There’s a lot of activity in the electric vehicle market these days and Green Family Car wants to share it with the world. Here is today’s Green Car Recharge:
The Memphis company will deploy 34 electric trucks in the Bay Area this year and will roll out another 53 elsewhere in the country. Some are already here, at a distribution facility in Menlo Park.
The trucks, made by Navistar International Corp. and Smith Electric Vehicles, have a battery range of 100 miles – bad for rural routes but perfect for the Bay Area’s dense street grid.
Tesla Motors Inc. said it will begin delivering its first mass production electric car -– the high-end Model S to customers starting June 22, about a month ahead of the expected schedule.
The Palo Alto-based company says it has more than 10,000 orders for the battery-powered car but that not all will be delivered this year.
DETROIT (Reuters) — Ford Motor Co. started shipping its first electric passenger car to dealers this past weekend, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
About 350 Focus Electric cars will be sent to 67 dealers in California, New Jersey and New York over the next couple weeks. Manufacturing executives signed off on the decision on Friday.
Each dealer will get about six cars, one of which will be a demonstration model, the people said.
Toyota and Tesla teamed together to make the biggest announcement at today’s Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Here’s a portion of the press release from Toyota:
LOS ANGELES (May 7, 2012) — Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn’t compromise on performance, comfort or versatility.
This marks Toyota’s first entry into the all-electric vehicle market after achieving such tremendous success in the hybrid market with the Prius, the Prius V and the Prius C as well as the Prius Plug-In hybrid vechile coming on the market this year. According to Toyota’s Bob Carter, the RAV4 EV will be built in Fremont, California at the former New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) plant that was established as a joint venture in 1984 to manufacture vehicles to be sold under both brands.
“It’s all about blending the best of two worlds,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”
The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an outstanding product to market in record time.
Tesla is also set to roll out its new all-electrfic model “S” sedan sometime this summer.
Among the other highlights of EVS26 is the introduction of a plan to create an “E Highway” where electric trucks will can drive in specific lanes that have electric wires above the lane to power the truck and a large battery pack that powers the vehicle when it is out of the electric lane.
The plan, introduced by global energy powerhouse Siemens, could eventually eliminate the smelly, fuel-hogging diesel trucks that move freight from the ships docked in the port of Los Angeles up the 110 freeway to distribution points throughout the city.
That plan is welcomed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who accepted the Electric Vehicle Visionary Award for the City of Los Angeles in the morning session kicking off EVS26.
The RAV4 EV is the first model to come out of Toyota’s partnership with Tesla, the start-up electric vehicle manufacturer led by world famous entrepreneur Elon Musk. Tesla has sold more than 2,100 of its Roadster model electric sports cars and is rolling out the new Tesla S sedan this summer. Tesla has also provided battery electric powertrains to Mercedes-Benz and Smart.
Next week’s announcement should shine a little more light on Toyota’s plans for where it will sell the RAV4 first and what the price tag will be. But one thing is certain, with a name like Toyota behind it, the RAV4 EV is sure to get some attention from the multitudes of happy Prius owners already on the road.
GreenFamilyCar will be at the EVS 26 and will bring updates from the show.
In another move toward getting electric vehicles into the fast lanes of mainstream America, Honda announced today that it has parterned with Leviton to provide electric vehicle charging stations across the U.S.
The stations will be built to accomodate the new Honda Fit EV that is arriving on the market this summer, and the new Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid due out in the winter of 2013.
TORRANCE, Calif., April 23, 2012 – American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today announced that Leviton Manufacturing Company, the global leader in connectivity solutions, has been selected as Honda’s preferred Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment provider for customer and dealer EV charging.
“As leaders in the fields of advanced technology for mobility and energy solutions, Leviton and Honda both have unique missions to create a more sustainable future,” said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. “Pairing Leviton’s EV charging solutions with Honda’s advanced Fit EV and Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan electric vehicles will enable a more convenient and seamless ownership experience for our customers.”
Honda will be introducing two battery-electric vehicles beginning with the 2013 Honda Fit EV this summer, and the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Sedan next winter. The 2013 Honda Fit EV battery-electric commuter car, based on the popular Fit, targets an estimated 123 city-mile range per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 and can fully recharge its battery in as little as three hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit. The Honda Plug-In Hybrid Sedan uses an all-new, two-motor hybrid system which continuously moves through three different modes – all-electric, with up to a 15 mile per charge range; gasoline-electric; and direct-drive – to maximize driving and fuel efficiency, especially during city driving.
Which vehicles get the best fuel mileage in each of the most popular all catagories? Energy expert and fellow auto journalist LouAnn Hammond of Carlist.com just returned from the New York Auto Show and gives her recommendations during an interview on KCRA-TV in Sacramento.
She also includes the results of a survey showing what cars Democrats purchase as opposed to those bought by Republicans.
Over on The Family Car channel on YouTube, we provided a sneak peak of the new Fisker Karma plug-in electric luxury sedan. While the vehicle is an amazing blend of green technology, luxury ammenities and a hot rod style, the thing that made the most headlines about the car last week is that pop star Justin Bieber received one from his manager as a gift on the singer’s 18th birthday.
When music sensation Justin Bieber was surprised with the gift of a Fisker Karma for his 18th birthday, we’re millions of teenage fans around the world had the same response; “A WHAT?”
In fact, The Family Car.com was able to get a preview and test drive of the Fisker Karma in Los Angeles just two days before he received it on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
And the electric mode is fast and fun! The freeway shot in the video was a truly fun ride. Without any fuss or fuel consumption, the Karma scooted across two lanes of busy freeway traffic with ease.
Oh, and there’s a solar roof that is standard on all models. This powers the fans and adds power to the batteries.
The base price of the Fisker Karma runs a cool $100,000, so this green car clearly belongs in a niche market — like 18-year-old pop stars.
In Los Angeles this week, Tesla made an announcement that all green-friendly families will enjoy — a new, all-electric, seven passenger sport utility vehicle is on its way. The pioneering electric car manufacturer for the luxury segment will base the family friendly e-van on the same platform as the Tesla S sedan model that is due out in mid-2012.
This new electric model is bound to create a stir, not just because it’s electric, but because of its wings. Tesla’s designers took a big step forward by going back in time to replicate the “Gull Wings” of the DeLorean DMC-12 from the 1980s. Tesla prefers to call them “Falcon Wings.”
Whatever bird you want to call them, the wings look pretty cool and are sure to draw attention from the carpool crowd.
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The talk around the Chicago Auto Show is once again centering on the benefits of electric vehicles. There’s the fuel savings, of course, by not having to purchase gasoline at ever-fluctuating rates; and the environmental benefits are certainly palpable when you consider the lack of emissions for electric vehicles.
But the drawbacks of e-cars are also at issue. Battery safety and lifespan are evolving technologies and often leave potential customers contentedly on the sidelines until proven systems are available.
The vehicle’s range is another concern for customers who are not accustomed to ”filling up” at shopping malls and public parking lots rather than gas stations on every corner.
