Category Archives: electric vehicles

Detroit Electric Roadster at Concours d’Elegance of America

Posted on 18 July 2013 by Donna Barbera

For the first time at any Concours, a rare 1914 Detroit Electric Roadster will be on display, the Concours d’Elegance of America claims Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Using ASIMO Robot to, well, Explain Itself

Posted on 27 June 2013 by Ken Zino

This emerging technology now allows ASIMO to make decisions required to behave in concert with the movements of surrounding people and to continue moving without being controlled by an operator. Continue reading →

Posted in concept, electric vehicles, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Price War as Honda Cuts Fit EV Lease to $259

Posted on 30 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Moreover, the revised Fit EV three-year lease requires no down payment, has unlimited mileage, provides routine maintenance and collision coverage, as well providing a 240-volt home charging station, although the customer must pay for its installation but owns it forever. To the horror of auto execs, this program might foreshadow the next generation of marketing incentives that would apply to other types of vehicles. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Begins Leasing Walking Assist EV in Japan

Posted on 28 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Test walks by AutoInformed of an earlier model at the Society of Automotive Engineers Convention revealed a surprisingly good EV once you let the device take over. Continue reading →

Posted in electric vehicles, engineering | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Global Sales of Toyota Motor Hybrid Vehicles Pass 5 Million

Posted on 7 May 2013 by Ken Zino

“We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult,” said TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was responsible for development of the first-generation Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. Toyota had been excluded from participating in a multi-billion dollar U.S. Government program that subsidized the national labs and GM, Ford and Chrysler to develop 80 mpg cars. The so-called partnerships for a New Generation of Vehicles ended in failure with no cars other than a few prototypes produced. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Electric Vehicle Startup Coda Files for Bankruptcy

Posted on 1 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Coda EV announced today that it is filing Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code after selling only 100 cars. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford and Schaeffler to Make Fiesta EV

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

While offering no business reasons for the project at loss-making Ford of Europe, the company said there could be space-saving benefits that could support development of smaller cars that are more agile and optimized for urban areas with the ability to move sideways to park. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lexus GS 300h debuts at Shanghai Motor Show

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

While this latest Lexus hybrid has fuel economy and tax advantages in global markets, particularly against German luxury cars with diesel engines, it is not clear whether Lexus needs the smaller engine GS hybrid in North America where GS sales have been softening. Lexus already sells a GS 450h here with 338 total system horsepower. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, environment, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAA Approves Boeing 787 Battery System Design Changes

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Federal Aviation Administration today approved Boeing’s design changes for modifications to the 787 Dreamliner battery system. The agency claimed that this would address risks at the battery cell level, the battery level and the aircraft level. Previously the FAA had approved the current battery system design, which conspicuously failed on at least two low-time Dreamliner aircraft. Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, electric vehicles, news, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spark EV Electric Motor Manufacturing Starts in Baltimore

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors today celebrated becoming the first U.S.-based automaker to manufacture electric motors and drivetrains in the U.S. for electric vehicles for the upcoming Chevrolet Spark EV. GM moved the jobs from a plant in Mexico to its Baltimore Operations plant in White Marsh, Maryland. The Baltimore plant is also GM’s exclusive manufacturer of A1000 transmissions for heavy-duty pickup trucks. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama Calls for $2 Billion Energy Security Trust Using Fossil Fuel Development Taxes to Wean U.S. from Oil and Gas

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Leaving aside the controversy over President George W. Bush’s plan to do so under the flawed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates ethanol that apparently is now adding $1 per gallon to the price of gasoline, the question remains is this just Washington politics from an Administration whose approval rating is dropping or sound national policy? Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – 100 Years of Bosch Generators

Posted on 14 March 2013 by Ken Zino

One hundred years ago, Bosch introduced the world’s first voltage-regulating generator for motor vehicles. Back then, it was only a power source for what were newly invented electric headlights by Cadillac founder Henry M. Leland. Leland also pioneered electric ignition on his cars, while Bosch – a magneto company – trailed that development. These were the early days of the electrification of the automobile, which continues to this day. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Henrik Fisker Out at Fisker Automotive, the Firm He Co-Founded

Posted on 13 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Fisker Automotive announced today the resignation of its Executive Chairman, Henrik Fisker who in turn said there were disagreements with the oft-changing management team, which had three different CEOs during 2012. Fisker, a car designer by trade, had been executive chairman of the hybrid electric car company that he helped found in 2007. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nissan to Return to Le Mans in 2014 as Garage 56 Entry

Posted on 11 March 2013 by Ken Zino

In 2012, a number 0 Nissan Delta Wing ran at the world’s most famous endurance race from the same unclassified Garage 56 spot. The real Japanese racers that were closely watched at Le Mans last year were a pair of Toyota hybrids, which ran in the fastest LMP1 class but lost to Audi. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, electric vehicles, racing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LaFerrari, a 900 Horsepower V12 Hybrid Unveiled at Geneva

Posted on 6 March 2013 by Ken Zino

LaFerrari promises to be the most sophisticated GT car with the highest performance ever achieved by a Ferrari. The Fiat-owned company said the technical systems would be incorporated in the rest of the Ferrari range over time. For the moment, only 499 wealthy customers will be able to buy the €1 million car, Ferrari’s first hybrid.. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment