Lemac Power - Blog #Low emissions

Vauxhall's new Mokka revealed

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:34:25 +0000

Bold, Stylish and Fully Electrified

The Vauxhall Mokka has always stood out in the compact SUV market, and its latest update reinforces its status as a bold, modern choice. The sleek design, featuring Vauxhall's signature Vauxhall Vizor, perfectly blends style and innovation. The new Vauxhall Blitz badge takes center stage, flanked by updated LED lighting that gives the car a dynamic, uncompromising look. For those who prefer a sportier aesthetic, the Mokka GS variant enhances the SUV's appearance with sleek black accents that catch the eye on every road.

As part of the Stellantis Group, Vauxhall’s push for electrification is part of a broader trend. Other standout models include the fully electric Vauxhall Corsa-e, a practical and affordable compact EV, and the spacious Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life MPV, ideal for families or businesses. For SUV lovers, the Peugeot e-2008 offers a stylish electric alternative, while the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense brings luxury and elegance to the electric vehicle market, rounding out Stellantis’ impressive lineup.

The real star of the show is the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, a powerful and sustainable SUV offering up to 250 miles of range. With its 115 kW motor and instant torque, the Mokka Electric is both fun and eco-friendly, delivering quick acceleration and smooth driving in every scenario. Starting at €36,740, it’s a perfect option for drivers ready to embrace a greener future without sacrificing performance or style.

The new Vauxhall Mokka exemplifies the future of bold, stylish, and sustainable mobility. With its sleek exterior, modern interior, and high-tech features, it offers an exciting option for anyone looking to make the switch to electric driving. The Mokka Electric brings exceptional range, impressive performance, and cutting-edge technology to drivers seeking an eco-friendly yet thrilling experience. Explore Vauxhall’s latest innovations alongside other electrified models from Stellantis, and join Lemac Power in driving toward a more sustainable future.

Inside, the Mokka’s interior design continues to impress. Vauxhall has embraced a ‘detox’ approach, creating a minimalist, driver-centric cabin that is both functional and stylish. The flat-top, flat-bottom steering wheel adds a sporty touch, while the streamlined centre console replaces physical buttons with an intuitive touchscreen. Sustainable materials, including recycled fabrics, further highlight Vauxhall’s commitment to eco-friendly design, ensuring that the Mokka is as kind to the planet as it is enjoyable to drive.

Technologically, the new infotainment system makes the Mokka a tech-savvy driver’s dream. With a 10-inch digital driver display and an equally large color touchscreen, the system offers easy-to-use widgets and voice commands. The Mokka Electric’s system goes a step further, offering electric vehicle (EV) routing and charging station integration, while wireless smartphone connectivity keeps drivers connected on the go. Vauxhall’s commitment to convenience is evident with over-the-air updates and smartphone app integration, ensuring the Mokka’s tech stays ahead of the curve.

Demystifying EV Jargon

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:17:00 +0000

A simple guide to all the terms used in the world of electric vehicles.

If you're new to the world of electric vehicles (EVs), you're probably excited about the idea of driving a car that's eco-friendly, cost-effective, and packed with the latest technology. But as you dive deeper into the EV landscape, you might find yourself tripping over a few confusing terms—like kWh, range anxiety, or regenerative braking. Don’t worry; you’re not alone!

The good news is that understanding these terms is easier than you think. In this blog, we'll break down the most common EV jargon into simple, bite-sized explanations. By the end, you'll be speaking the language of EVs like a pro and feeling more confident about your journey into the future of driving.

Drivetrain: overall term that combines the engine and gearbox combination that moves the car.

EV or BEV: Electric Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle. Any vehicle where the only power to the motor comes from the onboard high voltage battery.

ICE: Internal Combustion Engine. Any vehicle that produces power by burning fuel to power the motor. This can be petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas, or is some cases hydrogen.

Hybrid: A general term that describes a vehicle that uses a combination of an electric and fuel burning drivetrain to reduce emissions.

MHEV: Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle - hybrid that uses the engine to charge a small battery and has a limited electric motor to help drive the vehicle. A good example of this is the Toyota Prius.

PHEV: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle - a hybrid that has a larger battery and motor than a MHEV. Can be driven further distances on its electric drivetrain, and is designed to be charged like an electric vehicle to make the most of the electric motor.

kWh (Kilowatt-Hour): A unit of energy that measures the capacity of an EV battery or the amount of energy used. It's crucial for understanding how far an EV can travel on a single charge.

