AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/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/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Tessa Baughman didn't exactly set any speed records on a recent visit to her Arkansas family from Michigan, unless you factor in the time saved on not filling up a few times.

The energy engineer for the Chevy Cruze Diesel, interviewed in a short General Motors video (available below), said she was able to go 900 miles on a single tank during the first leg of the drive. The catch is that she drove "five below speed limit" the whole way down, but she certainly more than backed up the EPA's Cruze Diesel fuel-economy rating of 46 miles per gallon, the best of any non-hybrid vehicle. Heck, that's a well-north-of-50 mpg pace for the model, which comes equipped with low rolling-resistance tires, a six-speed automatic transmission, tire deflectors and other fuel-saving features.

Baughman went at a slightly brisker pace on the way back, i.e. with the flow of traffic, but was still able to wring 800 miles between fill-ups. We're guessing there were no speeding tickets involved, either.

Continue reading Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel

Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkansaschevrolet cruzechevrolet cruze dieseldieselfull tankmpgtessa baughmanTue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/20567242/article-detail.xml 20567242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064.jpg <![CDATA[GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 chevy cruze

As if one of the world's largest automakers needed additional advertisement, General Motors now is getting big-time support from biodiesel advocates for being the first US automaker to have made one of its light-duty models be able to run on diesel with a 20 percent biodiesel mix, i.e. B20. The National Biodiesel Board calls GM "proactive and progressive" for making its 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel B20-ready. Biodiesel Magazine even goes so far as to instruct its readers to "tell GM thanks."

Marking a long-awaited return to diesel powertrains for its cars, GM said last month that the Chevy Cruze Diesel would get an EPA-rated 46 miles per gallon highway, the best of "any non-hybrid passenger car in America." GM says the car will be able to go as far as 700 miles on a tank. Another way to look at that number is up to 140 biodiesel miles per tank.

GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselchevroletchevycruzedieselgeneral motorsgmSun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/20564254/article-detail.xml 20564254 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago.jpg <![CDATA[Next-gen Chevy Volt could be $10,000 cheaper]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Volt

A sub-$30,000 Chevrolet Volt? General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says that could be in the making within a year, Car and Driver reports.

Akerson, speaking recently at a green-technology conference in California, said the company may be able to shave as much as $10,000 off the sticker price of the next-generation version of the extended-range plug-in. He also said the car, which loses GM money each time one is sold, could be profitable at that price.

At just shy of $30,000, the newer Volt would be in the price range of the Nissan Leaf and plug-in Toyota Prius and Ford C-Max models. Akerson said GM was getting better at pulling weight out of the Volt but didn't give much as far as additional specifics. This isn't the first time we've heard the next-generation PHEV will be a better deal. In January, GM North America President Mark Reuss said the company would cut "thousands of dollars" off the Volt's sticker price for the model's next generation, citing improvements in the model's electric motor and battery pack.

Through April, Volt sales were up 3.2 percent from a year earlier to 5,550 units after selling almost 23,500 vehicles in 2012. Sales of the Leaf, which underwent its own price cut for 2013, have more than doubled from a year earlier to 5,476 units.

Next-gen Chevy Volt could be $10,000 cheaper originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevy voltdan akersonelectric vehiclegeneral motorsplug-in hybridpricevoltWed, 08 May 2013 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562581/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562581/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/20562581/article-detail.xml 20562581 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volt.jpg <![CDATA[LG Chem's Michigan battery plant starting production in July, will deliver Chevy Volt batteries by end of summer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LG Chem

It looks like the last hand's been played at those reputed card games that not-so-busy employees at LG Chem's lithium-ion battery factory in Michigan were playing. The South Korean company is planning to start production of batteries for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in in July, with the first batteries rolling off the factory's three assembly lines by end of summer, the Detroit Free Press reports. US Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) is using the announcement to call the partially government-backed factory a "flawed program," MLive says.

