Twice As Many Charging Stations in U.S. as Flex Fuel Stations

Public charging stations for electric cars already out number outlets for E85 fuel by almost two to one.

The BGOV Barometer shows drivers of the approximately 16,500 highway-worthy electric vehicles in the U.S. can choose from 4,448 public charging stations should they want to plug in someplace other than home or work, according to U.S. Energy Department data.

That’s one per 3.7 electric car. That compares with 2,468 places to fill up the 7.6 million vehicles that can run on E85, a fuel that is 85 percent ethanol. E85-capable vehicles, also known as flex-fuel vehicles, can run on either E85 or traditional gasoline.

The Obama administration is pushing for still more charging stations, with $230 million worth of support from the Energy Department and private investment. Ecotality Inc. (ECTY) received funds under the federal program to install 14,000 chargers in 18 metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia.

The number of charging stations available today is “a good start,” said Brian Wynne, president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association. Fifteen electric models will be will be brought to market by the end of 2014.

“Bear in mind that this is going to change quite dramatically,” Wynne said of electric-vehicle demand. “We’re selling every car we make. The question is what kind of a curve are we on.”

Nissan announced Dec. 6 it would expand Leaf sales to 30 U.S. states on Dec. 11 and plans to take orders for it in all 50 states by March.

China tests 500 km/h super high-speed train

China launched a super-rapid test train over the weekend which is capable of travelling 500 kilometers per hour, state media said on Monday, as the country moves ahead with its railway ambitions despite serious problems on its high-speed network.

The train, made by a subsidiary of CSR Corp Ltd, China's largest train maker, is designed to resemble an ancient Chinese sword, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

It "will provide useful reference for current high-speed railway operations," it quoted train expert Shen Zhiyun as saying.

Qingdao-based CSR Sifang, a subsidiary of train maker CSR, produced the six-car train partly out of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, according to state media. The design was inspired by ancient Chinese swords.

The train, some 200 kph quicker than China's fastest trains, is experimental. It was based on CSR's CRH380A, which set a world train speed record at 486.1 kph (302 mph) last year.

The data from the test may be used for the expansion of China's rail network. The push is part of a national plan to build some 10,000 miles of high-speed rail linking large cities by 2020.

Xinhua News said the super-train has a maximum tractive force of 22,800 kilowatts, compared with 9,600 kilowatts for the CRH380 trains running on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, which opened this year.

Kia Ray EV breaks cover

The Kia Ray EV, an electric version of the Korean make’s latest city car that has a range of up to 86 miles on a single charge, has broken cover. The Ray EV is a close relative of the 1.0-litre petrol-powered Ray, which went on sale in Korea last month. It is assembled on the same production lines as the regular Ray and shares that model’s major dimensions.

The front-wheel drive Ray EV is powered by a 50kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is engineered for a 10-year life cycle and packaged under the rear seat and cabin floor.

The electric motor has 123lb ft of torque and has a top speed of 81mph. It can accelerate more briskly than the petrol equivalent and covers 0-62mph in 15.9sec.

The Ray EV offers the driver a choice of two modes. ‘E’ (or ‘eco’) mode optimises the delivery of the motor’s torque to achieve minimum battery consumption and maximum driving range. ‘B’ (or ‘brake’) mode can be selected when driving downhill on highways and on mountain roads to maximise braking power.

The Ray EV is destined solely for the Korean firm’s domestic market and 2500 examples will be produced in 2012 for use by government agencies.

Recharging times are six hours using a 220-volt household supply and 25 minutes in fast-charge mode. Currently there are 500 slow/fast recharge stations in Korea, and the government plans to increase that figure to 3100 stations by the end of 2012.

Porsche approves further races for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Porsche will continue to invest in the development of innovative drive technologies in motorsport. A further developed version of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will return to race tracks in 2012. With the rolling race laboratory, Porsche aims to gain extra practical experience under racing conditions and make the hybrid drive even more efficient.

