_Dn7itJmryMvNdZHt3TVjkjshebbRkoa9eXysAJM6S8tQ0lUV43zsH99qjxhEz-ZXFcpzeN62msdpnjb1ZlJZ_FVKyZMjzJ3tNSt1P1DSm4djQAQ0WY/s320/Tata+Magic+Iris.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Magic Iris Ziva</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's got a 9kW electric motor, a 40km electric only range, and without gears or a clutch, makes for easy driving in urban environments. Cleverly, the 8" infotainment screen can also send GPS data and fault codes to authorised repair centres. The vehicle might look a little quirky, but we might just be looking at the future of urban mobility...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's more information <a href="http://corp-content.tatamotors.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/03064431/Tata-Magic-Iris-Ziva-Fuel-Cell.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To carry a larger number of passengers, Tata Motors have also introduced the world's first commercially produced CNG hybrid bus, the <a href="http://corp-content.tatamotors.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/03064431/Tata-Starbus-Hybrid.pdf" target="_blank">Starbus Hybrid</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Egsbt8cUZZhyphenhyphenrufNWs1z0ny668RpTuCEdCZet9Cv85f3cIedxVGzwrdvTkROJ1iGw_FWaREh7sZ2oq3m9yeRzNg1DiSABpFPMWDtSTroDVD1crokubZmah62mgfsBKQ5M452N5b2nJY/s1600/Tata+Starbus+Hybrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Egsbt8cUZZhyphenhyphenrufNWs1z0ny668RpTuCEdCZet9Cv85f3cIedxVGzwrdvTkROJ1iGw_FWaREh7sZ2oq3m9yeRzNg1DiSABpFPMWDtSTroDVD1crokubZmah62mgfsBKQ5M452N5b2nJY/s320/Tata+Starbus+Hybrid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Motors Starbus Hybrid</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, an all-electric bus, the <a href="http://corp-content.tatamotors.com.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/03064431/Tata-Ultra-Electric-Bus.pdf" target="_blank">Ultra Electric</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgE5f33VmWY-TjjUMMD0O9ydgJ1nHRBVHjvyCKyckkZDsrsEhxaYRfqIJJ8WxiqVegHkIBKBzGkK8M4abDtV3q4s4B6p5fljHOntJLt0Hjcctj3ORSba1xH9cKrBvYBfCuXyVv6voOfo/s1600/Tata+Ultraelectric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgE5f33VmWY-TjjUMMD0O9ydgJ1nHRBVHjvyCKyckkZDsrsEhxaYRfqIJJ8WxiqVegHkIBKBzGkK8M4abDtV3q4s4B6p5fljHOntJLt0Hjcctj3ORSba1xH9cKrBvYBfCuXyVv6voOfo/s320/Tata+Ultraelectric.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tata Motors Ultra Electric Bus</span></td></tr>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-23891088115936582512016-02-07T20:54:00.001+00:002020-01-21T13:47:03.742+00:00Why EV batteries are like Star Wars™<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm one of the very few people that I know who hasn't ever watched a Star Wars<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">™</span> film (I see this as a badge of honour). Arguably therefore, I'm not the best person to reflect on the parallels between Star Wars<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">™</span> and Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries. So I won't, other than to say that in the same way Star Wars<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">™</span> has its sequel and prequel, business models are emerging which give EV batteries the same accolade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>The original - Batteries used in EVs and hybrids</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">We're all familiar now with batteries in a vehicle's powertrain. There are a variety of different approaches - conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. Due to ever-tightening tailpipe regulations and tax incentives for drivers, almost all manufacturers have at least one of these in their model range, and I expect by 2020, almost every model from every manufacturer will have a hybrid/electric option.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCSpiBev_3_9yXoz6UOda-r5duFARo9EepcEO6CESEqL62NiKA8Pn5tQfYykbzpbJDztStf06SQVkFyd8b8_Hg3xoajlrHQ8zMnVJIfQHYKt4ApK_kbrdyLvPQP-6kWFc8qC0ylpyxVQ/s1600/Prius+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCSpiBev_3_9yXoz6UOda-r5duFARo9EepcEO6CESEqL62NiKA8Pn5tQfYykbzpbJDztStf06SQVkFyd8b8_Hg3xoajlrHQ8zMnVJIfQHYKt4ApK_kbrdyLvPQP-6kWFc8qC0ylpyxVQ/s320/Prius+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota Prius 2016 - Conventional Hybrid</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_91l189aRE9mh-i3UBe7mDDKhC51wd-3mWR_TnXi-QJWIgw4WRkfFw0IBOjMbUDRFn48oiEfgrhD8z8djt4cc1POI6BUm_MHYoZtd1B6io5HDCD2LEMQ_Co0XQ-az3AYDXX77Ffe_3s/s1600/BMW+740e+charging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_91l189aRE9mh-i3UBe7mDDKhC51wd-3mWR_TnXi-QJWIgw4WRkfFw0IBOjMbUDRFn48oiEfgrhD8z8djt4cc1POI6BUm_MHYoZtd1B6io5HDCD2LEMQ_Co0XQ-az3AYDXX77Ffe_3s/s320/BMW+740e+charging.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BMW 740e -Plug-in Hybrid</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0kpfzi9nkjOU45N4O3VnGiQ504mZRHa-UoSFHJYZCKcigSqKPBl2gLfWkou2MuiKZXtfyvFgRhxZwFShbA8aF4qTLwnvpkiCW_zeOieNxkwZzSeN4f9GrmOMMFZJbTRWcHBmGI8x-1I/s1600/Nissan+Leaf+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0kpfzi9nkjOU45N4O3VnGiQ504mZRHa-UoSFHJYZCKcigSqKPBl2gLfWkou2MuiKZXtfyvFgRhxZwFShbA8aF4qTLwnvpkiCW_zeOieNxkwZzSeN4f9GrmOMMFZJbTRWcHBmGI8x-1I/s320/Nissan+Leaf+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan Leaf - Electric Vehicle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In all of these cases, it's expected that the battery lasts as long as the vehicle itself. Obviously, as a relatively new technology, time will tell, however, there is some very encouraging news from </span><a href="http://www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com/uk/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=131212" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, showing a 99.99% reliability after 5 years (only 3 problems with 35,000 sales in Europe) - a much better reliability record than cars with a conventional engine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">One of the perceived drawbacks of an electric vehicle is the time taken to charge the battery. Although the growth of rapid chargers makes this a reduced issue, an alternative is to be able to 'swap-out' the batteries. Popularised by <span style="font-family: "arial";">Israeli start-up <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3028159/a-broken-place-better-place" target="_blank">Better Place</a>, now Elon Musk's Tesla is trialling a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tesla-launches-battery-swap-program-that-only-needs-3-minutes-for-a-full-charge/" target="_blank">similar approach</a> to compliment its fast charger network:</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S0-sHtlCZ7M/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S0-sHtlCZ7M?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Eventually though, EV/hybrid batteries will reach the end of their life in a car, but that doesn't mean the battery cannot be used in another form... Time for a sequel...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>The sequel - the EV/hybrid battery secondary market</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To minimise the carbon footprint of a battery, and extend its use phase for as long possible, manufacturers are starting to look at partnerships where their batteries can be re-used in another form.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Renault have <a href="http://media.renault.com/global/en-gb/renault/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=75381" target="_blank">announced a partnership</a> with Connected Energy, where their E-STOR proposition uses batteries from Renault cars to support storage from intermittent renewable sources, or for EV charging solutions.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw9w4cfYN_iEJyeIOT815VPmmP-jnC5HAMdSEEYci0IPfXiZe8DKvhdk__hLc2RrvTLm3uSkJ204mUbS00VYq38tNmv6TzF-IqGOyLrytlscGzrMHOcUFnc8J147zauo7_u7roGzp-cM/s1600/Renault+Connected+Energy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw9w4cfYN_iEJyeIOT815VPmmP-jnC5HAMdSEEYci0IPfXiZe8DKvhdk__hLc2RrvTLm3uSkJ204mUbS00VYq38tNmv6TzF-IqGOyLrytlscGzrMHOcUFnc8J147zauo7_u7roGzp-cM/s1600/Renault+Connected+Energy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connected Energy's collaboration with Renault</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And in the US, <a href="http://www.greencharge.net/nissan-and-4r-energy-partner-with-green-charge-networks-for-commercial-energy-storage-featuring-second-life-electric-vehicle-batteries/" target="_blank">Nissan are partnering with Green Charge Networks</a> with a similar proposition.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6xjNfofjtWYpC66vQ5l6q48lrnrvN6glNs2V6KPX_xxs8aOGxnx905fonMkl1g5vF-jybKgts9RyBeoztnMHZa-qxQcI4PPG6mi7nILa7bw3Dh2mMhTMWFYtnJNo7xnvkwxfxP_Ho6c/s1600/Nissan+4R+Energy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6xjNfofjtWYpC66vQ5l6q48lrnrvN6glNs2V6KPX_xxs8aOGxnx905fonMkl1g5vF-jybKgts9RyBeoztnMHZa-qxQcI4PPG6mi7nILa7bw3Dh2mMhTMWFYtnJNo7xnvkwxfxP_Ho6c/s320/Nissan+4R+Energy.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan's US partnership with Green Charge Networks</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, in the US, BMW are running an innovative V2G demand response programme, </span><a href="http://www.bmwichargeforward.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BMW i Charge Forward</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, allowing 100 BMW i3 drivers to earn extra income from demand response requests from their utility PG&E. In parallel to this, some additional static storage is being provided by used Mini E batteries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that's the sequel understood. But a <em>prequel</em>...?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>The Prequel - a <em>living</em> parts store</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier in this article, news from Nissan gave us confidence that batteries in vehicles are more reliable than sceptics assumed. But of course, there are situations where batteries will need to be replaced... and manufacturers need to have spares available. In an innovative partnership with </span><a href="https://www.enercity.de/privatkunden/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">enercity</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Daimler will create a <a href="https://www.daimler.com/sustainability/resources/battery-storage-daimler-and-enercity.html" target="_blank">15MWh storage facility</a>, using batteries which are yet to be used in a car - they call it a 'living parts store'. Its energy storage will be marketed in the German primary balancing power market, helping provide a lower-carbon mechanism to flatten/shift grid peaks. And incredibly, managed charging and discharging is exactly what a battery benefits from, rather than a 'deep discharge' if it's just sat on a shelf.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GT48Q4t9JQg0lsAchQowi0L9FE6pNJVcPP81Erjn5jc1yxd911bpvFpxrB_CXif4A0hMKna7PiB7y712wBDcbB737RSxAGYXgsMKasR8IxtrokRJe0848Iv4t6lyATBz4asf5CNtX78/s1600/Daimler+Spare+Parts+Energy+Storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GT48Q4t9JQg0lsAchQowi0L9FE6pNJVcPP81Erjn5jc1yxd911bpvFpxrB_CXif4A0hMKna7PiB7y712wBDcbB737RSxAGYXgsMKasR8IxtrokRJe0848Iv4t6lyATBz4asf5CNtX78/s320/Daimler+Spare+Parts+Energy+Storage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daimler's Energy Storage facility</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>The spin-offs</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Obviously lithium-ion batteries don't need to have a direct use-case around vehicles, and car manufacturers are very aware of that. Telsa is making an impact in the domestic energy storage market with its <a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/powerwall" target="_blank">Tesla Powerwall</a> (the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/05/welsh-home-installs-uks-first-tesla-powerwall-storage-battery" target="_blank">first UK installation</a> was made in a home in Wales last week). </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb5mgSGYoQaR2fvMheZgoJvDsuZWNSnSMcLBCvYCDHpgDryI4Z1Re-3WCSNW_wOuoqU41k0fN0ov5jem-2a4ebV3JT4ffAL97ZHDq_i3NpQNjUMiGPv98qTnu6SF7ZpbHntVdJxhQ3eU/s1600/powerwall-battery-group%25402x.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb5mgSGYoQaR2fvMheZgoJvDsuZWNSnSMcLBCvYCDHpgDryI4Z1Re-3WCSNW_wOuoqU41k0fN0ov5jem-2a4ebV3JT4ffAL97ZHDq_i3NpQNjUMiGPv98qTnu6SF7ZpbHntVdJxhQ3eU/s320/powerwall-battery-group%25402x.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tesla Powerwall</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">They are also making the technology available at the utility level, with the <a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/presskit/teslaenergy" target="_blank">Powerpack</a>. Their <a href="https://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/gigafactory" target="_blank">Gigafactory</a> will be churning-out large numbers of batteries (it's <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2015/11/04/tesla-gigafactory-ahead-of-schedule-production-beginning-in-q4/" target="_blank">ahead of schedule</a>) - I wonder if they are exploring the 'living parts store' option too...