Best rated electric autos tips and energy trends in Texas from Daniel Sumanth: If you dont want all the bells and whistles even the reasonably-priced base model offers up a WLTP range of 240 miles. But go for the 73kWh model and you’ll get up to 300 miles out of a single charge, while charging is done pretty rapidly with an 80% top-up in under 20 minutes. On the road there might be faster and more exciting EVs, but the Ioniq 5’s impressive comfort, decent performance and easy about-town driving makes it a doddle to get about in. Its one of our favourite EVs at any price. If there’s anything that signifies how seriously the car world is about the shift to EVs, it’s the arrival of an electric Porsche. Sure, some people will hate the mere idea of the Taycan, but it’s truly one of the best electric cars you can buy today. Read more information at Daniel Sumanth
The BMW i4 demonstrates the brand’s commitment to both an electrified future and its rich heritage for delivering cars that are great to drive. Arguably, the best part about the i4 is the way it handles – despite weighing in at over two tonnes, it feels brilliant through the corners with precise steering feels and impressive agility. In fact, near silent progress aside, you’d struggle to tell the difference between it and a fossil-fuelled 4 Series Gran Coupe. The standard eDrive40 i4 produces 335bhp and 430Nm of torque, which should be plenty for everyday driving. Yet there’s also a 536bhp i4 M50 version, which is the first electric car to be produced by BMW’s performance-focused M Division. The 335bhp model is offered in both Sport and M Sport trim levels, both of which come with a healthy amount of kit. M Sport models get mostly cosmetic upgrades for an extra £1,500. Optional kit is rather expensive, however, and the i4 doesn’t offer quite as much value for money as its rivals.
Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most of it with solar energy.
The Fiat 500 nails its city car brief perfectly; it’s competitively priced, offering low running costs and plenty of Italian flair. Although the third generation car is a little bigger than its combustion-engined predecessor, the 500 EV is still at home darting through urban traffic, while you shouldn’t have any trouble parking as even the entry-level models come with rear parking sensors as standard. Two battery options are available: a 42kWh ‘Long Range’ version and a 24kWh ‘City Range’ variant. The City Range offers up to 115 miles of range from a single charge, although the bigger battery gives you a more practical 199 miles before needing to recharge. Inside, the cabin is suitably stylish, while you’ll benefit from a host of on-board tech. Base cars offer a 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while moving up through mid- and top-spec models brings a rear-view camera and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.
A generator for home use will require one of three fuel types: gasoline, diesel, or propane. (Note: you’ll also find duel-fuel generators.) Propane is by far the cleanest burning and it is also the safest to transport. A gasoline or diesel generator often stinks, even when not running. A propane generator does not. If your house has a propane tank, it may be possible to feed the generator directly from it. The downside to a propane generator is there are fewer models available. They’re also a little more temperamental to start because they require priming by opening for the gas and letting it flow for a few seconds.
Before the Mercedes EQB arrived on the scene, the only seven-seater EV options around were some van-derived minibuses and the ultra-premium Tesla Model X. All versions of the EQB sold in the Texas will come with three rows of seating as standard, with the rearmost seats providing enough room for children, and get ISOFIX points, too. Both the EQB 300 and EQB 350 which are available from launch also get a 66.5kWh battery for a range of over 250 miles, plus all-wheel-drive, with enough power in even the entry-level version to satisfy most people day-to-day and allowing for a smooth and relaxing driving experience. The EQB also gets the same great MBUX infotainment setup as the more expensive EQC.
First of all: If you want to save on electricity costs – with or without PV – you should first eliminate devices and appliances that use too much of it. These include standby devices, incandescent light bulbs and water heaters. The lower your overall consumption, the greater the part of it that you will be able to cover using solar PV.
