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[Vocis' second-gen multi-speed transmission promises lower-cost EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/vocis-launches-second-gen-multi-speed-ev-transmission/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/vocis-launches-second-gen-multi-speed-ev-transmission/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/vocis-launches-second-gen-multi-speed-ev-transmission/#commentsFiled under: , ,



UK-based transmission engineering and control specialist Vocis wants to take electric vehicles in another direction, one with dual clutch transmissions. Vocis says its dual clutch transmissions provide seamless shifting and up to 15 percent improvement in EV efficiency. Vocis' DCT is currently on display in a Mercedes-Benz Vito minibus demonstration vehicle.

Many EV powertrans use a single e-machine (motor/generator). Vocis uses two smaller e-machines, each driving a separate input shaft. It's described as an eDCT (electric dual clutch transmission) and resembles a DCT configuration - but with two motors instead of twin clutches.

A multi-speed transmission offers faster acceleration and a higher top speed than a single e-machine. This improves hill climbing and pull-away performance, and its higher ratios in the transmission can provide more efficient high-speed cruising.

The multi-speed transmission can also help reduce the cost, because a smaller battery battery pack combined with the multi-speed transmission can deliver the same traveling range as a larger battery on a single-speed EV. Smaller battery, lower cost.

The eDCT was designed with modular architecture to make it pliable for a wide range of vehicle types, said Richard Taylor, technical director of Vocis Driveline Controls. The motors can be installed parallel to each other or on opposite sides of the unit, providing layout flexibility. Vocis' second-generation unit has received partial funding from the Niche Vehicle Network, a specialist car and chassis manufacturer association. It also was nominated for an SMMT Automotive Innovation Award last year.

Vocis first showed off its EV two-speed transmission during the Low Carbon Vehicle Event 2011 at Rockingham Motor Speedway in the UK. It was fitted for yet another minibus - this one a prototype electric minibus developed with powertrain supplier Zytek.

Continue reading Vocis' second-gen multi-speed transmission promises lower-cost EVs

Vocis' second-gen multi-speed transmission promises lower-cost EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 May 2013 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery packdctdual clutch transmissionelectric vehiclemulti-speed transmissionukvocisWed, 01 May 2013 18:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553601/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553601/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/vocis-launches-second-gen-multi-speed-ev-transmission/20553601/article-detail.xml 20553601 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vocis-mercedes-benz-vito-minibus_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/vocis-mercedes-benz-vito-minibus.png <![CDATA[E. coli used to create diesel-like biofuel in UK study]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/e-coli-used-to-create-diesel-like-biofuel-in-uk-study/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/e-coli-used-to-create-diesel-like-biofuel-in-uk-study/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/28/e-coli-used-to-create-diesel-like-biofuel-in-uk-study/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

UK university creates diesel-like biofuel using e. coli

Mention the term "e. coli" here in the US, and one gets visions of sick cows and poisonous burgers. Reference e. coli with some groundbreaking work performed by UK's University of Exeter, and things get a little more positive.

The university, with some funding from Shell, created a plant-based biofuel that's "almost identical" to conventional diesel. The fuel not only requires less of a blend with petroleum relative to biodiesels made from plants but may eliminate the corrosive effects other biofuels have on engines.

According to a more authoritative explanation from the News Scientists, the e. coli is combined with glucose to create the properly sized hydrocarbons that more or less mimic those compatible with engines. So far, the new fuel's being produced in "tiny" quantities but, hey, you have to start somewhere. Check out the article from the University below.

Continue reading E. coli used to create diesel-like biofuel in UK study

E. coli used to create diesel-like biofuel in UK study originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselbiofueldiesele. coliexeterukuniversity of exeterSun, 28 Apr 2013 08:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549261/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549261/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/28/e-coli-used-to-create-diesel-like-biofuel-in-uk-study/20549261/article-detail.xml 20549261 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/biodiesel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/biodiesel.jpg <![CDATA[UK hybrid sales will dwarf demand for plug-in vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/uk-hybrid-sales-will-dwarf-plug-in-demand/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/uk-hybrid-sales-will-dwarf-plug-in-demand/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/uk-hybrid-sales-will-dwarf-plug-in-demand/#commentsFiled under: , ,

UK hybrid sales will exceed plug-in demand

UK hybrid sales will dwarf those of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as automakers work to meet ever-increasing emissions requirements during the next decade. The prediction was reported in Motor Trades Insight can came from a RAC (Royal Automobile Club) Foundation study.

