This time, it’s a German blog AutoKarma.de that posted these spy pictures. A reader of the blog, Marcus Engert, was out and about in Leipzig, Germany, where the BMW i3 is in its pre-production phase. While there isn’t really much new in these photos, there are some good closeups that show the interior as well… Continue reading BMW i3 interior spy shots from Leipzig
A Model S driver in Munich, Germany recently saw a BMW i8 testing out in the wild. It’s fully camouflaged, but the driver still chased it and took a video on it phone. The video isn’t real interesting, until the last few seconds when the Model S blasts past the i8. The BMW i8 will… Continue reading Tesla Model S sees BMW i8 testing and chases it (video)
When the Fiat 500e becomes available next month it will only be available for retail in California. According to Jason Stoicevich, president and CEO of the Fiat brand in North America, however, order for the 500e have already reached full capacity. “We’re pretty much sold out for the year,” he said. Stoicevich took over CEO… Continue reading Fiat 500e ‘Sold Out’
Now that the BMW i3 pre-production has started in Liepzig, Germany, test versions are being seen more often on roads in the area. A mechanic was able to spot the electric vehicles and take some photos of them. The photos of the black i3 show it in a flat black finish, which is likely just… Continue reading BMW i3 mostly revealed, small camouflage stripe
Back in 2011, Toyota challenged their engineers to come up with a “new mid-sized concept for potential global market introduction by 2015.” The result was the Toyota NS4 plug-in hybrid concept that was first unveiled at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show. The vehicle had since disappeared. Fast forward to the 6th Annual… Continue reading Toyota NS4 plug-in hybrid shows up at Buenos Aires International Motor Show
Recently, Edmunds took the Fiat 500e for a test drive, and they liked it. Starting with the bad, their main concern was the cargo and passenger space the battery pack took up. They were also disappointed that Fiat will only be selling the 500e in California, initially at least. Edmunds wasimpressed with the wide array… Continue reading Fiat 500e reviewed by Edmunds
Nissan has announced plans to offer battery replacements to US LEAF customer who want to replace their original lithium-ion battery pack. The program will begin int he first half of 2014, and will work in tandem with the standard battery warranty for the Leaf which includes a 5 year, 60,000 mile coverage against battery capacity… Continue reading Nissan Leaf battery replacement costs $100 per month
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions is now offering a wireless battery charging system for owners of the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt electric vehicles. The cost is about $3000 plus installation. That fee covers the 240 volt Level 2 charging station, an adapter for the vehicle, and a floor mounted charging pad. The wall unit connects… Continue reading Bosch offers wireless charging for Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt
Back in March, Chevy reps said the Spark EV would be on sale by July if everything went according to plan. Here we are, 2 weeks to July, and Chevy has shipped 2014 Spark EVs to at least 2 dealerships in California. That means shipments are on there way to other dealerships, and likely to… Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV now available at some dealerships
Jay Leno’s garage has received a 2014 Cadillac ELR – and he gets to drive it on the open road and test it out. Leno owns a Chevy Volt so he is more than aware of the inner workings of the ELR since it shares the same (but slightly modified) drivetrain. Check out the 15… Continue reading 2014 Cadillac ELR at Jay Leno’s Garage for a test drive
Since the May 30th changes in the Fit EV’s pricing, when Honda lowered the monthly price from $389 to $259 and removed the down payment, removed the mileage limits on the lease, added collision insurance as part of the lease, and added a 240 volt home charging station as part of the lease, large numbers… Continue reading Honda apologizes for the Fit EV shortage
Ford began producing the Focus Electric in Saarlouis, Germany. The Focus Electric is the first full electric vehicle to be produced by Ford in Europe, and leads Ford’s line-up of electrified and fuel efficient vehicles. The Ford Focus Electric is developed as a ‘One Ford’ global vehicle, and has been manufactured in North America since… Continue reading Ford Focus Electric production begins in Europe
According to BMW’s Ian Robertson, there are about 100,000 reservations from around the world from people who want to test the BMW i3. In addition, a ‘significant number of deposits’ have been made for the vehicle. Based on this high interest, Robertson feels the i3 will be a game changer in the sector. “We are… Continue reading BMW has 100,000 waiting to test i3, says BMW sales boss
Over the last 2 months, sales in Japan of Mitsubishi’s pure electric vehicles have fallen to just 116 vehicles in May. Mitsubishi sold 62 passenger i-MiEV vehicles, 47 Minicab-MiEVs and 7 Truck Minicab MiEVs. Last year in 2012, Mitsubishi was selling on average 400 pure electric vehicles per month. The rebadged/cloned i-MiEVs in Europe, that… Continue reading Mitsubishi’s all electric vehicle sales in Japan fall, Outlander PHEV sales rise
BMW UK has revealed its network of dealers that will support the BMW i sub brand. BMW Group UK Managing Director Tim Abbott also mentioned customer enquiries about BMW i are “extremely high” with more than 6000 people registering their interest in the i brand. We are guessing registering interest means signing up to receive… Continue reading 6000 people in UK have registered their interest in the BMW i sub brand
CODA Automotive is recalling 2012 model year vehicles due to improperly rolled side curtain airbags. The airbags were rolled the wrong way when installed, which could cause the airbag to not deploy as intended in the event of a crash. Coda says this recall supersedes the previous recall 12v-409. All owners will be notified and… Continue reading Coda Sedan being recalled for side airbag issues
As the electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle market continues to grow, more and more companies are starting to offer electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Commonly referred to as electric vehicle charging stations, electric charging point, and even sometimes by the scientifically correct EVSE, these devices supply electric energy for the recharging of the… Continue reading Wondering what EVSE will work for you? We’ve created a chart for that.
Following the discovery of the Outlander PHEV battery fire issue back in April, Mitsubishi has now officially announced a recall of the i-MiEV and Outlander PHEV in Japan. A small number of affected i-MiEVs were sold in Europe and the United States.”We are preparing appropriate measures for markets outside Japan, but this is not the… Continue reading Mitsubishi announces recall of i-Miev and Outlander PHEV in Japan
