On 9th Feb 2012, Tesla unveiled the Model X, a sleek-looking cross-over between a minivan and SUV doors and a new electric all-wheel drive system with rear doors design being "falcon-winged". People can start placing reservations tomorrow for the Model X, which is expected to be available late 2013 with prices in the $55,000 to $75,000 range before tax incentives and rebates in the U.S. market.
Beyond making an attractive crossover, Tesla has shown how electric vehicles open up new design possibilities. The Model X isn't just an electric version of competing SUVs, it's a luxury vehicle that has useful features its internal combustion or hybrid cousins couldn't have.
The key to Tesla's cool design is the powertrain, built around a flat battery pack that extends from the front to rear wheels under the car. This provides a low center of gravity for good handling, but also allows for substantially more interior space than a vehicle with a transmission running under it.
Model X has three rows of seats and is able to hold seven adults and their luggage, something other SUVs makers could not claim.
GENERAL MOTORS, maker of the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, announced on Wednesday, 12th October 2011 that it will begin selling a totally electric subcompact car in 2013. Named as Chevy Spark EV, the subcompact will be sold in select markets in the U.S. and will use nano-phosphate lithium-ion battery pack supply by A123 Systems Inc. based in America.
The EV will be based on the popular gasoline version Chevrolet Spark (referred as Holden Barina Spark in Australia), but featuring a full-electric powertrain.
Visual of Spark EV
Concept of the powertrain and chassis dsitribution
Current gasoline driven Chevy Spark
This model will be the rival of Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi iMiev, Honda Fit EV, Ford Focus EV, and Scion, competing in small and medium passenger car segment.
The diminutive Chevy Spark could undermine the idea that the time is right for EV mass implementation to auto market worldwide.
India version of Spark EV called as Beat showed earlier
Anyway, the California Air Resource Board’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandates require that the auto industry’s top six companies collectively produce approximately 25,000 gas-free cars between 2013 and 2015. Because of the ZEV credit system’s complexity—which allows buying credits as well as producing cars—the exact number of vehicles mandated for each automaker is not precise. Observers believe the number is approximately 1,500 to 3,000. Introducing an EV might be one of GM strategy to meet the requirement.
Even for Chevy Volt, it can only satisfy 50% of the GM’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) credit requirement—and that’s only after the car is certified as an Enhanced Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (EAT-PZEV). Since current Volt is classified as a conventional hybrid, GM is required to produce either an all-electric car or a fuel-cell vehicle. The Spark could represent the least expensive option for GM to meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate. Anyway, GM is not the only company producing electric vehicles only as meeting the minimal compliance pathway to meet ZEV mandates.
It has been revealed by news agency related to Nikkei stocks that Nissan, in conjunction with Japan's Kansai University, says it has created the necessary technology to charge the batteries needed by vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi iMiEV in a record time of ten minutes.
This is a huge leap forward in public acceptance of electric vehicles, hindered to date by sluggish charge times -- a full charge of common EVs today can take up to eight hours.
Batteries charged using the updated system were complete in ten minutes, with no significant effect on storage capacity or voltage, the reports said.
Although it could take a decade to commercialize the technology, such a significant breakthrough could dramatically boost public perception of electric cars.
DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that to be called the Cadillac ELR.
Notice the close upper grille bumper (not require cooling)
Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.
The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.
Stylo! Tough!
“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”
Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.
The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.
“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.
Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS which has been posted before by DriftJom.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.
It has been posted on Youtube, by a reader and being shared via VentureBeat.Com. The video shows Tesla Roadster which has been winding down and much awaited Model S (codename WhiteStar) side by side on the road.
This is the first video featuring Model S being driven on the road.
Still not sure how the video came out in Youtube, because the model is planned to be launched by next year (2012).
More info about Model S (premium all-electric car):
The Tesla Model S is a full-sized battery electric sedan in development by Tesla Motors. It is an electric car that was codenamed WhiteStar during research and preliminary development. It was announced in a press release on June 30, 2008. The prototype vehicle was displayed at a press conference on March 26, 2009. Production for the retail market is expected to begin in mid 2012, with a base price of US$57,400. The base model will have a range of 260 km when fully charged, and a 0 to 97 km/h acceleration of 5.6 seconds. The premium Signature Series will have a larger battery pack available with ranges of 370 and 480 km. The first 1,000 cars to be produced will be of the premium version. Normal charging times will be 3 to 5 hours, depending on the battery capacity, and a 45-minute QuickCharge will be possible when connected to a 480 V outlet. In addition, a battery swap will be possible in less than two minutes.
The base model will have a range of 260 km when fully charged using a 42 kW·h battery pack (24 kW·h/100 mi, 108 mpgge). Larger, longer range battery pack options will be available as well; the options announced include a range of 370 km from a 65 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi) and a range of 480 km from an 85 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi). The base battery pack will contain 5,000 lithium-ion cells, reported to be sourced from Panasonic, while the larger battery packs will both contain 8,000 cells and weigh approximately (540 kg. The largest pack will use the same number of cells, but each cell will have a 30% higher specific energy to enable the pack to store the additional energy. A 45-minute QuickCharge of the 42 kW·h pack will be possible when a 3-phase 480 volt, 100 amp circuit is available (80 amp continuous draw from a 100 amp breaker).
