AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 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[BMW i ventures invests in Coulomb; ChargePoint 4.0 coming soon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/bmw-i-ventures-invests-in-coulomb-chargepoint-4-0-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/bmw-i-ventures-invests-in-coulomb-chargepoint-4-0-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/bmw-i-ventures-invests-in-coulomb-chargepoint-4-0-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Like patrons at the end of a long night, automakers and charging companies can sometimes be seen leaving the bar arm in arm. Coda with Mr. Electric. Holden with Better Place. Nissan with GE. Smart USA with Coulomb. Toyota with Leviton. BMW with AeroVironment.

But this is a vibrant scene, and while there may be "preferred" partnerships, nothing exclusive is going on. That's why you also see Leviton with Honda and, now, that BMW is making moves on Coulomb Technologies.

Today, BMW i Ventures announced it will make a "strategic investment" in Coulomb Technologies. The investment (amount not disclosed) will support "the development of infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles." That's vague enough, isn't it? More details will undoubtedly be forthcoming, but for now, the door has closed behind the two parties, and we're left outside imagining what's going on inside.

In other Coulomb Technologies news, the company announced at Plug-In 2012 that the fourth version of the ChargePoint network interface would be coming in September. The new version will offer "intuitive dashboards, enhanced administrative and billing features" as well as ChargePoint Connections, which will let station owners send plug-in vehicle drivers "special offers, messages and discounts via email, text message or mobile alerts." Details available in the press release below.

Continue reading BMW i ventures invests in Coulomb; ChargePoint 4.0 coming soon

BMW i ventures invests in Coulomb; ChargePoint 4.0 coming soon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw i venturescoulombcoulomb technologieselectric vehiclei venturesTue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20284657/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20284657/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/24/bmw-i-ventures-invests-in-coulomb-chargepoint-4-0-coming-soon/20284657/article-detail.xml 20284657 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/bmw-activee-coulomb-charger_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/bmw-activee-coulomb-charger.jpg <![CDATA[Schneider Electric introduces outdoor EVSE, can charge two cars at once]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/03/plug-in-2011-schneider-electric-introduces-outdoor-evse/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/03/plug-in-2011-schneider-electric-introduces-outdoor-evse/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/03/plug-in-2011-schneider-electric-introduces-outdoor-evse/#commentsFiled under: , ,

schneider electric charging stations

At last year's Plug-In Conference, Schneider Electric was talking about being a "one-stop shop" for plug-in vehicle chargers. This year, the company was back with a new charging unit and a renewed emphasis on providing plug-in vehicle drivers with the right EVSE.

That new Schneider charging unit is an outdoor charging station, which was announced in Raleigh, NC during the conference. It can be either wall- or pedestal-mounted, and the pedestal version has two J1772 ports, perfect for fleet users. The indoor version, which costs less than $1,000, was introduced back in February; both are UL approved.

Part of Schneider's one-stop shopping idea is to provide help with installation, and the company website can point you to a certified contractor nationwide. If one of Schneider's EcoXperts (i.e., certified contractors) does the installation, then the warranty on the indoor or outdoor units will be 24 months. If another contractor does the work, then the warranty is 18 months.

Schneider doesn't conduct its own predictions, but Mike Calise, Schneider Electric's new director of electric vehicle solutions, told AutoblogGreen that industry expectations say that eighty percent of plug-in vehicle owners will have have home charging and Schneider "is absolutely supporting that side of the business." Schneider is also involved with at-work charging, so that the other 20 percent has somewhere to fill up (public charging is another option for these apartment dwellers, or whoever they are).

There was a third EVSE on display in the Schneider booth: a DC quick charger of a type that is already installed in Europe. This device is not yet UL approved in the U.S., so the unit on display is just a prototype. We'll see where things stand at Plug-In 2012.

[Source: Schneider Electric]

Schneider Electric introduces outdoor EVSE, can charge two cars at once originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevseplug-in 2011plug-in conferenceplug-in hybridschneider electricWed, 03 Aug 2011 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20006151/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20006151/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/03/plug-in-2011-schneider-electric-introduces-outdoor-evse/20006151/article-detail.xml 20006151 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/schneider-3-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/schneider-3-630.jpg <![CDATA[EV Connect, Fisker's official EVSE installer, worked to get the luxury feel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/ev-connect-fiskers-official-evse-installer-worked-to-get-the/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/ev-connect-fiskers-official-evse-installer-worked-to-get-the/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/02/ev-connect-fiskers-official-evse-installer-worked-to-get-the/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ev connect

We first caught wind that EV Connect would be the "exclusive EVSE services provider" for the Fisker Karma back in June, but the two companies were in discussions about working together for half a year before that. Brett Hauser, the chief operating officer of EV Connect, told AutoblogGreen during the Plug-In 2011 Conference in Raleigh, NC recently that formalizing the Fisker partnership took six months, in part to make sure that the "luxury feel" was present in the service. Now that the two companies are publicly working together and the first cars are in the hands of the fist customers, we can share some details about what Karma drivers can expect when they sign up for their car's power cord.

