The number of public charging points for so-called “new energy vehicles” — that is: plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, amongst a few others — in China grew by around 51% during 2017, the country’s Industry and Information Technology Minister Miao Wei has revealed (as quoted by the country’s official news agency Xinhua).
To be more specific, the number of public NEV (new energy vehicle) charging points in China grew to 214,000 in 2017 — which means that the country is now home to the largest number of public NEV charging stations in the world (by country).
That said, public charging infrastructure development is still lagging behind demand, if the country’s Industry and Information Technology Minister is to believed (going by comments made recently at an industry forum). And why shouldn’t he be believed? Remember that the Chinese electric car market is now larger than the rest of the world’s, combined. It also has tens of thousands of electric buses on the road — with Shenzhen alone having a 100% fully electric bus fleet of nearly 17,000.
Before moving on, I’ll note here that the issue with the lack of charging infrastructure is exactly why I remain fairly positive about Tesla — in addition to its battery manufacturing advantage, the company’s large and growing Supercharger network is a great advantage over the incumbents.
Moving on, Reuters provides more: “China aims to have about 500,000 public NEV charging points by 2020, the report said … A total of 777,000 NEVs were sold last year in China, the most anywhere, and the government has said it expects sales and output of NEVs to reach 2 million a year by 2020, according to Xinhua … The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers has said it expects NEV sales growth of around 40% this year. NEVs include hybrid and pure battery electric cars.”
So, yeah. That’s a tough PR week for just about anybody to live down. That’s doubly true, too, for a nascent technology that a lot of people aren’t even really sure they want to begin with and that may just be another way for companies to sell us stuff, anyway. On the other hand, the Tesla is a “level 2” autonomous ride- what would happen if, say, we upped that to a level 4?
Renault let the guys at Car Throttle get behind the wheel of their level 4 autonomous car- a prototype called the Renault Symbioz. Ignoring the fact that purposely misspelling things has been lame for twenty-off years, these guys really gave the self-driving Renault a good spin. Good enough, at least, to make for an entertaining 8 minute video.
Check out the video, below, of the lone, operational Symbioz in existence. I’ve also included a quick photo gallery of the car for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, and invite you to share your thoughts on the car (and the laughable VR interface) in the comments at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!
We’ve been big fans of the Honda HR-V since it arrived on US shores (and, you know, my driveway). It’s been around a few years now, however, and four years is an eternity in the rapidly-expanding and hyper-competitive compact SUV segment. It should come as no surprise, then, that Honda has been busy working on an update for the HR-V … and here it is.
Malaysian reporter Paul Tan recently found the clipping, above, advertising what appears to be an updated Honda HR-V. You can see a few more spy photos, below, that kinda sorta support the veracity of the top photo, too.
Check out the photos, then let us know what you think of the redesigned 2019 Honda cute-ute in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!
With less mass than the Model S, the Tesla Model 3 has some serious sporting potential- and that would be especially true if the car was offered with the same dual-motor, AWD setup found in the ludicrously fast Model S. Tesla hasn’t officially confirmed that a hi-po Model 3 is coming, of course, but one intrepid Redditor found this image, above, which depicts a Model 3 fitted with two motors that are handily highlighted in red.
The image was found lurking in the HTML code of the recently updated (invitation-only) Tesla configurator. And, while several users have posted screen grabs showing a dual motor option listed that’s now shown as arriving “Spring ’18,” this seems to be the first photographic evidence that the car is actually, like, for-real going to happen. It’s not the only evidence an all-wheel drive Model 3 is coming soon, though.
Despite any lingering Tesla negativity I may harbor, however, there is no denying that a dual-motor Tesla Model 3 will be super, stupid fast. Maybe I’ll get Chris DeMorro to come back for a test drive? We’ll see- until then, you know where the comments are. Let us know what you think!
GM is pushing forward with plans to produce a fleet of self-driving electric cars that are profitable, as well as sustainable. Can it be done? There’s a lot of uncertainty in the industry at the moment. And, one of the biggest areas of uncertainty facing the manufacturers of autonomous cars isn’t related to technology. It’s related to liability. Now, GM is being forced to find some answers in a California court room.
A motorcyclist attempting to lane-split in heavy traffic crashed while coming alongside the self driving Chevy Bolt, causing “neck and shoulder pain” that have “forced” the motorcyclist to take disability leave from work while undergoing “lengthy treatment” for his injuries.
To GM’s credit, the official DMV report seems to take the Bolt’s side. The Bolt, apparently operating in its autonomous mode in heavy traffic, stopped a driver-requested lane change from the center lane to the left lane because a vehicle ahead decelerated and the gap was deemed too small to safely navigate. While the Bolt was trying to re-center itself in its initial lane, the report says, the motorcyclist “wobbled and fell over,” while trying to lane split. The damage to the Bolt was reported as, “(a) long scuff on passenger side of the vehicle,” according to the same DMV report.
