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Cooperation between E.ON and Volkswagen Group Components contributes to establishing an ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

E.ON and VW co-develop new solution for ultra-fast charging EVs

The provision of an expansive public network of ultra-fast EV charging stations can be attained quicker than previously thought possible. E.ON and Volkswagen Group Components (VGC) are giving the realisation new impetus with the prototype of a new, flexible ultra-fast charging station that will be presented and trialled in Essen, western Germany.

By integrating a battery system, it will be possible to install ultra-fast charging stations almost anywhere and at significantly lower cost without civil engineering or mains connection.

According to E.ON and VGC, the new technology paves the way for a larger number of ultra-fast charging points to be installed where they are needed. E.ON is seeing demand for this solution from municipal utilities and local authorities as well as from filling stations and service areas. In addition, the concept is tailored to the electrification of retail parking lots and logistics companies such as parcel services.

The stations are installed according to the plug & play principle – simply put them down, connect them and configure them online. The quick charging system can charge two e-cars with up to 150 kilowatts of power at the same time, thus providing an additional range of around 120 miles on average in just 15 minutes.

To ensure that the battery installed in the charging station always has sufficient capacity, it is permanently fed by a conventional 16 to 63 ampere power connection. E.ON will operate the rapid chargers exclusively with green electricity. Updates, remote maintenance and billing of the charging points will be carried out via E.ON's central software platform. The technology meets all the requirements for financial support under both the EU and the German directive and complies with the requirements of calibration law.

The business model was developed jointly by E.ON and VGC. The hardware component is an innovation of the automotive company combined with E.ON's proven operator system and market knowledge. VGC will start series production this year.

In the second half of the year, E.ON will intensively test the new charging points at six motorway filling stations and then launch them on the German market under the name E.ON Drive Booster.

UK pricing and specifications for the new Fiat 500 mild hybrid and Panda mild hybrid have been announced, arriving in UK showrooms mid-February and March, respectively.

The ubiquitous Fiat 500 and the diminutive Panda are two iconic models in the current Fiat product range. They represent and perhaps, even define urban mobility with combined annual sales of over 400,000 units throughout the EU and the UK.

With the introduction of mild hybrid technology, the 500 and the Panda provide all the benefits of efficient, compact, lightweight and accessible hybrid driving.

Fiat has confirmed that the new Fiat 500 mild hybrid and Fiat Panda mild hybrid will start from £12,655 and £13,855 respectively.

Both models mark the electrification of the brand and are the first steps towards more sustainable urban driving. That journey continues later in 2020 when production commences of the new 500e in its spiritual home of Turin. Being fully electric, the model will play a key role in the FCA e-Mobility strategy. The new 500e is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Both models will be available with a new petrol mild hybrid drivetrain that combines the latest 3-cylinder FireFly 1.0-litre engine with a 12-volt belt-integrated starter-generator (BSG) electric motor and a lithium battery. Combined output is 70hp.

Compared to the outgoing 1.2-litre 69hp petrol engine, the mild hybrid version improves fuel efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent without impeding performance. The 500 mild hybrid has CO2 emissions as low as 88g/km with the Panda at 89g/km. Fuel economy for the 500 is said to be 53.3mpg, while the Panda returns 49.6mpg (both WLTP Combined).

The BSG system also ensures a very high standard of driving comfort, allowing for a quiet, vibration-free restart of the internal combustion engine in Stop-Start mode. The system is mounted directly on the engine and is operated by the belt that also drives the auxiliaries.

The mild hybrid drivetrain is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox sending drive to the front wheels only. It is said to improve fuel economy during out-of-town driving, thanks to new low-friction bearings and gaskets and the use of a specific high-efficiency lubricant. The new system also involves lowering the entire power unit by 45mm so the car behaves better on the road thanks to the lower centre of gravity.

Special Fiat 500 Mild Hybrid and Panda Mild Hybrid launch editions

When they arrive in showrooms, the mild-hybrid 500 and Panda models will be available in a Launch Edition trim. These models will be presented in model-exclusive ‘Dew Green’ paint, with seats trimmed in a fabric manufactured from recycled plastic waste.

The Launch Edition models start from £16,795 for the 500 and £14,385 for the Panda. Each mild hybrid Launch Edition will be recognised by a rear-mounted ‘Hybrid’ badge and an exclusive ‘H’ logo (formed by two dew drops) mounted at the base of the B-pillar.

Fiat 500 and Panda Mild-Hybrids Now Available

The UK EV market grew by 21% in 2019 with more than 72,000 new plug-in cars registered in the UK – that’s one registered every seven minutes.

Plug-ins on the rampage as one is sold every seven minutes

UK electric car registrations continue to set records, as latest figures place the total number of new 100% electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered last year at 72,834, making 2019 the most successful year for electric cars to date. That equates to one new electric car registration every seven minutes in the UK. The total also means the market grew by 21% compared to 2018.