It’s this last concern — “Range Anxiety and searching for e-charging stations — that the Chicago Tribune focuses on in its kickoff coverage of the Chicago Auto Show. Writer Julie Wernau tells the story of an electric car enthusiast who is thrilled to start seeing more e-cars charging up at electric outlets all over the city, including laundromats, hotels, churches and even gas stations.
“Any given week there are more electric vehicles wanting to charge than there are charging stations,” he said. “This is my nirvana. These are the days I’ve wanted to see for the last 10 years.”
But if there’s a full-blown revolution coming, it isn’t here yet. While the hybrid market is growing, in 2012 it comprises just 2.46 percent of the overall market. Electric vehicle sales represent less than 1 percent, according to industry watcher Edmunds.com.
“We’re in the covered-wagon days of this industry,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with Edmunds. “We’re in a pioneering time.”
Calling all hybrid naysayers. Those who say they won’t consider driving a hybrid — or any other alternative fuel vehicle — until the price comes down to a reasonable level.
Well, it’s time to start considering.
Toyota today announced the pricing for the all-new Prius c – a sub-compact hybrid that uses the same Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive that has been the standard for all other hybrid drives to emmulate.
Designed to function as a city-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and an EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will be available in early 2012.
So at what cost would it take to get into this 53-mpg hybrid? Toyota announced a MSRP of $18,950 for the base Prius c — also known as the Prius c “One.” There are four levels of packages for the Prius C, with the fully loaded Prius c “Four” carrying a price of just 23,230. The MSRPs for the 2012 Prius c do not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee, which is $760.
Along with the city of Torrance, Calif., each participant is now conducting general testing as well as providing specific feedback related to the future introduction of electric vehicles. The Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program participants are the first recipients of the 2013 Fit EV in the United States.
The all-electric Fit EV debuted at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and is expected to achieve 123 miles per charge — 76 miles combined city/highway driving. It will become available for leasing to customers in select California and Oregon markets in the summer of 2012.
I almost got hit by a Leaf the other day. Had it happened, not only would I have likely been badly hurt, but the consequences could have had a potential impact on the electric vehicle industry for years to come.
Let me explain.
The near disaster took place at mid-day in a busy Southern California intersection. Having a clear green light and two lanes of stopped traffic to my left, I slowly guided the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist I was driving into the intersection. Suddenly, a silver Nissan Leaf came whizzing through the open third traffic lane and racing into the intersection aimed right into my path.
The driver of the Leaf slammed on her brakes just a couple of feet from the front bumper of my Buick LaCrosse.
After catching our collective breaths, the driver and I exchanged glances, and then a thankful grin before I nursed the LaCrosse’s gas pedal to continue moving on.
Then I began to wonder:
What was she thinking about when she didn’t notice the red light and stopped traffic? Was she enjoying the silent ride of the all-electric Nissan Leaf?
Perhaps she was so ecstatic about the Leaf’s amazingly zippy pick-up that she forgot how fast she was going. With no torque to rev up, the throttle-to-wheels time is almost instantaneous.
Or was she just not used to stopping her car at all? Never having to stop at a gas station for a fill-up can spoil a person, you know. She was probably counting the money she was saving by not buying gas.
On a global scale, I thought about the potential consequences that this collision could have had on the electric car industry. While most emergency personnel have plenty of experience handling gasoline spills, would they know what to do with leaking acid from a damaged battery?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a report released last month, the agency said it “remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle. NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles show great promise as a safe and fuel-efficient option for American drivers.”
So had that little near-miss with a Leaf actually been a direct hit, you can be sure that Nissan and NHTSA officials would have been on the scene as quickly as possible to inspect and analyze the damage to the Leaf’s battery.
As for my Buick LaCrosse with eAssist, I’m pretty sure it would have stood up fairly well against the little Leaf. And even though it’s not called a “hybrid,” the eAssist system helps the LaCrosse achieve an average fuel mileage of 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
Nevertheless, that’s one collision with a Leaf that I am happy to have avoided.
There’s good news on the electric car develoment front as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it had closed the investigation into the recent fires that erupted from Volt test models after severe crash tests.
The NHTSA cloncluded that the fires were the results of leaks in the Volt’s batteries well after being subjected to severe impacts. Chevrolet has already come up with a fix to help ensure that the problem will not occur in regular vehicle use.
In a story by Jerry Hirsch of the Los Angeles Times, the NHTSA statement was clearly supportive of electric power as a mode of transportation.
The agency said it “remains unaware of any real-world crashes that have resulted in a battery-related fire involving the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle. NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles show great promise as a safe and fuel-efficient option for American drivers.”
The NHTSA also detailed proper guidelines for handling battery issues in electric and gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
I was sitting at a stop light yesterday when I spotted a pure white Nissan Leaf cruise past us in the left turn lane.
2011 Nissan Leaf
The Leaf’s “Glacier Pearl” finish and stylish, vertical tail lights helped it stand out in the intersection crowded with all sorts of makes, models and designs of vehicles.
But it wasn’t the design or color of the Leaf that made it look so special in my eyes. It’s what’s under the hood that really matters.
“There goes a Nissan Leaf,” I said to my girlfriend. “It’s an electric vehicle.”
“All electric?” she asked.
“Yep. Never has to stop at a gas station,” I replied.
“Never?”
“Never ever.”
The conversation continued to include many if the same questions that are coming up in families all across the country regarding electric vehicles:
How far can it travel on a charge? According to Nissan, the Leaf has a range of up to 100 miles on one full charge to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.
How long does it take to charge? The Leaf can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes when equipped with a quick charge port and using a DC fast charger. Charging at home through a 220 volt outlet is estimated to take approximately seven hours. The advanced lithium-ion battery pack carries an industry-competitive warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Where do you charge it? Anywhere there is an electric charging station available. Typically that would be at your home, charging overnight in your garage with a standard, 220V outlet. Also, charging stations are beginning to pop up at other locations, such as business parking lots, airports and shopping malls.
To find available charging stations along your route, there are websites such as ChargePoint that provide updated information about locations and availability of electric charging stations. Here’s a story from the Washington Post that we found interesting about how electric car charging stations are growing in numbers in the Washington, D.C. region.
The LEAF SL features a photovoltaic solar panel spoiler that supports charging of the 12-volt battery for some car accessories.
How much does it cost? The 2012 Nissan Leaf SV has an MSRP of $35,200, but after taking advantage of federal tax savings of up to $7,500, the net price of the Leaf is about $27,700. The Leaf SL version, which includes a new photovoltaic solar panel spoiler, will cost $29,750 after tax breaks. See pricing and leasing details here.
Let’s see, no gasoline costs, little to no emissions, fun to drive and a good price . . . it seems that electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Coda sedan and the gas-electric Chevrolet Volt are no a brainer for people who want to save money and help the environment.
Oh, and there’s one more advantage to driving an electric vehicle — access to carpool lanes!
There was an optimistic feel to the media preview days at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) last week in Detroit, Michigan, as automakers from around the globe rolled out their new and improved models for the upcoming year.
