The Inquisitr » electric cars

White House Announces $2.4 Billion Investment For Electric Cars

AHN — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:36:33 +0000

Wakarusa, IN (AHN) – The White House on Wednesday announced $2.4 billion in grants for makers of electric vehicles and next-generation car batteries, making the single largest investment in such technology. The money will come from the administration’s $787 billion economic stimulus, which President Barack Obama and five other administration officials discussed in separate speeches across the nation the same day.

Speaking at Monaco RV in Indiana, Obama sought to assure the hard-hit state that the investment would create or save hundreds of jobs. He said Navistar International Corp., which owns Monaco RV, will receive $39 million in grants, one of seven projects in the state will that will get more than $400 million.

“If we want to reduce our dependence on oil, put Americans back to work and reassert our manufacturing sector as one of the greatest in the world, we must produce the advanced, efficient vehicles of the future,” the President said.

Overall, 48 projects in 20 states will receive funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop and make batteries and components for next-generation electric cars.

Vice President Joe Biden spoke in Detroit the same day to announce more than $1 billion in grants for Michigan-based projects. The Great Lakes State, the heart of the nation’s ailing automotive industry, will receive the largest share of the funds. More than $400 million will be given

to auto makers including the Big Three — Chrysler, Ford and General Motors — while two companies, A123 and Johnson Controls, will receive a total of $550 million to establish a manufacturing base in the state for advanced batteries.

Another two Michigan companies, Compact Power and Dow Kokam, will get $300 million for making battery cells, while three universities in the state will receive $10 million in total for training researchers and technicians about the technology.

“For our nation and our economy to recover, we must have a vision for what can be built here in the future – and then we need to invest in that vision,” Biden said. “That’s what we’re doing today and that’s what this Recovery Act is about.”

In North Carolina, Energy Sec. Steven Chu unveiled a $49 million grant for Celgard to expand its production to address the increased demand in lithium-ion batteries from U.S. manufacturers.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, meanwhile, visited Florida with news of a $95.5 million grant for Saft America to make lithium-ion cells and battery packs for military, industrial and agricultural vehicles.

Nissan goes green, launches “Leaf” electric car

Duncan Riley — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:42:15 +0000

Nissan unveiled its much anticipated electric car on Sunday, naming the new hatchback the rather uninspiring name of “Leaf.”

The Leaf runs 100 miles (161km) on a single charge, has zero-emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and has a charging time is seven hours, although the company notes that a 30 minute quick charge can get the batteries to 80%.

Nissan will begin selling the Leaf in the United States, Japan and Europe at the end of 2010, with production to start at around 200,000 units a year.

Initial reviews on the Nissan Leaf note that the car doesn’t immediate look or act like other electric and hybrid vehicles on the market. Video footage of the Leaf in action as follows:

A turning point in electric car design

Steven Hodson — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:41:22 +0000

When we think of automobiles we think of things like engines, powertrains, exhaust systems and a myriad of miscellaneous items that go into making up an automobile.

But what if that was to change?

What if we didn’t need all those different parts to make up those vehicle we drive?

Well we may just find out sooner than anyone might think especially if a partnership between Michelin, coachbuilder Heuliez and Freench telecommunication giant Orange can bring to market a radical new drive platform called Active Wheel Drive.

The graphic above is one of their test model called Heuliez Will; which is built on top of the Opel Agila frame and including the Active Wheel design. Part of the whole process stress the designers and builders was to be able to convey a comfortable familiarity but once you realize that there is empty storage space in both front and back you know something different is up.

With the Active Wheel design Michelin has dramatically shifted what our concept of what makes up a car. No longer do we need an engine as we are use to, no longer is there a powertrain we are use to. In short everything but the shell and interior changes. Not to mention all that new cargo space that was taken up by the motor.

The first Active Wheel vehicles are on the street now and with a target price of $27 to $34 thousand this puts them in the same prices range as the upcoming Chevy Volt. Heuliez plans on making the first production models available by 2010 for professional drivers, municipalities and fleets with availability for you and me by 2011.

[hat tip to Treehugger]

Damn this is hot!

Steven Hodson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:08:57 +0000

Yes folks that is one hot looking sports car but what is even hotter is that it is hydrogen powered. Ya I know it’s only a concept from Honda but still doesn’t it just make you drool.

The FC Sport was unveiled last week at the L.A. Auto Show by Honda as part of their on-going research into hydrogen power for vehicles. The car was designed to show that the new green technologies can compete against any gas guzzler thrown at it. The ultimate goal for Honda with the FC Sport was to develop a lightweight vehicle with a low center of gravity and a high performance electric powertrain.

Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go find my drool towel.

[many props to Inhabitat for the pics]