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The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Ireland's ‘first-of-its-kind' home-charging EV pilot rolled out – as FREE EasyGo EV chargers up for grabs
THE first ever home charging scheme for electric vehicles a has been rolled out in Ireland. The pilot phase was produced through a partnership between EasyGo, Ireland's biggest 4 The pilot aims to tackle off street parking barriers to EV charging Credit: easygo 4 It's hoped that the move will help the country reach climate goals Credit: easygo It's been labelled the Shared Charging Network. The initiative aims to reduce what they claim is one of the biggest obstacles to EV driving - a lack of off street parking and Under the scheme, homeowners can share their private EV chargers with neighbours and other members of the public. This can be done through the EasyGo platform, which aims to create a community-powered solution to charging accessibility. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The first phase of the scheme has been launched as a pilot and is only accessible in a few areas. Participation is currently coming from homeowners in Dingle, Co Organisers said that anyone interested in partaking in the scheme can apply for the website. From there, their location and Most read in The Irish Sun Successful applicants are given an EasyGo EV charger for free, and can then share access to the private charger via the EasyGo platform. They said that it's an ideal practical solution for those who don't have access to off street parking. Inside the Volkswagen ID The pilot will run for the rest of 2025. It aims to gather data to inform future EV policy and infrastructure planning. Those behind the scheme said: "Shared charging models have shown promise internationally in helping reduce pressure on public networks, promoting sustainable transport, and strengthening local community ties." CEO of EasyGo, Ollie Chatten, said: 'We are delighted to officially launch the Shared Charging Initiative. "This scheme has the power to reshape how communities think about EV infrastructure - enabling people to participate directly in Ireland's low-emission future. "It's a meaningful step toward inclusive, scalable charging access.' And the initiative was welcomed by the transport minister, who said the move would help the country to achieve climate goals. Minister for Transport "By enabling homeowners to share access to EV chargers, the Shared Charging Scheme taps into the power of community to close infrastructure gaps, accelerate EV adoption, and help achieve our climate goals. "It's a practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking initiative that strengthens the resilience and accessibility of Ireland's charging network." 4 Homeowners with their own EV charger will be able to share it with neighbours Credit: Getty 4 The scheme has been rolled out in four areas Credit: easygo
Tom's Guide
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I drove the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz for a week — and it gets more attention than any other EV on the road
In my 10 months of test driving EVs, only one kind of vehicle has eluded me: an all-electric van. Well, that wait is finally over because the 2025 Volkswagen is now commercially available for purchase. And you know what? It's the EV that's getting the most attention, far more than any luxury vehicle I've tested. That's because the is unlike any other electric vehicle on the market, and in my week's worth of testing it, I cannot tell you how much of a deep impression it has made across multiple generations. Quite frankly, Volkswagen's making it cool again to drive a van on the road — complete with a modern makeover that will make you do a double take. Even though there's an undeniable amount of buzz surrounding it, the $59,995 starting cost of the base trim makes it a pricey investment. That goes up to $67,995 for the Pro S Plus with 4MOTION trim that I test drove for a week, which comes with a stronger electric motor and an EPA-estimated range of 231 miles. 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus 4MOTION Battery 91 kWh Motor Dual electric motors Range 231 miles Horsepower 335 hp Wheels 20-inches MSRP $67,995.00 Despite being one of the taller and longer EVs I've driven all year, the 2025 Volkswagen Pro S Plus with 4MOTION manages an average efficiency of 3 mi/kWh — that's with 270 miles of driving it for the week. This means that it's very possible to go beyond the 231 miles of range it's rated for, assuming that it could sustain that 3 mi/kWh efficiency. While this turns out to be better than I expected, the range is still considerably low compared to other EVs I've tested, like the much cheaper Chevrolet Equinox EV. Then again, I managed an efficiency of 4.1 mi/kWh driving 7 miles of local driving, while my best long distance efficiency came out to 2.9 mi/kWh driving a total of 60 miles. Compared to other large-sized EVs I've tested so far this year, the ID. Buzz is actually pretty good with its efficiency, considering it offers 3-row seating. The Level 1 charging speed isn't bad at the rate of 2.66 mi/hr, but if you intend on driving a lot each day, I highly recommend installing a Level 2 charger at home. Basically, it added back 30 miles of range to the with 11.2 hours of charging. If your daily work commute is short, say 10 miles round trip, you could suffice with Level 1 charging. 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus 4MOTION 2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT Total miles driven 270 miles 413 miles 351.6 miles Average Efficiency 3 mi/kWh 2.46 mi/kWh 3.5 mi/kWh Best long distance driving efficiency 2.9 mi/kWh (60 miles of distance) 3 mi/kWh (34.6 miles of distance) 3.7 mi/kWh (32.9 miles of driving) Best short distance driving efficiency 4.1 mi/kWh (7 miles of distance) N/A 4.5 mi/ kWh (16 miles of driving) Level 1 charging rate 2.66 mi/hr 2.32 mi/hr 3.96 mi/hr Without a doubt, the quirky design of the 2025 Volkswagen is its biggest draw — mainly due to how it takes the iconic design of the Volkswagen Bus and reimagines it with a modern touch. I know it also helps that it's available in a handful of colors, like the Pomelo Yellow Metallic and Candy White trim of my loaner. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. A post shared by John Velasco (@john_c_velasco) A photo posted by on On the road, it received more attention from other drivers than any other EV I've tested to date — which inspires a lot of nostalgia from baby boomers and Gen Xers. I've had a couple of instances when other drivers would pull up by me, only to tell me how much they love this redesign. Just check out the video above to see exactly what I mean. I'm an older millennial and I can appreciate how its design casts a deep impression across all generations. Prior to this, the only other van I've tested in the last year is the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid. I was anticipating it to be a challenge to drive, since the is longer and surprisingly just as tall as other all-electric pickup trucks I've driven — like the Chevrolet Silverado EV. But despite this, I have to say that the Volkswagen drives smoothly and has a decent turning radius. On the highway, its 335 hp performance from its dual electric motors allow it to accelerate effortlessly, while the steering is responsive enough to take turns without much effort. I would recommend, though, to drive it in B mode because this effectively engages the regenerative brakes. This all-electric van begs to be driven for long distances, which is why I appreciate how well its adaptive cruise control works. Once activated, it takes control of the steering wheel to keep it centered in the lane, along with applying the necessary braking and acceleration to maintain its cruising speed. I also like how this adaptive cruise control system is pretty quick to respond to other cars coming into my lane. Not only does it brake to keep its distance when this happens, but it doesn't slam the brakes as hard as other EVs. On top of that, it gradually accelerates to get up to cruising speed rather than doing it abruptly. And finally, I find the heads-up display helpful in keeping my eyes more focused on the road than looking down at the driver's display. Your passengers can relax in style with the 2025 Volkswagen Pro S Plus with 4MOTION because it packs second-row captain's chairs that make it feel like they're sitting in first class on a flight. There's only two seats for the second row, which can recline to make them more suitable for those naps on the road, but there's an opening in between that allows easy access to the third row. Speaking of the third row bench seating, there has been a recall recently for the because it's deemed too wide and doesn't comply with the current standards — which is odd because you'd think that this would've been caught earlier in the development process. Regardless, I thought they're much more comfortable than the other vehicles with third-row seating. Not all vans have second row windows that can open, but the Volkswagen has a neat take with its power sliding windows. They don't technically open down like your traditional rear windows, but rather the glass cutout slides out — which I'd say is another design quirk that makes it intriguing. Bigger vehicles like this tend to sacrifice efficiency for the utility of carrying more passengers, but the Volkswagen manages 3 mi/kWh efficiency. That's the target I want all EVs to strive for at this point, as there are still few that exceed the 4 mi/kWh range — like the Lucid Air Pure. What's notable about my 3 mi/kWh average efficiency driving the for a week is that it could theoretically hit a range of 273 miles based on its 91 kWh battery. This actually beats the manufacturer's EPA-estimated claim of 231 miles. I'm always in awe whenever I unlock the Volkswagen with the key fob because I'm treated to a short lighting sequence that shows off its adaptive LED headlights. Even better is the dynamic cornering lights that kick on and throw additional light whenever I take turns — so that I can see a bit more of the road to my left or right. Speaking of range, it's really short and puts it at a disadvantage over other EVs similar to its size. This kind of EV begs to be driven for vacations and long distance trips, but its EPA-estimated range of 231 miles limits how far and longer you can drive with it before it needs to be charged. For example, the 2025 Cadillac Optiq packs a slightly smaller 85 kWh battery, but it's rated for 302 miles. Due to how it prioritizes passenger space on the inside, the trunk is obscenely small — albeit, I do like the small cubbies that act as storage. I struggled with this because there wasn't enough space for a big grocery trip, so I ended up having to stow them in the second row. I could pull down the third row seats to make more room for the trunk, but then it becomes more of a hassle of constantly putting them back up. Although it's a modern van in how it's designed from the inside and out, I think Volkswagen is missing an opportunity to draw more people into choosing the I could very well see the for campers and van life folks, but it would be nice to have other trims that would cater to their needs more — as opposed to being a passenger vehicle for carrying a lot of people. I think it would be attractive if there was a camper trim version that strips out the premium seats on the inside to make more room. At this point, you'd have to do some extra work into converting the current trims to an ideal camper. People can't get enough of the 2025 Volkswagen It's cool, hip, and different all at the same time. Plus, it certainly boosts the interest around making more all-electric vans because this is one area that's sorely lacking with options. I can't tell you enough how people have a deep connection to the because it got more compliments and interest from random strangers than all the other EVs I've driven this year, combined. While it's still more expensive than the average EV, I think it's reasonable given the premium features that come with it — and how cool looking it is to drive. I just want more trim options, so that owners don't have to do more work (and potentially more money) to get it to exactly what they want.
