2012 Electric Cars in Production and Today's EV News
Solutions that can make
electric vehicles practical in cold climates
EV News and Hybrid Headlines
Plug In America: California Created Giant Loophole in New
Electric Car Rule(January 31) - Many environmentalists
and electric car fans cheered last week when California
adopted new rules that require 15 percent of all cars sold
in the state to be electric, plug-in hybrid, or
hydrogen-powered by 2025. Even automakers were onboard. But
the devil is in the details, and some plug-in car advocates
believe the California Air Resources Board simultaneously
engineered a positive spin on the rules—while creating a
giant loophole allowing more modest gains in electric car
adoption.
Complete Story
Pure-electric car isn’t put off by a bit of snow(January
30) - If you live in Los Angeles or, indeed, London, then
extreme weather really isn’t really an issue. Running a
Nissan LEAF pure-electric car in such climes doesn’t
represent much of a challenge, but spare a thought for those
facing a daily commute in a Canadian or Norwegian winter.
Complete Story
Agency Ends Chevy Volt Fire Probe(January 23) - The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has
closed its investigation into whether the Chevy Volt poses a
fire risk after an accident. The agency said it found no
evidence of a "defect trend" with the Chevy Volt and
concluded that recent changes made to the electric car by
General Motors "reduce the potential for battery intrusion
resulting from side impacts."
Complete Story
Will Tesla Crack the Range Anxiety Problem?(January 23)
- Range anxiety and pricing remain the two issues electric
car critics use that are difficult for electric car fanatics
to defend. But the latest report on Tesla may give electric
car fans some new ammunition in their arguments. After
visiting Tesla headquarters and meeting with the management
there, J.P. Morgan is telling clients it can see Tesla
developing a 400 mile range powertrain in the next 3-4
years. Complete
Story
Better Place Begins Delivering First Electric Cars to Israel(January
23) - Better Place LLC, a U.S. start up developing charging
stations, started its first commercial roll- out with 100
electric cars to Israeli customers. Better Place, founded by
former SAP AG executive Shai Agassi, is in partnership with
Renault SA to build and operate electric-car charging
networks and battery-exchanging stations, starting in Israel
and then in Denmark.
Complete Story
GM Dealers Say No To More Chevy Volts(January 23) - With
NHTSA's closure of the investigation into the Chevy Volt,
General Motors is now trying to rebuild the plug-in hybrid's
image. But a new stumbling block has appeared on the road to
higher sales — dealers turning down Volts from GM. General
Motors sold only 7,671 Volts in the United States in 2011,
well short of its 10,000-unit target for the first year.
Complete Story
BMW Opens Registration For ActiveE Electric Car Leases(January
23) - If so, you might just have what it takes to become an
"Electronaut", BMW's term for the select few who'll be
piloting the 2012 BMW ActiveE for the next few years. BMW
has started the recruitment process to find 700 potential
ActiveE drivers. BMW's "Electronauts" are being touted as
forward-thinking adventurers, just the sort of people you
need to discover the relatively unknown world of electric
motoring.
Complete Story
IBM promises 500 mile range electric cars(January 19) - "Range" has remained one of the major drawbacks in
owning an electric car. But, IBM claims to have solved this
problem by creating a new battery with a 500 mile range.
Electric cars today typically can travel only 100 miles on
current battery technology, called lithium-ion (LIB).
Complete Story
Electric Car Market Penetration Is On Track(January 18)
- hese last two weeks have been harsh on the developing EV
market. Pike Research turned two interesting studies, one
pointing to the obvious, see my article Electric Car
Naysayers... Another shed more light as to the overall
picture. If consumers are still too skittish to buy EVs,
fleet aren’t and hybrid medium to heavy duty truck sales is
poised for growth at a compounded annual rate of 63%, with
sales approaching 300,000 vehicles between 2010 to 2015.
Complete Story
BMW ActiveE Electric Car First Drive: What's It Really Like?(January
18) - The first BMW ActiveE electric car in North America
was just delivered last Friday. Now, with only 600 miles on
that car, we've driven it.Our first impressions of BMW's
final electric test car, converted from a standard BMW
1-Series two-door sedan, are favorable.
Complete Story
Volvo CX60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept(January 18) - The XC60
features a 4 cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 280
horsepower and 380 Nm, and an electric engine that produces
70 horsepower, and whose power comes from a lithium-ion
battery pack, so a total of 350 horsepower, which was
previously only reached by 8 cylinder engines. This Volvo
can be driven in three modes: pure, hybrid and power. The
pure mode uses only the electric engine, for a maximum range
of 35 miles.
