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[Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Saab 9-4X - white - front three-quarter view

The all-but-lifeless corpse of Saab continues to stagger forward in hopes of finding a juicy investor to sink its teeth into. Autocar reports that National Electric Vehicle Sweden is currently close to buying the brand's remaining assets. The freshly minted electric car consortium is helmed by none other than Karl-Erling Trogen, the former head of Volvo Trucks. Beyond that, few details are known about the company or its plans for Saab. National Electric Sweden is owned by two bodies, Sun Investment and Mikael Kubu, the president of law firm Ac-Gruppen.

We can only speculate about what the consortium wants with Saab, though fan site SaabsUnited reports the company may have its eyes on an electric rear axle program developed with in conjunction with eAAM. Whether that means we'll see electric or hybrid Saab models whirring around in the future is still uncertain. If we did, it would probably take quite a while. As SaabsUnited notes, "Saab, the company, right now has nothing in it, no dealership network, no finance structure, no personnel-structure, no communications network, nothing... everything needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch, which will take a huge amount of time."

At this point, we'll just be pleasantly surprised if the Griffin brand gets a new owner at all.

Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-4x9-5ac-gruppenelectricelectric carelectric saabelectric vehiclehybridhybrid saabnational electric vehicle swedensaabsaab evsun investmentThu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244467/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244467/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/20244467/article-detail.xml 20244467 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saab-9-4x-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saab-9-4x-628.jpg <![CDATA[Frost & Sulllivan predicts over a million CNG/LPG vehicle sales by 2018]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/frost-and-sulllivan-predicts-over-a-million-cng-lpg-vehicle-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/frost-and-sulllivan-predicts-over-a-million-cng-lpg-vehicle-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/frost-and-sulllivan-predicts-over-a-million-cng-lpg-vehicle-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Kia Picanto: Geneva 2011

Vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) aren't quite as exciting as cars that pack a big battery pack, but there's a good chance the gas-burners will play an increasing role in our transportation choice moving forward. Like 1,150,000 big.

Frost & Sullivan has released an analysis that claims that these alternate fuels will sell almost 900,000 units in Europe and almost 250,000 in North America by 2018. The coming CNG/LPG boom is the result of EPA and ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers' Association) regulations that call for lower emissions and, perhaps most importantly, the fact that moving from gasoline to CNG or LPG costs much less than shifting to battery or hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. In North America, the early adopters will mostly be fleets (i.e., UPS) while Europe already has a growing number of CNG and LPG vehicles, with LPG cars - for example the Kia Picanto, pictured, which can run on both LPG and gasoline - being adopted at a much higher rate than CNG vehicles.

The problem, as with all alt-fuels, is that most stations are set up to pump gasoline. Frost & Sullivan says that the "development of enhanced refuelling infrastructure" will be required to make their CNG/LPG sales estimates a reality.

Continue reading Frost & Sulllivan predicts over a million CNG/LPG vehicle sales by 2018

Frost & Sulllivan predicts over a million CNG/LPG vehicle sales by 2018 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceacngcompressed natural gasemissions Regulationsepaeuropean automobile manufacturers associationfrost and sullivanliquified petroleum gaslpgWed, 23 May 2012 10:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243403/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243403/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/frost-and-sulllivan-predicts-over-a-million-cng-lpg-vehicle-sales/20243403/article-detail.xml 20243403 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/04kia-picantogenflive-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/04kia-picantogenflive-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Electric cars race again at 2nd Grand Prix de Pau Électrique [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/electric-cars-race-again-at-2nd-grand-prix-de-pau-lectrique-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/electric-cars-race-again-at-2nd-grand-prix-de-pau-lectrique-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/electric-cars-race-again-at-2nd-grand-prix-de-pau-lectrique-w/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Electric Andros Trophee cars on the street course of the Grand Prix de Pau

Once again the electric ice-racing cars of the Trophée Andros have left their snow-capped mountain-top habitat for a little summertime fun at the Grand Prix de Pau Electrique. And, just like last year, the Exagon-prepared buggies put on two shows full of paint-swapping competitive action, whilst giving a kind repose to the eardrums of onlookers from the din of the Formula3 and other internal combustion classes.