What does the RAC expect? Well, that hybrids could account for up to 50 percent of all the new cars sold in 2030. Meanwhile, annual plug-in sales by 2020 could hit 200,000, or about 10 percent of the number of cars sold in the UK last year. Plug-in sales may be spurred by a combination of lower vehicle costs and further tightening of emissions standards. Either way, just 3,600 electric cars have been sold in the UK since the government instituted plug-in subsidies of £5,000 ($7,700) per vehicle.

No model illustrates the hybrid/plug-in disparity better than the Toyota Prius. In the UK last year, the Japanese automaker sold almost 13,000 Prius hybrids. The number for Prius Plug-in sales since that model debuted in the UK last July was a bit smaller: just 470.

UK hybrid sales will dwarf demand for plug-in vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclehybridplug-in hybridracroyal automobile clubukunited kingdomFri, 26 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549206/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549206/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/26/uk-hybrid-sales-will-dwarf-plug-in-demand/20549206/article-detail.xml 20549206 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ukprius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/ukprius.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf battery lease available in UK for £70 a month]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/nissan-leaf-battery-lease-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/nissan-leaf-battery-lease-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/nissan-leaf-battery-lease-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Buy an EV, lease the battery. In the UK, this uncommon financing scheme will be available to anyone interested in a 2013 Nissan Leaf.

Brits can get a Leaf for as little as £15,990 (about $24,000 US) once the government's £5,000 ($7,700) EV incentive is factored in. Then, leases start at £70 ($108) a month for 36-month lease with no more than 7,500 miles a year driven, and work their way up to £129 a month for a 12-month, 15,000-mile lease. See the details in Nissan's press release below.

Nissan, which says it's boosted the single-charge range on the 2013 by 15 miles to 124 miles, started making the Leaf at its Sunderland plant in the UK last month, giving the Japanese automaker Leaf production on three continents. Nissan invested £420 million (about $650 million) upgrading the factory to handle Leaf production.

In January, Nissan cut the base price of the UK Leaf by the equivalent of about $3,900 to £23,490 ($36,000) as well as offering a lease option for about $375 a month. Last fall, Nissan dealers in the UK said Nissan drivers could get access to Leaf courtesy cars in an effort to get more consumers familiar with the world's best-selling all-electric car.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf battery lease available in UK for £70 a month

Nissan Leaf battery lease available in UK for £70 a month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryelectric vehicleleaseleasingnissannissan leafUKFri, 12 Apr 2013 13:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20537880/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20537880/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/nissan-leaf-battery-lease-uk/20537880/article-detail.xml 20537880 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-nissan-leaf-uk-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-nissan-leaf-uk-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 audi a3

The advertised vs. real-world mileage discrepancy that Americans are becoming very familiar with - see Hyundai/Kia and Ford - are not limited to our part of the world. Over in the UK, Audi is involved in what could be, in the words of The Guardian, a "landmark case" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The crux of the matter is whether or not car companies can say what the official government miles per gallon figures are without also saying that they "may not reflect real driving." In the ASA case, Audi admitted that the official numbers for the A3 1.6 TDI (68.9 mpg, on the lenient European cycle), "did not give an accurate representation of the actual fuel consumption which could be expected from any particular vehicle and were provided only to enable comparisons between different vehicles or models" but still wants to use them in ads because consumers are aware of this. The ASA says the not-so-accurate-representation is not, in fact, obvious to buyers, and therefore Audi needs to put up qualifying asterisks - otherwise it runs afoul of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Codes. If the case goes in favor of the ASA, all car ads in the UK would need to have these disclaimers.

Last year, the ASA took an ad for the Chevrolet Volt's sister vehicle, the Vauxhall Ampera, off the air because the driving range claim was found to be misleading.

Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/20533907/article-detail.xml 20533907 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3.jpg <![CDATA[Westfield iRacer takes to the track]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/06/westfield-iracer-takes-to-the-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/06/westfield-iracer-takes-to-the-track/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/06/westfield-iracer-takes-to-the-track/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Westfield iRacer

A little over a month after Birmingham City University released its latest details of a home-kit version of its all-electric Westfield racer, an eight-minute video of the car making a very quiet run around a track has surfaced. It's all cockpit POV, though, sadly, and a bug or something hits the camera a little after half-way through.

The university and Westfield Sportscars are pitching a kit for the iRacer that runs about 14,000 British pounds ($21,500 US). The racer can be configured to run on battery power, hybrid or good old-fashioned gas for the gauche set.

UK-based Westfield first announced plans for the iRacer about three years ago and said at the time that the car weighed about 1,300 pounds and could go about 55 miles on a charge. The car reportedly has a 0-60 mile per hour acceleration time of under five seconds.

Check out the university's late-February release here, and check out the on-track video below.

Continue reading Westfield iRacer takes to the track

Westfield iRacer takes to the track originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birmingham city universityelectric vehicleiracerkitukwestfieldSat, 06 Apr 2013 08:43:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20532125/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20532125/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/06/westfield-iracer-takes-to-the-track/20532125/article-detail.xml 20532125 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/westfield_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/westfield.jpg <![CDATA[Liberty Electric Cars working on 1,000-mile EV for 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/liberty-electric-cars-working-on-1-000-mile-ev-for-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/liberty-electric-cars-working-on-1-000-mile-ev-for-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/liberty-electric-cars-working-on-1-000-mile-ev-for-2014/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Liberty Electric's E-Range

Liberty Electric Cars says it will unveil a vehicle next year that will be able to go as many as 1,000 miles on a single charge. We just don't know if that vehicle will be a converted Land Rover, though.

The UK-based company's CEO Ian Hobday points to 2014 as the production-model debut of the Liberty, Motor Trades Insight reports. The publication lists a gaggle of European cities that would be reachable without a recharge from London (Paris, Brussels, Milan) with such a vehicle. Liberty isn't saying what the model will be or how much it'll cost, but did say it plans to double its workforce from the current 40 employees by year-end.

California-based Green Automotive Co. bought out Liberty Electric last year for about $17 million in Green Automotive stock. Liberty said five years ago that it would invest about $45 million to convert Land Rovers, Range Rovers and other larger SUVs into electric vehicles, and would sell the models for between $150,000 and $200,000 a pop. And in 2010, Liberty debuted its converted Range Rover (the E-Range), which had a 200-mile single-charge range and a $250,000 price tag.

Liberty Electric Cars working on 1,000-mile EV for 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1000 mileselectric vehiclegreen automotiveian hobdayland roverliberty electricliberty electric carsrange roverWed, 03 Apr 2013 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20527394/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20527394/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/03/liberty-electric-cars-working-on-1-000-mile-ev-for-2014/20527394/article-detail.xml 20527394 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/liberty-1364934042_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/liberty-1364934042.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan starts 2013 Leaf production in UK, EV now made on three continents]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/nissan-starts-2013-leaf-production-in-uk-ev-now-made-on-three-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/nissan-starts-2013-leaf-production-in-uk-ev-now-made-on-three-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/nissan-starts-2013-leaf-production-in-uk-ev-now-made-on-three-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Building the Leaf in Tennessee helped Nissan sell more of the all-electric car in the US in March than in any other month. The start of production in the UK, in Nissan's Sunderland plant, has been in the planning stages for a while and today's official start of production means the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle is now being made on three continents (since 2010, the Leaf has been made in Japan). The Sunderland plant was opened in 1986, and Nissan invested £420 million ($635 million US) so it can build the Leaf and its battery there. Nissan claims the expansion will, "support more than 2,000 jobs in the UK automotive industry," 500 of those at Nissan.

Global production isn't the only thing that's new. Sunderland will build the 2013 Leaf, which has (in the UK, at least) 100 updates, the most important of which are more range (now up to 123 miles) and a shorter recharge time (half as long as a first-gen Leaf took). The European Leaf also gets special suspension settings, "specifically tailored for European roads." We hope the button to engage this looks like cobblestones. You can read about the US updates to the 2013 Leaf here.

