LEC Team, Author at Learn Electric Cars

Electrify America Charging Network in the USA

Electrify America Leads Non-Tesla DC Fast Charging Network with 800 Stations

Electrify America charging network is the largest non-Tesla DC fast charging network in the USA. However, the greater concern is that only 13% of the public charging network in the USA is DC fast charging. The rest is Level 2 AC fast charging which takes hours to juice up the EV batteries. To be honest, highway and public charging stations must support DC fast charging because that is what the highway users need. They charge their electric cars using the slow, Level 1 and Level 2 chargers at home or parking lot of the office along with public places like shopping malls, food courts, etc. Despite the Government’s promise of rapidly developing the charging infrastructure across various states in the USA, the focus must be on installing DC chargers rather than Level 2 chargers which is the case at the moment. You may also like: Are Electric Car Chargers Universal – Types of Chargers EV Charging Network in the USA According to the data from the US Department of Energy, there are around 50,000 charging stations in the USA with 130,000 charging ports. Out of these, around 44,000 are Level 2 charging stations with over 100,000 charging ports. These have much slower charging capabilities compared to DC fast chargers. The number of DC fast charging stations out of the total is just 6,600 with around 28,000 charging ports. Interestingly, ChargePoint is the largest public charging network provider with about 27,000 charging stations and 50,000 charging ports out of the total 50,000. Most of these are Level 2. Then there is Tesla with around 6,000 stations and 28,000 charging ports followed by around 8,500 non-networked EV charging stations with almost 18,000 charging points. You may also like: Nio EC7 Has a CLTC Range of 920 km – Specs & More Electrify America Leads Non-Tesla DC Charging Network Race Electrify America is owned by the German auto giant, Volkswagen (VW). As per the US Department of Energy, Electrify America has about 800 DC fast charging stations with 3,600 fast-charging ports in the US. It is second to the proprietary 1,600 Supercharging stations by Tesla with 17,000 fast-charging ports. Note that in order to connect a non-Tesla EV to its charger, an additional connector is needed. However, currently, in North America, only Tesla vehicles can access the Supercharger network but the plan is to open it up to other EVs in the near future. Apart from these two prominent players in the DC charging network, EVgo also boats a decent 2,200 charging ports, while ChargePoint has about 1,800 DC fast-charging ports in the country. You may also like: 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Price & Features Comparison Charging Network Speeds – Electrify America, Tesla, EVgo & ChargePoint Electrify America offers DC fast charging rates of up to 350 kW and its dense network allows non-Tesla EVs to go on a road trip almost anywhere in the country. Ford has partnered with Electrify America and every Mustang Mach-E owner gets 250 kWh of free DC fast charging at these charging stations. Tesla also offers charging speeds upto 250 kW at the Supercharging stations. Tennessee-based EVgo offers charging speeds ranging from 100 kW to 350 kW and General Motors (GM) has secured a deal with EVgo to install over 2,700 DC fast charging stations by 2025. It will have an average of 4 charging ports per station. Finally, the California-based ChargePoint has around 1,700 DC fast charging ports. Other notable players in the space include Shell-owned Greenlots (around 550 DC fast charging ports), Francis Energy (around 530 DC fast charging ports), EVConnect, EVCS and Blink, each with less than 250 DC Fast Charging ports. The Biden government is investing $5 billion over the next 5 years to enhance the national EV charging network in the country. Moreover, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program offers over $1.5 billion in funding for states to construct EV charging networks.

