The lightweight nature of Lotus cars is starting to make it a favorite of the electric crowd. The Tesla Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise, and Dodge’s EV is a thinly rebadged Lotus Europa with a battery pack. Now that Tesla has some street cred with its Roadster, Dodge is looking for some of its own by racing its own stablemate, the Challenger SRT-8.
Kia unveiled the all-new Kia Borrego FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.
Available with two and three tank systems with 70MPa pressure, the Borrego FCEV’s power plant is located under the center floor and boasts an additional 47 hp of power to produce a peak output of 154 hp (a 44-percent increase compared to the previous generation) and propel the vehicle to a top speed of 100 mph while boasting a best-in-class system efficiency of 62 percent. With a 202-liter hydrogen storage tank located underneath the vehicle and ahead of the rear wheels, this latest Kia Motors research vehicle has a range of about 426 miles.
With the use of lightweight aluminum body shell components, the Borrego FCEV has a power-to-weight ratio that is similar to the new production model SUV. The FCEV also retains the roomy cabin, low noise levels and overall driving refinement of its new gasoline/diesel-powered sibling.
Since BMW revealed the first info on the Mini E back in October there were 9500 people that signed to get info about the car. But only 500 people will have the chance to actually drive it. The lease price was set by Mini USA at $850 a month.
The Mini E is supposed to be capable of 150 miles on a single charge. The recharge will be done using a special wallbox which will need to be installed in a customers garage. The recharging time is 2 hours and a half.
The MINI E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Newton meters, delivering seamless acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95 mph).
According to AutoCar, Renault is preparing three electric vehicles, including a bespoke small car that’s bigger than a Twingo, a battery powered version of the Kangoo and a Megane-based saloon.
First will be a five-seater, with a unique design that won’t be shared with any other cars.
The Megane-based four-door will be revealed in 2011 and the Kangoo a year earlier.
Renault wants its sedan to compete with a 100bhp 1.6-litre petrol car, although the company is keen to emphasize that the electric car’s flexibility between 30 and 70mph will be superior.
“It will be very good in urban situations,’” said the company’s Electric Vehicle Project Director, Serge Yoccoz. Its maximum speed is over 80mph, “and it will be fun to drive.”
Not sure if electric cars will actually work in real life? Neither is the British government, so they have decided to offer free trials to citizens if they are willing to give up their gas powered car. The trials will begin in 2009 and involve up to 100 cars in several cities around the United Kingdom. The information will aide the government in it’s decision to embrace electric cars in the future. "A lot of people have a car for long-distance traveling and a small runabout for taking the kids to school. We need to find out whether electric cars are practical." said Geoff Hoon, transport secretary.
The cars used will be a mixture of electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrids. The study will look at reliability as well as ease of use, such as whether it is practical for someone who keeps their car in a parking garage to recharge the EV. Hopefully the lessons learned will help the UK to build an EV friendly charging structure to raise demand.
A second study will include more than 150 electric vans that will be tested by local authorities in Liverpool, Newcastle and Gateshead, Coventry, Leeds and Glasgow.
One way for Tesla to rebound from tough economic times is to sell its services on the street. While hookers may charge for a service, it seems Tesla’s service is a charge. Spy photographers have caught electric Smart prototypes recharging at the Tesla’s San Carlos facility.
Has Tesla entered an agreement with Daimler to work on the Smart EV? We do know that there are electric Smart cars currently being tested in London, and Tesla is gaining a reputation for being a pioneer in electric vehicles. So if the partnership is true, let’s all hope Tesla can add some speed to the Smart’s ride.
As previously reported, Tesla is working on an electric sedan known as the Model S (also previously reported the car is delayed into at least 2011). Now BusinessWeek got an interview with Tesla chairman Elon Musk, where he revealed the first teaser image of the future electric sedan.
Musk sees the Model S as direct competition to the mid-size luxury high-millage cars like the Lexus GS 450h hybrid and the diesel Mercedes E-class, as well as other electrics like the Chevrolet Volt. Of course Musk thinks the Tesla has the advantage. "Our sedan will crush everything out there."
Show us a little more, then we’ll make a decision.
Rolls-Royce owners are usually known more for their excess. So when the luxury brand began investigating the benefits of an electric car, Mother Earth was that last thing on its mind. Instead the silence and power curve that come with an electric motor has Rolls seeing green.
"We stand for unmatched refinement and you can’t get a quieter and less intrusive engine than a well engineered electric motor. Truly, the loudest noise you would hear would be the tick of the clock," says Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves. "We also stand for strong and instant torque – and an electric motor delivers maximum torque instantly."
If an electric Rolls-Royce were to appear, it would likely borrow the technology that its parent company BMW is developing for cars like the electric Mini. One event that may tip the scales in favor of an electric Phantom would be if urban areas begin to tax or limit vehicles with high emissions. Similar taxation like the congestion tax increase that was struck down in London could have the ulta-rich plugging in their Rollers.
Mini USA announced there will be a fleet of some 500 all-electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. Called MINI E, the new electric vehicle it will be powered by a 204 hp electric motor fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, transferring its power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox nearly without a sound and entirely free of emissions.
Specially engineered for automobile use, the battery technology will have a range of more than 240 kilometers, or 150 miles.
The MINI E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Newton meters, delivering seamless acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 152 km/h (95 mph).
In the search for clean, renewable and cheap ways to power automobiles, is this what we’ll have to deal with?! Direct from China, Zhejiang 001’s mini car with solar top. The car can charge using only solar power in 30 hours and is capable of a 93 mile range. It is true that it can only transform 14 to 17% of the sun light but this is the normal percentage.
The price is a about $5,560. It’s good that it’s cheap, because if it were available here, you may need to buy two just to make it through the day.
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