Autoblog

Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company

Zach Bowman — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Luxury

The all-but-lifeless corpse of Saab continues to stagger forward in hopes of finding a juicy investor to sink its teeth into. Autocar reports that National Electric Vehicle Sweden is currently close to buying the brand's remaining assets. The freshly minted electric car consortium is helmed by none other than Karl-Erling Trogen, the former head of Volvo Trucks. Beyond that, few details are known about the company or its plans for Saab. National Electric Sweden is owned by two bodies, Sun Investment and Mikael Kubu, the president of law firm Ac-Gruppen.

We can only speculate about what the consortium wants with Saab, though fan site SaabsUnited reports the company may have its eyes on an electric rear axle program developed with in conjunction with eAAM. Whether that means we'll see electric or hybrid Saab models whirring around in the future is still uncertain. If we did, it would probably take quite a while. As SaabsUnited notes, "Saab, the company, right now has nothing in it, no dealership network, no finance structure, no personnel-structure, no communications network, nothing... everything needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch, which will take a huge amount of time."

At this point, we'll just be pleasantly surprised if the Griffin brand gets a new owner at all.

Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Isetta gets reimagined as the eSetta

Chris Tutor — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Design/Style, Electric

The venerable Isetta was tiny, cheap and nimble transportation in post-World-War-II Europe. In this day of $4-a-gallon gas, could a similar car be an attractive alternative? That's the question University of Applied Arts graduate Tony Weichselbraun asked as he endeavored to imagine a modern Isetta.

Tony calls his interpretation the eSetta, with the "e" indicating an electric motor in place of the original Isetta's gasoline-powered motorcycle engine. Such a small package couldn't hold much of a battery pack, but it doesn't need to in Tony's plan. The eSetta would be part of a car sharing system where the little cars would be charged via induction stations where the eSetta could be borrowed and returned.

For now, the eSetta is only a concept, but its familiar retro look and frugal philosophy could do well for short trips in a compact urban center.

BMW Isetta gets reimagined as the eSetta originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Ford, Electric

Along with Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, Ford CEO Alan Mulally is confident in the growth of the electric car segment. It's a long-term play, though, so Mulally isn't committing the electric Ford Focus EV to making a strong sales statement. For now, Ford's chief says he'd be fine moving fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in the model's first full year. And even that would mean a steep rise in uptake based on just 12 having been sold in December and January.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Mulally has also let slip the cost for the battery pack in the all-electric Focus: "around $12,000 to $15,000," which makes the Focus Electric's starting cost of $39,200 a bit more understandable. Given that price range and the EV's 23-kWh battery, that means Ford's cost is between $522 and $650 per kWh, which is lower than the estimated $689-per-kWh industry average so far this year.

Reportage on the current sales of EVs is a bit schizophrenic - for example, bullish here, bearish here, but the commentators and the numbers seem to support Mulally's confidence. If the Focus EV did manage 5,000 sales this year, that would be a little more than half of the 2011 tally for the Nissan Leaf, yet according to Bloomberg, EV market share grew more quickly than any other segment in Q1: Nissan is still working through its Leaf pre-order list, Chevrolet Volt sales were up 277 percent to 2,129 units vs. March 2011, the Opel Ampera has exceeded sales expectations, and other electric vehicles and their marketing pushes will come online later this year. Oh, and gas prices are still climbing.

There were no Focus EVs sold in February or March, but the retail push is gearing up now for the Spring season.

Ford prepared for slow sales with Focus Electric originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mystery EV sportscar spotted testing

Zach Bowman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Etc., Europe, Electric

It's been a good long while since we visited the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot spy photography department. Our favorite snappers at CarPix were busily watching over a supplier test facility when the curiosity you see above inched its way out of hiding to perform one quick lap of the snow-covered track before retreating back from whence it came. The sign on the door clearly marks the vehicle as electric (well, "clearly" if you speak German), though details beyond that are conspicuously scarce. From the looks of things, the car has a significantly wider track up front than it does out back, though it's difficult to say exactly what that means.