Factors on Which Energy Consumption of an EV Depends

7 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

With electric mobility taking its roots as the future solution, it becomes critical to acquaint ourselves with the factors on which the energy consumption of an EV depends. Now, everyone is concerned about the range of electric cars which is also the last remaining major issue with electric mobility in conjunction with charging infrastructure. But it looks like if EVs start offering really high range, people might get encouraged to take the plunge. For this blog post, we shall take into account the incredible feat achieved by the Mercedes VISION EQXX, where it was able to travel over 1,200 km on a single charge with an impressive energy consumption of just 8.3 kWh per 100 km. It completed this journey of 1,202 km from Stuttgart (Germany) to Silverstone (UK) in 14 hours and 30 minutes. You might also like: GAC Aion Hyper GT to be the Most Efficient Production Car Ever Key Figures for this Journey Value Distance Travelled 1,202 km Time Taken (over two days) 14 hours 30 minutes Drag Coefficient (Cd) 0.17 Energy Consumption 8.3 kWh per 100 km Weight (unladen) 1,755 kg Battery < 100 kWh Voltage > 900 V Key Values Energy Consumption of an EV Aerodynamics Now, it is not that difficult to understand that aerodynamics can greatly affect the energy consumption of an EV. In fact, that is the reason why the shapes of Formula 1 cars are so distinct. They focus on optimizing the body design to achieve the best aerodynamic efficiency. Essentially, it refers to how efficiently the body of the vehicle is able to cut through wind resulting in the lowest wind resistance. This becomes important with increased speeds. At high speeds. wind resistance poses the greatest hurdle to the acceleration of any vehicle. In the case of the Mercedes VISION EQXX, its body curves and a retractable rear diffuser aid the aerodynamics tremendously. This allows an overall value to be just 0.17 Cd, which will be the best on any production car when it officially launches beating its own kin, the EQS (which has a Cd value of 0.20 currently). Also, there are additional aero-shutters that open up below the front bumper further contributing to the aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds. You might also like: 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison Energy Consumption of an EV Depends on Wheels You might have noticed that the tyres of most EVs are very specifically designed. While it is an attempt to distinguish EVs from traditional ICE-powered cars, there is a deeper meaning hidden there as well. There is a way of making a car more aerodynamically efficient but that might make less aesthetic and practical sense. For instance, Mercedes says that they could bring the Cd value down to 0.16 if they cover the rear wheels. In fact, we see something like that on the Lightyear 0 solar EV. So, while that might theoretically be possible, EV makers also need to consider the fact that the final product must look like a car for them to actually sell as it might not go down too well with the potential customers for whom the looks and design play a key role. The EQXX has a Crr (Coefficient of Rolling Resistance for Tires of 0.0047). You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? Rolling Resistance and Weight Now, the total resistance to the motion of any vehicle takes into account the frontal area of the car, its weight, the rolling resistance of the tires, its velocity, air density and acceleration due to gravity. Out of these, automobile designers can vastly control the frontal area and the weight of the car. For this example, the frontal area of the EQXX is 2.12 m2 and its weight is 1,755 kg (3,869 lbs). In comparison, the weight of the EQS is around 2,500 kg. The frontal area of the Telsa Model 3 and Toyota Prius is 2.20 m2. The weight of the battery of the EQXX is just 495 kg compared to 537 kg for the 100 kWh battery of the Tesla Model S. Hence, Mercedes has improved on these aspects without compromising the shape of the vehicle too much. Energy Consumption of an EV Depends on Powertrain and Packaging Finally, energy consumption is a factor of the efficiency of the powertrain. While the aforementioned factors were a part of the design, the efficiency of the powertrain is what engineers are most engrossed in. That is where the EQXX shines. It has a cell-to-body construction and a passive cooling system for the battery. Note that the motor and inverter have active cooling. Mercedes also says that the powertrain efficiency during highway runs is around 95%. Also, the peak DC charging capacity is limited to 120 kW. Both these figures inform that the battery heating is not a problem which is why the engineers have decided to go with an air-cooled battery system rather than the more common liquid-cooled ones that we see in most cars. Hence, these are the most prominent factors that determine the overall efficiency and energy consumption rate of an EV. Mercedes VISION EQXX is an attempt to showcase just how far we can stretch the boundaries with the existing technology without making too many changes to the general aesthetics of a car. We are certain that more carmakers will pursue this method of making cars more efficient rather than slapping them with large batteries. We would love to hear your opinions about this.