Acura's NSX hybrid concept is introduced by Honda Motor Company CEO Takanobu Ito at the North American International Auto Show
Everywhere you went across Cobo Hall’s vast showroom floor, automakers were talking about how 2012 signifies a resurgence for the auto industry following a tremendously trying past couple of years. The plummeting economies of the U.S. and Europe combined with the devastating tsunami in Japan to deal a near-deadly knockout punch for nearly all automakers.
But the new year brings new hope and optimism across the auto industry, with many companies announcing the opening of new plants, or expanded production at facilities that had previously experienced major cutbacks in manufacturing-related jobs. And along with this positive economic outlook is a renewed focus on environmentally friendly models that put a greater emphasis on alternative fuels or high-mileage, gas-electric hybrids.
This is evidenced by a recent report by J.D. Power and Associates that states 23 new hybrid or electric models are anticipated to hit dealerships in 2012. And there’s at least one new company that is putting pedal to the metal to produce consumer-friendly “electrified” trucks and sport utility vehicles for heavy duty users. Via, a start-up company that includes former General Motors Chairman Bob Lutz on its board, launched three extended-range vehicles at NAIAS — a utility van, a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle — that can run up to 40 miles in all-electric mode and a gas-electric range of up to 500 miles.
There’s no doubt that today’s automakers are optimistic about the growth possibilities for the next 12 months. And as long as they keep seeing green, everyone will benefit.
Here’s a quick look at some of the activities at this year’s North American International Auto Show.
Also of note in the article is the statement that sales have been slow for the Volt as well as for the Nissan Leaf, the all-electric vehicle with up to 100 mile range.
The car (Volt), as well as other electric vehicles, have not been brisk seller. GM has sold about 8,000 Volts, which can travel about 40 miles just on battery power before a gas engine kicks in and functions as a generator to extend the range an additional 300 miles. Nissan, by comparison, has sold just about 10,000 of its Leaf electric vehicle.
Perhaps that slow start in electric vehicle sales is the basis for sentiment among the world’s automotive executives that was relayed in a survey by KMPG:
Global Auto Execs Don’t See Spark in Electric Vehicle Sales for More Than Decade
DETROIT, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Despite continued heavy investment by auto makers in electric propulsion technologies, global automotive executives don’t expect e-car sales to exceed 15 percent of annual global auto sales before 2025, according to the 13th annual global automotive survey conducted by KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm.
In polling 200 C-level executives in the global automotive industry for the 2012 automotive survey, KPMG found that nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of executives don’t expect electrified vehicles (meaning all e-vehicles, from full hybrids to FCEVs) to exceed 15 percent of global annual auto sales before 2025. Executives in the U.S. and Western Europe expect even less adoption, projecting e-vehicles will only account for 6-10 percent of global annual auto sales.
“Electric vehicles are still in their infancy, and while we’ve seen some recent model introductions, consumer demand has so far been modest,” said Gary Silberg, National Automotive Industry leader for KPMG LLP. “While we can expect no more than modest demand in the foreseeable future, we can also expect OEMs to intensify investment, fully appreciating what is at stake in a very competitive industry.”
We’d like to see the future prove these stats wrong. With the proper funding for technology and infrastructure, there’s no reason why electrified vehicles can’t become the roadway norm in the next 4-5 years.
In preparation for next week’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), luxury automaker Lexus provides a sneak peek at one sleek-looking hybrid concept it will be debuting in Detroit.
Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept Vehicle to Debut at Detroit Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 4, 2012 – Lexus is set to introduce the LF-LC 2+2 hybrid sport coupe concept vehicle, created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012.
Conceived as a design exercise, the LF-LC is envisioned as offering Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive
to deliver both driving performance and fuel efficiency.
Green Family Car will be at NAIAS to bring all the news about what’s coming out in the near future for green-friendly vehicles.
In fact, the story’s headline headline is somewhat misleading. The Chevrolet Volt has an electric motor that is powered by a gasoline generator, so it’s really a hybrid. Still a great car, but not fully electric.
If Bob wants to have true solar-powered transportation, he should look into a Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV or Coda sedan. Those are true electric vehicles available on the market today.
Kia has revealed its first electric vehicle — the Kia Ray EV. They call it a city car because it has a range of only 86 miles on a charge, which is plenty for around-town driving.
It’s currently only available in Korea, but could be a glimpse of things to come in the U.S. as well.
One of the novel features of the new Kia Ray EV is a navigation system that will guide the driver to the nearest electric charging stations.
The Ray EV also has a navigation system specially designed for electric vehicles, with a 7-inch screen that and provides information that is important to EV drivers, like the location of the nearest charging stations. The display also shows a circular area representing the vehicle’s range, so drivers can see which destinations they can reach without recharging the battery.
Mazda has been rolling out some pretty exciting and creatively designed vehicles these days . . . many featuring the most uncreative names. You’ll find the Mazda 3, Mazda 5, and Mazda 6 (all totally different models), and don’t forget the CX family of CX-5, 7 and CX-9. And then there’s the Mazda Miata MX-5 . . .
But rest assured that once you figure out the naming issues, you will have no confusion recognizing the quality and performance that is truly Mazda’s middle name.
This tasty little temptation is the 2012 Mazda 2, a sporty hatchback that scoots around with spunk fueled by a very nimble four-cylinder engine producing up to 100 horsepower. Those numbers are timid compared to others on the road, but then how many of those can claim a top fuel mileage of up to 35 miles per gallon?
And while small, the hatchback and folding seats provide plenty of space for active families who want to get out on the road with sports gear handy for whatever adventure ensues.
Everything about the Mazda 2 is fun — even the front end looks like it is smiling.
Toyota announced today the pricing for the 2012 Toyota Prius lineup and the 2012 RAV4.
While the prices for the RAV4 show a minimal increase from 2011 — and a decrease in some models — the Prius pricing shows a moderate increase across all models of the hugely popular hybrid.
With over one million units sold in the U.S. alone, the midsize Prius Liftback has helped Toyota’s Prius brand become the most popular hybrid vehicle nameplate by offering consumers the most proven hybrid technology available. In 2012, the Prius Liftback will be joined in the showroom by other members of the Prius Family; the versatile Prius v, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and the subcompact Prius c.
The Prius Liftback receives updates and enhancements to its available content for the 2012 model year. The 2012 Prius Liftback MSRP ranges from $24,000 for the Prius Two model to $29,805 for Prius Five, reflecting a price increase ranging from 2.0 percent to 4.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the RAV4 compact SUV shows a slight price reduction in some models.
The Toyota RAV4 is offered in three distinct grades – RAV4 grade, Sport and top-of-the-line Limited – and with a choice between the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 269 horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Each engine can be teamed with either front-wheel drive or electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive. The roomy RAV4 offers optional third-row seating on RAV4 and Limited grade models.
