Category Archives: Alternative Fuels

Renault Kangoo Z.E. wireless charging

Renault showcases wireless battery charging at 60mph

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Renault Kangoo Z.E. wireless charging

The solution to range anxiety? Renault has demonstrated a wireless charging system allowing vehicles to be charged while driving at speeds of up to 62mph over a special charging track. (source: Renault)

Charging battery-powered devices — from smartphones to cars — is without doubt the most inconvenient aspect of owning an using them. Being tethered to a power point by a cable often means the device can’t be used.

In the case of electric vans and cars, a flat battery at the wrong time could leave you stranded roadside or unable to set off on an important journey while charging is underway.

Range anxiety is certainly the only reason I won’t buy an electric car — we only have one car in our household and it needs to be able to do long journeys as well as short ones.

All this may soon change. On Thursday 18 May 2017, Renault demonstrated dynamic wireless electric vehicle charging (DEVC). This allows an electric vehicle to be charged while driving at speeds of “up to, and excess of” 62mph (100kmh).

Renault Kangoo Z.E. using DEVC wireless charging

Renault Kangoo Z.E. driving along DEVC wireless charging track (source: Renault)

The DEVC system has been designed with partners Qualcomm Technologies and Vedecom. It allows a suitably fitted electric vehicle to pickup charge in both directions when driving over a charging track.

So far, the only charging track available is a 100m strip on the FABRIC project sit at Satory, Versailles, near Paris. Further testing is now planned. But the potential of this system seems obvious.

Motorways and other trunk roads could potentially be fitted with charging tracks, allowing electric cars to be charged during long journeys, extending their range without the need for long pit stops at roadside services. Car parks and driveways could be fitted with charging strips, negating the need for plugin connection points.

These wireless DEVC solutions are being investigated as part of the FeAsiBility analysis and development of on-Road chargIng solutions for future electriC vehicles (FABRIC) project, which is being run by a consortium of 25 partners from nine European countries. The main aim of FABRIC is to conduct feasibility analysis of wireless DEVC as a means of EV range extension.

It’s still early days, but technologies like this leave me more convinced than ever that the future of automotive power will be mainly electric — for both cars and vans.

Harrods Nissan e-NV200 electric van

Harrods offers electric delivery with Nissan e-NV200 vans

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Harrods has made history by adding an electric van to its fleet — 100 years after the iconic London department store’s first electric vans hit the road.

Harrods Nissan e-NV200 electric van

Harrods’ Nissan e-NV200 electric van alongside its historic American Walker electric van

The new van is — of course — a Nissan e-NV200. But it’s incredible to realise that back in 1919, Harrods delivery drivers were motoring around London in American Walker electric vans. The company then went on to build its own fleet of 60 electric vehicles to deliver to London customers.

It was only when the petrol engine became increasingly popular that Harrods dropped electric power and switched to the internal combustion engine.

Guy Cheston, Media Sales Director at Harrods said:

“It’s wonderful to see an electric Harrods van on the roads of London again. As one of Britain’s largest established department stores, we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions and mitigating our environmental footprint. As part of our carbon and energy management policy, we have identified transportation as a key area where we can make a real impact.

Harrods Nissan e-NV200 — a single van so far — has been wrapped in the store’s unmistakable green and gold livery and fitted out inside with shelving units and refrigeration to enable it to deliver fresh groceries in perfect condition.

According to Nissan, the e-NV200 can cover up to 106 miles on a single charge, meaning that it may only need to be charged once a week by Harrods.

London Taxi Company opening

London Taxi Company plans range extended electric van

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The London Taxi Company has made headlines recently after opening a £300m new factory in Ansty, near Coventry. The firm’s new range-extended black cab is expected to go on sale later in 2017, but London Taxi and its Chinese parent firm Geely have their eye firmly set on a bigger prize — the van market.

The firm has announced that the second vehicle to roll off its new production line in Ansty will be a range-extended electric van. Aimed at the urban market, this model is expected to help cut running costs and reduce pollution in urban areas.

London Taxi Company opening

A new London Taxi Company range-extended electric tax at the opening of the firm’s new £300m plant at Ansty, Coventry.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of the London Taxi Company said: 

“This is going to be the future proofed ’white van’ that people have been waiting for. Designed solely for the urban commercial sector, dedicated to the people who keep our cities working, it will be clean, competitive and ready for cities of the future.”