GAC Aion Hyper GT to be the Most Efficient Production Car Ever

3 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

GAC Aion Hyper GT has been unveiled at the Guangzhou Motor Show on December 30, 2022. It is the second model under the Hyper brand of the Aion which is a car marque of Guangzhou Automobile Corporation. The previous model from GAC Aion was the Hyper SSR, a 2-door coupe. The EV will become the most aerodynamically efficient production car in the world with a drag coefficient of just 0.19 Cd. This record is currently held by the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan (0.20 Cd). Going forward, GAC Aion aims to launch 2 new models every year. You might also like: Nio EC7 Has a CLTC Range of 920 km – Specs & More GAC Aion Hyper GT The specs of the EV have been partially revealed by GAC Aion. It will feature a single motor 2WD setup producing 250 kW (335 hp) and 434 Nm of peak power and torque. Based on Aion’s AEP 3.0 platform, the all-electric coupe can do a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 4.9 secs. Hyper GT Specs Drivetrain 2WD Power 250 kW (335 hp) Torque 434 Nm Acceleration (0-100 km/h / 62 mph) 4.9 secs Platform AEP 3.0 Specs You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Aerodynamics and Safety To achieve such unprecedented levels of aerodynamic efficiency, the Hyper GT comes with Wind Blade Grille that opens automatically when it reaches 80 km/h leading to enhanced airflow generating downforce. This has a direct impact on the handling and steering feedback, especially while cornering. Moreover, there are flush-fitting door handles, butterfly doors and 19-inch six-spoke alloy wheels. In terms of safety, the EV comes with high-tech sensors for cameras, LiDAR, radars and Fengyun lll Satellite Infrared Remote Sensing Technology. The hardware for the same is set within the roof, mirrors, front bumper and fenders. More details will be available closer to the launch.

2023 Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Car – Specs, Range & Sales

10 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Hyundai NEXO hydrogen car is the second-generation FCEV from the Korean auto giant. It has been actively investing in the development of green energy mobility solutions for over 2 decades now. After the ix35 FCEV in 2013, Hyundai entered the FCEV SUV space with the NEXO in 2018. The global sales in the January-October 2022 period of the NEXO FCEV stood at a whopping 9,591. In second place was Toyota Mirai with just 2,897 units sold. You might also like: 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Car – Specs The NEXO comes with a 156.6-litre (6.33 kg) hydrogen fuel tank and a 1.56 kWh battery powering the permanent magnet motor to produce a total power and torque of 161 hp and 291 lb-ft (395 Nm) respectively. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gearbox. The output distribution of the fuel cell is 95 kW stack + 40 kW battery. This configuration offers a driving range of 380 miles (612 km) and can be refilled in just 5 minutes which is the main advantage over the standard EVs. Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Car Specs Fuel Cell 135 kW (95 kW stack + 40 kW battery) Fuel Tank Capacity 156.6 litres (6.33 kg) Battery 1.56 kWh Range 380 miles (612 km) Power 161 hp (120 kW) Torque 395 Nm (291 lb-ft) Transmission Singe-Speed Reduction Gear Drivetrain FWD Specs You might also like: Hyundai Ioniq 7 – Expected Specs, Range, Features & More Dimensions Being a compact FCEV SUV, the NEXO measures 4.67 m in length and has a wheelbase of 2.79 m. The cargo capacity is a handy 29.6 ft (485 litres). Hyundai NEXO Dimensions Length 4,671 mm (183.9 in) Width (w/o mirrors) 1,859 mm (73.2 in) Height 1,641 mm (64.6 in) Wheelbase 2,789 mm (109.8 in) Cargo Capacity 29.6 ft (485 litres) Dimensions You might also like: Nio EC7 Has a CLTC Range of 920 km – Specs & More Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Car – Interior and Features The Hyundai FCEV comes with a feature-laden cabin. This includes things like a 10.25-inch Digital Instrument Cluster, a 12.3-inch Touchscreen Infotainment Display, Navigation, Wireless Charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Hyundai’s Bluelink Connected Car Tech, Vegan H-Tex Upholstery, 8-way Powered Front Seat with Lumbar Support and Heating and Ventialtion, Krell Premium Audio Sustem, Dual Automatic Climate Control, Heated Steering Wheel, and more. Safety and Price In terms of safety, there are useful ADAS functions including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors, Regenerative Braking and more. The prices range from $60,135 US (for Blue trim) to $63,585 US (for Limited trim) (MSRP) in the USA.

