The Future of Electric Cars

Everyday there are new developments around us that rushes us into the future. These technological advancements are aimed to increase our quality of life. One of these great advancements of today is the electric car. Even though the electric car is not a new idea, it has come a long way since the late 19th century. Companies have been hard at work to design new models that can be mass marketed and therefore affordable for the average person. Countries have also been hard at work to create recharging infrastructures to support mass use of electric cars. With all this headway, it will not be surprising when electric cars become a staple in the automobile industry. This may be a welcome sight to many who are eager to eliminate their dependence on oil, also the reduced greenhouse gas emissions from these vehicles is the icing on the cake. As the electric car industry grows it will become more and more affordable, although the final outcome of the electric car is yet to be seen.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

The Right Flames the Volt

By

It was Thursday morning and several dozen owners of the new Chevrolet Volt had gathered at a restaurant overlooking the East River. Across town, the New York International Auto Show was in full swing. The Volt, of course, is the innovative electric car from General Motors, and G.M. was using the occasion of the auto show to meet with Volt owners.

Outside, a row of sporty Volts gleamed in the bright sun. On the market for a little more than a year, the Volt is a different kind of hybrid, containing both a 400-pound battery and a 9.3 gallon gas tank. The battery gets around 40 miles per charge, but “range anxiety” isn’t the problem that it is for owners of a purely electric car. When the Volt’s battery runs out of juice, the car shifts to gasoline. It is really quite ingenious.

Inside, the mood was upbeat. A month earlier, the Volt had been named European Car of the Year. It was coming off its best sales month yet, with some 2,200 cars sold. Its problems with the government — which conducted a severe rollover test that caused a Volt to catch fire — appeared to be over; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had given the Volt its highest crash-safety rating.
Between bites of eggs and bacon, the Volt owners gushed about how well the car drove — and how much gasoline they were saving. They were early adopters, of course, willing to pay a high price ($40,000 before a $7,500 tax credit) to get their hands on a new technology. Many of them had become nearly obsessed with avoiding the gas station; for those with short commutes, it could be months between fill-ups.

“When you talk to people about the car,” said Eric Rotbard, a lawyer in White Plains, “the killer moment is when you tell them you are getting 198 miles per gallon.” An owner at another table chimed in, “Is that all you get?” Everyone laughed.

Yet there was also an undercurrent of nervousness at the breakfast. A reporter for Fox News had been prowling the auto show, asking nasty questions about the Volt. For months, the conservative propaganda machine — including Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, and Neil Cavuto, the Fox News business editor — had been mocking the Volt, and linking it to President Obama, who has long touted the promise of electric cars. Cavuto, who has called the Volt “roller skates with a plug,” was rumored to be going on the air that very night with yet another Volt hatchet job.

What is the connection between President Obama and the Volt? There is none. The car was the brainchild of Bob Lutz, a legendary auto executive who is about as liberal as the Koch brothers. The tax credit — which is part of the reason conservatives hate the car — became law during the Bush administration.

“It’s nuts,” said Lutz, when I spoke to him earlier in the week. “This is a significant achievement in the auto industry. There are so many legitimate things to criticize Obama about. It is inexplicable that the right would feel the need to tell lies about the Volt to attack the president.”

In his regular blog at Forbes, Lutz has tried to counter what he has called the “rabid, sadly misinformed right.” But he has largely given up. The last straw came when his conservative intellectual hero, Charles Krauthammer, described the Volt as “flammable.” Krauthammer, Lutz felt, had to know better. Although he remains deeply conservative, Lutz told me that he has become disenchanted with the right’s willingness to spread lies to aid the cause.

At the breakfast I attended, many of the Volt owners wanted General Motors to fight back. But Chris Perry, a G.M. marketing executive, cautioned that that would only bring more attention to the Volt’s status as “a political punching bag.” He added, “We are looking at the long term, and we know this is going to pass.” Which it surely will — after November.

