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Tesla Model S platform to be used for electric vans and other vehicles, airbrushing optional
Tesla Motors may now be banking on its Model S to help it snag a bigger piece of the electric car market, but it looks like the car's platform may be the real key to the company's near-term success. As just revealed in an official blog post by VP of Business Development Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla will also be using the platform for a range of other "derivatives," including a minivan, a cross-over utility vehicle and, yes, a full-fledged utility van for both industrial and civic use. Unfortunately, O'Connell didn't have much to say about anything like a launch timeframe or any other details, for that matter, but we wouldn't let that stop you from your starting to plan out some van art. Trust us. It's coming back.[Via Autoblog Green, image courtesy dcdan]
Video: Mantys golf caddy wants to electrify your game
Hmm, an electric vehicle for upright bipeds that is steered by shifting one's weight ... that sure reminds us of something. Where this little putt-putter differs is in having four wheels, which tends to be a comfortingly large number for the sort of folk who can't be bothered to (or just plain can't) walk when golfing. And this is definitely targeted at golfers, with the official announcement set for the Golf Europe fair in Berlin this Sunday. The machine comes with turf-saving tires (whatever those are), 18 kilometers per hour top speed, a range of 36 holes, and holders for scorecards, cups, balls and tees. You'll find another product shot after the break, along with a delightfully cheesy promo video.
Volkswagen L1 concept is crazy efficient, could ship in 2013
Look, it's a well-known fact that the world is ending in either 2012 or when the Large Hadron Collider starts back up (whichever comes first). But, assuming neither of those scenarios actually cause planet Earth to fold in on itself, you should have some pretty swank Volkswagens to choose from in 2013. Just days after hearing that the highly-anticipated E-Up! concept would be landing in around four years, VW is now proclaiming that the L1 concept you see above could also hit production at the same time. What's odd, however, is that the automaker is already calling this the "most fuel-efficient automobile in the world," but at 170MPG, you'd think the suits at Chevy would have a thing or two to say about it. At least in theory, the hybrid TDI vehicle can cruise 100 kilometers on just 1.38 liters of diesel, but we'll wait until the EPA gets a go before buying in completely.
E-Wolf e1 electric race car could create new class of racing jockeys
There's certainly no shortage of hurdles to cross in building a competitive, all-electric race car, with the weight of the vehicle (and requisite battery pack) being particularly high up on the list. While the folks behind this new E-Wolf e1 vehicle have indeed managed to get the weight down to an impressive 500 kilograms (or just over 1,100 pounds), they've also taken another somewhat unique step to ensure the performance is just right: limit the weight of the driver to 150 pounds. That, combined with a 110kW, quadripolar, liquid-cooled, AC induction motor, apparently allows the car to hit 0 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds, achieve a top speed of 230 km/h, and last a full 300 kilometers on a charge. Of course, it also costs €150,000 (or over $220,000), but it is apparently street-legal, and definitely won't be mistaken for a Tesla Roadster.[Via Autoblog Green]
Volkswagen E-Up! concept rolls into Frankfurt, hits the road in 2013
Volkswagen's E-Up! concept vehicle has been making the rounds for a little while now, but it looks like the automaker has really stepped up its game (and hype machine) for its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it also took the opportunity to announce a launch date. That will apparently happen sometime in 2013, when Volkswagen hopes that the vehicle will become nothing short of "the Beetle of the 21st century." A lofty goal to be sure, but the E-Up! does have quite a bit going for it compared to other all-electric vehicles, including a new "lightweight," five hundred pound lithium-ion battery pack, a promised range of 130 kilometers, a full recharge in less than five hours, and even some solar panels on the roof and the sun visors to add a bit of extra power to the car's electrical system. Hit up the link below for the complete rundown, and plenty of pics courtesy of our pals at Autoblog Green.
Mission One electric motorcycle surpasses 150 MPH, heading to Snake River Canyon
It was no idle boast when Mission Motors claimed that its Mission One all-electric motorcycle could reach 150 MPH speeds. In fact, the company's showing in the 2009 BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah has proved all this and more, with the bike hitting single pass speeds as high as 161 MPH, and a two-pass average of 150.059 MPH, setting the Land Speed Record for Electric Motorcycles in the process. And this isn't a vehicle that taunts you, forever unavailable, like Evel Knievel's rocket-powered cycle. No, this is a production prototype featuring the same powertrain that customers can look forward to shelling out close to $70,000 for when it becomes available sometime next year. But don't take our word for it, peep the video for yourself after the break. [Via AutoBlog]
Lexus LF-Ch concept wants to bring Prius hybrid utility to sporty hatchbacks
Feast your eyeballs on this little beauty. Lexus, Toyota's luxury arm, has stopped teasing and gone fully official with the LF-Ch concept you see before you, which is being billed as a "BMW 1 series, but hybrid." All we know so far is that it'll run on some version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the Prius, with the concordant ability to be run exclusively in EV mode. Well okay, we also know that it's damn gorgeous and heading toward production next year, but the all-important price point remains a mystery. Look for the prototype to make its first appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show coming up later this month.
