As we come to the end of another week and another lockdown we look at some of the Motoring news which you may have missed starting with the VW mobile charging robot.
Volkswagen Group Components gives us a first glimpse of the prototypes of its mobile charging robot. This is one of the visionary charging concepts that Volkswagen hopes will expand the charging infrastructure over the next few years. Its task: fully autonomous charging of vehicles in restricted parking areas, like underground car parks. “A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is and remains a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” explains Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Components’ CEO.
Fully autonomous charging
The charging robot – started via an app or Car-to-X communication – operates totally autonomously. It independently steers the vehicle to be charged and communicates with it: from opening the charging socket flap to connecting the plug and decoupling it. The entire charging process takes place without any human involvement whatsoever. To charge several vehicles at the same time, the mobile robot moves a trailer, essentially a mobile energy storage unit, to the vehicle, connects it up and then uses this energy storage unit to charge the battery of the electric vehicle. The energy storage unit stays with the vehicle during the charging process. In the meantime, the robot charges other electric vehicles. Once the charging service has ended, the robot independently collects the mobile energy storage unit and takes it back to the central charging station.
Kia unveils new logo and global brand slogan to ignite its bold transformation for the future
Kia has revealed its new corporate logo and global brand slogan that signify the automaker’s bold transformation and all-new brand purpose. The introduction of the new logo represents Kia’s ambitions to establish a leadership position in the future mobility industry by revamping nearly all facets of its business.
The logo is a symbol of Kia’s new brand purpose and the values it promises to offer customers through future products and services, and the experiences these enable. Kia seals its brand promise by developing the new logo to resemble a handwritten signature. The rhythmical, unbroken line of the logo conveys Kia’s commitment to bringing moments of inspiration, while its symmetry demonstrates confidence. The rising gestures of the logo embody Kia’s rising ambitions for the brand, and, more importantly, what it offers customers.
New ŠKODA AUTO SUV for the Indian market is named KUSHAQ
The first production model from the INDIA 2.0 project spearheaded by ŠKODA AUTO on the Indian subcontinent has been named Kushaq. This mid-size SUV’s designation is derived from 
Sanskrit, an Indian language that is thousands of years old. In the “language of the gods”, still used today, the word “kushak” denotes a king or an emperor. The name complements the powerful appearance of the new ŠKODA Kushaq. The spelling with the letter “K” at the beginning and the letter “Q” at the end is in keeping with the distinctive nomenclature for the internationally successful ŠKODA Kodiaq, Karoq and Kamiq SUV models. The new ŠKODA Kushaq will have its world premiere in March 2021.
Over 200,000 Pure Electric Vehicles to hit UK roads in 2021
At least 200,000 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be registered in the UK in 2021, according to figures from DriveElectric, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle leasing companies.
This figure is based on DriveElectric’s own forecasts, and it represents a significant increase from 108,205 – the number of battery electric vehicles registered in the UK in 2020 (based on SMMT data released today) – a figure which, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, even exceeded DriveElectric’s January 2020 forecast of 98,500 BEV registrations. The figure does not include plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
From retro muscle power to Retro Pure Power – that’s the story of AC in 2021- and the new tech is ready to take the two-wheel market by storm too!
The transformation of the iconic AC Cobra racing car with its huge, gas-guzzling ‘classic’ V8 petrol engine to one now powered by an advanced, equally powerful but totally clean electric motor caused shock waves around the heritage auto sector when the news was announced earlier this year.
Now there’s more shock news. Electric power will appear under the saddle of AC’s first ever two-wheeler! The ‘Autokraft by AC’ name badge (recreating a form of branding which was a key part of AC’s history dating back to the 1970’s) will be once again a regular sight on the roads of Britain. The new products, scooters, are being manufactured in the UK.
The scooter is likely to become a new and sort-after fashion icon too. In Britain’s financially constrained, post-COVID economic environment – never mind an urban street network blighted by traffic-coagulating measures designed to force drivers on to public transport – speed, manoeuvrability and, of course, environmental credentials will all be high on the shopping list considerations for new ‘wheels’.
This will mean that Britain will be seeing a surge of interest in electric scooters which are currently illegal for road use but where a planned change in road traffic legislation already announced by the Government will give the green light to sales in the sector.
Priced at a competitive £1,692 including VAT, the new Autokraft scooters are certain to make a strong impact in a market dominated by imports from China.
