Electric Vehicles

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Super Bowl commercials: Audi A3 TDI 'Green Police' funny or gratuitous violence?

It’s all about the Green Police, tracking down “violators” and arresting them for eco rules mistakes. The commercial’s controversial nature, including gratuitous violence, will likely get a lot more attention. But it may also join the fraternity of commercials that get remembered more for the nature of the commercial rather than the product it’s touting. For more new car reviews, videos and other automotive content, visit: dev.theweeklydriver.com. 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

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Toyota informs Japan dealerships 300,000 Prius models worldwide will be recalled

The move comes in the aftermath of Toyota recently recalling eight million cars around the world because of sticky accelerator pedals. The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported an anti-lock braking system designed to prevent skidding is problematic and is expected to affect 270,000 vehicles in Japan and the United States. The Nikkei business daily said Toyota would also repair about 30,000 vehicles sold in Europe, China, Australia, Middle East and other areas. According to sources not named by Japanese newspapers, “The company will repair the software free of charge in the United States and other countries in a similar manner.” Toyota‘s formal announcement is expected within days. Toyota had originally considered a voluntary repair for the problem, which the company said

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Ford reveals Fusion Hybrid, Milan Hybrid join Prius with braking issues

In the aftermath of Toyota’s floor mat and braking issues in nine of its models, including top-selling Camry, Corolla and Prius, Ford has also discovered potential problems with the braking system in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. Unlike the Prius, the Fusion and Milan hybrids don’t lose braking power while the driver steps on the brake pedal, bit it can feel that way. The cars have two separate braking systems – a regenerative system that gently slows the car by reversing the spin of its electric motor, which also recharges its batteries, and conventional brakes at the wheels. The brake pedal operates these systems electronically. But if something interferes with the electronics, it presses the

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Toyota CEO emerges from silence, outlines current woes, Prius, Lexus plans

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, speaking for the first time since his embattled company has recalled millions of its vehicles and is considering further recalls with Prius and perhaps Lexus models, has outlined the Japanese manufacturer’s plans. Here are the key points of what Toyoda, the grandson of the Toyota founder, said at a news conference in Nagoya, Japan, late Friday, which was shown at Toyota’s Tokyo office by satellite feed. Also included are other key points of the current Toyota scandal: * Toyota‘s president apologized for the automaker’s global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by setting up a special committee he would head himself. * Toyota is still deciding what to do to fix braking

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Prius recall imminent for troubled Toyota, Lexus hybrid next?

Toyota is preparing to recall 270,000 Prius hybrid vehicles in the United States and Japan with brake problems, and the world’s largest automaker has also begun an investigation for similar problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said Toyota had not yet decided whether to recall the Prius. But several Japanese media outlets, including business newspaper Nihon Keizai and television network NHK reports the 2010 Prius recall is imminent. The new Prius hybrid went on sale in Japan and the United States in May 2009. More than 170,000 of the new Prius models have been sold in Japan, with around 103,000 sold in the U.S. since May. Toyota, reeling from massive global recalls of 4.5 million vehicles

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Toyota Prius update: Brake complaints continue, U.S. government considers sanctions

The turbulent times for Toyota Motor Corp. now include problems with the most world’s most popular hybrid — the Toyota Prius. Toyota has received more than 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the popular Prius hybrid. Less than two weeks ago, the Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla, the carmaker’s top-selling vehicles, were among eight Toyota models involved in a recall of more several  millions vehicles with potentially faulty accelerator pedal. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints involving the brakes of the Prius new model. Two involved crashes resulting in injuries. The new Prius gas-electric hybrid, which went on sale in Japan and the U.S. in May 2009, is not

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Toyota Prius brake issues prompt U.S. Transportation Dept. investigation

Toyota Motor Corp., troubles have heightened. The U.S. Transportation Department has begun an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after the Japanese automaker acknowledged design issues with the country’s best-selling gas-electric hybrid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told The Associated Press it has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports of crashes. The investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over uneven road surfaces, potholes or bumps. The Japanese government has ordered Toyota to investigate brake problems. The automaker said it had corrected problems with the antilock brake system in Prius models sold since late last month, including those shipped overseas. The flaw requires a software programming change to

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Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, amends 'stop driving Toyotas' statement

While speaking before a House Appropriation sub-committee on transportation, LaHood said, according to an Associated Press report, “Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.” LaHood was referring to the eight Toyota models, including the top-selling Camry and Corolla, that were recalled in late January because of the potential of a faulty accelerator pedals. But at the risk of causing further confusion among Toyota owners, LaHood has corrected his statement. He now advises owners of recalled Toyota cars to “Stop driving your car if it shows signs of having a sticky accelerator.” LaHood also said the U.S. Transportation Dept. is investigating to see if other automakers might have the same

