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[The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

red chevy volt

Whaddya think, that Volt buyers were trading in a Cadillac for their new plug-ins? Nope. Most buyers of Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in vehicles are coming in from outside of the General Motors family, the automaker says.

About two-thirds of Volt buyers are trading in non-GM cars, and more than 90 percent of recently surveyed Volt drivers said they'd buy another one. This fits with the results of a Consumer Reports survey on vehicle owner satisfaction released late last year. GM says the Toyota Prius hybrid is the most common vehicle sacrificed traded-in for the Volt, followed by the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and BMW 3 Series cars.

GM is looking to drum up more sales for the Volt, which missed sales targets last year but is showing signs of life in 2011. Through April 2012, Volt sales tripled from a year earlier to 5,377 units, or about two-thirds of what GM sold during all of 2011.

Continue reading The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle

The lure of the plug: two-thirds of Chevy Volt buyers trade in non-GM vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehiclegeneral motorsplug-in hybridpriustoyotatoyota priustrade involtThu, 24 May 2012 19:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244533/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244533/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/chevy-volt-buyers-trade-in-non-gm-vehicles/20244533/article-detail.xml 20244533 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volt0309-1337884449_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/volt0309-1337884449.jpg <![CDATA[GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan leaf with cable attached

The battle lines are hardening.

At issue here are the competing DC fast charge standards, CHAdeMO (which is established and works with the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i) and the new SAE Combo Charger (which is not yet available on any cars for sale, and won't be for a while). CHAdeMo is, mostly, supported by Japanese companies, while the SAE Combo plug gets its backing from U.S. and German automakers. The two sides are currently in a war of words, but an important one.

Shad Balch, GM's manager of environment and energy policy, said during a recent public hearing in California that there should be a CHAdeMO embargo, "we need to make sure, especially because we're talking about taxpayer money, that ONLY those standards [i.e., the SAE combo plug] are installed going forward," Torque News reports. The crowd booed Balch, but he went on to say that, "there is a very small group of cars that use a non-standardized level 3 charging connector." We've heard that the first vehicle to get the SAE connector will be the Chevrolet Spark, sometime in 2013.

At CHAdeMO's General Assembly 2012, held yesterday in Tokyo, the Asian team responded. According to Hybrid Cars, CHAdeMO president Toshiyuki Shiga (who is also the COO of Nissan) said, "in the U.S. and in Europe there is a movement to eliminate the CHAdeMO by making the combo a regional standard." At the event, the SAE Combo option was repeatedly called "the plug without the cars."

GM and Balch are clearly fighting against Nissan's pure EV dominance, but they can't change the fact is that CHAdeMO is leading the way. Recently, at the SAE World Congress, Nissan was displaying some facts about CHAdeMO. As of the end of March 2012, 33 companies (including charging station suppliers) supported CHAdeMO and there were 1,071 CHAdeMO quick chargers installed around the world. Since the SAE Combo Charger is so new, there are no stations or cars that support it - yet - but most of the charging station companies we've talked to recently said they'll get behind whatever technology customers want. This war of words will likely determine which plug that is.

GM strikes out against CHAdeMO DC fast charging; opponents say SAE has 'the plug without the cars' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademochevroletcomboelectric vehicleleafnissanplug-in hybridsae combosae combo chargerWed, 23 May 2012 12:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242701/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/gm-strikes-out-against-chademo-dc-fast-charging/20242701/article-detail.xml 20242701 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/leafchargingports.jpg <![CDATA[GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevy Volt

That's one small step for man, and one less really big barge full of fuel for mankind.

That's basically what General Motors' Chevrolet division is saying in its latest effort to pitch the Volt extended-range plug-in as a way for prospective drivers to save both money and the earth.

Chevrolet estimates that Volt drivers have saved more than 2.1 million gallons of gas - or one supertanker - by driving their vehicles in electric mode. Since the model launched in late 2010, Volt drivers, who, on average, use electricity 60 percent of the time and fuel from the car's on-board generator the rest of the time, have put on 40 million electric-only miles on the car, saving a combined $8 million in unused gasoline the process.

