#Hybrid Charging Pacifica Station Chrysler

[blogueericdescarries]

Chrysler Pacifica PHEV et Mustang Mach-E AWD

Le 15 décembre 2022

Quelle façon de finir l’année en beauté : deux véhicules (presque) reconduits mais avec une touche de nouveauté. En effet, dans le passé, j’ai déjà publié des textes sur la fourgonnette Pacifica de Chrysler (je déteste le terme «mini-fourgonnette» car je trouve qu’il n’y a rien de «mini» dans ces véhicules…c’est peut-être une mauvaise traduction du terme américain «minivan»…) mais celui qui suit inclut la version hybride enfichable du dit véhicule. Quant à la Mustang…ben…chaque année j’ai eu une Mustang à conduire, la plupart du temps avec le V8 dans le format coupé ou cabriolet. Je n’en ai pas eu en 2022…jusqu’à ce qu’on me propose cette version VUS (car Ford considère cette Mustang un VUS…alors n’allez pas crier au meurtre lorsque Chevrolet lancera une Corvette en format VUS…vous ne l’avez pas fait pour Porsche ?…ni pour Ferrari avec son Purosangue à venir ?…donc…) toute électrique mais à traction intégrale grâce à ses deux moteurs. Ah oui! Celle-ci avait l’option Blue Cruise de conduite autonome…

Impressionnante, cette Pacifica…

Commençons par la Pacifica. Je vous le dis tout de suite. Je suis un (presque) inconditionnel de fourgonnette (nous en avons eu quatre chez nous…utile avec des enfants et pour voyager…la dernière, une Ford Freestar, peut-être le véhicule le plus fiable que nous ayons possédé depuis environ une cinquante d’années, n’est partie qu’il y a environ quatre ans!). J’ai toujours considéré cette configuration de véhicule la plus utile (pour ne pas dire la plus intelligente) qui soit. En effet, une fourgonnette peut transporter des gens, effectuer de longs voyages (on peut même coucher dedans!), servir de véhicule de tous les jours ou de limousine de gala, transporter des charges utiles et même servir de camionnette de travail ou de véhicule pour le bricolage grâce à son incroyable volume intérieur. Et tout cela dans une caisse qui est aussi à l’aise sur les routes qu’agile en ville. Je me souviens quand Chrysler a lancé ses fourgonnettes Dodge Caravan et Plymouth Voyager au milieu des années quatre-vingt, on les appelait les «Autobeaucoup». Le nom leur était approprié. Et le genre a rapidement fait boule de neige. Il fut imité par tous les grands constructeurs du monde. Les consommateurs n’en avaient pas assez. Puis, tout soudainement, les VUS compacts et intermédiaires sont venus tout gâcher! Il faut dire que les gens avaient moins d’enfants et, peut-être moins besoin de voyager à bas prix ou bricoler. Un VUS paraissait mieux qu’une «petite van» devant les autres!

Elle a certes belle allure, la Chrysler Pacifica en version S ! (Photo Éric Descarries)

La mode des «minivan» a perdu de son attrait. Plusieurs constructeurs l’ont abandonné, comme ils avaient abandonné les familiales (station wagon) auparavant…pour les reprendre plus tard sous la forme de petits VUS! Aujourd’hui, les fourgonnettes sont toujours dans le catalogue de certains constructeurs. Mais elles sont devenues des véhicules plus imposants et, dans bien des cas, luxueux! Il n’y a plus de fourgonnette dénudée à prix abordable capable de servir les petites familles avec un budget. C’est dommage!

Même vue de l’arrière, on peut y trouver un look «sportif» à la Pacifica S ! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Stellantis est un de ces rares constructeurs à nous proposer des fourgonnettes, dans ce cas, les Chrysler Pacifica et Grand Caravan. Notons ici que la Chrysler Grand Caravan n’est disponible qu’au Canada mais, même avec un prix de base gravitant autour de 48 000 $, ce n’est pas une véritable «aubaine» (quoique le prix moyen d’une automobile au Canada se situe autour de 48 000 $ !). Dans le cas qui nous intéresse ici, c’est d’une Pacifica Limited Hybride S qu’il s’agit. C’est le véhicule qui m’a été prêté par Stellantis Canada (autrefois Chrysler…au cas où vous ne sauriez pas encore…). Mieux encore, il s’agissait de la version hybride enfichable dont le moteur électrique lui permet de parcourir environ 50 kilomètres strictement en propulsion électrique!

Toutes les Pacifica (et Grand Caravan) sont mues par le «vénérable» V6 Pentastar 3,6 litres de Chrysler-Stellantis. Il fait 287 chevaux dans toutes ses formes sauf en version hybride ou ile développe «que» 260 chevaux. Mais il est appuyé de moteurs électriques avec batterie de 16 kWh qui lui viendront en aide lorsqu’il sera sollicité. Dans presque tous les cas, il est combiné à une boîte automatique à neuf rapports développée par ZF mais construite par Chrysler (Stellantis). Toutefois, avec le format PHEV, cette fourgonnette transmet sa puissance via une boîte à variation continue (CVT) avec deux petits moteurs électriques. Il est possible d’obtenir la traction intégrale sur certains modèles haut de gamme mais la plupart des acheteurs opteront pour la traction avant ce qui a toujours été l’apanage des fourgonnettes de Chrysler. C’en était le cas pour mon véhicule d’essai (il n’y a pas de PHEV AWD au catalogue de la Pacifica) qui, incidemment, était de finition S avec peinture presque monochrome et jantes peintes en noir. En général, il est possible d’atteindre le cap des 100 km/h en moins de sept secondes avec une Pacifica mais avec l’ensemble hybride, il faut compter une seconde de plus pour ce faire. Mais alors, a-t-on vraiment besoin de caractéristiques de compétition sur une fourgonnette? En passant, les pneus d’hiver qui équipaient cette Pacifica étaient des Lauffen FitIce fabriqués par Hankook. C’était la première fois que je les essayais mais il n’a presque pas neigé ce qui ne m’a pas permis de les évaluer. Par contre, ils ne m’ont pas paru bruyants sur pavé sec.

L’habitacle avant de la Pacifica est à la fois discret mais très élégant. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Je n’ai peut-être pas besoin de vous décrire la Pacifica qui a été légèrement revue il y a deux ans. Tout le monde la reconnaîtra. Par contre, dans sa version S, j’ai trouvé qu’elle avait de la gueule. Évidemment, j’ai bien apprécié son intérieur avec ses sièges avant confortables, sa visibilité agréable, ses deux sièges du centre qui pouvaient se replier dans le plancher et sa dernière banquette tout à l’arrière qui se cache aussi dans le plancher. C’est ainsi que l’on obtient un espace de chargement caverneux qui permet même d’y glisser un traditionnel panneau de contreplaqué de 4 par 8 à plat (ce que les petits pick-up ne peuvent faire!).  

Si facilement atteinte grâce à ses portes latérales coulissantes, la partie centrale de la Pacifica S est aussi très élégante! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Si l’on replie la dernière banquette de la Pacifica, on commence à peine à exploiter son incroyable capacité de chargement. Mais, même en place, on obtient un bon espace pour les petits objets tout à l’arrière! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Sur la route

J’ai donc utilisé cette fourgonnette pendant toute une semaine au début décembre. Inutile de vous dire qu’à chaque fois, je réussissais à «vider» la batterie (LG Chem) et les déplacements se faisaient en mode «mécanique». Mais en fin de compte, j’ai réussi à couvrir, lors de cette semaine d’essai, quelques 334 kilomètres dont 248 n’étaient qu’à l’électricité. Mes calculs à la pompe m’ont donné une moyenne de 4, 87 l./100 km ! Pas si mal pour un véhicule de presque 5000 livres. Évidemment, j’ai utilisé la fonction électrique avec délicatesse. Mais je crois qu’avec le temps, j’aurais développé une habitude de conduite qui aurait mis cette configuration en valeur. Chaque soir, je branchais la Pacifica à une prise extérieur de ma maison (à 120 volts…va falloir que je me fasse installer une véritable prise à 240 volts éventuellement…!) et la Pacifica était «pleine» le lendemain matin, toujours avec environ 45 à 50 kilomètres d’autonomie ! Et quand il n’y avait plus de courant, le V6 entrait en action…très silencieusement! À la fin de mon essai, j’étais très satisfait de cette configuration hybride…  

La mécanique (et l’électricité) de la Pacifica est très difficile à voir vu l’imposante décoration plastique du compartiment-moteur. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Sauf pour le prix. Il y a tellement de familles qui pourraient profiter de la Pacifica PHEV (à quand une Grand Caravan PHEV?) mais à plus de 64 000 $, comment pourraient se le permettre. Le prix de base de cette Pacifica S était de 57 995 $. Mon modèle d’essai incluait la belle peinture bleue nacrée de 395 $, l’ensemble allure S de 895 $ (avec pneus d’origine Nexen) et l’ensemble Cinéma Uconnect avec FireTV (auquel il faut s’abonner) en plus de 100 $ de taxe d’accise fédérale pour la climatisation et les 2 095 $ de frais de transport et préparation pour un grand total de 64 075 $ ! Que d’argent! Et pourtant, pour un voyageur et un bricoleur comme moi, ne serait-ce pas la solution idéale ?

Ma Pacifica d’essai était chaussée de pneus d’hiver Lauffen FitIce fabriqués par Hankook. Malheureusement, il n’a pas neigé pour je puisse m’en créer une «évaluation»…Toutefois, au départ, ils se sont avérés relativement silencieux… C’est tout de même cela de gagné! (Photo Éric Descarries)

Quelques mots sur la Mustang Mach-E

Ce n’était que la deuxième fois que je mettais la main sur un de ces nouveaux VUS Mustang Mach-E (mais la première fois en hiver). Mon véhicule d’essai était de la finition Premium EAWD à traction intégrale avec batterie de longue durée de 91 kWh (une option de 8000 $ !). Évidemment, pour bien des gens, ce VUS n’est pas une Mustang! Mais il faut comprendre la logique derrière le choix du nom Mustang pour cette voiture. Il faut dire que le nom Mustang a été un des noms les plus «célèbres» et les plus «vendeurs» de l’histoire de l’industrie automobile. Difficile de croire qu’il ne fut pas utilisé (à grande échelle) par quelque constructeur que ce soit avant 1964 par Ford (il n’y a eu que les camions White des années cinquante et soixante, une marque aujourd’hui disparue à laquelle le nom Mustang a déjà été appliqué!). Lorsque Ford a lancé sa Mustang en avril 1964, à la grande surprise de tous, plus de 400 000 personnes se sont portées acquéreur de la petite «sportive» au cours des mois suivants. De nos jours, à peine quelque plus de 50 000 personnes ont acheté des coupé ou cabriolets Mustang en 2021, la voiture étant devenue un modèle dit «niche», super spécialisée. La marque ne mourra pas mais on peut s’attendre à ce qu’elle devienne presque strictement électrique au cours des années à venir. Alors, pourquoi ne pas utiliser ce nom mythique pour sa «première» véritable auto électrique (la deuxième marque la plus vendue après Tesla dans le créneau des électriques)? Je crois que Ford a pris une bonne décision!

