Electric Cars

Per the press release linked below, Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent with Fisker Automotive that outlines the terms of a production and licensing agreement for the Fisker Karma Program. Under the supply arrangement...

AC Propulsion, source of the technologies and/or components and systems for the Tesla Roadster and Mini-e, has now partnered with AutoPort, Inc. to develop an electric vehicle for a US Postal Service (USPS) feasibility study.  Among many capabilities, AutoPort specializes in fleet conversions, so...

There is one aspect that probably has the single greatest control over the success of electric vehicles.  It is not range, it is not price, and it is not the availability of rapid charging stations.  It is the cost of gas. As both GM and Nissan have hinted at in the past, the list price of...

According to Edmunds Green Car Advisor, Honda announced that its Acura brand will add a hybrid model to its lineup soon and the fuel cell powered FCX Clarity "is ready now." Green Car Advisor noted that the words above came from Honda Chief Executive Takanobu Ito, who spoke to a large audience at...

We are now just a month shy of a year since Moller first announced having received RFQ's for a total of 900,000 of their Rotapower rotary engines.  Eight months ago, they claimed to be in the final stages of their manufacturing agreements.  Earlier this week, they now claim to have signed a...

Several automakers believe that fuel cell powered vehicles will become a viable solution for mass production in the distant future.  In particular, Honda and General Motors have both displayed progress in development and real world testing of fuel cell powered vehicles.  Toyota has also...

Electric vehicles have one drawback that is constantly discussed at length, range.  Range is a major hurdle that automakers are trying to tackle.  If automakers can eliminated range anxiety, EVs could potentially reach a mainstream market quickly.  Overcoming range anxiety is easier said than...

When you think of regions of the world that are particularly innovation-friendly, Andalusia may not be the first one that comes to mind. In fact, most of us might have difficulty figuring out exactly where Andalusia is (it’s a 34,000-square mile autonomous community in the south of Spain)...

Despite high costs for batteries, Boston Consulting Group predicts that more and more hybrids and electrics vehicles will be on our roads in the future. BCG conducted in-depth studies into battery costs for EVs and plug-in vehicles.  Their findings suggest that a battery pack the size of the one...

Hyundai will begin assembly of its i10 minicar EV by the end of 2010.  The company, South Korea's largest automaker, will introduce the i10 as their first, mass produced, fully electric vehicle sometime in late 2010 or early 2011. The i10 will utilize components made by Hyundai's India factory. ...

Michigan's drive to become the battery capital of the world is off to a strong start.  Several companies have built facilities within the state and more are schedule to come.  The latest addition to the battery manufacturing list for this state is Dow Kokam. Though the name may not sound...

Last month, Volkswagen increased its stake in Suzuki to 19.9%, while General Motors relinquished their last remaining shares in the company.  The ramifications of these equity shifts is that GM will be replaced by Volkswagon as the source of Suzuki's alternative fuel / propulsion technologies. For...

Porsche, the name that is legend in racing and performance vehicles has been questioned about recent decisions.  Enthusiasts feel that the company should not have considered an SUV or a 4 door vehicle as they simply do not symbolize the brand.  Porsche responded by stating the economics and...

Earlier this week, while I was researching a piece about the three-foot-wide Tango commuter car, I noticed that their website and brochure promote it as a traffic-beater, stating that “Where lane splitting is permitted… a Tango or motorcycle can travel in 20 seconds the distance that a car...

New American carmaker Fisker Automotive has secured access to an additional $115.3 million in private equity funding to develop plug-in hybrid cars.  This funding is necessary for Fisker Automotive to access a $528.7 million U.S. Department of Energy conditional loan that will, in part, help speed...

When it rains, it pours for Vision Industries Corporation.   Fresh on the heels of a partnership with Capacity of Texas, Inc. to build a Zero Emissions Terminal Tractor (ZETT(TM)) built on Capacity's PHETT® platform and powered by the Vision plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cell technology, they...

According to a report from the Maeil of South Korea, Ford Motor Company signed a deal with leading battery supplier LG Chem.  The deal involves LG Chem. supplying Ford with lithium-ion cells for all of the companies future plug-in vehicles. Ford has previously worked with Johnson Controls-Saft for...

California, a state widely known for its stringent emission laws and guidelines that restrict greenhouse gas emissions may see a step backwards if the leading GOP candidate for governor of the state is elected.The Republican candidate leading the race to replace Gov. Schwarzenegger is Meg Whitman...

In addition to General Motor's recent announcement that Michigan will join California and Washington, D.C., as the first markets in which Chevrolet dealerships will receive Volt's, Chevrolet is revealing more details about their rollout of demonstration program vehicles to government / utility...

If you think driving an electric sports car across the country is ambitious, wait till you hear what Radical Sportscars is planning. The UK-based company announced the creation of the Imperial College London’s Racing Green Endurance team today and concurrently unveiled their SRZero supercar...