Ford's first all-electric vehicle in the US will be a commercial van that gets a range of 100 miles per charge with a top speed of 70 mph. The van, called the Ford Transit Connect, should be available in the US in 2010, although the price has not yet been announced.

The electric van will precede Ford's small electric passenger sedan, which will hit US dealerships in 2011, followed by a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

The Transit Connect is based on a gasoline-powered model that has proven successful in Europe and that Ford is also preparing to release in the US shortly. The van will be converted to battery power by Smith Electric Vehicles, which already offers a similar battery-powered Ford Transit model to customers in some European markets.

Ford is aiming the vehicle at commercial industries as an alternative to a full-size cargo van for package delivery. The van, which can carry about 1800 pounds, would be ideal for fleets that cover regular routes and return to a central location for recharging overnight.

The electric van will be built in Turkey and imported to the US.

BG’s C100 Electric Vehicle ready for Production

The trend towards smaller, energy-efficient electric vehicles has created a market that is quickly being filled by young startups. Enter BG Automotive Group, which has recently announced that their mass-produced electric vehicle the C100 has just been approved by the Department of Transportation! Perfect for commuting and daily urban driving, the sprightly vehicle gets an impressive 60-120 miles per charge and will be available for less than $20,000.
The C100 is a compact four-door, four-passenger neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV). Designed for daily commuters and short trips around town, the vehicle has a maximum speed of 35-45 miles per hour and is expected to cost from $15 to $18 thousand dollars. Charging couldn’t be easier - simply plug the vehicle into any regular wall outlet. A full set of safety features includes dual airbags and a sturdy steel body round out the package. The company is currently moving full-speed ahead with its plans to produce the vehicle and is considering the possibility of manufacturing it within the United States, with the hope of producing 100,000 vehicles by 2010.

Lotus Electric car in 2009

Envied worldwide for producing feather-lite supercars just itching to be made into electric torque monsters (even Tesla has borrowed heavily from the Lotus parts bin), Lotus has indicated it wants to enter the world of exotic electric cars wants itself - perhaps even as soon as late 2009.

Ever since the late Colin Chapman began building his own sportscars under the Lotus brand (way back in 1952!) the company has followed a simple philosophy for its go-fast racers: add lightness. “Adding lightness” meant that Chapman’s cars were incredibly efficient - using less fuel and fewer tires than the competition.

Proterra Electric Bus

Colorado-based Proterra has its protype vehicle on a California road trip to show technology it hopes will change the commuting world.

Government officials, business leaders and techies in San Jose, California got a first look this afternoon at a prototype passenger bus showcasing new all-electric technologies.

Colorado company Proterra built the bus to showcase its drive, energy storage and vehicle control systems—breakthroughs which it ultimately hopes to license to other vehicle manufacturers.

But in the meantime, Proterra is making buses itself. And because of the investment the company has made in futuristic carbon fiber design, its new BE35 model is turning heads.

"We get a lot of comments," Proterra CEO and President Jeff Granato told the Cleantech Group. "I think transit agencies like that, because they're trying to drive more people to public transit."

The Proterra BE35, which is fully electric—unlike other hybrid-electric passenger buses available—showcases what the company calls a first-of-its-kind fast charge system enabled by the company's use of nanotechnology-based lithium batteries from Altairnano of Reno, Nevada. Altairnano has claimed to deliver full charges in ten minutes in the past.

The fast 10 minute charge is a central aspect of our vehicle and our marketing. We have a fast charge station that we would deploy in fixed route programs, where the vehicles are coming back to the same point once an hour or once every few hours. Transit is a perfect application for this type of technology, as they already have scheduled layovers.

Other advances showcased by Proterra include all-electric components managed by vehicle management systems to minimize energy usage throughout the vehicle, regenerative braking that recaptures over 90 percent of the vehicle's kinetic energy available during braking, and a new battery management system intended to optimize energy efficiency and system life.

The bus is powered by electric motors from UQM Technologies, a popular choice among other makes of next-generation vehicles. The company, like Proterra, also hails from Colorado.

