hybrids

Sparks will fly over GM, Toyota plug-ins

It's all been very gentlemanly so far. No name calling. No punches thrown.

But a fight is brewing between heavyweights Toyota and General Motors over the way the government should support plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Robert Wimmer, a Toyota research manager, told a Senate committee last week that proposed legislation "redefines plug-in electric vehicles to seemingly eliminate consumer tax credits for all but one plug-in vehicle design. Toyota believes this approach is counterproductive."

He didn't identify the Chevrolet Volt by name. But the GM hybrid would be the main beneficiary of the bill, which would provide … Read more

DAS + NAS = Buffalo's DriveStation FlexNet

It can be a hard choice between a direct attached (DAS) and a network attached (NAS) external storage device. The former offers high-speed data throughput but requires a computer, while the latter can work by itself with a throughput speed that's limited by the network connection. How about not having to pick one over the other?

Buffalo Technology is offering that option on Monday with its new DriveStation FlexNet storage device. The device comes with both 10/100 Ethernet network storage functionality for it to be an NAS and a USB 2.0 connection for it to work as … Read more

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85: Texting worse than drunken driving!

Texting is more dangerous than drunken driving, Mercedes rolls out a hybrid, BMW puts Google search in the dash, and we drive the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Texting worse than being drunk when it comes to driving

• Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid

• Clean diesel Jetta TDI good in all 50 states

• RFID driver's licenses in N.Y.

• Google search comes to BMW dashboards

• Cayenne GTS driver's notes

• Pontiac G3 on the way. Oh boy.

Mercedes' first hybrid is also first with lithium ion

After years of claiming that blue is the new green (in reference to its BlueTec diesel developments), Mercedes-Benz has taken a side step and introduced a hybrid to the market, the S 400 BlueHybrid. The modified S-Class sedan benefits from the addition of Mercedes' first hybrid drivetrain and the world's first implementation of a lithium ion battery in a production vehicle.

The battery, which makes this whole deal possible, is remarkable in that it's surprisingly compact thanks to lithium ion tech. The entire assembly is only slightly larger than a standard 12-volt car battery. The small size allows … Read more

Electric Chevy Volt debuts with lofty ambitions

The Chevy Volt was the centerpiece of General Motors' centennial celebration on Tuesday with executives heralding the electric car as the first step in the reinvention of the automobile.

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner introduced the plug-in hybrid car in Detroit, showing a production version with a different look than the concept car rolled out in January 2007.

The company also released photos and a number of technical details, including a projected top speed of 100 mph and two in-car touch-screen controls. The five-door sedan, which GM calls an extended-range electric vehicle, is scheduled to be available for purchase in the … Read more

How 'green' is the electric Chevy Volt?

General Motors at its centennial celebration in Detroit on Tuesday is expected to showcase the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric car that carries the heavy expectations of reversing GM's slide and slashing consumers' fuel use.

Buzz around the Volt picked up last week when photos of the production car were captured, showing a less sporty look than the original concept car. But what are the environmental and cost benefits of the Volt?

The Volt will be able to run 40 miles on lithium-ion batteries and get a range of 400 miles from an internal combustion engine that charges … Read more

84: Will the EPA clobber the Volt?

Have you seen the Volt for real--and will the EPA clobber it? The next Mini could be a crossover, Mercedes gets electric religion, and we romp in the Lancer Evo MR!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

SHOW NOTES

• That's the Volt? 'Production' photos leak.

• EPA may botch the Volt's MPG rating

• Mini crossover concept

• Toyota testing plug-in hybrids in the U.K.

• AAA Mobile debuts

• Solar powered car mistaken for UFO in Alaska!

Toyota tests plug-in hybrids in the U.K.

With Toyota's announcement that it's testing plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) in the U.K., it seems like the Brits are getting all of the plug-in love these days. The announcement comes with the news that Toyota is partnering with EDF Energy to make the PHVs part of EDF's company fleet. The vehicles will be driven by EDF Energy employees and evaluated in real-world conditions. Electric company employees have all of the fun.

The PHVs, which is essentially a modified Toyota Prius, can be charged at a standard electrical outlet or any of the 40 charging posts in … Read more

EPA confused by Chevy Volt's fuel economy

The EPA is not sure how to rate the Chevrolet Volt's fuel economy, and GM isn't at all happy about it.

According to Motor Trend, the confusion stems from the EPA's classification of the Volt. Is it an electric vehicle (EV) with an onboard generator, or a hybrid vehicle that relies heavily on its electric drive? It's actually a little of both and a little of neither. The driving habits and battery-charging routines of the operator play a huge role in the classification of the Volt.

The way the Volt is designed, the wheels are powered … Read more