Une brochure de camions White Mustang telle que découverte sur Internet. (via Internet)

Il reste que cette Mustang, sans être le véritable équivalent d’une GT à moteur atmosphérique, est quand même «sportive». Sa suspension, déjà rigide au départ, peut être encore plus ferme si le conducteur ajuste le véhicule en conséquence grâce aux choix qui s’offrent à lui au grand écran du tableau de bord. Dans mon cas, j’ai utilisé l’auto en fonction «régulière» pendant plusieurs jours avant de choisir la fonction «Unbridled» (Débridée) à l’ordinateur. La suspension est devenue encore plus ferme et, surprise, la motorisation, jusqu’ici très discrète, est devenue bruyante (en ce sens qu’un bruit sourd et lointain ressemblant légèrement à celui d’un moteur V8 s’est fait entendre dans l’habitacle). Passer de 0 à 100 km/h demande moins de six secondes (la version GT avec moteurs électriques encore plus puissants peut le faire en moins de quatre secondes) ce qui n’est pas sans surprendre les occupants. Mon véhicule d’essai faisant environ 346 chevaux alors que la GT en fera 480! Il n’y a pas de boîte de vitesses…

L’actuelle Mustang Mach-E AWD dont il est question ici. (Photo Éric Descarries)

La Mach-E vue d’arrière. On en reconnaît facilement les feux typiques de Mustang. (Photo Éric Descarries)

Parmi les nouveautés les plus récentes, les Mustang Premium viennent avec le régulateur de vitesse Blue Cruise qui transformera la voiture en véhicule autonome. Oui, la Mustang peut se conduire toute seule. Mais il faut d’abord trouver les routes qui y seront déjà enregistrées comme l’autoroute Jean-Lesage (20) ou l’autoroute des Laurentides (15). Et ça ne fonctionne que lorsque les lignes blanches au sol sont clairement visibles! Mais si, comme moi, vous aimez vraiment conduire votre véhicule, vous préférez garder les mains sur le volant! Parce que la voiture est agréable à conduire! Même avec des pneus d’hiver (dans le cas de ma voiture d’essai, des Toyo GSi 6 un peu bruyant sur pavé sec).

L’autre question, celle de la recharge de la batterie, fut intéressante. Malgré le fait qu’il s’agisse de l’ensemble de batteries longue durée (de 8000 $, je le répète), je n’ai jamais pu «charger» plus de 313 kilomètres dans ces batteries. Il a fait froid durant ma période d’essai de décembre, la température baissant jusqu’à moins 10 Celsius durant la nuit (période de recharge) mais pas aussi froid que ce que l’on doive vivre en janvier ou février (parfois sous -30 degrés Celsius). Qu’importe, j’ai pu utiliser l’auto régulièrement sans problèmes me permettant même une petite balade en Lanaudière sans être inquiété par la réserve de courant. Mais, malgré toute une nuit de recharge, l’auto n’est passée que de 150 à un peu plus de 210 km de réserve soit environ 80 % de la capacité des batteries (une autre charge nocturne m’a permis d’atteindre les 100 % de charge mais seulement avec 293 kilomètres d’autonomie). Notez, encore une fois, que j’ai rechargé l’auto avec une prise de 120 volts!

Autre chose que j’ai voulu vérifier fut le chauffage. Quelques observateurs se sont plaints d’avoir gelé dans la voiture l’hiver dernier. Je n’ai pas connu ce problème mais je dois avouer avoir dû «fignoler» avec les commandes du système (qui demandent un certain temps d’acclimatation avant de bien les connaître) avant de trouver des conditions plus confortables. Je conseille ici au nouveau propriétaire de Mustang de passer quelques heures de recherche et pratique avec l’ordinateur de bord avant de rouler avec la voiture.

Malheureusement, je trouve que les tableaux de bord des voitures électriques sont nettement moins beaux que ceux des voitures à essence! Partis, les multiples instruments à cadran rond ! (Photo Éric Descarries)

N’ayant plus de «moteur» mécanique, la partie avant des voitures et camionnettes électriques (que nos amis américains ont surnommé «frunk», un amalgame des mots «front trunk» qui veut dire coffre avant) est maintenant consacrée à du rangement dont celui du cordon d’alimentation (ce que je déteste de ces cordons, c’est qu’ils deviennent vite sales et qu’il faille souvent les manipuler au grand froid…ou sous la pluie!). (Photo Éric Descarries)

Bien entendu, Ford nous répète que toute cette technologie est encore et toujours en voie de développement. On n’a certainement pas vu tout le potentiel de l’auto électrique (et on ne prévoit qu’il n’y aura que quelques 30% des véhicules qui seront tout électriques d’ici 2030 !). Comme bien d’entre vous, je suis encore un peu sceptique et surtout méfiant de l’électrique. Mais il viendra un jour où ce sera la norme, ça c’est certain, peu importe toutes les remarques et toutes les analyses qui sont publiées. Seront-elles moins chères? J’en doute. Le prix de base de la Mach-E Premium que j’ai conduite la semaine dernière était de 64 745 $.  Ajoutez à cela l’ensemble de batteries avec plus de portée de 8000 $, l’ensemble de décor blanc glacé de 1500 $ (la peinture blanc astral à trois couches ne semblait pas avoir une surcharge), l’ensemble de protection de l’intérieur de 350 $, la taxe du climatiseur de 100 $ et les frais de 1995 $ pour le transport et la préparation et on en arrive à un prix total de 76 690 $...plus les taxes locales! Ouf!

Joyeuses Fêtes

Bon! C’est ici que se termine la saison 2022 de ce blogue. Comme plusieurs d’entre vous, je vais prendre un petit répit jusqu’au début de janvier. Il me reste quelques expériences à vivre au cours des prochains jours mais je compte me «ressourcer» durant les prochain jours. Alors, Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année et on se retrouve au début de 2023…«si Dieu le veut» comme le disait le légendaire lutteur des années soixante, Édouard Carpentier.

[lielectricians]

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Charging Station

Contents

Chrysler pacifica hybrid combines remarkable

1 120-volt charging cord

Chrysler pacifica minivan

Pacifica hybrid home

Zip code hide

Jan 12, 2018  · The chrysler pacifica hybrid combines remarkable electric range with an fuel efficient engine to produce an incredible plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Pacifica Hybrid comes with a portable Level 1 120-volt charging cord as standard, kept in a bag that can be housed in a cargo-bay wall bin below the left-rear window.

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Charging Your chrysler pacifica minivan at Home. Charging a plug-in hybrid at home is not much different from charging your cell phone or laptop. Just plug the cord that comes with the van into a regular wall outlet. It will take about 14 hours to fully charge your Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid this way, which may be more time than you want to spend.

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Chrysler and Fiat, FCA – North America. "Whether it’s scheduling the Pacifica Hybrid’s charge times, locating nearby charging stations, remotely checking the vehicle’s charge status or maximizing …

That means that as long as you have access to enough charging stations, you can likely use it as a pure electric vehicle for short trips around town. Where the hybrid Pacifica really shines, though, …

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is America’s First-Ever Hybrid Minivan that offers a package of efficiency, … CHANGE zip code hide CHARGING STATIONS SHOW CHARGING STATIONS Zoom in Zoom out. Close. Showing results for. CHANGE. … This ride offers all the amazing safety and security features of the Chrysler Pacifica like:

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The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Platinum has a gauge to show when the battery is charging or just supplying power. (Photo: Eric D. Lawrence/Detroit Free Press) Many electric vehicle users will tell …

The growth in EV and plug-in hybrid charging station infrastructure … Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the company credited with inventing the minivan segment more than 30 years ago, has been very busy. …

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a somewhat deceptive—or perhaps incomplete … 1 AC charging cord that stows in a special cargo bay. A 240-volt Level 2 charging station is available only through …

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[metiresearchinfo]

Meticulous Research® Exclusive : North America Electric Car Market is Expected to Reach $329.57 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 35.2% During the Forecast Period 2021- 2028

According to a new market research report titled “The North American Electric Cars Market by Propulsion Type (BEV, FCEV, PHEV, HEV), Power Output (Less Than 100kW, 100 kW to 250 kW), End Use (Private, Commercial), and Country—Forecast to 2028”, the North American electric cars market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35.2 % from 2021 to 2028 to reach $329.57 billion by 2028. By volume, this market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.7 % from 2021 to 2028 to reach 2.9 million units by 2028.

Electric cars utilize multiple traction motors powered by a rechargeable battery pack through an internal combustion engine that charges the vehicle’s battery pack, which runs the traction motor and propels the vehicle. The growth of this market is backed by the governments’ supportive policies and regulations, the rising deployment of EV charging stations by shared mobility operators, and the increasing investments in the EV ecosystem. The decrease in battery prices and growing fleet electrification targets of governments across the region provide significant opportunities for the growth of this market. However, the lack of charging infrastructures in developing countries is expected to restrain the growth of this market to some extent. The range limitations of electric vehicles and a lack of fast-charging infrastructures are major challenges for the growth of the North American electric cars market. Increasing investments in R&D for smart charging systems is a major trend that may support the growth of this market.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on the North American Electric Cars Market

In North America, the U.S. was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic leading to significant damages in terms of life, resources, and economy. The adoption of electric cars had declined in the first & second quarters of 2020, while a slight growth was witnessed post the second quarter. Consumer behavior has changed significantly since the pandemic. People have reduced the use of shared mobility services and public transport services to reduce the risk of infection. Moreover, due to remote working arrangements in most industries, the total vehicle miles traveled has also decreased in 2020. Hence, these factors have negatively affected the adoption of electric cars in the region.

However, leading investors have planned to double their investments in autonomous vehicles that can positively impact the electric cars market in the forecast period. For instance, in March 2020, Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project, raised $2.3 billion from investors such as Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and AutoNation. In November 2020, California authorized paid robotaxi services by Waymo, one ride-hailing service in the state. In January 2019, Magna, a Canada-based auto supplier, partnered with Waymo to build a factory to manufacture self-driving cars in southeast Michigan. The facility produces autonomous versions of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan and Jaguar’s I-PACE electric SUV with Level 4 autonomous driving.

Fleet Electrification Targets of Governments Across the Region to Support the Market Growth

The growing awareness for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), climate change, and enormous opportunities offered by the government could further increase the adoption of electric cars in the coming years. To support the adoption of EVs, governments are enforcing stringent regulations, planning investments, and increasing incentives. In February 2021, the U.S. government entered the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The White House and Congress are planning an aggressive approach towards influencing industrial and consumer behavior to mandate EVs adoption. In June 2021, the Government of Canada announced a mandatory target for all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sales to be zero-emission by 2035. This mandatory target replaced Canada’s voluntary target announced in January 2019 for 100% ZEV by 2040. In 2021, the Biden presidency (U.S.) committed to installing up to 500,000 EV charging stations, increasing existing incentives and tax breaks for EV purchases. In May 2020, the U.S. government launched the “Built for America” ad campaign for vehicle production plants which were shut down in late March 2020 in North America due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such campaigns and initiatives can benefit the American economy, which is expected to propel the market demand for EVs.

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The fleet electrification target set by the U.S. government is expected to create 1 million jobs in the U.S. auto industry and strengthen the American economy. According to the General Services Administration (GSA), in 2019, the U.S. government had 645,000 vehicles that were driven for 4.5 billion miles and consumed 375 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel. And about 35% of those vehicles were operated by the U.S. Postal Service, posing a major threat to the environment. In response, the U.S. government, in January 2021, announced the plan to replace the fossil fuel-based government vehicles with net zero emissions EVs assembled in the U.S. by Tesla Inc., General Motors, Nissan Motor Corporation, and other market players. In this scenario, fleet electrification by the U.S. government is expected to encourage customers during the forecast period.

To provide efficient analysis, Meticulous Research® has segmented this market based on propulsion type (hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles), power output (less than 100 kW, and 100 kW to 250 kW), end use (private and commercial use), and country.

