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Good-Natured Misinformation About Electric Cars More Damaging Than Attacks

Brad Berman — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:47:12 +0000

PluginCars.com has done a lot of reporting about direct anti-electric-car venom. EV-Haters, YouTube ranters and politically motivated attackers do their best to arrest the growth of electric car sales—which is forecast to expand from 17,000 units in the US in 2011, to between 60,000 to 100,000 sales this year. But in this age of Internet self-publishing, perhaps the greater threat is from mostly well-intentioned car buffs—trying an electric car on for size for a day or two, rather than living with one as a daily ride throughout the year or speaking to real-world drivers.

Infiniti Emerg-e Extended-Range Electric Vehicle to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Eric Loveday — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:18:54 +0000

Infiniti's rear-wheel-drive two-seat Emerg-e concept will make its worldwide debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Infiniti has officially named its extended-range electric sports car the Emerg-e. Infiniti's rear-wheel-drive two-seater will make its worldwide debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. According to Infiniti, the Emerg-e will be the automaker's first-ever mid-engined vehicle.

Infiniti choose a mid-engined setup to optimize the Emerg-e's handling.

Bob Lutz Responds to the Spread of False Chevy Volt Information

Brad Berman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:42:25 +0000

Bob Lutz defends the Chevy Volt after the recent spread of misinformation.

Tesla Confirms Webcast of Model X Electric SUV Unveiling on February 9

Eric Loveday — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:25:37 +0000

Tesla Motors released this teaser image of its Model X ahead of its full reveal on February 9.

German PG Elektrus Is Tesla Roadster with More Attitude

Laurent J. Masson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:10:51 +0000

The PG Elektrus electric sports car

Plug-in Car Sales Get Off to Slow Start in 2012

Eric Loveday — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:34 +0000

The Nissan LEAF outsold the Chevy Volt by 73 units in January 2012.

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Set at 95 MPGe

Eric Loveday — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:10:05 +0000

According to Toyota Division Group vice-president, Bob Carter, the 2012 Prius Plug-in returns 95 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 50 miles per gallon in hybrid mode.

Tesla Video: Model S Will Be Best Sedan on the Planet

Brad Berman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:42:37 +0000

In a new promotional video released today by Tesla Motors, the company confirms that it will introduce the Model S electric sedan in 2012. Moreover, Tesla executives set the highest possible level of expectation by reiterating its claim that the Model S will be, “the best sedan on the planet.”

Those are the words of Franz Von Holzhausen, the vehicle’s chief designer. He’s not saying the best electric car, but the absolute best performance sedan available to consumers.

Von Holzhausen attributes his lofty claims to the unique architecture of the Model S. “There's no car out there designed around an electric powertrain, around a battery pack in the floor, and around the motor and the gearbox between the rear wheels,” said Von Holzhausen.

Kansas Representative Pitches 1 Cent Per Kilowatt-Hour Tax on Plug-in Vehicles

Brad Berman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:51:22 +0000

State Representative Tom Sloane (R-KS) hopes to introduce legislation calling for plug-in vehicle owners to shell out "less than one cent of tax" for each kilowatt-hour consumed by their vehicles.

SAE to Reveal Standardized Wireless Charging J2954 Guidelines by End of 2012

Eric Loveday — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:12:56 +0000

The SAE taskforce will reveal its finalized J2954 wireless charging guidelines by the end of 2012.