World EV Day Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Nissan celebrates 35 years of production with custom-built 100% electric LEAF-powered Bluebird

vuyi on January 12, 2022

Press Release: Nissan South Africa

Celebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland plant, Nissan has commissioned a very special conversion of the Nissan Bluebird.

Celebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland plant, Nissan has commissioned a very special conversion of the Nissan Bluebird – the first car off the factory’s production line in 1986.

Called `Newbird’, the one-off project car is powered by the 100% electric drivetrain of a Nissan LEAF, the pioneering mass-market EV that kick-started the global trend towards electrification of mobility.

The `Newbird’ connects 35 years of manufacturing heritage at Sunderland, as Nissan accelerates towards an electrified future through Ambition 2030, the company’s long-term plan to empower mobility and beyond.

Alan Johnson, Vice President, Manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said; “The `Newbird’ represents all that is great about our plant – past present and future – as we celebrate 35 years of manufacturing in Sunderland.

“We have a rich heritage of building great cars, right from the original Bluebird model, and our fantastic team is now leading the way as we drive towards an exciting electrified, carbon-neutral, future.”

Nissan `Newbird’: In Detail

The Nissan Bluebird was extensively modified to integrate the LEAF’s electric drivetrain. The original petrol combustion engine and gearbox were removed and a LEAF motor, inverter and 40kWh battery pack installed, with the battery modules split between the engine bay and boot for optimised weight distribution.

Updates and modifications were made to the power steering, braking and heating systems to enable them to be electrically powered. A custom suspension was also installed to support the additional weight from the battery packs.

As a nod to the car’s electric updates, the original Nissan bonnet badge received a LED backlight (for when the vehicle is static).

The car is recharged through the original fuel flap, which provides access to the charging port. The battery can be recharged at up to 6.6kW and the original driver instrument panel has been connected to the EV system to enable the fuel gauge to show the battery state of charge.

Although not homologated, the vehicle’s range from a single charge is estimated at around 130 miles (subject to environmental factors and driving style) with a 0-62mph (0-100kph) time of just under 15 seconds.

For the exterior of the vehicle, Nissan Design Europe, based in London, created a new graphic motif inspired by design cues of 1980s consumer technology, combined with a 21st century aesthetic.

The conversion was project-managed by Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, a family-run company based in Durham, North East England (just 15 miles from the Sunderland plant). Kinghorn EV specialises in the conversion of classic cars to full electric using second-life Nissan LEAF motors, inverters & batteries.

George Kinghorn said, “Electric vehicles are not just the future, they’re the now! Converting older vehicles to electric gives you everyday use of these iconic vintage models, but they’re just as enjoyable to drive, they’re more reliable and importantly don’t produce harmful emissions when driving. With this project, we think we’ve created a car that captures the soul of the Nissan Bluebird, with the heart of a Nissan LEAF.”

Sunderland Plant was officially opened in September 1986 and has been in operation ever since. Total output from 1986 to the present day stands in excess of 10.5 million cars.

Celebrating 9th September – World EV Day – The global movement driving change

vuyi on September 9, 2021

After the enormous success of the inaugural World EV Day, ABB continues its headline partnership with sustainability media agency, Green.TV, for the 2021 World EV Day, to be held on 9th September.

World EV Day is a global movement, driving change, together. A day of celebration of emobility, and a day to shift the transition to sustainable transport with consumer, business and policy outcomes.

In 2021, World EV Day is asking businesses across the world how they will #DriveChange to support emobility, and sharing stories from real EV owners about their journeys on the road to #GoEV.

In 2020, World EV Day became a global focus for raising awareness around e-mobility and the important role it plays for the future of sustainable transport.

– Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s eMobility Division

Also, the 2021 campaign focuses on education, accessibility and sustainability as the headline themes for the 2021 World EV Day campaign. The day, continuing its work to deliver action will be focused on motivating more people to engage with e-mobility and to support sustainable transport solutions for all.

World EV Day works with its partners to either create digitally led creative campaigns, or provides the tools and channels for our partners to work on their own campaigns.

With 2021 also being the year that the global community comes together with COP26 – the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties – World EV Day will contribute to enhancing progress towards sustainable mobility and focus on decarbonization.

Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s eMobility Division, comments: “We are committed to enabling low-carbon societies and driving the further adoption of e-mobility solutions is a crucial part of achieving this objective. In 2020, World EV Day became a global focus for raising awareness around e-mobility and the important role it plays for the future of sustainable transport. The initiative was a huge success across the e-mobility community, and something ABB is delighted to continue supporting as headline partner.”

I’m thrilled that ABB are continuing their headline partnership for the 2021 World EV Day

– Ade Thomas, Founder of Green.TV and of World EV Day

Green.TV, the creators of World EV Day, will be working with leading global companies, and organizations, to plan a series of content streams, and events, to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport with consumer, business and policy outcomes.

Ade Thomas, Founder of Green.TV, and of World EV Day, said: “I’m thrilled that ABB are continuing their headline partnership for the 2021 World EV Day. In its inaugural year, the campaign became an international movement, with a media reach of 1.9 billion: the most successful automotive digital communications activity of the year.”

Jaguar South Africa prepares to celebrate World EV Day in an electrifying way

vuyi on September 8, 2021

In celebration of World EV Day, Jaguar South Africa is giving away exciting prizes to motorists with a real passion for electric cars.

Jaguar South Africa is celebrating World EV Day on 9 September by giving away special one-on-one all-electric I-PACE driving experiences to ten lucky winners of an EV-themed quiz.

The quiz will run over seven consecutive days, with one question published per day, beginning on 9 September – World EV Day. To qualify, respondents will need to answer all seven questions correctly and should there be more than 10 successful entries, elimination rounds will be hosted at Jaguar Experience in Lonehill.

The elimination rounds, arranged at the convenience of competitors throughout the month of October, will include an exciting driving competition on one of the Experience facility’s hi-tech racing simulators.

And yes, there will be consolation prizes for those who don’t make the cut.

Clearly, contestants will need to be genuinly interested in electric vehicles, the future of mobility and all-electric Formula E motorsport in order to scoop any of the prizes.

Speaking of which, the grand prizes will include half-day driving courses for the ten winners who will each be accompanied by one partner. Together, they will experience the lightning fast acceleration of a Jaguar I-PACE, which can bolt from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds and the exhilaration of numerous dynamic handling exercises on a variety of surfaces. Lunch will be included courtesy of TLC on the Track restaurant, which is the facility’s in house up-market eatery.

The competition is open to anyone in South Africa, but travel to Johannesburg to participate in the elimination rounds, or to redeem the grand prizes is not included. Drivers must be over 23 years-old and over and must be in possession of a valid driver’s licence.

Winners will have until 23 December, 2021 to redeem their prize, and the Jaguar Experience team will assist to make booking arrangements at the winners’ convenience. Full Terms and Conditions apply.

ABOUT WORLD ELECTRIC VEHICLE DAY: World EV Day is an annual event to celebrate and promote electric mobility worldwide and connects stakeholders from across the industry with consumers to showcase the benefits of electrification and to encourage debate on a more sustainable future.