Complete Story
Revenge of the Electric Car – an EV classic worth catching(Complete
Story) - Engaging, eye-opening and entertaining. That’s a
nutshell review of Revenge of the Electric Car, the
recently-released documentary by Chris Paine, the fellow
behind the 2006 EV classic Who Killed the Electric Car.
Complete Story
Top Ten Green Cars of the Detroit Auto Show(January 10)
- Taking place in the city home of car giants, Ford,
Chrysler and General Motors (GM), the show is the biggest in
the US’ automotive calendar and this year, the 105th show is
expected to more than ever display how the car industry is
changing and looking to address the transport issues of
tomorrow. Look out for an odd mix of both the traditional
sort of heavy gas guzzler that Americans love with the new
age of light and efficient motors and alternative fuel
offerings. Everything goes here.
Complete Story
2012 Toyota Prius C Promises 53 MPG, 2013 Land Cruiser(January
10) - Toyota says that the Prius c will have some attractive
features–a sport-tuned suspension, available navigation and
Entune, a quicker steering rack–but its most attractive
feature will be its price. The Prius c will start under
$19,000, which Toyota says will make it a truly accessible
hybrid for the under-30 crowd. The Prius c will go on sale
in the first half of this year.
Complete Story
Energy 101: Electric Vehicles(January 10) - Energy
Secretary Steven Chu is in Michigan at the North American
International Auto Show today to promote the Obama
administration's support for the domestic auto industry. To
coincide with his visit to Detroit, the Department of Energy
has also released a new video titled "Energy 101: Electric
Vehicles."
Complete Story
Mercedes new electric car is ‘tongue-in-cheek’ city pickup(January
3) - One of the über-efficient new cars entering the auto
market in 2012 is a pickup that looks like anything but.
Mercedes’ smart for-us, set to make its debut later this
month at the North American International Auto Show in
Detroit, delivers what parent company Daimler calls a
“tongue-in-cheek” translation of a pickup designed for
21st-century urban traffic.
Complete Story
Fisker Says It Has Fixed Most Recalled Karma Hybrids(January
3) - Fisker Automotive, maker of the high-end Karma plug-in
hybrid car, said it has already fixed most of the cars
affected by a recent recall related to possible problems
with the cooling systems for their battery packs.
Complete Story
Rep. Kelly's HR 3768 proposes repeal of electric car $7500
tax rebate(January 3) - With HR 3768 introduced, on Dec
30, by Chevy Car Dealer and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), a
proposal to end the $7500 tax credit for electric car
purchases is now being considered by the House of
Representatives. The small bill titled "To amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the credit for
plug-in electric drive vehicles" would simply amend the IRS
code section related to the electric car purchase tax
credit, to terminate the tax credit.
Complete Story
Japanese Electric Car Startup Explains Why Its Cars Look So
Wacky(December 30) - We all know that most electric cars
are more energy efficient than their gasoline counterparts,
but just how do you improve on the limited range most
electric cars have? For some automakers like BMW, the answer
lies in making an electric car as lightweight as possible.
For others, the answer is to make the battery pack as large
as possible. But for Japanese startup electric car firm SIM-Drive
Corp., the answer lay in redesigning the humble automobile,
making it as aerodynamic as possible. The result? The SIM-LEI,
a bizarre-looking electric car powered by four, 65 kilowatt
in-wheel motors which SIM-Drive Corp. plans to put into
production in the next two years.
Complete Story
Ten Electric Cars Coming in 2012(December 27) - The year
2011 was a landmark year for EVs. We witnessed regional
launches of the Nissan LEAF and the Chevy Volt. These two
plug-in cars were the start of a new era for electrified
personal transportation. The current American car auto
fleet, however, is enormous—and two models alone cannot
create change on a large scale. During 2012, these two
plug-in cars will have—depending how you look at it—either
competition in the marketplace or help in the movement to
electrify transportation. This coopetition includes the Ford
Focus Electric, the much-anticipated Tesla Model S, and
others. Pike Research predicts that more than 250,000
plug-in vehicles will be sold globally in 2012. Regardless
of whether or not this prediction comes true, 2012 will
bring more choices in vehicle style, brand, size,
performance, and price, for cars with cords.
