The equivalent of the AA in the US, announced yesterday that a significant milestone has now been reached, there are now more electric cars on the road than there are petrol stations in the US. This watershed has always been seen as the point in time when people really will take the electric market seriously
Whilst electric cars are getting all the headlines, Mercedes-Benz have been showing off their E Class powered by natural gas. In fact, the new E200 Natural Gas Drive, will run on either petrol or natural gas and is very close to launch in Germany. Natural GAS is being found worldwide at twice the rate that oil is and alternative supplies such as shale gas will increase supplies further. The 121 litre tank of gas is pressurised for storage in three separate tanks, split to keep some boot space. Running on gas, the car emits just 116 g/km, giving it a coveted eco label in Europe. Mercedes-Benz will target business users with the car, a driver covering 12,000 miles per annum will save £1000 per annum in fuel cost
Worldwide, news about the possible demise of Tesla has been “the” electric car news, then BMW comes along and takes that prize with the launch of the i3. Reviews have sited the car as BMW quality through and through and BMW lovers will be glad to know that it maintains rear wheel drive. Autocar have driven the i3 and rated it highly, with a 7 second time to 60 and less that 4 seconds to 40 mph, its figures are similar to a Mini Cooper S. The BMW quoted 80-100 mile range has an option of an additional 80 miles, both of which need reality to be bourne out, but anything close to those figures will make this a really useable electric car. As a city car, the i3 will really hit the sweet spot, with no charges for emissions and fabulous running costs