First benefit to disappear?

There are rumors that the benefits which allows electric cars to drive in the bus lane will be the first benefit to disappear. They're saying EV's are blocking the way. Personally I think the buses are in the way for me and I want to get them removed, but who cares about what I have to say in that debate? I may as well use the bus/taxi lane and drive there as much as possible while it is still allowed ;-)

How long the benefits will last

The major car manufacturers prioritize Norway over all other European countries when it comes to electric cars, and the reason is simple: The government puts so much benefits on using EV's.


As things seem at the moment here in Norway, it appears that benefits of electric vehicles like to drive in bus lanes, free parking and free passage in toll, will remain until 2015.


Then I believe some surcharges will come soon...

Disappointment and hope...

Must say I am still a little disappointed with the driving range of the i-MiEV. I was, as I said earlier, promised a range of 160 km. But I would say 12 is more appropriate after my experience. And still have the winter to come: - /

But the following is said by Mitsubishi importer MMC Norway, Bernt G. Jessen, to VG Net, and it makes me a little more optimistic:

"... We are also working on a functionality that allows you to heat or cool the car while charging it, as a parking heater".

But hope this is possible to get fixed on my already bought i-MiEV.

Nissan Leaf and Quick charging

I was at Lerkendal stadium the other day, waiting to interview Rosenborg players, when a Nissan Leaf was parked outside. I came to talk to someone who would lecture about Nissan Leaf (100% electric) as taxi here in Trondheim and Stjørdal. He was from the firm EV Power / NTE. He was happy to tell me that it should come up 3 quick charging stations in Trondheim during the year. I was wondering if the prices were so high that I had heard rumors (80-100 NOK) for a 80% loading ... It did unfortunately. But he defended it by saying its rarely we need to fast-charge, it is only to fill in those times you need to run longer than normal. He said that it would be like a subscription based thing in form of a card that can be used at the stations.

I said I was looking forward to the day you can ride on electric car Trondheim-Oslo using quick charge, like that project I have heard of before; “Ishavsveien”, has said. He said it was more a vision than a short-term goal. unfortunately :-(

By the way. I must admit that Nissan Leaf was looking really good, both inside and outside. The price is about 290 000 NOK.

Selling cars

Today I should have earn money from Mitsubishi since I as good as sold a i-MiEV for them. It was someone from a company near the office who had seen my car, and that would take a look at it. I showed them miscellaneous stuff on it. Finally, they determined that they would buy such in the firm.

By the way; I have sold my Mercedes-Benz. It was smart to wait a bit to the right bid came. Now I partly buy my kitchen for that cash.

EV parking lot

The furniture firm IKEA take electric cars seriously. That's good. I can see more and more EV charging stations around town.

Not afraid

A parking guard writes a fine to an unfortunate car owner 27. June 2011 in Trondheim.

I'm not afraid of them anymore ;-)

Electric cars take off in Norway

As mentioned earlier in this blog, Norway have a lot Electric Car drivers. That's also confirmed in this article at Dawn.com: Article. "Oslo has become the world capital of the electric car."









Here is a link to an overwiev with statistics of where in Norway the Electric Car owners is; Map

Charge

Image from the newspaper Adresseavisen:
The Crown prince to the left, me with the TV camera.

After a 60 km. drive to work in Ler/Melhus, where I filmed the Norwegian Crown Prince, I decided to recharge the car beside the office in case new assignments later. Had 50% battery left after this trip, where I pretty much ran on flat, but wet highway.

Crash test

Frontal crash test, 64 km/h, Electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Hope I don't need the airbags, but if I do, they will come from everywhere to protect me :-)