Auto-industry lobbyists urge Obama administration for more incentives towards EVs
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily
Mitsubishi i-MiEV – Click above for high-res image gallery
The U.S government has committed billions to the electric vehicle (EV) industry hoping to kick-off a battery-powered evolution. But auto-industry lobbyists fear that the investments are simply not enough and so they are turning to the Obama administration for even more help.
The lobbyists are pushing for more incentives, including additional money for public charging stations, tax breaks for battery producers and credits for installing home chargers. They hope to appeal to Obama’s soft spot for advanced vehicles by suggesting that more incentives are needed to meet his goal of one million advanced technology vehicles on our roads by 2015. Lobbyists are pushing for one more thing that will please automakers: eliminating rules that restrict the number of zero-emissions vehicles that can be applied towards meeting CAFE guidelines.
Automotive executives are behind the push for more funding too. They are concerned that the high cost of electric vehicles and the lack of a charging infrastructure will cause buyers to balk at the technology. This latest push for more money is probably one of many to come, but at some point the EV industry will have to survive without outside help.
[Source: Wall Street Journal] Read more…
Volkswagen going for three in a row with diesel Touareg at Dakar Rally
Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen, Racing
In January 2009, Volkswagen took its first shot at the grueling Dakar Rally with some diesel-powered race Touaregs and finished first and second. This year, the automaker went back and took the first three positions at the finish. With an all-new Touareg on deck – we know, we know, the race vehicle doesn’t share much with the production version – Volkswagen has decided to go back and try for the hat-trick. VW hasn’t given any details, but we expect the 2011 race vehicle to be derived from the new Touareg.
The Dakar effort is one of several VW alternative fuel motorsport events, which also includes the Jetta TDI Cup in North America and the new Scirocco R Cup in Europe. The Scirocco series uses cars powered by compressed bio natural gas. VW is also running a bio gas-fueled car in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Continue reading Volkswagen going for three in a row with diesel Touareg at Dakar Rally
Volkswagen going for three in a row with diesel Touareg at Dakar Rally originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2010 Jeep Wrangler EV
Jeep will introduce a new electric version of the Jeep Wrangler to demonstrate their fuel efficient technology to customers. The 2010 Jeep Wrangler EV was introduced at the 2009 Detroit auto show and is expected to be a hit with customers in that segment when it comes out as a 2010 model year vehicle.
The [...]
Via New Car Blog
“Worst Parking Job Ever” woman gets $500 fine, restricted from driving
Filed under: Government/Legal, Videos
The worst parking job – Click above to watch video after the jump
Justice has finally caught up with the driver of a BMW X5 who thought she could get away with playing Monster Jam in the parking lot of the local gym. You may recall the tale of Tripta Kaushal. Last October, the 62-year old driver was attempting to park her Bavarian SUV at Extreme Fitness. Instead of coming to a controlled stop, Kaushal launched her ‘ute onto the row of parked cars across from her, backed off and then drove away. Luckily, the gym had parking lot surveillance, and police eventually nabbed the woman.
On Tuesday, Kaushal pleaded guilty to failing to report a collision, and was issued a $500 fine. Even better, the lady has been banned from driving between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., so you can bet your parking lot will be safe from dusk ’till dawn. The court also ordered her to pay restitution for the cars her X5 mounted last year. Makes us wonder what those poor folks were doing for transportation for the last five months.
[Source: The Star]
Continue reading “Worst Parking Job Ever” woman gets $500 fine, restricted from driving
“Worst Parking Job Ever” woman gets $500 fine, restricted from driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Maserati reportedly to build sub-Quattroporte M5 rival
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Maserati, Luxury
2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’ve had trouble figuring out if the Maserati Quattroporte was a closer rival to the BMW M5 or the 7 Series, the latest news from Modena ought to help. As part of the Fiat Group’s comprehensive five-year plan – which already includes several new Alfa Romeos and no fewer than six new Ferraris – Maserati has revealed plans to build a new sub-Quattroporte sedan.
Targeting the likes of the M5, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Audi RS6, a new sedan is set to slot in below the existing Quattrporte in both size and price. Reports place the entry price for the new four-door at at less than €55,000 ($74k), significantly less than the $120k starting price for the current Quattroporte.
In addition, plans are also underway for a new full-size Quattroporte, giving buyers in the market for an exotic Italian super-saloon twice the variety to choose from. Expect the next-generation QP, then, to go slightly farther up-market to make way for its upcoming kid brother.
Fiat Uno supermini leaks out
Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat, Russia, South America
2011 Fiat Uno – Click above for high-res image gallery
The crew at Carscoop have managed to get their hands on a bevy of images of the new Fiat Uno. Judging from the photos, it looks like the company will be offering its tiny hatchback in two varieties – the standard base model and the Uno Way. Expect the Way to boast a slightly taller ride height and off-road inspired looks once the cars hit markets in Brazil, Europe and Russia.
There’s no word on whether or not the Brazilian-built machines will find their way to the U.S. via Fiat’s new partnership with Chrysler, but judging from what’s rumored to be under the hood, we doubt it. Odds are both the standard Uno and the Way will get their grunt from tiny 1.0- or 1.4-liter engines – not exactly American fare.
The new Uno resurrects a name that had been abandoned by Fiat since the early 2000′s, and the company says we can expect the model to slot between the Panda and the Grand Punto when it hits the scene.
Spy Shots: Facelifted 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin
Or is that a V12 Vantage? Looking at the pics of this Aston Martin test car snapped by our crack team of spies, it’s tough to say if we’re looking at a refreshed V8-powered Vantage Roadster, or what might in fact be a V12 Vantage Roadster. Either way, we dig the new wheels.
If you tiptoe through the gallery, you’re sure to notice what’s new. Namely, and aside from the gray carbon-look wheels, a carbon fiber front splitter and a rear carbon fiber diffuser. Whatever the engine, the Aston Martin Vantage has been one of the flat out sexiest cars available since it debuted in 2005 – but that doesn’t mean it’s not getting long in the tooth. So Aston very well might be performing a mild mid-cycle refresh of their baby coupe and convertible by grafting on the ground effects from the 510 horsepower V12 Vantage.
Or, alternatively, and hey-why-not, this could in fact be an all new V12 Vantage Roadster. All that’s missing from the V12 coupe is the wildly louvered/scalloped hood. We already know how good the 4.7-liter V8 sounds when the Vantage’s top is dropped. We can hardly imagine how breathtaking the big 6.0-liter V12 would sound crammed into the Vantage’s teeny engine bay while the wind whistles through our hair. Whatever this test mule turns out to be, we’ll keep you posted.