The company has priced its bus 30 percent higher than conventional diesel or hybrid alternatives, but CEO Granato maintained Proterra's BE35 still offers compelling economics for purchasers.

Assuming diesel at three dollars a gallon, we net a savings of $310,000 over the life of a single bus, just on fuel costs. When you include other operational savings, for instance, because the parts in an electric vehicle don't wear out as often, that number goes up.

Added crash-worthiness of the vehicle's carbon fiber construction, and ease of carbon fiber repair versus steel also contributes to 70 percent lower body repair costs, said Granato.

While in San Jose to officially unveil the new bus, Proterra wouldn't say how many units the city might buy, but it claimed to be soon closing several North American orders in the second quarter of the year. But the end-game, according to Granato, is licensing to OEMs, including two in other countries they are in discussions with.

"Our intention is to be partnering with existing manufacturers once we get up into quantity. Because we realize that the capacity for manufacturing trucks and buses already exists. Our focus is on the technology to help take those existing vehicles to the next level with our technology."

Those companies include New Flyer, Gillig, Orion and others, all of which have been building buses for ten years or more, Proterra recognized.

After its launch today in San Jose, Proterra is to make stops in selected California cities including Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. In each city, Proterra plans to meet with energy, environmental, and municipal stakeholders and introduce its BE35 as a way to meet the state's aggressive emission reduction standards.

Proterra has been funded to date by government grants and private investors. The company is now raising a series A round.

Heuliez Friendly EV

Introduced last fall during the Paris Motor Show, the Heuliez Friendly is a French electric car with promising and realistic intentions. Heuliez is known for making short series of cars (such as the Opel Tigra TwinTop) and the retractable tops of Peugeots, so it's not a total newcomer to the auto market.  The battery pack will offer an expected range of 100 km (60 miles) but two additional packages will be offered as options, so autonomy can be extended to 250 km (160 miles). It's also interesting to know that the Friendly is not an NEV, as it can reach highway speeds of 120 km/h (75mph). It can seat 3+1 like the Toyota iQ and Heuliez will offer three body styles and probably a van version. The best part, however, was getting confirmation that the car will go on sale April next year, with prices starting at €10,000. It shouldn't cost a fortune to maintain, although batteries are expected to last just four years or about 2,000 charge/recharge cycles.

2009 Cadillac Converj EV

Cadillac Converj Concept General Motors unveiled a further glimpse at the potential of electric propulsion, this time in the form of luxury transportaCadillac Converj Concept General Motors unveiled a further glimpse at the potential of electric propulsion, this time in the form of luxury transportation. The Cadillac Converj was developed as a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a bold design and a host of interactive technology.

The four-passenger Cadillac Converj concept is intended to show how GM's revolutionary electric propulsion technology - called Voltec - can power a luxury coupe with a typically Cadillac "no compromises" design. The technology enables up to 40 miles of gas- and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles.

Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of Global Product Development, said the Cadillac Converj concept has production substance. "It's a logical extension of our plan to reinvent the automobile," he said. "It clearly shows what a Cadillac electric vehicle could look like, and clearly indicates that global luxury customers can have a car that has both strong design and electric propulsion with a total range of hundreds of anxiety-free miles."

Cadillac's extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) concept has a new body style that is an evolution of the brand's traditional Art and Science design theme. An aggressive, forward-leaning arc profile is the foundation for the sporting stance. And more than a Cadillac in form, Converj is also intended to be a Cadillac in substance, with the premium materials, technology and driving dynamics that are hallmarks of the brand
The Converj concept is the latest rolling showcase for GM's extended-range electric propulsion system, which the company is now calling Voltec. The Converj features the same 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, electric drive unit, and four-cylinder engine-generator as the Volt. Thus, like the volt, the Converj will go 40 miles on emissions-free electric power. It then switches to the four cylinder engine to provide power to the motor and charge the lithium-ion battery.

