AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

national plug in day 2011 santa monica

It's tough to know for sure how many plug-in vehicles have been sold throughout the US, but if anyone has been keeping count, it's the fine folks at Plug In America. And, according to them, somewhere in America this weekend, maybe, someone will buy the 100,000th electric car. PIA says it expects the "historic milestone" to happen by Monday, May 20, 2013.

This isn't counting golf carts or GEMs or any of the old-school EVs, things like the EV1 or the first-generation RAV4 EVs. No, PIA is only tracking vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S that have come along in the last two years or so. We know Nissan has sold over 25,000 Leafs in the US and the Volt has sold more than 36,000 as of the end of April. That leaves 40,000 more from the likes of Tesla, Fisker, Ford and all the others we write about all day. PIA is promoting the event with the #PIA100K hashtag and notes that plug-in vehicles are approaching 48 percent annual growth, so the next 100,000 can't be too far away.

Continue reading This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US

This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>piapia100kplug in americaFri, 17 May 2013 19:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574223/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574223/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/20574223/article-detail.xml 20574223 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/national-plug-in-day-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/national-plug-in-day-2011.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/#commentsFiled under: ,



Anyone paying attention to the electric vehicle scene for the last few weeks knows that the stock value of Tesla Motors has been climbing faster than a SpaceX rocket. As of this writing, TSLA is sitting pretty at $92 a share. Three weeks ago, it was at a then-record-high of $53.

In light of all the commotion, Tesla is going to make some money and pay back the government. The company announced yesterday it will sell 2.7 million shares (with a value of $229 million given the closing price of $84.84 yesterday) and $450 million in convertible senior notes. All told, Tesla will sell up to $830 million in shares and debt and use the money to pay back its $465-million Department of Energy loan. The DOE has agreed to let Tesla modify the terms of its loan and repay the money early., but the exact timeline of the repayment was not specified. As Tesla CEO Elon Musk put it to Bloomberg earlier this month, "Of all the car companies that got government funding, we got the least, and we're going to pay it off first. That's not bad." Musk will also buy $100 million worth of shares, $45 million in common stock and $55 million to be be "purchased directly from Tesla in a subsequent private placement."

The DOE handed out four loans through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program: along with Tesla, Ford got $5.9 billion, Nissan got $1.6 billion and Fisker got $529 million. Tesla's press release is available below.

Continue reading Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan

Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmpdoe loanelectric vehicleteslatesla model stesla stocktslaThu, 16 May 2013 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572154/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572154/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/20572154/article-detail.xml 20572154 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: Tesla Model S battery swap announcement coming soon?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sure, your first response to the idea of Tesla introducing a battery swap system might be, "what, this again?" After all, we heard in 2009 that the Model S was built with battery swaps in mind and, in 2011, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained the Model S battery swap idea this way: "When people take an occasional two-way long distance trip, they'll get a replacement pack and then pick up their original one on the way back. The issue of giving up your one-year old pack for a three-year old one goes away." The Supercharger network, too, was at one point supposed to feature battery swapping robots that could get the job done in as little as one minute.

But the Supercharger stations - as they exist today - don't have that feature. And Musk has recently been much more excited about the benefits of quick charging than battery swaps. Which is why we forgive any ongoing skepticism that Tesla will introduce batter swaps to the Model S.

Except that the other day, Musk Tweeted, "There is a way for the Tesla Model S to be recharged throughout the country faster than you could fill a gas tank." And our friends at Green Car Reports noticed this line from Tesla's latest quarterly report (PDF):

Other factors that may influence the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include ... our capability to rapidly swap out the Model S battery pack and the development of specialized public facilities to perform such swapping, which do not currently exist but which we plan to introduce in the near future.


So, yeah. Now what? We asked Tesla directly, and Sarah Meron, VP of communications for Tesla Motors, told AutoblogGreen, "We don't have any comment on battery swapping right now or timing of further announcements. But we'll let you know when we do!"

Tesla has already announced replacement costs for its battery packs ($10,000 for the 60-kWh and $12,000 for the 85-kWh pack), but that's if you need an entirely new pack and you purchased the warranty. This is something else entirely. Is Tesla going to make actual battery swaps available soon?