Based on propulsion type, the North American electric cars market is mainly segmented into hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles. The hybrid vehicles segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the North American electric cars market in 2021. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the emergence of stringent automotive emission regulations, rising consumer demand for highly fuel-efficient vehicles, increasing investments by automotive OEMs for hybridization of vehicle powertrain, and the lower costs of hybrid vehicles compared to battery electric vehicles. However, the fuel cell electric vehicles segment is expected to witness significant market growth, as these vehicles offer several advantages, including fast refueling and zero tailpipe emissions.

To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/north-america-electric-car-market-5216

Based on power output, the North American electric cars market is segmented into less than 100 kW and 100 kW to 250 kW. The less than 100 kW segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the North American electric cars market in 2021. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increased usage of light electric cars in the central business districts of major cities worldwide, rising implementation of electric cars for shared mobility services, decreased battery prices, and increasing investments by electric vehicle OEMs. However, the 100 kW to 250 kW segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid market growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the rising regulations to reduce tailpipe emissions and initiatives taken by leading automotive OEMs to launch more powerful electric cars.

Based on end use, the North American electric cars market is segmented into private and commercial use. The private use segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the North American electric cars market in 2021. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing consumer demand for fuel-efficient and zero tailpipe emission vehicles, government incentives to promote sales and manufacturing of electric cars, and rising fuel prices. However, the commercial use segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid market growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for electric cars in shared mobility services and corporate taxi fleets.

Based on country, the U.S. is estimated to account for the larger share of the North American electric cars market in 2021 both by value and volume. The large market share of this country is mainly attributed to the wider availability of electric car models, the growing number of mass-premium buyers shifting from fuel-based vehicles to electric vehicles, rising adoption of electric cars, and increasing investment by automotive OEMs. The U.S. has always been at the forefront of innovative technologies adoption, including electric cars. Various automotive OEMs announced huge investments in 2020 for the development of electric mobility ecosystems in the U.S. For instance, Tesla invested $1 billion in Austin, Texas, to build a Gigafactory. The factory will produce Cybertruck EVs by the end of 2021. Volkswagen invested $800 million in its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant to upgrade the plant for EV production. The upgradation process of the plant was initiated in August 2020. In September 2020, GM and Honda signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop Honda electric cars with GM’s Ultium batteries. Such developments are expected to drive the growth of the electric cars market in the U.S. during the forecast period.

The key players operating in the North American electric cars market are Tesla, Inc. (U.S.), General Motors Company (U.S.), Ford Motor Company (U.S.), Rivian, LLC (U.S.), Bollinger Motors Inc. (U.S.), Alcraft Motor Company Ltd., (U.K.), Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan), NIO Inc. (China), AB Volvo (Sweden), and Groupe Renault (France).

You Can Buy Report Here : https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/50076994

[ann6b1ack]

Do You Buy Electric Cars?

Buying electric cars can be exciting and confusing. Think about what kind of car you want and where you need to charge.

The appeal of electric cars has never been stronger than it is now. GM plans to sell only electric vehicles by 2035. Volkswagen's goal is to make it cheaper than gasoline-powered cars. The survey shows that at least two-thirds of American drivers are willing to buy electric vehicles. However, many people are still worried about the costs, choices, and charges of electric vehicles, but these obstacles are falling rapidly. The government hopes to speed up this process and provide tens of billions of dollars of incentives.

For those who want to buy electric cars, this can be overwhelming and exciting. Here's how you should consider whether electric vehicles are suitable for you.

What are you looking for? Electric cars are fast, fun to drive, require little maintenance and produce no exhaust emissions, which are the main cause of climate change. But even if you're sure you want one, there are many options. That's why it's important to understand what you're looking for.

"Is this a basic means of transportation?" Or an expression of yourself and your personality, Said Matt DeLorenzo, senior executive editor of Kelly's blue book“ The car is a statement to the buyer. If not, there would be no Mercedes Benz. "

Tesla. Of course, the company produces powerful, modern, and fast electric vehicles. But Tesla's appeal is also related to its evaluation of car owners. Buying one means buying an early collector community and, to some extent, the views and vision of Elon Musk, the company's charismatic and arrogant CEO. Therefore, many car lovers either like Tesla or hate it.

Some electric vehicles, such as Hyundai IONIQ, Nissan LEAF, or mini cooper se, start at about $30000 and are economic and ecological alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles. Other models, such as Porsche day can, GMC's upcoming giant electric Hummer, and the luxury Mercedes Benz EQs, are boutiques priced at about $100000.

What is your charging plan? The charging infrastructure in the United States may be developing rapidly, but anyone who wants to turn to electric vehicles should have a charging plan.

The first step is to determine where you usually charge. Most people do it at home, which is the easiest. But as new electric cars and trucks can travel 200 miles or more when fully charged, some drivers choose to replenish fuel when needed in the workplace or public charging stations. It is reported that some urban residents start long cables from apartments or families to provide power for vehicles parked on the street.

If you plan to charge a new electric car or truck at home, there are some pitfalls to pay attention to. Although electric vehicles can be charged through a typical household socket, the charging process is very slow and takes up to 24 hours or more to be fully charged. Many car owners choose to install faster 220 to 240-volt power outlets, as used in clothes dryers, which usually require hiring an electrician.

Alistair Weaver, editor in chief of edmunds.com, said: "you are basically installing something unique for electric vehicles - it costs."

He should know. After buying a new house, Weaver realized that his electric panel needed an expensive upgrade to power his wife's Tesla Model 3.

Anyone without a simple charging method should pay special attention to the driving distance of the car in the real world and its possible changes under different conditions. For example, cold weather can greatly reduce the vehicle's mileage.

But don't be too nervous. Experts say that although the fear of power failure, which is often called distance anxiety, is real, it is often exaggerated. In fact, many electric car owners don't charge every day because they don't need it at all.

Should I buy a Tesla? When it comes to electric vehicles, we can't help mentioning Tesla. Tesla is the leader in the U.S. electric vehicle market for a reason: Although Tesla's car is not without problems, it is still popular.

Tesla has attracted many people who are just looking for future technology or sports cars, and even something deeper. I think people like Elon Musk.

As a market leader, Tesla has some advantages. Tesla's cars and technology last longer than electric vehicles produced by other carmakers, and Tesla has an easy-to-use charging network for its own cars. But the situation is changing rapidly. The choice of electric vehicles is really proliferating. Everyone is pouring into the market. The turning point has come, and all the brands you are familiar with will provide really useful and multifunctional alternatives to electric vehicles in the next two or three years.

At the beginning of 2021, several new electric vehicles started on the road, including Ford's Mustang mache, Volkswagen's ID4, and Volvo's xc40 recharge. Carmakers are expected to launch more cars this year and next. The models eagerly awaited by car lovers include Audi Q4 e-Tron SUV, BMW I4 sedan, Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV, and Nissan ariya SUV. Several other start-ups are also expected to start selling cars, including the lucid air sedan, Vivian's r1t pickup, and R1s SUV.

What can you afford? Tax credits may help. Yes, electric cars are more expensive than similar gasoline-powered cars, but the price tells you so much. Federal and state tax breaks, utility grants and other savings can help offset costs.

The federal government provides a $7500 tax credit for electric vehicles. Although Tesla or general motors have run out, they can still be used in many other electric vehicles. Take Nissan LEAF as an example. A new basic model costs nearly $32000, but after the federal tax credit, the price fell to less than $25000. States, cities, and even utility companies provide incentives to buy electric cars or install chargers at home.

Electric cars are also cheaper. A recent study by the consumer report found that, compared with the average owner of a gasoline-powered car, the average expenditure of electric vehicle drivers on providing power for a car, truck or SUV has decreased by 60%, while the expenditure on repair and maintenance has decreased by half - there is no need to change the oil.

Buying a used car may be a cheaper way to buy an electric car, but carefully evaluate the quality of the car you buy, especially the battery, because it will deteriorate over time. In other words, a used electric car may be the perfect choice for a second car on business, commuting, and other short trips.

Although owning an electric car may be exciting, it may not be suitable for everyone. Many families and individuals cannot afford electric cars that meet their needs - for example, there are few three-row electric cars, and they are often expensive. Others have difficulty charging at home or nearby. That's why Delorenzo and Fisher recommended plug-in hybrids.

If you're interested but not sure if you're willing to invest, these plug-in hybrids are away. For many people, plug-in vehicles such as Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan or RAV4 prime SUV can be effectively used as all-electric vehicles. Toyota said the RAV4 prime could drive 42 miles before switching to gasoline, while Chrysler said Pacifica could drive 32 miles on a full charge. If these cars are mainly used for short commutes and town travel, they rarely use gasoline. Both cars and other plug-in hybrids are also eligible for the federal tax credit. As long as you plug it into an ordinary socket on the wall and charge it all night, you can feel what it's like to have an electric car. Maybe your next car will be a pure electric car.

Of course, gasoline-powered cars have become more and more efficient. If you want to upgrade from an old car, choosing one wisely will help reduce emissions. However, many people buy cars based on what they think is attractive and attractive. 'if you admire the function and design of electric vehicles, you may find that nothing else can satisfy you,' Mr. de Lorenzo said. This is a different experience.

[novusautoglassme]

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid uses an electric motor and gas engine to power a car. To recapture power, regenerative braking is used. As the electric motor can power a hybrid car on its own, the gas engine does the same thing. They can also work together to power a hybrid car. Since less gas will be consumed, you won’t be spending as much on fuel. Since electric power can be added, it will help the hybrid car to perform better.

Even though a hybrid car has a battery, electricity requires another battery of high voltage. For battery maintenance, gas engines are used in hybrid cars. From using less fuel to setting a cheap vehicle price, hybrid designs are used to bring a lot of improvements. You will only spend more when you want to replace damaged parts. To keep your hybrid car in good condition, you have to replace the windscreen immediately if it gets damaged. The different types of hybrid cars are listed below

Parallel hybrid

In recent designs, gas engines are used together with electric motors. Since they are connected, the two sources of power combine. As it can be a manual transmission, it can also be an automatic transmission. Power-split CVT is one of the most commonly used hybrid transmissions. As it can be found in Toyota Prius, it can also be found in Chevrolet Volt.

Transmission type plays a big role in determining the acceleration and feel of parallel hybrid cars. The gas engine size also matters a lot. A lot of popular brands employ the use of parallel hybrid design. Some of them are Toyota, Hyundai and Honda.

Plug-In hybrid

Plug-in hybrids are used to improve hybrids with a better battery. Just like electric cars, a plug-in hybrid can be charged with electricity. It can be at home, a charging station, or any other place with a good source of electricity.

The storage in a plug-in hybrid can store a lot of energy at once. If you can manage to charge every night, you can run with a plug-in hybrid all day. You won’t have to spend on fuel anymore. Your expenses will only be on repairing damaged windscreen or any other vital hybrid car part. One of the most popular plug-in hybrids is the Chrysler Pacifica.

Series hybrid

The electric motor gives the thrust that the series hybrid needs. No form of mechanical connection exists between the wheels and the other part. The only thing the gasoline engine does is charge the battery when it is low. As a result, the driving experience of a series hybrid is similar to that of an electric car. The series hybrid has a powerful acceleration. BMW i3 is a great example.

Novus Auto Glass provides windscreen repair and replacement services. With over 60 repair experts, you can get your windscreen repaired anywhere across Australia. For more information, you can contact us at 13 22 34 or visit Novus Auto Glass to see the full list of our services.

