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Electric Cars

We’ve Moved

Having video podcasted, video blogged, and then vlogged our way through the last 15 years or so, we’ve moved to Primetime EV for professional EV content and I have begun writing more. You can find my blog site at DannyFleet.com.

Thanks for all the wonderful conversations and the amazing stories of determination and passion in the early battery vehicle and fuel cell space.

EV’s are finally going primetime. I wouldn’t say we are at a contented stage just yet, But maybe post pandemic things will really begin to change for the better. Hope so!

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Hydrogen Cars Toyota

Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Car in 360 Video

Here’s a test drive in the Toyota Mirai. One of the first pure Hydrogen passenger vehicles on the roads.

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Hybrid Cars Toyota

Toyota Auris Hybrid Estate

I had a Toyota Auris Hybrid Estate on loan from Toyota for a week. Here’s my experience of the vehicle and its pure EV mode.

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Riversimple

Riversimple Rasa Hydrogen Car Film 1 of 2 in 360 Video

The Riversimple Rasa is a two seater ‘network electric car’ powered by a Hydrogen Fuel Cell. The companies purpose is “To pursue, systematically, the elimination of the environmental impact of personal transport” The car has been developed and built in Wales. It’s a fabulous car with lots of potential and I wish them the best of luck with it.

As 2016 has been the year of 360 and VR video in my industry, I wanted to shoot this in 360 video. Load it on a mobile device using the youtube app or view in Google Chrome and you can look around the car as I interview.

This is Film 1 of 2. The next film will be a test drive.

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Mahindra e20

Mahindra e20 Electric City Car

Here’s a film about the launch of the Mahindra e20 Electric Car and its UK launch. For more information click here

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Hydrogen Cars Nissan

Nissan FCV – A lesson in Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Got some instruction on the way Hydrogen Fuel Cells work from Brian Johnston, Nissan’s senior product engineer who looks after their hydrogen fuel cell projects in Sacramento, California. We also talked a bit about Nissan’s plans with EV’s.

Click on the image to view video.

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Model S Tesla

Tesla Model S Extended UK Test Drive.

Continuing our Tesla Model S UK test drive with the very knowledgable Mark. We get into the nitty gritty of really trying to use an EV as an only car here in England. Something that was mostly unrealistic until now.

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Featured Tesla

Tesla Model S Test Drive. Can I persuade Lizzy? Pt 1

I love this car, but I do go a bit gaga when I get near it. The kind of gaga where you find yourself spending £80k you don’t actually have. Bring in someone with a proper head for what works and what doesn’t when it comes to EV’s and cars in general – aka Lizzy, my wife.

Many thanks to Mark, the European Sales man for Tesla who really know his onions!

This is part one. I’ll continue it episodically.

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EV Events

Greenpower School Electric Car Finals

Every year children from schools from all over the UK build and race their own Electric Cars. It culminates in the Greenpower finals at Glorious Goodwood racetrack. I got access to the pit lane and the chance to talk to some of the kids about their projects. What an enthusiastic bunch they are – hopefully you’ll be driving their cars in the future.

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Renault Renault Twizy

Renault Twizy EV. The rain test.

A review of the Renault Twizy EV in the rain. Love this car, but driving it in London when its raining cats and dogs? Click on the image to view video

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Featured Lightning GT

Lightning GT interview

The Lightning was on show at the Ecovelocity show recently. Heres an interview with one of the Lightning designers. Click on the image to view video.

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Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall Ampera. Interview and Driven.

The Ampera is our version of the Volt here in the UK. Lithium Ion battery technology and a range extending petrol engine. I got a chance to have a chat about the car with Vauxhalls Ian Allen, Launch Manager for the Ampera in the UK and a drive in the car.

Click on the image to view video

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Volvo C30 Electric

Volvo C30 Electric

A look around the Volvo C30 all electric with one of Volvo’s Product Managers (poor bloke – spent my whole time telling him to stand here, move there..). I’m liking this car a lot. It seems to have ticked all the boxes and even comes fully loaded with those great Volvo safety features. Click on the image to view video.

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Nissan Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf extended test drive around city and country roads.

Here’s an extended test drive of the Nissan Leaf in Lisbon at the European Press launch. Thanks to Russell Bray for his invaluable contribution. Click on the image to view video.

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Chevy Volt EV Events Liberty E Range Rover Vauxhall Ampera

A Future Driver at the Future Car Show Pt 2

Here’s part 2. This time we look at the Vauxhall Ampera (or Volt equivalent for you Americans) and the Liberty E-Range Rover followed by a quick round up!

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EV Events Volkswagon

A Future Driver at The Future Car Show

Its over to my 11 year old son this week. Seeing as his generation will be driving all those EV’s I thought we’d get his perspective on the cars of the future. Includes the pure EV Golf blue e motion, which has not been seen much yet, and look as though it’ll be as good as the Golf is now.

