Money Buzz! Europa

Tag: electric cars

  • Germany overtook the US and is the world’s second largest market for electric cars

    Germany overtook the US and is the world’s second largest market for electric cars

    Germany saw last year a boom in sales of electric and hybrid cars, which analysts say is partly due to subsidies of up to 9,000 euros granted by the government, DPA reports.

    Sales of electric and hybrid cars in Germany increased by 264% annually, to 395,000 units.

    China remains the largest market for electric and hybrid cars, with 1.25 million units registered in 2020, or a third of the 3.18 million units sold last year in the world.

    But, last year, the Chinese electric car market grew by only 3% while the global market grew by 38%.

    Europe, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, saw a 134% increase in electric and hybrid car registrations to 1.37 million units.

  • Spanish automaker Lupa to build an electric vehicle factory in Uruguay

    Spanish automaker Lupa to build an electric vehicle factory in Uruguay

    Lupa is a new Spanish automotive company, based in Barcelona. It makes electric vehicles and is in the start-up stage, with the aim of presenting its first vehicles by June 2023.

    The plant will have the capacity to produce 20 thousand electric cars a year, starting in 2024, El Oservador reports.

    Lupa’s objective is to supply, from Uruguay, the entire Mercosur, including Argentina.

    Uruguay plant will manufacture three types of electric vehicles: a five-passenger hatchback (Lupa E26), a cargo van (Lupa E66) and an SUV (Lupa E137).

    All will use lithium-ion batteries between 42 and 64 kWh, with powers of up to 140 horsepower, a maximum speed of 150 km/h and a range of ”more than 350 kilometers”.

    Lupa’s business model is to sell electric cars with or without batteries. The batteries are interchangeable and can be purchased separately.

    When they reach their life span, estimated at 10 years, they are reused as solar energy accumulators for other products like PowerHomes.

  • Landmark: 1 million full electric or hybrid vehicles sold in Europe in 2020

    Landmark: 1 million full electric or hybrid vehicles sold in Europe in 2020

    According to an Deloitte study, until November 2020, a landmark one million vehicle sold in Europe were either full electric or hybrid models, accounting for one in every 10 passenger cars sold on the continent.

    In fact, in Europe, in the first nine months of 2020, EV sales surpassed those in China for the first time in at least five years.

    In the UK, in September 2020, EV sales eclipsed diesel sales for the first time in history.

    This is a significant turning point in moving toward achieving 30%–40% electric vehicle (EV) sales volume by 2030.

    Of the 308 million motor vehicles on Europe’s roads today, just 3 million are electric. But the future potential is vast. EY analysis puts the estimated number of EVs at 40 million by 2030.

  • Austria surpassed 7 million registered motor vehicles mark

    Austria surpassed 7 million registered motor vehicles mark

    7.1 million motor vehicles were registered as of 31 December 2020 in Austria, 1.5% or 102,592 more than on the same date in the previous year.

    As Statistics Austria further reports, passenger cars accounted for the largest share of the motor vehicle stock (71.7%) and increased by 1.0% to 5.09 million vehicles.

    The number of diesel-powered passenger cars decreased by 0.4% to 2.76 million (2019: -0.1%).

    Furthermore, those with petrol engines (incl. flex-fuel) increased by 0.7% to around 2.20 million (2019: +1.9%).

    Electric passenger cars recorded an increase of 50.8% (2019: +41.7%) to 44 507 vehicles.

    Passenger cars with combined drive systems (hybrid) increased (petrol/electric: +51.1%; diesel/electric: +133.0%).

    In 2020, VW dominated the Austrian streets again with 1,033,770 passenger cars (share: 20.3% of all registered passenger cars).

    German car makers complete top 3, as VW is followed by Audi with 385,372 passenger cars (share: 7.6%) and BMW with 317,582 passenger cars (share: 6.2%).

  • 11.9% of total passenger car sales across the EU last year were hybrid electric vehicles

    11.9% of total passenger car sales across the EU last year were hybrid electric vehicles

    In 2020, hybrid electric vehicles made up 11.9% of total passenger car sales across the EU, up from 5.7% in 2019, ACEA reports.

    Electrically-chargeable vehicles saw a similar surge in demand last year, accounting for 10.5% of all new car registrations in the European Union, compared to a 3.0% market share the year before.

    Even more, in the fourth quarter of 2020, nearly one in six passenger cars registered in the European Union was an electrically-chargeable vehicle (16.5%).