Tesla Model S battery swap announcement coming soon? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swappingelectric vehicleelon muskswapteslatesla model sTue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568189/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568189/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/20568189/article-detail.xml 20568189 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/model-s-signature-red-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/model-s-signature-red-628.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Despite selling almost 90,000 electric vehicles, Renault-Nissan will not hit 2016 sales target]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/despite-selling-almost-90000-electric-vehicles-renault-nissan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/despite-selling-almost-90000-electric-vehicles-renault-nissan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/despite-selling-almost-90000-electric-vehicles-renault-nissan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

nissan leaf taxi mexico city

When you're in the lead, everyone can see the target on your back. When you're in front and talking about how much faster you could go, then it can seem like you're setting up your own stumbling blocks.

That's one way to look at the electric vehicle work that Renault and Nissan are doing as they handily outsell their competitors when it comes to pure EVs. In February, Nissan announced it had sold well over 50,000 Leafs around the world and that number has grown to 62,000 by now. Automotive News Europe recently tallied up Renault's all-electric vehicle sales from the launch of the various models through April 2013 and found the company has sold 24,688 in total (Twizy: 9,911; Kangoo Z.E.: 8,760; Fluence Z.E.: 3,487; Zoe: 2,530). So, let's call it almost 90,000 EVs by now for both companies. That's a lot, but Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn - and here's where the self-inflicted wounds come in - had to admit to the press recently that his companies probably won't hit the original target of selling a combined 1.5 million EVs by 2016.

Ghosn remains confident as ever in the long term potential for EVs, saying earlier this year that, "we know this is a breakthrough technology, we know [the Leaf] is a breakthrough car, and we're just going to have to be extremely patient and resilient and remove the obstacles one after another."

One of those obstacles is getting people used to EVs, and that means getting butts in seats. This is why the company is working on an electric vehicle taxi project in Mexico City, where a huge charging warehouse can charge 50 Leafs at once, the most in all of Latin America. The Mexico City Leaf taxi project has been in the works since 2010, and the first EVs were delivered in October 2011. There are two Nissan-supplied videos about the Mexico City trials available below.

Continue reading Despite selling almost 90,000 electric vehicles, Renault-Nissan will not hit 2016 sales target

Despite selling almost 90,000 electric vehicles, Renault-Nissan will not hit 2016 sales target originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 13 May 2013 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleev salesleaf salesleaf taximexico citynissannissan leafrenaultMon, 13 May 2013 17:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567143/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567143/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/despite-selling-almost-90000-electric-vehicles-renault-nissan/20567143/article-detail.xml 20567143 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mexico-city-taxi-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/mexico-city-taxi-628.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Coda hit by WARN Act lawsuit after bankruptcy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/coda-hit-by-warn-act-lawsuit-after-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/coda-hit-by-warn-act-lawsuit-after-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/coda-hit-by-warn-act-lawsuit-after-bankruptcy/#commentsFiled under: ,

coda automotive store

Following bankruptcy proceedings over at Coda Automotive, we can't say we're surprised by talk of a WARN Act lawsuit. After all, US Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) Act proceedings were taken against Fisker Automotive in April. So we kind of know the drill.

The WARN Act's purpose is to give workers and their families "some transition time to adjust to the prospective loss of employment, to seek and obtain other jobs, and, if necessary, to enter skill training or retraining that will allow these workers to compete successfully in the job market."

In Coda's case, a lawsuit was filed by former employee Tony Bulchack, and alleges that the mass layoffs that took place in December 2012 happened without giving the 125 workers laid off then the required 60-day notices. Discussions of a WARN act lawsuit against Coda has been in the works for a while over at Girard Gibbs law firm as well. Bulchack's complaint is embedded below.

Coda announced two weeks ago that it will no longer sell electric vehicles and will instead restructure as an energy storage business.

Continue reading Coda hit by WARN Act lawsuit after bankruptcy

Coda hit by WARN Act lawsuit after bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 13 May 2013 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codaelectric vehiclewarn actMon, 13 May 2013 14:36:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567016/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567016/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/coda-hit-by-warn-act-lawsuit-after-bankruptcy/20567016/article-detail.xml 20567016 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/coda-sedan-electric-vehicle-628-river_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/coda-sedan-electric-vehicle-628-river.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model s driving

As A. Whitney Brown once said, "There's really no use in beating a dead horse. I mean, except for the pure joy of it." Well, if Tesla's recent string of successes is said horse, then we hope you enjoy the rest of this post.

