Fisker Karma Makes European Debut at Monaco Grand Prix

Visitors to the world’s most prestigious motorsport event, the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, were among the first to see the first Fisker Karma off the production line put through its paces as it made its European driving debut on the famous street circuit.

On Saturday 28 May 2011, before official race qualifying began, the first European production version of the Fisker Karma, the world’s first true Electric Vehicle with extended range, took to the streets of Monaco, completing a couple of laps.

The vehicle was piloted by Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. His Serene Highness was joined during this momentous occasion by company co-founder, CEO and executive design director, Henrik Fisker. This event marked the first dynamic, public showing of the Karma in Europe.

Fisker commented: “The Fisker Karma project has a distinct Monaco link. Prince Albert was one of the people who inspired me to create the Fisker Karma. When I met him at the Top Marques Show in Monaco in 2006 he commented that he would love to see a fuel-efficient luxury car, and from that small seed grew the concept of what became Fisker Automotive and our focus on premium EVer cars that deliver pure driving passion.

“We want to thank both the principality of Monaco and Prince Albert for not only being the inspiration, but also a great support for our groundbreaking automotive green initiative,” continued Fisker.

Designed to reflect Henrik’s paradigm of Responsible Luxury™, the Fisker Karma is the first American-designed and engineered luxury vehicle specifically developed to appeal to world markets. It is the only luxury sedan in the world that meets future fuel consumption and emission requirements, making it suitable for any international city.

The Karma was also on static display during the race weekend, both at the chicane exiting the tunnel, turns 10 and 11, otherwise known as the Nouvelle Chicane, and thereafter in Cavallari – Monaco Motors, Fisker’s newest dealership, located on 6- 11 rue Princesse Florestine, MC 98000.

The only true Electric Vehicle with extended range, the Fisker Karma drives its rear wheels using two rear-mounted 201.5 horsepower (150 kW) electric traction motors that draw energy from the lithium-ion battery pack for up to 50 miles (80 km). The gasoline engine drives a 175 kW electric generator to power the motors; there is no mechanical link between this engine and the drive motors.

Uniquely, the Fisker Karma can run in one of two drive modes: Stealth and Sport. Stealth Mode maximizes efficiency, giving the car its greatest range on battery power before activating the gasoline engine-driven generator to sustain battery charge. In Stealth Mode, the Karma can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). With Sport Mode engaged, the gasoline engine drives the generator to provide enough electricity for 403 total system horsepower, allowing the Karma to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

In all aspects of performance, the Fisker Karma is designed to be a true driver’s car. Its proprietary, advanced aluminum space frame incorporates new levels of rigidity and strength that give the Karma world-class ride and handling characteristics. Fisker Automotive’s engineering team designed the Karma’s space frame around the car’s unique powertrain, filing for multiple patents in the process.

Benefitting from a four-wheel independent SLA (double-wishbone) suspension, also employing aluminum components, the Karma has been specifically tuned to run on standard 22-inch aluminum wheels, a first for a production car.

Production of the Fisker Karma recently started at Valmet Automotive’s Uusikaupunki facility in Finland with Fisker aiming to achieve full build rate by the second half of 2011. It is Fisker’s plan to deliver vehicles to all current deposit holders during the 2011 model year.

UPS Composite Van Boost MPG by 40%

UPS plans to launch a composite plastic truck that's 500 kg lighter than a standard one, gets 40 percent better fuel economy and helps save 84 million gallons of fuel annually?

Through December of this year, the company is testing five new prototype trucks. The CV-23 is the product of Utilimaster and Isuzu. During an eight-month testing period, the new trucks will get heavy usage on some of UPS's most punishing routes, in Lincoln, Nebraska; Albany, New York, and Tucson, Arizona.

UPS replaces 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles each year, as part of a constant process to maintain and update its worldwide fleet of 70,000-plus vehicles. While the CV-23 doesn't run an EV or Hybrid powertrain at the moment, UPS have been fairly active in testing both fully electric and innovative hybrid systems so we look forward to the company combining EV and plastic for even greater energy savings.

Fullycharged John O'Groats to Lands end in a Tesla [video]

John O'Groats to Lands end in a Tesla, the Rolls Royce 102 EX and the Vauxhall Ampera

Mitsubishi target 25,000 i-MiEV sales in FY 2011

Mitsubishi Motors Corp is seeking to increase i-MiEV sales to the European public sector, such as police departments and municipalities.

The carmaker is betting that Europe’s public sector, which places a high importance on environmental protection, will be willing to swallow added expenses for EVs.

The firm intends to produce and ship 25,000 i-MiEVs worldwide in fiscal 2011 (including models built for PSA), a threefold jump on this year. Including sales to individuals and businesses, it seeks to ship about 15,000 units overseas, mainly to Europe.

The Mitsubishi iMiev Electric Car is now officially the biggest selling car in its segment in Norway.

Nissan LEAF: Gas Powered Everything [video]

Nissan's version of the same ad campaign launched by Renault.

Renault - Electric Life [video]

Renault advertising campaign for their new electric range.

BritNed 1 GW HVDC Interconnector between UK and EU [video]

The 1000 MW high voltage connection between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam will transmit power in both directions, driven by supply and demand patterns and by price differentials between the two power markets. BritNed was completed on time and within the budget of £500 million.

BritNed is a joint venture between National Grid and TenneT, the Dutch Transmission System Operator. The new subsea cable benefits security and diversity of electricity supply in both countries. The interconnector contributes to integrating European markets, providing greater import and export opportunities. It also will enable the integration of electricity generated by wind farms on the European continent and the UK into the European and UK-grid.

This is the first electricity connection between UK and Europe in since the commissioning of the IFA link with France 25 years ago. BritNed will strengthen the links between UK and Central Western Europe (CWE) and the Nordic countries - 9 countries in all.

Nick Winser, executive director of National Grid said:
“Our investment in this interconnector means that we are joining a much wider European electricity market. This ability that we will now have to move power across national borders means we can use the full potential of renewable energy from wind – making it easier to import when wind is not available and export when there is a surplus.

“The connection of UK to wider European markets will increase competition among suppliers and also give electricity generators more opportunities. Overall, this should be of benefit to business and consumers.”

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said:

“This is good news for our energy security, for UK renewables and for consumers. It plugs the UK directly into a wider European electricity market, allowing us to import our peak needs cheaply rather than hold expensive plant in readiness. Renewables win as it means surplus wind power can be easily shared. Consumers win as a single European market puts pressure on prices. And more new cables are planned so by 2020 we could have over 10GW of additional electricity flowing under the North Sea.”

The link will facilitate competition and contribute to the European Commission's desire for greater interconnection to achieve a common European energy market. Therefore, it has been identified as a 'priority' project in the European power market.

Bill Russell, director BritNed said:
"Via market coupling BritNed provides UK traders for the first time a gateway to the highly liquid European market. Earlier experience of coupling cross border markets has witnessed an increase of liquidity and volumes and the creation of a stable reference price. We expect that the UK market will now benefit from the same experience.”