The end-of-year figure marks a continued trend, which saw consumers and businesses switch to ultra-low emission vehicles. The fourth quarter of 2019 saw a further 24,722 plug-in cars registered between October and December.

For the first time, fully electric cars accounted for more than half of the plug-in market, with 52% of sales. This takes the number of 100% electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered in the UK to date to 271,524.

From a regional perspective, the South East saw the highest demand across the nation, with 26,136 vehicles registered – a 22% increase on 2018. Other leading regions include the West Midlands (11,623), South West (8,128), Yorkshire and the Humber (7,566) and East Anglia (5,373), making up the top five British regions for electric car uptake this year.

2019 marked the eighth consecutive year of growth for the electric car market. This has in part been driven by an increase in the models available, with over 50 for consumers and businesses to choose from.

2020 has the potential to be another strong year for registrations as a host of models are set to be introduced, including the Peugeot e-208, Volkswagen ID.3, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Vauxhall Corsa-e, Skoda Citigo E, and MINI Electric just some of the new cars due to hit the roads.

The continued growth of the EV market has also been accompanied by new charge points being installed in response to the increased demand. There are now over 29,000 public charging connectors in the UK, making it one of Europe’s largest charging networks.

These numbers are set to rise thanks to continued Government funding and investment from the private sector. In September, the Government committed a further £35 million worth of investment into the UK’s rapid charge network, which combined with a matching £35 million from the private sector, will result in the delivery of a further 3,000 rapid chargers by 2024.

Electric or Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Sold Every Seven Minutes

The Sony Vision-S concept car has been unveiled at CES to showcase the firm’s latest vehicle safety and infotainment innovations.

SONY stuns with all-electric car at CES Las Vegas

If you thought that SONY was just going to announce the new PlayStation 5 at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas…you’d be right, along with millions of others.

What no-one expected was SONY’s reveal of its concept Vision S prototype car, built to showcase what SONY can do for the cars of tomorrow. 

The electronics brand has dipped its toes in everything from cameras to 8K televisions and everything in between, so it actually isn’t all that surprising that they would decide to use CES to jump into the auto industry.

Looking remarkably similar to the Tesla Model 3 with hints of Porsche in the front, the four-door Vision S rolled silently onto the stage. The Vision S packs 33 sensors, including radar, LiDAR and cameras, but SONY says its real innovation is infusing the data collected from all those things to produce cleaner data with fewer errors.

Although it’s not widely known, SONY isn’t entirely new to this game: Its CMOS sensors, like those used in its cameras, are already used in vehicles like the Toyota Corolla and Lexus NX.

SONY’s foray into LiDAR — the ‘eyes’ of an autonomous car that allow it to sense how far it is from obstacles around it – comes as a bigger surprise. The race to build cheaper, more reliable LiDAR has become one of the hottest contests in automotive technology and SONY will face upstarts like Quanergy and LeddarTech, along with established players like Velodyne and Bosch.

Inside, the Vision S looks like what you would expect from a company that built its reputation on televisions, with a massive panoramic dash screen that stretches below the entire windshield. The rear seats both have screens of their own and SONY says the car provides a 360-degree panoramic audio experience.

“We believe that the evolution of mobility will also redefine cars as a new entertainment space,” said Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.

The EV chassis the car rides on was built by Magna Steyr, a Canadian manufacturer that also supplies GM, Ford, Mercedes and yes, Tesla. Not surprisingly, SONY had help from a number of other partners, including Qualcomm, Continental, and Nvidia.

Few technical details of the prototype were made available at the reveal, but we know it’s powered by a pair of 268hp electric motors (one per axle), which give it a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 149mph.

SONY will show the Vision S concept at its CES 2020 booth, but don’t expect SONY dealerships to spring up anytime soon – it’s merely a demonstration to get other automakers interested in Sony’s automotive-related technologies.

For traditional petrol and diesel vehicle drivers, it’s usually a fairly simple choice to decide where to fill up your motor; generally it’s the nearest petrol station. But for electric vehicle drivers the choice is not so simple; largely due to the multitude of different charging options available.

The first choice to make is how quickly you need your vehicle to charge up. For example, if it’s the end of the day and you don’t need the car until the next morning, then a slow overnight charge would be suitable. However, if you’re en-route and need to fill up quickly, then a much faster (and generally more expensive option) will probably be the one to go for.

Electric vehicle chargers come in three different speed ratings: Rapid, Fast and Slow. This represents how power is outputted and hence directly affects the speed the connected vehicle is charged.

There are two types of Rapid charger: Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). Currently, AC chargers have a 43kW (kilowatt) rating. DC chargers tend to be 50kW or more, meaning they can charge most Electric Vehicles (EVs) to 80% in under 60 minutes. Most rapid chargers tend to be Direct Current.

