My Perfect Automobile » Electric car

Chevy Volt for $10K Less?

Larry Bell — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:53 +0000

Chevy Volt

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has hinted that the next generation Chevy Volt might be priced as much as $10,000 less than the current base sticker of $39,995. During a recent industry event, Akerson also noted that the future version of Volt would likely be lighter and more profitable. A $10K price cut would put the Chevy Volt smack in the middle of competitors’ EV price profile. Ford, Toyota and Nissan already offer electric vehicles that straddle the $30,000 price point.

Chevy Volt: Video

For someone who was not originally a fan of the Chevy Volt, the narrator of the above video clip certainly changed his mind. Now, during an extended review ride, he discusses some of the car’s interesting nuances of performance in cold and warm weather. Driving around the streets of Wisconsin, the driver switches between gas and electric drive several times, demonstrates the basics about home charging, and explains the wonders of what he calls “stealth,” or silent, driving. The bottom line from his demo drive is that the Volt is comfortable, fun to drive, handles very well, and gets incredible mileage.

Chevy Volt Price

Industry sources early this year reported that GM is thinking about reducing Volt’s engine size from four to three cylinders, and reducing the current 1.4-liter displacement to either 1.0- or 1.2- liters in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and trim the car’s weight. Apparently, the company is considering the smaller engine for the Cadillac ELR and the Chevy Volt, both of which use the Voltec drivetrain. As is typical in such situations, GM has neither confirmed nor denied specifics about the engine in its next generation Volt, but CEO Akerson’s more recent allusion to a lower price tag for the future Volt would make sense if the company were to cut engine size for the ELR and Volt.

For more about the Chevy Volt, and all the other vehicles made by Chevrolet, see the U.S. carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Audi Plans EV Debut for 2015

Larry Bell — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:11:23 +0000

Volkswagen’s e-Up

Automotive media sources in Germany are reporting that Audi is planning to create a competitor to Volkswagen’s e-Up and hopes to have the new vehicle on the market by 2015. Audi is also hoping to outdo the e-Up in terms of range and power, intending to offer 125 miles of range and 114 horsepower on its prospective premium EV. Other reported specs include a 0-62 mph time of 9.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 93 mph. Volkswagen’s e-Up has a 93-mile range and an 81-horsepower rating. Pricing estimates put the VW e-Up around the $23,000 mark and the Audi EV at approximately $39,000, though both figures are unconfirmed.

Audi vs VW: Video

For a quick photomontage of Volkswagen’s e-Up, see the video clip above. The electric variation on VW’s popular Up will land in UK showrooms in 2014. Though the car is set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen revealed it ahead of the official unveiling. The e-Up’s lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the floor and offers 155-pound-feet of torque. With the ability to replenish the pack up to 80 percent of capacity in just 30 minutes, the car delivers an impressive 93 miles per charge. Other than minor insignia and badging, the electric version of Up is almost visually identical to the combustion model. One change is the front bumper on the e-Up, which is aerodynamically contoured and features LED running lights.

Audi vs VW e-Up

While the proposed Audi EV and the Volkswagen e-Up appear to be potential competitors, their distant price points will likely place them in non-competing demographics, with the VW model going head-to-head with Nissan’s Leaf and other moderately priced electric vehicles. Audi’s electric sedan, if indeed it lands in the $39,000 sticker range, will have an entirely different set of rivals for consumer affection.

For more information about Audi and Volkswagen, see the carmakers’ official websites:
http://www.audiusa.com
http://www.vw.com

Larry Bell

Barcelona Motor Show Set for May 9

Larry Bell — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:50:25 +0000

Barcelona Motor Show: Twizy Sport F1 will debut

In the same week as the Extreme X Games and the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Barcelona Motor Show will open its doors to the public. Set to run from May 9 to May 19, the event will feature at least a pair of electric cars, namely the Volkswagen e-Up! and the Renault Twizy F1 Sport Concept. Other than those two, there will be 22 different carmakers’ goods on display, including about a half-dozen regional debuts. In order to keep expenses within a reasonable range, the event’s organizers decided to downsize a bit this year. Even at that, the Barcelona Motor Show always draws plenty of international media attention for its exclusive lineup of vehicles from elite manufacturers like Ferrari, Bentley, Aston Martin and Maserati.

