AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 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[Smart electric scooter going on sale in 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/smart-will-start-selling-its-electric-scooter-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/smart-will-start-selling-its-electric-scooter-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/smart-will-start-selling-its-electric-scooter-in-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The ForTwo company is giving us two ForOnes.

After releasing details on its ebike, Daimler's Smart division has announced it will start selling a battery-electric scooter in 2014.

Smart first unveiled the escooter along side its electric-powered bike at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010 and said the scooter would have a single-charge range of 62 miles. The scooter's four-kilowatt electric motor is mounted on the rear wheel and provides a top speed of 28 miles per hour.

The escooter was part of a broader electric-mobility plan Smart outlined at that Paris show. That plan also included an electric-powered bike as well as a battery-electric version of the ForTwo. Earlier this week, Smart said it would start selling its ebikes in the UK this month. The bike has a 250-watt electric motor and a battery pack that offers around 62 miles of single-charge range.

Continue reading Smart electric scooter going on sale in 2014

Smart electric scooter going on sale in 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 12 May 2012 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daimlerebikeelectric scooterelectric vehicleescooterscootersmartsmart ebikeSat, 12 May 2012 17:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235938/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235938/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/12/smart-will-start-selling-its-electric-scooter-in-2014/20235938/article-detail.xml 20235938 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/smart-escooter-ebike_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/smart-escooter-ebike.jpg <![CDATA[Is it the ForOne? Smart will start e-bike deliveries in UK this month]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/is-it-the-forone-smart-will-start-e-bike-deliveries-in-uk-this/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/is-it-the-forone-smart-will-start-e-bike-deliveries-in-uk-this/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/is-it-the-forone-smart-will-start-e-bike-deliveries-in-uk-this/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Daimler's Smart division, best known for its ForTwo two-seat vehicles, will start deliveries of its battery-electric bikes in the UK this month after winning a Red Dot Design Award.

The bike, which was unveiled last year, has a 250-watt electric motor and a battery that can provide as many as 62 miles of range. The Smart will be available in two color schemes - the white with "electric green" trim that we've seen many times now and grey with orange trim, Smart UK said.

Last year, Smart estimated that e-bike sales in Germany alone almost tripled to 200,000 units in 2010 from 70,000 bikes in 2007. European e-bike sales reached 700,000 units in 2010. Smart also said in March that it would start selling its special-edition Brabus e-bike by the end of the year. That bike will have a 25-mile-per-hour top speed and an electric motor delivering 500 watts of power.

Is it the ForOne? Smart will start e-bike deliveries in UK this month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daimlere-bikeelectric bikeelectric vehiclered dotred dot designsmartukTue, 08 May 2012 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233300/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233300/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/is-it-the-forone-smart-will-start-e-bike-deliveries-in-uk-this/20233300/article-detail.xml 20233300 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/smartebike_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/smartebike.jpg <![CDATA[BMW, Daimler will work together on Visio.M urban EV project]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bmw-daimler-will-work-together-on-visio-m-urban-ev-project/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bmw-daimler-will-work-together-on-visio-m-urban-ev-project/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bmw-daimler-will-work-together-on-visio-m-urban-ev-project/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



BMW and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG are among a group of more than a dozen private and public entities that are working together on a project designed to speed up the development of urban electric vehicles.

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) is providing 10.8 million euros ($14.2 million U.S. at today's exchange rates) in funding for what's being called the Visio.M project. Scientists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) will work with automotive engineers to develop small, city-oriented EVs that have a maximum power of about 15 kW (20 horsepower) and a maximum weight of about 900 pounds (without battery) which would make the car about 45 percent lighter than a Smart ForTwo.

The overall goal here is to develop a car that's light enough to provide a sufficient single-charge urban driving range but strong enough to be as safe as a conventional vehicle.

Of course, the automakers involved already have advanced EV programs. BMW is planning to start selling its battery-electric i3 four-door next year and, earlier this year, started delivering the battery-electric ActiveE, the i3's precursor, to West Coast and East Coast leasing customers. Mercedes-Benz's alt-fuel development has been focused more on diesels and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles, but is also has its E-Cell models.