Tesla’s use Tesla Superchargers, which are Rapid DC and can charge at high speeds, utilising power of 120kW. This is certainly one of the benefits of opting for a Tesla, but of course, you’ll pay for it, as Tesla’s don’t tend to come cheap. Check out our exclusive review of the Tesla Model 3.

Fast charging usually has output between 7kW and 22kW. As the power output is so much less than rapid chargers, it naturally takes longer to charge a vehicle. As a result, a full charge takes around 3-4 hours.

It does get slower though... and slow chargers are charging units that have a power output of up to 3.7kW and are designed really for overnight charging. This is because it can take a good 6-12 hours to charge an electric vehicle; and sometimes more. Even with a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - where a battery is used in conjunction with a traditional petrol or diesel engine - it can take a 2-4 hours to charge the battery. Connection to a slow charger is made using a standard 3-pin plug socket.

Nothing is ever simple, and as such, there are a number of different types of charger available. None will be compatible with every vehicle, so before buying or leasing an electric vehicle, or getting a home charger installed, make sure you have the correct type of charger.

This is the slowest, least efficient way of charging your vehicle and should only be used as a last resort. EVs will allow you to charge your vehicle at home using a standard 3-pin plug socket, but be warned it will charge at a painstakingly slow rate, giving you roughly 8 miles of range per hour of charging. However, if you are happy charging your vehicle overnight, then it can be a very convenient and cheap way to add some juice to your car.

Most European manufacturers are favouring this type of charger. The Type 2 has a 7-pin socket and is used for both Slow and Fast charging. It also has an in-built locking mechanism, which makes connecting and recharging easier and safer.

UK Home charger installations will tend to come with this option so you can recharge much faster than if you only had a standard 3-pin plug socket. A Type 2 connection at home (with 3.7kW single-phase power) will give you approximately 12.5 miles of range per hour. However, you may be able to have the higher powered 7kW installed (like most public charging stations in the UK) and so you can charge up to 25miles of range per hour.

Some public charging stations may have the Type 2 Combo (CCS) socket that is used for Rapid charging. This is great as it can have a higher power rating and can charge your vehicle much more quickly; at roughly 75 miles per hour of charging.

Over in Europe, research has begun on the next-generation of Type 2 chargers. The plan is to install a network of Rapid chargers capable of 350kW output. With this power output, you can expect to gain up to 525 miles of range per hour.

Obvious from its name, but Tesla Type 2 is the connection used by all Tesla Vehicles. These are the only Direct Current (DC) chargers that use a Type 2 connector. All others are Alternating Current (AC). These Tesla Superchargers will give a vehicle approximately 180miles of range per hour.

Essentially, this is the US format of the Type 2 / CCS setup. In the US, Type 1 is used for Slow and Fast charging and CHAdeMO is for Rapid Charging. The Type 1 connector has a 5-pin socket and does not feature a locking mechanism.

Charging rates for Type 1 are pretty much the same as for Type 2.

Depending on your vehicle, the connection type will vary - just like smartphones all tend to come with different charging cables. Your vehicle’s battery size plays an important role in how fast your vehicle may charge. Larger EV's tend to have larger batteries, and these are usually more capable of the fastest (Rapid) charging.

Currently, there are around 17,000 public charging points in the UK. Thanks to new legislation, it is now a compulsory requirement for all large petrol stations and motorway services to provide charging points. So as time moves on, there will be more and more of these appearing up and down the country. They also tend to be capable of either Fast or Rapid charging.

Tesla has its own network of ‘Superchargers’. In the UK these can dispense power up to a massive 145kW, although currently Tesla cars themselves are limited to a meagre 120kW.

Currently, when topping up your electric vehicle, you’re most likely to see one of the following installations: BP Chargemaster (Polar), Ecotricity, Pod Point and Charge Your Car.

Depending on which one you use, the payment methods available will vary. Some may take traditional bank cards, some an RFID card, and some of the more advanced may connect to your account via a smartphone app.

Before you can charge your vehicle, you’ll need to sign up to whichever company manufacturers the charging network and create your own account. Usually this is free, but double check as some require a membership sign-on fee.

Once signed up and connected, you’ll be charged in one of the following ways:

We recommend choosing one that charges per kWh as it’s easier to calculate how much you’ll be paying. Also bear in mind, some will also charge an initial connection fee each time you connect your vehicle. So it’s worth checking beforehand if you’re planning on just putting in a small amount to keep you going. In addition, like traditional petrol stations, actual price will vary dramatically, so be sure you’re happy with the price before connecting.

Ecotricity, for example, charges roughly £6 for a 45 minute charge from a Rapid Charger. In the Nissan Leaf, this will get the battery up to 80%. Check out our exclusive review of the Nissan Leaf e+.

If you’re lucky enough to have off-street parking, then a home installation of an EV charging point could very well be the most practical, convenient and cheapest way of regularly charging your electric car. 

