Autoblog Green — We Obsessively Cover The Green Scene

Merrill Lynch goes out on a limb, says electric vehicles need to be sexy

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 12:59PM

Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Is the Tesla Roadster sexy? How about the Model S (pictured) or the Fisker Karma? It seems that most people would say they are, and that means the sales prospects look good, says Merrill Lynch. The Bank of America/Merrill Lynch global research firm recently looked into the future of cars with plugs and came away with a positive impression of EVs and PHEVs – as long as those vehicles leave a good impression on the potential buyer. Analyst Steven Milunovich told B-Net that, "EVs need to appeal to consumers on a psychological level, such as prestige and driving enjoyment. [...] When the cost of EVs is reasonably close to gas cars, then I think we reach a tipping point where people will start buying electric cars as long as they're cool and fun to drive. We'll soon start seeing all kinds of customizing, like adding wi-fi or LED lights."

It'll take a while for the cost of plug-in cars to get "reasonably close" to ICE vehicles. Until then, the pure environmental argument for EVs and PHEVs will be enough to sway some people. How many? Well, that's what we'll have to keep watching to find out.

[Source: B-Net]

Lutz: High-performance Chevy Volt SS a "possibility"

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 11:50AM

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

Electric vehicles are for people who would rather drive slow, boring commuter cars that don't consume fossil fuels and therefore don't spew pollutants from their tailpipes. Gas-powered cars – and especially those wearing time-honored badges like SS, R/T or GT – are for those that prefer fire-breathing, tire-screeching performance and care much more about nitrous oxide than nitrogen oxide. We all agree on these points, right? Not so fast, says Bob Lutz.

When asked whether or not Chevy could shock the performance crowd with an SS version of the upcoming Volt, Lutz said, "I would not discount that possibility." That's as close as you're going to get to an admission of intent this early in the game. Lutz goes on to suggest that the Voltec powertrain will allow for plenty of on-demand power. "[I]f we want to sacrifice a little bit of fuel efficiency in the interest of performance and still get over 200 miles per gallon, we can do that any time."

Following the same logical train of thought, we could certainly see a V-Series of the Cadillac Converj. If you're interested in hearing the news straight from ~~the horse's~~ Lutz's mouth, click past the break for a video.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt

[Source: Fox Car Report via GM-Volt.com]

Ener1 has half-dozen electric vehicle, PHEV announcements up its sleeve

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 11:01AM

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

Ener1 has a long-standing partnership with Think and, earlier this year, announced it would work with Nissan on plug-in vehicles. During a conference call to discuss third quarter earnings, Charles Gassenheimer, Ener1's chairman and chief executive officer, said that U.S. automakers are "finally" starting to get into the plug-in spirit. Hinting that big things are in store for his company, Gassenheimer said, "I think the next five or six announcements we're going to make are all on the PHEV, EV side." This isn't a total surprise – this is a company that builds plug-in vehicle batteries, after all – but to know that a half-dozen deals (or parts of deals) are in the works is exciting. Gassenheimer added:

On the HEV side we are still seeing some demand but what's more interesting is that what we're seeing is that on the customer traction side most auto manufacturers are jumping straight to PHEV, EV and really jumping over HEV. And so we're pretty excited about that. And, of course, we'll continue to update you on the programs we've been working on, many of which we already have actually packed working in vehicles today.

[Source: SeekingAlpha]

Mitsubishi iMiEV earns its chevrons - bring on the Citroën C-Zero

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:50AM

Citroen C-Zero - click above for high res image gallery

Last summer, French automaker PSA and Mitsubishi announced that the two companies would partner on electric vehicle development for the European market. Prior to the Frankfurt Motor Show, Peugeot announced that it would market a version of the Mitsubishi iMiEV as the iOn and now sister brand Citroën has announced its own version of the car. Following its usual naming convention and the emissions free nature of the car, the Citroën is badged as the C-Zero.

