Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Volkswagen reconfirms EVs for 2013, next-generation vehicles to reduce weight]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/volkswagen-reconfirms-evs-for-2013-next-generation-vehicles-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/volkswagen-reconfirms-evs-for-2013-next-generation-vehicles-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/volkswagen-reconfirms-evs-for-2013-next-generation-vehicles-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Speaking outside its Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto, California, Volkswagen chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn reconfirmed the automaker's commitment to bring electric vehicles to market in 2013, beginning with the eGolf compact and eUp! city car.

Drawing a faint parallel to the original Beetle, Winterkorn told the assembled media that "Volkswagen is working on the electric car for everyone." And one of the first electrified V-Dubs will be its bread-and-butter Golf hatchback.

"The automotive industry is reinventing itself," Winterkorn continued, "and Volkswagen will be the first automaker to mass produce the electric car for everyone." VW believes that electric vehicles are the next great revolution in the automobile, and in order to achieve its goal of becoming the world's top automaker by 2018, it believes it has to dominate the EV segment.

In addition to bringing two EVs to market in the next three years, the Touareg Hybrid (shown above) is being produced, with the hybrid Golf and Jetta due later that year and the hybrid Passat following in 2012. All of which VW considers to be interim products.

Although current battery technology has limited the eGolf to a 100-mile range when fitted with a 26.5 kWh battery pack, Winterkorn asserts that "Our customers are not willing to compromise. They expect the same thing from a standard [internal-combustion engine] Golf as they would from an electric Golf." But until its partnerships with Samsung, Toshiba and other battery manufacturers pan out and develop lighter, smaller, less expensive and higher capacity batteries, they'll have their work cut out for them.

When asked what VW plans to do about vehicle weight, Winterkorn rattled off a litany of advanced materials - from carbon fiber to magnesium - and told Autoblog that the next generation of Volkswagen products will undergo a weight loss program.

[Image: Sean Gallup/Getty]

Volkswagen reconfirms EVs for 2013, next-generation vehicles to reduce weight originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E-upeGolfelectricelectric autoelectric carsElectricAutoElectricCarseupevEVsgolfmartin winterkornMartinWinterkornsamsungtoshibaupveedubvolkswagenvolkswagen golfVolkswagenGolfVolkwagen upVolkwagenUpvwvw golfVwGolfweight reductionWeightReductionwinterkornTue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19560473/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/20/volkswagen-reconfirms-evs-for-2013-next-generation-vehicles-to/19560473/article-detail.xml 19560473 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/winterkorn-with-touareg-hybrid-getty-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/winterkorn-with-touareg-hybrid-getty-630.jpg <![CDATA[Renault launches new site dedicated to its upcoming EV lineup [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/renault-launches-new-site-dedicated-to-its-upcoming-ev-lineup-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/renault-launches-new-site-dedicated-to-its-upcoming-ev-lineup-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/renault-launches-new-site-dedicated-to-its-upcoming-ev-lineup-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Renault Fluence Zero Emissions Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault has created a new website that is dedicated to promoting its upcoming model range of battery powered cars. The site is actually about more than just the Fluence, Kangoo, Zoe and Twizzy. It also offers explanations of how Renault hopes to make these cars mainstream and affordable. It appears from the information provided that Renault plans to sell all of its EVs without a battery pack. The energy storage system will all be leased separately with payments going to a chosen energy supplier. There will be the three options for replenishing the charge.

Europeans can use their standard 220V / 10-16A outlet to charge in 6-8 hours. A standardized fast charge connector is currently being developed among multiple automakers and utilities, and it should facilitate 20-30 minute charges with a 400 V / 36 A, three-phase source. Finally, Renault appears set to implement battery swap capabilities across its full lineup for three minute battery changes. Along with the main site there, Renault has also added a video blog that thus far contains a series of videos shot at the Frankfurt Motor Show debut of the ZEV lineup. You can check out one the videos after the jump. Thanks to Shadowcast for the tip!


Gallery: Renault Fluence Zero Emissions Concept


[Source: Renault-ZE.com]

Continue reading Renault launches new site dedicated to its upcoming EV lineup [w/VIDEO]

Renault launches new site dedicated to its upcoming EV lineup [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricelectric autoelectric automobileelectric carelectric carsElectricAutoElectricAutomobileElectricCarElectricCarsEVrenaultrenault electricrenault electric carrenault electric vehiclerenault evRenault Z.E.renault z.e. conceptRenault ZERenault Zero EmissionRenault Zero Emission frankfurtRenaultElectricRenaultElectricCarRenaultElectricVehicleRenaultEvRenaultZ.e.RenaultZ.e.ConceptRenaultZeRenaultZeroEmissionRenaultZeroEmissionFrankfurtZEVTue, 13 Oct 2009 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19191920/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/13/renault-launches-new-site-dedicated-to-its-upcoming-ev-lineup-w/19191920/article-detail.xml 19191920 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/renault-fluence-concept-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/renault-fluence-concept-630.jpg -1 2