Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 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[Free Electric Car!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/free-electric-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/free-electric-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/21/free-electric-car/#commentsFiled under: ,



There has been talk of free neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) before, but Drive Electric is turning up the promotional hype. The company is selling golf carts for the sale price of $6,496.53. Why that amount? Because there is a federal tax credit available for these EVs worth, look at that, $6,496.53. The credit runs out at the end of the year.

The golf carts that Drive Electric sells are classified as NEVs, and so are street legal on roads with speed limits under 35 mph. Other companies will sell similarly qualified vehicles, but might not be pricing their vehicles to match the value of the tax credit. We'll repeat Drive Electric's statement that nothing here should be considered to be tax advice and we recommend people should talk with their tax advisor before trying to get a car for free. As for the political value of a deal like this, well, that's what the comments are for. Thanks to Marke J. for the tip!

[Source: Free Electric Car]

Continue reading Free Electric Car!

Free Electric Car! originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drive electricDriveElectricfree electric carFreeElectricCargolf cartGolfCartMon, 21 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Tazzari Zero debuts at Bologna Motor Show, price revealed]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/tazzari-zero-debuts-at-bologna-motor-show-price-revealed/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/tazzari-zero-debuts-at-bologna-motor-show-price-revealed/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/tazzari-zero-debuts-at-bologna-motor-show-price-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Tazzari Zero - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been just over a year since the first renders of the Tazzari Zero were released and, right on schedule, the electric Italian sports-city car has made its world debut at the Bologna Motor Show. As befitting a car conceived and designed near Imola's Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the premiere was made in spectacular fashion on a rain-soaked and twisty half-mile track located on the fairgrounds. Five professional drivers took their places in five separate Zeros, tapped the "race mode" button, and proceeded to relentlessly attack the circuit. They looked, how do you say, bellissima!

The timeliness of the launch means they are also on track to make it stateside in the the early part of 2010. With North American distribution being handled by Verdek-EV, the price is now officially set at $29,900 (they say it's eligible for $6,336 tax credit) before any applicable federal or state tax credits. Although that's a bit steep for a car which, at least for now, is limited to 25 mph in many states (it's capable of 56 mph), we are talking an aluminum chassis, lithium ion batteries good for 88 miles and an AC motor which gives quick acceleration and allows for regenerative braking. In other words, quality. Check out the gallery below for a better look and you can also find a bit of bonus video of the cars on the show floor after the break.


Gallery: 2010 Tazzari Zero


[Source: Verdek-EV]

Continue reading Tazzari Zero debuts at Bologna Motor Show, price revealed

Tazzari Zero debuts at Bologna Motor Show, price revealed originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bologna Motor Show 2009BolognaMotorShow2009breakingTazzariTazzari ZeroTazzariZeroTue, 08 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Garia, the World's Most Exclusive Golf Cart]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/meet-the-garia-the-worlds-most-exclusive-golf-cart/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/meet-the-garia-the-worlds-most-exclusive-golf-cart/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/meet-the-garia-the-worlds-most-exclusive-golf-cart/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Garia, the "World's Most Exclusive Golf Cart" - Click above for high-res image gallery

Normally, we might associate the so-called World's Most Exclusive Golf Cart with Tiger Woods, but he's surely got more important things on his mind at the moment. Plus, it's Cadillac that's supposed to be The Standard of the World, not Buick, the GM-owned automaker that Woods shills for. So then, just who is the Garia meant for?

Honestly, we have no idea. Perhaps well-to-do golfers looking to one-up their frenemies at the local country club. In any case, the Garia is supposedly "built to the highest standards of the automotive industry." Included in its kit, says the manufacturer, are double-wishbone front suspension, a drivetrain built by the company that produces Ducati gearboxes and aluminum stampings sourced from the same company that supplies Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo.

Inside the comfy confines of the golf cart is a built-in refrigerator to keep your beverages nice and chilled along with a couple of strategically-located cupholders. Valmet Automotive, which assembles the Porsche Boxster and Cayman along with the upcoming Fisker Karma, manufacturers the Garia. Starting in 2010, the manufacturer promises that the Garia will be street-legal in the States as a Low Speed Vehicle after being formally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Price? $17,499 or 13,999 Euros, plus tax and delivery.



