Toyota Unveils Electric Car Concept FT-EV at Detroit 2009
January 11, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Toyota has announced that it will bring a plug-in extended range Prius to market by the end of this year. Prior to the opening of the Detroit show, Toyota sent out a press release with some news about its electric vehicle plans. It will introduce as many as ten completely new hybrids by the early 2010s, and will bring a fully electric car to market in 2012.
Toyota will be showing a battery electric concept here in Detroit called the FT-EV, in addition to the new third generation Prius and its sibling the Lexus HS250h. As previously suspected, the car is based on Toyota’s new iQ mini-car (pictured above). Read more
Electric Porsche 911 Faster 0-60 than Regular 911
January 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
A Florida based company is specialising in converting Porsches to electric power with very little loss in performance, any varying ranges depending on the weight of batteries you are willing to put up with. The company also specializes in making their electric Porsche’s resemble other cars, such as Lamborghini’s and even iconic Porsche racing cars, such as the 962 with over 2,600lb-ft (3,500Nm) of torque.
The company is EvPorsche, and it hopes to compete against companies like Tesla that are already producing their own electric sports cars, as well as Lotus, which is developing one. Read more
Electric Sports Car Planned by Lotus
January 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Lotus, the sports-car manufacturer, plans to enter the burgeoning field of battery-powered cars with a high-performance electric vehicle.
Lotus may show a Volt-like car, with a fuel-based “range extender” to back up its battery, in concept form at the Geneva motor show in March. The car’s range extender would allow it to drive 300 to 400 miles on a single tank of petrol, Mr Kimberley, Lotus CEO said. It “will become one of the showcases for the world of what you can do with electric vehicle technology”. Read more
Eliica Electric Car Outdrags a Porsche 911 Turbo (Video)
December 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Japanese professor has showcased an electric car capable of reaching a blistering 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds, quicker than a Porsche 911.
The Eliica, created by Prof. Hiroshi Shimizo of Keio University, can also reach a phenomenal top speed of 370 km/h (270 mph), powered by li-ion batteries via 100 hp electric motors in each of its eight wheels. Read more
$1.63 Billion in Grants for Electric Car Technology Proposed by US Senators
December 19, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
A gang of 12 US Senators, led by Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, are proposing $1.63 billion in federal grants through the US Department of Energy to increase production and drive down costs of hybrid and electric drive systems. Read more
Electric Car Sales are Collapsing
December 5, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Electric car sales have plummeted this year, sending the young industry into some very dangerous waters. Many manufacturers and dealers are cutting back operations; some have closed entirely. Others are calling for government action to prevent the industry from total collapse.
When dealers are asked how well their cars are selling, a spokesman for Electric Vehicles, the answer is usually no comment, if there is any answer at all. When dealers do answer they usually admit to having only sold one, or two cars in the past three months. Read more
Tata Indica Electric at the Bologna Motor Show
December 5, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Tata normally gets attention for it’s micro-car the Nano and the Jaguar and Land Rover brands it bought from Ford, and now there is the Indica. Tata has been building the Indica for some time, but there is a new variant on display at the Bologna Motor Show this week.
The Indica Electric uses a lithium ion battery to provide a claimed range of about 120 miles. The batteries are apparently lithium polymer similar to those that Hyundai will be using in its upcoming Sonata Hybrid. Read more
Tesla vs. Tango Drag Race: VIDEO
December 5, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
This is a great video of a Tango belonging to a guy named Nat Simons in Berkeley racing against a Tesla Roadster Signature 100 series #9, owned by Jorg, met on the drag strip portion of Infineon Raceway.
Now, this particular track has seen a Roadster fly down the measured quarter mile before in 12.757 seconds hitting 104.74 mph (an electric car world record) but that car had the newer 1.5 drivetrain and, freshly charged batteries.
Spoiler alert! Read more
Ford Makes Energy Efficiency the Focus of it’s Bailout Plea
December 5, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Ford has just released its plan for surviving the recession. The report is part of an effort this week by the Big Three automakers to get massive loans from the government.
They were turned away last month when they came to Washington begging for money but forgetting to leave their private jets at home. This time at least two of the executives reportedly drove to Washington (or at least part of the way). Read more
Fisker Karma Has A Starting Price Of $87,900
December 3, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Here is a low-resolution peek at the Fisker ahead of an official reveal at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Again we see the production car is almost identical to the concept car, except the grille is revised for a much sexier look. Read more
