Gas 2.0 |
- GM Working On Efficient, Shape-Changing, Memory Metal Engine
- Webchat: Chevrolet Volt Leadership Change
- Ford and Azure Deliver Electric Transit Connect Van
- Tesla Sets New World Record for Distance Driven on Single Charge
- British Cops Unable to Use Blue Lights on New Electric Car
| GM Working On Efficient, Shape-Changing, Memory Metal Engine Posted: 02 Nov 2009 03:36 PM PST Like it or not, at least for the near future most of us are stuck with internal combustion engine powered cars. While a lot of hype is behind future cars and technology, from electric to hydrogen to everything in between, a lot of improvements can yet be made on the ICE engine. To that end, the Department of Energy has awarded GM with $2.7 million to develop a working prototype of a Shape Memory Alloy engine. In theory, this engine could recycle the waste heat and turn it into electrical energy, perhaps one day even replacing alternators and improving fuel efficiency.       |
| Webchat: Chevrolet Volt Leadership Change Posted: 02 Nov 2009 10:50 AM PST From the GM FastLane Blog: Global electric vehicle development chief Frank Weber is moving back to Europe to join the Opel/Vauxhall senior leadership team and Doug Parks will takeover the reins of the Chevrolet Volt development team on Dec. 2. Doug was the global compact car team leader, or more specifically, the leader of the same architecture on which the Volt is based, and we expect he will provide the same tireless work ethic and attention to detail put forth by Frank and the entire Volt team. We're sure there are lots of questions you have for Frank and Doug, so they'll both be available here for a webchat later today at 4 p.m. EST to answer as many as they can. Frank has done an excellent job getting the Volt to the point it's at today, and we wish him well in his new role on the Opel/Vauxhall senior leadership team. - Rob Peterson, Electric Vehicle Communications Manager     |
| Ford and Azure Deliver Electric Transit Connect Van Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:46 AM PST
Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics have teamed up to introduce a battery electric commercial van called the Transit Connect. The electric van will be available in America and Canada beginning in 2010 and is the first vehicle to be produced as part of Ford’s accelerated electric vehicle strategy. Azure will integrate its Force Drive battery electric drive train into the van and Johnson Control-Saft has been selected as the lithium ion battery cells and battery packs supplier. The Transit Connect van is being marketed for fleet and retail use. What Ford has not brought to market is their Ford Escape Flex-Fuel Hybrid which they have been working on for close to a decade. I actually drove one in a car rally in upstate New York two years ago (it was a great car) but the company discontinued its work claiming that there was no demand. How quickly times change.     |
| Tesla Sets New World Record for Distance Driven on Single Charge Posted: 02 Nov 2009 02:16 AM PST A US-built Tesla Roadster has broken the world record for the distance travelled by an electric production car on a single charge. Until now, the record has been held by another Tesla Roadster, after completing a 241 mile road rally on one charge.     |
| British Cops Unable to Use Blue Lights on New Electric Car Posted: 02 Nov 2009 01:51 AM PST Cops based near Oxford in the UK have revealed that they are unable to to use flashing blue lights on their new electric car - in case it drains too much power from the battery. The Thames Valley police force is testing out the £20,000 ($33,000) Mitsubishi iMiev in an effort to improve its environmental credentials. Apart from this quite obvious setback, they have been pleased with the silent, emission-free car, capable of travelling 100 miles on a single charge (with the lights off).     |
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