The Tesla Model S is expected to have a swappable battery, and will feature a 43 cm touchscreen computer with in-car 3G connectivity, enabling access to online services, or to check the battery's state of charge remotely.
The Tesla Model S is a full-sized battery electric sedan in development by Tesla Motors. It is an electric car that was codenamed WhiteStar during research and preliminary development. It was announced in a press release on June 30, 2008. The prototype vehicle was displayed at a press conference on March 26, 2009. Production for the retail market is expected to begin in mid 2012, with a base price of US$57,400. The base model will have a range of 260 km when fully charged, and a 0 to 97 km/h acceleration of 5.6 seconds. The premium Signature Series will have a larger battery pack available with ranges of 370 and 480 km. The first 1,000 cars to be produced will be of the premium version. Normal charging times will be 3 to 5 hours, depending on the battery capacity, and a 45-minute QuickCharge will be possible when connected to a 480 V outlet. In addition, a battery swap will be possible in less than two minutes.
The base model will have a range of 260 km when fully charged using a 42 kW·h battery pack (24 kW·h/100 mi, 108 mpgge). Larger, longer range battery pack options will be available as well; the options announced include a range of 370 km from a 65 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi) and a range of 480 km from an 85 kW·h pack (26 kW·h/100 mi). The base battery pack will contain 5,000 lithium-ion cells, reported to be sourced from Panasonic, while the larger battery packs will both contain 8,000 cells and weigh approximately (540 kg. The largest pack will use the same number of cells, but each cell will have a 30% higher specific energy to enable the pack to store the additional energy. A 45-minute QuickCharge of the 42 kW·h pack will be possible when a 3-phase 480 volt, 100 amp circuit is available (80 amp continuous draw from a 100 amp breaker).
The Tesla Model S is expected to have a swappable battery, and will feature a 43 cm touchscreen computer with in-car 3G connectivity, enabling access to online services, or to check the battery's state of charge remotely.
Washington Department of Transportation announced it had selected the company AeroVironment to begin accommodating its major roads for the future of fuel-efficient vehicles. Starting this fall, the company will begin installing charging stations located off stretches of I-5 and U.S. 2 in Washington every 40 ~ 60 miles (64 ~ 96 kilometers) between the Canadian and Oregonian borders.
A new contract will bringing fast-charging access points to Northwest highways in United States, enabling a wave of electric cars to make long-range journeys, with just quick stops for charging along the way.
AeroVironment is the firm picked to do the wiring-up of I-5 and U.S. 2, which is going to cost only $1 million (RM3 millions). For that price, the firm--which recently was the won Underwriter's Labs certification for its fast-chargers--will "manufacture, supply, install and operate a network of nine fast-charging stations." That translates to about one station every 40 ~ 60 miles (64 ~ 96 kilometers), comfortably within the Nissan Leaf's 70 miles (approx. 112 kilometers) maximum "highway" range along the interstate, and on U.S. 2 "between Everett and Leavenworth." They'll be placed at locations like shopping malls, gas stations, and rest stops.
You'll simply roll up and pay to use the fast-charge stations to get your EV up from zero to full in "less than 30 minutes," and if you've got more time and fancy spending less cash there's also a Level 2 "medium speed" station at each charge point, which takes four to six hours. Fast charge points will be operational by 30th November 2011.
AeroVironment is the firm picked to do the wiring-up of I-5 and U.S. 2, which is going to cost only $1 million (RM3 millions). For that price, the firm--which recently was the won Underwriter's Labs certification for its fast-chargers--will "manufacture, supply, install and operate a network of nine fast-charging stations." That translates to about one station every 40 ~ 60 miles (64 ~ 96 kilometers), comfortably within the Nissan Leaf's 70 miles (approx. 112 kilometers) maximum "highway" range along the interstate, and on U.S. 2 "between Everett and Leavenworth." They'll be placed at locations like shopping malls, gas stations, and rest stops.
You'll simply roll up and pay to use the fast-charge stations to get your EV up from zero to full in "less than 30 minutes," and if you've got more time and fancy spending less cash there's also a Level 2 "medium speed" station at each charge point, which takes four to six hours. Fast charge points will be operational by 30th November 2011.
AeroVironment is also one of the "leading hydroelectric power producers in the United States" according to a spokesman quoted in the press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Toyota Confirms Highlights of Annual National Dealer Meeting
LAS VEGAS, NV (June 29, 2011) -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. confirmed that its annual national dealer meeting took place here today. The private meeting was attended by representatives from Toyota's 1,233 U.S. dealers. Speakers included Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) President Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMA) President and COO Yoshi Inaba, TMS President and COO Jim Lentz, TMS Senior Vice President, Automotive Operations Don Esmond, Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter and Vice President-Scion Jack Hollis.
Mr. Toyoda acknowledged the tremendous disaster that struck Japan on March 11, 2011 and thanked dealers for their extraordinary support and donations. Together, Toyota dealers and friends have contributed $11.5 million to Japan disaster relief.