Local favorite Mike Parisy, winner of last year's Saturday race, started on the pole in first event but couldn't quite hold off the impressive Adrien Tambay. While Parisy may have more familiarity with the Pau street course, Tambay is quite at home in the Andros Evo 2, having placed second overall in last winter's Trophée Andros Electrique.

Sunday saw Soheil Ayari turn his third-place finish the previous day into pole position for the final race. That contest turned into one of attrition with only five of the twelve starters making it to the finish line. With a collision taking out the three positions ahead of him on the first lap, Mike Parisy took full advantage of the clear track ahead and made the home crowd proud once again. Close behind him in second was last year's French F4 champion, the talented 17-year old Mathieu Vaxiviere.

Scroll down below for footage from both races as well as a cool bonus in-car clip of Parisy demonstrating his abilities, laying down some quick qualifying laps.

Continue reading Electric cars race again at 2nd Grand Prix de Pau Électrique [w/video]

Electric cars race again at 2nd Grand Prix de Pau Électrique [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adrien tambayelectric vehicle racingev racinggrand prix de paugrand prix de pau electriquemathieu vaxivieremike parisyTrophée AndrosWed, 16 May 2012 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237921/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237921/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/electric-cars-race-again-at-2nd-grand-prix-de-pau-lectrique-w/20237921/article-detail.xml 20237921 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/grand-prix-de-pau-2012-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/grand-prix-de-pau-2012-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi unveils power-wheelie-ing e-bike in Austria]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/audi-unveils-power-wheelie-ing-e-bike-in-austria-this-week/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/audi-unveils-power-wheelie-ing-e-bike-in-austria-this-week/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/audi-unveils-power-wheelie-ing-e-bike-in-austria-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi e-bike Wörthersee

Audi this week is following up companies such as Daimler AG's Smart division by unveiling a battery-powered bicycle for two-wheeled enthusiasts. And this one can do wheelies and has the power-to-weight ratio of an A4.

Audi's e-bike Wörthersee, named after the town in Austria, has a top speed of 50 miles per hour and can go as far as 44 miles on a single charge. The bike lets its rider choose from five different cycling modes ranging from pure human power to pure electric power to a varying mix of the two.

But the bike, whose price and broader launch date wasn't announced, also has some unusual traits, including flat spokes that cut the wind better than conventional ones and a smartphone hookup. The e-bike, which can be put in a mode that allows for power wheelies, also weighs just 24 pounds, and, with its 2.3-kilowatt motor, actually has a weight-to-power ratio of about 15 pounds per horsepower, or about the same as the aforementioned A4.

Last year, Daimler unveiled its Smart e-bike, and earlier this month said it would start deliveries in the U.K. by the end of May. That bike has a smaller motor - about 250 watts - as well as a battery that can provide 62 miles of distance on a single charge.

Smart said last year that Germany's annual electric bike sales jumped from 70,000 units in 2007 to about 200,000 in 2010. We have just one final question: Now that Audi officially owns itself a heralded Italian motorcycle brand, should this bike be branded an Audi or a Ducati?

Continue reading Audi unveils power-wheelie-ing e-bike in Austria

Audi unveils power-wheelie-ing e-bike in Austria originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaustriae-bikeelectric bikeelectric vehiclewortherseeTue, 15 May 2012 16:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237802/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237802/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/audi-unveils-power-wheelie-ing-e-bike-in-austria-this-week/20237802/article-detail.xml 20237802 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-e-bike_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-e-bike.jpg <![CDATA[Renault execs say the Zoe will outsell the Nissan Leaf in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

renault zoe

When it comes to battery-electric vehicle sales across the pond, Renault's Zoe will get the better of the sibling rivalry against the Nissan Leaf.

That's what Renault is expecting will happen when it starts selling the Zoe later this year, according to Automotive News and, to make sure vehicles will be available, Renault will have an annual production capacity for the Zoe of as many as 150,000 vehicles. To compare, Nissan will be able to build just 25,000 Leafs at its Sunderland, UK plant when that comes online early next year. Globally, Nissan will be able to make over 200,000 Leafs a year once all its plants go into operation.

The Zoe is about eight percent shorter than the Leaf and, more importantly, about half the price thanks to a battery lease program of around $110 a month. Renault debuted the production version of the Zoe at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and spelled out a price of less than $21,000 in France (in U.S. dollars, after government incentives) and about $21,400 in the UK. Those lower price tags should attract plenty of EV customers, even though the Zoe will have a single-charge driving range that's about 30 percent shorter than the Leaf's.

