Electric Cars
2012 Honda CR-V, 2013 Fit EV to Bow at LA Auto Show
Honda has confirmed two world premieres for the 2011 LA Auto Show, with production versions of both the 2012 CR-V and 2013 Fit EV planned. Previewed in the concept (above) Honda is promising more dramatic styling with its latest version of the popular CR-V crossover. Also promised are added features and improved fuel economy. Leaked…
2012 Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced
Recognized each year at the LA Auto Show, the finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year award have been released, spanning the gamut of possible alternative fuel vehicles. The nominee include the Ford Focus Electric, the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, the Mitsubishi i, the Toyota Prius v and the 2012 Volkswagen Passat…
Fisker Nina Delayed, Production Pushed To Mid-2013
Just as the Karma begins to enter showrooms, Fisker is raring to get a move on its Project Nina. However, despite the optimism, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Fisker. Although it was initially intended for the $50,000 Nina hybrid to be completed by 2012, circumstances require the product’s launch to be pushed back a…
Chevrolet Volt Cheaper to Drive than Toyota Prius Plug-in for Sub-70 Mile Journeys
While the Toyota Prius has long been the automotive ambassador of the green movement, Pike Research conducted a Cost of Driving test to find out whether the all new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in can trump the Chevrolet Volt. According to its findings, by first establishing the price for every gallon of gas at $3.50 and…
Fisker Karma Gets 52 MPGe Fuel Economy Rating
Fisker Automotive has finally been given EPA certification and as a result can start officially selling cars. The U.S.-based builder of luxurious yet green vehicles has received a 52 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) rating for its Karma sedan. With a 32 mile electric-only range, the Karma’s gasoline only rating is a less impressive 20-mpg….
DeLorean EV Really Is ‘Back To The Future’
Wynne said that his engineering team have spent four years working on the EV DeLorean and plans to bring the car to market in 2013, for a price of around $90-$100,000. He also said that the car is capable of generating the equivalent of 260 hp and reaching a top speed of 125 mph from...
VW Vows to Keep Suzuki Shares as Partnership Turns Ugly
A public disagreement between Volkswagen and Suzuki in early September left the Japanese automaker wanting to end its partnership, but that might not happen. In a news release Monday, the company said it “will retain its stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. unchanged.” Suzuki requested its shares be returned in light of what representatives say are…
GM To Test New EN-V Concepts In Megacities Worldwide
Good news eco-friendly drivers – GM has just announced that it is going to start work on the next-generation EN-V concept vehicle. General Motors will be testing its new and improved Chevrolet EN-V with pilot demonstration programs in large cities around the world in order to prove that these vehicles are practical in any urban…
Chevy Spark EV to Launch as GM’s First Electric Car in the U.S.
After 100 years of building mostly internal combustion cars and trucks, Chevrolet is making a bold statement about the next 100 years, using its Centennial anniversary to announce the launch of the Spark electric car. The Spark will be the automaker’s first all-electric car to be sold in the U.S. and is expected to be…
Chevy Volt Plant Delays Second Shift
General Motors has announced its decision to delay the addition of a second shift for the Chevy Volt assembly plant. Intended to meet projections for the Volt to double its production by 2012, the second shift is no longer necessary as a plant overhaul conducted this summer plus a modest addition of 300 workers working…
No Chevy Volt Spin-Offs Until 2015
If you’re eagerly awaiting a more family friendly Volt, or a more luxurious and sporty one, you’ll have to be patient. According to Nick Reilly, the head of GM Europe, the automaker isn’t planning to release any Volt spin-offs until 2015. The reason for the date is that that’s when the current Volt’s life-cycle is…
Tesla Model S to Get High-Performance Version: 0-60 in 4.6 Seconds
Electric car maker Tesla Motors had previously announced it would offer several different versions of its new Model S luxury sedan with different range capabilities, but now CEO Elon Musk has revealed those different levels will also boast varying levels of performance. Topping the lineup will be a 300 mile range-capable version that will cut…
Nissan and GE Partner to Fast Track EV Development, Infrastructure
