EVs
BMW to Launch New Electric Vehicle Brand In China
BMW is turning to Brilliance Jinbei Automobile, an already-established Chinese partner, to work their way around new legislation aimed at promoting Chinese cars. Ian Robertson, director of sales and marketing for BMW told Automotive News Europe said the new brand, which will exist solely to sell electric vehicles in China, will only use limited BMW…
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…
Nissan Expands Leaf Availability Into New U.S. Markets
It’s been one year since the Nissan Leaf hit North America, and to celebrate, the automaker is going to expand this EVs availability into new U.S. markets. If you live in Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, you’re in luck – Nissan has re-opened reservations and has begun taking orders for the…
Toyota Previews Future Electric, Fuel Cell Models [Video]: 2011 Tokyo Auto Show
Sharing Toyota‘s stage with the production Prius Plug-in Hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show are two eco-conscious concept cars that give a clear hint as the the automaker’s future green car plans. The FT-EV III Concept is a near production electric city car, that will go on sale next year (branded as a Scion in…
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…
BMW i5 or i7 Large Sedan Spied as Tesla Model S, Fisker Karma Rival
This may look like a BMW 7-Series sedan with some oddball rims, but our spy photographers report that the vehicle in question is actually a prototype for a new BMW i sedan, based on a couple key points. For starters, there are apparently electric motors mounted in the wheel hubs, which would suggest a new…
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…
Tesla Planning Roadster Successor, Electric 3 Series Rival
Along with the upcoming Model S electric luxury sedan and a Model X crossover, American electric car maker Tesla Motors is planning a successor to its break out model, the simply-named Roadster. Expected to arrive by 2014, the car will be underpinned by a new “third generation” flexible platform. The new chassis will be so…
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…
California Highway Congestion Worsened By Hybrids?
California told 85,000 hybrid drivers to move over, literally. Now everyone is feeling the sting. Starting last July the yellow stickers allowing hybrid owners to drive alone in the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane expired. The move came in preparation for an anticipated increase in electric vehicles on the road that will be allowed…
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…
BYD to Launch World’s First Fully Electric Bus
It’s not clear if Chinese automaker BYD is more famous because of its billionaire investor Warren Buffet, or because of its continued failed promises to sell cars in North America. Soon, however, you might recognize the brand as your emissions free transportation to and from the office. That’s because BYD is preparing to launch its…
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…