Barcelona Motor Show: Video

The Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a strange mixture between electric scooter and car, according to those who have logged miles on the French carmaker’s oddity. The short video clip above is a walk-around of the tiny EV. Don’t miss the spoiler, mounted high on the rear. Of course, as Renault designers say, the car merely borrows ideas and styling flourishes from F1 racers, but is more suited to city driving and weekend errand-running.

The F1 Twizy concept uses two motors. One is a 13 kWh unit that is used on the standard Twizy EV. In addition, the F1 model contains a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) electric motor, just like the ones on Renault F1 race cars. Because of the huge power burst provided by the KERS motor, the Twizy F1 concept is able to reach 68 mph. The car’s 0-60 mph time is a mere six seconds.

Barcelona Motor Show

Among this year’s brands at the event will be Dacia, Honda, Jeep, Kia, Lancia, Renault, Peugeot, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and many others. For all the latest details about the Barcelona Motor Show, visit the event’s official English language website:
http://www.firabcn.es/en/home

Larry Bell

Tesla Shocks Wall Street, Stock Soars

Larry Bell — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:32:59 +0000

Tesla Model S interior

Shares of Tesla Motors stock surged 24 percent in value on a day when the company posted an $11.2 million profit and earned one of the highest-ever ratings in a Consumer Reports car review. The magazine awarded Tesla’s Model S electric sedan 99 out of a possible 100 points, primarily for exceptional handling and interior design. After a loss in the final quarter of 2012, the company’s stock roared back for Q1 2013, notching its first profitable quarter in company history. As the Model S is set to launch in Europe next month, the upstart electric vehicle maker realistically expects to sell 30,000 Model S cars this year.

Tesla and Google: Video

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is discussing driverless car technology with Google. Musk points out that “autopilot” science, as he refers to the technology, is a logical choice for ground transportation and is part of the inevitable future of motor vehicles. Now the two companies are talking about the possibility of adding driverless controls to some of Tesla’s electric cars. For a complete explanation of what the systems look like and how they work, see the short video clip above.

Tesla Motors

The Model S has already won rave reviews from various influential critics, amassed a shelf load of trophies, and outsold some of its much lower-priced rivals. After revamping, and upgrading, a resale price guarantee earlier in the week, Tesla Motors went on to log one of the most positive quarters any carmaker has seen in at least a decade. Tesla’s stock symbol is TSLA. Share value closed on Thursday at $69.40, showing a total capitalization of $8 billion. Benchmark small-cap stock indices have risen approximately 14 percent this year, while Tesla’s share price has enjoyed more than a 100 percent increase in value.

For more about Tesla Motors and Google, see the companies’ respective websites below:

http://www.teslamotors.com

http://www.google.com/about/company/

Larry Bell

Nissan Leaf is Top IIHS Safety Choice

Larry Bell — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:36:25 +0000

2013 Nissan Leaf

Nissan Motor Co. has achieved the auto safety hat trick, with three of its vehicles netting the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” designation for 2013. The all-electric Nissan Leaf, the Nissan Altima, and the Infiniti M37/M56 all scored high enough on the IIHS crash tests to earn the safety accolade. Infiniti is the luxury division of Nissan. The company’s proprietary “zone body construction,” according to Nissan’s director of product safety, Robert Yakushi, can “…help protect occupants in a wide variety of crash scenarios.”

IIHS Testing: Video

The above video clip provides an intriguing look at exactly how the IIHS tests vehicles and how it creates real-life crash conditions in its facility. The institute’s president walks through the details in the lab, showing how IIHS has come up with a new, more relevant, test for head-on collisions. While the video is fun to watch, keep in mind that this is serious science, and the effort goes a long way toward keeping drivers safer. The IIHS has contributed significantly to the reduction in highway crashes and related injuries.

Nissan Leaf and IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an Arlington, Va.-based non-profit that came into being in 1959. The organization is funded by car insurance companies and has set as its mission the reduction of vehicle accidents as well as associated injuries and property damage. The IIHS performs testing and publishes safety ratings for all types of motor vehicles and equipment.

