Mitsubishi’s new U.S. electric car is on display at the LA Auto Show. Dealer sales have started. The official name for the U.S. version is the 2012 Mitsubishi i (small “i”), Powered by MiEV Technology. Because this 4-seat city car weighs only 2,381 pounds, about 1,000 pounds less than the larger Nissan LEAF, the Mitsubishi I needs only 16 kWh lithium battery pack; the LEAF needs 24kWh. This gives Mitsubishi a major cost advantage.
Toyota plans to introduce 11 hybrids by the end of 2012, consisting of all-new models and redesigned models. A new compact will deliver a jaw-dropping 94 mpg. Lexus offers five premium hybrids including the CT200h with 42 mpg. Toyota demonstrates a big electric future with 600 Prius Plug-ins now on the road, and trials to start for the new all-electric SUV – the Toyota RAV4 EV Powered by Tesla.
Honda Fit EV will be popular with current drivers of hot compact hatchbacks such as the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze, and Mini-Cooper. In the next few months the Fit EV will hit the streets with real world at Stanford University, City of Torrance, and Google’s fleet and car share programs. Honda also announced that a new plug-in hybrid will go on sale in late 2012.
The Chevrolet Volt was awarded the Motor Trends Car of the Year and Automobile Magazine Car of the Year. The Volt won because average daily trips can be in pure battery-electric mode, yet all trips can be handled by this plug-in hybrid. Today, Chevrolet handed the keys to early customers here at the LA Auto Show. At least 300 will be delivered by the end of 2010.
GE will purchase 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015 for its own fleet and through its Capital Fleet Services business – the largest-ever single electric vehicle commitment. GE will convert most of its 30,000 global fleet and will partner with fleet customers to deploy a total of 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015. GE will initially purchase 12,000 GM vehicles, beginning with the Chevrolet Volt in 2011, and will add other vehicles as manufacturers expand their electric vehicle portfolios.
Keo, at age 3 months, started his Nissan LEAF test ride with a yawn, gurgled his approval during the ride, then wisely left the car buying decision to his parents. Grace and Susan Stanat brought their son along for the test drive. They arrived with Keo, baby seat, stroller, and high-hopes for getting an electric car. Although three adults can squeeze into the back seat of the LEAF, two babies are another matter.
Demand for lithium is forecasted to double in this decade thanks to a wide range of applications for this metal that is half the weight of water: materials, glass, pharmaceuticals, mobile electronics, power tools, hybrid cars, and electric cars. Lithium ETF is dominated with large mining firms such as Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, FMC Corporation, and Rockwood Holdings. The fund’s largest lithium battery company holdings include Saft, Ener1, ABT, GS Yuasa, and A123.
AT&T, Xcel Energy, Johnson Controls, So Cal Edison, and New York Power Authority have ordered Ford Transit Connect Electric. These pure battery-electric vans have an electric charge range of 80 miles and are a great fit for many fleet, small business, and delivery applications. In the United States, fleets control some 14 million vehicles. Some fleets placed initial orders for 10 or 20 Transit Connect Electrics; bigger orders could follow in 2011. JCI has ordered 20 Transit Connect Electrics to be part of its global fleet of 19,000 vehicles.
Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and information technology are all helping the U.S. overcome a severe recession and keep more people from losing their jobs. From our San Francisco roof deck, I am encouraged to see energy efficient homes, solar roofs, and electric buses gliding by. I am also discouraged to see massive ships from Asia sail into the harbor ladened with hundreds of rail cars full of Asian goods, then leave for distant customers with much lighter loads. But the trend may be reversed by innovation discussed in the new Clean Tech Job Trends 2010.
CODA was taking people for rides at the Santa Monica Alt-Car Expo, but not letting them drive, in contrast to hundreds of potential buyers test-driving the Nissan LEAF. Sorry, but CODA did not appear to be worth $44,900 in contrast with the more sexy, more fully appointed Nissan LEAF priced at only $32,780. Both pure battery-electric cars are targeting 100-mile ranges. CODA with 33.8 kWh lithium battery pack is likely to have a better real world range than Nissan with 24 kWh battery pack.