auto
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There's been a lot of discussion and consideration given to the topic of public charging stations for electric vehicles. The old "chicken verses egg" conundrum is called to mind as auto makers and politicians seem to fumble around without really knowing what to do and where to allocate funds. Will people buy electric cars without a complex network of public charging points available? Why should we invest in these charging stations if there really are aren't any electric cars on the roads yet? Shouldn't we wait to see if the public actually buys these cars before we spend tens of millions of...
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Five Things EVs Will Need To Do Before They Become Mainstream.
Let's face it. EVs are still a very small, very niche market. Expensive, short on supply and not even universally supported throughout the USA there are a whole series of achievements EVs will need to attain before they are considered regular cars. Here's the five most important things EVs will...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Lutz Predicts Range-Extended EVs Like Chevy Volt Here To Stay
With GM's 2011 Chevrolet Volt now in pre-production and due to launch in November 2010, Former GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz fully supports range-extended electric vehicles but remains doubtful of the near future of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In an interview with GM-Volt.com before his retirement...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Covering Electric Cars: Is It Really THAT Hard For the Media?
If you pay attention to the so-called mainstream media, you could be forgiven for thinking that electric vehicles are alien technology, rather than cars with plugs. Though happy to cover natural disasters; governmental coups, and the latest celebrity gossip, pretty much any reporter seems...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Aptera Grits Its Teeth, Glosses Over Auto X-Prize 2e Handling Issue
Optimism is a useful thing for a startup company, maybe even a requirement. But the April newsletter from Aptera Motors, which is struggling to launch its ultra-aerodynamic three-wheeled electric vehicle in the face of delays and funding constraints, smooths over some crucial handling issues with...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Will Nissan Have a Smaller Electric Car For Sale After the Leaf?
Rumors are flying that Nissan is preparing a subcompact electric vehicle to compete directly with cars like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and it may even be made in China. The rumors are unconfirmed: word of mouth from inside a partner company of Nissan. But given the number of pre-launch reservations for...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Last month was was a pretty great one for mainstream automakers planning to deliver plug-in vehicles. Publicity a-plenty, state and Federal grants announced, pricing revealed. The message from Detroit and Japan is clear: If you like it then you shoulda put a plug on it ... But with so many of the big guns launching plug-in vehicles, what hope do small EV and PHEV companies have in future months? Within a year, we'll be able to choose among some really impressive plug-in vehicles. Within five years, expect most major manufacturers to be offering some form of plug-in--all with excellent service...
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Nissan Ups Ante With U.K. Factory For 2011 Leaf Electric Car
Nissan has upped the ante on its bid to become the world's leading electric-car maker, by announcing a third global factory for production of their 2011 Leaf electric car. The small northern U.K. city of Sunderland will become the third site across three continents to be tooled up to build the...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Making EVs is Easy; Making GOOD EVs Is Hard, and Costly
We're now well and truly on the road to plug-in vehicle nirvana, with the 2011 Nissan Leaf, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, and various other plug-in and electric vehicles due to hit the market within the next couple of years. But there now seem to be hundreds of car companies, enthusiastic business...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Nissan Leaf Included in Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2009
Nissan changed the game for automakers planning electric vehicles in August when it unveiled the Leaf. The all-electric C-segment vehicle travels at speeds up to 90 miles per hour and goes 100 miles on a full charge. Nissan says it will only take 30 minutes to charge the batteries to 80% of their...
Robert Scardino -
Why $2.4 Billion of Battery Grants? To Get US Competitive in Electric Cars
It's now clearer than ever: Electric cars are coming to showrooms near you. They will be fully competitive, their makers are deadly serious, and they will be "real cars" rather than the golf carts people seem to worry about. At GreenCarReports.com, we've experienced the 2011 Chevrolet Volt mule...
John Voelcker -
BREAKING: Cash for Clunkers Passes in House
Late this afternoon, the US House of Representatives passed the tax-credit legislation commonly known as the "Cash for Clunkers" bill by a vote of 298 to 119. The House had reached agreement on terms for the legislation more than a month ago, but the vote did not take place until today. The...
John Voelcker -
A two-minute video simulating the swap of an EV battery pack within 2 minutes is nice, but it's hardly the whole story
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Cash-For-Clunkers Bill Cuts Greenhouse Gases, But Only After 70,000 Miles
An analysis done at Duke University shows the compromise Clunkers bill saves more energy than is used to make the replacement car, though it may take 70,000 miles
John Voelcker -
BREAKING: House Agrees on Cash-For-Clunkers Bill
Cars to be turned in must get 18 mpg or less, and their replacements 22 mpg or better, under compromise legislation agreed to by the House
John Voelcker -
2009 Denver Auto Show Ribbon Cutting Today: Chrysler, Ford and Lincoln-Mercury to Speak
Another Year With Emphasis on Green Technology
Jonathan McGrew