The IIHS makes an annual Top Safety Pick, or picks, based upon how well the test vehicles do in a variety of crash simulations. In order to receive the designation, a car must get good marks in a number of challenging crash tests. The institute publishes a complete history of the safety picks on its website.

For more about Nissan and the IIHS, see their official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.iihs.org

Larry Bell

New Toyota Electric Racer for Pikes Peak

Larry Bell — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:32:09 +0000

Toyota Motorsport’s TMG EV P002

An upgraded Toyota Motorsport electric race car, the TMG EV P002, will attempt to better its 2012 record-setting performance at the upcoming Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30. The car, considered by many to be not only the fastest but also the best-engineered electric race car in the world, will be piloted by New Zealand’s Rod Millen in the grueling event.

Pikes Peak: Video

EV race fans will be fascinated by the above video clip, which features up-close looks at the Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) EV that will be competing in this year’s Pikes Peak race. This is the car that set the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record in 2011.

Pikes Peak Race

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is a 12.42-mile annual race to the top of the famous Colorado mountain. Motorcycles and cars compete in the event, which includes more than 150 turns and a total ascent of 4,720 feet. The overall grade averages 7 percent and the race is now run on a completely paved course. A typical race year sees 150 competitors in various vehicle classes. Held since 1916, the PPIHC is the second-oldest U.S. contest of its kind and an official FIA International Event.

In recent years, the PPIHC has become a proving ground of sorts for numerous varieties of alternative-fuel propulsion, including electric cars. Competitors are first entered into either the “car and truck” division or the “motorcycle and quad” section. Under each of those major segments are 13 different car/truck sub-divisions and 8 motorcycle/quad sub-divisions. The current record-holder in the electric car division is Japan’s Fumio Nutahara, who completed the racecourse in a smoking 10:15.380 during 2012’s event. Nutahara drove the legendary EV race car TMG EV P002.

For more information about Toyota Motorsport and the Pikes Peak event, see the websites below:
http://www.toyota-motorsport.com/en/
http://www.ppihc.com/

Larry Bell

Frankfurt Motor Show Set for Sept.10 Opening

Larry Bell — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:30:33 +0000

Opel RAK e electric concept car debuted at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

One of the world’s largest and most prestigious automobile exhibitions, the Frankfurt Motor Show, will open on Sept. 10 and run until Sept. 22. The cities of Frankfurt and Hanover alternate hosting duties for the event, with Frankfurt taking the odd-numbered years. In 2011, the show was the site of almost 1,000 exhibits from all over the world. Organizers for the 2013 show are expecting approximately 1,000,000 attendees.

Frankfurt Motor Show: Video

Audi’s A2 electric car concept was the talk of Frankfurt’s 2011 show, as detailed in the short video clip above. The concept drew heavy media attention, as did several other debut vehicles at the show that year. The A2 was a unique vehicle for Audi, with a superstructure composed primarily of aluminum and carbon fiber. The car was specially designed to be very light and carried a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in its floor. A one-speed transmission and front-mounted electric motor combined with front-wheel-drive to make for a clever concept vehicle. Though development of the A2 has been put on hiatus, the car on display in 2011 utilized brake-, steer-, and shift-by-wire technology. The official word from Audi about the A2 is that the car will not see production but was a way for the company to try out various component concepts.

Frankfurt Motor Show

The Frankfurt show runs from Sept. 10 through Sept. 22 this year, with Press Days on Sept. 10 and 11. The show will open to the public on Sept. 14. There is a special two-day Trade Days event on Sept. 12 and 13. In addition to passenger cars, the show will feature motorcycles, parts, accessories and motor caravans. Displays will be spread through 12 buildings around the main exhibition center in Frankfurt.

For all the details about the sixty-fifth Frankfurt International Motor Show, see the event’s official website:
http://www.iaa.de/en/

Larry Bell

Tesla Guarantees Resale Value of Model S

Larry Bell — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:35:04 +0000

Tesla Model S

Tesla Motors will revamp its leasing and financing plans in order to guarantee that its new Model S electric sedan will have the best resale value in the industry. The company’s CEO and founder, Elon Musk, noted that the change came as a result of feedback from buyers and media reviewers. Musk pointed out the flaws in the previous plan and noted, “We’re fixing it and, moreover, upping the ante by providing the best resale value guarantee in the automotive industry.”

