Recent Comments:
Still want a Sprinter? 100 Mercedes dealers sign on to sell big van {Autoblog}
Nov 9th 2009 10:20PM All the local airport limo companies here have been using the "Badge-kit Benz" Sprinters for a while. I'm sure our local Mercedes dealers have been screaming up their corporate ladders the entire time... wanting to know why they couldn't be the ones selling them.
Lithium battery recycling facility suffers explosions, fire {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 8:53PM They might reconsider the name "Toxco", though. Recycling lithium batteries will be a very hazardous part of the EV industry, but every industry has its dark side.
I'll bet it was a pretty cool display to watch.
REPORT: GM will build Cadillac Converj {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 8:38PM Estimates for the Converj put it in the $80K range. That's more than the Tesla S, but someone looking at a luxury touring coupe probably wouldn't want a four-door sedan that is meant as a family car.
The Karma Coupe derivative is the more likely competition, except that the Karma Coupe will probably be more expensive.
REPORT: GM will build Cadillac Converj {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 8:31PM Meme
The over-sized front end has more to do with pedestrian safety requirements than anything else.
REPORT: GM will build Cadillac Converj {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 3:03PM GM needs to spread production of the Voltec drivetrain as much as they can. We already know they're struggling to hold the cost of the Volt itself to a minimum, so it only makes sense that they would produce a higher-content (and higher profit) version.
I think the Converj is a strikingly beautiful car. It will certainly give Fisker some competition for the coupe version of the Karma.
REPORT: GM will build Cadillac Converj {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 2:58PM "we only hope it doesn't take as long to build as the Bowtie's broad-shouldered muscle car."
The Camaro went from concept to production in just over three years. First shown at the New York Auto Show in January of 2006 - Official production began March 2009.
At Witz' End: Notes from "The Business of Plugging In" {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 1:40PM It remains to be seen what the "normal mode" will be for charging PHEVs. I know if I had one, I personally would want to quick-charge it to minimize my need to buy gasoline.
The reason why Darbee wants people to charge with timers and at off-peak times is obvious - it's the truth behind Witz's paraphrase - too many EVs charging at high voltages would bring down the grid. Darbee isn't trying to save his customers money, he's just be realistic about his company's ability to serve those customers.
At Witz' End: Notes from "The Business of Plugging In" {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 1:11PM The Volt can be quick-charged in only 3 hours at 220V.
At Witz' End: Notes from "The Business of Plugging In" {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 1:01PM "No, this is from a guy who has a vested interest in promoting *PH*EVs. Which generally charge on 120V."
Why would you say that? As the Chairman of PG&E, I would think that he would want to be selling as much electricity as he can - you know, fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders and all that...
Anyway, why would you assume that PHEV owners wouldn't want 220V quick-charge capability as well? You can't generalize about PHEVs when they aren't even on the market.
At Witz' End: Notes from "The Business of Plugging In" {Autoblog Green}
Nov 9th 2009 12:20PM "Pacific Gas & Electric chairman Peter Darbee warned that even a fairly small number of PEVs using 220V chargers simultaneously in a residential neighborhood could overwhelm local circuits and cause blackouts, since each would be drawing as much power as an entire house."
Wow, now that's a revelation. And this is from the guy who has a vested interest in promoting EVs!
We need to be upgrading the grid now if we're going to be ready for EVs.
