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Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy

For those Americans who are still employed and have to drive to work every day, the continuing low pump prices for gasoline have been a boon. The current national average of $2.68 a gallon for regular is equivalent to an inflation-adjusted $1.01 per gallon in 1980. While that's certainly good for household budgets in a struggling economy, it doesn't provide much incentive to buy fuel efficient vehicles at a price premium. With the new Chevrolet Cruze starting at over $16,000 and the soon-to-launch new Ford Focus likely to cost at least that much, high-mpg cars could face a tough road in the market unless fuel prices rise soon.

Similarly, the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and next year's Focus Electric will no doubt appeal to the early adopters, but each of those vehicles needs to find a broad mainstream audience if they are to succeed. Even with tax incentives, each of those vehicles will command a significant price premium. Unless gas prices start to go back up toward $4 a gallon, the huge investments the auto companies made in those vehicles will be very hard to recoup. Of course, the chances of Congress raising fuel taxes any time in the foreseeable future are virtually nonexistent. Sigh.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Low gas prices pose a problem for efficient vehicles coming to market originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

Nissan Leaf ad featuring Lance Armstrong - Click above to watch video after the jump
Amid escalating concerns over Lance Armstrong's possible violation of cycling's anti-doping policy, Nissan is saying it will stick with the seven-time Tour De France champion as the Leaf's official spokesperson. Speaking with Ad Age, Nissan's new marketing boss, Jon Brancheau, admitted that although Armstrong has received a significant amount of negative press, Nissan will support the cyclist while continuing to keep an eye on things. Ad Age prodded Brancheau with this question: Nissan has made a pretty big bet on Lance Armstrong -- he was featured in the first Leaf commercial, is displayed prominently on your website and you even sponsor one of his cycling teams. Now, there's a ton of scrutiny around him with regards to doping claims. Does that worry you? To which Brancheau responded: This is something we'll continue to monitor, but the claims are all unsubstantiated up to this point. He's iconic, and he's almost the epitome of innovation when you think about athleticism. We're well connected with [Lance] and we continue to support him and the team. He's backing down to some degree from cycling in future years but we expect him to be actively engaged in a lot of different athletic events, especially marathons and things of that nature. So we're staying the course and continue to support him. Let's hope that Lance survives this sticky situation, but if he's dropped by Nissan, we'll gladly step in for him and take delivery of the first Leaf. Hit the jump to watch Nissan's Leaf commercial featuring Lance Armstrong.

[Source: Nissan-Leaf, Ad Age]

Continue reading Nissan sticks with Lance Armstrong as Leaf's spokesperson despite escalated doping concerns [w/video]

Nissan sticks with Lance Armstrong as Leaf's spokesperson despite escalated doping concerns [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily

Chery Riich M1 EV

In recent years, China's Chery Automotive has displayed a growing fondness for electric vehicles (EVs). From the company's Riich M1, to the S18, its Tiggo 3 and even the QQ, Chery's focus on delivering EVs to its customer base is really unmatched by any of its Chinese competitors. The company's lineup of EVs, none of which are particularly strong sellers, continues to grow on a regular basis. With Chery's battery-powered focus in mind, it's not at all surprising to learn that the company has formed a joint venture (JV) with BenQ to develop lithium-ion battery technology.

Under terms of the 50:50 JV, Chery and Taiwan-based BenQ Corporation will construct a production plant in Wuhu in east China's Anhui province. Construction will begin in 2011 and, once complete, the facility will produce lithium-ion battery separator films. Before going full-scale, Chery and BenQ plan to construct a laboratory and experimental lines to test the properties of its thermal insulation separators. Monetary terms of the JV have not been released, but we'll update this story if any additional info comes our way.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

China's Chery Automotive, Taiwan's BenQ team up to produce li-ion separator films originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

We recently got the following query from reader Felipe about electric vehicles (EVs) and we thought the answer would be of interest to many readers who are considering purchasing or leasing one of the upcoming crop of plug-in vehicles:

Hi, do you have any info for EV performance in hill terrain (paved roads). I believe all MPG testing is done on flat roads, and where i live most of the roads are high slope streets, so an underpowered engine is less efficient than a big one.