Mr. Toyoda emphasized his focus on product and the company's core philosophies that will make Toyota better than ever.
Other themes from his speech included:
The all-new 2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid. Designed to meet the changing needs of the 21st Century driver, the new Camry will provide technologically advanced features, a contemporary design inside and out, improved performance and refined ride and handling.
Future vision of mobility. New technology offerings like the all-new RAV4 EV and telematics advancements stemming from the Microsoft alliance will help make Toyota's vehicles even better.
Greater regional autonomy. Calling it his "most important goal," Mr. Toyoda stated he will empower those with local knowledge to make their own decisions.
Looking forward, Mr. Toyoda said the company is more committed and more passionate than ever about being a leader in the automotive industry, adding, "We must earn it with our actions and with our words, with great products and great service and with genuine affection for our customers and our communities."
Highlights from other executive speeches included:
Recovery from the disaster has far exceeded expectations. In Japan, production is expected to return to normal levels after July. In North America, eight locally-built models, including Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna and Venza returned to 100 percent production in early June. The remaining four North-American built models, including Tundra, Tacoma, RAV4 and Lexus RX, will return to 100 percent beginning in September.
Prius family launch remains on track. Prius dominates the hybrid market with over 50% market share. With the launch of Prius family, Toyota is capitalizing on that brand strength and providing all the benefits of Prius in a variety of vehicles. Prius v, which arrives this fall, has SUV like cargo capability, nearly 60% more than the current Prius, but still is expected to deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg combined. The Prius c compact, arriving in the spring of 2012, offers expressive styling in a city-friendly vehicle that we believe will be the most fuel efficient hybrid in the U.S.
Advanced technology vehicles. New, advanced vehicles arriving in 2012 include the Prius plug-in hybrid, RAV4 EV and Scion iQ EV. Toyota has committed to putting a fuel cell vehicle on the road by 2015, and is researching bio-fuels and next-generation materials to help make vehicles that will be lighter, safe and more fuel-efficient.
Investment in North America. Our new plant in Mississippi opening this fall will build 150,000 Corollas per year, create 2,000 jobs and represents Toyota's faith in the North American market.
State-of-the-art multimedia. Toyota's new Entune system, which will feature simple, seamless functionality and is compatible with virtually every smart phone, will debut this fall in the new Prius v and Camry
Electric vehicle infrastructure startup Better Place has a unique business model: Better Place and GE-branded EV charging stations let drivers power up both at home and at work. When drivers don't have hours to charge up, gas station-like battery switch stations that dot the highways allow them to take long trips with only quick stops for charging. The whole package is available for a monthly subscription fee.
But the whole package doesn't quite exist yet. So far, there is only one vehicle that is compatible with the switch stations--the Renault Fluence Z.E, which will go into limited release in Israel and Denmark next year. Better Place has, however, still been growing since its launch, albeit slowly and in select markets. Even without the Renault, subscribers can still use an electric car and access all of the charging stations. And now Better Place has announced plans to bring the Fluence Z.E. to Australia in 2012.
Why Australia? Better Place spokesperson Julie Mullins explains in an email that it is a region where people drive a lot, pay high prices for gas, and drive inefficient vehicles. The majority of the population is also centered around five urban areas, "so it’s a matter of building out each of these urban centers and covering the connecting highways with switch stations."
Denmark and Israel also have expensive cars and gasoline compared to the U.S. (so stop complaining); that's why Better Place is launching in these countries first. It's also easier for Better Place to get an infrastructure up in countries with fewer major metropolitan areas. In Israel--a country that is not much larger than New Jersey--Better Place's infrastructure is estimated to cost just $200 million.
The company anticipates bringing the largest electric car charging network in the world to Australia by 2013. We imagine that won't be as cheap.
It's hard to say whether Better Place will ultimately succeed in its battery switch station quest. Part of the company's success relies on automakers' willingness to make compatible cars. Mullins explained to us recently that Better Place is working on "a toolkit/adapter in our battery switch stations that can anticipate and supply different battery types for different vehicles with different battery-to-vehicle connection mechanisms." But in the meantime, customers only have one vehicle option--and that's a limiting factor in any country.
Courtesy information from Tech Crunch
Volkswagen's attempt to disguise a Chrysler minivan as a Wolfsburg-bred flower-power-mobile hasn't gone over very well, but the brand needs to sell in every segment in this country if it's going to grow.
The Bulli would integrate well with VW's strategy of multiple models on a single platform. The five-passenger van would use the next-gen Golf as its underpinnings, and possibly would come as either a hybrid diesel or even an electric-only vehicle, like the concept shown in Geneva this past spring.
Bulli uses a lithium-ion battery pack to drive a 113-horsepower electric motor which VW claimed can be charged to full capacity in less than an hour!
And unlike the present Transporter, which has really ballooned from the compactness of the original Microbus of the 1950s and '60s, the Bulli is small and squat. Still, modern-day adventurers and those with a hint of nostalgia will hope VW saves the show-Bulli's rear seat that folds totally flat for in-car camping.