Nio EC7 Has a CLTC Range of 920 km – Specs & More

4 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Nio has unveiled the EC7 coupe SUV with an astounding 920 km range on the CLTC. Granted, the Chinese test cycle is a bit liberal when it comes to analysing the driving range on a single charge, but it would still be quite high on the more standardised WLTP cycle. Nio is a Chinese luxury EV maker that aims to challenge the legacy luxury carmakers across international markets, having already been successful in the Chinese market. The EC7 is yet another positive step in that direction. Nio has already commenced selling cars in Europe and this EV could make it there by the end of this year (2023) as well. You might also like: 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron – Specs, Range, Features, Price Nio EC7 – Specs & Range There are three battery packs to choose from – 75 kWh, 100 kWh and 150 kWh. It has a drag coefficient of just 0.23 which enables quite an efficient driving range of 304 miles (489 km), 395 miles (636) and 572 miles (920 km) respectively. In its most powerful iteration, the coupe SUV develops 644 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of peak power and torque from two electric motors powering both axles (AWD). Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes just 3.8 secs. The 6-piston callipers from Brembo ensure a braking distance of 33.9 m from 100-0 km/h. There are 10 drive modes with the intelligent Four-Wheel Drive system. Nio EC7 Specs Battery 75 kWh, 100 kWh & 150 kWh Range (CLTC) 489 km, 636 km & 920 km Range (CLTC) (in miles) 304 mi, 395 mi & 572 mi Acceleration (0-100 km/h) (0-62 mph) 3.8 secs Power 644 hp (480 kW) Torque 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) Drag Coefficient 0.23 Braking (100-0 km/h) 33.9 m Specs You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Nio EC7 – Dimensions The coupe SUV silhouette lends the EV massive dimensions. It is just under 5 m long, 2 m wide and 1.7 m high with a wheelbase of 2.97 m. It liberates acres of space inside for that futuristic and lounge-styled layout. This puts it in the league of the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX and the upcoming Polestar 3. Nio EC7 Dimensions Length 4,968 mm Width 1,974 mm Height 1,714 mm Wheelbase 2,960 mm Dimensions Interior and Features The interior layout of EC7 is quite elegant with things like a 16-inch screen for the HUD (Heads Up Display), a 12.8-inch High-Resolution AMOLED Centre Display, NOMI Virtual Assistant, a Lounge Experience with Zero-Gravity mode for the seats with heating function, a Smart Electrochromic Glass for the Roof with 99.9% UV Protection, Ambient Lighting with 256-Color Gradation and 10 Ambience Themes, a Premium 23-speaker Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 Surround System, Autonomous Driving Functions with the help of 33 high-precision Sensors including a long-range, high-resolution LiDAR, seven 8MP high-resolution Cameras, four 3MP enhanced Cameras for surround view, one ADMS (Advances Driver Monitoring System), 5 millimetre-wave Radars, 12 Ultrasonic Sensors, Redundant high-precision positioning fusion, V2X, Compatibility with Nio’s Power Swap Battery changing stations. You might also like: XPeng G9 Launched – Fastest Charging Electric SUV in the World Price and Deliveries In China, the prices for the Nio EC7 start at CNY 488,000 ($71,977 US) for the base version with the 75 kWh battery and go all the way up to CNY 578,000 ($85,250 US) for the trim with 150 kWh battery. The deliveries are slated to commence around mid-2023 and Nio could bring the EC7 to Europe sometime at the end of 2023.