[Source: Garia]

Continue reading Meet the Garia, the World's Most Exclusive Golf Cart

Meet the Garia, the World's Most Exclusive Golf Cart originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusive golf cartExclusiveGolfCartgariagaria golf cartGariaGolfCartgolf cartGolfCartluxury golf cartLuxuryGolfCartMon, 07 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy a Bad Boy Buggie, <strike>kill</strike> save big bucks]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/buy-a-bad-boy-buggie-kill-save-big-bucks/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/buy-a-bad-boy-buggie-kill-save-big-bucks/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/buy-a-bad-boy-buggie-kill-save-big-bucks/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Bad Boy Buggies markets its tough all-terrain vehicles using the slogan "They'll Never Hear You Coming" to hunters who generally are of a mind to slay whatever bucks they can track down. Well, now they can save them too. No, not the four-legged woodland creatures with the white fur on the underside of their tails which are quite tasty. Rather the paper-with-pictures-of-past-presidents-kind. Lots of them.

The cash comes in the form of a $5,590 tax-credit and applies to versions of their vehicles outfitted with all the lights, seatbelts and other safety equipment required to make the buggies street legal. While the low speed vehicle (LSV) package does tack close a grand onto the pricetag, the resulting savings at tax time and the added ability to take your Bad Boy to the streets makes this option something of a no-brainer. Especially if you happen to live in Oklahoma, where they have also just been approved for that state's incredible 50 percent-of-purchase-price tax credit. In fact, if you're in the market for this kind of machine, the only reason we can think of not to track down a dealer now is they just might have even more amazing models next year. Hit the jump for a promotional video featuring the Bad Boy XT in action.

[Source: Bad Boy Buggies / Natchez Democrat]

Continue reading Buy a Bad Boy Buggie, kill save big bucks

Buy a Bad Boy Buggie, kill save big bucks originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bad Boy BuggiesBadBoyBuggieselectric atvelectric four wheel driveelectric hunting vehicleElectricAtvElectricFourWheelDriveElectricHuntingVehicleLSVTax creditTaxCreditTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/oklahomans-battling-over-the-cost-of-nevs-should-they-be-free/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wheego Whip - click above for high-res image gallery

Low-speed, neighborhood electric vehicles are an interesting case. No one thinks of them as "real cars" - although the Wheego Whip, above, tries to be the Cadillac of NEVs - but they certainly serve a purpose and can meet the transportation needs of some people, some of the time. But, should they be free?

Keith Andrews, president of Fairplay Cars, sent in some background information about a controversy brewing in Oklahoma that, at least for now, makes some NEVs effectively free. The state offers a huge tax credit towards purchasing an NEV, but the Oklahoma Tax Commission is campaigning to "black list a significant number of street legal electric cars from the states healthy tax credits now in place," Andrews wrote. The trouble revolves around the difference between a LSV and a golf cart. According to Andrews, the low-speed vehicle makers in favor of the plan pointed out in court that Oklahoma has already defined what is and is not a low-speed vehicle - based on NHTSA rules - and therefore "should adhere to its own standard and confirm approval of all LSV's that qualify on the Federal level." The Oklahoma Tax Commission has promised to appeal to the state Supreme Court, saying the decision could cost the state over $40 million. Read more from Andrews after the jump.

[Source: News 9, WSJ, Keith Andrews]




Continue reading Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free?

Oklahomans battling over the cost of NEVs. Should they be free? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>low speed vehicleLowSpeedVehiclelsvneighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehiclenevnevsMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick Spin: GGT Cozmo NEV - rickety things come in pricey packages]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/quick-spin-ggt-cozmo-nev-rickety-things-come-in-pricey-packag/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/quick-spin-ggt-cozmo-nev-rickety-things-come-in-pricey-packag/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/24/quick-spin-ggt-cozmo-nev-rickety-things-come-in-pricey-packag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


GGT Cozma - Click above for high-res image gallery

GreenGo Tek is a boastful little electric vehicle company. A press release issued by GGT over the summer to announce the new Cozmo neighborhood electric vehicle stated that, because the company also does EV conversions: "GGT is the only company in the world with the technology and manufacturing ability to retrofit any standard truck or car into an electric vehicle, avoiding any speed regulations." Wrong. GGT isn't modest, that's for sure.