The 2012 RAV4 receives an overall price increase of $100, or 0.4 percent, with some models receiving a price decrease, helping the RAV4 retain its excellent value. The base MSRP will range from $22,650 for the RAV4 four-cylinder 2WD model with a four-speed automatic transmission to $28,650 for the Limited V6 4WD model with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Ford has announced that it is developing a pair of new hybrids under the C-Max model label. One will be a plug-in hybrid, the other a traditional gas-electric hybrid, and both will complement the introduction of the all-electric Ford Focus and Transit Connect.
Ford Trots Out Electric Focus, Promises Its Hybrids Will Trump Toyota, GM
Ford Motor Company won’t be the first automaker to release a plug-in hybrid, but it claims it has worked out more of the kinks in the concept than Toyota or General Motors.
Next year, Ford will release two new hybrids–the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid–to complement the all-electric Ford Focus that has just started to roll off the lines at the Michigan Assembly Plant.
The company claims that both hybrids will get better mileage than, respectively, the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Prius Plug-in and provide advantages over the Chevy Volt. The electric Focus, meanwhile, gets the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon, although, of course, it doesn’t consume fuel.
The all-electric Focus, new hybrids, and other developments (Ford also has an new, unnamed electric likely coming in 2013) all underscore the dominant theme at the automaker for the past several years: cutting fuel. Even before President Obama unfurled the new U.S. goal of raising the average mileage for new light trucks and cars to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, Ford was already turning in the direction of saving energy. (There’s more with the Forbes chat with Bill Ford here.)
We got a chuckle reading the last line of Michael’s story, in which Ford is quick to point out the differences in Ford’s battery pack from those of GM’s Chevrolet Volt that have had some technical issues (fire) in recent months.
(Kapp also noted that while Ford and GM both get their battery cells from the same supplier, the battery packs are different. Thus, you can’t extrapolate the Volt flames onto Ford.)
The Mitsubishi i, an all-electric vehicle just hitting the market, landed on the shores of Hawaii today as the very first customer retail delivery took place on the island of Ohau. You gotta hand it to the Mitsubishi PR team, they know how to do a great photo-op! Here’s the gist:
Mitsubishi Motors, Governor of Hawaii and Cutter Mitsubishi Hand Over Keys to First 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Retail Customer
HONOLULU, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Representatives from Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), along with the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, Governor of Hawaii, and personnel from Cutter Mitsubishi of Aiea, Hawaii, made the very first customer retail delivery of the 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i featuring Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology in a formal ceremony today at the historic Hawaii State Capitol Building in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Bryson and Bridget Nishimura of Waipahu, Hawaii.
“We purchased the 2012 Mitsubishi i primarily to save on gas – we currently spend about $70.00 a week on fuel. But it should cost us only around $3.00 for a full charge of electricity – that’s going to be a great savings for us! Long-term, the Mitsubishi i should save us at least $3,000 a year,” said Mr. Nishimura, retired from a career with Hawaiian Telephone.
“I think the car is so cute,” Mrs. Nishimura added enthusiastically. “Plus, I like that it’s roomy and it’s a hatchback. It’s going to be so good for the earth – we’re both way on board with it. And Cutter Mitsubishi has been great to work with, too.”
In today’s Sacramento Bee, auto writer Mark Glover covers the challenges that conventional auto mechanics face as new electric vehicles start showing up in their garages.
Those electric vehicles popping up in driveways all over California look a lot like their gas-powered cousins. But under the hood, they’re different machines, and their potential problems are foreign to many drivers and mechanics alike.
In California, the nation’s No. 1 market for sales of hybrids and EVs, the stakes are potentially huge.Jesse Toprak, an analyst for the Santa Monica-based TrueCar.com, noted California’s “sheer numbers” of people, along with its “concentration of early adopters in terms of technology and environmentally friendly purchasers.”
A report released last week by San Francisco-based nonprofit Next 10 said California attracted global investments totaling $467 million in electric vehicle-related sectors in the first half of this year. In all of 2010, investments totaled $840 million.
From 1995 to 2010, Next 10 said, electric vehicle industry jobs in California went from 740 to 1,800. That growth is expected to continue. Next 10′s study showed California and Michigan in a tie for EV technology patents, both generating 300 from 2008-10.
The report flatly states: “California is leading the nation in the growing electric vehicle industry.”
The story goes on to say that mechanics are facing an educational challenge in learning how to work on the new e-car technology.
Rising EV numbers have created challenges in the vehicle repair/service industry.
“It’s a huge challenge,” said Doug Brauner, the “Car Czar” TV/radio host who’s also a certified mechanic and runs auto shops in Sacramento and Citrus Heights. “We’re just now after all of these years seeing an acceptable number of techs that have the appropriate amount of hybrid training.”
When it comes to fully electric vehicles, he said, “I have yet to see anybody in this marketplace who has received appropriate and reasonable training.”
Brauner said the auto service industry was “slow to react to hybrid training. I hope our industry is a little more proactive” with EVs.
In its Dec. 12 issue, Automotive News reports that many car buyers are now taking a closer look at the green car options on the market today. It may start with purchasing a “mild hybrid,” such as General Motors’ Buick LaCrosse eAssist, but it’s a step in the green direction for buyers who never would have considered purchasing a hybrid in the past.
Here’s the story:
Mild hybrids on the rise
A couple in their 50s recently arrived at a Buick dealership in Chelsea, Mich., looking for an attractive sedan with decent fuel economy. They left in a LaCrosse with a four-cylinder engine teamed with General Motors’ new mild hybrid system.
The buyers were a far cry from the green types who do exhaustive research before plunking down money for a Toyota Prius or Nissan Leaf. They were trading in a Buick and had never heard of GM’s system, dubbed “eAssist.”
“We just explained that this is a new technology that allows a sizable car to get an extra 5 or 6 mpg in an inexpensive way,” says Lance Underwood, general sales manager at Chelsea Chevrolet-Buick.
A mild hybrid uses a small electric motor that assists the gasoline engine but can’t propel the vehicle on its own. The technology has occupied a low-key spot along the spectrum of alternative powertrains. But that’s about to change.
GM is the first automaker to introduce mild hybrids in a big way, adding the technology to high-volume models. This fall GM began selling it on the 2012 LaCrosse and Buick Regal. (The four-cylinder LaCrosse with eAssist, for example, gets 25 mpg in city driving and 36 on the highway compared with 19/30 mpg for the outgoing four-cylinder model.) It will be on the Eco version of the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu this spring.
A few other automakers offer mild hybrid technology, sometimes called “light electrification,” though none is deploying it as aggressively as GM. Honda pioneered the technology in the late 1990s with the Insight before focusing more on full hybrids, though it still sells a mild hybrid: the new CR-Z coupe. BMW and Mercedes-Benz co-developed a mild hybrid system that both companies offer on their range-topping vehicles.
Mitsubishi announced today that it delivered the first of its all-electric i-MiEV vehicles to the Bay Area’s City CarShare in San Francisco.