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And, as I wrote in an <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/06/DaimlerStorage.html" target="_blank">earlier article</a>, Daimler are actively working in the same way, partnering with EnBW AG for private customers. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFgc846HdSro9VbmxP3IKwyzLTMndio-yfKN8C633xx2JeX4ZfTnpcHRl_8NVuL95hjty518inowoJYyHKGcN3-cq_E5OKV0Z_qkeXbEUFhWFXH2q-lFJ9SQYJmSSE9PZuRddxgmmKTE/s1600/Daimler+Energy+Storage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFgc846HdSro9VbmxP3IKwyzLTMndio-yfKN8C633xx2JeX4ZfTnpcHRl_8NVuL95hjty518inowoJYyHKGcN3-cq_E5OKV0Z_qkeXbEUFhWFXH2q-lFJ9SQYJmSSE9PZuRddxgmmKTE/s320/Daimler+Energy+Storage+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daimler Energy Storage Solution</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summary</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As car manufacturers introduce lithium-ion batteries into powertrains, the driver benefits from improved fuel consumption, tailpipe emissions are reduced/eliminated, and they may even be able to use their car battery to provide <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/12/VehiclesPowerFuture.html" target="_blank">energy to their home (V2H) or the grid (V2G)</a>. But as we've seen above, the associated business models mean the potential for car batteries to provide an even greater contribution to our energy ecosystem are really exciting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So, a tenuous link to Star Wars<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">™</span> I admit, but with the humble lithium-ion battery making futuristic transformations to our energy system today, who needs fantasy action adventure films? </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">End Credits</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">©</span> respective manufacturers unless otherwise stated.</span><br />
</div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-59240029938651581842016-01-12T22:17:00.001+00:002016-02-03T10:32:42.847+00:00Detroit Motor Show 2016 - Sustainability Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following last week's CES in Las Vegas, where <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2016/01/CES2016.html" target="_blank">several auto manufacturers</a> shared their new technology, the 'Motor City', Detroit, has started its NAIAS motor show, where a more traditional showcase attracts many more manufacturers. Below are the highlights which have relevance to sustainability. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/the-audi-h-tron-quattro-concept-5333" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi h-tron quattro concept</span></b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hydrogen-fueled powertrains aren't yet commonplace, but as that might change in the future (i.e. when/if hydrogen refueling infrastructure is rolled-out), manufacturers are continuing to develop the technology. At Detroit, Audi have revealed their h-tron quattro concept.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iEzelO_VT44OVHd_n4FFm2crrhklwaWoaDBOVc9_Ny_NlV0VSaKRSy7-0E5oXk6e8f3mDG4eDZgisROsHWLY4YPoM3_GspNOgmv1VXe8zJxfyR94Cil_53oiZXZsMVIzoyv_W1aU4mw/s1600/Audi+h-tron+concept+Detroit+2016+REAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iEzelO_VT44OVHd_n4FFm2crrhklwaWoaDBOVc9_Ny_NlV0VSaKRSy7-0E5oXk6e8f3mDG4eDZgisROsHWLY4YPoM3_GspNOgmv1VXe8zJxfyR94Cil_53oiZXZsMVIzoyv_W1aU4mw/s320/Audi+h-tron+concept+Detroit+2016+REAR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audi h-tron quattro concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personally, it's the most attractive form factor for future mobility - combining four wheel drive, ample space inside, and of course an emission-free experience. This particular concept also suggests a 4 minute refueling can offer a 370 mile range - comparable to people's current petrol-pump expectations.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05oYzlJhPqLJRIwUBDc-28_dHa14MmY94HyG0eLNwToeHiZ0b6FFWOxGpSV2Go9Qrl3foU1_prP4JTFjjTfHCelGHPoR4ICkd4rdeABsp1lwyRE2yzyMtRyJLAtyjv9t7c7Ph52VNtDU/s1600/Audi+h-tron+concept+Detroit+2016+FRONT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05oYzlJhPqLJRIwUBDc-28_dHa14MmY94HyG0eLNwToeHiZ0b6FFWOxGpSV2Go9Qrl3foU1_prP4JTFjjTfHCelGHPoR4ICkd4rdeABsp1lwyRE2yzyMtRyJLAtyjv9t7c7Ph52VNtDU/s320/Audi+h-tron+concept+Detroit+2016+FRONT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fuel-cell provides an output of 110kW and has over 60% efficiency. There is also a 100kW lithium-ion battery, to support short bursts of acceleration. Power is sent to the wheels via two electric motors - 90kW at the front and 140kW at the rear. Additional efficiencies are made by having a heat-pump to support the air conditioning, and a solar roof.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b>
<a href="http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/01/World_premiere_in_Detroit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Concept</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keen to find 'good environmental stories', VW recently revealed their Budd-E concept at <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2016/01/CES2016.html" target="_blank">CES2016</a>. For Detroit though, they have shown their Tiguan GTE Active Concept:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQe_wax9_dNN8TT8xXmCEWvkMxt_VbGRdmbMDKROCI-L1JzWP1Q4whgsDdFgApVwwZ5f8Wlxqsr0THVTtRL8xgQiby3IdYgcC_a7aLT1y5Nhn7XmRO4uDHksoeKdGo7Lhdj9W4ZDq4Fc/s1600/VW+Volkswagen+Tiguan+GTE+Active+Concept+Detroit+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQe_wax9_dNN8TT8xXmCEWvkMxt_VbGRdmbMDKROCI-L1JzWP1Q4whgsDdFgApVwwZ5f8Wlxqsr0THVTtRL8xgQiby3IdYgcC_a7aLT1y5Nhn7XmRO4uDHksoeKdGo7Lhdj9W4ZDq4Fc/s320/VW+Volkswagen+Tiguan+GTE+Active+Concept+Detroit+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">VW Tiguan GTE Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />It's actually a 'ruggedised' version of the Tiguan GTE Concept unveiled at <a href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/09/FrankfurtShow15.html" target="_blank">Frankfurt</a>:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl-2iTmMYKR4a6z5TujK-Ba5ViF6w7eu_71kvs8XDAB2g_bmtuQnWVqXCoRzhyphenhyphenxJEjeu16fWhuwqDZqWhOTcVgPELsNFkXEkjSKC-0UYV27cDxSAE0Vp3Ej5gkgLARSzVlInCCjCy_m0/s1600/volkswagen-tiguan-gte-17-970x546-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl-2iTmMYKR4a6z5TujK-Ba5ViF6w7eu_71kvs8XDAB2g_bmtuQnWVqXCoRzhyphenhyphenxJEjeu16fWhuwqDZqWhOTcVgPELsNFkXEkjSKC-0UYV27cDxSAE0Vp3Ej5gkgLARSzVlInCCjCy_m0/s320/volkswagen-tiguan-gte-17-970x546-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">VW Tiguan GTE Concept (Frankfurt Sept 2015)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Power comes from a 148bhp 1.4litre turbo-charged petrol engine, with electric motors and the front (54bhp) and rear (114bhp). A 12.4kWh battery is charged either via a socket, or by the engine. There's a claimed 20 mile all-electric range, with a total range of 580 miles.</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/172300/volvo-cars-launches-its-new-s90-premium-sedan-in-detroit-highlighting-its-commitment-to-the-us" target="_blank">Volvo S90</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following the huge success of the XC90 which has received much acclaim, Volvo have now revealed their 'elegant and sophisticated' S90.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiazx_eS96EepnRwHf6lK09NJm1S9O7fypMlW4jfHl0Ee7j_IJipfyuJ0QomUliz_dKQZL9Pa4VVzk0ishkWCSV-8c7EPWkac03mxzfpue56gJWpygd4qjVI-wDgmkRR85MQb4QWMAmA/s1600/Volvo+S90+Detroit+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiazx_eS96EepnRwHf6lK09NJm1S9O7fypMlW4jfHl0Ee7j_IJipfyuJ0QomUliz_dKQZL9Pa4VVzk0ishkWCSV-8c7EPWkac03mxzfpue56gJWpygd4qjVI-wDgmkRR85MQb4QWMAmA/s320/Volvo+S90+Detroit+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volvo S90</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It will feature a plug-in hybrid 'T8' powertrain, delivering 410bhp 44g/km of CO2. With an incredibly strong heritage in safety, as one would expect, Volvo are looking seriously at autonomous driving capabilities. The S90 includes 'Pilot-Assist', a semi-autonomous feature which allows hands-free driving on motorways at speeds up to 80mph.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.myfordpass.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FordPass</span></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Away from the technology of autonomy, powertrains and entertainment, one of the most interesting developments was from Ford, who introduced the FordPass.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwWNUCW9CIaMOH_WCoSUtpVkDwk7zQxyE66b9Onp2nk_iUR_FFPvmXp_CfoTJGJWXf1JWlJzvaRVULmeyJZrdb97QXe0c0WoK3UoJ5PpvtQls2D5RrLmZWXtv5nS9cMS-xyzU03Zi5F8/s1600/FordPass+Logo+Detroit+2016.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwWNUCW9CIaMOH_WCoSUtpVkDwk7zQxyE66b9Onp2nk_iUR_FFPvmXp_CfoTJGJWXf1JWlJzvaRVULmeyJZrdb97QXe0c0WoK3UoJ5PpvtQls2D5RrLmZWXtv5nS9cMS-xyzU03Zi5F8/s320/FordPass+Logo+Detroit+2016.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The platform provides a portal to provide its user with a total mobility experience, from reserving parking spaces to participating in car sharing. In fact, they are "aiming to do the same thing for car owners that iTunes did for music fans". Encouragingly, Ford are also looking at ride-sharing and multi-modal transportation, all potentially great news for sustainability.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtLLjKQ0S33walxMmvCXpTccsaW4vBSTwnjt4VIlcw-SlnUzyfHT8D0Odadf7fbPENoJT6FOJyRe6sore2xxT0phJHPa8woYKimmL4qUdnYj39iGIY81kHWQtdSRkmJ2arDMTURHYMZI/s1600/FordPass+app-dashboard+Detroit+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtLLjKQ0S33walxMmvCXpTccsaW4vBSTwnjt4VIlcw-SlnUzyfHT8D0Odadf7fbPENoJT6FOJyRe6sore2xxT0phJHPa8woYKimmL4qUdnYj39iGIY81kHWQtdSRkmJ2arDMTURHYMZI/s320/FordPass+app-dashboard+Detroit+2016.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FordPass App</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a video which explains the concept in a little more detail:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x6U_IQ_sKto/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6U_IQ_sKto?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-2242886280586725972016-01-07T21:35:00.001+00:002016-01-10T20:54:01.833+00:00CES2016 - Sustainability overview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is where manufacturers large and small reveal the latest technology in a hope to be the 'next big thing'. Reports suggest that Artificial Intelligence and HDR TVs are prevalent. Superficially, materialism and consumerism aren't going to have much to do with sustainability (and neither does Las Vegas!), but dig a little deeper, and one can see some real potential of technology being a sustainability enabler... Below there are sections on:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=233218430772589086#vehiclesandmobility"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vehicles and Mobility</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=233218430772589086#smartcities"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smart Cities</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=233218430772589086#smarthome"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smart Home</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=233218430772589086#mobilepower"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mobile Power</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<b><span id="vehiclesandmobility" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vehicles and Mobility</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fact that several mainstream car manufacturers are choosing CES to launch their new innovations goes a log way to demonstrate some of the fundamental transformations that are happening to the industry:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gas guzzling power to alternative powertrains</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Splendid isolation to reliable connectivity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Car sales to mobility solutions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Driving skills to relaxing autonomy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Traffic congestion to smart traffic management </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are some of the announcements which are whetting the appetite of the 'green motorist'...