One thing about electric cars, their silence is golden. Motorists often clamored for old gas-powered vehicles to be silenced but it didn’t seem to work. With their engines, it may be hard back then. But with electric vehicles all that may change now.

Now while that issue may have been resolved. Do remember that not all people may necessarily be giving a thumbs up to this. As far as commuters are concerned, the blind rely on their hearing to cross the street. And with a quiet vehicle, mishaps may happen so what could be a resolution?

It seems that Nissan and Toyota has come up with a solution and it is not irritating to the ear. Rather, it is an artificial sound that blind people can hear whenever an electric vehicle is approaching. To some motorists it may be silly but I guess it won’t be if you talk about safety. No one in his right mind would want to be accountable for accidents, especially if blind people are concerned.

(Source) The Korea Herald

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For motorists and practical consumers, the turn towards efficient vehicles does not only cover the fuel consumption that is being discussed widely by car enthusiasts today. As we know, a lot of talk has been targeted towards the compact space that most cars (especially the electric vehicles) provide today. But don’t tell that to Toyota as they have their own share of ideal solutions such as this 2010 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD. It exemplifies the traditional vehicles for accommodating families in their transport needs.

The Toyota Sienna comes packed with the traditional Toyota concept along with great features as well. For room, there is no question that space has been thoroughly considered. This includes luggage compartment space along with foldable seats and adjustable center consoles for more passenger room. It is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine with a 5 speed automatic transmission. The 2010 Toyota Sienna is definitely a car worth considering, particularly for families who want a sensible vehicle to use.

(Source) The Auto Channel

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The best way to know if your product (or vehicle in this case) is achieving its purpose is to get feedback from a hands-on driving experience, something that MINI USA has turned to. Apparently this is their way of finding out the shortcomings of their electric-powered MINI E vehicles, now in daily use around New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles.

Among the drivers being eyed for feedback cover private customers, municipalities, universities, public utilities, non-profit and commercial organizations. Among the initial responses included:

• Optimization of the energy consumption through brake regeneration
• Managing the trip to the amount of range available
• Feedback on continued development regarding on-board efficiencies

Unlike in experiments, these are real experiences that could be valuable and make a difference in upholding the quality of the MINI E electric vehicles. The MINI E is the first chapter of BMW Group’s Project i, the company’s long-term commitment to research and develop a new type of vehicle specifically to meet the needs of the world’s cities, where the majority of vehicle growth is expected to come in the next 20 years.

(Source) Press

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The electric car is all the rave these days. And while we have seen a lot of concept cars in the making, many compare it to the route of the Apollo Programs’ Lunar Rover which took years to complete. In the same way, electric cars are still a bit lagging and one derivative is cost. However, most critics feel that pricing structures may be a hindrance, especially if the current economic situation does not improve. For example, would you pay over $15,000 for an electric car?

“What people overlook is that accomplishing ‘big picture’ programs like Apollo require accepting the concept of unlimited spending to achieve the mission,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the industry authority Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Current levels of unprecedented federal spending notwithstanding, electric cars are not an exclusive answer to future transportation challenges and consumers will not be willing to buy them at all costs.”

The primary culprit is not the car. Automakers in the 1990s proved they could produce full-function electric vehicles offering the attributes that most drivers expect, although with limited driving range of about 100 miles or so. What they couldn’t do was replace a gas tank with an advanced battery pack that cost less than $20,000 to $30,000. Extraordinarily high battery cost is why we’re seeing newly-announced battery electric sedans with a retail cost of $45,000 to $55,000.

(Source) Press

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The facts are shaky but the trend is obvious. We are in the age where electric vehicles will soon be the craze of the world and to identify the trends and factors leading up to it, Frost & Sullivan will host a live briefing to depict emerging trends and projections for the said vehicles.

If there is anyone who would benefit from this meet, it would be the car manufacturers. Most of these groups are engage in doing their separate analysis and independent research and perhaps this is the best time to check the consistency of facts that they have gathered, comparing their figures and notes to see the viability of the emerging electric vehicle market trend.

“Electric Vehicles are seen as an emerging trend in the APAC region especially in growing markets such as China. Key challenges for the implementation of electric vehicles are being addressed and electric vehicles are likely to emerge as a savior in the automotive industry in terms of dependence of oil and emission reduction.”

(Source) Press

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Hillsoboro has announced that they will be installing 16 charging stations in the state of Oregon. These charging stations will be supplied by Coulomb Technologies, the leader in charging station infrastructure which will be situated in key locations for the preparation of the expected demand for plug-in and electric vehicles.