Complete Story
107-MPG Prius
Plug-in
107-MPGe Prius Plug-in(August
29) - As its launch date approaches, both verifiable and
speculative reports are circulating about the Toyota Prius
Plug-in Hybrid. Among them are that it is expected to return
a standard-Prius-beating 107 MPGe, cut CO2 emissions from 89
g/km to 49 g/km, and will debut September 13 at the
Frankfurt auto show.
Complete Story
Electric Cars, NEVs in production and future models
AC Propulsion
AC Propulsion builds the 2010 electric car called the
eBox by converting a Scion xB 5-speed to electric power.
The gasoline Scion xB costs less than $15,000
well-equipped (very reasonable considering the
2012
Scion tC starts at $19,305) and weighs less than
2400 pounds.
American Electric
Kurrent
is a neighborhood vehicle (NV), which means it has four
wheels and weighs less than 2500 lbs. It runs on the
same standard electricity you use to operate your
household appliances. Think of it as juice to go.
Kurrent is not just a new car – it’s a whole new way to
get where you’re going.Kurrent, when fully charged, will
travel 35-40 miles at a constant speed of 25 miles per
hour.
Aptera Motors
-
Bankrupt
With the 2010 Electric
Aptera,
it is very easy to figure out the mileage range. The
mileage is determined by the distance you can drive,
under normal circumstances, until the batteries are
effectively drained. In the case of the first Aptera
typ-1e, we have calculated the range to be about 120
miles.
Arcimoto Pulse The Arcimoto Pulse has 100%
electric drivetrain, three-wheeled tandem design,
multiple range options, multiple exterior and interior
options including A/C, stereo, power locks/windows, GPS.
Range 40-100 miles. Price: $17,000.
Bigman Electric Vehicle
"Bigman" is a five passenger zero-emissions electric
vehicle traveling up to 25 miles per hour. Its DC 48
Volt connected to a standard 110 outlet charger,
requires a charging time of only 10 hours and zooms up
to 75 miles between charges - a proven test
performance.
BYD e6 Electric Car
The pure-electric e6 features BYD's revolutionary
battery technology - what we call the Fe battery. The
range per charge is expected to be a remarkable 250
miles. Performance is surprisingly brisk, with 0-60mph
acceleration in less than 8 seconds and a projected top
speed of 100mph.
Chevy Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in series hybrid vehicle to
be produced by General Motors, expected to be launched
as a 2011 model with production currently slated to
begin in 2010. The Volt's propulsion system will be
based on GM's new E-Flex platform.
Commuter Cars
Corporation
The alternative car is the Tango. Size does matter. As
many as four Tangos can fit in one parallel parking
space. Many parking locations also have spaces that only
motorcycles and Tangos can fit in. Its 80-mile range is
nearly 4 times the distance the average commuter travels
per day. With high-tech batteries, range could exceed
150 miles per charge. Check out this years, 2008
electric car!
Dynasty Electric Car Corporation
Dynasty Electric Car Corporation designs, manufacturer
and markets zero emission, electric Low Speed Vehicles
(LSV's) for urban, recreational and light commercial
markets such as planned and gated communities,
destination resorts, industrial complexes and
universities.
Fisker Automotive
Tthe Fisker Karma will
offer consumers the ability to drive the car emission
free for up to 50 miles a day, provided the car is
charged every evening. It's feasible that if consumers
follow this daily routine, they will only need to fuel
the car but once a year. This means it will not only cut
down on pollution and global warming, but on a
consumer’s gasoline budget as well.
Ford Electric Transit
If an electric passenger car is good, an electric people
mover is even better. Ford Motor Company on Monday
announced plans to bring an all-electric version of the
2010 Transit Connect to the North American market in
addition to its 2.0 liter gasoline-powered model.
Global
Electric Motorcars
From its seating for four to a variety of vehicle
options. Add one of the three optional, interchangable
carriers for exceptional functionality. The GEM e4
features a sunroof and six 12-V flooded electrolyte
batteries for a range of up to 30 miles on a charge.
Li-ion
Motors
Li-ion Motors is a development stage
technology company that is focusing its resources and
efforts on the development and marketing of
lithium-powered vehicles.