</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/pressDetail.html?title=bmw-at-the-consumer-electronics-show-ces-2016-in-las-vegas&outputChannelId=6&id=T0247965EN&left_menu_item=node__6728" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>BMW i Vision Future Interaction</b></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOU7LUO4AV6EBlXUAsYZNnfVd-kk65JLvEPiTAetR55BJ1cUspASj7e6zEumwtsbTGPSDUzDSTHKngca1-JSkiA1KrNgML1k_YLDc31_V02n-vAW3jOpRFyWQ4nzzMvduQKtAXSFq0qU/s1600/BMW+i8+SPyder+CES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOU7LUO4AV6EBlXUAsYZNnfVd-kk65JLvEPiTAetR55BJ1cUspASj7e6zEumwtsbTGPSDUzDSTHKngca1-JSkiA1KrNgML1k_YLDc31_V02n-vAW3jOpRFyWQ4nzzMvduQKtAXSFq0qU/s320/BMW+i8+SPyder+CES2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The already desirable BMW i8 electric vehicle just got even better, with the roof removed in the gorgeous 'i Vision Future Interaction' concept (i.e. i8 Spyder). As a showcase for its autonomous driving and gesture controls, it's an eye on an all-electric future not too far away...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://faradayfuture.com/ces2016/" target="_blank"><b>Faraday Future</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Touted as a potential Tesla rival, Faraday Future have revealed their much anticipated all-electric supercar, the FFZERO1</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHJxCsTj5z68P29BzozdWVqpE3VgMGETX5dO3Vu1jcJzKHZcPClh61IO-5BWEOPEU8fndeScj3FiLHjzxPjGUt5IHiFK9yOxZsiRln8amyCKkSkMabwpOfpT7paF_vLRpDtStBA7nIJg/s1600/Faraday+Future_CES_Racecar_1440x1440_Interior_01_Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHJxCsTj5z68P29BzozdWVqpE3VgMGETX5dO3Vu1jcJzKHZcPClh61IO-5BWEOPEU8fndeScj3FiLHjzxPjGUt5IHiFK9yOxZsiRln8amyCKkSkMabwpOfpT7paF_vLRpDtStBA7nIJg/s320/Faraday+Future_CES_Racecar_1440x1440_Interior_01_Full.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Faraday Future FFZERO1</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's their inspiring teaser video, outlining their vision goes way beyond the traditional model of car ownership:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SPCR1GBnSy8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SPCR1GBnSy8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<b><a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2016/01/04/2016-ces.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ford</span></a></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The expected announcement around a tie-up with Google hasn't happened (yet), but Ford did <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ces-2016-ford-promises-launch-13-electric-vehicles-by-2020-plus-drone-vehicle-technology-1536161" target="_blank">talk</a> about their electric vehicle roadmap, suggesting they have more patents in the area than anyone else, and will bring 13 electric vehicles to the market by 2020.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They also announced a significant investment in its <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2016/01/05/ford-tripling-autonomous-vehicle-development-fleet--accelerating.html" target="_blank">autonomous vehicle programme</a>, with potential sustainability opportunities to support smart traffic management, reduced accidents (and therefore congestion), and vehicle sharing access models.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR5l4OGNObUkWjJDheqI552hQ_LBfsxumQ3rFTj2RnVGfPEHXPFmAfhpr7nacHzw6_lYQ8rRFLuFYT8ZaunbbMvICCUDDXtsrBh-j45V4sYU8D0BKDxitt0MRGS9Fs5UqVGmxAsKAjpU/s1600/Ford+Fusion+autonomous+CES2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR5l4OGNObUkWjJDheqI552hQ_LBfsxumQ3rFTj2RnVGfPEHXPFmAfhpr7nacHzw6_lYQ8rRFLuFYT8ZaunbbMvICCUDDXtsrBh-j45V4sYU8D0BKDxitt0MRGS9Fs5UqVGmxAsKAjpU/s320/Ford+Fusion+autonomous+CES2016.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ford Fusion autonomous spatial mapping</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><b>
<a href="http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/01/CES.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Volkswagen BUDD-e</span></a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With a desperate need to reposition itself with a robust sustainable future roadmap, VW have launched their BUDD-e - a futuristic reinterpretation of their iconic microbus. With 4WD, and all-electric powertrain, and estimated 233 mile range, its floor-mounted batteries can be charged to 80% within 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EHvj1Yzm8XUKvZSX9t_gVoBx0EO5S-MUHeHMnHC5Jf1YpSnj95UDiwteUW6erwfl3XwIaCkyD0Gz7_Y8rlgoHrfWvT32Yx-Jm0jAspjEAABq_kUBhEh9BwubUZOiKj8fCJlyuA-AmhY/s1600/VW+Volkswagen+BUDD-e+CES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EHvj1Yzm8XUKvZSX9t_gVoBx0EO5S-MUHeHMnHC5Jf1YpSnj95UDiwteUW6erwfl3XwIaCkyD0Gz7_Y8rlgoHrfWvT32Yx-Jm0jAspjEAABq_kUBhEh9BwubUZOiKj8fCJlyuA-AmhY/s320/VW+Volkswagen+BUDD-e+CES2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">VW BUDD-e</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It remains to be seen whether this prototype, which is not dissimilar to their Bulli prototype revealed in 2012, can create the step-change shift required to win back customer loyalty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span id="smartcities" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Smart Cities</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">AT&T took the opportunity at CES to <a href="http://about.att.com/story/launches_smart_cities_framework.html" target="_blank">announce a major push into smart cities</a>. Not only have they got strategic partnerships with Cisco, Deloitte, Ericsson, GE, IBM, Intel, and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., but signed-up Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Why are smart cities important from a sustainability perspective? Well, quite simply with the population growth and migration to cities continuing unabated, unless cities find a way to manage traffic, air quality, water usage, building energy efficiency and waste minimisation, cities are going to become pretty unpleasant places to live. Or as Mike Zeto, General Manager of Smart Cities, AT&T IoT Solutions says more eloquently - “...Our holistic strategy can help cities save money, conserve energy, improve quality of life, and further engage with their citizens.”
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, <a href="http://shop.panasonic.com/about-us-latest-news-press-releases/ces2016-smart-city.html?tab=press&start=0" target="_blank">Panasonic</a> has announced it has an agreement with Denver to provide its <a href="http://panasoniccitynow.com/" target="_blank">CityNOW</a> proposition to support its transformation into a smart city.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSa8AVQza-PK58UFwf47QKGfjP5YKiHBlWoWFUENyBCjgMnlRqHdUi1E6tFrSoeDbTwrTMmyzQGWlccfTnMUKzo96zIVQo_0ppyx0g5fpCqhMfCiRK-Sc9hmGQH7i-Tz7h9JVvSVoeL8/s1600/Panasonic+CityNow+CES+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSa8AVQza-PK58UFwf47QKGfjP5YKiHBlWoWFUENyBCjgMnlRqHdUi1E6tFrSoeDbTwrTMmyzQGWlccfTnMUKzo96zIVQo_0ppyx0g5fpCqhMfCiRK-Sc9hmGQH7i-Tz7h9JVvSVoeL8/s1600/Panasonic+CityNow+CES+2016.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span id="smarthome" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smart Home</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The smart home has been the 'bread and butter' of science fiction for decades, but it's now very much reality. With a reliable, fast internet connection, and the prevalence of smart phones and tablets, smartphone control of the home is very accessible. Alongside security and entertainment, energy management (e.g. via smart LED lighting, internet-enabled thermostats, smart plugs, etc.) provides a real opportunity to optimise energy spend. Some manufacturers with new products are introduced below (in alphabetical order).</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.castleos.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">CastleOS voice-activated hub</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwfLBpvkBlv2ma2zwLoSltEjx12SKVaswMXl5v1igBDhyphenhypheni9wSd6D1hUTXFGDNBzEFHYeA8IEmfAy__uuE34diW07vHjG6HThxK77UugzxmhOCLBofg4Pp4Hus6pY59mrJS45nxW9hLKU/s1600/Castle+CES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwfLBpvkBlv2ma2zwLoSltEjx12SKVaswMXl5v1igBDhyphenhypheni9wSd6D1hUTXFGDNBzEFHYeA8IEmfAy__uuE34diW07vHjG6HThxK77UugzxmhOCLBofg4Pp4Hus6pY59mrJS45nxW9hLKU/s320/Castle+CES2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using Microsoft's Kinect microphone system, the CastleOS Hub provides voice-activated integration with a <a href="http://www.castleos.com/FeatureSpotlight.aspx?feature=DeviceSupport" target="_blank">large number of other manufacturers' smart kit</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.elgato.com/en/eve" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Elgato Eve</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Providing integration with Apple Homekit, Elgato's Eve provides hardware and software to monitor "air quality, temperature, humidity, air pressure, energy consumption and more".</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEFpH7IH1vCuObA71vzrOVlx9p55Xp3eacfEOu9-bru2OXGG-qF4oASQyoRadRURYTF8cWq14KTRks3gKKtm4pNpxwi1dKyjHRAwzZpbxo8VAJ7Imuy88KyAw8OnrN2cBUjC6l6t93y8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-10+at+20.36.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEFpH7IH1vCuObA71vzrOVlx9p55Xp3eacfEOu9-bru2OXGG-qF4oASQyoRadRURYTF8cWq14KTRks3gKKtm4pNpxwi1dKyjHRAwzZpbxo8VAJ7Imuy88KyAw8OnrN2cBUjC6l6t93y8/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-01-10+at+20.36.55.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Elgato Eve</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://yourhome.honeywell.com/lyric" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honeywell Lyric</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honeywell have produced their own smart thermostat, with smartphone app, called Lyric.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsicBY0_DBKEh_V7vhGMNE-b7y0Zj63XFfCAm838YkMmesr_ZHwQsmklpAErtAnh6vBTF988JRe8L9_RDT7-R0ijIZT3oPL198eqNuhCzbhPni9hDG6IOtf8GhD8SFdqpO3Pf8JHWwUY/s1600/Honeywell+Lyric-Hero+CES2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsicBY0_DBKEh_V7vhGMNE-b7y0Zj63XFfCAm838YkMmesr_ZHwQsmklpAErtAnh6vBTF988JRe8L9_RDT7-R0ijIZT3oPL198eqNuhCzbhPni9hDG6IOtf8GhD8SFdqpO3Pf8JHWwUY/s320/Honeywell+Lyric-Hero+CES2016.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honeywell Lyric Thermostat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They've obviously given their design teams something nice in the staff canteen, as the thermostat, and app look great. Water leak and freeze sensors are also available.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNwJ_-n1NEnsWGiEYya5qwYU0gJJoBow4mw4IRXb2a-yC4A8ELCq3mU0tdLpQLvzTdmQiaisPnpFhuiwrrF9_Zc2gcx60mCP0vStGe6ZweXWGC7uDgp1nKTmaCarxiuMbycZ8BsmBuqY/s1600/Honeywell+LyricAppHero+CES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNwJ_-n1NEnsWGiEYya5qwYU0gJJoBow4mw4IRXb2a-yC4A8ELCq3mU0tdLpQLvzTdmQiaisPnpFhuiwrrF9_Zc2gcx60mCP0vStGe6ZweXWGC7uDgp1nKTmaCarxiuMbycZ8BsmBuqY/s320/Honeywell+LyricAppHero+CES2016.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honeywell Lyric App</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's compatible with Apple Homekit and Samsung SmartThings.</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://idevicesinc.com/news/113/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">iDevices</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The connected home proposition from iDevices has been strengthen with some new devices (it already had switches and a thermostat in its lineup). The new devices, with Apple Homekit compatibility, are a wall socket, wall switch, dimmer switch and socket (for lights).</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxwk6I6kB_IG9ERdkSSrFlx3-xCH-lyRljXYnhjwQdZyXIOdgJDCUgTfsbCxeanE9sGDJVCnECUjuDNAlOPQldYhziq_SpVkOQgdLReqnZE81tXruBvsFh0EvlrvzwuGsk-ZrRaz4YXQ/s1600/idevices-homekit-newproducts-pressrelease-12-31-15_main+CCES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxwk6I6kB_IG9ERdkSSrFlx3-xCH-lyRljXYnhjwQdZyXIOdgJDCUgTfsbCxeanE9sGDJVCnECUjuDNAlOPQldYhziq_SpVkOQgdLReqnZE81tXruBvsFh0EvlrvzwuGsk-ZrRaz4YXQ/s320/idevices-homekit-newproducts-pressrelease-12-31-15_main+CCES2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">iDevices Connected Home</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><a href="http://www.lgnewsroom.com/2015/12/lg-advances-smart-home-ecosystem-with-smartthinq-hub-at-ces-2016/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LG SmartThinQ™ Hub</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><text></text></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LG's smart-home hub is a little different to its competitors - as well as managing the wireless data flows between sensors, smart appliances and a smart-phone, it can also display calendar notifications, and is a speaker for music.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxJt_NqrEL4pvqBHwTej7FeoERDlYadsVHxaHqE9GWDEogyXsH2sXfCYaJyc-UyqeZRVDV1vWYdjzLp_1D5595sY2uGhTXYPYikd5Na3X29QkcOwMAHOYpyVxr-5JTWR7VlT3r6kKg2g/s1600/LG-SmartThinQ-Hub-1-1024x926+CES2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxJt_NqrEL4pvqBHwTej7FeoERDlYadsVHxaHqE9GWDEogyXsH2sXfCYaJyc-UyqeZRVDV1vWYdjzLp_1D5595sY2uGhTXYPYikd5Na3X29QkcOwMAHOYpyVxr-5JTWR7VlT3r6kKg2g/s320/LG-SmartThinQ-Hub-1-1024x926+CES2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LG SmartThinQ™ Hub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.irisbylowes.com/" target="_blank">Lowe's Iris</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After recently announcing its <a href="https://www.irisbylowes.com/blog/inside-iris/10-reasons-youre-going-to-love-the-next-generation-of-iris/" target="_blank">next generation</a> of Iris, at CES, Lowe's announced a professional security monitoring service for $20 per month, with cellular backup.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBxO96bvS8qdgPpSO4UbsdYZIkU4V1X6OOw0uGBx4w-MxiibzGtPWwV8o8c5Amp_Payqcb0lb6pt6p7tf8QsS9NyY3bjpC0vHmcXnX92tqlUeWFU5fHUAEYygnoypHbL7EwsL8RHacog/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-07+at+20.51.42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBxO96bvS8qdgPpSO4UbsdYZIkU4V1X6OOw0uGBx4w-MxiibzGtPWwV8o8c5Amp_Payqcb0lb6pt6p7tf8QsS9NyY3bjpC0vHmcXnX92tqlUeWFU5fHUAEYygnoypHbL7EwsL8RHacog/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-07+at+20.51.42.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">O2</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">O2 has <a href="http://news.o2.co.uk/?press-release=o2-offer-att-digital-life-platform-tado-uk-consumers-2016-2" target="_blank">announced</a> it will be offering AT&T's 'Digital Life' platform and smart thermostat from tado° to its UK customers this year.</span>