Gross kWh/Net kWh: the difference between the total capacity of the vehicle’s battery. For example, an EV might have a gross capacity of 80 kWh, but only 75 kWh might be usable (net capacity) to power the car, with the remaining 5 kWh reserved for battery management. This difference is used to help protect the battery and increase its life.

Range: The distance an EV can travel on a fully charged battery. It's often the first thing potential EV buyers look at. See also WLTP

Regenerative Braking: A system that recovers energy typically lost during braking and uses it to recharge the battery, extending the vehicle's range. This can be adjusted in most cars to suit the type of driving.

Charging Station: A location where EVs can be recharged. They vary in type, from home chargers to fast chargers found at service stations or other public places.

Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging: Different levels of charging speeds. Level 1 is the slowest (using a standard household outlet), Level 2 is faster (like those found at public charging stations or installed at home), and DC Fast Charging is the fastest, typically used for long-distance travel.

State of Charge (SoC): The current level of charge in an EV’s battery, usually expressed as a percentage. Similar to the fuel gauge in a traditional car.

V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid): A technology that allows EVs to return electricity to the grid, helping to balance supply and demand or provide backup power.

Charging Network: A system of charging stations provided by companies like Tesla (Supercharger network), ChargePoint, Osprey, offering EV drivers access to public chargers.

ZapMap: A UK-wide map of electric car charging points that helps electric car drivers locate and navigate to their nearest EV charging point.

Kilowatts (kW): A measure of power output or consumption. In EVs, it can describe the power of the motor or the rate of energy transfer during charging. Similar to the use of BHP (brake horsepower) in traditional engines. 1 kW is equivalent to 1.34 BHP

EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. The hardware that delivers electrical energy to charge an EV. It includes everything from home chargers to public charging stations.

DNO: Distribution Network Operator – see our article for more information.

WLTP: Test protocols used to estimate the range and efficiency of EVs. This isn’t always the actual range achievable and actual range will vary by conditions and the drive. While not accurate in real world conditions, this helps compare cars on a level playing field.

Miles per kilowatt-hour (miles/kWh): A measure of an electric vehicle's (EV's) efficiency, indicating how many miles the vehicle can travel on one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. It is similar to miles per gallon (MPG) for gasoline vehicles but applies to electric power.

CT clamp: Current Transformer clamp - a device used to measure electrical current flowing through a conductor without directly connecting to the circuit. It’s used with a home charger for load management and balancing to make sure the charger isn’t overloading the mains supply.

July's Growth in the UK new car market

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:35:05 +0000

Battery electric vehicle uptake outpaces overall market, up 18.8%, but remains behind mandated transition trajectory.

With new car registrations increasing by 2.5% in July 2024, the UK car market is continuing its two-year ongoing growth as s steady rebound from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. July alone saw 147,517 new cars hitting the road, making it the best performance since the post-lockdown surge of 2020.

A significant amount of this growth is the fleet sector, which recorded a 13.0% increase in registrations, securing a dominant 62.0% market share. In contrast, private demand has been declining, falling by 11.1% to account for only 36.2% of deliveries in the month. One interesting factor contributing to this decline is the rising popularity of salary sacrifice schemes.

Electrified vehicles (EVs) are making significant inroads in the UK market, outpacing overall market growth. In July, 42.0% of new car registrations were for electrified vehicles. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) saw a notable 31.4% increase, capturing 14.5% of the market, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) grew by 12.4%, representing 8.9% of registrations. However, the real standout is battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which surged by 18.8%, capturing an 18.5% market share. Despite a 3% drop in the private share of the BEV market compared to last year, the volume of private BEV registrations still increased.

The UK government requires zero-emission vehicles to comprise at least 22% of each brand’s new car registrations. This ambitious target necessitates a significant acceleration in the pace of EV adoption. However, industry forecasts suggest that meeting this target may be challenging under current market conditions. The overall market growth forecast for 2024 has been revised downwards, with expectations of 1.968 million new car registrations by year-end. Similarly, the anticipated BEV market share has been adjusted downwards to 18.5% from the previously expected 19.8%, however this still represents a further 364,000 electric vehicles forecast to be registered by the end of 2024. These vehicles will then feed into the used car market in the coming 3-4 years as the fleets change in the future.

These trends underscore the dynamic shift towards electrified vehicles in the UK, driven by consumer preferences and regulatory pressures. As more consumers and businesses embrace EVs, the market is poised for continued evolution, albeit with some challenges along the way.