Which manufacturer is behind this machine? What kind of drivetrain does it boast? Is it actually headed for production? Is it from a major automaker or a niche proposition? The short answer is we haven't the faintest idea. Place your bets in Comments.

Mystery EV sportscar spotted testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hiriko folding electric car headed for production

Zach Bowman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Etc., Europe, Technology, Design/Style, Electric

One very unusual electric car has debuted in Brussels. The Hiriko EV uses a hub-mounted electric motor at each wheel, though that's not the most interesting aspect of the vehicle. According to The Telegraph, the Hiriko uses an interesting rear suspension design that allows the vehicle to fold up, rotating the cabin vertically, to take up less space while parking. The partnership behind the vehicle say the car consumes approximately one third the parking space of a Smart ForTwo. Occupants enter from a single front door, and the Hiriko ditches the traditional steering wheel in favor of a joystick.

The vehicle is set to begin production in Spain next year, and the partnership behind the vehicle's development aims to use several European and American cities as testbeds for the bubble machine. The two-seater has been co-developed by a collection of Basque businesses, the Spanish government and the MIT media lab (you may remember the concept, from 2007). A total of 20 test vehicles are currently being built, and each vehicle is said to cost $16,253 to manufacture. No final price tag has been set, nor are there solid details on range, power or charge times.

Hiriko folding electric car headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Translogic takes DeLorean DMC-EV for a spin

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Technology, Electric

This electric DeLorean is just a prototype, but our sister publication, Translogic got to take it for a spin and found that a 260-horsepower electric motor finally makes the DMC-12 the sports car everyone has always wanted it to be. While we get to see plenty of footage of the car lapping Houston Motorsports Park, this episode also includes an interview with DeLorean Motor Company CEO Stephen Wynne.

While we don't want to give too much away, Wynne discusses future plans for the Texas-based DeLorean restorer and remanufacturer, which include bringing the electric DeLorean to market. Wynne tells Translogic that the car is expected to sell for between $95,000-$100,000. The car is said to have a 100-mile range, which would make it roughly equivalent to the Nissan Leaf, but with far more performance - not to mention its iconic time machine looks.

With all the negative publicity some pundits have heaped upon electric vehicles as of late, we wonder if perhaps this is the car to change their minds about EVs? See Translogic's full experience with the electric DeLorean in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Translogic takes DeLorean DMC-EV for a spin

Translogic takes DeLorean DMC-EV for a spin originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu

Chris Shunk — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:17:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Videos, Audi, Design/Style, Electric, Diesel

There is a lot to love about the 2014 Audi e-tron Spyder. It's a compact roadster with a torque-happy, twin-turbo diesel V6 mated to two electric motors capable of more instant twist. When we recently took the e-tron Spyder for a spin, we were limited to just 40 miles per hour, but the Four-Ringed automaker tells us that a trip to 62 takes only 4.4 seconds.

And because this Spyder is a green monster, it can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone. Using a mixture of the diesel and its lithium ion battery, it will consume on average a scant 2.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

That sounds like a lot of "too good to be true," but Audi promises to be the leader in luxury electric cars by 2020, and a production version of this vehicle is expected for 2014. Hit the jump to watch new footage of the e-tron Spyder in motion. It might not be ready to go on sale, but it at least looks mighty fine on the roads of Malibu, California, near where we drove it.

Continue reading Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu

Audi e-tron Spyder struts its stuff in Malibu originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What good is an electric vehicle if there's no electricity?

Paul Eisenstein — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Electric

A Glut Of EVs Could Make America's Shoddy Power Grid Even Worse

The increasingly rickety American power grid seems to short out for all sorts of reasons.

It took just one worker in Yuma, Arizona to plunge millions of people into the dark in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico, a few weeks back. A fluke, perhaps, but not a rarity.

If anything, major power outages are becoming an increasingly serious problem and at precisely the worst time possible - at least if you're an advocate of electric propulsion. Utility officials concede that it will be increasingly difficult to win over potential battery-car customers if they can't be certain of a steady supply of electric power.