Continue reading BMW, Daimler will work together on Visio.M urban EV project

BMW, Daimler will work together on Visio.M urban EV project originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwdaimlerelectric vehicleEVgermanGerman Federal Ministry for Education and Researchgermanymercedes-benzplug-inTechnische Universitaet MuenchenurbanFri, 04 May 2012 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230555/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230555/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/bmw-daimler-will-work-together-on-visio-m-urban-ev-project/20230555/article-detail.xml 20230555 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/activee_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/activee.jpg <![CDATA[U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,



BMW, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen are among the eight U.S. and German automakers that will demonstrate a single-port fast-charging system for electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EV26) in Los Angeles starting next week.

Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler and Porsche will also show off the so-called DC-fast system, which will be able to recharge most battery-electric vehicles in as little as 15 minutes.

With a combination AC and DC charging capabilities, the DC-fast system is supposed to start sales by the end of the year and will enable U.S. and German plug-ins to be able to be recharged at most public charging stations while also accommodating high-powered fast-charging stations. The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has officially tapped the system as the standard for fast-charging.

Electric-vehicle proponents consider the establishment of a fast-charging standard to be an important key to plug-in vehicle adoption because the availability of publicly accessible fast chargers that can recharge a vehicle in minutes instead of hours makes range anxiety a moot point. Pike Research said last year that annual revenue generated by makers of electric-vehicle charging equipment will increase more than tenfold between 2011 and 2017 to about $4.3 billion.

Still, the fast-charging issue is far from settled because a separate fast-charging standard - CHAdeMO - has been proposed by the Japanese automotive industry. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries are all partners in the CHAdeMO Association.

Continue reading U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26

U.S., German automakers will demo fast-charging system at EVS26 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audibmwchademocharging stationschryslerdaimlerdc-fastelectric vehiclefordgmporschevolkswagenFri, 04 May 2012 09:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230451/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230451/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/u-s-german-automakers-will-demo-fast-charging-system-at-evs26/20230451/article-detail.xml 20230451 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/dccombined_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/dccombined.jpg <![CDATA[World's largest Car2Go fleet deployed in Berlin]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/worlds-largest-car2go-fleet-deployed-in-berlin/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/worlds-largest-car2go-fleet-deployed-in-berlin/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/worlds-largest-car2go-fleet-deployed-in-berlin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



In extreme sports, they say "go big, or go home." Car2go's doing both.

Daimler AG's car-sharing division, which has operations in places such as Amsterdam, Vienna and San Diego, last week launched service in Berlin in its native Germany with by far its largest fleet of Smart ForTwo two-seaters available for short-term rentals.

Car2go Berlin has 1,000 vehicles available for the approximately 65-square-mile area where customers can pick up and drop of the two-seaters. Car2go is charging a one-time registration fee of 9.9 euros (about $13 at current exchange rates) and will charge 12.9 ($17) euros an hour to drive. By the time the service started up in Berlin, 2,000 people had already pre-registered for the service.

The car-sharing service, which has about 70,000 members throughout Europe and North America, launched in 2009 in Austin, TX. Last month, Car2go started service in Washington, D.C., and Portland, OR and said it would debut in the UK in this fall.

Continue reading World's largest Car2Go fleet deployed in Berlin

World's largest Car2Go fleet deployed in Berlin originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berlincar sharingcar2gocarsharingdaimlerfortwogermanysmartMon, 30 Apr 2012 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227481/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227481/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/worlds-largest-car2go-fleet-deployed-in-berlin/20227481/article-detail.xml 20227481 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/car2goberlin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/car2goberlin.jpg <![CDATA[BYD brings Denza EV, Qin plug-in hybrid to Beijing]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/byd-brings-denza-ev-qin-plug-in-hybrid-to-beijing/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/byd-brings-denza-ev-qin-plug-in-hybrid-to-beijing/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/byd-brings-denza-ev-qin-plug-in-hybrid-to-beijing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

denza electric car

BYD is making multiple splashes at the Beijing, both with its own line-up of vehicles and its new Denza electric vehicle partnership with Daimler.

This is the first time we have seen the Denza vehicle, and it's got some interesting touches. The cabin is easy-access thanks to rear suicide doors that open up to a "lounge" style rear seats (according to Denza, anyway) that contains chrome, wood and copper features as well as an "ambient light system that runs all throughout the cabin making night driving more pleasant without compromising safety." The all-electric car is being called a "New Energy Vehicle" (NEV) but important details like battery size, price, range, etc. are not available yet. The car doesn't seem to have a name - it is identified simply as Denza's "new all-electric vehicle show car" - but it is being developed for the Chinese market with an expected arrival in 2013. Prototypes are being tested now, and Denza says that the number of NEVs in China could hit 5 million by 2020.

