AutoblogGreen

Geneva 2011: BMW ActiveE looking to become the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, Geneva Motor Show, Green Daily

BMW ActiveE - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW showed us the ActiveE Concept back at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Now the automaker is using the Geneva Motor Show floor to roll out the latest version of the electrified 1-Series. The BMW ActiveE, following in the footsteps of the Mini E before it, will begin rolling out to select markets in the fall of 2011.

Mini utilized a fleet of 600 electric Coopers for field tests, but BMW is upping the ante by producing 1,000 vehicles this time around. The ActiveE will make its North American debut at the New York Auto Show in April. After that, it will make its way into the driveways and garages of trial program participants in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, Boston and parts of Connecticut.

Powering the BMW ActiveE is a plethora of liquid-cooled SB LiMotive batteries. They provide enough juice to generate 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The ActiveE uses that energy to run from 0-60 miles per hour in about nine seconds, and it has a range of 100 miles.

Gallery: BMW ActiveE

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Geneva 2011: BMW ActiveE looking to become the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shell chooses oil over whales, threatening Western Pacific Gray

Domenick Yoney — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Green Daily, Pacific Region

"Pesky whales. They just have to have their feeding grounds right where we want to put another oil platform. Well, too bad for them."

That would seem to be the attitude over at the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company offices, of which Shell is the largest partner after Russia's Gazprom. The whales in question are of the critically endangered Western North Pacific gray variety, genetically distinct from the more prolific Eastern type. Thought to number just 130 individuals in all, the group's future is dependent on just 30 breeding females as well as the feeding grounds off of the Sakhalin Islands where they bulk up on crustaceans prior to traveling to their breeding area.

Unfortunately for the whales, those shallow waters are also the location Shell and its buddies want to build a new oil platform to complement two others in the area. This despite their own reports that state that the spot is not suitable, since the clay in the earthquake-prone seabed is unstable and the existing platforms preclude the need for a third (PDF).

A painful insult of seismic surveys will be conducted this summer to establish the exact coordinates for the injurious platform. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) will monitor the situation as it unfolds but it appears no one is able or willing to stop the construction plan. We look forward to the day when oil companies become extinct. (And yes, we know the quote in the picture should be attributed to a dolphin. Deal with it.)

[Source: WWF | Source Image: marlin harms - C.C. License 2.0 ]

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Shell chooses oil over whales, threatening Western Pacific Gray originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports: Low-rolling resistance tires fail to meet buyers' expectations

Eric Loveday — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:48:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Green Daily

Recently, Consumer Reports conducted a survey of car tire buyers and discovered that a remarkable 95 percent of consumers were satisfied with their shopping experience. CR also found, though, that less than half of tire buyers researched before purchasing. When "so much is riding on your tires" you'd think that a few minutes devoted to investigating the proper running gear would be time well spent but, according to the Consumer Reports' survey, buyers often decided to skip the legwork and mount whatever kind of rubber on their ride.

Of the 2,029 tire shoppers surveyed by Consumer Reports, just one in 50 claim that improving fuel economy influenced their choice of tire. Those that do opt for low-rolling resistance tires expect to see gains averaging eight miles per gallon(!), though in actuality, tests have proven that tires engineered to improve fuel economy often provide cars with an mpg rating bump of no more than three percent, which works out to less than two mpg in most situations. Consumer Reports' deputy auto editor, Jeff Bartlett, described how buyers' expectations don't jive with real-world findings, stating, "As can often be the case, consumers want more than reality can deliver." Now, isn't that the truth.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports: Low-rolling resistance tires fail to meet buyers' expectations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Story of a Decade: compact cars gain weight, become more fuel efficient

Eric Loveday — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Green Daily, Lightweight

Over the last decade, compact cars have ballooned in size. How much? On average, compact cars sold in the U.S. are 549 pounds heavier and sit on a wheelbase that's 6.4 inches longer than those sold here ten years ago, according to analysis by Edmunds.com. With that added weight comes the need for more power and today's compacts pack an average of 64 more tire-spinning horses than those built a decade ago. Edmunds' AutoObserver senior editor, Bill Visnic, explained the reasons for the inflated compact cars like this:

Over the years, consumer demand has increased for small cars that have more features and are more versatile in carrying passengers and cargo. Those consumer-driven desires along with the regulatory drive for enhanced safety equipment have led to size and weight increases.