On a mission to fast track electrified transportation, Nissan has joined forces with GE, signing a two-year research contract in order to accelerate the development of smart charging infrastructure that is accessible to everyone. GE and Nissan will be focusing its efforts on two key areas in regards to its research efforts: 1. The integration…
Internal Combusion Engine’s Days Are Numbered Says Mercedes CEO
The future of green motoring is far closer than you might think. At least it is if you’re a believe of Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche. In a recent interview with Motor Trend, the former TV personality for Chrysler (when under Daimler’s ownership) Dr. Z says that, “We see another one or two decades of dominance…
2012 Car of the Year Candidates Chosen
It’s that time of the year again as Car of the Year begins the laborious task of whittling down new Car of the Year contenders for 2012. A total of 59 journalists, representing automotive authorities across 23 European countries, have been recruited for the task of choosing top car. The number of journalists to represent…
Kia to Focus on Electric Cars, Hyundai to Develop Hybrids as Part of New Green Car Plan
Only until recently did Kia find its groove and really start to deliver a lineup of attractive cars. However, Hyundai‘s vision for Kia’s future has something different in store. Rumors have suggested that Hyundai-Kia Automotive group may be performing an unprecedented hedge to have Kia carry a solely electric vehicle green model range while Hyundai…
China Tells GM to Hand Over Volt Secrets or Face $19,000 Trade Roadblock
GM has long intended to bring their Chevrolet Volt over to the Chinese market. It’s both the largest and the fastest growing market for automobiles and only within a few short years smog pollution has increased exponentially among China’s booming cities. To alleviate the headache, China will offer automakers planning to sell electric vehicles in…
Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series, GT3 Street Car Coming
It’s time to buckle up as Mercedes-Benz‘s tuner AMG confirms that they are working on three halo projects for their halo SLS AMG. No greater truth has been spoken than when Head of Vehicle Development at AMG, Tobias Moers, says, “We absolutely have to do a Black Series.” Yet to be officially confirmed, chances are…
Volkswagen Up! Concepts Brighten Up the Frankfurt Auto Show
Volkswagen made a cannonball of a splash at the Frankfurt Auto Show with a premiere of six new and exciting variations of the Up! that may join to form a small car family. Make no mistake, not only is the exclamation mark a part of the car’s name, Volkswagen’s new microcar line-up exudes excitement.
Infiniti Reveals Sketch Of Future Zero Emissions Vehicle
The teasing starts early as Infiniti takes an opportunity at the Frankfurt Auto Show to hint at the public of a future zero emission luxury vehicle. This sketch gives us another look at Infiniti’s design movement. First seen in the 2009 Infiniti Essence Concept, the trademark indented surface treatment trailing the quarter window will make…
BMW i3, i8 Headed to Dealers Starting in 2013: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show [Video]
Making their world premiere at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW i3 and i8 may just be concepts, but point to a major push by the German automaker into the realm of electrified vehicles. In fact, BMW is so serious that its working towards an entire range of “i” branded alternative vehicles, sporting both electric…
Audi A2 Electric Concept Hints at the Future of Urban Transportation: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show
Much like the original A2, the new concept was designed from the outside to pack the most amount of space within a small, physical form; consequently, despite its rather tiny dimensions; 150-inches in length; 66.6-inches in width and 58.8 inches in height , it still boasts ample seating for four, plus their luggage.
EV Drivers Lose Range Anxiety After Three Months
The promises of energy independence and benefits to the environment have always contended with the range limitation concerns inherent of all electric vehicles. As automakers produce electric vehicles while city infrastructures have yet to provide proper availability of charging stations, skeptics question its practicality. But how have the believers, those who purchased EVs, felt? According…
Mercedes F125 Hydrogen Gullwing Concept Leaked: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show
Celebrating 125 years of Mercedes-Benz, the appropriately named F125 is set to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow. Ahead of the planned reveal, however, photos and details of the Hydrogen Gullwing concept car have been leaked, giving a look at the future of Mercedes design, not to mention the German automaker’s plans to push…
