Showing posts with label Electric Vehicles. Show all posts

Chinese Automakers to Use Turbos and Efficient Transmissions to Compensate for Slow EV Sales


For all the advantages they offer in every-day driving, modern EVs are faced with the same problems around the world, regardless of which market they are sold in: the high acquisition cost, coupled with the limited range and underdeveloped infrastructure, limit the appeal of what is otherwise becoming quite a viable technology.

China too is faced with the same issues, despite the fact that they can improve the charging network on a much larger scale, and can do so with more ease than some other countries, where change is brought about more slowly.

Read more »

Consumer Reports Goes Wild with Praise and Drifty Joy Over the Tesla Model S


The Consumer Reports test team is not easily impressed, and most of their opinions on cars are a balanced mix of pros and cons - one of the reasons why their reviews are so well-regarded. However, now that they’ve put their hands on their own all-electric Tesla Model S to test, they’re really struggling to say anything bad about it…

It's is not the full review, as this will be posted at a later date, once the car goes through the whole battery of CR tests, but that doesn't mean they haven't done a lot with the car so far.

Read more »

Tesla Launches New Performance Plus Pack for $6,500, Musk Apologizes for Lease Calculation


If you’re even one bit into the electric side of the automotive industry, then you will have undoubtedly heard that the Tesla Model S is a fine-handling machine, thanks to its floor-mounted battery pack, top-notch suspension setup and sticky tires on the models higher up in the range. Now, future customers can expand on those qualities with a new Performance Plus pack, which can be specified on new cars for $6,500. Read more »

Latvian-Made All-Electric, AWD Racer Built to Tackle Pikes Peak [w/Video]


Globalization has its pros and cons, which could warrant their own separate automotive-related piece, however, one of the main advantages of the phenomenon is the fact that you can build anything, anywhere and have access to the same kind of technology that anybody else has. You merely Google it, order it or learn how to make it yourself.

Who would have thought that a minuscule Latvian car builder called Drive-eO, would take on the challenge of tackling the Pikes Peak hillclimb, with no real prior experience in building the kind of car they are attempting to make for this purpose.

Read more »

GM Wants Each Next-Gen Chevrolet Volt to be $10,000 Cheaper to Make


General Motors wants to cut as much as $10,000 per car from the Volt’s production costs in order to make the next generation of the plug-in hybrid affordable and profitable.

The Detroit carmaker currently loses money on every Chevrolet Volt it sells, despite the fact that the cheapest model retails for $31,645 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. “Every new technology takes a while to get traction, you’ve got to work out all of the associated issues,” GM CEO Dan Akerson told Bloomberg News in an interview.

Read more »

Another EV Manufacturer Goes Under, This Time It’s Coda


Coda is a little-known name in the industry, primarily because it is a very small company, which only makes one car…or let us rephrase, made one car. The Los Angeles-based startup filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, because their single offering did not attract the desired number of buyers.

The Coda Sedan was assembled locally, in Los Angeles, from knockdown kits brought in from China, and they only managed to build and sell one hundred examples. The all-electric sedan offered conventional looks, lots of space inside and a competent electric powertrain, as well as a maximum certified range of 125 miles, or 200 km.

Read more »

All-Electric Formula E Car Does a Few Donuts in Los Angeles


Formula E could be considered a lesser league of single-seater racing, which builds young drivers' talents and prepares them for Formula 1. However, unlike other similar formula-type racing series, Formula E will use all-electric powertrains for the cars – it's a new FIA-approved type of racing which will tour the globe for the first time in 2014, featuring a ten-race calendar. Read more »

Ford and Schaeffler Demonstrate Their RWD, All-Electric eWheelDrive Fiesta


Not too long ago, we’ve posted a story about how German company Schaeffler converted a conventionally-powered Ford Fiesta into an all-electric, rear-wheel-drive model, powered by two independent electric motors placed inside each of the rear wheels. Ford has now released more details and photos, plus a video showing how the electric Fiesta works. Read more »

SimCity Game Now Features Virtual Nissan Leaf Charging Stations


If you’re into economic simulations or city building games, you will surely have heard about SimCity. Made by one of the world’s largest gaming corporations, Electronic Arts, it allows the player to create his or her own detailed themed city, now complete with Nissan-branded charging stations. Read more »

Geely Reveals EC7-EV with "Detroit Electric Technology"


Geely Automobile Group of China has revealed an all-electric vehicle dubbed the EC7-EV, based on the brand’s Emgrand EC7 model. What’s interesting about the model is the badge it bears, which says “Detroit Electric Technology,” which apparently means it was jointly-developed by the two companies.