The BYD-branded models on display include the Qin (pronounced but not written "Chin," as BYD PR said the other day) plug-in hybrid and the F3 Plus. The Qin has an all-electric range of 31 miles and uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 223 kW of power and 440 Nm (295 pound-feet) of torque. The Qin's 0-62 mile per hour time is 6.9 seconds and top speed is 115 mph. All this with 118 MPGe. You can read more about the BYD models here and take a look at pictures of the Qin on stage in the gallery below.

Continue reading BYD brings Denza EV, Qin plug-in hybrid to Beijing

BYD brings Denza EV, Qin plug-in hybrid to Beijing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Think Denza, as in Tony, but with an e.

Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG and China-based BYD will name the battery-electric vehicle brand they're building together Denza.

Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT) will show a concept Denza EV at the Auto China 2012 trade show in Beijing later this month. The 50-50 joint-venture, which was formed in May 2010 and which said last October that it would unveil the EV this April, will start production of the EV next year. Last October, the Chinese patent bureau leaked images of the EV, which will likely be based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class platform.

The name Denza stems from the Chinese characters that mean a combination of "rising power" and "momentum."

Daimler and BYD are looking to capitalize on a China EV market expected to surge during the next few years. Green technology firm Pike Research said in a report last year that China will account for more than 550,000 EV sales in 2015, up from about 30,000 in 2010, and the country will overtake Japan as the largest battery-electric vehicle maker in the Asia-Pacific region.

Continue reading Daimler-BYD electric-vehicle brand to be called Denza

Daimler-BYD electric-vehicle brand to be called Denza originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classbydchinadaimlerdenzaelectric vehicleEVmercedes-benzShenzhen BYD Daimler New TechnologyFri, 06 Apr 2012 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20207083/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20207083/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/06/daimler-byd-electric-vehicle-brand-called-denza/20207083/article-detail.xml 20207083 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/denza_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/denza.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler's car2go car-sharing service will launch in UK this fall]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-will-launch-in-uk-this-fall/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-will-launch-in-uk-this-fall/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/18/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-will-launch-in-uk-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Daimler's about to find out of its car-sharing service translates to left-hand drive.

The automaker's Car2go will debut in the UK this fall when it starts service in Birmingham, England. Birmingham's city council approved a plan for car2go to supply as many as 250 Smart Fortwo gas-powered two-seaters, which residents can rent within a 30-square-mile radius around the city.

The service is part of Birmingham's effort to improve air quality and cut traffic. No rental rates have been disclosed.

Car2go, which has about 70,000 members throughout North America and Europe, is debuting in Washington, D.C., and Portland, OR later this month. The service, which launched in 2009 in Austin, Texas, also operates in cities such as Chicago, San Diego, Amsterdam, Vienna and Ulm, Germany.

Continue reading Daimler's car2go car-sharing service will launch in UK this fall

Daimler's car2go car-sharing service will launch in UK this fall originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birminghamcar-sharingcar2gocarsharingdaimlerelectric vehicleenglandfortwo car sharingu.k.ukSun, 18 Mar 2012 08:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20195319/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20195319/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/18/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-will-launch-in-uk-this-fall/20195319/article-detail.xml 20195319 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/birmingham_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/birmingham.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler, BMW, others form Hubject JV for 'customer-friendly electromobility']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/daimler-bmw-others-form-hubject-jv-for-customer-friendly-elec/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/daimler-bmw-others-form-hubject-jv-for-customer-friendly-elec/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/15/daimler-bmw-others-form-hubject-jv-for-customer-friendly-elec/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Hubject may be a word without much meaning right now, but six German companies, including Daimler and BMW, want it to stand for easy-to-use, easy-to-access electromobility.

The two German automakers, along with Bosch, EnBW, RWE and Siemens, have created the hubject GmbH joint venture to build out a charging infrastructure in Germany that is standardized, open and integrated. Set to roll out with a test phase at the end of the summer, Hubject will "enable all future users of electromobility to access a nationwide charging infrastructure comfortably and securely." The network of chargers will be branded with a "compatibility logo" to let participating drivers know that their cars will work with the chargers while, behind the scenes, data will be shared to "create an integrated charging infrastructure for mobility and vehicle providers." Read: drivers will get billed the right amount no matter where they charge.

