Electric Car Public Charging Stations – Range Solution or Battle Ground?
By Tom Bartley (5/12/11). Electric cars were meant to be charged at home during the off peak night time hours. Depending on a public charging … Read more
The Promise of Electric Vehicles – Save Gas, Save the Planet Excerpt
Tom Hanks has supported improving the environment for years both with words and actions such as driving electric vehicles. “I still have a Toyota RAV4 EV and never spent a penny on gasoline for it,” he said. Happy with his Toyota EV, he added a second electric car. Many other people are experimenting with conversions to electric. The most notable are hybrid owners. Hundreds own electric vehicles in this university town. The city’s parks and recreation department saves money using EVs that displace expensive gasoline cars and trucks. The university is a major user of electric vehicles.
SDG&E Charges 1,000 Electric Cars with Smart Grid
San Diego Gas and Electric may be the world’s first utility to smart charge 1,000 electric cars through a smart grid. This electric utility, which services 3.4 million people, has been installing an extensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure, expanding its electricity generation to 33 percent renewable, and implementing a smart grid. In many ways, the three initiatives support each other. Over 200 Nissan LEAFs and Chevrolet Volts are charging by using the utilities smart grid.
Tesla’s Progress with Model S and 300-Mile Electric Car Range
Tesla recent quarterly financial results show progress on several fronts. Over 1,650 customers are now driving the Tesla Roadster, the impressive electric car with a 240-mile range per charge. Customers have driven these 100-percent electric cars more than 11 million miles. The Model S Sedan is on track for completion and customer deliveries mid-2012. A much bigger market is expected for this premium sedan that starts at $57,400 and has an optional battery pack with that gives the car a 300-mile range. When Tesla begins delivery of the Model S, over 100,000 electric car customers will be driving their Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric and other electric sedan competitors.
Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF Electric Cars Earn Highest Safety Ratings
The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf earn the highest safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the first-ever U.S. crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars. The milestone demonstrates that automakers are using the same safety engineering in new electric cars as they do in gasoline-powered vehicles.
Nissan LEAF Electric Car Wins 2011 World Car of the Year
At the New York International Auto Show, the 100-percent electric car Nissan LEAF was named 2011 World Car of the Year, edging out the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8 for the top spot. The award is the latest in a string of accolades for the world’s first affordable mass-market all-electric vehicle, which was also named European Car of the Year.
Toyota RAV4 EV Test Drive with impressive Tesla Drive System
In this test drive of the new Toyota RAV4 EV, this electric SUV beat a V8 gasoline pickup going up hill. Combine a mature Toyota RAV4 chassis and interior with a maturing Tesla electric drive and you have a premium electric vehicle in months not years. 31 of these prototype all-electric SUVs are now on the road and demonstrating 80 to 120 mile electric range.
China Plans 220,000 EV Charge Points and 2,351 Battery Switch Stations
China leads the world with over 100 million riding e-scooters, e-bikes, and light-electric vehicles. By December 2015, China plans to have 500,000 electric vehicles that can travel slow streets to fast highways. Those EV will be supported with 220,000 charge points and 2,351 battery swap stations in the nation’s latest plans. China’s 12th Five Year Plan is summarized in a new Deutsche Bank (DB) report.
Toyota Sells One-Millionth Prius in U.S. – Best Hybrid Car
One Million Toyota Prius have now been sold in U.S. Over 2 million Prii have been delivered globally. Over 3 million Toyota hybrids have been sold globally. By the end of 2012, Toyota Motors will offer at least eleven Toyota and Lexus hybrid and electric cars.
Mitsubishi i Test Drive – Best Electric Car starting at $29,125
Mitsubishi has sold more electric cars than Nissan and more than Chevrolet. I can see why as I test-drive the Mitsubishi I all over Monterey. I glide in stealth mode in city stop-go traffic. I accelerate around a slow poke faster than in the Think EV. When I turn, the stability is solid. It climbs a 16 percent grade with remarkable ease. Before tax incentives, this city electric car is likely to price below $29,900, making EVs available to an expanding market.