Better Place tests its EV battery switching stations on Tokyo cabbies
Not long after establishing a prototype EV battery switching station in Japan, Better Place is now partnering with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi operator, to put the thing through its paces, swapping out batteries for up to four electric hacks scheduled to run from the Roppongi Hills shopping and office complex beginning in January next year. In Tokyo, cabs account for only two percent of the traffic, yet they produce twenty-percent of its CO2 emissions -- a fact that further drives home the point that greening our public transportation is an important first step in cleaning up the environment. The study comes hot on the heels of other deals in the works for Israel, Europe, and the San Francisco. Albert Hockenberry would be impressed. [Via PhysOrg]
Ford's vehicle-to-grid communications system charges plug-in whips on command
If you're dreaming of always plugging your future AC-friendly hybrid in during the wee hours of the morning in order to juice up for the lowest price, you're certainly using your noodle. But what about instances where you can't choose when exactly you'll be plugging in? Fret not, as Bill Ford and Company has you covered. The automaker, in collaboration with a slew of utility partners, has today introduced an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications system that would theoretically enable vehicle owners to plug their ride in and tell it precisely when to begin and / or end charging via the navigation screen. Users could also define the completion time for charging or the desired rates in order to better control spending, though all that planning could be ruined by some random prankster who decides to yank your cable when you're not looking. And really, who cares about saving a penny or two on charging when you can get two hundred and thirty miles per gallon? Oh, wait...[Via HotHardware]
Vice President Biden announces $2.4 billion in battery-related grants
It hasn't been much of a secret that the US government was planning to dole out a couple of billion in battery-related grants to automakers this week, but we only got the details on who gets what today when Vice President Joe Biden made the big announcement himself in Detroit. As you might expect, the big three automakers all got a sizable chunk of the $2.4 billion up for grabs, with GM snagging $240 million for three separate grants, Ford getting $92.7 million (part of which will fund an electric-drive-parts facility in Michigan), and Chrysler receiving $70 million to develop and deploy advanced plug-in hybrid pickups and minivans. The single biggest winner, however, is Johnson Controls Inc., which got close to $300 million to produce battery parts for hybrid and electric vehicles. Chrysler partner A123 Systems Inc. was the next highest with $249.1 million, while EnerDel got $118.5 million that it'll use for its Indianapolis plant that produces lithium-ion cells and battery packs.[Image courtesy Wood TV8]
Video: MIT working on rapid recharging for electric vehicles
MIT's electric vehicle prototype may be a long way off from being completed, but if we let that stop us from discussing EVs, we might never talk about them. The headline ambition of the elEVen project is a full recharge within 10 minutes, which would eliminate somewhere between four and ten hours of waiting. Speedwise, the Electric Vehicle Team is aiming for a 100 mph top speed from a 250-horsepower / 187 kilowatt AC induction motor, and a not unheard of 200-mile cruising range. To achieve their rapid juicing aim, the students will strap 7,905 lithium iron-phosphate cell batteries from A123Systems to a gutted 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid body. The batteries' low internal resistance is what makes things possible, but further hurdles, such as finding a sufficiently powerful energy source, would have to be overcome before any sort of widespread use may occur. Video after the break.[Via PC World]
Nissan looking to give an inductive charge to its upcoming Zero Emissions Vehicle
It won't be quite the same as putting a Palm Touchstone under your tire -- although that's quite the mental image -- but Nissan's thinking big and planning to apply that same inductive charging technology for its upcoming five-seat Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV). As envisioned by the company, the ideal scenario would be to drive into a compatible charging bay and power up without the need to haul around a plug like current EV owners do -- Nissan Europe's Larry Haddad estimates a 25 minute shopping trip could be enough to refill the battery back up to 80 percent. In an admittedly more far-fetched case, the company said it's scientifically feasible to have charging plates buried just under the surface of the road for on-the-go charging. With realities like money and practicality in the way, we can't imagine that example to fruition anytime soon. In the meantime, we've still gotta wait until August to even gather a glimpse of the ZEV -- maybe by then we'll get a better idea of Nissan's plans for the technology.[Via Autoblog Green]
McDonalds to offer ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations
Mind you, we're talking just one of the 30,000 or so McDonalds around the world. Nevertheless, the first "green" version of the ubiquitous US "restaurant" will offer NovaCharge ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations when it opens in Cary, North Carolina on July 14th. The idea is to recharge your plug-in Electric Vehicle while "enjoying your meal." Unfortunately, the current generation of EV batteries won't likely benefit from the 10 minutes or so it takes to gulp down a value meal. However, Mickey D's might be on to something should drivers choose to stay for the additional 2-hours of regret that follows.[Via RedFerret]
T3 Motion goes third wheelin' with its CT3 personal commuter EV
Don't get too excited, the above picture's only a render, but T3 Motion -- the company that brought you the security-focused electric stand-up vehicle -- is planning to bring this whip to life as the CT3 personal commuter / EV. As Autoblog points out, the lack of a fourth wheel should help this get classified as a motorcycle, meaning it won't be relegated to zipping around the neighborhood but still will be kept to a 45MPH top speed. However, a 80MPH CT-S version is in the works and will be entered into the Auto X Prize that'll get an envious 100 miles per gallon. Hit up the read link for the full presser.
