The company described the service as the first automotive manufacturer-backed, nationwide car sharing program in Europe to incorporate dealerships.

FORD2GO was formed following a partnership among Ford of Germany, the German Ford dealers association FHD GmbH, and DB Rent GmbH – the company behind Flinkster car sharing.

The program calls for participating Ford dealers across Germany to offer cars and service to customers in their town, allowing easy access to shared cars and offering the chance for potential customers to experience Ford vehicles.

DB Rent has developed a Web-based booking system along with iOS and Android smartphone apps for private and commercial customers participating in the Ford car sharing program.

Car sharing was one of the various elements highlighted by Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford during a keynote address on the future of mobility at the February 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. As outlined in the company’s Blueprint for Mobility, dealing with growing congestion and environmental concerns will require the development of a true network of mobility solutions, with personal vehicle ownership complemented by greater use of connected and efficient shared services, and completely new business models contributing to improved personal mobility.

More than half of Europeans would consider car sharing, either through a formal program or through private arrangements, a Ford Motor Company-sponsored poll shows. Drivers increasingly see car sharing programs as a viable option, particularly in dense urban areas where parking can be problematic, and public transit can meet many but not all transportation needs.

The company revealed the survey findings while Ford of Germany was announcing FORD2GO earlier this week.

“Ford understands that for some of our customers – as this survey shows – car sharing is an attractive option,” said Bernhard Mattes, chairman of Ford of Germany and vice president, Ford Customer Service Division, Ford of Europe. “As a company, we are committed to a collaborative and integrated approach to future mobility, and the FORD2GO service is another significant step in exploring exactly how that future could look.”

Ford said FORD2GO will be rolled out starting in the second quarter of 2013, with more than 500 cars expected to be made available from 50 dealerships by the end of the year.

DB Rent will deliver the web-based booking system and the app will be compatible with both iOS and Android mobile devices, and available for use by private and commercial customers.

Ford’s German trade network includes 527 Ford dealers, 257 affiliated branches and 1083 Ford authorized repair shops, any of which would be able to take part in the program.

The Futures Company conducted the survey on behalf of Ford to better understand the opinions and attitudes of Europeans across a range of mobility issues – from car sharing to green driving to the future of the internal combustion engine.

Of the 56 percent surveyed who said they would consider car sharing, 27 percent would be most attracted by reduced travel costs, 26 percent by convenience of location and operating hours, 23 percent  by a straightforward booking system and 22 percent by a reduced impact on the environment.

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The IS 300h’s powertrain achieves a total system output of 220 horsepower. The homologated emissions figures for the European model confirm it will produce 99g/km of CO2 in combined cycle driving, with a 65.7mpg combined fuel consumption.

In the UK these figures will apply to the IS 300h SE model with 16-inch wheels.

The system features a 141 horsepower electric motor and a newly developed 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine that produces a maximum 178 horsepower. The engine benefits from a new D-4S fuel injection system, Dual VVT-i intelligent variable valve timing and a high-efficiency exhaust gas recirculation system.

The rear wheels are driven through the hybrid powertrain’s E-CVT transmission.

The powertrain will allow zero to 62 mph acceleration in 8.3 seconds and a 125mph top speed.

The driver can modify the car’s performance by selecting between three different drive modes: EV all-electric running, with the gasoline engine switched off; Eco, for optimum fuel efficiency; Normal, and Sport, for sharper throttle response and a sportier steering setting.

The new IS hybrid lineup includes an F Sport model, which comes with sports-tuned suspension and electric power steering, as well as dedicated exterior and interior design features that distinguish it from the other models in the lineup.

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First of all, BMW made it official: the i3 will be available this year in Europe.

In the words of BMW, we “will start supplying customers with driver-friendly, premium-quality electric mobility later this year with the BMW i3, whose technology is a response to the social, ecological and economic challenges of our times.”

Secondly, BMW revealed interesting bits of data from what the company learned through customer use of the BMW ActiveE and MINI E vehicles in Asia, Europe and the USA.

The distances covered by the electric vehicles showed very little difference from the distances covered by conventional cars, at somewhat over 40 kilometers (25 miles) a day on average.

On average, the pilot customers charged their vehicle two to three times a week, for the most part at home or at their workplace.

At the start of testing, more than 70 percent of users said that access to public charging stations was very important to them. In actual practice, however, public infrastructure was used for less than 10 percent of all charging.

Based on the field trial results, BMW i’s division said it set out to design a BMW eDrive powertrain for the BMW i3 which in typical commuting use between home and workplace would only require the battery to be recharged once every two to three days.

The BMW i3 to be commercialized later this year will go beyond this target, with a range of between 130 and 160 kilometers (80 to 100 miles) in day-to-day operation. This will also allow it to cope comfortably with out-of-town journeys.

An interesting fact BMW revealed is that the i3 will be powered by a specially developed high-voltage lithium-ion battery with an energy output, and thus the range of the vehicle, less affected by fluctuations in temperature than is typical of such batteries today.

