Green Car News
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According to Quattroruoute, an Italian magazine, Fiat has begun work on a hybrid powertrain for small vehicles and would likely share its design and engineering with Chrysler if a merger occurs. The hybrid powertrain will likely go in the small Fiat 500 and maybe even the yet to be released Topolino. The hybrid system will be used alongside Fiat's 2 cylinder, 900cc turbocharged engine. An engine essentially the size of a small motorcycle engine, but it provides sufficient power for the diminutive 500. The hybrid system will use a lithium ion battery source and a plug-in version may be in...
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National Cash-For-Clunkers Plans Move Ahead, But California's Already ThereWhile Congress debates two competing cash-for-clunkers bills, California has been buying and crushing the worst polluters on its roads for years now
John Voelcker -
Is a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in the Works?
Is a Toyota RAV4 hybrid in the works? Probably, yes, at least in China. According to Koei Saga, Toyota's Managing Officer of Hybrid System Development, "Toyota needs to accelerate the 2020 goal to hybridize all the Toyota models." He also said that, quite specifically, Toyota plans to bring the...
Jennifer Knightstep -
Ford Aims For 1,000 Miles on Single Tank of Gas in Fusion Hybrid
Ford makes an impressive claim that they can travel 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas in the new Fusion Hybrid, and this weekend they will put it to the test. 1,000 miles on a single tank is an impressive achievement. Given the size of the Fusion's gas tank, the drivers will have to average 57...
Eric Loveday -
Toyota Expects 40,000 Plus Pre Orders For New Prius
Toyota has a hit with the new Prius in Japan. The company expects to have more than 40,000 pre-orders before it goes on sale in middle of next month. Currently, Toyota has already accepted orders for more than 20,000 of the 2010 Prius and feels that they will double that number within the next...
Eric Loveday -
2011 Ford Focus: Would You Like a Plug With That?
Ford's Next Step in Sustainability
Jonathan McGrew -
We'd hoped for just a little more news when the PriusChat faithful got a chance to ask questions of Prius Product Manager Doug Coleman
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2010 Toyota Prius: The Earth Day Ride and Drive in Detroit
A Green Test Drive for a Green Day
Jonathan McGrew -
Drivers Get a Work Out While Providing Extra Power For HumanCar Imagine PS
The people powered car company makes another debut just in time for Earth Day 2009. HumanCar, a company with an inspiration to make and sell electric cars that are supplemented by human power, has released their new design the Imagine PS. The Imagine PS is classified as a NEV. The vehicle will be...
Eric Loveday -
Lexus RX450h Luxury Hybrid SUV Priced At $42,500
The hybrid version of the most popular Lexus can run you more than $50,000 if you get all the goodies
John Voelcker -
Honda Will Not Lower Price Of Insight: Ends Price War With Toyota
For now, Honda has decided to end the price war between their Insight and Toyota's Prius. Honda has stated that they will not lower the price on its Insight to outsell the new Toyota Prius. In a price war that's been going on for a few months now, Toyota has progressively reduced the price of...
Eric Loveday -
Fox's Bill O'Reilly Challenged to Live Up To His Words and Buy An Electric Car
Fox News commentator, show host, and radio talk show host Bill O'Reilly has been challenged to live up to his words regarding purchasing a hybrid vehicle. Last year, O'Reilly claimed that he and everyone else should do their part to clean up the environment. He even commented that he would buy a...
Eric Loveday -
EEStor is a company in Texas that has been working for several years to develop a proprietary new device called an electric storage unit (EESU). The devices relies on a special formulation of a powdered form of barium titanate that is alumina-coated and is so-called composition modified barium titanate (CMBT). The proported devices have never been demonstrated publicly yet Zenn Motors of Canada already has an agreement to put them into electric cars, and Lockheed Martin has an agreement to use them in military applications. What make EESUs so special is that they should be able to hold...
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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Packs Its Bags and Hits the Road: Get the Mountain Driving Exclusive
See How the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Fairs In the Mountains of Colorado
Jonathan McGrew -
Chrysler Unveils Pure Electric Minivans for US Post Office
Today on Earth Day Chrysler unveiled 4 all-electric Town and Country minivans that are intended for US Postal Service fleet use. Chrysler also announced it will request a Recovery Act grant to allow it to demonstrate a fleet of such vehicles to be used in mail delivery. The US postal fleet already...
Lyle Dennis -
BRIGHT IDEA Concept Goes to Capitol Hill
What's big, gets 100 MPG, and may someday deliver your favorite potato chips to your local 7-11? The BRIGHT IDEA, an electric vehicle concept that lawmakers and industry leaders got to peek at yesterday on Capitol Hill. BRIGHT, based in Andersonville, Indiana, plans to unveil the IDEA at the EVS-24...
Jennifer Knightstep -
New Company Bright Automotive Announces 100-MPG Idea Delivery Truck
Light weight and 30 miles of electric range add up to much higher mileage on urban delivery routes
John Voelcker -
Chrysler Selects Dodge Circuit EV As Its First Production Electric Vehicle
It appears as though Chrysler has finally made the decision as to which concept EV will be released first. Chrysler has previously displayed four different types of electric cars that make up their ENVI program. This includes the 2-seat Circuit Roadster as well as an extended-range Minivan...
Eric Loveday -
Nissan has decided to stay away from hybrid power trains in its compact vehicles and instead employ electric only power trains in the compact and subcompact class of cars. Though Nissan does make hybrid vehicles, the company intends to reserve hybrid power trains for mid-size and full-size vehicles as well as luxury vehicles. Both Toyota and Honda plan to offer hybrid power trains in their compact vehicles. Toyota will introduce a hybrid Yaris and Honda hybrid Fit in the near future, but Nissan will not follow suit. Nissan will focus on electric only powertrains in this class of car. ...
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2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gets Small Face Lift
Will This New Face Get You Behind the Wheel?
Jonathan McGrew -
BYD e6 Crossover Launch at Auto Shanghai
BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle upstart, unvieled their e6 all-electric crossover vehicle today at Auto Shanghai. While BYD's sedan offerings have been a bit dull in terms of design, this spry mini-SUV has style to spare. The technology has been updated too, with a battery pack that contains 100%...
Jennifer Knightstep -
2010 Prius Priced Aggressively To Keep Toyota On Top
With a new base model of the 2010 Prius for just $21,750, Toyota isn't ceding any ground to Honda
John Voelcker -
Hybrid Pricewars Begin: Toyota Prices 2010 Prius at $21,000
Toyota has announced a price cut for its upcoming third generation 2010 Prius . The new price will be $21,000, $1000 less than the initial target was intended to be. The price cut comes as competition from the all new Honda Insight is expected to cut into predicted sales volume. The Honda Insight...
Eric Loveday -
BYD In Talks With American and European Automakers To Supply Hybrid Powertrains
As mentioned before on this site, Chinese battery maker BYD aims to be a front runner in production of electric cars. In order to accomplish their goals, they have taken a new approach and are currently entered in talks with U.S. and European automakers to supply power trains to other automotive...
Eric Loveday