Let's start with politics, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk's step back from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's new immigration reform political action group, Fwd.us. Musk is one of the big names that is taking his name off the supporter list because Fwd.us gave money for ads that supported US senators who also supported the Keystone XL pipeline and Alaskan oil drilling.

Then we have Tesla stock, TSLA, which has more than doubled so far this year. It was news when it crossed the $50 mark a few weeks ago but right now it's sitting at $83.75, up almost $7 from Friday. The reason for the rapid rise is clear to anyone who's paying attention, as you can see in the interactive widget below, but there is a trading history here that involves a lot of people betting against Tesla. There's a good rundown on the history of TSLA stock shorting here, and it includes these words of warning: there are a number of factors that "could drive the stock down in time. Probably will, say some analysts" and "If you own Tesla stock, enjoy the ride." We recommend the same if you own an actual Tesla.

Continue reading Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group

Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 13 May 2013 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskkeystoneteslatesla model stslaMon, 13 May 2013 12:22:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20566783/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20566783/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/20566783/article-detail.xml 20566783 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-driving_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-driving.jpg <![CDATA[Carlos Ghosn: it makes sense to focus on electric vehicles, cooperate on fuel cells]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/carlos-ghosn-makes-sense-to-focus-on-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/carlos-ghosn-makes-sense-to-focus-on-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/carlos-ghosn-makes-sense-to-focus-on-electric-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The last time we spoke with Renault-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn, at the Geneva Motor Show, he spoke about the 70,000 all-electric vehicles his company's have sold to happy customers and how these vehicles are just the beginning of the EV era. Speaking at the New York Auto Show a little over a month ago, Ghosn went into detail about how building electric cars around the world will make them cheaper - and thus more prevalent - for just about everyone. He said:

When we started this effort on electric cars, the first challenge for us was to build credibility for the car itself. Because in the minds of many consumers, the electric car was a golf cart. Zero emission, yes, but everything else was wrong. This first challenge is over today. People driving the Leaf today know it's a real car. Acceleration, driving performance, silence - everything - it's a real car. They still complain. So, all the people who bought the Leaf are very happy. But a lot of people are testing the Leaf and not buying it. We asked them, why are you not buying the car?

There were two main answers: high price and worries about charging infrastructure. In the US, Nissan dropped the base price of the 2013 Leaf by $6,400 earlier this year and Ghosn said Nissan will "continue to reduce the price as a function of the cost." This will happen not just because of reduced shipping costs and less reliance on currency fluctuations, but because there are still efficiency gains to be had in the new production locations, Ghosn said. "It's not finished."

Continue reading Carlos Ghosn: it makes sense to focus on electric vehicles, cooperate on fuel cells

Carlos Ghosn: it makes sense to focus on electric vehicles, cooperate on fuel cells originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 10 May 2013 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnelectric vehiclenissannissan leafFri, 10 May 2013 11:52:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20525470/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20525470/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/10/carlos-ghosn-makes-sense-to-focus-on-electric-vehicles/20525470/article-detail.xml 20525470 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carlos-ghosn-nyc-628-_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/carlos-ghosn-nyc-628-.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/#commentsFiled under: ,



Julie Christie, the rumors are true. After plenty of hint-dropping over the past few months, Tesla officially released 2013 first quarter (Q1) financial details today, and it was the first quarter in which the ten-year-old company was actually profitable. CEO Elon Musk, speaking on a conference call to investors today, made it clear that the numbers are good, but behind-the-scenes factors make them even better.

Take, for example, Tesla's capital expenditures. The automaker was profitable in Q1 despite spending a lot of money on things like new stores and Supercharger stations, things that won't require as much money moving forward. Tesla says it plans to spend about $200 million on capital expenditures in 2013. Or how about the Tesla's gross margin, which grew from eight percent to 17 percent from Q4 2012 to Q1 2013. That's the average for the whole quarter, Musk said, and "the gross margin at the end of Q1 was much better than at the beginning."

The call wasn't all about money-rolling-in news. We knew Tesla would make money selling zero emission vehicle (ZEV) credits to other automakers, and it did, to the tune of approximately $68 million (12 percent of revenues). Musk said Tesla expects ZEV credit revenue to decline throughout the year, going to zero in Q4. The shareholder letter reads, "We expect this to decline significantly in future quarters, as ZEV credits will only apply to about 1/6 of worldwide deliveries, versus roughly half of US deliveries, and the price per credit has declined." Some estimates put Tesla's annual ZEV credit income at $250 million.