Continue reading Nissan starts 2013 Leaf production in UK, EV now made on three continents

Nissan starts 2013 Leaf production in UK, EV now made on three continents originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan leafelectric vehiclenissannissan leafsunderlandukThu, 28 Mar 2013 00:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20520580/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20520580/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/28/nissan-starts-2013-leaf-production-in-uk-ev-now-made-on-three-c/20520580/article-detail.xml 20520580 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissan-leaf-sunderland-uk_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissan-leaf-sunderland-uk.png <![CDATA[Toyota signs up for London Hydrogen Partnership, keeping 2015 H2 target in sight]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/toyota-london-hydrogen-partnership-2015-h2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/toyota-london-hydrogen-partnership-2015-h2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/toyota-london-hydrogen-partnership-2015-h2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota FCV-R Concept

Whether working with BMW or the US Department of Energy, Toyota is involved in hydrogen vehicle technology around the world. The newest corner is London, where a deal with the London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP) was just announced. Toyota is the only major automaker on the LHP's list of members, but AutoblogGreen readers will likely be familiar with some of the other participants, including Riversimple and Transport for London.

THe LHP has an action plan (PDF) that states, "London will be one of the early commercial launch markets for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles from 2015. This will lead to London becoming a competitive global centre for hydrogen fuel cell transport and refuelling infrastructure." The LHP was started in 2002.

Outside of the LHP, Toyota's stated goal is to release an H2 vehicle that costs around $50,000 in 2015.

Toyota signs up for London Hydrogen Partnership, keeping 2015 H2 target in sight originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcv-rh2hydrogenhydrogen fuel celllhplondonlondon hydrogen partnershiptoyotaMon, 25 Mar 2013 16:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517255/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517255/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/25/toyota-london-hydrogen-partnership-2015-h2/20517255/article-detail.xml 20517255 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/toyotafcr-vconcept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/toyotafcr-vconcept.jpg <![CDATA[BBC takes a look at Drayson's 200-mph EV racer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/bbc-drayson-200-mph-ev-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/bbc-drayson-200-mph-ev-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/bbc-drayson-200-mph-ev-racer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

drayson racing video still

Credit the BBC for doing its best to dispel the notion that electric-powered vehicles are - as it puts it - "dull and boring." The UK broadcaster posted a two-minute video that profiles Paul Drayson and his racing team, which is building racing EVs that can go as fast as 200 miles per hour, and really quietly at that.

Drayson Racing Technologies shows off the car via an explanation of its layout and an extremely fast lap around a racing track. Mr. Drayson points out that the car has four electric motors built by Oxford University, giving the car's technology a top-notch pedigree.

Earlier this year, Formula E Holdings signed up Drayson Racing as its first team for an EV racing circuit slated to begin next year, with the premier race set for Rome. No word on whether Drayson will try to set any speed records through the Chunnel. Check out the BBC video of this electrifying EV (sorry) below.

Continue reading BBC takes a look at Drayson's 200-mph EV racer

BBC takes a look at Drayson's 200-mph EV racer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>draysonelectric vehicleEVpaul draysonracingFri, 22 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514919/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514919/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/22/bbc-drayson-200-mph-ev-racer/20514919/article-detail.xml 20514919 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/drayson-racing_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/drayson-racing.png <![CDATA[Renault Zoe buyers can get a free home charging station]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/renault-zoe-buyers-can-get-a-free-home-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/renault-zoe-buyers-can-get-a-free-home-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/22/renault-zoe-buyers-can-get-a-free-home-charging-station/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Renault Zoe

Renault wants to get a running head start with early sales of its all-electric Zoe in the UK by offering free home-charging station for British customers, Hybrid Cars reports.

When the Zoe goes on sale in the UK in early June, buyers will have the option of getting free delivery and installation of a Single Wall-box, distributed by British Gas. The UK government is footing three-quarters of the bill for the stations (Renault's paying for the other 25 percent) as part of its 37-million-British-pound ($56 million US) investment in boosting plug-in adoption. The Single Wall-box can fully charge a Zoe in less than four hours.

Break that down, and the typical Zoe buyer will save about $760, not to mention the fact that Zoe buyers will have free use of stations within the UK's public charging network. As it is, the UK government is kicking in a 5,000-pound subsidy for each EV sold.