BMW said the technology behind this is an intelligent heating/cooling system which always keeps the battery at an optimal operating temperature. According to BMW, this improves the everyday practicality, stable performance and life expectancy of the battery.

A further priority in designing the BMW i3, said BMW, was to reduce the energy consumption of electrical components. The cabin heating operates on the heat pump principle, which results in 30 percent energy savings in city driving compared with a conventional electrical heating system, while the internal and external lighting uses energy-saving LEDs.

Finally, the German company said the BMW i3 will also be the world’s first electric vehicle to feature full connectivity and will consequently be equipped with BMW i ConnectedDrive services catering specifically to the needs of electric mobility.

BMW described these functions as providing drivers with a realistic range estimate for their journey before they even set out. The internet-enabled navigation system is based on a dynamic range display which takes into account all the relevant parameters for the planned route and is therefore able to provide precise, reliable range predictions. In addition to the battery charge level, driving style, use of electric convenience systems and choice of drive mode, the calculations also take into account route topography and the current traffic situation. The system can identify energy-intensive uphill gradients on the route ahead and reduces the range computation accordingly. The same goes for energy-depleting stop-go conditions or traffic jams, since detailed real-time traffic data is also taken into account.

The BMW i3 can also be supplied with an optional range extender, which increases the driving range to approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles).

For trips where the autonomy of an BMW i3 would not cut it, BMW i will offer additional mobility modules allowing even longer distances to be covered – for example a conventional BMW vehicle can be provided on a given number of days per year.

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Just like U.S. market Nissan Leafs are now built in Tennessee, European-market Leafs will be built closer to their intended market, at Nissan’s Sunderland facility in the UK.

Nissan said it has a longer range, is more practical, better to drive and has even more equipment.

European production of the new model will soon start at Nissan’s Sunderland production facility with more than one hundred changes made to the electric car.

Improvements include an extended driving range, greater recyclability, more interior space, better charging performance, more equipment and greater choice with three versions now available.

Subtle styling changes to the nose of the car have improved its aerodynamic efficiency.

Many of the changes have come as a direct result of feedback from Leaf owners.

In addition to owner input, Nissan has been able to get feedback from aggregated data from the unique Carwings telematics system, which is at the heart of the Leaf. This feature logs information on charging, usage patterns and distance driven.

With the Leaf having been on sale for more than two years, and having delivered more than 50,000 units globally, engineers at Nissan have been able to use some of the data collected to optimize the car in line with actual customer usage.

Changes range from a new powertrain assembly that greatly enhances the car’s practicality to simple modifications, such as the addition of a LED light within the charging port making overnight charging that much easier..

Nissan is also providing a new comprehensive warranty plan for the batteries. As well as covering the batteries against defects in materials and workmanship for five years/100,000 kms (60,000 miles), batteries will be covered by a ‘State Of Health’ clause which covers gradual capacity loss.

Over time, lithium-ion batteries lose a percentage of their capacity, a natural phenomenon. But should battery life reduce quicker than anticipated over the same warranty period it will either be repaired or replaced.

One significant change to the 2013 Nissan Leaf is the move to producing the car in three different locations: North America, Europe and Japan.

In Europe, production will start this spring, as mentioned, in Sunderland in the UK, where the Leaf will be sharing the line with Qashqai and joining Note and Juke.

At the same time, the lithium-ion batteries are already being produced at a new facility nearby on the Sunderland site.

“By sourcing Nissan Leaf and its batteries in Europe, we are underlining our faith not just in the ability of the Sunderland facility to build our most technically advanced car, but also in the fact that electric vehicles can be considered a genuine alternative to conventionally powered vehicles,” said Willcox. “In its two years on sale, the global success of Nissan Leaf has shown that electric vehicles offer viable everyday transport for people with a typical daily commute.

The revised Leaf, which goes on sale in Europe in the middle of 2013, marks an important milestone in Nissan’s global zero-emission leadership. It will soon be joined by pure electric versions of the NV200, to be called e-NV200, in both light commercial van and seven-seat combi versions.

Development is also underway on a dedicated EV taxi based on the e-NV200 while an Infiniti EV is expected in 2015.

Changes to the Euro Leaf

Now assembled together as a single stack, the new powertrain is still an 80 kilowatt AC synchronous motor linked to a Nissan-designed 48-module compact lithium-ion battery, mounted underneath the cabin area to lower the center of gravity.

By moving the charger from the rear of the Leaf to under the hood, Nissan has been able to increase the size of the trunk. This means there is now no obstacle in the middle of the cargo area when the seats are folded, while rear legroom has been increased thanks to reshaped seat cushions, which allow passengers in the rear to put their feet under the seat in front.

Improvements to the heating and ventilation system are based on a new heat pump system which replaces the original ceramic heater. This significantly reduces electrical consumption and delivers an improvement in real-world driving range. This is particularly relevant to markets where drivers rely heavily on the heating and ventilation systems.

