The buzz around electric sports-car-maker Tesla Motors is sparking something akin to what happened in California 150 years ago—this time the rush is toward plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles. Undaunted by Tesla’s difficulties in delivering on early promises, small companies are charging forward with a “if they can build a car, why not us” attitude. Many claim that 2010 will be their year.
Oil surged to a new height today, almost reaching $114 a barrel. Retail gas prices rose to a new record of $3.38 per gallon. Diesel jumped to $4.19. And AAA is warning that these prices will continue to rise. The first reaction might be to panic, or make a mad dash toward a single technology solution. But a recent talk by John German, manager of environmental and energy analyses at American Honda Motor Company, suggested that we remain calm.
According to the latest forecast by J.D. Power and Associates, sales of hybrid and diesel-powered cars will more than triple by 2015. The new forecast includes specific numbers for the Chevy Volt, beginning with 11,059 sales in 2010 and growing to 70,000 units by 2014.
The vision of hundreds of thousands of electric cars buzzing along American highways and byways makes most utility companies downright giddy. It’s not just the opportunity sell a lot more electricity that gets them excited. “We think there’s a fundamental game-changer here. And that’s energy storage,” said Ed Kjaer, director of electric transportation at Southern California Edison. What will it take to get us there?
ZAP, the California-based electric car maker, is teaming up with Colorado-based Hybrids Plus to offer plug-in conversion systems for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid.
If you’re excited enough about plug-in hybrids to start shopping for one, you may need to reset your expectations. Despite all the media attention about plug-in hybrids, it’s still not yet possible for an individual consumer to buy one. In the meantime, there are a growing number of companies that will convert your plain-old hybrid into a plug-in hybrid. Check out our updated list of conversion companies.
California-based OEMtek says it can outfit a Prius with a bigger battery pack and double its fuel economy to more than 100 miles per gallon—for a cost of $12,500.
Johnson Controls and Saft are opening a factory to produce advanced lithium ion batteries for cars in a sign that electric and next-generation hybrid vehicles are reaching a tipping point. The factory in Nersac, France will produce up to 5,000 battery packs a year for Daimler AG—for use in the Mercedes-Benz S-class series of luxury hybrids expected to roll out in 2010.
In an exclusive interview for HybridCars.com, Dr. David Chen, general manager of General Motor’s Beijing Operation, dispels some of the myths about China's growing auto market, and explains how the Chinese government is paving the way for a hybrid future.
EnerDel's Ulrik Grape on the challenges of building lithium ion batteries, Japanese competition, and what cars we'll be driving in 2013.
