Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Elk Horn, Iowa installs first electric car charging stations in new "Pony Express" lane]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/elk-horn-iowa-installs-first-electric-car-charging-stations-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Elk Horn, Iowa's website says it is located, "In the heart of Southwest Iowa's picturesque countryside." Google Maps shows just how remote the town is, so it is clear that to make this place a forward-thinking electric vehicle destination takes a bit of chutzpah. While most EV advocates and manufacturers see electric cars as urban runabouts for the near future, Elk Horn businessman Mike Howard thinks that it makes sense to build eight EV charging stations in town. Four - one is solar, the others are connected to the grid - are already installed and four more are coming soon. Howard told the AP that the stations are like some famous horse exchange locations from Western U.S. history, "This is a modern-day Pony Express," he said. Expanding out from Elk Horn, Howard wants to build more of the $6,000 stations along Highway 80 - all the way from Chicago to Denver. That's what we call ambition.

Currently, there are 96 EVs registered in Iowa, out of over 4 million total. At the very least, the one EV registered in Elk Horn - a converted Chevy S-10 - will never need to wait for an open outlet.

[Source: AP via Autopia]

Elk Horn, Iowa installs first electric car charging stations in new "Pony Express" lane originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iowaiowa electric carsIowaElectricCarsmike howardMikeHowardFri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Tesla Motors planning IPO "soon"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/report-tesla-motors-planning-ipo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors about Tesla's plan to go public have been circulating since 2008, but a down stock market seemed to put a damper on the start-up's IPO. Now, the word on the street from Reuters is that Tesla is planning to go public "soon." When might that be, exactly? Who knows. A source told Reuters it could happen "any day," but Stephan Dolezalek, managing director of VantagePoint Venture Partners and a Tesla investor, said in September that it's unlikely to happen in 2009.

For its part, Tesla continues to offer little guidance on the report other than to dismiss it as "rumor or speculation." We shall see...



[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Tesla Motors planning IPO "soon" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingipoteslatesla ipotesla motorstesla motors ipoTeslaIpoTeslaMotorsTeslaMotorsIpoFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Aptera Update: Backstory uglier than we knew?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/aptera-update-backstory-uglier-than-we-knew/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Electric automaker Aptera has had a very tough week, starting with news of a boardroom showdown last weekend over money troubles - which were then walked back a bit. During the week, we've been hearing that the problems run deeper than we expected, and Karen Pease from Gas 2.0 believes she has put more pieces of the tale together.

First, it's important to know about Laura Marion, who is CFO at Aptera, but she also worked at Delphi, where she was cited by the SEC (PDF) for massive accounting fraud and ended up paying a $40,000 fine. Marion came to Aptera with Paul Wilbur, now Aptera's CEO, who had previously worked at ASC and Saleen (pretty much as those companies were going bankrupt). Wilbur was behind the firings last week, and the Gas 2.0 writeup (a must read) cites an anonymous employee who was liveblogging the recent firings saying that, "Paul Wilbur has just sacrificed the company to line his own pockets. Crap, I'm crying. [...] Seems to think suspending operations til govt$$ come in will make him a rich man. So sad for [Aptera founder] Steve Fambro, he's a great guy being ruined."

We asked Wilbur for a statement, and he sent AutoblogGreen a replying saying:

We have assembled a world-class team that has the full support of our board. We and our board are confident that we have the people and resources needed to bring the most innovative electric vehicle to market as soon as possible.

This story is not over, not by a long shot.