This commercial, or 'non-socialised' interconnector, is funded and operated independently from National Grid and TenneT's regulated businesses and allows 100% third-party-access for all market participants. Customers have open access to the capacity through a combination of 'implicit' auctions (day ahead) facilitated by APX-ENDEX, and BritNed's 'explicit' auctions (annual, monthly, intraday). This approach gives customers real choice about how they bid for capacity and ensures that BritNed supports the ambitions for greater transparency in the European energy markets.

BritNed:
BritNed is a joint venture between National Grid and TenneT. The goal is to construct and commercially operate an electricity link between Great Britain and the Netherlands. The BritNed cable will have a capacity of 1,000 MW and will be 260 km long.


Cable facts & figures
Voltage: ± 450 kV DC
Cable capacity: 1.000 MW
Weight 44 kg/metre (single cable)
Length sea cable: 250 km (two cables, bundled)
Length land cable: 7 km (NL) and 2 km (GB), two cables, laid together
Conductor: 1 x 1430 mm2 Cu (copper)


Converter stations
The two converter stations are built at Maasvlakte and at the Isle of Grain. The stations convert direct current to alternating current and then transfer the electricity to the British and Dutch high-voltage electricity transmission systems.


Contractors
ABB High Voltage Cables was responsible for producing and laying the cable on behalf of BritNed. The BAM Nuttall / Siemens consortium was responsible for the construction of the converter stations and for manufacturing and installing the converter equipment.

Newey: Red Bull Racing underestimated KERS

Red Bull technical chief Adrian Newey has admitted that the team underestimated the resources that would be required to fully get on top of KERS. The energy boosting device has proved troublesome for Red Bull all year, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber often instructed not to use it.

"KERS is a complicated project that needs a lot of research and a lot of development," said Newey. "The packaging route we have chosen for our system, while it has its roots in the Renault Marelli system used a couple of years ago, has been altered to suit the package in our car and has caused some problems. "It is not proving easy to completely eliminate it, We hope we have learnt how to manage it, but we are learning."

Newey considered that the system has not a Red Bull speciality and the team should have directed more resources to it. "It is not our forte, we are an aero chassis manufacturing group rather than a KERS group," he said. "The department is quite small, with hindsight probably a little too small, and there is a lot of inertia to these things. It's quite difficult to react quickly to a problem."

Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2011 overview and dream cars [video]

More video of the EVs on display at this years Michelin Challenge Bibendum including a close up look at the Michelin Active Wheel powered Venturi Volage.

Targa Tasmania 2011 - In the Cockpit of a Tesla Roadster [video]

This year's Targa Tasmania had a new category: electric vehicles. The Tesla Roadster showed off its instant torque and thrilling acceleration as it tore through the course.

Bosch to get VW contract for EV batteries

German automotive supplier Bosch is set to receive a major contract to develop electric car batteries for Volkswagen, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

Awarding Stuttgart-based Bosch the contract would give VW a second battery supplier next to Japan's Sanyo. Both VW and Bosch declined to comment on the matter.

Volkswagen has said it plans to launch all-electric vehicles in 2013 and expects these zero-emission vehicles to account for 3 percent of its sales by 2018.

Reuters

Tesla Announces Follow-On Offering of Common Stock

Tesla Motors today announced a follow-on offering of 5,300,000 shares of its common stock. All 5,300,000 shares are being offered by the company. In addition, the company has granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 795,000 shares of common stock.

Additionally, in a private placement to occur concurrently with the public offering, Elon Musk, Tesla's Chief Executive Officer and Cofounder, plans to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock directly from Tesla at the public offering price and Blackstar Investco LLC, an affiliate of Daimler AG, plans to purchase up to approximately 644,475 shares of common stock directly from Tesla at the public offering price.

Tesla Motors intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to fund the development of its Model X crossover vehicle.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as sole book-running manager for the public offering.

The fastest way to charge your Nissan Leaf - towing [video]

The Nissan Leaf has brake regeneration which means it charges itself during braking. So in theory you can charge the car by braking while you are being towed. However, the Nissan Leaf manual states you 'shouldn't tow an electric car with four wheels on the ground'. The Nissan dealer was a bit sketchy about why that was so we set out to prove the theory and made this video.

As you can see in the video it really does work! However there are some small differences. Because the car is being towed the range computer thinks it's driving ultra economical and calculates the range according to this. So the range the computer calculates isn't the actual range which you will have when you drive the car, it's about 33% less.

However, the car does charge itself while braking, and actually does a very good job. It's about as fast as a fast charger charging the car. You have to be careful though not to overdo the braking; charging only happens in the first phase of braking if you overdo the Leaf will start to use the regular brakes resulting in very smelly brake pads ;-)

Remember to press the 'CC' button to get English subtitles.

Grand Prix Electrique Pile Up at 2011 Grand Prix de Pau [video]

The first Grand Prix Electrique held in France last weekend at the Pau street circuit featured 11 all-electric race cars.

The cars were the same spec as those used for Ice Racing in the Andros series. The 13-mile race had reached average lap speeds of nearly 62 mph. Unfortunatley 6 cars were seriously damaged in the accident above.

Nissan Leaf Earns Top Safety Rating from NCAP [video]

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has awarded the 100% electric Nissan LEAF the highest level of car safety following its performance in the independent organization's stringent crash tests. The zero-emission vehicle received a five-star rating, the first electric vehicle ever to earn this distinction.

The reigning European and World Car of the Year earned an 89% rating for adult safety, an 83% rating for child protection and an 84% rating for its on-board safety assist systems, which include Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a speed limiter as standard. The compact family hatchback also earned a higher-than-average 65% score for pedestrian safety, thanks in part to the low nose design and the comparative lack of ‘hard points' under the bonnet.

"Nissan LEAF's performance in these tough safety tests underlines the engineering integrity that has gone into the car and proves that this innovative 100% electric vehicle is the perfect match for daily family use. Not only does Nissan LEAF offer all the space, practicality and performance of any of its conventional rivals, it is one of the safest cars on the road," said Pierre Loing, vice president of product strategy & planning at Nissan International SA, Nissan's headquarters in Europe, and head of the company's zero emission business unit.

"Nissan LEAF proves that EVs can achieve the same safety levels as traditional cars. The standard is now set for the next generation of such cars on the European market," said Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.

Nissan LEAF's safety assessment followed standard Euro NCAP procedure, with tests for frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact and whiplash. The car's 48 lithium-ion battery modules, which are housed in a special compartment beneath the floor, completely withstood all the impacts.

In addition, the EV's battery system was switched on during the crash simulations to test the in-built safety measures of the electrical system, which includes automatic cut-off isolation in the event of an accident. The car passed those with flying colours, too.
"We are not surprised by these results," said Jerry Hardcastle, Nissan's vice president of vehicle design & development. "Nissan LEAF has gone through more tests than any car we have ever produced. On top of the conventional offset barrier and side impact tests, we have tested the electrical system in every way to ensure it can never be overcharged and that the isolation programme works as intended in a crash."

The Euro NCAP result comes less than a month after Nissan LEAF earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US and is the second five-star rating for Nissan in Europe this year. In February, the compact crossover Nissan Juke also scored top marks.

Nissan LEAF, which went on sale in Japan, the US and in parts of Europe at the start of the year, has a range between charges of up to 175 km, as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

The family hatchback is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

Nissan LEAF comes fully equipped with features such as air conditioning, satellite navigation, rear-view parking camera, a quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity.

