Friday, May 23, 2008

Update: electric cars




So where are we with electric cars?
General Motors: GM is building a joint venture electric car in China, I mean the whole thing, parts, manufacturing, from the ground up. They are already marketing a hybrid SUV in china. the thing is, these cars really dont get good gas mileage, because they are huge vehicles. And they are very heavy. My 2003 corolla 5 speed recent mpg record: 35 mpg, 37 ,pg, 38mpg, 40.2 mpg for the last month. The mpg on a hybrid Buick Lacrosse, which is what they are building, is probably high 20's maybe 28 at the most. They are also planning to market the Volt (shown in picture)which will be a plug in electric vehicle with a 1 liter gas/ethanol engine that will recharge batteries while driving to extend range.
Nissan: plans an electric car by 2010, thinking of marketing first in israel (picture shown). Also plans electric commercial vehicles.
Toyota: New Prius will be more efficient and faster, but no new technology. They are planning a change from nickel to lithium batteries. In the future, 2010, a plug in hybrid (which is now available as after market add on).
Honda: the Clarity (shown) will be available as hydrogen car monthly lease about $600 only in California where limited hydrogen fueling stations will be available. honda dropped its Insight hybrid, and its Accord hybrid - insight too small, Accord's cost versus increased mpg wasn't marketable. Honda will come up with a plug in electric by 2010 also, maybe Clarity will be plug in powered by hydrogen generator
Other: ZAP industries market many electric vehicles, I question if americans would find them attractive.
Tesla: independent manufacturer, focuses on performance. See video!

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