As it turns out, Cavuto went easy on the Volt when his show aired that night. He used a recent article in The New York Times — about how long it takes for electric cars to reap savings for their owners — to take a few jabs at the electric car movement. But his guest that night was James Lentz, the president of Toyota Motors, who wanted to talk up the Prius, so Cavuto politely soft-pedaled his criticism. “Toys for the well-to-do” was the worst he was willing to go on this night.

Not to worry, though. With seven months to go before the election, Cavuto and his Fox News brethren will have plenty of opportunities to denigrate an innovative car, employing American technology and creating American jobs, in order to besmirch a president who had nothing to do with it.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Home » Green Car News » Green Cars from Vauxhall

Vauxhall Ampera qualifies for Plug-In Car Grant of £5000

14 December 2010

Vauxhall Ampera qualifies for Plug-In Car Grant

Vauxhall has announced today that its revolutionary Ampera Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) will cost under £30k when it hits UK showrooms in early 2012, bringing the reality of a technologically sophisticated, electrically-driven, family car with an uncompromised driving range firmly into the mainstream.

After taking advantage of the £5000 Plug-In Car Grant, customers will pay just £28,995 for the Ampera. And it’s not just the price that impresses; with the efficiency of up to 50 miles range on battery power, free TFL congestion charge, no Vehicle Excise Duty payments and 5% company car taxation, Ampera’s overall running costs will be extremely low.

The Vauxhall Ampera is the only real-world electric car solution for a family. It is extremely efficient, unique in the market and has a number of operating modes, maximising performance in all circumstances. Its 50 mile battery electric drive range exceeds the UK’s average commuting distance but when a longer journey is required, Ampera’s range-extender engine/generator produces electricity on board. The generator engages seamlessly once the battery has reached a minimum level of charge. The 50-mile battery electric range is thus extended by 310 miles permitting the driver to travel up to 360 miles without the need for recharging or refuelling.

A full charge for Ampera’s battery can be achieved in less than four hours via a domestic 240v electricity socket at an average cost of around £1, depending on tariff. Commuting within the 50 mile range will ensure very low running costs on battery electric drive only.

Vauxhall is offering the exciting opportunity to become an ePioneer and be amongst the first to own an Ampera. For a £150 fully refundable reservation fee, potential customers can register at www.vauxhall-ampera.co.uk where they can pre-order an Ampera and also access exclusive events and opportunities in the build up to launch. There is no commitment to purchase.
http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/electric-vehicles-cars.htm

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Hybrids Gaining Ground On Total Value Perception

Hybrids Gaining Ground On Total Value Perception

Published March 19, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
HybridDrawing


More awards are heading toward hybrid cars’ trophy shelves as more variations of hybrids have come into production and acceptance by their drivers.
At least this is one summation of findings from Strategic Vision, a San Francisco-based research and consulting firm whose most recent Total Value Index (TVI) found Volkswagen of America again ranked the best brand in terms of Total Value. Hyundai Motor America was the number two corporation, with Ford Motor Corporation third.
Its “Total Value” result is a calculation of explicit owner statements on 442 attributes and focuses on immediate and expected (long term) economic factors such as warranty, technical innovation, standard equipment, mpg, etc.
Of these results, the company said that “it is also important to note that four alternative fueled vehicles (Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Leaf and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid) led their respective segments.
In previous years, these types of vehicles did not lead in Total Value as simply offering better fuel economy did not provide enough overall value to make these vehicles leaders. This change in leadership is being seen as a significant sign that the acceptance for more hybrid models is beginning to “turn the corner” of general approval and even desirability.”
And, the company said, “with high fuel prices believed to be a fact of life now and in the near future, manufacturers will need to carefully provide the right balance of what interested shoppers are willing to pay for in a hybrid or plug-in electric. Segment leader Nissan Leaf had high marks in this balance, providing tremendous impressions of technical innovation and standard equipment.”
The following list contains the number one ranked green vehicles in Total Value in their segments as rated by new vehicle buyers:
Small Car: Honda Civic Hybrid
Small Multi-Function: Nissan Leaf
Medium Car: Chevrolet Volt
Medium Multi-Function: Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Near-Luxury Car: Cadillac CTS Sedan / Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Many people are not aware of the many harmful toxins that are polluting the environment from billions of cars that run completely on gas. If we were able to market and make battery powered cars affordable to everyone all over the world then we would save our earth and environment from the millions and millions of toxic fumes that is the affecting the air that we inhale each and every day.