There’s certainly an opportunity here for the company, in my opinion. I believe van manufacturers have been slow to take advantage of the potential for petrol and range-extended van models.

The new van will be built on the same range-extended EV platform as the London Taxi. That makes sense — it doesn’t take much imagination to see how a platform built for black cab use could be converted into a van that’s comparable in size to a Ford Transit Custom, for example.

Royal Navy Nissan e-NV200 van at Portsmouth Naval Base

Royal Navy chooses electric power for Portsmouth base

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Royal Navy Nissan e-NV200 van at Portsmouth Naval BaseThe Royal Navy is no stranger to cutting-edge technology. So perhaps it’s not a surprise that Portsmouth Naval Base is now home to a fleet of 48 Nissan e-NV200 electric vans.

The vans — the top-selling electric van in Europe — have been deployed on the site by BAE Systems, who manage the base for the Royal Navy.

A total of 26 charging points and 28 designated parking bays have been installed, in order to ensure that the electric vans don’t go short of power or parking. The new electric vans are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 40% compared to the previous fleet.

Ian Anderton, integrated delivery director at BAE Systems, said:

“We have worked closely with Lex Autolease and Nissan to introduce this new fleet that makes a significant reduction to carbon dioxide emissions and respects our customers need for a value for money solution.

“The reduced emissions and fuel use by replacing nearly half of the fleet with Nissan electric vehicles would have a significant environmental impact on Portsmouth Naval Base.”

In total, the conversion of more than a third of BAE Systems’ vehicle fleet to Nissan’s e-NV200 Combis will save £360,000 in fuel and other costs over the duration of the contract.

Citroen Berlingo L2 electric van

Peugeot & Citroën stretch range with longer wheelbase electric van

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The Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo electric vans (the same vehicle) have been around for a while now. But so far they’ve only been available in the shorter L1 wheelbase offered by the firm’s on its diesel models.

The companies say that in response to customer demand, the Berlingo/Partner electric van will now be available in a choice of L1 and L2 wheelbases. Choosing the L2 option will enable van operators to extend available load length from 1,800mm to 2,050mm and load volume from 3.3 cubic metres to 3.7 cubic metres.

Citroen Berlingo L2 electric van

The Citroen Berlingo electric van in L2 (long) wheelbase.

The battery packs are fitted beneath the floor in this model, meaning that loadspace is the same as in the diesel models.

Faster charging

Both models will also benefit from being supplied with a 16A charging cable as standard. This enables the vans to be hooked up to fast charging points for more rapid recharging.

The 22.5kWh litihium-ion battery backs fitted to these models provide a range of up to 106 miles. They can be charged to 80% of capacity in 30 minutes from a dedicated rapid charge point.

Citroen Berlingo electric van under bonnet

Under the bonnet of the Citroen Berlingo electric van.

The Partner/Berlingo is eligible for the Plug in Van Grant (PiVG) from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Prices for both vans start from £22,180 +VAT. All vans are exempt from road tax and will continue to be so under new tax VED rules from April 2017.

A new Berlingo Electric L2 550 LX will be displayed on the Citroën stand at the CV Show in April. I’m heading to the show so I’ll try and get a photo.

Nissan e-NV200 electric van

Nissan e-NV200 is top selling electric van in Europe

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The all-electric Nissan e-NV200 van was the top-selling electric van in Europe in 2016. UK sales of the van rose by 20% last year, while total European sales rose by 7% to 4,319 units.

Nissan e-NV200 electric van

The Nissan e-NV200 electric van is the top-selling electric van in 17 European countries.

The top markets for the e-NV200 were the UK, Norway and France, but the van was the top-selling electric model in no fewer than 17 European countries.

Although the e-NV200 faces competition from the Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner Electric in the small van segment, the e-NV200 is usefully larger and also comes in a choice of body styles. In addition to the panel van model, buyers can order the Combi and Evalia passenger variants which offer five and seven-seat options respectively.