Gallery: Aptera 2e final design renderings


[Source: Gas 2.0]

Aptera Update: Backstory uglier than we knew? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apteraaptera 2eaptera motorsAptera2eApteraMotorsbreakingfambrolaura marionLauraMarionpaul wilburPaulWilburstebe fambroStebeFambrosteve fambroSteveFambroFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GoGo Electric thinks short-term EV renting can change minds]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/gogo-electric-thinks-short-term-ev-renting-can-change-minds/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/gogo-electric-thinks-short-term-ev-renting-can-change-minds/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/gogo-electric-thinks-short-term-ev-renting-can-change-minds/#commentsFiled under: ,

With some free recharging and free parking available around town, there's more reason than ever to drive an electric car in London (that is, if the public transportation system doesn't work for you). To prove that EVs can work in the city, GoGo Electric is offering short-term rentals of the MegaCity electric cars. One difference between this rental scheme and others, like Zipcar, is that there are no membership fees. But we can't tell if this is a good deal or not. GoGo doesn't tell us what the rental fees are, just that the cost "will be determined according to the price list applicable at the time of rental."

GoGo Electric founder Natalie Franklin, pictured, said in a statement that a lot of customers are renting the car just to see if plug-in technology works for them. It seems like response has been positive, but the main complaint from customers is that they want more public charging stations throughout London.

[Source: GoGo Electric Car Rentals]

Continue reading GoGo Electric thinks short-term EV renting can change minds

GoGo Electric thinks short-term EV renting can change minds originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car rentalsCarRentalsgogogogo electric car rentalsGogoElectricCarRentalsnatalie franklinNatalieFranklinFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[RC Tesla Roadster arrives just in time for Christmas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/rc-tesla-roadster-arrives-just-in-time-for-christmas/#commentsFiled under: , ,


How much would you pay for a battery-powered Tesla Roadster, one that you can steer from the comfort of your La-Z-Boy? For about three Andrew Jacksons, Trendtimes will ship you a 15-inch RC version of the electric hotness that drives "forwards, backwards, left, and right." The toy comes with battery pack, charger and wireless remotes. Excellent. Tesla spokesperson Rachel Konrad told AutoblogGreen that this is an officially licensed item, in that, "They asked for permission and we thought it was a great idea. It's going to be a hot holiday item for kids of all ages!"

If RC isn't your thing but you want a Tesla car for holiday gifts, try to track down the Tesla Hot Wheels or the ride-along kids version. At least this RC model has the same design as the original, unlike these.

[Source: Trendtimes via Chelsea Sexton]

RC Tesla Roadster arrives just in time for Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rc roadsterrc teslaRcRoadsterRcTeslatesla RCtesla roadstertesla roadster rcTeslaRcTeslaRoadsterTeslaRoadsterRcFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay find of the day: all electric 1975 Zele rides like an SUV, looks like a breadbox]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ebay-find-of-the-day-all-electric-1975-zele-rides-like-an-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ebay-find-of-the-day-all-electric-1975-zele-rides-like-an-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/ebay-find-of-the-day-all-electric-1975-zele-rides-like-an-suv/#commentsFiled under:



Need a electric car with a famous name and the looks to match? May we suggest the Zagato shown above? This strange little fridge on wheels isn't exactly what Zagato is known for (sexy sports cars), but it's also quite affordable. Wired found this boxy EV on eBay, where it's currently sitting at the $3,200 bid level (reserve not met).

The car is a 1975 Zele (known in the U.S. as the Elcar) and it's led a quiet life recently. The seller had it in his garage for eight years. The good news: even after all that sitting still, the Zele fired up as soon as the batteries were connected. The Zele is not the most impressive of vehicles - a 30 mph top speed and a range of 30 miles will do that - but it apparently "rides up high, almost like an SUV." So, that's, um, cool?

[Source: Wired]

eBay find of the day: all electric 1975 Zele rides like an SUV, looks like a breadbox originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>vintagezagatozagato electric carZagatoElectricCarFri, 20 Nov 2009 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/greenlings-whats-the-difference-between-kw-and-kwh/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Understanding electric and plug-in vehicles requires a slightly different knowledge set than what mechanics and drivers have needed to know for decades. One of the most obvious new concepts is the large battery pack and electric motor added to the car. The capacity values of these devices are be written using kW (kilowatt) and kWh (kilowatt hours), but don't think that a 90 kW motor is anything like a 90 kWh battery pack. That little h makes a big difference. Exactly what is the difference? Well, that's what we investigate in this week's Greenlings. Follow us after the jump to learn more.


