Archive for November, 2007
Introducing the 2-Mode Hybrid Cadillac Escalade
GM has done it again. They have moved their groundbreaking 2-mode hybrid drivetrain into another very large vehicle, the luxury Cadillac Escalade. Using this drivetrain, the vehicles will get a 50% increase in city fuel economy.
These new Cadillac models will premiere this Friday, November 9 at the South Florida International Auto Show in [...]
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Toyota’s People Think the Volt Will Blow up in GM’s Face
In the battle to be the world’s number one automaker, at times things get a little ugly. We have heard alot about how Toyota thinks the Prius’ conservative parallel design is superior to E-Flex, and how they conservatively believe lithium-ion isn’t ready for cars yet (although they have that little Vitz secret), or that maybe [...]
Popularity: 1%
New Details on Chevy Volt Management and Production
Frank Weber
A new detail-rich article has been published in Automotive Design and Production by senior editor Kevin Kelly in which the current the Chevy Volt management team and some production facts are summarized.
Key to the report are quotes from Frank Weber who is the E-Flex global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, appointed as such [...]
Popularity: 1%
Fuel Cell Chevy Volt for Production in 2011
USA today recently published a piece including an interview with Larry Burns, GM’s VP of R&D. Burns described GM’s push to develop fuel cell cars as a competitive race with other auto manufacturers, who he’s paranoid are up to the same thing.
He is further quoted as saying that GM could deliver production fuel cell cars [...]
Popularity: 2%
Mitsubishi Chairman Yorihiko Kojima Drives an i-MiEV to Work Everyday
We have previously discussed Mitsubishi’s prototype lithium-ion battery powered electric vehicle called the i-MiEV (prior post).
The car was noted to be all-electric with no range extender but be able to drive 100 miles on electric charge and to have wireless recharge capability.
Well here’s a shocker..Mitsubishi’s chairman Yorihiko Kojima reports that he is already driving one [...]
Popularity: 1%
Interview: V2Green CEO David Kaplan, Leading Vehicle-to-Grid Startup
V2Green is a new start-up company based in Seattle who’s main focus is building software and hardware for electric vehicles to communicate with the grid and utilities companies. I had to opportunity to interview V2Green’s CEO David Kaplan. The full interview follows the post, can be heard here, downloaded, or retrieved as a podcast from [...]
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GM Exec: The Volt Will be Ready by 2010
We have heard before Bob Lutz’ intention to have the Chevy Volt in production by the end of 2010, presumably as a 2011 model-year car. The only possible stumbling block to reach that goal has been the lack of lithium-ion battery pack readiness.
We also recently found out that the LG Chem/CPI delivered the first [...]
Popularity: 2%
Toyota President Claims “we must go beyond lithium-ion” to Develop Plug-in Hybrids
Toyota 1/x 925 lb. concept
The New York Times has just published an article about Toyota’s impending foray into the plug-in vehicle market. As we already know, GM appears to be ahead of Toyota in their quest to develop a plug-in electric car. GM already has their first pack, whereas Toyota has repeatedly said lithium-ion [...]
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Bill H.R. 3776 in Support of Funding Advanced Battery Research Has Passed the House of Representatives
We have previously reported on a bill that was introduced to House of Representatives on 10/16/07, called the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007. The bill among other things included $150 million over 5 years for demonstration of vehicle energy storage systems, i.e advanced lithium-ion batteries for plug-in cars (prior post).
The bill was [...]
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Audio Interview: Donald Hillebrand, Director of Center For Transportation Research, Argonne National Lab, Part I
Dr. Donald Hillebrand is the director for transportation research at the Argonne National Lab, a pivotal government organization involved in testing and deployment of plug-in cars. He is also a very intelligent and highly insightful man. We had an extensive and interesting discussion which can be heard in the player below the post. [...]
Popularity: 2%
WIRED Magazine Expires the Volt
I admit it, I am an avid reader of WIRED magazine, more or less since it’s inception.
For those not familiar with it, every issue has a segment called “Expired-Tired-Wired”; a concise commentary about tech trends.
In this month’s issue, the Volt got shoved into the expired box, with the ?Prius a step higher in the tired [...]
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Recent Posts
- Summary of Thursday’s Senate Hearing: Automakers Fight to Survive
- VIDEO: GM’s CEO Arrives to Capitol Hill in Chevy Volt Prototype, Senate Hearings Underway
- GM CEO Will Drive Volt Mule Inside Washington DC Today, UAW Agrees to Drop Job Bank
- GM: Out of Time, Out of Money, Out of Options
- GM Submits Long-Term Viability Plan to Congress: $18 Billion Needed
- Detroit 3 Viability Plans Go To Congress Today: GM’s CEO Will Drive to DC in Hybrid Malibu
- GM-Volt Exclusive: Bob Lutz Details Volt Mule Energy Use in Highway Driving
- GM’s Canceled LA Auto Show Conference: Was it Going to be the Volt Battery Contract Announcement?
- Flextreme Concept Wins Prestigious Design Award, Still Not Production Intent
- What Would Happen to the Chevy Volt if GM Failed?
