CARazed

It seems like every automaker has a slightly different technology solution and uses different terminology to describe similar things. The terms are also very confusing. It helps to remember that generally speaking the words hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and range-extended just ways of saying that a gasoline engine is helping the partially electric car travel a little farther.

Plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles carry a small combustion engine which can provide the additional power when the batteries run low. Generally speaking the combustion engine in hybrids and plug-in hybrids help move the car by driving the wheels through the transmission. In range-extended electric vehicles the combustion engine usually charges the batteries and electric motors drive the wheels. Continue Reading »

This is one innovate little car from Switzerland. It can run in all electric mode for 60 to 120 miles (depending on driving style) and then with the flip of a switch the Range Extender (small gas motor) can be activated and take you 500 more miles without refueling. But that is just the beginning of the innovation.

The tall and narrow wheels are the most noticeable difference between the Mindset and other cars and just one of the tricks used to lower the cars overall drag coefficient. Special attention has also been made to reduce weight while increasing the chassis strength making this cars safe and ultra-lightweight. It also regenerates electricity during breaking like many hybrids. Continue Reading »

The problem with cars like this is the cost. The reality is that cars like this lead the way and help companies and technologies get their roots down. The technology in this car could be put into lower cost cars one levels of production increase.

The Fisker Karma is one of the most promising luxury plug-in hybrids that will hit the market in 2010. Zero to 60 acceleration will be less than 6 seconds and top speed will be 125 MPH. It will be able to drive on batteries alone for about 50 miles at which point a small electric motor kicks in to power the electric motors, which turn the wheels. This will make the Fisker Karma extremely inexpensive to drive to around town everyday because the cost of electricity is far lower than gasoline.

If you want to take a longer trip no worries, just drive it like a normal car, fill it up with gas, and take off. When the batteries run out of juice the gas motor kicks in to charge the batteries and propel the car.

If the Fisker Karma is successful it will demonstrate that Plug-In Hybrids are the right technology choice for today. Hydrogen fuel cells and all electric cars are in our future but the technology is just not ready today. Battery technology is far enough for plug-in hybrids to be viable. Gasoline engines can be very clean. At 100 MPG we could easily eliminate our need for foreign oil while driving much cleaner cars. If the car is fun and fast on top of all that every car maker in the world need to stop fooling with batteries and hydrogen and start building these plug-in green machines. For more information visit Fisker Automotive.

Photo credit Fisker Automotive.

The Aptera Typ-1 is now expected to hit the roads 2010. Technically licensed as a motorcycle, due to it’s three-wheel configuration, the Aptera Type-1 is super light weight and will get amazing fuel economy while still being a very safe vehicle to ride in due to it’s high-tech composite body. You can reserve an Aptera online today with a $500 deposit. Photo credit Aptera Motors.

Bob Lutz gives 60 minutes a tour of the upcoming plug-in hybrid from General Motors, the Chevy Volt.

More news on Golf VI which is still on target for a 2011 release. Like many auto makers struggling to sell cars, Volkswagen is working quickly to develop more efficient cars in the hope of attracting buyers.

Nissan has revealed details of it’s plans to enter the electric and advanced hybrid market in 2010 followed by a worldwide roll out in 2012. The car pictured is just a test vehicle. The new electric car will have a completely new design not based on any car they offer today. This is wonderful news and evidence that 2010 is the year to start looking for new cars. Don’t buy a new car today, wait for these ultra efficient cars. But feel free to replace that SUV with a used Prius Photo credit Nissan.

Aptera, the company with the futuristic electric car pictured here, and ActaCell, a company working on a cheap and safe battery technology, both became the first recipients of Google’s RechargeIT’s green car investment program. Each company has received $2.75 million.

RechargeIT promotes companies that are driving toward plug-in hybrid technology, which is very different from current hybrid technology. It’s far more efficient, especially in normal local driving. The Aptera Typ-1 whill get about 230 miles per gallon. A Toyota Prius with plug-in hybrid technology gets about twice the fuel efficiency of a normal Prius.

Aptera hopes to ship its first car before the end of 2009 and AptaCell is shooting for 2010 for full production release of their battery technology. Photo credit Aptera. Also see VentureBeat for more details.

Daimler has announced that they will bring both Smart and Mercedes branded electric cars to the market by 2010, joining a growing number of major auto makers quickly developing all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars similar to the Fisker Karma and Tesla Roadster. GM, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, BMW, and Volkswagen have already announced their plans to target 2010 with releases of these super efficient cars. A test fleet of 100 electric Smart cars are already on the road gathering much needed research data and working out the bugs.

Also announced is the plan to join Honda, Chevrolet, and possibly Volkswagen in their advanced fuel-cell testing by 2010. But most automotive experts are now saying that electric cars and plug-in hybrids will be the technology to watch. Hydrogen fuel cells, while promising, would require a complex refuleing infrastructure. The electric power grid is already in place.

I know I sound like a broken record but holding off to buy your next new car until at least 2010 just seems like the best idea. If you need a more economical car buy a used car, save your money for a new electric car or plug-in hybrid in 2010. Read this Motor Trend article for more information. Photo credit smartUSA.com.

Love this short clip featuring the Aptera. I’m very tempted to put down the $500 deposit myself on this car but it only has two seats and I need at least three. I emailed them the other day and this is what they said:

Once Aptera has finalized the initial production version of the typ-1, we will continue to revolutionize the transportation industry in other areas.

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I can’t say I blame them for giving me such a round-about answer; they must have their hands very full enough with the X PRIZE and their first car. But it sounds like they must be thinking of future buyer needs. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for more from Aptera.