Tag Archives: EVs

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

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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EV Sales Still a Tiny Part of the Auto Market

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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Alternative Powertrains to Remain Technical Curiosities

The market share of battery electric vehicles’ (BEVs) of U.S. light vehicle sales is expected to remain below 1% through 2020. If plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Ford Fusion Energi are included, share will only increase to 3% by 2020. Continue reading

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Milestones – Renault Nissan sells 100,000 EVs

Since missing the hybrid segment completely that Toyota went on to dominate globally, reaping billions upon billions of dollars worth of “Green” image benefits in the process, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, has now “bet the farm” by investing almost $5 billion in electric vehicles. Thus far, the Nissan Leaf has not met expectations in the U.S. Nissan, optimistically, wants 10% to 20% of its sales to be EVs by 2020. Continue reading

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Lithium Ion Battery Sales Up as New Electric Vehicles Debut

The latest research shows that the lithium ion battery market had revenues of $2.13 billion in 2012. Moreover, there are projections that this could reach as much as reach $12.84 billion in 2019. The advanced battery market has significant government support in the form of rebates, which varies according to the country, state and city. Continue reading

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BMW and Toyota Sign Deal for Joint Fuel Cell and Battery Programs

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation today in Japan signed a contract for the joint development of a fuel cell system, a new architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and research in lightweight technologies. Continue reading

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Milestones – Nissan Begins Assembly of 2013 Leaf EV in Tennessee

Nissan is starting U.S. assembly of the 2013 Leaf electric car at its manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, where it will be made along with the far more popular Altima and Maxima models. Since 2010 Leaf has been imported from Oppama, Japan, Continue reading

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2012 Record Year for U.S. Hybrid Sales, But EVs Remain Insignificant

The U.S. auto industry posted a record year for hybrid sales during 2012 as almost 500,000 hybrids were sold, or 3.4% of the overall new vehicle market. Continue reading

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Spark Plug-in EV to Debut in La-La Land at Los Angeles Show

Chevrolet will unveil the electric version of the Spark minicar at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. No technical details for the EV were released. The South Korean-made Spark EV will be sold in limited quantities in some U.S. and global markets, starting in 2013 in California. Continue reading

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Honda Motor Unveils Tiny EV in Tokyo – Micro Commuter

Honda Motor Company today unveiled a Micro Commuter Prototype, a tiny limited distance electric vehicle. Honda said the EV was developed in response for micro-sized mobility products that are currently being discussed under a government initiative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. The EV also could comply with regulations for the L7 category in Europe, which is actually a motorcycle category for vehicles that weigh 400 kg or less, excluding the weight of the battery and have an electric motor output of 15 kW or less. Continue reading

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Green Talk from EV Makers Ignores Key Buyer Concern – Cost

While existing buyers of electric vehicles are true EV believers, the vast majority of car shoppers are not. In a new study, nearly half of current EV buyers claim the best benefit of their ac/dc wheels is lower emissions when compared with emissions from gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, and it’s not clear if they know how their electricity is generated. However, when you get past this “puddle” of EV buyers – they don’t even form a “pool” since they comprise only about 2.5 % of the U.S. new vehicle market of 14 million – and that’s if you include hybrids as EVs; pure EVs have less than a 1% share – other people need to be brought into the clan. This assumes auto manufacturers are interested in recouping the billions invested so far in electric modes of transportation, prompted almost entirely by government regulations. Continue reading

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Cadillac ELR to be Built at Detroit-Hamtramck

Development of the Chevrolet Volt-based Cadillac ELR is now underway, and GM has just confirmed that the ELR will be built at the GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant. The on again/off again program is based on the Converj concept first shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show as General Motors was hurtling toward a bankruptcy reorganization. Converj, err ELR, will be GM’s second hybrid after the Chevrolet Volt/ Holden Volt/ Opel Ampera when it appears late in 2013 as a 2014 model. Continue reading

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A123 Files Bankruptcy. Johnson Controls to Purchase its Auto Assets

A123 Systems (Nasdaq: AONE), a developer and manufacturer of nanophosphate lithium iron batteries and systems, today filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. A123 ran out cash as demand for EVs and its batteries remains weak to almost non-existent. As part of a proposed reorganization Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) will supply $72.5 million in “debtor in possession” financing to support A123’s continued operations as JCI purchases parts of A123. Continue reading

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First Look – 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan

Since electric driving depends on a tiny 6.7 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery, this means the Accord plug-in will be hard pressed to stay on electricity for more than 10 or 15 miles, although it will look good on the window sticker with a projected EPA rating of greater than 100 MPG-e. The electric motors are rated at 124-kilowatt (kW). Thank goodness there is also power dense gasoline on board, so the projected range of the plug-in is almost 500 miles. Continue reading

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Messing with Texas – Trees for Electric Vehicle Testing

Electric utility Reliant (NYSE: NRG) and its EV recharging subsidiary eVgo will donate $25 to the Texas Trees Foundation or Trees for Houston each time a customer take an electric vehicle test drive of the Mitsubishi “i” or Nissan Leaf in North Texas or Houston between now and December 1st at participating EVs for Trees dealerships. Participating dealers will also donate $25. If a NRG customer test drives both the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi I, a total of $75 will be donated to the local tree planting organization. Continue reading

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