What is the Renault 4 E-Tech more practical than? Its more practical than the 5 E-Tech hatchback. These two electric cars share 68% of their components with a larger and more practical body. The 4 E-Tech has a reasonable driving range, bidirectional charging, and ChatGPT integration. These are qualities that make electric vehicles more appealing to buyers, and the reasonable driving range could make this little Renault a good choice for many European drivers.

Something about these cars looks familiar

The E-Tech models are built to look similar to the classic city car models coming from this brand. If you’re not familiar with Renault, you might want to know that it’s been around for several decades. The Renault 5 from the 1970s is the car that these EVs are modeled after. The name was revived in some manner in the 1990s and now comes to the market as an electric vehicle, giving the European market a small crossover that signals back to the classic look of the 4L that was built from 1961 until 1994.

The 4L was a common sight

The small and popular Renault 4L was a common sight for many years. This little car could easily be found on roads in Europe, South America, and Africa. The recognizable shape was a hit and could be seen across these markets for more than thirty years. There were more than 8 million models of the 4L built, which makes building the new 4 E-Tech a practical choice. This new crossover is supposed to fill a position that makes it more practical than the 5 E-Tech hatchback, which means it should be more appealing to a much larger audience than the 5 E-Tech.

Keep in mind; its European

Before we get into the dimensions of the new Renault 4 E-Tech, you must keep in mind that this new EV is made for the European market. For the most part, vehicles in other markets are much smaller than those in the United States.

The 4 E-Tech is 163 inches long, which is about six inches shorter than the Chevy Bolt EUV. It comes with 7.1 inches of ground clearance and a trunk area that has 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. This makes it larger than the 5 E-Tech but doesn’t make it a big vehicle by American standards.

Under the 4 E-Tech resides the same platform that underpins the hatchback 5 E-Tech model. This platform is a bespoke EV platform that’s made for these small and useful EVs.

What powers this new Renault EV?

This new electric crossover could easily fit in the American market as a subcompact crossover. It adheres to some of the same qualities that we find in this vehicle class in our market. The new 4 E-Tech is only offered as an FWD model that comes with one of two power offerings. The base version has 121 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, while the higher version produces 148 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful version can reach 62 MPH in 8.5 seconds, and both have top speeds that are limited to 93 MPH.

Driving range based on the battery pack?

The battery size in an EV contributes to its driving range. The Renault 4 E-Tech is rated on the European WLTP range rating. When this electric vehicle is equipped with the 40-kWh battery pack, it can deliver up to 186 miles of driving range. If this vehicle has the larger 52-kWh battery pack, that driving range is increased to 250 miles.

Both battery packs can charge from 15% to 80% in about 30 minutes at a DC fast charging station. When plugged into a Level 2 charger, the 4 E-Tech’s battery can be charged from 10% to full in about four and a half hours.

Additional usefulness from Renault

The two Renault electric vehicles have bidirectional charging capability of up to 11 kW, which is enough to run small appliances and tools. These vehicles can also return energy to the grid but aren’t capable of powering your entire home. Renault also equips these vehicles with a heat pump that helps warm the cabin more efficiently in the winter while allowing the vehicle to keep its battery pack at the optimum operating temperature.

Looking inside, you’ll see that both EVs have nearly identical setups with a 10-inch central display screen and a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The ChatGPT integration should allow the infotainment system to answer more complex voice commands.

The new Renault 4 E-Tech cross the stage at the Paris motor show and should be part of the new 2025 model year offering for this brand.

The post Renault 4 E-Tech Revives Classic Look in Practical EV Form first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Renault 4 E-Tech Revives Classic Look in Practical EV Form appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Its difficult to put the Mini Cooper in any category. It could be a premium subcompact car, it might be an extremely tiny SUV, or it might be one of the last remaining hatchbacks in the market. Regardless of what this little car brings to the table, it is a stylish, fun, and active vehicle. The SE model comes as an EV, which makes it even more intriguing and charming.

What powers the electric Cooper?

This small and unique EV could be the darling of the town. Many people might turn and look as you drive on by. The SE Electric is great for city driving but not so great on the highway. Its driving range is limited to only 114 miles on a single charge. This driving range comes from a 135-kW electric motor that gives this little vehicle 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. A full recharge when using a DC fast charger takes about 90 minutes, and an at-home 240-volt battery pack does the job in 4.75 hours.

What does the Cooper EV include?

The Mini Cooper SE Electric has a few unique features that are ideal for this electric vehicle. It has a unique set of 16-inch wheels and a heat pump to handle the heating system. Otherwise this model uses the same trim ladder as the other Cooper models. This electric Mini has a two-door configuration, which makes it highly recognizable.