Hauser said that 75-80 percent of Karma buyers will want and get EV Connet's base installation, which costs $1,495. The other 20-25 percent will be people who need a second meter or where there is an unusual geographical situation; they will indubitably pay more. Since Karma buyers are already forking over at least $95,900 for the car itself, cost isn't the major issue here, and EV Connect wanted to make the EVSE installation and permitting process as painless as possible. The permitting usually isn't that difficult, but Hauser said that not every contractor does it right. These things need to be done correctly, if only for insurance purposes, he said, adding "It is not just about the wiring."

EV Connect also wants the process to be quick. Hauser said the industry average to inspect a location, get the permits and install the chargers is 14-21 days, but EV Connect's target is to do it in less than 14 days. This will be sped up if customers choose the Fisker-approved Lear EVSE, but customers can choose any unit they want. Hause said that EV Connect has already installed some EVSE in private homes and is now speaking to the next wave of customers, but the exact installation numbers are secret - just like whether or not EV Connect has been over to Leonardo DiCaprio's house.

[Source: EV Connect]

EV Connect, Fisker's official EVSE installer, worked to get the luxury feel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brett hauserev connectevsefisker chargerfisker evsefisker karmalear evseTue, 02 Aug 2011 17:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20006195/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20006195/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/02/ev-connect-fiskers-official-evse-installer-worked-to-get-the/20006195/article-detail.xml 20006195 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/ev-connect-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/ev-connect-logo.jpg <![CDATA[Coulomb Technologies reveals pair of dual-port Level 2 charging stations]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/coulomb-technologies-reveals-pair-of-dual-port-level-2-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/coulomb-technologies-reveals-pair-of-dual-port-level-2-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/coulomb-technologies-reveals-pair-of-dual-port-level-2-charging/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Coulomb Technologies CT 2021Showcased during the Plug-in 2011 Conference, Coulomb Technologies has revealed two of its latest additions to its ChargePoint networked charging station lineup. Both chargers - dual-port Level 2 models based on Coulomb's CT2020 - provide two 7.2-kilowatt ports and have been specifically designed for the North American market. With the CT2025, charging is delivered via two standard SAE J1772 connectors attached to self-retracting cords. The CT2021 (pictured) makes due without the winds-itself-up cord.

Other key features of the dual-port ChargePoint CT2020-based charging stations include:
  • Utility Light: The CT2025 product features an energy-efficient, photosensor activated 25-watt LED light providing drivers with the visibility they need to start and stop charging sessions in areas with poor lighting conditions.
  • Software Application Service Plans: As with all Coulomb Charging Station products, station owners can set pricing and collect fees, provide 24/7 driver assistance, control access, display advertisements, track usage, and diagnose the station remotely using the growing suite of ChargePoint Network cloud-based service plans.
  • Smart Card Reader: The products provide optional driver billing and custom access control, preventing electricity theft and enhancing safety, with an integrated standards-based RFID reader that accepts ChargePass cards and contactless credit cards.
Coulomb says the stations are designed for "residential, commercial and public applications," but who'd be willing to pay extra for an RFID reader on a charger that's installed in one's garage?

[Source: Coulomb Technologies]

Continue reading Coulomb Technologies reveals pair of dual-port Level 2 charging stations

Coulomb Technologies reveals pair of dual-port Level 2 charging stations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargepointcoulomb charging stationcoulomb technologiesct 2021ct 2025electric vehiclelevel 2plug-in hybridThu, 28 Jul 2011 07:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20002319/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20002319/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/28/coulomb-technologies-reveals-pair-of-dual-port-level-2-charging/20002319/article-detail.xml 20002319 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/ct2021front_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/ct2021front.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: Coulomb working with TomTom to let EV drivers find charging stations]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/plug-in-2011-coulomb-tomtom-ev-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/plug-in-2011-coulomb-tomtom-ev-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/27/plug-in-2011-coulomb-tomtom-ev-charging/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tomtom coulomb

At the Plug-In 2011 Conference in Raleigh, NC, last week, Coulomb Technologies announced it will partner with TomTom to provide tools to help EV drivers locate charging stations. Some manufacturers have built brand-specific charging point location into the navigation systems included on their vehicles and the Coulomb solution will spot stations that are part of their own ChargePoint Network.

The TomTom partnership is one of the first to take public advantage of Coulomb's open standard API, the Open Charge Program, that connects charging stations to the cloud. Recargo also uses Coulomb's web services API on its website. Coulomb's Ed Taylor told AutoblogGreen that the ides with Open Charge is to make it easy for drivers to find a charging station "and to reduce range anxiety."

Once the Coulomb information makes its way into upcoming TomTom products - no products or timelines were announced at Plug-In - EV drivers will be given a heads up on each site's voltage, connector type and pricing. They'll also be able to make a reservation to ensure that there's an open plug before they navigate their way to the power. Taylor said Open Charge will find its way into other apps, but did not give us any specifics.

The ChargePoint Network is an open-platform network of charging stations that allows the integration of systems and hardware from multiple suppliers. It currently includes charging points in 14 countries. The full press release is available after the jump. (Additional reporting by Sebastian Blanco.)