Despite relatively low sales of the Renault Kangoo utility EV so far, Thierry Koskas, Renault's EV project director, said that he still expects EVs to account for 10 percent of new cars in Europe by the end of the decade.

Renault execs say the Zoe will outsell the Nissan Leaf in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 13 May 2012 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleeuropeev salesfranceleafleaf salesnissannissan leafrenaultrenault zoeThierry Koskasu.k.zoeSun, 13 May 2012 08:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236401/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236401/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/13/renault-execs-say-the-zoe-will-outsell-the-nissan-leaf-in-europe/20236401/article-detail.xml 20236401 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/zoe_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/zoe.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Bat'Lib, new battery swapping system for scooters, coming from Matra, DBT]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/evs-bat-lib-new-battery-swapping-system-for-scooters-coming-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/evs-bat-lib-new-battery-swapping-system-for-scooters-coming-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/evs-bat-lib-new-battery-swapping-system-for-scooters-coming-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

batlib electric scooter

The easiest battery-swapping station we've laid eyes on was unveiled at the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles this week, but it's not for cars.

The Bat'Lib system, developed by DBT and Matra, is a cabinet (on rolling wheels, for some reason) that holds and charges nine batteries - you can see there are ten slots, but one is always kept open to receive discharged packs, so you have to return a pack to get a new one. These packs, roughly the size of a loaf of bread and weighing 16 pounds, can be exchanged for a depleted pack in seconds, providing easy "endless" range in the electric scooters that are designed to use them. In the e-scooter on display in LA (a Matra e-MO XP, we think), the battery slipped into the seat column, and it certainly did look ridiculously easy to exchange one pack for another.

The removeable batteries, built by Chicago-based AllCell Technologies, hold 1.125 kWh of energy and can be recharged up to 1,800 times. The swapping station can use either 110- or 220-volt electric outlets and uses a contactless card reader to accept payment and open and lock the charge bay doors. According to press materials distributed at EVS26, the Bat'lib system could come to scooters in Europe (Matra brand) and Asia (E-Ton and Tajima) later in 2012, but Matra MS president said in a statment that, "The Light Electric Vehicle Market today is leading the global EV market. Two wheelers will continue to play a major role in solving city congestion in US and European markets for years to come," so we'll be on the lookout for these all over the place.

Continue reading EVS: Bat'Lib, new battery swapping system for scooters, coming from Matra, DBT

EVS: Bat'Lib, new battery swapping system for scooters, coming from Matra, DBT originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allcellbatlibdbte-tonevsevs26matratajimaFri, 11 May 2012 15:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236485/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20236485/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/evs-bat-lib-new-battery-swapping-system-for-scooters-coming-f/20236485/article-detail.xml 20236485 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/batlib-electric-scooter-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/batlib-electric-scooter-628.jpg <![CDATA[Got scholarship? Renault will fund electro-mobility classes in France]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/renault-will-fund-electro-mobility-classes-in-france/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/renault-will-fund-electro-mobility-classes-in-france/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/renault-will-fund-electro-mobility-classes-in-france/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Summer may be approaching, but that doesn't mean it's time to stop thinking about school, according to Renault.

The French automaker will start awarding what it calls the first "diploma" signifying expertise in electric vehicles and electro-mobility.

Renault is funding courses held at the IUT technology institute in Mantes (about 35 miles west of Paris) that will start in September. Students will complete an 11-month work-study program, in which one week of classroom instruction will be given for every two weeks of "real world" professional internship experience.

Some of the specific areas to be covered in the 20-person classes include EV design, on-board information-technology systems and charging infrastructure. Folks can sign up here through June 16 to be considered for the first batch of students. The money spent on these classes is a small part of Renault's overall EV spending. Renault, along with sister company Nissan, is said to have invested $5 billion in the development of electric-drive vehicles in expectation of surging EV sales over the next few years.

Earlier, Renault-Nissan said it looked to get majority control over Avtovaz, Russia's largest automaker. Under the memorandum of understanding, Renault-Nissan will own just over 50 percent of Avtovaz.