"There is no way around the hybrid technology in motorsport," stressed Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development, on Saturday on the occasion of the end of year Porsche 'Night of Champions' celebrations. "With the 911 GT3 R Hybrid project, we have shown how you can test important future technologies on the race track and pave the way for motorsport success in the future. We will continue to determinedly blaze this trail and further develop the hybrid technology."

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for the 2012 season celebrated its world debut in front of invited team bosses, race drivers and series organisers. The GT race car, which is now five centimetres wider at the rear and with almost an extra 15 centimetres on the front fenders, will be fielded by Porsche customer teams in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the American Le Mans Series, the Le Mans Series, the International GT Open as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours. In the USA alone, four new vehicles will be fielded by three different teams.

Like in previous years, Porsche supports its most successful customer teams in 2012 with works drivers. The line up of pilots stays the same with Jörg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Wolf Henzler, Marco Holzer, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Patrick Long and Patrick Pilet. "To win races you have to have the right race drivers. And there's no doubt that we have them," stated Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG.

Most of the Porsche factory pilots kick off the season at the Daytona 24 hour race on 28 January. Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long race a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Flying Lizard Motorsports. Marco Holzer supports the Alex Job squad, with Wolf Henzler and Patrick Pilet driving for the TRG team. Marc Lieb competes for the accomplished Brumos Racing crew, with Richard Lietz teaming up with Magnus Racing. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Rookie of the Year winner also competes at Daytona. Kévin Estre takes the wheel of a TRG-911.

In 2012, the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland heads into its 23rd season and will continue to run as support to the DTM. The contract with the series organisers was recently extended for another three years. Taking over the helm of the long established Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland is Andrea Hagenbach, who has worked in the organisation of the series for the last 13 years. She takes over from Helmut Greiner who is retiring.

AMP plans Jeep Grand Cherokee EV

An all-electric Jeep Grand Cherokee will be revealed at the Detroit motor show next month. The vehicle is the work of Ohio-based Amp Electric Vehicles, a company that specialises in building electric SUVs.

The special Grand Cherokee will showcase Amp’s proprietary technology for SUVs and full-sized vehicles. The company has previously made a Mercedes M-class EV, and the vehicles will be made for production, with an emphasis on the fleet market.

Company chiefs are aligning the Amp Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Tesla Model S electric saloon, and the price tag for the Jeep is expected to be in the $56,000 range, the US equivalent of about £36,000.

“Beginning with a world class vehicle, and adding AMP’s electrification results in an EV that offers everything SUV customers expect: smooth powerful performance, zero emissions and up to a 100-mile range,” said Amp’s boss, Jim Taylor.

More details of the Jeep Grand Cherokee EV will be revealed at the Detroit show, which begins on January 9. Amp intends to announce further electric models during 2012.

Tesla unveil prices for Model S starting @ $50,000

Tesla Motors launched a Web page today showing the base model, with a 40 kilowatt-hour battery pack, costing $49,900. The 60 kilowatt-hour model runs $59,900, and it's another $10,000 jump to the 85 kilowatt-hour model. Go up to $79,900 for the Performance model, which also comes with the 85 kilowatt-hour battery pack and a zero to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. All of those prices are after a federal tax credit of $7,500.

Those battery packs give the Model S an estimated range at 55 mph of 160 miles, 230 miles, and 300 miles respectively. Tesla says this pricing is only guaranteed for current reservation holders. Pricing for new buyers may change when the car goes into production next year.

Unfortunately, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in November next year’s production of its new Model S sedan has already sold out.

Source: Tesla Motors Blog

Toyota to Debut LF-LC Plug-In Hybrid Concept and Prius C @ Detroit

Toyota will debut NS4, an advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle, believed to be based on the Lexus LFA, at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The reveal will feature the world premiere of the concept vehicle as well as the North American debut of the Prius c hybrid.