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/panasonic-announces-ora-300199364.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Panasonic </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ÔRA</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Panasonic has introduced a flexible software platform, called ÔRA, aiming to provide smart-phone based control across a range of OS-agnostic devices to cover "lighting, heating, cameras, motion sensors and smart appliances". </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG96vCKmHNdRSgxTGu1LYHzwN-IXaze4VXrPCStpJLTZSzS9rDC_35FwLFYz7g-afhc_HW_mmKOn_PYQg2VPOkY3EYh7CftTL4pdu5OHU5I02hB0Y1gLD1tav8BbiYxZq9I8jmpaoMQ_4/s1600/Panasonic+ORA+CES+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG96vCKmHNdRSgxTGu1LYHzwN-IXaze4VXrPCStpJLTZSzS9rDC_35FwLFYz7g-afhc_HW_mmKOn_PYQg2VPOkY3EYh7CftTL4pdu5OHU5I02hB0Y1gLD1tav8BbiYxZq9I8jmpaoMQ_4/s320/Panasonic+ORA+CES+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Samsung</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just before CES, Samsung <a href="http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/samsung-tvs-will-be-connected-with-the-smartthings-platform/" target="_blank">announced</a> the inevitability that their TVs will be integrated into the SmartThings platform. Perhaps more interestingly, at CES they've now <a href="http://blog.smartthings.com/news/smartthings-updates/smartthings-bmw/" target="_blank">revealed a tie-in with BMW</a>, so drivers can check-up on their smart home from the comfort of their seat (presumably whilst stopped!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/150722672" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></center>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160106005134/en/TP-LINK%C2%AE-Powers-Home-All-In-One-Smart-Home-Router" target="_blank">TP-LINK</a></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TP-LINK have revealed their SR20 all-in-one router and IoT hub, controlling wi-fi, Zigbee and Z-wave wireless data.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA74j5Li3zMCkuy31A83jN6QWWto5VliRfr57awepz7fot42mSjKhl1Rs622HuBPL8QMk3uGrRuKkN1fjrm0HNYZc8QxJKCPANdeBqL949xXJ6dbL7DS4pUumLgMLwTm3xKvXN8hm-0M/s1600/TPLINK+CES+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA74j5Li3zMCkuy31A83jN6QWWto5VliRfr57awepz7fot42mSjKhl1Rs622HuBPL8QMk3uGrRuKkN1fjrm0HNYZc8QxJKCPANdeBqL949xXJ6dbL7DS4pUumLgMLwTm3xKvXN8hm-0M/s320/TPLINK+CES+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TP-LINK SR20 Smart Home Router</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><span id="mobilepower" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mobile Power</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, UK-based <a href="http://www.intelligent-energy.com/news-and-events/company-news/2016/01/04/intelligent-energy-exhibits-hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-devices-at-ces-2016/" target="_blank">Intelligent Energy</a> revealed some consumer electronics prototypes, powered by hydrogen fuel-cells.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH4CiSep_8FB80ioy1Klof5UZx2JRA8H8ZjrWYR381rqKLBtzh3dHd_sN6GRmVNjjhdVVqNaoxHUiM52M2tl6Y-gP0brAuadTbqD8X0jFgWDYTrc6SLEFSCqnkTKAhjbfOc2kDUgclFs/s1600/IE+CES+2016+Embedded_fuel_cell_phone-1000x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH4CiSep_8FB80ioy1Klof5UZx2JRA8H8ZjrWYR381rqKLBtzh3dHd_sN6GRmVNjjhdVVqNaoxHUiM52M2tl6Y-gP0brAuadTbqD8X0jFgWDYTrc6SLEFSCqnkTKAhjbfOc2kDUgclFs/s320/IE+CES+2016+Embedded_fuel_cell_phone-1000x0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Intelligent Energy Hydrogen Fuel-cell prototype</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p0_xoRJ8ZX4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p0_xoRJ8ZX4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>All images </i><i><span class="st" data-hveid="69">©</span> copyright respective manufacturers, unless otherwise stated.</i></span><br />
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-15959861794880636922015-12-12T16:39:00.003+00:002016-02-15T16:08:14.521+00:00Vehicles powering the future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since the 'Benz Patent Motorwagen' was launched in 1879, cars have
evolved into technological marvels, with new features like electric
powertrains and autonomous driving capabilities pushing our expectations
into the realms of science fiction. Additionally, new ownership models
like car-sharing mean the once-important aspiration of <i>owning</i> a car has evolved into Generation Y just wanting to <i>access</i> one.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="center" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAATGAAAAJDRhMmZmYTRlLTIwMDEtNDE4Yi1hMDFjLTczZDVjZDczOWJkMA.jpg" height="160" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAATGAAAAJDRhMmZmYTRlLTIwMDEtNDE4Yi1hMDFjLTczZDVjZDczOWJkMA.jpg" width="400" /> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However,
to-date, the car fundamentally does exactly what the horse and cart did
before it - to transport people (and luggage) from A to B. But is that
about to change, with in-car battery storage introducing new
propositions and business models?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, in partnership with ENEL, <a data-mce-href="http://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/EU/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=140287" href="http://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/EU/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=140287" target="_blank">Nissan introduced smart grid trials</a>, with the car being an 'energy hub' for the home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="center" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAbWAAAAJDU5OGZlOGFmLTZiNzktNDIzZS05OTg1LWU0ZjVkMzM4MWRhYw.jpg" height="243" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAbWAAAAJDU5OGZlOGFmLTZiNzktNDIzZS05OTg1LWU0ZjVkMzM4MWRhYw.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The concept is straightforward:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Vehicle
to Home' (V2H) allows energy stored in the car battery to be used to
power the home - useful when buying electricity directly from the grid
may be more expensive, e.g. at peak times</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Vehicle to Grid'
(V2G) allows the car owner to sell excess stored energy from the car
battery back to the grid, helping to flatten peaks and/or meet
short-term energy demand</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="center" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAXbAAAAJDk1NTUzZmEwLTU0OTAtNGRiMi1hNWRlLWQwNjIxNDMwNTc4MA.jpg" height="282" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAXbAAAAJDk1NTUzZmEwLTU0OTAtNGRiMi1hNWRlLWQwNjIxNDMwNTc4MA.jpg" width="400" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A video from Nissan describes a little more about the concept:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M5Bqqo8l2_M/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M5Bqqo8l2_M?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other energy storage options can be found in static battery solutions much like the recent <a data-mce-href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/05/TeslaPowerwallTesla.html" href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/05/TeslaPowerwallTesla.html" target="_blank">Tesla Powerwall</a> and a similar approach from <a data-mce-href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/06/DaimlerStorage.html" href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/06/DaimlerStorage.html" target="_blank">Daimler</a>, but of course these can't also transport you to difference places!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other
manufacturers are investing in similar propositions (some using
hydrogen fuel cells), with several concepts unveiled at the <a data-mce-href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/10/TokyoMotorShow.html" href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/10/TokyoMotorShow.html" target="_blank">44th Tokyo Motor Show in October 2015</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAXFAAAAJDJiNmRhNDZjLWQ3YzYtNGI5NS04NWYzLWY4NTk3ZGZhNWY3MA.jpg" height="225" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAXFAAAAJDJiNmRhNDZjLWQ3YzYtNGI5NS04NWYzLWY4NTk3ZGZhNWY3MA.jpg" width="400" /><img alt="" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAYiAAAAJGE0MTlkZDk0LTM0NGEtNGZjOS1hYzlhLTliNTc0NWZjNmNmNQ.jpg" height="236" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAYiAAAAJGE0MTlkZDk0LTM0NGEtNGZjOS1hYzlhLTliNTc0NWZjNmNmNQ.jpg" width="400" /><img alt="" data-mce-src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAX4AAAAJGQwMzdjN2Q3LWQwMDMtNDE3Zi1iOTlhLTRiNDJiZGIxMGEwMA.jpg" height="271" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAX4AAAAJGQwMzdjN2Q3LWQwMDMtNDE3Zi1iOTlhLTRiNDJiZGIxMGEwMA.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Models shown above from <a data-mce-href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/product_info/fcv-plus-concept/" href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/product_info/fcv-plus-concept/" rel="nofollow">Toyota</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://hondanews.eu/gb/en//media/pressreleases/65080/honda-unveils-clarity-fuel-cell-at-the-2015-tokyo-motor-show" href="http://hondanews.eu/gb/en//media/pressreleases/65080/honda-unveils-clarity-fuel-cell-at-the-2015-tokyo-motor-show" rel="nofollow">Honda</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/events/motorshow/2015/tms2015/conceptcar/" href="http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/events/motorshow/2015/tms2015/conceptcar/" rel="nofollow">Mitsubishi</a> respectively.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There
are two propositions which seem to make sense to exploit this
technology - it will be interesting to see how soon they may appear...</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="underline">Household energy</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
the most basic model, a single household uses their charged car when at
home to provide additional energy for their home (V2H), reducing the
reliance on peak grid electricity (and avoiding potential high-carbon emitting loads like backup diesel generators). This can be more intelligent still
if the household can also generate their own electricity, e.g. via solar
panels... potentially getting close to being 'off grid'. Excess energy
can be sold to the grid (V2G).</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="underline">Community/collective energy</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
proposition above may be attractive enough to households to reverse the
trend of declining car ownership, but perhaps that's an irreversible
trend. If so, there may be some innovative business models which
emerge, using a fleet of vehicles, where households do not own a
vehicle:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A community own a fleet of vehicles, leasing
vehicles to households/businesses, or providing a car-sharing pool.