What GGT is, though, is a Milford, Michigan-based company that puts an ell-electric drivetrain inside a small vehicle imported from China. Once turned into an EV, the Cozmo is the very definition of a neighborhood electric vehicle, almost identical to many others on the market in the U.S. today. We recently spent a few minutes behind the wheel of the Cozmo during the Business of Plugging In expo in Detroit. Follow us after the jump to learn more about this NEV and how it compares to competitors like the Wheego Whip.


Gallery: Cozmo NEV


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Quick Spin: GGT Cozmo NEV - rickety things come in pricey packages

Quick Spin: GGT Cozmo NEV - rickety things come in pricey packages originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business of plugging inBusinessOfPluggingIncozmofeaturedggtggt cozmoGgtCozmogo green techGoGreenTechgreengo tekGreengoTekpev 2009Pev2009Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris business district will test self-driving NEVs in busy square]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/paris-business-district-will-test-self-driving-nevs-in-busy-squa/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/paris-business-district-will-test-self-driving-nevs-in-busy-squa/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/paris-business-district-will-test-self-driving-nevs-in-busy-squa/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you think that crossing la Défense square on foot is tiring, you'll be glad to know that you might soon be able to do it while sleeping. How, you ask? Because Paris' largest business district is going to test self-guiding NEVs on the square soon. Hervé Bonnat, Director of the Etablissement Public de Gestion de la Défense (EPGD), the public group that manages la Défense, has announced a test involving several Cycab models, self-guiding NEVs developed by the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et Automatique (INRIA, National Institute for Automatics and Computer Research). The Cycab navigates with GPS and uses lasers to stop before hitting obstacles. It seats two and speeds up to whopping 30 km/h (20 mph). Don't scoff. That's plenty to cross the square, which is 1.5 km (0.9 miles) across. Not much time for a nap, though.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Paris business district will test self-driving NEVs in busy square originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>franceINRIAla defenseLaDefenseparisself-guidingThu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: three low-speed electric cars for $13,500]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/11/ebay-find-of-the-day-three-low-speed-electric-cars-for-13-500/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/11/ebay-find-of-the-day-three-low-speed-electric-cars-for-13-500/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/11/ebay-find-of-the-day-three-low-speed-electric-cars-for-13-500/#commentsFiled under: ,

How much is too much for a neighborhood electric vehicle? If you're talking about a somewhat unknown NEV that looks like a smart fortwo, can go about 60 miles per charge at a speed of 28 mph and are currently located in Alberta, Canada, $4,500 is too much. That's the lesson we take away from an eBay auction that ends tomorrow and has, well, zero bids. Zilch. The cars are being sold as a lot for $13,500, and we understand why there is little interest. These are unlicensed, slow-charge lead-acid battery vehicles that don't have warranties. Would you pay for that?

Still, for a dealer who knows how to legally acquire and then sell NEVs, this three-for-one deal could be a good way to get some inventory on the lot. If you've got a mechanic with the ability to add in some li-ion packs, consider these some cheap glider bodies. Plus, they've got CD players. Thanks to Joshua A. for the tip!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: three low-speed electric cars for $13,500 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eBayebay Find of the DayeBay MotorsEbayFindOfTheDayEbayMotorsneighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehiclenevsmart cloneSmartCloneSun, 11 Oct 2009 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[AltCar 2009: Wheego Whip Quick Drive - is this the Cadillac of NEVs?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/altcar-2009-wheego-whip-quick-drive-is-this-the-cadillac-of-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/altcar-2009-wheego-whip-quick-drive-is-this-the-cadillac-of-n/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/altcar-2009-wheego-whip-quick-drive-is-this-the-cadillac-of-n/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wheego Whip - click above for high-res image gallery

Is the Wheego Whip "The Cadillac of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles"? That's one description that we heard during our very short test drive of the NEV during the Santa Monica Alt Car Expo last weekend. Marc Korchin, owner of the Green Motors electric vehicles dealership in Berkeley, rode with us around the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in the Wheego and explained why this car is, in many ways, the best he's ever sold.

