Category Archives: electric vehicles

Ford, MIT Project to Gage Pedestrian Traffic, Predict Demand for Electric Shuttles

Posted on 1 August 2016 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology working on research that measures how pedestrians move to improve point-to-point electric shuttles. Continue reading →

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LA Sales of Ford Fusion Hybrid, Energi Buck Mid-Size Drop

Posted on 26 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Ford Fusion electrified vehicle retail sales jumped up in the Los Angeles market during the month of June, the first month of availability for the new 2017 model. Continue reading →

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Diesel Coffin Nails – EVs to Takeover in SoCal Freight Yards

Posted on 13 June 2016 by Ken Zino

The State of California is giving $9 million to San Bernardino Associated Governments, aka SANBAG, to buy 27 electric trucks to replace diesel-powered, heavy-duty tractors used in rail yards and large-scale freight distribution centers. During the two-year duration of what’s … Continue reading →

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FMC to Triple Lithium Hydroxide Output. Bets on EVs, Hybrids

Posted on 23 May 2016 by Ken Zino

Year- to-date with a state of the art hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt has sold 6000 units. The comparably sized Chevrolet Cruze sold 14,000. Production of the Cadillac ELR – a version of the Cruze on sale since 2014 – ended a few months ago. Continue reading →

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Lawyer Plagued? BMW Sued for “Faulty” i3 Electric Vehicles

Posted on 18 May 2016 by Ken Zino

The crux of the lawsuit is about the BMW i3 “Range Extender.” This so-called Rex option, uses a two-cylinder, 34 horsepower gasoline engine that switches on when the battery charge drops to 5%, providing another 70 miles of range. BMW claims that the Range Extender “doubles your electric driving range” from the vehicle’s standard 81-mile range. Continue reading →

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Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Most Fuel-Efficient SUV CR Tested

Posted on 30 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 31 mpg combined in Consumer Reports testing has the best overall fuel economy of any SUV that doesn’t plug in, CR said today. It returned 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway – better than most mid-size sedans. Continue reading →

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Toyota Prius Sets Parade Record at Alameda Air Field

Posted on 27 April 2016 by Ken Zino

More significant than a publicity stunt / photo op is that Toyota and Lexus have double the number of hybrids on the roads than any other auto manufacturer. Continue reading →

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VW T-Prime Full-Size SUV Concept Shows at Beijing

Posted on 26 April 2016 by Ken Zino

VW and all major automakers appear ready to flood the world’s largest auto market – and others – with SUVs. Continue reading →

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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Debuts in US After 3 Year Lag

Posted on 25 March 2016 by Ken Zino

The Outlander PHEV move follows the introduction of the Outlander last year in the U.S. after it was on sale for almost three years elsewhere. Even though SUV sales account for 40% of the U.S. market, poor Mitsubishi U.S. sales and the Great Recession that started in 2008 roughing up all automakers precluded plugging it in here. Continue reading →

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Nissan’s “No Charge to Charge” Aims to Revive EV Sales

Posted on 18 January 2016 by Ken Zino

Nissan LEAF EV sales during 2015 of 17,000 declined -43% when the overall light vehicle market grew almost 6% in the U.S.. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Bolt – Rerun Debut at NAIAS after CES

Posted on 11 January 2016 by Ken Zino

The Bolt EV is said to have more than 200 miles of range on a full battery charge. The expected selling price should be below $30,000 after Federal tax credits when the Bolt EV goes into production before the end … Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Bolt Debuts into a Moribund EV Market

Posted on 6 January 2016 by Ken Zino

The Bolt EV is said to have more than 200 miles of range on a full charge at a price below $30,000 after Federal tax credits. Continue reading →

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Ford Investing $4.5 Billion in Electric Vehicles

Posted on 10 December 2015 by Ken Zino

First up is a new Focus Electric, with an all-new DC fast-charge capability delivering an 80% charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range – an estimated two hours faster than today’s Focus Electric that has performed dismally in the marketplace. Continue reading →

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Largest US Market for Zero Emission Vehicles is California

Posted on 21 November 2015 by Ken Zino

California is and likely will remain the largest market for zero emission vehicles in the United States because of the state’s increasingly stringent ZEV mandate. Continue reading →

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More EV Charging Stations for COP21 in Paris

Posted on 19 November 2015 by Ken Zino

France already has about 10,000 quick and standard charging spots. In the Paris region alone, there are more than 4,000 spots, making Paris one of the most “plugged in” cities in Europe. Continue reading →

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