Lotus Targets Tesla With An EV Of Its Own

Lotus, the iconic British automaker that helped Tesla Motors and Chrysler develop their electric cars, is building a high-performance battery-powered sports car of its own and says we could see a prototype in March. The company says the as-yet-unnamed car will be a range-extended EV that, like the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma, uses an internal combustion engine to recharge the battery as it approaches depletion. Such a car would be squarely aimed at at the Tesla Roadster and Dodge EV, two cars that draw much of their DNA from the Lotus bloodline. "Don't be surprised to see an electric Lotus shortly," Lotus boss Michael Kimberly tells the Financial Times. "We are working on the technologies that will go behind it." Most of the major automakers are developing battery electric vehicles, but they tend to be runabouts like the Mitsubishi iMiEV or compacts like the Mini-E. Lotus, which is renowned for building cars with superlative handling, joins Tesla, Fisker Automotive and the German tuning haus Ruf in developing an electric car built solely for speed. Doing so further cements its reputation as a green-tech leader. Kimberly didn't offer any details on the range-extended electric drivetrain beyond saying it will deliver 300 to 400 miles on a tank of gas. It's a safe bet the car will use a lithium-ion battery pack like the Volt and Karma, which promise an all-electric range of 40 and 50 miles, respectively. Kimberly says the electric Lotus "will become one of the showcases for the world of what you can do with electric vehicle technology." Lotus is working with "a major automotive manufacturer" to line up a range extender - i.e. an engine - and other components, Kimberly says. Motor Trend thinks Lotus is looking to General Motors for help, arguing that the company has a similar drivetrain for the Volt and is providing engines for the Fisker Karma. But Toyota is a more likely partner, given that it already provides Lotus with engines for the Elise and forthcoming Evora (pictured). Toyota also is developing a battery electric concept vehicle that will debut at the Detroit auto show, and you can argue that no one has a better understanding of hybrid technology. A bigger question is what the car will look like. Given that the Tesla Roadster is based on the Elise and Chrysler basically stuck a battery and a motor in a Europa and called it the Dodge EV, using those two models as the basis of an e-Lotus almost certainly are out. Lotus could convert an Evora with relative ease - it's a 2+2 with a mid-engine design, so there is plenty of room for a battery pack if Lotus yanks out the back seat like BMW did with the Mini-E. It's also a sleek, sexy car that would make EVs appealing to the sports car set. But Lotus also could develop an entirely new car. Although that's an expensive proposition that can take years - GM reportedly will spend around $1 billion and three years getting the Volt done - Lotus can easily cut corners. The Versatile Vehicle Architecture underpinning the Evora can be adjusted nine ways from Sunday with relative ease to suit a wide range of vehicles. Lotus says VVA will allow it to develop new cars in less time and at lower cost. Whatever the case, an EV is a natural for Lotus. Beyond providing the platforms on which the Tesla and Dodge electric vehicles were built, Lotus builds the Roadster at its plant in Hethel, England, and provided technical help to Ecotricity, the British green-power company that is building an EV called the Wind Car. Lotus, which builds about 3,000 cars a year and turned a profit of $2.9 million last year, is investing nearly $90 million in lower-emissions technology. Much of the R&D is done through the company's engineering arm, Lotus Engineering, which is working on everything from a fuel cell taxi and hybrid limo to a two-stroke engine that burns just about anything.  Kimberly says the electric Lotus may debut at the Geneva auto show in March.

Aptera: The New Electric Car on the Block

Electric car entrepreneurs are really starting to gather momentum this year. Joining the ranks of the Tesla and the Phoenix, the Aptera intends to begin production in late 2008. What makes the Aptera stand out (in addition to its unique aerodynamic design), is its versatility and price. The Aptera is available in two models: a plug-in electric hybrid model ($29, 900) and an all-electric model ($26, 900). Individuals and organizations can reserve an Aptera today for $500 on their website. Talk about a sleek car to slap a corporate logo on for instant green-cred!Some spec details from the Aptera website: 
Safety: Aptera provides a significant amount of info that says that this vehicle exceeds all current federal and state safety regulations. 
Performance: The Aptera reaches over 85 mph, and goes 0-60 in less than 10 seconds.
Range and Charge Time: The all-electric model (Aptera Typ-1e) has a range of 120 miles on a full charge. (Charge time: 2-4 hrs, $1-$2 in electricity costs for a full charge). The plug-in electric model (Aptera Typ-1h) is expected to average 300 mpg in combined city/highway driving.Aptera is Greek for "wingless flight." Great name for a car with immense potential. But where was Aptera at the International Electric Vehicle Symposium last month? If entrepreneurial companies want to compete in the transporation sector where the Big 6 predominate, they have got to come out strong and make a lasting impression where it counts. From what I gather, Aptera has not yet made a public demonstration of their vehicle.Nonetheless, I am excited about the prospects. If the Aptera is what it claims to be, I look forward to owning my own "wingless flight" vehicle in 2009.