Here’s what you’ll find at each trim of this electric Mini Cooper:

Classic Trim

• Run-flat tires
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automatic on/off LED headlights with cornering lights
• Heated power side mirrors
• Heated washer jets
• Carbon-black leatherette upholstery
• Height-adjustable manual front seats
• Cruise control
• Power windows and door locks
• Manual air conditioning
• Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Digital instrument cluster
• 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 6-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Rearview monitor
• Rear parking sensors
• Tire pressure monitor

The Classic trim options include three colors, performance summer tires, and heated front seats.

Signature Trim

• Additional exterior colors, including roof and mirror colors
• Power-folding mirrors
• Proximity key fob
• Keyless entry
• Panoramic moonroof
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Heated front seats
• Navigation system

If you choose the Signature trim, you can delete the panoramic moonroof and the navigation system if you desire. Options for this trim include:

• Heated steering wheel
• Alarm system
• Cloth and leatherette upholstery
• Roof rails
• Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel

Iconic Trim

• Additional paint and roof choices
• Nappa leather steering wheel
• Head-up display
• Wireless charging pad
• Premium leather upholstery

Check out the Union Jack taillights

The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom, bringing elements of the English, Scottish, and Welsh flags together in a unified manner. The Mini Cooper SE Electric has a set of taillights that utilize this design with LED lights and interesting uses of the stripes. The diagonal part of the lights is the regular taillight, while the horizontal part acts as the turn signal. This leaves the vertical part to be the brake light, offering a unique way to signal other drivers and pay homage to the UK.

Can an FWD car be fun to drive?

The Mini Cooper, in any of its forms, is supposed to be a fun and active car. This impressive machine is only offered with FWD, but that doesn’t make it less fun. The quick acceleration of the electric powertrain in the SE Electric model makes it easy to take this car out for a spin around town. You’re sure to enjoy the peppiness and quick steering responses when behind the wheel.

No Android Auto… bummer

The Mini Cooper SE Electric is certainly behind the times. This car doesn’t offer standard phone integration, which is odd. In fact, Android Auto is not available for this little car at all. That could be the BMW influence at work. Apple CarPlay is part of the mix, and Android users will have to connect via Bluetooth when driving this small electric car.

The electric Mini Cooper could be a good choice for drivers who don’t mind sticking to city streets. It has a low driving range and doesn’t provide connectivity for Android users. Still, this little car has the style you admire that makes it recognizable as part of the Mini Cooper family. Will you choose the Mini Cooper SE Electric?

The post 2024 Mini Cooper SE Electric: Compact, Charming, City Cruiser first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post 2024 Mini Cooper SE Electric: Compact, Charming, City Cruiser appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Gas stations are everywhere you look, but electric vehicle charging locations aren’t nearly as plentiful. Automakers and government agencies are working to rectify this problem. If you’re ready to make the transition from an ICE vehicle to an EV, you’ll want to understand some of the basics of charging and what to expect. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario, the same as it is when refueling your gas-powered vehicle.

Know your charging levels

Level 1

When EVs first hit the market, most were capable of charging overnight utilizing a traditional 120-volt household outlet. This charging level is called Level 1, and it’s the lowest power level you can use for charging an EV. Today’s EVs aren’t made to use this low level of charging, which has made Level 1 charging all but obsolete.

Level 2

Most electric car charging is done via Level 2 at-home charging. These chargers are twice as powerful as Level 1 systems, utilizing a 240-volt outlet in the home. Public chargers also offer Level 2 charging capabilities, but most drivers stopping along the route to recharge won’t select Level 2. Instead, this charging level is the perfect level for overnight charging. Currently, most EV drivers can only use a Level 2 charger to replenish their batteries to 100% charge.

Level 3

Electric car charging using a Level 3 DC Fast-Charging station is the fastest way to add driving range to any vehicle. Depending upon the voltage acceptance rate of the vehicle, these chargers can add up to 80% of the full charge to the EV batteries in less than one hour. Although this is the fastest charging rate, modern EVs with lithium-ion battery packs are limited to the 80% level to protect the batteries from overheating.

What charging socket is included in your EV?

Many automakers have recently announced plans to adopt the Tesla North American Charging Standard for their new vehicles. This should unify the types of chargers used and offer a larger charging network to most EV owners. Until this occurs, there are three different charging sockets used by automakers. This means EV owners must ensure the charging station selected has compatible charging sockets to power their EVs.

Can EVs fully charge at DC Fast-Chargers?

