By Ted Berner

GTwildfire

Toyota has revealed plans to make a non-hybrid, all-electric Prius available in 2012, and will also be rolling out other Toyota EV models in pretty significant numbers. The Prius should offer a more cost-effective option for those ready to take the plunge, edging out the Leaf and easily underbidding GM’s Volt with a pricetag around $28,000. This is good news for the advancement of electric cars, efficiency and energy independence.

However, in the press release on the announcement, Toyota’s product development chief was quoted as saying that “Over time, we would like to offer consumers the option of paying more for a bigger battery and longer range, but that won’t be possible with the first version.” I guess that’s the future of battery technology at Toyota in a nutshell? Bigger + heavier = farther? And you have to pay more for it? The lack of room for thinking about better battery technology in his revelation alone managed to curb my enthusiasm, but battery issues aside, I’m looking forward to Toyota’s new lineup. No doubt the next generation of EV garage modders will again be improving on Toyota’s design.

Credit to Kevin Krolicki and Reuters for this informative article.

By Ted Berner

GTwildfire

I have commented about Nano Titanate Lithium battery technology and blogged about EVs. I don’t think that “planned obsolescence” has a place in the EV market or any market for that matter. If you have a best idea, use it. If there’s something, some technology out there that’s available and obviously better than what you’re planning to use – and will make an insanely huge improvement in your product – Why not use it? If I scratched my head starting right now for every time auto makers left me scratching my head, I’d be scratching my skull when finished.

With that said here are two articles. The first is a bus demonstration for Washington politicians. The demonstrator bus drives 2.5 hours on a 5 minute charge.

The second article is recent publicity from a well-known EV manufacturer. I’m not going to mention them by name because they represent the status quo for most production or production-bound EV development, and this is the direction they’re taking with respect to powering their vehicles.

I know and respect that some of you hate the idea of electric vehicles and probably would never own one. There are many more that would, however. It stands to reason that the transition to an electric car would not involve planning for the next day by plugging in or any other concessions. Using one, as a requirement by John Q. Public MUST involve fast (and I mean 10 minutes or less) recharges resulting in a range similar to that of a gasoline-burning rival in the marketplace, period.

Not buying gas? Great for some. Not taking hours to recharge? Great for most. Why don’t they get it?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Worried that your EV might be powered by electricity produced by burning coal? Then charge it at one of these new portable solar EV charging stations built by SunPods. This solution is being rolled out in San Jose, but could come to your city in the near future. Via Autopia

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) just announced plans to launch an electric motorcycle racing series next year. Press release after the jump! Via Autoblog Green

Continue reading "What's Next: Electric Motorcycle Racing Series" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Partrick’s Ford ZX2 ride page got over 300,000 hits yesterday. Why? Cause he converted the car to electric power, documented every step on CarDomain, and the story got picked up by The Indy Channel and CNN. We saw the traffic spike and were pretty stoked. Nice work, Patrick! Now we just got to get him to upload his videos to StreetFire! Stay tuned, cause next he’s thinking of converting a 1964 Rambler Classic!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Yes, I know the technology in this all electric 911 is more important, but I’m geeking out on the old school targa look. RUF did this by starting with a 997 cabrio and simply adding a rollover bar with a removable plastic rear window section. Has anyone done this before on a newer Porsche? I love it. More at Jalopnik

Continue reading "RUF Brings Back the Old School Targa Look With Their New eRUF Greenster" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I was just checking out Bruce’s EV Duster blog and it looks like his motor controller blew up recently, causing a small fire under the hood. Luckily there was no real damage to the car or other components, but still, it sucks. If you haven’t already, check out the EV Duster ride page! Can’t wait to see this car done!