Job Opportunities Abound In EV Market

With the increasing number of electric vehicles being built, offered and sold throughout the world, new occupations are developing in the electric car market. Because of the multitude of possible jobs and responsibilities in the market, new positions and occupations are made available each day. As the electric car revolution trudges on, the following are the new positions that can help assist end users in the purchase of their car of the future.

Chemists. These individuals help in the investigation of properties, composition, matter structure and laws on how chemicals react to one another. In the electric car field, they are very helpful in the design and development of batteries. Together with engineers, they help in the innovation and improvement of current car designs and compositions to be able to create a more efficient and effective electric car design.  A specific kind of chemist is called a materials scientist where properties and structures of various materials used in electric cars would be studied to either improve them or find new ones.  To be able to be employed in the electric car industry it is necessary that one has a doctorate degree to develop new materials but even bachelor or masteral degrees would suffice.  One also has to be computer adept in order to be able to do data analysis, integration, computer modeling and testing.

Engineers. Because this is a building industry, it is important to have engineers on staff to assist in the development and creation of electric cars.  Many kinds of engineers would be needed as the industry further develops. Chemical engineers apply chemistry principles to improve equipment and materials as well as create processes to develop chemicals and products for the industry. Electrical engineers would manage the design, development, testing and manufacture of the electric vehicles electric and electronic components.  Their focus is the electrical circuitry that governs the engine processes of an electric or hybrid vehicle. Electronics engineers on the other hand are primarily responsible for control systems and other electronic components of the vehicle.  These engineers do not handle the electrical aspects of the vehicle. Industrial engineers on the other hand are those experts that improve efficiency as well as effectivity in the use of the basic factors of production in an electric car company.  Mechanical engineers develop the tools, engines, machines and other mechanical means to assist the production line in the building of electric cars. Computer engineers develop the computer programs to assist the company in the creation of electric cars. Each of these particular disciplines would enjoy good employment opportunities in electric car companies depending on the qualifications of the individual. The higher the degree, say doctorate degree as against masteral or bachelor degree, would command a greater wage and with it a higher responsibility in delivering the needed expertise in the particular engineering field.

Assemblers. Since the dawn of the automotive age, the assembly line is the lifeline of any carmaker. Now with electric cars, a new breed of assemblers is needed in the industry. These include electrical and electronics equipment assemblers, electromechanical equipment assemblers, machine assemblers, computer aided machine tool operators, production managers and other personnel essential to the proper functioning of the assembly line. Since many of these are technical jobs, having the proper certification or technical skills would be necessary to be qualified for employment in an electric car manufacturing company.

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GM Clones on parade

Last January 10, Via Motors unveiled its E-REV plug-in hybrid Silverado pick up truck, Suburban and Express Van lines. This company retrofits cars and trucks through the installation of a plug-in hybrid drive train called the E-REV. This system provides extended range travel using electric power with a supposed 100 miles per gallon in distance travel available on a single charge.

The Via Silverado provided voluminous torque produced from its electric motor. Because of its close ties to General Motors, these vehicles from Via Motors are called clones, because the company purchases glider versions of known GM models and then install their hybrid power train. The glider versions are shells of known GM models without the standard internal combustion engine.

The close relationship with the Detroit carmaker is due in part to Bob Lutz, the former Vice Chairman of GM. He is also currently on the board of directors of Via Motors. Another pivotal officer is Alan Perriton who is currently the company’s chief operating officer. He used to be one of the top honchos in the Asia Pacific operations of General Motors.

According to the company, the Silverado hybrid is able to provide twenty one miles to the gallon in combined hybrid-electric use. While initially Lutz called climate change as the biggest scam in history, his current goal of production of E-REVs is not merely “saving the planet from global warming.”

Despite the company’s clear lineage, the company has been slow getting off the ground. Firstly, GM has its very own hybrid Silverado, making for direct competition. Secondly, the company’s E-REV system is quite new and has not been fully tested and extended. Despite these issues, the E-REV Silverado has a 402 horsepower electric motor coupled with a 4.3 liter V6 gas engine. The engine acts as both generator and independent motor. The main propulsion comes from the 24 kilowatt per hour liquid cooled lithium ion battery array. The gas engine never drives the wheels, clearly putting the electric motor as its main engine with the gas engine as a mere secondary charging power source. It is said that in order to fully charge this vehicle, it only takes four hours.

The company is focusing on leasing or selling their units to government fleets then to private companies by 2013. The sticker price of the E-REV Silverado is $79,000 and on a lease it costs $700 per month. According to the company’s Director of Commercial Fleet Programs, Jeff Esfeld, the offer for the unit for inclusive lease deals would even add the cost of the electricity as a further benefit.

Being GM clones, they look like their Detroit counterparts. What is under the hood though, the lack of exhaust pipes and plug ports where pump should go can make this design a true electric vehicle for all to see and enjoy.

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Hybrids unveiled in Detroit

There are three new cars that have wowed the visitors, kibitzers and participants in the ongoing Detroit Motor Show. These electric vehicles are from Lexus, the prime Toyota brand, Volvo, the Swedish car giant and BMW, the German carmaker.

The Lexus LF-LC concept is a rapid departure from the conservative models of the previous years. This is a two plus two seater hybrid sports coupe designed by Calty Studio of Toyota. While many say that the concept would just remain a concept and not a commercial vehicle, the design is consistent with the design development done under the CT and GS. This vehicle liberates the concept of a sports coupe to push the performance, style and technology boundaries not only for Lexus but for the industry as well. The price is $375,000 and it has a front engine rear drive hybrid power train named the Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive.

The Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid is a reworked version of the highly successful family sedan. This Volvo design has a plug-in version of the V60 wagon sold throughout Europe. A gas version electric hybrid would be available by 2015 in the United States. According to Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volvo Cars, he viewed that plug-in hybrids had greater market advantages over the all-electrics. He did say that it would take some time for the market share of electric vehicles to become significant. The XC60 has a 280 horsepower turbo charged four-cylinder engine that shares duties with a seventy horsepower electric motor. It claims to run from zero to sixty in just 5.8 seconds. With just electric power, the range is 35 miles while with the gas engine, the electric equivalent of over 100 miles to the gallon can travel over 600 miles to a full tank of gas.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 and Active Hybrid 3 were unveiled last Jan 9, 2012 and are in reality higher mileage hybrid models of the company’s top selling sport sedans. The ActiveHybrid 5 would be sold all across America by June and the ActiveHybrid 3 would become available by the fall season. The 5 series has a combined mileage of 28 miles to the gallon while the 3 Series runs 37 miles to the gallon. The hybrid vehicles would run on turbocharged 300 horsepower engine with six cylinders in addition to a 55 horsepower electric motor. The cars have eight speed automatic gearboxes and have start stop functions to avoid idling when at full stop. The ActiveHybrid 5 would cost $61,845 including delivery charges, $8700 more expensive than the conventional 535i. These hybrids are much more practical vehicles compared to the i8 plug in hybrid still to be built. Overall, there’s not much to distinguish the hybrids from their conventional cars.

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New alternative fuel cars unveiled

Kia Motors has not always been one to run with the herd. Instead of participating in the Detroit Motor Show, the company has opted to unveil its electric vehicle line in the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show.

The automaker said that it had chosen the CES instead of the Detroit show because it saw that the Las Vegas show was the venue to unveil the cars. It also emphasized the electronics industry’s potential to lead the way and be the medium on the fast approaching future of the electrification of transport in the world.

The two vehicles from Kia Motors are the purely electric version of the Ray subcompact and the Naimo electric vehicle concept. The two vehicles are powered through a lithium-ion polymer battery arrays and one electric motor. The concept Naimo is able to produce 107 horsepower with 207 pound feet of torque. The top speed is at 93 miles per hour and is able to travel over 124 miles on a single full charge.

On the other hand, the Ray was the first commercially produced electric vehicle on the Korean car market. The vehicle is assembled in the same production process as internal combustion engine cars and the Korean market was the primary impetus for the car’s design and construction. This vehicle is able to travel 86 miles on one full charge using its fifty-kilowatt electric motor that produces 67 horsepower. The main fuel source is the 16.4-kilowatt hour lithium ion polymer battery array with a top speed of 81 mph.

Toyota is also unveiling a new hybrid called the NS4. The all-new design of the NS4 provides insight as to the possible direction of the car company’s hybrid future.

According to the company, the NS4 showcases the company’s commitment to the enhancement of “the safety, efficiency and convenience of future mobility for people everywhere.”

Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales said that the NS4 “offered style that would create an emotional connection with consumers.” He clarified that this vehicle would not be the window to the next generation Prius as its design does not even give the idea it was built by the world’s biggest carmaker.

Overall, the NS4 design is a departure from the company’s simple design focusing on reliability and practicality. It recognizes that other companies are out to outperform other companies in terms of sales. The vehicle is a new midsize design that aims for greater efficiency and lower weight to power ratio in the power train of the NS4’s plug-in hybrid system. Until such time it is actually built, the NS4 still remains a design for the future, around 2015 probably.

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The Kia Naimo Concept.

