EVs
Renault Security Agent Arrested for Spygate Hoax
When several Renault execs were accused of selling the French automaker’s electric car secrets to the Chinese, it made headlines around the world. Last week came reports that the story might have been a hoax – and that now appears to be the case with a Renault security agent having been arrested. The individual, who’s…
Google Maps Now Includes EV Charging Station Locations
For electric car owners, finding a place to plug-in when you’re on the road can be a challenge. Sure you can just ‘borrow’ some energy by unplugging the Coke machine at your local gas station, but those standard output outlets can take eight hours to get your car fully juiced. Being the forward-thinking company that…
Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX Concept Powered by Lotus
There might not be a larger void between two automakers than the British brands Lotus and Rolls-Royce. One focuses on bare-bones sports cars, while the other epitomizes excessive luxury. But when Rolls-Royce decided to push ahead with plans to create an electric car concept, it went straight to the engineering minds at Lotus. On display…
Geneva 2011: Rolls-Royce 102EX Makes Sure The Only Sound You Hear Is The Electric Motor
Rolls-Royce used to sell its cars with a tagline that bragged about the lack of cabin noise, with only the ticking of the in-cabin clock to be heard during your ride. Now, that tagline is somewhat moot, as the all-electric 102EX, unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, is for all intents and purposes silent thanks…
Rolls-Royce 102EX Electric Car Concept to Debut at Geneva Auto Show
Rolls-Royce will take a big step towards bringing to market an electric vehicle, debuting an electric version of its flagship Phantom model at the Geneva Auto Show in just over a weeks time. Rolls has announced it will debut the car, known as either the 102 EX or Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), and then take…
Toyota iQ EV to Debut at Geneva Auto Show, U.S. Leasing Program to Follow
As we anticipate the launch of the Scion iQ here in North America, parent company Toyota is preparing to introduction an all electric version of the mini-car in Europe. Set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, the car uses a lithium-ion battery located under the floor. As a result it doesn’t take…
Report: Obama’s Goal of 1 Million Electric Cars by 2015 Unreachable
The Obama Administration has made a significant effort to increase the number of electric cars being produced, but according to a new report by Indiana University it won’t meet its goal of getting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015. The report indicates that the current ‘production intentions’ of automakers won’t result in…
Fiat 500 Convertible to Debut This Spring; Abarth Model to Follow Thanks to Demand
With the Fiat 500 already on sale in North America (if you can find a dealer), the Italian automaker will expand its lineup with the addition of a convertible model this Spring. At the recent launch of the 500, Fiat North America CEO Laura Soave revealed that the 500C will be coming in Q2 of…
Chevy Volt Unlikely to Live Up to Sales Expectations
The Chevy Volt works as a car and as a green transportation solution, but as a business case it’s less sound. Helped by massive tax incentives to make the $41,000 entry price a more attractive number to consumers, GM insists demand for the car is strong, repeatedly announcing new plans to up production numbers. That,…
Washington State Promotes Eco Tourism With Electric Car Charging Stations on Scenic Drives
If you drive an electric car, you may be a little hesitant to take it out for an extended drive. That means taking the scenic route is out. Or does it? If you’re planning to do some sight seeing along the coastal ranges of Washington and Oregon in your electric car, you’ll get a boost…
2011 Tokyo Auto Salon: Nissan Leaf Aero Concept, the Future of Low Drag Driving
With the Nissan Leaf now finally on sale here in North America, the Japanese automaker is already exploring electric car concepts for the future. Unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Nissan Leaf Aero Concept looks at future EV styling with a low-slung aero kit and some custom wheels that keep air moving around…
Chevy Volt Hatchback, MPV Coming Says General Motors CEO
Speaking just a day after Toyota officially announced the expansion of the Prius hybrid into a whole lineup of vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show, General Motors CEO Daniel Akerson has confirmed the Chevy Volt will follow a similar path. Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Akerson said both a hatchback and MPV version…
Detroit 2011: Chevy Volt Wins North American Car of the Year, No One Surprised [Video]
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Chevrolet Volt was awarded the 2011 North American Car of the Year. “It’s a great honor to be recognized as the North American Car of the Year,” said GM CEO Dan Akerson after being handed the award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Since…
Detroit 2011: C-Max Hybrid, C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid are The Future of Ford
Ford has just revealed two more examples of what kind of future the automaker is planning. Debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) clearly show the Blue Oval’s plan to expand the electrification of the vehicle, while also enforcing its position that the compact car is the way…
Renault Execs Suspected of Leaking Automaker’s Electric Car Secrets
However the official line from Renault, is that the three employees accused of leaking the information, are still regarded only as suspects, with no formal charges yet announced against them.
Ford Focus Electric Revealed as Blue Oval Plans Three More Electrified Vehicles by 2013
Amidst a sea of smart phones and 3D TVs, Ford has unveiled its new Focus Electric model at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Set to take on both the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, the Focus Electric is the first zero-emissions passenger car from the Blue Oval and follows the launch of the…
Focus Electric MyFord Mobile App Syncs Owners With Their Cars
Ahead of the debut of the Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronic Show today, Ford has announced a new smartphone App designed to connect owners with the company’s new zero-emissions car. Similar in many ways to GM’s Chevy Volt OnStar App, the MyFord Mobile app will let owners of the Focus Electric keep tabs…
Ford Focus EV Teased Ahead of Consumer Electronics Show Debut
With perhaps more in common with a smart phone than with the gasoline engine in your common car, it’s appropriate that Ford will debut its new Focus EV at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Just over a year ago, Ford first confirmed it would begin production of an electric Focus model, based…
BMW EfficientDynamics Concept i8 Spied at YAS Circuit in Abu Dhabi [Video]
Thanks to a forum member on TeamSpeed, we have some video, not to mention some rather impressive photos, of BMW‘s EfficientDynamics Concept hitting the track in Abu Dhabi. Painted mostly in silver, it’s likely the same car as the while model that first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 and has been touring…
Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf EVs Sell in Small Numbers in December
Sales of both the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf electric cars were insignificant in the month of December. Due to the slow ramp-up of production volumes, it’s still unclear how much long-term demand for EVs there is. In December GM sold less than 350 Chevy Volts, while Nissan moved just 10 Leaf models in the…
Charge Your Electric Car at West Virginia McDonald’s
Chances are, if you own an electric car are or thinking of buying one, you’d pass on a fat-filled, processed McCardiac Arrest in favor of a ‘tasty’ granola bar. But would you stop at a McDonald’s to charge up your EV? (They do offer salads, after all). That’s what a Micky D’s in West Virginia…
General Motors Targeting 150,000 EVs by 2015 Says CEO
General Motors is working on a plan to more than triple sales of electric cars in the near future says company CEO Dan Akerson. According to a report by Automotive News, Akerson wants to reach this goal by the middle of the decade. Arguably, tripling sales of GM’s current EVs (ie. the Chevy Volt) wouldn’t…
Electric Open Wheel Racing Series to Hit the Track in 2013
At the recent U.N. Climate Change Conference, the announcement to launch an all-electric racing series was made. The new series will be called Formulec EF01. This new series will be performed on tracks around the world and in terms of performance will rival the current FIA Formula-3 series, which uses 2.0-liter gas engines. The new…
Jay Leno Takes Delivery of His Chevrolet Volt [Video]
Jay Leno might be best known as a late night talk show host, but to automotive enthusiasts he’s regarded as a genuine car guy – and one that just happens to have millions of dollars to spend on his hobby. But instead of packing his garage full of rare Ferraris or the latest Bugatti (even…