Renault Zoe buyers can get a free home charging station originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationrenaultSingle Wall-boxukzoeFri, 22 Mar 2013 15:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514307/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20514307/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/22/renault-zoe-buyers-can-get-a-free-home-charging-station/20514307/article-detail.xml 20514307 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renaultzoe_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/renaultzoe.jpg <![CDATA[UK appeals court dismissed Tesla's BBC <i>Top Gear</i> lawsuit]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/uk-appeals-court-dismissed-teslas-bbc-top-gear-lawsuit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/uk-appeals-court-dismissed-teslas-bbc-top-gear-lawsuit/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/uk-appeals-court-dismissed-teslas-bbc-top-gear-lawsuit/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Tesla Motors' efforts to clear allegations of reduced range on its electric cars just took another hit. A British appeals court dismissed a libel lawsuit filed by Tesla against the BBC's Top Gear show. The court rejected Tesla's appeal of a court decision last year that struck out its "libel and malicious falsehood" case against BBC. Tesla had asserted that the popular British automotive TV show had faked a scene that appeared to show a Tesla Roadster running out of power, which the Palo Alto, CA-based automaker said caused sales to drop.

Top Gear road tested two Roadsters in 2008 around a track - much more like racing conditions that typical day-to-day driving. Drivers tested the electric sports cars for acceleration, straight-line speed, cornering and handling. Top Gear claimed the car ran out of power after 55 miles - much lower than the automaker's estimated range of 200 miles. The TV show's review wouldn't have misled "a reasonable viewer" into thinking that the Roadster's range was less than the company's estimate under normal driving conditions, said Martin Moore-Bick, an appeals court judge in London, in his decision.

Tesla claimed it had lost $171,000 in lost sales as a result of the show's review of the car, and were well below the level of sales in the United States and European Union. Tesla's lawyers argued that the comments were defamatory because it had "intentionally or recklessly grossly misled potential purchasers." Judge Moore-Bick disagreed, saying the comments did not libel Tesla. Viewers would recognize that Top Gear's high-speed track testing was quite different than a normal driving style, he said.

Inaccurate media coverage can cost Tesla Motors much more than $171,000, according to CEO Elon Musk. He said that the "fake" report by New York Times writer John Broder on reduced range during his Model S road trip may have wiped out as much as $100 million in stock value for Tesla Motors. Musk asserts that the article resulted in several cancelled orders, probably costing Tesla "a few hundred" Model S purchases.

UK appeals court dismissed Tesla's BBC Top Gear lawsuit originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbritish courtelectric vehicleev rangemodel snew york timesroadstertesla motorstop gearukSun, 10 Mar 2013 13:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20492095/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20492095/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/10/uk-appeals-court-dismissed-teslas-bbc-top-gear-lawsuit/20492095/article-detail.xml 20492095 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/tesla-vs.-top-gear_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/tesla-vs.-top-gear.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vauxhall Ampera ambulance

We still can't figure out where those wacky British will fit the gurney, but we'll let that go as we report that the UK version of the Chevrolet Volt will be tested as an ambulance across the pond.

A Vauxhall Ampera, which, along with the Volt extended-range plug-in, was named the 2012 European Car of the Year last March, will be added to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service as an emergency response vehicle for the city of York, about 200 miles north of London.

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will test its Ampera during "the next few months," Vauxhall says. Yorkshire Ambulance Service, which oversees a 900-vehicle fleet, is looking to cut its emissions by 30 percent during the next three years, hence the trial run. Vauxhall's press release is available below.

Continue reading Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance

Chevy Volt's UK doppelgänger to be tested as an ambulance originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulanceamperachevroletextended-rangeplug-in hybridukunited kingdomvauxhallvoltyorkyorkshireFri, 08 Mar 2013 18:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/chevy-volts-uk-doppelganger-to-be-tested-as-an-ambulance/20490242/article-detail.xml 20490242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vauxhallambulance_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/vauxhallambulance.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Nissan Leaf gets 15% more range in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/2013-nissan-leaf-gets-15-more-range-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/2013-nissan-leaf-gets-15-more-range-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/28/2013-nissan-leaf-gets-15-more-range-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Nissan Leaf - front three-quarter view, charcoal gray

Nissan has got your "range extender" right here. The Japanese automaker says its UK-produced all-electric 2013 Leaf will have a single-charge range of 124 miles, or about 14 percent more than the Japan-produced 2012 Leafs that had a 109-mile single-charge range.

