JLR is recruiting 250 electrical engineers to work on a bunch of recent EVs arriving by 2030, beginning with the electric Range Rover later this yr.
These new positions be part of an already introduced new 300 technician roles, all funded by JLR’s £15bn Reimagine technique fund, created to transition the agency into the electrical period.
Based throughout its Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Future Energy Lab, 40 of the roles will give attention to {the electrical} structure and battery applied sciences which are pivotal to those next-generation EVs.
This contains engaged on superior power storage techniques, battery cell design, cell stack assemblies and software program techniques.
This space specifically will futureproof the corporate, mentioned cell design supervisor Freddy Gunnarsson, providing house owners “unique driving and charging experiences expected of modern luxury vehicles”.
“This is an exciting opportunity for battery chemistry experts to help define the next generation of electrical powertrains,” he added.
The remaining new positions cowl propulsion, the mixing of high-voltage structure, electrical system element design and the event of fast-charging tech.
“The realisation of our Reimagine technique relies on our funding in folks and expertise,” mentioned Thomas Müller, government director of product engineering.
“As we proceed to spend money on our services, we are actually searching for very proficient folks to assist us develop developments in propulsion expertise that can underpin our next-generation trendy luxurious automobiles.”
These roles be part of 300 already introduced roles, 100 of which shall be upkeep technicians taking care of 700 robots at JLR’s new £130 million automated physique manufacturing facility in Solihull.
The new physique store will improve Range Rover and Range Rover Sport manufacturing by 30%.
These 100 technicians may also be educated to work on a brand new £70m physique manufacturing system that shall be used to assist construct the brand new electrical Range Rover.
Future-looking would be the focus of the opposite 200 new recruits – a mixture of technicians and take a look at engineers. Based on the Gaydon engineering centre and Whitley powertrain facility, they are going to work on testing and growing next-generation EVs.
Many campsites have electrical outlets for camper van adventurers. However, sometimes you might be off the grid for a while and need a backup power source, especially if you rely on an internet connection and a laptop for work.
Modern technology offers solutions like generators, heavy-duty power banks, and solar panels to provide power when it’s not available. Some of the best options combine different power-generating technologies, giving you a large power reserve and the ability to top them up for more power while they’re not in use.
There are various options available, but they differ in price and function. If you have the budget for it, you might want to consider a multipurpose generator like the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus, which costs $3,299 in the dual solar panel configuration on Amazon. This generator has ample storage when fully charged and provides 3,000 watts of energy to power heavy load appliances both inside and outside your camper van.
The Jackery Solar Generator has a shock-resistant and fire-retardant design, operates quietly, and fully charges in about two hours using a wall outlet. It includes universal outlets, heavy-duty outlet, USB-C ports, and USB-A connections for smaller devices. Notably, it also comes with two large solar panels for trickle charging its reserves when disconnected from a power source.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been facing negative publicity due to instances of electrical fires in garages and after accidents, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of mining rare-earth metals for EV batteries.
The safety issues with lithium-ion batteries catching fire during charging or transport are primarily associated with batteries that have been physically damaged. However, these incidents have left a lasting impression on potential buyers, with images of burnt Teslas and smoking cargo ships influencing their perceptions. Additionally, changes to the federal EV tax credit will reduce the financial incentives for purchasing EVs in the future, further dampening interest in these vehicles.
The decline in consumer enthusiasm for EVs has prompted some manufacturers to delay their EV rollout plans. For example, Tesla’s Cybertruck, initially unveiled in 2019, has faced multiple production delays, with customers now having to wait until at least 2024 to get their hands on the futuristic, supposedly bulletproof EV. General Motors has also adjusted its EV production timeline, delaying the conversion of its Orion plant to EV production from next year to 2025.
A GM spokesperson, Kevin Kelley, mentioned to the Detroit Free Press that the decision to postpone the plant conversion was influenced by the decreasing customer interest in EVs, stating, “We’re looking at EV demand, and the trendline for EVs is stabilizing. It is not rising as fast as originally forecasted.” This shift in customer interest has had a significant impact on automakers’ EV plans.
A hybrid car is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electrical motors to increase the output, fuel efficiency, and torque. Certain models rely more on the electrical motor, others prioritize the gas-powered engine, with the rest combining the performance of both. Hybrid cars, such as the ToyotaPrius, often utilize features such as regenerative braking to help reclaim some of the power drained throughout the drive.