You might think that the growth spurt in the compact segment would negatively impact the fuel efficiency of these vehicles, but Edmunds' analysis shows the exact opposite. Modern-day technology has allowed automakers to build heaving vehicles that are, on average, 2.7 percent more fuel efficient than their slimmer counterparts that rolled off the lines ten years ago. If you glance at a modern compact - say the 42 miles-per-gallon rated, 3,009-pound 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - it becomes obvious that a weighty ride, packed with fuel-saving technology, can also be an efficient runner.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Story of a Decade: compact cars gain weight, become more fuel efficient originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Judge rules Renault can use Zoe name

Eric Loveday — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Green Daily

Renault Zoe concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Much to the chagrin of some French women and girls, a judge ruled on Wednesday that automaker Renault can apply the Zoe badge to its upcoming electric hatch. Lawyer David Koubbi, who argued on behalf of two children named Zoe Renault, insisted that the girls would endure a life of ridicule if an auto was allowed to bare a similar name. Earlier this year, Koubbi wrote a letter to Renault chief executive officer, Carlos Ghosn, proclaiming that, "For my clients, it would be intolerable to hear 'the Zoe has broken down' or indeed 'he or she killed herself in a Zoe'."

After the ruling, Koubbi spoke out against the judge's decision, telling the the Associated Press that:

There's a line between living things and inanimate objects, and that line is defined by the first name. We're telling Renault one very simple thing: First names are for humans.

Koubbi offered this example of the trauma the girls might endure, stating:

Can you imagine what little Zoes would have to endure on the playground, and even worse, when they get a little bit older and someone comes up to them in a bar and says, 'Can I see your airbags?' or 'Can I shine your bumper?

Meanwhile, the judge ruled that unless it could be proven that naming the car "Zoe" would cause "certain, direct and current harm," there are no grounds for requiring automaker Renault to change the name of its electric hatch.

Gallery: Renault Zoe preview concept

[Source: Reuters]

Judge rules Renault can use Zoe name originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota teases RAV4 EV; test fleet to number in the "couple thousand-unit range"

Eric Loveday — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, Tesla Motors, LA Auto Show, Green Daily

Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, rumors of a Tesla-Toyota tie up hit the interwebs and, shortly thereafter, the two companies had a coming out party of sorts and officially announced that they were pairing up to work on electric vehicles (EVs). Not long after that, a $60 million partnership contract was signed, which made the agreement as official as it gets.

Tesla and Toyota kicked off their collaborative work on the RAV4 EV a while back and we're well aware that the duo plans to whip out the electric SUV at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle will showcase a Tesla-developed battery pack, power electronics module, electric motor, transmission and software all wrapped inside the Toyota-supplied RAV4 body. The teaser image (above), released by Toyota, illustrates Tesla's role in the project particularly well.

Production of the new RAV4 EV is scheduled for 2012, but just how many of Toyota's electrified SUVs should we expect to see terrorizing the tarmac? For an answer to that we turn to Tesla's chief executive officer, Elon Musk, who recently told reporters that the RAV4 EV "is a test fleet" and revealed that the initial deal with Toyota puts production volume "in the couple thousand-unit range." That's not to say that another deal, one that expands upon the first agreement, won't be inked but, at least for now, let's assume that the RAV4 EV will be a low-production vehicle. Engineers and execs from Toyota will be on hand at the LA Auto Show, as will we, and we hope to get more details on this electric at that time.

