It's time for another edition of Electro Beat; where we find the latest EV news so you don't have to!
This month we give you the rundown on:
The brand new organisation ‘Electric Vehicles UK’ that aims to break through EV misconceptions.
A new ultra-fast bulletproof EV
The latest battery technology that could mean super-cheap EVs are on the horizon!
And so much more!
Let's get plugged in...
In early September, it was announced that Octopus Electric Vehicles (OEV) - a leasing service based in London - partnered with the Fully Charged Show - a news show, covering all things electric - to launch a new organisation called ‘Electric Vehicles UK’.
The event was held at Octopus HQ in central London, surrounded by pink in true Octopus fashion👇
Founder of Octopus Energy Group, Greg Jackson, was at the launch event. He urged the industry to help drivers discover the advantages of EVs.
There are plenty of misconceptions about EVs, but OEV and the Fully Charged Show are determined to prove the advantages of EV ownership. Dan Caesar, the Interim CEO for Electric Vehicles UK, had plenty of stats and statements ready to demonstrate the disconnection between the perception of EVs vs the reality:
For example, 9 out of 10 battery EV drivers won’t go back to combustion engine vehicles, plus on top of this, according to Octopus surveys, 96% of EV owners plan to buy another electric vehicle!
Despite current EV owner’s commitment to electric vehicles helping prove EV misconceptions wrong, only under 50% of ICE drivers are considering making the switch. This is where Electric Vehicles UK comes in!
With two EV giants taking the reins of this organisation, those considering the switch can go to a trusted organisation to easily receive factual electric vehicle information and bypass misleading headlines. As stated by Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles:
"[Electric Vehicles UK will] enable the industry to better communicate the benefits of electric car ownership.”
In summary, Electric Vehicles UK is here to educate consumers on the truths around electric vehicles and the benefits they provide, whether that’s to the environment or the consumer!
Okay, so maybe this EV isn’t for the everyman… affordability and practicality are just the start, but we love a fun feature and are sure you do too! Who knows what the future holds for our cars, does it look like this?
This is the modified Lucid Air Sapphire.
Well, this 👆is the Lucid Air Sapphire original - to our knowledge, its modified twin is yet to have had any photographs released.
Be ready for anything with this EV, you won’t need any self-defence classes when your EV has you covered! With electro-shock handles to stop unwanted visitors getting in and pepper spray dispensers spraying out of your wing mirrors, leaving your enemies stunned (and potentially blinded…), you’ll be prepared for any threats or attacks you may face on your daily commute.
These features aren’t the only exciting reasons to invest that £362k you have lying around. US Armor Group - the advanced defence technology company that transformed the electric sedan - claim this is the world's fastest bulletproof vehicle, reaching speeds of over 200mph! So there’ll be no need to press the pepper spray button to defend yourself when you’re already in the wind!
In all seriousness, the US Armour Group has suggested that these vehicles could be for “heads of state, high-profile executives, and individuals requiring top-tier protection.” With an “impenetrable” wifi system inside and poison gas detection systems, this advanced EV is designed to withstand extreme conditions and modern-day security concerns. Perhaps not for the everyman but certainly still a cool piece of technology!
A multi-institutional research team, led by Georgia Tech's Hailong Chen, has developed a low-cost cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that could significantly impact the electric vehicle (EV) market and large-scale energy storage. The new material, iron chloride (FeCl3), costs just 1-2% of traditional cathode materials yet delivers the same performance.
This innovation could reduce the cost of LIBs, which currently make up about 50% of an EV's price, making EVs cheaper than traditional vehicles.
The team's breakthrough involves creating an all-solid-state LIB, which uses solid electrolytes for improved safety, efficiency, and energy capacity compared to conventional LIBs with liquid electrolytes. This development could also enhance the sustainability and stability of EV supply chains by eliminating the need for materials like cobalt and nickel.
How long until this technology hits the mainstream? Not as long as you might think! Chen’s team believes their technology could be commercially viable within five years, potentially revolutionising both the EV industry and large-scale energy storage.
Lyft has joined forces with Smartcar and has recently introduced the new “Rides in Range” feature, designed to make life easier for its electric vehicle drivers. This handy tool ensures that drivers only receive ride requests that fit within their current battery range—plus a 20-mile buffer for good measure, just in case the route gets a little extra energy-hungry!
Range anxiety has been a noted concern for EV drivers, especially in the gig economy. No one wants to run out of juice mid-trip or scramble to find a charger. But now, thanks to Smartcar’s real-time battery tracking, drivers can accept rides with confidence, knowing they won’t be left stranded. If their battery level dips below 20%, they’ll even get a reminder to top up after their current trip.
Lyft product manager Ciara Chow stated:
At Lyft, we’re all about making life easier for drivers on our platform, and we know that range anxiety is a big deal for those with electric vehicles. That’s why we’re so excited about our new ‘Rides in Range’ feature, thanks to our partnership with Smartcar. Now, our drivers can take on rides without constantly worrying about their battery levels. It’s a game changer that helps them focus on what they do best – providing great rides for people who need them.
Lyft’s partnership with Smartcar is just the latest move in its mission to support EV adoption. From charging discounts with Electrify America to new incentives for drivers to go electric, Lyft is making the switch to EVs smoother and more rewarding. With “Rides in Range,” EV drivers can focus on what really matters—giving great rides and boosting their ratings—without thinking about their EV battery levels.
Electric cars are taking over in Norway! In September, a record 96.4% of all new cars registered were purely electric, bringing the country closer to its 2025 goal of 100% EV registrations. With 12,495 new EVs, the previous record from August (94.3%) didn't last long. Out of 12,966 total new cars, just 471 weren't electric.
The Norwegian road authority, OFV, credits this jump to economic recovery and a big Tesla shipment. Despite new taxes and changing rules for EVs, electric cars are still flying off the lots.
Compared to September 2023, there’s been a 25.4% increase in EV registrations. Only 48 petrol cars and 135 diesel models were sold, with hybrids and fuel cell vehicles barely registering. As OFV’s Øyvind Solberg Thorsen puts it, “It’ll be fascinating to see what happens over the next three months” as Norway closes in on its EV goals.
Norway aims to hit 100 per cent EV registrations by 2025.
Maxus, the sibling brand of MG, has revealed a new four-wheel drive, electric, pick-up truck! Named the eTerron 9, this new EV will be perfect for any workman or road tripper who needs maximum load space - so start planning what you’d use that space for now!
Before this, the UK had only seen the Maxus T90EV, the UK’s first ever electric pick-up. The T90EV, however, is rear-driven only whilst the eTerron 9 utilises four-wheel drive for the ultimate four by four experience. The new eTerron 9 also has a longer rear bed, with 2.4 metres (7.87ft) worth of space!
Some other exciting features in the eTerron 9:
Reclining seats in the front go almost horizontal, making that roadside camping dream in Europe a reality!
The driver seat also has a massage function - time to get really comfortable.
For those concerned about the height of the bed, there’s an Easy Load mode which lowers the suspension and makes it… easier to load!
With the help of some snazzy bi-directional charging tech, there are also plenty of sockets spread around the vehicle (in the front boot and bed!) so your phone and other devices will stay eternally juiced up.
With a range of 267 miles, and charging from 20-80% taking around 40 minutes (depending on the charger), this EV is available to order from October and deliveries will commence in January 2025!
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