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EV Events T27

Gordon Murray and the T25 at Future Car Challenge

Back in November I grabbed some footage of cars arriving in London at the end of the RAC Future Car Challenge on Regent Street. I got a few words with the great Gordon Murray (as in the McLaren F1 designer) – and he is a man of few words. He’s gone green and designed and built an urban city car. The T25. Now, I know its an ICE vehicle but it does form the basis of the far more exciting T27 EV. So click on the image and watch me struggle through an interview with one of the greats where I’m doing it on the fly.

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Exagon Furtive eGT

Exagon Furtive eGT Electric Supercar.

Now here’s a nice one. Built by guys who use Formula 1 drivers to race electric vehicles on ice! Here’s a conversation with the people from Exagon. Click on the image to view video.

Forgive me but I’m trialling ads. Seeing as I work in the industry, I thought it was time. I’ve been getting over 40,000 video views per month for a while so lets see if it makes anything once all the commissions gone… It can go in the Leaf fund!

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Citroen Mitsubishi imiev Paris Motor Show Peugeot

A look at the Peugeot I-MiEV, Citroen I-MiEV, and Mitsubishi I-MiEV EV

Whilst I was at The Paris Motor Show, I began to notice a theme amongst some of the automakers – namely Peugeot, Citreon and Mitsubishi. We love the BB1 from Peugeot, and the Survolt from Citroen, and what do we get? The I-MiEV! Click on the image to view video

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Renault

Renault Desir, Twizy and Zoe EV’s at Paris Motor Show ’10

Renault are making some very impressive strides into the Electric Car game. I had a chance to talk to them about the fantastic Desir concept and also a look around the new Zoe. Great stuff.

Click on the image for a look around the vehicles and a chat with their knowledgeable PR and communications people.

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Jaguar CX75

Jaguar C-X75 Concept. Interview with a designer!

I made it to the second press day of Paris Motor Show ’10 on Friday. Wow – a huge amount of EV’s there. I got as much as I could in limited time which I’ll post as quickly as I can. And I came across this, the Jaguar C-X75 Concept. Capable of 205mph. Electric motors on each wheel. Gas turbines for range extending and extra ooomph. I talked to this extraordinarily young guy who’s the electrician and knows and has driven the vehicle. Mind blowing. Click on the image to view video.

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Web/Tech

Transport Evolved

I guested on an episode of transport evolved recently. Good fun, but I realise that I’m not that techy when it comes to electric car talk. Guess I’m a bit more consumer oriented. “Looks really nice, goes a long way, is cheap / expensive” – that kind of thing. But these guys know what they are on about and Nikki does a great job of bringing together people involved in the forefront of Ev development. Check out their video feed here and audio feed here.

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Dale Vince Eocotricity Nemesis

Nemesis – The “Wind Car” from Dale Vince

I was at LCV2010 this week. It was a great gathering of much of what is going on with Electric Vehicles here in the UK. Whilst I was there I stumbled across the Wind Car that Dale Vince from Ecotricity is building. The cars out and about now and I got the chance to grab Jim, chief engineer for a chat.

Click on the image to view video.

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Nissan Nissan Leaf

Driving the Nissan Leaf EV.

I got to drive the new Nissan Leaf last week. Here’s film of the car, the journey and talking to Nissans EV staff.

On another note, great news that the new Government has stuck with the £5000 subsidy (or at least for some of the intended investment). Fantastic as these family cars are, they need subsidies to help reach prices that are realistic for most people to even consider switching to electric drive.

Click on the image to view video.

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Energy EV Events Hydrogen Cars

Lewis Fulton Director STEPS (Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways)

I was down at the LCVP conference last week. They had a fantastic range of speakers discussing low carbon transport for the future. One of their speakers was Lew Fulton who works with the International Energy Agency in Paris and his specialism is transport energy. We chatted about the future for energy consumption and its implications in the developing world.

On another note, I’ve been playing around with the idea of a new broadcast site called Primetime EV. I’ve stuck an ident we’ve been working on at the beginning to start trying some stuff out.

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EV Events Think EV

Ecorally ’10. Roger Saul,Kevin McCloud in Think EV and EV Cup

Roger Saul (top man from Mulberry) and Kevin McCloud (famous sustainable housebuilder from the telly) were driving Think EV’s at Ecorally ’10. I got a chance to have a chat with them both about how they felt about the car and the forthcoming EV Cup, which looks great.

Click on the image to view video.

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Think EV

Ecorally. Talking to Peter Curran. 4500 miles in a Think EV

I was down at the ecorally yesterday talking to Peter Curran about his 4500 mile odessy in a Think EV as part of a programme for the BBC called Electric Ride. He ended the trip driving from Brighton to London with a host of low carbon vehicles.

