THE TOP 10 CELEBRITY ELECTRIC CAR OWNERS

By Will Dron

Apr 14, 2011at 12:53PM

Under News, Top Tens

The rich and the famous are a fickle bunch. Their public images – and, as a result, careers – depend on riding the waves of the latest trends.

The cars they drive are as much about personal PR as practicality, so its no wonder that many of the same people who, ten years ago, were climbing into the then eco-tastic Toyota Prius hybrid are now opting for pure electric vehicles.

Here’s a selection of 10 celebrities who’ve chosen to go electric. Darling.

1. Alyssa Milano
Known for: Bewitching teen viewers in Charmed

This actress/songstress is said to have recently ordered a Nissan LEAF. She says: “After the oil spill, I had this strong feeling that if I ever were able to be blessed in having children, I never wanted my kids to see me pumping gas at a gas station. I think it’s our responsibility to make the changes that we need to make, regardless of convenience. I know it’s more inconvenient to have an electric car, but I’ll do what I have to do.” We think it’ll prove much more convenient than she imagines. Certainly she’ll be ‘charmed’ [groan – Ed].

2. Jay Leno
Known for: Large-chinned TV chat/car loving

Jay’s a famed car nut, with a huge collection of vehicles of all ages encompassing petrol, diesel, steam and electric power. His Baker Electric dates back 100 years, and is his wife’s favourite car. “Unlike other early cars, the Baker Electric needed no cranking, had no gasoline smell and was essentially maintenance-free,” says Jay on jaylenosgarage.com. “Not surprisingly, it was marketed to women. The interior of my Baker is rather froufrou, complete with a little make-up kit.”

3. Kristin Scott Thomas
Known for: Patching up English Patients

A Reva G-Wiz has been vehicle of choice for this most English of actresses. Well, she’s perceived as quintessentially English but in fact is just as at home in France, being fluent in the language and appearing in a number of French pictures. She’s also got the Parisian sense of fashion, which makes the G-Wiz a slightly baffling choice. Let’s put it down to French quirkiness and a decision to be less red carpet, more green planet.

4. Neil Young
Known for: Rock ’n’ Roll ’n’ innovative environmental activism

Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his era, Neil Young spent six figures on converting a 1959 Lincoln Continental into a multi-fuelled hybrid. The LincVolt is a truly unique animal, boasting “more than twice the power and a superior MPG” to other hybrids. It’s also capable of running on a variety of fuels, including petrol, bio-fuels and natural gas. Young’s filming a documentary about the build and has a mission to get one or more major manufacturers to build cars incorporating LincVolt technology. Interesting stuff.

5. Tom Hanks

Known for: Box-a-choclat philosophising and snakes in his boots

Life is like a box of electric cars for the Forrest Gump and Toy Story star. Hanks owns one of the first-generation Toyota RAV4 EVs and is one of a few US celebs to put down a deposit for the futuristic Aptera 2 Series three-wheel EV, due later this year. Like a light aircraft minus the wings, the Aptera will be available with either a petrol-electric hybrid or pure electric powertrain. Unlike with life/chocolates, you’ll probably know which you’re gonna get.

6. George Clooney
Known for: Casino heists and Nespresso-peddling

The Hollywood heart-throb was one of the first celebrities to pick up an EV, choosing the Tango T600 way back in August 2005. Probably one of the weirdest-looking cars around, the Tango is thinner than some motorcycles at only 39 inches (990mm) wide, and has sports-bike performance: top speed is 120mph and it’ll do 0 to 60mph in four seconds. Not surprisingly, that performance comes with a Beverly Hills price tag – retail price is $108,000 (£66,000), and it comes as a part-assembled kit. We can’t imagine George needed to get out his Allen key, though.

7. Leonardo DiCaprio
Known for: Titanic romantics & subconscious-raiding

As a committed environmentalist, DiCaprio always strives to be more green. Which is probably why the Titanic star decided to be a poster-boy for the move from hybrid to pure EV, swapping his Prius for a Tesla Roadster. His new electric sports car boasts 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 125mph.Beachin’.

8. Nathan Fillion
Known for: Serene sci-fi stardom

Fillion made a name for himself as the captain in cult show Firefly and big-screen follow-up Serenity, so it’s quite apt that his choice of earth-based runabout is an Arcimoto Pulse, a three-wheeler that looks like it was created by the Star Trek special effects department. Fillion even referred to it on Twitter as his ‘spaceship’. He’s still looking for the warp-speed button, we hear.

9. Danny DeVito
Known for: Pint-sized comedic thespianism

The diminutive Hollywood legend recently took a Nissan LEAF for spin, and was quoted saying: “Electric cars are the next big thing. If you liked the internet you’re going to want this.” We think he’s on to something on both counts.

10. Scarlett Johansson
Known for: Getting lost in translation and Iron Man temptressing

Universally known as one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, the star of Lost in Translation and Iron Man 2 is also a committed environmentalist. “My family and I are always trying to think of ways to make our life greener,” she says, “whether it’s investing in solar panels or using biodegradable dish soap. This year we’ve decided to convert our Prius to a completely electric car.” A job worthy of Tony Stark himself.