We've heard rumors in the past that some European automakers don't necessarily want to adopt the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard. The Hubject announcement doesn't specifically address this one way or the other - it just says, "The new enterprise is a deliberately open platform that aims to involve as many partners as possible" - which will likely continue to feed the rumor mill.

Continue reading Daimler, BMW, others form Hubject JV for 'customer-friendly electromobility'

Daimler, BMW, others form Hubject JV for 'customer-friendly electromobility' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging networkdaimler bmw joint venturedc fast chargerelectric vehicleelectromobilityhubjectplug-in hybridThu, 15 Mar 2012 10:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193921/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193921/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/15/daimler-bmw-others-form-hubject-jv-for-customer-friendly-elec/20193921/article-detail.xml 20193921 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmw-active-e-628j_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/bmw-active-e-628j.jpg <![CDATA[Car2go scoops up 6,000 electric car sharers in San Diego in first 100 days]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/11/car2go-scoops-up-6-000-electric-car-sharers-in-san-diego-in-firs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/11/car2go-scoops-up-6-000-electric-car-sharers-in-san-diego-in-firs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/11/car2go-scoops-up-6-000-electric-car-sharers-in-san-diego-in-firs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For some people, buying an electric car is a long-time dream. For others, the excitement comes simply from driving one and not having to worry about the hassles of vehicle ownership. Turns out, there are at least 6,000 such people in San Diego, CA, where Daimler's easy-access car-sharing program, Car2go, reported that many users in the program's first 100 days. Car2go is also happy to note that the 300 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive models that are in use there now means that, "for the first time in the history of North America, an entire city has access to emissions-free automobility."

Car2go started operationg in San Diego in November of 2011 and more than 25,000 all-electric trips have been taken thus far. At the beginning, around 500 rentals were happening each week. Now, it's up to 3,500. If you're interesting in joining, registration is free through March 11th (i.e., today). Find details about this after the jump. We got an in-depth look at San Diego's program when it was still in the planning stages last summer. You can read all about that here.

Continue reading Car2go scoops up 6,000 electric car sharers in San Diego in first 100 days

Car2go scoops up 6,000 electric car sharers in San Diego in first 100 days originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car sharingcar2gocarsharingcarwgo electric cardaimlerelectric vehiclesan diegosmart fortwo edSmart Fortwo Electric DriveSun, 11 Mar 2012 08:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20189365/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20189365/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/11/car2go-scoops-up-6-000-electric-car-sharers-in-san-diego-in-firs/20189365/article-detail.xml 20189365 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/car2go-electric-san-diego_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/car2go-electric-san-diego.jpg <![CDATA["Invisible" Mercedes F-Cell cruises on hydrogen fuel cell power in Germany]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/invisible-mercedes-f-cell-cruises-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-power/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/invisible-mercedes-f-cell-cruises-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-power/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/invisible-mercedes-f-cell-cruises-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

daimler f-cell invisible car mercedes hydrogen

The hydrogen-powered Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is not a new car - it's been around the world, as we saw - but it did just get a brand new look: it's been made "invisible."

Two things for the nit-pickers out there: it's not actually invisible and, yes, the whole thing is just a promotional stunt in Germany, a way to highlight that the car, Daimler says, is "invisible" to the environment.

The way it works is that a camera on one side of the car broadcasts a live image to a multitude of LEDs plastered on the other side. So, when you look at the car, you see a representation of what's on the other side. It's similar to what some military research organizations are working on, but this is the first time we've heard of it used on a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Also, technically, the special F-Cell is only half "invisible," since the non-LED side of the car has the camera rig and associated wires. You can see how this works in the video after the jump.

A year ago, Herbert Kohler, Daimler's head of e-drive and future mobility, said he expects fuel cell vehicles to not cost any more than diesel hybrids by 2015. We expect he meant as long as they're not covered by LEDs, anyway.

