% Singaporean perspective> much less public L3&2 EVSE than US,UK,Europe %
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/motoring/electric-car-thats-city-friendly-and-cheap-to-run Electric car that's city friendly and cheap to run Jul 18, 2015 Lynn Tan [images / Ng Jingshen http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/x_large/public/articles/2015/07/18/ST_20150718_LTME18_1518792.jpg Mr Ng Jingshen enjoys driving his BMW i3 because of its immediate torque and the absence of engine noise http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/st_20150718_ltme18a_1518793.jpg (Rear door open showing the boot) ] Mr Ng Jingshen likes the cool factor of the electric BMW i3, but recommends it for only those who can charge it at home When Mr Ng Jingshen was looking to replace his BMW 320i [ice] whose COE had expired last year, his default choice was another petrol car. His shortlist started with sporty models such as the BMW 1-series and 3-series, Audi S5 and Porsche Cayman, which then expanded to include Lexus when more practical considerations surfaced. But the co-founder of a software company finally bought [a BMW i3 w/ rex option= pih], which was launched in the middle of last year. "The BMW i3 first came on the radar when I was looking at the hybrid models that Lexus had to offer," Mr Ng, 30, recalls. He test-drove the i3 and found that it ticked all the boxes for him. "It looks cute and is just the right size for me. It has a spacious interior and its immediate torque is amazing, something that is really important in city traffic," he says. "The thing about good technology is that you should not notice it at all. -MR NG JINGSHEN" The geek factor of an electric vehicle also appealed to him. The deal clincher, however, was that it did not cost much more than a conventional BMW 320i. Mr Ng did not have any major reservations about owning an electric vehicle (EV) despite being one of the first Singaporeans to do so. In fact, he expects an EV to give him fewer problems because an electric motor has fewer moving parts compared to a combustion engine. "The only thing is that should the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic body require any repairs, it can be done only by trained specialists at the agent's workshop," he notes. His father, who also comes from a technology background, shares his enthusiasm for the innovative i3, while his mother is pleased with his choice of a four-seater. The bachelor has taken no time at all in getting used to his battery- powered car. "I charge the i3 when I get home every day, just like I would my mobile phone, so I leave home every morning with a full battery," he says. A full charge can achieve a realistic range of about 100km, which is more than sufficient for his average daily commute of 30 to 40km. He has only had to activate the [rex] range extender - a 650cc petrol engine that recharges the batteries and extends the range by another 100km or so - on rare occasions. Instead of feeling range anxiety, he relishes the fact that he has not had to visit a petrol kiosk for a long time. The running cost of an EV is considerably lower than that of a petrol car. Compared to his previous BMW, the i3 is "10 times cheaper to run". Compared to a compact petrol car of a similar size, say the BMW 116i, the i3 is five times cheaper to operate. For those who are considering buying an EV, Mr Ng says they should do so only if home charging is available. While the price of an i3 includes installation of a wall charger, the device is feasible only for landed homes. Those living in high-rise apartments have to rely on the Greenlots' network of 22 public charging locations for now. In terms of driveability and reliability, Mr Ng does not anticipate any issues. He sums it up: "The thing about good technology is that you should not notice it at all." WHAT'S IN THE BOOT • Knapsack • Gym bag The writer [Lynn Tan] is a regular contributor to Torque [ http://www.torque.com.sg/ ], a motoring monthly published by SPH Magazines. A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 18, 2015, with the headline 'MeAndMyCar Gone electric'. [© 2015 Singapore Press] ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certificate_of_Entitlement COE ... https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jingshen-ng Jingshen Ng CTO, Co-Founder @ Paktor gopaktor.com Tinder for Asia A social networking platform conceptualized and developed for singles. Paktor is the leading Asian social networking platform ... http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/17/with-5m-in-funding-tinder-like-paktor-wants-to-get-southeast-asia-using-dating-apps/ ... Phua, who started the company with friends Ng Jing Shen (CTO) and ... ... http://www.connect6.com/Jing%20Shen%20Ng/p/087240101098086172073216085120032190040094031094013098028089098192252071146070255239043087062060 Jing Shen Ng CTO Paktor Singapore [dated] http://www.torque.com.sg/1938/bmw-i3-review/ ST-Torque Awards 2014 Car of the Year: BMW i3 Story: David Ting, Daryl Lee, Jeremy Chua, Lynn Tan | Photos: Tan Meng Choon | Published [Dec 26, 2014] [images http://sphm-torque-site-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/12/bmw-i3-review_6-750px.jpg (Lynn Tan & her i3-rex pih) http://sphm-torque-site-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/12/bmw-i3-review_2-750px.jpg (i3 drive shift on steering wheel) ] THE “DESIGNER” FACTOR LYNN TAN The aesthetics of this new-age electric vehicle (EV) has an added dimension: It isn’t driven solely by visual flair, but also reflects the eco ethos at the heart of BMW i. The i3’s pod-like form and thermoplastic outer skin give it a futuristic chic, and bring to my architect’s mind the external skin of a building that’s been applied to its structural framework. In the case of the i3, the frame is a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) “Life” passenger cell module that is light and strong, connected to an aluminium “Drive” module. Organic materials can be found throughout the cabin, such as Kenaf cladding made from plant fibres (for the door panels and dashboard carrier) and a fabric made from wool and recycled PET bottles (for the rooflining). The most striking interior material has got to be the dashboard’s eucalyptus wood veneer, an attractive renewable material that provides a distinctly au naturel yet premium feel. To me, the layering and juxtaposition of the high-tech equipment and the highly organic elements give the i3 cockpit a unique aesthetic. Unique, too, is the open concept of the hatchback, like a studio apartment’s. The designers did away with the B-pillars and dividing tunnel, and incorporated a “floating” layout, thereby creating a generous space that belies the car’s compact dimensions. The rear window sills are low, while the rear seats are elevated, achieving a similar effect to curtain walls and bay windows in a condo. Passengers in the back will definitely appreciate the good views. Those rear coach doors also enhance accessibility, and because they can only be opened when the corresponding front door is opened first, they work like “child locks” for safety-conscious young parents like myself. On the move, the steering is light, the absence of any audible “engine/exhaust” sound heightens the sensation of immediate acceleration, and the “regenerative” deceleration after I ease off the throttle is so substantial that I hardly need to use the brakes at all. These characteristics complement the i3’s revolutionist persona, making me feel like I’m literally driving a vehicular revolution. Amazingly, hopping from the i3 to my X6 doesn’t feel as dramatically different as I anticipated. Apart from the obvious differences in their size, noise and performance, both are well-built upmarket Bimmers as far as I’m concerned, and the transition from one drive to the other is seamless to me. In my experience, the i3’s realistic electric range of 100km is more than enough for my typical daily usage. If I buy the car, it’ll come with a Wallbox unit that lets me recharge the i3 at home, which is more convenient than any service station. I can also do a quick battery boost while shopping, running errands or attending meetings at places with public charging stations, such as the carparks in Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Gateway and Biopolis. Stretching the battery-only range by a further 100km or so is the i3’s standard Range Extender (REx) module. I initially assumed that said module works like a smartphone-style spare battery, but it’s actually a 647cc 2-cylinder petrol engine that “drives” the batteries to maintain their (low) charge. Refilling the 9-litre fuel tank costs around $20. This designer EV has inspired me to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle – I use both sides of the foolscap paper now and switch off the lights when I leave a room ... [© SPH Magazines] For EVLN posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ http://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2015/auto-companies-need-to-be-driven-to-sell-plug-in-vehicles-in-can.html Auto companies need to be driven to sell plug-in vehicles in Canada http://www.deccanherald.com/content/490100/electric-cab-service-gets-high.html Up to 300 e2o EV cabs service Bengaluru.in http://www.deccanherald.com/page_images/thumb/2015/07/19/490100_thump.jpg http://www.team-bhp.com/news/mumbai-gets-20-more-myles-pickup-drop-locations 20 more Carzonrent,MYLES self-drive EV service locations in Mumbai.in http://www.nzherald.co.nz/vector/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503810&objectid=11482170 35 L3/2 EVSE in Auckland.nz next year + EVLN: Tesla P85D Races a i8 pih from a Standing and Rolling Start (v) {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-i3-rex-pih-that-s-cool-has-immediate-torque-EV-cheap-to-run-tp4676886.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