[Source: Green Car Advisor, Toyota]

Toyota teases RAV4 EV; test fleet to number in the "couple thousand-unit range" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line: our Chevy Volt's battery miles cost more than the gas ones

Eric Loveday — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:49:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Green Daily

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

We often, though sometimes incorrectly, assume that it's cheaper to operate an electric vehicle than a comparable gasoline auto. Hey, who hasn't? While this assumption generally holds true, electrical rates vary widely across the nation and can throw off the numbers. In some instances, like when Inside Line's engineering editor, Jason Kavanagh, drove the Chevrolet Volt out in sunny California, one discovers that operating a vehicle powered by electricity can indeed cost more than running it with the liquid fuel that pours from a pump. Kavanagh explained how he discovered that operating a Volt on electricity is not always as pocketbook-friendly as it may seem:

During its time with us, our 2011 Chevy Volt tester consumed energy at the rate of 39.0 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles when in electric-only mode and averaged 31.1 mpg in gas engine assistance mode. We paid an average of $0.31 per kilowatt-hour of electricity and $3.31 per gallon of 91 octane swill, so the magic of arithmetic tells us that each one of the Volt's miles driven on electricity cost us more money than if it'd simply consumed gasoline instead. That's due in part to our high electricity rate - had our rate dropped to $0.24 per kilowatt-hour, we'd have reached parity on a cost-per-mile basis between electrons and dinosaurs.

It should be mentioned that the base rate for electricity in the Volt's early roll-out states is $0.16 per kilowatt-hour and many areas of the nation charge significantly less than that. So, we're still going to assume e-miles are cheaper than gas ones, but we do know this is not always the case.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line: our Chevy Volt's battery miles cost more than the gas ones originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Balqon XE20 electric yard tractor invades Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant

Eric Loveday — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Green Daily

Balqon's baddest bruiser, the battery-powered XE20 yard tractor, tops out at a cool 25 miles per hour, pulls a stunning 30 tons and rumbles down the road for 50 (loaded) to 94 (unloaded) miles courtesy of its 140 kWh lithium-ion battery pack . This brute is powered by a liquid-cooled 240 kW AC induction motor and is said to provide class-leading low-end torque that makes it a perfect fit for off-highway applications like hauling around trailers and containers at Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI.

Balqon Corporation, in collaboration with T&K Logistics, Inc., is the manager of on-site transportation at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant and will provide ten XE20 electric yard tractors to handle heavy-hauling duties at the Wayne facility. The zero-emissions tractor is based on the Xspotter by Autocar. Though we'd be called fools if we claimed that the XE20 is a treat to the eyes, looks matter naught when you can lug 30 tons around without burning a drop of fuel.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

Balqon XE20 electric yard tractor invades Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Getrag to supply electric drive unit for Volvo's battery-powered C30

Eric Loveday — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Volvo, Green Daily

During the Paris Motor Show, Volvo confirmed that the C30 battery electric concept was bound for production. The automaker's first wave of electric C30s are tooling around Sweden, but those are prototype units. The production version, slated for launch to the public in 2013, will undergo a refining process that will apparently lead to a finished product that Volvo chief executive officer Stefan Jacoby claims will "set the standard in the industry." Part of the refining process for the plug-in C30 involves selecting an electric drive supplier, and for that vital bit of hardware, Volvo has turned to the experts at Getrag.

Volvo's battery-powered C30 will be fitted with Getrag's 1eDT240 electric drive unit. The 1eDT240 is Getrag's top-of-the-line single-motor drive unit with maximum power output listed at 82 kW (110 horsepower) and torque at a healthy 162 pound-feet. When designing the 1eDT240, Getrag focused on noise-optimized gearing and efficiency. The system's maximum drive torque value of 1,770 lb-ft should provide the electric C30 with punchy acceleration. Additionally, the 1eDT240 can be equipped with an optional electric motor that cranks out 145 kW and the single-gear transmission can be ordered with one of three different ratios - 6.4; 8.0; and 10.2 - depending on performance and torque expectations. With the Getrag 1eDT240 unit selected, the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric is one step closer to reaching production-ready status.

