Category Archives: electric vehicles

GM Awards A123 Contract for Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Posted on 11 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production. Continue reading →

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$10,000 Solar Panel Option Coming for Focus Electric Vehicle. Ford is using the new “Green Math” to Calculate Benefits

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Ken Zino

So if you have enough sunshine to generate the 3,000 kWh, that means you save $330 annually for a pay back period of, um, 30 years and four months (using basic arithmetic, not green math). The panels are guaranteed for 25 years by the way. Continue reading →

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Toyota and Tesla to Build RAV4 EV at Toyota’s Woodstock, Ontario Production Facility, Not California

Posted on 5 August 2011 by Ken Zino

It was a blow to former NUMMI members in Fremont, California whose UAW plant was shut down by Toyota last year. It was hoped that production of the RAV4 EV would go into the plant when Tesla bought it in 2010. Toyota owns a stake in Tesla, and Tesla previously said that a Model S electric sedan will go into production at NUMMI sometime during 2012. Tesla’s latest financial results showed a $59 million loss for Q2. Continue reading →

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Motor City Mice Chuckle over Possible F-Series EcoBoost Fuel Economy Shortfalls. GM Pushing Expensive Eco Options, too

Posted on 5 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Owners might not be as amused as we mice, given this elaborate gaming of the EPA system by Ford – especially if owners get similar results after paying at least another $1750 compared to the base V6, or $750 more than the V8 option. And virtually all automakers are gaming the system to obtain ratings that buyers may never experience. Continue reading →

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President Obama Unveils 54.5 MPG Fuel Economy Regulation for 2017-25. Will it Alter Vehicle Choices and Increase Costs?

Posted on 29 July 2011 by Ken Zino

In a thirteen minute speech in Washington this morning, President Obama revealed his proposal for doubling the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2025. This proposal, which will apply to cars and light trucks sold during model years 2017 to 2025, establishes a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams of CO2 per mile per new vehicle by 2025—the equivalent of 54.5 mpg if all the improvements are met through actual increases in fuel-efficiency. Continue reading →

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Volvo Shows Electric Vehicle Range Extender – a Gas Engine!

Posted on 14 July 2011 by Ken Zino

If engineers keep this up, they could arrive at a lightweight, front-drive gasoline (or diesel powered) car that would be much less expensive by eliminating the electric motor, power controls, recharging gear, battery cooling, battery back and sundry other EV components. However, it wouldn’t qualify for taxpayer subsidies or meet increasingly stringent government standards for reducing CO2 emissions, which correlate with increased fuel economy. Continue reading →

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The Business of Plugging In Conference Returns in October

Posted on 13 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The Center for Automotive Research announced today that The Business of Plugging In, a plug-in electric vehicle conference, will take place this October 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, MI. The agenda for the conference – now in its third year – includes representatives from utilities, automotive manufacturers and suppliers, investors, regulators and researchers. Continue reading →

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California High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Closed to Hybrids. CNG, Electric Vehicles Now Picked as Winners by Government

Posted on 11 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Thus ends another episode of the California government using its power to pick vehicle winners instead of allowing market forces to operate. However, as the hybrid favoritism fades in memory, new auto winners are being picked for single driver HOV access from now until 2015. Continue reading →

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BMW Shows Two Wheel Concept E-Scooter at Motorrad 2011

Posted on 6 July 2011 by Ken Zino

BMW introduced its latest liquid-cooled electric motorcycle – dubbed E-Scooter at its 11th Motorrad Days in Garmish this past weekend. The E-Scooter is said to use motorcycle technology that could make it suitable for a wider range of commuting than current inner-city scooters provide for short trips. Continue reading →

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Toyota Offers New Prius Plus Performance Package for $3,699

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The custom body kit was aerodynamically designed to reduce the vehicle’s coefficient of drag, while maintaining fuel efficiency, according to Toyota. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 80,000 Highlander Hybrid and RX 400h Vehicles

Posted on 29 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS) today said that it will recall about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S in what appears to be the first recalls for its hybrid drive system.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Japanese company said that the so called Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid System Inverter contains a control board with defective transistors. Transistors on the control boards in some of 2006-2007 model year Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h SUVs were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving. Continue reading →

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Driving the 2012 Toyota Prius V – Another Hybrid Benchmark

Posted on 28 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota has done it again. A day of test driving the newly enlarged Prius V – for versatile – model affirmed the claim that this hybrid station wagon can indeed return the expected EPA ratings of 44 mpg in the city, 40 highway and 42 mpg combined. On the road Prius V is comfortable, reasonably quick, and mostly quiet except for some pleasant hybrid drive whine and the inevitable tire noise on expansion joints and rough pavement that comes from the low rolling resistance rubber. Alas the electric steering is still vague and without usable feedback. Nonetheless Prius V is a delightful family car. Continue reading →

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With BMW EV Due, Study Says Range Anxiety Not an Issue

Posted on 15 June 2011 by Ken Zino

One of the observations about the 80 to 100 mile range – that it’s acceptable – challenges conventional wisdom. This will be tested further when the all-electric BMW Active E becomes available in some U.S. markets beginning in late 2011. A two-year lease will be $499 a month with a $2,250 down payment. A series production BMW I3 follows in 2013. Continue reading →

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$10,000 Increase per Auto Under Fuel Economy Proposal?

Posted on 14 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Some of the proposed changes to increase fuel economy and decrease greenhouse gases starting in 2017 could cost new car buyers from $3,700 to more than $9,000 per vehicle if they are adopted, and that’s before another $1,500 or so is added for additional safety equipment.

The new fuel economy mandates under consideration by the government are based on reducing emissions ranging from 3% to 6% per year, the same as increasing fuel mileage equivalent amounts. The highest increase, 6% per year, will raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) from 35.5 mpg in 2016 to 62 mpg in 2025. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Price Cut? Fully Loaded 2012 Now $46,265

Posted on 13 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet has announced that the base price for the 2012 Volt will be $1,000 lower when it goes on sale later this year. Suggested retail asking price is $39,995. The price includes an $850 freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels is now priced at $46,265 including delivery. Continue reading →

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