Here’s a portion of the announcement from Mitsubishi:
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Representatives from Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), along with San Rafael Mitsubishi, conducted the very first fleet delivery of the all-new 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i to the California Bay Area’s City CarShare in a special ceremony held at the Green Vehicle Showcase located in front of San Francisco City Hall Plaza on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
City CarShare is a Bay Area nonprofit organization founded in 2001 with the help of several other local nonprofits and the cities of San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. Their mission is to promote innovative mobility options to improve the environment and the quality of life in the Bay Area. By providing short-term access to cars City CarShare is reducing traffic congestion, parking problems and dependence on oil while promoting cleaner air and quieter streets.
“We are very pleased to introduce the all electric Mitsubishi i into our fleet. This vehicle brings us one step closer toward our goal of having 50% of our fleet run on alternative fuel as part of our mission to decrease carbon emissions in the Bay Area,” said Rick Hutchinson, CEO, City CarShare.
Numerous fleet orders have already been placed for the innovative, environmentally-friendly and fun-to-drive Mitsubishi i by a wide variety of organizations – multinational corporations, municipalities large and small, major utilities and nonprofit organizations – from New York to Hawaii.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i is the first of several new advanced, alternative-fuel production vehicles that the Japanese auto manufacturer plans on bringing to the North American market in the next few years.
December 2, 2011 at 3:53 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Greenfamilycar.com automotive editors, the Family Car cousins Keith Turner and Dean Adams Curtis, review 9 electric vehicles that middle income families will be able to choose from among in 2012. All were on display recently during the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Among a broad range of more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly vehicles, the following 9 electric vehicles will be available from auto dealers in 2012. In no particular order and numbered for your convenience (and ours) at keeping count, they are:
1. Honda Leaf EV,
2. Ford Focus EV,
3. Mitsubishi i (aka MiEV “My EV”)
4. Ford Transit Connect Electric (perfect for small business owners)
5. BMW Active E
6. Tesla Model S
7. Coda sedan (assembled in Los Angeles area)
And finally, two EVs that have been around for a year, since the 2010 LA Auto Show, namely:
8. GM Volt (5,300 sold in the past year)
As well as,
9. The EV sales leading Nissan Leaf, currently in the hands of 8,000 owners.
There, you have our list of the nine electric vehicles we think you will be interested in investigating. Keep your eyes open for future blog entries at greenfamilycar.com as we track the prices of these nine EVs, so you will be able to see their price trend lines and determine whether they are within reach of your family, especially if you’re in the market for a second car!
The versatile and stylish Toyota Sienna LE arrives at the ball fields ready to load up a team of up to eight players and their gear.
The redesigned Sienna features dual power-sliding doors, which you’ll especially appreciate in a rain storm, multiple seating and cargo configurations, and an eco-friendly 4-cylinder engine that never leaves you wanting more.
With a base price of $25,345, this test model came packed with high-tech features like a back-up camera, trip computer and satellite radio-ready to top it out at $29,703. The Sienna also is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.
So load up the team and hit the road in style and comfort.
A positive sign of the times: the Green Car of the Year Award has grown into a very prestigious and highly competitive honor. This year’s finalists included a natural gas vehicle (the winner of the award), two electric vehicles, a hybrid and a clean diesel model.
The Honda Civic Natural Gas was named 2012 Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. Michael Accavitti, vice president of marketing at America Honda Motor Co. accepts the award.
Other finalists for the award, announced by the Green Car Journal, were the Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.
Check us out on Facebook “Family Car” and Twitter: #KTCarguy.
Spring has sprung and so have gasoline prices across the nation. Just in time for summer vacation, fuel prices have topped $4 a gallon and by all accounts, are heading higher before school gets out.
The last time gas prices got this high proved to be the tipping point for the auto industry, driving families to start to take a serious look at the relatively unknown world of hybrids.
Toyota and Honda, who had been hybrid trailblazers for half a decade, saw sales of their fuel-sippers jump significantly, with other manufacturers quickly following their leads.
Today, families have a wide range of fuel-friendly vehicles to choose from, including plug-in hybrids, electric-only and compressed natural gas powered cars designed to limit or completely eliminate trips to the gas pump.
Here’s a quick look at some popular family-friendly fuel savers for 2011:
The Toyota Prius (50 mpg) is still the leader of the pack when it comes to hybrid technology. In addition to its upgraded third-generation design, which offers a solar roof to power the climate control system, Toyota is also rolling out a plug-in Prius that supplements the electrical power with household electricity, allowing the vehicle to run in electric-only mode for the first few miles. And look for a Prius V wagon in the near future, giving families an additional 60 percent more cargo space than the current Prius.
Honda’s Insight (41 mpg) is designed with an egg-shaped look similar to the Prius and is the most affordable hybrid on sale in the U.S., starting at $18,000. Honda’s undercover hybrid, the Civic hybrid (42 mpg) remains a premium family-friendly hybrid, adding even better fuel economy in 2011. Honda also offers the Civic GX, a natural gas compression vehicle that requires not a drop of gasoline and has zero emissions.
A newcomer to the hybrid market this year is the Hyundai Sonata hybrid, a sleek four-door that rates an average of 40 mpg. Ford offers a trio of new hybrids to supplement its small SUV Escape hybrid model (32 mpg): the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ hybrids all achieve mileage of 41 mpg in city driving, 36 mpg on the highway.
Speaking of SUVs, the Toyota Highlander (28 mpg) is the only hybrid offering third row seats, and the Lexus RX450h provides luxury living while topping 32 mpg it city driving.
Rather not stop for gas? Look at the just released Nissan Leaf, and all-electric, pod-like vehicle that will take you up to 100 miles before needing to plug into a standard household outlet to recharge. Also
new to the market is the Chevrolet Volt (93 mpg), a plug-in hybrid that promises extended range driving on electric and gasoline power.
So don’t let high pump prices foil your vacation fun. There are plenty of family friendly fuel sippers to keep your wagons rolling this summer.
This column was originally published in Parent’s Resource Guide of Northern Gold Country www.sierrasourcemedia.com.
February 21, 2011 at 9:12 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Thomas Alva Edison’s incandescent light bulbs are being swapped out for more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs around the world, however his advocacy of electric vehicles 111 years ago seems to be gaining wattage in the U.S. and internationally.
Let’s begin in India. Have you heard about Project Edison? The Hindustan Times reports today that India maybe one of the first markets to get a global small car being developed by a collaboration between Mercedes Benz (Smart), Renault (see the Renault Zoe concept car above) and Nissan.
You may find it strange that a cooperative venture called Project Edison will most likely yield a Smart-sized new car for the subcontinent powered by small gas and diesel internal combustion engines. But because we eagerly anticipate broader distibution of the MB/Smart electric vehicles in the U.S., and we are aware of Renault’s EV in Israel, as well as this year’s U.S. rollout of the Nissan’s Leaf, we figure its a good bet there will also be an electric car option for India from Project Edison.
In the United States, we are already rolling in Leafs and are looking forward to getting behind the driver’s seats of the Mitsubishi electric vehicle (the iMiEV pictured below) that has been running on the roads of Japan for a couple years and tested in the U.S.