Continue reading Got scholarship? Renault will fund electro-mobility classes in France

Got scholarship? Renault will fund electro-mobility classes in France originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdiplomaelectric vehiclefranceiutmantesparisrenaultThu, 10 May 2012 12:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234850/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234850/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/renault-will-fund-electro-mobility-classes-in-france/20234850/article-detail.xml 20234850 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/twizy0414_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/twizy0414.jpg <![CDATA[Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford EcoBoost future demand

Ford keeps boldly moving forward with the old standby: gasoline. Just a little less of it.

Today, Ford announced it will increase production of EcoBoost-powered vehicles in Europe three-fold in the coming years. In 2011, Ford made 141,000 EcoBoost engines and this number will jump to 480,000 in 2015. To meet expected demand for greener vehicles, Ford started making the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine production in Craiova, Romania today. That's the engine that will make up the bulk of the EcoBoost vehicles: roughly 800,000 of the 1.3 million units Ford will build for Eurpoe between 2012 and 2015. In Europe, the number of Ford models that will have EcoBoost will go from five to ten by 2015.

EcoBoost is Ford's first step in greening up its fleet, as you can read all about here. The gist of the strategy is to start by improving ICE vehicles while slowly adding in hybrid and electrified components until something between 10 and 25 percent of Ford's global volume is electrified some time after 2020. In the meantime, the EcoBoost engines burn less fuel than most regular ICEs by using turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.

Continue reading Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe

Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.0-liter ecoboostecoboostecoboost europeford ecoboostmpgromaniaWed, 09 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234951/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234951/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/20234951/article-detail.xml 20234951 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecoboostfuturedemand_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecoboostfuturedemand.jpg <![CDATA[Odd little Mia Electric signs up for French car-sharing duty]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/odd-little-mia-electric-signs-up-for-french-car-sharing-duty/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/odd-little-mia-electric-signs-up-for-french-car-sharing-duty/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/odd-little-mia-electric-signs-up-for-french-car-sharing-duty/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Go ahead and hop on.

The three-seat minibus known as the Mia Electric is going to be used in a car-sharing program in France's Poitou-Charentes region on the country's west coast.

According to Technologic Vehicles, Poitou-Charentes Auto-Partage, the new car-sharing service, chose to use the Mia Electric after the region's government acquired about 30 percent of the company. Now, the government is offering subsidies for people who buy the car, which costs about 20,000 euros ($26,000 U.S. at today's exchange rates) but is eligible for 4,000 euros in rebates. The car-sharing service will start offering the Mia EVs this summer

Mia launched the electric minibus last year, offering three versions ranging from single-charge ranges of about 55 miles to about 80 miles. The company at the time said it had pre-orders for about 3,000 vehicles and planned on ramping up production to as many as 14,000 vehicles a year by this year.

Odd little Mia Electric signs up for French car-sharing duty originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car sharingelectric minibuselectric vehiclefrancemiamia electricminibusPoitou-CharentesTue, 08 May 2012 12:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233400/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233400/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/odd-little-mia-electric-signs-up-for-french-car-sharing-duty/20233400/article-detail.xml 20233400 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mia.jpg <![CDATA[Lithium ion battery 'overcapacity' could arrive by 2015, would push prices way down]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Too many lithium-ion batteries? That's not something battery makers want to hear, but it's music to our ears. It's also the prediction of Munich-based Roland Berger Strategy Consultants

Over the next few years, as battery makers like AESC, LG Chem and A123 Systems ramp up for what's expected to be a surge in electric-drive vehicle purchases, we could be awash in li-ion batteries. Global lithium-ion battery sales will total $9 billion by 2015 and will be marked by what the consultants say will be "massive overcapacity." While about four million hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles will be produced worldwide that year, battery supply will be about twice as high as demand, potentially driving battery costs down to less than 200 euros ($261 U.S. at current exchange rates) per kilowatt hour.

Either way, AESC, LG Chem, Panasonic/Sanyo, A123 Systems and SB LiMotive will control about 70 percent of the global market by 2015, when light-duty vehicles will account for more than 85 percent of the world's lithium-ion battery demand, according to RBSC.

Batteries are said to account for 25 percent or more of an electric-vehicle's total costs, making the subjects of lithium-ion battery capacity and costs particularly important to the overall EV market. Last month, Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that lithium-ion battery-pack costs fell 14 percent during the past year and have declined 30 percent during the past three years because of technical advancements and higher production capacity. Specifically, EV battery costs dropped to $689 per kilowatt hour during the first quarter from $800 a year earlier, BNEF calculated.