[Sources: Idaho National Lab]
Photo by Vince Alongi. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Continue reading Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh?

Greenlings: What's the difference between kW and kWh? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>greenlingskilowattkilowatt hourskilowatthourKilowattHourskwkwhThu, 19 Nov 2009 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Still Indiana? Think says decision on U.S. plant forthcoming]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/#commentsFiled under: ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turns out that yesterday's report saying Think will build its all-electric City car in Indiana was premature. The company just tweeted that, "We're moving toward completing our US site selection -- but it will take another week or two to finalize the location. Stay tuned..." Of course, that tweet doesn't say that Indiana won't be the where the highway-speed EV will be built, but we're just slightly less certain than we were before reading it. Earth2Tech says that three states - Indiana, Michigan and Oregon - are still on Think's short list.

It still makes total sense for Think Global to build the plant in Indiana, home to Think investor and battery supplier Ener1. At the very least, we know that a U.S. plant is still happening, just not where.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: Earth2Tech, Think]

Still Indiana? Think says decision on U.S. plant forthcoming originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thinkthink electric carthink electric carsthink evthink evsThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEvThinkEvsThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/government-bailout-does-not-mean-ev-mandates-for-gm-chrysler/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

GM and Chrysler may have gotten government help totaling almost $40 billion, but that money does not come with strings attached demanding that the two companies build electric or high-mpg cars. Government task force head Ron Bloom told Reuters that, "We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It's not a prerequisite. It's not an obligation."

While the U.S. as a whole would benefit if the cars on the road were more efficient, the government's stance is understandably self-serving. The market for EVs isn't that big, and if the U.S. wants the loan money returned, they need GM and Chrysler to build vehicles they can sell. Another reason is that the government doesn't want to get involved in making specific business decisions, and is deferring to the management teams at both companies on these issues. Chrysler's team has decided to disband its ENVI group while GM keeps moving forward with the Volt program. One way the government can get cleaner cars to the market is to raise CAFE standards, which they did earlier this year.

[Source: Reuters]

Government bailout does not mean EV mandates for GM, Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutchryslergmobamaThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/diy-tesla-model-s-ad-shows-you-dont-need-a-real-car-to-build-hy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Digital Model S ad - click above to watch the video after the jump

How much do you like the Tesla Model S? Probably not as much as Kirk Perry (or someone who goes by that name on Vimeo), who just uploaded a homemade video advertisement for the all-electric sedan using a digital model and plenty of slick effects. He claims he, "Just wanted to test some new techniques out in 3ds max and After Effects and made this quick animation." If it were only that easy for us, we'd be cranking out cool vids week after week. Not much else to say except check it out after the jump. Thanks to TohE for the tip!

[Source: Vimeo]

Continue reading VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype

VIDEO: DIY Tesla Model S ad shows you don't need a real car to build hype originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>model sModelSteslatesla model sTeslaModelSWed, 18 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[John Surtees pilots electric Ginetta G50EV through Channel Tunnel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/john-surtees-pilots-electric-ginetta-g50ev-through-channel-tunne/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/john-surtees-pilots-electric-ginetta-g50ev-through-channel-tunne/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/john-surtees-pilots-electric-ginetta-g50ev-through-channel-tunne/#comments
Ginetta G50EV and John Surtees at the Channel Tunnel - click above for high-res gallery

Electric cars have been around for over 100 years, and Britain's Beaujolais Burlington Run has been going on for 37. The Channel Tunnel between the UK and France (a.k.a. "The Chunnel") turns 15 this year. On Tuesday, motor racing legend John Surtees added a bit of history to all three items by being the first person to drive a production car through the tunnel (usually, it's just trains and service vehicles down there). The F1 World Champion's vehicle of choice was an all-electric, all-sexy Ginetta G50EV.