Last week, Kia Motors brought its 5-door, 4-seat Naimo electric sedan concept to the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The car is the Korean automaker’s third electric vehicle to debut in roughly a year?the other two being the already-released Kia Ray EV and the Kia Pop concept, which was revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. According to the Kia, the electric Naimo Concept “explores the possibility of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car” in the near future.

Power for the Naimo comes from an electric motor with a maximum output of 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The highway-capable Naimo has a listed top speed of 93 miles per hour and its 27-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack supposedly provides up to 124 miles of range. The Naimo is quick-charge capable?charging in 5.5 hours under normal conditions?and is described as a fully working prototype representing Kia’s vision for the future.

At the show, Michael Sprague, Kia’s vice-president of marketing and communications, detailed that vision:

“Where the Naimo EV concept looks into the future of zero-emissions vehicles from Kia, the Ray EV is the first realization for the brand and represents exciting new possibilities for the future in the North American market.”

read more

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By Jeff Cobb

In Detroit on Tuesday some strong arguments were heard either in support of or against the proposed 2017-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and the auto industry is split on the issue.

The hearing will be followed by two more this month, and these are required by federal government regulators prior to finalizing fuel economy standards by the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency later this year that would mandate a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon (about 40 mpg on sticker) by 2025.

read more

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By Larry E. Hall

When the current generation Honda Insight was introduced in March 2009 as a 2010 model it was hailed as a “Toyota Prius fighter.” Making the best use of the most cost-effective Honda hybrid technology, the Insight was touted as a 40-mpg-plus compact car for less than $20,000 – a figure designed to undercut the least expensive Prius by about $2,000. But Toyota countered with a lower priced Prius. With around $1,500 difference in price, combined with the Prius’s 51 mpg city and 48 highway versus the Insight’s 40 city/43 highway, the projected Insight sales of 70,000 per year didn’t happen.

Last year, to be more competitive and jump-start the sluggish sales, Honda added a new entry level Insight hybrid model to its 2011 lineup. Named simply the Honda Insight, the $18,200 price gave it a walloping $4,610 price advantage over the base Toyota Prius II. (Toyota relegated the Prius I for fleet sales only.) The result? The same as the previous year – Honda’s little hatchback hybrid never came close its yearly sales goal. In fact, since its March 2009 introduction Insight sales have tallied only 57,083 units.

For 2012 It’s Try, Try Again

Like the little hybrid that could, Honda’s 2012 carries over with updates in hopes of increasing sales. The company has given the car minor changes to the exterior styling, interior and a slight increase in fuel economy. Traditionally, these changes – what the industry calls a refresh – come after a vehicle has been on sale for three or four years, but the Insight’s situation called for faster action.

read more

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By Jeff Cobb

Last week at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota showed the world the rest of its Prius-transcending NS4 plug-in hybrid concept.

Leading up to this unveiling, Toyota had maximized its PR value by showing teaser photos while offering details just as scant as selected close-ups shots of a headlight or other design aspects.

read more

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The 50-mpg Toyota Prius is enticing when gas hits $4 a gallon.

Even with this week’s slight dip in oil prices, next week is likely to bring the dreaded return of $4 gas as the official national average at the pumps. (Last week, it hit $3.96.) The knee-jerk reaction from many Americans will be to dump the family gas-guzzler as swiftly as possible, and rush out to purchase a smaller fuel-efficient car or hybrid.

But, according to Jeff Bartlett, deputy online automotive editor at Consumer Reports, this might be exactly the worst time to buy a hybrid or other new high-mpg model. That’s because every other person saddled with a large SUV is adopting the same dump-and-run approach. Therefore, the value of those gas hogs is dropping like a stone at the exact time that incentives are disappearing for hybrids and small cars in high demand.

“The best advice for a fair portion of people is to think through the long-term picture and hold to a gas-guzzler for next few months,” said Bartlett, in an exclusive interview with HybridCars.com.

Bartlett is not saying that hybrids aren’t worth the upfront investment. Just the opposite. If you buy one of the truly efficient hybrids—like a Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid or Honda Insight, then “buying a hybrid can quickly pay itself off.” But those economic benefits are undermined when buying your hybrid at the exact moment when hybrids are in greatest demand, and when trading in your less-efficient vehicle is the least desirable.”

read more

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3. New Larger Prius Model Delayed in Japan Due to Earthquake

read more

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> Subscribe to the HybridCars.com Market Dashboard

The HybridCars.com monthly sales dashboard is a collaboration of HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates, a Michigan-based market research firm focusing on automotive issues including the hybrid and electric vehicle market.

Coming off near-record levels in March, the hybrid market took a nosedive in April. With gas prices soaring, consumers wanted high fuel economy—but couldn’t find it in the form of new gas-electric models. The March 11 earthquake in Japan pinched the supply chain for key hybrid models, such as the Toyota Prius and Lexus CT 200h.

“You can’t have disruptions in production, like we’re having post-disaster, without it having impact,” said Greg Thome, manager of Toyota Division Communications, in an interview with HybridCars.com. “We’re feeling it with Prius, where the interruption in production, coupled with increased demand due to gas prices, leaves us with about a five- to 10-day supply.” Thome said Prius was the first Toyota vehicle to resume production after the earthquake, an indication of the importance of the hybrid to the company.

With new hybrids in short supply, car buyers opted for affordable and available high-mpg gas-powered models, diesel vehicles or used hybrids. The rise in used Prius prices—from less than $17,000 in January to more than $19,000 in late April—provides evidence of steady growth in demand for used models. General Motors reported that sales of its passenger cars were up 50 percent in April, while its full-size pickups increased by only 2 percent.

read more

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2. April 2010 Dashboard: Japan Sells Twice As Many Hybrids As US
3. July Hybrid Sales Reach Record High Market Share

By Larry E. Hall and Brad Berman

The full-size American pickup is perhaps the most utilitarian vehicle on the market. Since most “lifestyle buyers” have left the segment—meaning fewer 110-pound soccer moms toting 60-pound kids in these 18-foot-long behemoths—the remaining truck buyers value functional capability above all else. While some treehuggers put fuel economy above all other considerations, many trades people, commercial users, farmers and ranchers absolutely require the capabilities of a pickup truck.

So General Motors made sure the first pickup trucks that use its Two-Mode Hybrid system would be nearly as capable as their non-hybrid brethren. The two-wheel drive (2WD) versions of the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid—and its twin toolbox, the GMC Sierra Hybrid—proudly trumpet the crucial stats for full-size pickups. They can tow up to 6,100 pounds, the bed can haul a little more than 1,400 pounds and still deliver 20 mpg (city) / 23 mpg (highway) with a combined rating of 21 mpg. Four-wheel drive (4WD) versions have the same fuel economy numbers but give up 200 pounds of towing capacity.

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid.

For 2011, Chevrolet continues to offer the Silverado Hybrid in just one body style, a four-door crew cab with a short box. There are two trim levels, 1HY and 2HY, and a choice of either two- or four-wheel drive. The only change is an upgrade to GM’s OnStar 9.0 telematics system that the automaker says provides improved voice recognition.

read more

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While the electric car market is starting to become slightly crowded with many of the major car manufacturers introducing electric vehicles for the future, many believe that the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car could perhaps be a step up to the next level from the current array of vehicles available. When you consider that Mitsubishi, like other leading car manufacturers, has an excellent reputation in the mass market and seems able to read consumer demand well in advance it will be interesting to see whether the high hopes for the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car are indeed crystallised.

The history of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car

The term Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car is fairly distinctive although the MiEV abbreviation stands for Mitsubishi in-wheel motor Electric Vehicle. This is a vehicle which was first introduced in a different format known as the Mitsubishi Colt EV at the Tokyo motor show in 2005. It used lithium ion batteries to power electric motors which were located in the wheels of the vehicle and was to all intents and purposes Mitsubishi first real venture into the electric car market. However, after the launch of the Mitsubishi Colt EV there was still much work to be done to create the very popular and very well received Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car.

While these two particular branded vehicles have taken the headlines with regards to Mitsubishi we can trace the company’s hunger for success in the electric vehicle market back to as far as the 1970s. Indeed the company built a number of electric vehicles in the 1990s although this sector was very much out of favour and very much under a cloud. One factor which many people fail to recognise is that back in 1999 the company created an electric vehicle which covered over 2140 km in a 24-hour period. This is still a record for the furthest distance achieved by an electric vehicle in just 24 hours.

What can you expect from a Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car?

Under the headlines it is interesting to see that the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car is still able to deliver everything it promises. Before we go into the details of the specification for the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car it is worth noting that the vehicle:-

Batteries can cost as little as £135 to charge per 12,000 miles

Has only four major working parts as opposed to 300 on a typical combustion engine therefore servicing is significantly cheaper and quicker

The vehicle is exempt from road tax

The vehicle is exempt from the London congestion charge

Free parking is available in some boroughs of London

The batteries have a five-year warranty

The vehicle carries a three-year warranty

These are just a number of bullet points which potential buyers need to be aware of although the underlying specifications, technology and groundbreaking systems of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car are slightly more complicated.

Specifications of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car

There are many different areas to take into account when looking at specific specifications for the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car which include the following.