He’s an interesting and entertaining guy and he offered a unique perspective into the world of electric cars.

I managed to grab a few good pieces of content at the eco rally and I’ll be posting it over the next few days.

Click on the image to view video.

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Project Better Place Renault

Renault Fluence ZE Electric DRIVING FOOTAGE

Trusty Tom from the office went to Paris and got some great footage of the Fluence ZE being driven yesterday, along with help from Lem over at Green Motor (thanks Lem). This is the better place car in action and it looks mightily impressive. A real four seater family car with (some) boot space being driven on public roads, that isn’t drop dead ugly! Thought I’d never see the day.. Keep an eye out for the ZE blog and also the sustainable mobility site where news and interviews are regularly posted by Renault. Click on the image to view video.

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Nissan

EV’s set to depreciate 90% in five years

There’s been an investigation into EV Values based on 5 years of ownership here in the UK by Glass’s guide who track used care prices. Based on an average £8000 outlay to replace batteries which will need replacing after eight years, the car will be worth just 10% of its original value, and far below its diesel or petrol equivalents.  They’ve based their research on cars such as the forthcoming Nissan Leaf with a starting price of £23,000 after utilising the £5000 Government subsidy. You can read the article here. Heck, maybe I’ll be able to afford that Tesla in 2014 after all….

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imiev sport Mitsubishi imiev

I’ve never driven the IMIEV

Never quite had the chance yet, even if it looks a great family car. But today Mitsubishi announced pricing for this vehicle – over £33 grand! Yes thats £33,699. Incredible, for a small 4 seater. The ICE version is a shade under £9 grand! (and that’s not cheap in this sector). I understand that these cars will come down in price, but how can they ever expect to be taken seriously with luxury car launch prices and limited range.

I really hope this isn’t the start of ridiculously expensive electric cars in the UK, or anywhere else. Another reason to keep us in the gwiz for now!

Heres some footage I got of the Sport and the regular Imiev in Geneva

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Project Better Place Renault

Renault Fluence ZE. The Project Better Place Car.

A chance to look at the car electric car intended for Project Better Place. Quite Nice, Actually!

Click on the image to view video.

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Tesla

Ticket that Tesla

Having chased these halfway across the UK and the US, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Tesla parked in the road next to my office right here in London’s West End. Us EV drivers enjoy free parking in Westminster. I see the Tesla’s already catching out the good old parking wardens who had slapped it with a ticket. Just shows you should make your cars much uglier Tesla!Ticket that Tesla

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Hydrogen Cars Nissan

Travelling in the Hydrogen Nissan FCV Video

I got a chance to take a ride in Nissans hydrogen FCV. Very smooth, very responsive, very quiet…even goes a long way on a tank full. Now all we need is a few hydrogen filling stations. I think we’re up to three in the UK now..

Click on the image to view video.

Links:

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Smart EV/ED

Driving the Smart ED Electric car video

I got the chance to take one of the Zytec powered Smart ED’s for a spin recently. This is the Electric car everyone wants to buy but cant get hold of. Well, hopefully that’s going to change. Smart have announced that they will be upping the trial and extending it to the public. If you want to get your name down follow this link.

Click on the image to view video of the drive.

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Interviews

Sian Berry and We are Futureproof

Sian Berry. Green party candidate for Mayor of London 2008 and co-founder of Alliance Against Urban 4×4’s Sian has interesting opinions on the future of transport and is often seen to be endorsing the EV. I got a chance to talk to Sian and her partner Blake Ludwig about transport, EV’s in general and We are Futureproof, their new venture.  Riversimple is worth checking out too. They have an ‘open source’ proposition that could really help shape the future of car design..

Click on the image to view video. Thanks to Sian and Blake.

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Hydrogen Cars Mitsubishi imiev

Revolve Eco Rally & Low CVP

There was the Revolve Brighton to London Eco rally today – a range of low carbon cars ending up at City Hall, along with an interesting conference organised by the Low CVP. I dived down there at lunchtime and grabbed some footage. No desperate stories of searching for a power socket or a hydrogen filling station, I’m afraid.

Click on the image to view video.

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Ford Smith Electric Vehicles

Ford Tourneo Passenger EV. Talking to Smith Electric Vehicles.

Here’s Dan Jenkins from Smith Electric Vehicles talking about their first foray into electric passenger vehicles with the Ford Torneo Connect EV. Smith Electric, as you may know have been building excellent commercial vehicles here in the UK and Dan knows his ‘electric onions’…Could be the start of some great passenger EV’s!

Click on the image to view video.

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imiev sport

Mitsubishi imiev and imiev sport video.

Here’s a video of a chat with a well informed man from Mitsubishi about not just the imiev but also the imiev sport.

