Plug-In

Have you ever talked to your car, or given it a name? Most people have probably known someone who nicknamed their Beetle “Daisy” or call their old beater by a funny nickname. Most of us have some sort of presence in social networking too, with accounts on Facebook and Twitter or other platforms of the social networking diaspora. Toyota has taken the initiative to introduce social networking for Toyota owners in a project called “Toyota Friend.”In a strategic alliance with San Francisco-based ...

As governments are under increasing pressure to go green, and the public not yet convinced that plug-in cars are the wave of the future, lawmakers are stepping up the tax incentives for buyers.  This is in addition to the huge grants and tax credits that federal and state governments are providing to manufacturers of charging infrastructure. In the United States, federal laws already allow significant income tax deductions that apply to new vehicles, such as the upcoming Nissan Leaf.   According to IRC ...

Perhaps the single greatest barrier to widespread adoption of plug-in automobiles is the time it takes to charge them.  We have looked into charging times in the past, and even with the most advanced infrastructure in place at charging stations, you are still looking at one hour or more to fully recharge your battery.  The [...]

Perhaps the single greatest barrier to widespread adoption of plug-in automobiles is the time it takes to charge them.  We have looked into charging times in the past, and even with the most advanced infrastructure in place at charging stations, you are still looking at one hour or more to fully recharge your battery.  The automobile industry (and investors), however, have not been deterred, and many have pointed to a trend in developing lower-cost, more efficient rechargeable batteries.  Lately, it seems, their ...

This year, the Nissan Leaf and the Ford Focus Electric will hit showroom floors across America, becoming the first mass-marketed all electric cars of the century. But they were not the first to be invented - the technology behind electric vehicles is actually much, much older than many people realize. Electric Motors The mid nineteenth century saw a steep rise in the study of electricity, with crude electric motors developed as early as 1828 by Hungarian Physicist Anyos Jedlik. His contemporaries with similar inventions ...

The upcoming Chevy Volt is going to have the ability to communicate with you via an Iphone App.  The application will sync with the Volt's OnStar system, allowing its owner to monitor everything from the charging schedule to pre-set temperature settings inside the car (!).  A list of the functionalities can be seen below: * Display the car's charging status and schedule charging. There is also an immediate "charge now" override option * Display of the car' state of charge, as well as electric ...

REVA, an automobile company based in Bangalore, India, is preparing to launch its own plug-in models, except with a twist.  Shown off at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, and scheduled for production early this year, the NXR, a 3-door, four-seater hatchback, will have a range of about 100 miles and a top speed of 65 mph.  The NXG (shown above) will sport a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 125 miles.  Both of these car models will feature REVive, ...

Late in 2011, Toyota Motor Corp will launch a hybrid sub-compact and broaden its electric car line-up. The vehicle will be available for 1.5 million yen, or $15,760. Government tax breaks, subsidies on cleaner technology, and an increasing demand for gasoline-electric vehicles have promoted EVs in Japan greatly.  Toyota may have future plans to produce the new hybrid model in France as well, to cater to a European market. According to a Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, the new hybrid compact by Toyota will ...

The Renew America Roadtrip, hosted by the Element Hotel Summerlin, has dual functions: It aims to promote electric cars and public awareness in renewable green technologies.  And, in addition, the event has the intention to raise funds for various charities, such as the Autism Society of America. Touted as America's first ever electric coast-to-coast trip, the journey initiated from New York City on Wednesday July 15th and is scheduled to end in San Francisco on the 31st. With the aim of attracting ...

The All-Electric Mini E The exclusive leasing program of BMW's all-electric vehicles (Mini Es) has created quite a buzz. After all, only 450 models exist. Now, through a draw in a lottery, 4 lucky Californian municipalities, including Glendora, Diamond Bar, West Covina and Azusa, hit the jackpot as they were selected to participate in BMW's first ever EV pilot program. Each township will receive two of the two-seater Mini Cooper look-alikes. Moreover, while other lessees shell out $850/month, the winners will only be ...