Electric Vehicles

If Elio Motors fails, Canadian EV start-up will honor deposits

As Elio Motors continues its fledgling future, another start-up is seeking the opportunity to capitalize — if the long-promised but undelivered three-wheel fails. Elio Motors’ website lists more than 62,000 reservations for the futuristic-looking 3-cylinder vehicle its founder Paul Elio claims will get as much as 84 mpg. But a recent report on the website Gas 2.0 details Elio Motors loss of more than $123 million in its filing with the Security Exchange Commission (SEC). In the filing, Elio further reports its future is in jeopardy without additional fundings. In reaction to the most recent post on TheWeeklyDriver.com (we’ve written more than a dozen articles on Elio Motors), A Canadian EV start-up, Electra Meccanica Vehicles Corp., sent us a comment:

Read more
,

2016 LA Auto Show: foam cars, electric vans, new colors

The 2016 LA Auto Show is emphasizing technology this year with its newly named segment, AutoMobility LA. The expanded format allows for more innovation exhibits — some logical advancements in the automotive landscape, other products and software hard to decipher. In the latter category, consider the Spira4u Co. It debuted its three-wheel electric trike. It’s steered with a tiller and its exterior looks like a toy car covered in styrofoam. The Spira4u can be driven with a car or motorcycle license in California, and a helmet is not required. The body is constructed of recyclable light foam, fiberglass and plastic. Top speed is 75 mph. The gas version is priced at $6,000 and the electric version is priced at $10,000.

Read more

Tesla woes continue with production shortfall

Tesla has had its second disappointment in a week. The luxury electric carmaker has fallen short of shipment targets for the second straight quarter, raising further questions of the manufacturer’s ability to meet production demands of its pending Model 3. The carmaker said it shipped 14,370 cars in the second quarter. It missed its target of 17,000. The shortcoming also put Tesla’s claim of delivering 80,000-90,000 cars this year in jeopardy. Further, the announced delivery date of late November 2016 for the affordable Model 3 has now also been questioned. About 400,000 wannabe be buyers of the new vehicle have paid a $1,000 deposit. Tesla blamed in driver death Production woes aside, Tesla has faced scrutiny since the death of

Read more

Commentary: Tesla Model 3 could mean hybrids matter

The recent announcement of the high-performance Tesla Model 3, the all-electric, 200-mile range, reasonably priced sports car sedan attracted the consumers like no other recent new vehicle. If Telsa can meet the demand of 400,000 wannabe buyers who each deposited $1,000 to get the new model 3, the car industry could change. That’s if the Tesla delivers the vehicles in 2017, as promised. The car industry will finally have an alternative vehicle that’s infiltrated mainstream with a car that doesn’t have the look and stigma of the Toyota Prius. Tesla Model 3: Game Changer? Most major car manufacturers offer at least one hybrid model. But the family of Prius vehicles that includes five models combines to outsell all other alternative

Read more
,

Mercedes-Benz debuts AA battery-powered sedan (video)

The ever-evolving electric car industry is ripe with impressive innovative. Tesla is leading the way with its industry-changing sports cars and Elon Musk’s imagination and bravado. The recently announced reservation plan for Tesla’s $35,000 new model, envisioned for delivery in late 2017, has nearly one-half million reservation deposits of $1,000 each. The new Tesla, if delivered to the public at large, could change the automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz charges industry The Toyota Prius family is the most successful “green” vehicle to date since its debut in the United States in 2000. But its plug-in electric option is far from a big seller. And the Nissan Leaf, a fully electric car, and the Chevy Volt, the plug-in electric hybrid, also have loyal

Read more

Tesla Model 3 unveiling, reservations streamed live

The Tesla Model 3, the first “green car” that will make a substantial impact on the automotive industry’s interest in a cleaner environment, will be available to reserve live at 7:30 p.m. PT on March 31. The live streaming of the unveiling will begin at 8:30 p.m. The reservation process and debut of the vehicle, anticipated for months, will be available HERE. Tesla suggests trying to log-in at least 15 before the debut time. A reservation can be made online for $1,000. It can be refunded in the event of cancellation — or applied instead to the purchase of a Model S or Model X instead. With its announcement, Tesla said it will give existing customers priority, but different geographic

Read more

New $35,000 Tesla Model 3 reservations begin March 31

Reservations for the Tesla Model 3, the car that could change the automobile industry, will begin March 31 with a lot of fanfare and bravado from Elon Musk, the carmaker’s CEO. The reason it could alter the automobile industry is that the high performance and extraordinarily safe electric car will now be affordable to the middle class. The current and previous Tesla models don’t need re-introductions. But while Musk has already achieved a lot with his current vehicles, the introduction of the Model 3 will rectify Tesla’s major downfall. The electric sports car is the safest car ever tested by Consumer Reports and its performance numbers are superior. Tesla Model 3: $35,000 Plus Incentives But the car’s current base price

Read more

Gas Mileage Averages Climb But New Rules Loom

It’s still a decade away, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and federal government a few years ago mandated a pending regulation. By 2025, new vehicles sold in the United States will be required to attain a combined 54.5 mpg. The automotive industry is improving, with a few surprising improved gas mileage averages in performance-oriented cars. But there are also disappointing mpg results, particularly among expensive sedans and sports cars. In one recent tally, the EPA reported new cars sold in 2013 averaged 24.1 mpg. That was more than 5 mpg more than new cars sold in 1995 averaged. Consider some improved 2015 individual totals: The most efficient versions of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger all get