Having driven the Tesla Roadster and the Dodge Circuit, we know what pure EVs are capable of. But this car costs about a sixth of what the Roadster costs - and the Circuit is just a prototype today - so we had to make sure to evaluate the Whip on its own NEV merits. Is the Wheego worth it? Find out after the jump.

Gallery: AltCar 2009: Wheego Whip


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading AltCar 2009: Wheego Whip Quick Drive - is this the Cadillac of NEVs?

AltCar 2009: Wheego Whip Quick Drive - is this the Cadillac of NEVs? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>quick spinQuickSpinwheegowheego electric carWheego Whipwheego whip evWheegoElectricCarWheegoWhipWheegoWhipEvMon, 05 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: IIHS concerned with growing popularity of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-iihs-concerned-with-growing-popularity-of-neighborhood-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-iihs-concerned-with-growing-popularity-of-neighborhood-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/report-iihs-concerned-with-growing-popularity-of-neighborhood-e/#commentsFiled under: ,

Polaris Breeze NEV - Click above to enlarge

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is concerned with the growing popularity of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. Specifically, the IIHS worries that these vehicles are increasingly being allowed to travel on public roads where traffic often moves at higher speeds than the cars were initially designed to travel on.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration is reportedly considering how best to regulate NEVs as more of them begin to hit our nation's roadways. For its part, IIHS spokesman Joe Nolan says the organization may begin crash testing the "souped-up golf carts" to demonstrate their safety deficiencies when compared with normal cars and trucks. Current estimates put roughly 100,000 NEVs on the road today.

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req'd via TTAC]

REPORT: IIHS concerned with growing popularity of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iihsneighborhood electric vehicleneighborhood electric vehicle safetyneighborhood electric vehiclesNeighborhoodElectricVehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehiclesNeighborhoodElectricVehicleSafetynevnev safetyNevSafetynhtsaWed, 30 Sep 2009 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Meet the Luis: a Chinese-German EV for under €12,000]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/meet-the-luis-a-chinese-german-ev-for-under-12-000/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/meet-the-luis-a-chinese-german-ev-for-under-12-000/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/meet-the-luis-a-chinese-german-ev-for-under-12-000/#commentsFiled under: , ,



German company Luis has announced that its Luis Free EV is now on sale for less than €12,000. The car, which is built in China by a non-disclosed partner, can be ordered with two different power outputs: 5.5 kW and 8 kW under the fiberglass bodywork. The low-power model, which reaches a maximum speed of 60 km/h (40 mph) is classified as a NEV. The second, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50mph), requires a standard driver's license to operate. Seating four, the Luis Free EV has a declared range of about 200 km (120 miles) although the battery technology hasn't been disclosed. Luis claims that the car can be charged up to 80 percent in a normal household outlet in about two hours, reaching full capacity in five hours.

[Source: Auto News]

Meet the Luis: a Chinese-German EV for under €12,000 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>luisluis autoluis electric carluis evluis freeluis free evLuisAutoLuisElectricCarLuisEvLuisFreeLuisFreeEvTue, 08 Sep 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[IIHS maps America's Medium Speed Vehicle rules]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/iihs-maps-americas-medium-speed-vehicle-rules/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/iihs-maps-americas-medium-speed-vehicle-rules/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/iihs-maps-americas-medium-speed-vehicle-rules/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There's a lot of grey in the map above, and each grey state indicates that there is no local law there defining the rules for medium-speed vehicles (MSVs). We've written plenty about low-speed vehicles, but what's an MSV? It's a car that " has some safety equipment such as lights, reflectors, mirrors, parking brake, windshield, and safety belts" and can go at least 30 mph (but not more than 35 mph).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied a request, in 2008, to create a national MSV category, which means it falls to the states to define where these vehicles, often pure electric ones, can be legally driven. Eight states have bothered to do so (the ninth, Colorado, is colored in red because its laws will go into effect once the U.S. Department of Transportation defines MSV safety standards. NHTSA's reasoning to not define the MSV category was based on safety concerns, specifically that if a car can go 35, it would be OK to use on streets where the potential accidents would overwhelm the minimal safety equipment on board. You can read more about the decision in this PDF.