Continue reading "Invisible" Mercedes F-Cell cruises on hydrogen fuel cell power in Germany

"Invisible" Mercedes F-Cell cruises on hydrogen fuel cell power in Germany originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellh2hydrogeninvisible carmercedes benzstuntMon, 05 Mar 2012 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20185501/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20185501/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/05/invisible-mercedes-f-cell-cruises-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-power/20185501/article-detail.xml 20185501 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/daimler-f-cell-invisible-car-mercedes-hydrogen_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/daimler-f-cell-invisible-car-mercedes-hydrogen.png <![CDATA[Daimler's car2go car-sharing service starts in D.C., Portland this month]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/04/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-starts-in-d-c-portland-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/04/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-starts-in-d-c-portland-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/03/04/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-starts-in-d-c-portland-th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Daimler AG's Car2go car-sharing service, which has North American operations in San Diego, Vancouver and Austin, TX, will start the open-ended car-sharing program in Washington, D.C., and Portland, OR, later this month.

Car2go, which has overseas operations in cities such as Amsterdam and Vienna and has more than 70,000 subscribers worldwide, will open in D.C. on March 24 and in Portland a week later. Each city will receive more than 200 of Daimler's Smart ForTwo two-seat vehicles.

Daimler launched Car2go in Austin, where a two-year pilot program ended late last year. Daimler and Austin's city government reached a December agreement to continue offering cars and to introduce all-electric vehicles to Austin, as Car2go does in San Diego. More than 20,000 people signed up for the company's service in Austin during the trial period. For a deep dive into Car2go, read this and this.

Car2go competes against Zipcar in a car-sharing market that's forecast to surge over the next few years as gas prices rise and cities get more dense. Two years ago, Zipcar, citing a Frost & Sullivan report, said North American car-sharing revenue would rise more than tenfold between 2009 and 2016 to about $3.3 billion. Zipcar went public last year.

Continue reading Daimler's car2go car-sharing service starts in D.C., Portland this month

Daimler's car2go car-sharing service starts in D.C., Portland this month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car sharingcar-sharingcar2gofortwooregonportlandsmartsmart fortwowashington d.c.zipcarSun, 04 Mar 2012 08:18:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20184990/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20184990/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/04/daimlers-car2go-car-sharing-service-starts-in-d-c-portland-th/20184990/article-detail.xml 20184990 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/car2godc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/car2godc.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler buys 15% stake in MyTaxi cab-hailing application publisher]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/daimler-buys-15-stake-in-mytaxi-cab-hailing-application-publish/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/daimler-buys-15-stake-in-mytaxi-cab-hailing-application-publish/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/daimler-buys-15-stake-in-mytaxi-cab-hailing-application-publish/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG has acquired a 15-percent stake in smartphone application publisher MyTaxi, marking the German automaker's continued willingness to invest in transportation-related businesses that don't actually focus on selling vehicles to customers.

Bloomberg News reported that Daimler's Car2go division, along with Xing AG founder Lars Hinrichs and Deutsche Telekom AG invested about $13 million combined into the company, which makes an application that lets smartphone owners order a taxi with their iPhones or Android devices, the wire service reported, citing an interview with MyTaxi founder and CEO Sven Kuelper. The application, which has been downloaded about 800,000 times, is available for use in about 30 European cities.

With the investment, Daimler continues to take a broader view of personal vehicle demand by acquiring stakes in non-vehicle manufacturing companies. Daimler in 2008 started Car2go, which differs from other car-sharing programs because it does not require the vehicle to be returned to a defined space - i.e., where it was picked up. Instead, as long as the car ends up inside the operating area, drivers are free to leave it in any legal parking space when they are finished with it.

Car2Go operates in Amsterdam; Austin, Texas; Hamburg; Ulm, Germany; and Vancouver. Late last year, car2go added Vienna and San Diego. Washington, D.C. is coming soon.

Daimler buys 15% stake in MyTaxi cab-hailing application publisher originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Androidapplicationcar2godaimleriPhonemercedesmobile applicationmytaxitechnologyMon, 30 Jan 2012 14:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20158959/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20158959/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/30/daimler-buys-15-stake-in-mytaxi-cab-hailing-application-publish/20158959/article-detail.xml 20158959 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/my-taxi-app_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/my-taxi-app.jpg <![CDATA[Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

autoline dc

If you can't be at the Washington Auto Show today but want to know what's going on, join John McElroy and the crew of Autoline in just a few minutes for the skinny.