While the Volt fell about 2,300 units short of Chevy's goal to sell 10,000 units last year, 2012 sales through April tripled from a year earlier to 5,377 units. We anxiously await Nissan's own claim on how many fleets worth of gas its Leaf drivers have saved...

Continue reading GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas

GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltchevroletgeneral motorsgmplug-in hybridsupertankervoltSat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/20240487/article-detail.xml 20240487 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628.jpg <![CDATA[IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Toyota Prius C

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two eco-friendly new models as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. Also earning top honors in the latest round of testing is the redesigned Hyundai Azera. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score "Good" in the IIHS's front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

Continue reading IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]

IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 hyundai azera2012 toyota prius c2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletiihsInsurance Institute for Highway Safetymalibupriusprius cTop Safety PicktoyotaThu, 17 May 2012 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239689/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/iihs-crowns-prius-c-and-malibu-eco-top-safety-picks-w-video/20239689/article-detail.xml 20239689 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/toyota-prius-c.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[Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chevy volt in thailand

Last fall, Thailand was hit by a devastating flood that damaged parts of 65 of Thailand's 77 provinces, killed 815 people and affected the lives and homes of more than 13 million. Some parts of Bangkok were under over two meters (6.5 feet) of water (PDF) and normal life in the city came to a halt. Those are incredible numbers, but the story of what happened since then is just as amazing. Aside from the intense work of the people, which is astonishing in its own way, we recently learned that the country - the local auto industry included - is bouncing back.

This is something that the Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) was eager to show a group of invited journalists earlier this year, and we got to see first-hand how Thailand recovered from the flood and is now ready to once again make cars for markets around the world. Thailand's auto industry was hit hard during the flood, forcing Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda had to stop production. Both have since restarted, and Honda could spend up to $650 million to re-open a 240,000-cars-a-year plant in Ayutthaya Province, 50 miles north of Bangkok, that was hit hard by the flood. Once the waters receded, it became clear that the flood did not damage the enthusiasm of outside companies to keep investing in Thailand. Toyota said in January that it would it would spend $257 million in Thailand, for example. This is good automotive news for Thailand and its neighbors.

After all, Thailand is the 12th largest automotive manufacturing country in the world, building 1.6 million vehicles in 2010 and exporting 55 percent of them to countries in the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East. We were interested in visiting Thailand for a few reasons, but the most applicable one was to get some details about the country's Eco-Car program. We ended up learning far more than we expected.

Continue reading Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking

Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boiboi fairchevroletecocarelectric vehicleplug-in hybridthailandthailand board of investmentthailand ecocarthailand floodingthailand manufacturingvoltThu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/20193684/article-detail.xml 20193684 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac ELR extended-range plug-in could debut in 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/cadillac-elr-extended-range-plug-in-could-debut-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/cadillac-elr-extended-range-plug-in-could-debut-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/cadillac-elr-extended-range-plug-in-could-debut-in-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 cadillac elr

General Motors might start making the Cadillac ELR extended-range plug-in hybrid coupe late next year for a 2014 model-year debut, GMInsideNews.com reports, citing unnamed "product development sources."

The ELR will use a powertrain similar to the one in the Chevrolet Volt, though the ELR's powertrain is expected to have a longer electric-only range than the current range of about 35 miles. ELR sales in Europe and China should follow the North American debut by about a year.

GM is hoping that the ELR will build on some recently-achieved sales momentum for the Volt, which was introduced in late 2010. The automaker sold a monthly record 2,289 Volts in March. Last month, that number dipped to 1,462 units, though that was still triple the figures from a year earlier.

Last August, GM confirmed that the ELR would be produced, and Bloomberg News reported at the time that the car would cost less than the base model Tesla Model S, which costs $57,400. GM representatives have not yet responded to a request for comment about the price and we will update this post when we hear something.

The ELR was originally known as the Converj when it was introduced as a concept vehicle at the 2009 North American Auto Show in Detroit.

Cadillac ELR extended-range plug-in could debut in 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac elrchevy voltelrelr plug-in hybridplug-in hybridvoltvolt elrTue, 01 May 2012 17:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228222/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228222/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/cadillac-elr-extended-range-plug-in-could-debut-in-2014/20228222/article-detail.xml 20228222 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628.jpg <![CDATA[Michigan dealer sells roughly a Chevy Volt a day]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy volt at dealership

One Michigan car dealership sells almost one Chevrolet Volt every day, a far cry above the sales at most other dealerships. The reason is that the dealer's staff has been extensively trained on the car, aggressively cross-selling the model and playing up the green connection with two windmills on the property.

According to Forbes, Serra Chevrolet in Southfield, MI - about 15 miles northwest of Detroit - sells about 25 Volts a month. The dealer trains each salesperson specifically on the Volt for at least 12 hours and encourages them to cross-sell the car to customers that come in looking for anything from an SUV to a midsize to a compact. To put a green point on the deal, about 15 percent of the dealer's electric power is provided by two windmills located behind the building.

Some of the other better performing dealers in terms of Volt sales include Maryland's Criswell Chevrolet and Penske Chevrolet in Cerritos, CA, near Los Angeles. Such dealers are helping move a model that struggled for sales last year but has shown recent momentum. In March, the Volt had its most successful month since its late 2010 launch, selling 2,289 units, which was more than triple year-earlier sales.

Chevrolet parent General Motors will release April sales figures later this week.

Michigan dealer sells roughly a Chevy Volt a day originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehiclegeneral motorsmichiganplug-in hybridserraserra chevroletsouthfieldvoltvolt salesMon, 30 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/michigan-dealer-sells-about-a-volt-a-day/20227339/article-detail.xml 20227339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevrolet-volt-at-dealership_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/chevrolet-volt-at-dealership.jpg <![CDATA[Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All are looking good for now... but it depends



As you probably know, Chrysler has reported its best quarterly profits in 13 years, has just introduced a very nice new Dodge Dart compact sedan and continues to gain sales and market share. GM has also been highly profitable with a string of solid product hits, though it has not gained share working with just half of its former eight U.S. brands.

As you also know, both of these iconic American car companies were upside down four years ago and likely would have been dissolved - along with millions of good U.S. jobs - had both the Bush and Obama administrations not decided to invest taxpayer money in saving them.

Now, with election season heating up, we'll be hearing much from both sides on the GM and Chrysler "bailouts." Democrats will rightly claim credit (though it began under Bush) for saving the U.S. auto industry and millions of jobs. Republicans will correctly counter that they did it all wrong (stiffing private investors, destroying thousands of dealer businesses for no good reason and handing Chrysler to Italy's Fiat) and for the wrong reason (to save the UAW).

"Let them fail," conservatives crowed then, and still. "That's how capitalism works."

"Let them fail," conservatives crowed then, and still. "That's how capitalism works." But there was no private capital in late 2008 for business loans or bankruptcies, so federal support was the last resort. Ford had sufficient capital to weather the crisis only because it had run out of money two years earlier, when it still could (and did) mortgage itself for working capital.

There has been no end to political rhetoric about creating new jobs, but little knowledgeable discussion around saving those millions of auto (and industry-dependent) jobs that we already had. What very few outside the industry - including financial gurus and media pundits - understand is how this industry is a huge, fragile, interdependent house of cards.

Continue reading Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive?

Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutbankruptcybig threechryslerdetroit threefordgary witzenburggmMon, 30 Apr 2012 12:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226847/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226847/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/20226847/article-detail.xml 20226847 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/first-aid-kit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/first-aid-kit.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

SAE World Congress 2012: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle

First displayed at CES earlier this year, GM brought its 4G LTE Chevrolet Volt demonstration vehicle to the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit this week. The car marries GM's OnStar telematics system with Verizon's 4G LTE data network to answer one question, according to OnStar's Dave Cheney: "If you had a high-bandwidth connection in a car at all times, what would you do with it?"