[Source: Getrag]

Continue reading Getrag to supply electric drive unit for Volvo's battery-powered C30

Getrag to supply electric drive unit for Volvo's battery-powered C30 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One city in China aims to have 35,000 electric vehicles on the road in 3 years

Eric Loveday — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, China

It seems that not a day goes by when some city in China, or even the country as a whole, doesn't boast about its grand electric vehicle (EV) plans and last Friday was no exception. That's when Shenzhen vice-mayor, Tang Jie, speaking at the C40 Hong Kong Workshop, revealed the city's battery-powered dreams. Jie spoke of Shenzhen entering a "mature" development period and said that the city, after 30 years of rapid growth, is now ready for a low-carbon future:

The city is trying to become more low-carbon through expanding public transportation, constructing environment-friendly buildings, lowering investments in energy-consuming sectors, and encouraging residents to live and consume in a low-carbon way.

Jie explained that, on the automotive front, Shenzhen will have charging stations installed across the city and that they will lay the foundation for the adoption of battery-powered vehicles. The vice-mayor insists that the number of registered EVs citywide will hit - ready for this? - 35,000 within three years. We find this goal to be ambitious, but given that Shenzhen's population has soared to nearly nine million, we think it might be plausible. Isn't it?

[Source: China Daily]

One city in China aims to have 35,000 electric vehicles on the road in 3 years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to unveil "small-sized vehicle" prototype at Thailand Motor Expo

Eric Loveday — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Honda, Green Daily, Lightweight

Honda New Small Vehicle Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in January, Honda's local operations in India, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., unveiled the not-too-creatively named "New Small Concept" at the Delhi Auto Expo. The three-door, five-seat hatch adopts styling cues from the automaker's award-winning CR-Z hybrid. At the unveiling, Honda promised that a production version would be launched in Thailand and India sometime in 2011.

Now, as the Thailand International Motor Expo 2010 draws near, Honda is ready to drop the curtains on another minicar prototype. Honda says that this prototype, scheduled to hit the stage November 30th, represents vehicle packaging that's much closer to the mass-produced model planned for 2011. In addition, Honda revealed that two distinct versions, one focused on meeting Thailand's high fuel efficiency standards, and the other suited for entry into India's low-cost small car market, will be produced.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda to unveil "small-sized vehicle" prototype at Thailand Motor Expo

Honda to unveil "small-sized vehicle" prototype at Thailand Motor Expo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt's oil change interval maxes out at two years

Eric Loveday — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, Green Daily

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors' patented oil-life monitoring system, found on most of the vehicles it has produced in the last eight or ten years, automatically measures variables like engine cycles, crankcase temperature and oil age to determine when a trip to the local Jiffy Lube is due. As most drivers know, oil loses its lubricating properties and friction reducing components gradually over time, and you thus need to replace the slick substance every X thousand miles.

In the case of the Chevrolet Volt, a vehicle that may, in the hands of a short-commute driver, only occasionally fire up its engine, oil change intervals could be extended to a max of two years. GM's executive director of electric vehicles, Mickey Bly, explained the Volt's oil change cycle to the GM-Volt.com crew like this:

We have adapted our patented oil life monitor to the Volt's unique operating conditions and its interactions with the engine oil quality. We have added a maximum calendar life of 2 years as a cap on the oil life...so that would be the maximum period before an oil change is needed. By using the oil life monitor it insures the customer will optimize the engine performance and be notified if an oil change is needed. As we learn more about the Volt in field usage, we may increase that cap.

Of course, extended oil change intervals reduce a vehicle's operating costs and that's one of the major selling points for a vehicle such as the Volt. GM is not implying that all Volt owners will get a warning chime from the oil-life monitoring system every 24 months, but it seems likely that most drivers of the Chevy's plug-in will see longer-than-usual intervals between lubes.

