PRESS RELEASE
UK’S LARGEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRIAL – FIRST FINDINGS
16/06/10 from Mitsubishi Motors
The first results of a UK-wide electric and low carbon vehicle testing project are published today. The West Midlands-based CABLED project reports on the first quarter[1] of use of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicles).
Over the course of the project, the CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators) consortium will test 110 vehicles, as part of the £25 million Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition.
Some of the key findings of the report are outlined below:
Distance -
* Electric vehicle drivers use their cars like the typical UK driver – the majority of journeys are less than five miles (at similar distances, when warming up conventional car engines are at their most polluting, and catalytic converters are at their least effective)
* Average daily mileage is 23 miles (well within the i-MiEVs 80 mile range)
Drivers -
* Drivers use the entire speed range of the car, showing they are happy to drive at motorway speeds when required
* The vehicles were driven in all temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, throughout the winter period. There was a drop-off in usage at very low temperatures, likely to be the result of reduced car usage during extremely cold weather, when only essential journeys are made
Energy use and charging -
* Vehicles are parked for 97% of the time, typically overnight and during school hours, allowing lengthy battery charging periods at home and work
* Although vehicles only use the electricity needed to charge them they were left plugged in for more than 20% of the time, occasionally for several days at a time
Led by global engineering consultancy Arup, CABLED is the largest of eight consortia from across the UK to participate in the £25 million Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition as well as being the first to begin vehicle trials. Data is being collected and analysed by Aston University. Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlandshas supported the CABLED consortium from the start and has invested £2.5million in the project, ensuring the Region’s participation in the competition.
Andrew Everett, Lead Technologist in Low Carbon Vehicles for the organisation overseeing and funding the project, the Technology Strategy Board said, “It’s great to see data starting to come out of the demonstrator trials and the findings from the CABLED project are very positive. Seven other consortia will be collecting the same sort of data from onboard computers in around 340 test vehicles. It’s all going to be collated and published by the Technology Strategy Board in an act of open innovation. The information will be available to all and the aim is that the findings help drive innovation and development in Low Carbon Vehicles Technology as well as to inform future UK activities related to Ultra Low Carbon vehicles.”
Neil Butcher, Arup’s project leader of the CABLED consortium said: “Vehicles are quick and easy to plug in and this becomes a habit, even if the battery is still mostly full; so vehicles are usually fully charged at the start of the day. With the mass usage of vehicles, we will need to carefully confider how energy tariffs can be used to promote overnight charging and smooth demands on the grid.”
Brian Price, Aston University comments, “Collecting real-world usage of electric vehicles (EV) through our satellite mapping and analysis has been essential in understanding actual demands and requirements of EV vehicles for consumers. The journey data gathered is already showing that the current generation of ultra low carbon vehicles are cheap to run as well as being comparable to petrol & diesel vehicles for speed, ease of use and daily journey distance; using less than 30% of total charge in typical daily use. The next phase of the study will allow us to map out an optimal charging point network to further extend range and improve the convenience of electric cars.
Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors’ Managing Director comments, “The i-MiEV is certainly proving itself in real-world tests. It is interesting that the British motorists involved in this trial don’t seem to be showing any significant signs of ‘range anxiety’ and are using their cars just as they would a normal vehicle. Altogether, this is good news for Mitsubishi and the future of electric vehicles in the UK, and justifies Mitsubishi Motors’ vision to lead the way in electric vehicle research, design, and manufacture.”
Drivers selected for the trials of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 85 other consortium vehicles were chosen through an application process led by Coventry University. Five other manufacturers within CABLED will roll out vehicles in 2010, including Mercedes Benz/smart, Tata, Jaguar/Land Rover, LTI and Microcab industries.
Ends
A full copy of the research is available on request.
For further details, please contact Tom Rawlings orStuart Haynes on 0121 265 2760 or email Tom.Rawlings@grayling.com / Stuart.Haynes@grayling.com
For further information, images and video content please contact the Mitsubishi Press Office on 01285 647 200 or see www.mitsubishipress.co.uk
Andy Wertheim, General Manager Press and Environmental Affairs a.wertheim@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITOR
About the research
Each vehicle in the trial will be fitted with a GPS and data logger, designed and installed by Coventry based RDM Automotive. These loggers will record the usage, location and charging habits of each vehicle.
From this information certain results can be attained:
* Frequency of individual journeys
* Length and duration of journeys
* Date & time of journeys
* Energy used per journey
* Duration and amount of energy transferred during charge
* External temperature
* Location of charging/parking, i.e. home, work, public etc.
* Average speed
Data for Quarter 1
On 12th December 2009, 22 Mitsubishi iMievs were handed over to members of the public who were part of the CABLED trial. These users will keep the vehicle for a minimum of 12 months and use it as they would any other vehicle.
