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[Automaker-backed study sounds the alarm against E15]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No E15 gas cap

Another day, another opinion on the feasibility of E15.

This time, a group called the Coordinating Research Council released a study saying that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to push for allowing gas with a 15-percent ethanol blend (aka E15) to be sold to the general public for newer cars may have been a bad one because of potentially harmful effect the fuel may have on older vehicles, the New York Times reports.

E15 may compromise the durability of the engines of most of the cars on the road because automakers didn't design the vehicles to run on E15, which has 50% more ethanol than the current maximum of a 10-percent ethanol blend (i.e. E10), the group says.

Of course, Coordinating Research Council is backed by - wait for it - eight automakers as well as the American Petroleum Institute (API), according to the Times. The automakers have long pushed to delay E15 approval because of engine durability concerns while the API represents a petroleum industry whose demand is inversely related to how much ethanol's being used in light-duty vehicles.

With that in mind, Patrick B. Davis, an Energy Department program manager specializing in vehicle testing, said in a blog post that the new study is "flawed" in part because the study didn't involve the testing of E10's impact on engines. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen called the report "junk science."

The EPA in April approved the first applications to make E15 amid protests from automakers and recreation vehicle makers that have claimed that the higher alcohol content may damage engines and fuel systems. The government has gone back and forth on the issue, both pushing for higher ethanol production levels to cut foreign-oil dependence while last year terminating a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol.

Recently, The Auto Channel reported that researchers at University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University estimated that ethanol production cut the average cost of fuel last year by $1.09 a gallon because of lower ethanol prices and broader use of fuels such as E10.

Automaker-backed study sounds the alarm against E15 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelsCoordinating Research Councile10e15e15 safetyenvironmental protection agencyepaethanolFri, 18 May 2012 16:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240465/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240465/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/20240465/article-detail.xml 20240465 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gas-cap-e15-1337355368_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gas-cap-e15-1337355368.jpg <![CDATA[Ethanol production shaved $1.09 a gallon off of last year's gas prices]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

ethanol pump

If you thought last year was a bad one at the gas pump, it could've been worse. That's what one report partially funded by ethanol advocate Renewable Fuels Association says.

U.S. ethanol production actually cut wholesale gas prices by $1.09 a gallon last year because of relatively lower ethanol prices and the greater use of ethanol blends, The Auto Channel said, citing a PDF report written by researchers at University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University for Iowa State's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development.

Ethanol production cut the typical U.S. household's spending on gas by more than $1,200 last year and by an average of $340 a year since 2000, according to the report.

Ethanol advocates have been pushing for blends with a higher percentage of ethanol as a way to cut both gas costs and dependency on foreign oil, while opponents have decried subsidies given to ethanol producers. Late last year, Congress ended a three-decade tax subsidy for the corn-based ethanol, which was reported to have received $45 billion in subsidies since 1980.

Ethanol production shaved $1.09 a gallon off of last year's gas prices originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelethanolgas pricesiowa state universityrenewable fuels associationsubsidiesuniversity of wisconsinFri, 18 May 2012 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240111/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240111/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/20240111/article-detail.xml 20240111 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ethanol_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ethanol.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/tesla-will-start-repaying-loans-by-end-of-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/tesla-will-start-repaying-loans-by-end-of-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/tesla-will-start-repaying-loans-by-end-of-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A week after Tesla Motors announced it would be able to deliver the first Model S in June, a month ahead of the original July release date, the startup automaker continued the good news by announcing it will start repaying the Energy Department loans it got in 2009.

The $465 million loan was part of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program meant to encourage the creation jobs and cars using little or no fossil fuels. Fisker, Ford and Nissan were also participants receiving loans under the program.

As of March, 2012, Tesla reported having $104.5 million left of the loan, which is expected to be spent before the fourth quarter begins. Payments on the half-billion loan will begin in December.

"We are delivering on the milestones, what we've committed to," said Tesla Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja in an interview with Bloomberg. "Once we are delivering customer cars, then that signifies completion of the project."

With the first Model S delivery taking place soon, Tesla is also focusing on its retail strategy. In charge of sales and ownership is former Apple executive George Blankenship. His plan for Tesla is to have only company-owned stores where well-trained company reps will interact with customers. Actual sales will take place online, not on the sales floor. Employees will not get a commission on sales, which should help tone down the usual hard-sale tactics of car salespeople.