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Ferrari confirms its hybrid will debut at Geneva Auto Show in March

Luca di Montezemolo, the automaker’s chairman confirmed at the presentation of the race team’s 2010 Formula One car. Montezemolo said the prototype 599 hybrid will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian magazine Quattroruote has reported the Ferrari hybrid new system will use lithium batteries and an electric motor to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent. Montezemolo said he wants Ferrari to lead F1 in the transfer of race technology to road cars. Experts report the Ferrari hybrid system is derived from the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) used in 2009 F1 racing season. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review

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Tesla Motors moves quickly again, announces $100 million IPO

The public offering has been rumored for months. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, Tesla makes the $109,000 Roadster sports car. It has plans to start selling less expensive models including the model-S at around $60,000, $10,000 less with tax credits. The model-S will have three battery pack options for a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Tesla has taken more than 1,500 reservations for the Model S and expects to begin production in late 2011 for the 2012 model-year. Tesla said it lost money between 2006 and 2008, and in the first nine months of last year reported losses of $31.5 million. Tesla has been selling its all-electric Roadsters for nearly two years, and it’s the only highway-capable

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Tesla Motors receives $465 million DOE government loan

The Palo Alto facility will assemble electric vehicle battery packs, electric motors, and related electric vehicle control equipment, both for Tesla’s own electric vehicles and for sale to other automobile manufacturers. The agreement was negotiated and signed by the Department’s Loan Programs Office, which supports the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies to create thousands of clean energy jobs while helping reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Tesla’s planned Model S will consume no gasoline and will not produce any tailpipe emissions. It is being designed to offer a variety of range options depending on the battery pack used, from 160 to 300 miles on a single charge. Volume production of the Model S is planned to begin in

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Chevrolet expands Volt initial debut distribution to Washington, D.C.

On the eve of the Washington Auto Show, Chevrolet said it will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities across the U.S. – including Pepco and Dominion, which serve Washington D.C. and its suburbs – as part of an extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging and to gauge customer feedback. The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Chevrolet Volt is designed to drive up to 40

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Honda, Lamborghini selected as cleanest, dirtiest cars by 'Green' environmental non-profit agency

A Washington, D.C.-based, non-profit research group, Greenercars.org, is dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. The clean and dirtiest designation are part of ACEEE’s Green Book, a unique consumer resource website providing Green Scores rating the environmental friendliness of every vehicle on market. ACEEE, ranked the cars by their gas mileage  and assigned the cars a green car score. Here are the top-three in the best and worst categories: Cleanest — Honda Civic GX, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid; Dirtiest — Lamborghini Murcielago/Murcielago Roadster, Bugatti Roadster, Bentley Azure/Brooklands. To read the complete list, visit: greencars.org. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Lexus 450h AWD hybrid, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

In Mica’s assessment, the vehicle’s interior is stunning and comfortable. And he’s impressed by the car’s quiet, powerful hybrid engine and its gas mileage as a luxury vehicle. He’s not as keen on the car’s exterior design. 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 newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

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Toyota plans to increase Prius production to 1 million in 2011

Toyota hopes to sell one million models annually worldwide early into this year. The manufacturer’s second hybrid, the Sai sedan, was recently introduced in Japan. The Prius became Japan’s best-selling car in 2009. “For the foreseeable future, the focus of Toyota‘s (low-emission car) strategy will be on hybrids, not electric or fuel-cell cars,” said Yoshihiko Tabei, chief analyst at Kazaka Securities. “Except for Honda, Toyota is facing little competition in hybrids and is set to put distance between itself and other automakers.” The Honda Insight in the primary rival to the Prius, but its sales greatly trail Prius sales. According to a report in Japanese business newspapers, Toyota will add about 10 hybrid models to its existing lineup in the

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GM boss says Hybrids, Electric vehicles not that important

Lutz downplayed the importance of electric and hybrid cars for the future of General Motors at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The longtime auto industry insider suggested hybrid cars are not as important as the press would lead the public to believe. He also had some strong words for those who don’t like the recent GM bailout. “If you don’t like your tax dollars going to bailout GM,” buy a Chevy, now,” Lutz said. Roman Mica, contributing editor of TheWeeklyDriver.com, produced this video at the Detroit Auto Show. It features Lutz addressing the topic of electric and hybrid cars. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new

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