This consolidated fleet of batteries together provide a 'virtual
distributed energy storage solution'</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The concept could be extended to <a data-mce-href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/02/PubTransBatteries.html" href="http://www.1point5degrees.com/2015/02/PubTransBatteries.html" target="_blank">public transport</a> too, as electrification emerges as a viable powertrain in buses</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combined
with solar arrays on a mixture of residential, commercial and
industrial premises, a 'portfolio' effect within the geographical
community can start to automatically match energy demand with supply,
perhaps setting dynamic price signals to nudge behaviours to optimise
the system. Excess energy would be sold to the 'national grid', or
neighbouring communities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As autonomous vehicles become a
reality, could a fleet of driverless taxis spend part of their day
ferrying passengers around a city, and during 'downtime', find a local
dock to either recharge or sell some of the stored energy to the grid,
using predictive 'big data' analysis to be positioned for likely customer pick-ups?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course there are a significant number of barriers to overcome:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cost - both Capex and Opex</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Behaviour
change - for households to be willing to share data, to trust the
system will work, and to nudge their energy usage to fit the most
efficient model</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Battery density and cycling performance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The need for a 'smart grid' (including metering and billing platforms) to be able to manage a hugely complex and dynamic distributed energy lifeform</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regulation, with some incumbent parties potentially lobbying against progress</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Insurance liabilities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Operations - servicing, cleaning, asset protection, infrastructure reliability, health & safety, etc. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...but
there are also a large number of parties who may be interested to
making it successful, as they want to diversify, or see their
traditional revenues/funding decline:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Car manufacturers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Energy retailers or network operators</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Data/information firms (Google)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trusted retailers (IKEA?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cities, or local councils</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Existing vehicle fleet owner (courier service)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you think any of these concepts could become a commercial reality, at scale?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong><span style="color: red;">*UPDATE*</span></strong> In fact, BMW are currently running a trial in the US, with 100 BMW i3 drivers, and their utility, PG&E. As part of the </span><a href="http://www.bmwichargeforward.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BMW i Charge Forward</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> programme, BMWi will be able to remotely delay the charging of EVs by up to an hour, to better match the grid requirements, whilst allowing the driver to override/opt-out if required.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All images © respective manufacturers</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-75827909714437451122015-12-02T17:28:00.000+00:002015-12-02T17:28:14.207+00:00European Commission (EC) adopts ambitious new Circular Economy Package<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.cop21paris.org/" href="http://www.cop21paris.org/" rel="nofollow">COP21</a> is taking place in Paris, with powerful opening speeches by <a data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ifN4K8FTQ" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ifN4K8FTQ" rel="nofollow">HRH Prince Charles</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2015/11/30/president-addresses-climate-change-cop21" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2015/11/30/president-addresses-climate-change-cop21" rel="nofollow">President Obama</a>. It hopes to reach a global consensus on ambitious measures to become a more sustainable planet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="center" height="167" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAUeAAAAJGFjYWJlYTRlLWE4MDUtNDMxNi05MWFlLWZlYTIzOTQ0ZWZiMA.png" width="320" /> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About
165 miles Northwest from Paris lies the Belgian capital, Brussels.
There today, the European Commission adopted their revised <a data-mce-href="http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6203_en.htm" href="http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6203_en.htm" rel="nofollow">Circular Economy package</a>, with "funding of over €650 million under Horizon 2020 and €5.5 billion under the structural funds".
Although some may express concern with various targets being
watered-down, the new proposals have the potential to transform not just
European society's attitude to waste (or <em>resource</em> as it should
be regarded), but also the design of products themselves. This is big
news not just for the environment, but for new innovative business
models, job creation, and ultimately, nudging new attitudes away from
consumerism. It has the potential to 'rewire' the economy which recent
generations have become accustomed to in Europe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="center" height="273" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAZrAAAAJDUyNmM4NTMzLTE5YmYtNGRlOS1iN2UxLTU4OWRmYTczZWFiYQ.png" width="491" /> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the diagram above, which was originally posted <a data-mce-href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/CircularEconomyCons.html" href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/CircularEconomyCons.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>,
I've adapted a 'waste hierarchy' to show a broader view, which I've
called a 'resource hierarchy'. The central pyramid shows a
prioritisation of approach to managing resource, with the concepts
towards the top being preferable to those lower-down. The left-hand
side shows associated business models, and on the right, implications on
products. In essence, it's simply common sense - it's best to eliminate
the cause of waste at its origin, than deal with the the waste
by-product afterwards. Of course, products can't always simply be eliminated,
so it's important that any new proposals from the EC tackle all of the
levels in the pyramid. Let's see if they do...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Towards
the bottom of the pyramid is sending waste to landfill, energy from
waste, recycling, and repurposing products for another use. The
proposals from the EC have some ambition in this area:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A common EU <strong>target for recycling 65% of municipal waste</strong> by 2030;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A common EU <strong>target for recycling 75% of packaging waste</strong> by 2030;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A binding landfill target to <strong>reduce landfill to maximum of 10%</strong> of all waste by 2030;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A ban on landfilling of separately collected waste;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Promotion of economic instruments to discourage landfilling ;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Simplified and improved definitions and harmonised calculation methods for recycling rates throughout the EU;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Concrete measures to <strong>promote re-use and stimulate industrial symbiosis</strong> –turning one industry's by-product into another industry's raw material;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Economic incentives for producers to put <strong>greener products on the market</strong> and support recovery and recycling schemes (e.g. for packaging, batteries, electric and electronic equipment, vehicles).</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alongside
a specific strategy to limit the damage plastics can make (in
particular for marine life), the most exciting part of the proposals
relate to some of the areas towards the top of the pyramid:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Development of quality standards for secondary raw materials to increase the confidence of operators in the single market;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Measures in the Ecodesign working plan for 2015-2017 to <strong>promote reparability, durability and recyclability of products</strong>, in addition to energy efficiency</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These
are the areas which have the potential to disrupt and challenge some
incumbent business models and products, helping us ask:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why can't I easily repair the screen on my mobile phone? And why shouldn't I be able to replace the battery?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why do washing machines always always seem to break just after the 2 year warranty period expires?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why do I find I wear some clothes only a few times before they wear out?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although I got this appliance cheaply, it has really high running costs, as it uses so much energy. Why can't the manufacture <em>lease</em> the appliance to me, and they can pay for the energy costs?</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="center" height="320" src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAZBAAAAJDgxMDRjYmQ2LTVkYWItNDdkNS1hNmQxLWIxZmQ1N2UwYjNhYw.png" width="297" /> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, food waste is of course a particular concern, with a recent focus in the UK by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his '<a data-mce-href="https://wastenotuk.com/" href="https://wastenotuk.com/" rel="nofollow">#WasteNot</a>' campaign. The EC has a specific approach for this, albeit with 'tools' rather than binding targets:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Actions to reduce food waste</strong>
including a common measurement methodology, improved date marking, and
tools to meet the global Sustainable Development Goal to <strong>halve food waste by 2030</strong></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It
will be interesting to see how the "European Parliament and
Council...build on this important preparatory work and prioritise
adoption and implementation of today's legislative proposals". It will
be such a 'waste' if the opportunity isn't exploited for this package of proposals to be a powerful ally and tool for Europe to support COP21 agreements.</span><br /></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-67462636388735945282015-10-10T19:06:00.002+01:002015-12-11T20:26:19.936+00:0044th Tokyo Motor Show - Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Tokyo Motor Show is an opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to reveal their latest production-ready and concept vehicles. Below is a summary of the vehicles which have sustainability in mind, with some noticeable introductions of 'Vehicle to Home' (V2H) energy systems. Amongst other applications, these can provide short-term emergency power - something Japan is very sensitive to, following the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima disaster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9gh9c8l_2u_hBIGGFNfNMvjj2b8T2B1qP2iU8L2cwxfV0ce1qnP8W7x-NdbKAFXC1WQMin9TC6PwtnF2HXO5-fTR7ceUQskgDVwVztsnwM4NELPoGGvszfIcRA_FIDmIL9DKhxuuZbg/s1600/Toyota+FCV+Plus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9gh9c8l_2u_hBIGGFNfNMvjj2b8T2B1qP2iU8L2cwxfV0ce1qnP8W7x-NdbKAFXC1WQMin9TC6PwtnF2HXO5-fTR7ceUQskgDVwVztsnwM4NELPoGGvszfIcRA_FIDmIL9DKhxuuZbg/s320/Toyota+FCV+Plus+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota FCV Plus (2015) - in 'power sharing' mode</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://hondanews.eu/gb/en//media/pressreleases/65080/honda-unveils-clarity-fuel-cell-at-the-2015-tokyo-motor-show" target="_blank">Honda Clarity FCV</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda's investment in hydrogen energy continues, with the Clarity saloon, the first to incorporate the entire fuel-cell powertrain in the space normally occupied by the engine and transmission. It has a cruising range of 700km, and the Japanese version of the model can act as a mobile power plant, with an external power feeding inverter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaVEezw8kAgP00W0dgdac_4QWkTbyF7cuY5ozW90AnJ7H9sDIzIuDTJjwiW6F_Lfm-R3sehjLUdr8kn4u_g-ZjT8BXlzqpRnAG1DbO5N8ywq14I4py0NOWilmA-A7_DVEb7tkYehnDok/s1600/Honda+FCV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaVEezw8kAgP00W0dgdac_4QWkTbyF7cuY5ozW90AnJ7H9sDIzIuDTJjwiW6F_Lfm-R3sehjLUdr8kn4u_g-ZjT8BXlzqpRnAG1DbO5N8ywq14I4py0NOWilmA-A7_DVEb7tkYehnDok/s320/Honda+FCV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honda FCV</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lexus-int.com/news/lexus-lf-fc-flagship-concept-revealed-at-the-tokyo-motor-show.html" target="_blank">Lexus LF-FC</a></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexus have introduced the Lexus LF-FC, a fuel-cell powered flagship concept. Here are the details of the powertrain:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