This versatility plus Nissan’s attractive 5-year/60,000 mile warranty may be tipping the balance for a lot of buyers. It probably would for me. However, Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, was keen to emphasise the electric van’s other advantages:

“Aside from its obvious environmental advantages, e-NV200 owners also benefit from its low-running costs, starting from as little as two pence per mile, a smooth and near-silent ride and 40 percent lower servicing costs when compared with an equivalent diesel vehicle.”

I’ve been harping on about the attractions of these electric vans for some time now.

With a range of up to 106 miles between charges, I firmly believe they’d be suitable for a wide range of UK LCV operators. It’s only fear of the unknown and inertia that’s causing these firms to continue specifying poorly-suited diesel vans for low-mileage urban/semi-urban roles. This will eventually change, especially as diesels become increasingly demonised in our cities.

Vules Partagés Citroën Berlingo electric van

Electric van sharing scheme goes live in Paris

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I wrote last week about Ford’s plans to trial 20 plugin hybrid electric vans in London. But as I mentioned in the same piece, a number of European countries are already embracing electric vans with much more enthusiasm than UK operators.

Postal services in France and Norway already operate thousands of electric delivery vehicles. Germany is set to follow suit this year. Today in Paris, a new scheme has gone into operation offering businesses access to electric vans through a vehicle sharing scheme.

Vules Partagés Citroën Berlingo electric van

Vules Partagés Citroën Berlingo electric van sharing scheme.

The service, known as VULe Partagés, will be available in the 2nd and 3rd arrondissement of Paris and will make ten vans available, including 4 Peugeot Partner and 4 Citroën Berlingo electric vans.

Small businesses in the city can register on the the scheme’s website in order to use the service.

France’s PSA Group — which includes Peugeot and Citroën — has been producing all-electric vehicles since 1995. The group currently sells five electric models, including two vans, the Peugeot Partner and the Citroën Berlingo (which of course are essentially the same vehicle).

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

Ford launches plugin hybrid electric van van trial in London

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On a typical weekday in London, commercial vehicles make 280,000 journeys, covering a total distance of 18 million miles. 75% of the freight vehicles involved in these movements are vans, covering an average of 64 miles per day.

These are staggering figures, especially when you consider that the vast majority of the vans and trucks involved are diesel vehicles. Urban pollution from diesel is already a major public health issue.

While the Euro 6 emissions standard promises to achieve a reduction where Euro 5 failed, diesel-fuelled air pollution is still a concern, as is the noise pollution caused by all these rattly diesel engines — still far louder and more raucous than petrol equivalents.

In an effort to improve the situation and prepare the ground for a large-scale move into the electric vehicle market, Ford has partnered with Transport for London to launch a 12-month trial of 20 plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) Transit Custom vans.

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

One of the 20 new Ford Transit Custom PHEV due to go start a 12-month trial in London later in 2017.

Ford will provide 20 PHEV Transits to a range of commercial fleets across London, including Transport for London’s fleet, to explore how such vans can contribute to cleaner air targets while boosting productivity for operators in urban conditions. The project is supported financially by the government-funded Advanced Propulsion Centre.

These vans are forerunners of the Transit Custom PHEV production model that’s scheduled for commercial production in 2019. Ford is the first company to offer PHEV functionality in the van sector.

How a PHEV van works

How the Ford Transit plugin hybrid electric vans will be used in and around London (click to enlarge)

The idea is that the vans can be charged from the mains and will run solely on electric power for the majority of the time they’re operating in Central London. They will however retain the ability to cover longer distances without recharging using their standard engines.

“The freight sector’s transition to ultra-low emission vehicles is central to cleaning up London’s toxic air,” said Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. “Transport for London continues to lead by example by increasing the number of its own vehicles that are electric and will find the data from these trials an invaluable resource for the LoCITY programme, which encourages the uptake of low emission commercial transport.”

Ford is planning to launch 13 electric vehicles globally in the next five years. The Transit Custom PHEV is one of these. In my view, the operating case for electric vans in cities has already been made several times over. It remains a mystery to me why — for example — large postal operators in other European countries are buying thousands of electric delivery vehicles, while Royal Mail chooses only bicycles and diesel vans.

Hopefully London Mayor Khan will be a more forceful and effective advocate of electric vans than his predecessor. It’s high time that London and the UK started to lead the way in modernising Europe’s transport infrastructure and vehicle parc.

