Tag Archives: EVs

The 7 best green cars from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show

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By Marc Carter This week the world's biggest automakers gathered in snowy Detroit to kick off the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. Over 40 new models debuted at this year's event -- including some groundbreaking green vehicles. From the world's first electri...

2014 Chevy Volt to be priced at $34,995

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2014 Chevy Volt to be priced at $34,995

While the price of a Model S may have increased ever-so-slightly, EVs for the rest of us are starting to become reasonable propositions. GM, for instance, has announced that next year's Chevy Volt will be listed at $34,995, knocking $5,000 from the current list price. Of course, you'll still have to pay an $810 handling fee on top of that, but federal and state incentives could cut the cost down to $27,495 -- which might make you think twice about that i3.

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Via: Daily Tech

Source: GM

Fisker founder resigns over ‘major disagreements’ with management

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Fisker founder resigns over 'major disagreements' with management

Fisker Automotive founder Henrik Fisker has resigned from his post as the firm's executive chairman. An email said to be sent by Henrik cites several unspecified "major disagreements" with the company's executive management on business strategy as the primary reason for abandoning ship. Reports suggest the decision was sparked by the firm's purported consideration of selling a majority stake to China's Geely Automobile, which would put much-needed cash in its coffers. For its part, the company says that it's strategy hasn't changed, and that it doesn't expect its namesake's departure to have an impact.

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Via: Forbes, Reuters

Source: Fisker Automotive

UPS takes 100 EVs on the road in California, makes delivering packages eco-friendlier

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UPS takes 100 EVs on the road in California, makes delivering packages ecofriendlier

The Golden State's without a doubt at the forefront of the so-called green movement, and thus it shouldn't come as a surprise that UPS chose it as the destination for 100 of its brand-new electric trucks. This initiative is a natural expansion of UPS' eco-friendly scheme, as the delivery behemoth has already implemented something similar in New York City and Europe, with nearly 30 roadsters currently being operated around those areas. It's also worth noting that's only a small chunk of the more than 2,500 "alternative fuel vehicles" on the company's roster, which includes more electrics, hybrids and others with natural gas technologies. In California, meanwhile, the 100 delivery EVs mark the culmination of a plan that started back in 2011, and will see UPS take these (and all of their 75-miles-on-a-single-charge goods) to a few West Coast cities, such as Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento and San Bernardino. Folks in the area, be on the lookout, since you may very well spot one the next time your expected package reaches its "On Vehicle for Delivery" status.

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Via: Autoblog

Source: UPS

Fisker Karma production has been halted for a month, A123 Systems’ bankruptcy to blame

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Fisker Karma production has been halted for a month, A123 Systems' bankruptcy to blame

Fisker Automotive is certainly no stranger to hold ups, and it turns out they've had another: production of the firm's Karma hybrid has been halted since its sole battery supplier, A123 Systems, filed for bankruptcy in October. Since A123 slowed its battery output after the filing, the automaker has been too short on batteries to continue churning out vehicles. Fisker anticipates resuming production after the ill-fated outfit is auctioned off, but it doesn't expect to know the outcome of the sale until mid-December. If your Karma's lithium-ion pack goes kaput in the meantime, there's still hope. As of now, the company says it has enough batteries in stock for customers who need replacements.

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Source: Reuters, Bloomberg

Better Place founder Shai Agassi steps down from CEO post

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Better Place founder Shai Agassi steps down from CEO post

Shai Agassi has guided Better Place's vision of swap-and-go battery stations for electric cars since it was founded five years ago, but now he's stepped down as the firm's CEO. Evan Thornley, who helmed the organization's Australian efforts, has taken up the mantle of global chief executive officer, while Agassi will continue his role as a board member. As the Wall Street Journal notes, the changing of the guard comes at a time when the company has been spending cash faster than it's generating revenue thanks to the construction of battery swap stations. Idan Ofer, Chairman of the Better Place Board of Directors sees this as "a natural point in the company's evolution to realign for its second chapter and for the challenges and opportunities ahead." Something tells us they wouldn't mind if future chapters are filled with more swappable batteries than Superchargers.