To keep things simple, many companies offer a fully installed package for a fixed price. The cost is usually around £1,000 and you may be eligible for a Government grant of up to £500 to help with the installation cost; that is if you own or lease your vehicle. You may also be able to get an additional £300 from the Energy Saving Trust (EST). So the resulting outlay could very well be minuscule; especially when compared to how much you’ll be saving on running costs.

You’ll find the majority of home charging setups have a power output of around 3.7kW or 7kW. The 7kW packages are the wall-mounted high power ones, and will cost more to install, but they will charge your vehicle much faster.

The installation will be done on its own separate circuit (to save your car shorting out your entire house), and you’ll be able to monitor your electricity use either by your traditional meter, or by a smartphone app.

If you buy an electric car from new, you may be offered a free home installation as part of the deal. This is because many vehicle manufacturers now have deals with some of the charging companies, so it’s worth haggling to see if you can get this included.

Unfortunately, if you don’t have off-street parking, you’re unlikely to be able to benefit from having your own charging point. This is because most councils won’t allow cables trailing across the street or pavement, for obvious safety reasons. Having said that, there are new technologies being researched to enable this, such as electric pads that sit underneath your vehicle to charge it wirelessly, and possibly using the power from lampposts. This is because since their switch to LED, there is a lot of leftover power that can be harnessed.

One possible alternative to home charging is charging at work. An increasing number of workplaces are having charging points fitted. They are a very practical way of charging your vehicle, as you can do it while you’re busy and your vehicle is stationary for hours at a time, rather than having to wait around at a service station.

These charging points are generally for both employees and visitors, and are being fitted often as a way to attract new workers as a staff perk and also to attract new visitors and customers.

Unlike home chargers though, work-place chargers generally have a higher electricity output, 7kW to 22kW. They often come double-socketed too, so two vehicles can be connected at once. Like home installations, workplace grants are available as well as capital allowances to incentivise companies to have the EV points fitted. Depending on the company, they may even offer free charging if they want an even greater attraction for staff and visitors.

Whilst the charging network is not yet ready for the whole of the UK to instantly adopt an electric vehicle, it’s huge rate of expansion means it won’t be long before it is. For more information about the UK charging infrastructure, check out our article Can Britain's Charging Infrastructure Support the Growth of Electric Vehicles?.

The International Energy Agency is aiming to increase the share of electric vehicles globally to 30% by 2030 and many national governments working to create an enabling environment for the adoption of electric vehicles, it seems like the electric car revolution is here to stayhere to stay.

Can Britain's Charging Infrastructure Support the Growth of Electric Vehicles?

Recent trends indicate that despite its currently poor state, Britain's charging infrastructure will be able to cater for increased adoption of electric vehicles in the future. With Boris Johnson pledging in November to make charging stations readily accessible - at least 30 miles within the reach of everyone, The International Energy Agency aiming to increase the share of electric vehicles globally to 30% by 2030 and many national governments working to create an enabling environment for the adoption of electric vehicles, it seems like the electric car revolution is here to stay.

That means if you buy an electric vehicle today, you won't get stranded with an inconvenient and unwanted product in the future. Also, since both public agencies and private auto companies are set to derive immense benefits from having more electric vehicles on roads, their efforts to develop the needed charging infrastructure will be sustained. But what are these benefits?

Why Investing in Charging Infrastructure is a Top Priority

First, electric vehicles are eco-friendly. Unlike petrol, diesel or gas vehicles that emit carbon dioxide which affects the atmosphere, electric vehicles don't. Also, their batteries are recyclable. This makes electric vehicles a perfect ally in the fight against pollution and climate change. Which is why a coalition of charity groups including Greenpeace, WI, and Oxfam recently demanded that,

"The next government must bring forward the target for reaching net-zero carbon emissions by five years to 2045, phase out diesel and petrol cars by 2030 instead of 2040, and start devoting at least 5% of all government spending to the climate and the restoration of the UK’s natural environment."

By enabling the growth of electric vehicles and its supporting infrastructure today, the government will save more on health and the environment tomorrow. But the government won't be the only one saving money.

For car owners, electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain, don't need oil-related maintenance and there are tax cuts on each purchase. While they're currently more expensive to acquire than traditional cars, those purchase costs are also expected to nosedive shortly. Besides, since electricity is cheaper than petrol or gas, owners will save more when charging the vehicle. These factors represent an opportunity that ambitious Auto companies are eager to explore; hence, their readiness to find lasting solutions to common electric vehicle problems.

Electric vehicles are powered by rechargeable batteries. This means that while you don't have to refuel anymore, you'll need electric energy to run your car. And through an EV charging station, you can access the required electrical energy.

Charging your car can be done in three different modes (also called levels). Level one involves the use of a 120-volt outlet at home. It is the slowest mode and is not suitable for travel over long distances. With level two, you'll need to use a 240-volt power outlet. It offers a faster charge than the former. The final and fastest option is the DC charger. This mode offers the best option for long-distance travel.