More numbers and tidbits from the announcement can be seen below.

Continue reading Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably)

Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably) originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 08 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskprofitteslatesla model stslazev creditsWed, 08 May 2013 19:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562822/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562822/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/20562822/article-detail.xml 20562822 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S Coupe rendered, looks like a winner [w/poll]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Model S Coupe

Our friend Theophilus Chin has a thing for creating Tesla vehicles that we can't have. Earlier this year, he made a digital Model ST wagon appear and he's now back with a sleek Tesla Model S Coupe. The rendered results, which you can see in the gallery, are an elegant, smaller take on the nearly universally praised Model S design from Franz von Holzhausen. Chin writes, "There's a huge market for an electric 2+2 GT. And I feel Tesla has the right product for that niche."

As he did with the ST, the front end is left intact, with all of the changes happening in the rear. At its core, this is just a Model S with the second set of doors removed and Chin has so smoothly meshed the lines so that you almost don't notice anything's missing at first glance. We can only speculate what the smaller size would mean for reduced battery pack capacity, and if the new style would make up for the expected range loss. Which leads us to this important question: does the Model S coupe still have a frunk? Also, does the car appeal to you?


View Poll

Tesla Model S Coupe rendered, looks like a winner [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 08 May 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefranz von holzhausenrenderingteslatesla model stesla model s coupetesla model sctheophilus chinWed, 08 May 2013 11:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562094/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562094/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/20562094/article-detail.xml 20562094 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-coupe-render-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-coupe-render-628.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla model s

Looks like Tesla might be hiding more in its software than blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control. According to Bloomberg, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is "discussing" autonomous cars with Google, specifically the Lidar laser tracking system. Oh, and if you're going to have a self-driving future Tesla vehicle, then you shouldn't call it autonomous. Instead, Musk prefers the term autopilot. As he told Bloomberg, "Self-driving sounds like it's going to do something you don't want it to do. Autopilot is a good thing to have in planes, and we should have it in cars."

Any Tesla robot chauffeur is a ways away - Musk Tweeted it is "still a few years from production," but Google has been working hard on driverless cars (with green cred, too, since the test mules are mostly Toyota Prius hybrids). In fact, the search company says the technology could be ready for prime time in as little as three to five years - though safety regulations and other logistical questions will likely push that back, perhaps a decade. The government's work on self-driving vehicles is mostly the purview of DARPA and its Urban Challenge and Grand Challenge test courses.

Musk says - surprise - that Tesla's system is better than what's come before, telling Bloomberg, "The problem with Google's current approach is that the sensor system is too expensive. Its better to have an optical system, basically cameras with software that is able to figure out what's going on just by looking at things." He did try to quell excitement about the idea of a driverless Telsa by Tweeting, "Am a fan of Larry, Sergey & Google in general, but self-driving cars comments to Bloomberg were just off-the-cuff. No big announcement here."

Continue reading Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot' originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 07 May 2013 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousautopilotco-pilotdarpadriverlesselectric vehicleelon muskgoogleteslatesla model sTue, 07 May 2013 14:17:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560841/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560841/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/20560841/article-detail.xml 20560841 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[Motorsports: Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota TMG EV P002

Last year, Toyota won the electric title at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the Toyota Motorsport GmbH EV P001 in a time of 10 minutes, 15.380 seconds for the 12.42-mile uphill course. For the 91st running of the demanding event, which will take place at the end of June, TMG is coming back with the EV P002, once again with Rod Millen behind the wheel.

TMG says that its engineers have spent the downtime between climbs "generating more performance" from the Radical-based vehicle by increasing motor speed and torque (oh, and setting new records on the Nürburgring). The P002 now has a top speed of 142.9 miles per hour, 1200 newton meters of maximum torque and 400 kW of maximum power. Before the annual climb, the EV P0002 will get aerodynamic upgrades and more track testing. A Schneider Electric EVlink DC charger will charge the P0002's 42-kWh lithium ion ceramic battery on race day. All these upgrades and the history of record-setting gave Claudia Brasse, TMG's executive coordinator of strategic EV development, reason to call the TMG EV P002 the "standard bearer for electric race cars."

We will see if Toyota will still claim the title after Millen fights off a challenge by Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, who will be piloting the Monster Sport E-Runner up Pike's Peak. Last year, Tajima's run was shortened due to fire.