Motor system

Despite the fact that Mitsubishi made much publicity on the back of its in-wheel motors the actual production model of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car does not take into account this technology. Instead the vehicle has a single permanent magnet motor placed on the rear axle which offers 40 kW of power output although the company was forced to put in a transmission between the motor and wheels. It is interesting to see that companies such as Mitsubishi are more than willing to ditch older technology as and when new systems and new technology is discovered.

Journey range

Despite the various technologies now available in the electric car market it is interesting to see that currently, due to the restrictions of battery power, the maximum range for electric vehicles today such as the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car still hovers around the 160 km level. However, there has been some increase in the maximum speed available with the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car which is able to hit around 80 mph using the 16 kW lithium ion battery pack placed under the vehicle.

Safety issues

Over the last few months we have seen a massive increase in the number of safety aspects which need to be tested for electric vehicles in Europe and around the world and thankfully the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car has passed all of these tests with credit. The vehicle received a four-star rating from European safety regulators with confirmation that zero emission vehicles do not need to compromise safety whatsoever regarding their passengers. The vehicle has also received similar regulatory clearance around the world which shows the benefits of years of development by Mitsubishi.

There have been issues regarding the vast number of batteries required to power electric vehicles today and how these would react in a standard crash test although thankfully there have been no problems whatsoever.

Cost of a Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car

The cost of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car has unfortunately suffered from the fall in the value of the UK pound to the YEN and the sale price for a Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car has now been set at £38,699. However, when you also take into account the UK government’s offer of a £5000 discount for those becoming involved in electric vehicles/environmentally friendly vehicles then the cost does reduced to £33,699.

On the surface this may appear to be particularly expensive compared to other smaller potentially more economic and efficient vehicles but the truth is that the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car is targeted at a very different market which expects a specific vehicle to do specific tasks. The name of Mitsubishi is forever associated with larger perhaps four wheel vehicles at the higher end of the cost spectrum.

Development of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car

While many companies have pushed hard to bring electric vehicles to the market and then taken a massive sigh of relief once this has happened there is no doubt that Mitsubishi has been one of the more proactive companies in this particular area. It is interesting to see the recent flurry of electric vehicles from Mitsubishi which include the :-

Mitsubishi Colt EV (2005)

This particular vehicle was introduced in 2005 and not surprisingly it was based upon the original Mitsubishi Colt and was to all intents and purposes the first mass produced electric vehicle offered by Mitsubishi. The vehicle has a top speed of 93 mph and a range of 150 km which was certainly competitive at the time and remains competitive today.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV (2005)

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV is one of the larger electric vehicles produced by Mitsubishi and has taken part in a number of electric vehicle rallies. This particular model is capable of hitting 110 mph with a range of up to 250 km which is very impressive for a sedan type vehicle.

Mitsubishi Concept-CT MIEV (2006)

The Mitsubishi Concept-CT MIEV was to all intents and purposes the first rear powered vehicle introduced to the Mitsubishi Electric portfolio and was first introduced to the marketplace at the North American International Auto Show in 2006. Historically we will look back upon this particular vehicle as a potentially momentous change towards rear powered electric vehicles.

Mitsubishi Concept-EZ MIEV (2006)

The Mitsubishi Concept-EZ MIEV is a concept vehicle which offers significantly more in the space than previous Mitsubishi Electric cars due to the fact that the wheels are placed as near to the corners of the car as possible with their own motor attached. This allows the floor of the vehicle to be lowered which has given surprisingly high space within the vehicle compared to the outside dimensions.

Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car (2006)

Despite the fact that the production model for the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car was introduced to the marketplace in 2009, the concept car for this particular range came about in 2006. While there were very few actual changes to the cars journey range and maximum speed we did see the withdrawal of the individual motor in favour of a larger motor placed on the back axle. There is speculation that the vehicle, or the specifications within the vehicle, could be used with other cars in the future including the Peugeot iOn and the Citroen C-ZERO which are due to be released into Europe from 2011 onwards.

Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Electric Car (2007)

As seems to be the norm at the moment each electric car company has to have some kind of attraction for sports car enthusiasts and 2007 saw the unveiling of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Electric Car. The in-wheel technology present in the prototype for the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car has made a return to the Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Electric Car while a single motor still powers the back axle. The inner comfort of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Electric Car is very different to that of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car though this is still a zero emission vehicle and created around the fundamental technology present in all Mitsubishi Electric cars.

This is just a quick run through the development phases of various Mitsubishi Electric vehicles and while the vast majority are not yet available to the mass market it has given experts a look into the future and the potential new releases we can expect in the months and years ahead. One thing which is very clear in the Mitsubishi Electric vehicle portfolio is the fact that the company continues to work very hard on both the technology, the design of the vehicles and the battery power required to push them to the limit. Many believe it is the battery limitations which are causing problems at the moment and limiting the maximum journey range and maximum speeds.

What can we expect in the future?

Mitsubishi is just one of a variety of new and exciting entrants to the electric vehicle market that are looking to corner particular niche areas and also attack the main market. While many would suggest that a company such as Mitsubishi is taking a risk by entering a new market which is in its relevant infancy, in reality the company has very little choice. The wave of consumer demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, despite pessimistic reports that demand will fall in 2011 because of the worldwide economic situation, and companies such as Mitsubishi need to be one of the first to show their head above the parapet.

The beauty for companies such as Mitsubishi is the very fact that they have decades of experience, access to the latest technology, a trust factor with the public which fewer other vehicle manufacturers could ever hope for and a history which shows that they are willing to move with the times. During the 1990s when Mitsubishi created a number of its very own prototype electric vehicles there was little demand in the mass market and therefore little chance of an investment return. However, things have changed over the last decade and the potential return on investment within the electric vehicle market has improved dramatically.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that Mitsubishi has a very traditional image and a specific customer base within the worldwide traditional vehicle market, this is a company which has been willing and able to move with the times. The introduction of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car is a major step forward in this particular battle to put a major foothold in the electric vehicle market and the vehicle itself has received numerous awards and pleasing reviews.

As ever, as we have mentioned on numerous occasions, the current financial assistance offered by many governments around the world has and will continue to play a major role in the creation of consumer demand for such vehicles. However, as and when this financial assistance finally runs out it will be companies such as Mitsubishi and the Mitsubishi i MiEV Electric Car which are able to stand alone and attract new custom on their very own merits.

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2. Plug-in Hybrids Headed to Tokyo Auto Show
3. i-MiEV Pre Orders Sell Out in First Two Months

Car makers charge on for demand

The Think City Electric Car is the latest in a long line of small, compact and very environmentally friendly electric cars set to hit the market in the weeks, months and years ahead. Despite the fact that many of the larger electric vehicles have hit the headlines so far in the electric car market there is also major demand for relatively small electric cars which are both environmentally friendly and highly efficient. This is where the Think City Electric Car comes in and the company behind the vehicle is certainly looking to make great headway in the US, Europe and the Far East. So what exactly can you expect from a Think City Electric Car and when will it be available in the UK?

Think Global

Think Global is the parent company behind the Think City Electric Car, a Norwegian company which has certainly caught the headlines over recent weeks. The vehicle itself has been in the offing for around two or three years now although like so many of the “first to market” electric vehicles of today there has been some slippage in the delivery time. However, this is not to say that the Think City Electric Car is not in demand as we will certainly see in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Think Global was originally founded back in 1991 as the Personal Independent Vehicle Company and its first venture into the electric car market was the PIV2 which was in effect a vehicle built around an aluminium chassis using polyethylene thermoplastic. The lightweight and very environmentally friendly polyethylene thermoplastic body was developed by a company in Denmark which was later taken over by the Ford motor company. This is a perfect example of how leading edge technology in the design of electric vehicle bodies, technical aspects and battery power are now in great demand.

When you consider that the first electric vehicle released to the market by Think Global was way back in 1995 it is perhaps a little surprising to see the company only now beginning to hit the headlines with regards to the Think City Electric Car. However, due to a need to improve and increase efficiency of the underlying vehicle as well as the need to wait for consumer demand to catch up with the sector this is something which has been experienced by all of the major electric car companies. It was also interesting to see that initially after running into financial troubles the company itself was acquired by Ford Motors although it was sold on back in January 2003 to an India-based investment group.

What is the future for Think Global?

As has become commonplace in the electric car market, much of the jockeying for position is still underway and the very fact that Ford Motors initially acquired the business and then sold it on is a perfect example of the confusion within the sector. The company has gone from strength to strength over the last seven or eight years under new management and indeed it has announced a number of new deals with battery suppliers and others in the industry. This is now a fully funded and fully functional environmentally friendly, recyclable friendly electric car company which is now grabbing the headlines and many around the world are waiting for the launch of the Think City Electric Car in their particular country.

Production of the Think City Electric Car

The Think City Electric Car was initially introduced to the UK back in July 2008 although the company was unable to offer significant supply numbers in the short term. Despite announcing a development agreement with Porsche consulting back in August 2008 the company hit financial trouble later in the year and was forced to renegotiate a US$25 million working capital loan. All vehicle production was suspended while the financial situation was rectified which did in many ways weaken the position of the company during that period. A further bridging loan of around US$5.7 million from a battery supply company allowed Think Global to look to the future and a complete recapitalisation of the operation was announced in August 2009 involving finance to the tune of US$47 million. The company is now well positioned and well funded for the future and indeed interest in the group has materialised from the venture capital industry and various partners to the group.