There are also different kinds of electric charging stations. Your needs will determine the kind of station that you'll use. One option is lamp-post charging. Readily available and always connected to electricity, LED lamp-posts can provide 20 miles of driving with every hour of charging. Another option is induction pads. Unlike other common charging stations, pads eliminate the need for cables but they're expensive for average car buyers. Other kinds of stations are kerbside charging points and fast-charging hubs powered by solar panels.

How much does it cost to use a charging station? This depends on the model of your electric vehicle because each model comes with different battery sizes. Typically, an electric vehicle with a bigger battery size will cost more to recharge.

With more than 63,000 electric cars sold by November 2019, exceeding 2018's total of 59,700, and the government pledging to create the needed infrastructure, you might want to join the train. But before buying your first electric vehicle, you should get familiar with all purchase options: brand new or second-hand (they're now available, cheaper and of course, come with the typical disadvantages of second-hand products), electric vehicles or hybrids, driving ranges and battery sizes.

The Nissan LEAF was the first mass-market battery-only electric vehicle (BEV) and it remains the best-selling BEV in history with more than 460,000 units sold worldwide. The Nissan LEAF has won about every award for green cars - including the World Green Car Award - twice.

Tested: Nissan LEAF e+ 62kWh in Tekna trim.

Prices: Test car RRP £35,895. As driven with options £36,820.

Nissan LEAF range starts from £27,995 (includes £3,500 Government Plug-in Grant).

It’s been a long road for the Nissan LEAF. Introduced in 2011 - several months ahead of the smaller Renault Zoe - the LEAF was the first mass-market battery-only electric vehicle (BEV) and, despite other upstarts making gains in the intervening years, it remains the best-selling BEV in history with more than 460,000 units sold worldwide. The Nissan LEAF has won about every award for green cars - including the World Green Car Award - twice.

Earlier this year, Nissan delivered a redesigned and improved LEAF. The range retained the 40kWh battery model and added a newer, higher-capacity model with its 62kWh battery architecture, offering more power, more durability and more range. That new model is dubbed the e+ and is the subject of our review this week.

From being seen by many as a quirky outsider, the Nissan LEAF has become an electric force to be reckoned with – around half of all BEVs sold in the UK last year wore a Nissan badge. Now into its second generation, the LEAF continues in its quest to 'normalise' electric cars into mainstream daily culture – but does it offer enough to attract drivers away from diesel and petrol?

The test car was provided by the good chaps at Nissan UK and presented in Tekna trim, finished in ‘Magnetic Red‘, with a two-tone ‘Pearl Black’ roof. In between lashings of horizontal wind-borne rain, I made a few soggy notes of all the things I liked about this second-generation Nissan LEAF.

There are many, so pop the kettle on and find a comfy sofa – this will likely borrow the next seven-or-so minutes of your day…

In its earlier years, rivals to the LEAF used to be few and far between and numbered little more than a handful at best. However, in recent years a plethora of car manufacturers have caught up with the LEAF and include the Renault Zoe, Hyundai Ioniq and Kona Electric, Smart ForTwo Electric, Ford Focus Electric, the KIA Soul EV and e-Niro, and Volkswagen’s e-Golf and e-UP, MG ZS Electric, et al.

In an echelon above, there’s also the BMW i3, Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive, Tesla Model 3, Jaguar i-Pace and Audi e-tron, plus others.

The standard 40kWh LEAF is capable of a maximum range of 168 miles (under the new WLTP testing regime), while the LEAF e+ claims a range of 239 miles. Battery charging won't take forever – with the smaller battery 40kWh LEAF a 50kW quick charger will give you 10-80% capacity in around 60 minutes.

The larger capacity 62kWh battery in the LEAF e+ takes around 45 minutes to charge from 20% to 80% capacity using a 50kW quick charger, but using a 6.6kW home wall charger will take around 11.5 hours to achieve a 100% charge – or comfortably overnight.

The LEAF comes with two charging cables, one for a three-pin household socket, and one for a fast charger. They're stored out of the way on each side of the boot, leaving the rest of the space clear for luggage.

Nissan has done a complete 180 with the styling of this new LEAF. Where the first-generation advertised its electric powertrain with futuristic styling, its successor looks like an ordinary hatchback - and is all the better for it. Nissan’s current house styling cues, including the ‘V-Motion’ grille and ‘floating’ roof line, are borrowed from other current Nissan models.

As with the first-generation LEAF, the charge ports are housed in the nose of the car. But this time it’s discreetly hidden under a flap between the grille and bonnet edge. Visually, the e+ model is indistinguishable from the standard-range LEAF, with only discreet badging to show that you’ve invested in the extra range.

The interior also carries over from the standard-range LEAF. Most of it is standard Nissan fare, meaning a rather sober, sensible design but let down by some cheap-feeling materials in the cabin’s critical touch zones.