TheChargingPoint.com

FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE ELECTRICITY TARIFF ANNOUNCED BY NPOWER

By Will Dron

Apr 13, 2011at 02:47PM

Under News

UK energy provider npower will this summer launch Britain’s first electric vehicle tariff, according to Marketing Week.

The main aim of the new tariff is to give customers better rates as an incentive to encourage people to charge their cars at home, as well as discounts for plugging in their cars at off-peak times.

The new tariff, called Juice-E, will be officially launched at the ‘Grand Build sponsored by VELUX’ section of Channel 4’s Grand Designs Live exhibition, taking place from 30 April at ExCeL London.

Promoting itself as ‘Britain’s greenest energy company’, npower is likely to show off some of the Tesla Roadster electric cars owned by parent company RWE at the event, although Tesla is not forming a marketing partnership with npower.

“We support RWE npower as a customer and would like to see every energy company launching similar tariffs,” says Tesla communications manager Roberto Toro, “but we will not hold preferences in terms of marketing with npower or any other energy provider.”

TheChargingPoint.com

AUDI REVEALS A3 E-TRON PROTOTYPE

By Staff Writer

Apr 13, 2011at 11:35AM

Under News


Adding to its family of e-tron electric vehicles, Audi has released details of a pure-electric prototype, the A3 e-tron.

The German carmaker has planted a 134hp electric motor under the bonnet providing 270Nm (199lbf-ft) of torque, giving it similar performance to the Nissan LEAF. 0-60mph takes 11 seconds and top speed is limited to 90mph.

A 26.5kWh lithium-ion battery gives a range of 87 miles, while battery recharge takes around nine hours from a 230V supply and four hours on a 400V rapid charge.

A launch schedule is yet to be confirmed, but the A1 e-tron is expected in late 2012 at the earliest – so we could be looking at 2013 before we see its larger sibling on the road.


TheChargingPoint.com

FIRST ORDER PLACED FOR RENAULT’S KANGOO Z.E.

By Will Dron

Apr 14, 2011at 05:12AM

Under News

JCDecaux, Europe’s largest ‘out of home’ advertising company, has placed the first order for Renault’s pure electric Kangoo Z,E. (Zero Emission) van, six months ahead of its UK launch.

JCDeceaux will take delivery of six Kangoo Z.E.s, the world’s first completely electric light commercial vehicle produced by a mainstream manufacturer.

Alongside helping promote brands as having ‘green’ credentials, there is a cost benefit associated with electric commercial vehicles. Ashighlighted recently by TheChargingPoint’s Michael Boxwell, similar-size diesel-powered commercial vehicles averaging between 50 and 60 miles a day could easily cost £250-300 a month in fuel alone.

Recharging an electric vehicle will cost just a few pounds, and in-city incentives such as exemption from the London congestion charge further reduce costs.

But JCDecaux’s purchase decision was based on more than just eco-pandering and cost savings – comfort and performance is also important.

The Kangoo Z.E. has a 60hp electric motor, a top speed of 81mph and a range of 100 miles. It features the same dimensions and look as the internal combustion engine versions, together with an identical load capacity (up to 3.5 cubic metres). It’s also got the same levels of comfort and equipment.

“Some of our staff spend a large proportion of their working day in vans, so it’s vital that we provide the most pleasant working environment for them, especially in heavily congested urban areas,” said JCDecaux’s group operations director, Mark Cooper.

“Those fortunate to have sampled the Kangoo Z.E. van have rated its performance and lack of noise very highly. They were also struck by how easy to drive and comfortable it is.”

The Renault Kangoo Z.E. range launches in October this year, priced £16,990 to £18,690 excluding VAT, plus £59 per month battery lease based on 9,000 miles/four years.

TheChargingPoint.com

MITSUBISHI STAKES ITS FUTURE ON ELECTRIC CARS

By Will Dron

Mar 3, 2011at 05:11PM

Under News

In a shock revelation, Mitsubishi has told Autocar magazine that it is ditching its boy-racer Lancer Evolution cars in favour of electric vehicles.

The Japanese manufacturer is renowned mainly for its fire-breathing, Subaru Impreza WRX-rivalling Evos, but recently put itself on the EV map with the little i-MiEV, which you can buy today.

Mitsubishi has also been showing off its Global Concept Small car, which will initially take an internal combustion engine but is designed to take a 100% electric drivetrain. The company plans to introduce eight pure-electric or hybrid cars by 2015.

But the real shocker is that Mitsubishi appears to be turning its back on the successful Evo models in favour of an electric future. The Lancer Evolution X will be the last of its type.

“There is still a demand [for the Evo],” said Gayu Eusegi, Mitsubishi’s global product director, “but we must stop… Our influence now is EV technology.”

Mitsubishi wants to be known for lowering CO2 and environmentally friendly technologies and the rally car-inspired Evo just doesn’t fit that image. Removing it from the mix will make it easier for people to understand the Mitsubishi brand going forward, said Eusegi.

For fear that this makes electric cars look slow and boring, we’ll point you to the Tesla Roadster and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG e-cell on our Cars page. And performance electric cars aren’t out of the question for Mitsubishi, either.

“Yes. Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles,” said Eusegi. “Maybe then we can enter the market again.”

TheChargingPoint.com