The all-good-news answer to that question is to stream all sorts of media from the cloud to the back seats: videos, video calls, etc. Via the built-in front screen, the car could also control networked appliances back home, things like lights, A/C units and garage doors. Also, the thing that makes this system different from just having two video screens in the back of the car is that driver can control what's on the back seat screens: starting or stopping apps, pausing media, adjusting volume, etc.

Cheney told AutoblogGreen that the details on how a system like this could be implemented in the real world are not really fleshed out since this is just a test project (an evolution of a Buick LaCrosse shown at the 2011 CES). It's clear even at this early stage that the idea of an in-car network creates something entirely different than a back-seat passenger simply bringing his own iPad, so you would need to tie the devices to the car somehow. But, Cheney said, it also doesn't make sense to force the customer to buy two tablet computers (Samsung devices, in the prototype) that only connect with the vehicle and are likely to become old technology well before the car's end of life. So, if you make the system work with any device brought into the car, how do you create an app that allows the driver to have control over the back-seat devices? And how do you prevent children from simply not using that app if they want to play a game that mom doesn't want them to play? OnStar has no solution to this question right now, but Cheney said that some customers will want a system that "just works."

Because the prototype vehicle is a Volt, the system integrates charging and smart grid information. Compared to the regular battery/charging information in a production Volt, Cheney said, this new system includes better navigation and the ability - should a particular charging station offer it - to reserve charge time.

Below, we've got a video of the system's debut and have also pasted GM's press release announcing this car in January.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills

SAE Congress: Chevy Volt OnStar 4G LTE Research Vehicle is networked to the gills originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4ltechevroletelectric vehicleonstaronstar 4lteonstar voltplug-in hybridverizon 4g lteverizon lteverizon onstarvoltThu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224357/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224357/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/sae-congress-chevy-volt-onstar-4g-lte-research-vehicle/20224357/article-detail.xml 20224357 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-chevy-volt-4lte-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-chevy-volt-4lte-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevrolet EN-V

General Motors' vision for the all-electric EN-V pod cars has always been to deploy them in the heavily crowded mega cities of the future, so it makes perfect sense that a rendering for the next-generation model was revealed today at the Beijing Motor Show. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the most futuristic Chevrolet ever.

With room for two, the EN-V 2.0 gets what looks like a longer wheelbase compared to the first edition (see it here) thanks to rear wheels that now extend outwards, as well as things people expect from a "car" (no matter what it looks like), like climate control and storage space. Oh, and GM says that, "In addition, it would be capable of driving in all weather and city road conditions." That's key. The new EN-V could potentially be available in 2020, but pilot studies will take place in China before then. The 25-mile range from the first EN-V, which was unveiled at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, remains.

EN-V stands for Electric Networked-Vehicle, so it's no surprise that the EN-V 2.0 concept includes mobile Internet access and telematics along with an EV powertrain. Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group, said in a statement that the EN-V 2.0's "combination of sensing technology, wireless communication and GPS-based navigation establishes a technology foundation, pieces of which could potentially lead the way to the creation of future advanced vehicle systems." More work needs to be done, as the vehicle has shown somewhat flawed autonomous driving capabilities thus far.

Continue reading GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution

GM's future in China includes EN-V 2.0; new renderings show light evolution originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleen-ven-v 2envenv2telematicsMon, 23 Apr 2012 17:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221950/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221950/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/23/gms-future-in-china-includes-en-v-2-0-new-renderings-show-ligh/20221950/article-detail.xml 20221950 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/env-2.0-rendering-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/env-2.0-rendering-628.jpg <![CDATA[Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



And you thought the right-wing attacks on plug-in cars was going to fade away. Not if Rush Limbaugh has anything to do with it (and he does). On his radio show yesterday, Limbaugh complained for many minutes about the evils of EVs. "There's nothing wrong with oil, there's nothing wrong with gasoline," he said. "We don't need saving from gasoline"

His argument isn't exactly coherent - he claims that somehow having plug-in vehicles reduces our options - but they sure were delivered passionately. Calling out Mr. Chevrolet Volt himself, Limbaugh said:

Bob, Mr. Lutz, the problem is not me. The problem is that the pro-electric car crowd are the people making this political. ... The electric car is not about saving the planet. The electric car is not about cleaner energy. The electric car is not about cleaner air. The electric car is about taking away choices from the American people about what they want to drive. The electric car is about bigger government.