The revised Leaf’s real-world driving range has also been improved by the only visual change to the car: a subtly revised front grille helps reduce the aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.28.

The new Leaf’s driving range is certified at 124 miles (200km) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC); the previous model was rated at 109 miles (175 km).

The revised Leaf is said to be more fun to drive thanks to changes to the chassis, steering and brakes engineered at Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE). Main changes have been to damper settings to reduce float and deliver a more agile and dynamic drive without affecting ride comfort. The steering system has been given more weight to provide steering feel more in tune with European tastes while the performance of the brakes has been improved to make them more progressive in use, while also increasing the amount of energy recovered.

Changes have also been made to the Eco driving mode.  A new “B” setting on the transmission increases regenerative braking during deceleration while a separate “Eco” button on the steering wheel extends driving range by altering the throttle mapping to discourage rapid acceleration. The two systems can be operated independently of one another, unlike in the original Leaf.

Other key improvements to the Leaf’s e-Powertrain include reduced internal friction and a more efficient battery and energy management system.

Reduced charging time is also promised by a new option that will cut the conventional charging length in half, from eight to four hours. A new 6.6-kilowatt on-board charger will permit the use of 32-amp charging using the latest generation of chargers installed in domestic and commercial properties. A typical European domestic plug delivers 10 amps.

Other technical innovation enhancements include the new Bose audio system specifically developed for the Leaf and also available on the North American version.

Nissan’s Around View Monitor is another technical innovation now found on the Leaf. This system uses a network of cameras to generate a 360-degree overhead image of the car on the central display, simplifying parking or any difficult maneuvers.

Changes inside include the seats. As well as being redesigned for better support, the front seats now incorporate height adjustment, while a new bio-fabric covering has been introduced.

Where the original model featured material made from 39 percent recycled plastic bottles, the new bio-fabric is 100-percent derived from sugar cane, further improving the Leaf’s overall recyclability and environmental credentials. Leather is also now available, as is a darker and more practical interior finish.

The charging port has been reworked to improve usability and security and its release mechanism now uses an electric switch. Additionally, the charge cable now features an electro-mechanical locking mechanism that removes the requirement to lock the cable to the car manually.

Other detail enhancements include a new i-Key that also controls the charging port cover and cable lock.

These significant updates are incorporated as part of a major range expansion that sees the Leaf adopt the European Nissan three-tier trim line-up of Visia, Acenta and Tekna.

The Visia version offers a lower price entry point while Tekna models feature even more standard equipment than the original model.

Visia models have 16-inch steel wheels with full covers, black door mirror caps and halogen headlights, for example. Acenta versions have 16-inch alloy wheels, suede fabric seat trim, body colored mirror caps and rear privacy glass.

As well as having leather seats as standard, Tekna models come with 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, LED headlights, the Bose sound system and AVM. A new color palette for all versions now extends to seven different colors with solid, pearl and metallic finishes.

The post European-Specific Nissan Leaf To Be Unveiled In Geneva appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The car will be sold in select European markets as of 2014.

Chevrolet anticipates the Spark EV will set a benchmark in performance for an urban city electric car; the Spark EV is powered by the most advanced electric motor and battery system General Motors has ever built.

“The Spark EV is a fun-to-drive zero-emission city car with intelligent connectivity. We believe it will resonate particularly in some of Europe’s most technologically advanced markets,” says Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. “Just like Volt, this nimble battery-powered vehicle is a proof point for Chevrolet’s ingenuity in delivering smart mobility solutions.”

The heart of the Spark EV’s propulsion system is its GM-designed permanent magnet electric motor. It delivers more than 130 horsepower (100 kilowatt) and will enable 0-60 mph acceleration in under 8.5 seconds.

The Spark EV will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery system of more than 20 kilowatt-hour that operates with the help of an active liquid cooling and heating system. The battery pack has been engineered to enable both regular alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast charging.

Chevrolet said DC fast charging will allow the car to recharge up to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes. Moreover, the battery system is capable of handling multiple DC fast charges daily. AC recharging requires between 6 and 8 hours, using a 230V outlet.

A charging extension is standard.

According to Chevrolet, the Spark EV was designed to look edgy and expressive. Among the most prominent aspects of its stylish interior is a column-mounted instrument cluster that features one of two large seven-inch full-color LCD screens. The other display is located in the center stack and serves as the interface for infotainment, cabin climate controls and energy-efficiency data.

The Spark EV will come with the Chevrolet MyLink connected radio technology as standard, which allows users to connect compatible smartphones to the radio with its high resolution touch screen. Chevrolet said MyLink will support a number of select apps which will allow users to navigate using their smartphone, and listen to radio stations around the world through the internet. A rear-view camera will provide assistance when the car is in reverse.

In addition, MyLink users who own a compatible iPhone (4S and higher) running iOS6 will be able to utilise Siri to perform a number of tasks while they keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

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