Other hybrid cars (plug-in hybrids or PHEVs) allow for external charging sources to be used such as wall outlet chargers or quick-chargers that are often seen at refueling stations. These hybrid cars feature a larger hybrid battery which allows you to drive significantly longer without the need of assistance from the gasoline-powered engine. Hybrid cars and PHEV hybrids have been drastically improving over the years, causing their popularity to skyrocket. While the majority of hybrid cars available to you boast incredible fuel efficiency and range, there are certainly some models to think twice about, due to the fuel efficiency being more similar to that of a non-hybrid car.
Utilizing information from Edmunds, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 least fuel-efficient hybrid cars.
Ford introduced its fusion hybrid with the 2010 model lineup, starting out with an MPG of 39. This number eventually rose to 42 with the next generation of Fusion Hybrids, giving it a gain of only a few miles per gallon more than the most fuel-efficient conventional gasoline-powered vehicles on the market.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Output
188 HP, 129 pound-feet
Transmission
CVT automatic
Range
594 miles
A plug-in hybrid version of this car was produced, named the Ford Fusion Energi. This car featured the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the Fusion Hybrid, paired with one electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. The Fusion Energi has a combined horsepower of 195 with a fully charged battery. You can expect an all-electric range of 22 miles and a combined range of 550 miles from the Energi.
9Ford C-MAX Hybrid
40 Combined MPG
While featuring a spacious and comfortable interior, the C-MAX Hybrid shares a con with the Fusion Hybrid in that it offers a low MPG rating when compared to other hybrids on the market. At 40 combined MPG, you can find cheaper, standard gasoline-powered cars that offer very similar fuel efficiency such as the 1.2-liter three-cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Output
188 HP, 129 pound-feet
Transmission
CVT automatic
Range
567 miles
The C-MAX Hybrid is front-wheel drive and features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a battery pack and two electric motors. The C-MAX is based on the Ford Focus platform, meaning it shares many of the same handling characteristics as the Focus. This car is a bit quicker than its hybrid competitors with a 0 to 60 MPH of 7 seconds, while its fuel efficiency falls behind.
The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a front-wheel drive, four-door sedan that seats five. It has great features that come standard such as Blind-Spot Alert and Enhanced Active Park Assist. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with the electric motor makes 188 horsepower, while only getting 40 miles to the gallon. Ford has ceased production on many of their sedans, making this car slightly more viable – although the rated MPG can easily be beaten by other hybrid cars.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Output
188 HP, 129 pound-feet
Transmission
CVT automatic
Range
567 miles
Being that this car is a Lincoln, you can expect a luxurious interior, with a backup camera added for your and others’ safety. However, similar to the Ford Fusion Hybrid or C-MAX Hybrid, the MKZ Hybrid has many decent features, while lacking in the category that you’re typically concerned with when driving a hybrid – fuel efficiency.
7Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
35 Combined MPG
Subaru
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with a full-electric range of 17 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid uses a flat four-cylinder engine paired with the hybrid system, making 148 horsepower. The higher ground clearance and all-wheel drive system allow for more off-road potential, while the plug-in capabilities allow you to recharge the electric system in around two hours on a 240V charger.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
Output
148 HP
Transmission
CVT automatic
Range
468 miles
While this car has many great features similar to other Subaru cars such as the spacious interior, the modern assistance systems, and infotainment systems, it follows the same trend as the rest of the cars on the list, which is the fuel efficiency being less than ideal for a hybrid. The price is also a bit higher than you’ll see when compared to other hybrids. With this being said, there are not many other hybrid cars available to you that also focus on off-road capabilities.
Unlike most of the other cars listed, the 2008 to 2010 Chevy Malibu hybrid is a mild hybrid, meaning the hybrid system is not able to move the car on its own (not after three MPH at least). The Malibu Hybrid features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that has 164 horsepower. It features an electric motor, whose main purpose is to start the gasoline engine as well as provide a small boost in power under heavy load conditions. Compared to the standard gasoline-powered Malibu, you’ll only gain a few extra miles per gallon.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Output
164 HP, 159 pound-feet
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Range
480 miles
With a 0 to 60 of 11 seconds, the Malibu Hybrid doesn’t excel in acceleration either, being slower than the Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids. One good feature of this car, however, is the interior. The Chevy Malibu Hybrid has a spacious interior with two different color options to choose from on the inside of the car. The trunk is not obstructed by batteries, giving you a nice amount of storage room.
5Saturn Aura Hybrid
26 Combined MPG
The Saturn Aura Hybrid shares the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Chevy Malibu Hybrid. It also features the same powertrain as the Malibu Hybrid, having a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine boosted by a small electric motor. This improves fuel efficiency by four MPG in the city and one MPG on the highway when compared to the standard 2.4-liter non-hybrid Aura.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Output
164 HP, 159 pound-feet
Transmission
Four-speed automatic
Range
488 miles
As you would expect from a car similar to the Malibu Hybrid, the interior is decent and roomy. You may see some cheap-looking pieces here and there, but overall good quality. None of this could matter to you, however, if fuel efficiency is what you’re concerned about. If that does happen to be the case, 26 combined MPG just won’t cut it.