Where to start?

How about by letting Lutz do the work? Speaking at the Hudson Institute earlier this week, Lutz laid out his arguments about why the Volt and plug-in technology are good ideas, all of which regular readers have heard before. You can hear them in full in the embedded video down below (Limbaugh's comments are available, too), but the gist is: they work, they save gas and they will get cheaper.

There was one thing Lutz said that is not common knowledge, though, would put to rest any the idea that the Volt is the "Obamacar" if it were. Lutz said that when GM and the Obama administration met during the company's bankruptcy proceedings, the government's recommendation was to kill the Volt program. That, of course, didn't happen.

Continue reading Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense

Sigh. Rush Limbaugh continues plug-in car attacks; Bob Lutz plays defense originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehiclemedia mattersplug-in hybridrush limbaughvoltThu, 19 Apr 2012 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218952/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218952/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/sigh-rush-limbaugh-continues-plug-in-car-attacks-bob-lutz-defe/20218952/article-detail.xml 20218952 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last week, a fire broke out at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan. General Motors has since said the fire was caused by a battery that was being tested under "extreme stress." Engineers were trying to get the pack to fail, which it did, but not to ignite, which it also did when gases leaked out and somehow caught fire.

There's one detail we have not heard yet, and that's how much the fire could end up costing GM: up to $5 million, the The Detroit News reports, based on information that the automaker's representatives submitted in a police report. The local fire department has estimated that the damage could be closer to $3 million, with one million of that due to property loss - at least two labs were damaged - and $2 million worth of damage to the labs' contents. An investigation into the cause and extent of the fire continues.

The battery pack involved was not the same as the one used in the Chevrolet Volt and GM says that the incident has not negatively affected Volt sales. Media reports have suggested the battery is be intended for the Spark EV program and that the prototype battery pack was made by A123 (which has had other battery issues recently). Multiple people were injured in the fire but only one remains in the hospital because of "an estimated four-inch gash to the back of his head."

GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123battery labchevrolet sparkgeneral motors technical center battery research labgmgm battery lab firegm explosionsparkspark evwarren michiganwarren tech centerWed, 18 Apr 2012 11:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218538/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218538/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/18/gm-battery-lab-explosion-cost-could-reach-5m/20218538/article-detail.xml 20218538 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chevy volt

One more driving mode, one less color.

That's the crux of the changes in store for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle. Changes for the 2013 model year will include a driving mode that lets drivers force the car into gas-powered, extended-range mode in situations where it's most advantageous to switch out of EV-only mode, GM Inside News reports.

Driver can choose the Volt's "EV Hold Mode" in certain cases, such as when the route consists of a bunch of highway driving prior to city driving, according to the publication. Switching over to extended-range mode, in which the gas-powered on-board generator is used, would be best in that situation because high speeds drain a plug-in's battery charge a lot more rapidly than city driving. "EV Hold Mode" is standard on the Volt's European sister vehicle, the Opel Ampera. The closest that U.S. drivers can do with today's Volt is engage "Mountain Mode."

Additionally, the Volt will eschew its black roof and trunk backing and will go to body colors for those parts of the car for 2013. Other improvements include a lane-departure warning system that's becoming commonplace on many U.S. vehicles.

GM released details of the 2013 Volt following the model's most successful sales month since its late-2010 debut. The automaker sold 2,289 Volts in March, a monthly record that is more than three times higher than figures from a year earlier. The Volt missed the 10,000-unit target set by GM for 2011, moving just 7,671 units last year.