First Affordable Lithium Powered Highway Speed Vehicle Delivered

Myers Motors has just delivered the nation’s first all-electric (110 volt outlet charging), highway speed (76 mph), lithium battery powered, sub-$30,000 vehicle. This new battery system, electronically managed by a system developed in conjunction with Akron University for MM’s prospective entry into the Automotive X Prize, is the next step towards realizing the dream of electric vehicles: inexpensive travel that avoids the geo-political and environmental ravages inherent in America’s total dependence upon oil for its transportation needs.This development comes on top two other keys for the development of affordable, practical, electric vehicles. The first development was the concept that there are so many vehicles in America, and that so many households have more than one vehicle, that vehicles sized for the jobs they do makes practical sense. The execution of this line of thinking was the single passenger vehicle which has large enough occupancy for 9 out of 10 commuters and almost 7 out of 10 miles driven in the US. The second development followed the first … the vehicle’s range only needed to meet how people were actually going to use that vehicle … and with 50% of the cars on the road travelling less than 30 miles per day, a 30 mile range was practical. The latest development, the third key, is lithium battery technology that promises to last the lifetime of the vehicle (100,000 miles +), almost double the daily practical range to 50 miles (in the NmG) and enable you to drive 1000 miles on only $20 of fuel.The Myers Motors NmG is the most affordable, all-electric vehicle being delivered in America today, but at a price tag of $29,995, it is primarily targeted to early adapters and those who just really hate their daily fuel costs supporting oil nations’ autocrats and dictators who are bleeding the American economy at the rate of $1 billion per day. But, there is still one more thing to be done: reduce the initial purchase price so that it is truly affordable.

Toyota EV concept car

In the briefest of releases,Toyota said today that it's braving the Detroit winter to introduce not only its 2010 Prius (which can't do a lot of things, we hear) but also, a city car powered by electricity.

"Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery electric vehicle concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. This display marks the world debut of this concept vehicle."

That's it for now, except for the Wall Street Journal speculation that the new car is a battery

powered version of the iQ city car bandied about at the European auto shows this year. The Smartsized car probably will run about on nickel-metal hydride batteries, sport a range of about 40 miles per gallon, and likely arrive on the market before competitors like the Nissan EV but well after gas hits $1 a gallon again.

While Toyota gets a taste of financial hardship and plots ahead for its Detroit debuts, you can prepare with our 2009 Detroit auto show preview.

2011 Chevrolet Volt

CHEVROLET VOLT LEADS GENERAL MOTORS INTO ITS SECOND CENTURY DETROIT – General Motors launched its next 100 years by unveiling the much-anticipated production version of the Chevrolet Volt – a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles. "Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century," said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today's and tomorrow's energy and environmental challenges." Form follows function The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Because aerodynamics plays a key role in maximizing driving range, GM designers created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle endure in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more. The Volt's rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around the car. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler allow the air to flow off and away quickly. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag. Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, rockers and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target of driving up to 40 miles (based on EPA city cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions. Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan, and it delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter distinguish the Volt's interior from other vehicles in the market. Some of Volt's interior technological features include:

• Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display
• Standard seven-inch touch screen vehicle information display
• Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls
• Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage
• Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming

New era in automotive transportation The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV. The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional miles, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery. The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. At a cost of about 80 cents per day (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM estimates that the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee. Charging the Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units. Charge out of driving The Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt's battery pack provide ample power. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 horsepower, 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, make the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive. GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. For an average driver who drives 40 miles per day (or 15,000 miles per year), this amounts to a cost savings of $1,500 annually. Using peak electric rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven mile in a Chevy Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. The cost savings are even greater when charging during off-peak hours, when electric rates are cheaper. The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced.

