Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Think restarts production in Finland, first deliveries scheduled before Christmas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/think-restarts-production-in-finland-first-deliveries-scheduled/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/think-restarts-production-in-finland-first-deliveries-scheduled/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/think-restarts-production-in-finland-first-deliveries-scheduled/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

A little later than anticipated, Think has re-started production of the City electric vehicles at Valmet Automotive's plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The first vehicles - at least 2,300 have been ordered -- will be delivered to customers before Christmas. Most of these customers are municipal authorities and utility partners. While they wait to take delivery of their electric cars, Think will expand its marketing and sales efforts throughout Europe and beyond.

Valmet also makes or will make the Porsche Boxster and Cayman, the Fisker Karma, and the Garia golf cart in Uusikaupunki. On Twitter, Think says, "We look forward to start delivering the long awaited Think City to our customers." That's great, but what about the promised announcement of a U.S. plant?

UPDATE: Think just tweeted: "Lots of questions about US availability of the THINK City. Expect a production site announcement likely in January; limited US sales Q4'10."

Gallery: Think City production


[Source: Think]

Continue reading Think restarts production in Finland, first deliveries scheduled before Christmas

Think restarts production in Finland, first deliveries scheduled before Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingthinkthink citythink evthink evsThinkCityThinkEvThinkEvsValmetvalmet automotiveValmet Automotive of Finlandvalmet city evValmetAutomotiveValmetAutomotiveOfFinlandValmetCityEvThu, 10 Dec 2009 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Hopenhagen brings eco-cars to Denmark for climate change conference]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/hopenhagen-brings-eco-cars-to-denmark-for-climate-change-confere/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/hopenhagen-brings-eco-cars-to-denmark-for-climate-change-confere/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/07/hopenhagen-brings-eco-cars-to-denmark-for-climate-change-confere/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The COP 15 Copenhagen United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 kicks off this today in Copenhagen, and all of those delegates and personnel need to get around somehow. Auto companies from around the world are providing vehicles for the event, including 15 Think City EVs, 60 Citroen C1 ev'ie electric cars, a Mercedes Benz E-Class sedan running on pure biodiesel provided by Solazyme, a fleet of Honda Insights and at least on Honda FCX Clarity. There's also the city's public transportation system available, but we imagine with the masses of extra people - there are representatives from 192 countries - those buses might be a bit crowded. The Think City electric cars will also be a part of the Copenhagen Hopenhagen Live Parade this coming Sunday. The parade is being billed as "a cavalcade of alternative fuels vehicles through the centre of the city to mark the close of the 2009 climate change conference."

UPDATE: There was also a parade of hydrogen cars in Copenhagen last week for the conference.

[Source: Think, UOP LLC, ECC PLC, Honda]

Hopenhagen brings eco-cars to Denmark for climate change conference originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C1 evieC1Eviecopenhageneviehopenhagensolazymethink citythink evThinkCityThinkEvUN climate changeUN Climate Change Conferenceun climate conferenceUN Climate SummitUnClimateChangeUnClimateChangeConferenceUnClimateConferenceUnClimateSummitMon, 07 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/ev-cup-electric-car-racing-series-to-light-up-tires-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If you've been impatiently waiting to watch electric cars rip racetrack asphalt asunder, an end to your suffering may be in sight. A new racing series branded EV Cup has just been launched in London with plans to bring 3 separate classes of cars to a half-dozen tracks around Europe beginning in 2011. City and Sports EV series would consist of mono-maker grids using production vehicles, though they would receive some race prep in the way of stripped-out cabins and juiced-up powertrains. The Prototype EV division is more of a no-holds-barred time-trial-style constructor vs constructor affair with no weight or power restrictions and front, rear or all-wheel-drive configurations accepted.