Yet, that's precisely what American consumers are facing. In the Detroit suburbs, two months back, a heat wave popped the circuits at a number of sub-stations around the city. It plunged much of my own little community of Pleasant Ridge into the dark for as much as three days. We were lucky. The hurricane and tropical storms that struck the East Coast, from the Carolinas to Maine, just days later, cut power to millions more utility customers, some for weeks.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading What good is an electric vehicle if there's no electricity?

What good is an electric vehicle if there's no electricity? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Nils Concept is a new take on urban transport

Michael Harley — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Volkswagen, Design/Style, Electric

Small, lightweight, electric and seats just one. That pretty much sums up the new Volkswagen Nils concept which was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show today.

The sole occupant sits inside an ultra-light all-aluminum chassis with aluminum skin and polycarbonate door panels. According to the automaker, overall length is just 120 inches (for reference, the Smart Fortwo is just over 98 inches long) and the weight has been kept below 1,000 pounds. Motivation comes from a 33-horsepower electric motor that weighs just 42 pounds, pulling power from a 5.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The range is about 40 miles and charging takes just two hours.

Facing the driver is a seven-inch TFT display with digital instrumentation. The Nils is also fitted with a portable infotainment unit to controls navigation, radio, phone and Internet access. With multi-link suspension, drilled disc brakes at all four corners and a wide stance, the Nils looks fun to drive. Designed with short-commute Europeans in mind (the project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development) the concept probing the feasibility of micromobility probably won't look very practical to Americans, even if it does appear pretty cool.

Volkswagen Nils Concept is a new take on urban transport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Aston Martin, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury

Here's a bit of news that's sure to acquaint faces with their respective palms all across the motoring world: word on the web is that Aston Martin is planning to produce an all-electric version of the company's new compact, the Cygnet. This, friends, is why people drink in the morning. The vehicle is all but guaranteed to be a reworked version of the Toyota iQ EV, as you probably figured out all on your own.

Why would Aston Martin, a company that's built its legacy on the aching chords sung by mighty V8 and V12 engines possibly forsake the altar of internal combustion for a battery pack? The same reason every other manufacturer on the planet is dabbling in electrons - to reduce its corporate average fuel economy and slim down emissions at the same time. Does this mean we can expect some other electrified coupes from Aston Martin wearing more appropriately British bodywork? Don't hold your breath.

We can't wait to see what Clarkson has to say about this one.

Aston Martin working on Cygnet EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, BMW, Electric

2013 BMW i3 - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Footage from cold-weather testing of the BMW i3 in Sweden has surfaced, showcasing the all-electric city car's rear-wheel-drive platform and penchant for getting sideways. These are still early tests, as the full production i3 isn't expected to be ready until 2013.

Still, with 150 horsepower on tap from a rear-mounted electric lump, the little BMW could well be a barrel of laughs, as well as an environmentally-responsible mode of transportation. Of course, we wouldn't expect much range with these kinds of antics...

The BMW i3 sports an aluminum body around a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic passenger compartment, and will be considered a premium micro car when it hits showrooms. How premium? Expect the price tag to creep past $40,000. See how much fun electric drifting can be in the video after the break.

[Source: YouTube via GMotors]

Continue reading Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun

Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart ForTwo Electric Drive to go on sale in early 2012

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Hatchback, Smart, Electric

Smart ED - Click above for high-res image gallery

The second-generation Smart Fortwo Electric Drive (ED) is a limited (250 units available in the U.S.) test program model that Daimler will use to gauge consumer interest in battery-powered vehicles. Leasing the electrified Fortwo is costly, with payments ringing in at $599 a month for 48 months, plus $2,500 due at signing. Technically, the 2011 Smart ED is offered under the lease-only plan detailed above, but the automaker has listed its MSRP at $44,387.

Truth be told, we're not shocked by the Smart ED's lofty sticker price, nor are we put off by its astronomical lease rate. You see, this Fortwo ED is a limited run model and not a production electric vehicle.

But come January of 2012, the third-generation Fortwo electric, a production model, should hit the streets. By then, we'd hope that the automaker adjusts its pricing structure and offers the pint-sized electric at a more reasonable rate and, according to a report on Kicking Tires, a price drop seems to be part of Smart's plans.

