Falling gas prices and changes in Congress got you feeling pessimistic about the future of EVs? Here are 50 reasons to celebrate the advent of the electric century. The second edition of the EV City Casebook highlights 50 “big ideas” that have the potential to turbocharge EV adoption around the world. Some of the big… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "TOYOTA"
Nissan launches major new ad campaigns for LEAF
When EV detractors point out that many of the 22 plug-in models now on sale in the US are selling in minuscule numbers, EVangelists retort that the makers of these unloved vehicles have done little or no advertising to promote them. It’s probably no coincidence that Nissan, the builder of the best-selling LEAF, is one… Read more »
Nissan exec: We’ll focus on EVs, not rush into fuel cells.
As its Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda tout the potential benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles, Nissan is sticking with electrons, and plans to introduce fuel-cell cars only “in the long-term future.” “We need to promote the electric vehicle first rather than hydrogen,” Vice Chairman Toshiyuki Shiga told the Japan Times in a recent interview. “At the… Read more »
Automakers offer free hydrogen – but not for the reason you think
Not ready to buy a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle yet? Would free fuel tip the balance? Both Hyundai and Toyota are offering free hydrogen fuel with their FCVs. According to Toyota, buyers of the new Mirai sedan will receive “complimentary hydrogen fuel for up to three years.” While free fuel may indeed be an enticement… Read more »
Automakers respond to tough questions about fuel cells
Fuel cell vehicles – love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re here. The Toyota Mirai made its debut at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, and is scheduled to go on sale next year. The 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell has been available for lease since June. Honda plans to launch its hydrogen offering within two… Read more »
Tesla describes details of factory upgrade
Tesla has released a blog post and video with some details about what was accomplished during the recent factory shutdown. The main goal was to increase capacity – Tesla expects to build about 35,000 cars this year, and to scale that up to 50,000 per year by the end of 2015. During the production pause,… Read more »
Lexus ad ridicules BMW i3
They’re at it again. As Toyota execs talk trash about electric powertrains, subsidiary Lexus has launched a second ad campaign (via Green Car Reports) that makes fun of EVs, touting pure hybrids as superior. In the latest five-minute video (perhaps an outtake from the new Dumb and Dumber movie), two groups of jokers set out on a… Read more »
October plug-in sales: LEAF, Volt still lead, BMW coming up strong
The US auto industry had a good month, as automakers reported their strongest October sales in a decade. Most of the action was in gas-guzzling pickups and SUVs – alas, plug-in sales were down compared to last October, for the first time in 46 months of EV sales. Annual sales are still on track to handily… Read more »
Every inch an EV: Tesla’s Model S redefines the automobile (new book excerpt)
This article is an excerpt from Tesla Motors: How Elon Musk and Company Made Electric Cars Cool, and Sparked the Next Tech Revolution by Charged Senior Editor Charles Morris. This 270-page book is a comprehensive history of Tesla, told by the entrepreneurs who made it happen, as well as an assessment of the company’s lasting influence… Read more »
ORNL team demonstrates high-voltage solid-state battery with impressive cycle life
Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated a solid-state high-voltage (5 V) lithium battery with an extremely long cycle life (10,000 cycles) and high Coulombic efficiency (99.98%). The solid electrolyte enables the use of high-voltage cathodes and lithium anodes with minimal side reactions. The energy stored in a battery of a given size… Read more »