Back on the road again

In December 2009 Think Global confirmed that the Think City car would again go back into production now that the company was re-vitalised and refinanced. Initially manufacturing began in Finland although plans to produce the vehicle in Indiana were also announced in January 2010 and is expected to follow in the first quarter of 2011. Thankfully, Think Global was then able to announce plans to sell the Think City in the US, which was back on track, in 2010 and is set to be rolled out into the UK in 2011 and beyond.

Demand for the Think City Electric Car

The very fact that the first Think City Electric cars off the assembly line in America were sold to the state of Indiana authorities as replacements for part of the government fleet is a further feather in the cap of Think Global and also attracted much publicity for the company and the car. It is said that 95% of the Think City Electric Car is recyclable and due to the relatively lightweight, yet highly safe, nature of the vehicle it has attracted massive praise from environmentally friendly groups and consumers around the world.

There is no doubt that the US is the major market for any electric vehicle and the fact that the relatively small, and until now relatively unknown, Think City Electric Car is now part of the state of Indiana government fleet is certainly a major step forward. But what does the future hold for the Think City Electric Car?

Specifications of the Think City Electric Car

The controversy, confusion and difficulties experienced by the Think Global group have in many ways overshadowed the specifications of the Think City Electric Car although this situation has been rectified somewhat in recent weeks and months. The Think City Electric Car is a two seater or 2+2 seater vehicle capable of being driven on the highways of the USA, Europe and around the world. Despite the relatively small stature of the vehicle it is interesting to see that it has a top speed of 68 mph and an in town range of just under 100 miles on a full charge. This is certainly no mean feat when you bear in mind the difficulties which have been experienced by the smaller electric car companies in recent times.

The Think City Electric Car comes in a variety of different colours such as black jungle, blue sky, red energy and city citrus. It is a frontwheel drive car which has a plug-in electric powertrain with two front airbags, traction control, braking assist, regenerative brakes for improved efficiency and power steering. The vehicle also has central locking, a 4 kW electric heater, electric windows and electric mirrors, radio, loudspeakers along with a number of additional extras such as air conditioning, alloy wheels, radio CD and full length sunroof.

Charging your Think City Electric Car

The beauty of the Think City car is the fact that it can be charged using a conventional domestic electricity supply connection of 10 A or 16 A, 230 V. Obviously using a 16 A socket will speed up the recharging time which can vary between 8 hours to 11 hours. The vehicle is available with either a lithium ion battery or the much vaunted zebra battery – they do differ in recharging times. However, the very fact that you’re able to recharge your Think City Electric Car using a domestic electric connection is certainly a major benefit and one which will see the company and the car attract more interest from the mass market.

When you also take into account the ever-growing number of electric car charging stations around the UK, in the US, Europe and the Far East there is no doubt that for those looking to drive less than 100 miles per day (which takes in millions upon millions of people worldwide) the Think City will be more than up to the job.

Facts about the Think City Electric Car

Despite the fact that many smaller electric vehicles of today are very much based upon the same principles as a quadricycle this is certainly not the case with regards to the Think City Electric Car. The vehicle is emission free, 95% recyclable and the energy efficiency rating for this particular electric car is three times that of a standard combustion engine vehicle. The vehicle has already been fast tracked by a number of European bodies who have taken the reins with regards to electric vehicles so there should be very few issues as the company continues to roll out the Think City Electric Car around the world.

When you also take into account the fact the car has a top speed of 65 mph, accelerates from 0 to 30 mph in just 6.5 seconds and will hit 50 mph in just 16 seconds, it is certainly no slouch compared to smaller electric vehicles available today. While it is often difficult to comprehend and understand the varying statistics and cost ratios rolled out with regards to electric cars, when you consider that this vehicle requires just £125 worth of electric energy to travel over 10,000 miles this perfectly illustrates its efficiency – working out around 1.25 pence per mile. It is not difficult to comprehend the potentially enormous cost savings for consumers not to mention the enormous assistance the vehicle, and other similar types, will give to the environment.

Safety aspects of the Think City Electric Car

Very often it has been suggested that safety aspects can suffer with regards to relatively cheap and relatively small electric vehicles but this is certainly not the case with the Think City Electric Car. As we mentioned above, the vehicle has passed all of the relevant European and US safety tests and the fact it is in regular use with the Indiana local authorities perfectly illustrates the confidence in the vehicle. The Think City Electric Car is now a real option for those looking at environmentally friendly and highly efficient vehicles for relatively low daily mileage.

Despite the fact that 95% of the Think City Electric Car is recyclable there has been no reduction in the level of safety afforded to drivers.

Will the Think City Electric Car be a success?

The cost of the Think City Electric Car in the US has been set at US$28,000 which on the surface is not exactly cheap but this cost can be reduced significantly due to various government and local authority environmental programs. The cost of the Think City in the UK is expected to come in at £14,000 and again they will be various options to obtain grants and assistance from the government and local authorities. Even without the various financial incentives offered by US and UK governments many expect the Think City Electric Car to be a major success around the globe.

This is a company which has certainly been through the mill but one which has been refinanced, redesigned, replenished and is now beginning to reap the benefits.

Conclusion

The life journey of the Think City Electric Car, and in particular the history of Think Global (the parent company), is a perfect example of how difficult the route to market can be for relatively small companies in these very difficult economic times. However, the company has now been refinanced and repositioned on the worldwide stage and the Think City Electric Car is seen by many as potentially one of the best selling mass-market vehicles available today.

Again, the assistance of local authorities and governments around the world with regards to grants and loans to reduce the cost of these vehicles will play a major role. However, the very fact that the electric energy required to travel 10,000 miles in a Think City Electric Car costs only £125 says everything about the efficiency, the attractions and the potential for this vehicle.

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Nissan's CEO leads the way!

If there is one name in the electric car market which you will hear in the months and years to come it is the Nissan Leaf electric car which has already caused a significant stir around the world despite the fact it has only just been released in the UK market. The Nissan Leaf electric car is being put forward as the first mass-market, consumer acceptable car powered entirely by electric and as such it is no surprise to see Nissan behind this particular vehicle. So what can we expect from the Nissan Leaf electric car and how much will it cost?

History of the Nissan Leaf

The history of the Nissan Leaf can be traced back to 1997 when Nissan launched its first American electric vehicle which was the Nissan Altra. This particular vehicle was available in the US between 1998 and 2002 although surprisingly, when you bear in mind that Nissan was behind the vehicle, only 200 were ever sold. However, unperturbed by the initial disappointment Nissan continued to invest significant amounts of money in the electric car industry taking on the latest lithium ion battery technology, electric motor technology and groundbreaking bodywork technology. Slowly but surely the company began to focus upon electric vehicles and the Nissan Leaf began to emerge.

Deliveries for the Nissan Leaf electric car began in December 2010 with United States the first market followed by Japan, Portugal, Ireland and the UK. The company is looking to roll out this particular model, which has already received worldwide approval, to other areas of the world in the months and years to come. There is no doubt that Nissan has invested a lot of time and money in the Nissan Leaf electric car and it is expected to be the one which will knock down the door to the mass market for electric cars.

Specifications of the Nissan Leaf electric car

It is okay to say that the Nissan Leaf electric car is one of the most recognisable and most talked about vehicles in the electric car market but what exactly does it offer and what can you expect. We will now run you through some of the specifics with regards to the Nissan Leaf, elements which make it very different from other vehicles, integrating the latest technology and the latest designs.

Design

At first glance you become aware of the V shaped design of the Nissan Leaf as well as the slightly differently positioned light emitting diode headlights which are specifically split to redirect airflow away from the door mirrors and for reducing any drag and noise. The headlights themselves are designed around the latest technology and consume less than half of the power required for traditional car headlights. You will also notice that the massive improvement in aerodynamics with regards to the Nissan Leaf with airflow redirected away from the car’s body and significant investment in undercar panelling which again is designed to reduce drag and therefore improve the dynamics and efficiency of the vehicle.

Powertrain

As will become more and more relevant in the years to come, the powertrain of any electric vehicle is perhaps the most vital area of technology. The powertrain of the Nissan Leaf allows the vehicle to hit a top speed of 93 mph and the motor itself is rated at 110 hp. Tests show that the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just under 10 seconds although it is the make-up of the battery supply system which is perhaps more important going forward. The very fact that the battery supply module weighs in excess of 300 kg is a prime example of how the weight of the power supply system in electric cars will have a major impact upon their efficiency and their viability going forward. It is estimated, unofficially, that each battery supply pack costs Nissan in the region of $18,000 although it is expected that this figure will reduce through mass production.

The lifespan of the battery power system is estimated in the region of 5 to 10 years although this will depend upon usage and how often the batteries themselves are recharged. Nissan officially confirmed that the battery pack is built to retain between 70% and 80% of its capacity after a ten-year period although when you consider the variations in usage expected by consumers this is often difficult to predict. The very fact that the battery supply system is by far and away the largest element of the Nissan Leaf means that it has to be positioned in a situation which will assist with gravity and reduce the drag as much as possible. In this particular instance, Nissan has located the battery supply system below the rear seat compartment.