"At the heart of the LF-FC is a high output fuel cell power system that energizes the rear wheels, and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front, making the LF-FC all-wheel-drive. This innovative drive system allows precise torque distribution control between the front and rear wheels, giving the full-size sedan exceptional dynamic handling and superior road stability. The strategic placement of the fuel-cell stack at the rear of the vehicle, power control unit at the front and T-formation configured hydrogen fuel tanks result in front and rear weight distribution optimal for a sporty sedan."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpGqRZynMBST91REkwpAwACVqbu65ZFsmoty7yD9vvgrOAOEVLa4G3o5CmrvCmh_gljerdvZfOihw1pyDdPkfsWs_hac7dFrh2yyWZoDoYv9ntMhjxOaC8B2rVoLroFdmRRsmgHiWim0/s1600/Lexus+luxury+concept+for+Tokyo+2015+LS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpGqRZynMBST91REkwpAwACVqbu65ZFsmoty7yD9vvgrOAOEVLa4G3o5CmrvCmh_gljerdvZfOihw1pyDdPkfsWs_hac7dFrh2yyWZoDoYv9ntMhjxOaC8B2rVoLroFdmRRsmgHiWim0/s320/Lexus+luxury+concept+for+Tokyo+2015+LS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New luxurious Lexus Concept - teaser image</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ1lm6Z5LtH3f-JdXEe57OpRxY3KFyms-UNmTNX1pH-Ur4q6SDoHcfqLT2fd7u0JnY9fYSlypGHY_QLB_wxlj02BufVQCil12B_FDcPsOYc3MkNKGtG8xpDJMH0vnHxvw48UwvAkSpB0/s1600/Lexus+LF-FC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ1lm6Z5LtH3f-JdXEe57OpRxY3KFyms-UNmTNX1pH-Ur4q6SDoHcfqLT2fd7u0JnY9fYSlypGHY_QLB_wxlj02BufVQCil12B_FDcPsOYc3MkNKGtG8xpDJMH0vnHxvw48UwvAkSpB0/s320/Lexus+LF-FC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lexus LC-FC</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1676861-1-1859906-1-0-1-0-0-1-12639-1549054-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1446015777843" target="_blank">Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mercedes have released their 'Tokyo Concept' vehicle, aimed at 'generation Z' (those born after 1995!), living in mega-cities. 'Deep machine learning' and an intelligent Predictive Engine means it adapts to its occupants' preferences over time. It's assumed to be a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain under its sleek body.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtP_04EfIEsqPrRm8968zlXI5jlNqok4fH4d4QlyQmeF1rpUfZH0z-5ur6687EhprmahrQMUOqvNYFTSYclaO5LPe2TDhUdITSja-wTinMDPMt106mzIAlLPnwc4ULcyW_zYm41VgGlg/s1600/Mercedes+Tokyo+Vision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtP_04EfIEsqPrRm8968zlXI5jlNqok4fH4d4QlyQmeF1rpUfZH0z-5ur6687EhprmahrQMUOqvNYFTSYclaO5LPe2TDhUdITSja-wTinMDPMt106mzIAlLPnwc4ULcyW_zYm41VgGlg/s320/Mercedes+Tokyo+Vision.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept - pre-show teaser image</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL5rTvAKPxZzC0AiCCVzyeWaSKPVnr7VnZ47rwk7n55Za13So-1OR-Wxt2pjdJcaDwEZiy6o-VPUDxLq-2YpHFp5N-nDmTl-_PW3bI_C_4Tabq_yvsAwv2dmT2RT39q0Ms6T8wzEpd9Y/s1600/Mercedes+Vision+Tokyo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL5rTvAKPxZzC0AiCCVzyeWaSKPVnr7VnZ47rwk7n55Za13So-1OR-Wxt2pjdJcaDwEZiy6o-VPUDxLq-2YpHFp5N-nDmTl-_PW3bI_C_4Tabq_yvsAwv2dmT2RT39q0Ms6T8wzEpd9Y/s320/Mercedes+Vision+Tokyo+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfqMy0dBXu6KxEntwn5Qx316yscvd4-WCCs8ea94WZjV8p9GAV78DQ7Gdx2LEGNd-6wsyBMu1bzgDHUHCqV17ESnhurwOcx89xAQMgKcimCP3HOwizzesdk3AZEyewwhyphenhyphenWB1ZQ8BCh9A/s1600/Mercedes+Vision+Tokyo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfqMy0dBXu6KxEntwn5Qx316yscvd4-WCCs8ea94WZjV8p9GAV78DQ7Gdx2LEGNd-6wsyBMu1bzgDHUHCqV17ESnhurwOcx89xAQMgKcimCP3HOwizzesdk3AZEyewwhyphenhyphenWB1ZQ8BCh9A/s320/Mercedes+Vision+Tokyo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/events/motorshow/2015/tms2015/conceptcar/" target="_blank"><b>Mitsubishi eX</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mitsubishi are due to launch a new all-electric EV, the eX.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXTJoUfS8rvK5Fp5fKZNmliQfMCbhNuiClYcndpaGAAoKPu6kn6WRhYQ5V3ObGnNqiZy1Gkhx7jMwEbHBgmH9r3CwhsjxWaF7CyrAZWx-URVCExy5r48MxCwuheKBCCY2CeoTXE9F6iA/s1600/Mitsubishi+eX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXTJoUfS8rvK5Fp5fKZNmliQfMCbhNuiClYcndpaGAAoKPu6kn6WRhYQ5V3ObGnNqiZy1Gkhx7jMwEbHBgmH9r3CwhsjxWaF7CyrAZWx-URVCExy5r48MxCwuheKBCCY2CeoTXE9F6iA/s320/Mitsubishi+eX.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mitsubishi eX</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the ever-increasingly competitive compact SUV market, the eX will have all-wheel drive, automated driving technologies, active safety and connected features.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An Outlander PHEV will also be demonstrated in a 'Vehicle to X' (e.g. home) setup, showing how the battery can be used to power the home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2015/_STORY/151005-01-e.html" target="_blank">Nissan Gripz</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of two EV concepts being introduced by Nissan at Tokyo this year is the Gripz.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihre4TbqB-Y4dE8GL3IDuf_L19tdvA-rJvzWL4Pk83wipKxyeayE11Fsf-AAR8-aXzrMUBUmqcvrao0i_thRhwf6qYTPy4QFi8P-qPumy8ZvqmdwyRqhINdQE5M48sPSG7FSJkQ5zBL-I/s1600/Nissan+Gripz+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihre4TbqB-Y4dE8GL3IDuf_L19tdvA-rJvzWL4Pk83wipKxyeayE11Fsf-AAR8-aXzrMUBUmqcvrao0i_thRhwf6qYTPy4QFi8P-qPumy8ZvqmdwyRqhINdQE5M48sPSG7FSJkQ5zBL-I/s320/Nissan+Gripz+Concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan Gripz Concept</span></td></tr>
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An efficient gasoline engine powers the same electric motor used in the Nissan Leaf. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2015/_STORY/151005-01-e.html" target="_blank"><b>Nissan Teatro for Dayz</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan's concept car has a peculiar name, 'Teatro for Dayz', and ahead of the motor show isn't giving anything away about its powertrain, except that it's an EV. Hopefully we'll find out more soon...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzdUdyPGqEkAHYFSq24b5UXCdTdXIWd3naljJI0m9fspYnB85j5yL7SAXx-AGrmHd0gzzDQfllLPQRRvID_X9IbrISXC1HPEi62YBKqwRqpWblbfl0f9rDFciwVUD2DU0d51z8NUpT0/s1600/Nissan+Teatro+for+Dayz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzdUdyPGqEkAHYFSq24b5UXCdTdXIWd3naljJI0m9fspYnB85j5yL7SAXx-AGrmHd0gzzDQfllLPQRRvID_X9IbrISXC1HPEi62YBKqwRqpWblbfl0f9rDFciwVUD2DU0d51z8NUpT0/s320/Nissan+Teatro+for+Dayz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nissan Teatro for Dayz</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/product_info/fcv-plus-concept/" target="_blank">Toyota FCV Plus</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hydrogen power is currently the underdog to be the dominant fuel source for mobility solutions in the future, but some manufacturers are investing huge amounts in the technology - see my <a href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/Hydrogen2.html" target="_blank">recent blog</a> to read about some examples (including the Mirai from Toyota). Toyota has now taken this one step further, and sees hydrogen cars as being an energy source to share with the community. Specifically, as well as its own hydrogen tank, it can also generate electricity from an external hydrogen source, allowing the power generated to be available at home, work, etc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kc4-PcL1VKFmwAS8zm9QZFfj3yBW9ebtcMKIj84NsbU3jtsCm71Ggt3eAyySt7wkCpwBYXd-ZJ5Z8Yq6DjekaL6PpA4eCAH-ToD5pgjY9XrxX1itkC5hSZYEcSHybmhm9NOtC7egJSM/s1600/Toyota+FCV+Plus+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kc4-PcL1VKFmwAS8zm9QZFfj3yBW9ebtcMKIj84NsbU3jtsCm71Ggt3eAyySt7wkCpwBYXd-ZJ5Z8Yq6DjekaL6PpA4eCAH-ToD5pgjY9XrxX1itkC5hSZYEcSHybmhm9NOtC7egJSM/s320/Toyota+FCV+Plus+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota FCV Plus (2015)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iz3fQvS7j-fh3glLWCUnJTHGVru0hOuutkgRSnkxPGRAey3NBC0e5ku7Oh-H9iv_o-67Mrfp0dqDDzDKHE-BDuN6MQjv0z_eUP5_7CKRfKwn3Gxd8sgGy3D52aX9Z8NiBvt-jeJ4cJ8/s1600/Toyota+FCV+Plus+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iz3fQvS7j-fh3glLWCUnJTHGVru0hOuutkgRSnkxPGRAey3NBC0e5ku7Oh-H9iv_o-67Mrfp0dqDDzDKHE-BDuN6MQjv0z_eUP5_7CKRfKwn3Gxd8sgGy3D52aX9Z8NiBvt-jeJ4cJ8/s320/Toyota+FCV+Plus+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyota FCV Plus (2015) - inside</span></td></tr>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-11695576072858908382015-09-30T21:36:00.000+01:002015-09-30T21:36:02.764+01:00Tesla Model X - Introducing a game-changing SUV<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tesla's mission is to 'accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transport'. And last night, Tesla Motors launched a key part of its arsenal - the much-anticipated <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/modelx" target="_blank">Model X</a>, a game-changing SUV, proving electric mobility can be used to move large families/groups, in comfort, style and with zero tailpipe emissions.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH17yivUc7kAlWgZU6MdF6KgmrsYvmVo-MVbi38uNvU8RgoqoSFbKAGt3GYxwTdA_Q0DSSiUkDv3GiG4Wv56PiU2DBtQthOMuRkX46KnlXgpbubYrhF7xp7pyyYdeINeKspM4s4ght2iU/s1600/Tesla+Model+X+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH17yivUc7kAlWgZU6MdF6KgmrsYvmVo-MVbi38uNvU8RgoqoSFbKAGt3GYxwTdA_Q0DSSiUkDv3GiG4Wv56PiU2DBtQthOMuRkX46KnlXgpbubYrhF7xp7pyyYdeINeKspM4s4ght2iU/s320/Tesla+Model+X+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tesla Model X</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_126599616"></span><span id="goog_126599617"></span>Its performance is also something to make the headlines, putting other 'performance SUVs' to shame. In P90D guise, its four wheel drive powertrain can provide 0-60mph in as little as 3.2 seconds, and with a 250 mile range and 30 minute charge time, more time can be spent on the road enjoying its character.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTAjot5j2-1VniGPRlBzEroV0wpdEESEi3Ysk5-dQbVyuek1hghYKXNNumrn0aptWvBgs3olb_Jq-EZKxZM1udjQtgTu9j9B8jtbUIVEKa_jH23MZZU69D_W_OAKEKOctC05fU3lxpa8/s1600/Tesla+Model+X+skis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTAjot5j2-1VniGPRlBzEroV0wpdEESEi3Ysk5-dQbVyuek1hghYKXNNumrn0aptWvBgs3olb_Jq-EZKxZM1udjQtgTu9j9B8jtbUIVEKa_jH23MZZU69D_W_OAKEKOctC05fU3lxpa8/s320/Tesla+Model+X+skis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tesla Model X</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When shipping around a family, safety is obviously critical, and Tesla haven't disappointed in the new Model X. It's the safest SUV ever, with 5 star NHTSA ratings in every category. Without a traditional engine in the bonnet, the equivalent area can be used as a much extended crumple zone. Side impacts have about a 50% reduced intrusion in a 'side pole' test, compared to the next best SUV. And rollover risk is reduced with its lower centre of gravity. And with 'active safety', sensors and cameras will provide automated emergency braking and even active steering to provide collision avoidance. It even has a 'bio-weapon defence' button to protect occupants from outside toxic gases!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other features include the driver's door which automatically opens and closes as the driver approaches the car, then sits in their seat; 2276kg of towing capacity; and of course the dual-hinge falcon wing doors with its impressive passenger access, even in a tight space...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPBdob1kXXdCKRjEwpsN6MNEtCZuMuVwIl_CD29ZEGyHJt81Gq9zY6eFtLKkDz7l2Zwae5iULV6iwfAIAEvRX_VErNcY6Aizih5ZsAxYjf60NRVeKzMDUhjzc4ffpiDs4c32lGQzLzkY/s1600/Tesla+Model+X+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPBdob1kXXdCKRjEwpsN6MNEtCZuMuVwIl_CD29ZEGyHJt81Gq9zY6eFtLKkDz7l2Zwae5iULV6iwfAIAEvRX_VErNcY6Aizih5ZsAxYjf60NRVeKzMDUhjzc4ffpiDs4c32lGQzLzkY/s320/Tesla+Model+X+Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tesla Model X - Falcon Wing Doors</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UK prices expected to be around £65,000.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can watch Elon Musk introduce the Model X in <a href="https://vimeo.com/140889963" target="_blank">this video</a>.</span><br />