UK Police take delivery of first electric patrol car

Mitsubishi has delivered a Mitsubishi i-MiEV to Thames Valley Police, which is the lead authority for Chiltern Transport Consortium. Chiltern Transport Consortium provides a cross-border shared service, back office support function for the fleet requirements of Bedfordshire Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police.

Soul's Mitsubishi in Milton Keynes took delivery of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which features Thames Valley Police corporate livery and will be used for non-emergency duties around Milton Keynes.

Chiltern Transport Consortium's long term goal is to provide sustainable transport to police customers that meet operational requirements as well as having a minimal environmental impact.

Chiltern Transport's Fleet Manager, Dave McDonald said: "We believe this is not only necessary to protect future generations from the worst effects of global warming but also to protect the public purse from the inevitable and relentless rise in fuel prices in the coming years. On the principle that we are all in this together we will work with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to radically reduce and eventually eliminate our fleets' dependency on fossil fuels."

"The purchase of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV for use by Thames Valley Police in Milton Keynes not only signals Chiltern Transport Consortium's commitment to this endeavour but also promotes electric vehicles as a viable option for other fleets and individuals."

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV was the first electric vehicle to be crash tested by Euro NCAP, having been awarded four stars and and features safety systems which help prevent and reduce the effect of an impact.

Electric Porsche Boxster E breaks cover @ Challenge Bibendum

The two Boxster E prototypes which Porsche showed off at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin last week have proved to be a real attraction to the public. At this forum for sustainable mobility, which was staged for the eleventh time this year, representatives from politics, industry, trade and research discussed the environmentally-friendly mobility and vehicle concepts of the future.

The trips in the electric Boxsters were in particular demand amongst the expert audience. On a sporty circuit, the vehicles demonstrated that a Boxster with electric drive still remains a genuine Porsche in terms of driving dynamics.

In the wake of the GT3 R Hybrid, 918 Spyder and 918 RSR, the Boxster E is yet another sports car concept exhibiting the brand's characteristic combination of research and driving pleasure.

The Boxster E, with one electric motor apiece on front and rear axle, runs on purely electric power with four-wheel drive and is equivalent to a Boxster S in terms of driving dynamics. Together with two other Boxster Es, in which an electric motor drives the rear wheels, the prototype is being used to explore the everyday practicality of all-electric vehicles and how they are used, especially in terms of driving and battery charging. What the researchers are after is an understanding of the requirements facing future products, where to go next with Porsche Intelligent Performance and how to integrate electric vehicles into the infrastructure.

The practical trials with the three Boxster Es are part of the "Model Region Electro-Mobility Stuttgart" large-scale trial. The Stuttgart model region is being sponsored as part of the Federal Government's "Electro-Mobility in Model Regions" project. The Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) is making approximately 130 million euro available from the Federal Government's economic stimulus package II for eight model regions nationwide. The project is being coordinated by NOW GmbH, the National Organisation for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

Thanks to its design as a mid-engine sports car, the Porsche Boxster is the ideal vehicle platform for conducting realistic trials with electric-drive systems. The open-top two-seater car is very light, enabling the new components that are the electric motor, battery and high-voltage technology to be accommodated within the vehicle in a crash proof way. Together with the low drag, this reduces driving resistance for optimal range. Also of importance for a Porsche sports car, even one that is electrically driven, is the high driving dynamics potential, not least as a consequence of the balanced axle-load distribution peculiar to the mid-engine design.

The Boxster E is an all-electric vehicle without any additional combustion engine on board. Propulsion is provided by two independent electric motors with constant mesh gearboxes that act on the front and rear axles. The rear drive unit comprising motor and transmission, together with the power electronics for controlling the electric motor is located where the manual transmission and exhaust system are accommodated in the conventional Boxster. In the front end, the space vacated by the 64-litre fuel tank, now redundant, is occupied by the second drive unit. The power electronics unit in the adjacent luggage compartment serves the front axle electric motor. The Boxster E thereby features all-wheel drive without mechanical transmission of power. To ensure maximum driving stability and traction, a central electric control unit looks after the synchronisation of the two electric motors and controls the drive torque distribution to the front and rear axle.

The two electric motors develop a total power output of 180 kW and a maximum total torque of 540 Nm at a maximum engine speed of approximately 12,000 rpm. That means that the two electric motors in tandem deliver significantly higher drive power than what is available from present day hybrid vehicles' electric-power units. Not only does the Boxster E's all-electric drive produce no emissions – it also offers a completely novel form of driving pleasure. The electric drive's maximum torque kicks in virtually from the first turn of the engine. The Boxster E moves almost silently while at the same time developing powerful propulsion from the very outset. The two motors enable the two-seater to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds from a standing start. Its top speed, limited to 200 km/h (124 mph) is achieved without any gear change at all – whether automatic or manual. The two machines' high power output offers a second advantage into the bargain: It means more recovered power is available because more energy can be recovered during braking. This increases efficiency of the drive unit.

In the case of the two other Boxster Es with rear wheel drive there is no front electric motor, which means that they deliver a power output of 90 kW and a rated torque of 270 Nm. They manage the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.8 seconds with their top speed being achieved at 150 km/h (93 mph). Because all Boxster Es are comparatively quiet on the road, Porsche engineers have designed an Active Sound Design system that provides drivers with acoustic feedback as well as alerting any passersby.

Irrespective of variant, the heart of every Boxster E is manufactured by Porsche. This lithium-iron-phosphate based traction battery is fitted in place of the combustion engine. Each of its cells has a nominal voltage of 3.3 V and an individual capacity of 20 Ah. Based on the NEDC, the combined energy from 440 individual cells is good for approximately 170 kilometres (107 miles) of driving pleasure in the Boxster E with its ready-for-the-road weight of a mere 1,600 kg. For an overall weight of 341 kg, the battery's energy content is 29 kWh of which for inherent physical reasons approximately 26 kWh are available for use – an outstanding performance for a battery. Its maximum power output is 240 kW, or 60 kilowatts more than the all-wheel Boxster E draws under full load. The battery and power unit components are connected to two water cooling circuits. As with the conventional power unit, the heat exchangers are accommodated behind the front air intakes.

The battery is anchored to the same points on the body structure as the combustion engine in the Boxster S. There are numerous advantages to this, especially in the event of a crash, because by using the same load paths as in the Boxster S, the battery is optimally retained within the vehicle while at the same time being protected from damage by the surrounding body structure thanks to its central position within the vehicle. As with the combustion engine in the production vehicle, the traction battery is installed in the Boxster E from below and can be swapped out very quickly if so required. This is also facilitated by special motor sport fasteners that enable the battery to be disconnected from the cooling circuit without air getting into the system.

The traction battery is charged via a charging cable. Any conventional socket can be used as an energy source. The charging port on the vehicle features an illuminated ring and as with any Porsche sports car the vehicle is recharged at the front end. The charger is accommodated at the front of the car. It converts alternating current from the socket into direct current, enabling the traction battery to store the electric energy. Its charging capacity is a maximum of 3.3 kW meaning that is takes approximately nine hours for a full charge. The charging time can however be reduced using a rapid charging function. There is enough space left over for luggage in the front luggage compartment despite the electronic components; the Boxster E's rear luggage compartment remains unchanged.

