Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield, Contributing Writer

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on the street while other girls her age were more interested in Barbie Dolls. Although she trained as a classical musician she’s now a full-time broadcaster and journalist, covering green fuels and tech. After passing her driving test she’s owned a wide selection of cars, including a 1962 Morris Minor Woodie Hotrod; a single seat electric bubble car; a ’92 Honda Prelude; a ’91 Volvo 240; a ’04 Toyota Prius Plug in Hybrid (which she converted herself); an ’85 VW electric factory built rabbit; and a ’09 Smart ForTwo CDI Nikki specializes in electric vehicles, but also enjoys clandestine gas-guzzling, working on the rule that the larger and noisier the better. She is also loves riding motorcycles, but currently doesn't own one. Nikki also hosts the TransportEvolved podcast. She lives in Bristol UK with her wife, their two daughters and their Border Collie.

Articles

2012 Renault Twizy Price Announced -- But Will It Ever Come To The U.S.? Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 5, 2011

A few years ago the idea that mainstream european automakers would be focusing so much effort on minuscule electric urban runabouts would have been met with derision.

But a few weeks after it...
Which State Has The Greenest Cars? California, Of Course
It’s no secret that the state of California is home to some of the most congested roads in the country -- but it is also home to some of the greenest drivers according to a recent study by academics of the Transport Research Institute at the University of Michigan. Reported by The Los Angeles...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 4, 2011

Nissan Misses The Point, Offers Would-Be Leaf Owners 2011 Armada
Imagine this situation: You’re a fan of Nissan’s all-electric 2011 Leaf and you’ve put your name down on the waiting list to get one just as soon as it starts to be delivered in your area. But instead of getting an email telling you when you can visit your local dealer to finalize...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 4, 2011
Tesla's 2012 Model S Charging Equipment. Redesign For Redesign's Sake?
Last weekend, Tesla released more details about its up-coming 2012 Model S all-electric luxury sedan at an exclusive reservation-holder and media Model S event in Fremont, California. While some of the new information -- like the sub-4.5 second 0-60 time of the new Model S Sport variant -- got us...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 4, 2011
Tesla Now Trading Higher Than Ford, GM, VW After 2012 Model S Launch
It may not be delivering its much-anticipated 2012 Model S Sedan to the its first customer until the middle of next year, but Californian electric automaker Tesla [NASDAQ: TSLA] is now trading higher than many of its traditional gasoline rivals on the NASDAQ exchange. At a high-point of $24.95 so...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 3, 2011
2011 Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle: First Ride Report
When it comes to electric motorcycles, Brammo Inc. has a lot to live up to. Winner of the first two races of the 2011 TTXGP North American Series and lap-record holder at the Infineon Raceway, the Oregon-based firm can certainly make electric motorcycles which go fast. But while the world of...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 3, 2011
2012 Tesla Model S: First Ride Report Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 3, 2011

On Saturday, exactly one year after it took ownership of the former Toyota NUMMI facility in Fremont, California, Tesla Motors [NASDAQ:TSLA] held a series of test-drives aimed to show off the latest...

BREAKING: Tesla Making Faster 2012 Model S, 0-60 In Under 4.5 Seconds
We already know a lot about the all-electric 2012 Tesla Model S sedan -- but at a press event ahead of tonight’s exclusive VIP event at the former Toyota NUMMI facility in Fremont, California, Tesla [NASDAQ:TSLA] CEO Elon Musk announced Tesla was making a faster Model S for those with a...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield October 1, 2011
How Would You Sell An All-Electric ATV? A Killer Wasp, Perhaps?
Historically, electric vehicles haven’t had an easy time of it thanks to the old stereotype that they are slow, boring and can’t cope with the real world. We all know that isn’t true -- but what would you to to convince the general public that your new electric off-road...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 30, 2011
2012 Nissan Leaf Now Available In Colorado, Northeastern States
Nissan announced yesterday that it has added six new states to its list of places you can buy its all-electric Leaf hatchback; Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. While the 2011 Nissan Leaf wasn’t ready for cold weather, the 2012 Leaf should cope with...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 30, 2011
Crazy European Road Trip For Electric Cars Does 2,000 Miles In 14 Days
Ask most people what the largest drawback to owning an electric car is, and they’ll tell you that limited range means they are only really suitable for life in large cities. But don’t tell that to the group of Europeans lead by former round-the-world Solar Taxi driver Louis Palmer...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 30, 2011
2012 Tesla Model S Electric Sedan: What Do You Want To Know?
This Saturday, we’ll be heading to the California factory where Tesla Motors plans to build its much-anticipated 2012 Model S electric sports sedan. While we’re there, we’ll be given a full tour of the former NUMMI factory in Fremont, California. where the Model S will be...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 29, 2011