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-83290123137687603612015-09-14T21:22:00.000+01:002015-09-18T18:49:53.196+01:00Frankfurt Motor Show - Highlights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a selection of the highlights from the Frankfurt Motor Show, where manufacturers have made significant incremental, or in some cases revolutionary, improvements to the sustainability of the automobile. Although it's hard to avoid the launch the (hideous) <a href="http://www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/bentayga.html" target="_blank">Bentley Bentayga</a>, the <a href="https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en-GB/dawn.html" target="_blank">Rolls-Royce Dawn</a>, the <a href="http://www.jaguar.co.uk/jaguar-range/f-pace/f-pace.html" target="_blank">Jaguar F-Pace</a>, and the <a href="http://488spider.ferrari.com/#en/home" target="_blank">Ferrari 488 Spider</a>, it's the news below which is setting the future direction of the industry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.artega.de/en/" target="_blank">Artega Scalo</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Scalo offers 402bhp from two electric motors powering the rear wheels. 0-60mph comes in 3.6 seconds. A 37kW battery supports a range of up to 250 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilglk1W7mDLDmFTA26xgpaksTXAAcQjL5fpXID0gXXlSCt6X8dQT4NoYbgRxfFyBGAG3QxuLpuMNMo8jKqpow2RXu_cLlSIlZvBwwFuU83TYhqdSpXF2RDGxlOKPi3enFzrLd_yZsHmTM/s1600/Artega+Scalo+-+Frankfurt+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilglk1W7mDLDmFTA26xgpaksTXAAcQjL5fpXID0gXXlSCt6X8dQT4NoYbgRxfFyBGAG3QxuLpuMNMo8jKqpow2RXu_cLlSIlZvBwwFuU83TYhqdSpXF2RDGxlOKPi3enFzrLd_yZsHmTM/s320/Artega+Scalo+-+Frankfurt+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Artega Scalo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/4654" target="_blank">Audi Q6 e-tron</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Audi has released a concept all-electric SUV, sized somewhere between the Q5 and Q7. Its figures suggest innovation in aerodynamics contribute to a claimed range of 310 miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF-aHcpBh21SlO6Ic2HAxFH55EEex2Eaio9I06ma3huREmSI622KXxM7XE7TMyZAO8flJexcTRb_eh_Y5r9P_uldsdzofJEURvPdaf4zjQXXf8JXSnPe0gYTeEh0L9ww2W9GrG1t_d7w/s1600/Audi+Q6+e-tron+electric+car+concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF-aHcpBh21SlO6Ic2HAxFH55EEex2Eaio9I06ma3huREmSI622KXxM7XE7TMyZAO8flJexcTRb_eh_Y5r9P_uldsdzofJEURvPdaf4zjQXXf8JXSnPe0gYTeEh0L9ww2W9GrG1t_d7w/s320/Audi+Q6+e-tron+electric+car+concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Audi Q6 e-tron concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>BMW</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW is the 'traditional' manufacturer which I predict will be the first to have an alternative powertrain available in all of its model series first. And a pre-show announcement has helped them achieve this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>BMW 225xe Active Tourer</i>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Active Tourer 225xe mates a 134bhp front-mounted 1.5L petrol engine, with a rear-axle mounted 88bhp electric motor. 25 miles of electric-only range should be possible, courtesy of the 7.7kWh lithium ion battery.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sq1cZAEyi8UzT2BhNUNYXEBK8DawM7Znu6i3U0VOdaUPssSXDns9SPQ7uGXuf-4Ha4w8UJmTQL7MC4VCjpx_Seu7f7ZH0mZNtI3eRFjl_76i4QauxbNnhUAhi9iq5WJRfOKn2dOdgps/s1600/BMW+225xe+hybrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sq1cZAEyi8UzT2BhNUNYXEBK8DawM7Znu6i3U0VOdaUPssSXDns9SPQ7uGXuf-4Ha4w8UJmTQL7MC4VCjpx_Seu7f7ZH0mZNtI3eRFjl_76i4QauxbNnhUAhi9iq5WJRfOKn2dOdgps/s320/BMW+225xe+hybrid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW 225xe Active Hybrid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgAtI_nZgrak4iqmbHR6zjtxEVL0iWywnWtmEaLRKLvv-87rBt6GPKe6f01xjbv0PHIPOKliXcQnrr6NqhBipF8_N_Nzlw8edVsuRc1QVxWCtFE26A4MijW02G7D7oA4eMouYPxzGfbQ/s1600/BMW+225xe+close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgAtI_nZgrak4iqmbHR6zjtxEVL0iWywnWtmEaLRKLvv-87rBt6GPKe6f01xjbv0PHIPOKliXcQnrr6NqhBipF8_N_Nzlw8edVsuRc1QVxWCtFE26A4MijW02G7D7oA4eMouYPxzGfbQ/s320/BMW+225xe+close-up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW 225xe Active Hybrid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>BMW 330e</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also delivering a 25 mile all-electric range, the 330e has a different powertrain - a 2L petrol engine, alongside a 65kW electric motor. A top speed of 140mph (75mph in electric only), as low as 44 CO2 g/km.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JzTvrnFKNrcHj2Da90vtjHErwYBD1s-g0T8dqsN9U19N9V4iPBQtBFdoo9illsZj8MKKVdA3FMLYrZTSkALWKI1_OzO7YESjjd2xmK7ax3yc6WcmWaWJdBnHFyM0rp20QUJnfwR9_OA/s1600/BMW+330e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JzTvrnFKNrcHj2Da90vtjHErwYBD1s-g0T8dqsN9U19N9V4iPBQtBFdoo9illsZj8MKKVdA3FMLYrZTSkALWKI1_OzO7YESjjd2xmK7ax3yc6WcmWaWJdBnHFyM0rp20QUJnfwR9_OA/s320/BMW+330e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW 330e</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcO77fWJSu-6Gubspe8JpkTtce48dh0OAgAQyD-Mg9R5HaMWLKxyAHNFMBhrelMn8D9wv1Q5MW7VeH1KTwS8nmUKi_FsN6fz8rFsZBqZakEJcZRTf__7xmbGUek7GkDwTrB2UkCNU58w/s1600/BMW+330e+drivetrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcO77fWJSu-6Gubspe8JpkTtce48dh0OAgAQyD-Mg9R5HaMWLKxyAHNFMBhrelMn8D9wv1Q5MW7VeH1KTwS8nmUKi_FsN6fz8rFsZBqZakEJcZRTf__7xmbGUek7GkDwTrB2UkCNU58w/s320/BMW+330e+drivetrain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The powertrain within the BMW 330e</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/7series/sedan/2015/showroom/bmw_edrive.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW 740e</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To complete the trio and with 25 miles of all-electric range again, the 740e will be available in standard and long wheel based version (the latter also available as an xDrive 4WD option). Claimed figures are 134mpg and 49g CO2/km.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDkNkWYSmBNcQb8bI-F_q9ATowbXnQuO8OJgMMH-MAW0cwfnEVwsHmDaMH1t2mh1rGNrbyrMETIu2cHwK9cKXIQptPWzuLbQ-cIoCfGdKqH8LDc1KPq2DFtj19quK2kZ8zX6paiqk3-s/s1600/BMW+740e+charging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDkNkWYSmBNcQb8bI-F_q9ATowbXnQuO8OJgMMH-MAW0cwfnEVwsHmDaMH1t2mh1rGNrbyrMETIu2cHwK9cKXIQptPWzuLbQ-cIoCfGdKqH8LDc1KPq2DFtj19quK2kZ8zX6paiqk3-s/s320/BMW+740e+charging.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW 740e</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mercedes Concept IAA</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes has introduced a new design language and world-beating aerodynamics in its IAA Concept (Intelligent Autonomous Vehicle')</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecYkxAqLnALJsvLg4KN9ekaRWGnrylLUHGLk9QinJzZXTY_iDzNOq36ducy8P_VIfLdCiGm6PftdApAmNyOsZOCq1wDN_6rdO40l4hPqW7PfirntQMc0OxgeuNxNkPUhOd21a06z9png/s1600/Mercedes+IAA+Concept+Front+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecYkxAqLnALJsvLg4KN9ekaRWGnrylLUHGLk9QinJzZXTY_iDzNOq36ducy8P_VIfLdCiGm6PftdApAmNyOsZOCq1wDN_6rdO40l4hPqW7PfirntQMc0OxgeuNxNkPUhOd21a06z9png/s320/Mercedes+IAA+Concept+Front+34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes Concept IAA</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKicljvcxP8QVpSIkT_YWL5PA38M5ljXjxtyrjxskeqQwFYo8DffbqL3b1MVb3bHa-6A9GtQwbibK73ib1LJfLxWz-GL57dkfjlcEDWVm-qo8HGHv0bUAWAMpLhB5bZme3M7pOE6WvioQ/s1600/Mercedes+IAA+Concept+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKicljvcxP8QVpSIkT_YWL5PA38M5ljXjxtyrjxskeqQwFYo8DffbqL3b1MVb3bHa-6A9GtQwbibK73ib1LJfLxWz-GL57dkfjlcEDWVm-qo8HGHv0bUAWAMpLhB5bZme3M7pOE6WvioQ/s320/Mercedes+IAA+Concept+Side.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mercedes Concept IAA, with a Cd of 0.19</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its coefficient drag coefficient (Cd), is a mere 0.19, helped with automatic changes to the car's exterior above 80km/h. And this isn't just about a rear spoiler which raises at speed... The changes are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Eight segments extend at the rear, increasing its length by up to 390 millimetres</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Front flaps in the front bumper extend by 25 mm to the front and 20 mm to the rear, improving the air flow around the front end and the front wheel arches</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The Active Rims alter their cupping from 55 mm to zero</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The louvre in the front bumper moves 60 mm to the rear, improving the underbody air flow</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, CO2 emissions can be as low as 28g CO2/km.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/EU/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=137066" target="_blank">Nissan Leaf</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Nissan Leaf has been a global success, in fact is the world's best-selling EV. And now Nissan have announced improvements, which include a 30kWh battery, increasing the motorway range to 250km, for only a 21kg increase in weight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-qnbGGfld_5ubySZnYCfeNAC3grnNcjVKrbLwg3IzJIy1TerXYnkiDIKdZabW7PpFA2v6BLJK8Z-GTvrVeioVzk3ebF1HCOI-BKMPyqMrFV5JYpqETMobJlrCji6yTXHPNRF_S5sOWw/s1600/Nissan+Leaf+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-qnbGGfld_5ubySZnYCfeNAC3grnNcjVKrbLwg3IzJIy1TerXYnkiDIKdZabW7PpFA2v6BLJK8Z-GTvrVeioVzk3ebF1HCOI-BKMPyqMrFV5JYpqETMobJlrCji6yTXHPNRF_S5sOWw/s320/Nissan+Leaf+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nissan Leaf with 30kWh battery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.peugeot.co.uk/news/fractal-concept-amplifies-the-peugeot-i-cockpit-with-sound/" target="_blank">Peugeot FRACTAL Concept</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peugeot have launched a new concept car, the FRACTAL, an electric urban coupe. Its main focus is on sound, supporting their i Cockpit® sight and touch sensory experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwZiUlDKZsly06uDrXruw1LnfeFr7xbMRd-BStzYTncQeF9iws9ROHYpBb0vCq_xpixojNSicfMEAXBshKS86ASO0N10oHDc5K7JYEZw1dmelkGm1uGXUVmclrSfbvrLrU8uFukIv_CU/s1600/Peugeot+Fractal+Concept+-+Frankfurt+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwZiUlDKZsly06uDrXruw1LnfeFr7xbMRd-BStzYTncQeF9iws9ROHYpBb0vCq_xpixojNSicfMEAXBshKS86ASO0N10oHDc5K7JYEZw1dmelkGm1uGXUVmclrSfbvrLrU8uFukIv_CU/s320/Peugeot+Fractal+Concept+-+Frankfurt+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peugeot FRACTAL concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The 30kW/h lithium-ion battery powers the electric motors on the front and rear axles to provide a total output of 150kW/204hp and combined-cycle autonomy of up to 450km"</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Porsche Mission E Concept</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">600bhp+</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">331 mile range</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.5 seconds to 60mph</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">800V charging capacity</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tesla have some competition!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFDQijpy8joj_rC4kTb1eQ7RJ4uix9qrqyrsxm5KfRtYkubaMeB9FvY404ew0m5YUr3HXKjjQnYbQFWHCzob2j1sbrW0f7MHIuGXtH2t7F6bPXxpddJAI6VYVpN3Gj41HLAX0wixAfiE/s1600/Porsche+Mission+E+REAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFDQijpy8joj_rC4kTb1eQ7RJ4uix9qrqyrsxm5KfRtYkubaMeB9FvY404ew0m5YUr3HXKjjQnYbQFWHCzob2j1sbrW0f7MHIuGXtH2t7F6bPXxpddJAI6VYVpN3Gj41HLAX0wixAfiE/s320/Porsche+Mission+E+REAR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Porsche Mission E</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSq9gmN6S4PCpb6QvkgeAK-R6-oFdY7afCLmQGL1qgqHZGmu7POMv5ougylztJWyiEAod2IIbbrDd-zfkow3jIxHUdGseJGjTaXQMAukyiK63I55qdzzA-1mCne2-j1wK0AYU-MrYNg8/s1600/Porsche+Mission+E+SIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSq9gmN6S4PCpb6QvkgeAK-R6-oFdY7afCLmQGL1qgqHZGmu7POMv5ougylztJWyiEAod2IIbbrDd-zfkow3jIxHUdGseJGjTaXQMAukyiK63I55qdzzA-1mCne2-j1wK0AYU-MrYNg8/s320/Porsche+Mission+E+SIDE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Porsche Mission E</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1693485-1-1848083-1-0-1-0-0-1-12639-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1442431919825" target="_blank">Smart ForTwo and ForFour</a></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