It goes without saying that all of the production models' important safety and comfort features are replicated in the Boxster E as well. The new brake system enables an optimal melding of the braking forces of the electrical generators and the mechanical brake system, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). The electrically powered air conditioning compressor accommodated in the front luggage compartment ensures comfortable temperatures inside the vehicle.

Not only are the clutch pedal and gearshift lever absent in the Boxster E, there is no rev counter either. In its place is a special E-Power meter in the central instrument cluster display. A swing to the right indicates power call-off and to the left power recovery. Recuperation – namely the recovery of energy by using the electric motors as generators – can be modified by means of the push buttons in the steering wheel. The effect: a sort of on-demand engine brake. Otherwise, when the driver lifts his foot off the accelerator, the Boxster E simply sails on, using the moving vehicle's kinetic energy. Among its other functions, the instrument cluster's right-hand TFT display acts as an intelligent range management system, displaying useful driving information: the range remaining or how many miles can be gained by switching off the air conditioning system.

Azure Dynamics Sells 27 Ford Transit Connect EVs to FedEx & Others

Azure Dynamics today announced 27 Ford Transit Connect Electric van sales, including a five unit sale to returning customer FedEx Express, a four unit sale to the City of Toronto, a three unit sale to DTE Energy, one of Michigan's largest energy suppliers, and 15 unit sales to various Ford commercial truck dealers.

"These new orders underscore several key drivers in the electric vehicle market expansion," said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. "Some major vehicle fleets like Azure customers' FedEx, AT&T, Canada Post, Post Norway, etc, are employing specific quantities of Transit Connect Electric vans to gain operational experience with the technology in advance of expected increased deployment. Energy producers like Azure customers' DTE, SoCal Edison, NYPA, Xcel and others are using the vans to help them understand necessary energy production and distribution requirements related to the increasing national fleet of EV vehicles. Last, our Ford dealership partners are eager to meet interest from their customers who are seeking the operational benefits that the Transit Connect Electric promises."

At FedEx Express, the Transit Connect Electric will be part of one of the world's hardest working vehicle fleets providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. The five vans, ordered through Holman Ford Lincoln in Pennsauken, NJ, will further the FedEx goal of decreasing environmental impact in day-to-day operations.

DTE Energy, headquartered in Michigan and one of the nation's largest diversified energy companies, is dramatically and rapidly expanding its use of alternatively-fueled vehicles in its fleets. The three vans, ordered through Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, MI, will join DTE's fleet are among the first pure EV vehicles that the company will employ.

The City of Toronto, another returning Azure Dynamics customer, ordered four Transit Connect Electric vans through Eastcourt Ford Lincoln in Agincourt, ONT.

FedEx Express and the City of Toronto had previously acquired Azure's BalanceTM Hybrid Electric drivetrain demonstrating that commercial fleet customers may deploy multiple alternative energy technologies to serve various fleet needs. The BalanceTM Hybrid Electric has a 60% market share in the medium duty (Class 2c - 5) hybrid commercial truck market in North America.

An additional 15 Transit Connect Electric vans were sold to a variety of Ford commercial truck dealers who will use the vehicles as customer demonstrators to increase awareness and appreciation of the product with potential customers.

Venturi Volage wins 3 awards @ the Challenge Bibendum

The 11th edition of the Michelin Challenge Bibendum was held from May 18th to 22nd at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport.

On this occasion, the Venturi Volage has won the Design Award. Fitted with "Michelin Active Wheels", the very architecture of the vehicle has been completely reconfigured by designer Sacha Lakic : "Active suspension and engines incorporated into the wheels, flat bottom, aerodynamic tunnels : these choices and technological advances have allowed me to "design the void" usually occupied by the engine and suspensions, and thus explore bold new styling possibilities."

The Venturi also participated in the “Battery Electric Vehicles” Rally held on May 17th and 18th. Volage won the Best Acceleration Prize (0 to 50 km/hr in 2.2 seconds) and the CO2 Emissions Prize.

With 4-wheel drive and active suspension, the Venturi Volage has no equivalent. "Active Wheel" technology in fact incorporates 2 electric motors per wheel (1 for suspension and 1 for drive), ie. a total of 8 electric motors driven in real time by sophisticated electronics. The active electric shock absorber system allows for total adaptation to road surface and driving types. Thanks to its road holding, manoeuverability and silent running, the Venturi Volage represents the ultimate in present-day automotive technology.

Nissan Leaf prices set to fall

Nissan says the price of its Leaf electric car is set to drop significantly.

The Leaf's price was recently hiked by £2000 to £25,990 (including a £5000 Government grant) in the UK as a result of currency fluctuations with Japan.

However, Nissan's factory in Sunderland will start making the Leaf's batteries next year, while production of the Leaf itself starts in 2013, and Nissan's corporate vice-president of global communications, Simon Sproule, said the move to European-based production would bring prices back down.

'Building the cars and batteries in Sunderland will bring prices down significantly because of the inherent savings – certainly below the original launch price,' said Sproule.

VW plans to introduce EVs in Japan within 3 years

Volkswagen AG plans to introduce electric vehicles based on its Up! and Golf compact cars in the Japanese market within three years, according to Gerry Dorizas, head of VW’s Japanese unit.

In addition to releasing EVs in Japan, Dorizas says the German auto giant will debut more competitively priced hybrid vehicles. It unveiled its first hybrid model in January, a luxury sport utility vehicle priced at 8.98 million yen.

Dorizas indicated the company expects 14% of passenger car sales in the Japanese market to be hybrid vehicles this year and is looking to add less-expensive models to help broaden its customer base.

Nikkei

Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2011 [video]

A short video showing some of the electric cars attending this years Michelin Challenge Bibendum.

Deal for first 100 government EVs almost done

The Obama administration is putting the finishing touches on its purchase of the federal government’s first 100 electric vehicles, a U.S. Department of Energy official said today.

Patrick Davis, a program director at the department’s vehicle technologies program, told a Senate panel: “The administration shares your commitment to upgrading the federal fleet and is finalizing the procurement of 100 electric vehicles.”

Last fall the General Services Administration asked automakers to bid on supplying the first 100 EVs for federal purchase.

GSA spokeswoman Sara Merriam declined today to say when the purchases would be announced, which models and makes are involved, when the vehicles would be delivered or which federal agencies would get them.

The Nissan Leaf EV and the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid are the only current offerings by major automakers, but several more models will arrive from a number of companies in the next 18 months.Davis testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as it considered legislation to provide grants to communities to install charging infrastructure.

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers spokesman Wade Newton said: "We’re supportive of governments leading by example when it comes to new technologies."

GSA doubled the federal hybrid fleet over the past year as part of an administration effort to cut the government fleet’s petroleum use 30 percent by 2020, Merriam said. Of the 600,000 vehicles GSA operates, fewer than 2 percent are hybrids.

In fiscal 2009, which includes most of President Obama’s first year in office, the government purchased 4,888 hybrids, up from 618 bought in fiscal 2008, Merriam said.

