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
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
First Electric Car Charging Stations Open in San Jose
January 6, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Today the city of San Jose, California and Coulomb Technologies, announced the availability of the first ChargePoint Network public charging infrastructure for electric cars.
You can sign up for options to fit their lifestyle including a limited time offer “Basic Access” subscription plan, which includes free charging through 2009. The way it works is that you subscribe to the ChargePoint Network and receive a ChargePoint Smart Card which then allows you to charge your car at any Smartlet Charging Station. 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
Is Tesla Slashing Roadster Price to $60,000?
January 4, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
According to the UK’s Times online Tesla is slashing the Roadster price to only $60,000! Here is that point from the original article:
The company is ramping up production of its 125mph Lotus Elise-inspired Roadster while slashing the price to $60,000 (£41,000).
If true, this is a pretty spectacular drop in price and is sure to send shockwaves around the electric car industry.
I think it’s more likely that Elon Musk was referring to the Model S and was mis-quoted.
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
Smart Electric ForTwo to be Shown at Detroit Auto Show
December 26, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
The upcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, will see smart showing off it’s electric-powered fortwo, which was first announced earlier this year. Smart plans to equip this next-generation smart EV with lithium-ion batteries.
Other vehicles joining the list of debuts at NAIAS are the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, with new direct injection engines (earlier post); and a new Kia concept. Read more
Switch to Front-Wheel Drive puts Aptera Delivery Date Back
December 25, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Previously, Aptera’s pre-production models used a belt-driven rear wheel, but now Aptera is reportedly saying that all production models will be front-wheel drive. They have given the following reasons for the change of heart:
- Better weight distribution, which, in turn, maximizes stability
- Improved traction during acceleration and in inclement weather wet conditions
- More efficiency at higher speeds
- Increased durability during the life of the vehicle
- Improved noise insulation
- Increased rear cargo space (without sacrificing front legroom)
This is really a rather surprising change of such a fundamental nature at this relatively late stage, and calls into question the team behind what was promising to be a really fundamental change in automotive technology.
$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
Mercedes Will Unveil 3 Electric Concept Cars at Detroit Show
December 13, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Mercedes-Benz plans to unveil three electric concept vehicles at next month’s 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The designs are small and sleek, with a sporty futuristic edge. They will all accelerate from zero to sixty in under 11 seconds. Read more
