Tag Archives: reduction

News

Mild-hybrid tech boosts Vauxhall Astra economic system and efficiency

The Vauxhall Astra has gained a brand new 48V mild-hybrid powertrain for a 19% discount in gasoline consumption and decrease CO2 emissions. 

Available in each the hatchback and property variants, it is the primary such powertrain to be provided within the in style household automobile. It combines a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a 0.89kWh battery and an electrical motor, producing a complete of 151bhp and 169lb ft.

That energy is shipped to the entrance wheels by way of a six-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox that was developed particularly for this powertrain. 

The Miller-cycle engine makes use of a variable-geometry turbocharger, which permits the driving force to entry its efficiency at decrease bands of the rev vary.

Vauxhall claims gasoline consumption has been improved by 19% over the pure-ICE Astra, with WLTP economic system of as much as 60.1mpg. CO2 emissions in the meantime are as little as 112g/km, matching the Volkswagen Golf eTSI.

As properly as bettering economic system, the brand new powertrain will increase efficiency, significantly round city or when manoeuvring. 

The 0-62mph time has been slashed by 0.7sec for the hatchback, which completes the dash in 9.0sec. The property takes 0.3sec longer.

The Astra is the third mannequin in Vauxhall’s vary to make use of this powertrain, after the Corsa and Grandland. It’s additionally utilized by different fashions underneath the Stellantis umbrella, together with the Peugeot 3008 and Jeep Avenger.

Featured

Tata Nexon EV & Tata Tiago EV Now Up To Rs 1.2 Lakh More Affordable

The worth reductions have been made owing to the discount in the price of the battery pack

  • The Tata Nexon EV has develop into inexpensive by as much as Rs 1.2 lakh.

  • Tata’s electrical hatchback has acquired a worth discount of as much as Rs 70,000.

  • No worth revisions have been made to the lately launched Tata Punch EV and Tigor EV.

In an electrical car (EV), the battery pack is the most costly element. So with the current discount in battery pack costs, Tata has introduced worth cuts for 2 of its finest sellers: the Tata Nexon EV and Tata Tiago EV. However, no changes have been made to the costs of the Tata Punch EV as Tata has already factored in the price of the battery pack inside their present worth vary. Also, the costs for the Tata Tigor EV additionally stay unchanged.

Let’s take a look at revised costs of the Tiago EV & Nexon EV:

Tata Tiago EV

Variant

Old Price 

New Price

Difference

XE Medium Range

Rs 8.69 lakh

Rs 7.99 lakh

(-) Rs 70,000

XT Medium Range

Rs 9.29 lakh

Rs 8.99 lakh

(-) Rs 30,000

XT Long Range

Rs 10.24 lakh

Rs 9.99 lakh

(-) Rs 25,000

XZ+ Long Range

Rs 11.04 lakh

Rs 10.89 lakh

(-) Rs 15,000

XZ+ Tech Lux Long Range

Rs 11.54 lakh

Rs 11.39 lakh

(-) Rs 15,000

XZ+ Long Range (with 7.2 kW charger)

Rs 11.54 lakh

Rs 11.39 lakh

(-) Rs 15,000

XZ+ Tech Lux Long Range (with 7.2 kW charger)

Rs 12.04 lakh

Rs 11.89 lakh

(-) Rs 15,000

  • The Tata Tiago EV now boasts a decrease beginning worth of Rs 7.99 lakh, which is Rs 70,000 lower than earlier than. The most worth minimize for the electrical hatchback is to its base-spec XE variant.

  • The mid-spec XT variants of the Tiago EV have acquired a worth minimize of as much as Rs 30,000.

  • While prospects can save considerably on the lower-spec variants of the Tiago EV, the worth reductions for the top-spec XZ+ variants are solely Rs 15,000.

  • The costs for the Tata Tiago EV now vary from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 11.89 lakh.