Vauxhall (Opel) Astra EV will be Called Astra Electric

6 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Vauxhall is a British car marque while Opel is a German carmaker but they share their products depending on whether you are in Europe or the UK. Opel (Vauxhall) has recently announced its first all-electric vehicle Opel Astra Electric. This EV is available as both hatchback and a Sports Tourer Wagon. Opel has ditched the suffix ‘e’ from the name of its cars and has started putting ‘Electric’ in its place signifying the next-gen products. The release of Opel Astra Electric will take place in 2023. You might also like: GWM Ora Funky Cat – Specs, Features, Price & More Vauxhall (Opel) Astra Electric – Specs The electric hatchback and wagon come powered by a 54 kWh battery (51 kWh usable) in the form of 102 cells in 17 modules powering the front wheels. The total output is a healthy 156 hp and 270 Nm of peak power and torque. This battery pack enables a decent range of 416 km on the WLTP cycle and the top speed is limited to 170 km/h. With a 100 kW DC faster charger, the battery can be topped up to 80% in just 30 mins. There will be driving modes on offer – Eco, Normal and Sport. Vauxhall (Opel) Astra Electric Specs Drivetrain FWD Battery 54 kWh Range 416 km (WLTP) Power / Torque 156 hp / 270Nm 100 kW DC Fast Charging 30 mins (0-80%) Top Speed 170 km/h Specs You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Dimensions and Storage The ICE version of the Astra has been in production for decades now. Hence, the dimensions won’t be much different than that model even in the all-electric avatar. It is 4.37 m long and has a decent wheelbase of 2.67 m. In the Sports Tourer guise, the boot capacity is a cool 516 litres with all seats up and a colossal 1,553 litres with all seats folded. Vauxhall (Opel) Astra Electric Dimensions Length 4,374 mm Width 1,860 mm Wheelbase 2,675 mm Boot Space (Sports Tourer) 516 litres Dimensions and Storage You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? Interior and Features The inside of Astra Electric has been meticulously designed. For instance, the Active Sports upholstery has been designed by Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (AGR; Campaign for Healthier Backs) for excellent lateral stability with tons of electrical adjustments, optional Alcantara material, two 10-inch Touchscreen Displays, E-HUD (Heads Up Display), Natural Voice Recognition, 18-inch Alloys, a new Intelli-Drive 2.0 System for ADAS functions like Drowsiness Detection, Front Collision Warning with the Automatic Emergency Braking System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Active Lane Keep Assist and Semi-Automated Lane Change and more. Vauxhall (Opel) Astra Electric – Price The prices will be announced closer to the launch in the Spring of 2023. However, we could expect them to be around €35,000 in Europe.

2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV Comparison

2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs, Range and Price Comparison

6 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

This post covers the comparison of the 2023 versions of the Hyundai KONA Electric and Kia Niro EV. Now, both these EVs are already established products across various international markets. These are converted models from ICE to electric. That helps keep the costs down compared to a fully electric car based on a dedicated electric platform. Each costing under $40,000 USD, we shall glance through the similarities and differences between the two. You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV – Specs Comparison In terms of powertrains, the KONA electric comes with a 64 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery pack that powers an electric motor sending power to the front wheels. The total system output is a decent 201 hp and 290 lb-ft (393 Nm). It has a range of 258 miles (415 km) and charging to 80% using a 100 kW DC fast charger takes 47 mins. Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes 6.4 secs. On the other hand, the Niro EV comes powered by a 64.8 kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery that also powers the front wheels via an electric motor. The power and torque stand at 201 hp and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) respectively. The driving range is 253 miles (407 km) and Level 3 DC fast charging takes 43 mins to get charged (up to 80%). Acceleration from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) takes 7.1 secs. Specs Comparison KONA Electric Niro EV Drivetrain FWD FWD Battery 64 kWh 64.8 kWh Range 258 mi (415 km) 253 mi (407 km) Power 201 hp 201 hp Torque 290 lb-ft (393 Nm) 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) DC Fast Charging 47 mins (10-80%) 43 mins (10-80%) Acceleration (0-62 mph / 100 km/h) 6.4 secs 7.1 secs Specs Comparison You might also like: Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Which One Should You Pick? Dimensions Comparison When it comes to dimensions, the Niro EV has a significant advantage over the KONA Electric. The former is 4,420 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, 1,570 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm. On the other hand, the KONA Electric is 4,205 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,570 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. Dimensions Niro EV KONA Electric Length 4,420 mm 4,205 mm Width 1,825 mm 1,800 mm Height 1,570 mm 1,570 mm Wheelbase 2,720 mm 2,600 mm Boot Capacity 651 litres 544 litres Dimensions Comparison You might also like: 2023 Kia Niro EV Wind vs Wave – Price & Features Comparison Price Comparison The 2023 Hyundai KONA Electric is the more affordable of the two with the base variant starting at $33,550 USD while the starting price of the 2023 Kia Niro EV is $39,450 USD. The $5,900 price difference gets you more of a car in terms of dimensions, boot capacity and road presence.