[Source: Coulomb Technologies]

Continue reading Plug-In 2011: Coulomb working with TomTom to let EV drivers find charging stations

Plug-In 2011: Coulomb working with TomTom to let EV drivers find charging stations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coulomb technologieselectric vehiclenavigationtomtomWed, 27 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994055/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994055/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/27/plug-in-2011-coulomb-tomtom-ev-charging/19994055/article-detail.xml 19994055 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-tomtom-coulomb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-tomtom-coulomb.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: GM demonstrates Chevy Volt battery re-use applications]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/plug-in-2011-gm-demonstrates-chevy-volt-battery-re-use-applications/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/plug-in-2011-gm-demonstrates-chevy-volt-battery-re-use-applications/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/plug-in-2011-gm-demonstrates-chevy-volt-battery-re-use-applications/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GM battery re-use graphic
General Motors is confident enough in the longevity of the 16-kWh battery pack in the Chevy Volt that the company warranties it for eight years/100,000 miles. Actually, the automaker is so confident in the pack's capabilities that it is already looking into what can be done with the expensive hunk of energy storage after the car is ready to be recycled.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Plug-In 2011 Conference in Raleigh, NC, representatives from GM and its partner in this mission, ABB, said that there are many places where a Volt's battery components could end up at the end of the vehicle's life - ebikes were mentioned, for example - but the real focus is on grid storage and grid leveling.

GM expects the Volt pack to retain 70 percent of its 16 kWh energy capacity after 10 years. Sandeep Bala, ABB's lead engineer of the Volt battery project, explained the project this way. In each Volt pack, there are three separate modules. These can be removed and then reconfigured with modules from four other packs (so, 15 modules total) and given a different battery management system to create one grid energy storage box that can store and then supply power in the case of an outage. Right now, all the testing is on a very small scale (a battery or three in the lab hooked up the test machines) but the next step is to make small grid energy storage boxes and take them into the field for real-world testing. Also, GM and ABB will need to talk to utilities about what the business case is. True plug-in vehicle geeks will remember that ABB is also working with ECOtality on improving the plug-in infrastructure, so some connections are already in place.

Given how early along GM and ABB are in this process - they only announced the partnership in September 2010 - they do not yet know what the lowest level of performance a pack can come into the project with and still be a worthwhile candidate for a grid energy component. These kinds of details are what the partnership intends to find out. GM representatives did say that some low-performing batteries may simply be sent to recycling, but we imagine that reuse will be the more profitable avenue for "dead" Volts in the future.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Plug-In 2011: GM demonstrates Chevy Volt battery re-use applications

Plug-In 2011: GM demonstrates Chevy Volt battery re-use applications originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abb groupbatterybattery after lifebattery re-use applicationsbattery second lifebattyer recyclingchevy voltelectric vehiclegeneral motorsplug-in hybridvoltMon, 25 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19996050/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19996050/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/25/plug-in-2011-gm-demonstrates-chevy-volt-battery-re-use-applications/19996050/article-detail.xml 19996050 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/voltbatterystorage_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/voltbatterystorage.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan picks site in Tennessee for Leaf electric motor production]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/nissan-picks-site-in-tennessee-for-leaf-electric-motor-productio/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/nissan-picks-site-in-tennessee-for-leaf-electric-motor-productio/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/22/nissan-picks-site-in-tennessee-for-leaf-electric-motor-productio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan Decherd Powertrain

During the Plug-in 2011 Conference, Nissan announced it will invest $67.9 million into its powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, TN. The money will be used to add the Nissan Leaf's electric motor into the facility's production mix.

The Decherd expansion was announced by Brian Carolin, Nissan's senior vice president for sales and marketing, during his address in Raleigh, NC. Carolin stated that up to 150,000 electric motors will be produced annually at Decherd beginning in early 2013. Currently, the Decherd factory manufactures all of the gasoline engines used in Nissan vehicles built in the U.S. The expansion means that Nissan will soon be looking to hire up to 90 additional employees.

Work to add electric motors at Decherd will begin immediately and will coincide with the completion of expansion at Nissan's facility in Smyrna, TN. Beginning in late 2012, the Smyrna site will assemble Leafs and its lithium-ion battery packs.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan picks site in Tennessee for Leaf electric motor production

Nissan picks site in Tennessee for Leaf electric motor production originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>decherdelectric motorelectric vehicleleafleaf electric motornissannissan decherd tennesseenissan leafFri, 22 Jul 2011 13:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995977/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995977/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/22/nissan-picks-site-in-tennessee-for-leaf-electric-motor-productio/19995977/article-detail.xml 19995977 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/decherd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/decherd.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: EV Challenge puts high school students into the driver's seat]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-puts-high-school-students-into-the-dr/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-puts-high-school-students-into-the-dr/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-puts-high-school-students-into-the-dr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011
EV Challenge - Click above for high-res image gallery

16 years. Over 100 schools total. $2,000 in seed money. These are some of the numbers that go with the EV Challenge, a electric vehicle educational group that works to promote plug-ins to the high school set. From the group's booth at Plug-In 2011, the mission is being accomplished, one student at a time.