And the gentleman has a point. The factory broke ground in 2010 and about half of its $300-million cost was bankrolled by the US government. Volt battery orders came in slower than expected, though, so by last fall, many of the workers were being paid not to work, and production was at a standstill, according to a February audit by the US Department of Energy. LG Chem was ordered to repay the Feds $842,000 in funds reputedly used to pay workers who weren't doing anything productive. LG Chem admitted that the plant is taking longer than expected to actually, you know, make a battery, releasing a statement six months ago that said, "taxpayer money has not been wasted, because when the market demand justifies production, the facility will be utilized." It appears that time is almost here.

LG Chem's Michigan battery plant starting production in July, will deliver Chevy Volt batteries by end of summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterychevychevy voltdepartment of energyelectric vehiclefactorylg chemlithium-ionmichiganplug-in hybridWed, 08 May 2013 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20561339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20561339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/lg-chem-battery-plant-starting-production-chevy-volt-batteries/20561339/article-detail.xml 20561339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lgchem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/lgchem.jpg <![CDATA[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 AutoblogGreen 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[Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chevy-spark-ev-rated-at-82-miles-119-mpge-combined/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chevy-spark-ev-rated-at-82-miles-119-mpge-combined/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/chevy-spark-ev-rated-at-82-miles-119-mpge-combined/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chevrolet Spark EV - front three-quarter view

It's getting harder and harder to be the first/best/most electric vehicle in the US market. Most range goes to the Tesla Model S. First all-electric of the current generation goes to the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster, depending on your viewpoint. Best? Well, that's in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?

We do have a new entry for "most efficient," though, which apparently goes to the Chevrolet Spark EV. That's what General Motors announced today, along with an official EPA-estimated range of 82 miles. That's less than the Fiat 500e, which is rated at 87 miles. GM's "most efficient" claim can't come from the way the Chevy commands its 82 miles from a 21-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, despite the fact that the Fiat needs 24-kWh to go an extra five miles. The Honda Fit EV is more efficient here, since is uses a 20-kWH pack to also go 82 miles.

But then there's the combined city/highway (estimated) MPGe number for the all-electric Spark, which is 119. The Fit "only" gets 118, and this is the number upon which GM bases its claim, saying that 119 MPGe measures overall efficiency.

So, first/best/most? Whatever. All these EVs have roughly the same performance stats, so we have to look at other aspects to differentiate them. On that front, the Spark will be the first (ah, sorry) production vehicle with the SAE combo charger port for DC Fast Charging. This will allow the battery to get 80 percent of a full battery charge in about 20 minutes. Again, this is about the same performance as CHAdeMO DC fast charging, which is already available in the Leaf and the Mitsubishi i.

Continue reading Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevrolet spark evchevroletchevrolet sparkchevrolet spark evelectric vehiclempgeWed, 24 Apr 2013 14:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20548341/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20548341/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/chevy-spark-ev-rated-at-82-miles-119-mpge-combined/20548341/article-detail.xml 20548341 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Astute readers and Tesla Motors took issue with a line from a General Motors press release yesterday that claimed the start of electric motor production for the Chevy Spark EV made GM the "first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in United States." The question was whether or not Tesla, which builds the Model S in California, isn't already doing exactly that.

So we asked GM, which told AutoblogGreen that, "from our understanding Tesla does not 'wind' their own motors. 'Wind' is a verb that has a broad meaning synonymous with 'build' since the winding processes are the most capital- and process-intensive part of motor making, whether it is round wire (like theirs) or square wire like ours ('winding' for us means all the wire forming, wire insertion, twist, and welding are done at the same facility)."

In response, Tesla told AutoblogGreen: "We manufacture all parts of Model S motors here at the factory in Fremont, California. We have a winding line at the factory where we wind our own stators off of spools. We also manufacture the rotors and other components to the unit."

This all might be a bit of a semantic disagreement, but it is nice to see automakers fighting over the rights to say they were first in this particular aspect of electric vehicle manufacturing. It also makes us smile that the two companies involved both have "Motors" in their names, so maybe it's a point of pride. Now, if anyone wants to look into the history books and see how EV motors were made in the early 20th Century, we assume neither GM and Tesla could lay claim to being "first."

Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/20543943/article-detail.xml 20543943 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/#commentsFiled under: , ,

chevy spark ev motor production

While the Chevy Spark EV will be made in Korea, two important parts -motor and battery pack - are built in the US. Today, General Motors proudly highlighted the start of motor production at its White Marsh plant outside of Baltimore, MD. GM says this move makes it the first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in US.

The compact, lightweight 100-kW motor offers 130 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to move the electric Spark to 60 miles per hour in under eight seconds. GM isn't saying what the annual Spark EV motor capacity of the Baltimore plant is, just that it will be able to build them to suit customer demand.

Aside from the motor, A123 (now owned by Wanxiang Group) is making Spark EV cells and battery packs in Livonia, MI. The two components are shipped to Korea for installation and the finished cars will then be exported back to the Western US (the Spark EV's initial US markets are California and Oregon) starting this summer, with shipments to Canada, Europe and South Korea taking place later.

Continue reading Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore

Chevy starts Spark EV motor production in Baltimore originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baltimorechevy spark evelectric motorelectric vehiclekoreaspark motorwhite marshTue, 16 Apr 2013 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20542408/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20542408/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/16/chevy-starts-spark-ev-motor-production-in-baltimore/20542408/article-detail.xml 20542408 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-ev-electric-motor-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-ev-electric-motor-628.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Chevy Volt available in two new colors, Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/#commentsFiled under: , ,



General Motors is adding two rather businesslike color choices for potential buyers of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in: Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic.

Chevy will offer the two new colors on the 2014 model-year Volt, which folks can start ordering next month. The addition brings Volt's color total to nine, including Black, Crystal Red, Summit White, White Diamond Tricoat, Blue Topaz Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic and Silver Topaz Metallic. We forgive you if you lost interest there, since they all kind of sound the same. Except Black. That's nice and straightforward.

Last week, Chevy said that its Volt fleet collectively surpassed 150 million electric miles. During the first quarter, GM sold 8,244 Volts during the first quarter, up 8.4 percent from a year earlier. Volt sales tripled last year.

2014 Chevy Volt available in two new colors, Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy voltcolorgeneral motorspaintplug-in hybridvoltTue, 09 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534227/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534227/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/20534227/article-detail.xml 20534227 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-volt-brownstone-metallic-ashen_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-volt-brownstone-metallic-ashen.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet says those on-board gas-powered generators in the Volt extended-range plug-ins are getting kind of lonely.

The General Motors division estimates that Volt owners have collectively passed the 150-million-mile point when it comes to driving on electric power. That's roughly the distance from Earth to Mars (provided that the Volts could fly) or, back on planet Earth, 60 million really quiet laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in case anyone was curious. Chevy says the typical Volt driver goes about 900 miles between fill-ups, saving about $1,300 a year in refueling costs.

Through the first quarter of 2013, US Volt sales were up 8.4 percent to 8,244 units. Last year, Volt sales tripled from their 2011 levels to about 23,500 vehicles. Check out Chevy's press release below.

Continue reading Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles

Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>150 million mileschevychevy voltelectricextended-rangeplug-in hybridFri, 05 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530287/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530287/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/20530287/article-detail.xml 20530287 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volt-1365092539_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volt-1365092539.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf has best sales month ever with 2,236, Chevy Volt steady at 1,478]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/nissan-leaf-best-sales-month-2236-chevy-volt-1478/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/nissan-leaf-best-sales-month-2236-chevy-volt-1478/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/02/nissan-leaf-best-sales-month-2236-chevy-volt-1478/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's been a slow couple months for the Nissan Leaf, with sales hovering around 650 for each of the first two months of the year. Throughout the slowdown (late last year, monthly sales totals were closer to 1,500), Nissan representatives kept saying there was no need to worry, that once production got rolling in Tennessee, sales would climb back up. But they never said we'd be looking at a such a high new record. Just last week, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was saying March sales would be around 1,900.

The official numbers were released today, and the Leaf did indeed hit a new record: 2,236 sales. That beats the pants off of the previous record from June 2011, when Nissan sold 1,708 Leafs. While this uptick comes at a time when Nissan North America recorded its best-ever sales month overall, the Leaf-specific increase is due to the introduction of the Tennessee-built model, which is cheaper and better than the 2012 model. In March 2012, Nissan sold 579 Leafs.