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Iconic 115-year-old sports car brand to build its first-ever EV – but it won't be for years, boss reveals
AN ICONIC British sports car company will be making its first electric vehicle, but not any time soon. Advertisement 1 Morgan wants combustion engines for as long as possible Credit: Top Gear The company is still waiting for the technology to catch up with the requirements of their brand until it will release an Boss of Morgan, Matthew Hole, told that an electric sportscar won't be coming any time soon from them as they will "stick with internal combustion for as long as possible. "That's the DNA of our cars and it's what our customers want", he continued. Hole revealed that Morgan is currently running an electric programme in parallel with the development of internal combustion engines. Advertisement Read More Motors News However, until the weight of tech is optimised and solid state batteries become available, the existence of a Morgan EV will not be on the cards. Hole added: "For us, it is all about building lightweight sportscars that are great to drive". The announcement comes amid concerns around the UK's mandated The zero emission vehicle mandate requires mainstream motor firms to reach an 80% EV mix by 2030. Advertisement Most read in Motors However, manufacturers selling fewer than 2,500 vehicles a year are currently exempt. The 115-year old company is reported to produce 850 cars annually, with orders on a six month waiting list. Iconic sports car brand's new £100k model unveiled by Top Gear legend Therefore, Morgan is for now not among those having to develop an all-electric motor in the coming years. The iconic sportscar brand unveiled its newest Advertisement In a video posted to the Morgan Motor Company YouTube channel, the new Supersport's removable hard-top roof and 3.0-litre inline-six engine sourced from BMW were revealed. Morgan's had a powertrain partnership with BMW for more than two decades now, with the two in talks about a potential EV programme. Hold said: 'We need longevity, and with engines and the size of business we are, we can't afford to change the powertrain every five years or so - we need 10-15 years". Insurance company Advertisement Top 5 cheapest electric vehicles to insure Lexus LBX - (Average annual premium: £622.23) is the smallest Lexus, that means luxury driving, excellent in-car entertainment, a lush interior and a smooth ride . Cupra Born - (Average annual premium: £623.33) is an all-electric hot hatch that's fast and a little furious. Volkswagen ID - (Average annual premium: £626.24) a small(ish), city-style SUV that's leading VW's all electric range. It's a reliable and robust car that's aimed at the urban marke t. Honda E:Ny1 - (Average annual premium: £633.04) a practical electric vehicle with above-average performance and battery life, slightly let down by slow(er) battery charging time when compared to rivals. Mini Cooper Electric - (Average annual premium: £641.07) is a huge amount of fun to drive with great handling. Space is limited, but the clue is in the name with a battery-powered motor.
Axios
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Lyft will offer self-driving taxis in Dallas as soon as 2026
Lyft plans to add Mobileye-powered self-driving robotaxis to its ride hailing app starting in Dallas as early as next year. Why it matters: Like its main rival Uber, Lyft is embracing robotaxis without taking on the financial burden to develop the technology itself. While it briefly flirted with a plan to run its own robotaxi service, Lyft now plans to let partners deploy autonomous vehicles on its network. Driving the news: The announcement builds on a partnership with Mobileye announced last November. Robotaxis with Mobileye's autonomous technology will debut in Dallas "as soon as 2026," Lyft said, leaving flexibility on the timing. The vehicles will be owned by Tokyo-based auto and fleet financing firm Marubeni Corp., the newest partner in the collaboration. What's next: After Dallas, Lyft and Mobileye plan to add "thousands of vehicles" in multiple cities, Lyft CEO David Risher posted on X. Between the lines: Mobileye specializes in self-driving software and hardware; Lyft is a network operator. Neither wants the cost or responsibility for owning and maintaining a fleet of robotaxis. That's where Marubeni comes in. It is one of Japan's largest international companies, and manages more than 900,000 vehicles through various subsidiaries and joint ventures. What to watch: Lyft didn't say what type of vehicles will be used for the robotaxis. Mobileye has already been testing fully self-driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz minivans in Austin, Tex. Its camera-based advanced driver assistance technology is widely used by many automakers, including Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, General Motors and others. The big picture: Lyft is trying to catch up to Uber, which has partnerships with an array of AV companies, including Waymo, the market leader. Lyft's early misfortune was partnering with AV companies that folded or retrenched, including Argo AI and Motional. Besides its Mobileye deal, Lyft announced plans to launch AVs with May Mobility in Atlanta this year.
