Green Car News
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Today, at their annual shareholder’s meeting in Paris, Renault introduced their Kangoo be bop Z.E. electric prototype, derived from the production Kangoo be bop. The prototype, which is very similar in technology to what Renault will offer in its production electric vehicles, will begin a European tour in July. This particular Kangoo is powered by a 60HP, 44kW electric motor paired with a reducer that replaces the traditional gearbox. It’s also equipped an under-the-dash mounted lithium ion battery pack from AESC, the Nissan-NEC partnership formed two years ago. According to Renault’s...
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Renault Unveils Uber-Cute Kangoo BeBop ZE, First of Four Electric CarsThe French automaker livened up its annual meeting by revealing an adorable electric minivan that it will build by 2011
John Voelcker -
Audi A3 TwinDrive Hybrid Planned
As part of the same program that will develop an electric Volkswagen Golf, Audi is planning an A3 electric. The program, called VW TwinDrive, has not released any firm release or sale dates, but Audi is hinting at fleet trial target of 2012. AutocarUK is reporting that the hybrid A3 will run on a...
Jennifer Knightstep -
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 -
Rumormill: 370Z Plug-In Hybrid Planned For 2011
We've been following Nissan's plans to offer hybrid versions of Infiniti models for awhile now. If this excites you, the latest rumors out of Japan will make you downright giddy. According to 370Z.com Nissan plans to offer the same hybrid system in the 370Z by 2011. The Z will incorporate a...
Robert Scardino -
2011 Ford Focus To Be Built in Michigan--Including Electric Version
Ford will invest $550 million in a former truck plant to build its Focus global compact car, including an all-electric model developed with Magna International
John Voelcker -
According to officials at Nissan, their upcoming EV will be a "real" car. Nissan's EV is still unnamed at this point. But Nissan promises that it will be a "real" car. What makes it a real car? According to Nissan, it will be about the size of the Nissan Sentra, will seat five people in comfort, and carry a price tag close to a traditional mid size sedan. Nissan is not very specific about the vehicle yet, but keep offering some small clues towards what we should expect from their upcoming EV. The EV is slated for late 2010. According to Nissan's vice president of product planning...
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Miles Electric Crash Testing EV Sedan Prototypes, Name To Be Announced Soon, Production Only Months Away
Miles Electric Vehicles will introduce an all-electric vehicle next year with a price around $45,000. The vehicle, a four door sedan, will be marketed under a different brand name, but is designed by Miles Electric and will be produced by one of its partners in China. Currently, Miles Electric...
Eric Loveday -
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 -
2010 Lotus Evora: The New Porsche 911 Challenger in Super Car Style
Love the Elise But Need More Space? This Might Be the Car For You
Jonathan McGrew -
Cash For Guzzlers Agreement Reached
Reuters is reporting that an agreement has been reached on a "cash-for-guzzlers" bill which would reward owners of old, inefficient vehicles who trade them for newer, more fuel efficient models. The bill would be part of the Obama administration's ongoing efforts to address the issue of climate...
Robert Scardino -
Toyota Uses YouTube To Promote New Prius
The new Toyota Prius is coming soon and Toyota has hyped the model up like no other before. Toyota has gone so far in marketing the Prius, even recently posting to YouTube to allow soon to be buyers a sneak peek of what to expect. The video posted by Toyota on their own YouTube page takes you...
Eric Loveday -
The New York Police Department has begun the process of converting its fleet of patrol cars to more efficient hybrids. The NYPD will put 40 new Nissan Altima hybrids on the road shortly and the first ones are in use now. 18 of the 40 cars will be marked for patrol use while the remaining 22 will be unmarked for other uses. The hybrids will be used in areas of the city were their gas saving benefits will be put to best use. The NYPD has 170 hybrid fleet units on the road, but the Altima hybrids will be the first used for patrol duty. Other hybrids used by the NYPD include 10 GMC Yukons...
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Ford Pushes Past Toyota in Sales for April With Strong Showing From Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion along with its hybrid offering have helped to push Ford past Toyota in sales for the month of April. Even more surprising or promising for Ford, many Fusion and Fusion hybrid sales have come for former import car owners. According to Ford's vice president of sales and marketing...
Eric Loveday -
Dare To Be Diesel? Volkswagen Launches TDI Truths And Dares Site
With the 2010 VW Golf TDI on the way to join the Jetta TDI, Volkswagen kicks its clean-diesel marketing into high gear
John Voelcker -
EV Makers In India Ask Government For Help
A declining world economy and falling gas prices have put Indian EV makers on the offensive. The industry has asked the Indian government for a 25% subsidy on each electric vehicle purchase for the next two to three years. The request comes as a previously hot market for electric scooters has all...
Robert Scardino -
Would You Like Cash-For-Clunkers Better If It Got You a Mini John Cooper Works?
With careful shopping, you may be able to score a fun car and still get a
John Voelcker -
2010 Honda Insight: The Hybrid For Everyone or At Least Nearly Everyone
We Drill Down to See If the Honda Really Has the Edge
Jonathan McGrew -
High highway mileage is a laudable metric, but only if lots of those cars actually make it onto customers' driveway
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AFS Trinity Heads To Washington With 150 mpg Plug-in Saturn Vue Looking For Funds
AFS Trinity, the group that touts their 150 mpg Saturn Vue plug-in around the country is made at least their second trip to Washington D.C. in hopes of securing funds from the Department of Energy (DOE for short). In January of this year, AFS applied for $2.5 billion in loans from the DOE. The...
Eric Loveday -
Brammo Gets Ready For Release of Enertia Electric Motorcycle, Adds Top Execs to Company
Brammo, a small start up company is set to release the first motorcycle in their lineup of electric vehicles. The Enertia electric motorcycle will provide up to an equivalent of 293 miles per gallons. The Enertia motorcycle is more than a fast scooter according to Brammo. It is a real...
Eric Loveday -
Letterman Rips on Chevy Volt, Bob Lutz Responds
David Letterman's take on the upcoming Chevy Volt has sparked a lot of dislike towards him. Letterman, last Wednesday on the Late Show, dismissed the Volt and the Voltec technology and in general expressed his dislike for the entire project. As expected, his words brought out a lot of critics. ...
Eric Loveday -
Tesla Model S May Fail to Deliver on its Hype
Most EV enthusiasts are excited about the sleek Tesla Model S electric sedan, but a recent report suggests we might need to temper our enthusiasm. It is after all a concept and sometimes the difference between concept cars and their production counterparts are miles away. Take the design of the...
Lyle Dennis -
Canadian Study Suggests LSVs Be Restricted to Roads with Low Speed Limits
A recent study in Canada concludes that due to safety concerns, Low Speed Electric Vehicles known as LSVs should be restricted to roads with a maximum speed limit below 31. The study was conducted by the Canadian National Research Council and they presented 30 recommendations to help ease the...
Eric Loveday
