Electric Vehicles Archives - Page 24 of 30

Volkswagen Golf TDI, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (video)

Who says diesel-powered cars have to be economy cars that get great gas mileage but are a fantastic bore to drive? Not VW. The 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI is a perfect example of a fast, frugal and fun car. Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.https://theweeklydriver.com/

Electric and Hybrid

BMW will test second electric car in four U.S. metro areas in 2011

The four-passenger ActiveE is based on the 1 Series Coupe and has a 32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Introduced at the Detroit auto show in January, the ActiveE has a 100-mile range per charge. It takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour and has a maximum speed 90 mph. BMW‘s Mini E, its debut electric vehicle, was deployed worldwide and now including more than 600 test cars in its second year. The ActiveE is scheduled for testing only in the United States. Mini E drivers will be given preference as test pilots for the ActiveE and could switch to the new car when their existing leases expire. The other cars will go to online applicants who live in the

Electric and Hybrid

Seven electric cars soon plugged into U.S. automotive industry

The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are the two most well-known and extensively promoted electric vehicles, but the list also includes five additional cars — economical-based options to high-end sports machines. Here’s an alphabetical synopsis of the seven electric vehicles: Chevrolet Volt — Expected on the market nationwide in November, the Volt has two motors, a 149 horsepower electric motor and a 74 horsepower, 4-cylinder gas engine. The electric motor has a 40-mile range with the gas engine then engaging, creating electricity extending the Volt’s range to more than 300 miles. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The Volt is a five-door hatchback that seats four. A full charge for the

Electric and Hybrid

Honda Crosstour in crossfire, facing airbag recall, reinforced roof

“The front passenger airbag may not have been assembled according to correct specifications,” said NHTSA of the recall that will begin September 22. “In the event of a crash, the front passenger airbag may not deploy as intended and could place an unbelted child seated in the front passenger seat at greater risk of injury should the airbag deploy.” In other documentation filed with the federal government, Honda said the problem lies with the airbag packing cloth cover. “Deployment of the low-risk deployment flag will be delayed, resulting in improper performance,” said a Honda spokesperson. “Should the flap deploy improperly when an unbelted child is out of position in the front seat, the child may incur neck injuries.” The Crossover’s

Electric and Hybrid

Toyota's big, new plans: Six hybrids, two electric cars will debut in 2012

Takeshi Uchiyamada announced the automaker’s plans during a speech Sept. 13 in Detroit. Toyota’s Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle has dominated the segment. The world’s largest automaker has been less certain about the market for fully electric vehicles like Nissan’s Leaf due out this year. Tesla and Toyota announced a partnership in May to develop electric vehicles under the strategy of the start-up company for its $109,000 Roadster, powered by more than 6,800 laptop batteries. Toyota had previously announced plans for its first electric vehicle. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a

Electric and Hybrid

Toyota Prius tops Kelley Blue Book 'Green Car' list for 2010

“To be considered for the green Top 10, each vehicle was required to offer fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions superior to the bulk of vehicles in its class and at the same time provide all the safety, creature comforts and driving enjoyment that would make it pleasant to own,” explain Kelley Blue Book. “So while the top 10 green vehicles are listed in order from most fuel-efficient to least fuel-efficient, fuel ratings weren’t the sole reason for inclusion on the list. The 2010 Chevrolet Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, No. 10, is the least fuel-efficient vehicle chosen with No. 9 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. But it has a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg, but the 5,900-pound vehicle has good room for

Electric and Hybrid

Nissan Leaf update: Who needs Lance Armstrong when a polar bear will do?

And, sure, this is a well-trained polar bear, groomed and majestic. But a “green” polar? Sure, why not? The commercial works. Even Armstrong thinks so — I think. He recently Tweeted: “Is this what I have to look forward to when I get my new Leaf?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNeEVkhTutY James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many

Electric and Hybrid

Nissan keeps Lance Armstrong as Leaf spokesman despite doping claims

Armstrong is featured in the first television commercial for the Leaf, and Nissan is sticking with the seven-time Tour de France titlist as its official spokesperson depsite the current controversy. In a recent interview with Ad Age, Jon Brancheau, Nissan‘s new marketing chief, said the manufacturer will support the cyclist while continuing to monitor the situation. Ad Age asked Brancheau: “Nissan has made a pretty big bet on Lance Armstrong . . he was featured in the first Leaf commercial, is displayed prominently on your website and you even sponsor one of his cycling teams. Now, there’s a ton of scrutiny around him with regards to doping claims. Does that worry you? Brancheau responded: “This is something we’ll continue to