Daimler to Electrify Autobahn With “e-mobility Berlin”

Image courtesy of Daimler

Berlin’s autobahn will be getting a charge from the “e-mobility Berlin” program Daimler AG officially unveiled today. The automaker is working with German utility RWE to put more than 100 electric cars on the city’s roads by 2010. Under terms of the joint venture, Daimler will provide electric vehicles from its Smart and Mercedes-Benz lines while RWE will install some 500 charging points around the city.The announcement gives no legs to the rumors circulating about Daimler’s possible partnerships with a slew of cleantech startups. Last week, the Financial Times reported that electric car poster child Tesla Motors would be supplying the batteries for the Smart cars, but the release doesn’t say whose batteries will be in them.It does, however, say that as early as next year Daimler could put that same lithium-ion technology into serial production for its Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID. Reuters had reported that battery giant Continental would be providing the lithium-ion batteries for the luxury hybrid, so perhaps this isn’t the deal Tesla Elon Musk said he was working on with Daimler? Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung earlier this year he was “in talks” with Agassi’s Better Place, but the Silicon Valley startup tells us that they are not involved with the e-mobility program.The 500 “electricity filling stations” will be capable of identifying individual cars and owners allowing for charging of the vehicle and the credit card on account as well as “smart charging” or “vehicle-to-grid charging,” all features Agassi promises his charging stations will provide.So far, the only partners announced in this project are Daimler and RWE, but we’re hopeful some cleantech startups will be helping with Daimler’s electro-auto-revolution.

Berlingo powered by Venturi

A MAJOR INNOVATION
Benefitting from a new and extremely compact power train developed by Venturi, the electric “Berlingo First” fits all of its components into its front compartment in place and stead of a combustion engine: electric motor, reduction unit and batteries. 
This “première” makes it possible, in particular, to conserve the vehicle’s volume and payload, which remain identical to those of the Berlingo’s fuel-based version, thus ensuring a major competitive edge. 
“LA POSTE” VERSION
 Presented for the first time at the Paris Motor Show 2008, this version corresponds to the specifications in the tender issued by France’s postal service, “La Poste”. Launched in April 2007, this international tender called for 500 vehicles to be used for mail delivery in France’s 15 largest cities. It will later give rise to a new tender for a total 10,000 vehicles to be delivered over 5 years. 

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN VENTURI AND PSA
PSA Peugeot Citroën and Venturi Automobiles joined forces to produce the “Citroën Berlingo First” vehicles in an electric version, in response to the tender launched by “La Poste”, for which they had been pre-selected. 
Zebra technology (Nickel Sodium Chloride) actually tested on our vehicles is a reliable, mass-produced and environmental solution which has now chalked up over 1 million kilometres on the road. Its energy mass is 4 times greater than that of lead batteries.
COMMERCIALISATION
 As from the fall of 2009, Venturi will mass-produce a range of utility vehicles primarily meeting the requirements of large companies for fleets of electric vehicles. In this context, it is already possible to get in touch with our commercial service to indicate your interest and specific needs. 

Utilities Suggest Huge Electric Vehicle Orders

Utilities are among the groups now considering

mass orders of electric vehicles from the U.S.

automobile manufacturing sector, to help the

auto companies make the biggest

manufacturing realignment since since WWII.

The exploratory discussions are being conducted at top

levels and among firms like PG&E who see plug in hybrid

and all electric vehicles as a solution to uneven grid loads.

Utilities have invested a great deal of research using the

vehicle to grid (V2G) capabilities of plugged in electric

vehicles to stabilize the grid.
The idea being considered would involve joining together

to put in a substantial order to put weight behind

development of Plug In Hybrids (PHEVs) and electric

vehicles (EVs). The idea is that large fleet orders would

provide the certain market car makers need to make

the initial move away from fossil fueled vehicles.
With their buying power (they could order 50,000

electric vehicles for their fleets) utilities could provide

a solid beginning to switching Detroit to entirely new

vehicle markets.
Talks with automakers have occurred individually

and through the electric industry’s primary trade

organization, the Edison Electric Institute, and include

Xcel, Progress Energy, PG&E, Edison International and

Wisconsin Energy Corp.Dick Kelly, chief executive of

Xcel Energy in Minneapolis said, “If we get enough of

us together, we could put in a very large order and

maybe a big down payment.”Utilities gain less in

increased electricity sales than in grid stabilization;

evening out the load with the prospect of being able

to swap electrons back and forth between a fleet of

vehicles and the grid. PHEVs draw only about 1.4–2

kW of power while charging; only about what a

dishwasher draws.The benefits for the nation are huge.