Tesla Motors: Video

See the short video clip above for a condensed biography of Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla Motors. The piece features a few live interview questions with Musk, during which he gives his overall views about the future of electric transportation, space travel and the computer culture. Many industry insiders credit Musk’s attitude for the company’s success. Persevering through some turbulent early years, he and his dream have come full circle. The Model S was the best-selling electric car in the month of April and will likely keep up the brisk pace throughout 2013.

Tesla Model S Financing

The first version of Tesla’s guarantee offered buyers a resale value that was certain to be above that of the Mercedes-Benz S550. The reworked financing guarantee says the Model S resale value will be higher than any premium sedan that is, “made in volume.” Tesla needed to put it that short qualifier in order to exclude certain custom and collectible cars whose selling prices are often astronomical and not tied to the larger marketplace. Another change to the company’s financing arrangement included much longer loan terms, which allow owners to purchase a Model S and have lower monthly payments.

For more about Tesla Motors, maker of the Model S, visit the company’s official website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

EV Car Sales: Second-Generation Volt by 2016

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:19 +0000

EV Car Sales (Pictured: Chevy Volt)

Amid a flurry of plug-in car sales announcements late last week, GM CEO Dan Akerson said Chevrolet Volt would unveil a second-generation model not later than 2016. The Chevy Volt, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, and the Tesla Model S electric sedan all jockeyed for top sales spot in April. While Volt’s sales were down compared to April 2012, the model did manage a 3 percent increase for the first four months of 2013, compared to the same period last year. April marked the second month in a row that Volt was slightly outsold by the Nissan Leaf, as Tesla Motors appears to have beaten both those cars in the monthly sales derby.

EV Car Sales: Video

The video clip above contains the sort of footage that electric car enthusiasts live for, a Formula-E burnout on the streets of L.A. It is all quite legal of course, as the demo was under the auspices of city officials there to promote alternative fuels. Notice the odd lack of noise compared to combustion car burnouts, where decibel levels are almost deafening. Some hardcore-racing fans claim a race is not a race without noise. Formula-E followers, on the other hand, love the hum and rev of the smooth-running electric motor. The good news is, you still get the burnout.

EV Car Sales

Tesla Motors does not reveal monthly sales data, but analysts estimate that the luxury electric sedan topped the much less expensive Volt and Leaf in April sales. As gasoline prices have leveled off, one company official at Chevrolet noted that competition between GM’s Chevy Volt, Nissan’s Leaf and Tesla’s Model S will become more competitive. Volt ruled the roost for a number of months, but now that Nissan has gone into full domestic production with its Leaf, and cut its price by $6,000, the battle of the plug-ins is getting underway. For its part, Tesla Motors expects to sell 20,000 Model S cars by the end of 2013.

For more about the carmakers mentioned above, see their official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Electric Car Myths Still With Us

Larry Bell — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:58:02 +0000

Electric cars (Pictured: Ford Focus Electric interior)

As hybrid and electric vehicles continue to carve out market share, several electric car myths persist, according to new marketing surveys. Range anxiety tops the list. GM even applied for a trademark on the term, while uninformed consumers continue to list range as the number one reason they would hesitate to purchase an EV. The facts are contrary to the fears. While most electric cars offer a per-charge drive range of at least 70 miles, the average U.S. adult drives less than 40 miles per day. Ford’s C-Max and the Chevy Volt are but two range-extended electric cars that address the challenge head-on. Such cars pair an electric motor with a combustion engine.

Electric Cars: Video

Even Ford enthusiasts will learn something new from the video clip above, which discusses the Focus Electric. An official company production, the piece is the most thorough walk-through of a vehicle in recent memory. The narrator starts out with basics like range, battery size, exterior styling and other key characteristics of the Focus EV. From there, the five-minute rundown unravels a long list of other standard and optional features. Ford has put a lot into the Focus Electric, hoping to differentiate it from other EVs on the market. Overall size and interior styling are two of the more obvious qualities. In addition, Ford’s first all-electric car is equipped with an astounding array of safety and communications technology.