[Source: GM-Volt]

Chevy Volt's oil change interval maxes out at two years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electrics, hybrids to account for nearly a third of all sales by 2020

Eric Loveday — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:52:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

A little over a week ago, J.D. Power released the results of its report called "Drive Green 2020: More Hope than Reality." The outlook for green cars, according to the report, isn't all that bright. J.D. Power forecasts that a scant 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) will be sold in the next ten years. Well, as we should all know by now, one study is often contradicted by the next.

To get a contrasting view of the market, PluginCars contacted Oliver Hazimeh, director of the global e-Mobility practice at PRTM, a global management consulting firm. PRTM predicts that U.S. sales of plug-in vehicles will capture ten percent of the market, or roughly one million sales per year, by 2020. That's ten times more than J.D. Power forecasts.

Hazimeh, in speaking with PluginCars' Brad Berman, outlined five factors that he believes will jump start sales of EVs.

Economics of scale on battery production reducing the cost of batteries by 50 percent in just a few years.
Electric cars benefiting from consumer understanding and adoption of conventional hybrids. "Prius has greased the skids," Hazimeh said. "We're not starting from scratch."
Automakers marketing EVs more aggressively than hybrids were marketed. Hybrids were barely advertised in the early years. By contrast, as we've already seen, automakers are putting big ad dollars behind their electric cars.
In addition, the marketing messages will shift to appeal to much wider consumer base. "It goes beyond green," Oliver said. "These are smart cars. They will be connected cars. They have a high-tech flair to it. So I think they will appeal to a broad audience, more than just about green."
There will be greater consumer choice for grid-connected vehicles than there have been for hybrids. The Prius still outsells all other hybrids combined. Expect a wider and more competitive field for EVs.

Hazimeh further states that buyers are:

Trying to avoid being stuck in history, and think about other factors that need to be considered going forward-climate change, variability on oil price, and thinking about how much money is flowing into the space for battery technology, etc.

On top of the ten percent of the 2020 market PRTM sees for plug-ins, the consulting firm also believes sales of conventional hybrids will grow to 20 percent by then. This means that PRTM ambitiously forecasts that sales of hybrids and plug-ins will make up nearly a third of new car sales by 2020.

[Source: Plugin Cars]

Electrics, hybrids to account for nearly a third of all sales by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Big Brother keep a watchful eye on electric vehicle drivers?

Eric Loveday — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:53:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automotive News' Hans Greimel posted a piece of interest last week titled "Why EV drivers should worry about Big Brother" (sub. req.). Greimel explains that, at least for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, the "all-seeing eye of Big Brother knows where you've been" and suggests that an EV's connection to the Internet holds the potential to open the door to a host of additional privacy concerns. The Internet connection that Greimel touches on is primarily used to monitor the vehicle's location, charge status and driving range, but, at least in theory, could allow Big Brother to track the car's every move. Greimel opens the article with this:

Imagine an Orwellian future where faceless international corporations track your every move. Drop by the bar after work, call in sick to go to the beach, visit your mistress' house. The all-seeing eye of Big Brother knows where you've been.

While the advanced systems found in EVs are designed to assist drivers of battery-powered autos in locating charging stations and to help them adjust their driving style to extract maximum range, it's not much of a stretch to imagine how this could quickly become a tool for collecting personal data and tracking a vehicle's whereabouts - to collect road taxes, for example. The ability to collect and store this data is already in place, as is a pledge to keep this information confidential, but what's to say that a judge won't summons this information to help convict someone of a crime or that a lawyer's request to see vehicle history records, as they pertain to a multi-million dollar lawsuit, will always be denied?

Gallery: Nissan Leaf

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Will Big Brother keep a watchful eye on electric vehicle drivers? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meijer to install plug-in vehicle chargers at select Michigan supercenters

Eric Loveday — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily

Supercenter retailer Meijer Inc. plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at many of its Michigan area stores. The first charging station, installed at the Warren, MI Meijer store, is now operational, and perhaps coincidentally, is located across the street from GM's technical center, a site that has more than its fair share of Chevy Volts roaming around. The retailer's Allen Park store, also located on the state's east side, is slated for the next install. Then, plans shift to the west, where Meijer's Holland, MI supercenter will get charged up. All of the Meijer charging stations will be, as expected, free for customers to use.