Five Things You Need To Know About Stop/Start Systems Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 29, 2011

You’re probably already familiar with the effect that a hybrid drivetrain has on fuel economy, but now one of the key concepts of a hybrid drivetrain -- the ability for the engine to turn off...
2012 Kia Rio Hatch: Five Doors, 40 MPG Starting At $14,350
Kia has priced its 2012 Rio Hatchback, which gets 40 mpg on the highway and comes standard with start-stop, to start at a base price of $14,350.
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 28, 2011
Ford Looks To Develop Electric Cars For Chinese Market
Lately it’s become obvious that China -- not the U.S. -- is the place to be if you’re an automaker wanting to develop electric cars. Daimler already has an electric vehicle partnership with chinese company BYD, and more recently General Motors announced it would start developing...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 28, 2011
Upcoming Toyota Prius C '94-MPG' Compact Hybrid Now Has A Name: Aqua
The Prius family of hybrid cars from Toyota is going to get a little bigger as of January when the Japanese automaker will launch a new compact hybrid car for the Japanese market: the 2012 Toyota Aqua. According to Reuters News Service, the Nikkei business daily reports that the compact gasoline...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 28, 2011
Swiss Firm Develops Portable Rapid Electric Car Charging Station
As electric cars become more and more popular, there are an increasingly large number of firms selling electric car charging equipment, from wall-mounted domestic charging stations through to large, commercial rapid charging stations for parking lots, shopping malls and gas stations. Now...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 27, 2011
Five High-Mileage SUVs You’ll Want To Check Out For 2012
You’re an SUV owner looking to upgrade your current car, but you’re also getting tired of increasing gas prices and the way those hybrid and electric car owners look at you on the freeway. At the same time, you’re not about to downsize to a sub-compact in order to get good gas...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 27, 2011

Why Would Bob Lutz Join An Electric Car Conversion Company? Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 27, 2011

Bob Lutz may have taken a part-time advisory post with GM 16 months after officially retiring from his post there, but now he has a second job too. The former Vice Chairman of General Motors--and...
Want To Own The Tron Electric “Light Cycle?” Now’s Your Chance
Last year Tron: Legacy, the remake of the 1982 classic film Tron hit cinemas around the world. Following the story of Sam Flynn as he tries to find his lost father who disappeared twenty years earlier, Tron: Legacy received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. But while the reboot of the...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 26, 2011
Tennessee Gas Station First To Offer Rapid Electric Car Charging?
Over the past few months we’ve seen an increase in the number of rapid charging stations getting installed in areas where the 2011 Nissan Leaf is being sold. So far, we’ve seen rapid charging stations get installed everywhere from Walgreens to Cracker Barrel and Washington state’s...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 26, 2011
2012 Volkswagen Golf TDI Clean Diesel: 5 Things You Need To Know
Volkswagen is one of the few automakers to have consistently produced diesel-powered cars for the U.S. market. In fact, we told you last week that a 1974-1983 diesel VW Rabbit was still one of the most fuel-efficient classic cars you could buy. Its direct descendant -- the 2012 VW Golf TDI Clean...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 26, 2011
Tesla Promotes DOE Loans, Asks For More Money
Electric automaker Tesla Motors posted a blog post on its website earlier this week detailing how the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program had helped it expand and prepare not just one but many electric cars for the market. The blog post was designed...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 23, 2011
Chelsea Sexton Meets Pikes Peak Champion, Takes HER For A Spin
Former EV-1 saleswoman, electric-vehicle advocate and electric car celebrity Chelsea Sexton recently learnt that despite what some may say, size isn’t everything. Sexton, who works tirelessly within the auto industry to help electric cars make it to market got a little reward recently for her...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield September 23, 2011