Plug-In Hybrids leave their Hybrid counterparts in the

dust, in mileage.For example, where the Ford Escape

Hybrid gets mileage in the 20’s or 30’s, a Plug In Escape

would get over 80 MPG. It has now completed a year of

successful testing with Southern California Edison.

The many aftermarket Prius conversions boast over

100 MPG as Plug In Hybrids compared with about

50 MPG as a first-gen Hybrid. Aftermarket Ford truck

conversions similarly get about twice the mileage of

their non plugged in hybrids.And the Chevy Volt

Extended-Range EV is designed from the ground up

as an EV that only gets a boost for long-distance from gas.

It would get also get over 100 MPG in cross-country

driving, and not need gasoline for trips under 40 miles

a day.Further development to get these to market are

endangered by the auto meltdown. In fact, to some

extent, we have stopped buying new vehicles precisely

because we are waiting for the switch to the post gasoline

era vehicles.So, Mark Duvall, a researcher at the EPRI

suggests that the best help for automakers would be a

multiyear order placed in one group from utilities fleets.

That’s because early models may be money losers, so

multiyear orders would help automakers achieve

profitable production. He estimates fuel savings,

for utilities, at $10,000 to $15,000 per car.

This kind of certain ongoing manufacturing order

is a very safe way to grow small businesses from

scratch, and could even help restabilize the large

automanufacturers in the same way now that their

future is under threat.“I would do it,” says Gale

Klappa, CEO of Wisconsin Energy, adding that his

utility has about 3,000 vehicles in its fleet and

replaces 20% each year. Bill Johnson, chief executive

of Progress Energy Inc. said, “Our industry is

nterested in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions,

and it seems like a good idea for auto makers and

us to pull together,”He added that the idea is in a

formative stage and is “gaining momentum.”

Liberty Electric Cars Re-Engineers Land Rover to EV

Eden Project Green Car Show: Newly formed Liberty Electric Cars Ltd is investing £30 million in the re engineering of large luxury cars and 4 x 4s into emission-free, high performance electric vehicles. The company will design and manufacture a unique electric drive-train platform to power a wide range of large vehicles, which will also have the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies. Annual vehicle production, which will include the world’s first zero emission, electrically powered Range Rover, will be in tens of thousands and will create around 250 new technology and manufacturing jobs.Barry Shrier, Liberty founder and CEO says; “The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter. The Liberty Electric Range Rover will drive cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges, making less environmental impact than even the smallest, most fuel efficient car, yet still offering the comfort and security of a luxury 4 x 4.”Liberty electric cars will incorporate state of the art energy storage and management systems, which the company will also offer to other vehicle manufacturers, commercial fleet operators and emergency response organisations. They will deliver superior performance and acceleration compared with existing technology. Liberty electric cars will have extended driving range and shorter recharge times. The Liberty Range Rover will power its way through 200 miles before needing a charge, and some models will carry on board range extending generators. Costs will range between £95,000 and £125,000 depending on model and specification.The market for electric cars is still in its early stages, however exponential growth is expected as legislation, social awareness and technological advances accelerate change in transport choices.Electric vehicles have 80 per cent lower running costs than petrol cars. Electrical power is also a more efficient source of power, as petrol engines only use around 25 per cent of their energy to create motion - the vast majority is lost in heat and the mechanical movement of the engine and transmission. Electric motors deliver 90 per cent efficiency.An electric motor also provides superior acceleration because unlike a petrol engine it does not need to be revved, in order to achieve full power. The power (torque) is instantly available at all times. This is why petrol engines use electric starter motors!

BYD F3DM electric hybrid car went on sale

BYD, the upstart Chinese company best-known for making cell-phone batteries, began selling its F3DM hybrid electric car in the Chinese market, As the country's first mass-produced electric hybrid vehicle, the car is going to retail for 149,800 yuan ($21,200) in China and will make its way to the U.S. in 2010.

