Long-range electric vehicle tricks for the early adopter: ask campgrounds the right question
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Tesla Motors
Electric vehicle (EV) advocate Chad Schwitters recently drove from Washington state down to San Diego, CA in his Tesla Roadster. This isn’t exactly news, but when you get Plug In America to write up the journey, you can learn a thing or two from a trip like this. For example, PIA member Linda Nicholes asked Schwitters what he learned on his long drive and we’re sure anyone who’s looking to take their EVs a ways away from home can benefit from this:
When dealing with RV Parks don’t just ask what voltage is available because sometimes park personnel simply do not know and confuse 120V and 240V service. Ask instead if the park has 50 Amp service.” For example: On Highway 101, a campground owner had promised that a 240V outlet would be available. Unfortunately, when Chad arrived late at night, he was shocked to find only a 120V outlet. … He awoke to find that only a pitiful 20 miles had been added to the roadster’s range. After grabbing that micro-mileage, he glided slowly to another campground, thankfully plugged into coveted 50 Amp service and began checking online for more 50 Amp service down the line through KOA (Kampgrounds of America).
Schwitters’ whole journey wasn’t exactly easy, and it shows how a bigger and better EV charging infrastructure is needed. Still, it also proves that adventurous drivers can head out today on an emission-free road trip. If they’re ready for a few setbacks and know how to ask the right questions, that is. Read more here.
[Source: Plug In America] Read more…
Renault Fluence gains 660 pounds, 5 inches to go electric
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault, Middle East, Better Place
2012 Renault Fluence Z.E. – Click above for high-res image gallery
A few days ago, Renault announced it had finalized the production design of its first two electric vehicles and would start taking pre-reservations for the Kangoo Express Z.E. and Fluence Z.E. The Fluence is the bigger news since it will also be the vehicle that Renault provides for distribution in Israel by Better Place. Thus, it will be the first production electric vehicle with quick-swap battery capability.
The transformation from a conventionally powered family sedan to battery electric comes at a price though. The back end of the Fluence Z.E. has grown by five inches in length, which is not that big of a deal. Because the Fluence is a conversion rather than a dedicated EV design like the Nissan Leaf, it is not exactly weight optimized and the electric sedan weighs some 660 pounds more than the conventional model.
Part of this is likely due to the swappable battery and the body structure will probably need some extra reinforcement to support the battery. It will be very interesting to watch how successful the whole battery swap concept turns out in Israel, because right now almost no one else has bought into it.
Ford executive chairman says electric vehicles will be a game changer
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Ford, Green Daily
Ford executive chairman Bill Ford closed out the 2010 SAE World Congress with a reminder: “All the early cars were electric.” Why do so few people remember that electric cars date back more than a hundred years? Ford suggested it’s because, electric cars have “been around really for the past century or so, but they really haven’t had mass market appeal.” There’s the answer: without mass market appeal, technologies will be forgotten.
One hundred years from now we may end up looking back and saying the same thing; Hey, do you remember those electric things they called cars that were around for a few years? Nope, do you? The answers will be entirely different if this second coming of the electric car is a success, a point that Ford appears committed to.
An endorsement from one of the world’s largest automakers is reassuring. Ford spoke about his company’s future and it was blatantly clear that electric vehicles are vitally important:
It appears that the biggest game changer will be electric vehicles. Our plan includes the introduction of five new high-mileage vehicles. The majority of our efforts are aimed at fuel economy leadership. We want to provide affordable fuel economy for million of customers
2013 Audi A3 Plus
It is rumored the Audi will bring a sedan/coupe version of the next generation A3 to the US for the 2013 model year. The new variant is currently known by Audi engineers as the A3 Plus and will definitely be a welcome addition to Audi’s US lineup.
Although the original A3 was introduced by Audi [...]
Via New Car Blog
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BMW’s “Secret Sauce” to get Side Orders of FWD, EV. Right Move?
BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN — Is it still “drinking the Kool-Aid” when a marketing chief talks up an automaker like BMW? The Bavarians have been the envy of the industry for a couple of decades, now, selling the high-profit 3 Series almost as a high-volume car, and selling the Mini to Americans who knew nothing of the brand before 2002. So unbridled optimism and ebullience over BMW is easier to stomach than from most companies. Speaking of 2002, Jack Pitney, vice president of marketing and strategy for BMW of North America, brought a couple of early ’70s 2002 brochures to a lunch meeting held here Friday with about a dozen automotive journalists and analysts.
The first line in one 2002 brochure, Pitney points out, was “The Joy of Driving,” the automaker’s current advertising tagline. “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” he assures us, will not go away.
In place of Kool-Aid, Pitney served up what he calls the “secret sauce” the “absolute hallmarks” of BMW’s success. After “Joy of Driving” or “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” the company will start to emphasize its independence. While Pitney didn’t name names, this is an obvious reference to Mercedes-Benz’s new hook-up with Nissan/Renault, which days after it was made official, Mercedes and Nissan/Renault reportedly started arguing over whose electric-car technology will be used. It’s also a reference to upstart Audi, which of course is part of the vast and growing Volkswagen Group empire. Audi, of course, has been attacking BMW directly in its television commercials.
With the Focus RS500 sold out in UK, Ford creates official upgrade kit for RS
Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK
2009 Ford Focus RS – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford committed an outright insult to humanity when it only produced 101 examples of the Focus RS500. Even at over $54,000 at current conversion rates, the cars sold out licked-split in the UK, leaving plenty of diehard Blue Oval fans without the hottest of the company’s hatches. In an attempt to right that wrong, Ford has released an upgrade kit that will give the standard 305 horsepower RS the teeth it needs to run with the big-daddy RS500.
The engineers at Ford have managed to pull an extra 45 horsepower from the turbo I5 by swapping out the stock intercooler and air box for trick Ford Racing pieces, bolting on a higher volume fuel pump and remapping the stock ECU. The whole kit will set you back around $3,000, which means you could be in an RS500 clone for nearly $10k less than what the real deal would cost you. We’ll take ours in Frozen White, please. Hop the jump for the press release.
Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)
Ducati officially rolls out Monster 796, Monster Art customization program
Filed under: Motorcycle, Design/Style
Ducati Monster 796 – Click above for high-res image gallery
It doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, but Ducati has just officially announced that it will soon be putting a new Monster on dealership floors in June. As you might expect from the name, the new Ducati Monster 796 will use the same air-cooled L-twin engine as the Hypermotard 796, and it will also share that model’s $9,995 price tag.
Ducati claims that its 804cc mill puts down 87 horsepower and 56 pound-feet of torque, which, when coupled with the 367-pound (claimed, of course) weight, ought to make the newest Monster a fine performer indeed. Along with a higher handlebar and more comfortable seat, Ducati has endowed the Monster 796 with a single sided swingarm, four piston Brembo brakes, an APTC slipper clutch, blackened foot rests and new five spoke wheels.
While the official Monster 796 color palette will include white, black and Ducati red – each with a trellis frame in red, along with red wheel striping – Ducati has also announced a new Monster Art program that will allow owners of the 696, 796 or 1100 to interchange tank covers, mudguards, bikini fairings and seat covers in one of ten new hues and liveries. Click on past the break for all the details.