Looking ahead, Mejier plans to install 10 to 20 more charging stations at its stores in five Midwest states by the end of 2011. Meijer has opted for chargers from Coulomb Technolgies, no surprise there, and placed its purchase through Roseville, MI-based Shocking Solutions. Installation will be carried out by Waterford, MI-based ChargeNow.

Julie Croll, Meijer's senior vice president of properties and real estate, remarked on the significance of installing chargers at several of the retailer's stores, stating:

This is a very exciting step for Meijer as we continue to look for ways to expand our sustainability initiatives. The key to our success through the years has been innovation, and we look at sustainability the same way. Whether we are providing our customers with re-usable bags, placing rooftop wind turbines on stores or offering charging stations for the electric vehicles, we are committed to searching for innovative ways to be green.

Hit the jump for more on Meijer's plans to charge up Michigan.

[Source: Meijer]

Continue reading Meijer to install plug-in vehicle chargers at select Michigan supercenters

Meijer to install plug-in vehicle chargers at select Michigan supercenters originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf slapped with $51K price tag in Switzerland

Eric Loveday — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here in the U.S., the Nissan Leaf starts at a reasonable $32,780. After $7,500 in federal tax credits, the Leaf rings in at $25,280. Over in Japan, the Leaf sets buyers back ¥3.76 million ($46,225 U.S. at the current exchange rate) before one factors in the ¥770,000 ($9,466 U.S.) incentive so the post-credit price in Japan is roughly $36,800. Across the pond in the UK, Nissan's battery-powered hatch hits the pocketbook, after rebates, to the tune of £23,990 ($38,840 U.S.). Why all this pricing info overload? To put Nissan's just-announced price of 49,950 CHF ($51,977 U.S.) for the Leaf in Switzerland into perspective.

At nearly $52K, the Swiss-bound Leaf ain't no bargain. In fact, it's priced nearly $6,000 higher than the less capable, and also available in Switzerland, Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Okay, but surely some incentives will slash the Leaf's price, right? Wrong. Switzerland is one of a handful off European countries that get by without substantial government subsidies for electric vehicles, so $52K, or thereabouts, is what Swiss buyers will pay. That is, if anyone over there is willing to part with that kind of hard-earned cash to drive Nissan's zero-emissions hatchback.

Despite the high price tag, Nissan remains confident that Swiss motorists will bite. Simon Thomas, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Nissan International SA, offered up these words on the Leaf's entry into Switzerland:

Nissan Leaf is the perfect car for a country dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy,The combination of zero emissions, ultra-low running costs, and the sheer practicality of the family-sized car will appeal to many Swiss motorists. The fact that it's also great fun to drive is another bonus.

For those in Switzerland who are interested in buying the Leaf and are not put off by the lofty price, the ordering period opens December 1st and deliveries will begin in mid-2011. Hit the jump for more pricing info on the Nissan Leaf.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan Leaf slapped with $51K price tag in Switzerland

Nissan Leaf slapped with $51K price tag in Switzerland originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Piaggio unveils four-wheel NT3 concept city car; hybrid version in the works

Eric Loveday — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Green Daily, Lightweight

Late last week, Italian scooter maker Piaggio busted out its low-cost, three-seat NT3 concept at the Milan Motorcycle Show. The city car, which features a traditional four-wheel design and a three-seat layout with a central driving position and twin spots in the rear, could be ready to launch by late 2013. Piaggio conceived the NT3 concept in India and envisions it as a competitor to bargain-priced vehicles like the Tato Nano and some of the entry-level offerings from Maruti Suzuki.

The NT3 concept is loosely based on Piaggio's three-wheel Ape, a commercial vehicle offered in pick-up, panel van and tipper (tilting bed) configurations. The NT3 concept, like the Ape, will be targeted at buyers in southern Europe, India and other emerging markets where low price is paramount. The NT3 was conceived as a multi-purpose vehicle with several task-specific configurations.