[Source: IIHS]

IIHS maps America's Medium Speed Vehicle rules originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>low speed electric vehiclelow speed vehicleLowSpeedElectricVehicleLowSpeedVehiclelsvneighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehiclenevFri, 04 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Polaris Industries launches Breeze NEV, a golf cart that's proud to be a golf cart]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/polaris-industries-launches-breeze-nev-a-golf-cart-thats-proud/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/polaris-industries-launches-breeze-nev-a-golf-cart-thats-proud/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/polaris-industries-launches-breeze-nev-a-golf-cart-thats-proud/#commentsFiled under: ,


Polaris Breeze NEV - Click to enlarge

As expected, Polaris Industries has just announced its first neighborhood electric vehicle. The new machine comes courtesy of the motorsports manufacturer's recently-created On-Road Division and will be available at select Polaris dealerships starting this September.

As far as the vehicle goes, the Polaris Breeze seems to be little more than a glorified golf cart, and we can't yet locate any specifications as to the vehicle's expected range or price. Polaris says the Breeze is intended for golfers and individuals living in master planned communities.

A dealer meeting is scheduled for this week, and it's possible we could see additional new products from the Minneapolis-based company in short order. Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries, said in a statement:
Our ability to leverage Polaris' rich history of designing and manufacturing industry leading products, combined with the creativity of our designers and engineers, is a hallmark of our company and a major component for our success. This vehicle is the latest innovation from Polaris and the first of what we expect will be a series of successful ventures into the on-road vehicle category over the coming years.
[Source: Polaris]

Continue reading Polaris Industries launches Breeze NEV, a golf cart that's proud to be a golf cart

Polaris Industries launches Breeze NEV, a golf cart that's proud to be a golf cart originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>polarispolaris breezepolaris neighborhood electric vehiclepolaris nevPolarisBreezePolarisNeighborhoodElectricVehiclePolarisNevMon, 20 Jul 2009 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/chrysler-pushing-to-dramatically-cut-gem-dealer-network/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/chrysler-pushing-to-dramatically-cut-gem-dealer-network/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/03/chrysler-pushing-to-dramatically-cut-gem-dealer-network/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


GEM Peapod - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has made a big deal in the past about its long history selling GEM electric cars, and there are tens of thousands of them on the roads today. Of course, the EVs that Chrysler has been selling since 2000 (when DaimlerChrysler purchased GEM) are all NEVs - expensive, slow electric vehicles that aren't selling well these days. With Chrysler's recent emergence from bankruptcy, the company is still looking to cut losses wherever possible. Letting some GEM dealers go is one option.

Last month, Chrysler axed almost 800 Chrysler dealerships. According to a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing, the company now wants to eliminate 64 of 150 low-performing GEM dealers as well. Chrysler attorney Corinne Ball wrote in the filing that Chrysler has "determined that the GEM dealership agreements are neither necessary nor valuable to their estates and should be rejected."

The newest addition to the GEM lineup was to be the Peapod (pictured), but Chrysler announced recently that it would release this car under its own brand name, Peapod Mobility.

Gallery: GEM Peapod


[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chrysler pushing to dramatically cut GEM dealer network originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler bankruptcychrysler gemchrysler nevChryslerBankruptcyChryslerGemChryslerNevgemgem evgem nevGemEvGemNevFri, 03 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Korean e-Zone electric car to be manufactured in Southeast U.S.?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/korean-e-zone-electric-car-to-be-manufactured-in-southeast-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/korean-e-zone-electric-car-to-be-manufactured-in-southeast-u-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/korean-e-zone-electric-car-to-be-manufactured-in-southeast-u-s/#commentsFiled under: ,


e-Zone Electric Vehicle - Click above to enlarge

If any car screams "Alabama!" it's the e-Zone electric car pictured above, right? The quirky low speed vehicle is a project of CT&T Co. Ltd, a South Korean company, and might be built in the Heart of Dixie in the next few years. CT&T wants to build a variety of vehicles for the U.S. market, including "City Drive Electrical Vehicles (EVs), Mid-speed Electric Vehicles, High-speed Electric Vehicles, Utility Electric Vehicles." The vehicles will use lead acid, advanced lead acid, lithium polymer and lithium ion chemistries and will cost between $8,000 and $16,000. The company says that, "By the fourth quarter of 2009, the company expects to begin selling c-Zone utility EVs for commercial and government applications as well the e-Zone City Drive EVs." Nothing like an ambitious goal.