The C-Zero will become the second battery-powered vehicle in the Citroën lineup in the fourth quarter of 2010 along with the Berlingo van. The C-Zero will be eligible for a €5,000 tax break in France. Like the iMiEV, the C-Zero takes 6 hours to charge its battery from a 220V European outlet. A special 400V / 125A charger can provide 80 percent replenishment in 30 minutes. Citroën is quoting a range of 80 miles on a full charge.

Gallery: Citroen C-Zero

[Source: Citroën]

Not Coming to America: Redesigned Ford Ka, Ranger

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 9:03AM

2009 Ford Ka - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford CEO Alan Mulally has said a couple of times that he'd like to see the diminutive and highly efficient Ford Ka sold here in the States, though we always questioned whether it would actually happen. Wonder no more, as Mulally has just come right out and said that the little car won't make the trek to America. Speaking to Automotive News, Mulally said, "Our view is that Fiesta is about the smallest vehicle that we think will be a real success in the United States." So, there you go.

Also not coming to America will be the next-generation Ford Ranger, which has been spotted testing over in Australia a couple of times already. At this point, it's not clear what (if anything) will replace the rapidly aging compact pickup when the current Ranger ends production in 2011.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

EICMA 2009: First electric Ducati to hit the show floor?

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Nov 10th, 2009 at 7:54AM

Italwin Ducati City Pearl - Click above for high-res image gallery

Question: When is a Ducati not really a Ducati? Answer: When it's an electrically-assisted pedal bike made by the Italwing Group. The machine is known as the City Pearl, and it will be available in both men's and women's (with a dropped top tube) styles when it goes on sale in January at selected Ducati dealerships in Europe.

There is a precedent set for a pedal-powered Ducati. The famed Italian marque's first two-wheeler was known as the Cucciolo, which was really just a small four-stroke engine that attached to a bicycle frame. Still, we do wish that there was a bit more of a direct connection between Ducati and the City Pearl – as it stands, it seems Italwin is merely trying to capitalize on the Ducati name.

In any case, the specifications for the City Pearl are right in line with other comparable electric bicycles. Power comes from a six-volt 9Ah Panasonic lithium ion battery pack and motivation comes from a front-mounted 250W brushless electric motor that's capable of propelling the bike to 24 kilometers per hour (about 15 mph). A seven-speed Nexus hub from Shimano sends human power to the rear wheel. See both versions in our image gallery below.

Gallery: Italwin Ducati City Pearl

[Source: Ducati]

Pay-per-mile car insurance might come to California

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 9th, 2009 at 7:51PM

The idea of paying for your insurance by the mile is not new. MileMeter, in Texas, offers pay-as-you-drive (PAYD) rates and California has been using mileage brackets to set insurance rates for years. A new, more precise PAYD system is under discussion in California that would give people who drive less a financial incentive to do keep doing so – and maybe convince people on the fence to find an alternative when possible.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently issued regulations on what PAYD mileage verification plans could look like. It's likely that people with PAYD would think twice when getting behind the wheel and combine trips when possible. The Brookings Institution studied PAYD last year and found that driving would drop by eight percent if all U.S. drivers were under a PAYD system. Also, two-thirds of U.S. households would save an average of $270.

MileMeter is looking to expand to California, and MileMeter founder and CEO Chris Gay told the Sacramento Bee that, "Our take is that half the market out there is being overcharged and underserved – and that's who we aim to address." The bigger insurance companies are looking into PAYD, but have not yet decided to offer it in California. This is an idea that easy to implement and, in lieu of higher gasoline taxes, could have a dramatic impact.

