Free Republic

"The world's largest battery manufacturer, CATL, announced on Thursday a new style of battery destined to create a cleaner, longer-range generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery debuts to give PHEVs and extended-range electrics (EREVs) the type of zero-emissions all-electric range that was previously reserved for battery electric vehicles. Freevoy-powered hybrids will travel farther with fewer fueling stops, whether they're relying solely on battery power or tapping into an ICE drive or generator. When battery power and fuel finally do run out, drivers can choose 10-minute battery charging, refueling or both."

A full-size van replacement and a Ford Maverick competitor—both of them EVs—have been canceled. * Sources tell us plug-in hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are headed to market, in a hurry. * General Motors had been fully committed to all-electric pickups, but problems towing and hauling heavy loads have made EV pickups less attractive to traditional truck buyers. * GM’s change in plans creates uncertainty for Detroit’s Factory Zero, which has been retooled solely for production of battery-electric vehicles such as the GMC Hummer (pictured above). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While zero-emissions enthusiasts wait for mass production of General...

In a move that will help cut oil use and greenhouse gases, at least eight big automakers are gearing up to sell new types of electric cars. GM, for example, plans to sell its Volt in 2010, while China wants to become the world's largest producer of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). And a few entrepreneurs, such as Segway inventor Dean Kamen, are designing novel prototypes. Leading the charge is President Obama. He wants carmakers to put a million PHEVs on US roads by 2015. Advocates of these next-gen cars, however, often act like someone who takes for granted that...

Battery technology is still not good enough to jumpstart an electric car revolution "I am absolutely committed to working with Congress and the auto companies to meet one goal: the United States of America will lead the world in building the next generation of clean cars," declared President Barack Obama this week when he announced his administration's plan to nationalize the American automobile industry. What does he mean by "clean cars"? During the presidential campaign, candidate Obama promised to enact $7,500 tax credit for new plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) cars, vowing to "put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars—cars that can...

General Motors will den Chevrolet Volt schon 2010 für rund 30.000 Dollar auf den Markt bringen. Was wird ein Steckdosen-Smart kosten? General Motors intends to market the Chevrolet Volt as early as 2010 for around $30,000. How much will a plug-in Smart cost? Wir planen für das Jahr 2010 einen Elektro-Smart und für dasselbe Jahr auch ein Mercedes-Modell. Über den Preis ist noch nicht endgültig entschieden. Das hängt davon ab, ob wir die Autos mit den Batterien verkaufen oder ob die Batterien geleast werden. We are planning an Electro-Smart for the year 2010, and for the same year also a...

Poultney, VT - Imagine collecting a paycheck from your utility company each month simply for plugging your electric vehicle into the power grid and making it available to supply or download power. "There's a whole new way to look at energy supply and distribution, and our love affair with cars," said Dr. Steven Letendre, professor of management and environmental studies at Green Mountain College. "In the not-so-distant future, electric cars should be viewed both as environmentally-friendly suppliers of services to the power grid and as sources of income for owners." An article written by Dr. Letendre and Dr. Willett Kempton...