2013 Chevy Volt getting battery-conservation mode, lane-departure warning originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20132013 chevrolet voltchevroletEV holdgeneral motorsmodeplug-in hybridvoltTue, 17 Apr 2012 09:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216997/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216997/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/2013-chevy-volt-battery-conservation-mode-lane-departure/20216997/article-detail.xml 20216997 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-628j_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2011-chevrolet-volt-628j.jpg <![CDATA[GM downplays effect of battery-pack accident on plug-in sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



What, we worry?

A General Motors executive is downplaying the potential effects of last week's explosion of a prototype battery pack in Michigan on sales of plug-in vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in, saying that high gas prices will continue to fuel sales momentum.

Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet's global marketing efforts, said at a Detroit charity event that the battery involved was subject to extreme stress testing unlikely to be replicated in real-world driving and didn't involve a battery that would be used in a Volt, according to The Detroit Bureau. The explosion injured six workers at a GM plant in Warren, Michigan, according to the publication.

Additionally, Design News interviewed a number of engineering experts who said the public shouldn't assume that the accident indicates that the batteries are explosive, noting that the accident was closer to a "fire" than an "explosion" and that the batteries themselves were intact after the accident.

GM's hoping the incident doesn't curtail the Chevrolet Volt's hard-earned sales momentum. Last month, GM sold a monthly-record 2,289 Volts, which was more than three times the numbers from a year before. Higher sales are causing GM to shorten a previously scheduled production shutdown of the Volt to four weeks from five.

Last year, Volt's sales were likely hampered by a vehicle fire that took place weeks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a crash test on the car. NHTSA said earlier this year that plug-in vehicles don't pose a greater fire risk than gas-powered cars.

GM downplays effect of battery-pack accident on plug-in sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentbatterychevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric vehicleexplosionfireinjurieslithium ionmichiganvoltwarrenMon, 16 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216900/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20216900/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/gm-downplays-effect-of-battery-pack-accident-on-plug-in-sales/20216900/article-detail.xml 20216900 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm0412explosion.jpg <![CDATA[GM lab explosion update: A123 battery reportedly responsible, five people hurt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GM Warren Tech Center explosion aftermath

More details are filtering in about yesterday's explosion at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, MI.

First, the number of people injured has climbed to five, with one taken to the hospital and four treated at the scene. The local deputy fire chief said none of the injuries were life-threatening. The fire department also told the local mayor that it was fumes from hydrogen sulfide that caused the explosion, but GM declined to comment on that aspect. We learned yesterday that a battery under "extreme testing" caused the explosion.

According to The Detroit News' David Shepardson on Twitter, "Chemical gases from the battery cells were released and ignited in the enclosed chamber. The battery itself was intact" and, "All areas of the Alternative Energy Center except for the battery lab and adjacent offices will operate normally on Thursday."

Unnamed sources have told the media that it was a prototype battery pack made by A123 that caused the fire. Fox News says that pack was being tested for use in the Chevy Spark EV and other all-electric vehicles. Batteries made by A123 were recently involved in a $55-million replacement effort in the Fisker Karma.

GM lab explosion update: A123 battery reportedly responsible, five people hurt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery firebattery testingchevroletchevrolet sparkchevrolet spark evchevy sparkelectric vehiclegm technical centerli-ion batteryspark evThu, 12 Apr 2012 10:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214117/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214117/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/12/gm-lab-explosion-update-a123-battery-reportedly-responsible-fi/20214117/article-detail.xml 20214117 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628.jpg <![CDATA[Battery explodes at GM Tech Center research lab, one or more injured *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/battery-explodes-at-gm-tech-center-research-lab-one-or-more-inj/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/battery-explodes-at-gm-tech-center-research-lab-one-or-more-inj/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/battery-explodes-at-gm-tech-center-research-lab-one-or-more-inj/#commentsFiled under: ,

GM Warren Tech Center explosion aftermath

Early reports are filtering in this morning of an explosion at a General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan. According to The Detroit News, a battery exploded injuring one or two people.