Continue reading Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak

Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclep001p002pikes peakrod millentmgtoyota motorsport gmbhMon, 06 May 2013 16:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20559418/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20559418/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/20559418/article-detail.xml 20559418 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-toyota-ev-p002-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-toyota-ev-p002-628.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model s

"We decided we were wrong and other people were right and we decided to fix it."

A month ago, Tesla Motors announced what it called a "revolutionary" financing option, and waved some magic pixie dust around to come up with a monthly cost of like $500. Today, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a bunch of changes to the financing options and to Tesla's online calculator to be more realistic and better represent people's real-world costs. Despite an early reshuffling of the numbers, Tesla got a lot of negative feedback regarding the pixie dust and today, Musk said, "We decided we were wrong and other people were right and we decided to fix it."

Here are some of the changes:
  • Most importantly, Tesla has raised the guaranteed resale value to be the highest of any luxury sedan made in volume. That means that a "leased" Model S will be worth more than the average resale value of all Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus or Jaguar vehicles in the same price range (based on ALG resale value numbers).
  • In the online calculator, where Tesla talks about the "true cost of ownership," many defaults have been changed. The "time saved" option is now turned off, the expected gas price has been lowered, the MPG of the gas car has been raised. In short, the defaults are more conservative, but anyone can still enter any values that apply to them.
Tesla financing partners are now also offering longer-term loans (72 months instead of 63) that will "reduce the monthly payment considerably," Tesla says. Tesla's new numbers, featuring less pixie dust, are "a monthly rate of $580 taking only gasoline savings into account" and, if you buy the car for business and we assume that 70 percent of the miles are for business use, the "effective monthly cost" is just $315. Musk said he believes that financing (or leasing, as most of us call it) is the right way to buy an electric car because, "it really highlights the savings you get form gasoline every month."

Musk said that so far, around 20-25 percent of the Model S vehicles sold since the financing options were announced have been financed, and that he expects this number to jump to 60 percent or more in the future. Early birds who jumped at the chance in April don't need to fret, since the improvements to the financial offering will be retroactive to anyone who already took advantage of the Tesla financing.

As before, the value guarantee is backed by Musk's personal money and he remains as confident as ever that his company is on the right track. "If we really believe we are making the best car, it should have the best resale value," he said.

Continue reading Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan

Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 May 2013 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskleaseresale valueteslatesla model sFri, 03 May 2013 14:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557644/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557644/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/20557644/article-detail.xml 20557644 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[Exclusive: Ram 2500 Power Wagon commercial shoot ends with truck spending night in ocean]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/ram-2500-power-wagon-commercial-shoot-ends-with-truck-spending-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/ram-2500-power-wagon-commercial-shoot-ends-with-truck-spending-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/ram-2500-power-wagon-commercial-shoot-ends-with-truck-spending-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ram 2500 Power Wagon stuck in the ocean

It's pretty by the ocean. So pretty that it feels like 80 percent of all car commercials are filmed on winding coastal roads (another 80 percent are filmed on mountains and another 80 on mysteriously car-free roads elsewhere). It's particularly pretty in Humboldt County, California, which the USDA has named "America's Most Scenic Rural County." So, it makes sense that you'd want to film a Ram truck commercial there. What doesn't make sense is getting that truck stuck in the tidepools, overnight, then submerged as the ocean came rolling in.

"Whether they knew they were out of the boundaries or not I do not know."

But that's exactly what happened to a crew trying to film an ad for a Ram 2500 Power Wagon yesterday. As reported in the Lost Coast Outpost, the truck was being shot on Luffenholtz Beach near Moonstone Beach. Humboldt County Film Commission commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine told AutoblogGreen that, from what she knows, the crew was permitted to be there, but in a different area and they went out of the boundary. "Whether they knew they were out of the boundaries or not I do not know," she said. A local wrote into Lost Coast Outpost to say that off-road vehicles are always forbidden on the specific area of the beach where the truck spent the night in the ocean, because of endangered species that live there.

In any case, the truck was eventually towed today and local environmental services and hazmat crews checked out the scene and, based on what Hesseltine was told, there was, "no environmental damage from liquids leaking out" and she was not aware of any damage to the rocks or ground. Part of the reason there were no leaked liquids, she said, was that this was a brand new truck, with many engine components sealed.

