Alternative Propulsion

Wallbox’s three smart and always-connected electric-vehicle charging units include the 6.3-in. Pulsar; Commander, with touchscreen functionality; and Copper, featuring facial-recognition access control.

“There is definitely an appetite across Allianz Partners, the IVR and the industry to run more of these training sessions, which we hope to be able to run early in 2019,” an Allianz executive says.

The concept’s “cool, clean and forward-looking” appearance hints at the design language due on the brand’s forthcoming electrified vehicles.

Rivian plans to launch an all-electric five-passenger pickup truck in 2020, followed by a seven-passenger SUV. The company has said the vehicles will cost between $50,000 and $100,000.

SEAT, together with VW Group China and JAC, will establish an R&D center in China to develop electric vehicles, and connectivity and autonomous-driving technologies, including parts and components.

HonestJohn.co.uk Managing Editor Dan Powell says high list prices, range anxiety and limited access to charging points have been routinely blamed for slowing EV sales, but the issue of high insurance premiums has been quietly ignored.

Called SmartCharge, the Honda beta program uses the Fit EV’s onboard telematics system and eMotorWerks’ JuiceNet software platform to compute optimal vehicle charge times.