Felipe's assumption about mileage testing on flat ground is essentially correct. The standard drive cycles used in various countries all simulate acceleration, braking and steady-state driving on a flat surface. It's also true that running a smaller engine at its upper limit can result in lower efficiency than using a larger engine working at the sweet spot of its operating range. Read on after the jump to learn about the effects on EVs.

Continue reading Ask AutoblogGreen: What's up (and down) with electric vehicle performance in hilly terrain

Ask AutoblogGreen: What's up (and down) with electric vehicle performance in hilly terrain originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily, China

China-based Foton Motors and Texas-based Freescale Semiconductor will combine their collective knowledge to open the Foton-Freescale Automotive Joint Lab. The lab will focus on developing software and system-level solutions for use in upcoming Foton vehicles. Both companies will collaboratively work towards developing relevant electronic control technology for applications that included hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). By focusing on electronics and, more specifically, on software development, the Joint Lab hopes to introduce technology that can reduce vehicle emissions while also increasing the "economic performance and comfort of vehicles."

Speaking on behalf of Foton Motors, Wu Xeubin, the company's vice president and director of engineering research said: Foton Motor has been committed to promoting energy and environmental technology in the automotive industry, and has proved continuous breakthroughs in new energy-driven vehicles over the past years. The opening of the joint lab will provide wings for Foton Motor products to fly into a promising future.
Wings and flying? We're not exactly sure what this statement implies, but it seems that the Joint Lab will be trying to help Foton Motors reach new heights.

[Source: Freescale Semiconductor]

Continue reading Foton Motors, Freescale Semiconductor to create joint lab for hybrid, EV development

Foton Motors, Freescale Semiconductor to create joint lab for hybrid, EV development originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Hybrid, Green Daily

Just days ago, Los Alamos County took delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid refuse truck. Like the four hydraulic hybrid recycling vehicles that recently started work on the streets of Ann Arbor, MI, the Los Alamos refuse truck is powered by Eaton Corporation's hydraulic launch assist system (HLA). The refuse truck, a Peterbilt Model 320 equipped with the HLA system and a Wayne Curbtender side loader, will be used for residential garbage pickup and is designed to withstand the rigorous collection routes that require up to 1,200 stops per day.

The hydraulic launch assist (HLA) system utilizes a pair of accumulators to store energy captured while braking and releases it during acceleration. The Model 320 with Eaton's HLA is said to save more than 1,000 gallons of fuel per year while also reducing emissions by 20 percent and extending brake life by 300 percent compared to its conventional (non-hybrid) counterparts. This lone refuse truck is expected to save Los Alamos County $18,250 in fuel costs over its 10 year useful life. Hit the jump for more info on New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck.

[Source: Los Alamos County]

Continue reading Los Alamos County takes delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck

Los Alamos County takes delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, GM, Th!nk (Think)

Think City - Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motor's attempt to trademark the term "range anxiety" is generating some critical heat. The first to attack was Tesla Motors, which basically told GM to go ahead and associate itself with the term. Later, the global marketing director for Think EV, Michael Lock, told AutoblogGreen that:
While I have no interest in bashing GM, it is clear that their technology is limited and their car can only travel about 40 miles without the need for a gasoline engine. This is patently not what the environmentally motivated customer wants. It's classic defensive marketing to try and divert attention away from your weaknesses and this is typical of the battle cry, 'the best defense is offense'.

However, the early adopter end of the market is well educated and, as you may see from the blogs, are already decrying this. It may frighten some of the mass market, but they are not going to build the market over the next 12-18 months anyway and it may actually cement their view that GM is not enthusiastic or invested in pioneering this new market. I think that's a big risk.

Our marketing of the Think brand starts in earnest over the next 6 months and we are confident in the technology and the message. If anything, this presents a great opportunity for us to differentiate from the legacy manufacturers earlier and clearer than we had hoped for. Lock also issued a statement to the media that said:
At Think, we are, frankly, a little bemused by GM's recently released 'range anxiety' campaign. It strikes me as 'kindergarten marketing' and can only be designed to confuse the public at a time when we should all be concentrating on education. The flaw in the GM Volt is that their hybrid arrangement carries enormous excess weight by needing both a power generation and a bulky power storage device.

