Tesla unveiled the first phase of its European Supercharger network this week, charging up six stations in Norway, the continent’s current EV capital. The strategically sited Superchargers cover Norway’s busiest highways, linking the capital, Oslo, with Trondheim, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Gol, and are located near amenities like roadside diners and shopping centers. According to Tesla,… Read more »
With the entire collection of 23 Toyota and Lexus hybrid models as a backdrop, Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso delivered an inspiring overview of the past, present and future of the Prius family at the “2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour event in Michigan. Ogiso was one of the engineers who began developing hybrid technology at… Read more »
Volvo’s Concept Coupé, which will debut at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show, is the first of a series of three concept cars that will use the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). So far, Volvo’s announcements about the new concept have featured plenty of braggadocio… “Think about the powerful calmness of a lion. He doesn’t have… Read more »
Regenerative braking is cool, so why not regenerative suspension? German transmission manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen and Massachusetts-based Levant Power have started working together to produce just such a system. According to the companies, GenShock-technology is a fully active system for passenger cars which will combine dynamics, safety, and comfort characteristics with minimum energy consumption. The goal… Read more »
Bosch is singing the praises of its SMG 180/120 electric motor, a petite powerhouse that weighs only 32 kilos and “fits inside a typical school backpack” (a handy feature). The permanent magnet synchronous motor is already used in several production vehicles, including the smart fortwo electric drive and Fiat 500e EVs, and the Peugeot 3008… Read more »
A “paradigm shift” toward sustainable mobility has begun, according to Volkswagen, and its new e-up! and e-Golf “have the potential to irreversibly charge up the electric car segment.” VW will present two new four-door EVs at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, which takes place September 10-22. The five-seat front-wheel drive e-Golf features an 85… Read more »
Auto parts supplier Continental has developed its first air suspension system for an EV, the company announced this week. “The air suspension system we developed had to meet strict electric driving requirements but without neglecting aspects like comfort, range and driving pleasure,” said Continental’s Christian Hilgers. In order to deliver low weight and low energy… Read more »
Strategic Vision, a research-based consultancy, has released a New Vehicle Experience Study, which purports to offer some psychological insights into the behavior of Tesla buyers. Most of the conclusions here will surprise no one: Tesla owners have double the average household income of other EV owners ($293,200), and are more likely to be adding a… Read more »
The $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program, which funded both winners (Tesla, Ford, Nissan) and losers (Fisker) before election-year criticism from the back seat caused it to slam on the brakes, will get back on the road soon, said DOE spokeswoman Aoife McCarthy. The program, which was created in 2008 by President… Read more »
The Cadillac ELR may be based on the same powertrain as the Chevy Volt, but it’s aimed at quite a different market segment, and it appears GM intends to keep production low and prices high. When GM unveiled the luxury PHEV in January, it indicated that the sticker price would reflect its exclusivity. But, with… Read more »