Starting at 12 p.m. EST, Autoline will be broadcasting from the floor, interviewing a few industry execs about the automotive political goings on in the nation's capitol. The expected list of participants includes Margo Oge, director of the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory at the EPA; Roland Hwang, transportation program director, National Resources Defense Council; Jake Jones, executive director, external affairs and public policy, Daimler, and Phil Murtaugh, CEO of Coda Automotive.

You can watch the stream, live, after the jump starting very soon. If you'd like to get particular questions answered, use this link to submit them.

Continue reading Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show

Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codadc auto showelectric vehiclemargo ogephil murtaughroland hwangwashington auto showThu, 26 Jan 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20156601/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20156601/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/20156601/article-detail.xml 20156601 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/autoline-live-washington-dc-2012-web2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/autoline-live-washington-dc-2012-web2.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan will make four-cylinder engines for Mercedes' 'Baby Benz' in Tennessee]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/nissan-will-make-four-cylinder-engines-for-mercedes-baby-benz/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/nissan-will-make-four-cylinder-engines-for-mercedes-baby-benz/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/nissan-will-make-four-cylinder-engines-for-mercedes-baby-benz/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Nissan reached an agreement to make four-cylinder engines at its Tennessee plant for Mercedes-Benz, marking a continuation of a collaboration launched in 2010 between Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Nissan will start making four-cylinder powertrains for Mercedes-Benz starting in 2014 and will expand production to as many as 250,000 engines a year, Daimler said in a recent statement. The engines will be for Mercedes-Benz's North American C-Class vehicles, which will be built at Daimler's Alabama plant.

Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance began collaborating in 2010 that in a move that gave Daimler a 3.1 percent stake in Renault and Nissan and gave Renault-Nissan a 3.1 percent share of Daimler. That partnership includes combining design efforts for Daimler's Smart and Renault's Twingo two-seat vehicles. In addition, Daimler will supply batteries for the Twingo battery-electric vehicles, while Renault-Nissan is building electric motors for Smart's EVs.

Mercedes-Benz is expanding its efforts to make four-cylinder vehicles in order to meet progressively more stringent U.S. fuel-economy and greenhouse-gas emissions standards. Among the 14 largest vehicle makers in the U.S., Daimler had the second-worst fleetwide fuel economy to Chrysler for the 2010 model year, according to the U.S. environmental protection agency.

Continue reading Nissan will make four-cylinder engines for Mercedes' 'Baby Benz' in Tennessee

Nissan will make four-cylinder engines for Mercedes' 'Baby Benz' in Tennessee originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-classdaimlerfour-cylindermercedes-benznissanrenaultrenault-nissan alliancetennesseeThu, 12 Jan 2012 09:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146602/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20146602/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/12/nissan-will-make-four-cylinder-engines-for-mercedes-baby-benz/20146602/article-detail.xml 20146602 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/merccclass_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/merccclass.jpg <![CDATA[Car2go solidifies Austin car-sharing program, will start in Washington, DC soon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/car2go-solidifies-austin-car-sharing-program-will-start-in-wash/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/car2go-solidifies-austin-car-sharing-program-will-start-in-wash/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/car2go-solidifies-austin-car-sharing-program-will-start-in-wash/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Daimler's open-ended Car2go car-sharing program has its deepest U.S. roots in the city of Austin, TX. That's where the first North American Car2go program was established and where a two-year pilot program just concluded. The trial's end doesn't mean the free-range Smart cars will go away, though. Instead, Daimler and Austin's city government have agreed to continue offering cars there with a deal that includes introducing all-electric vehicles to Austin (like Car2go does in San Diego) and updating the in-car telematics system. Daimler will also keep Car2go's North America corporate headquarters in Austin. In two years, over 21,000 people have signed up for Car2go in Austin. That's an awful lot of people who share a few hundred cars.

Car2go's success means that it plans to expand to new cities in North America. Currently, the program exists in Austin, San Diego and Vancouver (as well as Ulm and Hamburg, Germany, Amsterdam, Netherlands and Vienna, Austria). The likely next city in the U.S. is Washington, D.C., even though Daimler has not yet made an official announcement about this. There is some early information available here, and we will let you know when full details are released. For more details on how Car2go works, read this and this.