For many customers, it is a bogus argument that the 100 mile range, in a Think City for example, will cause the driver to run out of charge on the way home from work. Most work commutes are comfortably within that range and new 'fast-charging' technology that enables a 0-80% charge in 15 minutes debunks the myth that a pure EV car is a limited niche option for America's needs. We welcome the late entry by giants like GM to the clean tech debate, but are hoping for a more positive contribution. No interest in bashing GM, indeed.

Gallery: Think City in Finland

[Source: Think]

Think on GM's range anxiety trademark: "their technology is limited" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet

Early in 2006, director Chris Paine first screened his film Who Killed the Electric Car at the Sundance Film Festival and turned the media spotlight on General Motors and its decision to scrap the EV1 electric car. GM was, of course, well aware of the impending movie and at just around the same time, a small group of engineers and designers began work on a new concept car. The following January, Bob Lutz drove the Chevrolet Volt onto the stage at the Detroit Auto Show and a star was born.

Before long, the launch of the Tesla Roadster and the decision to produce the Volt convinced Paine to begin work on a sequel, Revenge of the Electric Car which is due out next year. This time, instead of a funeral, Paine got to film the birth of a car. He and his crew recently went to the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant to catch the build of the 100th pre-production Volt. By the time the film comes out, Chevrolet will have delivered several thousand Volts to customers and Nissan will have done the same with the Leaf.

[Source: Revenge of the Electric Car]

From Funerals to Births: Revenge film crew on hand for Chevy Volt production originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

As we've said before, the islands of Hawaii appear to be ideally suited for electric vehicles (EVs). The picturesque beaches, sparkling blue water and breathtaking mountain ranges are a sight to behold. EVs, often tagged as zero-emissions vehicles, are believed to have less environmental impact than other vehicles types and appeal to people in Hawai'i for a variety of obvious reasons, which are discussed in detail here.

Nissan, a self-proclaimed global leader in electric vehicles, has teamed up with the state of Hawaii to promote zero-emissions mobility there. The partnership marks Nissan's first definitive agreement with any state in the U.S. and will, as the company states, "help foster the adoption of electric vehicle technology." Hawaii has taken an active approach towards promoting battery-powered vehicles by offering a $4,500 tax credit towards the purchase of EVs and an additional $500 incentive on home charging stations. Combining Hawaii's $4,500 credit with the federal government's $7,500 incentive, drops the price of the Leaf to a more-than-affordable $20,780.

Hawaiian Senator, Daniel Inouye, outlined of the importance of bringing EVs to the island: This partnership personifies Hawaii's commitment to a future powered by clean, sustainable sources of energy. In order to change the energy consumption patterns of our population, we have to offer drivers alternatives to vehicles that rely on imported fossil fuels. More than 90 percent of the fuel and energy we consume in Hawaii is the product of imported oil. Given our unique access to clean, renewable, energy sources, Hawaii should serve as a model of what is possible when government and business collaborate to plan a path forward into an energy efficient future. The Leaf's arrival in Hawaii is set for January 2011. Hit the jump to read more about Nissan's partnership with the island state.

[Source: Nissan North America | Image: Jordan Emery - C.C. License 2.0]

Continue reading A cure for Island fever: Nissan teams up with Hawaii to promote electric vehicles

A cure for Island fever: Nissan teams up with Hawaii to promote electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mitsubishi, Green Daily, Paris Motor Show

We've obviously laid eyes on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV on numerous occasions, but the modified Euro-spec version has remained unseen. That is, until now. If you gander at the image above you may notice the slight tweaks that differentiate the Euro-spec i-MiEV from its Japanese counterpart. What, you can't see the differences? Okay, well maybe a long, drawn-out stare will lead you to discover that this Euro-spec models sports revised front and rear bumpers that meet EU regulations. Those revised bumpers are the only exterior changes that are required to make the i-MiEV Euro-ready and the only tweaks that you will find on the outside.

Turning out attention to the interior, the Euro-spec i-MiEV features a re-arranged center stack in the instrument panel and, according to Mitsubishi, improved passenger comfort. On the safety front, all Euro-spec i-MiEVs feature a stability control system and side curtain airbags as standard equipment. Pricing for the European i-MiEV will vary by country, but its expected to cost under €35,000 ($44,400 U.S. at the current exchange rate) in all 14 European countries that Mitsubishi targets for sales. Hit the jump for more on the Euro-spec i-MiEV.