In 1995, Carolina Power & Light started EV Challenge. The idea is to give interested high schools a bit of money - today, two grand - and teach some fundraising skills and let the students learn to convert vehicles to battery power. AutoblogGreen spoke to Stephen Henderson, a student at Topsail High School in Wilmington, NC, who told us that the Toyota MR2 on display at the Raleigh Convention Center cost around $16,000 to convert. To make up the difference, Topsail students raised a lot of money and got sponsorships. Recently, they sold hot dogs from a cart. "It was $85 we didn't have before," Henderson said. The school also has one of the best pro-EV names for its efforts: Kickngas.

Aside from learning electric vehicle engineering and other skills (Henderson is on the oratory team, which means he goes into the community and tells people about the project and EVs in general - and it explains why he was on hand at Plug-In this year), one big reason the students convert vehicles is to compete in the annual EV Challenge held in May. The vehicles (this year there were 15 from 11 schools) are put through a series of tests, including autocross and distance. Most of the schools are from North Carolina, but this year there were teams from Florida, Iowa, West Virginia and Virginia as well.

The real purpose, of course, is to educate the next generation of EV engineers and mechanics. Henderson said that he has gained a lot of real-life skills "and it helped me decide what I want to do," which is to go to North Carolina State and get a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. He already knows a lot more than the average student, since Topsail has won the last eight EV Challenges.

For more on the EV Challenge, check out Caroline Kettlewell's book Electric Dreams and click past the jump for a video of Top Sail's electric Toyota on the track at this year's final challenge.


Gallery: EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011

EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011EV Challenge at Plug-In 2011

Photos copyright (C)2011 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Continue reading Plug-In 2011: EV Challenge puts high school students into the driver's seat

Plug-In 2011: EV Challenge puts high school students into the driver's seat originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19997183/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19997183/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-puts-high-school-students-into-the-dr/19997183/article-detail.xml 19997183 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-ev-challenge-630.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: Integro's Tutor is okay with your charging station cable breaking away]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor-charging-station-breakaway-cable/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor-charging-station-breakaway-cable/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor-charging-station-breakaway-cable/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

integro tutor cable

Today's electric cars are designed to be immobile when they are charging. But let's not forget that cars have wheels, and there are times when you can't stop a few thousand pounds from rolling away. If your EV is plugged in when it decides to go coasting away, something will have to give - and most likely that will be the charging cord. This is the problem that Integro is trying to solve with its Tutor break-away cable for plug-in vehicle charging stations.

The Tutor was introduced at the Plug-in 2011 Conference this week and so is not quite ready for sale (it should be available in two to three months). Right now, the expected price could be between $100 and $150 - it is too early to say for sure - which includes the break-away assembly and the J1772 connector. That break-away assembly is a two-stage device designed to protect the charging station from damage and theft. Under 50 pounds of pressure (say, if someone comes along and pulls on the cable), an initial separation occurs and stops the charging process and shuts down the charging station but the cord stays intact. With 500 pounds of pressure (i.e., more than a person can apply, but easily caused a car that keeps rolling away) the assembly snaps apart.

Today, most EVSE units have breakaway connectors built into the box, which would obviously require a more complicated and costly repair process than replacing part of the cable. Whether or not charging station operators think adding another safety device is warranted is something that should be clear now that the Tutor is coming to the market. (This post has been slightly edited since it was first published.)

[Source: Integro]

Plug-In 2011: Integro's Tutor is okay with your charging station cable breaking away originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakaway cableelectric vehicleintegrointegro tutorplug-in hybridtutorThu, 21 Jul 2011 18:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19997256/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19997256/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/21/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor-charging-station-breakaway-cable/19997256/article-detail.xml 19997256 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-integro-tutor.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: Details on Nissan's 2012 Leaf price increase]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-details-on-nissans-2012-leaf-price-increase/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-details-on-nissans-2012-leaf-price-increase/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-details-on-nissans-2012-leaf-price-increase/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

nissan leaf at plug-in 2011

The 2011 Nissan Leaf is sold out. Long live the 2012 Nissan Leaf.

Starting next week, when Nissan re-opens the Leaf ordering system, all orders placed will be for the 2012 model, which costs more but also comes with more standard equipment than the 2011 did. The problem, for some eager Leaf wanna-drivers, is that anyone who put down a $99 deposit when Nissan first started taking Leaf reservations but who lives outside one of the roll-out markets, well, "they never had a chance" at getting a Leaf at the 2011 price, said Brendan Jones, the chief marketing manager for the Leaf. "They're going to have to pay the 2012 price."

During the Plug-in 2011 Conference, Jones told AutoblogGreen that all the orders that were in the system before the announcement have been fulfilled and there have been very few complaints about the price increase. We have more details and Nissan's sort-of explanation for the increase after the jump.

Continue reading Plug-In 2011: Details on Nissan's 2012 Leaf price increase

Plug-In 2011: Details on Nissan's 2012 Leaf price increase originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 nissan leaf2012 nissan leafelectric vehicleleafleaf msrpleaf pricenissan leafnissan leaf priceWed, 20 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995984/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995984/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-details-on-nissans-2012-leaf-price-increase/19995984/article-detail.xml 19995984 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/nissan-leaf-at-plug-in-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/nissan-leaf-at-plug-in-2011.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: Rogers Electric going to be quite busy installing EV charging stations real soon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-rogers-electric-going-to-be-quite-busy-installing/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-rogers-electric-going-to-be-quite-busy-installing/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-rogers-electric-going-to-be-quite-busy-installing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi solar charging station

Rogers Electric may be a fairly new name on AutoblogGreen, but the company has been working in the electrical contractor/installation field since 1983 and has a lot of experience doing somewhat boring but also important electric infrastructure work. After all these decades, 2011 was the year when Rogers got into the plug-in vehicle game.