 

How Electric Cars Help the EnvironmentJul 24, 2010 | By Bibi Estlund

How Electric Cars Help the Environment
Photo Credit gas or electric image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
Electric cars are one way to "go green." They have many benefits including how quiet they are, lower maintenance and the corresponding costs, and the money you save at the pump. For some, though, the most important advantage of an electric car will be its overall impact on the environment.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Even though some of the electricity that is used to power electric cars comes from coal, the net amount of carbon dioxide that an electric car emits is less than what a gas-powered car emits. Also, the emissions created at power plants are away from population centers. This is unlike the pollution that gasoline cars create.

Other Greenhouse Gases

Since electric vehicles don't have to burn gasoline, they emit less methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases. They still produce sulphur oxide because some of our electricity comes from burning coal. But even in states where coal use is highest, electric cars still come out using cleaner energy than gas-powered cars.

Greening the Grid

Electric cars can potentially become more environmentally friendly as time goes on. Because of its use of electricity as its power source, an electric car pulls its energy from the power grid. Therefore, as our power grid gets cleaner and uses more alternative forms of energy, electric cars will be cleaner and have less negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, conventional cars cannot make the same claim. They only take gasoline, and gasoline is not going to become a cleaner form of energy over time.

Batteries

There is some concern about the process of mining for the lithium that the batteries contain, but lithium being a fully recyclable product does a lot to counteract these concerns. While conventional car batteries are also recyclable, they contain many more heavy metals and caustic acids which are not safe for landfills or incinerators.

No Engines

One major benefit that electric cars have over gasoline-powered cars is that electric cars have no engines. This is especially important for the environment since motor oil is the leading polluter of lakes, rivers and streams.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/183261-how-electric-cars-help-the-environment/#ixzz1pVPMt9js

Hybrids & diesels: Do they save money?

Consumer Reports Article Link

Hybrids & diesels: Do they save money?

Last updated: February 2012

Chevrolet Volt

Gas prices have more than doubled in the last 10 years, and they remain in constant flux. One effect we’ve seen is that the price of hybrids and diesels spike along with gas prices, then fall back to Earth whenever gas prices moderate. When fuel prices were on their meteoric rise in 2008, stories of used hybrids selling for new-car prices were common, and nearly all new hybrids came with a premium on top of the sticker price or a long waiting list.

Lately, the hybrid hype has cooled. And introductions of new diesel models in North America have been limited to a few European automakers.

But not all hybrids and diesels make financial sense, even in an era of high gas prices. Our latest analysis shows which models pay for themselves in overall owner costs—and which don’t.

Our findings show that six tested diesels can save you money no matter what fuel costs, because their depreciation and fuel costs are significantly lower than their closest conventional counterparts: the Volkswagen Golf TDI, Jetta TDI sedan and wagon, and Passat TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, and the GL350 BlueTec SUV. Buying a Passat TDI instead of the five-cylinder Passat can save you $5,000 over five years based on diesel fuel price of $3.90 per gallon and $3.60 for gas. The Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec can save more than $7,000 over the same time frame.

We found that some models will cost you more to own than a conventional equivalent will at any gas price on record. For example, gas would have to cost more than $9 a gallon before you would save money by buying an Infiniti M35h instead of a conventionally-powered M37. Likewise you'd come out ahead with the BMW 335d diesel only if fuel cost more than $13.70 a gallon.

Some models weren’t clear-cut winners or losers. They may make sense for some consumers who are willing to pay a little extra in the long run to burn less gas.

 

Hybrid & diesel payback


In this analysis, we compared the five-year owner costs of 13 hybrids and seven diesels with those of similar conventional vehicles, using Consumer Reports' new-car owner-cost estimates. The conventional vehicles with which we compared the hybrids and diesels are the closest available alternatives when considering all factors, including performance, safety, and features. Most were compared with a similarly equipped all-gas version from the same model line. For hybrids and diesels that don’t have a direct gasoline counterpart, we chose the most similar model in price and features, from the same automaker where possible or otherwise a direct competitor.