For now, the NT3 features either a 200cc or 300cc motorcycle engine. Piaggio's hybrid HyS technology will be optional on 300cc-equipped NT3s and all models are expected to achieve more than 70 miles per gallon. Piaggio has not revealed the launch date for the NT3, but company boss Roberto Colannino told Reuters that production is scheduled to start "within three years" and that the company has "very big sales numbers in mind for India."

[Source: Piaggio Group]

Continue reading Piaggio unveils four-wheel NT3 concept city car; hybrid version in the works

Piaggio unveils four-wheel NT3 concept city car; hybrid version in the works originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lightning's electric GT entering late prototype phase; production set for 2012

Eric Loveday — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, UK

Lightning Car Company GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in February of 2009, UK-based Lightning Car Company announced that it was intent on building and selling its electric GT sometime in 2010. Well, the year is but three months from coming to a close and Lightning, as one might expect of any fledgling automaker, is running behind schedule. Lightning claims that its battery-powered GT will enter a "late prototype" phase soon and hopes to have the vehicle production-ready by spring of ... 2012.

Since unveiling the GT back in 2007, significant changes have been made. The proposed in-wheel motors have been ditched in favor of a rear-drive setup sourced from an unnamed German manufacturer. Performance numbers have been modified to account for changes made to the vehicle's drivetrain and electric motors. The car is tipped to run from 0-60 miles per hour in five seconds and range is expected to be more than 100 miles. With a projected price now soaring to £180,000 ($290,628 U.S. at the current exchange rate) we'd have to admit that selling even 250 electric GTs per year (Lightning's projected production volume) seems more than a bit optimistic. Hat tip to Mike!

Gallery: Lightning Car Company GT

[Source: Autocar]

Lightning's electric GT entering late prototype phase; production set for 2012 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epyon raises $9.7M; will scale up fast-charger operations in Europe

Eric Loveday — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily

In mid-May, Epyon unveiled its fast-charging system for electric vehicles during the Nissan Leaf's brief stop in the city of Amsterdam. Later that month, the company installed Europe's first fast-charging station at a fueling depot in the Netherlands. Now, Epyon announced that it has lined up five investors willing to back the company to the tune of €7 million ($9.7 million U.S. at the current exchange rate). The funds will be used to scale up Epyon's operations, which includes installing fast-charge stations across much of Europe.

Epyon's equity funding comes in part from three new shareholders: LiteOn Technology Corporation of Taiwan and Dutch investors BOM and Breesaap. Existing investors SET Venture Partners and Chrysalix also contributed to the recent funding efforts and remain Epyon's primary shareholders. LiteOn Technology hopes to expand Epyon's reach beyond Europe and is looking to countries like Asia, China and the U.S. as potential areas for growth.

[Source: Epyon]

Continue reading Epyon raises $9.7M; will scale up fast-charger operations in Europe

Epyon raises $9.7M; will scale up fast-charger operations in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrid sales soar to 5-month high in October

Eric Loveday — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green Daily

2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's that time of month again: October's sales numbers are in and gas-electric hybrids soared to a five-month high. Truth be told, the recent trending suggests that November's sales figures for hybrids may continue to climb even higher.

Let's dive in. October's sales of all hybrids, which includes cars, light trucks and SUVs, jumped up by 7.1 percent over September sales figures. Sales volume for October hit 22,254 units, the highest mark reported since May of this year. In addition, the market share for hybrids climbed to 2.54 percent, an 11-month high.

These sales numbers may have been sparked by some newer entries that are capturing buyer's attention. In particular, Honda's sporty CR-Z racked up 1,419 sales, nearly 200 more than in September. The Lincoln MKZ hybrid also joined the party and tallied a reasonable 366 sales in October, compared to just ten the previous month. All in all, hybrids continue to fare quite well, but outside forces like gas prices often influence a buyer's decision and we know that hybrid sales could tank if pump prices bottom out.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Hybrid sales soar to 5-month high in October originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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