Category Archives: electric vehicles

Chevy Adds Malibu Hybrid to Lineup in 2016

Posted on 25 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Price, performance, how smoothly the system changes between modes and deploys regenerative braking, as well as competitive actions are issues that await test drives when the Malibu appears. The Detroit Three have a history of benchmarking the past, maybe GM is looking at the future. Continue reading →

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More Pricing Fits as Honda Cuts Fit EV Leasing Price

Posted on 24 March 2015 by Ken Zino

When first introduced during 2012 in California and Oregon, the Fit monthly lease only price was $399 for three years. The original leases would have expired this June. Honda only leased 1,069 Fit EVs between July 2012 and December 2014 during two model years, 2013 and 2014. Continue reading →

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Printing Green as PG&E wants to Monopolize Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Posted on 24 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Consumer Watchdog says that this will raise costs for ratepayers while stifling innovation. PG&E’s proposal would pass through the estimated $653.8 million cost of the program to all ratepayers in their service territory, which covers most of central and northern California. Continue reading →

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Goodyear Concept Tire Charges EV Batteries

Posted on 3 March 2015 by Ken Zino

BH-O3 generates electricity through the action of materials in the tire that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. Continue reading →

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Kia Soul EV Wins 2015 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award

Posted on 12 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Kia’s first all-electric vehicle, the Soul EV, has been named the Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle in MotorWeek’s 34th annual Drivers’ Choice Awards. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Pledges $10 million for Electric Vehicle Charging

Posted on 10 February 2015 by Ken Zino

With gasoline prices low, EV sales are threatened, of course, and have been declining recently while truck and SUV sales skyrocket. The question facing taxpayers is how long such “pump priming” investments in new technology should go on before the protects offered have to compete alone in the marketplace. Continue reading →

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Toyota Testing SiC Power Semiconductors for Efficiency Gains

Posted on 29 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Power semiconductors are in power control units (PCUs), which are used to control motor drive power in hybrids and other vehicles with electric powertrains. PCUs have a significant role in the use of electricity, supplying battery power to the motors during operation and recharging the battery using energy recovered during deceleration. Continue reading →

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Toyota Says 1500 Japanese Orders for Mirai Fuel Cell Car

Posted on 15 January 2015 by Ken Zino

During the first month since its launch in Japan on December 15 2014, 1,500 orders have been received for Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell sedan that lists for ¥7.24 million, ~$63,000, Continue reading →

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Hyundai Debuts 2016 Sonata Hybrid with Higher MPG

Posted on 13 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Today Hyundai introduced the Hybrid version of its seventh-generation Sonata at NAIAS. The 2016 Sonata Hybrid fuel economy is expected to improve more than 10%. Sonata Hybrid is projected to achieve up to 39 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway and have a combined EPA mileage rating of 42 mpg. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept – A Tesla for Working People

Posted on 12 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today increased its concentration on the electrification of the automobile with the introduction of the Bolt EV concept, a long-range all-electric vehicle designed to offer more than 200 miles of range starting at around $30,000. Continue reading →

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Leaf EV Sales Up

Posted on 30 October 2014 by Ken Zino

Nonetheless, Leaf remains a hobby at Nissan since the Number Two Japanese automaker more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of ¥9.6 trillion yen ($116.16 billion) in the Japanese’s fiscal year of 2012. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Probes Electric Power Steering Failures on 925k Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan Cars

Posted on 6 October 2014 by Ken Zino

Automotive electronics and specifically the software needed to run them are giving “the old drill a hole in cast iron” automakers fits. The customer is now often performing troubleshooting and the final stages of product development after purchasing the vehicle, in effect becoming a release engineer. Continue reading →

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EV Sales Still a Tiny Part of the Auto Market

Posted on 29 September 2014 by Ken Zino

U.S. electric vehicle or EV sales are approaching a quarter million, and 20 plug-in models are now available in some parts of the country. Continue reading →

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Volt Camouflage Designed to hide Freshened Sheet Metal

Posted on 29 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The camouflage package on the next-generation Volt was started six months in advance of early development. The tricks are constantly updated to keep spy photographers – Jim Dunne, who graciously contributes to AutoInformed – and the curious guessing. Continue reading →

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Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid to Debut in Paris

Posted on 29 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The Cayenne is a success story, with the company introducing the first model in 2002. Sales have exceeded all expectations in spite of grumbling from traditionalists that an SUV is not a true Porsche. Continue reading →

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