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Mitsubishi to debut Euro-spec i-MiEV

Paris Preview: Mitsubishi to debut Euro-spec i-MiEV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily

Intensifying price competition from South Korean battery manufacturers has driven Sanyo Electric Co. and GS Yuasa Corp. to dissolve their long-standing lithium-ion battery joint venture (JV). According to a joint announcement, the liquidation of the Sanyo GS Soft Energy Co. JV was inevitable as the venture had posted net losses for two years running. The decision to dissolve the JV may hinder Sanyo's ability to collect loans valued at 4 billion yen ($47.5 million U.S. at the current exchange rate) and will force GS Yuasa to report a special loss of 3 billion yen ($35.6 million U.S.). Neither Sanyo nor GS Yuasa intends to modify their projected earnings outlooks for 2010.

GS Yuasa's numerous JVs with automakers such as Honda and Mitsubishi imply that the company has no intentions of leaving the li-ion battery industry. Meanwhile, Sanyo's split with GS Yuasa will not affect its existing deals with automakers and battery producers, nor should it impact Sanyo's long-term goals of increased li-ion battery production. In the automotive industry, mergers and breakups are inevitable and we're sure that neither Sanyo nor GS Yuasa will shed tears over dissolving this money-losing JV.

[Source: Nikkei]

Sanyo, GS Yuasa dissolve money-losing li-ion battery JV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in

By now we're all aware that the environmental impact of cars and trucks goes well beyond the emissions produced during operation. There is the energy used to produce and dispose of the vehicles and their components, for example, and the cost of getting the fuel for the vehicles out of the ground and into the tank. The impact of making nickel metal hydride batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) was the center-piece of a controversial study published by CNW several years ago. That study claimed that a Hummer H2 had less of an environmental impact than a Toyota Prius in large part because of pollution resulting from nickel mining in Canada.

A new life cycle study conducted by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) has come to a very different conclusion after evaluating the latest lithium-ion batteries developed specifically for automotive applications. These new batteries only account for about 15 percent of the total impact of an electric vehicle over its lifespan when the mining, refining, manufacturing and disposal are factored in. The vast majority of the vehicle's overall energy footprint results from actual operation of the vehicle; in the case of an EV, this mostly means how much it takes to charge the battery.

If an EV is charged by the typical mix of nuclear, coal and hydroelectric power found in Europe, an internal combustion vehicle would need to achieve between 59 and 78 miles per gallon to have a comparable impact. There are several diesel-powered small cars available in Europe that already hit those kinds of numbers, including the Ford Fiesta ecoNetic and Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion. If the electricity production mix shifts more toward coal, the energy balance gets significantly worse for a plug-in car, while an generation profile with a larger percentage of hydro or other renewable sources clearly improves the picture in the EV's favor. Still, a baseline target of 59 to 78 mpg is a good one for liquid-fuel vehicle fans to consider.

[Source: Science Daily]

Study: Modern li-ion batteries have little effect on life cycle impact of electric cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy

Now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency have established fleet fuel economy standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, the government agencies are hard at work on the next phase of increases that will stretch out to 2020 and beyond. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act mandated 40 mpg by 2020 as a minimum, but the standards could actually be set higher. That's exactly what the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) want.

A report from CFA declares that the technology exists to raise fuel economy standards to 60 mpg by 2025 and estimates that doing so would add about $2,600 to the cost of new cars and $3,200 to light trucks. CFA's analysis indicates that, at the equivalent of $3.50 per gallon in 2025, the payback period for the extra costs would only be five years. While the technology definitely exists to produce 60-mpg vehicles, the real problem is consumer behavior, and most American consumers probably won't buy the kinds of small cars required to meet those standards at current fuel prices - particularly with that much cost tacked on to their MSRPs.