Range

We now come onto one of the more vital elements of any electric car which is the range the vehicle can attain on full charge. While there are other elements to consider such as wind speed, temperature and type of road, in general you can expect to do around 47 miles per charge in heavy stop and go traffic, 62 miles in winter stop and go traffic, 70 miles per charge on the highways, 105 miles in city traffic and 138 miles per charge in perfect cruising conditions. If you take the average of these various driving conditions you would expect a Nissan Leaf to do between 70 and 75 miles before a recharge is required.

While some of these figures may be slightly disappointing we will see a similar pattern with regards to driving conditions and weather conditions amongst petrol and diesel vehicles. However, there is no doubt that the launch of the Nissan Leaf is very much an early days experiment for the electric car market and the technology and the specifics of this particular vehicle will be modified, redefined and improved in the years to come. There is also the situation with regards to car charging points and the fact that while many are still required there has been significant improvement in the UK and around the world over the last couple of years.

Recharging your Nissan Leaf

While the issue of recharging your Nissan Leaf will become less of a problem in the years ahead there is no doubt that if you’re looking to travel on particularly long journeys you may well have to plan your route around recharging points. With regards to recharging the Nissan Leaf, the vehicle has two separate charging structures allowing level I and level II recharging with a further level III “quick recharge” although which option will be applicable will depend upon the type of recharging stations available.

The slower of the charging options will see a full recharge in around 20 hours, with around eight hours for a level II recharge and a level III recharge will only take 30 min. As we see more and more investment in the electric car recharging industry we should see charging times begin to tighten in favour of drivers. However, at this point in time you will need to be aware of the availability and the location of recharging points if you’re looking at long journeys.

Technology

As you would expect from an electric controlled vehicle, the new Nissan Leaf is packed full of new technology which is designed to both monitor the performance of the vehicle and also improve efficiency. A telematics system known as “Carwings” allows the data to be collected via mobile phone technology which is available to the driver of the vehicle. It is also possible to use your mobile phone to switch on various elements of the Nissan Leaf technology portfolio such as air conditioning, heating and reset charging functions. This really is a major step forward in the technology of mass-market vehicles in the UK and when you also take into account the latest designs, which reduce drag and noise interference, you may begin to wonder why it has taken so long for the car industry to move towards electric power.

Funding

While the Nissan Leaf has the power and the funding of the Nissan giant behind it, it is also worth remembering that governments around the world have also assisted with the cost of developing this vehicle. Indeed the US Department of Energy made an initial grant of $99.8 million to Nissan which was further increased by $15 million to assist with the development of this particular range of electric vehicles. The car itself is priced at around £10,000 more than your average petrol/diesel counterpart in the UK but when you also take into account various government grants and subsidies available to consumers this cost is dramatically cut.

The future for the Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is by far and away the best-known electric vehicle in the mass-market and one which has effectively not only opened the door for Nissan into the future but has also brought electric powered cars to the attention of consumers. There is every chance that we could look back on this period in the electric car market as a pivotal moment when the industry went from being sidelined to the mass-market. It is estimated that even taking into account prime-time electric charging costs the Nissan Leaf works out at around 2p a mile which is significantly less than its diesel/petrol counterparts. When you also consider that the technology under the bonnet of the Nissan Leaf, and the forthcoming electric vehicles of the future, which is very much in its infancy, we can only expect further improvement and further efficiencies.

Government assistance

As we touched on above, the US government and other governments around the world are very keen to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road therefore reducing harmful emissions into the environment. Even though the US authorities have been very much at the forefront of direct investment into the electric car market, such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster to name but two, other governments have also played their part.

Those who purchase a Nissan Leaf in the UK may well be entitled to a grant of up to £5000 which can be used to reduce the cost of a new vehicle. There is also the issue of manufacturing in the UK which is online for the future although vehicles bought in the UK at the moment need to be imported until the Nissan plant in Sunderland is upgraded to take on production of the Nissan Leaf.

Is this the start of the mass-market electric car market?

Many believe that the launch of the Nissan Leaf will be one of the pivotal moments in the development of the electric car industry. This is a company which has long since enjoyed a reputation for popular cars in the mass-market, something which the company is very keen to continue in the short, medium and long-term with regards to electric vehicles. Whether Nissan will be able to dominate this particular market, as it has done in the petrol/diesel mass-market, remains to be seen as others will no doubt benefit from the increased consumer awareness of this type of vehicle.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the launch of the Nissan Leaf has been eagerly awaited by car buffs around the world not to mention governments and environmental groups. So far the Nissan Leaf has not disappointed and while the car itself boasts some of the latest design technology and electric systems there is still further scope for improvement. Nissan has a history of relative success in the mass-market with regards to petrol/diesel cars and many believe that the launch of the Nissan Leaf, with an adjusted price of around £23,000 in the UK, could be the start of a new growth sector for Nissan and the UK car market.

In the short term there is no doubt that governments have a role to play with regards to investment, loans and tax incentives to those manufacturing and acquiring electric cars. However, recent events would indicated that the likes of the US government and the UK government are more than happy to see a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles on worldwide roads as a means of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

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Is the Chevrolet Volt a true hybrid car?

The Chevrolet Volt electric car has certainly taken the market by storm at a time when many people are looking for the most efficient form of transport incorporating electric energy and hybrid backup systems. Despite the fact that the Chevrolet Volt electric car has only been on sale in the US since mid-December 2010 it has already taken the place of the Toyota Prius at the top of the fuel efficiency ratings. So what exactly does the Chevrolet Volt electric car have to offer and why is it proving to be so popular?

Background to the Chevrolet Volt electric car

It will come as no surprise to learn that Chevrolet, a division of General Motors, has targeted the electric car and hybrid market as potentially enormous markets for the future. Despite the fact that the company has a chequered history in the alternative fuel market it seems that under pressure from environmentalists and governments around the world the company has finally given in to consumer demand and concerns about the environment.

Those who have covered the electric vehicle market will be well aware of the fury surrounding the General Motors EV1 electric car of the 1990s, a car which was supposed to light the blue touch paper for the electric vehicle market but ended up in controversy and condemnation. Without going into more detail, General Motors unexpectedly decided to withdraw the EV1from the marketplace at a time when demand was increasing. There have been rumours and counter rumours regarding why the vehicle was withdrawn which we have gone into in other articles on the website.

However, in what many see as a fresh start under the Chevrolet name General Motors is now looking to become a major player in the growing electric car/hybrid market and the Chevrolet Volt concept car was first brought to the market in September 2008.

The timeline for the Chevrolet Volt electric car

As we touched on above, the original concept car for the Chevrolet Volt electric car was revealed to the market in September 2008 although this differed widely from the original EV1 car which was released to the market in the 1990s.

Concept car

This vehicle had four doors, a rear lift gate and seating for four passengers as well as taking advantage of some of the most aerodynamic car designs seen today. As we have seen time after time, the design of the original Chevrolet Volt electric car was amended significantly because of issues regarding drag and the impact this was having on the overall efficiency of the vehicle. It is believed that the original idea for the Chevrolet Volt concept car was inspired by the Tesla Motors Roadster which literally took the market by storm and is still one of the leading vehicles in the electric car market today.

Production vehicle

In a certain sign of the times the actual production model of the Chevrolet Volt concept car was slightly different to that perceived when the first vehicle was revealed purely and simply because of improvements in technology and the need to reduce drag on the vehicle as much as possible. This particular vehicle uses General Motors “Delta II” platform which the company claims will make the vehicles more efficient and aerodynamic than the likes of the Toyota Prius. However, like so many electric car companies around the world General Motors is still struggling to extend the journey distances available using the electric supply system before the hybrid generator kicks-in.

Battery supplies

As we have mentioned on more than one occasion in our recent articles, if there is one issue which continues to blight the development of the electric car market it is battery supply and their durability/life expectancy. General Motors has moved into the battery market with a number of commercial tie-ups to develop lithium ion battery packs and other potential power supply alternatives for the future. Whether this will indeed become a major area of General Motors ongoing future electric vehicle operations remains to be seen. However, one thing is for certain, any company which can steal a march on its competitors in the area of power supplies and battery packs will have a massive advantage!

Hybrid generator

While many people are now warming to electric vehicles, there is no doubt that we will see interest continue to grow in the hybrid market which offers a backup power generation system. The Chevrolet Volt electric car is capable of travelling up to 50 miles on electric power alone before the vehicle needs recharging. However, after the batteries are no longer usable and require a recharge the technology within the vehicle will see a gasoline powered generator kick-in which is able to recharge the batteries on an ongoing basis and extend the journey distance from 50 miles to in excess of 370 miles.

The US authorities calculate that the fuel efficiency of the Chevrolet Volt in pure electric mode is around 93 mpg although this does fall to 37 mpg in pure gasoline mode. This perfectly reflects the massive difference in efficiency between electric vehicles and gasoline/petrol/diesel vehicles which is why many people believe that the electric car industry is set to explode and take over traditional powered cars in the medium term. It is interesting to see that despite the development of three different types and different styles of recharging stations in the US and around the world, the Chevrolet Volt battery pack can be charged using a residential electric socket.