Based in Atlanta, Rogers recently installed the DC quick charger at Mitsubishi Motors North America's Cypress, CA headquarters (pictured) and has a deal with the Japanese automaker to install Level 2 charging stations at Mitsubishi dealerships across the U.S. With roughly 200 dealerships and three stations per location, Rogers will have a lot of installations to do before the end of 2012, which is when the units are supposed to be ready.

It's not just Mitsubishi that is calling on Rogers. At the Plug-In 2011 Conference here in Raleigh, NC, the CEO and president of Rogers Electric, Chris Rogers, told AutoblogGreen that his company has installed the three charging station in Raleigh and, overall, Rogers plans to install 200 more charging stations in 2011: 50 in North Carolina, another 50 in Florida and 100 others across the country (for Fortune 500 companies and in various parking structures, for example).

The reason that Mitsubishi chose Rogers is because of Rogers' previous ties to Eaton, which is the company that makes all of Mitsubishi's charging stations. Rogers also works with Home Depot to charge that company's forklifts and has installed many large generators, so getting into the plug-in vehicle charging game was a natural progression, Rogers said.

Plug-In 2011: Rogers Electric going to be quite busy installing EV charging stations real soon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleplug-in 2011plug-in conferenceplug-in hybridrogers electricWed, 20 Jul 2011 13:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994800/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994800/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-rogers-electric-going-to-be-quite-busy-installing/19994800/article-detail.xml 19994800 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/prn6-mitsubishi-cypress-charging-station-1yhigh_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/prn6-mitsubishi-cypress-charging-station-1yhigh.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2011: AAA's got a "range anxiety solution" in electric vehicle assistance trucks]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-aaa-range-anxiety-solution-electric-vehicle-assistance/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-aaa-range-anxiety-solution-electric-vehicle-assistance/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-aaa-range-anxiety-solution-electric-vehicle-assistance/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

plug-in 2011 aaa truck
AAA's Electric Vehicle Roadside Assistance Truck - Click above for high-res image gallery

For AAA, the powertrain you have in your car shouldn't affect your roadside assistance. If you're a member and you call for help, AAA wants to help you out. Of course, bringing a can of gasoline to your Nissan Leaf isn't going to do a whole lot, so AAA is taking the first steps to diversify its offerings.

For electric car drivers, that means that AAA's trucks will soon provide a "range anxiety solution" thanks to technology from Green Charge Networks. The new trucks, which will be rolled out in a limited pilot program over the next year, can offer all the standard AAA services as well as a bit of EV recharging. The trucks have a 4.5 kWh lithium-ion battery on board that can give a stranded electric car anywhere between 15 and three miles of power. This range is dependent on the type of charger the car has and because AAA doesn't like to sit for more than 15 minutes on the side of the road. If they can't solve the problem in that time, it's usually preferred to tow the car in (this is standard AAA practice). So, if the EV can take a DC fast charge using CHAdeMo, it can get around 15 miles of juice in a 15-minute charge. With a more common Level 2 J1772 charger, a car can get either six miles (using a 6.6 kW charger) or three miles (3.3 kW) in those same 15 minutes. The truck itself can recharge its pack from the grid or its gasoline-powered engine; the truck can also be equipped with CNG or hydraulic hybrid power for further fuel diversification.

The first six test trucks will go to work this August in Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; the Bay Area and Los Angeles, CA; Knoxville, TN; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL. For AAA members, there will be no added price for the EV recharge service. Dwayne Shumate, an automotive technical engineer for AAA, told AutoblogGreen that, "Our goal is to provide roadside assistance no matter what you drive. When we get to hydrogen cars, we'll do something else."


Gallery: Plug-In 2011 AAA Roadside Truck for EVs

plug-in 2011 aaa truckplug-in 2011 aaa truckplug-in 2011 aaa truckplug-in 2011 aaa truckplug-in 2011 aaa truck

Photos copyright (C)2011 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

[Source: AAA, Green Charge Networks]

Continue reading Plug-In 2011: AAA's got a "range anxiety solution" in electric vehicle assistance trucks

Plug-In 2011: AAA's got a "range anxiety solution" in electric vehicle assistance trucks originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaaaaa electric car roadside assistanceelectric vehiclegreen charge networksroadside assistanceWed, 20 Jul 2011 11:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995641/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19995641/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/20/plug-in-2011-aaa-range-anxiety-solution-electric-vehicle-assistance/19995641/article-detail.xml 19995641 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-aaa-truck-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/plug-in-2011-aaa-truck-1.jpg <![CDATA[27 Chevrolet Volts headed to utility fleets in North Carolina]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/27-chevrolet-volts-headed-to-utility-fleets-in-north-carolina/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/27-chevrolet-volts-headed-to-utility-fleets-in-north-carolina/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/27-chevrolet-volts-headed-to-utility-fleets-in-north-carolina/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

Whether or not consumers purchase a Chevrolet Volt depends on the ability of electric utilities to provide uninterrupted power to support charging the vehicles, says General Motors. That's why the first 27 Volts headed to North Carolina will go to major utility companies under a partnership between the Electric Power Research Institute and GM.