Fortunately, the overall familiarity with other Nissan models affords the LEAF a reassuringly normal feel – until, that is, you put it into ‘drive’. In place of a conventional lever, there is a circular knob-like device that slides around to select drive, neutral or reverse (‘park’ is a button on top). The shifter carries over from the first-generation LEAF which I like. It is function-over-form-practical and becomes easy to use quickly when performing parking manoeuvres.

Like the standard-range LEAF, the e+ has a reasonably good driving position, but there is limited steering column adjustability (it tilts up and down but doesn’t telescope which is somewhat of an oddity in this day and age).

The front seats are surprisingly comfortable and the car offers good outward visibility aided by a 360-degree camera system on the Tekna trim test car), despite a steeply-raked windshield and thick rear pillars.

The LEAF might not look any bigger than a regular hatchback, but it’s actually 110mm longer than a Ford Focus and 20mm wider than its predecessor. This means you shouldn’t notice where Nissan has squeezed in the larger battery pack, which is kept low down and mostly beneath the rear seats.

It’s reasonably spacious inside the LEAF, with enough room to accommodate four tall adults. Rear passengers sit a little higher owing to the batteries which are stored beneath the rear seat, which means a good view out, but also that their knees are tucked up slightly. Interior space isn't great though, with slim door pockets up front and a small tray in the centre console.

Happily, it's an easy car to get in and out of. The doors open nice and wide and the position of the seats are well-judged and are at the right height for most adults' hips to slide onto.

The extra length pays dividends when it comes to the boot because with 435/1,161 litres of space it’s not only big for a BEV, it’s larger than most regular family hatchbacks. In comparison, the Volkswagen e-Golf has a 341-litre boot, while the Hyundai Ioniq Electric manages 350 litres. In Tekna and e+ Tekna trim levels, the LEAF is fitted with a Bose stereo system that includes a large boot-floor mounted subwoofer, which impinges slightly on usable boot space.

There are three trim levels to choose from when buying a Nissan LEAF: Acenta, N-Connecta, and Tekna. There’s a £1,700 price jump from the range-entry Acenta to N-Connecta, while you’ll need to add around another £1,000 for the top of the range Tekna trim. The e+ model with the bigger battery pack is only available in top-spec Tekna trim as tested.

LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights are standard, as is automatic air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows, a seven-inch TFT screen, Nissan Connect navigation with an eight-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. There’s plenty of safety equipment, too, with six airbags, intelligent emergency braking, lane departure warning, cross traffic alert and a blind spot warning.

The N-Connecta trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, electric folding mirrors, part leather seats and parking sensors. Tekna includes full LED headlights, leather seats, heated seats and steering wheel, an electronic parking brake and a seven-speaker Bose audio system.

The e+ Tekna gets all the standard Tekna kit plus metallic blue front and rear bumper accents, revised suspension and 100kW rapid charging capability.

Single options fitted to the test car were Magnetic Red metallic paint (£575) and a two-tone Pearl Black roof (£350).

As it has more performance and the same near-silent driving experience as the first-generation LEAF, few are likely to be disappointed with the latest model. It’s not especially sporty, but drives better than you might expect and its e-Pedal and ECO mode are successful innovations.

The LEAF's ProPilot technology is fitted as standard in the top of the range Tekna model, but is an option on lesser-equipped models in the range. It can control the car's steering, braking and acceleration while reading road markings and monitoring the car in front. The same technology allows the car to park itself and activate emergency braking to avoid other cars and pedestrians. It's a level of technology rarely seen on cars of this price.

The 62 kWh battery pack in the LEAF e+ increases power to 214hp and cuts the 0-62mph time down to 7.3 seconds. It also raises the car's top speed from 90mph to 98mph.

Driving the LEAF e+ is a breeze, with smooth and seamless acceleration accompanied by a distant hum from the electric motor. Thanks to the nature of electric motors, there’s no hesitation when you press the pedal, just an instant increase in pace.

The steering is quite light, making it well suited to urban driving, while the suspension can be slightly firm at times. The LEAF e+ Tekna as tested features slightly stiffer suspension to compensate for the additional battery weight – but is never uncomfortable.

As you’d hope from such an innovative car, Nissan’s e-Pedal technology represents a real step forward in electric car control - even if it does feel quite ‘aggressive’ in operation. Once activated, this allows you to drive the car using just the accelerator pedal, with the conventional brakes needed only to come to a more abrupt halt when required. 

Allowing a few hours to get used to it, you gently squeeze the accelerator to speed up, and gradually reduce pressure to slow down and stop. This uses the regenerative force of the electric motor to reduce your speed, not only reducing your fatigue in traffic but also putting more energy back into the battery pack and boosting driving range.

Less aggressive in action but serving the same regenerative purpose is the new ECO button which I left activated for most of the test miles driven.

During the seven-day test, I drove the LEAF a total of 341 miles over mixed roads at an average speed of 24mph. The average electricity ‘consumption’ was recorded at 3.6 miles/kWh and the total drive-time equated to a becalmed 11hrs and 14 minutes. In addition, the LEAF’s batteries received a 42-minute, 80% top-up during the test week. 