On the plug-in hybrid side of the first-two-to-market ledger, the Chevrolet Volt had another solid sales month, but nothing earth shattering. Chevy sold 1,478 Volts last month, down a bit from February (1,626) but up from January (1,140). In March 2012, Chevy sold 2,289 Volts, which was a record at the time.

Now that we've got this flash report up, we'll post our more detailed write-up of last month's green car sales soon.

Nissan Leaf has best sales month ever with 2,236, Chevy Volt steady at 1,478 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevychevy voltelectric vehicleev salesleaf salesnissannissan leafphev salesplug-in hybridsalesvolt salesTue, 02 Apr 2013 11:36:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20526937/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20526937/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/02/nissan-leaf-best-sales-month-2236-chevy-volt-1478/20526937/article-detail.xml 20526937 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[GM will make next electric car in Korea; expected to be bigger than Spark EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/gm-build-electric-car-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/gm-build-electric-car-korea/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/gm-build-electric-car-korea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 chevy spark ev

GM reportedly will produce next-generation electric vehicles in South Korea, alongside the Chevrolet Spark EV (pictured), due to arrive in American showrooms by summer, and later this year in Europe. The Spark EV also will be available for fleets in Canada.

GM Korea honcho Sergio Rocha told journalists at the Seoul Auto Show, now underway, that the new electric will be an entirely new design and will be a bit larger than the current Spark. Also, it will be an EV-specific design, not a gas-to-electric model, and GM's first dedicated EV since the bullet-shaped EV1, whose demise was well-documented in the 2006 film Who Killed the Electric Car? GM has vaguely mentioned plans for two other new EVs, one with a 100-mile range, another with 200. Stay tuned to find out which one will be produced first. Whichever it is, the lithium-ion batteries will be from LG Chem, according to Reuters.

GM Korea makes more than 40 percent of Chevrolet's smaller models at its Bupyeong plant, including Aveo, which is no longer sold in the US, and Malibu, which is.

GM will make next electric car in Korea; expected to be bigger than Spark EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy spark evelectric vehicleevgmkoreaFri, 29 Mar 2013 16:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522368/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522368/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/gm-build-electric-car-korea/20522368/article-detail.xml 20522368 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt, Cadillac ELR could get downsized three-cylinder range extender]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/chevy-volt-cadillac-elr-could-get-downsized-three-cylinder-rang/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/chevy-volt-cadillac-elr-could-get-downsized-three-cylinder-rang/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/chevy-volt-cadillac-elr-could-get-downsized-three-cylinder-rang/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Volt

Three may be the magic number for General Motors and its effort to cut both fuel use and weight in its next-generation extended-range plug-ins, both the new Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR.

GM, along with its China-based vehicle-development partners, may build a three-cylinder gas-powered range extender for the two plug-ins, Edmunds says, citing industry sources it didn't identify. The engines would range from 1.0 to 1.2 liters and would replace the 84-horsepower, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that is used in the current Volt.

This new engine would help GM increase fuel economy and cut weight in its upcoming PHEVs, though no specifics on how much of an improvement would be possible have been disclosed. The engine would be swapped into the Volt in 2015 and into the ELR the following year.

Currently, the Volt is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to get 98 miles per gallon equivalent in electric mode and 37 miles per gallon combined in gas-powered mode.

Chevy Volt, Cadillac ELR could get downsized three-cylinder range extender originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillacchevychevy voltelectric vehicleelrplug-in hybridthree-cylinderMon, 18 Mar 2013 18:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20508559/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20508559/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/18/chevy-volt-cadillac-elr-could-get-downsized-three-cylinder-rang/20508559/article-detail.xml 20508559 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/volt-1363642497_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/volt-1363642497.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vauxhall Ampera ambulance

We still can't figure out where those wacky British will fit the gurney, but we'll let that go as we report that the UK version of the Chevrolet Volt will be tested as an ambulance across the pond.