[automotivetransportationresearch]

Global Robo-Taxi Market Growth Factors, Opportunities, Ongoing Trends and Key Players 2030

The report "Robo-Taxi Market by Application (Goods and Passenger), Level of Autonomy (L4 and L5), Vehicle (Car and Shuttle/Van), Service (Rental and Station Based), Propulsion (Electric, Hybrid, and Fuel Cell), Component, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030" The global robo-taxi market is projected to grow from 2,024 units in 2020 to reach 3,830,912 units by 2030, at a CAGR of 112.67%. The growth of the robo-taxi market is influenced by the rising demand for ride-hailing services, high R&D investments, and government focus on reducing emissions, infrastructure development, and growth of the electrification of vehicles.

Browse 44 market data Tables and 57 Figures spread through 135 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Robo-Taxi Market" Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=132098403  

Car is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR

The car segment is expected to be the largest and the fastest market. This is due to the testing of robo-taxis more for cars rather than big transport vehicles. Waymo recently became the first company to charge regular people for rides in self-driving “Waymo One”, which though had human backup drivers. Another example is Chrysler, which has ordered thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo. The collaboration will open a new business model for companies developing or working on robo-taxi. Uber placed an order for 24,000 Volvo XC90 SUVs for autonomous ridesharing services to scale its market share in autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the rising demand for shared mobility will also fuel the overall market demand for self-driving cars.

Passenger Transportation is expected to lead the robo-taxi market  

Although, countries worldwide have already started operations for goods transportation, but passenger transportation is estimated to be the fastest and the largest growing market. This is due to the developments, testing, and deployments being more for passenger transportation compared to goods. Companies such as Uber, Lyft, DiDi, and Baidu are the major ride-hailing service providers which will boost the market demand for passenger transportation. Also, most companies are concentrating on Mobility As A Service (MAAS). For instance, the venture by e.GO Mobile AG and ZF Friedrichshafen planned to start series production of e.GO People Mover by the end of 2019 in Germany. This vehicle will be deployed as robo-taxis by transportation operator Transdev in Germany. Oxbotica, an autonomous vehicle software company and Addison Lee, a London-based private hire taxi company, partnered to launch self-driving taxis by 2021.

Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=132098403

Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market during the forecast period

The Asia Pacific market is the largest because of the growth in China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Rising emission concerns, increasing shared mobility, focus on public transport, and high technological development in the region are driving the robo-taxi market in Asia Pacific. Companies such as DiDi, Aptiv, Baidu, Nissan, ZMP, and Hyundai are the major players present in the region. The growth is also driven by the developments in Singapore, South Korea, China, and Japan. For instance, Singapore was the first country to test robo-taxis in 2016 publicly. nuTonomy started testing robo-taxis with Renault Zoes and Mitsubishi i-MiEv vehicle. South Korean auto giant Hyundai has partnered with the US startup Aurora Tech to develop robo-taxis in South Korea. Hyundai is expected to test the service by 2021. The company will deploy fuel cell electric vehicle Nexo and compact SUV Kona electric in Sejong for driverless taxi service. The vehicles would have level 4 automation.

Key Market Players:

The self-driving taxi manufacturers include Waymo LLC (US), Aptiv (Ireland), GM Cruise (US), Ridecell, Inc (US), Uber Technologies Inc. (US), NAVYA (France), and EasyMile (France).

Speak to Analyst @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=20863691

[dipulb3]

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime first drive: High performance, low consumption

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/2021-toyota-rav4-prime-first-drive-high-performance-low-consumption/

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime first drive: High performance, low consumption

Don’t believe that gasoline-electric vehicles are anything but boring and slow? Well, it’s time to change your tune, because the RAV4 Prime is the second-quickest Toyota after the Supra sports car. With 302 horsepower on tap, this plug-in hybrid SUV can zip from a standstill to 60 mph in as little as 5.7 seconds, a time that is legitimately swift. And thanks to ample low-end electric torque, it feels even fleeter.

Delivering that strong performance is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an Atkinson-cycle unit borrowed from the RAV4 Hybrid but retuned for Prime time. Without going too far into the technical weeds, it’s augmented by a trio of electric motor-generators, two in the front transaxle assembly, and a third at the rear. The latter provides on-demand all-wheel drive by turning the aft tires. Serving as an electron reservoir is an 18.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, mounted under the main-cabin floor in a way that does not detract from passenger space. It’s cooled using air-conditioning refrigerant and is backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty. Drivers are further shielded from repair bills by a separate, 8-year/100,000-mile guarantee that covers other hybrid components.

That generously sized battery helps provide a preliminary EPA efficiency rating of 94 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and an electric-only range estimated at 42 miles. Driving it carefully and with the climate control off a good portion of the time, I managed to coax 45 miles out of the RAV4 Prime while running solely on electrons. Honestly, I expected a little more considering I was driving quite conservatively and the conditions were perfect, with temps in the upper 70s. Still, Toyota has delivered on its range promise.

As for efficiency, running this vehicle about 50% on electricity and then 50% on gasoline once the battery pack was depleted, I averaged an indicated 45.3 mpg, though that figure is potentially misleading because real-world economy depends greatly on the ratio between those two operating modes. If, for instance, you drive 50 miles and 42 of them are all electric, the average fuel economy is going to be much higher than if you take a 600-mile road trip burning fossil fuel the whole way.

The times, they are a-chargin’

Hook the RAV4 Prime up to an ordinary 120-volt household outlet, and it takes around 12 hours to fully replenish the battery pack. Plug it in to a 240-volt line with 16 amps of juice, and that time drops to around 4.5 hours. Still, if that’s not speedy enough, XSE models with the premium package (a $3,765 upcharge, which also requires the $815 weather package and the $1,620 audio package) can recharge in as little as 2.5 hours if you have access to a 6.6-kilowatt, 240-volt outlet.

As public charging stations become more and more prevalent, it will be easier and easier to live with an electric vehicle.

Craig Cole/Roadshow

After depleting the battery during testing, I found a nearby ChargePoint public station. Hooked to a Level 2 outlet running at 6.6 kW, the vehicle gained 13 miles of EV range after about 45 minutes of charging, right in line with Toyota’s 2.5-hour claim.

Despite basically inventing the modern hybrid, this is Toyota’s first plug-in SUV. There is no shortage of similar crossover SUV models available today, but they’re mostly at the upper end of the market. There aren’t too many direct competitors to the RAV4 Prime. Subaru’s Crosstrek is one, but it only offers 17 miles of electric range. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is another, with an advertised 22 miles of juice. It’s conceivable you might cross-shop this Toyota with plug-in versions of the Kia Niro or even the Chrysler Pacifica, but none of these are a perfect fit, either. Really, this RAV4’s number-one rival is the new Ford Escape PHEV, which offers slightly less electric range at 37 miles and has around 93 less horsepower, but at least it’s a touch more efficient at 100 MPGe.

Forceful yet mild-mannered

Driving the RAV4 Prime purely on electricity is a great experience. It’s punchy, smooth and nearly silent. As with other EVs, there’s tons of low-end torque, which makes this Toyota leap off the line when you nail the accelerator. Its enthusiasm does wane at higher speeds, but its performance is still solid, able to hit 60 mph in around 9.2 seconds. However, this vehicle’s performance shines most when driven as a hybrid. Throw that internal-combustion engine into the mix and this RAV4’s sprinting abilities improve by leaps and bounds, with its 0-to-60-mph time dropping by nearly 40%.

Potent and efficient, what more could you ask for?

Craig Cole/Roadshow

When navigating corners, the Prime feels like it has a touch more body roll than the RAV4 TRD I reviewed recently. This is likely because of its softer ride, which is partly due to loads of extra weight. At about 4,300 pounds in XSE trim, this vehicle is around 500 pounds heavier than the bulkiest RAV4 Hybrid, thanks to its much larger battery pack. To accommodate that additional mass, the vehicle’s chassis has been retuned. The steering is light to the touch, though it’s not as crisp as in other RAV4s. The Prime is, however, extremely quiet inside thanks to laminated front side glass and additional sound deadening, alterations that make for a serene driving experience. Braking feel is also praiseworthy. This plug-in SUV’s pedal has nice weight to it and is easy to modulate, with no discernible weirdness when transitioning from regenerative to friction braking.

A comfortable and versatile interior

Inside the RAV4 Prime, there’s not much to get excited about, and that’s a good thing. Just like the non-plug-in model, this Toyota’s cabin is one of the better offerings in this segment, being attractively designed and made of quality materials. My XSE tester is further gussied up with red stitching on the door panels, dashboard and elsewhere, plus the seats are covered in SofTex imitation leather, which not only feels nice but makes a convincing argument that cow hides aren’t necessary.

As in more run-of-the-mill RAV4s, the Prime’s rear seat is generously portioned and quite comfortable, with good support, plus plenty of space for knees and noggins. A pair of 2.1-amp USB-A ports serve riders relegated to the back, though the vehicle is fitted with a total of five such outlets, plus XSE models feature Qi wireless charging, so nobody’s phone has to go without juice.

This Toyota’s infotainment system is pretty middling, but the large screen is clear, bright and easy to reach.

Craig Cole/Roadshow

When it’s time to make an Ikea run for a load of marginal quality, affordably priced, flat-packed furniture, the RAV4 Prime makes an excellent schlepper. It offers 33.5 cubic feet of hauling space behind the second-row seat, a figure that grows to a claimed 63.2 when the backrests are dropped. These figures are slightly behind what the standard RAV4 and its hybrid counterpart offer. They both max out at 69.8 cubes. All in, the Prime still offers a few more cubic feet of space than the Escape plug-in.

While there’s plenty to like about the Prime’s interior, a few things could be improved. The chicklet-like climate control buttons are simply too small to easily manipulate while driving, and some of the switches on the steering wheel feel incredibly cheap. 

Technology bonanza

On that note, I’m not going to further bludgeon a deceased equine, but as I’ve mentioned many times before, I tend to find Toyota’s multimedia offerings to be unattractive and illogical, and that’s unfortunately still true in the RAV4 Prime XSE. But it’s not all bad news.

This infotainment system is at least speedy, and the tablet-style 9-inch screen it’s splashed across is huge and easy to reach, as it’s mounted high on the dashboard. Lower-end SE models feature an 8-incher. With all that display real estate, Apple CarPlay (which, along with Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility comes standard) is super easy to use, showing up nice and big.

The RAV4 Prime offers plenty of features and amenities. 

Craig Cole/Roadshow

If you still need more screens in your life, don’t fret, because all Prime models feature a reconfigurable 7-inch display nestled in the gauge cluster. It’s clear and easy enough to cycle through the various menus for things like fuel economy and the trip odometer. If that’s not enough, XSE models can even be fitted with a 10-inch color head-up display, which projects relevant driving data onto the windshield. This item is bundled with the $3,765 premium package, which also gets you the aforementioned 6.6-kW charger, ventilated front seats and an awesome digital rearview mirror. The latter features yet another screen behind the glass where a video feed from the reversing camera is displayed to provide a much broader field of view behind the vehicle.

That package also includes a 360-degree camera system, which can be handy for certain parking situations — in theory at least. For some reason, this feature, and even the RAV4’s standard reversing camera, are appallingly bad, super gritty and hard to see on the infotainment screen. This is particularly strange because the digital rearview mirror, which is available on XSE models, looks great, providing a clear, crisp image.