Continue reading Better Place founder Shai Agassi steps down from CEO post

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Better Place founder Shai Agassi steps down from CEO post originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota’s Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition (video)

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Toyota's Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition video

Toyota is showing off its new Smart Insect prototype at the company's CEATEC booth. The fully electric car charges via a standard 100-volt AC outlet, and it's decked out with gull-wing doors and motion detection courtesy of Microsoft's Kinect. The on-board motion sensors allow the car to recognize its owner based on face and body shape, and it predicts the owner's behavior by analyzing movement and determining when to open the door, for example. (It also allows for the front and rear displays to show a welcome message when the owner approaches the car.) There's also voice recognition for opening the car door and other functions, with a speaker on the hood of the car and dashboard-mounted "dialogue monitors" on the front and back.

The tech carries through to the Insect's interior, which sports a wireless charging pad, a dash-mounted monitor that connects to the driver's handset and a button for dialing up Toyota's virtual agent. As a connected car, the Insect naturally ties in with entertainment and navigation services (in this case, via Toyota's Smart Center). There's also integration with a home energy management system, which allows the owner to adjust air conditioning and lock the front door via a smartphone app. As this is a proof of concept -- and one we couldn't test out, at that -- it's unclear how well these features work, and it's unlikely that we'll ever see the prototype make it to market. Still, it's fun to dream, and you can do that by tuning into our hands-on video just past the break.

Gallery: Toyota Smart Insect Electric City Transporter hands-on

Continue reading Toyota's Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition (video)

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Toyota's Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 05:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla’s Supercharger not compatible with competitor’s EVs, keeps electricity within the family

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Tesla Supercharger not compatible with competitor's EVs, keeps electricity within the family

Planning on juicing up your Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-MiEV or Nissan Leaf with Tesla's Supercharger? Hold your horses, vaquero. The nighttime unveiling stressed that the quick-charge solution was Model S-friendly, but we should also note that it's only compatible with the firm's automobile. Vehicles from other automakers won't be able to jack into the station thanks to a 20-kilowatt hour converter, which would zap other batteries with too much electricity, and a proprietary plug. Unless something changes, those planning cross-country trips using EVs from other manufacturers will just have to find an alternative to Musk and Co.'s white obelisk.

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Tesla's Supercharger not compatible with competitor's EVs, keeps electricity within the family originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker completes investigation of latest Karma hybrid EV fire, issues vehicle-wide cooling fan recall

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Recall Fisker's latest fiery episode last week that left the front left quarter panel of a Karma hybrid EV burnt to a crisp in a Woodside, California parking lot? As promised, the company has completed its investigation with Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group into the scene, reporting that it's "located the ignition source to the left front of the Karma, forward of the wheel, where the low temperature cooling fan is located." As such, Fisker has decided to issue a full-on recall of the unit, although it's currently unclear if this and it affects all Karmas on the road. That said, Fisker is also stressing "that the incident was not caused by the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components, engine component packaging or unique exhaust routing of the Fisker Karma" -- naturally, the usual suspects for these types of accidents that keep plaguing the fledgling automaker. At least its new CEO Tony Posawatz is extremely qualified to handle the task at hand -- after all, a few weeks ago he was Volt-maker, GM's, Vehicle Line Director. Hit up the press release after the break for details about the investigation and its findings.

Update: When asked about whether the recall affects all Karma models currently on the road, a representative simply (and promptly) replied to us stating, "yes" -- well then.

Continue reading Fisker completes investigation of latest Karma hybrid EV fire, issues vehicle-wide cooling fan recall

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Fisker completes investigation of latest Karma hybrid EV fire, issues vehicle-wide cooling fan recall originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 15:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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