According to the report, Warren's fire department received a call at around 9AM this morning, only to find two injured and "a small fire" stemming from the explosion. A General Motors spokesman apparently put the number of injured parties at one, so there is still some confusion about the number of people affected by the incident at this point.

A HAZMAT team was dispatched to the Tech Center and the building has been evacuated, with all employees accounted for. Detroit NBC affiliate WXYZ is on the scene with a live feed that you can watch here. The extent of the injuries and damage, along with what caused the explosion, are not immediately clear, but we will have more details as they become available, so stay tuned.

*UPDATE: Video added after the jump.
** UPDATE: In a statement added after the jump, GM now says the explosion was caused by "extreme testing of a prototype battery" that is "unrelated to the Chevrolet Volt or any other production vehicle."

Battery explodes at GM Tech Center research lab, one or more injured *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery explosionbattery researchbattery techchevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltgeneral motorsgmgm explosiongm tech center explosionvoltvolt firewarren tech centerWed, 11 Apr 2012 10:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20213214/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20213214/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/battery-explodes-at-gm-tech-center-research-lab-one-or-more-inj/20213214/article-detail.xml 20213214 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/gm-tech-center-explosion-628.jpg <![CDATA[Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on <em>The Colbert Report</em>]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob Lutz takes on Stephen Colbert in a push-up contest

Former General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz went bicep-to-bicep with "America's ballsiest pundit," Stephen Colbert, last night - and came out ahead. Ostensibly, Lutz was on Colbert to talk about his new book, Car Guys Vs. Bean Counters, but as one might expect, the discussion veered into Mitt Romney vs. President Obama territory pretty quickly.

The actual car industry part of the discussion, though, revealed more potential good news for the Chevrolet Volt, the car that Lutz is obviously trying to make his legacy and called "a huge success." Sure, Colbert talked about what his friends over at Fox News have been saying, but Lutz responded by predicting that sales would be "about 3,000 a month from here on out." This would not only set a new record (Volt sales for March 2012 were 2,289, the highest so far) but would also put GM's plug-in car into the 36,000-a-year range. That's commendable, but still not where GM CEO Dan Akerson said last December things would be this year. Of course, Akerson's 60,000 number could have included the Opel Ampera and its Vauxhall twin. In any case, things are looking up for the Volt, and that's something Lutz is more than happy to tell Colbert or anyone else. Watch the video - including an impromptu push-up contest between the two - right now by scrolling below.

Continue reading Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on The Colbert Report

Bob Lutz wins push-up contest on The Colbert Report originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet voltamperabob lutzchevroletchevychevy voltcolbertcolbert reportlutzstephen colbertvideovoltTue, 10 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212409/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212409/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/10/bob-lutz-wins-push-up-contest-on-the-colbert-report/20212409/article-detail.xml 20212409 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lutz-vs-colbert-push-ups_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lutz-vs-colbert-push-ups.jpg <![CDATA[Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

toyota prius

Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electrics accounted for the fastest-growing U.S. vehicle segment in terms of first-quarter sales, though they still may not be worth the extra price if all you're looking for is payback through lower refueling costs, according to separate reports.

First-quarter electric-drive vehicle sales jumped 49 percent from a year earlier to more than 117,000 vehicles, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. With such growth - both the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid and the Toyota Prius hybrid set monthly sales records in March - GM cut its previously planned production shutdown from four weeks to five and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle sales could grow further starting later this year once U.S. production of the car get underway. Domestic production might also lowering the EVs cost in America.

Last month, sales of hybrids, plug-ins and diesels rose almost 40 percent. In addition to the Prius and Volt, sales of the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen diesels and General Motors' eAssist-powered mild hybrids such as the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu also jumped substantially.

The growth rate likely reflects the effect of both rising gas prices and year-earlier supply constraints on models such as the Prius stemming from the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last March. Regular gas prices are approaching $4 a gallon, up about 60 cents this year, according to AAA.

Still, most hybrids would take more than a decade to pay off their higher costs in the form of lower refueling expenses, and that scenario wouldn't change even if gas prices were to rise to $5 a gallon, the New York Times reports, using data compiled by automotive research website TrueCar.com.

