Project Better Place Feature Video
March 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
In the opening seconds of a recently uploaded CBS video, you can see the dashboard screen read “AC Propulsion.” so we now know that Better Place are at least testing that particular drivetrain. There are two test cars in the video, the Renault Mégane and a Nissan EV as befits the the only car partnership that is working with the electric car charging network company.
Better Place’s partnership with Nissan and Renault, may be about to grow with the reporter saying “other car companies are on the way.” Vehicle testing on a larger scale will start next year, and Denmark and Hawaii will have cars and charging spots in operation in 2011.
One pretty startling facts is that if you sign up for the maximum mileage plans (taxis driver territory), Better Place will subsidize the cost of your car up to 100 percent. Shai Agassi wants to offer you cell phone price model car ownership. Video after the jump. Read more
Canada’s Advanced Lithium Power signs Battery Deal with Fisker
March 13, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The LA Times is reporting that Fisker Automotive has signed a deal with Vancouver-based Advanced Lithium Power Inc. On top of ordering (hopefully) thousands of 22.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion batteries for the Karma from ALP, Fisker will also make a “sizable” cash investment in the company. Fisker spokesman Russel Datz told the LA Times that two seats on the ALP board will go to Fisker. The exact number and cost of the batteries was not disclosed. Read more
Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air
March 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The latest version of Mitsubishi’s iMiEV Sport was revealed in Geneva, the Sport Air. This year’s version is marginally longer (20 mm) and taller for what Mitsubishi describes as a “more technical” look to the tear drop shape. Read more
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Gets 65 MPG
February 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids are averaging 65 miles per gallon in real world testing according to Toyota. This is a lot better than the 2010 Prius, 15 mpg better in fact. The battery is reportedly lithium-ion technology, but they are testing a variety of configurations and types before finalising the specification.
There is no release date for a plug-in prius, but it is widely expected to be available in 2010. Read more
Electric Supercar 0-60 2.5 Secs 208 mph 10 Min Charge!
January 26, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Shelby Super Cars (SSC) has published a revised version of its recent press release regarding their electric vehicle program. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about it’s the crazy fast Ultimate Aero EV which is claimed to have 1000 hp and 800 lb‐ft of torque giving it a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph.
Their craziest claim of being able to recharge their Ultimate Aero EV in ten minutes from an ordinary 110V outlet has now been changed to “…SSC’s “Charge on the Run™” onboard charging system allows for 10 minute full battery recharges on a 220V service.” That’s still crazy talk and I pity the fool that believes it. 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
Henrik Fisker discusses his new plug-in hybrid Karma
January 18, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
After the unveiling of the production version of the Fisker Karma and the Karma Sunset concept at the Detroit Auto Show, Henrik Fisker talked about the company he has founded.
He talked about some of the technical details and we now know that the battery supplier will be Advanced Lithium Power. Fisker has exclusive access to batteries from ALP after recently taking an equity stake in the company. Video after the jump. 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