A Vauxhall Ampera, which, along with the Volt extended-range plug-in, was named the 2012 European Car of the Year last March, will be added to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service as an emergency response vehicle for the city of York, about 200 miles north of London.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will test its Ampera during "the next few months," Vauxhall says. Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which oversees a 900-vehicle fleet, is looking to cut its emissions by 30 percent during the next three years, hence the trial run. Vauxhall's press release is available below.

Continue reading Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance

Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulanceamperachevroletextended-rangeplug-in hybridukunited kingdomvauxhallvoltyorkyorkshireFri, 08 Mar 2013 18:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/20490242/article-detail.xml 20490242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vauxhallambulance_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vauxhallambulance.jpg <![CDATA[GM CEO Akerson confirms 200-mile EV in the works, says death of the V8 "greatly exaggerated"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2014 chevy spark ev

General Motors isn't talking about how far the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV can go before it needs a charge, but par for the course for today's electric vehicles i2 around 70-100 miles. GM CEO Dan Akerson today confirmed that the company is working on a 200-mile EV (perhaps a Spark, perhaps not) during a speech at the IHS Ceraweek conference in Houston. According to Bloomberg, he said, GM is "running a dual play" with EV technology to develop both a 100-mile and a 200-mile EV.

Akerson also pushed for a coordinated public-private effort to invoke an energy policy that will broaden natural-gas use, reduce foreign oil dependency and greenhouse-gas emissions, and provide cleaner water and more affordable energy to US citizens. Akerson also promoted quality improvements in the company's smaller cars as well as the cost benefits of natural gas and fuel-economy improvements in GM's larger engines.

"I believe the President should immediately appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to develop a 30-year energy policy framework."

"I believe the President should immediately appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to develop a 30-year energy policy framework," Akerson said in prepared remarks. What that actually means is anyone's guess, but at least Akerson insisted that the policy be required to hit certain "checkpoints" every five years.

Akerson, whose company's small-car sales have surge on a broader product line and higher gas prices, allowed that GM's early efforts in that arena were less than successful.

"It's no secret that our small cars back then weren't built to the standards of our other vehicles," he said. "Mercifully, those vehicles have since been recycled into Energy Star refrigerators and other useful goods."

"Mercifully, those vehicles have since been recycled into Energy Star refrigerators and other useful goods."

Akerson also spoke positively about broader adoption of natural gas use among fleet operators, estimating that "a typical Class 8 operator" may save as much as $3,500 in monthly refueling costs by switching to liquefied natural gas (LNG). He also said that GM's vaunted V8 engines will remain relevant because of fuel-efficiency gains, noting that "the death of the V8 engine has been greatly exaggerated."

Additionally, Akerson reiterated his claim from November that GM will have a half-million electrified vehicles, which is about equal to all registered vehicles in Vermont, on US roads by 2017.

GM CEO Akerson confirms 200-mile EV in the works, says death of the V8 "greatly exaggerated" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletdan akersonelectric vehiclegeneral motorsgmhoustonihskeynoteplug-in hybridvoltThu, 07 Mar 2013 19:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491155/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491155/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/20491155/article-detail.xml 20491155 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt.jpg <![CDATA[February 2013 Leaf vs. Volt sales flash report: bouncing up, slightly, edition]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/february-2013-leaf-volt-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/february-2013-leaf-volt-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/february-2013-leaf-volt-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt nissan leaf mashup

The plug-in vehicle field is getting more and more crowded, but the two long-timers remain barometers for how electric vehicles are being accepted in the US. Last month, the Chevrolet Volt was up and the Nissan Leaf held steady. Let's get to the numbers.

The Volt continued to bounce up and down, with February's numbers - 1,626 sales - on the lower end of the recent extremes (see details here). Last month's sales were up almost 59 percent over February 2012, when Chevrolet sold 1,023 Volts.