Continue reading Car2go solidifies Austin car-sharing program, will start in Washington, DC soon

Car2go solidifies Austin car-sharing program, will start in Washington, DC soon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car-sharingcar2gocar2go austincar2go dccarsharingdaimlersmart electricwashington dc carsharingWed, 21 Dec 2011 13:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20132015/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20132015/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/21/car2go-solidifies-austin-car-sharing-program-will-start-in-wash/20132015/article-detail.xml 20132015 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/car2go-dc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/car2go-dc.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler testing B-Class E-Cell plug-in hybrid with inductive charging *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/daimler-testing-b-class-e-cell-with-inductive-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/daimler-testing-b-class-e-cell-with-inductive-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/daimler-testing-b-class-e-cell-with-inductive-charging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Daimler B-Class E-Cell Inductive Charging Tests

Whether its WiFi vs. ethernet or cell phones vs. land lines, it's pretty clear that wireless technology is more appealing to people than wired ones. The same will some day be true of plug-in cars, since companies like Rolls-Royce and Toyota, Nissan and Volvo are all trying to get energy from the grid to your car without a wire. Daimler wants to join the club.

That's why Daimler and Conductix-Wampfler are teaming up on inductive charging tests with a Mercedes-Benz B-Class E-Cell Plus. The general idea is that a car can automatically charge up when parked over (or, perhaps, while driving) a special unit in the ground. This eliminates all sorts of potential problems with wired EVs, from vandalism of charging units to people unplugging cars to plain laziness. (Note we said potential; none of these "problems" have been reported in any great numbers, if at all.)

Daimler's tests showed confirmed "the considerable gain of comfort in comparison with cable based charging and that inductive charging is suitable in principle. The potential optimization regarding package, weight and integration in future vehicle model lines is identified and will accordingly be further developed." More information is available after the jump.

Daimler and Conductix-Wampfler conducted the tests with help from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Currently, the efficiency of this wireless technology sits at around 90 percent, which is a bit lower than the performance capability reported by other inductive charging companies. Conductix-Wampfler has been operating wireless charging electric buses Italy since 2003.

*UPDATE: Added Daimler's press release and new photos.

Continue reading Daimler testing B-Class E-Cell plug-in hybrid with inductive charging *UPDATE

Daimler testing B-Class E-Cell plug-in hybrid with inductive charging *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classb-class e-cellconductix-wampflere-cell pluselectric vehicleinductive chargingplug-in hybridwireless chargingMon, 05 Dec 2011 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20121214/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20121214/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/05/daimler-testing-b-class-e-cell-with-inductive-charging/20121214/article-detail.xml 20121214 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/b-class-e-cell-inductive-charge-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/b-class-e-cell-inductive-charge-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla shareholder letter reveals new Daimler deal, Model X details]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/10/tesla-shareholder-letter-reveals-new-daimler-deal-model-x-detai/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/10/tesla-shareholder-letter-reveals-new-daimler-deal-model-x-detai/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/11/10/tesla-shareholder-letter-reveals-new-daimler-deal-model-x-detai/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blurry spy shot of possible Tesla Model X clay model mostly under black tarp

The 3rd quarter of 2011 has been a good one for Tesla Motors. Its letter to its shareholders was quite upbeat with news that sales of Roadsters and Model S reservations were on the rise, development targets for its own vehicles and the Toyota Rav4EV are being met and its financial performance was better than expected. All this put the markets in a giddy mood and its stock shot up, hitting $32.41 at one point. Days later, it remains above $31 (as of this writing).

The letter, along with the conference call, also held a bit of new information. Most significantly, a letter of intent (LOI) has been signed with Daimler that would see an entire powertrain developed for a vehicle in the future. Perhaps - and this is just our conjecture - we will see an all-electric B-Class E-Cell from the German company. Details are being kept under wraps for now, but we hope to hear more by the time the Detroit Motor Show rolls around in January.

Another bit of news concerns the upcoming Tesla Model X. The all-electric SUV, built upon the Model S platform and sharing many of its components, will apparently have four-wheel-drive if not as standard, then as an option, and be available to customers as soon as late 2013 at a price said to be close to that of the $57,500 Model S. Production volumes of 10,000 to 15,000 are planned for 2014.

What will it look like? Well, if the photo heading this post is the clay-model-in-the-design-studio it appears to be, and you have the sort of quantum x-ray vision it would take to peer under the black cloth, then, it looks like that. For us mere mortals, we will have to wait just a short while and all will be revealed soon.