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a mid-size luxury hybrid sedan that is more concerned with using the hybrid system to aid in acceleration and drivability than saving gas. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine is paired with an AC synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack to provide a combined horsepower of 335.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Output
335 HP, 332 pound-feet
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
Range
469 miles
The 8-speed automatic transmission enables a smooth and seamless driving experience, and the performance figures are good too. The fuel efficiency is not, however, with a fuel economy rating of 23 in the city and 34 on the highway. A price of nearly double the more efficient hybrids from brands such as Toyota or Honda defeats the purpose of a car meant to save you money.
3Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid
26 Combined MPG
Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid is another mid-sized luxury sedan powered by a combination of an electric motor with a six-cylinder engine. The E400 Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that has 329 horsepower when combined with the electric motor. The electric motor on the E400 hybrid is able to operate the vehicle up to 22 MPH and is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Output
302 HP, 273 pound-feet
Transmission
7-speed shiftable automatic
The E400 is able to achieve an estimated 24 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway, making this car similar to the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 in terms of fuel efficiency. However, this still puts these cars nearly 30 MPG below the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only cars, and 100 MPG below the most fuel-efficient hybrid, the Toyota Prius Prime SE.
Being in the higher price range of hybrids, the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is by no means a fuel-saver. This car is 25 percent more expensive than the platform that it is based on, the 750. While costing significantly more, there is only a gain of 15 to 17 percent in fuel economy increase when compared to the standard gasoline-powered 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
Output
455 HP, 515 pound-feet
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
Range
444 miles
The ActiveHybrid 7 utilizes a 20-horsepower electric motor that is powered by a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery. This motor only provides an additional 3 MPG increase compared to the standard gasoline-powered engine but does add 155 pound-feet of torque and an overall power increase of 13 percent.
1Lexus LS 600h L
20 Combined MPG
Being the least fuel-efficient car on this list, you can expect a car similar to Mercedes’ or BMW’s hybrids. The Lexus LS 600h L features a long-stroke 5.0-liter version of the V-8 seen in the LS460, while also being paired with a 221 horsepower AC electric motor for a combined output rating of 438 horsepower.
Vehicle Specs
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
Output
438 HP, 385 pound-feet
Transmission
CVT automatic
Range
465 miles
An all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen limited-slip differential is standard in the hybrid 600h L. This car is powerful and fast, has a luxurious interior, and a hefty price tag. One thing it does not have, however, is good fuel efficiency. An estimated 19 MPG is what you can expect for city driving, with it slightly rising to 23 MPG on the highway.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the top contenders in the family electric car market of 2023. Built on a unique electric vehicle model platform, it features a powerful 800V electrical architecture that enables faster charging. This innovative technology is currently shared only with models like the Porsche Taycan, Audi E-tron GT, and related Kia models. It’s like equipping the original Ford Focus with the twin-turbocharged flat-six engine from a contemporary Porsche 911 Turbo.
Not only does the Ioniq 5 excel in technology, but it also stands out with its distinctive retro-futuristic design, reminiscent of a space-age reinterpretation of the Lancia Delta. Its modern and high-quality interior adds to its appeal.
Despite its size and weight, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers an engaging driving experience with strong performance, good grip, and just enough adjustability to keep things interesting. It also provides a comfortable and quiet ride, making it a great electric car for relaxed cruising. The spacious interior and usable boot space make it family-friendly.
In a recent group test, the long-range rear-wheel-drive version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 outperformed the Skoda Enyaq iV, showcasing its superior driving dynamics and bolder design. The combination of a larger 77kWh battery and a single motor delivers an optimal mix of speed, price, and endurance.
The price range for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at £43,445 for a 168bhp rear-wheel-drive model with a 240-mile range. The flagship Namsan Edition, equipped with a 321bhp twin motor and all-wheel drive, reaches a staggering price of £57,945.
For those looking for more excitement, a hot 641bhp N model will be available in showrooms later this year. Early test drives have left a positive impression, highlighting the car’s engaging handling and impressive performance.
The Skoda Enyaq iV is another noteworthy entry in the family electric car market. Skoda has a reputation for taking Volkswagen Group mechanicals and packaging them in a more practical and spacious design, offering better value for money. The Enyaq iV is built on the same MEB ‘skateboard’ platform as the Volkswagen ID 3, Volkswagen ID 4, and Audi Q4 E-tron. Its clever design choices make it highly competitive in the electric SUV segment.
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