Emissions

The whole point of the electric car industry is based upon the requirement to reduce harmful emissions to an environment and there is no doubt that the Chevrolet Volt electric car is winning this particular battle at the moment. The official rating for the Chevrolet Volt is 84 g of carbon dioxide per mile which actually puts the vehicle ahead of the much publicised Toyota Prius.

The recycling, recharging and re-use of electric car batteries will become a major issue in the years ahead due in the main to the massive number of batteries required to power the cars of today. Even though this technology will continue to develop in the months and years ahead there will be a potentially enormous stockpile of used electric car batteries after the initial 10 year life span has been fulfilled. In time it will become very easy to compare like for like electric and hybrid vehicles on their emissions policy, battery power, value for money and waste recycling capabilities.

The launch of the Chevrolet Volt electric car

The Chevrolet Volt electric car was officially launched in the US on 30 November 2010 when the first finished vehicle for the mass-market rolled off the assembly line. The first vehicle was actually put to one side and takes pride of place in the General Motors Heritage Centre Museum in Michigan although the second vehicle was offered via a public auction with proceeds going to charity. After an opening bid of US$50,000 for the second vehicle off the assembly line the auction ended when Rick Hendrick placed a bid of US$225,000. If, as expected, the electric vehicle market continues to go from strength to strength then the value of the initial Chevrolet Volt electric car could skyrocket!

Value for money

The suggested retail price of the Chevrolet Volt begins at US$40,000 although some consumers may well be eligible for various government grants and government discounts. This will be a vital area of the electric car industry going forward because unless governments are willing to “invest” in the sector and push consumers towards this particular area it will be difficult to make ends meet in the short term. It is also interesting to see that companies such as General Motors/Chevrolet are also offering a lease type agreement on the Chevrolet Volt although historically this was available with the EV1 and look at the trouble that caused!

While there is no doubt that a US$40,000 ticket price is more than comparable and more than competitive when you take into account what you are buying, there are also massive benefits going forward with regards to the cost of running your vehicle. It is well known that electric vehicles use of a fraction of the cost per mile associated with traditional fuelled vehicles, which makes their ongoing attractions even greater. However, consumers must also be aware that at this moment in time the major cost associated with any electric vehicle going forward is the replacement of the underlying battery power. Unfortunately at the moment, the replacement of batteries, which can have a life span of up to 10 years, may cost consumers more than the car itself!

In many ways it is difficult for the likes of General Motors/Chevrolet to know where to position the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle because ultimately there is a need to gain a return on the significant investment so far while also attempting to appeal to the mass market. Slowly but surely, as other manufacturers join the party, we will see price competition emerge although ultimately it is unlikely we will see the cost of electric vehicles fall below their traditional fuelled counterparts in the short term.

Worldwide sales

As we confirmed above, the Chevrolet Volt was released into the US market in December 2010 in a blaze of glory and has won many awards around the world. It is expected that the car will be introduced to the Canadian market in the second half of 2011, on sale in Europe in the same year and slowly but surely drip fed into markets such as Australia, Brazil, China and Japan in the months and years ahead. It seems that Chevrolet is more than happy to make hay while the sun shines with regards to the excellent response to the vehicle from the US and the worldwide motoring press.

The company also has plans to introduce a range of other electric vehicles in the months and years ahead as the Chevrolet Volt electric car is certain to open doors and catch the attention of consumers. Whether or not General Motors decided to release its first major mass-market electric/hybrid vehicle under the Chevrolet name to escape any unwanted comparisons with the disastrous EV1 debacle remains to be seen but there is no doubt the company is happy to keep the reputation and the launch of the Chevrolet Volt as s far removed from the EV1 controversy as possible.

The future of electric vehicles in the US

There is no doubt that the US market is by far and away the largest for hybrid/electric vehicles and will remain so for many years to come. However, it is interesting to see that many American car manufacturers, and indeed many from the Far East, are targeting Europe immediately after their US launches. This is an area which the UK government is very keen to become involved in and various agreements, grants and tax incentives for companies such as Nissan and Toyota should help in the short, medium and longer term. However, there is no doubt that a vehicle which is paned in America will struggle to make a worldwide impression – therefore the US will always remain “the” market.

Conclusion

The Chevrolet Volt electric car is by far and away the most successful vehicle in the US at the moment taking advantage of renewed interest in electric vehicles and a requirement for a hybrid backup system in case of battery power failure. It is these two particular elements which are most prevalent within the Chevrolet Volt and indeed it is these two elements which are by far and away the two best selling points for the vehicle. However, while the likes of Chevrolet/General Motors and Tesla Motors continue to grab the headlines it is worth remembering that the US authorities in particular have invested billions upon billions of dollars into this particular industry.

While there is no doubt that the electric car market of the future needs the likes of Chevrolet/General Motors and other sector leaders to invest significant amount of money there is also a need for governments around the world to play their part. At this moment in time it seems that the US authorities and the UK authorities have stolen something of a march in this particular area although other European, Far East and South American governments will in due course follow suit. Demand for electric vehicles is certain to grow in the short, medium and longer term and as such we could see a significant change in the worldwide traditional car market.

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3. Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

The top-selling SUV on the U.S. market today is the Honda CR-V, which at 24 mpg is far more efficient than many previous holders of that distinction.

The early months of 2011 have seen both a major recovery in auto sales and record monthly highs in the price of gasoline. This has resulted in widely reported trends that could create confusion about consumer attitudes related to fuel efficiency. In one breath, we’re seeing the rise of small, fuel-efficient gas cars like the Chevy Cruze and Ford Fiesta. But then the media is reporting that sales of SUVs and light-duty trucks are rising right along with the price of oil. Don’t be fooled by these reports.

The official numbers indicate that trucks and SUVs were up 32 percent for the month of February, with General Motors alone seeing demand rise by more than 60 percent. Even more surprising is data suggesting that a large portion of the market seems to have come to terms with the idea of expensive gas and decided that driving a large vehicle is worth the extra cost. A recent survey by LeaseTraders.com found that among the drivers who traded in their SUVs for more fuel-efficient options in 2008, nearly 60 percent have since returned to their less efficient vehicles. There’s also a survey by Interclick, which found that among mothers, safety and value still reign supreme as determining factors in selecting a new vehicle—and that moms continue to prefer SUVs to any other vehicle segment.

Are We Talking about SUVs or CUVs?

All of this data supporting the continued persistence of the SUV doesn’t tell the whole story. Americans may be devoted to their large vehicles, but as we saw in 2008, every relationship has its breaking point—and gas prices haven’t yet even come close the levels they hit at the height of the last SUV exodus. Consumers may be more comfortable with the idea of paying $3.50 or even $4 for gasoline than they were in 2008—inflation alone tends to have that effect—but what about $4.50 or $5?

It’s even more important to consider the rise of the Crossover SUV (a.k.a. crossover or CUV), which should be viewed more as a large wagon rather than a SUV. These vehicles—and the light truck segment as a whole—tend to offer superior fuel economy to the gas guzzlers that became so popular during the 1990s and early 2000s. Most of these models (which give the appearance of a SUV) are unibody front-wheel-drive vehicles rather than body-on-frame trucks.

read more

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Last week, we posted a full report on possible delays to hybrid car production as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Now there is word of the first actual delay: Toyota says the new Prius V—the larger version of the most popular hybrid hatchback—will be delayed from its planned April rollout in Japan.

Does that mean the Prius V will not go on sale in the United States in late summer 2011 as planned? Not necessarily. “This hasn’t been determined,” said Toyota spokesman Mike Michels.

The Prius V has 50 percent more cargo space than the current Prius, while delivering 42 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway. Pricing has not been announced.

As a new model—one that answers the needs of hybrid shoppers who have been seeking more passenger and cargo room—the Prius V was already likely to be in high demand and short supply in 2011. The current jump in gas prices—hitting a national average of $3.56 and $3.96 in California this week—has intensified demand for hybrids, while the effects of the earthquake have at least temporarily crimped production.

Those impacts are only now hitting U.S. hybrid dealers. Last week, Mike Sullivan of the L.A. Car Guy—reported to be the nation’s number one seller of hybrid cars—told HybridCars.com, “Hybrid sales are very good, but there’s no panic purchasing.” He said that his dealerships are running a 45-day inventory. “That will be fine, and then in around 45 days, the inventory will take a hit.”

read more

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By Chris Ellis

Most Americans believe they are already paying too much for gasoline, but drivers in most of the rest of the developed world are paying a lot more. Over many decades, most European countries and Japan have introduced heavy taxes on gasoline and on cars themselves, making it much more expensive to own and drive a car than in the United States.

International fuel prices in November 2010. Graphic courtesy GTZ.de

Consider the above chart, (easier to read in this presentation) representing retail gas prices in November 2010, when Brent crude was still only $81 a barrel, against $114 today. The average U.S. price for gasoline is shown as 76 cents per liter, which translates to $2.88 a gallon.