Although the Converj is based on the Volt, the design, from GM's U.K. advanced design studio under the direction of Simon Cox, is pure Cadillac. Unlike the Volt sedan, it sports a coupe body style with seats for four passengers in a 2+2 layout. A small trunk is accessed through an even smaller opening. The overall shape resembles the CTS coupe concept that debuted at last year's show with a bit of the Cien show car mixed in. The design emphasizes aerodynamics, with minimal grille openings, a fully covered underbody, and slim cameras in place of rearview mirrors. The smallest Cadillac ever made, the Converj is some 10 inches shorter than the CTS coupe. The Converj is about the same length as the Volt but it's wider, due to the Cadillac's larger wheels and tires (21-inches up front and 22 inches at the rear).tion. The Cadillac Converj was developed as a well-appointed grandtouring coupe with a bold design and a host of interactive technology.The Cadillac Converj’s Voltec electric propulsion system is made up of a 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car.A thermally managed battery pack contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that provide the primary power to drive the Converj electrically up to 40 miles without using fuel or producing tailpipe emissions. The battery is integrated into the Converj’s chassis and stores electricity from the grid when the vehicle is plugged in. It takes less than three hours to recharge the battery at 240V, or about eight hours from a 120V outlet.When the battery’s energy is low, the Converj seamlessly switches to extended-range mode. During this secondary level of operation, electricity needed to power the vehicle is created on-board by a flex-fuel-powered engine that operates much like a home generator to create electricity. The engine-generator ensures a constant supply of power for hundreds of miles until the car is refueled or plugged in to recharge the battery. This extended-range mode eliminates the range anxiety that comes with driving pure electric vehicles that offer no backup power when the battery charge is low.Whether in electric or extended-range mode, the Converj is propelled all the time by an electric drive unit. It converts electrical energy from the battery or the engine-generator into mechanical energy to drive the front wheels. It also delivers 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, for a quick launch, and 120 kW of power. The top speed is 100 mph.There is no compromise in vehicle performance in either mode of operation. To enhance the ride feel, the Converj also features GM’s Magnetic Ride Control; and for even greater efficiency, energy during braking is captured and stored in the battery.
The four-passenger Cadillac Converj concept is intended to show how GM's revolutionary electric propulsion technology - called Voltec - can power a luxury coupe with a typically Cadillac "no compromises" design. The technology enables up to 40 miles of gas- and emissions-free electric driving with extended-range capability of hundreds of miles.

Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman of Global Product Development, said the Cadillac Converj concept has production substance. "It's a logical extension of our plan to reinvent the automobile," he said. "It clearly shows what a Cadillac electric vehicle could look like, and clearly indicates that global luxury customers can have a car that has both strong design and electric propulsion with a total range of hundreds of anxiety-free miles."

Cadillac's extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) concept has a new body style that is an evolution of the brand's traditional Art and Science design theme. An aggressive, forward-leaning arc profile is the foundation for the sporting stance. And more than a Cadillac in form, Converj is also intended to be a Cadillac in substance, with the premium materials, technology and driving dynamics that are hallmarks of the brand
The Converj concept is the latest rolling showcase for GM's extended-range electric propulsion system, which the company is now calling Voltec. The Converj features the same 16-kWh, T-shaped battery, electric drive unit, and four-cylinder engine-generator as the Volt. Thus, like the volt, the Converj will go 40 miles on emissions-free electric power. It then switches to the four cylinder engine to provide power to the motor and charge the lithium-ion battery.

