6,000 Registrations for Funky Cat, 16 Kia e-Niro Ambulances, “Project Thunderball” — EV News Today
The Funky Cat, Kia e-Niro ambulances, the all-electric “Project Thunderball” roadster, and the first ever, genuine, full-speed Electric MOKE — there’s lots of fun EV news to share today, beyond what we’ve written about ourselves. Scroll down to see even more.
Electric Car News
6,000 registrations of interest for the Funky Cat, which will launch in UK market in autumn 2022
“ORA UK announces pricing and specification details for its highly anticipated Funky Cat model, which will enter the UK market later this year as a ‘First Edition’ series. This announcement comes after the brand’s highly successful, first ever UK public debut at Fully Charged Live in April.
“The car is capable of up to 282 miles when fully charged and our NEPTS vehicles complete 90 miles per day on average, meaning one charge should last a day without the need to charge again.”
“Already, ORA UK has taken over 6,000 registrations of interest for the Funky Cat, with sales planned to commence in Autumn this year. Customers can expect first deliveries to take place shortly after.“
“One of the first models of Wiesmann’s hotly anticipated all-electric roadster ‘Project Thunderball’ went under the hammer at the prestigious amfAR Gala Cannes last night, raising 700,000 Euros to support the vital work of amfAR in research into, and awareness of, the global fight against HIV and AIDS.
“Held at the world-renowned Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, the Gala marked the public debut of the world-first all-electric Wiesmann, which will be finely handcrafted at the company’s ‘Gecko’ factory, a stunning state-of-the-art facility in Dülmen, Germany. Guests at the star-studded event enjoyed performances from Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, and Charli XCX, alongside a fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld.”
Roheen Berry, owner and CEO of Wiesmann comments: “amfAR does vital work in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and we are delighted to have supported its cause through our involvement in this very prestigious event. The Cote d’Azur could not be a better backdrop to introduce Project Thunderball in the metal for the first time, and through the generosity of the winning bidder on the night we are very pleased to be able to contribute much-needed funds for amfAR to put to good use.”
“The world-first all-electric convertible roadster will be crafted from advance carbon fibre, weighing in at little more than 1700kg (3747lb), with a power to weight ratio of 2.5kg per HP, bringing remarkable agility and handling more than worthy of the Wiesmann badge.
“The target range of Project Thunderball is 500km, thanks to its state-of-the-art 800V high-voltage architecture providing a maximum 92kWh battery capacity (83kWh available) – uniquely high for a roadster. Powered by twin electric rear-mid mounted motors delivering up to 500kW (680hp) to the rear wheels and 1100 Nm of torque, bringing phenomenal straight-line performance and a targeted 0-62mph (0-100km/h) sprint acceleration time of 2.9 seconds, for an unrivalled exhilarating drive which the owner will never tire of.
“Project Thunderball is available to order now, with pricing from 300,000 euros.”
A new chapter begins as Electric MOKE hits the road for summer
“The first ever, genuine, full-speed Electric MOKE vehicles rolled off the UK production line last week, ready to be delivered to customers in the UK for the Great British summer.
“Exclusive partnership announced with Beaverbrook, the celebrated English country house estate.
“The classic emotive MOKE driving experience, with the unmatched enjoyment, performance and environmental benefits of fully electric power.”
Robin Kennedy, Commercial Director, MOKE International: “MOKE is all about country roads, beach excursions, the summer breeze in your hair and enjoying the journey, rather than hurrying from A to B. We’ve taken the original Mini Moke, created by Sir Alec Issigonis and reimagined it for today’s world – and tomorrow’s – as a fully electric vehicle. In recent times, petrol-powered MOKEs have been championed by everyone from Kate Moss to George Russell. Our team has been working relentlessly for three years to engineer and manufacture a worthy, sustainable successor with the latest technologies. Made in Britain, the Electric MOKE is now ready to inspire and delight a new generation.”
East Midlands ambulance service goes green with the Kia e-Niro
“The East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) has replaced every one of its non-emergency patient transport service (NEPTS) cars in Derbyshire with the fully electric Kia e-Niro. The move will reduce the trust’s emissions by 96 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent (tCO2e) per year.