Continue reading Lithium ion battery 'overcapacity' could arrive by 2015, would push prices way down

Lithium ion battery 'overcapacity' could arrive by 2015, would push prices way down originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's getting easier and easier to ignore gas stations.

Over in Europe, the H2 refueling infrastructure is apparently robust enough to allow a pair of hydrogen-powered Hyundai iX35 (Tuscon) FCEVs to drive from Oslo, Norway to Monte Carlo, Monaco. Almost, anyway.

Yes, the 1,404-mile, cross-continental drive was, according to Wired, the "longest a hydrogen-fueled vehicle has ever travelled using only fuel from permanent hydrogen filling stations." As some readers may remember, similar previous tours have relied on refueling trucks to go the distance. The Oslo-Monte Carlo drive took five days and wasn't as easy as pie. An out-of-service station meant a ferry was needed for some of the trip. Also, since not all the H2 stations are open to the public, a few pre-arrival phone calls were needed. One lesson learned: Germany has the best network of H2 pumps; France and Sweden are less developed.

The Norwegian Zero Emissions Resource Organization (ZERO) organized the trip, using h2stations.org to find the route. As Wired writes, the whole trip, "highlighted just how far ahead of the rest of the world Europe's hydrogen infrastructure is, and also how much more work needs to be done before hydrogen becomes a viable fuel source for vehicles."

No new infrastructure required: Hydrogen Hyundais drive across Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeeurope hydrogenfcevhyundaihyundai hydrogenix35ix35 fcevtuscontuscon fcevMon, 07 May 2012 11:52:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232374/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232374/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/no-new-infrastructure-required-hydrogen-hyundai-drives-across-e/20232374/article-detail.xml 20232374 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hyundaifcev-1334360679_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hyundaifcev-1334360679.jpg <![CDATA[Rimac Concept_One shreds tires, misconceptions]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/rimac-concept_one-shreds-tires-misconceptions/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/rimac-concept_one-shreds-tires-misconceptions/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/rimac-concept_one-shreds-tires-misconceptions/#commentsFiled under: , ,

rimac concept one

When the Concept_One electric supercar from Rimac Automobili first went on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, there were those who assumed that it was more of a pedestal princess than an actual operational vehicle. They were proven wrong when footage emerged of it moving stealthily about the vicinity of the company's Croatian headquarters.

Then, the charge became that it wasn't capable of the high performance that was being touted. Consider that accusation confronted in fine rubber-burning fashion. Rimac is putting together a video that features the car flaunting its fantastic stuff, and has released a few excerpts from that film that will both excite the faithful and quiet the cynics.

This latest footage, however impressive, isn't meant to imply that all its development work has been completed. Indeed, the man behind the machine, Mate Rimac, tells AutoblogGreen that its 0-60 acceleration is still "only" around 3 seconds, with the torque vectoring and traction control systems still in need of tweaking. He also reminds us that this is just a prototype. The production version will be different. And by "different", we assume he means the final product will get even more awesome sauce.

The clip opens with a slow pan of the Concept_One's new custom HRE wheels and Vredestein tires, then, after a few measured glimpses of other portions of its sexy real estate, wistful slide guitar gives way to a drumbeat that underlays the beautiful wail of that aforementioned rubber being tortured through a series of accelerations and opposite-lock flinging about.

The $980,000 superlative is scheduled to make an on-track appearance at 24 hours of LeMans, as well as being displayed at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. There are also credible rumors of it becoming intimately acquainted with the Nürburgring. While you'll have to wait a bit before being able to see it perform in those venues, you can watch it get fast and furious now by simply scrolling down.

Continue reading Rimac Concept_One shreds tires, misconceptions

Rimac Concept_One shreds tires, misconceptions originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Financial concerns are one thing. No one ever said a Fisker Karma wouldn't look stunning cruising through the Swiss Alps.

Thus, it's good to know that the California-based extended-range plug-in vehicle maker will have the chance to show off its Karma luxury sedan across the pond in the first-ever Bodensee-Elektrik Rallye, which runs through this weekend.