Hitting 60 mpg while maintaining the size and capability Americans currently buy would doubtlessly cost substantially more. In order to get people to buy such vehicles, critics suggest there will need to be significantly higher prices at the pump. The idea of a revenue-neutral petroleum tax (whereby other taxes would be cut to compensate) that establishes a floor price of at least $4 per gallon could be a good place to start on the way to 40 mpg. Getting people into 60-mpg vehicles would probably require an even higher floor - perhaps $5/gal or more.

[Source: Green Car Advisor, Consumer Federation of America]

Continue reading Consumer Federation of America calls for 60 mpg CAFE standard by 2025

Consumer Federation of America calls for 60 mpg CAFE standard by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Green Daily, China

Chevrolet Volt in 'Victory Red' - Click above for high-res image gallery
With its launch slated for the second half of 2011, Kevin Wale, president and managing director of General Motors China, promises that the Chevrolet Volt will be priced to compete in China's fledgling alternative technology car market. The selling price of the Volt will not be officially unveiled until the vehicle launches in China, but as Wale spoke at a news conference in Shanghai recently, the words "I believe the pricing will be competitive" resonated throughout the room.

Priced at $41,000 in the U.S., the Volt is not exactly a bargain and, at nearly $8,000 more than the Nissan Leaf, naysayers suggest the Volt is simply too expensive. While we'd disagree with the notion that the Volt is way overpriced, the Chinese market is ripe with hybrids and plug-ins that will undercut Chevy's breakthrough model by tens of thousands of dollars. For example, BYD's F3DM plug-in hybrid starts at a very reasonable price of $22,000 before incentives, yet it still struggles to rack up a meaningful amount of sales.

So, what is a competitive price for the Volt in China, exactly? Does GM hope to compete on level terms with the $22,000 F3DM? Doubt it. Will The General aim for a $41,000 price tag? Probably not. We're inclined to believe that GM will shoot for a target price that's pretty squarely in the middle, but we'll have to wait for official word to see what "competitive" actually means to GM.

Gallery: Chevrolet Volt in 'Victory Red'

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Reuters, The Truth About Cars]

GM to offer competitive pricing on Chevrolet Volt in China originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Phoenix, Spy Shots

Phoenix Motorcars PHEV? - Click above for image gallery
Years ago, in 2007, Phoenix said it would build a plug-in hybrid vehicle with UQM Technologies, but with all of the trouble Phoenix has been through since then, we thought the project died out. When Phoenix rose from the ashes of bankruptcy earlier this summer, Bryon Bliss, Phoenix Motorcars' vice president of sales and marketing, told AutoblogGreen that the company's sole focus was on an all-electric sports utility truck. The plug-in powerplant - and the SUV version Phoenix was talking about in the past were done. Bliss said in June:
The SUV was always more of a consumer product. As we are delaying a consumer launch we are choosing to direct focus on the available product, the Phoenix SUT. But, AutoblogGreen reader Scott L. sent us an email this week saying the following:
I have pictures taken 8/31/10 in Rancho Cucamunga of the underside of Phoenix Motorcars vehicle showing a muffler for an ICE. We've looked the pictures over and this does appear to be the case. A few things could be going on here. This might, indeed, be a mule for plug-in hybrid development. Or, since Phoenix uses bodies from SsangYong (the SUV seen above is the SsangYong Actyon), the exhaust might just be a remnant of its ICE past. In any case, we've asked Phoenix for clarification and we'll update this post once we hear back. Thanks, Scott!

Gallery: Phoenix PHEV?

Spyshots: Is Phoenix Motorcars still working on a plug-in hybrid? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily

Nissan Leaf battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery
Batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) can be derived from one of the many existing chemistries, including lithium-ion, nickel metal hydride and lead acid. Despite the chemical choices, most all of the available battery technologies utilize similar components: separators, electrolytes, anodes and cathodes. As demand for hybrids and electric vehicles rises, so, too, does the need for these components.

Some analysts are now wondering if the rapid growth in the EV market could outstrip supply of these components. Frost & Sullivan's report, titled "Global Opportunity Analysis for Chemical and Material Suppliers in the Electric Vehicle Batteries Market," finds that "the EV battery chemical and materials market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 125 per cent from 2010 to 2016." But many analysts doubt that this growth is enough to support the expected explosion of EVs.