The organization already has automakers lining up to get involved. According to the EV Cup website Th!nk would provide the first field in the City EV category (with the more-appropriately-named than ever Th!nk City), while both Ginetta and the Lightning Car Company are eying a Sports EV series. Meanwhile in the Prototype EV division, the GreenGT team is registered and ready to rumble, so to speak, with their single-seat racer they say can hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds on the way up to its top speed of 170 mph. While they might only get down to official checkered-flag business in over a year from now, we expect to see the EV Cup crew making promotional appearances with vehicles in Europe and America in 2010. Holding out a promise of high-profile brand exposure and racing-environment tech development potential, the opportunity should present a seductive proposition for many in the electric vehicle space. Hit the jump for both the official press release plus bonus video of the GreenGT car hitting 124 mph in a recent run on an airstrip in the Swiss Alps.

[Source: EV Cup]

Continue reading EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011

EV Cup electric car racing series to light up tires in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EEVRC LtdEevrcLtdelectric car racingElectricCarRacingEV CupEvCupGinettaGreenGTLightning Car CompanyLightningCarCompanyThnkThu, 03 Dec 2009 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Still Indiana? Think says decision on U.S. plant forthcoming]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/still-indiana-think-says-decision-on-u-s-plant-forthcoming/#commentsFiled under: ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turns out that yesterday's report saying Think will build its all-electric City car in Indiana was premature. The company just tweeted that, "We're moving toward completing our US site selection -- but it will take another week or two to finalize the location. Stay tuned..." Of course, that tweet doesn't say that Indiana won't be the where the highway-speed EV will be built, but we're just slightly less certain than we were before reading it. Earth2Tech says that three states - Indiana, Michigan and Oregon - are still on Think's short list.

It still makes total sense for Think Global to build the plant in Indiana, home to Think investor and battery supplier Ener1. At the very least, we know that a U.S. plant is still happening, just not where.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: Earth2Tech, Think]

Still Indiana? Think says decision on U.S. plant forthcoming originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thinkthink electric carthink electric carsthink evthink evsThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEvThinkEvsThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-think-will-build-u-s-plant-in-indiana-appoints-two-new/#commentsFiled under: ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Think Global is deepening its roots in Indiana. The City electric car already uses batteries made by local company Ener1, which also owns 31 percent of Think Global. When the Think starts up production again (it was shut down while the company went through bankruptcy and then restructured) the cars are scheduled to be built at new minority shareholder Valmet Automotive's factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Think has 2,300 outstanding orders for the City and Valmet plans on building twice that many City models next year.

But Think also wants to build cars in the U.S. in the future, and Ener1 chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer have told Reuters that the plant will be located somewhere in Indiana. Details will be announced in the coming weeks. The company has applied for a U.S. government loan to help build the plant.

Think also announced two new senior appointments today (official press release after the jump). Jan Brentebråten, who previously worked for Ford and Mazda in Europe, has been appointed director of marketing, sales and service for Think Global, and Helge Nerland, previously a senior corporate adviser at Fondsfinans ASA, will become the CFO of Think Global.

UPDATE: Maybe not.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Sources: Reuters; Think]

Continue reading REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs

REPORT: Think will build U.S. plant in Indiana, appoints two new execs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingthinkthink electric carthink electric carsthink ener1think enerdelthink evthink evsthink indianathink indianapolisThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEner1ThinkEnerdelThinkEvThinkEvsThinkIndianaThinkIndianapolisWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Refinanced Think Says City Car EV Production Will Resume in November]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/refinanced-think-says-city-car-ev-production-will-resume-in-nove/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/refinanced-think-says-city-car-ev-production-will-resume-in-nove/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/refinanced-think-says-city-car-ev-production-will-resume-in-nove/#commentsFiled under: ,

Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Th!nk City electric car could be back in production as soon as next month if all goes according to plan. However, for the first time since the company debuted a decade ago, the little EVs won't be built in Norway. Instead, new minority shareholder Valmet Automotive will shift the tooling to its factory in Uusikaupunki, Finland where it will be built alongside Porsche Boxsters and Caymans that Valmet assembles under contract.