The Times says models such as the Prius and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid pay back their owners within two years, but a car like the Ford Fusion Hybrid takes more than eight years to pay off at $4 a gallon and 15,000 miles a year driven. And even with gas prices at $6 a gallon, hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata would still take four years to pay off. Even with gas at $5 a gallon, a Nissan Leaf would take nine years to pay off the difference between is price and that of the Nissan Versa. Relative to the Chevy Cruze, the Volt could take a quarter-century to pay off.

We wondered about those numbers. The only comparisons that can honestly be made are between cars that have ICE-only and hybrid versions. So we did some math. The 2.5-liter I4 Fusion gets 25 miles per gallon combined and costs $24,970. Thus, fuel for 15,000 miles at $4.00 would be $2,400. The Fusion Hybrid gets 39 mpg combined and costs $29,570. Fuel for 15,000 miles in this car would be $1,538. So, the difference per year is $862. Given this, the Hybrid would pay back the initial price difference of $4,600 in 5.3 years, not eight. Of course, if you compare either of the more expensive and thirstier V6 versions, the numbers are even more favorable (2.8 years for the 3.0 V6, for example).

Perhaps buyers are driven by something other than payback times, like simply using less fuel. Whatever the reason, some lower-priced hybrids seem to be making a case that the extra price is worth it. For example, there were more Toyota Prius C compacts sold within its first three days on the market in March than Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicles and Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-ins in all of February.

Hybrids lead fastest growing segment but still may not be worth the extra price originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleelectric-driveleafnissanpaybackplug-in hybridpriustoyotavoltMon, 09 Apr 2012 20:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210443/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/hybrids-lead-fastest-growing-segment-but-still-may-not-be-worth/20210443/article-detail.xml 20210443 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/2012-toyota-prius-628f.jpg <![CDATA[Fox News vs. the Chevy Volt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/fox-news-vs-the-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/fox-news-vs-the-chevy-volt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/06/fox-news-vs-the-chevy-volt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Political agenda trumps Volt facts on "fair and balanced" channel

chevy volt on fox

Political liberals have long hated General Motors, partly because long-ago GM leaders did bad things and built bad products, but mostly because it was really big, successful and profitable. And most probably still do. Never mind that it's now a very different company run by very different people with very different - including very "green" - priorities.

But in the last couple years it's become fashionable for conservatives to hate GM as well because "Obama bailed it out." And to deride and despise GM's Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV because they think Obama forced GM to build it. Never mind that his predecessor began the auto bail-out as the U.S. housing and financial markets collapsed in late 2008, bringing the country's economy crashing down around them. And that the Volt's development began nearly two years before the 2008 election and continued full-steam through GM's 2009 bankruptcy and recovery. Obama and his minions had absolutely nothing to do with it.

We can argue all day about how and why the U.S. auto industry was saved. Private investors - including mutual and retirement funds - were stiffed, the UAW was strengthened and gained partial ownership, Chrysler was handed to Italian automaker Fiat, and an auto-industry-ignorant presidential task force compelled GM to drop four U.S. brands and both GM and Chrysler to put thousands of their dealers out of business for no good reason. Much of that was bad, but it's undeniable that both are coming back strong with their best-ever products.

It's foolish to contend that the U.S. auto industry did not need to be saved. Center for Automotive Research (CAR) studies have long shown that as many as 10 other jobs - at suppliers, dealers and small businesses surrounding and supporting auto industry facilities nationwide - depend on each automaker job. That means that if hundreds of thousand of auto jobs had been lost, millions of Americans would have found themselves out of work as a result.

Continue reading Fox News vs. the Chevy Volt

Fox News vs. the Chevy Volt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevy voltelectric vehiclefoxfox newsGary Witzenburgplug-in hybridvoltFri, 06 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210207/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210207/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/06/fox-news-vs-the-chevy-volt/20210207/article-detail.xml 20210207 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fox-chevy-volt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/fox-chevy-volt.png -1 2