electric vehicles
Coda Automotive Expands Business, Gets Into Grid Energy Storage World
Coda Automotive, known for their upcoming sedan electric vehicle, has expanded their business by announcing a new venture called Coda Energy. The spinoff business unit will specialize in building stationary energy storage systems. All the knowledge gained by Coda while designing and developing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles has lead them directly into the grid…
Tesla Model X to Debut February 9th
After every auto show there’s normally a lull in new product news as media and PR folks alike decompress. That won’t be the case with this year’s Chicago Auto Show, however, with the reveal of electric car maker Tesla’s new crossover the day after the Chi-town press day. The reveal won’t be anywhere near Chicago…
Chrysler Reserves Diesel Engines For Large Vehicles
The fuel wars are heating up as automakers search for new ways to squeeze more mileage out of their cars. While some might take this chance to preach doom and gloom for future cars, Chrysler–Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne isn’t ready to call the Road Warrior just yet. Some companies are turning to electric vehicles, others…
E-Bugster Concept Electrifies a Cult Icon: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
As it’s name suggests, the E-Bugster relies on pure electric power for motivation, in this case an 85 kW (114 hp) electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. Projected range is over 100 miles according to VW, while three charging options are available.
Top 5 Surprisingly Good Cars of 2012
What’s the best car of 2012? Who knows. Is a Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 better than a Ferrari 458 Italia? What about the Scion FR-S? Or a Prius Plug-in Hybrid? The past year has seen the launch of numerous excellent vehicles, including some we really didn’t expect to be any good. That said, we’ve put…
Electric Vehicle Tax Incentives Cut In 2012
The new year is rapidly approaching and with it a host of new vehicles begging to be driven are sitting in dealer lots waiting to wow shoppers. When it comes to new cars, those shoppers often expect more for less as new models hit the showroom, but that wont be the case for electric vehicles…
Top 10 Automotive News Stories of 2011
As another calendar year draws to a close it’s time to take a look back at the top 10 biggest stories of the year in the auto industry. It’s been a busy 12 months, starting all the way back in March when the Fiat 500 officially went on sale, marking the return of the brand…
Kohl’s Department Stores Add EV Charging Stations To 33 Locations
Following in IKEA’s eco-footsteps, Kolh’s is the latest store to add EV charging stations in its parking lots. The department store will be adding electric vehicle charging stations to 33 Kohl’s locations throughout the U.S. Each of the stores will be setting aside one to four spots for EV drivers to recharge while they shop…
Honda EV-STER Won’t be an EV at All
After confirming that the EV-STER Concept was making its way into production, it appears now that Honda‘s concept may not be an electric vehicle at all. We already knew that Honda CEO Takanobu Ito already hinted at the possibility of both standard gasoline and electric powertrains for the EV-STER Concept, and now we have reason…
Chrysler Tests Plug-In Electric Hybrid Trucks
The Big three do some things really, really well: like building pickup trucks that turn construction guys giddy. While each company has had their fair share of foibles over the past decade they’ve managed to stay more-or-less true to themselves. That’s why you might be really surprised to find out that Chrysler announced plans today…
Ford Focus Electric Targets 100 MPGe, Besting Nissan Leaf
Ford will significantly expand its lineup of 40 mpg or better models in 2012, launching not only the new C-Max Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid, but also the new Focus Electric. The Focus EV, says Ford, is expected to achieve a miles per gallon equivalent (mpge) rating of 100, besting the Nissan Leaf by a…
Aptera: A Brief Chronology Of The Collapse
Last week we brought you a story about Aperta employees boorishly smashing the remaining shells of their 2e electric vehicle, including quotes from their disgruntled former CEO, Steve Fambro. You may wonder how things went so wrong. If you haven’t been following the Aptera saga, or if you don’t know what Aptera is, this is a good…
Aptera Employees Destroy Prototype Electric Vehicles On Camera