Jennifer Savage, from the local Humboldt Surfrider foundation, told AutoblogGreen that she is extremely dismayed by the film crew's lack of foresight. "It's easy to imagine," she said. "They were driving the truck on the beach, they wanted it to look cool, so they put it on the rocks, and they blew it. The word 'idiots' has been thrown around here a lot today."

Savage said that, after a visit to the site once the truck was pulled out, "At a glance, it does not appear a lot of damage was done, but I'm not a scientist. Still, it's pretty disrespectful. I have a truck, and I don't drive there." She said the incident shows a lack of respect for the beach and that Surfrider will follow up to see if any damage was done.

Hesseltine said this is the first time something like this has happened and that the film commission "prides itself on taking responsibility for environmental concerns. We do not take this [truck issue] lightly. We're happy to know that environmental services has said there is no impact as far as fluids go. We usually do really well taking care of our precious resources." For example, the new Will Smith movie After Earth was shot in Humboldt, and the crews were required to be extremely careful while filming among the redwood trees. "They had to be very careful," she said, "and they were."

Continue reading Ram 2500 Power Wagon commercial shoot ends with truck spending night in ocean

Ram 2500 Power Wagon commercial shoot ends with truck spending night in ocean originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 May 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adcommercialdodgehumboldthumboldt film commissionram 2500 power wagonsurfriderThu, 02 May 2013 18:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20556424/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20556424/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/ram-2500-power-wagon-commercial-shoot-ends-with-truck-spending-n/20556424/article-detail.xml 20556424 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dodge-ocean-stuck-commercial_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/dodge-ocean-stuck-commercial.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Mitsubishi only sold 127 i electric cars in April despite $10,000 dealer incentive]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/mitsubishi-only-sold-127-i-electric-cars-in-april-despite-10-00/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/mitsubishi-only-sold-127-i-electric-cars-in-april-despite-10-00/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/mitsubishi-only-sold-127-i-electric-cars-in-april-despite-10-00/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi I

It's a classic car dealer move: offer extra special deals as the monthly calendar winds down and, presto, you've boosted your sales totals. When it comes to the 2012 Mitsubishi i (the current model), something needed to be done, since Mitsubishi only sold 31 examples in March. Towards the end of April, Mitsubishi offered an eye-popping $10,000 in dealer cash on the engine-free hood of the all-electric i (or i-MiEV, as it is also known). With the dealer cash and a federal tax rebate worth up to $7,500, Mitsubishi's Dan Irvin said April was "a good time to buy an i-MiEV." The i starts at $29,125 and shoppers still needed to negotiate with the dealership on final price, of course.

The deal is over now, but when it was still going on, Irvin told Autoblog there was "plenty of inventory to accommodate this promotion." He said he didn't know the number of 2012 i-MiEVs remaining in the US, but the end result was that 127 were sold last month.

Even with the extra money, April i sales did not reach the lofty (as it were) heights of January and February, when 257 and 337 of the Mitsubishi EVs were sold, respectively. The i has been the subject of low, low prices before, including a cell-phone-like lease of $69 a month.

Mitsubishi only sold 127 i electric cars in April despite $10,000 dealer incentive originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 May 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mitsubishi idealer cashelectric vehiclei-mievincentivesmitsubishimitsubishi iWed, 01 May 2013 19:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554929/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554929/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/mitsubishi-only-sold-127-i-electric-cars-in-april-despite-10-00/20554929/article-detail.xml 20554929 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mitsu-1359089586_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mitsu-1359089586.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines again, slightly]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/nissan-leaf-chevy-volt-april-2013-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/nissan-leaf-chevy-volt-april-2013-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/nissan-leaf-chevy-volt-april-2013-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Starting production of the all-electric Leaf in Tennessee helped Nissan sell more Leafs in the US in March 2013 than in any other month. April wasn't quite as sunny, but the 1,937 Leafs sold last month were still good enough for second place. Ever. It also represents a 423.5 percent year-over-year increase and Nissan says that, so far in 2013, Leaf sales are up 160.4 percent compared to the same time frame in 2012. April also marked the second month in a row that the Leaf beat the Chevrolet Volt. The two vehicles use different drivetrains, but Nissan, at least, considers the other popular plug-in its competition.

It's not that General Motors had a bad month. The 1,306 Volts sold last month were roughly in line with March and February (but it's a downward trending line, with 1,626 sold in February and 1,478 in March). 2013 April Volt sales were down 10.7 percent from April 2012 but, year-to-date, Volt sales are up 3.2 percent in 2013 compared to 2012.