Lessees of the second-gen Fortwo ED will be eligible to upgrade to Smart's electrified third-gen Fortwo when it hits the market and, unlike the automaker's current battery-powered hatch, the upcoming model will be offered for both lease and purchase.

Gallery: Smart ED

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive to go on sale in early 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota to market in-home chargers in 2012

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Technology, Toyota, Electric

The Toyota Plug-in Prius won't be hitting dealer showrooms until 2012. Before that happens, Toyota is getting ready to produce an "add-on" for the vehicle, but it's one you don't take with the car. What are we talking about? An in-home charging station.

Priced up to $2,045 (200,000 Yen) if you include installation, two charging stations will be available: one mounted to an exterior wall and one intended to stay inside a garage.

The chargers will reportedly be compatible with other vehicle makes (assuming they use the same plug standards, we'd guess...) and the automaker is expecting to sell between 20,000 and 30,000 in the first year alone. That's a lot of electrification, no?

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Toyota to market in-home chargers in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portugal Prime Minister Socrates first world leader to take delivery of Nissan Leaf

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

Nissan's Leaf is really getting around. On December 11th, Nissan forked over a Leaf to its first non-celebrity U.S. buyer. Nine days later, the automaker shipped 10 of its electric hatches to the offices of the Kanagawa Prefectural Government in Japan. Then, on December 22nd, Portugal took delivery of its first batch of Leafs, with the Portuguese electric mobility consortium MOBI.E getting nine of the automaker's electric vehicles, becoming Nissan's first commercial Leaf customer in all of Europe.

Additionally, Carlos Tavares, executive vice president of Nissan, handed off one Leaf to the Portuguese government, which it intends to use for test drives. Prime Minister José Sócrates, who accepted Nissan's electric car on behalf of the nation's government, stated:

We are extremely pleased to be introducing the electric vehicle in Portugal. After three years of collaborative work between the Government, public entities, the corporate consortium which developed the MOBI.E solution and Nissan, we have achieved the first smart, built-in charging network on a national scope, therefore we are the first country to welcome electric vehicles. By combining in a pioneer manner our commitment to renewable energies, the implementation of the smart charging network and the introduction of electric vehicles, Portugal will be in the lead of the transition to a more sustainable future.

Additional European Leaf deliveries are scheduled to occur in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands in early 2011. Check out the entire press release after the break.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Portugal Prime Minister Socrates first world leader to take delivery of Nissan Leaf

Portugal Prime Minister Socrates first world leader to take delivery of Nissan Leaf originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Nissan Leaf assembly process detailed

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf assembly - Click above to watch video after the jump

Earlier this week, we rolled out a time-lapse video of the assembly of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. In that video, General Motors took us inside its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to watch its plug-in hybrid undergo a transformation from a bodyshell to a ready-to-roll vehicle. In the all-too-brief clip, GM attempted to capture the complex steps of assembling the Chevy Volt but, as many of our commenters pointed out, failed to provide a detailed look at the intricate technologies that differentiate the Volt from more conventional vehicles.

In an attempt to be as fair as possible, it's only fitting that we also showcase the assembly of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. This video, shot inside Nissan's plant in Oppama, Japan, captures the production of the Leaf in painstaking detail. Hit the jump to watch the Nissan Leaf as it comes together right before your eyes.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Nissan via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Nissan Leaf assembly process detailed

Video: 2011 Nissan Leaf assembly process detailed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota and Tesla to debut RAV4 EV love child at 2010 LA Auto Show

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:44:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Technology, Crossover, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Toyota RAV4 EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the spring of 2010, Toyota and Tesla announced that they would be working together on future electric vehicle products. The ink is probably still wet on the $60 million contract, but Toyota and Tesla are ready to show off the fruits of their respective labor. The RAV4 EV is slated to make its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, but Toyota has released a few teaser shots ahead of the full reveal.

Toyota has supplied the RAV4 bodies and a bundle of cash, while Tesla has developed the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, transmission and software. Thousands of laptop-like battery cells will power the RAV4 EV, but we can't speculate on the performance or efficiency figures. Engineers from Toyota will be on hand at the LA Auto Show and we will get the full scoop on the electric CUV before it goes on sale in 2012.