And we often wonder what’s up with the EV offering from two car companies with 4-letter names, India’s Tata and Italy’s Fiat which have had a deal to create a car together that has encountered some patches of rocky road. We’ll keep you posted.
When people hear “electric cars” their first thoughts are usually not of vehicles made back in the year 1900. But 111 years ago, Thomas Edison was a big advocate of electric vehicles. Back then, for just over $2K you could get a four-passenger electric coupe with removable top and your choice of solid or pneumatic tires.
Back in 1900 there were a total of 2370 automobiles in New York, Chicago and Boston. Of these, 1170 were steam-powered, 400 were powered by gasoline, and 800 were electric. So back at dawn of EVs there were twice as many electric vehicles as those powered by gas. It was by no means apparent to anyone back then which power source would prevail.
Put an imaginary EV’s pedal to the metal through electric vehicle history to the present. January 2011, Cleantech Investor Conference in Palm Springs. Tesla’s founder and CEO Elon Musk (who is said to have drawn some of his inspiration from Thomas Edison) announces what electric vehicles he’ll be introducing next. To start with, Tesla will be giving us the Model X electric or “ESUV” later on this year. Two years from now Mr. Musk says he will share with us his Tesla Model S electric sedan (pictured here). Finally, in 2015, Tesla plans to provide a mainstream EV for $30,000.
The $30K price point is important as it is the top price that the largest group of U.S. consumers with steady median-wage jobs, low debt and good credit are likely to be able to afford in their family budgets. In short, most green family car buyers will only purchase electric cars as second vehicles when they become affordable, which currently relies on alternative power vehicle purchaser tax credit from government agencies.
Beginning back 111 years ago and for next 15 years or so, EVs gained in popularity. They were used for driving around the major cities, just as Edison had envisoned. In fact they brought the electric power companies which Edison the inventor-businessman had founded more customer dollars to pay back his investors.
The electric vehicles of Edison’s day were sometimes called “opera cars” and (as in the case of the Waverly electic vehicle ad shown above) were sometimes advertised to women as being clean, quiet, and easy to start. It is said that doctors also purchased EVs back in their early days, back when doctors still made housecalls in the middle of the night.
February 20, 2011 at 9:14 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Using a hybrid method to calculate the greenness of vehicles, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a non-profit group funded by electric utilities and others, announced its greenest vehicles for 2011.
The ACEEE ranking expands on the ratings of the Environmental Protection Agency for fuel-efficiency and tailpipe-emissions, as well as factoring in the GREET model created by Argonne National Laboratory.
Other factors considered in the ranking are the emissions produced by the “gas-assist” power plants that add range to electric vehicles such as the GM Volt (see number 12 on this list), as well as the environmental costs associated with battery production and disposal.
Honda Civic GX, a limited-production model Civic that has been around for a several years burns compressed natural gas and is expected to be in wider distribution and more retail showrooms in 2012.
Nissan Leaf, a true ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) with no tailpipe needed because it is all electric gets a number two rating due to this list factoring in considerations about mining of materials used by the batteries and also battery disposal.
Smart Fortwo, a small and thus lightweight design uses a 1.0 liter engine to efficiently move two passengers. Drivers of more conventional looking vehicles love to make jokes about the design, such as “What happened to the rest of your car?” Keep your eyes out for the EV version of the Smart Fortwo, which you can see illustrated at right. It combines small size with electric power and promises to be about the greenest vehicle on the mass market.
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Insight
Ford Fiesta SFE, a Fiesta with a Super Fuel Economy package (lighter weight, more aerodynamic, with performance tweaks and mileage-maximizing tires) gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Hyundai Elantra
Mini Cooper
Toyota Yaris
Chevrolet Volt
Mazda 2
For more information about the ACEEE organization and additional factors used to rate green vehicles, see http://www.greenercars.org/highlights_greenest.htm
February 12, 2011 at 12:10 am · Filed under Uncategorized
As most readers know, Mini is a part of the BMW Group. The beloved Mini Cooper came out as a 100% electric 2-seater with batteries taking up the backseat called the MiniE, which was leased to 450 lucky U.S. field trial drivers during 2010. We know how much the drivers dug their E’s because we talked with them many of them when they gathered at the Alt Car Expo in Santa Monica, California last year.
While we wouldn’t categorize the MiniE a green family car, due to its lack of a back seat and minimal stowage area, it could come in handy as a second car for one parent in a two-car household to pick up or drop off one child, or run errands and go shopping. According to a BMW Group rep at the 2010 LA Auto Show, most of the trial drivers extended their leases after end of field trial, so Mini is not definately not killing this little and much-loved electric car.
Exactly when the rest of us will be able to lease or purchase a MiniE is still not precisely known. Our best guess is that it will be available when the Fiat 500 EV (pictured at right ) comes on the market in the beginning of 2012.
But let’s move on from what the Germans (Bavarian Motor Group) and the Italians who bought Chrysler are offering to what the Japanese have in store for us beyond the plug-in Prius hybrid.
We can’t tell you if the vehicle from Honda called the PNUT (their Personal Neo-Urban Utility Transport pictured at left a the 2009 LA Auto Show) is what the company’s electric vehicle entry will look like, or even what it will be called when it gets to dealer showrooms, but we can tell you that Honda has teams working hard to get them into the EV ballgame as soon as possible.
However there is an electric vehicle that is already rolling on the streets of Japan, and in a Gulf state or two, the Mitsubishi “i” electric vehicle known as the MiEV. This fun little car is set to go on sale in the United States this fall with a range of 120 to 160 kilometers and a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Recharging the MiEV is estimated to take 7 hours from a 240-volt power supply.
In a clear sign that people are getting behind electric vehicles, an IPO for a proven, but tiny electric car company is taking Wall Street by storm.
Tesla Motors, which to date has produced a snazzy roadster and practical sedan that are both entirely powered by an electric motor, went public this week and the investors responded. In an opening reminiscent of Google’s 2004 IPO, Tesla’s stock price surged 18 percent in the first two days of trading, with shares starting at $17 but trading for $23.89 at day’s end.
The Tesla stock offering “is a good sign that people believe electric vehicles have potential,” said Robbie Diamond, president of the Electrification Coalition.
A sign of the future? We certainly hope so. When investors put their attention (money) on alternative fuels, we all reap the dividends.
Ford has decided to explore the world of sustainability by introducing seat foam made of soy in the 2011 edition of the Ford Explorer. The bio-based polyurethane foam bio foam seats not only reduce the use of non-green materials in the vehicle, but Ford says fuel economy will improve by up to 25 percent in the new model.
This news should also make American soy farmers happy. According to Ford, American farmers export more than 50 percent of the soybeans grown in the U.S.
For GreenFamilyCar.com by Alan Gell, automotive journalist for www.CarColumns.net
This column is about a very unusual car. It is called the GEM, which stands for Global Electric Motorcars. This company was actually founded in Michigan back in 1992. The guys were former engineers with General Motors, but sold the company, which now is part of Chrysler.