It’s no surprise the new LEAF scored the full five stars when crash-tested by Euro NCAP. Nissan has a good record here, with the previous LEAF managing a top rating and models like the popular Nissan Qashqai SUV following suit.

Some alternatives offer a greater driving range, more rear headroom and better quality interiors, but not one of them offer all three. Like most things in life, compromises need to be made. Personally, I don’t think any of those negatives would be a deal-breaker – either individually or collectively. The Nissan LEAF isn’t available on the Motability scheme either, which is a pity.

Given that its objective is to make electric-only driving accessible to more people, the new LEAF scores a direct hit. With a contemporary exterior design, a sensibly proportioned interior and longer driving range from the e+ variant, it isn’t an EV for committed environmentalists only.

Buyers after a petrol or diesel Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus should seriously consider the Nissan LEAF e+ BEV.

Because you’re here and you have been, thanks for reading - WG.

Max output: 214hp / 320Nm torque (Nm/min-1).

Transmission: Seamless electric drive via the front wheels.

Few electric cars have caused as much of a furore as the Tesla Model 3. It’s been teased and talked about, previewed and – not least – plagued by production issues that have seen the European launch date pushed back repeatedly.

If this be our automotive future, beam me down, Scotty!

Now a common sight on US roads for over a year, Tesla’s more affordable and long-awaited Model 3 has finally arrived in the UK. It brings competitive performance, a practical EV range and stunning technology to the mainstream executive class.

Pricewise and with a premium badge, the closest rival to the Model 3 is the BMW i3 at £35,350. Other less premium EVs include the KIA e-Niro (£32,995), VW e-Golf (£33,785) and Hyundai Kona Electric (£26,900).

Lower down the EV price scale are the Renault Zoe, KIA Soul, Nissan Leaf and MINI Electric, all of which continue to appeal as our driving habits adapt to a new automotive world order.

In the non-EV arena, Tesla has its sights set on sales conquests from traditional ICE-powered executive saloons such as the venerable BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Jaguar XE, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60.

The Model 3 is smaller, cuter and imbued with a style cheekiness missing from the bigger, heavier-looking Tesla S and X models. The front end is short thanks to the extended cabin area and the car is unlocked with a credit card waved against the B-pillar – or you can set up your smartphone to work just like Tesla’s card key by unlocking the car as you approach.

When unlocked, push the left side of the flush door handles to open the door. The handles don’t pop out as they do on the Model S and are a tad awkward to use with one hand if you’re holding anything else.

Inside, you’ll find that space is pretty similar to that in a BMW 3 Series. There’s the added bonus of a flat floor with no transmission hump, but rear headroom might be a little tight for taller adults who could have their heads brushing the sloped, full-length glass roof that the Model 3 gets as standard.

It certainly feels airy and spacious and is quite comfortable throughout and you’ve got a choice of front and rear boots with a combined 542 litres of storage space.

Access to the rear luggage space is good by class standards and the boot lid is hinged to lift higher than most saloons. Meanwhile, the rear seats split and fold to reveal the surprisingly large luggage area.

Slide into the front seats and you are enveloped in openness. It’s a perfect example of just how well ‘minimalism’ can work in a car. Steering wheel aside, there is nothing directly in front of the driver and even the vents are hidden in a single, slim crease that stretches the full width of the dashboard and looks like a design feature rather than a vent.

The dash is dominated by a slim, 15-inch landscape touchscreen. It controls absolutely everything, including the air-flow direction from those vents, steering wheel adjustment, external mirrors – and more.

You may think that having everything on the screen could be problematic, and although Tesla has put the most important driver information as close to the driver as possible, you do have to look further away from the road to check your speed than you would usually.

A head-up display would be a welcome addition and go some way to solving this problem. Otherwise, it doesn’t take much time to become familiar with the screen’s menu layouts and how to use the two switches on the steering wheel.

In practice, it's these wheel-mounted controls that you use to control most functions, including the audio functions, cruise control and the like. 

There are no conventional trim grades as such. Instead, the three available variants of Tesla Model 3 are based more on electric motor power output and battery range.

In the UK, the line-up consists of the ‘Standard Plus’ with its 254 mile range as tested here, ‘Long Range’ (348 miles) and ‘Performance’ (329 miles). The Standard Plus has just one electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the Long Range and Performance models have two motors driving all four wheels. Be warned: the battery range will plummet if you drive the car like you stole it.

The equipment list is pretty much standard throughout the Model 3 range: 18- or 20-inch alloys, electric front seats, heated mirrors, heated seats, parking sensors, navigation, etc.

It might be the least expensive Tesla currently available but, even in range-entry guise few are likely to be disappointed – as even the base model packs a claimed 254-mile range and the ability to sprint from 0-60mph in just 5.3sec. It even comes with Tesla’s ‘Autopilot Drive Assistance’ system, which takes the edge off long trips and brings added space-age feel.