The data being recorded at this stage includes information regarding the frequency, length and duration of each journey. Also being recorded is the ambient temperature and the speed of the vehicle. Data is sent out every minute when the car is in use (i.e. ignition is on) and every 15 minutes when it is parked.
About the CABLED consortium
The West Midlands consortium, called CABLED – short for Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators – is made up of 13 organisations, led by Arup, a company with experience that crosses all areas that touch this project, from vehicle design to planning to infrastructure and energy. The consortium will develop and demonstrate 110 road-worthy vehicles to be trialled in the two cities over 12 months. Part funding for the project has been approved from the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands.
Each of the six vehicle manufacturers – Jaguar/Land Rover, Mitsubishi/Colt, Mercedes Benz/smart, Tata Motors, LTI and Microcab Industries – are contributing their own vehicles towards the low carbon scheme, which includes a mix of fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars.
Electricity providers E.ON are delivering charging points for the trial with assistance from the city councils of Birmingham andCoventry.
Three of the Midland’s leading universities play a major role in the scheme with Coventry University undertaking the selection process of drivers, Aston University analysing vehicle usage data and the University of Birmingham contributing access and expertise gained from its hydrogen fuelling station, which is currently one of the very few of its kind in UK. A new hydrogen station is planned forCoventry University.
The Technology Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Competition
As part of the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, £25 million has been allocated to eight highly innovative, industry-led collaborative research projects in the field of ultra low carbon vehicle development and demonstration. The competition, which culminated in June with the announcement of successful applicants, focused on encouraging the development of industry-led consortia that can deliver in bringing significant numbers of vehicles onto roads quickly. The competition winners will deliver over 340 new innovative cars on the road in eight locations around the UK in the next year.
To meet the UK’s commitment to an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050, the carbon output of transport – currently a quarter of all UK emissions – has to be significantly reduced. The vehicles that we drive need to be part of the solution.
The journey towards low carbon transport will not be easy but the demonstrator programme is a major step in the right direction. With over 340 cars being trialled in several regions across the UK, and with the involvement of large and small manufacturers, RDAs, local authorities, universities and infrastructure companies, it is the biggest project of its kind to date.
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About Christopher DeMorro
I think your article’s title is misleading – it suggests that the vehicles only have a 23 mile range, rather than the fact that people only drove 23 miles at a time during the tests.
Just because I only drive to and from work each day doesn’t mean my gasoline car has a driving range of 30 miles.
I think your article’s title is misleading – it suggests that the vehicles only have a 23 mile range, rather than the fact that people only drove 23 miles at a time during the tests.
Just because I only drive to and from work each day doesn’t mean my gasoline car has a driving range of 30 miles.
Welll some automakers like GM crushed their EV 1 and now they are making the Volt with only 40 miles electric range wich is the same BIG OIL policy like with the EV 1 !
So Mitsubishi , Renault – Nissan aliance,Tesla it is all up to you to show those BIG OIL automakers with your electric cars and the Golf of Mexico proves the future is electric.
Welll some automakers like GM crushed their EV 1 and now they are making the Volt with only 40 miles electric range wich is the same BIG OIL policy like with the EV 1 !
So Mitsubishi , Renault – Nissan aliance,Tesla it is all up to you to show those BIG OIL automakers with your electric cars and the Golf of Mexico proves the future is electric.
Hello Christopher,
I need to take you to task for the title of your piece — it reads like you are saying that is the average range of the iMiEV; which would be incredibly disappointing… Using the word “range” in this context is my complaint.
Here’s a better/more accurate/less misleading title I would suggest: “UK Electric Car Tests Reveal Average Driver Goes 23 Miles Daily”
Now, I’ll go back and actually read your post!
Sincerely, Neil
Hello Christopher,
I need to take you to task for the title of your piece — it reads like you are saying that is the average range of the iMiEV; which would be incredibly disappointing… Using the word “range” in this context is my complaint.
Here’s a better/more accurate/less misleading title I would suggest: “UK Electric Car Tests Reveal Average Driver Goes 23 Miles Daily”
Now, I’ll go back and actually read your post!
Sincerely, Neil
Well, your main points are quite correct in the post, and well taken — which makes the title stand out as oddly worded.
BTW, how often do you choose to walk 5 miles, rather than drive? Also, I don’t understand the “cheap, cheap, cheap” bit — certainly, any/all cars should be *reasonably* priced; inexpensive, even, but saying “cheap, cheap, cheap” strongly connotes very poor build quality. And the is most definitely *not* what we want in a car; any car.
What this experiment shows is that electric cars are quite viable for many people. As the trial continues, and some people take their iMiEV’s on longer trips (as Robert Llewellyn has), the real world range of these cars will be determined. Also, the longer term real world *cost of ownership* will be better illustrated, as well. Charging an iMiEV is pretty low cost; and seeing as gasoline is ~$7/US gallon, and no tolls on EV entering the City of London, etc. will all be taken into account; in addition to the cost to purchase.