The figure rose to 7,022 hybrids in fiscal 2010, she said.

Obama has said that starting in 2015, every car the government purchases for its fleet will have alternative-fuel technology.

Chevrolet Volt Plant Prepares for Production Boost, Exports

General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, home of the Chevrolet Volt, will close for four weeks beginning in June for planned upgrades to prepare for a significant increase in the rate of Volt production, along with assembly of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.

Already in tight supply, the number of Volts available for delivery to retail customers will be further restricted over the next three months before production resumes and the Volt and the Opel Ampera begin being exported to Europe and China.

“The Volt will be available to customers nationwide by the end of 2011,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet Volt Marketing. “By taking the time to reconfigure the plant, we will be better able to meet the tremendous consumer demand.”

The 2011 Volt was launched in California, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Volt will be available nationwide and in Europe, China and Canada by the end of this year.

As a result of the plant upgrades, planned Volt and Ampera production capacity this year will increase to 16,000 units, including exports and a fleet of several hundred demonstration units sent to U.S. dealers. In 2012, global production capacity is expected to be 60,000 vehicles with an estimated 45,000 to be delivered in the United States.

During the four-week shutdown the plant will complete some pre-scheduled upgrades, including the installation of new tools, equipment and overhead conveyor systems throughout the facility. This will prepare the plant for 2012 Volt and Ampera production and continue work on projects in preparation to launch the 2013 Malibu next year.

Coupled with already low dealer inventories and strong demand, the suspension of production, will result in limited availability and reduced sales in June and July.

The Volt is an electric vehicle that offers a total driving range of 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full change.

Production of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will begin next year. Building on Chevrolet’s reputation of providing the most fuel-efficient passenger cars, the 2013 Malibu launch will be led by the Eco model, expected to achieve 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

Nissan could help Red Bull with KERS

Nissan aka Infiniti are being tipped to use its electric car know-how to help develop an energy recovery system for the Red Bull Racing Formula One team.

The team, which uses Renault engines, is leading both the drivers' and constructors' world championships after Sebastian Vettel won three of the first four races of the season.

However, the team's performances have been compromised by repeated failures of the in-house developed parts of its KERS energy-recovery system – prompting the speculation that it will turn to team sponsor Infiniti for help.

'There are long-term goals for the partnership to go beyond that of a straight sponsorship deal and enter a sharing of engineering information,' said an Infiniti source.

Infiniti is part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, which is currently taking a lead on electric road car production. The Nissan Leaf was the first mass-produced electric car to make it to market, while Renault will launch four electric cars over the next 18 months.

Vettel recently hinted at Infiniti playing a greater role in the team's development, saying: 'The partnership is still very fresh, but it is a relationship that will grow in the long-term. They can be a strong partner for us.'

Japanese electric car 'goes 300km' on single charge

Japanese developers have unveiled an electric car they said Wednesday can travel more than 300 kilometres before its battery runs flat.

Electric vehicle specialist SIM-Drive, have relaunched the car they hope to take to market by 2013. The four-seater "SIM-LEI" has electric motors inside each wheel and a super-light steel body shell, allowing for 333 kilometres (207 miles) of motoring on one charge in a JC-08 mode test, which represents general urban traffic condition in Japan.

The cars battery capacity is 24.5 kWh which is approx the same as the Nissan Leaf. Electrical power consumption during the JC-08 test was 77Wh/km. (for comparison, a Nissan LEAF consumes 120Wh/km in JC-08 mode) The test results prove the SIM-LEI with it's 4 direct drive in-wheel electric motors achieved almost double the range of the Nissan Leaf using the same capacity battery pack. This has enormous implications for the global EV market.

Its designers say they hope the prototype, a joint project among 34 organisations including Mitsubishi Motors and engineering firm IHI, will be sold to car manufacturers for mass production.

The previous launch date for this car in March of this year had the unfortunate coincidence of being at the same time the earth quakes hit Japan so the launch was scaled down as a mark of respect.

The CEO of SIM-Drive is Hiroshi Shimizu, a Keio University Professor who also developed the Eliica Electric Supercar.

Johnson Controls Moves to Dissolve Battery Joint Venture With Saft

Despite the company recently announcing a deal to supply the Beijing Electric Vehicle Company, Johnson Controls today took legal action in the Delaware Chancery Court to dissolve the Johnson Controls-Saft joint venture. The joint venture was formed in 2006 to develop and manufacture lithium-ion motive battery solutions.

"Johnson Controls and Saft have a fundamental disagreement about the future direction and appropriate scope of the joint venture," said Alex Molinaroli, president, Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "The industry is evolving rapidly and the investments needed to achieve market leadership require us to do more than the joint venture has done or can do."

Johnson Controls believes that as vehicle power train technologies continue to evolve and new markets emerge for advanced batteries, the company must have access to multiple alternative technologies and be able to flexibly participate more broadly across the energy storage space.

"This action reaffirms our strategic commitment to the advanced battery industry," said Molinaroli.

Today's filing does not affect Johnson Controls-Saft's current contracts, production orders or program launches.

"We are confident we will continue to provide our customers with quality products that meet and exceed their needs. Our commitment to our customers and this market is not changed. All of this activity reflects our long-term commitment to be a leader in the advanced battery space," said Molinaroli.

Majority of consumers would consider buying an EV for their next car

The majority of consumers would consider buying a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) for their next car purchase, according to a global study by Accenture. But an accompanying report concludes that consumer preferences for charging PEVs could increase the cost and complexity of managing the electricity grid and charging infrastructure.

‘Plug-in electric vehicles: changing perceptions, hedging bets’, a study of over 7000 people in 13 countries, found that 60 percent of consumers would consider buying a PEV for their next car purchase. 68 percent would probably or certainly do so within the next three years (23 percent certainly, 45 percent probably). Respondents in China are by far the most enthusiastic, 96 percent of them probably or certainly considering a purchase in the next three years.

Consumers’ preferences for charging PEVs, however, could challenge utilities and charging service providers by increasing grid congestion and peak time electricity demand.

• Two thirds (67 percent) of consumers are not willing to let charge point operators limit when they can charge their PEV. A further 20 percent would only accept limits if they fell within time periods they had chosen. This would reduce the scope to manage electricity demand and avoid grid congestion.
• 62 percent would reject battery swapping, where empty batteries are quickly replaced at service stations for fully charged ones, preferring to plug in their car to recharge the battery. This could limit the opportunity for charging off peak, when battery swapping companies would most likely refuel batteries.
• 55 percent would only plug in their PEV when they need to charge up, rather than whenever they park. This behavior could result in less predictable charging patterns and could reduce the demand for public charging infrastructure..

Accenture

Obama administration wants rebate on electric cars

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a group of Nissan executives and workers on Tuesday that the Obama administration wants consumers to be able to get a tax rebate at dealerships when they buy electric cars.

The federal government currently offers a $7,500 tax credit on the purchase of electric vehicles, but that can't be taken until buyers file their income taxes.

LaHood said he expects the change to be a part of any tax bill that is passed in the next year and a half.

He made the remarks during a tour of Nissan North America Inc.'s lithium-ion battery plant in Smyrna. When the plant is complete in late 2012 it will be the largest of its type in the nation, able to produce 200,000 batteries a year for the all-electric Nissan Leaf, which will be built next door.

