This was indicated when GM announced two new colors for 2014 – Ashen Gray Metallic and Brownstone Metallic – on images of what look like the same car as a 2013. Apart from this, some changes here and there are planned for 2014, but the new car is not considered different enough to warrant new photos.

Last night we saw GM’s communications department had posted photos labeled 2014 Volt, and some of these same photos were used for 2013, 2012 and even 2011 model year representations of the Volt.

Fans and enthusiasts for electrified vehicles and the Volt in particular have wondered when generation 2 will come along – or if it will come along even – given there are some speculative voices out there suggesting GM could or should cease production.

Most observers correctly do not believe the 2014 Volt will see a substantial reworking, but despite the announcement of new colors, we have seen some random queries and comments – some perhaps based on false speculation from last year – and even among informed regular readers of GM-Volt.com hoping to see significant updates for 2014.

Also, despite speculation, there is no indication that the Volt model would be canceled at some point, and gen-2 may be a 2015 or maybe a 2016 model, though GM has not announced this. GM executives in the U.S. and in Europe have spoken of a second-generation Volt as substantially improved, but GM has inadvertently laid to rest some of the outlying speculation for 2014.

Screen shot 5/17/13. Click on to enlarge image.

Today we spoke to Volt communications representative Michelle Malcho and GM media representative Randy Fox and gleaned the car will carry over much like it was, but some changes to content will be made.

The actual details will not be divulged until mid to late June, Malcho said.

So, this leaves questions whether GM found new improvements of substance to pack into the existing platform like it did last year. Among last year’s improvements, the 2013 Volt did receive a 0.5-kwh increase to its formerly 16.0-kwh battery resulting in more range and improved miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). It also was equipped with the Hold mode that European Volts and Vauxhall/Opel Amperas get that suspends battery use and makes the car run on gas to save electric power for later.

So far, GM has only divulged 2014 colors, so mum is the word even if GM’s CEO did let it slip that the second-generation Volt will see substantial weight loss, and cost as much as $10,000 less.

GM has not announced pricing or launch date for the 2014 either. Last year the changeover from 2012 to 2013 models was in July coinciding with a planned several-week shutdown at the Detroit-Hamtramck Volt assembly plant for maintenance and tooling work.

This photo was labeled 2012 Volt in 2012, then re-labeled 2013 for now, and for a brief while, it was also labeled “2014-Chevrolet-Volt-003″ by GM.

But that was how things worked out last year. This year, Malcho said she did not know off hand whether a scheduled shut down was even in the works, and it will depend on what sort of pending build schedule the plant will have, and whether scheduled maintenance and other factors deem it necessary.

You can look for GM’s media page with the 2014 Volt photos, but we were told this was put up by mistake, and it was already removed within minutes after speaking with Chevrolet personnel informing them their communications people had posted them.

The post How Different Will The 2014 Volt Be From 2013? appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Volvo Car Group (Volvo) is now ramping up production by 90 percent. It is doing so earlier than anticipated to keep up with the demand.

The increased demand, especially in Holland, Belgium and Italy, means that the Plug-in Hybrid production at Volvo Cars’ Torslanda plant in Sweden will be increased continuously from 150 to 282 units per week.

All in all, Volvo Cars will produce 7,600 plug-in hybrids in 2013 – and the 2014 target is 10,000 units.

“We are exceptionally pleased that the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has received such a fantastic reception among consumers. However, I am not surprised. Our Plug-in Hybrid is a unique car, superior to all other hybrids on the market,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Group. “Since the Plug-in Hybrid has been integrated into the established production flow together with other car models, we have the flexibility to quickly adapt to the increasing demand.”

The driver of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid can select the driving mode wanted via three buttons on the dashboard that gives the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

The default mode is hybrid.

By pressing the Pure button, the driver can cover up to 31.06 miles on pure electric power.

By pressing the Power button, the driver will use the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor to create a veritable driving machine using the combined power of the gasoline engine (215 horsepower) and the electric motor (70 horsepower).

“This on-demand possibility to choose between different driving modes makes the V60 Plug-in Hybrid the perfect choice for the uncompromising customer who wants minimum carbon dioxide emissions combined with maximum driving pleasure,” says Peter Mertens.

Volvo said the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the synthesis of close cooperation between Volvo Car Group and the Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall.

The two companies have financed the development project jointly.

The post Volvo’s V60 Plug-in Hybrid Production Increased appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) today held an official ceremony to mark the start of production on May 6 of its Toyota Yaris compact car for export to the United States of America, Canada and Puerto Rico.

The model produced is the conventional gas Yaris and annual export volume will be around 25,000 units on a full-year basis.