Cost factors we considered include depreciation, fuel costs, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance and repairs, and sales tax. Of those, depreciation makes up the largest portion, a whopping 48 percent of owner costs in the first five years. We factor in depreciation, assuming that owners trade in their vehicles after five years, a typical ownership period.

Hybrids vs. similar all-gas models


After comparing the five-year owner costs of hybrids with those of similarly equipped conventional vehicles, we found many will save you money, even without tax incentives.
Make & ModelPurchase priceMPGTotal 5-year owner costTotal 5-year cost savings (or loss)Years to pay backFuel cost for 5-year payback
Small Cars
Chevrolet Volt **$32,49561$36,500-$1,0006$4.27
Chevrolet Cruze 1LT$19,72026$35,500
Honda Civic Hybrid$24,80040$29,250$7501$2.15
Honda Civic EX$21,27529$30,000
Honda Insight$18,97038$26,750-$5007$4.75
Honda Fit (base)$15,87030$26,250
Lexus CT 200h$31,77540$37,250$3,2501Any price
Audi A3 2.0T (FWD)$30,34525$40,500
Nissan Leaf SV$26,130106$27,500$5,7501Any price
Nissan Versa Hatchback$19,85028$33,250
Toyota Prius Two$24,28044$26,500$1,5001Any price
Toyota Corolla LE$18,36032$28,000
Volkswagen Golf TDI (manual)$24,95538$29,250$5,7501Any price
Volkswagen Golf 2.5$20,52524$35,000
Volkswagen Jetta TDI$25,10034$29,500$2,7501Any price
Volkswagen Jetta SE (2.5)$20,30025$32,250
Midsized cars
Lexus HS 250h$39,97531$44,500-$3,500More than 8$11.51
Acura TSX (base, 4-cyl.)$30,69525$41,000
BMW 335d$51,87528$54,250-$4,500More than 8$13.70
BMW 328i$41,92523$49,750
Ford Fusion Hybrid$32,98534$38,000$1,2501$1.86
Ford Fusion SEL (4-cyl.)$28,01524$39,250
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid$26,54533$33,250$1,7501Any price
Hyundai Sonata SE (2.4)$23,54527$35,000
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (manual)$26,03036$30,000$6,2501Any price
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen SE$24,78023$36,250
Volkswagen Passat TDI SE$28,66537$32,000$5,0001Any price
Volkswagen Passat SE$25,59525$37,000
Luxury sedans
Infiniti M35h$57,94525$63,000-$2,750More than 8$9.35
Infiniti M37$51,94521$60,250
Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec$57,52526$62,250$4,2501Any price
Mercedes-Benz E350$55,24519$66,500
Small SUVs
Ford Escape Hybrid$33,98526$39,250$5001$2.43
Ford Escape XLT (4-cyl.)$28,24021$39,750
Midsized SUVs
Lexus RX 450h$50,43026$54,500-$3,000More than 8$8.97
Lexus RX 350$44,43021$51,500
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited$45,55427$47,750$05$3.62
Toyota Highlander Limited (V6)$38,80418$47,750
Large SUVs
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid$57,38019$65,250$2,7501$1.25
Chevrolet Tahoe LT$51,43514$68,000
Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec$67,52519$73,500$7,2501Any price
Mercedes-Benz GL450$68,52515$80,750
*MPGe represents the equivalent energy in one gallon of gas.
**Based on 70% electric and 30% gas usage.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Electric cars: Hawaii expands rebate fund

Electric cars so popular that state adds $350,000 to its rebate fund and extends deadline. Hawaii offers up to $4,500 to buyers of electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles.