Ginetta Cars has been making vehicles for 51 years, but the G50EV is something new. It's Ginetta's first EV, and is really the company's first entry into the "low carbon vehicle arena" full-stop. The car's three battery packs drive the rear wheels with a brushless DC motor in honor of Ginetta's sports car heritage. Officials say that the G50EV can go up to 120 mph and has a 250-mile range - plenty to cover the Chunnel's 31 miles.



[Source: Telegraph | Images: Adrian Dennis/Getty]

John Surtees pilots electric Ginetta G50EV through Channel Tunnel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>channelchannel tunnelChannelTunnelchunnelg50G50Evginettaginetta g50ginetta g50evGinettaG50GinettaG50evjohn surteesJohnSurteessurteesWed, 18 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Shelf concept protects your car while charging up]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/solar-shelf-concept-protects-your-car-while-charging-up/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/solar-shelf-concept-protects-your-car-while-charging-up/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/solar-shelf-concept-protects-your-car-while-charging-up/#comments
Over 3,700 designers from almost a hundred countries submitted ideas to the recent Green Life Competition, and one of the top three finalists for the netizens' choice award is a retractable solar cover for cars. The Shelf is a folding sunshine blocker, car protector and solar energy collector. While a nifty concept, we don't know if "protecting" your car with expensive solar panels is feasible. Like the solar panel available as an option on the 2010 Prius, the solar device could be used to power the air conditioner, keeping the cabin cool while parked.

The designer is Leon Zhu from China, and we admit he nailed the contest's goals of coming up with "tecologically friendly solutions that were design-centric without looking completely unrealistic." Somewhat unrealistic, sure, but not completely. There's a picture of the Shelf folding into the rear wing after the jump. Thanks to Dustin G. for the tip!

[Source: Design Boom]

Continue reading Solar Shelf concept protects your car while charging up

Solar Shelf concept protects your car while charging up originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>green life competitionGreenLifeCompetitionleon zhuLeonZhushelf conceptShelfConceptsolar shelfSolarShelfWed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-announce-new-electric-vehicles-initiative/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2009 BYD F3DM - Click above for high-res image gallery

You'll be forgiven if all you know about President Obama's recent trip to Asia was that he bowed (ZOMG!) to the Japanese Emperor, but we have to ask you to stop watching so much cable TV news. Things of substance happened during the trip, too, and one of them (hopefully) is a new Electric Vehicles Initiative that the U.S. and China will work together on.

The Initiative is made up of four main parts: joint standards for plugs, battery test protocols and the like; joint demonstrations to compare how plug-ins will be used in the two countries; a joint technical roadmap to plan out what research needs to be done and how it can be used to bring EVs to market; and working together to promote plug-ins. This last point means that the US-China Electric Vehicles Forum that took place in September will become an annual event, moving from the U.S. to China every other year. Read the official announcement after the jump or download the PDF here.

[Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Green Car Congress via Treehugger]

Continue reading U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative

U.S., China announce new Electric Vehicles Initiative originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china electric carchina evChinaElectricCarChinaEvobama chinaObamaChinaWed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla Roadster donates tire squeal sounds to two new video games]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/tesla-roadster-donates-tire-squeal-sounds-to-two-new-video-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Roadster audio recording - Click above for image gallery

What does it take to make a video game these days? A lot of time and effort, that's what. For the upcoming Forza and Project Gotham Racing racing titles, the attention to detail going into these games includes getting the sound of the all-electric sports car - electric motor, tires, etc. - just right. To that end, audio engineers from Microsoft Game Studios spent some time with Tom Burt and his Roadster #203, recently, with mics sticking off the car at all angles. The engineers were excited because the all-electric drivetrain allowed them the opportunity to record tire skids and squeals without an ICE right there adding extra sounds. Burt had a good time:

The Roadster was a lot of fun to push hard and to deliberately get out of shape and recover. Handling was fun and predictable. As expected, given the stock suspension settings and tire sizes, the car moderately understeers or "pushes." I kept adjusting tire pressures, lowering the front pressures and letting the rears stay high as they heated, but could not eliminate the "push." So, I used the e-brake to initiate "oversteer"spins and give the team the more aggressive tire squeals they were looking for. Like most mid-weight cars, once you get the car to over-rotate, it spins quickly. What a ton of fun.

