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Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis for Electric Cars

Qualcomm Plans to Dominate the Future of Electric Cars

Qualcomm has always been a part of traditional ICE-powered, as well as modern electric cars. All new cars contain extensive use of electronic components. This includes semiconductor chips, ECUs, relays, etc. Essentially, all the mechanical operations in new cars have been substituted by electronic operations to enhance convenience. At CES 2023, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon Digital Chassis software-defined concept vehicle. It showcases the next generation of mobility and automotive solutions. You might also like: Why Electric Cars Catching Fire Must Concern You Qualcomm Snapdragon for Electric Cars There are 4 main components of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis that will cover almost all the areas of modern EVs – Cloud-Connected Platforms for Telematics, Connectivity, Digital Cockpit and Driver Assistance & Autonomy. Auto Connectivity – This includes functions related to overall connectivity in any modern car like 5G, LTE, C-V2X, WiFi, Bluetooth, MF-GNSS, DSDA and more. Cockpit Platform – This is perhaps the most practical one of the lot where the drivers will evidently experience certain changes some of which have already arrived in EVs from a select few car marques. This incorporates things like a configurable 3D Digital Cluster, E-Mirrors, 3D Navigation, Natural Language Processing, Streaming Multimedia, Premium Audio and Intelligent UI. Car-to-Cloud – This is perhaps the most compelling aspect of modern cars where most operations will be accessible via OTA (Over-the-Air) updates pertaining to Device Management, Global Connectivity, Integrated Analysis, Service, Diagnostics and more. Ride Platform – This is aimed at enhancing the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and Autonomous Driving (AD) functions using the low-power, high-performance SoC (System-on-Chips) for Simulation and Continuous Learning. All these functions sum up the entire processes of modern cars and a successful firm like Qualcomm is perfectly positioned to leverage its expertise and experience in this field. You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs Automotive-IT Collaborations Qualcomm has already partnered with the giants of the automotive industry including GM, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Sony Honda Mobility, Cadillac, Stellantis Group (Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen, Dodge, Maserati and Chrysler) and more. The Digital Chassis envelopes the entire automotive software stack including parking sensors, radar for ADAS, smartphone apps, downloadable upgrades and more. Qualcomm has received support from BMW, Hyundai Motor Group, Nio and Volvo for the new platform. Additionally, LG Electronics has established technical collaboration with Magna which is a major global automotive parts supplier and assembles cars for companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Fisker. Magna will develop a proof of concept for automated driver infotainment solutions for differentiated customer experiences. A more recent example of the Automotive-IT collaboration is the Sony Honda Mobility (SHM). In fact, its EV called Afeela was a major point of attraction at the CES 2023. This concept car even featured Fortnite and Spider-Man gameplay imagery on a digital display above its front bumper. The PS5 game ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ appeared on the rear seat displays of Afeela. Afeela will also use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis system for ADAS, Autonomous Driving, Interfaces and Telematics. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? No Semiconductor Shortage Issue Finally, no one is unfamiliar with the severe semiconductor shortage issue that has been plaguing the global automotive industry for a while now. The current cars need a dozen different ECUs for various things like display, parking, driver monitoring, audio, speakers, windows, AC, etc. However, with the Digital Chassis, all these will get integrated into a common platform reducing the number of semiconductor chips, thereby, reducing the overall cost. With almost every aspect of EVs becoming electronic, the future would certainly require automotive companies to collaborate with the giants of the IT and Tech industries. Source

