Eric Loveday, Author
Articles
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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...
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Nissan Chooses EV Powertrain For Compact Cars: Hybrid Powertrain Limited to Larger VehiclesNissan 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...
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Hybrid Pricewars Begin: Toyota Prices 2010 Prius at $21,000Toyota 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...
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BYD In Talks With American and European Automakers To Supply Hybrid PowertrainsAs 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...
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Plug-In Prius Goes Up to 12 Miles on Electricity OnlyThe upcoming 2010 plug-in Prius will be able to travel just over 12 miles on electric power only. Though 12 miles is well short of the 40 plus miles of the upcoming Chevy Volt, the costs associated with the hybrid system should also fall well short of the Volt's costly power train. The plug-in...
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Mercedes ML450 Hybrid To Be Released In North America FirstThe Mercedes ML450 Hybrid, a crossover sport utility vehicle unveiled at the New York Auto Show, will be released in the U.S. and Canada prior to the release throughout the rest of the world. The ML450 Hybrid will go on sale here later this year. The hybrid power-train comes from the joint...
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GM and MIT are collectively working on a stack-able City Car that GM feels will be complimentary to their two wheeled PUMA city vehicle.
The MIT City Car is a four wheeled all electric vehicle that...
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Dodge Ram Hemi Hybrid On Schedule for Release in 2010Dodge's full size pickup truck the Ram is about to enter the hybrid game. The Ram is scheduled for release in 2010 and appears to be coming along as spy shots have now been released. The 2 mode hybrid powertrain is a joint venture between many companies including Chrysler, BMW, General Motors...
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GM's Australian Group Holden Launches Environmentally Friendly Product Lineup to Include Chevy VoltGM's Australian branch Holden will launch a new line of vehicles carrying the title of EcoLine. The EcoLine vehicles will highlight the companies use of alternative fuels, fuel saving technology, and hybrid and electric models. Initially, the EcoLine of vehicles will include diesels, liquified...
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EPA Finally Rules Tailpipe Emissions are Harmful: Just Another Reason To Buy Electric CarsAs if we didn't already know, tailpipe emissions are dangerous. That seems are understatement, but the EPA has finally decided that YES tailpipe emissions could be hazardous to your health. The findings are based upon a study conducted by the EPA under direction of the Obama administration. The...
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Public Charging Areas Biggest Hurdle For EVsThe biggest hurdle faces rising demand for electric and plug-in hybrids is the accessibility of public recharging areas. Many would be driver of electric vehicles are discouraged due to their short range. Charging at home is an option, but what if your travels to and from work would extend beyond...
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High Battery Costs Keep Hybrids and EVs From Being ProfitableWhy do hybrids cost more than conventional cars? There are many answer to this complex question, but much of the additional costs can be associated directly to the advanced battery systems and charging systems that power the and replenish the vehicles. For example, GM states that it is currently...
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ECOtality announced that it plans to partner with Nissan to build the infrastructure for electric cars throughout Maricopa county in Arizona. Plans include a charging infrastructure in place by the...
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BYD CEO Drinks Battery Fluid From Company's Own Environmentally Friendly Battery
In an effort to prove to disbelievers that hybrid and electric cars are indeed safe and more specifically that the batteries within would not cause environmental issues, BYD's CEO Wang Chuan-Fu actually drank battery fluid from a lithium ion battery manufactured by the company. Most people...
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Owners of Electric Cars Will Demand 240 Volt OutletsThough most electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are designed or capable of being charged through a typical household outlet at only 120 volts, owners will want the capability of 240 volts. The standard household current in the U.S. is 120 volts. 120 volts can charge most electric and plug-in...
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Michigan's Big Four Battery Makers Try for $2 Billion in FundingMichigan is a land of new opportunities. With unemployment at record levels, the Big Three enduring tremendous hardships, and autoworkers laid off in drove, the state is in desperation. But something good has to come of this. The other day, Michigan selected 4 battery makers to receive state...
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UK Offers Incentives to Buy Electric VehiclesThe UK government announced a plan to offer drivers up to approximately $7,000 in incentives to buy electric vehicles in 2011. The incentives are part of a plan by the UK government that will put around $370 million into electric vehicles and their infrastructure. The plan will also designate...
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Cadillac Converj EREV is a GO!According to an inside source used by Motor Trend, GM approved production of the Cadillac Converj pending government bailout funding approval. The Coverj is Cadillac's version of the Chevy Volt. Based off of the same technology, but with a different body and considerably higher price point...
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If you have followed along with a previous article on this website outlining the tax credits that would be awarded to Michigan battery makers, this story provides follow up as the selection of the...
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FEV Inc. Premiers Extended Range Electric Vehicle Concept Based on Dodge CaliberFEV Inc., considered a leading developer of advanced powertrain technologies, announced plans to show a Dodge Caliber Extended Range Electric at the 2009 SAE World Congress. The Caliber will be a ReEV which stands for range extended electric vehicle and will have plug-in capability. The showing...
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Mazda Decides to Make Hybrids by 2015Last time we wrote about Mazda, we claimed that they had no interest in electric or hybrid power trains. Mazda had announced that they were determined to bring advanced diesels to the states, and focus on increasing the efficiency of gasoline engines. That was less than a month ago, now Mazda...
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Michigan: The Battery Capital of the WorldMichigan charges up to achieve President Obama's goal of 1 million plug-in and hybrid vehicles on the roads of the U.S. by 2015. Under the guidance of Gov. Granholm, Michigan aims to provide energy solutions to eliminate fossil fuel dependency and work towards roads filled with clean, efficient...
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Electrical Grid Could Support 10 Million Chevy Volts With Ease
Worries surrounding whether or not the electrical grid in the U.S. is capable of supplying power for the EVs and plug-in hybrids set to hit the road in the near future are at an all time high. Many believe that out system is simply not capable of handling the added burden, but what is the actual...
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EV Fans Critical of Obama's Task ForcePresident Obama's task force criticizes the Chevy Volt by stating that it is currently overpriced at $40,000 and needs substantial price reductions to make it commercially viable. EV fans are not fond of the comments by the task force. The Task force went on to say, "GM is at least one generation...
Eric Loveday