The car almost reached its limits, with the motor overheating twice. You can read more about it - and hear the audio - over at Tesla's blog. A Tesla Motors vehicle will also be available in Gran Turismo 5 and the Roadster's electric motor provided sound for the Batpod in The Dark Knight.


Gallery: Tesla Roadster audio recording for video games


[Source: Tesla Motors]

Tesla Roadster donates tire squeal sounds to two new video games originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forzaproject gotham racingproject gotham racing 4ProjectGothamRacingProjectGothamRacing4tesla forzatesla motorstesla project gothamTeslaForzaTeslaMotorsTeslaProjectGothamtom burtTomBurtWed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/#commentsFiled under: ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Think Global is deepening its roots in Indiana. The City electric car already uses batteries made by local company Ener1, which also owns 31 percent of Think Global. When the Think starts up production again (it was shut down while the company went through bankruptcy and then restructured) the cars are scheduled to be built at new minority shareholder Valmet Automotive's factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Think has 2,300 outstanding orders for the City and Valmet plans on building twice that many City models next year.

But Think also wants to build cars in the U.S. in the future, and Ener1 chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer have told Reuters that the plant will be located somewhere in Indiana. Details will be announced in the coming weeks. The company has applied for a U.S. government loan to help build the plant.

Think also announced two new senior appointments today (official press release after the jump). Jan Brentebråten, who previously worked for Ford and Mazda in Europe, has been appointed director of marketing, sales and service for Think Global, and Helge Nerland, previously a senior corporate adviser at Fondsfinans ASA, will become the CFO of Think Global.

UPDATE: Maybe not.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Sources: Reuters; Think]

Continue reading REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs

REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingthinkthink electric carthink electric carsthink ener1think enerdelthink evthink evsthink indianathink indianapolisThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEner1ThinkEnerdelThinkEvThinkEvsThinkIndianaThinkIndianapolisWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda i-stop wins RJC Technology of the Year Award]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mazda-i-stop-wins-rjc-technology-of-the-year-award/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mazda-i-stop-wins-rjc-technology-of-the-year-award/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/mazda-i-stop-wins-rjc-technology-of-the-year-award/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mazda3 with i-Stop - click above for high-res image gallery

It's not the sexist part of a modern, efficient vehicle, but anti-idling tech is pretty darn useful. The Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) thinks so, and has picked Mazda's i-stop as its Technology of the Year for 2009. I-stop is a system that shuts down the engine when the car has stopped, much like the Stop&Start Micro-Hybrid system (which won the 2008 Automechanika Innovation Award) found in Daimler cars, Audi's start stop system, Fiat's start stop system, and, oh you get the picture. Everyone's doing it.

I-stop is pretty fast, able to restart the engine about a third of a second, and Mazda says it reduces fuel consumption by about 15 percent in a vehicle like the Mazda3 (aka Mazda Axela). In 2007, RJC picked Volkswagen's TSI engine technology as the Technology of the Year.


Gallery: 2010 Mazda3 i-Stop


[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Mazda i-stop wins RJC Technology of the Year Award

Mazda i-stop wins RJC Technology of the Year Award originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the ship they came in on was probably dirty as all get out during its six-week journey from Japan, 25 all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEVs have arrived in the UK and will take to the streets (in an uneventful government Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator test kind of way) on December 12th. Bringing the cars to the UK has been in discussion for a long time.

If sales in Japan, which started in July, are any indication, a lot more ships with a lot more electric jellybeans will need to make the journey to satisfy demand. Mitsubishi has sold 1,400 units in Japan and already has orders for 900 copies of the vehicles that it will make in 2010. Mitsubishi will make the car in Europe starting in October 2010 and Peugeot and Citroën will sell re-badged versions. More information after the jump.