Soon, the same factory will also start production of the Fisker Karma plug-in series hybrid. The City production line has been shut down for more than six months as the company went through bankruptcy and restructured with new investors. Battery manufacturer Ener1 is now the largest shareholder with 31 percent of the company. Th!nk currently has 2,300 outstanding orders for the City, 80 percent of which are from various European governments. Valmet hopes to build twice that many cars next year.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Refinanced Think Says City Car EV Production Will Resume in November originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thinkthink citythink finlandthink production finlandThinkCityThinkFinlandThinkProductionFinlandThnkThnk electricthnk-citythnk-electric-carthnk-evThnkElectricWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiny island of Tershcelling gets fully electric ambulance from Th!nk]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/tiny-island-of-tershcelling-gets-fully-electric-ambulance-from-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/tiny-island-of-tershcelling-gets-fully-electric-ambulance-from-t/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/tiny-island-of-tershcelling-gets-fully-electric-ambulance-from-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With the current limitations (no pun intended) of battery-electric vehicles like the Th!nk City, one of the last places we'd expect to see one operating is as an ambulance. After all, when life is on the line, top speed and range suddenly become of paramount concern. On the other hand, our health is affected by the emissions of cars and trucks, so any way to reduce fuel consumption and pollution is a positive thing.

In the case of the Dutch Island of Terschelling, the Th!nk City should prove plenty capable of ambulance duty since there's only 4,700 residents on the entire island. With just 12 miles of paved roads on the island, the Th!nk City's 112-mile range shouldn't pose too much of a problem, and its top speed of about 65 miles per hour is likely sufficient.

[Source: Th!nk]

Continue reading Tiny island of Tershcelling gets fully electric ambulance from Th!nk

Tiny island of Tershcelling gets fully electric ambulance from Th!nk originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulanceelectric ambulanceElectric carelectric carselectric vehicleelectric-carElectricAmbulanceElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleterschellingterschelling ambulanceterschelling islandTerschellingAmbulanceTerschellingIslandthinkthink ambulancethink cityThinkAmbulanceThinkCitythnkthnk cityThnkCitySun, 18 Oct 2009 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Out of bankruptcy, Think announces new Board of Directors]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/out-of-bankruptcy-think-announces-new-board-of-directors/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/out-of-bankruptcy-think-announces-new-board-of-directors/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/12/out-of-bankruptcy-think-announces-new-board-of-directors/#commentsFiled under: ,

Electric vehicle maker Think announced a new Board of Directors today, bringing together some of the people who guided the once-troubled automaker through its recent bankruptcy.

The new board will be led by Reidar Langmo (pictured), who comes from the solar energy field as a founding partner of Renewable Energy Corporation. The rest of the board is made up of former GEM VP and EV1 project leader Ken Baker; Steinar Fossen, investment director for the Norwegian Government's venture capital fund, Investinor AS; Charles Gassenheimer, the Chariman and CEO of Ener1; venture capitalist William "Wilber" James, from RockPort Capital Partners and Ulrich Thum, who held executive positions as Fiat and BMW and is currently a Board Member at Valmet Automotive, the company that will help Think make the City EV in Finland. These appointments can only help the company get through its 2,300-vehicle backlog.

[Source: Think]

Continue reading Out of bankruptcy, Think announces new Board of Directors

Out of bankruptcy, Think announces new Board of Directors originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Charles GassenheimerCharlesGassenheimerreidar langmoReidarLangmothinkthink electric carthink electric carsthink ener1think enerdelthink evthink evsThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEner1ThinkEnerdelThinkEvThinkEvsMon, 12 Oct 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Think has an order backlog 2,300 vehicles long ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/think-has-an-order-backlog-2-300-vehicles-long/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/think-has-an-order-backlog-2-300-vehicles-long/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/22/think-has-an-order-backlog-2-300-vehicles-long/#commentsFiled under: ,

Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest official Twitter update from Th!nk reads as follows:
We will be re-opening the order book for the Think City in Europe in late October. Our present backlog is about 2,300 orders
2,300 people who are waiting for their cars? This is good news for Think, which announced it will move production to Finland and re-start production of their all-electric city vehicle following a capital increase of $47 million from partners Ener1, Valmet Automotive and Investinor, the Norwegian Government-backed investment fund. Think CEO Richard Canny said recently that he hopes the first customer sales from cars made from the restarted production lines will be completed "this side of 2010." Guess at least a few of those 2,300 people will be happy sooner rather than later.

Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: Think on Twitter]

Think has an order backlog 2,300 vehicles long originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thinkthink evthink twitterThinkEvThinkTwitterthnktwitterTue, 22 Sep 2009 14:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Think exits bankruptcy, gets $47m for production move to Finland ]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/think-exits-bankruptcy-gets-47m-for-production-move-to-finland/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/think-exits-bankruptcy-gets-47m-for-production-move-to-finland/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/think-exits-bankruptcy-gets-47m-for-production-move-to-finland/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Recent reports that Think would move the manufacturing location of its City electric cars from Norway to Finland were true. The Norwegian EV company has some even better news, though: it has received approval for its debt settlement plan and will now be able to exit court protection. Think CEO Richard Canny said the ruling means "we can re-start production of the TH!NK City as soon as possible."

Re-starting production will be helped along thanks to a capital increase of $47 million from Ener1, Valmet Automotive and Investinor, the Norwegian Government-backed investment fund. After this latest round of financing, Ener1 will own about 31 percent of Think. Valmet's new investment in Think makes sense because the contract automaker (Valmet also makes cars for Porsche and will soon begin making the Fisker Karma) should start building Think City EVs before 2009 is finished. Norwegian production will be "suspended indefinitely." What does this mean for people who want to buy a City? Canny is hopeful that first customer sales will be made "this side of 2010." Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Gallery: Think City in Detroit


[Source: Think]

Continue reading Think exits bankruptcy, gets $47m for production move to Finland

Think exits bankruptcy, gets $47m for production move to Finland originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falserichard cannyRichardCannythinkthink citythink electric carsthink evthink finlandthink norwaythink valmetThinkCityThinkElectricCarsThinkEvThinkFinlandThinkNorwayThinkValmetvalmetvalmet automotivevalmet city evValmetAutomotiveValmetCityEvThu, 27 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Think electric cars to be made in Finland alongside Fisker Karma]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-think-electric-cars-to-be-made-in-finland/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-think-electric-cars-to-be-made-in-finland/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/report-think-electric-cars-to-be-made-in-finland/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Th!nk City - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our friends over at Electric A!D recently took a baby blue Think City EV from its home in Norway to show it off in Denmark (recharging it onboard the ferry). Turns out another Nordic nation might hold the future for the small all-electric car. A report in VG Nett says that, in the future, Think cars will be made in Finland by Valmet with batteries coming from EnerDel in the U.S. Norwegian EV advocates are understandably disappointed by the news that production will be moved outside of Th!nk's home country, but at least they can take comfort in the fact that the Think will be in good company: Valmet is the same manufacturer that will make the Fisker Karma.

Officially, Th!nk is not confirming anything, citing ongoing debt negotiations that need to be taken care of before moving forward. Thanks to Joona from Finland for the tip!

Gallery: Think City in Detroit


[Source: VG Nett (Google Translated)]


REPORT: Think electric cars to be made in Finland alongside Fisker Karma originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falsethinkthink citythink city norwaythink electric carsthink evthink finlandthink norwayThinkCityThinkCityNorwayThinkElectricCarsThinkEvThinkFinlandThinkNorwayWed, 26 Aug 2009 10:02:00 EST<![CDATA[New places to "refuel" your car: onboard a ferry]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/new-places-to-refuel-your-car-onboard-a-ferry/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/new-places-to-refuel-your-car-onboard-a-ferry/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/new-places-to-refuel-your-car-onboard-a-ferry/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Electric A!D, the northern European electric car advocates, have taken a baby blue Think City EV from Norway to Denmark "without any more hassle than if you where to travel with an ICE car." One of the reasons things went smoothly is that the Stena Line ferry service from Oslo, Norway to Frederikshavn, Denmark now offers an electric car charging service on board. Richard and crew were the first to get their vehicle charged during the journey. Recharging a car while it's being carried? Brilliant. Amtrak should be listening.

Leaving the boat with a full pack meant that the showcase events in Denmark went off without a hitch, and Electirc A!D was able to get a few more electric vehicle converts, including the mayor of Norddjurs, a county that recently started building a big bioethanol plant.