    Stimulus packages introduced by governments to boost demand to stimulate alternatively-powered vehicles in particular, further driving demand for low and zero-emission cars.

    Although the overall decline of 3 million units in car registrations as a result of COVID-19 hit diesel and petrol-powered vehicles the hardest, conventional fuel types still dominated EU car sales in terms of market share (75.5%) in 2020.

  • Norway keeps its leading position in the electric vehicle market

    Norway keeps its leading position in the electric vehicle market

    Electric vehicles sales in Norway surpassed those of hybrid vehicles last year, and Volkswagen has replaced Tesla in the top manufacturers of battery-powered cars sold in the country, Reuters reports.

    Last year, 54.3% of new cars sold in Norway were fully electric, a world record, compared to 42.4% in 2019 and about 1% a decade ago.

    Even more, in December, electric cars accounted for 66.7% of total new car registrations, the highest level in a single month.

    In addition to tax exemptions for electric cars, their owners also benefit from other facilities such as reduced tolls, free parking and in many places free charging.

    However, the challenge is the small number of fast charging stations to keep up with the rapid growth of the electric vehicle fleet.

  • Denmark aims to get at least 775,000 electric and hybrid cars on the roads by 2030

    Denmark aims to get at least 775,000 electric and hybrid cars on the roads by 2030

    Denmark aims to get at least 775,000 electric and hybrid cars on the country’s roads by 2030, Reuters reports.

    There are currently only about 20,000 electric cars in Denmark, a fraction of the 2.7 million cars currently on the country’s roads.

    Copenhagen has set an ambitious target of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.

    The plan, for which the government will set aside 2.5 billion Danish kroner ($ 407.62 million), will be revised in 2025, when new measures will be taken to reach one million zero-emission cars in Denmark until 2030.

  • New cars sales in the UK, at the lowest level since 2011 in October

    New cars sales in the UK, at the lowest level since 2011 in October

    New cars sales in the UK fell by 1.61% in October to 140.945 units, the lowest level since 2011 in October as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

    The best-selling models in October are Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Puma.

    Demand for electric vehicles increased by 195.2% in October, while supplies of diesel and petrol vehicles fell by 38.4% and 21.3%, respectively.

    New cars sales in the United Kingdom fell by 31% in the first ten months of 2020 to 1.38 million units.

    Demand for electric vehicles increased by 168.7%, while deliveries of diesel and petrol vehicles fell by 55.1% and 38.9%, respectively.

    In the top of the best-selling models in January-October 2020 are Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

  • Volkswagen launches two electric SUVs in China

    Volkswagen launches two electric SUVs in China

    Volkswagen launched two models of ID.4 electric SUVs in China in an attempt to compete with Tesla in the world’s largest car market, Reuters reports.

    The ID.4 CROZZ is manufactured by the joint venture that Volkswagen owns with the Chinese group FAW, while the ID.4 X is produced by another joint venture with SAIC Motor.

    The German car maker did not revealed the price of the two models.

    Chinese authorities expect a 20% increase in sales of electric and hybrid vehicles by 2025, from 5% today.

    Analysts expect about 1.1 million electric and hybrid vehicles to be sold in the Chinese market this year.

  • Skoda launched ENYAQ iV, its first full electric SUV

    Skoda launched ENYAQ iV, its first full electric SUV

    Measuring 4,649 x 1,879 x 1,616 mm, the ENYAQ iV is similar in size to the traditional KODIAQ SUV and has 2,765 mm wheelbase.

    The new electric car will be available in five power outputs, three battery sizes and two drivetrains.

    The basic model is the ENYAQ iV 50 with a 109 kW electric motor and rear-wheel drive. This version’s battery has a capacity of 55 kWh (52 kWh net) and a range of 340 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.

    The ENYAQ iV 60 has a 62 kW battery (58 kW net). Combined with a 132 kW electric motor, it delivers a range of up to 390 kilometres.

    The ENYAQ iV 80 is the third version with rear-wheel drive. It has a 150 kW electric motor and torque of up to 310 Nm. The battery capacity is 82 kW (77 kW net), and it is this version that offers the longest maximum range of 510 kilometres (in the WLTP cycle) on a single charge.

    The two all-wheel drive versions also feature the biggest battery

    The ENYAQ iV 80X, with a second electric motor on the front axle, delivers a total output of 195 kW, while the sporty ENYAQ iV RS boasts an output of 225 kW.

    Both these versions have a range of up to 460 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.