After five years of innovation and development, BYD has brought its F3DM electric hybrid technology to maturity. The F3DM model is equipped with the world's first dual hybrid power system, for the driver to switch between EV and HEV modes. The F3DM is capable of traveling 100km (62 miles) on electric power provided by the battery to meet daily driving needs. In contrast, the dual-mode electric models of GM and Toyota can travel only 25km without recharging.

As China’s first mass-produced electric hybrid car and BYD's latest flagship model, the F3DM will be attached with a new blue BYD label specially designed for BYD new-energy cars. The electric hybrid F3DM has been approved for production and sale by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) - the state regulator of China's auto industry. The Chinese government is encouraging automakers to make clean-energy vehicles.

DM stands for Dual Mode, and refers to the combination of an electric drive system and a hybrid system, BYD Auto explained. The automaker is offering drivers the choice of being able to either refuel the hybrid system or simply plug the vehicle into any 220 volt electrical outlets to recharge the battery for the car's electric motor.

Today, BYD Auto launched its F3DM electric hybrid car to the Chinese market only, selling it for about 149,800 yuan. The Chinese automaker has said it will export its F3DM to the United States by 2010. The F3DM electric hybrid model is set to make its global debut at the Detroit auto show next month.

BYD are also planning to launch other DM vehicles over the next few years, including SUVs and MPVs which will follow the design of the current F3DM. The company said it will launch an 'all-electric' BYD F3 and BYD E6 in 2009.

Chrysler's plan to beat the Chevy Volt

Chrysler is pinning
a huge part of its
future on a plan to
produce a full line
of electric vehicles,
at a reasonable
cost to both the
carmaker and the
consumer.

While General Motors is moving ahead with its
Volt electric midsized car, Chrysler says it already
has plans in place, not just for electric cars, but
also for minivans and even off-road vehicles.
Chrysler's strategy hinges on keeping it cheap.
The carmaker will dispense with flashy designs
in exchange for low cost and flexibility. And it
plans to pile on more electric-powered models
quickly once the program launches in 2010.
"We aren't a one-electric-vehicle company,"
Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's vice president for
advanced vehicle engineering, told CNNMoney
in an exclusive interview.Rhodes is also
president of Chrysler's ENVI, a separate
business division tasked with bringing new
electric vehicles to market.Instead of making
one, or just a few, electric-only models, Chrysler
will sell the same models in both gasoline
powered and electric-powered versions.
This low-cost, high-variety electric-vehicle
strategy will play a big part in any comeback
plan Chrysler may present in hopes of getting
government rescue funding.Chrysler's strategy
substantially cuts costs, Rhodes said, and it
reduces the risk of entering uncharted market
territory. That will translate into lower costs and
more choices for customers.If gas prices stay low,
Chrysler factories will produce more gasoline
powered models. If gas prices rise, factories
can start rapidly turning out more electric cars
since the models are essentially the same.
Chrysler's first electric vehicles will be based
on current vehicles. The carmaker hasn't yet
announced what the first model will be but,
based on prototypes Chrysler revealed in
September, it will likely be a minivan, a Jeep
Wrangler 4X4 or a 2-seat sports car built in a
Lotus body.At least some of Chrysler's products
will be extended-range electric vehicles, like GM's
Volt. Because the car's body will not have been
designed around optimal weight and aerodynamics,
the Chrysler vehicle will need a more powerful
electric drive system to provide performance similar
to the Volt's. For instance, Chrysler promises the
same 40-mile all-electric plug-in range as the Volt.
(After that, a small gasoline engine will start up to
produce more electricity as the car drives.) But the
heavier Jeep prototype has a 27-kilowatt-hour
(KwH) battery back compared to the Volt's 16
KwH pack.Round twoChrysler's second-generation
electric vehicles, which the carmaker plans to start
rolling out between 2012 and 2015, will be
engineered from the wheels up to use either
gasoline or electric power.No matter which drivetrain
the customer chooses, the vehicles will not be
compromised, Rhodes insists."If you know what you
want to achieve up front, you can certainly design
that flexibility in up front," he said.Electric cars will
not have useless transmission tunnels running along
the center of the floor, he said. If a rear-wheel-drive
gasoline car needs that, a different floor will be used
when that version is built.The electric power systems
are also being engineered for maximum flexibility,
Rhodes said. Bigger, heavier vehicles take more
power to move, whether that power is from gasoline
or batteries. For gasoline-powered cars, engineers
have to design larger and smaller engines for different
uses. A small Jeep Compass, for instance, gets a
2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine while a Jeep Commander
SUV can come equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine.
But what if going to a larger engine was as simple
as just plugging in more cylinders? Chrysler's
electric drivetrains will work something like that.
To hold more battery power, larger vehicles
will simply get more battery cells. The cells
themselves will be exactly the same whether
in large or small vehicles. That's important because
batteries are the biggest expense of creating an
electric car."The real economy is in the cells,"
said Rhodes.Likewise, the electric motor will be
the same. It will just be up-sized for bigger jobs.
"All we change is the length of the rotor and the
number of windings to span between different
power outputs," Rhodes said.Even the housing
that goes around the motor will be same
regardless of the size of the motor . The magnesium
housing will be so lightweight that it simply won't
be worth the added cost of creating smaller housings
for the downsized motors, Rhodes said.Electric cars
aren't just a side-show or a public relations move for
Chrysler, Rhodes insists, but a major strategic move.
Through its GEM (Global Electric Motorcars)
subsidiary, Chrysler already claims to be the largest
seller of electric vehicles in the U.S. But those are
so-called "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles," ultra-light
cars with a top speed limited to 25 miles per hour.
Chrysler claims sales of 40,000 GEM cars over the
last 10 years. With its new plan, Chrysler plans to
produce over 500,000 electric vehicles by 2013.
"This is going to be a big deal for Chrysler," he said.