If you look to the right of the chart (where it says “Country Category 4″), you’ll see that Romania has almost the least expensive gasoline in the European Union, at almost twice the price in the U.S. If you keep looking further right you’ll see how high gas prices already were in much of Europe before crude went up more than 40 percent in just three months.

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3. Survey: $3 Gas is a Tipping Point

By Larry E. Hall and Brad Berman

Not quite ready for the electric car revolution? Hybrids just not your style? So, what cars are out there that have some green creed, some luxury status, get really good fuel mileage and, oh yeah, are fun to drive? Sounds like it’s time to take a test-drive in Audi’s 2011 A3 TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) clean diesel four-door hatchback, granting 42 mpg on the highway.

The Audi A3 TDI first hit US shores in early 2010, drawing an impressive amount of acclaim from critics. Since then, sales have exceeded expectations. (For the 2011 model year, there are no changes to Audi A3 TDI.)

Exterior

High MPG aside, you should put the A3 on your shopping list just for its looks. There’s a confidence at Audi that manifests itself in the strong design of its single-frame grille. Influenced by classic Audi race design, the so-called Nuvolari grille has become a distinct feature of the brand, just as BMW has its twin kidneys and Mercedes its signature front end.

Flanked by headlamp clusters and prominent lower intake grilles, the grille’s impact is softened by compound curves in the hood. From there, the eyes are drawn along the distinct shoulder line that forms a visual tension with the downward, coupe-like sweep of the roofline. Wraparound taillamps emphasize the broad expanse of the rear. They also give the shoulder line a taking-off point for what looks like a small spoiler integrated into the hatch door just below the window line.

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Shortage in rare earth metals

The problem with fossil fuels, its depletion and rarity, is now becoming one of the major issues in electric vehicle technology. Rare earth metals have become much more in demand with the increasing demand for green cars in the market.

One company has veered away from the pack. Toyota is currently nearing completion of a hybrid car “induction motor” that does not use rare earth metals. These rare earth metals are used in many consumer electronic devices and clean technologies, such as magnets in electric cars and hybrids currently out in the market. It is also used in cell phones, wind turbines and hard drives.

This decision by the Japanese automaker is similar to its decision to create the hybrid technology used in its immensely popular Prius model. It is also a response to the increasing rarity of rare earth metals. In another complementary move, the company has engaged the services of Tesla for $60 million to help in the development of the company’s RAV4 line using the rare earth free induction motor of Tesla to create its first electric SUV model.

The said motor is similar to Tesla’s Roadster sports car and the 2012 Model S sedan. According to reports, these new motors are lighter and more efficient than the current top of the line model, the magnet-type motor which the Prius has. Since hybrids use rare earth minerals such as dysprosium and neodymium in the motors, these technologies are thus at the mercy of the country holding the most supply, much like the OPEC with fossil fuels.

This decision clearly blazes the trail for Toyota to avoid the impending price war for rare earth metals. Also, it is a preparation to provide green cars available to the market at reasonable prices as the technology develops.

Because of the increasing scarcity of rare earths, the prices are sure to gallop exponentially. China would be holding all the cards in this market, as it holds almost 90% of all rare earth deposits in the world. In a recent move, China has announced it would decrease its exportation of rare earth metals by 75%, creating an artificial shortage sure to drive prices through the roof. This move also has created ripples not only in the electric vehicle market but even oil refineries throughout the world.

The battle is still ongoing, with talk of filing complaints with the World Trade Organization about China’s bullying tactics on rare earth metals. With the move of Toyota, the market is now seeking to reinvent itself to prevent the lessons of the oil crisis in the seventies.

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1. Shortage of Rare Metals for Hybrids Is Overblown
2. Hoarding The Rare Earth Wealth: China May Limit Export Of Rare Elements
3. Milton Financials: China’s rare earth cut back has energy designers seeking cheaper alternatives.

Basic facts on electric car batteries

The electric car development is now at a dizzying pace with a great number of vehicles rolling off assembly lines from many car manufacturers. Central to this particular market that will most probably overrun fossil fuel driven vehicles is the battery.

There are many questions regarding the battery, such as replacement and usable life, recyclability, proper use and charging, maintenance and upkeep and even up to the supply available of its primary components.

The current standard in use is the lithium ion battery. Now, these kinds of batteries power many electronic consumer products from mobile phones to laptop computers. These are also the power packs in use for the first wave of electric cars. In essence, the electric vehicle battery pack is an array of lithium ion batteries rechargeable after each use.

“If I want to buy an electric vehicle, I would want to know how many miles can I drive under REAL driving conditions, how long will my battery last and how long will the battery take to charge,” said Venkat Srinivasan, a staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab who writes a popular battery blog.

The newest electric cars to hit the market, the hybrid Chevy Volt and the all-electric Nissan Leaf, have plug-in features to recharge their battery packs. Both though have a battery usability lifetime of 100,000 miles or eight years. While this may put electric car purchasers’ minds at ease, the actual battery life and performance depends on many factors.

Srivinasan added, “Don’t keep continuously fully charging and discharging the batteries. Also, pressing on the accelerator too much also draws power from the battery at a high rate and can cause (battery) degradation.”

Another expert in the field, Sunil M. Chhaya from the Electric Power Research Institute also observed that batteries age faster if the battery’s temperature is higher than normal. The think-tank has postulated that heat management within the battery’s structure is the greatest factor that affects the battery’s service life and reliability. It is precisely for this reason that electric car maker Tesla utilizes a liquid cooling system to extend the battery life for its vehicles.

Chhaya adds that batteries perform optimally when the ambient temperature is between 20 to 45 degrees Celsius (or 68 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit). If the battery’s temperature goes beyond that, there is a need for a thermal management system to cool down the battery. This can be done through efficient inflows or outflows from the battery pack using a well-designed thermal system.

Another factor is the weather. A cold battery produces a higher resistance to the flow of the electrical current. This means that the same amount of power at the wheels would produce larger amounts of heat in the battery due to internal power loss. This process localizes the heat in the battery pack area, increasing the batteries temperature thus making the battery more prone to aging and inefficiency.

This peculiarity would severely affect the range of electric vehicles in colder climes, as the car’s heater would require at least 25% percent of the battery’s charge to keep the temperature of the passengers.

Another misleading concept is the “fast charge” batteries that use higher voltages to shorten charging times. There are trade-offs to the use of these kinds of batteries is the easy degradation of the battery thus shortening its battery life. This was advised by Mark Wagner, VP for Government Relations at Johnson’s Controls, a lithium ion battery manufacturer based in Holland, Mich. He adds,  “The vast majority of the vehicles will be charged up overnight at lower voltages, but if you charge very quickly, there can be mechanical stress on the battery.”

Despite expert advice, the consumer still manages the charging times for the battery as the consumers rarely follow directions on battery charging and use. Mike Omotoso, Analyst at J.D. Power and Associates observes, “If you think of your cell phone or laptop, you’re supposed to charge the battery fully for 24 hours before using it the first time. But of course most of us are anxious to use something new right away, so we charge it for a couple of hours and then start using it. Then we complain that the battery life isn’t as long as advertised.”

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Car makers charge on for demand

Nissan is now facing irate Leaf purchasers because of the continued lack of information on the estimated time of deliveries for the much-coveted electric vehicle.

“We don’t know what’s going on,” says Eugen Dunlop of Davis, Calif., who ordered a Leaf last summer and had been expecting delivery by about now. “They are falling a little short.” Another client is Barbara Odza of Los Angeles says she has gone through the initial disappointment but will continue to wait.

Nissan for its part has admitted that it provided prospective purchasers overly optimistic estimates for delivery times. According to Senior Vice President Brian Carolin, the estimates that they have provided to customers on promised delivery did not coincide the Leaf’s production schedule in Japan. Eager purchasers have shelled out at least $33, 630 to get first dibs on the delivered Nissans.

While many customers have complained of the delays, others though have remained calm and understanding. He added, “Leaf buyers seem very committed and few have lost interest.”

This was seconded by John O’Dell, the senior editor at Edmunds.com, a car purchasing research site. He sees the buyers to remain loyal to the Leaf and the delay would not stall momentum on the purchase.

Another Japanese carmaker is betting the farm on electric cars for its sales in North America. Mitsubishi has recently announced that it will start offering six new plug-in hybrids and battery-powered vehicles starting 2015.

The company has also announced that it would be withdrawing slow selling models in its line. These are the Galant midsize sedan, the Eclipse sporty coupe and the Endeavor SUV by 2013. The production intended for these vehicles would in turn be used to produce the six new models projected for 2015.

It will also unveil its first electric car, named the Mitsubishi i by November. The four-seater would first roll out in Hawaii, California and some Western States. It’s brother, the i-MiEV would be released in other markets. The car is designed to run for seventy miles in one full charge and the sticker price would start at $30,000, gross of the tax incentives that purchasing an electric car the government provides.

The change in production objectives would allow Mitsubishi to focus on compact models. The Eclipse, Galant and Endeavor proved to be too large for export to foreign markets, earning a loss in revenue for the company in large markets such as China.

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The power of oil!