The Leaf situation remains in flux, Nissan spokesman Travis Parman told AutoblogGreen. Last month, Nissan sold 653 Leaf EVs, pretty much the same as the 650 sold in January. Parman said that, "With some help from distribution, Leaf February sales reached 653 leaving about 30 2012s in inventory. That put the sales mix at about 60 percent 2013 LEAFs to 40 percent 2012s as the production ramp-up of Leaf continues at Nissan's Smyrna, TN. facility." For more on the updated 2013 Leaf, including its longer range, read this and you can watch a Nissan video on Leaf sales below.

We'll have our detailed report on February's green car sales, including other plug-in competitors like the Toyota Prius Plug-In, soon. One car that won't be included in that list is the Tesla Model S.



Continue reading February 2013 Leaf vs. Volt sales flash report: bouncing up, slightly, edition

February 2013 Leaf vs. Volt sales flash report: bouncing up, slightly, edition originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleev saleshybrid salesleafleaf salesnissanplug-in hybridsalesvoltvolt salesFri, 01 Mar 2013 12:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485048/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485048/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/01/february-2013-leaf-volt-sales/20485048/article-detail.xml 20485048 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volt-leaf_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volt-leaf.jpg <![CDATA[GM planning on 20% increase in plug-in hybrid production in 2013]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/gm-planning-on-20-increase-in-plug-in-hybrid-production-in-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/gm-planning-on-20-increase-in-plug-in-hybrid-production-in-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/gm-planning-on-20-increase-in-plug-in-hybrid-production-in-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevrolet Volt - maroon - front three-quarter view

Before the Chevrolet Volt launched in late 2010, General Motors representatives were boldly talking about some big production numbers, like 60,000 or 45,000 Volts a year. It's been a rocky road since then, and the reality was more subdued. The General sold 7,671 Volts in 2011 and 23,461 in 2012. When you add in the rebadged Opel Ampera, GM made and sold around 30,000 plug-in hybrids last year and the Volt was the best-selling plug-in car in the US last quarter. Now that GM has momentum on its side, the big production numbers - more realistic this time - are coming back.

According to a report in Bloomberg, GM will build up to 36,000 Chevrolet Volts "and other plug-in hybrids" (read: Cadillac ELR) at its Detroit-Hamtramck, MI plant in 2013, an increase of around 20 percent from 2012 production numbers. Bloomberg cites "two people familiar with the effort" who "didn't want to be identified because the target isn't public" as the source for the production increase, which includes global sales.

GM planning on 20% increase in plug-in hybrid production in 2013 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amperacadillacchevroletelectric vehicleelropelplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesWed, 27 Feb 2013 19:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20481783/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20481783/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/27/gm-planning-on-20-increase-in-plug-in-hybrid-production-in-2013/20481783/article-detail.xml 20481783 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/volt0910_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/volt0910.jpg <![CDATA[Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2011 cadillac elr concept

john lauckner gmJohn Lauckner, one of the masterminds behind General Motors' breakthrough Chevrolet Volt EREV, has a full bag of big responsibilities these days that he calls the "technology trifecta." First, he is GM's chief technology officer. Second, he's R&D vice president. Third, as if those two jobs were not enough, he's president of GM Ventures, the company's venture capital subsidiary. "Basically," he says, "I'm deeply involved in technology."

I caught up with him for a brief chat at the Detroit North American International Auto Show in January and started with the same big question I've asked a lot of industry executives lately:

ABG: How will GM, or any full-line manufacturer, meet future Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates, and California's ZEV mandate? You will be required to sell increasing numbers of zero-emission EVs and other electrified vehicles regardless of consumer demand for them?

JL: We're going to have to schedule some invention. If you look at the technology we're working with today, you have one view of what's possible. But the technology is rapidly changing, so we focus on five areas where we think important breakthroughs will likely occur:
  • One, automotive clean tech and propulsion-related technologies. That means batteries. motors, power electronics, emissions control devices and fuel economy technologies.
  • Two, connected vehicles and infotainment, where information and entertainment intersect.
  • Three, advanced materials - lightweight, eco-friendly and space-change materials, and forming technologies - the kinds of materials that cars and trucks of the future will be made of.
  • Four, sensors, processors, and memory. There is a lot of capability that more advanced sensors, processors and memory will let us unlock.
  • And five, manufacturing-related technologies.