"It takes the whole not-selling-the-car process to another level," Blankenship told Automotive News. "We're telling customers, 'I can't sell you a car today if I wanted to.'"

Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleatvmbatteryelectricgeorge blankenshipmodel steslatesla loanMon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237480/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237480/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/tesla-will-start-repaying-loans-by-end-of-this-year/20237480/article-detail.xml 20237480 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/teslamodels_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/teslamodels.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The company may be best known for tire-melting Hemi engines, but at least some of its dealerships are showing some love for the environment.

Chrysler, which launched a program last year to commemorate its most eco-friendly dealers, has named its first batch of 30 winners as part of its Dealer ECO (that stands for Environmentally Conscious Operations) Program.

The U.S. automaker awarded five dealers in Michigan as well as three dealerships each in New York and California among the 30. One Arkansas dealership was rewarded for having a 2,000-square-foot solar-panel system on its roof (pictured), while another, in Michigan, was singled out for using used motor oil to heat the facility.

In all, the dealers were noted for their energy efficiency, oil containment, waste recycling and community involvement. And each of the dealers received a bamboo plaque commemorating their achievements.

Continue reading Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo

Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiachryslerecologyenvironmentmichigannew yorkFri, 11 May 2012 10:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234980/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234980/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/20234980/article-detail.xml 20234980 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chrysler_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chrysler.jpg <![CDATA[GE says WattStation Connect EV-charger locator is a potential revenue generator]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/ge-says-wattstation-connect-ev-charger-locator-is-a-potential-re/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/ge-says-wattstation-connect-ev-charger-locator-is-a-potential-re/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/ge-says-wattstation-connect-ev-charger-locator-is-a-potential-re/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ge wattstation

Yes, you can make some extra cash by letting electric-vehicle drivers charge up at your house.

That's the pitch from General Electric for its WattStation Connect cloud-based program that lets homeowners publicize their availability and charging rates, according to Wired.

While PlugShare and Recargo already have applications that let folks offer their charging-outlet availability, WattStation Connect takes it one step further by letting keepers of the plug lay out hours of operation and payment rates. GE has even brought in PayPal for payment collections.

GE is looking to capitalize on both the expected growth in sales of plug-in vehicles throughout the U.S. and concerns from prospective plug-in buyers over where they can charge up outside of their homes. Currently, about a third of the 9,000 electric-vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S. are publicly accessible, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

GE says WattStation Connect EV-charger locator is a potential revenue generator originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationselectric vehicle charging stationsgegeneral electricWattStationwattstation chargerFri, 11 May 2012 08:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235448/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235448/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/ge-says-wattstation-connect-ev-charger-locator-is-a-potential-re/20235448/article-detail.xml 20235448 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/gewallmounthomegarage_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/gewallmounthomegarage.jpg <![CDATA[BYD will supply up to 10 all-electric buses to Windsor, Ontario]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/byd-will-supply-up-to-10-all-electric-buses-to-windsor-ontario/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/byd-will-supply-up-to-10-all-electric-buses-to-windsor-ontario/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/byd-will-supply-up-to-10-all-electric-buses-to-windsor-ontario/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Some Americans may derisively refer to Canada as the 51st state, but when it comes to BYD's all-electric buses, them Maple Leafs have left us behind.

The City of Windsor, Ontario, which is right across the river from Detroit, will be the first North American municipality to have a fleet of all-electric buses made by China-based BYD.

Transit Windsor signed a letter of intent to buy as many as 10 buses this year. Windsor leaders cited, among other things, the fact that the buses' batteries don't consist of any heavy metals or toxic electrolytes. BYD and local utility company Enwin Utilities also reached an agreement for the buses' batteries to be reused for stationary power storage after they outlive their use powering the 40-foot-long buses.

BYD, whose investors include Warren Buffet, has gradually picked up business from various municipalities for its battery-electric buses. Last June, BYD, which opened its North American headquarters in Los Angeles late last year, reached agreements with both the city of Frankfurt, Germany, and with Singapore.

BYD says its eBUS-12 can go as far as 186 miles on a single charge and can be recharged in as little as 30 minutes with BYD's own 600-kilowatt rapid charging system.