Abarth 500e Electric Hot Hatch – Specs, Range, Features & More

9 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

While most EV players are heading toward efficiency, and for the right reasons, Abarth has gone in the opposite direction revealing its 500e hot hatch recently. Now, with electric powertrains, the convention is to maximize the range. However, one must not forget that EVs have an inherent trait of instant torque as well. You might also like: GWM Ora Funky Cat – Specs, Features, Price & More Leveraging that, Abarth has developed its first electric car in the form of 500e. The commercialization of the 500e is planned for February 2023. Interestingly, there will only be 1,949 units produced of the Scorpionissima Limited Edition. It will have an exclusive side sticker and a numbered certificate of authenticity. Abarth 500e Hot Hatch – Specs The electric hot hatch comes with a 42 kWh Lithium-ion battery that supplies energy to an electric motor driving the front wheels (FWD). The total output is 153 hp and 235 Nm of peak power and torque. Using a 3 kW AC home charger, you could charge the EV from 0-100% in 15 hours and 15 mins, while the quickest way to charge it is via an 85 kW DC fast charger that can fill it up from 0-80% in just 35 mins. Abarth 500e Specs Drivetrain FWD Battery 42 kWh Power / Torque 153 hp / 235 Nm 85 kW DC Fast Charging 35 mins (0-80%) Acceleration (0 – 100 km/h) 7 secs (w/ Battery SOC>90%) Top Speed 155 km/h Specs You might also like: Microlino Urban Mini EV – Specs, Range, Price & More Abarth 500e Hot Hatch – Dimensions Abarth 500e is a compact hatchback that is just over 3.62 m and has a wheelbase of just over 2.32 m. We have taken these dimensions from the regular Fiat 500 electric on which the Abarth 500e is based. Abarth 500e Dimensions Length 3,632 mm Width 1,683 mm Height 1,527 mm Wheelbase 2,322 mm Dimensions You might also like: VW e up City EV – Specs, Range, Features, Price & More Interior and Features Just like the dimensions, the interior layout of the Abarth 500e resembles the Fiat 500 Electric. However, there are tons of customisation options. In the regular trims, the 500e comes with a large 10.25-inch Touchscreen Display with Uconnet, a 7-inch Driver’s Instrument Cluster, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Driving Modes (Turismo, Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track), Alcantara Upholstery, a Sound Generator to mimic the exhaust note of the ICE-powered version, Premium Audio System, ADAS Functions (Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Keeping Assist, Drowsy Driver Detection, Traffic Sign Information, Urban Blind Spot, Cruise Control and E-call assist) and more. Expected Price and Deliveries With commercialization plans in February 2023, we can expect the hot hatch to arrive at the dealerships for deliveries sometime in mid-2023. Considering the prices to be significantly higher than the regular Fiat 500 Electric, one must be prepared to shell out around £35,000 (approx $42,100 US) for this compact EV.

2023 Audi Q8 e-tron – Specs, Range, Features, Price

5 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Audi has opened bookings for the 2023 Q8 e-tron. The flagship electric SUV and crossover from the Ingolstadt-based luxury car marque offer a few aesthetic updates along with performance enhancements. The market launch for Germany and other prominent European markets will be at the end of February 2023, while it will reach the US market at the end of April 2023. You might also like: BYD Seal Deliveries to Begin in Europe; To Rival Tesla Model 3 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron – Specs The dual-motor AWD configuration will be standard across the board, while the tri-motor AWD setup is reserved for the top-of-the-line SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron trims. In the boost modes, the power and torque range from 335 hp / 664 Nm to 496 hp / 973 Nm. The range varies from 491 km to 600 km as per WLTP. The base Q8 50 e-tron will offer a maximum of 150 kW DC fast charging, while the Q8 55 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron versions support up to 170 kW DC fast charging. Using the latter, the big (114 kWh) battery could be charged from 10-80% in 31 mins under ideal conditions. Using standard 11 kW AC charging, the big battery can be fully charged in 11 hours 30 mins. 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron Specs Drivetrain AWD Battery (gross) 95 & 114 kWh Range 491 – 600 km (WLTP) Power 335 – 496 hp Torque 664 – 973 Nm 170 kW DC Fast Charging 31 mins (10-80%) Drag Coeff. (Sportback) 0.24 – 0.26 Drag Coeff. (SUV) 0.27 – 0.28 Specs You might also like: Hyundai Ioniq 7 – Expected Specs, Range, Features & More Dimensions and Storage Being the flagship electric SUV in the stable of the German luxury carmaker, the Q8 measures 4.91 m in length and has a wheelbase of 2.93 m. The SUV offers a generous boot capacity of 569 litres, while the Sportback is good for 528 litres. An additional 62 litres is available in the “frunk”. 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron Dimensions Length 4,915 mm Width 1,937 mm Height 1,619 mm Wheelbase 2,920 mm Boot Space (Frunk) 569 litres (62 litres) Dimensions and Storage You might also like: Polestar 3 Electric SUV – Specs, Range, Price & Features Interior and Features The interior of the electric vehicle is finished in various sustainable materials including carbon fiber structure, wood and aluminium. Apart from that, there are 2 touchscreen displays at the centre – a 10.1-inch on the top and an 8.6-inch lower down replacing almost all physical buttons. Then there is the Audi Virtual Cockpit display for the driver’s instrument cluster, Natural Voice Control, MMI Navigation Plus, WiFi Hotspot, Heads-Up Display, Air Purifier, 4-Zone Automatic Climate Control, and Powered Seats with Massage Functions among others. 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron – Safety and Price In terms of safety equipment, the EV is loaded to the gills. This includes 40 ADAS functions which are guided by 5 Radar Sensors, 5 Cameras and 12 Ultrasonic Sensors and analysed by Central Driver Assistance Ccontrol Unit. The starting price of the electric car in Germany will be €74,400 ($78,844 US).

