Eric Loveday, Author
Articles
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To say that Toyota has been hit hard with recalls recently is truly an understatement. The company's most recent recall and stop sale involving a possible stuck accelerator has affected an...
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Nissan Leaf a Hit at NAIAS, Wowed the Crowd
The Nissan Leaf made a brief stop at the North American International Auto Show before departing early and heading back out on its nationwide tour. The Leaf was on hand for the press preview days and was met by many with incredible praise. Nissan appears to have created the hype necessary to...
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Renault to Test 50 EVs Charged From Renewable Energy Sources to Determine Overall CO2 Impact
There has been a considerable amount of debate recently about how clean electric vehicles really are. Some suggest that, dependent upon the source of electricity, electric vehicles may actually be dirtier overall than gasoline vehicles. Others argue that though the source of electricity does...
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Williams Backs Out of KERS Hybrid Program For Formula 1, Shifts Development to Production Vehicle Applications
If you are a fan of motor sports, more specifically Formula One, then the name Williams is probably familiar as is their KERS system under development. If not here's some background. Williams is a top Formula One team. They have been working on their own KERS system to implement in Formula One...
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Acura TSX to Become First Hybrid Offering From Company
A few days back we posted a story about Honda and their decision to bring a hybrid model to the Acura lineup of vehicles. The release of information about an Acura hybrid came directly from Honda CEO Takanobu Ito as he spoke at the NAIAS. At the time, it was unclear as to what Acura product...
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Honda to Build Hybrid That Beats Prius MPG
The Honda CR-Z Hybrid shown in the picture may beat the Prius in terms of performance when it comes to market later this year, but it falls well short of the Prius in terms of fuel efficiency. The Prius can return a whopping 50 mpg in everyday driving while Honda only expects the CR-Z to return...
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One million hybrids is certainly a lofty goal for any automaker to achieve and if anyone can do it, it is Toyota. According to a report from the Nikkei Newspaper in Japan, the company plans to...
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Toyota Exec Says ICE Engine Will Never Be Abandoned
Nobody is suggesting that plug-in vehicles will take over the world anytime in the near future, but Toyota managing officer has gone a step further by insisting that the internal combustion engine will "never" be abandoned. Koei Saga, the managing officer of Toyota told reporters at the NAIAS that...
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MR2 Hybrid Concept Revealed, Production Unlikely
Toyota has offered a few iconic cars in the past that have evoked emotion and passion from those who have owned these vehicles. One such vehicle is the now departed Toyota MR2. This unique, mid engine offering from the company has followers from across the globe. There is perhaps no other...
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Mitsubishi Increasing Production of I-MiEV, Intends to Drop Price to $22,000 By 2013
How can you tell that EVs are in high demand? Look no further than Mitsubishi. The company has increased production expectations for its i-MiEV several times before and is now increasing those numbers once again. The Mainichi News is reporting that the company will increase production for 2010...
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Mitsubishi To Roll Out Largest Electric Fleet in Canadian History
Holding the title of Canada's largest electric vehicle project is certainly an accomplishment and it will soon be in the hands of Mitsubishi. The company will soon bring 50 i-MiEVs to the providence of Montreal allowing them to claim the title of the largest fleet of EVs in the nation. The...
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Hawaii Installs State's First EV Charging Station
Electric vehicles are ideally suited for certain regions of the world. Some climates are ideal for EV. Some locations do not have to deal with the thought of range anxiety, and some areas simply see a need for EVs more so than other locations across the globe. One place where EVs seem to be...
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Gas Prices Steady For Next Several Years, EV Demand Likely Low With Cheap Gas Available Eric Loveday
There is one aspect that probably has the single greatest control over the success of electric vehicles. It is not range, it is not price, and it is not the availability of rapid charging...
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Acura Hybrid In the Works, FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle Ready Now
According to Edmunds Green Car Advisor, Honda announced that its Acura brand will add a hybrid model to its lineup soon and the fuel cell powered FCX Clarity "is ready now." Green Car Advisor noted that the words above came from Honda Chief Executive Takanobu Ito, who spoke to a large audience at...
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Toyota Promises Affordable Fuel Cell Vehicle By 2015
Several automakers believe that fuel cell powered vehicles will become a viable solution for mass production in the distant future. In particular, Honda and General Motors have both displayed progress in development and real world testing of fuel cell powered vehicles. Toyota has also...
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Coulomb To Offer Stand Alone Rapid Charging Stations to Retail Businesses By End of Year
Electric vehicles have one drawback that is constantly discussed at length, range. Range is a major hurdle that automakers are trying to tackle. If automakers can eliminated range anxiety, EVs could potentially reach a mainstream market quickly. Overcoming range anxiety is easier said than...
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Boston Consulting Groups Says Hybrids and EVs Will Continue to Gain Market Share
Despite high costs for batteries, Boston Consulting Group predicts that more and more hybrids and electrics vehicles will be on our roads in the future. BCG conducted in-depth studies into battery costs for EVs and plug-in vehicles. Their findings suggest that a battery pack the size of the one...
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Hyundai i10 EV Production To Begin Later This Year
Hyundai will begin assembly of its i10 minicar EV by the end of 2010. The company, South Korea's largest automaker, will introduce the i10 as their first, mass produced, fully electric vehicle sometime in late 2010 or early 2011. The i10 will utilize components made by Hyundai's India factory. ...
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Michigan's drive to become the battery capital of the world is off to a strong start. Several companies have built facilities within the state and more are schedule to come. The latest addition...
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Porsche Says No to Hybrid Versions of 911, Boxster, and Cayman
Porsche, the name that is legend in racing and performance vehicles has been questioned about recent decisions. Enthusiasts feel that the company should not have considered an SUV or a 4 door vehicle as they simply do not symbolize the brand. Porsche responded by stating the economics and...
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Ford and LG Chem Agree to Li-Ion Deal
According to a report from the Maeil of South Korea, Ford Motor Company signed a deal with leading battery supplier LG Chem. The deal involves LG Chem. supplying Ford with lithium-ion cells for all of the companies future plug-in vehicles. Ford has previously worked with Johnson Controls-Saft for...
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Leading GOP Candidate For Governor of California Proposes Postponing Climate Bill, Opponents Strongly Reject Delaying Bill
California, a state widely known for its stringent emission laws and guidelines that restrict greenhouse gas emissions may see a step backwards if the leading GOP candidate for governor of the state is elected.The Republican candidate leading the race to replace Gov. Schwarzenegger is Meg Whitman...
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Hybrid Sales For 2009 Show Promising Outlook For Future
Automotive sales totals for 2009 are trickling in and one aspect of sales remains obvious, hybrids are a hit. Some sources may site an overall decrease in volume for hybrid sales and suggest that buyers are not interested in hybrid vehicles, however this one sided point of view is wrong. A closer...
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BMW Secretly Working on Twin Engine Hybrid
BMW, well known for delivering the ultimate driving machine, has ventured into hybrid vehicles with some impressive offerings including the ActiveHybrid X6 which was reviewed recently on this site. Rather than follow other hybrid powertrain variants, BMW is no focusing on developing a new hybrid...
Eric Loveday