Why Electric Cars Catching Fire Must Concern You

22 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

While industry experts and new car buyers are beginning to jump on the EV bandwagon, we must also acquaint ourselves with the issue of electric cars catching fire. Now, before we go any further, we must mention that this is not an EV-bashing blog or creating fear among potential buyers, but a rather factual piece of content which talks about why EV fires are different and worse than fire in ICE-powered vehicles. Also, for the record, USA Today shows data highlighting that the number of EVs catching fire out of 100,000 vehicles is just 25 compared to gas cars (1,530). So, EVs are clearly much safer when it comes to fire explosions. Furthermore, most fires occur when vehicles get crashed which may necessarily not be due to any defect in the battery or construction. With that out of the way, let us discuss the chemistry of an EV fire. You might also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? Chemistry of Electric Cars Catching Fire When a traditional gas-powered vehicle gets engulfed in flames, standard procedures like putting water into the fire to cut the oxygen supply works adequately. Additionally, fire extinguishers can control the situation and people are aware of what to do in such situations. However, that is the most terrifying aspect of EVs catching fire. We know that most EV batteries use Lithium-ion chemistry with Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese metals and liquid electrolytes. Generally, the battery is sealed off securely and it is meant to stay that way even during unfortunate cases. However, if the battery catches fire once, most standard procedures won’t be effective in dousing it out. The reason behind that is simple. The EV battery components become the fuel themselves causing a thermal runaway. This is due to the electrolyte decomposing and releasing Oxygen among other toxic gases including Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrofluoric Acid and Cobalt. You might also like: Top Solid-State Battery Companies For EVs You don’t need to get in contact with these gases to get affected negatively. Some of these gases could get absorbed by your skin. That is the reason why people have lost their lives in such fires. There have also been cases reported where the fire kept on going for hours despite being tried to control it using conventional water and fire extinguishers. Hence, if such a fire breaks out in a parking lot where multiple EVs are parked, we could have a serious problem on our hands. Since most people charge their EVs at their homes, this issue becomes more pertinent. Overnight charging is the most common and practical way of charging EVs across the world. In fact, some people, due to a lack of space around the house, end up installing charging equipment inside the house. In countries like Australia, solar charging and storage devices are quite common. But these must be away from the house, at least outside the building so that even if there are such terrible situations, lives are not at stake. That is the reason why EV fires are extremely perilous and we must be informed about such things. As mentioned previously, the chances of EVs catching fire are still a lot lesser compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. Nevertheless, proper safety measures and procedures must be in place as EVs get more popular than ever. The concerned authorities must come up with safety protocols about what must be done in such situations so that people are able to deal with these scenarios in the best possible way.

Here’s Why You Won’t Get Full EV Tax Credit in 2023 in the USA

20 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

The updated EV tax credit scheme has made the entire process rather complex. Earlier, if the company of the EV or PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle) that you purchased had sold less than 200,000 EVs or PHEVs, you would have received the full $7,500 tax credit on the qualifying EVs. But now, there are many layers including income caps, price caps on eligible EVs, location of manufacturing of EV (US or outside) and source of battery components (US or outside). You won’t get the full amount if all of these criteria are not fulfilled. You might also like: Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 – Future of Urban Mobility? Additionally, the amount of tax credit that you are eligible to get until the end of 2023 can be availed of at the time of filing the ITR (Income Tax Returns). But starting 2024, you will be able to apply the amount directly at the time of purchasing the EV, reducing the initial cost straightaway. This will allow car buyers to take lower credit through financial institutions, a great pull for a lot of new EV buyers. Under this act, the term used to describe EVs is “Clean Vehicles”. This means that EVs, PHEVs as well as Hydrogen cars will be eligible for the tax rebate/credit. This act will continue until 2032. You might also like: Electrify America Leads Non-Tesla DC Fast Charging Network with 800 Stations EV Tax Credit Depends on Many Factors You might also like: Factors on Which Energy Consumption of an EV Depends In conclusion, this new regulation will even allow the EV to re-attain the eligibility for the tax rebate who has previously lost it on account of the aforementioned rule where a 200,000 vehicle limit for a carmaker was applied. These companies were Tesla, GM and Toyota. Going forward, EVs from these three auto giants will also become eligible for the tax benefit yet again.

Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 – Future of Urban Mobility?

26 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

This blog post discusses the top 5 mini EVs that we could see in 2023 from various parts of the world. The main challenges with EVs at the moment include high initial costs, range anxiety and lack of adequate charging infrastructure. However, with mini urban electric cars, these aspects are addressed quite convincingly. Mini EVs are affordable, the range is not that big of an issue because one uses it just for a quick city trip and the charging infrastructure is not that relevant since most of these will be charged exclusively at home. Hence, they make an excellent case for enabling the future of urban mobility. Here are the top 5 mini EVs to look forward to in 2023. You might also like: Does The Aptera Solar Electric Car Really Have a 1,000 Miles Range? Top 5 Mini EVs in 2023 Microlino Microlino mini EV has been developed by the Italian carmaker. It comes powered by 3 Lithium-ion battery packs – 6 kWh, 10.5 kWh and 14 kWh offering a range of 95 km, 175 km and 230 km respectively. Its power and torque outputs stand at a decent 12.5 kW (16.76 hp) and 89 Nm with a top speed of 90 km/h. The 496-530 kg mini electric car takes 3-4 hours to charge fully. It is 2.52 m long and has a handy luggage compartment of 230 litres. City Transformer (CT-1) City Transformer describes itself as the EV tech disruptor from Israel. The CT-1 boasts a party trick of being a shape-shifting EV. It can reduce its width while travelling from 1.4 m to 1 m under 40 km/h in real-time. The flexible chassis enables the wheels to retract reducing the overall width to accommodate itself into tight urban parking spots when needed. The 590 kg EV has a range of 180 km and takes 30 mins to charge from 10% to 80% with a top speed of 90 km/h. It has a power output of 15 kW propelling it from 0-50 km/h in just 5 secs. The length of CT-1 is 2.5 m and it has a wheelbase of 1.8 m. You might also like: Microlino Urban Mini EV – Specs, Range, Price & More PMV Eas-E is Among the Top Mini EVs in 2023 PMV Electric is an Indian EV start-up that has developed the 2-seater Eas-E mini EV (quad-cycle). It comes with a 48 V Lithium-Ion-Phosphate battery that can be charged in less than 4 hours. There are options of choosing from three trims (as per range) – 120 km, 160 km and 200 km. The electric motor churns out 13 hp and 50 Nm of max power and torque and has a top speed of 70 km/h. The acceleration from 0-40 km/h takes less than 5 secs. The micro EV is 2.91 m long and has a wheelbase of 2.08 m. The ground clearance is a decent 170 mm. Opel Rocks-e German auto giant Opel has created an urban EV, Rocks-e. It is 2.41 m long and has a weight of just 471 kg. It comes with a 5.5 kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor to produce 12 hp of max power. The Rocks-e boasts a decent range of 75 km on a single charge and can be fully charged in around 4 hours. The 2-seater mini EV has door openings in opposite directions. You might also like: Abarth 500e Electric Hot Hatch – Specs, Range, Features & More Estrima Biro is Among the Top Mini EVs in 2023 Estrima is an Italian company that makes the Biro 2-seater 4-wheeled mini EV. It comes powered by two battery pack options offering 55 km and 100 km of range on a single charge. The Biro has a maximum power output of 3.3 kW and a top speed of 60 km/h if it has the Bolt set up. The mini EV is 1.74 m long, 1.03 m wide and 1.565 m high. It has a ground clearance of 190 mm. The main highlight of the Biro is its detachable battery pack enhancing the security and convenience of charging it at home or the workplace. These are some of the top mini EVs to watch out for in 2023.

Electrify America Charging Network in the USA

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

27 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

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

29 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.

2023 Hyundai KONA Electric vs 2023 Kia Niro EV Comparison

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

22 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.

Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs, Price Comparison

21 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

Hyundai Motor Group is on a mission to establish itself as a prominent player in this transition phase from traditional ICE-powered vehicles to EVs and has already grabbed a solid lead with its products. In this blog post, we shall do a Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 comparison in terms of specs and price. Both these EVs, essentially, come from the same parent company, Hyundai Motor Group. While the IONIQ is an all-electric sub-brand of Hyundai, Kia is its sister organization too. Launched on July 12, 2022, Hyundai IONIQ 6 has become a huge success in the international market. Its production takes place in South Korea at the Asan plant. The production of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 for the USA market will start in January 2023 and its sales will commence in March 2023. You might also like: Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Which One Should You Pick? Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs Comparison Before we begin, it must be noted that the IONIQ 6 has only been announced in the dual-motor AWD configuration with the larger 77.4 kWh battery pack. The single-motor variant with a smaller battery (53 kWh) will be launched in the coming months. Therefore, we shall compare it to the top trim of the Kia EV6 only. Both these EVs are based on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform). Specs Comparison Hyundai IONIQ 6 Kia EV6 Drivetrain 2WD/AWD 2WD/AWD Battery 77.4 kWh 77.4 kWh Power 239 kW (320 hp) 239 kW (320 hp) Torque 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) Range 320 miles (515 km) 274 miles (441 km) Acceleration (0-60 mph) 5.1 secs 5.1 secs 350 kW DC Fast Charging – 800 V (10%-80%) 20 mins 18 mins Drag Coeff. 0.21 0.28 Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Specs Comparison While these two will feature identical powertrains, the difference lies in their body types. Whereas the EV6 is a crossover SUV, the IONIQ 6 is an aerodynamically sound electric sedan that Hyundai calls an “Electric Streamliner”. The sheer design will alter the range and efficiency of the IONIQ 6. Therefore, you will be able to squeeze more out of the electric sedan compared to the electric crossover. The extended-range version will be launched later that will have a range of up to 382 miles (615 km). You might also like: Kia EV6 Light vs Wind vs GT-Line – Specs and Price Comparison Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Price Comparison The prices of the Kia EV6 range from $47,000 USD to $58,500 USD for the 2023 model. On the other hand, the estimated prices of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 would lie somewhere between $45,000 USD to $55,000 USD. Hence, there isn’t much to choose between the two in terms of prices. Price Comparison Kia EV6 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Base Trim $47,000 $45,000 (est.) Top Trim $58,500 $55,000 (est.) Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs Kia EV6 – Price Comparison Verdict With the price constraints out of the way, it really boils down to the kind of body one prefers. There lies a clear distinction between the two. If you are someone who loves the rather imposing SUV-ish road presence, the EV6 might do the trick. On the other hand, if you want something a bit more unique with an understated and sophisticated design, the IONIQ 6 electric sedan might make more sense.

Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Which One Should You Pick?

27 Comments / EV News, Featured / By LEC Team

The compact electric crossover segment is getting heated up and these two are quite prominent products which is why we compare the two in terms of specs, dimensions, prices and features. The Cupra Born and VW ID.3 are excellent options for all those looking for a compact city-friendly electric crossover. They have a distinct style, practicality and affordability in addition to being feature-laden and environment-supportive. Cupra is the performance division of SEAT, while ID represents the future-oriented electric nameplate from Volkswagen. But it must be mentioned here that Volkswagen Group owns Cupra. Let us compare these two to determine which one suits you the best. You might also like: Leapmotor C11 Electric SUV Specs, Range, Price & More! You might also like: 2022 Porsche Taycan – Price, Variants, Specs, Range, & More Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Specs Comparison Interestingly, both these are quite similar in terms of specs which makes things very interesting indeed. Born is a bit varied when it comes to powertrain options and also has a bigger battery pack option which offers significantly more range than the ID.3. Note that the Cupra Born comes in two variants – Born and Born e-Boost. As for ID.3, currently, only the Life variant is available in the UK. Specs Comparison Cupra Born VW ID.3 Battery 58 & 77 kWh 58 kWh Range 343 mi (552 km) [w/ 77 kWh] 265 mi (426 km) Power / Torque 231 hp / 310 Nm 200 hp / 310 Nm Acceleration (0-100 km/h) 6.6 secs [w/ 58 kWh] 7.3 secs Charging (DC Fast) 30 mins up to 80% in 30 mins Euro NCAP 5 Star 5 Star Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 Specs Comparison You might also like: Canoo Electric Pickup Truck Could Be The EV You Really Need Cupra Born vs VW ID.3 – Dimensions Comparison Being urban electric crossovers/hatchbacks, both these EVs have comparable sizes. As seen from the table below, the Cupra is longer than the VW but the wheelbase (space inside the cabin) is quite identical. Incidentally, both have the exact same boot space. Dimensions Cupra Born VW ID.3 Length 4,324 mm 4,261 mm Width 2,070 mm (w/ mirrors) 1,809 mm (w/o mirrors) Height 1,540 mm 1,568 mm Wheelbase 2,766 mm 2,770 mm Boot Space 385 litres 385 litres Dimensions Comparison Price Comparison The main reason for comparing these two EVs is the proximity of their prices. That is what makes the decision a bit confusing for a whole bunch of people. The Born starts at £34,715 (on the road). On the other hand, ID.3 starts at £36,195 (on the road). Price Cupra Born VW ID.3 Starting at £34,715 £36,195 All prices on the road You might also like: VinFast VF8 Will Be The First EV From Vietnam Features Comparison The Cupra Born comes with features like a 12-inch Floating Infotainment Display, a 5.3-inch Digital Cockpit Display, Panoramic Sunroof, Bucket Seats at the rear, e-Boost Mode, 20-inch Alloys, Cupra Connect Gen 4 App, Navigation System, Augmented Reality Heads Up Display, 360-degree Camera, ADAS Functions, Wireless Smartphone Connectivity and Charging, Recycled Materials used inside the cabin, Premium Beats Audio System, Voice Recognition, 12-way Electrically Adjustable Front Seats with Lumbar Support and Massage Function, LTE Connectivity, and much more. On the other hand, the ID.3 is equally impressive with functions like a 10-inch Infotainment Display, Bluetooth, Wireless Charging, Panoramic Sunroof, Augmented Reality Heads Up Display, Premium Audio System, Predictive Navigation, Voice Assistant, 30-coloured Ambient Lighting, Heated Steering Wheel, Height Adjustable Front Seats, Car2X Vehicle Networking, e-SIM Connectivity, Rear View Camera, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control and more.