No word yet on whether or not the Yaris Hybrid will also cross the ocean.

From the small Northern French town of Onnaing, near Valenciennes, TMMF will now export its vehicles to more than 40 countries, including destinations like South Africa, Egypt, Canada and the United States of America.

“Building on more than 10 years of experience in high quality car production, this Yaris is another endorsement of TMMF’s excellence in manufacturing,” said Makoto Sano, President of TMMF. “We are proud to be recognized as a true player in the Toyota organization and welcome this new business opportunity to further strengthen TMMF’s position as an important exporter in France.”

“With Quebec accounting for 65 percent of Yaris’ Canadian sales, a warm welcome will be assured for this ‘Made-in-France’ vehicle,” said Seiji Ichii, President and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc.

The Toyota Yaris became the first vehicle ever produced in France to be certified with the new “French Origin Guaranteed” (“Origine France Garantie”) label.

This certificate was created in order to help customers identify products that have more than 50% of their value manufactured in France.

The current, third generation Toyota Yaris was launched in Europe in the summer of 2011, followed by the Toyota Yaris Hybrid in June 2012. In an overall declining B-segment, the Yaris model range grew 27 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, mainly supported by strong sales of the Yaris Hybrid.

With sales of 182,841 vehicles, the Yaris model accounted for nearly 22 percent of Toyota’s total European sales in 2012.

In the U.S., Toyota sold 30,590 Yaris (hatch and sedan) in 2012. Total sales of the Yaris hatchback in Canada for 2012 was 8,440 units.

The post Toyota’s Yaris Now Coming From France appeared first on HybridCars.com.

This year’s Pikes Peak hill climb race will be held on June 30.

With the upgraded all-new MiEV Evolution II, MMC said it has set its sights on an outright victory in this legendary American race.

The new racecar will be powered by four 100 kilowatt electric motors, one for each wheel, for a total maximum power output of 400 kilowatt.

These four motors will be powered by a 50 kilowatt-hour battery made by LEJ.

Held annually in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, with entrants covering an elevation difference of almost 4,720 feet.

First run in 1916, the hill climb celebrates its 91st running this year making it the second oldest U.S. motorsport event after the Indianapolis 500. Also known as “The Race to the Clouds,” atmospheric pressure, temperature, weather and other conditions vary significantly between the start and finish, requiring optimum vehicle tuning for maximum performance.

MMC entered the Pikes Peak competition for the first time last year with the i-MiEV Evolution all-electric prototype, finishing second in the Electric Vehicle division.

Participation in the event brought a wealth of data in areas such as vehicle speed and acceleration, lithium-ion drive battery consumption, electric motor temperature and other key information that will play an important role in future MMC electric vehicle development.

Driving the pair of all-new MiEV Evolution II racing prototypes will be two-time Dakar Rally champion and MMC vehicle development/test driver Hiroshi Masuoka and six-time PPIHC motorcycle champion Greg Tracy.

Hiroshi Masuoka scored a second-place finish in last year’s PPIHC in the Electric Vehicle division piloting the i-MiEV Evolution racing prototype.

In addition to competing in the event with two electric vehicles, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is also announcing its role as the Presenting Sponsor of the 91^st running of PPIHC.

An all-New MiEV Evolution II for 2013

Like last year’s i-MiEV Evolution, the MiEV Evolution II combines parts used in production vehicles with a high-capacity battery and high-output motors specially-designed by MMC’s suppliers.

Based on experience gained from last year’s race, MMC has added a high-tech Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system to the innovative four-motor (two-front/two-rear) drivetrain for increased handling and control in the MiEV Evolution II.

MMC said that together with a specially-designed body that provides reduced weight and improved aerodynamics, the MiEV Evolution II represents a significantly improved all-electric racing prototype.

MMC provided a few design highlights of the 2013 MiEV Evolution II:

• Improved lower center of gravity due to redesigned lithium-ion battery placement
• Improved power output/performance from four-motor (two front/two rear) 4WD drivetrain with MMC’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated vehicle dynamics control system
• Active Yaw Control (AYC) to optimally control yaw for improved high-speed cornering
• Active Stability Control (ASC) for improved vehicle dynamics and control by automatically managing brake force to one or more wheels as well as motor output
• Redesigned Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The post Mitsubishi To Tackle Pikes Peak With Electric Racecar appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Honda is taking a limited-market approach to introducing the vehicle ostensibly positioned against cars like the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Ford Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids, and even Chevy Volt.