So- was the motorcyclist thrown off by the Bolt’s correction? Is it a cynical cash grab from someone eyeballing GM’s deep pockets? It’s hard to say, especially as it’s still unclear whether the Chevy Bolt in question was one of the company’s “third-generation” autonomous cars that were described recently by GM Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt as “the world’s first mass-producible car designed to operate without a driver.”
One thing that is certain: there will be lots of people in the industry who will be watching this case closely. And, make no mistake, if it sets a precedent against GM, it’s pretty likely that a big part of the much-promised autonomous future might not come to pass, after all.
The Morgan EV3 is the stuff of eco-conscious gearhead dreams. The ultra lightweight trike is capable of sprinting to 60 MPH in under 8 seconds with a top speed of over 100 MPH. It’s no Ludicrous-speed Tesla, sure- but the bantamweight EV was always about motoring. And, for that purpose, it has no equal. Or, it didn’t, until Morgan launched this: the Morgan EV3 Junior.
As far as motorcars go, the EV3 Junior is as finely crafted as any. It’s not just an expensive Power Wheels, in other words- it features a carbon fiber composite body, real wooden dash, and hand-stitched, leather upholstered seating. The suspension, too, is made of high-quality bits that would seem at home on a high-end bike, at least.
You can learn more about Morgan’s tiniest electric terror from their official sales copy, below. Then, let us know what you think of this toy miniature motorcar in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
The Morgan EV3 Junior
In 2016, Morgan announced their first production electric vehicle. Capable of 100mph and 0-60 in 8 seconds, and still entirely coach-built, the EV3 has received great acclaim from motoring press and enthusiasts alike following its launch at the Geneva Motor Show.
Morgan continues to celebrate this new chapter in their manufacturing history by announcing the arrival of the EV3 Junior targeting aspiring young Morgan owners! The EV3 Junior is entirely handmade and features a carbon fiber body, wooden dashboard and hand stitched leather interior.
The EV3 Junior is capable of travelling at 16 kph (about 10 MPH) in forward, and in reverse at a limited speed. A choice of Sport Red, Sport Green or Sport Ivory paint, with black or tan leather, is offered as standard. Any paint color from Morgan’s range of 40,000 can also be selected at a small cost. Further customization is offered with fun sticker packs which can be applied and re-applied as desired.
Other features include working lights and authentic enamel badge detailing. Charging is carried out by the charger provided and takes 4 hours. An average range of 10 miles can be achieved depending on driving style. Morgan cars are known for being lightweight and small, however the EV3 Junior is smaller than most and therefore is only suitable for children over the age of 6. The EV3 Junior is (also) fully CE certified.
This radical, BMW R110-based dry lake LSR concept bike is called Khan. It’s the work of Mehmet Doruk Erdem. And, if you recognize the name, that’s probably because the Turkish designer has rendered “more than a few” concepts that have gone viral on the Internet, to steal a phrase from Jensen Beeler.
Seeing as how the Khan isn’t even really a concept, in the traditional sense– it’s more of a 3D virtual sculpture, at this point- there’s not much more to add. You can be sure, however, that I’ll be all over this if it ever makes it past the vaporware stage. Until then, it sure is pretty to look at. Enjoy!
Despite having not launched a new electric or electrified vehicle in more than five years, it’s important to remember that Ford can be innovative. When it wants to be. After all, Ford invented the pony car when it introduced the Mustang more than 50 years ago and helped to create the modern sport utility vehicle when it put a passenger car body on a Ranger pickup chassis and called it the Explorer. Since then, though, Ford seems content to waft along, buoyed by the hefty profits derived from selling light duty pickup trucks to suburban cowboys.
The Ford announcement was viewed as a half-hearted attempt to keep investors happy while still cranking out fleets of F-150s and new Ranger pick up trucks. But the world of automobiles is not a placid playground where the profits go on forever. Entire nations are threatening to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines in the not too distant future- and, despite a push to lower emissions and fuel economy standards in the US, those same countries are ratcheting up their requirements.
By comparison, Ford’s crosstown rival, General Motors, says it will have 16 electrified models in its portfolio by that date. A bit of a low bar to be set by the company that launched the EV-1, no?
One of those all-electric models is reported to be a high-performance SUV that will carry the iconic Mach 1 label which first appeared as a Mustang model back in 1968. A slickly produced video from Ford shows a Mustang and an Explorer entering the company’s new Corktown development center in Detroit just as a bolt of lightning splits the nighttime sky. The implication is clear — whatever the new electric SUV is, it will combine the driving excitement of the Mustang with the utility of the Explorer. Ford says to expect it in showrooms by 2020.
Ford is Building a Fast, Electric SUV
Autoblog is suggesting that Mach 1 could become Ford’s preferred designation for all future performance vehicles, just as AMG and Polestar denote hotted up models from Mercedes and Volvo, respectively. The thinking is that Ford will hang onto model designations that resonate with customers — names like Mustang, Ranger, and Explorer — rather than giving its new electrified models names no one has ever heard of, as Volkswagen is doing with its I.D division, Mercedes plans to do with its EQ offerings, and GM does with the Bolt and the Volt.
