for Automotive Junkies
PARIS — Renault has unveiled a new electric car prototype that loads Nissan’s fuel cell technology and lithium-ion batteries onto the popular Grand Scenic medium minivan.
The French carmaker says the Scenic ZEV H2 project is part of wider, continuing efforts with its Japanese alliance partner to develop and bring to market a range of zero-emission […]
June 25th, 2008 | On The Road | 0 comments | Continued
That’s the $64,000 question. Will it go away, or is the shift in consumer preferences permanent?
There are many who see this as a watershed; something that is real and has stunned the North American continent permanently. It has never happened before.
Well, that part’s simply wrong. When we had the first oil crisis in the early […]
General Motors is sending a “Dear John” letter to big oil.
Katherine Benoit, GM corporate marketing director, told attendees at the American Advertising Federation meeting this week that the automaker is launching a corporate campaign this month that addresses the oil-price issue head-on, albeit with a tongue-in-cheek twist.
“Dear Oil,” a new TV commercial begins. “We’ve had […]
Folks too young to remember the oil crises of the 1970s may see the recent small-car surge as the greatest market flip in U.S. auto history. But these aren’t uncharted waters.
For historical perspective on the shocking sales numbers that rolled in last week, put them alongside this passage from Lee Iacocca’s 1984 autobiography: “Never before […]
Los Angeles — General Motors Corp. and Clean Energy Fuels Corps. announced plans today to open a hydrogen fueling station near Los Angeles International Airport.
The station, which will be located at Clean Energy’s compressed natural gas facility on Aviation Boulevard, will be used by drivers who are test- driving fuel cell vehicles as part of […]
Toyota Motor Corp. fired a fresh volley in the green car wars, promising two new hybrid vehicles and the start of lithium ion battery production next year (2009). The two hybrids — one badged a Toyota, the other a Lexus — will debut at the Detroit auto show and come on top of the third-generation Prius car, also due in 2009.
June 12th, 2008 | On The Road | 0 comments | Continued
The future is arriving this year, in a vehicle that looks different and absolutely works different! It’s a gas/electric hybrid that gets 300 milesto a gallon of gas. Made lighter, with less drag and 3 wheels, the Aptera will hit the market with a price tag under $30k
June 4th, 2008 | On The Road | 0 comments | Continued
Hybrid Technologies is working on a new supercar using a gas-electric hybrid engine and that should hit 220 mpg—minimum!!
Power under the hood will have to trump a cushy ride: Hybrid Technologies is aiming for a 150- to 180-mi. range per charge from the all-electric model, while the lithium-ion-meets-gas hybrid needs to hit 220 mpg—minimum. And […]
May 30th, 2008 | On The Road | 0 comments | Continued
There is a lot of talk these days about “alternative fuels.” But just what are these alternative fuels, and why is everyone so excited about them? In the simplest terms, an alternative fuel is any fuel other than gasoline or diesel. Since many alternative fuels are also renewable — and can be produced here in the U.S. — they could reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
May 19th, 2008 | On The Road | 0 comments | Continued
DETROIT — Chrysler LLC plans to release a hybrid-electric powered Dodge Ram pickup in 2010, the automaker’s product development chief said here today.
Frank Klegon, Chrysler executive vice president of product development, told the SAE 2008 World Congress in Detroit that the hybrid version of its high-volume hauler is part of the automaker’s plans to reshape […]