Continue reading BYD will supply up to 10 all-electric buses to Windsor, Ontario

BYD will supply up to 10 all-electric buses to Windsor, Ontario originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bydbyd canadae-bus 12electric vehicletransit windsorwindsorwindsor canadaWed, 09 May 2012 08:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233285/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233285/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/byd-will-supply-up-to-10-all-electric-buses-to-windsor-ontario/20233285/article-detail.xml 20233285 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bydwindsor_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bydwindsor.jpg <![CDATA[Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Burning rubber? Not on Bridgestone's watch.

That's what the world's largest tire and rubber company is saying by ratcheting up its tire-recycling program. Bridgestone Americas is looking to ensure that, by the end of the year, 100 percent of the used tires returned to its company-owned stores when new tires are purchased are recycled for other uses.

The effort is part of Bridgestone's One Team, One Planet Spent Tire program. In addition to enforcing recycling for its company-owned stores, the Nashville-based company will, next year, start pushing affiliate retail stores to recycle all used tires as well.

So far, the company appears to be pretty vigilant about its tire-recycling efforts, as it currently has a 98-percent tire-reusage rate at the company's 2,200 U.S. stores. That compares favorably to the 85-percent recycling rate for "spent" tires, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

Continue reading Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program

Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridgestonerecyclingrubber recyclingtiresTue, 08 May 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233888/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233888/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/20233888/article-detail.xml 20233888 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bridgestone_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bridgestone.jpg <![CDATA[Lithium ion battery 'overcapacity' could arrive by 2015, would push prices way down]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery costselectric vehiclehybridli-ionlithium ionlithium ion batteriesovercapacityplug-in hybridroland bergerMon, 07 May 2012 19:43:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232800/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232800/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/lithium-ion-battery-overcapacity-could-arrive-by-2015-would-p/20232800/article-detail.xml 20232800 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/lithiumiin0425_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/lithiumiin0425.jpg <![CDATA[These electric vehicles aren't really, real; just California compliance EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/these-electric-vehicles-arent-really-real-just-california-com/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/these-electric-vehicles-arent-really-real-just-california-com/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/these-electric-vehicles-arent-really-real-just-california-com/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

chevy spark ev

California may be the Golden State, but when it comes to the upcoming debuts of a number of battery-electric vehicles, prospective buyers may want to associate the most populous U.S. state with the color red. As in herring.

That's the conclusion of Green Car Reports in its evaluation of a number of EVs set to launch within the next year or two. With automakers like Toyota, General Motors and Ford obligated to meet certain zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) quotas for California, those companies are making EV versions of the RAV4, Chevrolet Spark, Focus (respectively) almost purely for the purpose of meeting the quotas - not for any widespread U.S. sales.

Honda and Chrysler are also making what GCR termed "compliance cars" with the Fit and the Fiat 500 Elettrica. All of those models are strictly for show, the publication says, because they're either going to be lease-only models, won't be available much outside of the "California emissions" states, will be produced in extremely low volumes or have so few details released about them from the automakers that a true national roll-out is unlikely.

Of course, if a bunch of other states follow California's emissions rules lead, this all could change. Earlier this year, we learned that as many as 10 other states may adopt zero-emissions vehicles quotas similar to California's. Also, California recently finalized a requirement for more than 15 percent of the new cars to be ZEVs by the 2025 model year, which would mean that about 270,000 ZEVs would have to be sold in California each year.

Still, we like that GCR named names, and you can get all the details and reasoning here.

These electric vehicles aren't really, real; just California compliance EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 May 2012 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiachevrolet sparkelectric vehiclefiat 500ford focushonda fitquotarav4zero emissionszero emissions vehiclezevFri, 04 May 2012 19:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230970/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230970/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/these-electric-vehicles-arent-really-real-just-california-com/20230970/article-detail.xml 20230970 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/chevy-spark-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/chevy-spark-ev-628.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[General Electric CEO says electric vehicles will reach 'tipping point']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/general-electric-ceo-says-electric-vehicles-will-reach-tipping/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/general-electric-ceo-says-electric-vehicles-will-reach-tipping/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/25/general-electric-ceo-says-electric-vehicles-will-reach-tipping/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

red chevy volt front three-quarter

True belief or wishful thinking?

That's the question some may ask about General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt and his statement that electric vehicles will become more than a just niche market in the U.S.