It was launched Jan. 15. 2013, and as of April 2013 had sold 100 units, with 55 sales being in April. It is available to those in other states willing to purchase the vehicle in California or New York and transport it back home. Honda says the car will be available for “the next couple of years” and the goal is to sell just 1,100 of the plug-in Accords in those states.

It is also being assessed for market viability in Canada.

A promotional video produced by Honda.

Honda says it does not have further plans to announce, and the company is looking forward to selling many more units of its non-plug-in hybrid Accord this fall that is based on the same car albeit with smaller battery pack.

Plug-in System

Honda’s first production plug-in vehicle earned 115 miles per gallon equivalent EPA rating for its (limited) 13 miles of estimated all-electric range. This is equal to the combined MPG of the range-topping 2013 Nissan Leaf fully electric car, and beats all other plug-in hybrids, some of which go farther in all-electric mode.

Gasoline fuel economy for the Accord plug-in is also impressive at 47 mpg city, 46 highway, 46 combined.

The Accord Plug-In is the first production car in the U.S. to meet the new, more stringent LEV3/SULEV20 emissions standard, and will also qualify for single-occupant carpool-lane access in California.

The 2014 Accord PHEV is powered by an all-new “Honda Earth Dreams technology” two-motor hybrid system. It utilizes a 124-kilowatt (kw) electric motor that also acts like a continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) mated to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. A 6.7-kilowatt-hour (kwh) lithium-ion (li-Ion) battery provides power in all-electric mode, and regenerative braking is handled by an all-new electric-servo braking system.

Drivers will have the option to manually select from the default start-up all-electric mode to hybrid mode.

The plug-in Accord can be fully charged from a low-charge indication point in less than three hours using the supplied 120-volt charger when plugged into a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet, and in less than one hour using a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

Honda’s smartphone app, HondaLink EV, will allow owners to remotely monitor the charging state of the car.

The car can be fully charged from a low-charge indication point in less than three hours using the supplied 120-volt charger when plugged into a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet (a dedicated GFCI outlet is recommended). Charge time is less than one hour using a 240-volt “Level-2” charger.

Otherwise All Accord

Apart from the unique powertrain, the Accord plug-in has been engineered to be like other Accords with regards to driving characteristics and creature comforts.

The car is based on the Touring trim level of the standard Accord Sedan but is distinguished with unique styling cues, and is available in three exterior colors, including two standard Accord shades (White Orchid Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl) plus a model-exclusive Burnished Silver Metallic.

Its MSRP is $39,780 excluding tax, license, registration, $790 destination charge and options. A monthly lease price of $429 is also offered for 36 months with $2,499.00 due at time of signing. Honda notes this lease deal “Includes down payments with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and dealer fees.”

For more information on the Accord Plug-in Hybrid you can consult Honda’s Web site.

The post 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Overview appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The 2013 Leaf is officially rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 115 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) combined, a significant increase over the 99 MPGe for the 2012 model. The 2013′s city MPGe also spiked 23 MPGe higher than the 2012 model’s 106 MPGe, and 10 MPGe higher than the 2012′s 92 MPGe (see EPA comparison chart below).

Based on testing with a “90-percent” full battery charge, it’s EPA certified with 75 miles range displayed prominently on the window sticker, or “Monroney label.” This looks like only a smidgeon of an improvement over the 73 miles range the EPA estimated for the 2012 which it tested with a 100-percent battery charge.

Equally true is the EPA testing indicates the 2013 Leaf can travel an estimated 66 miles on a single charge if it starts out with its battery 80-percent-full, and up to 83 miles with 100-percent full battery.

In our tour of Nissan’s newly operational U.S. battery factory, we were told by the plant’s boss, Jeff Deaton, Li-Ion chemistry changes are only minor between the 24-kwh battery specified in both the 2012 and 2013 models. Others at Nissan said engineers had found efficiency gains over the 2012 Leaf’s 99 MPGe and 73 miles range, and these are responsible for this year’s improvements.

Nissan did not issue a press release in part because the displayed 75 vs 73 MPGe does not appear like much of an improvement to the uninitiated. As mentioned, the MPGe only squeaked up a tad because last year the vehicle had been range tested with a 100-percent full battery, and the 2013 was tested with a 90-percent full state of charge.

In short, it was not “apples to apples,” according to Nissan’s Corporate Communications Director, Travis Parman.

Explaining further, Brian Brockman, senior manager, Nissan Corporate Communications, outlined changes to this year’s EPA test protocol compared to 2012.

New Efficiencies & New EPA Protocol

The changes this year, wrote Brockman in an e-mail, see the 2013 Leaf’s range actually improve 14 percent over the 2012 Leaf to 83 miles under the test procedures to which the 2012 had been subjected.