 

HONOLULU
Hawaii is adding more money to an electric vehicle rebate program and extending the deadline for the rebates.
State officials said Tuesday that because of an increase in demand for electric cars, $350,000 is being added for rebates on new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and chargers.
The deadline for the rebates is being extended from March 31 to Nov. 1.
Energy officials say expanding the EV Ready Rebate Program provides a long-term solution as Hawaii works toward reaching energy independence.
Since March 2011, 618 rebates have been approved for 372 vehicles and 246 chargers. Hawaii residents can apply for rebates of up to $4,500 on electric vehicle purchases and up to $500 for chargers. In addition, federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 are also available.
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By Associated Press / March 15, 2012

The Electric-Car Movement Enters A Quiet, Crucial Phase: The transition from novelty to normality

Early this year, when it became clear that the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf had missed their 2011 sales targets, critics declared the electric-car revolution over. Yet at Detroit’s annual North American International Auto Show in January, plug-in cars abounded. BMW displayed its forthcoming i3 electric city car, along with its i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Acura unwrapped a hybrid concept version of the NSX supercar. Tesla Motors brought its all-electric Model S sedan. But the most important car on the show floor might have been one that, on the surface, seemed much less exciting: the new Ford Fusion, which will be available in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

Carmakers long refused to build plug-in cars because they said they had no idea how many people would buy them. Then, rising oil prices and environmental concerns led governments to enact stricter emissions standards and push carmakers to build cars that could meet those standards. In the U.S., the federal government lent several carmakers (not just GM and Chrysler) money to develop electric vehicles and retool factories.

Ford used part of its $5.9-billion loan to develop a system for building gas cars, hybrids, plug-ins and electric cars all on the same line. In a renovated Detroit-area factory, it will build gas and electric versions of the Focus compact car, along with hybrid and plug-in hybrid C-Max minivans. The company will use the same strategy for the Fusion.

Compared with the ambitious e-car launches of recent years—particularly those of the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf—Ford’s approach might appear noncommittal. But it could turn out to be transformative. It’s evidence that once the investments have been made, manufacturing electric cars isn’t all that hard. It’s a matter of adding a few assembly-line stations where plug-in cars get their batteries, electric motors and electronic controls. And when Ford and other automakers use the same lithium-ion batteries across a range of electrified vehicles, it will help reduce the cost of those batteries, pushing electric-vehicle sticker prices down and ultimately in line with conventional gas cars.

Drivers won’t just benefit from lower prices; they will finally get some choice. Picking a power train could eventually become as simple as opting for the premium sound-system package. And making that choice won’t have to be a lifestyle statement. Outwardly, the plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Fusion will be almost indistinguishable from the hybrid or conventional versions, with the exception of a charge-port door and a little badge that says “Energi.” Habituating Americans to the concept of plugging in should make it more likely that all manner of electrified cars receive a warm reception.
The debut of the Volt and the Leaf was just one phase of a long process. First came the high-profile launches and the saturation media coverage. Now it’s time for plug-in cars to slowly become normal, even boring—or, to put it another way, accepted.

By Seth Fletcher

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2012-03/electric-car-movement-enters-quiet-crucial-phase

Stanford University researchers unveiled today theoretical results on a system for wirelessly charging, at up to 97% efficiency, electric cars as they drive down the road.

Researchers at Stanford University today announced promising results of a theoretical study into wirelessly charging electric cars while they're driving down the road. If the system behaves as the theory suggests, this would solve electric vehicle range limitations by keeping the vehicle charged while driving.
The researchers designed a highly efficient system for transferring electricity wirelessly using magnetic resonant coupling. Two copper coils, one in the road and the other in the car, are tuned to resonate at the same frequency. The efficiency of the system depends on the precise configuration of the coils, the resonant frequency, and the distance between the coils.

The goal of the research team is developing an all-electric highway that wirelessly charges electric cars and trucks as they drive down the road. Such a system would be a solution for range limitations of electric cars. The vehicles would be recharged while driving down roads by electricity transmitted from the coil in the road, and received by the coil in the car.