The GM-EPRI collaboration was announced at the Plug-In 2008 Conference. The partnership is working to ensure safe and convenient vehicle charging, raise public awareness and understanding of plug-in vehicles and to help guide policymakers in the transition from petroleum to electricity as a fuel source.

Volt deliveries to utilities in North Carolina coincide with the opening of the Plug-In 2011 Conference, which kicked off yesterday in Raleigh, NC. Retail Volts will ship out to the 128 Chevrolet dealers in the Carolinas beginning in August.




[Source: General Motors | Image: Copyright 2011 Zach Bowman / AOL]

Continue reading 27 Chevrolet Volts headed to utility fleets in North Carolina

27 Chevrolet Volts headed to utility fleets in North Carolina originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltchevy voltelectric power research instituteelectric vehicleeprigeneral motorsnorth carolinaplug-in hybridvoltTue, 19 Jul 2011 18:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19993642/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19993642/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/19/27-chevrolet-volts-headed-to-utility-fleets-in-north-carolina/19993642/article-detail.xml 19993642 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/03-2011-chevrolet-volt-review-1302065048_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/03-2011-chevrolet-volt-review-1302065048.jpg <![CDATA[GM, OnStar kick off real-world smart grid tests with Carolina utilities]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/gm-onstar-kick-off-real-world-smart-grid-tests-carolina-utilities/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/gm-onstar-kick-off-real-world-smart-grid-tests-carolina-utilities/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/19/gm-onstar-kick-off-real-world-smart-grid-tests-carolina-utilities/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

onstar coverage map

At the Plug-In 2011 Conference in Raleigh, NC today, General Motors announced it is going to get into the real-world smart grid game with a new pilot program. The test will involve a number of Chevy Volts and GM's OnStar service. 27 Volts are headed to local utilities and GM says that "hundreds of employees" at these regional utilities will drive leased Volts during the trial, which starts later this year.

For readers who are unfamiliar with a smart grid, it is a more integrated network of electricity distribution with telematics and communication ability between the utilities, the houses and the vehicles. GM is not the first company to attempt to bridge the gap between plug-in vehicles and the electricity producers, but real-world tests are not common. OEMs and utilities are interested in this technology because it can help balance the load, but drivers might benefit, too, because their utility bills might be lowered and because of ideas like the "cashback car."

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM, OnStar kick off real-world smart grid tests with Carolina utilities

GM, OnStar kick off real-world smart grid tests with Carolina utilities originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cashback carchevy voltelectric vehiclenorth carolinaonstarplug-in hybridsmart gridtelematicsvoltTue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994223/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19994223/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/19/gm-onstar-kick-off-real-world-smart-grid-tests-carolina-utilities/19994223/article-detail.xml 19994223 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/onstar-coverage-map_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/onstar-coverage-map.png <![CDATA[Plug-In 2010: Stakeholder, industry reactions to GM's Volt pricing strategy - it's a lease thing]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/plug-in-2010-stakeholder-industry-reactions-to-gms-volt-prici/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/plug-in-2010-stakeholder-industry-reactions-to-gms-volt-prici/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/04/plug-in-2010-stakeholder-industry-reactions-to-gms-volt-prici/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

It was amazing to be among so many plug-in vehicle fans, engineers and stakeholders last week at the Plug-In 2010 conference when General Motors announced that the Chevy Volt would come with a $41,000 MSRP ($33,500 after federal tax incentives). One benefit was being able to ask GM for more information about the price, another was getting reactions from those fans, engineers and stakeholders about that price. Since literally no one wanted to (or could) go on record, we'll wrap their thoughts into a generalized paragraph or two.

Universally, the first reaction was that $41,000 is too high, but maybe that's a reaction from the bar for plug-in vehicle pricing being set too low by the Nissan Leaf. With the Volt's pricing structure set the way it is - $41,000 to buy, $350 a month to lease - GM is really pushing people to choose the lease option. Of course, this then begs the question of what does GM do in three years when the leases are up? Does it take all the cars back? Sure, some will be worth analyzing to see how the battery packs held up, but not thousands upon thousands of units. Will GM want to take the used Volts back and upgrade them or maybe sell the packs for use as stationary storage somewhere? Nobody knew the answers, but these were the questions they were wondering aloud.

We also heard one person describe the sell/lease price as an example of GM really trying to have it both ways. The people pushing to make the car cheaper got their way with the lease price - it's the same as the Leaf! - while the people who don't want the car to lose too much money got their way with the MSRP. In the end, this all felt like a very "GM" thing to do to a lot of industry observers and participants. Feel free to chime in and tell us if you agree.