The race goes through Switzerland, Germany and Austria and will subject the Karma to "hundreds of kilometers in a true test of both economy and endurance," Fisker says. The automaker estimates that the Karma can go about 50 miles in electric-only mode (EPA says 32) and about 300 miles when using up a fully-charged battery and a full tank of, uh, petrol.

Fisker also added that Karma sales in Europe are "continuing at pace" and that the sedan "is becoming a more frequent site [sic] on the road," but the company did not disclose sales specifics.

Fisker is trying to raise more cash for production of the Karma as well as for its upcoming Atlantic model after the U.S. Department of Energy froze most of the $529 million in loans earmarked for the company because of production delays.

Continue reading Fisker Karma will enter inaugural Bodensee-Elektrik Rallye in the Alps

Fisker Karma will enter inaugural Bodensee-Elektrik Rallye in the Alps originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 05 May 2012 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're European and have a cool $80,000 at your disposal, you probably don't have to worry fuel costs. Volvo would like to give you the option to care about them even less, though, just in case.

Across the pond, the Swedish automaker plans to start deliveries of its V60 diesel plug-in hybrid by the end of the year, Plugin Cars reports. Volvo is taking orders for the car, which will sell for about $81,000 at current exchange rates. That's about $19,000 more than the regular V60. In countries like France, though, government incentives aimed at boosting electric-drive vehicle sales could shrink that premium to about $10,000.

Volvo unveiled the V60 plug-in at last year's Geneva Motor Show. The car will have a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with a 70-horsepower electric motor and battery that provides an all-electric range of as much as a 32 miles.

Volvo has said it is investing more than $2 billion in research and development specifically geared towards cutting its vehicles' greenhouse-gas emissions. Last June, Volvo introduced a battery-electric prototype of its C30 that the automaker said would be available for leasing customers by the end of this year. It, too, isn't cheap.

Volvo will start V60 diesel plug-in hybrid deliveries in Europe by year-end originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieseleuropefranceplug-in hybridv60v60 phevv60 phev salev60 plev leasevolvoFri, 04 May 2012 14:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230629/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230629/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/volvo-will-start-v60-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-in-europe/20230629/article-detail.xml 20230629 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvov60plugin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volvov60plugin.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[All-electric TukTuk vending van would be right at home on Portlandia]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/all-electric-tuktuk-vending-van-would-be-right-at-home-on-portla/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/all-electric-tuktuk-vending-van-would-be-right-at-home-on-portla/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/all-electric-tuktuk-vending-van-would-be-right-at-home-on-portla/#commentsFiled under: ,

tuktuk ev vending van

Want to serve some street food out of the back of an eye-catching, zero-emission three-wheeler? You're in luck.

The Tuk Tuk Factory, a Dutch company, recently announced an all-electric modified tuktuk called the e-Tuk Vendo. With a range of 70 kilometers (43 miles) and an expected daily schedule that will see it sit still for a few hours at a time, at least, while urban hipsters get their organic tofu curry (yes, we'd like some, too) the bright orange e-Tuk Vendo has a built in refrigerator, water pumps, working table and three cubic meters of storage space. When serving food and plugged in to the utility mains, the battery gets charged. Clever, that.

Tuk Tuk Factory also makes electric passenger models, the e-Tuk Classico (for three passengers) and the e-Tuk Limo (for six). The next model will be a cargo van. This summer, the Tuk Tuk Factory will talk about the Tripp, a "brand new vehicle especially for sustainable urban transport." For now, the Vendo is ready for sale in Europe (the company expects to grow sales to a few hundred a year) and prices starts at 24,000 euros ($31,558 U.S. at current exchange rates).

Continue reading All-electric TukTuk vending van would be right at home on Portlandia

All-electric TukTuk vending van would be right at home on Portlandia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just think, if Americans took to the Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle as enthusiastically as the Norwegians, the Japanese automaker would've hit its first-year U.S. sales goal of 10,000 units... in about a month.

Nissan sold 1,000 Leafs in Norway during its first six months of sales there and accounted for about two percent of the car market in February. That's roughly equivalent to the market share of all hybrids combined in the U.S.

In February, the Leaf was the ninth most-popular new vehicle in Norway, which Nissan says has the highest EV subsidies in Europe. Additionally, Norway's capital, Oslo, has about 3,500 public charging stations, around a third of what the U.S. has across the entire country.

