Study: Electric cars aren’t the answer, unless the question is urban commuting
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Another day, another new study on electric vehicles. Some of these studies intrigue us, others just get us riled up. This one fits into the latter category, especially because it can lead to misinformed opinion columns. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) claims that electric vehicles (EVs) are far from ready for the big time. The IET finds that EVs won’t be viable as a form of everyday transportation for at least ten more years. The study suggests that battery life and weight will continue to hold EVs back.
According to the IET study, electric cars will continue to be capped at around 100 miles of range for many years to come. In addition, the effects of continuous fast-charging will takes its toll on both battery life and vehicle range. The study recognizes that battery breakthroughs will continue to drive down costs, but weight will remain relatively constant. In closing, the IET recommends that investments in high-efficiency diesels and hybrids will be a better bang-for-the-buck solution that provides an immediate increase in fuel-efficiency without the negatives associated with EVs:
While we believe electric cars overall are a good idea, particularly for short-range commutes, there’s a need for more honesty on whether they can really be the solution to our transport and environmental needs in the mid- to long-term. Do people really have to invest in more than one car, and all the resources they demand, to take care of commuting and family holidays? We need to encourage alternative solutions.
This study suggests that we take the easy way out, but is that really the best choice as we try to move ahead? Admittedly, hurdles remain, but nobody said that this EV thing was gonna be easy and we’ve gone way too far to just throw in the towel now.
Dacia Duster may be sold as a Nissan
The Dacia Duster might become a Nissan as well as a Renault – as long as the market conditions don’t put the rebadged cars up against each other.
The Duster, a compact 4×4 may retail from £11,000 when it goes on sale in the UK in 2012 – has already been lined up to become a Renault in several markets. But a Renault-Nissan insider has confirmed that if the conditions were right, the Romanian-built SUV could also be badged as a Nissan.
“In a market where Nissan had a presence and Renault didn’t, it would be a possibility,” he said. “That’s assuming we had the spare production capacity.”
Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales
Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Lincoln, Autoline on Autoblog, Luxury
Lincoln MKS Ecoboost – Click above for high-res image gallery
With Mercury vehicles set to disappear from showrooms in the next few months, Ford hopes to jump-start Lincoln sales with a free maintenance deal from now until Labor Day. Anyone who buys or leases a Lincoln this summer won’t have to pay for any regularly scheduled maintenance during the first three years or 45,000 miles of ownership.
The promotion applies to all 2010 and 2011 model year Lincolns and follows similar moves in recent years from brands like BMW and Volkswagen. At many Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States, Mercury accounts for a significant percentage of store sales. Those dealers will need programs like this to boost volumes until two new Lincoln models arrive in the next couple of years. So far, Lincoln has only confirmed that a compact is forthcoming. The seventh member of the Lincoln family remains a mystery.
eBay Find of the Day: 1957 BMW 507 is a black beauty
Filed under: Classics, Convertible, BMW
1957 BMW 507 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The BMW 507 is arguably the most beautiful and certainly among the rarest production models ever to emerge from Munich, with only 253 produced between 1956 and 1959. The 507 was the first BMW built with a V8 engine and remained the only model to use one until the 740i debuted in 1992. The 3.2-liter pushrod V8 under the 507′s bonnet was rated at either 150 or 160 horsepower.
Unfortunately, as attractive as the 507 was, its $10,000 price tag made it a bigger commercial failure than the more recent Z8. Following the 507′s demise, BMW didn’t build another roadster until the 1989 Z1.
This particular example appears to be in very good condition aside from its slightly foggy rear window. It spent a good part of its life at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, where it was purported to be one of two owned by Elvis Presley. As this is written, the $400,000 top bid has not cleared the reserve price, so you still have a chance to remortgage the house and get in on this action.
EDO Competition converts five-year-old Aston Martin DB9 into DBS
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury
Edo Competition Aston Martin DB9/DBS – Click above for high-res image gallery
You’d think that someone who can afford to have their Aston Martin DB9 transformed into a DBS could probably afford to simply buy a new DBS. We can’t really speak to the motivations of one Russian DB9 owner, but Edo Competition wasn’t about to argue with a paying customer.
After the five-year old DB9 was brought to Edo for conversion, the tuner replaced the original metal body panels with the carbon fiber parts used on Aston’s flagship DB. In addition to the external appearance, the interior of the car has been customized with a mix of leather, alcantara, carbon fiber and metal.
The DB9′s 5.9-liter V12 has also been upgraded from 470 horsepower to 550 hp, taking it beyond the 510 hp output of the factory-built DBS. A car that goes faster needs to be able to stop as well, so the binders have been enlarged, though Edo oddly stuck with steel brakes instead of upgrading them to carbon. No cost has been disclosed for the conversion, but we can’t help but wonder whether the net expenditure was greater than the cost of a new car minus the trade-in.
Peugeot planning to re-enter India
Europe’s second largest auto manufacturer Peugeot Citroen is planning to re-enter Indian market. The company is in search for the location in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to set up its manufacturing plant.
According to the research conducted by the company last year, it is likely to bring in its hatchback 307 and sedan C5 in India. C5 sedan had been spotted testing in Bangalore few months ago.
Peugeot had discussions with ARAI regarding understating of regulations and homologation for its products in India. The company officials have confirmed the report of them approaching Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Govt.
The company has already had discussions with the Automotive Research Association of India to understand the regulations and homologation (making the vehicles meet the Indian rules and norm) needs for its products, the sources said.
“The global economic crisis has slowed the plans and that the company is strongly in favour of operations in India as and when conditions become favorable.” said Mr Rajesh Nellore Vice President India, Peugeot Citroen. Read more…
Fuel efficiency interest dropping
It just doesn't matter
Only if forced
Through 2010 sales of fuel efficient vehicles – those achieving at least 30 mpg – are down 10 percent compared to 2009.