Immelt, speaking at a Detroit automotive conference on Tuesday, said GE will continue to invest in battery-electric vehicle technology with the belief that lower costs and improved performance will allow EVs to reach "a tipping point," Reuters reported. Immelt stressed the fact that GE's decision was based on his belief in what will be a substantial market, adding that "novelties don't work."

Last year, electric-drive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in and Nissan Leaf battery-electric accounted for less than one in 500 new cars sold. By comparison, hybrids account for about one in 50 new cars sold.

GE was an early supporter of electric-drive vehicles, agreeing in November 2010 to order 12,000 Volts and work with its fleet customers to purchase 10,000 more electric-drive vehicles by 2015. GE said at the time that electric-drive vehicle adoption could create $500 million in revenue for the company during the ensuing three years.

General Electric CEO says electric vehicles will reach 'tipping point' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevy voltdetroitelectric vehiclegegeneral electricimmeltjeff immeltJeffrey Immeltleafniche marketnissanplug-in hybridvoltWed, 25 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223287/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223287/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/25/general-electric-ceo-says-electric-vehicles-will-reach-tipping/20223287/article-detail.xml 20223287 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volt0309-1335307262_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/volt0309-1335307262.jpg <![CDATA[Hark! Mitsubishi's 'Electriphobia Institute' cures EV anxiety!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/hark-mitsubishis-electriphobia-institute-cures-ev-anxiety/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/hark-mitsubishis-electriphobia-institute-cures-ev-anxiety/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/19/hark-mitsubishis-electriphobia-institute-cures-ev-anxiety/#commentsFiled under: , ,

mitsubishi electriphobia

Think of it as Mitsubishi's nod to Canada's offbeat sense of humor.

The Japanese automaker is using the 2012 Green Living Show in Toronto this week to launch what it calls its "Electriphobia Research Institute," which will promote the Mitsubishi battery-electric i-MiEV while it dispels some myths associated with plug-in powertrains.

Mitsubishi Canada, which is also sharing this advertising campaign on the Internet, will use the "Institute" to address misconceptions like the lack of engine noise, fear of electrocution and other subjects. The company started i-MiEV sales in Canada in December and is selling the car at 30 dealerships across the country.

The i-MiEV's U.S. equivalent, the i, has been rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the country's most fuel-efficient production vehicle at 112 MPGe, in terms of its miles-per-gallon-equivalent rating. The i can go about 62 miles on a single charge, or about 11 miles fewer than the Nissan Leaf battery-electric.

Mitsubishi started i sales late last year, and set a U.S. monthly sales record last month with a modest 52 units. The Japanese automaker also shipped the first of its fleet EVs to Google and the non-profit, car-sharing service IGO CarSharing. Mitusbishi debuted the model as the i-MiEV in Japan in 2009.

You can see the first three Electriphobia videos just below.

Continue reading Hark! Mitsubishi's 'Electriphobia Institute' cures EV anxiety!

Hark! Mitsubishi's 'Electriphobia Institute' cures EV anxiety! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaelectric vehicleelectriphobiaelectriphobia research institutegreen livinggreen living showii-MiEVmitsubishitorontoThu, 19 Apr 2012 18:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218807/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20218807/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/19/hark-mitsubishis-electriphobia-institute-cures-ev-anxiety/20218807/article-detail.xml 20218807 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mitsuelectro_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/mitsuelectro.jpg <![CDATA[Lito Green Motion's electric Sora zooms into sight, promises to arrive this summer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/lito-green-motion-electric-sora-motorcycle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/lito-green-motion-electric-sora-motorcycle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/lito-green-motion-electric-sora-motorcycle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

lito green motiion electric sora motorcycle

It's been a year since we first saw computer-generated renderings of the Sora electric motorcycle from Lito Green Motion and we've been (less-than-patiently) waiting to see it in action ever since. Happily, that wait is now over.

On the eve of its exhibition to the well-heeled hordes at the Top Marques show in Monaco, the company has released footage of its mean green machine cruising along both countryside blacktop and a banked concrete circuit. In motion, it looks better than we had imagined, and wondered if anything had changed in its journey from paper to production. So, we called up LGM headquarters just south of Montreal, across the Saint Lawrence river in Longueuil, Quebec.