When it comes to advanced driver aids, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard equipment on the RAV4 Prime, bringing things like automatic emergency braking and road-sign recognition to the table. Lane-keeping assist is included, too, and works quite well, even if it feels a bit soft-handed. It doesn’t lock you into the middle of the lane quite as strongly as competing systems do, resulting in more wandering. You also get adaptive cruise control, though it’s rather middling. On the highway, it’s great, seamlessly adjusting vehicle speed to match surrounding vehicles, but in stop-and-go traffic it can be pretty jerky.

Like other members of the RAV4 family, the Prime model is quite handsome. 

Craig Cole/Roadshow

Dollars and (common) sense

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is slated to start arriving at dealerships in all 50 states later this month. Keeping things simple, it will be offered in two trims: SE and XSE. My top-shelf tester arrived fitted with all three available options packages, things that inflate its price tag to right around $49,000 including $1,120 in delivery fees. That’s a steep price to pay for what is a mainstream compact crossover SUV, however, that figure does not include any potential discounts. The RAV4 Prime may be eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits, plus other discounts offered by individual states. Of course, you can save a big chunk of change by getting an SE model. They kick off right around $39,195. That’s still a bit pricier than Ford’s entry-level Escape plug-in hybrid, which begins at roughly 35 grand, but the RAV4 does have more power and a nicer interior, plus  Toyota enjoys a better reputation for long-term quality and resale value.

Punchy and efficient, the Prime is easily my pick of today’s RAV4 litter. The addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain has made a good SUV even better. If you can manage the upcharge, this is the RAV4 to get.

[savetopnow]

2018-03-10 02 CAR now

CAR

Auto Spies

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SPIED: Volvo's S60 Gets Nabbed In The Nude - Were You Expecting More?

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#GIMS: BMW Executive Lets The Cat Out Of The Bag For The Next i Model

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[mrhenryharrell]

Top EV Questions Answered

By David Roberts

Did you join a National Drive Electric Week event in September? If so, you were in good company with over 270 electric car demonstrations across all 50 states demonstrating the benefits of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) for thousands of visitors. A sampling of responses to some of the most popular questions heard at these events is below.

What’s the best EV?

There are many great EV models. The perfect one for you will depend on individual needs and budget:

Teslas are at the upper end of the budget scale, but offer unique qualities other automakers are not able to match (at least not yet). Some models offer over 300 miles of range and a dedicated, nationwide network of fast charging enables long distance travel. They also have an “autopilot” system with increasingly sophisticated automated driving capabilities. Deliveries of their more affordable Model 3 are starting, but if you do not already have a reservation, you will likely have to wait a year or more for delivery.

The Chevrolet Bolt (238 miles of range) and all-new 2018 Nissan LEAF (150 miles of range, coming in early 2018) are also excellent all-electric options that should have plenty of range for regular driving, even in frigid New England winter conditions. The VW eGolf, BMW i3, Kia Soul EV and other options have over 100 mile range and can work nicely for many households, particularly if there is a good lease or purchase deal on them.

Plug-in hybrids offer the ability to run on electric battery or gasoline and are the most popular models of electric cars today. These are good if you want the flexibility of running on electric or gasoline for longer trips. The Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Prime, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata plug-in hybrid, Ford CMax Energi, Ford Fusion Energi and upcoming Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid all offer at least 20 miles of electric range before switching to gasoline-powered operation.

The best EV deals are typically found in the used vehicle market, where there is growing availability of several models like the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt, with some selling for under $10,000. Just be sure to get the battery and other vehicle components checked out before purchasing used to make sure everything is ship shape.

2018 Nissan LEAF – 150 miles of all-electric range. Image: Nissan USA

How does EV charging work?

Most EV owners plug-in at home using a standard 120V outlet, also known as Level 1 charging. This will give about five miles of range per hour of charging. Faster charging is available by stepping up to 240V Level 2 charging (like an electric clothes dryer circuit), which provides 10-20 miles of range per hour of charging. More public charging is coming, although typically it is more expensive than charging at home overnight. Fees are assessed through memberships in charging networks that work like E-Z Pass and charge users by the hour, kWh, or session depending on the host. Many stations charge fees of $1 per hour. DC Fast Charging is available for most all-electric models and provides an 80% charge in about 30 minutes, but at a higher cost due to the additional expense of the equipment and operation.

What incentives are available?

There is a federal tax credit up to $7,500 and several states offer incentives (see pages 16-17). Some electric utilities are offering EV incentives or discounts on charging as well.

What about the environmental impacts of power generation and battery manufacturing?

Reducing driving by carpooling, public transit, bicycling or other means are the best ways to reduce your transportation footprint. For those who continue to drive alone, an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found an EV would reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions after six to eighteen months of ownership taking the manufacturing footprint and power generation into consideration. This time period will decrease as cleaner energy sources are increasingly used to power our grid. The map below shows the equivalent miles per gallon emissions for EVs in different parts of the USA, depending on the emissions associated with electric power generation. Automakers continue to search out lower impact and longer life options for batteries and are developing second life applications and recycling options for batteries when they reach the end of their useful life in the vehicle.

Electric Vehicle Global Warming Pollution Ratings and Gasoline Vehicle Emissions Equivalents by Electricity Grid Region. Image: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2015.

How much does it cost to maintain an EV?

EVs cost less to maintain than the most regular internal combustion engines. Regenerative braking puts energy back in the battery and saves wear and tear on brakes. All-electric models have vastly fewer drivetrain components and no engine requiring oil changes. The batteries are typically warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first), although do expect to see some capacity loss over that time period. There are Teslas and Volts with hundreds of thousands of miles on them and near-new electric range.

Mark your calendars for next year’s National Drive Electric Week festivities September 8-16, 2018. More in-depth electric car information is available at the Drive Electric Vermont website: www.DriveElectricVT.com

David Roberts is the Drive Electric Vermont coordinator. He has driven an all-electric Nissan LEAF for the past five years and says if you have to drive, drive electric.

Top EV Questions Answered posted first on Green Energy Times

[lielectricians]

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Charging Station New Waverly In

Contents

Access smartphone app

Purchase electric cars

Electric utility fees

Public electric-car charging stations unprofitable. pictured

Park fast lot

Hybrid powertrain? chrysler

Cost Of Dc Fast Charging Station The DC fast chargers will offer the highest levels of charging, also called fast … clear how far apart the Petro-Canada stations will be, or what the cost to charge a vehicle will come to. An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point, charge point, ECS (electronic charging

Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The all-new 2017 Chrysler … Pacifica Hybrid’s Uconnect access smartphone app gives customers remote access to the vehicle’s state of charge, charge status updates, the …

Jul 22, 2008  · Earlier this year, the realms of law and new media collided when Lori Drew was hit with federal charges for creating a fake MySpace page and harassing a …

Volta Charging Stations Fort Sheridan Il Some of the markets included in this latest round of mid-band LTE capacity upgrades include sacramento, CA; Chicago, IL; Ashland, KY; and Fort Myers, FL. As usual, you can find the full list of cities … All Volta free EV charging stations are Level 2 chargers with J1772 connector plugs. Volta stations can provide up

Now, the Pacifica Hybrid is back on sale in its second model year, and the minivan with 33 miles of electric range has some new support from familiar faces. DON’T MISS: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica … or …

Chrysler’s Town & Country was one … 2 hours to recharge using a 240-volt Level 2 charging station, and can take the vehicle as much as 30 miles on all-electric power. The new Pacifica Hybrid is …

Ev Car Charging Station Elwood Il ALGONQUIN, IL – Two new electric vehicle charging stations were recently installed and activated as a part of infrastructure improvements included in the Old Town Algonquin reconstruction. The two … It engages in the provision of electric vehicle charging services and charging stations. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Electric Car Charging Stations Cost As more people purchase electric cars, charging stations are seeing higher demand … Harney and Jackson streets. The cost to the city to install the stations is $161,000. The rest of the money would … Volatile electric utility fees, called demand charges, make public electric-car charging stations unprofitable. pictured is an abandoned gas service station Outdoor Home Ev Charging Station Silver Bay Ny The 20 locations on Ford’s list alphabetically are: Edison park fast lot – New York … Baltimore: Charging stations at the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens let fans tailgate and … Your house can and should be a smart home. Enjoy the freedom of controlling your light switches, table lamps, small appliances

Ever dreamed of a minivan equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain? chrysler makes the fantasy a reality with the new 2017 Pacifica Hybrid … takes two hours when using a 240-volt home charging …

240 Volt Charging Station Gas City In But when a Chevrolet Volt took the place of the Power Wheels electric Cadillac Escalade in his garage this September, Reuss made the switch from 120-volt to 240-volt charging … as familiar as … I bought my Volt Oct 5, 2012, and we now have almost 18,000 miles on it I used the standard plug

from In New Hybrid Waverly Station Chrysler Pacifica Charging https://ift.tt/2TSfKde

[adrenalineguide]

Chrysler Pacifica

Text and Photos by Michael Hozjan

Lee Iacocca resurrected Chrysler from bankruptcy when he unveiled a cheap, roomy people hauler called a minivan. The rest as they say is history. In the blink of an eye every car manufacturer under the sun came out with their rendition of what a people mover should be. There was a minivan for every budget, from the short wheelbase nothing fancy Chrysler Voyager to big-buck models from Toyota and Honda. Over the years however, the minivan market has given way to suvs and crossovers with many manufacturers falling off the bandwagon.  Chrysler, Toyota and Honda have remained leaders in the market and now Chrysler has set its crosshairs on the two Japanese manufacturers with the advent of the Pacifica – and in the process has left everyone scratching their heads.

There used to be a pecking order, you wanted cheap (read affordable) you’d buy a Chrysler. If you wanted a minivan that would last until the kids grew old enough for college, you’d go for a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey. In between was the Kia Sedona that crept into the marketplace and has been a formidable contender. The keynote here is the Chryslers (Dodge line included here) have been affordable. I won’t go so far as to say that Chrysler has re-invented the minivan, but they have certainly upped the ante for the competition.

At first glance

Chrysler’s top-of-the-line Town & Country, which shared its underpinning with the Grand Caravan has been replaced by the all new, from ground up Pacifica – a name you may recall belonged the company’s crossover/station wagon model.

The Pacifica is easily distinguishable from other minivans as I found out during my week behind the wheel with people constantly approaching me to ask questions or to give me the thumbs up. From the Chrysler 200 grille mounted on a longer than usual (for Chrysler) front end to a forward sloping rear pillar that is highlighted by the wrap around rear glass, the Pacifica’s architecture is unique and can really pop if you choose the right color. Chrysler claims its sixth generation minivan is also the most aerodynamic van ever, which should improve fuel economy. I say should because my figures came to 10.9L/100kms in combined city/highway driving, which was in par with the mileage figures I had with the Town & Country.

A minivan that handles

There’s plenty to stand up and cheer from the rooftops about the Pacifica. Riding on an all new, lighter and stronger structure, the new chassis abandons the solid rear tube axle in favor of an independent rear suspension, hence turning the Pacifica from an otherwise so so handling minivan into a – dare I say it - sporty people mover. Truth be told the Pacifica outshines the outgoing model in slalom testing by a country mile.

It proved to be less top-heavy feeling than both the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.  

Power comes from a redesigned 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 that produces 287 hp and 262 lb-ft. of torque.  Under the new sheetmetal is a plethora of electronic gadgetry to keep this luxury van in place. Quick lane changes are no longer a white-knuckle move and on twisty lakeside roads this box on wheels takes it in stride. If you’ve ever driven a minivan at anything over the posted city speed limits you’ll know they can be a handful.