Better still, Nissan's again cutting the price of the entry-level Euro-Leaf to about 2,000 euros ($2,620) less than the mid-priced Leaf, the publication says, citing a person at Nissan familiar with the process. Nissan last month said it would reduce the Leaf price in the UK by almost $4,000 to about $37,000.

Despite the price drop, the 2013 Euro Leaf gets better range because of a variety of optimizations - or optimisations, depending - to the motor, aerodynamics (a new grille and wheel design, for example) and "weight, brake regeneration and energy use." The new Leaf has a better coefficient of drag, by 0.01, compared to the 2012 model, which Nissan calls, "a small but useful improvement." The improved regenerative brakes can now recover a higher percentage of energy (94 percent compared to 88 percent before) and now also works all the way down to three kilometers an hour. Larger trunk space, a better ride and the option of a faster charger are also among improvements for this year's Leaf in Europe. The 2013 Leaf was also improved in Japan and the US.

Last year, the Leaf missed its European sales target of 9,000 units by about 3,800 cars. Earlier this month, Nissan said its global Leaf sales surpassed the 50,000-unit threshold, including about 7,000 Leafs in Europe and almost 20,000 in the US.

2013 Nissan Leaf gets 15% more range in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan leafaerodynamicselectric vehicleeuropeleafnissanregenerative brakingukThu, 28 Feb 2013 16:38:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20481151/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20481151/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/28/2013-nissan-leaf-gets-15-more-range-in-europe/20481151/article-detail.xml 20481151 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-01-628-1357743465_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-01-628-1357743465.jpg <![CDATA[BioBot will make your biodiesel easy as pie for just $1 a gallon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/biobot-will-make-your-biodiesel-easy-as-pie/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/biobot-will-make-your-biodiesel-easy-as-pie/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/biobot-will-make-your-biodiesel-easy-as-pie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

biobot 20

Instead of clogging drains and hurting waste water treatment plants, what if your used cooking oil could power your car? A new device called the BioBot 20 tabletop diesel processor promised to make it easy to recycle cooking oil and convert it into biodiesel, right inside your home.

Biodiesel, as many readers will know, can be derived from waste vegetable oils and - depending on how it is made - can be close to carbon-neutral. Worldwide, there are about 20 billion liters (about 5.28 billion gallons) of biodiesel made every year, and the potential is there to increase that fivefold without diverting any oil away from food preparation. This is especially true for biofuel made from waste oil, and the makers of the BioBot 20 say it has the capacity to produce 20 liters (about 5.28 gallons) per batch. The reaction chamber is filled with used vegetable oil and then heated to a designated temperature. During that process, the oil is agitated with a built-in, hand-operated mixer. How nice and green that it doesn't use an electric motor. When it's done, the biodiesel needs to be tested for quality with a provided kit. (See the video below to learn how all of it works.)

Waste cooking oil is usually free. There will be some expenses for the methanol and sodium hydroxide needed to processed the biodiesel in the BB20, but the overall cost should be about $1 per gallon. The BB20 product sells for 415 British pounds, or about $655. So it would take a while to break even and save money for diesel vehicle drivers, but not all that long if you've got a reliable source of waste oil. Onion rings, anyone?

Continue reading BioBot will make your biodiesel easy as pie for just $1 a gallon

BioBot will make your biodiesel easy as pie for just $1 a gallon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biobotbiodieselbiofuelscooking oilukwaste oilFri, 22 Feb 2013 10:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20464448/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20464448/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/22/biobot-will-make-your-biodiesel-easy-as-pie/20464448/article-detail.xml 20464448 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/biobot-20_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/biobot-20.png <![CDATA[Mia U van gets a blue and white makeover]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/mia-u-van-blue-star/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/mia-u-van-blue-star/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/mia-u-van-blue-star/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mia U Blue Star

Based on the color scheme, the latest special edition of the Mia U electric van is well-suited for duty in Israel or Greece. Made in France, the Mia U mini-bus is getting a Blue Star update that has a groovy two-tone blue-and-white color motif. The U will also feature goodies such as a roof rack, power sockets and PVC floor protection. Options will include an 8-kWh battery that provides about a 50-mile single-charge range and a 12-kWh battery with a 75-mile range. The Blue Star Mia U will be limited to 100 units.