The 16 charging stations will be installed in downtown Hillsboro including their new “green” intermodal transit facility to be built in 2009. The charging stations, available for public use, are part of the city’s large-scale sustainability and green movement, designed to showcase conservation, environmentalism and eco-friendly design.

The ChargePoint Network enabled charging stations provide:

• A revenue stream to pay for electricity, capital equipment and maintenance
• The ability for drivers to find unoccupied charging stations via web-enabled cell phones
• Notification by SMS Text or email when charging is complete
• Authenticated access to eliminate energy theft
• Authorized energizing for safety
• Remote monitoring and diagnostics for superior quality of service
• Smart Grid integration for utility load management with future V2G capabilities

(Source) Press

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T3 Motion unveils the latest addition to the growing roster of electric cars offered in the market. T3 Motion lifts the covers on the CT3 Electric Vehicle that is based on the CT Micro Car. T3 Motion Inc. is not a new player in the electric car market. In fact, it has made a good account for itself, acknowledged as a global leader in Electric Vehicle Design, Battery Technology and Power Management Systems.

A version of the CT3 is competing for the Progressive Automotive X Prize in the Alternative Vehicle Class. The “CT3-S” is specifically designed and engineered to be capable of speeds up to 80 miles per hour yet delivering the energy equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon.

“We are very honored to be competing in the Progressive Automotive X Prize. It is energizing for T3 Motion, Inc. to be alongside so many different interpretations of creating the 100 mile per gallon car,” said Ki Nam, T3 Motion, Inc. C.E.O. “With electricity being the most readily available source of fuel today, our zero gas emission CT3-S exemplifies the ‘real world’ opportunities electric vehicles have both today and in the future.”

(Source) Press

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In a bid to help contribute towards the turn for more electric and cost-efficient vehicles, Tesla Motors was granted a $465 million low interest loan which they will use in the production of affordable fuel-efficient electric vehicles.

One vehicle that is expected to benefit from this development is the Tesla Model S. The Model S is all-electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge. The Model S has an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a $7,500 US federal tax credit. Tesla is aiming to start production by late 2011 at a state-of-the-art plant that will be employing about 1,000 workers.

“Tesla will use the ATVM loan precisely the way that Congress intended — as the capital needed to build sustainable transport,” said Tesla CEO and Product Architect Elon Musk. “We are honored that the US government selected Tesla to be among the first companies to participate in this progressive program.”

(Source) Press

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A joint effort involving ExxonMobil and Electrovaya has opened the doors for a new kind of car sharing and rental program called AltCar. The said program will be launched at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

The car to watch will be the Maya-300, a car that is powered exclusively by lithium-ion battery technology. These new electric vehicles will make up one of the first fleets of all-electric vehicles in a consumer car-sharing and rental program in North America.

“This program is a perfect example of the important role innovative companies and organizations, such as ExxonMobil, Electrovaya and the Maryland Science Center, will play in addressing the world’s need for safe, low emission, fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Sankar Das Gupta, president and chairman, Electrovaya.

With the growing turn towards electric vehicles, it is apparent that the efforts of these two companies and the launch of the Maya-300 will no doubt be welcomed with open arms. As we all try to curb down our carbon emissions and find solutions to fuel problems, a new electric car is certainly something we will all be needing.

(Source) Press

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The need is there and the forecasts are being made. As far as the needs of electric cars, charging stations are bound to be the next demand in the motoring industry, something that has already started but is way off from covering the needs of the projected number of electric cars expected to be out in the market.

As far as the Pike Research is concerned, there will be over 5 million charging stations up, obviously foreseeing the major influx of electric cars running around in the streets by then.

“While electric vehicles will be primarily charged at home, a strong funding push by governments will mean that more than half of all charge points will be public charging stations by 2015,” says industry analyst John Gartner. “Retailers will also install public access stations primarily as a marketing tool, and many companies will also offer workplace charging stations for their employees.”

Indeed, people can satisfy themselves for now with a one-time charge. But the next question is up to where can they go? Most electric cars today have a specified mileage depending on the charging capacity and unlike fueled cars, charging stations just in case of extended road trips is obviously lacking. Then again, who knows if they will be that plenty come 2015? We can only wait and see.

(Source) Press

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According to Myers Motors, this is a car, but due to its classification (because of its three wheels) it is considered a motorcycle. So which is which? Well regardless, the good news is that this company has gotten able investment backers as Jumpstart Ventures Investment has committed $250,000 to the manufacturing of electric vehicles.

The car is christened the NmG (No More Gas), a single passenger vehicle that can travel on highways and can reach speeds of up to 75 mph. One charge allows it to run 60 miles. If you look at it, the NmG may be ideal for 80 percent of Americans who commute to and from work alone and accommodate nearly half of Americans’ travel needs beyond work, which include errands and other day-to-day activities done solo as well.