The interior    

There are five trim levels available starting with the $38,790 LX, which is followed by the Touring ($39,995) that adds sliding dual power sliding doors, a roof rack, automatic headlamps, 10-spoke aluminum wheels. That’s followed by the Touring-L in the middle of the trim level at $43,995 with tri-zone automatic temp control, heated driver and passenger seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, and LED tail lights.  The Touring-L Plus at $46,995 adds a 506-watt amp with 13 speakers, heated steering wheel as well as heated second row seats, blind-spot monitoring (because some people still have no idea how to properly adjust their mirrors), cross path detection, second and third row USB charging ports, active braking as well as rear park assist among its goodies.  The new crown jewel of minivans is the Limited, coming in at $52,995. Adding to the new list of bells and whistles in the segment is the on-board integrated vacuum. Great for not only cleaning up after the rug rats, but also any loose construction waste from hauling the renovation materials. Although I doubt that many Pacifica owners will be hauling sheets of sheetrock in the back, even with the Stow’n Go folding second row seats being a standard item.

To stow the second row of buckets you need to move the front seats far forward to access the cubbyhole, to ease the operation, Chrysler has added a one-touch switch on the B-pillar that moves the front seat(s) forward and back. Speaking of cubbyholes, the Pacifica has the usual minivan prerequisite of storage bins and sippy cup holders that we’ve come to expect the segment.

In a “What were they thinking?” move Chrysler has decided NOT to offer the Pacifica with a spare tire. There aren’t any run flat tires listed either (which I’m not a fan of anyway). So if you or any one of those soccer moms is stuck in the side of the road with a flat...you’re s…t out of luck.   

I would leave out the integrated vacuum, and opt instead for the optional inflatable spare tire and leave cleaning up residue potato chips and drywall powder to the shop vac.   Even though the inflatable spare isn’t exactly what you’d want to haul a truck load of kids or family members back home from your cottage late Sunday night  with, it’s far better than waiting for the CAA to come and fix your flat.  

The Limited owner also gets 18-inch wheels, power folding third row seat, two-mode ventilation for the leather faced front seats, Touring suspension, tri-pane panoramic sunroof, and of course the mandatory 8.4 inch multimedia centre. Hands-free sliding side doors and liftgate are also part of the 50-grand package.

Fit and finish has been improved yet again although I wasn’t crazy of the shiny black plastic on the dash. 

I’ve always been a fan of Chrysler’s user-friendly infotainment system. Compared to Honda’s system, it’ll add years to your life by keeping your blood pressure down and second row passengers will love the 10-inch screens.

A hybrid minivan

Coming in 2017 is a plug-in hybrid model – the first of its kind in the segment – with a lithium-ion battery and a 3.6 liter V-6 Atkinson cycle engine. It’ll be mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Watch for more on this in the near future. 

Conclusion

It’s obvious that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles wants to re-energize the falling minivan segment with the Pacifica and judging by the looks it got during my weeklong possession, it appears to be on track. In a twist of fate the Pacifica just won the Utility Vehicle of the Year at the Detroit auto show this past week. It marks the first time that a 50 plus grand people hauler has won the UTILITY title.

While all focus is on the Pacifica, and it is deservedly so, I just hope that Chrysler won’t forget the little guy, the folks that helped put Chrysler back on the map with an affordable minivan and that despite all the rumors, the Grand Caravan will NOT be axed.   

[mobileautorepairpros]

Press Releases: MotorWeek: 40 Years of Steering You in the Right Direction

MotorWeek: 40 Years of Steering You in the Right Direction

MotorWeek celebrates four decades of extraordinary automotive television by taking a look back while delivering advice viewers depend on today

 OWINGS MILLS, MD – MotorWeek, television’s original and longest-running automotive magazine series, marks its milestone 40th season starting in September. During the upcoming season, the series will glance in the rearview mirror to take a look at the cars and the people that have made the show such as success while still keeping a focused eye on the road ahead. Every episode of the 40th anniversary season will be punctuated with archival automotive highlights, some funny and some ironic, but all entertaining and informative. 

MotorWeek’s 40th season premieres on public television stations across the country beginning Saturday, September 12 (check local PBS listings).  Every week, series host and creator John Davis and the MotorWeek team continue their relentless quest to test, evaluate, and understand the insatiable but evolving American appetite for personal transportation, despite major shifts in culture and the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new season brings the 2021 model year into focus for viewers. While the automotive industry is still ripe with near-term prospects of cleaner electric and self-driving autonomous vehicles, things are cloudier than ever due to ever-changing car company priorities and by the fact that sales having been negatively impacted by the pandemic. 

“Despite these grey clouds, Americans continue to purchase pickup trucks and SUVs in near-record numbers, even as traditional sedan sales decline,” explains John Davis. “While consumers are interested in learning more about electric vehicles -- and there’s no question that a lot of electrification will be used in all future cars -- buyers are still concerned about their high price, range limitations, and the slow growth in the number of charging stations even along frequently traveled routes. These concerns will continue to make EVs niche vehicles at least for the next few years.”

Complete with updated anniversary open animation and music, the MotorWeek 40th season feature lineup continues with its roster of popular segments including Goss’ Garage, in which Master Technician Pat Goss offers up do-it-yourself car care advice; Lauren Morrison keeps viewers in the know with consumer news and trends in Motor News; daring Over the Edge reporter Greg Carloss turns up the fun with his unique look at the auto world in overdrive; lifestyle reporter Stephanie Hart delivers insights on driving and automotive safety, money-saving advice, and the latest in automotive technology in FYI; Brian Robinson brings his years of motorcycling experience to the Two Wheelin’ segment, reviewing the latest motorcycles on the road; and AutoWorld explores the advancing influence of alternative fuels, electrification, and autonomous driving safety. 

“MotorWeek continues to report the facts that most affect consumers in their wallets,” says Davis. “As always, our reporters help navigate the marketplace and identify genuine trends and best values for drivers and their passengers.”

Through it all, the American car consumer remains in the driver’s seat, armed with MotorWeek’s unbiased evaluations. Season 40 of the series will cover all the new vehicles on any car buyer’s wish list, showcasing the latest technology while measuring each car’s real-world performance, practicality, efficiency, and safety.  From hatchbacks to sport-utility vehicles, exotic performance machines to pickup trucks, MotorWeek’s team of experts buckle into more than 150 vehicles each season. 

Davis says that amid the myriad of highly-anticipated EVs soon to hit our streets, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Cybertruck, and Nissan Ariya, the real standout in 2021 is the return of an old school gasoline-powered off-roader, the reborn Ford Bronco.  Now, a brand within a brand, the new Bronco returns with a three-model lineup aimed squarely at competing with the Jeep brand. 

Safety, Davis notes, continues to be a high priority for both carmakers and consumers.  “With younger buyers putting a higher value on advanced safety systems for their new cars, semi-autonomous driving systems like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are even more in play. Carmakers that make these systems easily affordable stand to increase market share at the expense of those who don’t.”

With some 17 million new vehicles purchased last year, car buying clearly remains a priority with consumers. MotorWeek continues to offer viewers a vicarious experience from behind the driver’s seat as well as from behind the wheel. At the start of its 40th season, MotorWeek will hit the ignition on a broad variety of all-new models including the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Lexus LC 500 Convertible, Lincoln Navigator, Volkswagen Passat, Ford F-150, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Kia K5, plus a bevy of high-performance cars. Despite soft demand, more and more plug-in electric vehicles are also launching, including the MINI Cooper SE and Mercedes EQC.

MotorWeek is produced and distributed by Maryland Public Television and airs on 90 percent of PBS stations nationwide. With the recent addition of St. Louis, the series can now be seen on public TV stations in all of the nation’s top 25 markets. Viewers can find out which stations air MotorWeek by going to the station listings page on motorweek.org.

Winner of dozens of prestigious automotive journalism awards, MotorWeek is also seen on Discovery’s MotorTrend cable channel, and on the V-me Spanish-language network.

MotorWeek is available for every type of video screen and mobile device with up-to-the-minute automotive news, instantaneous driving impressions, and exclusive videos online at motorweek.org.

Full episodes are available at pbs.org/motorweek, and can be streamed through PBS Living on Amazon Prime. Individual roadtests and feature segments are posted daily on MotorWeek’s YouTube Channel, youtube.com/motorweek, now with more than two million views per month. Viewers can also follow MotorWeek on Facebook and Twitter as well as download complete shows on iTunes.

MotorWeek is nationally sponsored by RockAuto.com. 

from MotorWeek Entries https://ift.tt/2OzqaK0 via IFTTT

[completeautoloans]

13 Best Cars for Uber

Uber has grown in the past couple of years to become the number one taxi hailing services all over the world. While clients prefer it for the quality of services offered, the over two million drivers are drawn by the flexibility of working hours and the returns that one can make on a daily basis. Looking to enter into the online  taxi business? Here is a list of the 13 best cars for Uber

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

Kia Soul

Honda CR-V

Lexus ES

Mazda CX-5

Hyundai Ioniq

Subaru Impreza

Chrysler Pacifica

Ford Explorer

Mitsubishi Outlander

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Car for Uber

·Safety

As a driver, your safety and that of the passengers should always come first. That is why it is important to consider the safety levels guaranteed by the car that you choose.

·Operational costs

It’s obvious that if you choose to use a high-end car for Uber, you will incur high operating costs as the car will tend to use up more fuel than a basic vehicle. If you decide to offer premium Uber services, be sure to develop a strategy that enables you to cover the high operational costs.

Suggested reads

Top Ceramic Coating

Top Leather Conditioners for Your Taxi

Ideal Cars for Tall Drivers

·Comfort

As an Uber driver, you are likely to spend the better part of your working days in the car. Choosing a car that will offer you heightened levels of comfort will, therefore, come in handy to ensure that you enjoy your work and offer the best services to your clients.

·Area of Operation

If you plan on conducting your Uber services within a given town or city, getting a small car is recommended as it will consume less fuel as you maneuver through the traffic. However, if you intend to make long-distance travels, a bigger car might be more practical to help you overcome the different terrains that you might experience on the way.

Electric Car Charging Stations

What is the best vehicle for Uber drivers?

The best vehicle for Uber drivers will vary according to the service level that the driver has been assigned. The best vehicles for the different services level include;

Getting  Lease Buyout Financing for Your Car

·UberX

This is the most common Uber service in many places and the restrictions on the car that can enroll for this service is that it should have four doors. You should, however, check with the Uber office in your state as there are other regulations that apply to different states.

·UberXL

One requirement for UberXL vehicles is that they should be able to accommodate more than six passengers. Common vehicles used to provide this service include; Toyota Sienna, Ford Explorer and Mitsubishi Outlander.

·UberSELECT

The best vehicles for drivers operating UberSELECT are; Infinity EX, BMW X3 and Audi A3. For this service level, riders pay less than UberBLACK and the driver also tend to earn little form the money paid. This has made this service to be very scarce in many countries.

·UberBLACK

Just like the UberSUV, UberBLACK cars should be black on the exterior and interior, with a rich taste of leather inside the car. The car should also be registered for hire with the local authorities and the driver’s license and insurance kept up to date at all times. The vehicles recommended for use for UberBLACK include; Lexus ES, Hyundai, BMW 5 & 7 series and Infiniti Q70.

·UberSUV

UberSUV vehicles should be painted black on the outside and also feature a black interior with leather seats. The recommended cars for UberSUV are; Infinity QX, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalate. Any other high-end car can also qualify for UberSUV if it meets the requirements set by Uber.

Does Uber pay more for newer cars?

