Pilot EV Recharging Network Starts in Seville, Spain
March 14, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Spain’s ambitious program of introducing EVs, hybrid and plug-in cars (a million units for 2012) is promoting the new network under the Movele program.
Sevilla, Spain’s fourth largest city, will be getting 75 public electric vehicle recharging stations dotted around the city this year. Seville is getting recharging stations in the most used parking lots in the city, as well as at the airport, city hall offices and other official buildings Read more
Electric Bus Begins 4 City California Tour
February 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
A battery-electric version of Proterra’s 35-foot transit bus, the EcoRide BE35, is equipped with a UQM PowerPhase 150 propulsion system. The lightweight, composite-bodied people mover features the 10 minute recharge-capable TerraVolt™ Energy Storage System, said to be based around batteries from Altairnano, and motors from UQM Technologies. The BE35 is being showcased on a four-city California clean bus tour which began in San Jose on 6 February. Read more
Ford Launching Electric Transit Connect in 2010
February 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The first product in Ford’s new electric vehicle plan will be a battery electric-powered version of the Transit Connect commercial vehicle. Ford is collaborating with Smith Electric Vehicles to bring the electric Transit Connect to market in North America in 2010. Read more
WORLD FIRST PIC - Opel Ampera Electric Car
January 27, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Opel’s lightning bolt has never seemed more appropriate now that they have announced the Chevy Volt for Europe will be badged as the Opel Ampera.
The Chevy Volt is a global vehicle intended to be sold and driven in many of the countries GM does business.
Europe is key global market and therefore the Volt will first appear there under the Opel brand, which is known for advanced technology. and is the GM brand in mainland Europe. Read more
Tesla Calls Town Hall Meetings to Calm Angry Buyers
January 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
It seems that even an email from CEO Elon Musk has had little calming effect on the anger felt by locked-in Tesla Roadster buyers at being told they will have to pay more for their cars. The company is turning to a previously-successful approach and has announced a set of town hall meetings to quell buyer fury.
Scheduled for the 26th and 27th at the Los Angeles and Menlo, CA stores respectively and hosted by Elon and other staff, the events can be attended in person or by phone. Read more
Electric Scooter Conversion
January 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
When we talked about the engine in the beautiful Wooden Vespa scooter featured in the previous post, we talked about idea of a kit to convert them from buzzy little wasps-in-a-can to swishy electraglideness.
Wouldn’t that be a great way to salvage a perfectly good vehicles that could otherwise offer reasonable transportation solutions.
It turns out that there’s already at least one company that’s doing just that with a conversion kit. Included in the parts bin are a new swingarm, electric hub-motor, 300 Amp Alltrax controller kit and a new rear brake cylinder. The motor provides 3000 watts of power on 60 volts, allowing for speeds of over 35 miles per hour. Read more
Dodge Circuit EV on the Stand: Detroit 2009
January 12, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Technical details and press pics of the new Dodge Circuit are in an earlier post, but now we’ve had a chance to see the car in the flesh.
Whereas Tesla took the Lotus Elise and mad it fugly, the Circuit EV does actually look a lot better than the Lotus Europa which it’s based on. And the only thing that Dodge added to the exterior is the crosshair grille and the Tangoreen color (WTF?). Take note Lotus designers.
The all-electric guts - with A123 battery pack and 200 kW motor - are cool, and if Chrysler wasn’t in so much financial trouble, we’d be optimistic about driving on of these. Sure it may be a quick’n'easy way to get to an electric sportscar, but we’re happy that electric drive is the way that companies are chosing to go.
Another pic of the live reveal and video of the Circuit being driven around after the jump. Read more
Gorgeous Electric Car Unveiled by Cadillac at Detroit Show
January 11, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Voltec-equipped, extended range electric Cadillac Converj Concept has been unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Based on the Chevy Volt’s “Voltec” drivetrain, which used to be called E-Flex, the coupe is drop-dead gorgeous. Bob Lutz told the press conference that the car was designed to be aesthetically pleasing on its own, while being instantly recognizable as Cadillac. Lutz referred to the Converj as the “Cadillac of Electric Vehicles” well yes, and it could well bring Cadillac to the top of the luxury electric car heap. Read more
Chrysler Unveils Beautiful Electric Car Concept 200C EV
January 11, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The 200C EV is a plug-in hybrid sedan that uses ENVI’s Range-extended Electric Vehicle technology, and is a rolling test bed for Chrysler’s future uconnect in-car computer and communication device. It also connects directly to an iPhone, allowing you to pre-program the temperature, lock the doors, view an in-car camera remotely and track the car’s location live via GPS – all straight from the iPhone.
It uses Chrysler’s ENVI’s Range-extended Electric Vehicle technology. It has a 40-mile all-electric range, a 400-mile range with a full charge of the lithium-ion battery and a full tank, and a top speed of over 120 miles-per-hour. Read more
Dodge Unveil New Electric Sportscar the Circuit EV at Detroit
January 11, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Based on the Lotus Europa the Dodge Circuit EV features styling inspired by the powerful Dodge Viper with its distinctive crosshair grille, wide track and low hood. The rear also gets a new more sporty look with a small diffuser. Special alloy wheels and a lick of orange paint that Chrysler calls “Tangoreen” look. Read more