Electric Cars

Besides range, the two most common myths about electric cars are related to charging and cost. Consumers who are unfamiliar with EVs tend to view charging as a hassle, not realizing that plug-in electric cars and hybrids can use standard outlets or quick-charge docks. There are now almost 6,000 public charge points in the U.S., and that number is growing rapidly. Consumers who say cost will keep them from purchasing an EV typically think that electric cars cost $100,000 or more. In the last two years alone, EV costs have entered the realm of normalcy, with the upcoming Smart Electric Drive carrying a sticker price of $25,000 before federal and state tax credits.

For more about the Ford Focus Electric, see the automaker’s official site for the car:
http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/trim/electric/

Larry Bell

Smart Electric Headed to Boston Showrooms

Larry Bell — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:14:16 +0000

Electric cars (Pictured: Smart Electric Drive)

The Smart Electric Drive car will officially go on sale in Boston May 13 for $25,000, before any federal or state tax credits. A spokesperson for the automaker pointed out that pre-orders are brisk. Smart’s closest competitor in the segment is Nissan’s Leaf, which has recently cut its base price to $29,650 and now offers leases at just $199 per month. Hoping to outdo rivals like the Leaf, Fiat, and Chevy’s Spark EV, Smart is headlining its low price and wide geographic availability. While Chevy and other EV makers typically sell their cars in California and Oregon at first, Smart will be in showrooms all over the U.S. by the end of the summer.

Smart EV: Video

Spend a minute watching the video clip above for a very fast review of the Smart Electric Drive. The Canadian tester likes the car’s acceleration, look and convenience. The sparse interior is well planned to make the best use of what could be a cramped area. In fact, after viewing the Smart ED from the outside, the inside has a surprisingly roomy look. The Smart was originally intended to be an electric vehicle, and the newest iteration of the car appears to have done things exactly right. The size and feel of the Smart ED is so different, one really needs to go for a test drive to understand what all the hoopla is about. Several industry analysts believe this is the electric car that will catch the public’s imagination, given a year or two of market exposure.

Smart Electric Drive

To visit the source of all information about the Smart Electric Drive automobile, visit the company’s official page for the car. While on the site, you can download a brochure, pre-register for ownership, read extensive articles about the Smart ED’s features, view a huge photo gallery, and even find a dealer. As vehicle websites go, this one truly covers all the bases.
http://www.smartusa.com/models/electric-drive/overview.aspx

Larry Bell

New Unit Reduces EV Charge Time by 75 Percent

Larry Bell — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:41:01 +0000

EV charging: Hyundai will offer a plug-in Sonata in the near future.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new type of automobile charger that requires just two hours, rather than eight, to replenish an electric vehicle’s battery pack. Though still in the early development stage, the charging systems are also less costly than current models and offer an estimated total price tag of about $2,000. The unit is the brainchild of electrical engineer Saeid Haghbin, whose doctoral work focuses on integrated motor drives and battery chargers for electric cars.

EV Charging: Video

For a quick overview of how wireless charging works, the above video clip gives a basic description of typical systems, especially those embedded into roads. Like some other types of cutting-edge technology, embedded chargers are more scientifically workable than economically attractive. Individual wireless units, however, are available for home charging on some cars. The video looks primarily at the science behind electrified roads and what impact they would have on transportation in general.

EV Charging

Researchers at Chalmers continue to work on charging units that are not only affordable for the average consumer, but that are also lightweight and small. The key component in the new unit is what engineers call a rotating transformer. The transformer allows researchers to utilize both the inverter and the electric motor to increase charging power. The concept is unique and has almost infinite application potential in transportation science.

Among the top 500 leading research institutions in the world, Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden ranked third in a recent study that measured cooperation between educational entities and industry. Chalmers is located in Gothenburg, Sweden, and has gained an international reputation for research and education. Besides diverse areas of technological application, the school also focuses on architecture and natural sciences Founded in 1829, Chalmers graduates about 40 percent of Sweden’s architects and engineers.
http://www.chalmers.se/en/

Larry Bell