The Leaf carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price in the U.S. of $32,780, much higher than most similar-sized, gas-powered cars. With the tax credit, the price is more like $25,000.
"We'd like for people to get a $7,500 rebate on the day they buy the Leaf," LaHood said, comparing it to the way the popular Cash for Clunkers program worked. Combined with state incentives, the rebate will allow people "to own a Leaf for what most average people can afford," he said.

He said the incentives could be in place "for as long as it takes to really motivate people to do this."

The idea could face opposition from the dealers, however. Bailey Wood, a spokesman with the National Automobile Dealers Association, said tax credits are a great way to incentivize sales, but the administration's proposal, which essentially seeks to transfer the tax credit to the dealer, would complicate the sales process. He said dealers might have to try to determine whether a buyer qualified for the credit, something that could be difficult.

LaHood also said the administration is committed to investing in charging stations so that the infrastructure is in place to make owning an electric vehicle as convenient as possible. The Leaf, the first mass-market all-electric car, can run for about 100 miles before the battery needs to be recharged. On a 220/240-volt outlet, it takes about eight hours to go from zero to fully charged, but a quick charge port allows the battery to charge to 80 percent in about a half hour.

When Bill Krueger, senior vice president for manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain management and total customer satisfaction for Nissan Americas, told LaHood that many of the first buyers of the Leaf are more concerned about the environment than saving money on gas, the secretary seemed surprised and intrigued.

"I believe the model they're using here is something I hadn't even thought about," he said. ..."They base the idea not just on $4.00 a gallon gas. They do want a cleaner environment, to clean the air up."

V2G might make a profit for EV owners

The Economist has reported on research from the University of Delaware that shows using an electric cars battery for 'vehicle to grid' (V2G) power may make EV owners an income of $4000 a year. That is a sum far greater than the $225 that Nissan, for instance, thinks will be the average annual cost of the electricity needed to power one of its Leafs.

The researchers have been running a fleet of 7 EVs for the past 3 years linked up to the local electricity company's servers by a wireless system that monitors their activity, in order to predict when each car is likely to be available as a power supply.

EV batteries connected to the grid can be used to replace a utility's rapid response peaking facilities, usually a gas turbine generator. The costs saved can be passed on to EV owners in proportion to when and for how long the cars battery is made avaliable for power supply. In Delaware the tariff paid is $0.30 per hour plus a fixed fee payable just for being part of the system.

So not only can EV owners 'fill' their car for as little as $1.00 (compared to the $60-80 a tank of petrol costs), they can also earn income for just having the car plugged in while they're not driving it and make a tidy profit.

The Economist

GM Electric Motors Plant is First for Major U.S. Automaker

The General Motors electric motor plant near Baltimore will be the first by a major U.S. automaker dedicated to making the critical components for vehicle electrification when the plant opens in 2013.

With Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on hand, GM broke ground Tuesday for the previously announced addition to the complex housing its two-mode hybrid and Heavy Duty transmission operations. The electric motor plant results from two investments totaling $269.5 million announced last year.

Electric motor design and production is a core business for GM in the development and manufacture of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles.

“We believe the future of sustainable transportation is electrically driven vehicles and this facility will help us maintain a leadership position within this category,” said Mike Robinson, GM vice president, Energy, Environment and Safety Policy. “It’s fitting that green ‘motors of the future’ are being built at a facility well recognized for ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact.”

The campus will be powered in part by a 1.23 megawatt rooftop solar array, expected to generate nine percent of its annual energy consumption and save approximately $330,000 during the life of the project.

“By harnessing solar energy from this array, GM will offset up to 1,103 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the air per year – equivalent to the emissions from 216 passenger vehicles,” said Robinson.

Constellation Energy will build, own and maintain the solar power system, and GM will purchase all of the electricity generated by the solar panels under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Constellation Energy’s first solar array for GM was a 951-kilowatt system at its Fontana, Calif., Service and Parts Operations warehouse.

“Solar as a power-generation source is an attractive option for GM and other large-scale manufacturers to achieve environmental goals and control electricity costs,” said Michael D. Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation Energy’s retail business.
GM uses renewable energy from solar, hydro, and landfill gas resources at various plants. In the United States alone, 1.4 percent of its energy consumption comes from renewable resources.

GM’s Baltimore Operations has the dual distinction of being powered by renewable energy and generating no landfill waste. It earned zero-landfill status in 2007 by recycling, reusing or converting to energy all wastes from daily operations.

Last year, the Baltimore Operations complex won a Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award for showing commitment to sustainable practices with measureable results.

“Our state is one of discovery and innovation, where traditional manufacturers like GM embrace the new technologies that move our companies, our commerce and our citizens forward,” Gov. O’Malley said.

Separately, the GM Foundation and Baltimore Operations announced they will donate $20,000 to the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Maryland Food Bank and the Wildlife Habitat Council. The donations are part of the Foundation’s Plant City Grants which will award a total of $1 million nationally to local communities with GM facilities.

Aston Martin Will Build a Cygnet EV

Aston Martin’s Cygnet will break considerable amounts of new ground for the storied sports car manufacturer, but it seems the small city car may also allow the company to build electric vehicles for the very first time.

Aston officials have long viewed the Cygnet as means to provide its customer base with an efficient (yet luxurious) runabout, allowing them to revel in the same luxurious splendor found in their “proper” Aston, but without feeding a voracious appetite for fuel. Nixing the combustion engine altogether furthers that ideal, and is quite relevant in Europe, where many cities are opening certain areas and roads only to electric and/or hybrid vehicles.

Aston itself will have to do little — if any — extensive engineering to create such a Cygnet concoction. Toyota has long toyed with an electric version of its iQ city car, which in gas powered form, serves as the basis for the regular production Cygnet. A production-ready version of the iQ EV was shown earlier this year at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

If the Cygnet EV mirrors that car (and it’s quite likely it will), expect the two-door to use a small electric motor to drive the front wheels. Power will be provided by a lithium-ion battery pack sandwiched beneath the Cygnet’s floor. Range should be in the neighborhood of 65 miles per charge — which fits nicely into Aston’s theory of owners using this as an urban runabout and their other Aston (a Vantage, Vanquish, Virage, Rapide, One-77, etc.) for long trips.

Perhaps the other unknown is when and how Aston will push the Cygnet EV onto the market. Toyota hopes to establish a leasing program for the iQ EV in Europe later this year, but Aston may prefer a more traditional sales program for its gussied-up variant.

Fully Charged Delta E4 test drive, Blackcurrent VW Dragster [video]

Robert Llwellyn goes for a test drive in the finished Delta E4 coupe, and has a brush with an electric muscle car, the Blackcurrent.

Opel: First battery car from 2013

GM / Opel has announced plans to introduce an electric-only version of the Opel Junior / Allegra.

Speaking with Welt, Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke revealed the model will be launched in mid-2013. He declined to provide additional information, but stated the company has an advantage against its German rivals because they have already logged 4,000 pre-orders for the Ampera.

