November 6, 2009
Nissan released an image yesterday of a light commercial electric vehicle concept. It’s just a sketch, but the drawing signals that Nissan is moving forward with plans to build an entire electric vehicle program—rather than focusing on a single vehicle.
November 5, 2009 The 2009 SEMA Show, an annual automotive extravaganza of hot rods, muscle cars and automotive oddities, opened this week in Las Vegas. In keeping with the times, SEMA will feature a “Making Green Cool Zone” to show off the next generation of aftermarket diesel, hybrid and electric car products. The green theme doesn’t try to hide the show’s raison d’etre: flaunting unbridled horsepower, unfettered innovation, and outlandish design.
November 4, 2009 There’s a new federal proposal on the table to give makers of pure electric cars bonus points to help them meet new tougher fuel economy standards. Joseph White of the Wall Street Journal calls it the auto-industry version of a "buy one, get one free" deal. The debate over CAFE and electric cars is already underway—more than a year from the introduction of the first mainstream electric vehicles. Is it a fair industry incentive or a shell game?
November 3, 2009 It’s common knowledge that keeping your tires properly inflated is a simple yet essential step toward good fuel efficiency. But figuring out what high-efficiency tire to buy in the first place is anything but straightforward.
November 2, 2009 The combination of a fuel-efficient diesel engine and a gas-electric drivetrain could push fuel-efficiency up and beyond 60 mpg. Volkswagen and Peugeot have shown concept diesel-hybrids for years, but have failed to commit because doubling up on the technologies means doubling up on the cost. But Peugeot is apparently breaking the ice.
