Month: September 2013

Mon Sep 30, 9:26PM

Volkswagen E-Up! air cooled battery, featured in ViaVision magazine

In the most recent edition of Volkswagen’s ViaVision Magazine, the upcoming Volskwagen E-Up!, VW’s first production electric vehicle, was the main feature. The magazine describes Volkswagen’s electric motors, batteries, and the first e-Golf electric vehicle prototypes first developed in 1976. Volkswagen is producing electric drives and battery packs in house, much like other EV manufacturers… Continue reading Volkswagen E-Up! air cooled battery, featured in ViaVision magazine

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Fri Sep 27, 7:37PM

Volkswagen e-Golf not coming to North America until 2015

If you think this sounds a lot like Mitsubishi’s announcement yesterday, you’re right. Volkswagen is planning to launch the electric Golf in Europe sometime in 2014, but the automaker has now confirmed it won’t hit US shores until 2015. Executive vice president for Volkswagen’s US division told the New York Times that “We want to… Continue reading Volkswagen e-Golf not coming to North America until 2015

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Thu Sep 26, 6:06PM

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV delayed until 2015 in the US

Currently available in Japan and Europe, Mitsubishi has decided to delay the US launch of the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid until 2015. Some amount of delays were expected because of the 5 month production shut down due to battery fire incidents. The delay was hinted at when Mitsubishi changed the wording around the 2014 release date… Continue reading Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV delayed until 2015 in the US

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Wed Sep 25, 7:56PM

Videos of the BMW i3 production process

With BMW i sub-brand’s latest release, you can now watch over an hour of video – following the build of a BMW i3 from start to finish. The videos take you on a journey that starts in Moses Lake, WA in the USA where the carbon fibers are produced and then sent off to BMW… Continue reading Videos of the BMW i3 production process

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Fri Sep 20, 10:28PM

2014 Mercedes Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid from Frankfurt 2013

From the Frankfurt Motor Show, the official unveiling, here are some photos and information on the 2014 Mercedes Benz S500 plugin hybrid. Powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine, and an 80 kW electric motor, the S500 plug-in hybrid joins the S400 hybrid and the S3560 BlueTEC hybrid vehicles. The S500 plug-in hybrid can go… Continue reading 2014 Mercedes Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid from Frankfurt 2013

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Fri Sep 20, 9:01PM

Saab 9-3 electric to start production, coming in 2015

Since bankrupt Saab was acquired almost 15 months ago, the world has been left in limbo wondering if Saab 9-3 production would ever be restarted. Earlier this week, however, that National Electric Vehicle Sweden managed to do just that. Two Saab 9-3 gasoline versions just rolled off the assembly line in Trollhattan marking the restart… Continue reading Saab 9-3 electric to start production, coming in 2015

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Fri Sep 20, 8:41PM

Coda Sedan lives again – briefly at least

The Coda Sedan has long since disappeared, until the newly launched Coda Cars website popped up this week. On it, is an announcement that says “Club Auto Sales and Ready Remarketing have teamed up to provide a great car at a great price. We have purchased the remaining Coda Automotive vehicles and are offering them… Continue reading Coda Sedan lives again – briefly at least

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Fri Sep 13, 9:50PM

Nissan e-NV200 passenger version headed to Spain

Currently in the final phase of testing with FedEx fleets in various countries around the world, the Nissan e-NV200 will go into taxi service next year in Barcelona. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show by Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Goshn, the e-NV200 is built on the proven Nissan LEAF drivetrain. Barcelona will lead the global… Continue reading Nissan e-NV200 passenger version headed to Spain

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Fri Sep 13, 9:03PM

BMW x5 eDrive plug-in hybrid concept is a big suv with 62 mpg

Currently only a concept car with no announced plans for production, the BMW X5 eDrive is a plug-in hybrid concept car made out of BMW’s biggest SUV. The X5 eDrive uses a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine combined with a 95 hp electric motor to help it achieve lower emissions and longer range. The X5 eDrive… Continue reading BMW x5 eDrive plug-in hybrid concept is a big suv with 62 mpg