Mia started building its three lithium-ion-powered models in France in 2011. The U was notable for its seating arrangement, where the driver sits alone in front of the vehicles and two passengers can ride side-by-side behind the driver. Last month, the company said it would start selling Mia electric vehicles in the UK by the end of March, though didn't disclose pricing.

Fully Charged took a Mia for a drive in late 2011, and we got our own glimpse at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum after it was introduced in Geneva earlier that same year.

Mia U van gets a blue and white makeover originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue starelectric vehicleevmiamia uminibusMon, 04 Feb 2013 13:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20447369/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20447369/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/04/mia-u-van-blue-star/20447369/article-detail.xml 20447369 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/mia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/mia.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan drops price of all-electric Leaf by £2,500 in UK]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/nissan-drops-price-of-all-electric-leaf-by-2-500-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/nissan-drops-price-of-all-electric-leaf-by-2-500-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/29/nissan-drops-price-of-all-electric-leaf-by-2-500-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

London Leafs

How does $3,950 off sound? That's the amount (converted) that Nissan decided to drop from the price of its all-electric Leaf in the UK, bringing the MSRP down by 2,500 British pounds to just 23,490 pounds ($37,115).

Nissan, which is due to start making Leafs at its Sunderland UK factory this spring, is also offering a 6.9-percent financing rate (we guess that's considered pretty good across the Pond) as well as a lease option equivalent to about $375 a month.

For anyone keeping score, Nissan earlier this month said it was cutting the base price of US Leafs by $6,400 to $28,800, making it the least expensive five-seat EV in the States. The US Leafs here also for a federal tax credit worth up to $7,500, and possibly also some state incentives.

Nissan has a few tricks up its sleeve to try and spur sales in the UK. In October, the automaker's UK dealers sent a letter to its customers saying that any Nissan owner could get access to a Leaf as a courtesy car during vehicle repairs as a way to possibly lure potential customers into buying electric. As Leaf salesman Paul Scott knows, getting "butts in seats" is a great way to turn interested parties into EV owners. Nissan UK's press release about the price cut is available below.

Continue reading Nissan drops price of all-electric Leaf by £2,500 in UK

Nissan drops price of all-electric Leaf by £2,500 in UK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evleafmsrpnissanprice cutukunited kingdomunited kingdonTue, 29 Jan 2013 16:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439316/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439316/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/29/nissan-drops-price-of-all-electric-leaf-by-2-500-in-uk/20439316/article-detail.xml 20439316 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/londonleafs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/londonleafs.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo will start selling the world's first plug-in diesel hybrid production vehicle in the UK later this year and is improving its Volvo On Call smartphone app specifically for buyers of the V60 PHEV wagon.

Volvo On Call is a free download, and includes goodies like remote door locking, vehicle-location devices (for those times when the parking lot is just too big for you to actually find your cars) and a fuel-economy tracker. Computerized driving logs, remote cabin-temperature control and a bunch of GPS location-type features will also be part of Volvo On Call.

The V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid will boast a2.4-liter turbodiesel engine delivering 215 horsepower plus a 70-horsepower electric motor that can power the car by itself for as far as 32 miles. No set price has been disclosed, though it's reportedly in the painful $81,000 range. Hey, at least the app is free.


Volvo plans to make about 1,000 units of the V60 PHEV for the 2013 model year and as many as another 6,000 for the following year. In September, Volvo announce that it ahd already sold out of its model-year 2013 batch. The Swedish automaker started production of the model late last year. Volvo's press release is available below.