As always, we'll have our detailed write-up of last month's green car sales up soon. For now, discuss.

Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines again, slightly originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 May 2013 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevychevy voltelectric vehicleev salesleaf salesnissannissan leafplug-in hybridvolt salesWed, 01 May 2013 11:26:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554576/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554576/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/nissan-leaf-chevy-volt-april-2013-sales/20554576/article-detail.xml 20554576 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Coda officially files for bankruptcy, shifts focus to energy storage]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/coda-bankruptcy-energy-storage/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/coda-bankruptcy-energy-storage/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/coda-bankruptcy-energy-storage/#commentsFiled under: ,

coda electric sedan

Anyone who had Coda Automotive in your office pool for the next electric vehicle maker to declare bankruptcy, go on and collect your winnings. Coda announced today it will restructure as an energy storage business after voluntarily filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of Delaware. The automaker said it expects the sale process to last 45 days.

The writing has been on the wall for a long while now, with store closings and layoffs following low sales of the startup's all-electric Sedan. The official restructuring also makes a sort of sense, since Coda's plan for at least the last 15 months has been to offer an energy storage business called Coda Energy. In today's press release announcing the bankruptcy, Coda says:

Coda Energy's products are based on the same core technology, which includes its proprietary battery management and thermal management systems, found in CODA's vehicles adapted for stationary energy storage applications. The Company designs and builds scalable, custom energy storage solutions optimized for generation, distribution and behind-the-meter applications for commercial, residential and industrial end users. The Company is currently shipping product, and has a robust pipeline of new customers and existing installations in the field.

So, Coda is dead. Long live the Coda?

Continue reading Coda officially files for bankruptcy, shifts focus to energy storage

Coda officially files for bankruptcy, shifts focus to energy storage originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 May 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 coda sedanbankruptcycodacoda automotivecoda bankruptcycoda sedanelectric vehicleenergy storageWed, 01 May 2013 10:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554554/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554554/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/coda-bankruptcy-energy-storage/20554554/article-detail.xml 20554554 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/coda-sedan-electric-sunset_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/coda-sedan-electric-sunset.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Tesla stock still climbing, despite federal subpoena asking about executive share trading]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla motors logo

In recent days, Tesla Motors stock (TSLA) has been climbing and climbing, hitting a high of $58.18 earlier today before closing at a respectable $53.99. The rise comes amid a string of headline-making events - higher-than-expected sales, franchise dealer fights and a new warranty program, to name just three - but under all of the good news lies a potential problem. The Wall Street Journal revealed today that Tesla was served subpoenas from US federal prosecutors over details on the company's trading plan for executives. There has been no hint of wrongdoing, the feds just want information, Reuters reports. A similar subpoena was sent to Cardiovascular Systems, which makes medical implements.

The question is how the executives can trade their shares. Reuters reports that it is fine by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules for executives to use something called a 10b5-1 plan to trade their own stock, "even when they have access to private information." The subpoena does not seem to have anything to do with questions over whether Tesla CEO Elon Musk's recent "overzealous" Tweet was in any way illegal.

This week, analysts at Longboard Asset Management said they believe Tesla common stock will hit $100 in the next 18 months on the way to $200 per share within five years. In any case, we'll have more information ammunition for the debate when Tesla releases first quarter results May 8th.

Tesla stock still climbing, despite federal subpoena asking about executive share trading originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclesecsecurity and exchange commissionstock tradingsubpoenateslatesla model stslaTue, 30 Apr 2013 18:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553578/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553578/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/20553578/article-detail.xml 20553578 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Wheego's low-key route to success includes new electric SUV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/wheegos-low-key-route-to-success-includes-new-electric-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/wheegos-low-key-route-to-success-includes-new-electric-suv/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/wheegos-low-key-route-to-success-includes-new-electric-suv/#commentsFiled under: , ,

wheego life

The trajectory of Wheego Electric Cars is light years away from the always-in-the-news Tesla Motors or the Congressional darlings Fisker Automotive. Despite the lack of attention, Wheego manages to keep on plugging away, adding new dealers and making it past regulatory hurdles. This low-key route is entirely by design.

