It has to start somewhere and for those who lament the choice of electric car availability, so far we have a few to chose. Considering the industry has only recently been serious about mass manufacturing, the future looks promising. (more…)
March 26, 2009
Electric Cars And Innovations Making Them Available
November 23, 2008
Electric Vehicle, A Week In Review, Part 2
Here is part 2 of last week headline news for electric vehicles, EV and related stories.
Lithium Resource Geo-Politcal Problems. While lithium battery technology are promising, global geo-political stability points to resource problems, mainly how to get lithium in shaky countries according to NPR.
Fisker & GM. Who says US car makers are in trouble when young, innovative new hybrid companies are buying the big boy’s turbo gas engines? According to AutoWeek, Fisker will buy GM’s 2L gas engine to power the battery pack in its Karma car. And GM starts to cut expenses by not leasing private jets to send officers for money at Capitol Hill via the UK Guardian. Smart move!
Mitsubishi & Oregon. It’s not just Nissan that eyes a partnership with Oregon but Mitsubishi, according to Gas2.
Where Is The American Innovation? The Boston asks where did the American innovations go? We would say, it well and alive. Look at Tesla, AC Propulsion, AFS Trinity, Fisker Karma, and more at Electricnick. It’s there, it’s just not where the media concentrates its efforts on. While the gentle giants wake up from their slumber, the newer and more dynamic companies have a leading edge. You really have to start reading electricnick!
Changing US Energy Efficiency. The Oil Drum recaps the American Physical Society’s report on improving energy efficiency in the transportation and buildings sector. It’s an excellent read, almost a little too late but promising for a bright future.
Renault-Nissan In Sonoma Country. Renault and Nissan are everywhere, and with a strategic partnership with Better Place, they are now also tackling Sonoma country, according to Market Watch. The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced it would work with the Sonoma County community of governments to develop solutions for zero-emissions mobility through the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of an EV charging network throughout Sonoma County, in northern California.
Portugal & Electric Cars. No, not 2010 but 2011 for Portugal who also sees its future lies with electric vehicles, EV, according to The Guardian. We say, the more, the merrier.
That’s it for this week in review. Stay tune for more on the Los Angeles Auto Show.
October 8, 2008
BMW Doesn’t Believe In The Future Of Electric Cars
Oddly enough, the Germans have been very shy when it comes to electric vehicles, EV, hybrids, HEV and no sight of any plug-in hybrids, PHEV.
The gist, and according to BMW’s Chief Executive Officer, Norbert Reithofer who said at the Paris Motor Show that EVs could make up no more than 5 to 10% of new car sales in 2020. It’s strange considering the amount of technological innovations and investments being made in this industry. Do the German auto manufacturers know something we don’t or are they just gun shy? Remember, it was Germany who invented the first a serial HEV system with Ferdinand Porsche‘s ingenious 1898 vehicle.
Carlos Ghosn, who is at the head of the Renault-Nissan alliance until “colossal” government ant other types of investments are in place, EV will struggle along.
Ford is also ambivalent with the technology, as CEO Alan Mulally came to the 2008 Paris Auto show, (his first European motor conference) since the automaker now wants to switch away from U.S. production of heavy vehicles to smaller European cars developed there that have made money while back home, the parent company has incurred over 25% sales loss.
As a clear sign of times, the European market dropped 16 percent in August while the smaller category rose 14% in the first half of the year. Luxury car sales stumbled 13% while minivans and SUVs totaled a 5.5% decline. Does this mean from now on, we will pay closer attention to the European and Asian markets? This would prove to be a wise decision in light of the recent economical downturn.
One thing is very clear however, by putting all their eggs in one baskets, auto makers have invested so much into conventional gas engine technology tht they find themselves unable to quickly switch over to cleaner alternative energy sources. While HEV were a good start, and PHEV will be another stepping stone, pure EVs are already a reality despite shy mainstream auto makers. It will take time, patience and above all financial wisdom and a clear vision of a sustainable future.
August 11, 2008
European Cities Are Stimulating The Switch To Electric Vehicles
It seems most of Europe and Japan is hard at work bringing the reality of electric vehicles, EV a step closer.
Technology is advancing at a frenetic pace. Cities where the price of gas has become a serious hindrance are more and more motivated for solutions. Still, what drives innovation and mass adoption? Money and incentives!
The gist, case in point, Gordon Brown, the prime minister of Britain pledged 90 million pounds (~$173 million) to help make Britain “the European capital for electric cars.” Of course, this has pricked a lot of interest amongst big manufacturers, such as GM. The money will be available over 5 years to help support electric and hybrid car research and projects.
With GM’s Flexstream concept hybrid car, this could spell good news for the embattered company. It will also be interesting to see how GM and the Renault-Nissan alliance work out their future vision of Eco-friendly cars. On the one hand, GM doesn’t believe in pure EV, and the Renault-Nissan consortium has already made great headway with their EV version. Nonetheless, it is welcome news and proof that a little, or in this case, a lot of incentives in the direction of EV can go a long way in stimulating the adoption.
July 28, 2008
Project Better Place
Another sign of the maturity of electric vehicles on our street are projects such as California, Silicon Valley start-up Project Better Place tackling the infrastructure of accommodating these vehicles. (more…)