There is no doubt that the electric car market in the UK and around the world is set to grow exponentially over the next few years as the move from fossil fuels to more eco-friendly power continues. However, while many believe that the introduction of a whole host of attention grabbing and headline grabbing new electric cars has broken the back of problems in the past this may not yet be the case. So how does the worldwide electric car market look today and what can you expect for the future?

Electric car market

We have seen a whole host of leading car manufacturers joining the electric car market over the last few years and the amount of money already invested into the industry ensures it will eventually be a success. Governments and local authorities have also put their weight behind the movement and various penalties and fines to be dished out by the European Union in relation to environmental issues has also added to the fray. So we have the cars, we have the manufacturers, we have the tax incentives and now governments around the world are looking to improve the market and also increase the number of vehicles on the road. So what is one of the major stumbling blocks?

Charging your electric car

There is no doubt that at this moment in time there are major concerns regarding the number of electric car charging points up and down the UK and around the world. While there are very few people who would leave their home and wonder where the next petrol or diesel station was, the same cannot be said of those using electric cars with a need to plan their journey in great detail to ensure they will not run out of fuel. So what are the options with regards to charging your electric car?

Charging facilities available

Many people would be surprised to learn that there are three levels in relation to charging batteries for electric cars.

Level one charging

Level one car charging is a simple regular 110 volt garage outlet which will take between eight and 14 hours to charge an electric car. However, the prolonged use of the car charger will place some strain on the home electrical system and could cause problems in the long run.

Level two charging

Level two charging requires the use of a 240 volt charging system which can fully charge a standard electric car in between four and six hours. This is a specialised charging system although the time-saving is there for all to see.

Level three charging

As you would expect, level three car charging is by far and away the quickest with the ability to recharge the standard electric car to 80% capacity within half an hour or possibly less. So we have the three basic options at the moment which can be made available in your home or at any other public location.

The main problem with regards to car charging points in and around the home is the cost which can be anything from a few hundred pounds to literally thousands of pounds. These systems will also place an emphasis on the electrical systems within your house which may need updated at an additional cost. So while the idea of a car charging network around the country is one which is certainly being taken into consideration by individuals, companies, local authorities and the government, there is still some way to go to ensure there are enough recharging stations to ensure a smooth ride.

Public awareness of car charging facilities

Over the last few months we have seen major advertising with regards to car charging plans for London and other areas of the UK which have caught the attention of the driving public. However, if you ask the majority of drivers in the UK where their nearest electric car charging station was you can pretty much guarantee that 99% would be unaware of the location. Indeed, there are many drivers who will have no clue as to where there are any car charging facilities up and down the UK.

The truth is there are literally hundreds of electric car charging points available to the public even at this early stage of the development of the electric car industry. As a consequence we need to see more media coverage, more government advertising and more public awareness of facilities which are available at the moment at significant cost to the public and the government. It will be interesting to see which major companies up and down the UK decide to look towards the electric car market and charging facilities as there were rumours that Tesco and some other large retail outlets were looking towards incorporating car charging facilities at some of their larger shops.

Many people were hoping that garages up and down the UK would look towards the electric car market and offer charging points to their customers but it is difficult to see how this can be made financially viable in the short to medium term. Despite the fact that the cost of recharging an electric car will be but a fraction of the cost of filling a petrol or diesel tank there is an expense which needs to be covered. If electric car users were to stop at stations up and down the UK, with many expected to be free of charge, there would need to be other attractions to ensure that companies and individuals continue to push for the installation of new car charging facilities.

Pilot schemes

Over the last few months we have seen more and more articles in the regular press with regards to electric cars and indeed a number of journalists and car enthusiasts have undergone significant journeys, for example between London and Edinburgh, to test out the facilities available and whether in fact it is possible to travel the length and breadth of the UK in an electric car. Surprisingly enough, all of the challenges undertaken in electric cars have been successful when people have done their homework and gained access to a map of electric car charging stations around the country.

Even if you are unaware of electric car charging points in your region the chances are that the local authority has undertaken investment in this sector or else encouraged companies to step forward. There are very few local authorities in the UK, under pressure from the UK government, who have yet to look towards the implementation of electric car charging stations in their area. The trick now is to make sure that these pilot schemes gain major coverage in the national and the local press and investment in the systems is made to pay. Whether the economic downturn in the UK, and indeed around the world, will slow down the implementation of electric car charging points remains to be seen but there is no doubt that the industry itself is moving into a relatively new area of growth.

What came first?
The chicken or the egg?

One of the age-old questions in relation to the UK, and indeed the worldwide, electric car market is the need to ensure there are enough points to recharge your vehicle while making investment in the industry, whether this is cars or charging points, as cost-effective and commercial as possible. The truth is that no company or individual will invest in any charging stations in their area, with the government and the authorities looking for free access initially, if there is no endgame and benefit in the longer term.

Thankfully the UK government has stepped forward with a number of tax incentives to ensure that more and more people will consider electric, or indeed hybrid, cars in the future which will increase the requirement for more recharging stations and ultimately lead to more cars. We need to take a two pronged approach to the UK electric car market, both ensuring there are enough vehicles on the road to make the industry profitable as well as enough charging points to make journeys less stressful and more enjoyable.

Demand for electric cars

Over the last few years we have seen demand for electric cars hitting new highs with vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF catching the eye of many in the UK and around the world. There is no doubt that the major car manufacturers around the world have “gone past the point of no return” and they have invested far too much money to go back on their word to the government and environmentally friendly groups who have been calling for more electric cars for many years. There is also no doubt that the technology related to electric cars and electric car charging points is very much at an early stage and will only improve here on in.

As demand increases and the technology improves, the cost of electric vehicles and charging points is almost certain to drop in the medium to longer term, we will see a staged phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles although this may take decades to conclude. There will be no tipping point in relation to the switch from traditional vehicles to electric vehicles although the rising cost of petrol, directly linked to the cost of oil, may well play into the hands of governments and local authorities around the world.

The cost of refuelling your electric car

The cost of refuelling an electric car is minimal compared to the cost of petrol and diesel even before the recent rise in prices. As a consequence there will be a natural transfer from more traditional petrol/diesel vehicles to electric cars in the future and with more economies of scale and improvements in technology the cost of refuelling your electric car is likely to fall in the medium to longer term than rise. This will place more pressure upon the National Grid in the UK and require the authorities to produce more electricity than they ever have done although ultimately this should be far less harmful to the environment and save motorists significant money in the future.

Car charging system

We have discussed the more traditional level I, level II and level III car charging systems above but are also a number of innovative ideas under consideration. Electric car charging stations powered by wind, solar and other natural resources will also ensure a much quicker rollout to the more rural areas of the UK and they will also reduce damage to the environment. The ability to literally pick up and move a car charging facility to any area of the country, if powered by solar, wind or some other natural resource, could be priceless.

There’s also the ability to introduce these naturally powered charging stations to the consumer market and allow people to set up their own car charging facilities at home. The truth is that there are many options available now, and there will be many more in the future, in relation to electric cars, charging options and the cost of entering the market.

Conclusion

On a smaller scale than required, there is no doubt that more and more people are now considering electric cars for the future and there are new electric car charging stations popping up on a regular basis. One of the main problems the industry has at the moment, and has had for sometime, is media coverage aimed at the public. We have seen the various environmentally friendly issues discussed in great detail, we have heard about the potential savings in fines from the EU and environmental issues but could you hand on heart explain the cost savings for consumers and businesses in the UK?

The UK government and many companies around the UK, and indeed around the world, have invested significant money into the electric car market and the electric car charging station arena. Tax savings, economic issues, technological advances and the reduction in the cost of transport in the UK are all very prominent factors which will continue to push the electric car market in the short, medium and longer term. However, winning the hearts and minds of the UK motorist and the worldwide motorist will be the biggest challenge for the authorities and those in the sector.

Once the initial stigma attached to electric vehicles disappears we should see even better growth and better sales.

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The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan, which debuted in Detroit earlier this month, shows styling direction of the ninth-generation 2012 Civic.

When Honda recently unveiled its 2012 Civic design, and announced that the new Civic Hybrid would use lithium ion batteries for the first time, we weren’t surprised. Last March, we reported that the Civic and other Honda hybrids were already in the process of migrating from nickel to lithium. What does it mean for consumers? In theory, more MPG at a lower cost. The change will be incremental, but exactly how much more mileage and at what price is yet to be determined.

The shift is part of Honda’s strategy to make its conventional gas-electric hybrids nearly as affordable as gas-only cars—a goal the company has been talking about for a couple of years.

In addition, announcements from Honda at the Los Angeles Show that it would pursue a robust plug-in hybrid architecture for future cars—and introduce an all-electric version of the Honda Fit—pushes the company in the direction of lithium, and away from the nickel metal hydride batteries that have powered hybrids since their introduction. Blue Energy Co Ltd, a joint venture of Honda and GS YUASA CORP, will provide Honda’s lithium battery.

Nailing down its hybrid battery strategy is vital for Honda. Last month, Honda President Takanobu Ito says around 10 percent of Honda’s global sales will be hybrids by 2015, and all of its models are built with the ability to quickly adapt into hybrids.

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