A dual-motor version with all-wheel drive and increased range is available as well; it can cover a claimed 329 miles and serves up a supercar-rivalling 0-60mph time of 3.2sec.

One thing strikes you as soon as you take the wheel of a Tesla Model 3: its steering is surprisingly fast-geared, giving the wheel an immediate response. At first some drivers may find this disconcerting, as it makes the car respond to inputs in a heartbeat, but you’ll quickly learn to enjoy the agility this imparts, and its quick turn-in becomes second nature.

It's quite a heavy car, with a kerb weight stretching from 1645kg to 1,847kg depending on the size of batteries fitted, but it doesn’t really feel it when you thread it along your favourite back road.

The suspension keeps the EV composed through corners, with just a little body roll when you’re really pushing hard. Despite this agility and keen handling, the Model 3 still soaks up the worst road lumps and bumps. If ride comfort is your priority, we would recommend sticking with a smaller choice of alloy wheels, however.

Like most EVs, the Model 3 features a regenerative braking system that helps top up the battery when you’re driving. There are two modes; in ‘standard’, the car slows significantly when you lift off the accelerator, which feeds more energy back to the battery. The ‘low’ mode is less severe and is probably best for most driving conditions. Drive the Model 3 with a measured degree of attentiveness and it’s very possible to match the claimed range in the real world.

Of course, you don't necessarily have to do all of the driving. In the UK, the Model 3 comes with Autopilot as standard, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping. You still have to rest a hand on the steering wheel just so the system knows you’re conscious, but the Model 3 will accelerate, brake and steer while monitoring the vehicles around you.

Indicate left or right and Autopilot will also judge if it's safe to change lanes and complete the manoeuvre for you. It's the most intuitive semi-autonomous tech driving available right now and regularly gets better thanks to live, over-the-air updates from Tesla.

Investing in a Model 3 gives you access to Tesla’s own network of Superchargers that allow you to charge the battery (from 10-80%) in as little as 30 minutes. In Tesla UK’s early days, recharging was free but now you have to pay each time, but at around £14, the price is still reasonable.

You can also charge at any public CCS charging point. This method takes longer (around 1hr 15min) for the same 10-80% top-up, whereas a full 0-100% charge at home using a 7kW type 2 charger takes 11hr 45min – or overnight at home or at the office during the day – which is little hardship, to be honest.

The Model 3 has been on sale for some time in the US, where it appears to have been largely reliable but plagued by quality control issues like poor paintwork, large gaps between panels and poorly fitted trim.

In the media, this is often attributed to Tesla's relative inexperience in mass producing cars compared with manufacturers like Mercedes, but Tesla is also keen to show it offers great customer service by rectifying issues quickly under warranty.

The Model 3 has yet to prove itself in the fiercely competitive European market. If it can hold a candle to the century-old, fossil fuel-drinking proletariat here, it can be deemed a success.

Euro NCAP has now crash-tested the Model 3 and it scored the highest-ever figure in the safety assist category, with an impressive 94 per cent. Its overall five-star score includes excellent ratings for adult and child occupant protection, and it scored well in the vulnerable road user category too.

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the safest cars on sale and the manufacturer claims the Model 3 is particularly safe thanks to its compact electric powertrain, which allows for large crumple zones and a rigid passenger compartment.

Thanks to its semi-autonomous Autopilot technology, the Model 3 is also covered in myriad sensors and cameras that can help protect occupants by alerting them to danger and even braking or steering itself around obstacles.

Several reasons: If your lifestyle supports an electric car, the Tesla Model 3 is as good as it gets. Tesla needed to introduce a brand-entry product that is more affordable and available in bigger numbers, and while the Model 3 is by no means a cheap option, it is definitely closer to the mark than what came before. 

Progress with electric cars is really gathering momentum and this car is a good indicator of the state of the art. None of the premium marques (Audi, BMW and Jaguar) come close to matching the Model 3's all-round efficiency as well as the convenience of its own-brand Supercharger network.

If you’re after the cheapest Tesla Model 3 on offer, then a £38,100 Standard Range Plus in two-wheel drive form (as tested) is where you need to head. Bragging right aside, it produces a very green 0g/km of CO2 and capable of a claimed range of 258 miles (WLTP) on a full charge.

“Finally, an EV I would spend my own money on.”

With rivals like the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC lining up to take a slice of the executive electric class, Tesla has never faced so much competition. And yet, despite very publicly reported company difficulties and that growing competition, the Model 3 still feels like a trailblazer…different, but in all the right ways.

The car is great to drive, packed full of tech, is fast and even quite practical. Sure, the ride is more firm than some of its rivals, but it’s never uncomfortable even over our crusty UK roads. Factor in a competitive price, especially given its sheer pace and it’s in a prime position to steal punters away from both EV and non-EV rivals.

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