“EMAS began its search for a suitable electric vehicle for its Derbyshire NEPTS service almost three years ago. The trust tested a variety of different vehicles before making a final decision to implement the Kia e-Niro. EMAS has now taken delivery of 16 of Kia’s best-selling EV for patients in Derbyshire who need non-emergency medical or clinical support to get to and from their healthcare appointments.”
Casa 500 welcomes the new “FIATcafé500”
“The FIAT 500 is the icon of dolce vita, but there can be no dolce vita without conviviality, togetherness and in enjoying beautiful, unique and extraordinary places that have made history and continue to do so,” says Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global CMO. “For this reason, the Casa 500 museum, which looks to the future of the brand, while enhancing its roots, has evolved to create the new ‘FIATCafé500’, a place designed to welcome people who visit the Casa 500 museum to discover the brand’s vision of sustainable, responsible and electric mobility. And from its windows we can glimpse the exclusive La Pista 500, where the public can walk over the landscape surrounded by art and test drive the New 500, a symbol of joy and lightheartedness, of Italian design and Italian dolce vita.”
Volkswagen unveils two ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ inspired ID. Buzz vehicles at Star Wars celebration
EV Charging
3ti Papilio3 — pop-up solar EV charging hub
“The world’s first pop-up mini solar car park and electric vehicle charging hub, deployable in just 24 hours, has been revealed at the Surrey Research Park, Guildford today. Developed by 3ti, the UK’s leading designer, installer, funder and operator of Solar Car Parks (SCPs), Papilio3 tackles the UK’s need to expand electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure ahead of the government’s proposed ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles in 2030. The unit is built around a recycled shipping container and can support up to 12 fast EV charge points. The solar and battery-boosted charging system optimises the speed of charge and reduces the carbon intensity of electricity used. Papilio3 is available from 3ti on a rental contract and therefore requires no capital investment by customers.”
“Overnight charging at home generally provides the most cost effective, carbon efficient, sustainable form of EV charging, but in the UK, around 50% of households will not be able to do this,” explains Tim Evans, 3ti founder & CEO, and leader of the teams responsible for the two largest SCPs in the UK, at Bentley Motors, Crewe and JP Morgan, Bournemouth. “If you live in a flat, a tower block, a rented house, in temporary accommodation or even in a £10m terraced town house in Chelsea, you’re probably not going to be able to charge an EV at home.”
Electric Buses
“The contract award for the first ten electric buses is an important and significant milestone that sets BC Transit firmly on the path to replace existing diesel buses with electric ones. People are looking for ways to reduce emissions in their everyday lives, electric buses further solidify BC Transit as a proven solution,” said Erinn Pinkerton, President & CEO of BC Transit
ENC’s battery electric Axess® bus passes Altoona BRTC testing
DDOT deploys four electric buses as part of charge for greener operations
Electric buses in the Motor City!
Congrats @RideDDOT! https://t.co/vkyJoaIbJp
— Proterra (@Proterra_Inc) May 23, 2022
“Solo Advanced Vehicle Technologies (Solo AVT), the vehicle hardware company revolutionizing the freight transportation industry, today announced the signing of an initial agreement with American Battery Solutions (ABS) to develop the battery system for the SD1, Solo AVT’s battery-electric Class 8 long-haul truck with 500+ miles of range. The SD1 is designed from the ground up and includes full, aerospace-level system redundancy and the lowest drag coefficient of any Class 8 truck on the road enabled by a complete redesign that removes the need for a human onboard.”
City Transformer secures investment to change the way we move in urban environments
“City Transformer, EV tech disruptors from Israel, is accelerating along the road to mass production of its first foldable microcar, the CT-1, following completion of its Series A financing.
“The Tel Aviv-based startup is developing EV technologies and shared mobility services that will reinvent freedom of mobility for those who live or work in our cities. The CT-1 is a two-seat, four-wheel electric microcar that can significantly reduce our individual traffic and carbon footprint by transforming its wheelbase to outmaneuver traffic and park in tight spaces like a motorcycle.”
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Latest CleanTechnica.TV Video
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.