Although the Converj is based on the Volt, the design, from GM's U.K. advanced design studio under the direction of Simon Cox, is pure Cadillac. Unlike the Volt sedan, it sports a coupe body style with seats for four passengers in a 2+2 layout. A small trunk is accessed through an even smaller opening. The overall shape resembles the CTS coupe concept that debuted at last year's show with a bit of the Cien show car mixed in. The design emphasizes aerodynamics, with minimal grille openings, a fully covered underbody, and slim cameras in place of rearview mirrors. The smallest Cadillac ever made, the Converj is some 10 inches shorter than the CTS coupe. The Converj is about the same length as the Volt but it's wider, due to the Cadillac's larger wheels and tires (21-inches up front and 22 inches at the rear).Pure Cadillac designThere's no mistaking the Converj for anything but a Cadillac, according to Lutz. "An aggressive, forward-leaning profile hints at a new, progressive theme and proportion in Cadillac's design evolution," he says. "The new proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2."The overall shape is reinforced by a prominent, sweeping body line with large, 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) wheels pushed to the edges of the body. The Cadillac Converj exterior is painted a dark silver tri-coat that GM designers dubbed "Reaction."An all-glass roof incorporates solar panels that help offset power drain from the vehicle's accessories. Additionally, several aerodynamic and design efficiencies were incorporated to enhance the driving range, including:A full under-vehicle cover (belly pan)Minimal grille openings that reduce drag at the front of the vehicleLow-profile rearview cameras replace conventional outside mirrors to reduce dragWheels are shaped to push air outward for smoother body side airflowThe Cadillac Converj also incorporates vertical headlamp and taillamp elements, with light pipe technology."Vertical lamps are Cadillac signatures and the Cadillac Converj builds on the brand's light pipe technology with bolder light emitting diode (LED) and high-intensity discharge elements front and rear," said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. "There is also a unique daylight light 'spear' at the top of the headlamps."Luxury meets technology insideThe Cadillac Converj's interior has advanced features and luxurious appointments blending efficiency and environmental consciousness. The 2+2 configuration is trimmed in contrasting Winter White synthetic suede - including the top of the instrument panel - and Midnight Black leather, with polished aluminum and wood grain accents. Renewable materials are used throughout such as wool-blend carpeting, a headliner made from silk, suede made from post-industrial content and more.A technologically advanced driver center increases efficiency and reduces the draw on the battery. Features include:New, organic light-emitting diode technology used on reconfigurable instrument clusterTouch-screen navigation, climate, center-stack controls and audio systemsAdjustable, overhead white ambient lightingUnique "power on" sequence featuring blue-lit console graphicsScreen displays for features including regenerative braking, battery charge level and power outputNo inside rearview or outside mirrors; cameras provide surrounding images on a screen placed high on the instrument panel for a full, panoramic viewPush-button ignition and power-folding front seats

Loremo Electric Prototypes Near Completion

What's green and white and gets 120 mpg? The answer is the new Loremo, an upcoming compact ultra-efficient green vehicle, from the identically-named start up.

Some are critical of the Loremo's looks, but its streamlined design allows it to deliver unmatched aerodynamic performance and enables it to get extremely high fuel economy. The car is painted a stock cool white color, with a lime green also available.

Since 2000, Loremo has been hard at working cooking up the car, but it still has yet to produce an electric vehicle. However, according to Loremo all three of its powertrains should be finished this year, allowing the first prototypes to soon be produced. With Loremo saying that its liquid-fuel engine technology is mature enough, this means only the chassis, interior and shell work will remain.

The Loremo will be available in three variants, all of which the company says are progressing well. The first is a base Loremo, which will get 120 MPG on a 700 ccm diesel engine featuring turbo charging, inter-cooling and exhaust gas recycling. The gas mileage target was cut slightly from the original mark of 157 mpg, but it should still be sufficient to win the Auto X Prize.

The second model is the Loremo GT, which not only brings sportier performance with a 850 ccm engine, but also will allow the car to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or pressurized natural gas (PNG).The final model is the Loremo EV, Loremo's take on an ultra-efficient electric vehicle. This variant is perhaps the closest to production as test runs have been started and it has been certified of road-worthiness. Public tests of the Loremo EV should begin in March.

Things are looking good for Loremo possibly meeting its target launch date of 2009, or a just-slightly-delayed launch in early 2010. The vehicle is still expected to save you some green as well, debuting at the wallet-friendly price of 15,000 euros ($22,500) for the basic model, or 20,000 euros ($30,000) for the GT.Via AutoBlogGreen