Also Check Out: Blast-proof BMW 7 Series Protection Lands In India

Tata Nexon

Medium Range

Variant

Old Price

New Price

Difference

Creative Plus

Rs 14.74 lakh

Rs 14.49 lakh

(-) Rs 25,000

Fearless

Rs 16.19 lakh

Rs 15.99 lakh

(-) Rs 20,000

Fearless Plus

Rs 16.69 lakh

Rs 16.49 lakh

(-) Rs 20,000

Fearless Plus S

Rs 17.19 lakh

Rs 16.99 lakh

(-) Rs 20,000

Empowered

Rs 17.84 lakh

Rs 17.49 lakh

(-) Rs 35,000

Also Check Out: 10 Best Selling Car Brands Of January 2024: Hyundai Beats Tata To Regain 2nd Place

Long Range

Variant

Old Price

New Price

Difference

Fearless

Rs 18.19 lakh

Rs 16.99 lakh

(-) Rs 1.2 lakh

Fearless Plus

Rs 18.69 lakh

Rs 17.49 lakh

(-) Rs 1.2 lakh

Fearless Plus S

Rs 19.19 lakh

Rs 17.99 lakh

(-) Rs 1.2 lakh

Empowered Plus

Rs 19.94 lakh

Rs 19.29 lakh

(-) Rs 65,000

  • The mid-spec long-range Fearless trims of the Tata Nexon EV have develop into extra inexpensive by as much as Rs 1.2 lakh. However, the top-spec Empowered Plus long-range trim of the Nexon EV has seen a worth discount of Rs 65,000.

  • Talking in regards to the medium vary variants, they’ve acquired a worth minimize of as much as Rs 35,000.

  • The costs for the Tata Nexon EV now begins from Rs 14.49 lakh and goes as much as Rs 19.29 lakh.

So, Tata handed on the battery worth discount to prospects by reducing the costs of two of its best-selling electrical vehicles. This discount can be slowly bridging the hole between the ICE (inner combustion engine) and EV variations of those vehicles. What are your ideas on this? With this worth minimize, would you get an electrical automotive? Let us know within the feedback.

All costs are ex-showroom Delhi

Read More on : Tiago EV Automatic

VolvoCars

All-new, fully electric Volvo EX30 is TopGear.com’s Eco Warrior of the Year

  • Volvo EX30 fully electric small SUV recognized for excellence in carbon reduction and sustainability
  • New model has the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date, with savings made throughout the car’s lifecycle – from materials and manufacturing to end-of-life disposal
  • Innovative use of recycled and renewable materials, including denim and polyester textile waste, and flax, a fibre derived from linseed plants

The Volvo EX30 has been named ‘Eco Warrior of the Year’ in the TopGear.com Awards 2023, further solidifying its position as an environmentally friendly vehicle.

At an event in London, Jack Rix, Top Gear Editor in Chief, highlighted the EX30 for its efforts in significantly reducing its carbon footprint through its manufacturing processes and materials sourcing.

This recognition reflects Volvo’s commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, as well as the EX30’s remarkable design and construction.

Volvo’s approach to sustainability extends beyond reducing tailpipe emissions, with a comprehensive evaluation of the entire car production process contributing to significant carbon savings. Recycled and renewable materials, including flax-derived fibres and recycled denim and polyester, are extensively utilized in the vehicle’s construction. Additionally, intelligent design features enable multiple functions with fewer materials and wiring requirements.

Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, expressed the company’s dedication to implementing wide-reaching sustainability initiatives and its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality.

As part of Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy, the EX30 plays a pivotal role in the company’s goal for 50% of its global new car sales to be fully electric by the mid-2020s, with complete electrification targeted by 2030. The EX30, with a driving range of up to 296 miles and a fast-charging time of just 26 minutes, is available for order with multiple ownership options.

For more information on the Volvo EX30, and to explore the online configurator, please visit www.volvocars.co.uk

Keywords:

Product News, EX30, 2024

Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Car UK’s car range. Described features might be optional. All information is correct at time of going to press and may be altered without prior notification.

News

Stellantis Aims to Reduce Battery Weight by Half for Electric Vehicles by 2030

Stellantis, the multinational automotive company, is working towards a 50% reduction in battery weight by 2030. This goal is aimed at making electric vehicles (EVs) lighter and closer in weight to their traditional combustion-engine counterparts.

Ned Curic, head of engineering and technology at Stellantis, expressed the need to address the issue of heavy batteries in EVs. He stated, “The battery today is just too heavy; the vehicle is too heavy. We shouldn’t be going backwards.”