Robert Outram, Frost & Sullivan's global program manager for transportation chemicals, notes that: All the major automotive manufacturers are developing EVs -- considered the next generation of vehicles and a means for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to differentiate themselves to stay ahead of the competition. Escalating oil prices and environmental concerns are driving governments to grant incentives and encourage zero emission vehicles, further endorsing the importance of EVs and stepping-up the demand for EV batteries.
With production of EVs expected to rise, Outram believes that the lack of battery chemical and materials suppliers will create a bottleneck in the industry. Seeing the possibility of a downward spiral, Frost & Sullivan blames the upcoming potential shortage on the past failures of EVs. These failed attempts led suppliers to take a "wait and see" approach, but now that the EV market has materialized, many suppliers are years away from producing critical battery parts. Great, huh?

[Source: Frost & Sullivan]

Continue reading Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts

Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily

Coulomb Technologies has installed its first ChargePoint networked electric vehicle charging station in Michigan under the $37-million ChargePoint America program. The charger, located at the NextEnergy headquarters in downtown Detroit, is the first of hundreds of free public and home charging stations that the ChargePoint America program will install in the state of Michigan. Installation was carried out by Coulomb distributor Shocking Solutions (now, that's a great name for an electric car charger company).

The ChargePoint America program aims to install nearly 5,000 charging stations in nine selected regions across the United States: Texas, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA, New York, Orlando, FL, Sacramento, CA, the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area, Bellevue/Redmond, WA, and Washington DC. Partially funded by the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act and supported by partners Coulomb, Ford, General Motors and Smart, the ChargePoint America program promises to:
accelerate the development and production of electric vehicles to substantially reduce petroleum consumption, reduce greenhouse gas production and create jobs. More corporate-approved PR after the jump.

[Source: ChargePoint America]

Continue reading Coulomb unveils Michigan's first ChargePoint America charging station

Coulomb unveils Michigan's first ChargePoint America charging station originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Chevrolet, Paris Motor Show, Holden

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery
The long rumored Chevrolet Cruze hatchback was unveiled today by Holden, General Motors' Australian division. The five-door Cruze was designed and built at Holden's Port Melbourne design studio and will be shown publicly at the Paris Motor Show at the end of the month.

The hatchback features a forward sloping rear glass and a shorter rear overhang than the existing four-door sedan but significantly better access to the cargo space. The new body style is labeled as a global model - just like the sedan - but General Motors has not announced if it will come to the U.S. market. If the Cruze hatchback does make it to America, it will be the first C-segment hatchback from Chevrolet since the first-generation Cavalier ended production way back in 1988. GM will no doubt be watching the sales mix for the new Ford Focus, which is being offered as both a sedan and hatch in North America, before deciding. Holden will launch production of the Cruze hatchback down under in late 2011.

Update: Chevrolet has told AutoblogGreen that there are no current plans to offer the hatchback in the U.S. market.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Lotus, Paris Motor Show

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
In addition to the pair of Evoras being introduced at this year's Paris Motor Show, Lotus will also be unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles, in keeping with the automaker's promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Green Car Advisor reports that one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.

Lotus debuted its hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured), but unlike the mid-engine concept, the two front-engine models will utilize a 47-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids. We'll have the full details direct from the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.



[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, Green Daily, Japan

Tesla Roadster 2.5 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Less than four months ago, Tesla Motors entered the Japanese market by shipping a dozen or so right-hand drive Signature Series Roadsters across the pond. The base Roadster, which starts at a rather shocking price of 12.8 million yen ($151,500 U.S. at the current exchange rate) has now been approved for the Japanese government's Clean Energy Cash Rebate program and is available at a deeply discounted price.

Qualifying for the cash rebate program means that the Roadster's price will be slashed by an astounding 3.24 million yen ($38,000 U.S.), which certainly makes Tesla's high-performance sports car more appealing. But, with an after-rebate price that remains at $113,500, the Roadster is still a far cry from what we would consider affordable. But hey, it's that way here in the States, too. The Tesla Roadster joins the plug-in Prius hybrid as the only two standard-sized vehicles to qualify for Japan's rebate program. Follow the jump for more on Tesla's raging deal on its Roadster in Japan.

Gallery: 2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5

[Source: Tesla Motors]

Continue reading Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan

Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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