ev

GM eyes San Francisco, Washington for Chevy Volt

General Motors on Tuesday released a "plan of action" for communities to prepare for plug-in electric cars, like its forthcoming Chevy Volt.

At the Washington Auto Show, GM said that it seeking to work with communities that are supportive of plug-in electric vehicles. It is already working with a group of utilities to ensure that utilities can handle the increased electrical load from charging electric vehicles.

GM said that it working with the municipalities of San Francisco and the Washington, D.C., metro area as "early adopter markets" that will create incentives to buy electric cars … Read more

Plotting the long road to one million electric cars

Meeting the Obama Administration's goal of putting 1 million plug-in electric vehicles on the road by 2015 will only happen with a coordinated set of policies and technology advances, according to an electric vehicle association.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) on Tuesday is expected to release a set of policy recommendations for ushering in what auto industry executives call a major technological shift away from gas-only cars to electrics.

EDTA members include auto manufacturers, battery companies, a number of electric utilities, and other industry associations. The group is lobbying for policies to boost domestic manufacturing industry, fund technology … Read more

Better Place Denmark to plug electric cars by 2011

California start-up Better Place and Danish utility Dong Energy said Tuesday they have lined up financing to bring an electric car charging network to Denmark by 2011.

The two organizations have secured almost $103 million in equity and convertible debt that will go toward constructing stations where drivers can swap in fresh batteries for electric cars.

Better Place's business plan focuses on building a network of automated battery-swapping stations along driving corridors. Places to rapidly charge or get fresh batteries will address the range limitations of existing car batteries, according to Better Place.

Although Better Place has announced customers … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 890: Mad Molly Mondays

Yahoo's got a new chief, AT&T is spamming Idol fans and non-Idol fans alike, and the Storm Worm has been cracked. That's all big news, but the biggest news comes from me at the end of the show. Be sure to listen all the way through. Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 890

Yahoo names new chief executive http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7827518.stm http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10142085-92.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10142275-93.html http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-yahoo-react-bartzs-selection-considered-safe-uninspiring/

AT&T spams 75 million users with ‘Idol’ … Read more

Tesla to supply battery pack in Daimler electric cars

Updated at 1:35 p.m. PT with corrected information on the supply arrangement and additional details.

Tesla Motors has signed a deal to supply power train components to Daimler for an electric version of the German auto giant's Smart mini-car, called the Electric Smart EV, which is expected to be available within two years.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced the deal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Tuesday. On Sunday, Tesla unveiled a higher-end Sport version of its Tesla Roadster electric sports car.

Tesla will supply the battery pack and on-board charger … Read more

Electric-car maker Think gets rescue funds

Electric town car maker Think Global has been thrown a financial lifeline from battery maker Ener1 and other investors.

Last month Think CEO Richard Canny told reporters that the company was running out of working capital and had to suspend production of its small all-electric car, the Think City. The latest version with lithium ion batteries, giving it a range of about 100 miles and top speed of 65 miles per hour, was slated to go on sale in Scandinavia early this year.

On Monday, Think said that it has secured about $5.7 million in "interim financing," … Read more

Toyota to build electric town car, plug-in hybrids

Toyota Motor Sales announced an expanded commitment to electric vehicles on Saturday, disclosing plans to manufacture an all-electric city car by 2012 and a wider fleet of gas-electric hybrids.

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Toyota showed off a concept car called the FT-EV, a battery-powered four-seat compact car. Although it's concept car, Toyota said it will release an "urban commuter" electric car in 2012.

Based on an existing car sold in Japan called the iQ, the FT-EV runs entirely on batteries and has a range of about 50 miles. Like many all-electric … Read more

Battery exec: Europe ahead of U.S. on electric cars

In the race to deliver plug-in electric cars, European automakers have an early lead, according to Bob Kanode, the CEO of vehicle battery maker Valence Technology.

Austin, Texas-based Valence has been in the battery business since 1990. It already supplies batteries for the Segway Personal Transporter and is setting its sites on the auto market.

On Tuesday, Valence announced that French electric-bus and truck maker PVI will test Valence's lithium phosphate batteries for fleet vehicles in a deal worth $3 million.

As Valence seeks customers in the transportation field, Kanode sees Europe as far more mature than the United … Read more

Report: Electric-car maker Think hits brakes

Think Global, which makes the Think City electric car, is having difficulty securing money to continue operating and is seeking state aid from the Norwegian government, according to a report.

Reuters reported on Monday that Think CEO Richard Canny held a news conference where he said that the company needs up to $29 million in loan guarantees.

It plans to reduce staff by at least 50 percent and stop production with an eye toward restarting in the first quarter of next year, the report said.

The company said the global financial crisis has made it difficult to get working capital … Read more