Gallery: Production i-MiEVs in the UK


[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading First 25 production i-MiEVs roll into the UK

First 25 production i-MiEVs roll into the UK originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingi mievi-mievIMievmievmitsubishiMitsubishi i MievMitsubishiIMievTue, 17 Nov 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Seven - well, six, no, five - ways to boost your Prius' MPG for just $4,047]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/seven-well-six-no-five-ways-to-turn-your-prius-even-more/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/seven-well-six-no-five-ways-to-turn-your-prius-even-more/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/seven-well-six-no-five-ways-to-turn-your-prius-even-more/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Got $4,047? That's what it'll take you to make your Prius even more efficient and snazzy if you were to buy one of everything on the list of seven MPG-saving items put together by HybridCars (and which just happen to be available for sale from the site). The items include a $69 aftermarket EV button for the second-gen models that don't have this feature (installation takes just minutes, they say), a $3,095-Aero Tourer kit, and a Chassis Stiffener Kit, among other things. The EV mode button and the stiffener won't do wonders for your mpg, but they can provide modest boosts, and every little bit helps.

We're less impressed with the $37 NavCap, a visor of sorts for the info screen, and the iPod connector cable as a way to save fuel, but that bike rack makes sense. Evey mile you're on two wheels instead of in the car saves a lot of CO2.

[Source: HybridCars]

Seven - well, six, no, five - ways to boost your Prius' MPG for just $4,047 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mpgpriusprius hybridprius mpgPriusHybridPriusMpgTue, 17 Nov 2009 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota FCHV-adv cruises in California, wind-powered hydrogen on the horizon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/toyota-fchv-adv-cruises-in-california-wind-powered-hydrogen-on/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/toyota-fchv-adv-cruises-in-california-wind-powered-hydrogen-on/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/toyota-fchv-adv-cruises-in-california-wind-powered-hydrogen-on/#commentsFiled under:

While hydrogen cars from Toyota, Nissan and Honda were driving the 707 miles from Tokyo to Osaka, another group of H2 vehicles from the U.S. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was in California conducting a research test drive. The two Toyota Highlander FCHV-adv models proved they could go at least 431 miles per tank, which equals about 68 mpg. The SUVs "mimic[ed] a typical commuter's drive, the route included high-speed highway driving, moderate highway driving, and stop-and-go traffic." Average speed was 30 mph.

perhaps more importantly, the NREL team worked out a deal to bring Wind2H2 (pictured) back to the lab in 2010. Wind2H2, as the name implies, is a hydrogen fueling station that generates electricity from wind and the sun and then electrolyzes water to make hydrogen. More details available here and here.

[Source: NREL]

Toyota FCHV-adv cruises in California, wind-powered hydrogen on the horizon originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellnrelwind hydrogenwind2h2WindHydrogenTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Axis offers up Aerius kit for 2010 Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/five-axis-offers-up-aerius-kit-for-2010-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/five-axis-offers-up-aerius-kit-for-2010-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/five-axis-offers-up-aerius-kit-for-2010-prius/#commentsFiled under: ,

Five Axis Aerius Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you don't win the charity auction for the Aemulus-modified Prius but want something flashy for your 2010 Prius, take a look at the Aerius Prius that made its debut at SEMA this year (they're practically the same vehicle). The kit designed by Five Axis will, according to Gas 2.0, be available to purchase in the coming months.

Five Axis, known more for their Scion modding than hybrid help, used recycled polyester for the seats, resins made from post-industrial recycled wood in the interior and ultra-low rolling resistance tires in the kit. Blending a changed appearance and efficiency, the Aerius gets side skirts and see-through wheel covers. We like the way the 2010 Prius works the way Toyota designed it, but Five Axis made sure the kit version has a drag coefficient of 0.25. This could help if the Aerius goes up against the competition from Tommi Kaira.


Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Prius Aerius Concept


[Source: Gas 2.0]

Five Axis offers up Aerius kit for 2010 Prius originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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