FAQs

What makes Liberty Electric Cars unique?

Liberty Electric Cars has one of the most experienced teams in EV technology in the world. This unique team of engineers have created EVs that have driven over 2,500,000 miles - the greatest distance and thus best experience of any electric vehicle team in the world. The company not only designs and engineers EV technologies and complete vehicles for large vehicle platforms but offers also a complete service and support programme for electric vehicles.

Liberty Electric Cars has demonstrated its technical superiority in EV platform technology with the launch of its flagship product, the Liberty E-Range. This is the world’s first pure electric, luxury 4x4 that has a range of 200 miles on a single charge – this is the upper end of the range that any current EV is able to achieve.(customers can also opt for a range extender version with a range of up to 600 miles that is currently under development). Our vehicle reaches 0-60 in circa seven seconds and has a top speed of 100mph.

Could you explain the groundbreaking technology developed by Liberty?

Liberty Electric Cars have pioneered the second generation of electric vehicle technology with its Liberty E-Range. Second generation electric vehicle architecture places the electric motor as close to the driven wheel as possible, driving through a reduction gear box as opposed to the first generation where the electric motor replaces the combustion engine and drives through a traditional gearbox/differential arrangement.  Liberty is now developing third generation EV technology removing the need for the reduction gearbox which eliminates unnecessary vehicle weight and complexity leading to a greater range and better reliability.

Liberty has developed unique energy storage with batteries that are larger than any car battery used before, yet they are lighter and more power dense. The battery is located in a such a way that there is no loss of interior space, and we use four motors, one per wheel with each one creating braking energy.

What is unique to Liberty’s battery technology?

The current, ground-breaking technology has a forecasted battery lifespan of circa 13 years and circa 300,000 miles based on an industry standard charging profile.

At 75kw, the LEC battery pack is the largest ever installed in an Electric Car, and yet due to the technology employed, weighs less than many lower capacity packs. The weight of the battery pack is only 500kg for 75kw, where most people would expect this to weigh at least 750kg.

Our technology is also intrinsically safe, proving virtually impossible to start a thermal event under industry standard tests.

The energy density, unusually large cell size and charging times are also class leading, all of which has contributed to the outstanding performance of the vehicle.

We have only 96 cells for 75kw as opposed to Tesla for example who uses 6800 cells in their roadster for 53kw – every cell must be connected to the next cell and to the BMS system. Liberty’s use of a smaller number of larger cells means a massive reduction in connections and the cabling weight associated with them.

What happens when the batteries get low and I have some distance still to go in my journey?

The system in the Liberty E-Range will recognize when just 20% of charge remains in the batteries and will advise you. It will also then initiate a “get you home” mode where the power to the motors is reduced along with some other functionality. You are unlikely to notice much difference as you drive, but it will ensure you get the maximum distance from the remaining charge in the batteries.

I’ve heard the batteries can explode – is this true?

Liberty’s unique battery construction is intrinsically safe, with absolute minimum risk of any fire or explosion even in the event of an accident. There are other battery technologies that can catch fire, but even these are safer than a tank full of petrol!

How will the car be charged and how fast?

An on-board trickle charger provides charging from any suitable point including a standard 13 amp supply. The on-board 6kw charger will provide an overnight charge to the vehicle which will be adequate under most circumstances. The vehicle can be plugged into most charging points provided in car parks around the country.

Liberty’s unique patented high density Lithium Polymer Battery Pack   features a quick charge option from a suitably powerful charging system mounted off board. This is an option that will be available soon for any purchaser and will come in various sizes depending on the electricity supply at the chosen charging point. The battery will be charged in around 3 hours.

Liberty technology will also allow for wireless charging where the car is simply parked over an induction plate and charges automatically without the need for plugs or power leads. This option is currently under development.

When is the best time to charge my Liberty E Range?

In order to benefit from the lowest electricity tariff, it is best to opt for overnight charging (depending on the country you live).

What do I do if I need more than 200 miles in range?

Liberty is developing right now a serial hybrid version of the E Range – which will come equipped with a range extender. This will provide energy to the batteries as you are driving, but will only cut in once the 200 mile range provided by the batteries has been used. Therefore, for the vast majority of trips the Range Extender will never cut in and thus the car will be zero emission.. This may be a “plug and play” solution which is installed by your local dealer only when needed to avoid carrying extra weight when not required

Is the technology ready for production?

Liberty Electric Cars is entering the production phase. The first model to roll off the production line will be the Liberty E Range based on the iconic Range Rover.

What are the technology’s environmental credentials?