President and founder, Jean-Pierre Legris spoke to us just as he was leaving for the airport and assured us that the previous-released figures are all still applicable. The 185-mile (300-kilometer) range, the about-four-second 0-60 acceleration and the 120-mile-per-hour top speed are all intact. Less happily, for those of modest means, so is the $42,399 Canadian-currency price tag - U.S. customers will actually have to shell out something like $46,000, due to additional cost of selling in that jurisdiction.

Though production was obviously delayed later than the original October 2011 estimate, Monsieur Legris says there is just a bit of homologatory red tape left standing in the way of job one, and is confident deliveries will begin in early summer. Hit the jump for a pair of videos for a taste of what of folks occupying the waiting list will experience for themselves in a few short months. And try not to hate.

Continue reading Lito Green Motion's electric Sora zooms into sight, promises to arrive this summer

Lito Green Motion's electric Sora zooms into sight, promises to arrive this summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadian electric motorcycleelectric bobberelectric motorcycleelectric streetfighterelectric vehiclelito green motionlito green motion soralito soramontrealquebecTue, 17 Apr 2012 11:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215968/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215968/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/17/lito-green-motion-electric-sora-motorcycle/20215968/article-detail.xml 20215968 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lito-green-motion-sora-628-1334602822_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lito-green-motion-sora-628-1334602822.jpg <![CDATA[Infiniti LE will likely be built alongside Leaf in Tennessee]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The first all-electric Infiniti, which is supposed to hit the market in 2014, will likely be built at the same Tennessee factory as the Nissan Leaf EV, Plugin Cars reported.

Two Nissan spokesmen told the Chicago Tribune that the company's factory in Smyrna, TN, was the most likely place where the Infiniti LE battery-electric would be built. Nissan is expected to start U.S. production of the Leaf at that factory by the end of the year, and the Infiniti will use the same (or, at least, very similar) battery pack that the Leaf does.

Infiniti, which showed off a concept version of the EV at the New York Auto Show last week, said the car will have about 22 percent more horsepower and 14 percent more torque than the Leaf, but will also be larger - about the same size as the Infiniti G sedan.

Like the Leaf, the car will have a range of around 100 miles, according to the automaker - though the EPA pegs the Leaf's range closer to 74 miles. No price has been set, though Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said that the company will likely be able to lower the price of the Leaf once it's produced in the U.S. What that means for the upscale LE - which stands for "luxury electric," telling you which is more important - is not yet known.

Infiniti LE will likely be built alongside Leaf in Tennessee originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefactoryinfinitiinfiniti LEleafnissansmyrnatennesseeMon, 16 Apr 2012 08:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214733/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214733/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/infiniti-le-will-likely-be-built-alongside-leaf-in-tennessee/20214733/article-detail.xml 20214733 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/infinitiev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/infinitiev.jpg <![CDATA[Ford: Focus Electric's ads going online because EVs not yet ready for prime time]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-focus-electrics-ads-going-online-because-evs-not-yet-read/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-focus-electrics-ads-going-online-because-evs-not-yet-read/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/ford-focus-electrics-ads-going-online-because-evs-not-yet-read/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Ford Focus Electric in motion

Sometimes, things just can't find a home on "regular" TV. Just ask Saturday Night Live's Not Ready for Prime Time players - or the Ford Focus Electric.

Turns out, Ford will spend about a tenth of what it usually spends on new-model launches on the all-electric Focus and will shoot for a more digital emphasis in the process because of uncertainty over how the cars will sell, a company executive told Bloomberg Businessweek.

Ford, which often spends in the neighborhood of $100 million publicizing a model launch, will likely spend less than $10 million on the Focus EV's digital campaign. That's according to John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln sales. Ford is likely hedging its bets because of launches of cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma extended-range plug-ins that could best be described as "spotty."

On Wednesday, Ford said its digital campaign will include a game on Facebook that will let social-media users take "digital road trips." Players can use Mapquest to figure out how far the drive is to certain locations, and whether the Focus EV would be able to get them their without having to get out and push it.

Ford, which started production on the Focus EV in Michigan late last year, also said earlier this week that the EV would be featured in a reality-competition series called "Plugged In" that will be broadcast on Yahoo! starting in May. That series will involve two-person teams competing in a scavenger-hunt type competition and will take place in 10 U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. "Project Runway" and "Top Chef" production company Magic Elves is creating the show, whose competition winners will be awarded Focus EVs.