The question that you should be asking yourself if you intend to join Uber as a driver is not if they pay more for newer cars but which Uber service pays more. Uber has a wide array of services that determine the money you get paid as well as the type of vehicle that you should have. It is pointless to buy a car before considering the various service levels as this will limit your growth and survival of the business. The Uber services available for your choosing include;

UberX

UberXL

UberSELECT

UberBLACK

UberSUV

UberLUX

The cost of operating Uber increases from one service level to the other and so do the returns. Each category has its own set of requirements with the Uber Black, SUV and LUX requiring the use of luxury vehicles for the high-end clients.

Before making the decision on which car to buy for a particular service level, it is important to consider the marketability of the service in your area. Most people go for basic UberX because you are guaranteed to have clients on a daily basis.

It is of great importance to note that when operating a lower service level like UberX, it is impossible for you to serve clients requesting a higher service level like UberSELECT. On the other hand, you can pick up clients of lower service level if you are operating the high-end vehicles. This serves to ensure that no driver goes home empty-handed while there are clients requesting Uber rides. Before buying a new car, consider the level you are comfortable operating at and study the market patterns to ensure that you will be earning as much as you can from Uber in the long run.

Does Uber accept salvage title cars?

The good thing about becoming an Uber driver is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money acquiring a new vehicle as you can use your own car if it meets the prescribed requirements. It is important to know the conditions that can make your vehicle to be rejected by Uber so as to make a self-assessment before approaching Uber. These conditions include;

·Salvaged Titles

Your title is salvaged if your car has ever had a major accident that required it to be repaired using parts taken off from other cars. If your title is salvaged, Uber will not accept your car as it poses a risk to the clients.

·Marked cars

Another reason why your car might be rejected by Uber is the presence of markings on the body of the vehicle. If you intend to enroll your car with Uber, get rid of any marking before you take it for inspection.

·Badly done bodywork

Some mechanics don’t pay attention to the quality of bodywork that they do when repairing a car causing the body of the vehicle to appear uneven. Presence of visible dents on the body of your vehicle might make it fail the inspection conducted on all Uber vehicles before they can commence work. If you know you have a scratch here and there on your car, get it fixed by a qualified mechanic such that it looks as good as new.

·Insurance paperwork

For a car to be accepted into the Uber service, the insurance paperwork needs to be correct. The policy should include the driver’s name among the people being covered in case of an accident. If you give your car to another person to drive it, ensure that they are also listed on the insurance policy as an alternate driver.

Can I drive someone else’s car for Uber?

Yes, you can drive someone else car for Uber. However, there are some requirements that you must ensure are met before using another person’s car. These requirements include;

Car registration by the relevant authority in your state

An up to date insurance cover that includes you and the owner of the car

You must meet the minimum requirements to be an Uber driver which include; clean driving record, be over 21 years old and pass background check among others.

You should consult the Uber offices in your state to know the exact terms and conditions before letting your friend drive your car for Uber as these regulations tend to differ from one state to another.

The insurance company involved should also be involved so as to clarify the scope of its insurance cover. In some states, especially where the policy follows the owner of the car and not the vehicle itself, one will be required to take up another policy. In other cases, you will only be required to add your friend’s name on the list of the people covered by the insurance.

Want to Be an Uber Driver?

Did you know that you can still be an Uber driver even if you don’t own a vehicle? You can approach Uber and they will link you up with one of their many partners. Their cars are already registered in the various states and the insurance policy is set to cover a driver who is not the owner of the car. This option, however, is only viable if you operate in a place with increased traffic. This is because you will be required to pay a fee to uber and this can form a high proportion of your returns.

from Complete Auto Loans http://bit.ly/2QwXr8H via IFTTT

[automotivetransportationresearch]

Robo-Taxi Market Top Players | Industry Report 2030

The report "Robo-Taxi Market by Application (Goods and Passenger), Level of Autonomy (L4 and L5), Vehicle (Car and Shuttle/Van), Service (Rental and Station Based), Propulsion (Electric, Hybrid, and Fuel Cell), Component, and Region - Global Forecast to 2030" The global robo-taxi market is projected to grow from 2,024 units in 2020 to reach 3,830,912 units by 2030, at a CAGR of 112.67%. The growth of the robo-taxi market is influenced by the rising demand for ride-hailing services, high R&D investments, and government focus on reducing emissions, infrastructure development, and growth of the electrification of vehicles.

Browse 44 market data Tables and 57 Figures spread through 135 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Robo-Taxi Market" Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=132098403

Car is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR

The car segment is expected to be the largest and the fastest market. This is due to the testing of robo-taxis more for cars rather than big transport vehicles. Waymo recently became the first company to charge regular people for rides in self-driving “Waymo One”, which though had human backup drivers. Another example is Chrysler, which has ordered thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo. The collaboration will open a new business model for companies developing or working on robo-taxi. Uber placed an order for 24,000 Volvo XC90 SUVs for autonomous ridesharing services to scale its market share in autonomous vehicle. Additionally, the rising demand for shared mobility will also fuel the overall market demand for self-driving cars.

Passenger Transportation is expected to lead the robo-taxi market  

Although, countries worldwide have already started operations for goods transportation, but passenger transportation is estimated to be the fastest and the largest growing market. This is due to the developments, testing, and deployments being more for passenger transportation compared to goods. Companies such as Uber, Lyft, DiDi, and Baidu are the major ride-hailing service providers which will boost the market demand for passenger transportation. Also, most companies are concentrating on Mobility As A Service (MAAS). For instance, the venture by e.GO Mobile AG and ZF Friedrichshafen planned to start series production of e.GO People Mover by the end of 2019 in Germany. This vehicle will be deployed as robo-taxis by transportation operator Transdev in Germany. Oxbotica, an autonomous vehicle software company and Addison Lee, a London-based private hire taxi company, partnered to launch self-driving taxis by 2021.

Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=132098403

Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market during the forecast period

The Asia Pacific market is the largest because of the growth in China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Rising emission concerns, increasing shared mobility, focus on public transport, and high technological development in the region are driving the robo-taxi market in Asia Pacific. Companies such as DiDi, Aptiv, Baidu, Nissan, ZMP, and Hyundai are the major players present in the region. The growth is also driven by the developments in Singapore, South Korea, China, and Japan. For instance, Singapore was the first country to test robo-taxis in 2016 publicly. nuTonomy started testing robo-taxis with Renault Zoes and Mitsubishi i-MiEv vehicle. South Korean auto giant Hyundai has partnered with the US startup Aurora Tech to develop robo-taxis in South Korea. Hyundai is expected to test the service by 2021. The company will deploy fuel cell electric vehicle Nexo and compact SUV Kona electric in Sejong for driverless taxi service. The vehicles would have level 4 automation.

The self-driving taxi manufacturers include Waymo LLC (US), Aptiv (Ireland), GM Cruise (US), Ridecell, Inc (US), Uber Technologies Inc. (US), NAVYA (France), and EasyMile (France).

Don’t miss out on business opportunities in Robo-Taxi Market. Speak to our analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow.

About MarketsandMarkets™

MarketsandMarkets™ provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies’ revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets™ for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

[newlaptopreviews]

Why I bought Honda's plug-in hybrid mystery car

At Christmastime, in the noble tradition of proud parents everywhere, I unloaded — I mean, generously donated — my 2009 Honda Fit to my college-student son.

That gesture wasn’t pure, heart-warming nobility; I wanted a new car. Specifically, an electric car.

I don’t know if you’re aware of how juicy the deals are on these things. Obviously, the main reason you’d get one is because they’re much better for the environment. (Yes, they run on electricity, which still requires burning some fossil fuels to generate — but the impact of electric cars is drastically lower than gas cars.)

But even if you don’t care about being green, an EV (electric vehicle) still get you all of this:

A tax credit from the Federal government. That’s not a tax deduction, which lowers your income before you calculate the tax. It’s a tax credit, which is money in your pocket after taxes. Depending on the car’s electric range, it’s up to $7,500.

Money back from the state. Forty-five states currently offer juicy EV incentives, usually cash. I live in Connecticut, where it’s $2,000. Nothing to do with taxes — it’s just a check they send you.

You save tons of gas money. Electric-car owners never, ever pay for gas.

Special parking places. My Connecticut town is more progressive than most, but it’s got dedicated electric-car parking spaces at the grocery, library, train stations, town hall, and so on. They’re right next to the handicap spaces, and each one has a charging station. Free electricity while you’re shopping!

Drive alone in the carpool lane. Many states welcome EVs to the carpool (HOV) lane.

The brakes last, like, forever. When you brake, magnets capture your momentum and use it to recharge the battery, saving the brake pads.

They ZOOM! An electric car has incredible torque (translation: instant acceleration). They are fun!

They’re silent. There’s no engine noise, obviously. You hear only a faint hum/whine when you put the pedal down. Your music sounds that much better.

Owning a plug-in means remembering to plug in.

Of course, we all know why more people aren’t buying electric cars: range anxiety. Unless you’ve got something like a Tesla or a Chevy Volt (over 200 miles on a charge), you’re limited in the drives you can take. And it’s not like you can pull into a station and refuel in five minutes. You have to plan your life around charging stops: lunch, overnight stays. It’s a hassle.

But here’s the point of this article: There is a way to get all the advantages of electric without the range anxiety: plug-in hybrids. (Geeks call them PHEVs, for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Man, they really need a catchier name.)

A plug-in hybrid is electric with a gas-engine backup. Once the big battery’s dead, the car becomes a regular hybrid, like a Prius or whatever. Amazingly, the gods of legislation have determined that these cars are entitled to all the same goodies that pure electrics are.

In a plug-in hybrid, you have two “fuel gauges” one each for battery charge (left) and gas level (right).

You can plug in one of these cars into a standard power outlet in your garage, as you would a lamp or something; it charges overnight. Or you can install a 240-volt outlet, like the one for a refrigerator; the car charges in a couple of hours. (Handily enough, public charging stations are 240V, too.)

There are lots of plug-in hybrid models. As a handy benefit, most of them are loaded with the latest autonomous safety features:

Lane keeping. If you start to drift out of the lane without your blinker on, the car warns you and guides you back into the lane.

Collision avoidance. If you’re coming too fast toward a slowing car ahead, the car warns you and actually brakes for you to avoid a collision.

Adaptive cruise control. You set a speed you want to maintain — let’s say 65 mph. At that point, the car speeds up and slows down (even stopping, if necessary) as necessary to avoid hitting the car in front of you. A button on the wheel controls how many car lengths you want your car to hang back.

Self-parking. Well, sort of: The car turns the wheel for you, but you still have to manage the shift lever and gas/brake pedals.

Here’s the journal of my quest to buy the perfect plug-in hybrid family car — and why we wound up buying an obscure, no-name Honda in the end.

Prius Prime

My wife and I started with a test drive at the local Toyota dealership. Our other car is a Prius, which we’ve always loved. (If the Tesla 3 I ordered two years ago ever shows up, we’ll sell the Prius.)

Anyway, we liked the looks of the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid. OK, we didn’t actually like the looks, but — you know.

The Prius Prime has a distinctive, polarizing look.

Here’s what we loved about this car:

The price. The base model is $27,100. The Federal tax credit is $4,500 for this model. With the Connecticut kick-in, my final price would be $20,600.

The hybrid MPG. You go 25 miles on pure electric; after that, the hybrid (gas-and-electric) mode gets an amazing 55 miles a gallon. Total range is 640 miles on one gas tank, which is extraordinary.