Gallery: Toyota teases the RAV4 EV ahead of the 2010 LA Auto Show

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota and Tesla to debut RAV4 EV love child at 2010 LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will GM's EV policy be dictated by the success of its IPO?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, GM, Earnings/Financials

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is getting closer to the day it takes that financial plunge and once again offers its stock to the world. The day of the IPO, which is speculated to occur in November, will be a very important day for the future of GM. If it goes well, it will provide the automaker with a massive infusion of cash, much of it which figures to be used to repay the government. The money could also be tucked away into the General's treasury where it can serve to fund product development. One such area of development? Electric vehicles.

GM is finally getting ready to release the Chevrolet Volt upon the waiting world, and early demand for the vehicle is high. However, the technology's long-term financial viability at GM remains very much in doubt, and according to TheDetroitBureau.com sources, while other Voltec programs are being explored, nothing has been approved yet because executives and board members are waiting to see how the IPO affects their research and development budgets.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Will GM's EV policy be dictated by the success of its IPO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to fill Detroit, RenCen headquarters, with electric vehicle chargers

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt plugs in at the RenCen - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a good idea, General Motors placing EV charging outlets ~~free to the public~~ outside its Renaissance Center Headquarters. Two stations are already operable in front of the RenCen, and there are over 100 more already installed in other properties owned by the automaker. By the end of next week, the RenCen will sport 18 stations. The RenCen charging station, from ChargePoint, will be able to handle any modern electric vehicle.

The automaker used the 2010 Business of Plugging In expo to announce that more than 5,300 home and workplace charging stations will be installed in Michigan in the coming years. We certainly think this is a good way to take advantage of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt's arrival.

The plant the builds the Volt, Detroit Hamtramck, will get ten solar-powered charging stations. Those will be available to employees only, and since the UAW doesn't allow imports on its lots there won't be any risk of Leafs trying to bogart some electrons. Check out the full press release after the break.

Gallery: Chevy Volt Charging at the RenCen

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM to fill Detroit, RenCen headquarters, with electric vehicle chargers

GM to fill Detroit, RenCen headquarters, with electric vehicle chargers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:39:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Electric

All-Electric Coda Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Want to drive an electric car but not ready to spend the money to own one? EV manufacturer Coda has the perfect solution for you. Coda has teamed up with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to place its all-electric sedan into the rental car company's fleet. The plan is to introduce about 100 sedans across various Enterprise locations throughout 2011.

The Coda Sedan is the company's first vehicle and it will be launched in the coming months. It's a five-passenger sedan with a full-size trunk and a cruising range of between 90 and 120 miles per charge. Coda is utilizing a 6.6 kW on-board charging system which requires six hours for a full charge, however, the system can provide a 40-mile cruising range with just a two hour charging period.

In addition to the Coda Sedan models entering the Enterprise rental fleet, the rental company will serve as a loaner car system for Coda owners. If a Coda vehicle requires service, an Enterprise rental car will be made available during the time the owner's Coda vehicle is in the shop. Read more in the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: All-Electric Coda Sedan

[Source: Coda]

Continue reading Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan to offer free conventional car loan to Leaf buyers to ease range anxiety?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Nissan, Rumormill, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

The December 2010 launch of the 2011 Nissan Leaf gets closer every day and thousands of people have already signed up to reserve their spot for one. Still, some would-be buyers may suffer from a touch of "range anxiety" - that is, a nervous apprehension about running out of juice, only to be stranded somewhere. To quell that fear, TheDetroitBureau.com reports that Nissan is pondering an option for owners who need to undertake a journey longer than the 100-mile range the all-electric Leaf is rated for. A no-cost loan of a conventional, gasoline-powered vehicle could be made available to owners for periods of up to a week.

The loaner car option is still in the early planning stages, and it's not yet clear exactly how it would work. Would the Leaf owner be required to arrange the loan through a rental agency, or could it be handled through a local dealership? Nissan still has a lot of details to iron out, but if the plan gets approved, it could prove to be a strong marketing tool.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com]

Nissan to offer free conventional car loan to Leaf buyers to ease range anxiety? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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