In the comments on Electric A!D's blog, one reader noted a side benefit of sending an electric car as small as the Kewet Buddy on the ferry (in this case, Fjordline): it can be shipped as cargo!

[Source: Electric A!D]

New places to "refuel" your car: onboard a ferry originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric aidElectricAidthinkthink citythink electric carthink electric carsthink evThinkCityThinkElectricCarThinkElectricCarsThinkEvMon, 24 Aug 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ener1/EnerDel expands electric vehicle partnerships with Nissan, Think]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ener1-enerdel-expands-electric-vehicle-partnerships-with-nissan/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ener1-enerdel-expands-electric-vehicle-partnerships-with-nissan/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ener1-enerdel-expands-electric-vehicle-partnerships-with-nissan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Japan Post Van - click to enlarge

Ener1 this morning announced a new partnership with Nissan Motor Company to research and develop "a new generation of electrical conductive material intended to reduce cost and improve the performance of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries." Basically, they're looking for a new electrolyte. Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel and Nissan will pay for the research that will be done at the Argonne National Lab in Chicago. The deal has been under discussion for the past year, said Charles Gassenheimer, the Ener1 CEO and Chairman.

Ener1 also recently announced it would expand its work with Th!nk through a new fully integrated electric drivetrain. Th!nk developed the technology and chose Ener1 as the sole supplier of the lithium-ion battery technology used in the powertrain. Unlike the Nissan deal, which will soon start in a lab, the new powertrain will soon be tested in vans used by the Japanese postal service in Kaganawa and Tokyo prefectures. The Japanese mail service wants to convert its fleet of 22,000 delivery vehilce to electric drive. Press releases available after the jump.

[Source: Ener1]


Continue reading Ener1/EnerDel expands electric vehicle partnerships with Nissan, Think

Ener1/EnerDel expands electric vehicle partnerships with Nissan, Think originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingener1ener1 lithiumener1 nissanener1 thinkEner1LithiumEner1NissanEner1Thinkenerdelenerdel batteryenerdel lithiumenerdel nissanenerdel thinkEnerdelBatteryEnerdelLithiumEnerdelNissanEnerdelThinkfalsejapan postjapan post electric vehiclejapan post ener1japan post enerdeljapan post serviceJapanPostJapanPostElectricVehicleJapanPostEner1JapanPostEnerdelJapanPostServicenissanThu, 30 Jul 2009 09:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Ener1 to supply batteries for Volvo PHEV, what about Th!nk?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/ener1-to-supply-batteries-for-volvo-phev-what-about-th-nk/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/ener1-to-supply-batteries-for-volvo-phev-what-about-th-nk/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/ener1-to-supply-batteries-for-volvo-phev-what-about-th-nk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Volvo plug-in hybrid - click above for hi-res gallery

Volvo is building several plug-in hybrid prototypes of its V70 station wagon to begin field tests this fall in Europe. The cars are using lithium ion battery packs that will be supplied by Indiana-based Ener1. The 11.3 kWh packs will provide 31 miles of electric driving range through the rear wheels. Once the batteries reach the depletion point, the standard diesel engine at the front takes over. It's not known at this point if the car will use regenerative braking to replenish the battery and provide conventional hybrid operation. If it does, this would be a through-the-road hybrid system similar to the one being developed by Peugeot and branded as HYbrid4. Volvo's intent is to get its plug-in hybrid system into full production by 2012.

While this collaboration with Volvo is good for Ener1, what of the company's other Scandinavian partner, Th!nk? No mention is made of the Norwegian EV maker but there is no reason to believe this project will affect Th!nk one way or the other. Th!nk has plenty of its own financial problems to deal with right now. Ener1's press release is after the jump.

Gallery: Volvo and Vattenfall Plug-in hybrid


[Source: Ener1, Cleantech.com]

Continue reading Ener1 to supply batteries for Volvo PHEV, what about Th!nk?