Continue reading Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid

Volvo On Call smartphone app improved for V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>on callplug-in diesel hybridsmartphone appv60volvoMon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439347/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/28/volvo-on-call-smartphone-app-improved-v60-plug-in-diesel-hybrid/20439347/article-detail.xml 20439347 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/volvo-v60-diesel-hybrid-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius Plug-In wins 2012 sales battle in UK]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-prius-plug-in-wins-2012-sales-battle-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-prius-plug-in-wins-2012-sales-battle-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-prius-plug-in-wins-2012-sales-battle-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

prius plug-in

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid was the top selling plug-in hybrid vehicle in the United Kingdom, with 470 sold since being introduced to the market in July 2012. That means the Prius Plug-in Hybrid outsold the Vauxhall Ampera plug-in hybrid, Toyota says. The sales lead happened even though the Ampera was launched in the UK market three months earlier than the PHEV Prius. The Ampera is GM's European version of the Chevrolet Volt.

Toyota sold 12,840 hybrid vehicles in the UK, an increase of 15.2 percent over 2011. Adding three models to the lineup - the Yaris Hybrid, seven-seat Prius+ (aka the Prius V) and the Prius Plug-in joined the existing Prius and Auris Hybrid models - helped boost sales. The Auris Hybrid was launched in December and is the latest Toyota model to feature a full hybrid powertrain. It offers fuel economy of 76.3 miles per gallon (based on the UK's fuel economy guidelines) and CO2 emissions of 87 grams per kilometer.

The Auris Hybrid offers fuel economy of 76.3 miles per gallon.

Vaxhall is attempting to build consumer enthusiasm for the Ampera by offering UK residents a 30-day holiday-themed "satisfaction guarantee" on the Ampera. During that time, drivers can return the car with "no questions asked." In March of last year, the Ampera and Volt had won the European Car of the Year Award, but it is taking some time to catch on in the UK.

While the Prius Plug-in surpassed the Ampera in sales last year, the numbers are not much compared to the US market, where the Prius Plug-in is number two behind the Volt in 2012 plug-in vehicle sales. There's no clear direction in the UK market on how to further increase plug-in electric vehicle sales, since the government has burned out on offering incentives.

A study by two UK organizations states that giving consumers their own EV driving experience is the way to go. A report by the Royal Automobile Club Foundation and British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association says that the best way to put more EVs on British roads is by getting more of them into the rental market.

Continue reading Toyota Prius Plug-In wins 2012 sales battle in UK

Toyota Prius Plug-In wins 2012 sales battle in UK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amperachevrolet voltelectric vehicleenglandgovernment incentivesplug-in hybridrental carstoyota prius plug-inukunited kingdomvauxhallTue, 08 Jan 2013 17:19:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20420619/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20420619/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/08/toyota-prius-plug-in-wins-2012-sales-battle-in-uk/20420619/article-detail.xml 20420619 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius-plug-in-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius-plug-in-hybrid.jpg <![CDATA[EV sales would be spurred by more rental opportunities, UK report says]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ev-sales-would-be-spurred-by-more-rental-opportunities-uk-repor/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ev-sales-would-be-spurred-by-more-rental-opportunities-uk-repor/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ev-sales-would-be-spurred-by-more-rental-opportunities-uk-repor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan Leaf trial taxis in London

Electric vehicle makers like Nissan and Renault have long preached that giving more people the chance to drive a plug-in is key to spurring EV sales. Now, a UK report says that the best was to make this happen is to get more EVs into the rental market.

UK's Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Foundation and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) said in its 16-page study that high costs and limited recharging infrastructure are (yes, again) the key hurdles to getting prospective buyers to acquire EVs. With that in mind, the most affordable way to give the public the chance to rent - and thus drive - EVs is through rental companies that can better afford them.

"One of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle uptake by private individuals is that of cost, particularly high upfront purchase costs," the study says. "Research suggests that there is a great match between the car rental market and potential electric vehicle buyers/users, supporting the argument that offering these vehicles on a pay-as-you-go basis could increase their use and visibility." You can browse the 16-page RAC/BVRLA study here (PDF).

As it is, the UK government appears to be looking for its own ways to spur EV sales in order to reduce pollution in cities such as London. Last month, UK-based This Is Money reports that the UK may no longer exempt small-engined diesel vehicles from London's congestion fees, leaving only plug-in vehicles below the emissions threshold required for free city motoring.

EV sales would be spurred by more rental opportunities, UK report says originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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