Sincerely, Neil
Well, your main points are quite correct in the post, and well taken — which makes the title stand out as oddly worded.
BTW, how often do you choose to walk 5 miles, rather than drive? Also, I don’t understand the “cheap, cheap, cheap” bit — certainly, any/all cars should be *reasonably* priced; inexpensive, even, but saying “cheap, cheap, cheap” strongly connotes very poor build quality. And the is most definitely *not* what we want in a car; any car.
What this experiment shows is that electric cars are quite viable for many people. As the trial continues, and some people take their iMiEV’s on longer trips (as Robert Llewellyn has), the real world range of these cars will be determined. Also, the longer term real world *cost of ownership* will be better illustrated, as well. Charging an iMiEV is pretty low cost; and seeing as gasoline is ~$7/US gallon, and no tolls on EV entering the City of London, etc. will all be taken into account; in addition to the cost to purchase.
Sincerely, Neil
I’m glad I read the post. The data reveals what EV advocates have been saying – that range anxiety is a hoax. Your title is quite unfortunate – I was expecting results of the study to demonstrate that the iMEV’s range was actually 23 instead of the claimed 80. EV’s won’t be for everyone, just like 1 ton diesel pickups or corvette’s are not. This study reveals that for a good percentage of people in urban areas, and EV will be the most practical personal transportation available.
I’m glad I read the post. The data reveals what EV advocates have been saying – that range anxiety is a hoax. Your title is quite unfortunate – I was expecting results of the study to demonstrate that the iMEV’s range was actually 23 instead of the claimed 80. EV’s won’t be for everyone, just like 1 ton diesel pickups or corvette’s are not. This study reveals that for a good percentage of people in urban areas, and EV will be the most practical personal transportation available.
Yeah, Chris! Work on that title! Why, I started searching the internet for one of these “UK” cars and couldn’t find anything! Then it turns out UK is short for United Kingdom! Who heard of such a thing??? My goodness…
Yeah, Chris! Work on that title! Why, I started searching the internet for one of these “UK” cars and couldn’t find anything! Then it turns out UK is short for United Kingdom! Who heard of such a thing??? My goodness…
You guys need to do a better job at managing your website. I can’t read the first 2 post due to an advertisement overlapping on the comments section.
You guys need to do a better job at managing your website. I can’t read the first 2 post due to an advertisement overlapping on the comments section.
I don’t think 25 EV drivers in the UK is even close to what the avg. US driver will experience. Just think of all the big commutes on the East and West coast and in the other big cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, etc. where the typical one way is probably 20-30 miles. Run to the grocery store, drop off and pick up the kids from practices and games and you’re easily looking at 60-80 miles/day for many millions of US drivers.
Btw, Chris, I really don’t have an extra 1 1/2 hrs to walk my 5 mile trips, who does? Most of us have busy lives, work, kids, school, housework, errands, etc. and don’t have time to get 30 mins exercise a day, let alone replace car trips with walking.
I don’t think 25 EV drivers in the UK is even close to what the avg. US driver will experience. Just think of all the big commutes on the East and West coast and in the other big cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, etc. where the typical one way is probably 20-30 miles. Run to the grocery store, drop off and pick up the kids from practices and games and you’re easily looking at 60-80 miles/day for many millions of US drivers.
Btw, Chris, I really don’t have an extra 1 1/2 hrs to walk my 5 mile trips, who does? Most of us have busy lives, work, kids, school, housework, errands, etc. and don’t have time to get 30 mins exercise a day, let alone replace car trips with walking.
I just saw a study that found the average mileage per person of the US bus fleet is now worse than a pickup truck.
I think your original idea is the right one. Make $10,000 second cars for urban families. That is essentially what the low speed vehicles are but they cost too much and have crappy batteries.
Biodiversivist
I just saw a study that found the average mileage per person of the US bus fleet is now worse than a pickup truck.
I think your original idea is the right one. Make $10,000 second cars for urban families. That is essentially what the low speed vehicles are but they cost too much and have crappy batteries.
Biodiversivist
Good to see the use of solar and wind power technology coming in to play for charging the Lithium batteries. A replacable (fast changeout) battery is also a welcome addition.
Good to see the use of solar and wind power technology coming in to play for charging the Lithium batteries. A replacable (fast changeout) battery is also a welcome addition.
32 miles round trip, that’s my daily drive… If someone wants to drop off one of these EV’s at my place for me to try out for a year, that would be great.
32 miles round trip, that’s my daily drive… If someone wants to drop off one of these EV’s at my place for me to try out for a year, that would be great.