"Within the fuel-economy regulations, there is a "check-up" in 2017."

Those are not the only areas where we will see new technology, but those are the ones where we believe that having a competitive advantage will probably drive longer-term and more sustainable benefits. Also, within the fuel-economy regulations, there is a "check-up" in 2017, where we will see where we are and figure out what that means for the regulations in place for beyond that time.

Continue reading Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer

Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476398/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476398/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/20476398/article-detail.xml 20476398 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Spark EV limited to fleets in Canada]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/chevrolet-spark-ev-limited-to-fleets-in-canada/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/chevrolet-spark-ev-limited-to-fleets-in-canada/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/23/chevrolet-spark-ev-limited-to-fleets-in-canada/#commentsFiled under: , ,

chevrolet spark ev

Chevrolet is stretching the extension cord for the new Spark EV to Canada, in addition to the previously announced markets of California, Oregon and South Korea. At the Canadian International Auto Show, Chevy announced that the sub-compact Spark EV will be available only for fleet use, according to Hybrid Cars, and is eligible for incentives in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Those incentives include a spot on HOV lanes in Canada and the US.

Chevrolet expects the Spark EV to launch with one of the best EV ranges in its segment. More important for fleets and future individual owners, it will be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability. That will power up the Spark EV to an 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes, or the length of a sales call or lunch break. Using a dedicated 240V outlet takes 6-8 hours.

The Spark is small, but powerful, with an oil-cooled permanent magnet motor that produces at least 130 hp (100 kw), and about 400 pound-feet of torque with the coaxial drive unit. GM says the Spark EV can sprint 0-60 mph in a blink less than eight seconds.

The Spark EV has a so-called confidence gauge that shows the expected driving range based on driving habits and other conditions. Pricing is under $25,000 with tax incentives. Thanks to the extended-range hybrid Volt, Chevrolet accounts for just over half of all plug-in electric vehicle sales in the North America.

Chevrolet Spark EV limited to fleets in Canada originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacanadacanadian international auto showchevroletelectric vehiclehovOntariooregonspark evSat, 23 Feb 2013 08:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20472282/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20472282/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/23/chevrolet-spark-ev-limited-to-fleets-in-canada/20472282/article-detail.xml 20472282 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-chevrolet-spark-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2014-chevrolet-spark-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA["World's greenest" Chevy Silverado now ready to order]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/worlds-greenest-chevy-silverado-now-ready-to-order/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/worlds-greenest-chevy-silverado-now-ready-to-order/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/15/worlds-greenest-chevy-silverado-now-ready-to-order/#commentsFiled under: ,

2014 chevrolet silverado model

Doesn't the idea of a big truck that doesn't use gas, is biodegradable and is 100-percent recyclable sound appealing? The group trying to get you to own one even says, "You can tell all your environmentalist friends that you just happen to have the world's greenest Chevy Silverado." Except, well, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado in question here is made of paper. It's a pretty sweet model, but it's not exactly the zero-emission truck we've been hoping for.

Still, if you'd like to build a detailed toy truck model with nothing but a piece of heavy paper and lots of red ink, head on over to GM Parts Super Store and download the PDF. The site asks for your email address, but you don't need to fill that part in to get the PDF. You can see a time-lapse video below of someone building the truck and in the video you can also see paper models of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Mighty FC concept and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Yes, big, boxy vehicles make the best models over at Paper Cruiser, it appears. As for the Silverado, word is, "As of February 2013, this paper version of the 2014 Silverado is probably as close as you're going to get to the real thing. Might as well enjoy it." If you do build one, feel free to share pics with us on Facebook.

Continue reading "World's greenest" Chevy Silverado now ready to order

"World's greenest" Chevy Silverado now ready to order originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevrolet silveradochevroletpaper modelpapercruisersilveradozero emissionFri, 15 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20462442/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20462442/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/15/worlds-greenest-chevy-silverado-now-ready-to-order/20462442/article-detail.xml 20462442 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/paper-silverado-left-front-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/paper-silverado-left-front-628.jpg -1 2