Their research paper, published in Applied Physics Letters, talks about having developed a mechanism for wireless transfer of power over a 2-3 meter distance. The efficiency of their power transfer system depends on the types and orientation of electrodes used, the operating frequency of the magnetic fields, and the distance between the coils. The researchers identified the optimum type and orientation of electrodes, and optimum frequency for efficient energy transfer. With those optimum characteristics the transfer efficiency is above 90% at distances up to 3 meters, and is as high as 97% efficiency at shorter distances.
"What makes this concept exciting is that you could potentially drive for an unlimited amount of time without having to recharge," said APL study co-author Richard Sassoon, the managing director of the Stanford Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP), which funded the research.

Wireless energy transfer systems have existed for a long time. For example some earlier electric cars, such as the EV1, used an inductive charging connector rather than a wired charging connector. A system is available today from Evatran that enables wireless charging, at a fixed location, using the same J1772 protocol used in wired charging stations.

The Stanford researchers have not implemented the system in an actual vehicle, instead the results they've presented are theoretical. Their next steps are to test the system in a laboratory, and to try it out in real driving conditions.

There are several issues with this research result to consider.

The biggest issue here is the cost of implementing this system. It would mean ripping up most or all roads to install coils underneath to transmit electricity, a very expensive proposition indeed. Where would there be money to pay for it?

Another issue is the potential for effects on drivers, passengers or the on-board electronics that control steering, navigation, air conditioning and other vehicle operations.

The last is more of a question, is such a system needed in the first place? Is it that hard to plug in an electric car to charge the battery pack? What's relative difficulty between plugging in an electric car to charge it up, versus going out of your way to stop at a gasoline station to fill the fuel tank? And what about the battery energy density breakthroughs which are sure to happen in the due course of time. There are plenty of research teams working on better battery chemistries and it's likely that sooner, or later, a new battery technology will be developed which will supplant the lithium-ion batteries currently in use. With today's electric cars recharging the car is simpler than filling a fuel tank if only because you don't have to go out of your way to go to a filling station. The issue with current electric cars is the range, and the speed of recharging the pack. There is enough advanced battery research underway that it is highly likely a higher energy density battery system will be available within a few years, making range limitations less of a worry. And if such advanced batteries could withstand a rapid recharge, a 5 minute fillup with electricity is quite possible.

On the other hand, the Stanford Researchers talk of a wholly different transportation model than we enjoy today. They talk of robotically driven cars, on roads with sensors in them to guide cars along proscribed tracks in the road, and GPS systems help the cars know where they are. Implementing that vision would also mean re-architecting the current system of roads and most especially the dependency on human to avoid crashing their machines into other machines. Humans have proved themselves to be very fallible drivers given the large number of accidents occurring every day. Perhaps automated vehicles could become good enough in a few years to relieve us of the chore of driving, and the notion of rebuilding the roads to support autonomous vehicles would also be a chance to install wireless electric car charging systems. And the money? It could come as a user fee from vehicle passengers driving on the road, collected automatically based on the number of miles they drive.

Maybe. Maybe not.



The Petrolhead » Electric Cars: The future or a stepping stone?

I was undertaking my daily dawdle to campus the other day for a 9:15, when I damn nearly knocked over by a car which I hadn’t heard. “Tough morning”, I hear you sigh.

However, the motor in question was Nissan’s all-electric motor, the Leaf. It got me thinking. Electric cars; are they actually the future?

Well the first thing we must ask is what is different to a normal car? Most electric cars look fairly normal, that much is clear. The Leaf looks as plain as any ordinary hatchback and the Peugeot iOn looks like a Honda Jazz with hair gel. Indeed, all electric cars have four wheels, some doors, storage facilities, a circular device to control direction, an indicator which tells the driver how fast one is going and more. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Moreover, those who have owned cars such as the G-Whiz are forever telling us mere mortals about how electric cars are just as easy to live with as, for example, a VW Golf.

However, I’m not so sure. Let me start with the G-Whiz. Apologies for going all “Clarkson” here, but it is a truly hateful machine. Firstly, it looks like a sad dog, and frankly no one likes that. Secondly, as it doesn’t have to pass the same safety regulations as a normal car, I would be concerned for my life if someone came within 5 metres of me.