CT&T is looking at building a North American headquarters, a research and development center and several manufacturing facilities in America, likely in the Southeast. CT&T is looking at Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and California as potential locations for its operations, which it says will employ 2,600 people. The company's U.S. subsidiary is called CT&T United. Thanks to Mart for the tip!

[Source: CT&T, Birmingham News]

Continue reading Korean e-Zone electric car to be manufactured in Southeast U.S.?

Korean e-Zone electric car to be manufactured in Southeast U.S.? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric carelectric carselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleElectricVehiclesfeaturedkorean electric carKoreanElectricCarThu, 02 Jul 2009 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/tomberlin-releases-anvil-nev-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/tomberlin-releases-anvil-nev-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/01/tomberlin-releases-anvil-nev-w-video/#commentsFiled under: ,


Tomberlin Anvil NEV - Click above for image gallery

Tomberlin, a manufacturing and distribution company based in Georgia, recently unveiled the Anvil, its latest low-speed electric vehicle, on the CBS News Early Show. As a neighborhood electric vehicle, the Anvil is capped at a top speed of 25 miles per hour and is legal on roads in the U.S. with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Base price for the Anvil will be $16K.

Tomberlin is claiming a 40-mile range from the aptly named 1,797-pound (with six 12-volt batteries installed) Anvil, which reportedly features a powerful 50-horsepower motor, front disc and rear drum brakes and an on-board charger that can plug into any standard wall outlet.

What probably sets the Anvil apart from most other NEVs is its interesting appearance. Looking something like a mashup between a Jeep Wranger, a Hummer H2 and a golf cart, the Anvil doesn't really look like any other low-speed electric vehicle in recent memory - for better or for worse. Click past the break for two short videos of the Tomberlin Anvil in action.

Gallery: Tomberlin Anvil


[Source: Tomberlin, Dealernews]

Continue reading Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO]

Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>low speed electric vehiclelow speed vehiclelow-speed electric vehicleLow-speedElectricVehicleLowSpeedElectricVehicleLowSpeedVehicleneighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhoodElectricVehicletomberlintomberlin anviltomberlin nevTomberlinAnvilTomberlinNevWed, 01 Jul 2009 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[More on the Maya 300, the new $35,000 NEV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/more-on-the-maya-300-the-new-35-000-nev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/more-on-the-maya-300-the-new-35-000-nev/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/more-on-the-maya-300-the-new-35-000-nev/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Maya 300 was unveiled this week and we can now get a better handle on the new all-electric vehicle that is put together by Electrovaya (with a bit of help from ExxonMobil in the battery) and will be used in a new car sharing project in Baltimore. While we heard some price ranges for the car at the beginning of the week, USA Today is saying that the upper ends of those ranges are the right ones. That means that the 60-mile version might be $25,000 while the 120-mile Maya 300 could cost a sweet $35,000. And, blurry street photo on Maya's new website aside, the Maya 300 is currently considered an NEV, which means it's electronically limited to go no faster than 25 mph. Gas2.org spoke to people at Electrovaya who claimed that a highway version is in development and "will be to market within the next few years." The Maya 300 NEV should be available for purchase in 2011. Until then, Maya Mobility's new website describes the car and idea in more detail, while the AltCar website explains how the new car sharing service at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore will work.