Electric and Hybrid

Toyota Prius owners will soon have option to make some noise

Toyota said the device was intended to help indicate the vehicle’s proximity and movement, and “aimed to alert but not to annoy.” Toyota’s announcement to offer synthetic noise for its top-selling hybrid is the outcome from safety risks since an increased amount hybrid and electric cars are nearly silent at low speeds. A study by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last year found that hybrids were twice as likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash than conventional cars when slowing, stopping, backing up, or entering or leaving a parking space. Nissan, which will begin selling its electric Leaf in the United States and Japan later this year and in Europe from early 2011, will equip the cars with

Automotive News, Electric and Hybrid

Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Diesel), 2010: The Weekly Driver car review

After a two-year absence because of stricter emissions requirements, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta lineup, for the second straight year, includes TDI versions of the sedan or wagon. It features a turbocharged, clean-diesel engine and superior fuel mileage. It’s like Volkswagen figured out all reasons why the Jetta and its siblings are so popular in Europe are the same reasons the diesel and the car’s other industry-leading standards would likely be successful in the United States. Electronic stability control and a cold weather package with heated front seats and steering wheel, for example, are standard on all 2010 models. The standard stability control system comes two years ahead of a federal mandate requiring all vehicles sold in the U.S. to have

Electric and Hybrid

Lance Armstrong debuts in new Nissan Leaf commercial

The Leaf, which will be available for lease or purchase for the first time in December in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington, is the carmaker’s first mass produced all-electric vehicle. Correspondingly, Nissan is shifting its focus to a new theme: “Innovation for All.” The initial distribution states for the Leaf were chosen because of their participation in the EV Project. It’s partnership with ECOtality that has received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to create the nation’s largest electric vehicle infrastructure The Nissan Leaf will be available to customers in Texas and Hawaii in January, 2011 and to consumers in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and Alabama in April 2011. Nissan will expand

Specialty cars

Kansas City high school kids build 307 mpg equivalent electric car

Working in the Automobile Design Studio at DeLaSalle School, the students believe they have the ultimate in efficiency. Testing on the 7.7 mile oval of Bridgestone’s Texas Proving Ground the newfangled car tested at the equivalent of 307 miles per gallon equivalent. According to the site, greenautoblog.com, the students, instructor Steve Rees and other collaborators, began the project with a 2000 Lola Indy Car chassis. They developed an electric drivetrain, covered the racer in a clear shell and outfitted it with a set of low rolling resistance Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 tires. The Guinness Book of Records editors have been asked to assess the car’s impressive efficiency and potential record-setting numbers. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than

Electric and Hybrid

Kia will unveil radically designed, zero-emission concept car at Paris auto show

“The car is equipped with gogglelike oval side windows, shaped something like drug capsules,” writes Phil Patton. “Its wheels wear a central cross pattern, like an oversize Phillips screw head.” “The three-seat configuration has become popular in recent city car designs. It’s one of several seating configurations offered in Gordon Murray Design’s recently unveiled T.25 city car. Kia’s designers appear to be contemplating installing parents in front and a single child in a back seat.” Kia has been a design innovator in recent years, considering, for example, the Soul compact S.U.V. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding

Electric and Hybrid

Toyota Prius will soon lose carpool lane status in California

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that drivers of new electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and even plug-in edition of the Prius will have the highest privileges in carpool lanes. Current Prius hybrid editions, about 85,000 in California, will no longer have carpool access after June 2011. The new program involves a revised series of color-coded stickers, the brainchild of San Francisco Sen. Leland Yee’ and his Senate Bill 535. It’s now on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. The pending new policies for California carpool lanes are detailed in the newspaper’s weekly column, Back Seat Driver. Here’s the link: Toyota Prius James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car

Electric and Hybrid

Chevrolet announces Volt production increase for 2012 as President Barack Obama tours Detroit plant

The Volt has attracted vast attention since its introduction at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Touting a total range of 340 miles, the Volt can travel 40 miles on the power of its 16 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. When the battery’s power runs low, a gasoline-powered engine generates power that extends the range another 300 miles. The Nissan Leaf, which will make its debut late in tis year, has a larger battery with more than double the Volt’s pure-electric range. But it does not have a generator to extend its range. The expanded U.S. production capacity is the latest of several encouraging announcements regarding the Volt. Chevrolet dealers began taking customer orders for the car earlier this week following the release

Electric and Hybrid

Nissan Leaf will offer same battery warranty as Chevy Volt

The pending battle between the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt has intensified with the announcement Nissan will match GM and offer an 8-year/100k miles warranty on the battery pack of its LEAF electric car. The MSRP for the LEAF starts at $32,780; the full Federal tax credit of $7,500 brings that down to $25,280. In California, the LEAF is eligible for an up to $5,000 CVRP rebate, bringing the price down to close to $20,000. The LEAF will debut in December in California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee. In January 2011 , LEAF will debut in Texas and Hawaii. The company currently has 17,000 reservations for the LEAF. A charging-infrastructure plan, designed in conjunction with California-based firm Ecotality and partially

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