BYD Seal Deliveries to Begin in Europe; To Rival Tesla Model 3

12 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

BYD is planning to launch the Seal electric sedan (also known as Atto 4 in some markets) to rival the Tesla Model 3 in Europe. Having launched the Seal in the Chinese market in July this year (2022), the largest EV market in China aims to go global. In comparison to Model 3, it targets the audience with relatively affordable prices without compromising on performance. Seal is slated to be launched in Europe by the end of this year or beginning of the next year (2023). Thereafter, BYD wants to bring it to other markets like Australia, South America and the Middle East. You might also like: Are Chargers at DC Fast Charging Stations Bad For EVs? BYD Seal (Tesla Model 3 Rival) – Specs The EV is based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 with Blade Battery and LFP cells in two variants – 61.4 kWh and 82.5 kWh with 550 km (342 mi) and 700 km (435 mi) range respectively. There will be options of a single-motor RWD and a dual-motor AWD drivetrain. The power ranges from 201 hp to a colossal 523 hp. In its most powerful iteration, the Seal will be capable of achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.8 secs. BYD Seal Specs Drivetrain RWD / AWD Battery 61.4 & 82.5 kWh Range 550 – 700 km (CLTC) Power 201 – 523 hp 150 kW DC Fast Charging Yes Acceleration (0 – 100 km/h) 3.8 secs Specs You might also like: Pravaig Defy Electric SUV – Specs, Features, Range & More BYD Seal – Dimensions Seal is marginally larger than the Model 3 in terms of exterior dimensions which also translates to the wheelbase. It is 4.8 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.92 m. It has the CTB (Cell-to-Body) architecture which means that the lower part of the body of the vehicle forms the top part of the battery pack. BYD Seal Dimensions Length 4,800 mm Width 1,875 mm Height 1,460 mm Wheelbase 2,920 mm Boot Space 320 litre Dimensions You might also like: Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison Interior and Features On the inside is where the Seal differs significantly from the Model 3. While the latter has a completely futuristic and minimalistic layout devoid of physical buttons or knobs, BYD has adopted a more traditional approach. There is a massive 15.6-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System that can be switched between a Portrait or Landscape Orientation within seconds, a smaller Screen for the Driver’s Instrument Panel, a Heads-Up Display, 8-way Adjustable Driver’s Seat, with Lumbar Support, Heating and Ventilation with Memory Function, Air Purifier, Wireless Charging, and much more. BYD Seal vs Tesla Model 3 – Price BYD launched the Seal in July 2022 in China with prices ranging from CNY 209,800 ($30,084 US) to CNY 286,800 ($41,125 US) after subsidies. For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 retails between CNY 279,900 ($40,136 US) to CNY 367,900 ($52,755 US).

LEC Team

© Copyright 2022 Learn Electric Cars. All Rights Reserved.