Read more
,

2016 Chevrolet Volt named Green Car of the Year

Five years after it won for the first time, the Chevrolet Volt has been named the Green Car of the Year for the second time. The 2016 edition was honored at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the 10th edition of the award presented by the Green Car Journal.The Chevrolet Volt was given the award in recognition of improvements to every aspect of the extended-range hybrid that debut in 2011. In presenting the award, judges note the Chevrolet Volt for its: “sleek and sporty design, more energy-dense batteries, new electric motors, and quicker acceleration.” The Chevrolet Volt has a more efficient 1.5-liter engine-generator that creates onboard electricity to power the Volt’s motors for a total 420 miles.The Volt beat a field of finalists

Read more

2015 Ford C-Max: Underdog hybrid still chasing Prius (VIDEO)

Ford isn’t the only manufacturer attempting to infiltrate the hybrid segment dominance of the Toyota Prius. But three years ago it started its best effort, the highly touted Ford C-Max hybrid-only line-up. Ford’s marketing plan included a motto directly pointed at Toyota. It promoted the debut 2013 C-Max as “a hybrid that drives and looks like a real car.” Like previous years’ models, the 2015 Ford C-Max is true to the carmaker’s claim. It looks and drives like a non-hybrid. It’s available as a gas-electric hybrid as the Energi, a plug-in hybrid. The Ford C-Max hasn’t significantly dented the Toyota Prius market share, but it’s like its main competitor in two respects. It’s not available in a gas-only model, much

Read more
,

Volkswagen can’t sell 2016 diesels in the U.S.

Volkswagen of American won’t be able to sell 2016 diesel 2.0-liter engine models in the United States, and the carmaker has withdrawn its application for EPA certification. If the manufacturer complies with U.S. emissions standards, it can again begin selling its vehicles currently in violation of emissions policies. Volkswagen had been awaiting EPA approval for the 2016 diesels, but withdrew its request as part of ongoing discussions with U.S. regulators following emissions violations. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn disclosed the decision in written testimony he delivered at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce committee. In his testimony, Horn said part of VW’s emissions control strategy included a “software feature” that should be “disclosed to and approved by”

Read more

Tesla debuts super fast $130,000 gullwing SUV

After nearly two years of delays, Tesla has unveiled its $130,000 sport utility vehicle Model X with the electric carmaker’s owner claiming it’s the “safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history.” Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla, debuted the vehicle at the company’s factory in Fremont, California, and also gave keys to a handful of new customers. According to the Tesla website, the Model X can seat seven adults and accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds. There’s also an option for the standard 0-60 mph test in 3.2 seconds with Tesla’s “Ludicrous Speed Upgrade.” The new Tesla is equipped with a 90 kilowatt-hour battery, with the manufacturer stating the SUV can

Read more

Porsche goes electric to chase Tesla dominance

Porsche, the sports car manufacturer well-established in performance and craftsmanship, is now seeking to establish a market to counter the dominance of Tesla in the luxury electric car segment. Porsche recently unveiled its first electric concept, the Mission E, at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Observers commented it looked like a futuristic version of a Porsche 911. The German carmaker said the four-door Mission E will be able to drive approximately 310 miles on a single charge. Porsche said the model should take 15 minutes to charge to about 80 percent of its capacity. The Tesla currently requires about 30 minutes to reach the same level of charge. With an 80 percent capacity charge, the Porsche Mission E is predicted to

Read more

Tesla Model S sets record as best-testing car in history

Consumer Reports has announced what other automotive publications have also determined in other models of the high-end Tesla. The electric vehicle has tested better than any car in history of the magazine’s respected ratings systems. Specifically, the all-wheel drive the 2015 Model S P85D sedan tallied 103 points in the magazine’s system that by definition doesn’t surpass 100 points. Consumer Reports’ staff reported: “The P85D is brutally quick, with instant acceleration. The car’s thrust is forceful and immediate. Its near-instant g-forces can otherwise be achieved only by leaping off a building—literally.” “That this electric car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds without an engine’s roar makes it frighteningly eerie in its silent velocity. It’s so explosively quick

Read more

Tesla gets another (obvious) honor: quickest electric car

The Tesla Model S and Chevy Volt have little in common beyond their respective segment shares in the electric vehicle industry. The Volt is a wise choice in the entry-level electric car segment. It may the slowest among the top-17 electric vehicles in the standard 0-60 mph acceleration test. But it offers a good balance between performance, comfort and price. The Tesla Model S is a wise choice in the high-end electric segment. It’s the fastest vehicle currently available in the mainstream automobile market and it’s among the fastest cars, electric or gas, street legal or not. Motor Trend recently named the Tesla Model S as one of the top-10 American cars in history. The Tesla has also been designated

Read more

Toyota Prius recalls continue with software, hybrid system woes

Toyota and recalls as synonymous. The Japanese manufacturer has announced another recall, this time 625,000 Prius models worldwide for a software issue. that could result in the failure of the hybrid system. In the United States, the recall affects 109,000 Prius V models from 2012, 2013 and 2014. The issue in the current software for the motor/generator control and hybrid control ECU’s can cause increases temperatures near some transistor. A warning light would warn drivers, but it could also escalate and cause the hybrid system severe damage. Dealers will upgrade the software for both ECUs to fix the issue. Toyota will notify owners in the U.S. by mail about scheduling repairs. According to Reuters, the international news agency, about 340,000

Read more
Previous Next