Fortunately the likes of Nissan, Peugeot and Tesla have all tried to get round this image. Nevertheless, I’m still not convinced. Nissan’s leaf costs a whopping £28,000 (minus the £5,000 government grant), and the Peugeot even more. Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV does cost five grand less than the Nissan, but the electric car still doesn’t convince.

Perhaps it’s something to do with the idea of owning one. All the cars I’ve mentioned take overnight to charge fully, something which would infuriate even the calmest of sloths. Moreover, you would be hard pressed to drive further than 100 miles on one charge. You really would have to change your lifestyle to own one of these.

These cars do deserve recognition however. Emissions-wise, they go infinitely further than the hybrids we’ve seen from Toyota, Honda and (bizarrely) Porsche over the last few years, which have developed into status symbols rather than pioneering, environmentally friendly motors.
They should be seen as the stepping stone to something better. That something I don’t know, because I’m not a damn engineer. If I was, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing about cars, I’d be building them, earning lots of money, looking suave… alas, I digress.

Honda, I think had the answer with their FCX Clarity: a car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. If they, and other companies, can harness and perfect this technology, then we will have our answer. Until then, I’m afraid, it is petrol and the continual irritation of George Monbiot. Could be worse I suppose.

Sam Shephard http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-17236842

Article found by Latoya Pierce

Next-gen Smart Electric Drive delayed until fall of 2012

Daimler is getting ready to beef up the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive for the third-gen version, but the new EV won't be arriving on schedule, according to new reports. The problem has something to do with the lithium-ion batteries. The cells are being made by Li-Tec and a Daimler spokeswoman told Automotive News that, "There are no technical or quality problems with the batteries, but we don't want to lower our sights in safeguarding quality. That's why we're accepting a delay." Li-Tec is a joint venture between Evonic and Daimler. Another Evonic/Daimlar JV, Deutsche Accumotive, is responsible for building the packs.

Previously, Daimler had said the new Smart ED would launch in the spring of 2012, but this delay pushes that back until September. If the numbers we're hearing about the next-gen ED come to pass – 87-mile range, a bigger (30-kW) motor, 240V charging in less than 60 minutes and a pre-incentive price of $22,000 – it'll certainly be worth the wait.


Article Found By Latoya Pierce

The Next Generation of Driving: 2012 Chevrolet Volt Approved for California Carpoo...

The Next Generation of Driving: 2012 Chevrolet Volt Approved for California Carpoo...: General Motors has announced that a new low-emissions version of its 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car has been cleared to use California’...

The Next Generation of Driving

Driving is something that every sixteen looks forward to. But over the last decade driving has changed tremulously. Back in the days only gas would allow cars to travel up and down the highways. Now the future of driving has allowed cars to run off batteries power instead of just gas which allows many people to save no only time but also money because they are able to travel further and make less trips or stops to the gas station.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

2012 Chevrolet Volt Approved for California Carpool Lanes


General Motors has announced that a new low-emissions version of its 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car has been cleared to use California’s 1,400 miles of carpool lanes.
General Motors began shipping the first of its low-emission Chevrolet Volt to California, where buyers will get an extra $1,500 rebate and be allowed to drive alone in the state’s carpool lanes.
Commuters who use carpool lanes in Southern California save an estimated average 36 minutes a day, or about a third of their total driving time.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is making 40,000 Clean Air Stickers available for registered vehicles that meet the state’s emissions standards. Applications can be downloaded from the DMV’s web site at www.dmv.ca.gov.
Additionally, the new Low Emissions Package makes the 2012 Volt eligible for owners and lessees to receive up to $1,500 in state rebates through the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. This incentive is in addition to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
California has more than 1,400 miles of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Originally restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants to help minimize congestion, the lanes are now open to   single occupancy use by owners of advanced, low-emission vehicles.
Volts registered in Georgia, New York and Florida also are eligible for single occupancy access to carpool lanes.
The Chevrolet Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas-and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

Volt owners have travelled more than 10 million miles since the vehicle launched late last year. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.


http://electriccarsreport.com/2012/02/2012-chevrolet-volt-approved-for-california-carpool-lanes/