As for the Junior itself, little is known about the compact city car. Our spy photographers have previously caught a Corsa-based development mule, but the production model is rumored to resemble a "baby Astra GTC." Regardless, the car will battle the Citroën DS3 so we can expect it to be highly-customizable and feature a high quality interior.

All New NISSAN LEAF NISMO RC 2011 SHAKEDOWN [video]

Short video showing under the skin of the Nismo Nissan Leaf Racer.

Toyota’s Prius V Gets Over 8 Times As Many Orders As Expected

Building on the success of its hybrid Prius brand, Toyota has recently launched the Prius Alpha in Japan. The Japanese model is a minivan with the Prius family styling, but as a 5-seater with two rows of seats, or three rows of seats making it a 7-seater. The same model will be launched at the Prius V in in the US and Prius Plus in Europe with two rows of seats.

Toyota was expecting to have orders for about 3000 units per month, but after opening its order books for the first month (April), Toyota now reports that it has received orders for 25,000 units -- over 8 times as many as expected. Toyota is expecting to sell 2000 units per month in the US and 2000 in Europe -- but given the huge demand in Japan, it would not be surprising to see these numbers eclipsed many times over.

To put these numbers in perspective, the number 1 best-selling car in Japan in April was the Honda Fit, which (in regular ICE and hybrid form) sold just 8,574 units in that period. March had much better sales numbers, but even then the best-selling car (the Fit, once again) only sold 22,284 units.

This is a testament to the power of the Prius brand, as there are other hybrid minivan options in Japan (such as the Estima hybrid) already in the marketplace. It will be interesting to see how much this new model draws sales away from the standard Prius, as well as models such as the Estima hybrid previously mentioned, and how much it brings drivers into the hybrid fold.

The only fly in the ointment with this one is that with the effects of the earthquake continuing to be felt into the fall, Toyota is going to be hard-pressed to keep up with this level of demand. In fact, the TBS news report below states that some new owners will need to wait until next April to receive their cars!

Germany Doubles Electric Vehicle Research and Development Aid

The German government announced an additional 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in research and development aid for electric vehicles, doubling its budget by 2013 in a bid to position itself at the technology’s vanguard.

Tax rebates, dedicated parking spots and measures aimed at promoting government use of electric cars are among the other incentives to be adopted as Germany strives to meet a target of 1 million such vehicles on the streets by 2020, Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin today.

“We’re going to see these vehicles come in very quickly,” though “the really broad market debut will still take a couple of years,” Merkel said. “I’m certain that German producers will be in the fray at the right time.”

Germany is banking on electric vehicles as it seeks to ensure the future dominance of carmakers including Volkswagen AG (VOW), Daimler AG (DAI) and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. (BMW) Merkel’s Cabinet will back a progress report on measures to speed the development of electric cars when it meets in Berlin tomorrow, she said.

Merkel, in a weekly podcast posted on her website two days ago, said that the construction of batteries and the necessary infrastructure to enable them to be charged were the two biggest challenges to the development of electric vehicles.

Brammo wins in TTXGP season opener at Infineon Raceway

Brammo dominated the A123 Infineon round of the TTXGP North American Championship series for electric motorcycles this weekend in Sonoma, California. Not only did Brammo win both races, it also established a new lap record at the first ever AMA and FIM North American Union-endorsed TTXGP race. With AMA Champion rider Steve Atlas astride the Empulse RR motorcycle, Brammo consistently scored a higher average lap speed (fastest lap 1:55.150) than last year's winner of the TTXGP North American Infineon race, ZeroAgni. and posting faster times for longer, Brammo fired its opening volley in the 2011 season with an outstanding demonstration of its technology, experience and talent.

The results this weekend make it clear that Brammo truly is leading electric vehicle innovation with its Brammo Power battery pack and vehicle management system.

Brian Wismann, Director of Product Development for Brammo, said; "This weekend was a great result for Brammo and it feels good to reap the benefits of many months of hard work and overcoming development challenges in a very public way. We've been convinced about the performance potential of this package and with the help of some great partners and a very talented rider, we were able to prove that potential on the track this weekend. We're looking forward to the chance to pit the Empulse RR against the best efforts from the likes of Mission, Lightning, and Motoczysz when their bikes are ready."

Steve Atlas the Brammo Empulse RR rider stated "I had a blast on the Empulse RR this weekend and I'm stoked we were able to set the track record for these bikes. I think we're just at the start of this technology and the Brammo boys are doing a great job moving the sport on to higher levels of performance."

Volkswagen to make electric cars in China with FAW

Top European automaker Volkswagen said on Wednesday that it plans to build electric cars in China with FAW Group under new brand Kaili, becoming the first foreign automaker to announce concrete plans to make electric cars in the country.

The electric vehicle would be built by FAW Volkswagen, and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had certified the vehicle on May 3, Volkswagen said in an email to Reuters.

"The Chinese government has been encouraging joint ventures of foreign car manufactures to develop indigenous brands," Andreas Hoffbauer said in the email. "With the certification of FAW-Volkswagen's Kaili electric vehicle, Volkswagen Group makes serious commitments to striving for indigenous innovation with its joint ventures."

Volkswagen would provide attractive and affordable electric vehicles for Chinese consumers, he added.

Solar Field to Power Chevrolet Volt Assembly Plant

The largest photovoltaic solar array in Southeast Michigan will be built at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, turning sunlight into electricity to help power the home of the Chevrolet Volt electric car.

The 516-kilowatt project, announced Wednesday by GM and DTE Energy, will generate electricity capable of charging 150 of the electric cars with extended-range capability every day for a year – a total of 54,750 Volts.

The 264,000-square-foot project is expected to be completed at the end of the summer and will save the facility approximately $15,000 per year over the 20-year easement agreement. The Detroit-Hamtramck facility was chosen because it has available space for the array and because it is home to the Volt.

"This array will significantly decrease energy consumption by combining solar power with ongoing efficiency tactics such as lighting and equipment upgrades and automating equipment shut-down," said Bob Ferguson, vice president of GM Public Policy. "Making sustainable choices is good for both the environment and our bottom line. Obviously cost savings is critical for GM, and the ability to save $15,000 per year while being environmental serves us well."

The Detroit-Hamtramck installation is part of DTE Energy's SolarCurrents pilot that calls for enough photovoltaic systems to be installed on customer property or rooftops during the next five years to generate 15 megawatts of electricity throughout Southeast Michigan. DTE is investing $3 million in the array at Detroit-Hamtramck.

"Our partnership with GM is another example of how our companies work to build a more energy-efficient and sustainable future," said Trevor Lauer, Detroit Edison vice president, Marketing & Renewables. "Our SolarCurrents program was designed to increase the demand for renewable technologies in Michigan, and it is our hope that installations like this one do exactly that."

DTE Energy and GM will build the array on a six-acre tract of land located on the south side of the plant. This placement allows it to face true South to maximize solar output.

The array will complement other green activities at the plant, which was recently named a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen for its commitment to the environment. Environmentalism is evident by a 16.5 acre certified wildlife habitat on the site and the voluntary installation of an oxidizer that greatly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere. In addition, efficient lighting upgrades and other energy efficiency projects will save the plant nearly $3 million per year in energy costs.