StreetScooter Work electric van

Deutsche Post DHL will put 2,000 StreetScooter electric vans on the road in 2017

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StreetScooter probably isn’t a name you’re familiar with. But that could soon change. This German startup was founded in 2010 to make affordable electric vehicles for urban use. It caught the eye of Deutsche Post  DHL Group. The German postal group liked it so much, it bought the company in 2014.

StreetScooter Work electric van

The StreetScooter Work electric van in Deutsche Post DHL colours — the post and parcel firm owns StreetScooter.

After a successful trial of 50 vans, the German postal group is now planning to deploy 2,000 StreetScooter electric vans into its urban delivery fleet by the end of 2017. These will be in Germany, but as StreetScooter ramps up its production capacity, surplus vehicles are expected to be available to third-party buyers.

I’d also guess that if the StreetScooter proves successful in Germany, Deutsche Post DHL may start to experiment with using the vans for DHL parcel deliveries in other major European cities.

According to the StreetScooter website, the Work van has a range of 50-80km and takes 4.5 hours to charge up to 80% capacity. A full charge takes 7 hours, but most urban delivery vans don’t operate for more than 14 hours a day, making a 7-hour charging period perfectly acceptable.

The model described on StreetScooter’s website has a payload of 650kg, and a maximum laden weight of 2,130kg, putting it on a par with popular small vans such as the Citroen Berlingo and Ford Transit Connect. Indeed, the electric version of the Citroen Berlingo uses the same GKN e-Drive electric drivetrain as the StreetScooter.

Deutsche Post DHL is ultimately targeting a 100% electric delivery fleet. This year’s plan to put 2,000 new StreetScooter vans into service is an important step in the right direction.

Renault Master Z.E. electric van

Renault charged up with new electric Kangoo and Master vans

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Renault has launched a new longer-range version of its Kangoo Van Z.E. and an all-new electric Master Z.E. at the Brussels Motor Show.

Renault Zero Emission LCV fleet

By the end of 2017, Renault will offer four electric vans in its Z.E. range

The new Kangoo Van Z.E. boasts a theoretical range of 168 miles, which is 50% more than the outgoing model and — says the firm — the longest of any electric van.

Meanwhile the Master Z.E. (Z.E. stands for Zero Emissions) has been introduced to target urban distribution operations and low-mileage municipal work.

Both vans are available with new, faster charging technology which promises to improve the usability and appeal of electric vehicles.

Kangoo Van Z.E. update

The Kangoo Van Z.E. was one of the first real-world usable LCVs to go on sale anywhere, and has been Europe’s best–selling electric van for the last six years.

Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van

The Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van

The latest update features a new Z.E.33 33kWh battery pack and a new R60 44kW motor. Combined, these help to increase the range of the electric Kangoo to a specified maximum of 168 miles. Faster charging will also be possible. A new 7kW 32A charger will be available that can fully charge the Kangoo in just six hours.

The new Kangoo Van Z.E. will go on sale in Europe from the middle of 2017.

New Master Z.E.

Large electric vans are thin on the ground at the moment. So urban operators interested in reducing their carbon footprints and avoiding the cost and hassle of running diesel vans that are essentially unsuited to such operations may be interested in the new all-electric Master.

Renault Master Z.E. electric van

The Renault Master Z.E. electric van

It uses a larger R75 57kW motor but will be powered by the same Z.E.33 33kWH battery pack as the Kangoo. This inevitably reduces range somewhat, but Renault says the new Master Z.E. will be capable of up to 124 miles between charges. That’s pretty respectable.

As with the Kangoo, a full charge from Renault’s 7kW Wall Box charger will take six hours. I guess 13A charging will also be possible, albeit at a much slower pace.

The Master Z.E. will go on sale in the European market at the end of 2017.

What’s next for electric vans

It’s interesting to see how rapidly electric vehicle ranges are starting to increase. The Renault ZOE is now available with a Z.E.40 battery that gives this small car a range in the region of 200 miles.

Longer ranges were always inevitable as the technology matured — I suspect faster charging is the next logical step. I’m sure we’ll start to see this over the next couple of years.