Maybe the staff at Aptera watched the printer-smashing scene in Office Space too many times and felt like taking some frustration out on inanimate objects. Whatever their reason the video footage of their antics is creating a stir. Last Sunday we reported that Aptera, the environmentally focused startup responsible for building funky-looking 3-wheeled EVs…
Mitsubishi i EV U.S. Release Moved Up
You won’t have to wait until the end of next year to own the Mitsubishi i EV anymore thanks to whopping dealer demand. Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko decided to move the nation-wide U.S. release up by six months from the original date to June 2012. The company also plans to release another electric vehicle by…
Honda EV-STER Electric Sports Car is a 21st Century Beat: 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
The star attraction of Honda’s Tokyo Motor Show press conference is an all-new electric sports car concept. Initially billed as the Small Sports EV Concept, at it’s debut Honda is now referring to the car as the EV-STER. The rear wheel drive two seater looks like a spiritual successor to the Beat sporty car. Measuring…
Honda Micro Commuter Car Concept Revealed: 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
One of Honda‘s numerous reveals today at the Tokyo Motor Show is a wild little concept car referred to as the “Micro Commuter Concept.” An EV designed for personal transportation it is a half-foot shorter in length than a Smart fortwo, but offers room for three thanks to a central diving position with a passenger…
Toyota FT-EV III Concept Previews Scion iQ Electric Car: 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
Proof that Toyota is serious about launching its own electric car is the FT-EV III Concept, unveiled today at the Tokyo Motor Show. The third in a string of such concepts this will be the last, as the near-production vehicle shows. A telltale sign of the vehicle’s roadworthiness is an interior not unlike that of…
Three Days With the Nissan Leaf: An Emissions-Free Adventure in Tweets
New car reviews are often carefully crafted pieces of prose. They’re well thought out with plenty of reflection by the author about the vehicle’s relevance, its target audience and how it stacks up against segment rivals. What they lack, however, is a sense of authenticity that comes from unfiltered opinion and reaction. Where you can…
CODA EV Priced from $39,900
Furthermore, at the 2011 LA Auto Show, where the company had a number of it’s CODA sedans on display, the company also announced that it’s partnering with GE Energy to market and distribute the GE WattStation EV charging unit alongside the cars at same retail locations.
Toyota EV, Fuel Cell Concepts Point to the Near-Future: Tokyo Motor Show Preview
Toyota has revealed three new concept cars that it will officially debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, giving an indication of its green-car plans for the next few years – and beyond. Up first is the FT-EV III (Future Toyota – Electric Vehicle III). Based on the iQ, it uses a lithium-ion battery and electric…
Honda Electric Sports Car, AC-X Plug-in Hybrid Concepts Revealed: Tokyo Motor Show Preview
Honda has revealed an extensive list of debuts for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, with the main attraction being an electric sports car concept. Called the “Small Sports EV Concept” Honda promises it will be “fun to drive with excellent environmental performance”. Apart from that teaser, little else has been divulged. Two other concept cars…
Suzuki Previews Three City Car Concepts Ahead of Tokyo Motor Show
While Suzuki cars might not be very popular in North America, in its home market of Japan, they are a very big deal indeed. So to serve their home market, Suzuki is bringing a trio of concept cars for the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. These are the Regina, Q Concept and the Swift EV Hybrid….
High Voltage Wheels Calendar Features 12 Months Of Electric Vehicles
It’s holiday shopping time – what are you going to get the greenie in your life? Wrap up High Voltage Wheels 2012, the first calendar to feature electric vehicles. Printed on recycled paper (naturally), this 2012 calendar features the coolest electric vehicles to charge up every month in the year. From the 250-km/h eRuf (based…
Nissan PIVO 3 Revealed as “Near Future” Urban EV: Tokyo Motor Show Preview
Despite a difficult year, the Tokyo Motor Show is back for 2011 with Nissan announcing a slew of new high-tech concepts that will be the focal point of the brand’s display. Of the three EVs, two we’ve already seen before (the Esflow and Townpod), while Tokyo will mark the world premiere of the new PIVO…
