Archive for ‘Electric Cars’

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics diesel hybrid concept

The BMW Vision concept car is the latest in a string of “EfficientDynamics” ideas by the German automaker. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this concept car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an economical combustion engine and good aerodynamic qualities. Continue reading »

230 mpg for 2011 Chevrolet Volt

General Motors chief Fritz Henderson has announced that the “230″ marketing campaign floating around for the past week is related to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Continue reading »

Saturn Vue becomes Buick plug-in hybrid crossover

The mid-size Vue crossover will become a Buick in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid will be part of the program. The Two-mode hybrid system that was originally scheduled to launch in the Vue last November will be installed in the Buick-badged version along with an 8 kWh lithium ion battery pack. The pack will use the same LG Chem cells going into the Volt and, as originally planned, the PHEV will be paired with the direct injected 3.6L V6. Continue reading at ModernOffroader.com »

The history of Nissan EV development

“His other concern was the batteries themselves. Thorne had selected the new lithium-ion batteries from Nissan, which were extremely efficient on a weight basis.” This quote could easily be from a government official at a pitch for a future fleet of zero emission vehicles. In reality, the source is a scene from Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel – and later blockbuster movie – Jurassic Park. Nearly two decades later, Nissan is still an industry leader in lithium-ion battery development. However, the real story of Nissan’s history of Electric Vehicles starts much earlier, though not quite in the Jurassic era, in 1947. Continue reading »

Nissan LEAF electric car slated for 2010 sales

Nissan has unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 100 miles to satisfy real-world consumer requirements. Continue reading »

Nissan Versa EV forms basis for future tech

Nissan has previewed its electric vehicle platform on a Versa-based prototype to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a pure zero-emission vehicle. It also showcased a sophisticated EV-IT system developed to support electric driving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Continue reading »

Velozzi SOLO plug-in hybrid EV announced

A new company called Velozzi has released the first image of its future “green” crossover model. Dubbed the SOLO, it is designed to be “the most environmentally efficient, lightweight, luxurious, and attractive car of today.” The plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle aims to reach production by 2012. Continue reading at ModernOffroader.com »

Chevrolet Volt working prototype hits the road

The General Motors Pre-Production operations center at the Warren, MI Tech Center has finished work on the first of 75 “integration” prototypes of the Chevrolet Volt. The first car was completed a week ahead of schedule, and it is already on the streets undergoing tests. Continue reading »

Plug-in Toyota Prius conversion by PICC

Plug In Conversions Corporation, better known as PICC, has completed a software upgrade to its plug-in conversion kit that will now allow all-electric mode driving at speeds of up to 70 mph in their converted Prius offering. Continue reading »

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid coming by 2010

Toyota’s 3rd-generation Prius, already a huge hit in Japan, is enough for the company to ramp up production of the hybrid to pre-recession levels. Now the automaker plans to lease a plug-in version to corporate and municipal customers in Japan by the end of 2009. Continue reading »

Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car to hit streets

Mitsubishi is putting an electric version of their sub-compact “i” model into production. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be delivered to select customers on lease as soon as July, ten months before the car officially hits the market, but only in Japan. Continue reading »

Subaru unveils Stella EV small electric car

Subaru announced the launch of its plug-in Subaru Stella electric vehicle for the Japanese market. The Subaru EV is equipped with a high-performance lithium-ion battery. The model will be sold in Japan directly through Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru’s parent company. Delivery will start from late July and around 170 units of delivery in total will be planned till March 2010. Continue reading »

Tesla Roadster delivered to 500th customer

The Lotus-based Tesla Roadster, arguably the most famous electric car on sale today, has just hit its latest milestone with the delivery of the 500th Roadster. Continue reading »

Volvo V70 diesel plug-in hybrid in 2012

Volvo has built the first prototype for a future 2012 model that that can be fueled with electricity from a standard wall socket. Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market. Continue reading »

Tesla Roadster and Lotus Elise recalls

Lotus and Tesla are both recalling their 2009 roadsters manufactured from January 14 through May 5, 2009. This was to be expected, considering the Tesla Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise. Lotus is recalling 27 Elise and Exige models, while Tesla is recalling all of their 345 Roadsters. Continue reading »

Mini E delivered to first customer

Thousands of people signed up for a chance to lease the MINI E. BMW’s Mini has made 500 of the cars that it is leasing for about $850 a month to learn more about how electric cars will hold up in service. Of the 500 produced at this stage, 50 are destined for Berlin. Now, after months of winnowing down the list, the very first car has been delivered to one very happy customer who is now lighter in the wallet. Continue reading »

Miles EV electric highway sedan debut

American firm Miles EV is set to unveil their new, highway-speed all-electric 4-door sedan and offer the first test rides soon. Continue reading »

Chrysler LLC submits plan for electric vehicles

Chrysler LLC announced that they have submitted three proposals outlining a plan, to the tune of $448 million, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in order to rapidly bring Electric Vehicles (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid-electric Vehicles (PHEV) to market. Continue reading »

Ford Focus electric conversion by Genovation

Genovation Cars of Rockville, Maryland, is offering a low-budget alternative to those who want a conventional-looking electric vehicle, but without dishing out the dough for a Volt or a Tesla. Continue reading »

VW and BYD electric cars partnership

During an informational visit by the Chinese carmaker BYD, led by the chairman Wang Chuanfu, a memorandum of understanding was signed last week by Mr. Wang and Dr. Winterkorn. Wang made minor headlines last month by publicly drinking EV battery fluid to prove that it is not toxic. Continue reading »

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