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Fri Sep 13, 8:55PM

BMW Concept Active Tourer previews 2015 production plug-in hybrid

BMW has unveiled the Concept Active Tourer in the past and announced its production, and they were at it again at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In addition to the BMW i3, i8 and C Evolution scooter, BMW showed off the Concept Active Tourer Outdoor that will go into production as early as 2014. When it… Continue reading BMW Concept Active Tourer previews 2015 production plug-in hybrid

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Wed Sep 11, 6:42PM

Formula E Spark-Renault SRT electric race car revealed in Frankfurt

On Tuesday at the Frankfurt Motor Show, FIA president Jean Todt, and Formula E Holdings CEO Alejandro Aga revealed the new Spark-Renault SRT_01E – Formula E’s fully electric single seat race car that will debut in competition next year. The SRT_01E was designed and built by Spark Racing Technology and a consortium of manufacturers involved… Continue reading Formula E Spark-Renault SRT electric race car revealed in Frankfurt

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Wed Sep 11, 2:51PM

Audi A3 E-tron gets priced for Germany at 37,000 Euros

On Tuesday, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi revealed the production ready A3 E-tron plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The A3 E-tron Sportback combines a 1.4 liter, 150-hp engine with a 75 kW electric motor, for a total output of 204 hp. The A3 E-tron has a top speed of 138 mph, and has a 0-60… Continue reading Audi A3 E-tron gets priced for Germany at 37,000 Euros

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Tue Sep 10, 9:23PM

US safety regulators are investigating Ford Focus Electric stalling issue

A preliminary evaluation for the 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus Electric vehicles was opened after the NHTSA received 11 reports from different drivers saying their vehicles shut down while driving. Over 1200 Ford Focus Electrics have been sold in the 2013 calendar year, with another 800 or so in the 2012 calendar year, all of… Continue reading US safety regulators are investigating Ford Focus Electric stalling issue

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Tue Sep 10, 3:49PM

BMW i8 fully unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show

The BMW i8 was finally fully unveiled in production form this morning at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It joins the BMW i3 as the second model in the BMW i sub-brand. Similar to the i3, the i8 uses ‘LifeDrive’ architecture which means it has a carbon-fiber body shell on top of an aluminum platform that… Continue reading BMW i8 fully unveiled at Frankfurt Auto Show

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Tue Sep 10, 3:24PM

Volkswagen E-Golf has range of 118 miles

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen has unveiled the 2015 e-Golf electric vehicle in production form. The e-Golf uses a 24.2 kWh lithium ion battery pack to provide up to 118 miles of range according to Volkswagen. The Volkswagen e-Golf is an internal affair – all of the components, including the 144 hp electric motor… Continue reading Volkswagen E-Golf has range of 118 miles

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Mon Sep 9, 9:45PM

Nissan e-NV200 ready for production early next year

Nissan has confirmed that its second electric vehicle, the e-NV200 compact electric van, is ready for mass production and will likely hit the market early next year (hopefully the US and not just Europe). The Nissan e-NV200 is equipped with the running gear from a Nissan Leaf, so it has a 110hp electric motor and… Continue reading Nissan e-NV200 ready for production early next year

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Mon Sep 9, 9:36PM

Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive challenges BMW i3

Mercedes launches into battle with BMW, pitting the B-Class Electric Drive against the upcoming BMW i3. Mercedes Benz is touting the B-Class as being superior over the BMW i3 in all key performance indicators. “We have Tesla inside” referring to the Tesla battery components the Mercedes got from Tesla. Board member of Daimler Research, Thomas… Continue reading Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive challenges BMW i3

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Mon Sep 9, 9:11PM

BMW’s first debut in Frankfurt is a scooter

BMW’s first debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show wasn’t its new i3 electric vehicle, or its i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. Instead, BMW chose to lead the show with its C Evolution electric scooter. The BMW C Evolution is a maxi scooter that uses the same batteries as the BMW i3. BMW hasn’t released details, or… Continue reading BMW’s first debut in Frankfurt is a scooter

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