Click on the image to view video.

Links:

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Project Better Place Renault

Matthieu Tenenbaum from Renault Electric Cars.

This one’s a discussion with the head of electric vehicle development at Renault. Talking about the upcoming ZE Concept (Kangoo..) technology and project better place.

Click on the image to view video.

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Toyota

Toyota FT EV Video

Toyota have been showing off their pure electric FT EV. Phew, I was beginning to think Toyota were going to miss the boat on that one… It’ll make a nice little city EV. Bring ’em on Toyota! Here’s a chat with Dirk from Toyota Germany. Click on the image to view video..(5 mins)

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Koenigsegg

Koenigsegg NLV Quant. Talking to Christian Von Koenigsegg.

I got to have a good chat with Christian von Koenigsegg about the NLV Quant. Solar paint charges this thing up! When it’s not resting and charging it’ll reach 100km in 5.2 secs with a 275kmh top speed. 512 BHP. Seats 4 adults and as much space as an S class…Click on the image to view video.

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Tata Indica EV

Tata Indica Vista EV

Finally… Got to take a look at Tata Motors Indica Vista EV, and the chance to have a chat with a representative from Tata. 200km range on lithium Ion batteries. 110Kmh top speed. Pretty impressive, until you get an idea of the price in Norway…. Click on the image to view video.

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Geneva 09 GM Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall Opel Ampera. A proper plug in EV?

A look around the new Opel Ampera to be badged Vauxhall in the UK with GM’s head of Electric Vehicle development, and a chance to ask him whether this could be another EV1.. Click on the image to view video.

inks:

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Geneva 09 GM Vauxhall Ampera

Geneva with GM. Talking to Bob Lutz..

Here’s where Bob meets the bloggers…! It’s coming in at 20ish minutes, and I’ve left most of it in for you. Broadly speaking the subject matters were in the following order;

State Of the Automotive Industry / Bobs views on Formula 1 / The Volt / Gas prices / The Opel GM Split / The future for cars and the hydrogen/electric debate.

Click on the image to view video.

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Opel Flextreme Vauxhall Ampera

Vauxhall Opel Ampera preview

A load of bloggers (and a vlogger!) were invited to the Vauxhall Ampera launch at the Geneva Motor show… The car will run on battery alone and run 60km on plug in only, but it also has a range extending engine built in that charges the batteries, similar to the Chevy Volt. Nice idea…great looking car…but can it save GM? Click on the image to view video.

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Geneva 09 Vauxhall Ampera

General Motors in Geneva

Today was preview day in Geneva. Tomorrow is the first press day. It’s a whirlwind of interviews for the GM execs and they’re spending a lot of time fielding questions about the state of their business. Click on the image to view video.

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Dale Vince Eocotricity Nemesis

Talking to Dale Vince from Ecotricity. Powering all the EV’s..

Here’s part two of my conversation with Dale Vince from Ecotricity.

10,000 windmills could power 30 million cars over 250 billion miles per year. That’s it. A fully sustainable transport solution for the UK.

Click on the image to view video of the rest of our chat.

Links:

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Dale Vince Electric Cars Eocotricity Kewet Buddy EV Nemesis

Talking to Dale Vince from Ecotricity about the ‘wind car’.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, a very successful wind energy electrical power company here in the UK, is building an electric car in 7 months flat. You can follow it’s progress on Dales blog over at Zero Carbonista. I filmed this interview with him last month. The first part (above) is a discussion around the ‘wind car’ and electric cars in general. Click on the image to view video.

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Lightning GT

Lightning GT in action

Amidst the misery of Think and Nice disappearing, let’s celebrate a fully blown EV sports car in action. The Lightning GT. The people that sent me this video say that because the wind noise on the day was so much greater than the car they’ve made most of the film mute, so dont worry if you dont hear anything…! Merry Christmas everyone. Reckon there’s still plenty to look forward to in 2009.

Click on the image to view video.

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Power

Good news, but is my power renewable?

Good news from Camden Council. I was wrong about them not doing anything – they just hadn’t told anyone about it. They’ve introduced free parking for electric vehicles along with more charging points. If you charge your car from a renewable source you don’t even have to pay for the permit, otherwise they are £50 per annum! It got me thinking about my power from juice. I was on the phone talking bills with them on Saturday (as everyone is these days) and they told me that they “guarantee” to replace any electricity drawn from the national grid with energy drawn from renewable sources. Great! Thing is, there seem to be some questions out there over whether the green power we are being sold actually is green power. Take a look at this recent article.

I’m going to talk to some of the people involved in power generation to find out more. Whilst we are all gearing up to rush into the showrooms to buy all these electric cars, we may as well know they are being powered in the most efficient way.

Click on the image to view video.