Hybrids and electric vehicles

The GE WattStation EV charger has become the recommended charger for Coda's upcoming all-electric vehicles.

Coda has signed an agreement with GE Energy Industrial Solutions to sell the Level 2 charging stations for recharging EV batteries alongside its Coda sedans and to market them together.

GE WattStation's is a 240-volt Level 2 charger that is compatible with any standard EV. Currently, its competitors include the Ecotality Blink station and the Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint station.

Santa Monica, Calif.-based Coda is a fairly new automotive company that has set the ambitious goal to sell 50,000 EVs by 2015. … Read more

Ford is partnering with Azure Dynamics on a five-seater station wagon version of its Transit Connect all-electric vans.

Both companies announced the project Wednesday in time for the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric Wagon will be available in North America immediately, with plans to eventually sell it in Europe as well.

The Transit Connect vans, which went into production in 2010, are already in the fleets of AT&T, DHL, FedEx, and Post Norway, to name a few. The vehicle won the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award, to the surprise of … Read more

The Prius family is about to get bigger and smaller at the same time.

Toyota continues its diversification of the Prius line of hybrid vehicles (which currently comprises the Prius v, the Prius Plug-in, and, of course, the standard Prius) with a new downsized model that the automaker thinks will be great for the tight-quarters driving of major metropolitan areas and as an entry point for young drivers interested in hybridization. We've known that this was coming--we've already seen the concept. Now, however, we finally know what the production model of the Prius c will look like when … Read more

Coda Holdings has begun production of its all-electric sedan, which will sell for $39,900 before subsidies and can go up to 150 miles on a charge, the company said today.

The Coda sedan will be available in California as a 2012 year model. Buyers can receive a $7,500 federal tax credit and a California rebate for $2,500. Together, the subsides bring the price down to $29,900.

The car itself looks like a typical five-seat sedan, but Coda is trying to distinguish itself from other electric vehicles with its battery system. The company had originally planned to … Read more

Nissan announced it will begin taking preorders for a new quick-charging unit to be shipped beginning in January 2012. The DC quick charger is being launched with partner Sumitomo Corp. and will retail for $9,900.

In just 30 minutes, the charger, which operates on a 480v current, can bring a Nissan Leaf from "a fully depleted state to 80 percent charged," Nissan said in a press release.

Two types of quick chargers will be available. One version is for indoor use--for fleet vehicles such as rental cars. Another model is for outdoor use--such as schools, public spaces, … Read more

Better Place has secured another $200 million to put its electric-car charging network and battery-swapping stations into operation.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company said on Friday that General Electric and UBS joined existing investors in the series C funding, which gave Better Place a valuation of $2.25 billion.

The money will be used to launch commercial service of its electric-car network services in Israel and Denmark early next year, followed by Australia. It also intends to expand into Western Europe.

Better Place's business model is to sell electric-car drivers monthly plans to charge cars at its network … Read more

GM ended up in the hot seat after a Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash-tested the vehicle, reportedly leading the transportation organization to question the safety of lithium ion batteries.

The fire, which damaged several vehicles parked near the defunct Volt, may have started in the plug-in's battery. The NHTSA subsequently launched an investigation into the safety of electric battery technology. GM released a statement this afternoon responding to the news and concerns that its vehicles could be fire hazards.

"First and foremost, I want to make this very clear: … Read more

With a powertrain configuration similar to that of the Chevy Volt, Audi's A1 e-tron represents a step towards a full electric car from the German automaker.

If you are strolling the streets of Munich any time soon, you may be treated to the sight of the quiet running Audi A1 e-tron. Audi began a testing program this week, putting 20 of the advanced powertrain cars on the road.

The A1 is Audi's new, compact city car. The e-tron version uses a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor producing 101 horsepower to drive the front wheels. Under electric power, … Read more

The Volvo C30 Electric is already out on the roads in Europe, but this week the Swedish automaker released 10 video clips documenting the development of new technology for the C30.

According to Volvo, the C30 Electric had a short development time, and the process involved about 100 research and development specialists.

Click on the links below to view videos two through 10, to learn more about testing, safety, engineering and other aspects of the C30's development.

The films include "A Milestone in the Automotive Industry" (below), "Battery System," "Electrical Architecture and Electrical Safety,&… Read more