Wheego CEO Mike McQuary recently told Plug In Cars that the key has been to not overestimate demand for the LiFe EV, a small two-seater from an unknown company. "We've always had a realistic expectation of what the market will be. We build a batch of cars and we sell them," he said. The biggest group of consumers has turned out to retirees, McQuary told PIC.

Building on its small but stable base, Wheego is planning expanding its line-up to include an electric SUV at some point in the next year. Like the LiFe, this new model will use a body made in China along with US components. The expected prices is $44,000 (before any government incentives). The LiFe starts at $32,995.

Wheego, which is based in Atlanta, has always been associated with China, since that's where its vehicle bodies come from. The company will soon have more formal ties there, McQuary said, because a new assembly line in China should be up and running within 12 months. Looks like the next year will be a busy one for quiet Wheego.

Wheego's low-key route to success includes new electric SUV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaelectric vehicleevlifewheegowheego lifewheego suvTue, 30 Apr 2013 12:22:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553304/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553304/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/wheegos-low-key-route-to-success-includes-new-electric-suv/20553304/article-detail.xml 20553304 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/wheego-life-1345142085_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/wheego-life-1345142085.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

nissan leaf smyrna factory

The 2013 Nissan Leaf was improved thanks to customer input and, earlier this year, Nissan started building the all-electric car in Tennessee (and, of course, now also in the UK). These two changes helped the world's best-selling EV reach its the best month of US sales ever in March - we look forward to seeing what the April numbers are, which we should be getting in the very near future. We know domestic production reduced costs, since Nissan was happy to tout that angle, but it wasn't until recently that media representatives were allowed inside to see how the company is building the car and battery pack.

We will have a detailed write-up on Nissan's moves in Smyrna, TN for you soon. Until then, you can see the Leaf being built in the time-lapse video below, courtesy of local newspaper, The Tennessean. The audio is not worth listening to, but the images are somehow mesmerizing.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built

Nissan Leaf time-lapse shows the EV being built originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclenissannissan leaftime-lapsevideoMon, 29 Apr 2013 20:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552443/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552443/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/nissan-leaf-time-lapse-shows-the-ev-being-built/20552443/article-detail.xml 20552443 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-smyrna-factory_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-smyrna-factory.png <![CDATA[Official: Fisker goes to Congress: DOE attacked amid hints loan could still be paid back]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/fisker-congressional-hearing-doe-attacked-among-hints-loan-coul/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/fisker-congressional-hearing-doe-attacked-among-hints-loan-coul/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/fisker-congressional-hearing-doe-attacked-among-hints-loan-coul/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fisker Congressional hearing

With a title like "Green Energy Oversight: Examining the Department of Energy's Bad Bet on Fisker Automotive" it was no surprise that the slant of today's Congressional hearing by the House Oversight subcommittee on Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Regulatory Affairs was overwhelmingly negative. In fact, for over three hours, it was perhaps the definition of political theater. After all, where else do you get to hear a House of Representatives member (Gerald Connolly, D-VA) say the hearing was like a Soviet show-trial while Darell Issa (R-CA) compared Henrik Fisker (co-founder of Fisker Automotive and a witness today) to Bricklin and Tucker? Oh, and Issa also said Fisker made mistakes that failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney would not have made his first day out of business school. All this and more was on display today in Washington, DC.

The hearing was incredibly - and unsurprisingly - political, with Democrats speaking positively about the overall DOE loan program and Republicans attacking Fisker for taking $192 million (almost always rounded up to $200 million) and not paying it back. Not yet, anyway. Both Fisker (who made it clear he was not speaking for the company, since his official connections have ended) and Fisker COO Bernhard Koehler said that Fisker has not yet lost any taxpayer money, and Koehler said there are still plans in place to pay everything back. Fisker's take was that there is a lot of value left in the automaker that could be brought to bear on paying the DOE back. Of course, Fisker's official website has been down all day, in case you were looking for one more sign that things are not going well for the California automaker.

Continue reading Fisker goes to Congress: DOE attacked amid hints loan could still be paid back

Fisker goes to Congress: DOE attacked amid hints loan could still be paid back originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darrell issaelectric vehiclefiskerfisker karmahenrik fiskerhouse oversight committeeplug-in hybridWed, 24 Apr 2013 19:38:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20548452/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20548452/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/fisker-congressional-hearing-doe-attacked-among-hints-loan-coul/20548452/article-detail.xml 20548452 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-automotive-issa-hearing-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fisker-automotive-issa-hearing-628.jpg -1 2