And as a side-note before we go on, it should be mentioned EPA estimates are only that, estimates. Even 2012 Nissan Leafs carefully driven have seen 80-90-plus miles traveled on a full charge, thus exceeding the official 73 miles. Conversely, depending on driving conditions, the number can be less, but we digress.

For this year’s Leaf, Brockman credits the improvement in official numbers to enhancements to the 2013 Leaf’s regenerative braking system, reduction in vehicle weight and aerodynamics.

Sample 2013 Leaf Monroney label. Click on image to see it enlarged.

It was not Nissan’s choice to list the new model’s range estimate based on a 90-percent charge, but rather, this average was stipulated by the EPA.

“For 2013, the EPA elected to use an average of Leaf’s two charging modes to generate the range calculation for the window label an 80 percent ‘Long Life Battery Mode’ and a 100 percent ‘Long Distance Mode.’” wrote Brockman. “In the past, the Monroney label displayed range based only on a fully charged battery.”

The 75 miles based on a “90-percent charge” is thus a mid-point between the Leaf’s two default charge modes of 80 or 100-percent.

This, wrote Brockman, effectively means not only is it difficult to compare the 2013 Leaf to previous Leafs, it also muddies the comparison between 2013 Leafs and other electric cars measured under the old methodology.

Brockman added that customers who utilize the Long Life Mode on the 2013 Leaf should know that the EPA testing methodology resulted in an estimated range of approximately 66 miles.

“It is Nissan’s experience that many customers elect to use the vehicle’s default Long Distance Mode charge setting and charge their vehicle to 100 percent for maximum range. Nissan’s new battery capacity warranty (~70 percent range covered for 5 years/60,000 miles, whichever comes first) provides peace of mind to do so,” wrote Brockman. “Another indication of the improvements to the 2013 model is the increase in MPGe rating for the car. The Monroney label now shows an MPGe rating for the 2013 LEAF as 129 City / 102 Highway / 115 combined. That is an improvement from 2012’s 106 City / 92 Highway / 99 Combined.”

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

As a final note, Brockman said the “fun-to-drive, eco-conscious and affordable package that is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle” also meets the needs of the average U.S. driver.

Studies show 29 miles per day is typical, so even at 80-percent charge, and with 66 miles range at that setting, the Leaf can do the job.

Prior to this news being made public, Nissan’s sales already have been picking up with its best sales month since its 2010 launch being in March, followed by a second-best month in April.

The EV was also a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and more and more people are catching on to what the car can do.

This is not hype either. To date, many indicators are there remains a significant proportion of Americans who do not know the Leaf is all electric, it starts at $28,800, is also eligible for subsidies, and can pencil out.

At the same time, there remains resistance and push back against electric vehicles, but today’s news only adds to the positive balance Nissan is using to chip away a greater market share, with plans for more Nissan and Infiniti EVs to come.

The post 2013 Nissan Leaf’s EPA-Estimated Range and MPGe Significantly Improved appeared first on HybridCars.com.

As with every generation before it, customers expect the new S-Class to set standards across the board to retain its accolade as “the best automobile in the world”.

In its first year the new S-Class line-up features two hybrid versions, a gasoline model and a diesel variant: S 400 HYBRID, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID.

Mercedes said all models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series. All the engines already meet the requirements of the Euro-6 emissions standard.

In addition to this, the S 400 HYBRID and S 350 BlueTEC meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A, while the S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID even has an A+ rating.

“The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions figures that only a few years ago seemed utopian, even for executive cars,” says Prof. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “And this is just the start of our ‘Green Leadership’ initiative: soon to be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID – the first S-Class with a fuel consumption lower than four liters per 100 kilometers (58.80 mpg).”

The S-Class line-up therefore includes the full range from gasoline and diesel models to gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrids for the first time.

The S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is set to show the way aerodynamically with a cd figure of 0.23 thanks to additional aerodynamic optimization measures.

The first ever car without a single light bulb

100 years or so after the introduction of electric lighting in motor vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is now making a complete switch to LED technology – the new S-Class is the first vehicle in the world whose interior and exterior do without a single light bulb.

The lighting’s multi-level functionality is another world first: out of consideration for any road users behind, the intensity of the brake lights is reduced at night or while waiting at traffic lights. Almost 500 LEDs illuminate the road, the vehicle, the interior and the trunk.