If you'd like to get into the nitty gritty of the latest Tesla missive, you can read the Shareholder letter for yourself at this link.

Tesla shareholder letter reveals new Daimler deal, Model X details originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric four wheel driveelectric four wheel drive suvelectric suvelectric vehiclemodel smodel xtesla daimlertesla financialstesla model stesla model xtesla motorstesla suvThu, 10 Nov 2011 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20100837/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20100837/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/10/tesla-shareholder-letter-reveals-new-daimler-deal-model-x-detai/20100837/article-detail.xml 20100837 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tesla-model-x-clay-spy-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/tesla-model-x-clay-spy-628.jpg <![CDATA[Car2go bringing 300 electric vehicles to car-sharing in Amsterdam]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/car2go-expands-electric-car-sharing-in-amsterdam/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/car2go-expands-electric-car-sharing-in-amsterdam/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/car2go-expands-electric-car-sharing-in-amsterdam/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



How much would you pay to drive an electric vehicle? How about 29 cents a minute? That's the rate that Car2go will charge for its EV car-sharing service in Amsterdam that will kick off by the end of November.

For this latest expansion, Daimler will put 300 Smart EDs on the streets with the distinctive Car2go blue/white color scheme. To power the vehicles, over 250 charging stations (some with two plugs) are already in operation in the city, and 1,000 units should be installed by the end of 2012. Since, Daimler says, "the range of the smart fortwo electric drive is eight to ten times higher than the average operating distance of a car2go rental," not every short-term rental will need to end near an outlet. If the battery has less than 20 percent state of charge, though, you will need to use the navigation system to find a nearby plug and leave the car there. The 300 electric cars will be available to rent starting November 24, and if you're interested in signing up, you can do so before that date for free. Afterwards, it'll cost 10 Euro to sign up. As stated, the cars cost 29 Euro cents a minute, 12.90 Euros for an hour or 39 Euro for 24 hours (see complete pricing details after the jump).

Daimler has standard gasoline Car2go fleets in operation in Vancouver, BC Austin, TX, and Ulm and Hamburg, Germany. An electric service is getting started in San Diego, CA. With recent expansion into France and beyond, what we're seeing here is that Car2go is truly a go.

Continue reading Car2go bringing 300 electric vehicles to car-sharing in Amsterdam

Car2go bringing 300 electric vehicles to car-sharing in Amsterdam originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamcar2gocarsharingdaimlerelectric vehiclesmart edsmart electric carsmart evsmart fortwo edWed, 26 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20091228/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20091228/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/26/car2go-expands-electric-car-sharing-in-amsterdam/20091228/article-detail.xml 20091228 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/car2go-electric-amsterdam-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/car2go-electric-amsterdam-628.jpg <![CDATA[Car2go to seriously expand in Europe with Europcar partnership]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/car2go-to-seriously-expand-in-europe-with-europcar-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/car2go-to-seriously-expand-in-europe-with-europcar-partnership/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/24/car2go-to-seriously-expand-in-europe-with-europcar-partnership/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Daimler Car2go joint venture with Europcar

Daimler wants to "revolutionize mobility" throughout Europe, and will do so with the the big-time expansion of its Car2go-Europcar joint venture called Car2go Europe GmbH.

Car2go Europe aims to launch its easy car-sharing service in some 40 to 50 European cities in the near future, and is set to announce shortly its entry into its fifth European city. Any guesses? Car2go is currently available in the German cities of Ulm and Hamburg and will soon launch in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Lyon, France.

Daimler says the early 2012 launch of Car2go in the French city of Lyon will officially be the first car-sharing program under Car2go Europe GmbH. Other existing European Car2go operations, excluding the long-term trial fleet in Ulm, will be integrated into the joint venture. Daimler has not disclosed any additional info on the European cities selected to get Car2go in the future but there are a handful of North American cities where the service is also available.

Continue reading Car2go to seriously expand in Europe with Europcar partnership

Car2go to seriously expand in Europe with Europcar partnership originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car sharingcar2gocar2go europedaimlereuropcarfortwosmart fortwovehicle sharingMon, 24 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088718/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20088718/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/24/car2go-to-seriously-expand-in-europe-with-europcar-partnership/20088718/article-detail.xml 20088718 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/11a1128_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/11a1128.jpg -1 2