Ener1 to supply batteries for Volvo PHEV, what about Th!nk? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ener1enerdellithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesthinkvolvovolvo v70volvo v70 phevVolvoV70VolvoV70PhevFri, 17 Jul 2009 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Think working on "capital increase negotiations," production of City EV could resume soon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/th-nk-working-on-capital-increase-negotiations-production-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/th-nk-working-on-capital-increase-negotiations-production-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/th-nk-working-on-capital-increase-negotiations-production-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

News has broken that Norwegian electric car company Th!nk is getting a big chunk of change, between $40-50 million, from new and anonymous investors. The company says that "capital increase negotiations have reached a first conditional approval from investors, and the company is now moving into formal debt settlement negotiations with its creditors."

What's more exciting is that these approvals and negotiations mean that Th!nk is one step closer to restarting production of the Th!nk CIty electric car and "to honouring its commitment to start delivering vehicles to customers before the end of the year." Read the official Th!nk statement and find a somewhat abstract "celebratory film" from Electric Aid after the jump. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Gallery: Think City in action


[Source: Th!nk, Electric Aid]

Continue reading Think working on "capital increase negotiations," production of City EV could resume soon

Think working on "capital increase negotiations," production of City EV could resume soon originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>thinkthink citythink electric carsthink evthink norwayThinkCityThinkElectricCarsThinkEvThinkNorwayWed, 17 Jun 2009 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: New Louisiana auto plant not for Th!nk, will make high-mpg gas-powered cars [UPDATED]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/new-louisiana-auto-plant-not-for-th-nk-will-make-high-mpg-gas-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/new-louisiana-auto-plant-not-for-th-nk-will-make-high-mpg-gas-p/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/new-louisiana-auto-plant-not-for-th-nk-will-make-high-mpg-gas-p/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Plans for a new auto plant will be unveiled later this morning in Ouachita Parish in northeastern Louisiana. We guessed earlier that the plant would be for the Th!nk CIty EV, but a new report from local newspaper The News Star indicates otherwise. The paper writes, "The new company will manufacture high-mileage gas-powered cars, not electric or hybrids as some reports have suggested." Another possibility is that the plant will be used by Fisker, but their only vehicles right now - the Karma and the Karma S - are plug-in hybrids. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret said that the plant will put the region "at the forefront of the effort to re-energize the American auto industry. This is a next generation manufacturing facility."

Whoever the plant is for, it will be welcome news for local workers. The News Stars says that the new plant will create 1,400 new jobs and pay an average of $40,000 a year. An official announcement should come down the wire soon, so stay tuned. Thanks to Mart for the tip!

UPDATE: The News Stars just Twittered that the company name is V-vehicle Co.

LATER UPDATE: As many details as we now have are available here.

Gallery: Fisker Karma


[Source: The News Star]

REPORT: New Louisiana auto plant not for Th!nk, will make high-mpg gas-powered cars [UPDATED] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiskerlouisianalouisiana auto factorylouisiana car plantlouisiana fiskerlouisiana karmalouisiana mpgLouisianaAutoFactoryLouisianaCarPlantLouisianaFiskerLouisianaKarmaLouisianaMpgouachitaouachita fiskerouachita louisianaOuachitaFiskerOuachitaLouisianathinkWed, 17 Jun 2009 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: New auto assembly plant to be announced this week... perhaps for Th!nk?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/new-auto-assembly-plant-to-be-announced-this-week-perhaps-for/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/new-auto-assembly-plant-to-be-announced-this-week-perhaps-for/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/06/14/new-auto-assembly-plant-to-be-announced-this-week-perhaps-for/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Financially struggling Norwegian EV maker Th!nk has been saying for some time that it wants to build some of its cars in in the United States. That announcement could come as soon as this week in Louisana. In a report published in Louisiana newspaper The News Star, factory owner Jim Davison will make an announcement on Wednesday of this week. Davison owns a factory that was formerly part of Guide, previously a General Motors lighting division.

While Davison declines to give details of the project or what cars will be built there, some hints are available. The project reportedly includes Silicon Valley venture capitalists Ray Lane and John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. KPC&B has made a lot of green technology investments in recent years, including Th!nk and Fisker Automotive. While Fisker is certainly a possibility, it's less likely since the California-based company already has a deal with Finland's Valmet for production of the new Karma. Th!nk has been showing its electric city car in the U.S. recently, so we figure their products are the most likely ones to emerge from Ouachita Parish (about midway between Shreveport and Jackson, Mississippi). Thanks to Justin for the tip!


Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: The News-Star]

REPORT: New auto assembly plant to be announced this week... perhaps for Th!nk? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kleiner perkinskleiner perkins caufield byersKleinerPerkinsKleinerPerkinsCaufieldByersOuachita louisianaOuachitaLouisianathinkthink citythinkcitythnkSun, 14 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Electric car sharing coming to Oslo, Norway]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/electric-car-sharing-coming-to-oslo-norway/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/electric-car-sharing-coming-to-oslo-norway/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/electric-car-sharing-coming-to-oslo-norway/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's about to get a lot easier to drive a Th!nk City electric car. Residents of Oslo, Norway - and tourists - will soon (i.e., tomorrow) be able to participate in a new car sharing plan called Move About. As of May 27, Move About will start public car sharing with 13 electric vehicles at three locations in downtown Oslo. Michael Eimstad, Move About's managing director, told AutoblogGreen that the program will be open "to anybody with a driving licence, and is (as far as we know) the first of its kind in the world."

Move About currently runs two corporate car sharing services in Oslo and Gothenburg, Sweden, with futher expansion planned through Europe in the next few years.

[Source: Move About]

Electric car sharing coming to Oslo, Norway originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 26 May 2009 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>move aboutMoveAboutnorwayoslothinkthink citythink electric carsthink evThinkCityThinkElectricCarsThinkEvTue, 26 May 2009 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Th!nk gets homologation in the Netherlands, ready to be sold in European Union]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/th-nk-gets-homologation-in-the-netherlands-ready-to-be-sold-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/th-nk-gets-homologation-in-the-netherlands-ready-to-be-sold-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/th-nk-gets-homologation-in-the-netherlands-ready-to-be-sold-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Once a vehicle has been certified for roadworthiness by any member of the European Union, that vehicle can legally be sold in any fellow member country. Such is the case with the Th!nk City, which has just officially passed vehicle inspection in the Netherlands.

Issued by the De Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW), this makes the little Th!nk City the first all-EV "real-world" electric car to be deemed fully roadworthy in the EU. The inspection certifies that the model meets or exceeds all European requirements having to do with braking, crashworthiness, lights, mirrors and emissions.

The Th!nk City, which is expected to cost around €40,000 in the Netherlands (according to our source and previous news), manages a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) and has a range of 180 kilometers (115 miles) once the batteries have been fully charged, which can take up to 13 hours depending on the power source.


Gallery: Th!nk City


[Source: Autoblog Netherlands]

Th!nk gets homologation in the Netherlands, ready to be sold in European Union originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric homologationElectricHomologationeu lawsEuLawshomologationroadworthystreet legalStreetLegalthinkthink citythink electric carsThinkCityThinkElectricCarstuvMon, 11 May 2009 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[550 Think City electric cars coming to Spain]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/550-think-city-electric-cars-coming-to-spain/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/550-think-city-electric-cars-coming-to-spain/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/05/06/550-think-city-electric-cars-coming-to-spain/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Think's European expansion continues with the announcement that 550 of the company's City electric vehicles will be delivered to Spain later this year and in the first part of 2010. Think announced today the MOU it signed with its Spanish partner, Going Green, to bring the small EVs to Spain, starting with five test vehicles early this summer. The Spanish government has announced it will spend up to 10 million Euros to support early introduction of electric vehicles and build a charging infrastructure within its borders.

Spain is taking multiple paths to helping domestic automakers produce cleaner car, including offering low-interest loans to automakers operating within its borders. General Motors is another automaker looking at bringing plug-in vehicles to Spain. Thanks to Richard for the tip!

Gallery: Think City in Detroit


[Source: Think, Green Wombat]

550 Think City electric cars coming to Spain originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 06 May 2009 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>spainspain think evSpainThinkEvthink citythink electric carsthink evThinkCityThinkElectricCarsThinkEvWed, 06 May 2009 18:47:00 EST