Plug-In 2010: Stakeholder, industry reactions to GM's Volt pricing strategy - it's a lease thing originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy volt pricechevy volt pricingChevyVoltPriceChevyVoltPricinggm voltGmVoltplug in 2010PlugIn2010voltvolt pricevolt pricingVoltPriceVoltPricingWed, 04 Aug 2010 14:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19572504/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19572504/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/04/plug-in-2010-stakeholder-industry-reactions-to-gms-volt-prici/19572504/article-detail.xml 19572504 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/volt-new-official-pics01-630m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/volt-new-official-pics01-630m.jpg <![CDATA[Ford's Nancy Gioia talks up company's electrified vehicle plans]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/fords-nancy-gioia-talks-up-companys-electrified-vehicle-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/fords-nancy-gioia-talks-up-companys-electrified-vehicle-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/fords-nancy-gioia-talks-up-companys-electrified-vehicle-plans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford's director of global electrification, Nancy Gioia, spoke on several occasions at the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, CA this past week and though she often reiterated the company's well-known plans for electrification, she also revealed Ford's long-term strategies that she believes will drive the company to the front of the pack in advanced technology vehicles while maintaining Ford's focus on affordability. Gioia discussed the company's commitment to electrified vehicles by stating:

We have now embedded electrification...including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, any vehicle where electricity directly displaces oil or a liquid fuel...This is strategic. This is not just an image vehicle, or an image technology. It's not a science experiment. It is embedded into the fabric of our company, along with other technologies...Long term we see electrification as part of the fuel diversity plan going forward.

Gioia moved on to a discussion regarding Ford's choice to use existing vehicle platforms for the basis of upcoming electric vehicles. As Gioia noted, the use of existing platforms simplifies the production process and helps Ford focus on its core aspect of affordability:

During this volatile period, by utilizing our highest volume platforms, by having common parts between hybrids and plug in hybrids we are doing the most to make this as affordable as possible during a very dynamic time.

Gioia closed with a discussion regarding the future of battery technology and how advancements will take time, but reiterated that Ford is into electrified vehicles for the long haul:

We must have a constancy of purpose. Changing the fuel source and changing the energy paradigm is not something we can switch back and forth every two, three or four years based on election periods. There must be a national and actually global constancy of purpose on this journey. We are on a marathon, a 50-year journey, we are not on a 3-5 year journey. This takes an enormous amount of staying power.

Here's hoping that 50 years from now, we can look back and clearly see that Ford stayed true to its long-term goals of moving towards an electrified future.



[Source: Green Car Congress]

Ford's Nancy Gioia talks up company's electrified vehicle plans originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford electric carsford electric vehicleford electric vehiclesford electrified vehiclesford hybridford hybrid salesford hybridsford plug inford plug in hybridford plug-inFordElectricCarsFordElectricVehicleFordElectricVehiclesFordElectrifiedVehiclesFordHybridFordHybridsFordHybridSalesFordPlug-inFordPlugInFordPlugInHybridnancy gioianancy gioia fordNancyGioiaNancyGioiaFordMon, 02 Aug 2010 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19574380/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19574380/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/02/fords-nancy-gioia-talks-up-companys-electrified-vehicle-plans/19574380/article-detail.xml 19574380 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/leno-electric-focus-630x2s_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/leno-electric-focus-630x2s.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-In 2010: Drive Oregon chills with Arcimoto Pulse, Barefoot Motors ATV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/plug-in-2010-drive-oregon-chills-with-arcimoto-pulse-barefoot/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/plug-in-2010-drive-oregon-chills-with-arcimoto-pulse-barefoot/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/29/plug-in-2010-drive-oregon-chills-with-arcimoto-pulse-barefoot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Arcimoto Pulse - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the few passenger vehicles on the floor of the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, CA - actually, the only one - that we hadn't yet seen in the metal was the Arcimoto Pulse, which we first met digitally last fall. The Pulse is a battery-powered three-wheeler that uses ten 12V lead acid batteries to go up to 40 miles per charge. Pulse's Eric Fritz told AutoblogGreen that longer-range versions with lithium-ion batteries and can go either 80 or 160 miles will be available in the future, but he's busy getting the base model ready for now. Prices for those premium models hasn't been set, but you'll be able to get the lead acid version for $17,500 when it goes on sale either late this year or early next year. Fritz said Arcimoto has gotten 25 pre-order deposits (for $500 each) and has a list with another hundred-plus interested people.

The vehicle we saw was the third-generation prototype; the fourth was being tested on the streets last weekend. Fritz said he expects there to be one more prototype built before production begins. Overall, the Pulse has been in development for two-and-a-half years, and it's been a self-funded affair thus far. One reason to be at the conference, Fritz said, was that Arcimoto is actively looking for funding.

The Pulse was part of the Drive Oregon booth, which also featured the Barefoot Motors ATV and vehicle chargers from Shorepower and OP Connect. With some strong local support for plug-in vehicles, there's a lot of home-grown plug-in work going on in Oregon.


Gallery: Plug-In 2010: Arcimoto Pulse and Barefoot Motors ATV


Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Plug-In 2010: Drive Oregon chills with Arcimoto Pulse, Barefoot Motors ATV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," Jessie Deeter, the producer of Who Killed The Electric Car? and Revenge of the Electric Car, and our own Chelsea Sexton took to the stage at the close of public night at the Plug-in 2010 Conference. With this line-up, it was more than 66 percent the same as last year, when Nye, Sexton and Electric Car director Chris Paine answered audience questions. Given the "preaching to the choir," audience-led nature of the event, we thought there would probably be a lot of readers who would want to "attend," digitally, so we're posting an audio recording of the entire two-hour event after the jump. What does it contain?