Work on the car began some three years ago, and the EC7-EV is set to go on sale in China in the first quarter of next year. Geely claims it wants to sell 3,000 units in the first 12 months, a figure which it expects to grow to 30,000 in three years’ time.

Read more »

Audi Plotting Introduction of VW e-Up!-Based Premium EV by 2015


Audi has been testing the waters with various electric vehicles over the years, and they've surely gathered considerable experience in the process. Now, they are reportedly transferring their knowledge into a VW e-Up!-based all-electric vehicle, which is set to arrive in 2015. Read more »

New Chevrolet Spark EV EPA-Rated at 119MPGe Equivalent


The Chevrolet Spark EV, one of the more promising all-electric vehicles from a mainstream manufacturer, has just received its official range and efficiency information. According to GM, it is “the industry benchmark in retail electric vehicle efficiency,” as it has been officially rated with a combined EPA-estimated 119 MPGe equivalent and a driving range of 82 miles (131 km). Read more »

Tesla Not Allowed to Sell Cars in Virginia


Tesla’s idea of selling its cars by itself is a bold move, but not because it is anything particularly outrageous – it's just very uncommon for an automaker try and do this. Now, after winning the battle to sell cars in Massachusetts, their request to sell cars in the state of Virginia has been met with refusal by the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Read more »

New Toyota ME.WE Concept is What You Get When You Let an Architect Design a Car


Automotive designers and architects are two different breeds of artists, who seldom cross paths. For whatever reason, Toyota wanted to bring the two different worlds together and create a special concept named ME.WE., which is the outcome of collaboration between its ED2 European Design studio in Nice, France, and French architect Jean-Marie Massaud.

So what is the ME.WE Concept? Well, Toyota describes it as being a pick-up, convertible, off-roader and small city car in one, adding that, "It is a no-extras package, conceived as an 'anti-excess' vehicle. In short, the Toyota ME.WE represents the transition from the culture of 'more' to the culture of 'better'".

Read more »

New Fast Charger Can "Fill up" a Volvo C30 Electric in 1.5 Hours


Volvo has developed a faster solution that cuts charging time to 1.5 hours in the updated version of its C30 Electric, dubbed Generation II. The Swedish carmaker says the new 22 kW fast-charger fitted to the C30 Electric is the world’s first on-board charger that operates on a three-phase supply and is small enough to be mounted on an electric car. Read more »

Nissan Adds Leaf to Fleet of EV New York Taxis [w/Video]


Nissan has just started a pilot program in New York City, and will be testing out six Leaf EVs that are to assume the role of taxis for the next year. It is a small-scale action designed to give the Leaf a shot to prove itself. However, to taxi drivers in London, Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, it has been a trusted companion for over a year.

In fact, the Dutch EV taxi service racked up more than 155,000 miles (250,000 km) in its first six months of operation.

Read more »

Renault Shows Not Very Telling Teaser for F1-Inspired EV Concept


Renault is acting all mysterious with a teaser for a new all-electric concept, which apparently draws its inspiration from Formula One. Details are non-existent, and aside from announcing the unveiling at Renault's manufacturing plant in Valladolid, Spain, there’s not much else… Read more »

Tongji Auto Presents Fuel Cell-Powered Roadster Concept at Shanghai Auto Show


You'll be forgiven for not having heard about Tongji Auto. Most people outside of China haven't as it's not a car brand per se, but a division of the Tongji University, itself establish in 1907 by the German government together with German physicians in Shanghai.

The "Tongji Automotive Design & Research Institute Co." came to life in November of 2009 and has since created a number of concept cars like the odd-looking roadster model pictured above and below, which premiered at this week's Auto China 2013 motor show in Shanghai.

Read more »

Tesla Announces High-End Loaner Car Service for Service Customers


It seems that aside from free charging via the solar-powered Superchargers, Tesla Motors customers will also benefit from Lexus-style loaner car service, as long as their own cars are in the shop for whatever reason.

Elon Musk recently told USA Today that, since Model S production is going smoothly, he can now turn his attention to the after sales treatment. He has announced that Tesla will be creating a fleet of loaners 80 car-strong, which will be comprised entirely of the company’s all-electric sedan. Furthermore, they will only be using the Performance model, with the quickest acceleration and longest range.

Read more »

2014MY Fisker Karma Updates Purportedly Leaked by Laid Off Employees


After years of troubles, Fisker Automotive lost its founder, laid off most of its employees and effectively shut down its operations as it seeks bankruptcy protection. Unless a miracle happens, the future for the California-based carmaker looks extremely bleak.

Until we see how this story ends or continues, we can share some different kind of news about the company as we received a tip pointing us towards the Fiskerbuzz forum where the automaker's laid off employees allegedly posted a picture and some details of the tweaked 2014 model year Karma.

Read more »
Blogger Template by Clairvo