General Motors Begins Shipping 2011 Chevrolet Volt to Dealers

On Monday, the first shipments of the highly anticipated 2011 Chevrolet Volt left GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant and are on their way to select dealerships. According to the company, customers in California, Texas, Washington D.C. and New York could receive their vehicles in the next few days.

“Today is a historic milestone for Chevrolet”, said Tony DiSalle, Volt marketing director. “We have redefined automotive transportation with the Volt, and soon the first customers will be able to experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want”.

According to the automaker, the first batch of vehicles should be delivered in the next few days, with a planned total of 350 units this week. Earlier this year, 15 pre-production EVs were handed over to a select few, during a special 90-day vehicle and charging evaluation program.

Priced from $33,500, after tax credits, the Volt never came close to the initially claimed 230 mpg in city driving. Eventually, EPA released three mileage ratings, the best being 93 mpg in full electric mode and the worst 37 mpg when the 1.4-liter engine kicks in. Now that cars are actually reaching customers, we’re more than curious to hear their feedback on the matter.

By Csaba Daradics

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German Take on English Tradition: Volkswagen's All-Electric London Taxi Concept

Over the decades, the London Taxi has become a British icon, just like the double-decker bus or the red telephone booth. However, this might change in the future, as stricter emissions regulations could threaten the aging diesel cabs. Volkswagen’s EV Taxi Concept, which is based on the forthcoming Up! supermini, could offer a solution to this problem, should it ever make it into production.

Motivated by a 115 hp (86 kW) electric motor that draws energy from a set of lithium-ion batteries, the Taxi Concept can reach a top speed of 74 mph (121 km/h) and has driving range of 186 miles (300 km). According to the German automaker, an 80 per cent charge of the batteries takes approximately one hour to complete.

It’s clear that, performance-wise, the EV is more than suited for taxi duty, but Volkswagen didn’t stop there. Designing a body with minimal overhangs, the automaker was able to create a roomy cabin, albeit for only two passengers at the back along with their luggage. Still, that’s pretty impressive if we take into consideration that the concept measures just 3.7 meters (146 inches) in length.

The cabin has a simple, clutter-free design with the most important functions, such as fare information, climate control and entertainment, controlled through a touchscreen display mounted next to the driver. A second display provides information for the passengers.

The Taxi Concept doesn’t fulfill current London taxi regulations, but it does offer an insight into future possibilities, which, in our opinion, are worth considering.

By Csaba Daradics

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Toyota and Honda Hold Back as the Rest of Japan’s Automakers Go Electric

The electric vehicle market in Japan is now burgeoning. Once the mainstay of small independents building low speed, short range Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), major manufacturers including Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru are now hopping on the EV train in the hopes of raking in some greenie revenue.

With its U.S. launch mere weeks away, Nissan already has 6,000 orders in Japan and a further 20,000 in the United States for its lithium-ion powered Leaf EV. The automaker has so many orders, in fact, that they won’t be taking any more.

As you would expect, Nissan Chief Operating Office Toshiyuki Shiga is one happy man: "We believe this will be the beginning of the new era for the world's automobile industry, as well as a sustainable low-carbon society.”

The Leaf follows the 2009 launch of the Subaru plug-in electric Stella and Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV EVs. Heavyweights Toyota and Honda are also planning similar vehicles for 2012.

Shigeru Matsumura, an automotive analyst for Japan’s SMBC Friend Research Center believes that the high price of EVs and the lack of recharging infrastructure are the biggest hurdles to profitability the major automakers face. Lengthy recharge times and limited range are also an continuing issue for many consumers and automakers alike.

Toyota and Honda appear to agree, with both companies keeping their focus on hybrids and fuel cell vehicles until EVs have a greater presence on the market.

Matsumura, however, believes the market is unlikely to flourish unless Toyota and Honda get in on the party:

"Japan's big three all need to join to develop the market. This is the likely scenario which will bring down high EV prices and help EVs become more common.”

Toyota’s Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada, however, is standing his ground:

"EVs will spread first for short-range runs. We do not expect a fast spread of EVs."

The Nissan Leaf, which will be unleashed onto the U.S. market on the 11th of December, has an effective EPA fuel economy rating of 99 mpg and a range of 117 km. It will go head to head with GM’s locally produced Volt, which launches nine days later on the 20th of the month.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: The Japan Times

Takayanagi Miluira: A Retro-Styled, Pocket EV from Japan

In a world where “grown-up” EVs like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are all about numbers and specs, the little open-top Takayanagi Miluira from Japan doesn’t take itself very seriously. Featuring a design that resembles cars from the early 1900s, it measures just 2.18 meters (85.8 inches) in length and can only accommodate the driver.

The interior follows the vintage styling theme of the exterior, though we’re not sure if the material covering the steering column is real wood or plastic, but, in any case, it’s too “loud” as far as color and texture goes.

According to the manufacturer's website, the Miluira has a range of 35 km (22 miles) and can reach a top speed of 60 km/h or 37 mph. Both figures attest that the little EV could be used for short commutes, as long as the weather has no objections.

When the Miluira hits the market in 2011, it will be priced from 6.3 million yen or about $74.768. See, we told you that this car really isn't very serious... Even so, the Japanese EV is quite eye-catching and we wouldn’t mind taking one for a spin.

By Csaba Daradics

Source Takayanagi , Via: Treehugger

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Brabus Plugs into the Tesla Roadster with New Sport Green Package

In an effort to provide added value to its customers, Brabus’ Zero Emission division joined forces with German electricity company RWE and created the Green Package for the Tesla Roadster. Along with a host of exterior and interior upgrades, the 'green' package includes a quick charging station for the owner’s garage and 30,000 kilometers (18,641 miles) worth of electric power from RWE. And there’s more; with every purchase, buyers also receive a one-year pass for free use of all public RWE charging stations.

Compared to your standard household power outlet, the quick charging station gets the job done three times faster. That means the Tesla Roadster can be fully charged in less than six hours for an operating range of some 350 km (220 miles).

Being that Brabus is a tuning firm, the company also spiced up the EV. Starting with the exterior, the Germans added a carbon fiber lip to the front bumper and incorporated LED daytime running lights into the front grille. At the rear we can find a discrete carbon fiber wing and diffuser.

The body can be painted in any color while the car rides on 18-inch front and 19-inch rear Monoblock S alloys, shod in 215/35 front and 255/30 rear tires. The alloys are finished in black and have a subtle outline matched to the exterior color.

As with its previous Tesla offerings, Brabus adds a sound generator, which replicates the grunt “of a typical V8, a racecar or two futuristic soundscapes”, according to the company.

The interior can be specified in a combination of perforated leather and Alcantara, but other options are also available, such as scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logos and even a leather-covered floor.

By Csaba Daradics

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