    One brand new design element on the electric SUV is the optional Crystal Face radiator grille. The traditional Skoda grille is enhanced with a crystalline effect and is backlit with a total of 130 LEDs that give the car a unique “light signature”.

    Special ENYAQ iV to celebrate 125 years of Skoda

    One special version of the ENYAQ iV that will be available in a limited series is the Founders Edition, which is already available for pre-order.

    With this version, which customers will receive in the first quarter of 2021, Skoda is celebrating 125 years of history. The total production will be just 1,895 units.

    ”The first electric SUV from Skoda is made in Mladá Boleslav and it represents the next level of transformation with the focus on advancing electrification and digitalisation,” said Thomas Schäfer, Skoda chairman of the board, at the electric SUV’s premiere.

  • Chinese sports sedan electric car factory receives production license

    Chinese sports sedan electric car factory receives production license

    Xpeng Motors, an electric vehicle and technology company announced that it has received the official production license from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for its new own-built, wholly-owned factory, the Zhaoqing Xpeng Motors Intelligent Industrial Park in Guangdong Province.

    The approval will accelerate the production of the super-long range sports sedan Xpeng P7, the company’s second production model, ensuring customer deliveries scheduled for 2Q 2020.

    Located in Guangdong Province, the home-base of Xpeng Motors, the new ​​Zhaoqing plant has a planned total area of 3,000 acres (2 million square meters), with vehicle production facilities covering some 1,500 acres (1 million square meters). Around 900 acres (600,000 square meters) of it has already been completed in the first phase.

    After the foundation-laying in December 2017, the factory construction was completed in September 2019. Since then rigorous pre-production testing and small-scale trial production runs have verified the entire manufacturing process.

    Zhaoqing plant will be serviced by 264 intelligent industrial robots

    The Zhaoqing plant contains five workshops to cover the essential smart manufacturing functions, including stamping, welding, painting, assembly and battery pack production, as well as one battery assembly line, and is capable of manufacturing four different models.

    Serviced by 264 intelligent industrial robots, the Zhaoqing plant also incorporates dynamic test tracks covering 18 different types of test roads, and testing facilities for NVH, braking, vehicle seals and automatic parking systems.

    The Zhaoqing plant is built in accordance with Industry 4.0 standards, with advanced MES manufacturing execution systems, Internet-of-Things technology, real-time production monitoring systems and a transparent manufacturing cycle, delivering the promise of a digital smart factory.

  • Fisker Ocean to make it’s European debut at Geneva Motor Show

    Fisker Ocean to make it’s European debut at Geneva Motor Show

    • Fisker Ocean will make its European debut at Geneva International Motor Show on 3 March;
    • Thousands of reservations have been made worldwide via Fisker’s proprietary FLEXEE mobile app, downloadable from the App or Google Play stores;
    • First road test footage to be released in the coming weeks;
    • High-performance model is projected to deliver zero-to-60 mph in 2.9 seconds. 

    Fisker Inc., designer and manufacturer of eco-friendly electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions, will debut the Fisker Ocean in Europe at Geneva International Motor Show on 3 March 2020.

    Production is projected to begin in Q4 2021, with high-volume deliveries of the Fisker Ocean targeted to ramp up in 2022. Global and localized supply chains secured across the U.S., Europe and China will result in more than 1 million vehicles projected to be produced between 2022 and 2027.

    How Fisker Ocean’s SUV looks

    At 4,640 millimeters (182.7 inches) in length, 1,930 millimeters (76 inches) in width and 1,615 millimeters (63.6 inches) in height, the all-electric SUV offers a spacious environment for both front and rear passengers. With thoughtful design touches, new spaces are created for five adults to sit comfortably – even during the longest of rides.

    With 566 liters (20 cubic feet) of trunk space, the vehicle presents practicality and utility. The space increases to 708 liters (25 cubic feet) with the parcel shelf removed, expanding to 1,274 liters (45 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded. The Fisker Ocean will come with roof rails and towing hook options. Towing capacity will be released in 2021.

    The base model will feature stylishly designed 20-inch wheels, with 22-inch wheel options for an even larger presence on and off the road.

    The Fisker Ocean will be offered in a four-wheel drive configuration on all trims except for the base model – reflecting the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. The standard four-wheel drive configuration will deliver an output of more than 225 kilowatts (more than 300 horsepower), with an ultra-high-performance version targeting zero-to -60 mph in less than three seconds (total power output to be announced in 2021).