"Both vehicles will be fitted with an electric motor produced by Renault’s Cléon plant in France, the same one used in the Renault ZOE. The battery of the new smart electric drive will be produced by the Daimler subsidiary, “Deutsche ACCUmotive,” in Kamenz, Germany."</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tpmoto.com/" target="_blank">Thunder Power</a></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new entrant to the sector, from Taiwan, Thunder Power have introduced a concept car looking to take Tesla on with some impressive stats:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">430bhp</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">373 mile range</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top speed of 155mph, with a 0-62mph sprint in less than 5 seconds</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk8kXLLzYepDpOKt5DhUCr2qkHxAO_TQurgIwPlh3wkYWIiEQjGtMF7QXhgsLv6fKqfBgEOL8Y8A3tUqHcgOVEebHb55f6VeE_SB-qcgUUbRg7NLkzUBZCg7GzoWt1DvwONssOZfmbJs/s1600/Thunder+Power+EV+-+Frankfurt+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk8kXLLzYepDpOKt5DhUCr2qkHxAO_TQurgIwPlh3wkYWIiEQjGtMF7QXhgsLv6fKqfBgEOL8Y8A3tUqHcgOVEebHb55f6VeE_SB-qcgUUbRg7NLkzUBZCg7GzoWt1DvwONssOZfmbJs/s320/Thunder+Power+EV+-+Frankfurt+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thunder Power Concept</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's set for a 2017 release in Europe, so it will be interesting to see how much of an impact it will make, as more established brands enter this segment.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://media.toyota.co.uk/2015/09/the-new-toyota-prius-rebirth-of-the-pioneer/" target="_blank">Toyota Prius</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 1997, Toyota released the Prius... and started a revolution. Well, it's time for an update, and although you can see some familiarity with the previous versions, it's fair to say the latest incarnation takes more than a little inspiration from the hydrogen-powered Mirai.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFd-8CBgbhGf_f_ZESI_gcTpXLisWqDPfqqvCfHbvbP8s08fa0swas8A-7qfUfu6VstgU2l0HIhEuW1r7mfIIXFRT_mjFpppEu1s2177P6YLHLRHjYmuSzug38i7K1cjdMZuD6geYHZs/s1600/Toyota+Prius+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFd-8CBgbhGf_f_ZESI_gcTpXLisWqDPfqqvCfHbvbP8s08fa0swas8A-7qfUfu6VstgU2l0HIhEuW1r7mfIIXFRT_mjFpppEu1s2177P6YLHLRHjYmuSzug38i7K1cjdMZuD6geYHZs/s320/Toyota+Prius+family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toyota Prius through the generations</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEv9N-MoTIvw46uAsYPlMIY8gEPfAr2v2t42W512eTBqWrlRBRKq4Ln6rMymIxEG6G3xWSC9mRurw1xNl9E1nAzv5T9bgGGWl_Rrc8L5XRdQ0eUN5PTQgHq9XDECafU2e_gI0SCAC7SM/s1600/Toyota+2016+PRIUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEv9N-MoTIvw46uAsYPlMIY8gEPfAr2v2t42W512eTBqWrlRBRKq4Ln6rMymIxEG6G3xWSC9mRurw1xNl9E1nAzv5T9bgGGWl_Rrc8L5XRdQ0eUN5PTQgHq9XDECafU2e_gI0SCAC7SM/s320/Toyota+2016+PRIUS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2016 Toyota Prius</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The petrol engine now boasts a thermal efficiency of 40%, whilst the new nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery is more compact with its durability and charging performance being significantly improved. It's claimed that there's a 10% improvement in efficiency overall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Concept</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alongside Volkswagen's refreshed Tiguan series, they have introduced a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid GTE concept.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6geslTFYuu_MTIsltbQQbOXlXlVVSbWJ6CXU3slI3DAiIEgjb6MGu6KpFaZifhYiJ_MIgO0DDS9lKaFw_SlFaQ2WKJkpm0YgfjMmfWSzJYxzYpp6jLnHD9frgPRFjzqWwI1lDZFoz8b8/s1600/volkswagen-tiguan-gte-17-970x546-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6geslTFYuu_MTIsltbQQbOXlXlVVSbWJ6CXU3slI3DAiIEgjb6MGu6KpFaZifhYiJ_MIgO0DDS9lKaFw_SlFaQ2WKJkpm0YgfjMmfWSzJYxzYpp6jLnHD9frgPRFjzqWwI1lDZFoz8b8/s320/volkswagen-tiguan-gte-17-970x546-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Volkswagen Tiguan GTE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A 1.4L TSI turbocharged petrol engine is combined with an electric motor to power the front wheels, generating 215hp. CO2 emissions are expected to be 42g/km. The 13kWh lithium ion battery can also be topped-up by solar panels on the roof, with optimum sun conditions extending the car's range up to 621 miles.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Summary</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a combination of existing models being upgraded, and some new concepts released, the Frankfurt Motor Show has clearly demonstrated we're accelerating towards more sustainable motoring. And if you're in the UK, and would like to see what's available on the forecourts today, please check out my <a href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/p/uks-sustainable-fleet.html" target="_blank">UK Sustainable Car Directory</a>.</span></div>
Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233218430772589086.post-28522854831272045292015-07-05T11:04:00.001+01:002015-07-05T11:04:17.370+01:00Hydrogen cars - update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a <a href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/Hydrogen.html" target="_blank">recent blog</a>, I gave an overview that alongside the momentum behind plug-in electric and hybrid cars, manufacturers are still investing in hydrogen-powered mobility via fuel cells. Below, I've outlined another couple of recent developments which continue to suggest there's strong interest in making it part of our future.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Japanese manufacturers</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toyota, Nissan and Honda have added significant weight behind the support for developing a more robust hydrogen infrastructure in Japan. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNgYeUFsNtBOSGkLajq1kLsP7BdynsmLGTLV0k303AjcPpY42rOj68vp5gGh6KLQplQs8A4IU6f5foN-b9psSVdQOBFGRv45oiCW2KEHaGnqbcGX-XWmP0qDp733O57OjHp7mAW1wrM/s1600/Hydrogen+Fuel+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNgYeUFsNtBOSGkLajq1kLsP7BdynsmLGTLV0k303AjcPpY42rOj68vp5gGh6KLQplQs8A4IU6f5foN-b9psSVdQOBFGRv45oiCW2KEHaGnqbcGX-XWmP0qDp733O57OjHp7mAW1wrM/s320/Hydrogen+Fuel+Station.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrogen Station in Ebina city, Kanagawa Prefecture</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking holistically across the product service system, the initiatives include:</span></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working with infrastructure providers to improve customer service levels</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Extending operating hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promoting Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs)</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU3AjvjvntJ2dqIG_0fzx-2rZqT4rDvg5NyeziSI69b0APXrk6iikVQCTCylPjLTwdakq-mskIhfmqc7R4rqLT4ufd__qZpueJWWdtSlIGGRa4k2mo9CIdIYuZVs6xeYENQ7HZ4JY1wo/s1600/Japanese+Hydrogen+Agreement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoU3AjvjvntJ2dqIG_0fzx-2rZqT4rDvg5NyeziSI69b0APXrk6iikVQCTCylPjLTwdakq-mskIhfmqc7R4rqLT4ufd__qZpueJWWdtSlIGGRa4k2mo9CIdIYuZVs6xeYENQ7HZ4JY1wo/s320/Japanese+Hydrogen+Agreement.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nissan, Toyota and Honda in agreement on hydrogen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EoXsf005D-ktlh8CvhLoY7gPwRt3bHqDIv5VLFCgcbxb6x4VRKQfLyj8nu_I0yQIXMs55pprbZ7UgenVnLWneS7X22h2iF7OoOTVmYksH-ox8Kt_597AVHuSCgEJeFqYJja5_b4dSYc/s1600/Honda+FCV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EoXsf005D-ktlh8CvhLoY7gPwRt3bHqDIv5VLFCgcbxb6x4VRKQfLyj8nu_I0yQIXMs55pprbZ7UgenVnLWneS7X22h2iF7OoOTVmYksH-ox8Kt_597AVHuSCgEJeFqYJja5_b4dSYc/s320/Honda+FCV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honda FCV</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1hZ1uRbp30DLoJDy36vospMit6npVrTzGjfigClk16BvgBcvS-5p0bXOmbuCj69ZSN7I995aBlGyxYy-EsTGKfRqLxrP-0u62wcK4rZyUeTqISMBTI6G2weWL-iBN5Az8QmZU1l3ylI/s1600/Toyota+Mirai+White.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1hZ1uRbp30DLoJDy36vospMit6npVrTzGjfigClk16BvgBcvS-5p0bXOmbuCj69ZSN7I995aBlGyxYy-EsTGKfRqLxrP-0u62wcK4rZyUeTqISMBTI6G2weWL-iBN5Az8QmZU1l3ylI/s320/Toyota+Mirai+White.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toyota Mirai</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More information <a href="http://sussol.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/Hydrogen.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>BMW Hydrogen development</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW announced a partnership with Toyota in 2013 for fuel cell electric vehicle development, and have recently showcased a prototype based on their 5 series Gran Turismo.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VJSEXl5gL5SSP2_xT8AhNNsytIKTMZpUTSgbnY_TKKJI-XXYWcoFWjhlQPldPsLEkHcbWGLlnozCQD4XR6fZC6hmLY23hVSlnsL0emhyAL3Blgq5bbnBcNjWNubgahu8Opgqh91U998/s1600/BMW+Hydrogen+201506-P90189143-zoom-orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VJSEXl5gL5SSP2_xT8AhNNsytIKTMZpUTSgbnY_TKKJI-XXYWcoFWjhlQPldPsLEkHcbWGLlnozCQD4XR6fZC6hmLY23hVSlnsL0emhyAL3Blgq5bbnBcNjWNubgahu8Opgqh91U998/s320/BMW+Hydrogen+201506-P90189143-zoom-orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 Series Gran Turismo - powered by hydrogen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its features include:</span><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">180kW electric motor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrogen storage from a 'tunnel tank' between the front and rear axles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A >300 mile range</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Refuelling in less than 5 minutes</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With rapid refuelling and a impressive range, it sets a high bar for electric vehicles to challenge.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6vLkj0J8URhX_ZkRao8Wl4772uGKb4olmawCydxqmcu2B6mE2PvFyStw9kc4xfkxO3U6LoiW7Ou6jWkhaJT0rWSIf8N4Ybb_nH35W8pVnUNiTbqMlqi7A18aBcaGKOhgexdD8R5Wsnw/s1600/BMW+Hydrogen+P90189152-bmw-group-innovation-days-efficient-dynamics-2015-hydrogen-fuel-cell-edrive-technology-07-2015-600px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6vLkj0J8URhX_ZkRao8Wl4772uGKb4olmawCydxqmcu2B6mE2PvFyStw9kc4xfkxO3U6LoiW7Ou6jWkhaJT0rWSIf8N4Ybb_nH35W8pVnUNiTbqMlqi7A18aBcaGKOhgexdD8R5Wsnw/s320/BMW+Hydrogen+P90189152-bmw-group-innovation-days-efficient-dynamics-2015-hydrogen-fuel-cell-edrive-technology-07-2015-600px.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hydrogen refuelling</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW have also released images of a futuristic hydrogen-powered prototype, with a more than passing similarity to the current i8:</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt9zB53F6LmVCBzBn-JoT1lGiiFRhZf5niZN1TWeH6AuTEExAsAyfRoCg2SGA39Kve1-uEkQgfl5kdi5Q0EgOa4bRc0An_OzOuHI-Dziq0Ovw1IcC7IeCIQGW9IKR8cnsPd4pTFpkXCM/s1600/BMW+201506-P90189094-zoom-orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt9zB53F6LmVCBzBn-JoT1lGiiFRhZf5niZN1TWeH6AuTEExAsAyfRoCg2SGA39Kve1-uEkQgfl5kdi5Q0EgOa4bRc0An_OzOuHI-Dziq0Ovw1IcC7IeCIQGW9IKR8cnsPd4pTFpkXCM/s320/BMW+201506-P90189094-zoom-orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BMW Hydrogen Fuel Cell eDrive technology</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">BMW Hydrogen Fuel Cell eDrive technology</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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Richard Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08586519918584417498noreply@blogger.com1