Problems with Tesla EV Charging Stations

What Are The Problems With EV Charging Stations?

33 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

EV charging stations are being installed at a rapid pace across the country but it doesn’t come without its problems and challenges. Electric cars seem to be the inevitable mobility trend that this generation is heading toward but the problems and issues associated with the EV charging stations pose a huge hurdle to reaching that point. While most of us are aware of the general challenges of the industry like high initial costs, charging times and range anxiety, the real focus needs to be on developing the charging infrastructure. That, alone, is the most arduous task that has the potential to dispel other issues and propel mass adoption. You might also like: Can Electric Car Batteries Be Replaced or Swapped? EV Charging Stations In The U.S. When you think about it, the challenges related to the EVs costing almost at par with the standard internal combustion engine cars (around $35,000) and offering a decent range of around (300 miles on a single charge) are somewhat remedied, but the comparison of the number of gas stations (150,000) and EV charging stations (46,000) is what is still far away at this point in time. Even worse, out of these 46,000, less than 10,000 charging stations have the capabilities to charge any EV irrespective of make or model. Also, the total number of DC Fast charging stations in the U.S. hovers around just 6,000. You might also like: 2022 Polestar 2 Electric Car – Range, Interior & Specs Companies Offering EV Charging Stations There are primarily 4 key players in the space, ChargePoint, Tesla, Electrify America and EVgo. EV Charging Companies ChargePoint Tesla Electrify America EVgo Others Total Charging Stations 30,000 6,000 800 850 8,000 Fast Charging Stations 1,700 1,300 750 840 ~1,400 EV Charging Station Companies Now, the Tesla Supercharging Stations have a maximum of 250 kW charging which amounts to about 200 miles of charge in around 15 minutes. However, it must be noted that the EVs from other carmakers are not equipped to be charged at these stations as this is a Tesla-exclusive affair. The other end of the spectrum is that not all vehicles come with the feature of fast charging or compatibility with every charging socket (Tesla Supercharger, J1772, CHAdeMO, CCS). That is what narrows the possibilities of any EV being able to charge at any charging stations across the country significantly. Therefore, the effective number of charging stations where every kind of electric vehicle could be charged is under 10,000. There lies the biggest hurdle in terms of infrastructure. You might also like: Tesla Battery (4680) vs BYD Blade Battery – Comparison EV Charging Infrastrucutre Cost According to some estimates by industry experts, a regular Tesla Supercharging Station with 6-8 stalls delivering 120 kW to 150 kW each would cost roughly $250,000 to build. On the other hand, Volkswagen-owned Electrify America charging stations with similar specs would cost around $350,000. There lies the biggest problem with the EV charging stations. One can’t simply build these overnight, or even in a couple of years. And until this aspect is sorted, improving the range and bringing down the cost of EVs isn’t gonna achieve much in terms of mass adoption, although the EV makers will achieve that nevertheless. This is because we are at the point where the cost and range have become somewhat decent and accepted by the general public. It is the anxiety caused by not knowing where the next charging station is, that is preventing people from going for an EV. That is where the government support is needed the most as this job is too herculean for any single company. It could offer incentives to players to develop the charging infrastructure just like offering incentives to the people to buy EVs. You might also like: What Is Vehicle To Load (V2L) & Which EVs Have This Feature? Correct Way of Charging EVs Another relevant aspect of EV charging is the fact that the battery of a car (or any other electronic gadget) charges fast at the beginning (typically up to 50%) but requires significant time for the other half. Hence, people must try to charge their batteries up to 50% at one stop, drive and then make another stop to charge for 50% again, while on the highway. Overall, this will save them more time compared to when they charge the EV until 100% at one charging station. These are some habits that EV owners need to inculcate in order to squeeze the maximum range and spend minimum time at the charging station. However, for this, again, plenty of infrastructure is needed so that people quit the anxiety about finding the next charging station.

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