Depending on equipment, these include:

•     Headlamps: each with up to 56 LEDs
•     Tail lights: each with up to 35 LEDs (plus 4 for the rear fog lamp)
•     Interior (including ambient lighting): approx. 300 LEDs

Visibility is enhanced by two assistance systems that have undergone some key improvements – Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus. Thanks to a new stereo camera and multistage radar sensors, the S-Class has 360-degree all-round vision and detects potential dangers on the road better.

The post New S-Class To Come In Many Hybrid Flavors, Including Plug-In appeared first on HybridCars.com.

With this launch, Minneapolis becomes Zipcar’s 21^st major metropolitan market.

The new Zipcar program will provide, according to the company, the Minneapolis community with access to 40 vehicles located in convenient locations throughout the City, including Dinkytown, Downtown, Loring Park, Northeast, North Loop and Seven Corners.

Zipcar has offered car sharing on the campus of University of Minnesota since 2005, where the carsharing company said it has been extremely well-received by students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community.

Zipcar plans to continue to expand operations throughout additional areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul this year, including working with City of Minneapolis officials to establish on-street parking spots.

“I’m very excited to welcome Zipcar to Minneapolis; their expansion in our city is great news for people who want to spend their money on things other than owning a car,” said City of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

In addition to local residents, students and visitors, the Zipcar program in Minneapolis is available to employees of local businesses through the “Zipcar for Business” program that offers discounted driving rates Monday through Friday.

This program helps businesses save money, meet environmental sustainability goals and reduce parking requirements by providing their employees with access to Zipcars for business needs and other uses.

Zipcar currently offers a mix of vehicle types in Minneapolis, including SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, environmentally-friendly hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, hatchbacks like the Ford Focus and Mazda 3 and luxury vehicles like the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz C300.

Zipcars all have their own individual names, many of which are representative of the cities they hail from. In Minneapolis, Zipcar members can reserve cars like Ford Focus “Superior”, Mazda 3 “Mall”, Ford Escape “Goldy”, or even Audi A3 “Justin”, named after the Twin’s first baseman Justin Morneau or Audi A3 “Joe”, named after Twin’s catcher Joe Mauer.

Zipcar hourly and daily rates include gas, reserved parking spots, insurance and up to 180 miles of driving per day.

Cars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for multiple days.  Zipcar rates on vehicles in downtown Minneapolis start from $8.75 per hour and $72 per day (24 hours).

The post Zipcar Launches In The City Of Lakes appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Evolve USA Charging Corporation will be solely responsible for new sales, service and the development of electric vehicle charging Systems for both residential and commercial applications.

Evolve will also be responsible for administration of the recently agreed upon Asset Purchase Agreement of the Chicago Grant Agreement.

The company said that initially, upon court approval Evolve will begin operations with a network of owned and operated units that consist of 142 Level II chargers and 26 Level III DC fast chargers within the Chicago market.

Evolve will also focus on expanding its number of units with additional acquisitions and the development of new locations.

JNS expects that Evolve’s business model will allow Evolve USA Charging Corporation to own, operate and maintain a network of EV Charging Stations throughout the Chicagoland area by entering into shared revenue agreements with the owners of desired properties.

Evolve is proceeding with securing exclusive locations strategically placed within Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and in conjunction with targeted areas for our initial launch of our Electric Vehicle Charging Station infrastructure.

“The company believes that EV Charging Stations offer an excellent opportunity for revenue growth as more and more consumers seek alternatives to oil dependency and environmentally friendly options,” stated Brian Howe, Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Howe also stated, “With more and more automobile manufacturers developing electric vehicles and the cost of such vehicles coming down the need for charging stations will only increase. JNS based upon its years of experience in the electrical industry is poised and ready to seize this opportunity.”

The post Evolve USA New Kid On The Block In Car Charging Landscape appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The maverick CEO and Tesla co-founder intends to purchase $100 million worth of common stock announced as being made available for public sale today and expected to raise about $830 million for the company. Plans are also to use some of the proceeds to pay off Energy Department loans in full with interest.

In recent days, TSLA stock has been on fire rising from below $50 per share just a couple weeks ago to $84.84 today.

The 2,703,027-share public offering will consist of a $450 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2018 in concurrent underwritten registered public offerings plus there is a 30-day option to buy an additional 405,454 shares of common stock and $67.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the notes

The proceeds will go toward paying the cost of convertible hedge note transactions and general corporate purposes, and and of course, Tesla will be free from $465 million in indebtedness to Uncle Sam.

Of the approximately one-eighth of the total sale Musk will personally purchase, $45 million would be in common stock, and approximately $55 million would be bought directly from Tesla in a subsequent private placement due to the waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

The post Musk To Buy $100M From $830M Stock Offering; Tesla Will Pay Off Government Loans appeared first on HybridCars.com.