The Liberty E-Range is Pure Electric – it is a 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle in line with automotive industry standards. There is no exhaust pipe therefore the vehicle emits zero poisonous emissions.

How much does the pure electric Range Rover cost?

The Liberty E-Range costs around £160,000 depending on final specification and chosen options.

Whilst the headline price might look high, when all the incentives are taken into account, and the vehicle put onto a lease contract, especially for companies, the costs can become much more attractive.

The list of incentives in the UK is large and growing. Right now it includes:

• Zero benefit in Kind tax (can save as much as 17 to 20k per year for a top end tax payer in a large luxury company car).
• First year full write down allowance (example: SME generating 500 000 pounds - owner buys a Liberty E-Range and can write off 160 000 pounds against that profit. He pays therefore tax only on the 340 000 pounds which equals to a tax saving of 45000 pounds).
• No NIC for company and individual (this is only for pure electric cars - hybrids are no longer qualified).
• Electricity cost for running the Liberty E-Range is 15% of Petrol / Diesel cost (For example, if you are spending £100 a week to run a petrol Range Rover, with a Liberty E-Range you would only be spending £15 a week when charging the car overnight on cheap rate electricity, which is a huge saving.)
• Maintenance at 25% of cost for an ICE
• Zero congestion charge
• Lower / Free parking in certain areas / boroughs
• No Road Fund Licence to pay

When you take all of this into account, plus the fact you now make zero tailpipe emissions, reduce noise pollution and improve the driver experience / comfort, it really is a compelling package that makes buying an ordinary gas guzzling car a decision of the past.

How much maintenance does the car need?

With the change to Pure Electric, the motors and batteries need vitrually no maintenance. The brakes and suspension parts will need maintenance as per a usual car.   However, there is no exhaust, no service on the engine, less wear on the brakes, no fuel tank or lines to get blocked or wear out, no air filters,  oil filters or old oil to dispose of – just all round much cleaner!

If needed, we’re opting for distance intervention for software changes and updates, so we should be able to assess and fix minor things over the internet.

What warranty does Liberty offer?

The Liberty E Range comes with a 3 year warranty.

What do I do about insurance?

Liberty have arranged competitive insurance programmes with a leading provider.

What happens in the unlikely event that the vehicle I buy breaks down? Where do I take the car for the limited amount of service it needs?

Liberty Electric Cars offers a complete after sales support programme called Liberty E-Care. Equipped with highly experienced staff and the latest diagnostic tools the E-Care Mobile Fleet Support is able to have the vehicle running again by the roadside. For the more extreme cases of damage, Liberty can transport the vehicle to its fully equipped workshop where the more bespoke replacement parts can be fitted, and then delivered back to the customer.

In addition the Liberty E-Care programme provide a hosts of background information on the impact of charging types and cycles on battery life, the effect of temperature on vehicle performance, the cost of replacement parts, likely failure issues, repair costs and time, conversion programmes, and residual values.

Does the car drive differently to a normal car?

Liberty has developed the E Range to feel very similar in almost all respects to the normal Range Rover. It can tow and climb better than a standard petrol or diesel vehicle due to the better torque curve of its electric motors. Inside it will feel quieter, but the look and feel remains uniquely Range Rover.

Can I go through water in my electric car?

You car can go through deep puddles etc. but it has been designed essentially as an urban product. In the event you need to do lots of off road work, please discuss the specification of your vehicle with Liberty at the time of build and we can ensure it is equipped to cope with the most rugged conditions.

Does the technology work in cold weather?

Batteries always warm up when charging and in use due to the regenerative braking system.

Our technology has been tested down to minus 20 degrees C without problems

How is the heating run?

The Liberty E Range has a fully functioning heating system that can be activated before entering the car (remotely). We are working on the development of an ultra low consumption heating and cooling system.

Where does the electricity come from for my EV and won’t it push the price of electricity up?

The electricity companies have calculated that there is sufficient energy available for all the EV production currently forecasted for the next 20 years without the need for massive new investments. In particular, if charging takes place at night, it uses electricity that would otherwise be used to push electricity up hill, just so it can run down hill the following day and turn generators as it does, to create electricity for peak time use. There are projects going on around the world today to explore the exchange of electricity between EVs and the grid (called “The Smart Grid”). In this way EV’s would act like giant batteries – sending and taking electricity when connected to the grid, according to their requirements – acting in part as a storage system. It is unlikely that electricity cost will rise and certainly not by as much as oil is forecast to rise – remember there is a long way to go, per mile travelled, electricity is between 10-20% of the cost of Petrol or Diesel, and it doesn’t pollute the atmosphere!!!