Hyundai i10 Electric

Hyundai - the Korean auto giant is set to make public the electric version of its compact car 'i10'. The announcement would be made at the upcoming Auto Expo to be held in Delhi. Hyundai will also display the existing range of products and vehicles with a futuristic technology at the event which begins January 5.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd states "Hyundai i10 Electric is a zero-emission vehicle that reconciles motoring with the environmental aspirations of customers looking for a vehicle with the best possible ecological footprint." It also added "Hyundai Motor India's pavilion will also display its futuristic technology in the form of concept vehicles to highlight the superior and advanced technology that the company has pioneered."

Previously, in 2007, Hyundai had launched the Hyundai i10 with internal combustion engine in 2007.At present, HMIL is the country's largest car exporter and the second largest car manufacturer with a line up of alternate fuel technology in vehicles like the CNG and LPG versions of its small car Hyundai Santro. This would be followed with its sedan Accent and small car Hyundai i10.

2011 electric car incentive details released (UK)

The first details of 2011’s £5k electric car allowance have been released by the Government. Subject to approval from the European Commission, the grant will be available from January 2011 and will fund 25% of the purchase price of a new electric car – up to a maximum of £5,000.

The contribution will be available for fully electric cars, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 2011 Nissan Leaf, plug-in electric hybrids such as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera and hydrogen fuel-cell cars like the Honda FCV.

Anyone wanting to claim the grant, will have to buy a car that meets the following criteria:

• It must be a car – not quad bike-based vehicles such as the G-Wiz.

• Emit a maximum of 75g/km of CO2 if it's a plug-in hybrid

• Have a minimum range of 70 miles as an electric-only vehicle

• Have a minimum battery-powered range of 10 miles if a plug-in hybrid

• Have a three-year or 75,000-mile warranty

• Have a three-year warranty on the battery or a five-year warranty if requested by the customer (presumably at extra cost, although this has not been clarified)

• It must retain ‘a reasonable degree of performance after a three-year period of normal use’. Further definition of this is not given.

As with the scrappage scheme, the discount will be applied at the point of sale, so car buyers won’t have to pay the full amount first and then claim the money back. There is no limit to the number of cars you can buy to receive the cash, and the scheme is open to both private individuals and companies.

A total of £230 million is being put aside by the Government, which is enough for at least 46,000 cars. The scheme will run to 31st March 2014 at the latest and be reviewed after 12 months.

Every manufacturer is looking at electric cars, hybrids and fuel cells, either through in-house development or by collaborating with other companies. Here are some of the cars already here – or in advanced stages of development.

Electric cars need steel bodies

The next generation of electric cars will need specifically designed steel bodies to exploit their green potential, according to the world’s biggest steel makers.

A new research project, the Future Steel Vehicle (FSV), is testing redesigned structural parts in an electric car’s bodywork, including the sills, front crash structure, roof and battery carrier, to cut weight and save energy.

Engineers are also weighing up a variety of steels to balance their strength in an EV body against the energy used in its manufacture. This will reduce the whole-life energy costs of an EV.

Previous steel industry projects have advanced the design of lightweight steel car bodies, doors and suspensions.

Electric Car Zone