Salary sacrifice schemes are playing a pivotal role in this transformation. These schemes allow employees to lease electric vehicles through pre-tax salary deductions, making EVs more accessible and financially appealing. The financial incentives are compelling, with significant tax benefits, including lower Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates and National Insurance savings, making electric vehicles a cost-effective choice for employees. Additionally, employers benefit by managing costs effectively and supporting their sustainability goals, aligning with broader environmental initiatives and enhancing corporate social responsibility profiles.

Many salary sacrifice schemes now include essential services like maintenance, insurance, and home charger installation. These inclusions simplify the transition to electric vehicles and provide additional value to employees. For instance, Octopus Electric Vehicles includes a home charger installation in their package, enhancing the overall appeal of their salary sacrifice scheme. Similarly, The Electric Car Scheme offers straightforward options for home charging solutions, addressing one of the common concerns about EV ownership—convenient and accessible charging.

If your chosen salary sacrifice scheme does not include a home charger, there's a compelling alternative: Lemac Power. Lemac Power offers convenient, clever, and compact home charging solutions that can be seamlessly integrated with your new electric vehicle. The journey towards a greener future is well underway, and it’s exciting to see how these developments will continue. For those transitioning to EVs, home charging solutions like those from Lemac Power can provide the necessary support to make the switch smooth and efficient.

Home Charging isn't just for EV's

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:24:54 +0000

The most common use for a 7kW home charger is to power an EV, but here's why they are just as important for PHEV charging

In today's ever-changing automotive world, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have emerged as a popular choice for drivers who prioritise environmental consciousness and practicality. The beauty of PHEVs lies in their ability to seamlessly blend electric and traditional fuel power, offering a wide range of benefits to suit a driver’s needs. While EV’s are the flagship for zero emissions, there is as many choices for a PHEV for drivers who are still unsure, or unable, to take advantage of the current fully electric vehicles.

One of the main advantages of PHEVs is their remarkable capacity to significantly reduce CO2 emissions when compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Recent data reveals that petrol plug-in hybrids boast up to 24% lower g/km CO2 emissions when compared to a similar petrol or diesel vehicle, making them an attractive option for those looking to minimise their emissions without giving up the convenience of traditional fuel engines.

PHEVs deliver impressive fuel efficiency benefits. In real-world scenarios, these vehicles exhibit notably lower fuel consumption rates, with petrol PHEVs averaging 47.88mpg, outperforming their traditional counterparts by a significant margin. This heightened efficiency translates to cost savings for drivers, positioning PHEVs as a financially savvy choice in the long term.

Beyond their environmental and economic advantages, PHEVs offer the added perk of extended driving ranges. By switching electric and fuel modes, drivers can enjoy the emission-free serenity of electric driving during short trips, while also accessing the extended range of a fuel engine for longer journeys. This dual functionality ensures that PHEVs are well-equipped to handle all driving conditions, from daily commutes to extensive travels. There’s also a growing number of PHEV performance vehicles where the hybrid drivetrain is used to increase the power, acting like KERS has in Formula 1.

However, to unlock the full potential of PHEVs, having a home charger is indispensable. Home charging stations offer the convenience of overnight recharging, guaranteeing that your vehicle starts each day with a fully charged battery. This strategic approach enables you to maximise the electric driving range of your PHEV, minimising reliance on the internal combustion engine, and consequently reducing fuel expenses and environmental impact. By seamlessly integrating home charging into your daily routine, you can consistently reap the benefits of cost savings and emission reductions associated with electric driving. PHEV’s also usually have the same pre-conditioning benefits as EV’s, letting you make sure you car is the perfect temperature to you in any season and ready to go.

Investing in a home charger serves as a stepping stone towards preparing for the future of transportation. As electric vehicle (EV) technology progresses and the market increasingly shifts towards electric-only vehicles, owning a home charging setup becomes an invaluable asset. Plug-in hybrid vehicles offer a compelling choice for drivers seeking an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and versatile driving experience. With their diminished emissions, heightened fuel efficiency, and the adaptability of dual electric and fuel power, PHEVs are poised to play a key role in the realm of sustainable transportation. When paired with the convenience and long-term advantages of a Lemac Power home charger, the PHEV journey is not only optimised but also sets the stage for a seamless transition to full EV ownership, making it a savvy investment for any forward-thinking driver.