Rolls-Royce to build an EV?

Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves wants to build an

electricpowered Phantom, CARreports—and

apparently he's serious. "Many of our customers

do small mileages exclusively in the city," said

Purves, who took control of BMW-owned

Rolls-Royce in July 2008, in the article.

"For these customers, an electric Rolls-Royce

would be ideal."He had this little epiphany after

driving an example of the new electric MINI E,

saying that he was was "bowled over by it.

It is superb: quiet, fast and fantastic fun."

In all seriousness, he laid out a good case

for why Rolls should get into the EV business.

On the brand: "'We stand for unmatched

refinement and you can't get a quieter and

less intrusive engine than a well engineered

electric motor. Truly, the loudest noise you

would hear would be the tick of the clock...

We also stand for strong and instant torqueand

an electric motor delivers maximum torque

instantly. The 'waftability' would be fantastic.

"On regulations: "'I can imagine a time when

city or state authorities may ban carsfrom

towns that exceed a certain level of CO2,"

Purves said in the article. "We may need

an electric car merely to sell in certain parts

of the world."

Latest on Tesla

Detroit: Tesla Motors Does *Not* Need 

Government Funding To Survive, CEO 

Declares. As much as Detroit needs a $34 

billion government bailout to keep the 

lights on and continue building gas-guzzling

pick-ups, minivans and SUVs, Silicon 

Valley startup Tesla Motors does not 

require Federal money to survive.

The $40 million the San Carlos, Calif.

company secured last month is twice 

what it needs to reach profitability next 

year, said CEO Elon Musk this week.

However, the 300-person company is 

still going after a $450 million government 

loan to accelerate the production of its 

upcoming model “S” 5-passenger all 

electric sedan and its power-train factory.

“The sedan program is $350 million. 

This is tiny compare to what Detroit is 

asking. It’s like a month interest,” 

said Musk, “Compare (it) to $34 billion. 

We’re like less than 1%. It’s like ridiculous. 

We’re asking for less than 1% what Detroit 

is asking for…It’s quite reasonable to me.” 

Musk said he would use another $100

million to build the power-train factory 

that will supply other car companies.

A Plug-In Porsche: The Ruf eRuf Model A

Porsche isn’t really involved but this is a true blue 

Porsche 911 with a plug-in electric powertrain that

should give the Tesla Roadster a run for its 

sportscar money.

Built by Ruf Automobile GmbH out of 

Pfaffenhausen, Germany, the project started 

over a year ago.  

Ruf shipped a 997 911 Carrera to Calmotors in 

California, who handled all the prototyping work, 

which included packaging the car and contracting 

all the subsystems.  The compact electric motor 

and lithium-ion stack was  provided by UK 

company Axeon.  It was shipped back to Ruf in 

July 2008, where it was tweaked and tested to 

become what is now the 2010 eRuf Model A.

