All Cars Electric
Aptera Fixes' Door-Opens-When-Cornering Issue, Puts 2e on Diet
It's the start of the month, which means it's time for another newsletter from Aptera, the company struggling against the odds to launch its ultra-aerodynamic, ultra-futuristic three-wheeled electric vehicle by the end of 2011. According to Aptera the vehicle is going through some more redesigns intended to lighten it and prevent the door flying...
The Next Big Range Extender for Electric Cars? New Tires
Automakers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to squeeze the last erg of electric energy from a whole range of forthcoming electric cars. Expensive software controllers and astronomically costly bits of composite body pieces are part of the game plan for vehicles like the 2011 Nissan Leaf and the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. But what about...
If Musk Ever Leaves Tesla, Daimler Will Help Choose New CEO
What would happen if the charismatic CEO responsible for the 2009 Tesla Roadster -- the most sexy electric sports car to hit the roads of the U.S. this century -- were to leave the Silicon Valley startup company he co-founded? Now we know: The possibly less-sexy, less-charismatic, less-electrified executives of Tesla's investor Daimler will have...
Gordon Murray Design Releases Specs For New T.27 EV
Gordon Murray is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds in automotive design today, having been the driving force behind both the McLaren F1 supercar and more recently the Caparo T1. His latest T.25 minicar project is bustling along, having made strides recently with the announcement the car is officially on sale and on track for a...
Bugatti Experiments With All-Electric Supercar Based on Audi E-Tron
Bugatti, the automaker that gave us the Veyron--the world's fastest and most expensive series production car--may be set to revolutionize the car industry once again. Bugatti's engineers are now experimenting with an electric powertrain that can deliver 800 HP. Benefiting from the experience of engineers within Volkswagen Group's Audi unit, who...
Daimler looks beyond Tesla with BYD electric-car partnership
Until Toyota stepped in last week, Daimler was the only major auto manufacturer to take a stake in electric-car startup Tesla Motors — a company that has now become synonymous with next-generation transportation. Now Daimler wants to work the same magic with BYD, the Chinese battery and electric vehicle maker.Daimler announced today that it is...
Governator Drives 2012 i-Miev, Two Loaned to Californian Official State Fleet.
Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger traded a hydrogen powered Humvee for a diminutive Mitsubishi i-Miev this week as the Governonator's office and Department of General Services borrow two 2011 Mitsubishi all electric i-Miev cars as part of a trial into electric vehicles. The i-Miev has been on sale in Japan since 2009 but is yet to be...
Get a Tree Planted On Your Behalf Just For Liking The 2011 Nissan Leaf?
Here's a novel idea for you to mull over this weekend. For those feeling down about missing out on the opportunity to buy the all-electric 2011 Nissan Leaf there is now a Leaf-related activity that will make you feel a little better, while doing something positive for the environment. Car dealership chain AutoNation is offering its Facebook fans...
Expanding the Prius Lineup: Minivan, Compact Hatch, or Coupe?
While the all-electric cars being launched as 2011 models--the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, and Coda Sedan--get lots of attention, their total U.S. sales won't break 100,000 in their first year. Toyota, on the other hand, sells more than twice that number of hybrids here each year, making it by far the largest manufacturer of electric-drive...
Want a 2011 Nissan Leaf? You're Too Late (For Now)
Unless you're already one of the 20,000 people who have already put their names down and paid a deposit for the 2010 Nissan Leaf you won't be getting one this year. Nissan have sold out. While Nissan do not take firm orders until August, they have closed the lists for pre-registration after a massive 20,000 customers worldwide have expressed an...
2011 Chevy Volt Hold Charge Mode for European ZEV Zones, But Not U.S.
The EPA and CARB like zero emissions vehicles, but don't want you controlling when you decide your vehicle is zero emissions. According to Tony Posawatz, line director for the Chevy Volt program, the two agencies concerned with protecting the emissions from cars aren't happy about a plug in vehicle having a mode which forces it to burn gas. The...
Former Democratic Chair Delves into EVs, Brings NEV to U.S.
Running for the 2009 Virginia Democratic gubernational nomination, chairing the Democratic National Committee and importing cars isn't on everyone's resume, but former Chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign Terry McAuliffe has just added electric cars to his. Now 53 years old, McAuliffe was in London a few months ago when he came...
Report: First BYD EVs In U.S. Going To Government Fleets
Chinese automaker and battery specialist BYD is accelerating plans to bring its first electric vehicles to the U.S. market, announcing plans for a new headquarters in Los Angeles and claiming that its E6 model already meets all local regulations and standards. However, before you get all excited about getting your hands on a low-cost EV there...
New Maryland Laws Helps EV Uptake, Reduce Commuting Time.
The Washington D.C. metropolitan area is one of three key markets for the roll-out for the current wave of electric cars and yesterday residents of Maryland were given a whole new set of incentives to go electric. Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley signed two historic bills into state law to give residents an additional $2,000 excise motor...