Plug-In 2008: Electric cars charging ahead

Plug-In 2008 brought together Detroit automakers, utilities, and green-tech start-ups in San Jose, Calif., this week. Organizers say it drew more than 600 people.

Here's a summary of CNET News' coverage related to the event:

• Video: Plug-In 2008: Plug-in electric cars generate buzz
  CNET News reporter Kara Tsuboi stops by the world's first showcase of its kind to see what's new with plug-in hybrids.
• Google philanthropy funds Aptera and ActaCell
• 'Smart' electric grids to ease zap from plug-ins?
• GM partners with utilities to advance plug-in hybrids
• Coulomb unveils electric-car charging stations
• Photos: Powering a future for plug-in hybrids

GM lent a model of its Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid, due for production in 2010, for display at Plug-In 2008. Click on the image to see a photo gallery of more technologies shown off at the conference.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET News)

News from around the Web


• Electric car market could race for materials - Greentech Media
• Plug-In 2008: To sell plug-ins, make 'em sexy - Wired
• Electric cars are inevitable...and essential - Wired
• Andy Grove says your heap needs an extension cord - Wired
• San Francisco calls for electric car pitches - Earth2Tech

[RyleeROBERTS]

I can?t wait until the latest advances in the electric car industry finally allow us to fully transform our current gas dominated vehicles. These cars will surely on the Aftermarket parts blog. Cost effective electric power trains are the way forward

[BBernsten]

Please read-Americans need to know!!!!!!!!

NHTSA Hearings 8/4/08

I just returned from the NHTSA hearings held today (August 4, 2008) in Washington D.C., regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for NEW Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (CAFÉ) for years 2011-2015.

IMPORTANT FACTS: You will not believe what you are reading.

1) The 414 pages DEIS analysis was based on an average gasoline price of USD $2.16/gallon for 2011-2020. A calculation approved by the NHTSA administrators/managers. Would you believe it???????????

2) The new CAFÉ rules were also established, negotiated and pre-approved by the NHTSA?s management along with the influence of domestic automotive companies and their lobbyists. We have now established fuel standards for 2011-2020 that are presently met throughout the rest of the Western world (see elow)
As one guest speaker said today ?are they on another planet??

NHTSA ?NEW Fuel Standards? (2011-2015) decision:

Automobiles are to achieve 31.2 mpg by 2011 and 35.7 mpg by 2015. Light trucks are to achieve 25 mpg by 2011, and 28.6 mpg by 2015.

The NTHSA is also setting a goal of 35 mpg on average for 2020.

America needs to know:

The European Union is currently establishing standards, with a goal of reaching 48.9 miles per gallon for new passenger vehicles as early as 2012. The current EU standard already requires more than 40 miles per gallon about 15% higher than the U.S. goal set for 12 years from now.

Japan currently has a standard of about 40 miles per gallon. Japan aims to further improve fuel efficiency by 17% by 2015, reaching 46.9 miles per gallon.

China has a current average of slightly under 35 miles per gallon. Chinese fuel standards are on target to reach the government?s goal of 35.8 miles per gallon by 2009. China will not only meet, but exceed, the goal just established by the United States for 2020 ? more than a full decade earlier.

Australia is targeting 34.4 miles per gallon by 2010.

Canada is targeting 34.1 miles per gallon by 2010.

Under the current administration, purchasing an electric vehicle is becoming more of a necessity rather than an alternative.
BG Automotive Group, Ltd.
http://www.BGelectricCars.com