Electric Car Blogging

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Japan

According to a Financial Times online article, the answer to the question in the headline is yes. The EV revolution will require a lot of participants, and editor J. Soble summarizes the recent efforts from four Japanese automakers, the postal service, a utility company and the Japanese government, which are all working towards a future with a lot of electric cars on the road.

First, we have the expectations that Mitsubishi MiEV, Subaru R1e, Nissan-Renault will continue their EV projects in Japan (not just in Europe and Israel). Of course, we also await the plug-in version of the Toyota Prius. As for Japan’s postal service, the company announced it will convert its 21,000 vehicle fleet to run on electrons. Utility Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) has announced the development of new electric stations that could charge an EV enough to run for 40 km (26 miles) in five minutes, or up to 60 km (40 miles) in ten minutes. The company sees them in, for instance, supermarkets. The government is helping build the infrastructure as well: The Kanagawa prefecture, the region adjoining Tokyo, is providing 150 recharging stations in an effor to fulfil the Japanese Government’s announcement that half of the new cars sold in 2020 will be electric. Thanks to Mark for the tip.

[Source: FT]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Etc., Green

A number of factors are conspiring to create a situation that recently would have been unthinkable: the United States as a supplier of gasoline to world markets. According to Booz & Company, those factors are the rise of biofuels in the West, the introduction of plug-in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles, and the growth of the really cheap car, like the Tata Nano.

The United States imports oil to feed its gasoline habit, but the U.S. has refining capacity that developing nations cannot match. The U.S. is also lowering its reliance on traditional gasoline due to the price, states’ mandates on switching to biofuels, and the dawn of mass market alternative fuel vehicles. This adds up to the United States importing oil, and then selling it to nations like India and China to feed their larger appetites for gasoline.

In the middle of all of this are the refineries, who made predictions for today’s business plans two decades ago. Sure, no one is crying for them — they need extra pages to include the zeros on their profit statements — but they have to start figuring out who’s going to need which products and how they are going to deliver them. And, by refining company standards, they need to do it quickly, which is a method of operation they aren’t well versed in.

[Source: Green Car Congress via Kicking Tires; Photo CC 2.0 - National Archives]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Mazda

The Chevy Volt is unique in that its engine is really just a generator that produces electricity for the batteries, which then power an electric motor that turns the front wheels for propulsion. While the Volt powertrain is pretty spectacular, it may not be unique for long. British car site AutoCar is reporting that Mazda is not only interested in a similar setup for a future plug-in hybrid, but it already has a working prototype on the road. Mazda engineers told AutoCar that a battery pack charged by a rotary engine is already being used in a Mazda5 mule, and that management is encouraged by the early results but wants to see battery costs go down before proceeding.

If Mazda is working on a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt, that means its owner, Ford, would have direct access to the same technology. We do, however, find it odd that Mazda would use a rotary engine in this setup. While the Wankel engine is very compact and light, it’s not very efficient and sucks oil, at least in the RX-8. When it comes to plug-in hybrids, though, we’re with AutoblogGreen in saying the more the merrier.

[Source: AutoCar]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click above to enlarge

General Motors continues to eek out teaser shots of the production Chevy Volt, but it appears that an image of the production interior has slipped through the Empire’s net of control. All we have to go on for this image posted on the Motivemag.com forums is the image itself, which is part of a display panel at what appears to be a sneak preview of the vehicle for god knows who. What we see is a sleek, all-white center console with virtually no buttons. The controls appear to be touch sensitive instead, leaving the face of the console as smooth as a Frigidaire. Good luck installing an aftermarket stereo in this one. Completely flush air vents flank the console, which stands out in contrast to the black dash panel. On top of it all sits the information display, seen here showing the relationship between the “range extending” engine and lithium-ion batteries. What say you? We all know the production Volt isn’t going to be as wild as the concept, but does this innovative center console meet your expectations? Also keep in mind that this might not be the real deal, but it seems to be from all appearances. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

[Source: Motivemag.com]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

If you’ve ever wanted to drive coast-to-coast in an electric car, you’re not alone. Hopefully you can make the trip in a slightly less expensive manner, though, as 0,000 is a bit much for that car. Speaking of pricey, is the Viper too much these days? If you think so, take a look at the new Fiesta. Sane, practical, frugal. Would you get one?

• New Ford EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine smiles for the camera
• Ethanol being blamed for small engine failures
• GM gets tax breaks from Flint for new Volt engine plant
• Luxury Electric announces full size electric car trans-continental trip at DNC
• Woodward 2009: NextCruise coming back for another go!
• Illinois will get eco-friendly BMW-MINI dealership
• USA National Gas Temperature Map
• Is Japan ready for the EV revolution? Sure looks like it
• Marauding electric scooter gang goes on college campus rampage
• Hey automaker! How’s your CO₂ quota for the week?
• Chevy Tahoe hybrid gets all POTUS ‘08 in Denver
• Ford starts small car conversion with million at Michigan truck plant
• Chrysler ready to put the bite on Viper
• New Fiesta debuting in the UK with lower prices, insurance and higher residuals

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