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Initial reports have been uncertain, more needs to be determined, but the chief fire investigator in Fort Bend, Texas has let fly the statement that a Fisker Karma was the source of a house fire there.
“Yes, the Karma was the origin of the fire," said Chief Robert Baker to Autoweek about the incident that took place last week, "but what exactly caused that we don't know at this time.”
In regions where the power grid is already close to being taxed to the limit, the prospect of an increasing number of electric vehicles all plugging in at the same time has utilities and others looking for solutions to prevent an overload.
One idea being collaborated upon between IBM, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., and Honda is a project to enable electric vehicles and the power grid to essentially “talk” to each other.
The concept – generally in line with other such projects happening around the globe known as the “smart grid” – is that by advanced communications, EV owners will be able to figure out the best times to charge their vehicles.
As we write, the 2012 New York Auto Show has opened its doors to the public, and from what we gather, this could very well be the last time it’s hosted at the Jacob Javits Center. This famous location has now been earmarked for redevelopment into residences and a new NYC convention center is slated to be built on the site of the old Aqueduct race track in Queens.
From a green vehicle perspective, this year’s show seemed very much about making existing vehicles more efficient rather than developing new concepts in sustainable motoring. There weren’t many EV start-ups present; instead there was plethora of larger, more luxury oriented vehicle introductions; machines that will either spawn hybrid derivatives or boast greater use of technology to increase efficiency (such as multi-speed transmissions and stop/start).
(September 2010) Green Drive Expo, 6 New Toyota Hybrids, Stale Gas
(July 2010) Compostable Cars, VW Hybrids, Rodney King's EV
(June 2010) PluginCars.com Launch, Gulf Spill & Your Car
(March 2010) Balloon-Boy-Prius-Man, Geography and Coda
(February 2010) Prius Recall Response, Killing the Gas Station
(January 2010) Hybrid Horserace, Electric Drive Here to Stay