The widespread DC Fast-Charging network is meant to quickly add most of the electric car charging range to an EV to keep these vehicles going. An EV can fully charge at a DC Fast-Charger, but an EV that can utilize 350-kW of charging capability could see this rate drop to 50-kW once the 80% mark is reached. This slowing of the charging rate is to protect the EV batteries. Technically, the EV can be fully recharged at a Level 3 charger, but it’s not practical and takes a lot of time to go from 80-100%, which is time the driver could use to get closer to their desired destination.

Should EV drives join charging networks?

Unlike gas stations, where you can simply pull up to any pump, put in a credit card, and begin pumping, EV charging networks require accounts and memberships. This means most EV drivers should join multiple networks to have access to more chargers. Thankfully, modern EVs offer ways to consolidate all of these networks into a single account to ensure widespread charging availability and use. Still, if you purchase a pre-owned electric vehicle, you might not have this capability and will need to join several charging networks to have the best chance of accessing public charging locations.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

Typically, electric car charging is much more affordable at home than at public charging stations. Your at-home charging costs show up in your monthly electric bill, which could result in spending a lot less than when charging on the road. Regardless of how you charge your EV, it’s much more affordable than refueling a gas or diesel-powered vehicle. Additionally, electricity prices are generally pretty consistent compared to the constant ups and downs we see at gas stations.

Is there an etiquette to EV charging?

Unlike a gas pump, electric car charging requires a few rules of etiquette to be done properly. When you plug in, you’ll need to ensure the charging has begun correctly and wait a few minutes to ensure faults don’t occur. Once fully charged, it’s best to unplug your car and move away from the charger for others to use. Place the charger handle in the receptacle and protect the cables to ensure the charger is in good working order for the next EV driver.

Now that you know a little more about electric car charging, which EV will you drive?

The post Everything You Need to Know About Electric Car Charging first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Electric Car Charging appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

It wasn’t long ago when it seemed like Lamborghini was going to be one of the final holdouts working to avoid hybrid and EV vehicles. That time has since passed, and the Italian performance car brand is ready to join the masses and bring a top-end EV to the market. The Lanzador was revealed at Monterey Car Week in concept form, offering a grand touring machine that’s a bit of a cross between the Urus SUV and Aventador supercar.

Polarizing build and styling from Lamborghini

The new Lanzador appeared in Monterey with a low-slung body with a low roof height while riding on large wheels. The wheels are 23 inches in size, which is massive by any standard. This setup reminds us more of an SUV, but the aerodynamic body makes for an interesting look on top of the massive wheels.

Looking inside, we see a roomy cabin when compared to other sports cars. This roominess is the result of the electric motors placed on each axle instead of a gas-powered engine taking up space behind the seats. The new Lanzador has adjustable seats, a variable luggage area in the rear, and a frunk under the sloping hood. These qualities allow this new Lamborghini to be as good for daily driving as it is for sporty fun on an open road.

The Lanzador drive system is interesting

Drivers can adjust the settings of the new Lamborghini Lanzador using controls integrated into the steering wheel. This system includes the new dynamic control system, which is called Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI). The new drive system is powered by sensors and actuators, including radar sensors behind the windshield. This technology should appear in future Lamborghini models as well and might arrive in at least one sports car or SUV before this all-electric vehicle arrives.

Enjoy an adjustable drive in this Lamborghini

The Lanzador is being pitched as a high-riding sports car, and as such, it has performance-oriented qualities in the suspension system. This system can be adjusted via the active chassis to improve aerodynamics, performance, and driving range, depending on the settings chosen.

The ALA system used in this new concept EV has been used on some of the other Lamborghini models, but the Lanzador has a few new features. Some of these include the new front air shutters with a movable splitter. These items can change the direction of the airflow to the cooling systems and brakes to ensure optimal performance. Setting the system in Urban mode improves efficiency, while the Performance mode improves cornering speeds and creates the lowest level of air resistance on the track.

How much power does the Lanzador offer?

The new Lamborghini Lanzador has two electric motors and power that reaches more than one megawatt, which translates to nearly 1,341 horsepower. Thus far, we don’t know the driving range offered, but Lamborghini hinted at using a new generation high-performance battery pack. This new Lamborghini EV isn’t expected in the market until 2028, but solid-state batteries could be in use by this time.

Is the new Lamborghini EV an environmentally friendly vehicle?

The new Lanzador should lower the carbon footprint of automaking by integrating natural and recycled materials into this vehicle. You’ll see Merino wool upholstery, regenerated carbon fiber panels, and leather tanned with wastewater from local olive oil production. These features lean toward a healthier and eco-friendly vehicle that could quickly become the first Lamborghini EV to hit the market.