Continue reading Ford: Focus Electric's ads going online because EVs not yet ready for prime time

Ford: Focus Electric's ads going online because EVs not yet ready for prime time originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford focusdigital advertisingelectric vehiclefacebookfocusfocus electricfocus evfordford focus electricyahooFri, 13 Apr 2012 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215388/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20215388/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/ford-focus-electrics-ads-going-online-because-evs-not-yet-read/20215388/article-detail.xml 20215388 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/ford-focus-electric-in-motion_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/ford-focus-electric-in-motion.jpg <![CDATA[A123's deadline to spend $249 million grant extended through 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/a123s-deadline-to-spend-government-grant-is-extended-through-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/a123s-deadline-to-spend-government-grant-is-extended-through-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/a123s-deadline-to-spend-government-grant-is-extended-through-20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

a123 systems battery diagram
Looks like A123 Systems' range has just been extended by a couple of years.

A123, the lithium-ion battery-pack maker for companies such as Fisker Automotive and General Motors, has received a two-year extension on its deadline to spend a $249 million grant from the federal government on a proposed battery plant in Michigan, according to an SEC filing.

The Massachusetts-based company reached an April 5 agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its spending deadline to be extended to Dec. 2, 2014. Through the end of last year, A123 had received $127 million in DOE funds, and the company is required to match DOE funding dollar for dollar.

A123 has picked up at least three new battery-making contracts this year. Tata Motors, India's biggest automaker, last month said A123 will make battery-packs for hybrid-electric buses. Earlier this year, A123 said it would make batteries for BMW's 3-series and ActiveHybrid 5-series hybrid-electric vehicles as well as for the new Via extended-range plug-in hybrid trucks.

Last year, A123's net loss widened 69 percent from a year earlier to $257.7 million. Still, sales for the company, which has never been profitable, jumped 64 percent to $159.1 million.

A123's deadline to spend $249 million grant extended through 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123a123 systemsdoeelectric vehiclegrantlithium-ion batteriesmichiganu.s. department of energyFri, 13 Apr 2012 07:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214641/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20214641/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/13/a123s-deadline-to-spend-government-grant-is-extended-through-20/20214641/article-detail.xml 20214641 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/a123-1334265473_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/a123-1334265473.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Focus EV will be featured in Yahoo! reality series]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/ford-focus-ev-will-be-featured-in-yahoo-reality-series/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/ford-focus-ev-will-be-featured-in-yahoo-reality-series/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/ford-focus-ev-will-be-featured-in-yahoo-reality-series/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Ford Focus Electric will be featured in a reality-competition series to be broadcast over the Internet on Yahoo! starting next month.

Yahoo!'s first-ever reality-competition series, called - naturally enough - "Plugged In," will involve two-person teams competing against each other in a scavenger hunt of sorts. The teams will be given Focus EVs and will need to use their on-board navigation and communications systems to get the necessary clues to the hunt for specific locations around the cities where the show will be shot.

The competition will include certain celebrity hosts yet to be named and will take place in 10 EV-friendly markets: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Atlanta, and Raleigh, NC. The winners will win - of course - a Focus EV. Magical Elves, whose credits include "Project Runway" and "Top Chef," is producing the show.

Ford started sales of the Focus EV on the East and West Coasts late last year and will expand availability nationwide by September. The Focus, which Ford says can go as far as 100 miles on a single charge and was rated by the EPA as getting 76 miles, starts at $39,200 before the $7,500 federal tax credit.

This week, Men's Health is starting doing its own promotion that includes the Focus EV, kicking off its effort to set a coast-to-coast record-time drive in an electric vehicle on Wednesday. The Electric Car Challenge, which starts in New York is set to end at the Santa Monica on or about April 22 (Earth Day), will raise money for military families.