Lightning Car
Company
The Lightning Car Company is developing of a range of
700 bhp Lightning electric cars, for the first time
genuinely harnessing electric motive power and uniting
it with class-leading sports car design, engineering and
production.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell
Power for the E-Cell will be provided by four electric
motors – all located at the rear of the vehicle – that
are capable of revving to 12,000rpm. Power for the setup
totals 525 hp and 649 lb-ft of torque, zero-to-62 time
of just 4 seconds.
Lion Electric Vehicles
LionEV is a global company with manufacturing locations
in China, Alabama, Virginia, and Taiwan. Our primary
business is the development of High energy density
batteries.
Micro-Vett Electric
Vehicles
With its mono-volume design, Porter Fontana grants the
best results of versatility and driving controllability.
For persons transport with 6 seats, Porter Fontana
represents the best answer to present-day problems of
city mobility thanks to its lowest cost of maintenance
and the absence of gas and acoustic emissions.
Miles
Automotive Group
Miles Electric Vehicles is a manufacturer and
distributor of full electric vehicles manufactured in
China to meet international car safety standards. MILES
was recently given the "Electric Car Company of 2007"
award by Good Clean Tech.
Mini Cooper - Electric Mini E
BMW is getting on the electric-car bandwagon with what
may be the most stylish alternative-fuel vehicle to
date, The Mini Cooper E plug-in is available in a
limited rollout of 500 cars in New York, New Jersey, and
California.
Myers Motors
Myers Motors, has upgraded the Sparrow, renamed it the
MM NmG ("No more Gas"), and started selling it in April
of 2006. As of January 2012, the website lists a price of
$29,995.
Nissan Leaf The
car has a top speed of over 87 mph. The battery can be
charged with 440 Volt, 220 Volt and 110 Volt sources.
With 440 Volts, it can be charged to 80% capacity in
about 30 minutes with a special quick charger.
Oka Auto USA
Yes it runs on batteries, recharges from your wall 112
VAC household three prong (grounded) socket, no special
adapters, no unconventional technology. $7,995 for the
Base model.
Phoenix Motorcars
Phoenix Motorcars announced that it was on the road to
producing over 500 Phoenix Sport Utility Trucks
featuring more compact packaging of the Altairnano
Nanosafe battery than originally projected.With a peak
power output of 200 kW and low manufacturing cost
process.
Reva
The REVA is designed for city
commuters across the globe, for an economical and
pollution free driving experience. It is designed for
low speed, congested, urban conditions. Being efficient
and cost-effective, the REVA has the lowest running cost
in the world!
Shockwave Motors
At Shockwave Motors we are committed to developing an
efficient, three passenger, electric car. A personal
transportation vehicle that is an innovative combination
of the best of today's technology; sleek, aerodynamic
styling; and conventional, lead-acid, traction
batteries.
Smith Electric Vehicles
The Smith Edison electric van is produced in
partnership with Ford. Balfour Beatty entered a Smith
Newton, the world's largest road-going electric truck.
Both Edison and Newton have restricted top speeds of
50mph, impressive acceleration and a range of 100 miles
on one battery charge.
Tesla Motors
The Tesla Roadster, is an all-electric sports car.
According to test results from an EPA certified
laboratory, the car has a range of 221 miles. The
company and reviewers state that the Tesla Roadster
accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, and
has a top speed of 125 mph.
Think
The new TH!NK city has ABS brakes, dual airbags, and
meets all European and US safety requirements. It has a
range of 170 km (106 miles), a top speed of 100 km/h (62
mph).
Venture Vehicles
The VentureOne is a three wheeled vehicle being
developed by Venture Vehicles, with a
hybrid and all electric propulsion options. It is
classified legally as a 3 wheel motorcycle. Nationwide rollout starting in early 2014.
Universal Electric
Vehicles
The Electrum Spyder is an exciting 2 passenger
convertible all electric freeway flier that will be
available in limited production. Powered by a 300 vdc
system, the Spyder provides an effective range of up to
150 miles.
Wrightspeed The
X1 prototype is just the beginning. It meets its
design specs of 0-60 in 3 seconds, 170 mpg
equivalent; and at 1536 lbs, is only 36 lbs over the
design target of 1500. It really does raise the
performance driving experience to a new level, even
for racing drivers.
Zap Alias
Jointly designed by a respected team of European and
US automotive engineers, the freeway-friendly Alias
commands respect. Under its sleek, composite skin
you will discover an engineer's masterpeice in form,
fit and technological advancement. Recharging
is simple and effortless via any 110V outlet..
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