The Lanzador sets the tone

The first Lamborghini hybrid supercar is the Sian, which went into production in 2019. This amazing supercar delivers 819 horsepower and began the process of moving this automaker toward alternative powertrains. The new Lamborghini Lanzador will push the brand into the electric vehicle world. These two cars help bring Lamborghini toward the goal of turning the entire fleet into hybrid vehicles by the end of 2024 and reduce emissions by 50 percent in 2025.

Right now, there aren’t any concrete plans for Lamborghini to go fully electric, but that could be a future endeavor. Unfortunately, this puts Lamborghini behind Rolls-Royce and Maserati, which intend to offer only electric cars by 2030.

The new Lamborghini Lanzador could be the first all-electric vehicle from the brand, but will EV tech become advanced enough that high-performance batteries are actually solid-state models? It will be a few years before we have the answer to this question.

The post Say Hello to Lanzador: Lamborghini’s Bold Move into the Electric Car Scene first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Say Hello to Lanzador: Lamborghini’s Bold Move into the Electric Car Scene appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Until the infrastructure exists to support EVs in a similar manner to gas-powered vehicles, charging time, charger locations, and driving range will continue to be a serious consideration. Of course, there are other aspects of EVs that you’ve got to think about as well. Because these vehicles are new to the market, many automakers offer incentives, and the federal government also has a tax break for most EVs.

Here are some things you want to consider when you’re ready to buy an electric car.

Where do you go, and what do you take with you?

The early days of EVs offered nothing more than fully-electric hybrid vehicles, with Tesla being the only outlier. Today, EVs come in all shapes and sizes. There are off-road SUVs, pickup trucks, sedans, family-sized SUVs, and hatchbacks. The only thing missing is an all-electric minivan, but that’s probably coming. With this wide array of options, it’s important to know what you need and where you go when selecting the right EV to drive.

Where will you get fuel?

Owners of gas-powered cars don’t typically worry about finding a gas station but rather the price of a gallon of fuel. Unfortunately, electric car owners don’t have this same comfort. The infrastructure supporting EVs is still being created and expanding, which puts you at a disadvantage. Before buying an EV, find the local public chargers that you can use and find out whether or not you can install an at-home Level 2 charger for your overnight charging needs. If you can’t refuel your EV with electricity, it’s not worth buying.

Will your EV qualify for tax incentives?

The first round of the Federal EV Tax Credit was more of a blanket credit for hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs. This early version also had a vehicle limit, which was exceeded by a few automakers. The most recent tax credit opens things up for automakers that previously exceeded the limit while adding several constraints regarding the type of vehicle, where battery materials are mined, and where the vehicles are built. Will your EV qualify for these tax incentives?

How much driving range is required?

Electric cars list the driving range to help owners understand how far they can go between recharges at home. If you spend all of your time driving around town, you might not need more than 200 miles of driving range or an entire week. On the other hand, if you have a long commute or like to take weekend trips, you’ll want EV with at least 300 miles of driving range. Most EVs offer more than 200 miles, and some reach as high as 400 miles of range.

How much fun are you looking for in your EV?

Some EVs are advertised as fun, exciting, and fast. The Tesla Model S Plaid is considered the fastest electric vehicle in the world, but the new Lucid Air Sapphire might take this title away. Some EVs are built with off-road qualities, making adventures into the wilderness possible and fun. Although electric cars drive and feel different from traditional gas-powered vehicles, they can fit your lifestyle and offer the fun and excitement you desire.

Should you buy or lease your electric car?

This might be the second-most important question you’ll answer. Most advice normally points to buying over leasing, but EV technology is advancing so rapidly that leasing could be a much better option. Electric vehicles are new enough that some uncertainty still exists regarding the lifespan of EV batteries. If you want to err on the side of caution, it’s probably best to lease your first or second EV until more is known about the longevity of these new vehicles.

Would a PHEV or hybrid be a better option right now?

The newness of the electric car world could cause us to pause and take a step back. If you’re unsure whether or not you should drive a fully-electric car, you can dip a toe in the proverbial alternative fuel market with a traditional hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. A PHEV could be the best option because most offer some of the same tax benefits as EVs and also provide 20 to 40 miles of all-electric driving range. Hybrid vehicles utilize a traditional gas engine for most of the driving, which makes them much more versatile than EVs.

Are you ready to buy an EV? Use these tips to help understand if you, the auto market, or the infrastructure is ready for you to drive a fully-electric vehicle.

The post How to Buy an Electric Car first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post How to Buy an Electric Car appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.