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August plug-in sales best in history – Volt, LEAF, Prius smash records

Break out the Champagne! August was the best month ever for US plug-in vehicle sales, as 11,073 new owners got charged. Year-to-date sales (58,662) have already surpassed sales for all of 2012 (52,581). The surge was broad and deep – the three leading models had huge increases, the top two set new records, and even… Read more »

California senate prolongs popular perk for plug-ins

The California state senate has approved two bills (AB-266 and SB-286) that extend existing programs allowing plug-in drivers to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes until 2019. The Golden State is famous for its traffic jams, and access to HOV lanes is a particularly prized perquisite. A legacy vehicle must have a minimum of either two… Read more »

Next-generation Prius Plug-in to have more electric range, wireless charging

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 »

Leonine Volvo plug-in coupé to prowl in Frankfurt

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 »

Mercedes releases details of its upcoming S 500 plug-in hybrid

Mercedes-Benz has dropped a few tantalizing details about its S 500 plug-in hybrid luxury sedan, which will make its debut at the  Frankfurt Auto Show in September, and go on sale some time next year. The third hybrid model of the new S-Class, the S 500 combines an 80 kW electric motor with a 3.0-liter… Read more »

July plug-in sales: total pulls back as LEAF edges ahead

Total US plug-in sales saw a substantial drop in July, to 6,592 units. Last month’s three front-runners all succumbed to the summer doldrums, but the second-tier sellers held steady or showed slight improvements. The LEAF edged into first place in July with a total of 1,864, which is a drop from June’s 2,225 but still… Read more »

Plug In America study: Tesla Roadster batteries retain 80-85% capacity after 100K miles

Plug In America (PIA) has released a study by its Chief Science Officer (and Charged contributor), Tom Saxton, designed to predict the longevity of Tesla Roadster battery packs, based on user data. The advocacy organization used data voluntarily submitted by Roadster owners, as well as data collected anonymously through the Open Vehicle Monitoring System. 126 vehicles contributed… Read more »

EVs in paradise: plug-ins and island markets

Islands make perfect EV habitats. Driving distances are generally short, and the need to ship supplies from the mainland keeps gas prices high. Also, islands around the world face a lot of environmental challenges, and many island economies depend on tourism, so the level of green consciousness tends to be high. Island governments around the… Read more »

Plug-In 2013 conference & exposition opens registration

Registration is now open for the Plug-In 2013 Conference & Exposition, which will focus on real data, real-world reporting and a serious analysis of what’s next for the electric highway. Returning to its roots in California – the top plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market in the world – the sixth annual international conference, organized by the Electric… Read more »