Archive for February, 2012

  • Nissan Leaf Now Available Nationwide
    Beginning tomorrow, drivers across the country will have their first opportunity to order their Nissan LEAF, as Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) expands availability for all U.S. markets, nationwide. This new launch phase means residents of 21 new states will be able to select and order a 2012 Nissan LEAF. The LEAF, the world’s first and only electric car, now also is...
    by at February 29th, 2012 at 02:02 pm
  • Bright Automotive Shuts Down
    The Indiana-based electric vehicle start-up Bright Automotive will cease operations this week after failing to secure a federal loan to finance its operation and production costs to build the Idea plug-in hybrid delivery van. Bright Automotive was seeking a $450 million low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to finance production of the IDEA plug-in hybrid...
    by at February 29th, 2012 at 09:02 am
  • 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrid Cleared for California Clean Vehicle Rebate
    Toyota Motor Corp. said that the 2012 Prius Plug-in hybrid is approved by California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) and for use in the state’s carpool lanes. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid is eligible for a $1,500 rebate to consumers on a first-come basis, Toyota said. California’s zero-emission vehicle subsidy for consumers, the rebate program offers a...
    by at February 28th, 2012 at 12:02 am
  • Audi to Start U.S.-based A3 e-tron Electric Car Pilot Program
    Audi today announced the battery-electric Audi A3 e-tron pilot program in cities across the United States to define a progressive e-mobility driver experience for premium car buyers. The Audi A3 e-tron pilot program will take place in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Denver markets, where Audi engineers and technical experts will explore electric cars...
    by at February 27th, 2012 at 02:02 pm
  • Envia Promises Big Breakthrough for Electric Car Batteries
    Envia Systems is announcing at the ARPA-E conference that it has achieved a critical milestone: a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an “energy density” of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, the highest energy density known to be recorded for a rechargeable lithium-ion cell. When commercialized, this 400 Wh/kg battery is expected to slash the price of a 300 mile...
    by at February 27th, 2012 at 07:02 am
  • Mitsubishi Picks AeroVironment for Home-Charging Stations for Mitsubishi i
    Mitsubishi Motors and AeroVironment, Inc. announced AeroVironment’s selection as an additional authorized and approved nationwide supplier of electric vehicle home-charging system, installation and warranty to Mitsubishi i drivers, taking on the tasks of permits and consultations. AeroVironment’s turnkey solution includes its UL-listed home charging station,...
    by at February 25th, 2012 at 01:02 am
  • Panasonic to Supply Li-ion Batteries for Ford PHEVs
    Panasonic Corporation announced on Friday that it will supply lithium-ion battery cells for Ford’s hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The upcoming models of the Ford Fusion Hybrid Electric and C-Max Hybrid Electric as well as the Ford Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids will use Panasonic battery cells in combination with a gasoline...
    by at February 24th, 2012 at 08:02 am
  • 2012 Chevrolet Volt Approved for California Carpool Lanes
    General Motors has announced that a new low-emissions version of its 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car has been cleared to use California’s 1,400 miles of carpool lanes. General Motors began shipping the first of its low-emission Chevrolet Volt to California, where buyers will get an extra $1,500 rebate and be allowed to drive alone in the state’s carpool lanes. Commuters...
    by at February 23rd, 2012 at 11:02 pm
  • Volvo Working on Smart Charging Concept for Electric Cars
    Volvo, Ericsson, the utility company Gothenburg Energi and the Viktoria Institute are working on a electric car charging project ELVIIS (Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure) to develop a concept for using intelligent infrastructure for the smart on-board charging of plug-in vehicles. The innovative research project across several industries aims to bring mobile...
    by at February 23rd, 2012 at 09:02 am
  • UK Names Seven Electric Vans for Plug-In-Van Grant
    The first electric vans eligible for the new Plug-in Van Grant have been announced by the UK’s government on Monday. Van buyers will be able to receive 20%—up to £8,000 (US$12,600)—off the cost of this first wave of 7 plug-in electric vans. “Cars and vans are absolutely central to people’s lives – it’s how most of us get around and for many journeys they...
    by at February 22nd, 2012 at 08:02 am