BUKIT LANJAN: How long more will the Malaysian government delay approval to use EVs?

Bright idea? Another 50 London lamp posts will double-up as electric car chargers under new plans

· Kensington and Chelsea to get 100% renewable energy lamp post car chargers

· It's an expansion of a London trial in June that saw 7 posts being converted

· Drivers will need to buy the smart charging cable (up to £299) to access them

· There is also a charging fee, subscription cost and £1 usage charge … for more, go to http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-5078293/Another-50-London-lamp-posts-double-EV-chargers.html

BUKIT LANJAN: How long more will the Malaysian government delay approval to use EVs?

As hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) get more and more affordable by the year, it is time for Malaysians to plan and be prepared for the global evolution of the automobile technology and industry.

It is quite obvious the Malaysian government will not be able to delay the approval and use of EVs much longer because it will most certainly harm Geely-Proton’s domestic and international markets.

“Many developed countries, including Singapore, have not only started putting EVs on the roads. They have also started testing autonomous EVs for public transport,” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff said.

He said it would also be wise for Malaysians to delay buying new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)-powered cars for as long as possible.

Syed Razak, who is Gerakan’s nominee to contest N.37 Bukit Lanjan in the coming 14th General Election (GE14), said ICE-powered cars would naturally become obsolete with new automobile technology.

“Delay buying new cars as long as possible, save for new technology and affordable EVs. Why buy something that is becoming obsolete?” he asked.

Here are two news reports posted by The Star Online on EVs:

"Electric cars to watch out for in 2018

TECH NEWS
Friday, 29 Dec 2017
7:00 AM MYT

The Nissan Leaf is the biggest-selling electric car at the moment. — AFP Relaxnews

Electric cars were all over the news in 2017, but that's nothing compared to what we're going to see in 2018. Though the majority of electrified cars bought by consumers will inevitably be hybrids and plug-in hybrids for now, the push towards full electrification will gather pace considerably in the coming year. Here are some of the electric vehicles we know are coming in 2018.

Being the first really can be an advantage, and it has been for the Nissan Leaf, far and away the biggest-selling electric car at the moment – though we're still talking very low numbers compared to fossil-fuel powered cars.

The all-new second-generation will be with us shortly, and as well as an all-important increase in battery range, will feature an impressive array of driver-assist technology. It will also have the e-Pedal, almost an entirely new way of driving where brakes are hardly needed at all.

A less familiar name is Faraday, which is looking to put a dent in Tesla's sales with its FF91 model next year. As well as looking seriously futuristic, the Faraday FF91 will deliver equally sci-fi features such as a facial recognition system to open the car without a key. But with a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.39 seconds and 1,050 horsepower, don't expect this one to be an affordable EV for the mass market.

The traditional big names of the industry will also go big on electric models in 2018. The Audi e-tron looks to be especially worth checking out. As well as 496 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft. of torque available, the 310-mile range on a single battery charge is likely to be its key attribute. — AFP Relaxnews

New Alfa Romeo SUV to bring electrification to the brand

TECH NEWS
Friday, 29 Dec 2017
1:55 PM MYT

The new Alfa Romeo model will be a larger model than the Stelvio, and it's believed it will be marketed as a challenger to the likes of Audi's Q7. Pictured is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. — AFP Relaxnews

There seem to be two things that automakers have to build these days to ensure their long-term survival: SUVs and electrified vehicles. Alfa Romeo has already brought us its first SUV in shape of the Stelvio, and now a hybrid SUV is in the works too.

Alfa Romeo, which has a long heritage of building sporty cars, is building a new flagship SUV with a 400 horsepower mild hybrid propulsion system.

The new Alfa Romeo model will be a larger model than the Stelvio, and it's believed it will be marketed as a challenger to the likes of Audi's Q7. The Auto Express website was told by Alfa's bosses that this will be the first of three new models from the famed Italian brand.

Perhaps more exciting for Alfa Romeo enthusiasts is the fact that electrified powertrains are imminent.

Alfa's Chief technical officer, Roberto Fedeli, told Auto Express, "The Stelvio for sure is an example of Alfa DNA, why don't we translate that in a car which is a little bigger? We have to marry the new car with the right level of electrification. Plug-in hybrid could be a problem for the Alfa DNA point of view, but for instance, a 48-volt mild hybrid solution is something that we can do without losing anything."

Mild hybrid systems are increasingly being seen by major automakers as a cost-effective way of meeting emissions regulations, with Volkswagen in particular, already planning to introduce them into a number of its current and upcoming models. — AFP Relaxnews"

N.37 LET BUKIT LANJAN SOAR WITH SYED ABDUL RAZAK ALSAGOFF