Gallery: Maya 300


[Source: Maya Electric, USA Today, Electrovaya, Gas2.org]

Continue reading More on the Maya 300, the new $35,000 NEV

More on the Maya 300, the new $35,000 NEV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maya 300maya baltimoremaya electric carmaya evmaya mobilitymaya nevMaya300MayaBaltimoreMayaElectricCarMayaEvMayaMobilityMayaNevFri, 26 Jun 2009 14:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Rent a Startlab in Bergamo, Italy to go all-electric]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/rent-a-startlab-in-bergamo-italy-to-go-all-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/rent-a-startlab-in-bergamo-italy-to-go-all-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/rent-a-startlab-in-bergamo-italy-to-go-all-electric/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Visitor to Bergamo, Italy now have an option to drive through town without an ICE by renting an all electric model from Puntogiallo. Although the elettrica is an NEV and cannot be driven on the Italian autostrada (freeway), it's quite suitable for city travel. The Italian-made model is called Startlab Open Street and it belongs to the quadracycle cattegory, which means it can be driven without a driver's license in Europe. This model is a two seater only, and spots a lead-gel battery able to power the car for 65km (a little more than 40 miles) with a maximum speed of 55 km/h (34 mph). The car's structure is made from aluminum and, with wheels at the corners, it's got a special go-kart handling feeling. As a bonus, Bergamo offers free parking space for EVs. Grazie a Giuliano.

[Source: Motorcafe]

Rent a Startlab in Bergamo, Italy to go all-electric originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bergamoitaliaitalynevstartlabstartlab open streetStartlabOpenStreetSat, 20 Jun 2009 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Peapod meets the Governator, makes new friend [w/VDEO]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/peapod-meets-the-governator-makes-new-friend-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/peapod-meets-the-governator-makes-new-friend-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/peapod-meets-the-governator-makes-new-friend-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It appears that the Peapod has emerged unscathed from the recent turmoil of Chrysler's brush with bankruptcy. In fact, the little neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) with the big friendly (or evil, depending on your point of view) smile is now riding about the 35 mph-or-lower streets of California, where it is making lots of friends, including the governor of the state, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former Hummer owner has fallen, by his own admission, "... in love with it."

At a recently held press conference with the Governator and Chrysler's Chief Innovation Officer, Peter Arnell (and Christine the Peapod), it was revealed that 2,400 residents of the Golden State have already placed themselves on the waiting list. The vehicles, along with the iPod necessary to operate them, should start shipping sometime in October. Hopefully we'll have the chance to park one in the ABG garage by then and see if makes us smile, too.

Gallery: GEMs Peapod


[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Peapod meets the Governator, makes new friend [w/VDEO]

Peapod meets the Governator, makes new friend [w/VDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerGovernatorPeapodPeapod MobilityPeapodMobilityPeter ArnellPeterArnellSun, 14 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wheego Whip spun off from RTEV, low-speed electric car on track for late July]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/wheego-whip-spun-off-from-rtev-low-speed-electric-car-on-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/wheego-whip-spun-off-from-rtev-low-speed-electric-car-on-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/wheego-whip-spun-off-from-rtev-low-speed-electric-car-on-track/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ruff and Tuff Electric Vehicles Inc. (RTEV) has spun off its Wheego Electric Cars division. Wheego's first car, the low-speed Whip (pictured), should be available in late July (yes, that's a delay). According to Wheego, about 100 people have pre-ordered the $18,995 car that's not-a-Smart.

The reason for the spin-off is that RTEV wants to refocus its energy "on cost reduction and selling deeper into its established territory markets, instead of expanding into new markets," as RTEV chairman and CEO Mike McQuary (who will also become CEO of Wheego Electric Cars) said in a statement. Auto industry veteran Jeff Boyd (last seen at Miles EV) came to RTEV last fall to head up RTEV's Wheego Street Division and will continue as president of Wheego Electric Cars. Investors in RTEV "will own the same pro-rata share of Wheego as they currently have in RTEV," the company said.

[Source: RTEV]

Continue reading Wheego Whip spun off from RTEV, low-speed electric car on track for late July

Wheego Whip spun off from RTEV, low-speed electric car on track for late July originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 29 May 2009 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jeff boydJeffBoydrtevwheegowheego electric carwheego evwheego whipwheego whip evWheegoElectricCarWheegoEvWheegoWhipWheegoWhipEvFri, 29 May 2009 13:34:00 EST