Dede Sophie

Opel has changed the name of its battery electric version of the Mokka SUV to Mokka Electric rather than Mokka-e, writes Brian Byrne. The car also gets a new 54kWh battery, increasing the rated range by 20pc to 406km. Mokka was the first Opel available from launch with fully electric drive as well as combustion engines, thus giving customers the choice of which drive suits their needs best. In November, no less than 65pc of all Mokka customers in Germany opted for the battery-electric variant. Twelve electrified Opel models are already available today, including a range of light commercial vehicles. By 2024, the manufacturer will also offer every model in an electrified version. And by 2028, Opel expects become an all-electric brand in Europe. 

The BMW Group has revealed its iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet that will go into service this year, writes Trish Whelan. After four years of development work, the iX5 Hydrogen vehicle and development project is entering its critical next phase. The fleet of under 100 vehicles will be employed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes for various target groups. The iX5 Hydrogen was developed on the basis of the current X5.  The BMW Group sources the individual fuel cells from the Toyota Motor Corporation. The two companies have enjoyed a partnership for many years and have been collaborating on fuel cell drive systems since 2013.  BMW say the car will have a range of 504km in the WLTP cycle. Filling up the hydrogen tanks only takes three to four minutes and that the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6 secs.  The iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation Centre in Munich.