Tag Archives: electric vehicles

$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 →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, environment, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Muscle Hybrids Decried for Performance in Hybrid Scorecard

Posted on 8 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The pressure group criticized the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and BMW’s X6 and 750i Active Hybrids as among the worst-rated hybrids for environmental improvement because they emphasize power over economy in their design. UCS is apparently unaware of the long standing performance marketing positioning of German brands. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, economy, environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

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

General Motors Invests in a Small Maker of Electric Buses

Posted on 13 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Fledgling Proterra makes prototype battery electric buses that are averaging up to 24 mpg (diesel equivalent) in service, in what’s claimed to be a more than 600% improvement over a typical diesel engine bus. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

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

Renault-Nissan to Open Silicon Valley Office

Posted on 13 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Renault-Nissan will open a research office later this month in the heart of Silicon Valley, directly across from Google. Small teams will initially work on vehicle IT development, advanced engineering research and technology recruitment. Continue reading →

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

GM Adding 2,500 Jobs in Michigan to Build Malibu, Impala

Posted on 25 May 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors said today that it is adding two shifts and about 2,500 hourly and salaried jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the new Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan and the next-generation Impala large sedan. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, electric vehicles, labor issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevrolet Volt Plant to Shut for Upgrade. Shortages Coming?

Posted on 19 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Potential Volt shortages are occurring at a time when a debate is underway – inside GM and out – about just how large the demand is for the Volt, which starts at $42,000 and has the fuel economy (but less interior space) than numerous compact cars, including Chevrolet’s own Cruze… Continue reading →

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

Chrysler Sells Global Electric Motorcars to Polaris Industries

Posted on 26 April 2011 by Ken Zino

In practice the glorified golf carts provided good transportation in gated communities, sports stadiums or campuses, but with a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 30 miles on a charge GEM electric vehicles were limited to niche markets. Nonetheless, Chrysler estimates that it sold 45,000 of the EVs during the last decade. Continue reading →

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

$5 Fuel Tipping Point for U.S. Electric Car Consideration. Consumer Expectations – Globally – at Odds with EV Realities

Posted on 19 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Interest or consideration is an important precursor to actually electric vehicle sales, but while EV consideration is a necessary condition it is not sufficient to tip the balance in favor of electric vehicles as customer expectations are wildly out of touch with EV reality. Continue reading →

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

Hartford Adds EV Charging Stations to Home Insurance

Posted on 13 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG) today announced it is adding coverage for home-based electric vehicle charging stations. The insurance company estimates that there will be 27,000 electric cars on the roads in 2011. Continue reading →

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

BMW Brilliance Automotive to Show Plug-in Hybrid at Shanghai

Posted on 8 April 2011 by Ken Zino

BMW Brilliance Automotive will show a prototype plug-in hybrid sedan at Auto Shanghai 2011 later this month. The plug-in hybrid, based on a long wheelbase 5-series sedan is significant because it was developed exclusively for the Chinese automobile market and produced at the Shenyang joint venture site. Continue reading →

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

Microsoft and Toyota Partner on Next-Generation Telematics

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have formed partnership and plan to build on Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure or cloud platform. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, distracted driving, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CAR Says Electric Vehicles Will Follow the Incentives at the Federal, State and Local Levels. Budget Battles Loom?

Posted on 12 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Executive summary – taxpayer money on the hood moves the sheet metal, but auto company press release predictions are dubious. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, economy, environment, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment