General Motors to establish global BEV test fleet, build New Sail EV prototype
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, China Chevrolet New Sail - Click above for high-res image gallery Speaking at the Plugging Into the Future Forum at the Shanghai World Expo today, General Motors' Global Vehicle Engineering VP Karl Stracke announced the creation of a test fleet of battery electric vehicles. The fleet will be deployed in several regions around the world beginning in 2011. Different vehicles will be used in different regions...
Report: Nissan Leaf available nationwide by end of 2011, in Canada by early 2012
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery On occasion, we receive emails from avid readers asking about specific plans for the Nissan Leaf rollout process. Up until now, responses have been limited to the somewhat vague information that Nissan has revealed thus far. Paraphrasing the words of Nissan, we offer up a response that goes something like this: if you live in the early release m...
Brammo EmpulseRR looks pretty racy, doesn't race. Yet.
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Racing Brammo Empulse officially unveiled - Click above to watch video after the jump While most of the electric race bikes in attendance at the FIM e-Power Laguna Seca event this weekend were parked in the paddocks stressing about achieving their peak performance abilities on Sunday afternoon, one motorcycle sat patiently in the e-Power pits seemingly without a care in the world. Surrounded by a busy bevy...
Report: China to require mild hybrid technology on all new vehicles by 2012
Filed under: Hybrid, Green Daily, China A report from the Chinese-based Global Times suggests that the automotive industry in China is about to take a dramatic turn. As reported, Chinese lawmakers are discussing a revamped automotive policy that includes a requirement for all new passenger vehicles to come equipped with hybrid technology beginning in 2012. General manager of Chery New Energy Company, Yuan Tao, said that Chinese officials are curr...
Report: U.S. House Committee considers 20% reduction in ethanol subsidy
Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily Refiners and blenders pocket 45 cents for every gallon of ethanol blended with gasoline. The subsidy, courtesy of the U.S. government, helps the industry stay afloat amidst the dwindling demand for gasoline and increasing costs of ethanol production. It's been argued that, without the subsidy, the ethanol industry would die a quick death. If a report from BusinessWeek turns out to be true...
Nissan invites Leaf hand-raisers to join online research panel, sends out free charger notices
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily As Nissan's launch of the Leaf electric vehicle draws near, the company is ready to get public input to help guide the process through the final steps. Nissan recently launched the "Leaf Online Research Panel" and emailed hand-raisers in hopes that their active participation will help the company "lay the groundwork for a successful launch of the amazing Nissan Leaf, and for a future in 100 percent e...
BYD misses the mark, hybrid and electric future called into question
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily, China, BYD BYD E6 - Click above for high-res image gallery Numerous reports have suggested that China envisions a future in which it leads all nations in the race towards developing and producing hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). Given the country's sheer size and massive production capabilities, this vision might seem both doable and probable. But, if struggles encountered by China's BYD Auto give...
Report: Nissan considers relaunching 200SX as a fuel-efficient, affordable fastback
Filed under: MPG, Nissan, Green Daily Autocar is reporting that Nissan is seriously considering relaunching a reborn 200SX (Silvia) fastback to compete with the likes of the current Mazda RX-8, possible upcoming RX-7, Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Megane. The reborn 200SX would slot in beneath the company's 370Z and give Nissan a fuel-efficient, affordable two-door coupe to take on a growing list of competitors. Nissan's decision to axe the ...
General Motors to announce Chevy Volt pricing/ordering on Tuesday
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM 2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery The three-year-long wait for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt's official U.S. price tag will finally be over in less than 24 hours. At the Plug-In 2010 Conference in San Jose, California on Tuesday, GM VP of Marketing Joel Ewanick will announce pricing details and the ordering process for the Volt. Following the announcement, there will be a liv...
PICC's latest converted plug-in Prius boasts 40-mile electric range, 245 mpg
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Toyota, Green Daily Plug-in Conversions Corporation (PICC) is well known for its over-the-top Toyota Prius conversions. From its conversion kit that allows the Prius to scoot past 70 miles per hour under electric power alone to its tweaks that bestow the Prius with a boost in electric range, PICC has always found a way to breathe new life into the Prius hybrid. PICC founder Kim Adelman is constantly looking for w...