BMW Mini E (for electric!)

BMW has announced an electric Mini model, the "Mini E", to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

The Mini E will have a 204hp electric motor with a 260kg lithium-ion battery pack, a top speed of 150 km/h, an 8.5 second 0 to 100 acceleration, and a range of 240 km.

BMW will only make 500 units initially (at their Cowley, U.K. plant) to be distributed later this year among select clients in the U.S. through a leasing system. These will be recalled 12 months later so that BMW can study performance issues and make improvements.

Read it on Register Hardware, lots more info there.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, BMW, Mini, Mini E, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars

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China: 95% of all vehicles recyclable by 2017

China’s Huliq News reports on a conference held for the local automotive parts remanufacturing industry, where China’s ambitious green program for that industry was launched.

The Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers described it as a three stage process:

• Stage 1 (current): China’s automakers and car dealers will be required to register recyclable vehicles made or sold by them.
• Stage 2 (2010): 90% of all China-made and imported vehicles should be recyclable, with at least 80% of their materials recyclable.
• Stage 3 (2017): 95% of all China-made and imported vehicles should be recyclable, with at least 85% of their materials recyclable.

Tags: China auto industry, auto industry, auto parts industry

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Honda hybrid aims for Prius

Honda has announced a big push in the hybrid segment, most importantly an entry-level car, unnamed yet, that will sell for $19,000, get 60 mpg, and directly target the Toyota Prius. It will be officially presented in October at the Paris Auto Show.

Honda also says they will release three more hybrid models by 2012: an updated Civic Hybrid and a CR-Z hybrid coupe (see photo of concept model) in 2010, and a hybrid Fit in 2012.

Read it at Wired.

Tags: Honda, hybrids, Honda CR-Z hybrid, Honda Fit hybrid, alternative energy, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic hybrid, Honda Fit hybrid

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Toyota Prius going solar

Toyota will install solar panels on the roof of their next-generation Prius hybrid cars during their 2009 redesign phase. The energy created will power the auto’s air conditioning system.

Tags: Toyota, Prius, Toyota Prius, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, hybrids, hybrid technology, solar cars, solar energy

More at Reuters.

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Tesla new electric sedan: Model S

Tesla Motors is already on the electric car map with their super-fast Roadster.

But now they’ve officially announced their next model, a sedan (named the Model S for now).

Tesla has agreed to build a manufacturing plant in California, which they just announced the sedan with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California has given Tesla diverse incentives including tax breaks to lure them away from a previously announced plant location in New Mexico.

The Mode Sl will cost $60,000, seat five, and have a range of 360 km (225 miles) on a single charge.

Tags: Tesla, Tesla Model S, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars

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Small gets big in U.S.

Various news items from Automotive News point a rosier picture for Japanese manufacturers vs. the American Big Three, as a pronounced move away from large vehicles towards smaller more eco-friendly ones continues in the U.S.

• Toyota and Honda are better positioned than Ford, GM and Chrysler to adjust production towards smaller cars.
• The full-size pickup segment has virtually collapsed (from 2.5 million units in 2005 to an estimated 1.5 million this year), catching Ford and Chrysler at the worst possible moment as they are about to launch redesigned models.
• GM’s Hummer line is close to being sold off or possibly disappearing.
• GM is considering lightening its big Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon models by moving to a different platform. "The future of other big SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade is unclear".
• Toyota is making a big move with its Prius hybrid, and may soon begin production in the U.S.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars, hybrids, GM, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Hummer, Prius

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Honda Clarity zero-emissions

Honda’s FCX Clarity is a zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car (their first) that runs on hydrogen and electricity, and emits only water. It is two times more efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times more efficient than a standard gasoline car, says Honda.

The first units have just been produced and are destined for the U.S. Honda plans to lease a few dozen units in 2008 and reach 200 within in 2009, at a monthly cost of $600 (that includes maintenance and collision coverage).

Hollywood stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest are among the first Clarity customers.

Honda knows the biggest obstacle for the Clarity (and similar models) is the lack of hydrogen fuel stations, so they are winnowing down the 50,000 applications they’ve received to buyers living near existing hydrogen fuel stations in the Californian cities of  Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine.

Tags: Honda, Honda Clarity, Honda FCX Clarity, Clarity, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars

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GM serious about small

General Motors has made several announcements in recent days that underscore their commitment to both the low-cost and the eco-friendly car segments…

GM is in the midst of:

• Ending production of full-sized pickups and SUVs at four U.S. plants.
• Considering "all options" with their Hummer brand, including selling it.
• Creating a new Chevrolet 1.4 liter compact car to be unveiled towards the end of 2008, and to begin production at their Ohio, USA plant in early 2009. They’re also adding capacity at this plant. The car is as yet unnamed and will be based on the Delta compact car architecture.
• Approving production funding for the Chevy Volt electric car project.

Tags: General Motors, GM, Chevrolet Volt, Chevy Volt, Volt, electric cars, alternative energy, Hummer

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Tesla electric car to Europe

Earlier this month, electric carmaker Tesla Motors opened their first store, in Los Angeles, to sell their landmark Tesla Roadster (retail price: $150,000).

Early adopters include California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney and Kelsey (Fraser) Grammer.

Now Tesla has begun taking Internet orders from Europe, where the weak dollar makes the car’s high price tag a little more palatable. Their next step will be stores in Paris, London, and Munich.

In addition to zero emissions, the Tesla Roadster stands out for its lightning quickness speed (top speed 200 km/h, 0-100 km in under 4 seconds) and improved autonomy (300 kms.) versus earlier electric cars.

Tesla vice president Darryl Siry had this to say to AFP:

"Europeans are much more advanced in their thinking about issues of sustainability and the idea of having a beautiful sports car that produces zero emissions is very attractive to people."

Tags: Tesla, Tesla Motors, Tesla Roadster, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars

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Honda Fit goes hybrid

Honda has announced that they will launch a hybrid version of their Fit model, by the early 2010s according to Automotive News.

This will be their fourth hybrid vehicle, joining a new dedicated hybrid vehicle to be launched in 2009, a sports hybrid based on the CR-Z, and a redesigned Civic hybrid.

Honda president Takeo Fukui had previously shown skepticism regarding hybrids during the automakers 2007 year-end press conference, citing that they require significant improvement in capacity, weight, and size of batteries, motors, and engines.

AFP quotes him thus:

"Until now, the hybrid vehicle business has been about creating impressions and images among potential buyers, and not about producing profitable vehicles at affordable prices."

Tags: Honda, Honda Fit, Honda hybrids, alternative energy, sustainable energy, hybrids, hybrid technology, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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