How about a short preview (verbal, not video) of Revenge of the Electric Car? Deeter said that the film will focus on three main stories: General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Motors, Nissan and the Leaf and electric car mechanic Gadget. How about the panelists' predictions of the percentage of new cars that are plug-ins by 2020? Nye said he doesn't think it'll be 10 percent, Sexton said it'll totally be determined by how many the OEMs are willing to build. How about lots of disparaging comments about adding sound to silent electric cars? How about Nye calling lithium supply worries the "reddest of herrings"? How about one member of the audience proudly saying he's been driving an EV1 since 1998, and Nye replying, "You must be exhausted"? Zing! All these classics and more await you after the jump.

Continue reading Plug-In 2010: Bill Nye, Chelsea Sexton return for public night panel

Plug-In 2010: Bill Nye, Chelsea Sexton return for public night panel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Following yesterday's big announcement, readers got a chance to ask Tony DiSalle, product marketing director for the Chevy Volt, some questions about the car's brand new $41,000 price tag ($33,500 after tax rebates). Since DiSalle was here at the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, CA, we thought we'd pose a few of our own.

We started with what, exactly, Chevy dealers will be able to do with this price. After all, the $41,000 is just the manufacturer's suggested retail price. DiSalle said:
We have messaged to the dealers to do the right thing relative to the price, to not mark it up. At the end of the day, they are independent businesses. That's why you call it manufacturer's suggested retail price. A good dealer will do the right thing for the customer because they want to ensure long-term business and, quite frankly, a lot of these customers haven't been into Chevrolet showrooms. We're also noting that, especially the early adopters will be very vocal about what price the dealer was asking them to pay and that word will spread instantly. Dealers need to know word will get out if they try to gross it up.
General Motors know this about Volt enthusiasts because it has 70,000 of them registered on a list. GM polled them in late spring and discovered 75 percent don't have a single GM product in their household. More recently, GM asked other questions and discovered that around 70 percent intend to buy a Volt and that they're not just along for the ride and to get information.

Back in March 2009, GM's executive director of global engineering, Bob Kruse, said that the Volt's price would be based, in part, on the price of gas in November 2010. DiSalle would not reveal when the Volt's price was actually decided but did say they considered the price of oil played a role. "We comprehended every value we could think of. Was that a determining factor? No, it wasn't," he said.

(this post continues after the jump)

Continue reading Plug-in 2010: GM talks details about the Volt's $41,000 price tag

Plug-in 2010: GM talks details about the Volt's $41,000 price tag originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchevy voltchevy volt priceChevyVoltChevyVoltPricegmvoltvolt priceVoltPriceWed, 28 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19571242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19571242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/28/plug-in-2010-gm-talks-details-about-the-volts-41-000-price-ta/19571242/article-detail.xml 19571242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/volt-new-official-pics01-630m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/volt-new-official-pics01-630m.jpg <![CDATA[Plug-in 2010: Schneider Electric wants to be your full-service charger provider]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/plug-in-2010-schneider-electric-wants-to-be-your-full-service-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/plug-in-2010-schneider-electric-wants-to-be-your-full-service-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/28/plug-in-2010-schneider-electric-wants-to-be-your-full-service-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It shouldn't be a surprise that, at a conference called Plug-In 2010, we can find a bunch of plug-in vehicle charger companies. Schneider Electric is here in San Jose, CA and wants to be known not for wireless charging or having a stylish home unit but for being your one-stop shop for "electric vehicle charging solutions." Rich Korthauer, Schneider's business director of final distribution, said the company has a presence in most American homes (go ahead, check the name on your circuit breaker. There's a better-than-70 percent chance it's a Schneider box) and is a global company with a lot of potential to bring electric-vehicle chargers to a lot of people.

Korthauer showed off a bunch of its Square D smart charging stations to the media, including Level 1 and 2 standard home chargers, a cheaper, economically-priced home charger and a number of Level 2 chargers designed for use in commercial parking lots. Level 3 fast chargers are also part of the portfolio. Schneider is a big electronics company, but has only recently gotten into the EV space: it announced a partnership with Parkeon last month, "to provide local authority clients with a unique solution to manage urban parking facilities integrated with an electrical vehicle charging infrastructure" and has 135 chargers in use as part of a trial in Strasbourg, France with EDF and Toyota. One thing the company has learned: as Coulomb explained last year, charger companies can't actually sell electricity in the U.S. Instead, Schneider plans to get people to pay to park in the space near the charger and will then charge up for "free."


Gallery: Schneider Electric


Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Schneider]

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicle chargerElectricVehicleChargerhome chargingHomeCharginglevel 2Level2rich korthauerRichKorthauerschneiderschneider electricSchneiderElectricWed, 28 Jul 2010 12:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19570921/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19570921/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/28/plug-in-2010-schneider-electric-wants-to-be-your-full-service-c/19570921/article-detail.xml 19570921 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/plug-in-2010-schneider-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/plug-in-2010-schneider-630.jpg -1 2