[Source: Sacramento Bee via MMN]
Photo by Wouter Kiel. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Azure Dynamics gets FedEx order for 51 hybrid vans

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) on Nov 9th, 2009 at 6:56PM

Things are looking up for Azure Dynamics these days. After inking a deal to help Ford with the development and production of the Transit Connect BEV next year, the company has a new order for its hybrid delivery vans. FedEx has signed up to take on another 51 of the vans based on Ford's E450 cutaway chassis. Once the new vans are delivered by the end of this year, FedEx will have 325 hybrid and electric vans in its fleet and its Bronx, New York facility will be the first all-hybrid depot in the U.S. The Bronx depot will have 100 hybrid delivery trucks in service. FedEx already has 25 Azure trucks in its fleet and the new additions join another 92 trucks that were retrofitted with hybrid systems earlier this year. Since introducing its first hybrid in 2004, Fedex has accumulated four million miles on them.

[Source: Fedex]

Lithium battery recycling facility suffers explosions, fire

by Domenick Yoney (RSS feed) on Nov 9th, 2009 at 6:08PM

A big piece of the end-of-life plan for lithium batteries is recycling and there is only one place in North America currently capable of carrying out that procedure. That facility, owned and operated by Toxco Waste Management in southeastern British Columbia, experienced a large fire last Saturday after suffering through a series of explosions. The event, which happened after-hours, seems to have started in a lithium storage building and created an impressive fireworks display for about 45 minutes. No one was hurt and the main facility remained unscathed, though firefighters at the scene couldn't use their hoses to put out the lithium-fire since it is reactive to water. Officials reportedly were told the explosions produced sulphur dioxide and lithium hydroxide emissions. A statement on Toxco's website addressing the incident says, "The fire did not result in any negative impacts to the environment of the surrounding area." British Columbia Environment Ministry officials have visited the site to make their own assessment.

Lithium batteries from across the US and Canada, mostly from phones and laptops, are stored at the site in earth-covered bunkers chilled to -324 degrees. The low temperature is supposed to make the chemicals inert and prevent incidents like this from happening. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation though arson is not suspected. Toxco, which has a recycling agreement with Tesla Motors, has plans to add lithium battery recycling to their pre-existing facility in Ohio. Thanks to Jeff for the tip!

[Source: The Globe and Mail / Vancouver Sun]

Renault announces 2011 production of all-electric Kangoo van

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 9th, 2009 at 5:05PM

Kangoo be bop Z.E. - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week, Renault announced it will build the Twizy EV in Spain starting in 2011 and plug-in vehicle batteries and the Zoe Z.E. in France in 2012. But Renault's push to bring electric cars to market soon don't stop there, they've got a trinity to complete. Today, Renault said it build the all-electric Kangoo Van in early 2011 in Northern France. The Kangoo will be built at Renault's M.C.A. (Maubeuge Construction Automobile plant where the automaker also builds standard Kangoos and Renault has been building vans for twenty years.

The production van won't look like the concept be bop version that Renault unveiled in May (above), but it "will be designed for professionals, primarily for urban and suburban use," Renault says. The Kangoo, along with the sporty Zoe and the city-dwelling Twizy, gives Renault a varied collection of all-electric vehicles that, possiblye, everyday drivers will be able to buy in two or three years. Throw in alliance partner Nissan's Leaf and you're looking at the most-developed EV line-up around.

Gallery: Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E.

[Source: Renault]

← Previous Page|Next Page →

Popular
Breaking
Featured

View all

Featured Galleries

Team Autoblog Green

Editor-in-Chief

Sebastian Blanco: Email

The Team

Autoblog Green bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Sam Abuelsamid	101	2
2	Sebastian Blanco	92	9
3	Jeremy Korzeniewski	64	1
4	Domenick Yoney	21	0
5	Xavier Navarro	14	0
6	Drew Phillips	3	0
7	Chris Shunk	3	0
8	Frank Filipponio	3	0
9	Jonathon Ramsey	2	0
10	AutoblogGreen Staff	1	0
11	Gary Witzenburg	1	0
12	Chris Paukert	1	0
13	John Neff	1	0
14	Dan Roth	1	0
15	Michael Harley	1	0

Engadget

Autoblog

Tech

Finance

Joystiq

Travel

Merrill Lynch goes out on a limb, says electric vehicles need to be sexy