While the car is unmistakably a Porsche 911 

for any onlooker, various changes have been 

made.  Since the car now runs on an electric 

motor, the front and rear bumpers as well as 

the rear deck have been fitted  with new 

aerodynamic fiberglass pieces, making it look 

even more imposing.  The innards have been 

ripped out to make space for the electric

drivetrain (no more rear seats) and the

 interior has been reworked, with the dash 

area looking like a considerable upgrade.

The electrified (pardon the word use) 

Porsche Carrera features a driving range

of 200 miles, thanks to the 96 lithium-ion 

units on stack.  However, the same power 

source has bloated the car to a weight of 

4,210 pounds.  It can runa 0 to 60 in just 

under seven seconds and can achieve a 

maximum speed of 140 mph.  Full charging 

requires 10 hours of plug-in time.Ruf is 

selling the car for $250,000 a pop.  

Even though it’s already been test

driven by Edmunds.com , official unveiling

of the Ruf eRuf Model A is targeted for 

September 2009 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Phoenix Motorcars in deal with Maui Electric

Another announcement from the Governor on 

her mission to reduce Hawaii's carbon footprint.

It comes just a week after she unveiled plans 

for an electric car network. Last week, a 

company pledged to build the infrastructure 

needed for electric cars to run.

This announcement involves bringing a fleet 

of electric vehicles to Hawaii roads.Governor 

Linda Lingle's plan to steer Hawaii away from 

its dependence on oil takes a new turn. 

This is a model of the electric car fleet coming 

to Maui County."It does everything you expect 

a vehicle to do except it doesn't pollute," said 

Dan Elliott, Phoenix Motorcars CEO.In a deal 

with Maui Electric, car maker Phoenix 

Motorcars signs on a plan to test the vehicles, 

using MECO's grid to power them up. 

The goal is to tap into unused clean energy.

"Some renewable sources continue to make 

energy overnight while we're sleeping," said 

Maui Electric president Ed Reinhardt.

The vehicles go zero to sixty in less than ten 

seconds, run 130 miles on a single charge. 

And reach up to 90 miles per hour.

Average price tag is $50,000, with incentives 

and mandates attached."Nobody likes to 

hear about mandates. They didn't like it on 

the solar water heating bill on the houses," 

said Governor Lingle. "There were some 

people who felt you shouldn't mandate, 

you should just let the market decide. 

Well, this was the same argument that was 

made by the big three automakers."MECO 

will test drive 20 to 30 of these cars starting 

next year for six months.The goal is to bring 

2500 of them to Hawaii by the end of 2009.

Then expand the fleet to 10,000 cars by 2010. 

This is all part of the Governor's list of to-do's 

under the Hawaii clean energy initiative.

Which outlines her vision for Hawaii to use 

70%  clean ebergy by 2030.

Subaru electric cars

The Stella wasn't designed 

to accommodate electric 

car components, and yet 

Subaru has managed to 

adapt its R1e drivetrain 

to this kei car. 

(Photo: Subaru)

Subaru is best known 

for its all wheel drive 

systems, but could it 

become the new 

electric car brand? 

(Photo: Subaru)

While Toyota is quickly becoming the world's

go-to brand for hybrids, could Subaru be the 

brand to purchase pure electric-powered cars 

from? This could very well be the case, as the 

Japanese automaker best known for its all 

wheel drive cars and crossovers showed off 

its second electric-powered vehicle earlier 

this summer, the Plug-in Stella.
Besides being a different and more practical 

body style, shared with a production car that 

offers seating for four, the Stella uses the same 

general running gear as the R1e. It features a 

40 kW (53.6 horsepower) electric motor that's 

powered by a lithium-ion battery pack good

for 50 kilometers per charge. The Plug-in Stella 

Concept is also good for 50 mph, which is 

perfect for urban areas, provided that one 

doesn't venture onto a freeway.
Like the R1e, the electric Stella can charge 

its batteries to full from empty in eight hours 

time, but if you're in need of a quick refuel it 

can be replenished to 80-percent of its full 

capacity in a mere 15 minutes. 

The battery, which was developed in part 

with the Tokyo Electric Power Company 

(TEPCO), doesn't face the usual memory 

related problems that have plagued other 

quick charge vehicles.