Continue reading Ford Focus EV will be featured in Yahoo! reality series

Ford Focus EV will be featured in Yahoo! reality series originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefocus electricfordmagical elvesreality seriesreality showyahooWed, 11 Apr 2012 08:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212720/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20212720/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/ford-focus-ev-will-be-featured-in-yahoo-reality-series/20212720/article-detail.xml 20212720 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/yahoo-ford-focus-electric-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/yahoo-ford-focus-electric-628.jpg <![CDATA[Yan does a wheelie good DIY Smart car conversion]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/yan-does-a-wheelie-good-diy-smart-car-conversion/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/yan-does-a-wheelie-good-diy-smart-car-conversion/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/10/yan-does-a-wheelie-good-diy-smart-car-conversion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Smart Fortwo electric conversion popping a wheelie

When Daimler first launched the Smart Ed, the electric version of the Fortwo, its performance was apropos of its acronymized appellation: somewhat limp. Daimler has since improved it somewhat - the 3rd generation on sale now goes from 0 to 60 in 13 seconds and tops out at 75 mph - but we still can't help but wonder how the program would have been received had it packed a wheel-popping punch from the start. Like, say, the Smart DIY conversion pictured above.

Yan, known as Yabert to the folks who haunt the DIY Electric Car forum, already had a very cool motorcycle conversion under his belt when he decided to try his hand at something just a bit bigger than his electrified Suzuki DRZ 400 SM. Enter the "Smart DC." Following a similar formula to the one he used for his bike, he yanked all the gasoline-burning bits and started replacing them with electric drive components.

As with most things in life, things go wrong. Among them, the original 11" DC forklift motor and some battery cells were destroyed, but with perseverance and a little time, the two-seater is now in service as a daily commuter with sporty performance.

The drivetrain is currently comprised of a Netgain Impulse 9 mated to a Volkswagen transmission, with the power passing through a Evnetics Soliton controller from a 12.3-kWh battery pack made of Headway lithium iron phosphate (LifePo4) cells. It gets between 40 and 60 miles per charge, and has a top speed estimated at around 100 miles per hour. It scoots from 0 to 60 mph in about six seconds.

If ever you had the urge to try your hand at your own conversion, Yan's build thread has lots of pictures and is well worth spending some time checking out. Scroll down to see the Smart DC in action on the snow-packed roads of his native Québec, along with a bonus video featuring his electric motorcycle.

Continue reading Yan does a wheelie good DIY Smart car conversion

Yan does a wheelie good DIY Smart car conversion originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diy electric carelectric conversionelectric vehicle conversionquebecsmart dcsmart fortwosmart fortwo electric conversionsmart fortwo electric vehicleweel popping performanceyabertyanTue, 10 Apr 2012 07:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210818/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210818/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/10/yan-does-a-wheelie-good-diy-smart-car-conversion/20210818/article-detail.xml 20210818 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/smart-fourtwo-wheelie-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/smart-fourtwo-wheelie-628.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[Round-the-world Electric Odyssey trip reaches the Rockies]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/round-the-world-electric-odessy-trip-reaches-the-rockies/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/round-the-world-electric-odessy-trip-reaches-the-rockies/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/round-the-world-electric-odessy-trip-reaches-the-rockies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Citroën c-zero

An attempt by two French engineers to drive a Citroen C-Zero battery-electric vehicle around the world hasn't been lost in translation... yet.

Xavier Degon and Antonin Guy, who started what they call the Electric Odyssey in Strasbourg, France in February, reached the Rockies this month, with plans to continue on to Asia after reaching the U.S. West Coast.

The two are planning for the eight-month trip to cover 17 countries, about 15,000 miles and about 250 Euros ($327 U.S. at today's exchange rates) in electricity consumption. The two drivers are traveling in 70-mile increments, relying on supporters - in addition to restaurants, gas stations and other retailers - for recharges, according to Wired. The reason? To "promote the image of the electric vehicles" while sharing information and energy with people around the world, according to the Electric Odyssey website.

Degon and Guy reached the U.S. via ship in early March. The drivers say they've had success finding recharging locations across the U.S. - even in many rural communities - but expect the task to become more difficult once they reach Asia, mostly because of language barriers.

The C-Zero is the sister vehicle to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. That car debuted in Japan in April 2010 and started sales in Europe early last year. The American version, called the i, debuted stateside last November and is considered by the EPA to be the most fuel-efficient production vehicle (based on the miles per gallon equivalent ratings) sold in the U.S.

Round-the-world Electric Odyssey trip reaches the Rockies originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antonin guyc-zerocitroencitroen c-zeroelectric odysseyelectric vehicleimitsubishixavier degonMon, 09 Apr 2012 08:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210912/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20210912/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/09/round-the-world-electric-odessy-trip-reaches-the-rockies/20210912/article-detail.xml 20210912 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/electricodyssey_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/electricodyssey.jpg -1 2