Chevy Volt's first pre-production model now on the road, in testing
And with that, the first bona fide pre-production Chevy Volt -- its own parts and all -- has hit the pavement. General Motor's storied EV will be taken through the ropes to see what needs to be tweaked / modified before it finally goes into full production, which is expected to be at a rate of about ten a week as of mid-July -- and if you happen to live near Warren, Michigan, you might just spot one of these early models out on the road. Hard to believe Volt's defied more than a few odds, but so far, it looks promising. Good on ya, GM.
Tesla, Ford, Nissan all receive electric car development loans from US government
High five, Tesla fans -- everyone's favorite incredibly controversial electric car company has just been granted $465m in loans from the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program. The bulk of the money will go towards that postponed Model S factory, while the remaining $100m will be used to fund an electric powertrain manufacturing facility that will sell parts like motors and battery packs to other carmakers. Tesla wasn't the DOE's only big winner: Nissan received $1.6b (billion!) to build batteries and EVs in Tennessee and Ford received an undisclosed amount to build two upcoming electric cars, but since those companies have largely drama-free upper management that isn't constantly involved in lawsuits, it feels a little more routine. Still, it's an exciting time -- let's hope all these tax dollars turn into affordable, convenient electric transportation sooner rather than later.Update: A "congressional source" has told the AP that Ford's getting $5.9 billion, so yeah, the Oval's still the big dog. Read - Tesla Read - Ford Read - Nissan
Chevy Volt coasts closer to reality, first bona fide model now in production
General Motors has just cut the ribbon, metaphorically at least, on the production of the first genuine Chevy Volt integration vehicle. Unlike previous versions, which have been "developments mules" made using parts from the Malibu / Cruze lines, this will look (and hopefully feel) 100 percent like what the company plans to start pimping out this November. The pre-production model will be put through the paces in case the design needs to be refined and tweaked before going full steam ahead. GM is sticking pretty close to its original plan of building at a rate of ten a week by mid-July, with "several hundred more" going into production early next year, and with any luck, it'll be packing some standardized EV plug by then.
Eco Watercraft electric waverunner makes no sound, burns no fuel, zaps no fish
Beware Big Oil executives: EVs aren't content to just take over the morning commute. They're targeting all motorized leisure activities, and while we've already seen how an electric motorcycle can be just as much fun as a petrol-powered version, electric waverunners look to be next. The company is Eco Watercraft, pledging to build its machines in a factory powered by renewable means, thus giving the vehicles twice the green cred. The model in the videos embedded below doesn't look like it could stand a chance of keeping up with some of the more powerful watercraft on the market today, like Yamaha's ridiculous FX Cruiser SHO and its supercharger, but it should be good enough to get your kicks whilst earning fewer dirty looks from birdwatching kayakers. Now if only we knew how much that privilege will cost you.[Via TreeHugger]
Daimler buys 10% stake in Tesla, offers parts and know-how
Daimler and Tesla have been working together in a limited capacity for some time now, but the two made their relationship official in a pretty big way earlier today, with Daimler announcing that it has bought a 10% stake in Tesla, and that it'll be lending a hand with both parts and engineering. Of course, as with most things Tesla, there's no firm price tag attached to the deal, although it's said to be in the "double digit millions." They're a bit more specific when it comes to the working relationship, however, which will apparently include Tesla "leveraging Daimler's engineering, production and supply chain expertise" in ways that'll "accelerate" bringing the Model S to production. Tesla will also reportedly work on battery pack integration and battery management systems for Daimler from here on out, and the two will continue to collaborate on Daimler's second-generation Smart ED electric vehicle that's slated to go into production later this year. Interestingly, as AutoBlog points out, the deal also gives Tesla access to the automotive lithium-ion cells being produced by Daimler subsidiary Li-Tec which, when we're talking about electric vehicles, is no small thing.
Elektromotive debuts billable charge station for electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are about as far from ubiquitous as a burgeoning technology could be, but that's not stopping Elektromotive from thinking about future profits. Said firm has just revealed what it's calling the first-ever billable charge station for EVs, a three phase chargepoint that can supply up to 32 amps at 240V. The station itself is dubbed the Elektrobay, which is equipped with a 2-way GSM service called EBConnect; the latter enables users with specialized key fobs to simply wave their key in front of the pole, charge and be invoiced at a later time. Think PayPass, but for EV charging. We're told that the new billing system will be installed in all 160 of the Elektrobay units in the UK, and you can bank on it being baked into all future installations -- so much for free juice, huh?
