Plug-In Hybrids
-
De Nysschen isn't against electric cars in general, just against the way the Chevy Volt does it.
-
Mercedes-Benz Brings Back BlueZERO Concepts For Frankfurt Auto Show
The BlueZERO E-Cell Plus concept points to the styling direction for the next-generation A-Class.
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Fisker Karma Plug-in Hybrid Makes Public Driving Debut At Laguna Seca
The Pebble Beach Concours was the Karma's coming out party, and the vehicle got to stretch its legs at the legendary Laguna Seca circuit.
Ralph Hanson -
2011 Chevrolet Volt Expects 230mpg EPA City Rating
The fuel-sipping extended range EV gets even better numbers than most expected.
Nelson Ireson -
Buick's Second New Crossover Aveo-Sized?
This morning's announcement from GM on a future Buick plug-in hybrid confirmed the presence of a second crossover vehicle--and according to one industry source, it's not just a standard gas-engined version of the upcoming hybrid SUV. Automotive News reports that the second Buick crossover will in...
Martin Padgett -
Aptera releases teaser sketch for 2e interior
In March of last year, Aptera announced it had done all the development necessary to head to production, and that all it needed was to move into acquiring the right equipment and workforce to do so. Soon after the company revealed that a new infusion of $24 million in cash had been acquired, and...
James Martinez -
Chrysler intends to launch its first all-electric model by next year according to a recent interview with Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's ENVI division president, and unlike its rivals, the now-Fiat-aligned carmaker is planning a high-performance sports model as its entry into the burgeoning segment. Chrysler’s pre-bankruptcy viability plan also told of the Circuit EV's production, but intervening events but the plan under considerable doubt. But the interview with Rhodes makes it clear that the company’s first electric car will be a production version of the Circuit EV. With performance...
-
Report: Karmann survives on electric car lifeline from VW
German independent vehicle manufacturer Karmann shut its doors for the last time late last month as the company heads into bankruptcy but the move may not be final according to latest reports. Karmann has reportedly inked a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to help with the development and supply of...
Alex Kaufmann -
Fisker signs deal with Quantum to source Karma plug-in hybrid system
While big brand automakers like Toyota and General Motors are still more than a year away from launching their respective plug-in hybrid vehicles, small start-ups such as California's Fisker Automotive intends on having its own plug-in hybrid on sale this November. The company today took a step...
James Martinez -
Report: Toyota plans to mass produce plug-in hybrids by 2012
Toyota has already confirmed it will release a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries in Japan, the U.S. and Europe sometime next year but production of these will be limited and only commercial and government fleets are expected to receive the cars. Mass production...
Jeremy Weber -
First pre-production Chevrolet Volt prototypes hit the road
You may think you've already seen the 2011 Chevrolet Volt inside and out (online at least) but in truth you've only seen mock-ups. The first real, complete pre-production Volts are currently testing on the streets around GM’s Warren test center in Michigan and these are the first images of...
Alex Kaufmann -
Tesla will use DOE funding for Model S and electric drivetrain factories
Despite its small size, Tesla Motor Company, builder of the famed Roadster electric sports car, is as embattled as any major manufacturer these days. Between a lawsuit from a former CEO and materials costs far beyond the asking price of the Roadster, things haven't been going well lately. Things...
Ralph Hanson -
If the rumors are true, General Motors may be in the process of developing a new Buick crossover - with a new two-mode plug-in hybrid engine that should take the alternative fuels fight to its competitors. GM, Daimler, Chrysler and BMW have been jointly developing the two-mode hybrid for some time now, though the Buick application could be the first to see retail sales. GM had previously planned to debut the drivetrain in a plug-in hybrid version of the Saturn VUE. But now, with Saturn essentially sold off to Penske Automotive, GM will need a car to stick its latest drivetrain in, which is...
-
Toyota to lease 500 Prius plug-in hybrids this year, 150 coming to U.S.
It's important to have a broad perspective in the auto business - tunnel-vision has been one of the biggest criticism of the American automakers. But seeing beyond the trees of economic meltdown to view the forest of the future industry is easier said than done. Toyota, however, is demonstrating...
Alex Kaufmann -
Chrysler unveils $448 million electric vehicle plan
Chrysler today submitted three proposals outlining a $448-million plan to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in order to rapidly bring electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid models to market. The proposals were submitted in order to receive two initiatives established by the DOE - the Electric...
James Martinez -
VW and BYD sign deal to work together on electric cars
During an informational visit by the Chinese carmaker BYD (Build Your Dreams), company chairman Wang Chuanfu and the CEO of Volkswagen Martin Winterkorn signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of electric mobility. The objective of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two...
Alex Kaufmann -
Lutz gives $32,500 ballpark price for Volt
The epic development period of the Volt has been unique in many ways, not least of which because it was announced about three years ahead of its actual debut - which is still more than a year out. But this week Bob Lutz told David Letterman one key detail of the upcoming plug-in hybrid from General...
Nelson Ireson -
Toyota doubts widespread acceptance of plug-in hybrids
The idea that plug-in hybrids aren't all they're cracked up to be isn't a new one. Carnegie Mellon University has even published a study that calls the technology inefficient and cost-prohibitive. Now it looks like Toyota may be in agreement, saying it doesn't expect more than 50,000 plug-in hybrid...
Nelson Ireson -
Following in the footsteps of last year’s Golf TwinDrive and Space up! Blue concept vehicles, Volkswagen will reinforce its electric car image with the unveiling of a brand new concept car at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The latest concept is described as a rival to General Motors’ Volt plug-in hybrid, though VW in the past has revealed that it doesn’t expect to have mass produced electric cars on sale until the middle of the next decade. The information was confirmed by VW’s communications chief Peter Thul, who revealed to AutoExpress that the carmaker...
-
GM’s financial troubles won’t impede Chevrolet Volt development
The much anticipated Chevrolet Volt, the car pegged with rescuing GM from impending financial doom, is about to start the next phase of testing despite threats of bankruptcy looming on the horizon. Development work on the Volt is continuing uninterrupted and the first fleet of prototypes with...
Ralph Hanson -
Carmakers decide on universal plug for hybrids
When we drive interstate or internationally, we expect fuel everywhere to be fairly similar. Now, to ensure that same security is there for drivers of plug-in hybrid vehicles, a number of major carmakers and energy companies have come to an agreement on what the plug should look like for the new...
Jeremy Weber -
Raser Technologies working on 100mpg Hummer H2 plug-in hybrid
Hummer may have been one of the most demonized vehicle brands of the decade, with both poor sales figures and a terrible environmental reputation - but now Utah’s Raser Technologies is using the iconic Hummer H2 as a base for its new electric technology, which it claims can give the Hummer a...
James Martinez -
Volt won't get DOE funds until GM passes government viability tests
There are many layers to the deal General Motors has had to accept from Washington. In addition to having 60 days - now down to 51 - to turn things around or face bankruptcy, GM must also convince the government it will remain viable in order to be eligible for $10.3 billion in Department of Energy...
Nelson Ireson -
GM already working on second and third-gen plug-in hybrid technology
GM has already sunk $750 million into the development of the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and resigned itself to the fact that the car won't be profitable for several years, but that hasn't stopped the company from starting development on the second and third generations of the car's...
James Martinez