In my first column, I highlighted the growing range of electric vehicles on the market, many of which will be familiar to readers.
It’s an exciting time within the EV industry. All the major manufacturers are now developing their range of EVs, and the electric cars and bikes we see on the roads today will soon be joined by many new models.
This week, I am going to focus on some of those new vehicles, which we expect to see in local dealerships next year.
A couple of months ago, I attended a presentation by Bagot Road Garage about the new Renault Megane E-Tech, which is due to arrive in the Island early in the new year.
This fully-electric vehicle has received high praise, with Auto Express awarding it 4.5 out of five stars and describing it as ‘an impressive family hatchback; practical, good to drive and offering the latest on-board technology’.
With a range of around 280 miles – and the average Jersey mileage being 4,000 miles a year – it is likely that many Islanders would need to charge the Megane E-Tech only every three to four weeks.
Another new vehicle likely to launch in the new year is the VW ID. Buzz. Having already generated plenty of interest among both EV and non-EV drivers, it is essentially the electric version of the VW camper van.
A new take on an old classic, this beach bus already has celebrity approval, with brand ambassador and Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor saying: ‘Generally, I think the ID. Buzz is a practical, safe, but really fun vehicle. You don’t experience this so often with new cars.
‘The ID. Buzz has really got character. That is unusual for a new car, and it puts a smile on my face.’
If you are looking for something smaller, the two-seater Citroen Ami is a great option. With a top speed of 28mph, this ultra-compact car is just 2.41 metres long, 1.39 metres wide and 1.52 metres high, making it ideal for squeezing into tight spaces and driving along Jersey’s country lanes.
If you fancy trying this car out or don’t need to own your own car, the good news is that car hire company EVie is launching this model imminently, and it will be available to rent for those occasional trips next year.
And it is not only car manufacturers who are developing new models, with another electric motorcycle due to be released in 2023.
After launching its LiveWire electric motorbike in 2019, Harley-Davidson announced last year that LiveWire would become a separate company, focusing on electric bikes.
The result is the S2 Del Mar, about which LiveWire said: ‘Built for agility, and soulful by design, S2 Del Mar is the mark of urban riding and beyond. Immediately different, instantly familiar.’
While these new products have caught my eye, there are sure to be plenty more EVs coming to the market soon, as manufacturers commit to the sector.
Fiat, for example, have committed to bringing out electric versions of all their models by 1 July 2023, while also aiming to launch a new EV every year. Their overall goal is to achieve a fully electric line-up by 2027, so let’s watch this space.
Reducing carbon outputs from vehicles is regarded as one of the most-effective ways to achieve global net-zero targets.
Given its small size, the ever-growing EV charging network and home charging options, Jersey is an ideal location for electric vehicles – and developments in the EV market could make it even easier for Islanders to drive electric.