To achieve this weight reduction, Stellantis plans to introduce new lightweight battery technologies and improve cell packaging efficiency.

Earlier this year, Stellantis made an investment in Lytten, a Silicon Valley company focused on developing lighter lithium-sulphur batteries. These batteries not only reduce weight but also cut costs and carbon emissions by using less exotic materials than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Curic also mentioned sodium-ion batteries as a potential alternative. This technology, being developed by Chinese battery manufacturers like CATL, offers a much cheaper option.

A recent report by UBS, which included a teardown of the BYD Seal saloon, revealed the weight of current EV batteries. The lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack in the standard 62kWh Seal accounted for 470kg of the car’s total weight of 1941kg. Similarly, the 60kWh battery pack in the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric weighed 394kg out of the car’s overall weight of 1783kg.

To support their battery development efforts, Stellantis has established the Mirafiori battery technology center in Turin, Italy. This facility will be utilized for designing, developing, and testing battery packs, high-voltage cells, modules, and software for upcoming models from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Peugeot, Vauxhall, and more. The company has invested €40 million (£34.3m) in repurposing a section of a former Fiat factory to create this facility. It features 32 climatic test chambers, enabling the simultaneous testing of up to 47 battery packs.

Gaming

Is it necessary to unplug your second monitor when gaming?

When it comes to gaming with multiple monitors, there has been some discussion about whether or not it is necessary to unplug the second monitor for optimal performance. Tests have shown that there is indeed a reduction in frames per second (FPS) when using multiple monitors, but the actual impact on overall FPS is relatively small and depends on the game being played.

For example, a graphically intensive game like Red Dead Redemption 2 was tested on a single monitor and achieved an average of 202 FPS. When the same game was tested on a four monitor setup, the average FPS dropped to 198, resulting in only a 2% difference.

On the other hand, tests for a game like Total War: Warhammer 3 showed a more significant drop in FPS. The game achieved 213 FPS on a single monitor setup but dropped to 199 FPS with four monitors, which is a 7% decrease in overall frames.

The tests also included setups with two monitors, which saw a reduction in FPS that was even less significant than gaming with four monitors. Ultimately, while it is true that having extra monitors plugged in and playing video will reduce FPS, the amount of frames lost may not be noticeable to most people.

It is worth noting that these tests were conducted using top-of-the-line hardware, where a 7% difference in the best-case scenario may not be perceivable. However, the impact becomes more significant when considering older hardware that cannot achieve stable framerates of 100+. In these cases, a 7% difference in frames from 30 FPS could result in stuttering, which would be noticeable to those with older hardware or GPUs.

News

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Switching to an electric vehicle (EV) not only offers environmental benefits but also reduces running costs. While the cost of living crisis has affected both EV and ICE (internal combustion engine) car owners, fuel costs continue to impact ICE car owners more heavily.

Charging an electric car at home is often cheaper than at public charging stations. This is especially important considering that more than 90% of EV drivers primarily charge their vehicles at home. By charging overnight when electricity rates are lower, EV owners can start each day with a full charge.

However, the cost gap between running an EV and an ICE car is closing. Initially, the higher purchase price of electric cars compared to their fossil fuel counterparts affected the cost difference, with a battery-powered Peugeot e-208 costing an additional £11,000 compared to the petrol version. Additionally, using public chargers can be more expensive, especially rapid DC units that can charge up to 80% capacity in less than half an hour.

With the UK Government planning to ban the sale of pure ICE cars by 2030, and energy markets experiencing global events, it is crucial to understand the costs associated with charging an EV.

How much will it cost to charge my car at home?

The majority of EV owners charge their cars at home, saving money compared to traditional petrol or diesel cars. The cost of charging at home depends on the car being charged and the electricity supplier’s tariff. Even with recent increases in electricity prices, EV owners still save money compared to filling up a traditional car.

For example, charging a 64kWh Kia e-Niro with a claimed range of 281 miles would cost approximately £20 for a full charge, based on the current average cost of 34p per kWh (according to the Government’s Energy Price guarantee as of the first quarter of 2023). While this is more expensive than a couple of years ago, when off-peak tariffs were as low as 12p per kWh, the cost of a full charge is still reasonable compared to fueling an equivalent petrol hatchback for the same distance, which would cost around a third more.