That could be a solid marketing strategy, but first Ford needs to build the cars that will carry those legacy nameplates. Slick videos and hype won’t get the job done very much longer. The times, they are a’changing in the car business, and Ford is very close to being left behind as the EV train gets ready to leave the station.
GM revealed a fully autonomous version of its electric Chevy Bolt at CES last week, and it was- I mean, can you call an advanced concept car lazy? Take a look at that official, GM-produced photo of the Bolt AV, above. Do you see the problem, yet?
That’s right. The people behind the car that is meant to show off GM’s future and place Chevrolet up on a pedestal among other autonomous heavy-hitters like Tesla, Google, and Volvo, didn’t even bother to make their interior symmetrical- and I’m not the only one who noticed, either. You can clearly see the bias towards the traditional “driver’s seat” location by placing the screen off to the right. Which- maybe makes sense? But, since there is no human driver- and no human driving even possible, without controls- doesn’t that seem a little odd?
Maybe it’s not, and GM rightly assumes that the majority of trips will be of the single-passenger variety in the future, too. That’s probably right- isn’t it?
Check out Steve Hanley’s well-thought out piece, originally published by our sister site, EV Obsession, below. Then, let us know what you think of the autonomous Bolt AV (for “autonomous vehicle”, natch) in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Autonomous Chevy Bolt Shown at CES | Video
Are you sitting down? General Motors said this past week it plans to begin producing a fully autonomous car with no steering wheel and no pedals — not in some far off time, but next year. It says Chevy Bolts fitted with 4th generation autonomous technology will start rolling off the assembly line in 2019. The announcement makes for a nice segue between the end of CES 2018 and the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
GM’s crosstown rival, Ford, says it will be offering driverless cars, but not until 2021. Google is planning to begin a driverless ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, soon using modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans, but those cars will still be fitted with traditional pedals and a steering wheel. The autonomous Chevy Bolts are intended for use in ride-hailing duty in several US cities, and will not be made for sale to individuals. At least, not yet.
GM Announces Autonomous Chevy Bolt AV at Detroit
GM President Dan Ammann told The Verge. “It’s a pretty exciting moment in the history of the path to wide scale deployment and having the first production car with no driver controls. We believe this technology will change the world, and we’re doing everything we can to get it out there at scale as fast as we can.” If GM can stick to its self-imposed timeline, the self-driving Bolt will be the first mass-produced fully autonomous car in the world. It will be assembled at the Orion Township factory alongside its conventional cousins.
GM has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a number of waivers from existing vehicle safety regulations. For instance, the autonomous Bolts will have no steering-wheel-mounted airbag because they have no steering wheel. D’uh. “A car without a steering wheel can’t have a steering wheel airbag,” Ammann said. “What we can do is put the equivalent of the passenger side airbag on that side as well. So it’s to meet the standards but meet them in a way that’s different than what’s exactly prescribed, and that’s what the petition seeks to get approval for.”
GM is currently testing its autonomous cars in Phoenix and in San Francisco. The company says the City by the Bay presents many more challenges for self-driving vehicles. “While we also test vehicles in Phoenix, our San Francisco vehicles predict an average of 32 times as many possible interactions as those in Phoenix. Thus, San Francisco challenges our self-driving system more because, as the number of objects increase, there are exponentially more possible interactions with objects that the self- driving system must consider. For example, GM’s self-driving Chevy Bolt AVs (would) encounter 270 emergency vehicles for every 1,000 miles driven in San Francisco, compared to just six in Phoenix.”
Each autonomous Chevy Bolt has not one but two data recorders to store data pertinent to every driving situation. Together, they keep a digital record of all input data from the car’s sensors, information about acceleration, braking and steering actions, and any malfunctions that may occur. Both are designed to survive in the event of a catastrophic accident.
GM is anxious to establish a lead in the autonomous car field. It has acquired Cruise Automation, a San Francisco based self-driving startup, as well as Strobe, another startup that specializes in Lidar technology. Adding both to its portfolio is part of the General’s plan to become a “full stack” autonomous car company.” It also plans to introduce up to 20 new EVs by 2023.
As Tesla muddles through “production hell” with its Model 3, some are suggesting the legacy automakers may not be as threatened by Tesla as once thought. Designing cutting-edge electric cars with advanced autonomous features may be where Tesla shines, but building millions of high-quality units is something the car companies have been doing very well for generations.
One area where Tesla still has a wide lead is integrating the sensors that are needed to make autonomous cars a reality in a way that does not detract from the appearance of the cars. Compared to the crude Lost In Space type arrays that sprout from the autonomous cars being tested by Waymo, Uber, General Motors, and others, Tesla’s sensor suite is virtually invisible to the untrained eye. It’s a good thing those cars from other companies are intended for commercial service because it is unlikely any self-respecting car owner would want one of those antlered beasts parked in the driveway.
Images by GM, and edit. originally published by EVOBsession.
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