JumpStart Venture Partner Mark Smith will be working with the company and is excited about its position in the market. “There is a race underway to create cost competitive all-electric vehicles and the Myers Motors team has an incredible head start,” said Smith. “Not only did they inherit a legacy of market knowledge and design from the predecessor company, they are already producing and selling vehicles. And the two-passenger vehicle (called NmG2) currently under development will provide Myers Motors with a significant competitive advantage in this quickly emerging market.”

(Source) Press

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Leo Motors showcases its line of electric vehicles in San Diego County this coming July 7, highlighting its product lineup. Among those vehicles expected to be shown are the Leo-1000 and Hilless scooters. These products range in price from $2,900 to $4,000 and are eligible for the tax credits and deductions allowable for electric vehicles.

The event is expected to boost the sales and awareness for the company, something that has been proven from past years. To highlight Leo Motors, they have a standing purchase order of 3,000 Hilles scooters from South Korea which will be used as deliver service scooters. They are expected to launch their vehicles in the U.S. later this year.

“We are proud to introduce our zero emission electric scooters to the U.S. market at this historic venue,” said Dr. Robert Kang, President and CEO of Leo Motors, Inc. “Our scooters are the world’s first truly sustainable EV products offered in the scooter market. These are not electric toys; they are highly evolved EVs made possible as a result of Leo’s proprietary motor and battery technologies.”

(Source) Press

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Everyone wants to turn to electric vehicle technology but look a bit farther and you may find it an innovation far from being the solution to the transportation problems we face today. Easier said than done, electric vehicles still lack the support of being powered, particularly since one time charges can only go to a certain mile.

Further, the cost for getting one vehicle is quite hefty. We all know for a fact that we are in hard times and with that in mind, cash or financing issues related to the purchase of a new car seems to be close to nil. Can you imagine buying a car for 4,599,000 yen, or 2,990,000 yen? You do the conversion but either way, you know it is going to cost you.

Japan-based car manufacturers are excited on the new electric cars set to be released in the market. Mitsubishi (i-Miev), Toyota (Prius), Honda (Insight) and Nissan have ready plans for their electric cars either this year or next. During that time span, the matter of charging stations has to be addressed and though we have seen a lot of sectors coming up with their own charging stations, the matter of determining how many they are is another aspect that needs to be ironed out.

The age of electric cars is coming. That is a fact. But also, the matter of how many can maintain and find resources like charging stations is still in question. In the end, without these requirements met, expect electric cars to encounter turbulence along the roads.

(Source) Bernama

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Boston-Power has announced a piece of great news that will get the demand for lithium-iron batteries and jobs up on their feet. The company has already been a familiar figure in the world of longest-lasting, fastest-charging, most environmentally sustainable and safest lithium-ion battery technology platform today and now it plans to build an advanced facility to deliver advanced batteries as needed today.

This not only covers the area of addressing the expected growth in demands for lithium-iron batteries but also means that new jobs will be made available. Approximately 600 new jobs would be needed at the Auburn facility and 2,000 more indirectly through supply chains to be put up.

An award-winning provider of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells to market-leading companies,

Boston-Power will also today provide a ‘first look’ at Swing, the company’s product for Plug-in Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles (PHEV/BEV). The only eco-certified battery of its kind, Swing is poised to drive the adoption of PHEVs and BEVs by establishing new benchmarks in energy density, long life, safety, weight, cost and environmental sustainability.

“Our goal is to make Massachusetts a manufacturing hub for the advanced batteries that will power the nation’s clean energy future, and Boston-Power’s plan to create this facility in Auburn is a big step toward that goal,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We look forward to working with the company and our colleagues in the Congressional delegation to make this happen.”

(Source) Press

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With the new age of plug-in electric vehicles slowly creeping in, Raser Technologies and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be on hand to demonstrate the Hummer H3. The H3 uses an extended range electric vehicle (E-REV) powertrain developed by Raser Technologies. The Hummer H3 is a mid-sized SUV, similar in size to a Jeep Commander.

“I believe low-carbon fuel vehicles are the future and I want to see them succeed right here in California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “That’s why I’m bringing cars like this one to the Capitol where we can show the world there is a market for smart and innovative technologies that will also create jobs in the auto industry.”

Indeed, this should be something worth checking out if you are within the area. The attention of most motorists today is geared towards checking out what the latest trends for alternative transport options are available in the market today. And while everyone knows the Hummer brand, it is quite curious to note what this mid-sized SUV has to offer in light of the demand for fuel-efficient vehicles needed today.

(Source) Press

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