GM is one of the leading users of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector, deriving energy for manufacturing operations from solar, hydro, and landfill gas resources. In the United States alone, 1.4 percent of GM energy consumption comes from renewable resources.

"We strive to reduce the impact our facilities have on the environment, and Detroit-Hamtramck continues to make progress in sustainability," said Ferguson.

Test Drive of the Electric Ford Transit Van [video]

Ken Gibson from the Sun test drives the Ford Transit Connect EV van.

The Connect costs £40,000 compared with £11,000 to £16,000 for the diesel version. Ford say costs can be recouped within three years.

Owners will get an instant return by replacing a fuel bill of £80 per tank at the pumps with just £1.50 - the price of a bacon sandwich - to fully re-charge the Connect.

Order Books Open for Nissan Leaf in Spain

Order books for the 100% electric Nissan LEAF opened in Spain today, putting Spanish customers next in line in Europe to receive the award-winning car.

At €29,950, after government incentives, the Nissan LEAF will cost about the same as a comparably-equipped diesel or hybrid vehicle. The price includes the battery which benefits from a five-year/100,000 km warranty.

In order to make electric motoring even more accessible to individual customers in Spain, the compact family hatchback will also be available through a private finance scheme. For example, with a deposit of €4,500, the Nissan LEAF will be available for less than 500€ per month for three years. After that period, the customer has the option of keeping the car by making a final payment of approximately €12,600, trading it in for a new one or handing it back to Nissan.

"The 100% electric Nissan LEAF is the world's first mass produced electric vehicle by a major manufacturer and is the first electric C-segment car to be made available in Spain. The Nissan LEAF opens up a new era in mobility in our country and demonstrates Nissan's commitment to the environment and new technologies," said Manuel de la Guardia, Managing Director of Nissan Iberia, speaking at a news conference on the first press day of the Barcelona International Motor Show.

To make a reservation for the Nissan LEAF, Spanish customers simply need to go to the Nissan customer website - http://www.nissan.es/ - configure their vehicle and place an order. The quick and easy process requires a fully-refundable deposit of €300. Customers making reservations through the website will have priority on deliveries due to start this September.

Nissan LEAF, which recently went on sale in Japan, the US and Europe, is the world's first affordable 100% electric family vehicle and the first EV to win the coveted European Car of the Year award, as well as the World Car of the Year. It has a range between charges of up to 175 km, as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

Deliveries of the car have begun to the UK, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal. Order books have also opened in Switzerland and France with customers in those markets expected to start receiving their cars shortly.

The five-seater car is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car which drives the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

The zero-emission vehicle comes fully equipped with features such as air conditioning, satellite navigation, a parking camera, a quick charge socket and CARWINGS, an advanced on-board IT telematics system. Innovative connectivity will allow an owner to set charging functions to monitor the car's current state of charge and the remaining battery capacity, as well as to heat or cool the interior of the car remotely via smart phone or computer.

Nissan LEAF offers particularly low running costs: about €1.9 per 100 km in Spain compared with about €7 for a similarly-equipped diesel family car.

The car will be on display at Nissan's stand at the Barcelona International Motor Show alongside the Nissan ESFLOW, a 100% electric sports concept car. Visitors interested in experiencing the Nissan LEAF can sign up for a short test-drive of the car around the Fira Montjuic exhibition area where the show will take place.

The Barcelona International Motor show is open to the public from May 14-22.

Clarkson and Co filming the Nissan Leaf and Peugeot Ion part 2 [video]

"When Jeremy Clarkson and James May ran out of electricity for their cars, they made a stop at the University of Lincoln to steal some power and recharge their vehicles - with hilarious results"

Top Gear up to their usual Electric Car comedy routine [video]

Clarkson and co have gone viral on the internet courtesy of filming an episode featuring the electric Nissan Leaf and Peugeot Ion in front of 100s of students with mobile phones at the University of Lincoln.

Predictably the Top Gear crew have to go to the ridiculous to make what-ever point they're trying to make. We'll have to wait until June to watch the latest edition of automotive Jack Ass to see if they have managed to put any positive spin on these EVs.

How It's Made: Audi R8 e-tron AWD Electric Super Car [video]

The first all-electric Audi will be built at the Neckarsulm site, with a small production run of the R8 e-tron sports car to hit the roads in late 2012. quattro GmbH is currently building the first technology platform for the electric model at the Neckarsulm plant's satellite site in Heilbronn-Biberach. Specially qualified employees are borrowing from the series production of the successful Audi R8 mid-engine sports car as they assemble the R8 e-tron at the development workshop.

"With the R8 e-tron, we are showing how inspiring electric mobility can be. Every system in this car has been tuned for maximum performance and range," says Franciscus van Meel, Head of Electric Mobility Strategy at AUDI AG. "The R8 e-tron is a very important project for Audi because the competence and experience we glean from it will later flow into the large volume production of electric automobiles." The expectation is that e-tron will become a synonym for advanced electric mobility, just as the term "quattro" today stands for pioneering all-wheel drive. "We want to be the leading premium manufacturer of electric vehicles by 2020," says van Meel.

Systematic lightweight construction is one of the key preconditions for efficiency and range in electric vehicles. The Audi development engineers are therefore drawing on one of the company's core competences for the R8 e-tron: The body is aluminum; thanks to Audi Space Frame technology (ASF), it weighs barely more than 200 kg (441 lb). The lightweight body is an important reason why the R8 e-tron weighs in at just 1,600 kg (3,527 lb).

Employees at the Pre-Production Center in Neckarsulm and quattro GmbH are currently building the first technology platforms for the electric car. "The successful production of our Audi R8 high-performance sports car has given the employees of quattro GmbH a high level of competence in the area of small production runs and sports car manufacture," explains Managing Director Werner Frowein.

The aluminum body of the technology platform is being built in conditions very close to those for volume production in the body shop for the R8 mid-engine sports car. Specific assemblies for the electric model, such as the center tunnel, are being produced by the Pre-Production Center in Neckarsulm. The R8 e-tron also goes through the coating process with the volume model. The technology platform is then sent to the satellite site in Heilbronn-Biberach for final assembly. "The production process is designed so that we can exploit synergy effects from R8 volume production," explains Frowein.

For example, the sophisticated logistics concept that supplies the R8 factory with parts is also used for the body of the technology platform. Pre-picked components are delivered to the employees in "shopping baskets." The parts are installed in the vehicles in a defined sequence in four cycles. "Small-series production places great demands on our employees," says Frowein. This is why the development workshop is staffed with experienced employees who worked in R8 series production, where they gleaned key competence in small-series production.

"The development workshop staff are specially qualified for high-voltage vehicles," explains Andreas Heine, quattro GmbH project manager for the body of the R8 e-tron. They are trained in three stages - depending on their function and technical training - to work with the high-voltage technology. The basic level is sensitization for driving and working on high-voltage vehicles. The training then builds on this to qualify the workers as electronics experts for defined activities. Finally, the extended training as Certified Electronics Specialists for Automotive Technology provides the employees with the expertise required to perform the complete range of activities associated with high-voltage models.

AUDI AG is investing more than €5 billion in the two German sites at Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm between 2011 and 2015. A majority of this investment will flow into the development of new products and into future technologies such as electric and hybrid drive systems.