By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

While the true debuts at this year’s LA Auto Show were far and few between (note to OEs: we know times are tough, but you can do better than dress up the sloppy seconds of your Frankfurt and Tokyo debuts), Honda always manages to roll out something cool and concepty (yes, that will be the new auto journo “it” word of 2010).

This year was no different as Honda’s designers created what they feel an urban car would look like twenty years in the future (we can only hope Doc Brown’s iridium shades will be in the mix too). The Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) looks sort of like what would happen to an Element in the hands of Frank Geary and the three-person seating arrangement is configured a’la McLaren F1 with the driver up front and two passengers arrears. Since this is a concept there are a few different powertrain possibilities from an efficient gas engine to a gas-electric hybrid, or even a pure electric set up. We’re hoping this is a hint of things to come from Honda. Hit the jump to see more images of this nutty concept (sorry, couldn’t resist).

Continue reading "Honda’s P-NUT Concept is Quirky and Fun, Like a Filbert!" »

By John Naderi

StreetFire.net

So we’re at Mitsubishi’s LA Auto Show press conference. And MMC President, Osamu Masuko starts in about the all-new 2010 Outlander GT. And we start checking our Facebook (oooh, someone liked our status and a friend of ours is taking a road trip. Hmmm, maybe we can tag along).

Suddenly this shot of a Lawson Mart flashes on the screen and visions of CC Lemon, Pocari Sweat and onigiri dance in our heads. But is that chica charging an i-MiEV at Lawson Mart? Sho nuff. It seems Mitsubishi has sold some 800 examples of the quirky little EV since it went on sale in Japan last summer. Mitsubishi also plans to have an EV on sale in North America in as early as 2011. As part of the promotional push the automaker will lease four JDM-spec i-MiEVs to Best Buy as part of it’s Geek Squad fleet (note to the nerd herd: watch those left hand turns!). There are more i-MiEV images as well as other big news from Mitsubishi after the jump.

Continue reading "Mitsubishi Hooks iMiEV Up With JDM Convenience Stores, Geek Squads, Brings USDM Colts" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Apparently Rolls-Royce is getting ready to jump on the EV bandwagon and will offer an electric Phantom late next year. This will most likely be a lease only program in a few select cities. Via Autoblog Green

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

It’s a 1976 912 packing 85 3.3v lithium ion batteries. They power a NetGain Warp11 DC motor, which puts go to the wheels via an original Porsche 5-speed transmission. Built by Sunshine State Restorations in consultation with the Tallahassee Area Electric Vehicle Association. The overall effect? An ultra-clean classic EV. See more…

Continue reading "Electric Beauty: Porsche 912 EV at SEMA" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Factory Five is bringing an electric powered ’33 Hot Rod to SEMA. According to Factory Five, the ’33 EV is “powered by UQM technologies electric drive and A123 Systems high-power lithium-ion batteries. It produces 300+ HP and over 660ft/lbs of torque in a 2400lb car and delivers a range of 100+ miles and 0-60 acceleration in an estimated 4 seconds! ” Can’t wait to see it next week, and of course we’ll have a ton of pics of the car right here in the CarDomain Blog!

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

And I don’t think it’s gonna win any beauty contests. Full story at Autoblog

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

There has been a lot of noise about the Chevy Volt, but Nissan seems to be equally serious about their EV, which will start production in 2010. This week Nissan showed off their latest test mule, based on the Versa/Tiida, but they are expected to reveal the production version on Sunday. More at Wired

By DriverSide

DriverSide

Looks like General Motors has let a few pre-production Chevrolet Volts escape from the company’s Warren Testing Center. A few of the cars have been spotted scooting around on all-electric power near the facility, representing the closest we’ve come to seeing the real deal in action. GM says the company plans to unleash up to 80 pre-production models to help work out any bugs in the system and prepare for the car’s launch next year. For those of you who are blissfully unaware, the Volt is being hailed as GM’s savior incarnate. The extended-range EV can cruise up to 45 miles on a single charge, plug into a household outlet and pop you in the wallet for $32,500 after a government rebate. Via BackSeatDriver

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

A bunch of folks from Nissan were in town yesterday for a big press conference with our mayor. Seattle is working to build out an infrastructure to support electric cars, and Nissan has pledged to help. I didn’t make it to the press conference, but I was able to talk to Mark Perry, Nissan’s Director of Product Planning. Mark told me that Nissan is very serious about bringing an EV to market in 18 months, and said that it will be priced “like a normal family sedan.” So I’m taking that to mean less than a Chevy Volt. And unlike the Volt, Nissan’s car will be a pure EV, with no gas motor to back it up. Mark said to expect a range of 100 miles. The test mule below looks like a Cube, but the production vehicle will look different. I asked Mark when they were coming out with an electric GT-R. He said that Nissan is primarily interested in mass market applications of the EV technology, but that obviously electric drivetrains have some great potential for high performance vehicles. I’m sure the Nissan EV will be a huge hit here in the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont! Heck, I’d consider getting one if they are cheap enough.

Full press release after the jump!

Continue reading "Nissan Partners With Seattle on EV Project" »