The 2010 GEM continues the innovation that has been underway at Global Electric Motorcars since 1992.
My wife Judy and I have both driven the GEM and it handles well and is fun to drive.
GEM made its first vehicle in 1998 which was an all-electric, 48 volt, two passenger model that could go almost 20 mph. It is almost like an enclosed golf cart. In that same year – 1998 – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration designated a new classification of motor vehicles called the NEV – Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. These are low-speed cars generally driven at resorts, malls, large building complexes, colleges, shuttle services, and similar places. However, they are allowed to be driven on public roads IF they meet certain safety standards.
These safety standards include having three point safety belts, headlights, windshield wipers, and safety windshield glass. Since most golf carts do not include all of these, they are not considered street legal, but GEM cars come equipped with all of this. The down side – is that the term “street legal” only applies to public roads posted at a speed of 35 mph or less.
GEM cars today usually achieve a speed of 25 mph and have a range of about 30 miles on a single charge. Like a golf cart, they plug into a standard 110 electric outlet and take about six hours to fully recharge. The GEM cars are 100% electric and have zero (0) tailpipe emissions.
GEM cars come in six different models, ranging from a small two seater to a larger pickup-style version. They are very capable with payloads ranging upwards to 1500 pounds. There are a lot of options and accessories available as well.
The good news is that they are very economical to operate. It costs approximately two cents a mile based on current electrical costs. The base model begins at just $8392 and the higher end models are slightly higher than $10,000.
I have taken several test drives in GEM cars and I like them. They are not designed for long trips and over-the-road driving. But for short-distance transportation over low-speed roads, they are great. They are capable and convenient and ideal for many everyday situations.
Check out the GEM cars yourself by contacting a Chrysler dealership or checking on the internet at www.GEMCAR.com.
Editor’s note:For a look at how NEVs like the GEM cars, as well as other vehicles rated MSEVs (Medium Speed Electric Vehicles), could potentially travel from coast-to-coast see GreenInterstate.com.
April 28, 2010 at 7:56 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
We’re big fans of the Honda Civic hybrids, a model that is undoubtedly benefiting from the Toyota Prius’ recent regenerative braking problems. Our first test drive in the classic 2007 Honda Civic hybrid resulted in creation of our most popular YouTube video!
But what’s coming up in 2011? Early reports say the 2011 Honda Civic will be available in both a 3-door and 5-door version. The new 2011 generation Civic hybrid will include a fossil fuel powered by a 1.5-liter engine that generates a kick of 150 horsepower. Another version will have over 200 horsepower.
December 6, 2009 at 2:28 am · Filed under Uncategorized
While the auto journalists covering the LA Auto Show didn’t see hide nor hair of Nissan this week, a small group of scribes were gathering in the festively decorated Santana Row near San Jose to get a sneak peek of the all-electric, zero emission Nissan Leaf.
The 2010 Leaf was available not only to look at, but to drive. And judging by the positive response from the journalists who took a few laps around the top of a parking garage, the Leaf earned flying colors in performance, handling and noise abatement.
The styling of the Leaf is dramatic, true to Nissan fashion. Taking a page out of the Toyota Prius marketing handbook, the Leaf designers went out of their way to create a car that is distinctive enough to grab the attention of others on the road.
The interior is Jetson-like, with digital displays for speed and meter readings, and a navigation control panel that looks more like a video screen than a stereo system.
The plug-in receptacle is in front, providing easy recharging from the garage wall or any other e-station.
The Leaf is expected to have a range of 100 miles per charge with a top speed of 90 mph. It can be quickly recharged in 26 minutes with a 480 volt fast charger, or fully charged in eight hours using a 220 volt home-charging unit.
San Diego will be the first city to have Leaf charging stations, with 50 planned by the time the car rolls out in December 2010. San Francisco will quickly follow.
The pricing of the Leaf has not been released, but informed opinion has the starting price at under $30,000, with a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 available to lighten the burden at tax time.
Nissan is also considering interesting options for the Leaf battery, including a lease plan where you’ll qualify for upgrades when more advanced batteries come along.
The economics of the auto biz have clearly changed the way Nissan is approaching the Leaf’s rollout. Rather than spending many thousands on auto show glitz and glamor, Nissan is taking the Leaf on tour to cities throughout the U.S. to let the media and public get and up-close and personal view of this extraordinary vehicle.
September 28, 2009 at 5:19 am · Filed under Uncategorized
In the world of auto reviewing, your life is filled with short-term relationships with some pretty hot cars.
They swoop into your life and spend a few days tantilizing your senses with powerful engines, luxurious interiors and sound systems that are so advanced you could swear you were front row at a live concert. Then, just as the relationship starts to get serious, she’s gone. Off to woo another.
So it’s a good idea not to fall in love with any of these beauties. You can enjoy their company and appreciate their attributes, but in the end you have to remind yourself that it’s only a fling and both of you will eventually be moving on.
Unfortunately, once in a while a vehicle comes along that is so special that you just can’t help yourself. You throw caution to the wind and fall head over heels in love. This no longer is just a fling — it’s the real deal.
That’s what the 2010 Lexus RX450h was for me. It was true love, Lexus style.
This SUV is in a class by itself when it comes to a luxury hybrid that has enough space for dogs and kids, but not too much that you feel like you’re a truck. It sits high enough above the road to create great visibility, yet not too tall to prevent kids and pups from climbing in. And because it’s a hybrid, the engine is as quiet as a humming bird, especially when traveling in electric-only mode at lows speeds, like through a parking lot or into a driveway.
But the best part if the gas mileage. I managed 28.5 mpg during our little summer fling, which is at least 10 mpg better than any of the other non-hybrid crossover SUVs on the market. This baby is not only cute, but smart too. She’s loaded with cool, high-tech visuals designed to help us better know how to calculate the best possible fuel economy, making driving the RX450h just a little more delicious.
The techie treats are everything in the RX450h, including side view cameras that provide a fisheye view of the blind spots alongside the vehicle. And there’s a weather tracker that gives the future weather forecast for wherever you may roam.
However, as with many relationships. Once the initial flash of infatuation has subsided, some realities begin to seep onto the scene. That moment came for me when I looked at her price tag. Just a smidge under $60k is what I would need to welcome this lovely lass into my garage. That may be a small price to pay for perfection, but it’s a little too rich for my blood.
So off she went, into the unsuspecting arms of another soon-to-be-smitten driver.
It was clearly one of those relationships I will remember forever . . . or at least until the next model comes my way.
A report on CNN — and relayed our way by Hal Sparks, who is filling in for Stephanie Miller this week on Air America Radio — tells us that wireless technology will soon be available for electricity.
According to the CNN report, Eric Giler, CEO of WiTricity, a company that makes light bulds that turn on without the aid of a power cord or light socket, says that full-fledged wireless electricity should be commonplace in the home within the next few years.