The wireless phone charger. If you have a recent iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, for example, you can just set it down in the center console — it instantly starts to charge, magnetically.

Why don’t all cars have Qi wireless phone charging pads built-in?

Cool smart stuff. Lane-departure warning, front-collision braking, and automatic high beams are all included in the base model.

The heads-up display. Just as on a fighter jet, the Prime can project important stats in space in front of the driver — your charge status, speed, current speed limit. It seems to hover a few feet in front of the windshield.

Here’s what we didn’t love:

It’s a four-seater. My wife and I have a blended family with, on and off, five kids. We’d really miss a fifth seat.

The trunk is the size of a subatomic particle. The batteries in this baby take up most of what would have been the trunk. We sometimes have to drive to our kids’ colleges in Massachusetts and Vermont, loaded up with stuff. That wasn’t gonna work.

25-mile electric range. That’s really not a lot. Would 25 miles cover your commute both ways? Remember that cold weather can cut your battery capacity in half.

All touchscreen. No volume knob at all. Auuugh! And no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

As on a Tesla, most of the Prius Prime’s controls have been moved to a touchscreen, meaning you have to take your eyes off the road to use them.

The ride. Man, this car hates rough pavement. It’s a bumpy ride. Also, as Car & Driver puts it, this is no sports car. “You buy this car to pass gas stations, not other vehicles.”

The good stuff costs. The heads-up display, phone charger, self-parking, and blind-spot monitor stuff are available only on the higher-end models, which erase a lot of the price advantage.

Chevy Volt

Man, if you want electric range (and you do), it’s hard to beat the Chevy Volt. This baby goes 53 miles on pure electric, more than any other PHEV. For a lot of people, especially commuters, that should cover it most of the time. (It’s easy to confuse this car with the Chevy Bolt, which is all electric — 238 miles of range, no gas hybrid mode.)

We took a test drive, and concluded that we loved these things about the 2018 Volt:

53-mile pure electric range. Of course, that also means it takes longer to charge fully: 13 hours on 120V, and 4.5 on 240V.

Super fun to drive. It’s a great ride.

It looks amazing. It’s a great-looking car.

The Chevy Volt looks awesome, even in a dealership parking lot in winter.

There’s also, unfortunately, quite a bit not to like:

It’s another four-seater. Chevy says it seats five, but that’s hilarious. You’d fit in the back middle seat only if you were a Barbie doll. Even the two actual rear seats are super-cramped; at 6 feet 2 inches, my head was mashed firmly against the roof.

The Chevy Volt’s back seat isn’t made for tall people.

It’s claustrophobic. Visibility is not good from the driver’s position.

It’s pricey. The base price is $34,100 — that’s $7,000 more than the Prius Prime. If you want the self-driving stuff (lane keeping, forward collision avoidance, self parking), the grand total is $40,000! Yeah, the tax credits and refunds will help, but… wow. This is a subcompact car.

The marketplace

We sat down that night to look at our other options. There’s a huge range of plug-in hybrids available; here’s a sample, showing base price and electric range. Notice anything in common with their all-electric ranges?

Audi A3 eTron: $37,900, 16 miles

BMW 330e: $44,100, 14 miles

Chrysler Pacifica (minivan!!): $42,000, 33 miles

Ford C-Max Energi SE: $27,120, 20 miles

Ford Fusion Energi: $31,100, 22 miles

Hyundai Sonata PHEV: $34,600, 27 miles

Hyundai Ioniq PHEV: $25,000, 29 miles

Kia Optima PHEV: $35,210, 29 miles

MiniCooper S E Countryman: $36,800, 18 miles

Volvo XC90 (SUV): $67,800, 14 miles

Those are puny ranges! What’s the point of a plug-in when you can drive only 9 miles in cold weather?

The Honda Clarity

In late December, we were just about to pull the trigger on the Chevy Volt when my wife suggested one final Google search. And incredibly, something popped up that I hadn’t seen before: Something called the Honda Clarity.

The Honda Clarity’s front half looks better than the back half.

It seemed to have everything we wanted: Room for five adults, full-sized trunk, all the cool autonomous features included in the base model, and 47 miles of electric range! That would make it the No. 2 longest-range plug-in hybrid on the market — and the only midsize, five-adult car with that kind of range.

I found that bizarre, and I still do. Why does the industry think nobody wants a family car with great electric range?

The weird thing is that this car was a total mystery. There was nothing about it online. No reviews —only a few blogger descriptions of a test-driving event Honda staged last fall. The local dealers didn’t know anything about it. There were no ads or marketing of any kind.

(Part of the confusion, no doubt, is that there are two other Honda Clarities: One’s pure electric, and one runs on hydrogen!)

We found a dealer an hour away with one Clarity in stock, and took it for a test drive. The car was an utter mystery to our salesman. He told us, for example, that the car is three feet longer than the Chevy Volt (it’s actually one foot longer), and that it takes 19 hours to charge (it actually takes 12, or 2.5 hours with a 240V outlet). He had no idea how to turn on the autonomous features. And the car hadn’t been charged, so we had to take our test drive on gas (42 mpg).

Here’s what we loved:

The ride. Maybe it’s because this is a midsize, and most of the others are compacts — but man, what a glorious ride. It floats like a magic carpet, except that you still have a great feeling of the road. And it’s soquiet on electric! Combine that with the zoomy acceleration from a stop (232 foot-pounds of torque, if you’re scoring at home), and you’ve got a really fun car to drive.

The space. Our kids have never known anything but compact cars. They could not believe the headroom and legroom when they climbed in.

Nobody will complain of being crowded in the Honda’s back seat.

The trunk. It’s really big. But it’s weirdly shaped. It has a secondary sub-trunk, accessed with a trapdoor, and when the seats are folded down, the pass-through hole to the front is bizarrely shaped. But yeah — plenty of suitcases.

The Honda’s trunk is vast and deep, if weirdly shaped.

Adaptive cruise control. Unlike most cars with this feature, the Clarity’s adaptive cruise works even at low speeds, like in stop-and-go suburban traffic. It works really well. I use it a lot.

Blind-spot screen. When you turn on the right turn signal, the dashboard screen becomes a closed-circuit TV, showing you your right-side rear view. No more blind spot! (There’s nothing equivalent when you turn left, alas.)

Cup-holder cup holders. Each cup holder has two flip-out tabs to accommodate taller or narrower cups and bottles. A clever touch.

The Honda’s cup holders have flip-out tabs.

Auto-lock and unlock. The car unlocks itself as you approach (with the key fob on you), and can also auto-lock once you’re 15 feet away.

Phone pockets in the back. Such a little thing, but so great: A place to hold the back-seaters’ phones to get them out of the way.

A place to hold your phone while it’s charging.

Smart fob. You get two key fobs with the car, labeled Driver 1 and Driver 2. As you approach the car, it unlocks automatically, of course — but it also moves the driver’s seat into your preferred position and angle automatically, as memorized by your fob. (The fob should also adjust the rear-view and side mirrors, temperature, and radio stations for each driver, too. Well, someday.)

That wide button pops open the electric charging socket; the fan button warms up (or cools down) the car before you get in it.

Bio–plastics. The fabric surfaces inside are made of plants, not petroleum; on the high-end model, the dash is covered by suede, which looks and feels cool and is made of recycled material.

LED lights. All the lights — front, rear, turn signals — are LEDs, and they look awesome.

All the lights are LED and cool-looking.

All the goodies. So much stuff is included in the base model ($33,400)! Lane-keeping, front-collision auto-braking, adaptive cruise control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen that’s not horrible. (There’s no volume knob, but a physical volume control is on the steering wheel.) Automatic high-beam dimming. Automatic rear-view-mirror dimming at night. Side-mirror heating, front-seat heating.

The Clarity’s drive shifter is electronic—buttons, not a shift stalk—which makes it clearer when you’re putting it in reverse.

The price. At $33,400, the Clarity is pricier than the Prius Prime ($27,100), but it definitely beats the much smaller Chevy Volt, comparably equipped ($40,000). The Clarity also earns the full $7,500 back from the government, plus, in my case, $2,000 back from the state of Connecticut. My final price would be $23,900.

The Touring model ($36,600) adds eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather seats, a built-in navigation system, and remote-control heating/cooling (you hit a button on the fob while you’re finishing breakfast).

We quickly found a few things we didn’t like, too:

It’s kind of ugly in back. The car looks great from the front, but the back end strikes us as weird/ugly. Some of that comes from aerodynamics: The back wheels are partly covered, for example; the bottom of the car is completely enclosed and flat; and funny little wind intake holes are tucked in the grille and in front of the rear wheel.

Lane assistance barely works. When the Clarity starts to creep out of the lane, it’s supposed to alert you (by vibrating the wheel and flashing a warning) and auto-steer gently back into the lane. It works amazingly well — when it works. But it doesn’t kick in until you’re going over 45 mph, and even then, it doesn’t seem to notice when it’s creeping over a yellow center line.

Occasional engine noise. When the gas has to kick in, it can be loud, and out of proportion to the accelerator position.

The paddles. Behind either side of the steering wheel, your fingers easily reach two paddles. They govern regenerative coasting, in four levels. That is, tug the left paddle four times, and your car reallyslows down during coasting (to recharge the battery more); tug the right one to lighten up. That setting resets to 0 when you next use the accelerator, though. Honda told me that “this feature can be especially useful as you drive downhill,” but using the brake also recharges the battery, so… why?

No self parking. Oh well.

No USB in back. There’s a cigarette-lighter charger in the back for the kids’ phones — but why on earth no USB jacks?

The name Clarity. My wife thinks it sounds like an antihistamine.

The biggest adjustment we had to make was accepting that the Clarity is a midsize car. Obviously, that’s why we get such great interior space, but it also means a wider turning radius and tighter parking. Mainly, my wife and I both grew up thinking that bigger cars equals worse bad fuel economy. It’s a mind-fuddler to realize that this is our green car!

So guess what? We bought it.

My first time parking the Clarity at an “EV CARS ONLY” spot!

Two months in

All of that happened the first week of January. I’m happy to report that some reviews for the Clarity are finally starting to appear online (spoiler: they like it too), and Honda Inc. is starting to do some marketing and dealer training, too. I guess we were just geniuses, buying this car before the world knew it was great.

The good news is that owning a plug-in hybrid is exactly what it’s cracked up to be: Super fun to drive, instant acceleration, and NO GAS STATIONS. We come home, we plug in the cable, we never use gas. We drive it every day, and we’ve refilled the gas tank once in two months (I had to drive to JFK airport in freezing weather).

We charge the car from an ordinary 3-prong wall outlet on the garage.

The dealers I interviewed for the video above all say that consumers aren’t jumping on PHEVs the way you’d expect. It’s because people don’t know about plug-in hybrids, or don’t understand them, or don’t like change.

Well, if that’s you, change your mind; you’re crazy not to look into this category. Who doesn’t like saving money and getting a zippier car?

All three dealers also said I should have leased the car instead of buying it, because technology is moving along so quickly, this car will seem out of date in a few years. Of course, that’s what a dealer would say, right? But it’s something to consider.

Then again, if it gets to the point where I can’t stand having an ancient 2018 car, I won’t be stuck with it. I’ve got three more kids who will one day head off to college.

David Pogue, tech columnist for Yahoo Finance, welcomes non-toxic comments in the Comments below. On the Web, he’s davidpogue.com. On Twitter, he’s @pogue. On email, he’s poguester@yahoo.com. You can sign up to get his stuff by email, here.  

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2018-03-09 00 TECH now

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