Eric Loveday, Author
Articles
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Peugeot has been quietly working on a hybrid concept vehicle that it will officially unveil at the Geneva Motor Show this year. Images as well as specs for this vehicle have been released well...
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Prius Tops 2009 Sales Chart in Japan, But Only Reaches 16th in U.S.
The automotive market in Japan has very few similarities to the automotive market here in the States. Japanese buyers tend to select compact, fuel efficient vehicles whereas here in the states we still like gas guzzling, large vehicles. The difference between the buying habits of both nations...
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Conventional Hybrids To Lead The Way For Alternative Propulsion For Years to Come
An auditing and advisory firm called KMPG conducted research via survey and found that auto industry leaders believe that conventional hybrid vehicles will be the most important alternative fuel technology for at least the next five years. KMPG conducted their 11th annual survey regarding...
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Diesel Powered Hybrid Powertrain in the Works For GM
What is arguably the best powertrain combination in terms of efficiency for a standard hybrid vehicle? Many would suggest that the diesel engine paired with the hybrid components would make for the most efficient hybrid setup. Few argue that a diesel would be capable of returning better mileage...
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UNECE to Adopt Worldwide Standards for Hybrids and EVs Set Forth By Japanese Automakers
The Nikkei Newspaper is reporting that worldwide vehicle regulations and safety rules pertaining to hybrid and electric vehicles will be determined by Japanese automakers and politicians. According to the report, the United Nations UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations will...
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EVs and Hybrids Take Center Stage at 2010 NAIAS, Plug-In Supporter President Obama a No Show?
This year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan is about to get underway and EVs and hybrids will play a key role at the show. Aside from the returning event called EcoXperience which gives showgoers a chance to drive select EVs in a controlled environment, the show is...
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BMW's ActiveHybrid X6 is one of the most powerful hybrid vehicles ever produced. Outputting a combined 480 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque, this a hybrid to be reckoned with. Its 0-60 mph time of 5.2...
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Entry Level Mercedes C Class Coupe Hybrid a Possibility
Mercedes entered the entry level luxury vehicle category years ago with it C230 Kompressor coupe. The vehicle was a capable model with strong performance, solid handling and a refined driving experience. Mercedes buyers showed little interest and sales were unexpectedly low. Then BMW entered...
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Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV To Make North American Debut at 2010 NAIAS
Last April Hyundai unveiled their first ever plug-in hybrid at the Seoul Motor Show. Known as the Hyundai Blue-Will, the concept is scheduled to make its debut here in the states at the 2010 NAIAS just weeks away. Though only a concept, the company has stated that it may be a preview for...
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S-Class PHEV to Launch in 2012
According to Mercedes, the next generation S-Class will launch with a plug-in hybrid model available immediately. As Thomas Weber of Mercedes research and development said in an interview with Autocar, "It makes a lot of sense to bundle the high-price tech option to the sort of customers willing to...
Eric Loveday -
Lexus HS250h Review: Consumer Reports Finds Many Faults
The Lexus HS250h is essentially an upscale Prius. It carries numerous components that are similar to those found in the Prius, but it does carry one additional detail not found on the Prius, the Lexus name. Lexus, a make that is synonymous with luxury, coddling the driver, and offering an...
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Toyota to Produce Camry Hybrid in China
Demand for hybrid vehicles has slowly been on the rise for quite some time. In particular, Toyota models have fared well holding top sales spots across the board for hybrid vehicles. Toyota sells more hybrid vehicles than all other automakers combined. The company is not about to sit back and...
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Audi's stance on alternative energy vehicles has changed quite often in the past few months. The company is persistent that its diesel technology is the way of the future, but has not completely...
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Japanese Automakers Lead the World in Hybrid Patents
It's certainly no secret that Toyota has led the way for many years in the hybrid vehicles segment. The company leads in sales with the Prius and numerous other models taking top spots on the sales charts. Toyota also leads the way in hybrid technology development. It should really come as no...
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Aptera Production To Reach 10,000 Units in First 3 Years, Search For New Production Facility Underway
If you have followed this site for awhile, you are probably aware that we have covered the company Aptera on countless occasions. Recently, it was reported that the company was facing both financial struggles and widespread firings (or a leave of absence as the company has stated). At this point...
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Former Honda Engineer Says Li-Ion Is Perfect For Hybrids But Not the Answer For EVs
Are lithium ion batteries the key to the future of EVs? According to John German, author of "Hybrid Powered Vehicles" published by the SAE and former Honda engineer, the answer is no. But li-ion will have a place in the field of advanced vehicles. As German told HybridCars.com in an...
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Dodge Enlists Help of University of Michigan-Dearborn For Development of PHEV Ram
Chrysler's ENVI program is, as we know it, is gone. But the electrification of vehicles in their lineup is not completely out of the picture. A few months back, Chrysler officially announced that their ENVI program would be rolled into standard development and the ENVI group vanished. ...
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Honda CR-Z Hybrid Caught Testing
There is some talk that the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid could make its U.S. debut in Detroit this month at the NAIAS, but this has not been confirmed by the company. Honda has stated that the vehicle will make its first worldwide appearance in Japan next month. But why wait to see the CR-Z, when...
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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Dirtier Than Gasoline Counterparts, EVs Are Cleaner Solution Eric Loveday
In an effort to bring all sides of the story here on our site, we are presenting another research study about plug-in vehicles and hydrogen vehicles. If you have followed the previous articles...
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Panasonic Working On Advanced Li-Ion Cells for 2012, 30% Additional Capacity
Lithium-ion battery technology will continue to evolve and advancements in technology will lead to increased energy density and lower costs. Over time, advancements in technology at the cell level could also lead to increased range for electric vehicles. The leading Japanese battery...
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Smith Electric Doubling Production in 2010, Tax Credits and USPS Orders to Increase EV Truck Demand
Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. has a bright outlook for 2010. The makers of the popular all electric mid-size Newton delivery vehicle sees opportunity ahead for next year and there are numerous reasons why the company has a positive outlook. The company will begin to ramp up production to double...
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Mini E Range Diminishing in Cold Winter Weather
As many of our readers are aware, our editor in chief Lyle Dennis is one of the few select individuals to currently lease a Mini E prototype. His journeys with this vehicle have been documented several times on our site and now, with the cold of winter upon us, new challenges and possible faults...
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Number of Complaints Growing on 3rd Generation Prius Brake Performance
Investigations into Toyota products have forced the automaker to recall nearly 4.8 million vehicles in the U.S. this past year alone, a number that is more than four times higher than in any other year on record. The last thing Toyota wants is yet another recall. Though this issue has not reached...
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Toyota to Debut Dedicated Subcompact Hybrid at NAIAS
Awhile back we presented a story about the new Toyota concept hybrid vehicle that will be displayed at the North American International Auto Show. All we had at that time was two teaser shots from the company and no additional information about the actual vehicle. Now there is more info...
Eric Loveday