The part that gets us all giggly is the part about electfic vehicles. We’ve often dreamed of living in a world that has no need for gasoline-powered vehicles, but instead uses electrical airwaves to power vehicles along the roadways. That means no more gas fill-ups at $75 a pop. It also means no batteries to recharge or dispose of when dead. It even means no exhaust fumes spewing out of the tailpipe.
In short, if elctric cars are the future, then wireless electricity is the way to go.
Now we can put in our order for a new, all electric, Tesla family car. Or the new Coda electric sedan (pictured above).
Now all we need is to do something about those nasty traffic jams.
Do you like playing video games? How about a variety of colors to keep you entertained during your drive?
And let’s not forget good gas mileage. How does 40-plus mpg work for you?
If all of the above appeal to you (or just the mpg part), then the new, 2009 Honda Insight is the perfect car for you.
I’ve been driving one for nearly a week now and I continue to be educated and entertained by the host of amazing amenities the little car has to offer. Since it’s a hybrid, most of the gadgets are related to helping you — the lead-footed driver — get the best gas mileage that you’ve probably ever experienced (unless you already own a hybrid, that is).
The first thing you notice is that the digital speedometer, which is placed high above the rest of the dash in a holographic type of screen, has a background that turns from green to light blue to dark blue as you accelerate. It’s easy to deduce that green is for good economic driving and blue is for bad. They could have used red, I suppose, but the sight of a bright red glow across your dashboard could very well scare some folks out of their seatbelts.
Anyway, by laying off the gas pedal and nursing it on the hills, you’ll find that it’s not too difficult to stay in the green much of the time. There’s also an indicator along the left side of the dash that tells you the same thing.
Then there’s the ECON button. If 43 mpg isn’t enough for you, just push that green ECON button and the engine will work for you to get the best gas mileage you can possibly get. And here’s the cool part, as you are driving in ECON mode, an indicator on the dash shows a bar that tells you the proper range you should be in while accelerating or braking. Stay within that range long enough and you’ll earn a leaf on a tree (or perhaps it’s a flower). You try to get as many leafs as you can so that when you finally turn the car off, the Insight’s computer will give you a score. It keeps track of how you perform and if you do well enough saving gas, you will move up to another level in the game.
Great gas mileage and a reward to boot — what’s not to like about that!
The Insight is a joy to drive as well and there doesn’t seem to be any sacrifice in power just because it’s a hybrid.
But who cares about power anyway when you can earn a few leaves for green driving?
Not to be outdone by the recent news about the fully electric Nissan Leaf, General Motors announced today that its electric and gas powered Chevrolet Volt will get upwards of 230 miles per gallon in city driving.
Why just city driving? Because after running 40 miles on a charge, the Volt will dip into its small gasoline engine for some extra fuel. This will bring the gas mileage down to approximately 100 mpg on long trips. Still impressive, but not as flashy in the headlines as 230 mpg.
We’ve been waiting for the Volt to emerge from the GM plant for several years. With its sleek and futuristic styling and promise of zero reliance on gas, the Volt has been couched as somewhat of a savior for the financially troubled General Motors.
So today’s announcement is simply another in a long string of pre-production hype that GM is trumpeting in an attempt to grab the headlines back from the “Leaf” and to pump out some positive GM news for a change.
We will reserve judgment until there is an actual Volt — or Leaf — on the road and we get to test it ourselves.
Only then will we see if we get much of a charge out of the Volt.
August 2, 2009 at 6:05 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Nissan announced today in Japan the launch of the first all-electric production model vehicle to be produced and distributed in the U.S.
The Nissan “Leaf” will begin sales in the U.S., Japan and Europe by the end of 2010, followed closely by two more zero-emission models.
Here’s the report from Reuters:
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co took the wraps off its much-awaited electric car on Sunday, naming the hatchback “Leaf” and taking a step toward its goal of leading the industry in the zero-emissions field.
Japan’s No.3 automaker and its French partner, Renault SA, have been the most aggressive proponents of pure electric vehicles in the auto industry, announcing plans to mass-market the clean but expensive cars globally in 2012.
Nissan will begin selling the first Leaf cars in the United States, Japan and Europe toward the end of 2010, adding two more models soon after. It expects production to start with around 200,000 units a year at the global roll-out in 2012.
The hatchback will have a cruising range of just 100 miles and a top speed of just under 80 mph. But because there are no gears to engage, Nissan says the Leaf will be quick off the block. If it’s anything like GM’s all-electric vehicle the EV1 (that was scrapped for political purposes in the late ’90s) we can assure you that it will be fast.
Nissan hasn’t released pricing on the Leaf, but promises that it will be comparable to the price of a similar gasoline-engine car.
The autumn launch of the Leaf is significant because that’s also the target date for the Chevrolet Volt, another all-electric vehicle that is getting positive reviews from those lucky enough to drive a test version.
Toyota has announced the pricing for its new, 2010 Toyota Prius. The redesigned and updated hybrid stalwart will feature a host of new technology features, including:
four driving modes
steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel
a moonroof with solar panels to power the air conditioning
and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA).
Toyota promises that the new Prius will be roomier and quieter than the current model. It will also offer a plethora of safety features that are designed to keep the vehicle safe and secure in the event of an incident.
Oh, and the fuel mileage is charted to be right around 50 miles per gallon, accordingto EPA figures.
All this technology and fuel economy from a proven leader in hybrid vehicles will be available for a starting MSRP of $21,000, with the most popular model selling for about $22,000.
We are excited to bring this new, informative resource for families who are looking to go green with their transportation choices for the purpose of 1) Saving money on fuel, 2) Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and 3) Cleaning up the environment.
Those three points are the reason we developed GreenFamilyCar.com. As families, while we are busy with everyday activities, we still care about about the future that our children will inherit. So the Green Family Car blog is a place for us to share news and notes that are related to those three important points:
1) Saving money
2) Saving fuel
3) Cleaning up the environment.
Please help us and other families by adding your comments. Together, we CAN change the world.
April 12, 2009 at 10:57 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
As Congress debates carbon cap and trade legislation and the Obama Administration begins to prepare for the year-end climate conference in Copenhagen, we want to know what you think about your vehicle’s carbon “tiremark” (see luvgreen for a carbon footprint calculator), as well as about the prospect of raising the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Efficency) requirements at a time when the U.S. auto industry is having such a tough time.
The Memphis company will deploy 34 electric trucks in the Bay Area this year and will roll out another 53 elsewhere in the country. Some are already here, at a distribution facility in Menlo Park.
Tesla Motors Inc. said it will begin delivering its first mass production electric car -– the high-end Model S to customers starting June 22, about a month ahead of the expected schedule.
About 350 Focus Electric cars will be sent to 67 dealers in California, New Jersey and New York over the next couple weeks. Manufacturing executives signed off on the decision on Friday.
Nissan announced today in Japan the launch of the first all-electric production model vehicle to be produced and distributed in the U.S.
Toyota has announced the pricing for its new, 
As Congress debates carbon cap and trade legislation and the Obama Administration begins to prepare for the year-end climate conference in Copenhagen, we want to know what you think about your vehicle’s carbon “tiremark” (see 