The U.S. has a population that's over 60 times the size of Norway's five million people, meaning that a similar per capita sales rate in the U.S. would mean sales of about 120,000 units a year. Last year, Nissan sold 9,674 Leafs in the U.S.

Last month, Nissan sold just 370 Leafs, down 35 percent from a year earlier and marking a 36 percent drop from March sales. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said that Nissan's cost to make the Leaf will fall and sales should rise once the company starts producing the Leaf in Tennessee as well as Japan later this year.

Continue reading Nissan sells 1,000 Leafs in Norway during first six months

Nissan sells 1,000 Leafs in Norway during first six months originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleleafnissannorwayTue, 01 May 2012 15:34:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228425/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228425/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/nissan-sells-1-000-leafs-in-norway-during-first-six-months/20228425/article-detail.xml 20228425 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissanleafeurope-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/nissanleafeurope-628.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[Rimac Concept_One shows up in Monaco with $980k sticker price [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/rimac-concept_one-shows-up-in-monaco-with-980k-sticker-price-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/rimac-concept_one-shows-up-in-monaco-with-980k-sticker-price-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/rimac-concept_one-shows-up-in-monaco-with-980k-sticker-price-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rimac Concept One

It takes a lot to stand apart at an exposition as jam-packed with glitzy treasure as the Frankfurt Motor Show and impress the hordes of automotive journalists there assembled, but we were suitably impressed when we laid eyes upon the Rimac Concept_One at the Messe this past September. The Croatian upstart put together a supercar of (figurative, if not literal) Bugatti proportions, but instead of building it around a fossil-guzzling conventional powerplant, Rimac designed its hypercar with the equivalent of 1,088 horsepower worth of electric motors.

With a 92-kWh battery powering the electric motors at each wheel, the Rimac is said to be capable of rocketing to 62 from a standstill in just 2.8 seconds while traveling as far as 372 miles on a single charge. The team of former Pininfarina designers penned an attractive shape to go with it, the Bulgarian leathercrafters extraordinaires at Vilner were brought in to work on the interior, HRE developed a unique set of monoblock alloys and Vredestein debuted its new Ultrac Vorti tires designed by Giugiaro all for the Concept_One.

Impressive specs, all, but what's most impressive is that the Concept_One is no mere concept - you can actually buy it, assuming you've got the scratch. Upon showcasing the electric supercar at the Top Marques show in Monaco, Rimac announced a limited run of 88 examples will be built, each fetching $980,000 - a price as princely as the regent who was on hand to check it out in Monte Carlo. Which only goes to prove that you can, indeed, have your cake and eat it too, but it'll cost you dearly.

Take a closer look at the fresh crop of high-resolution images added to the gallery above, and check out the bonus video of the car moving under its own power below.

Continue reading Rimac Concept_One shows up in Monaco with $980k sticker price [w/video]

Rimac Concept_One shows up in Monaco with $980k sticker price [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo said it has cut its European fleetwide emissions from its gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 13 percent during the past few years and is looking to reduce emissions even further starting next year.

For the 2013 model year, the Swedish automaker will debut a five-cylinder 2.0-liter, 136-horsepower turbodiesel engine - called the D3 - for its S60, V60, XC60, V70 and S80 models. All but the automatic-transmission XC60 crossover will have start-stop functionality.

Additionally, Volvo will also introduce a 115-horsepower diesel engine - the D2 - that will have the same emissions with both an automatic and manual transmissions, which Volvo says is a first.

Volvo is looking to use a combination of diesel technology and electric-drive powertrains to meet progressively more stringent European greenhouse-gas emissions. The company said in 2010 that, for the eight years ending in 2014, it will have sunk more than $2 billion in research and development specifically towards boosting fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Last June, Volvo debuted a battery-electric prototype version of its C30 with a 93-mile single-charge range and estimated that about 250 would be built by the end of this year for leasing to European customers. Volvo, which isn't selling the car, is charging about $2,100 a month for lessees the EVs.

Continue reading Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years

Volvo cuts European fleetwide emissions by 13% over past two years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2co2 emissionsdieselelectric vehicleghggreenhouse gasplug-in hybridturbodieselvolvoSun, 15 Apr 2012 09:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214749/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214749/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/15/volvo-cuts-european-fleetwide-emissions-by-13-over-past-two-yea/20214749/article-detail.xml 20214749 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volvov60_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volvov60.jpg -1 2