Tomberlin Anvil NEV - Click above for image gallery Tomberlin, a manufacturing and distribution company based in Georgia, recently unveiled the Anvil, its latest low-speed electric vehicle, on the CBS News Early Show. As a neighborhood electric vehicle, the Anvil is capped at a top speed of 25 miles per hour and is legal on roads in the U.S. with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Base price for the Anvil will be $16K. Tomberlin is claiming a 40-mile range from the aptly named 1,797-pound (with six 12-volt batteries installed) Anvil, which reportedly features a powerful 50-horsepower motor, front disc and rear drum brakes and an on-board charger that can plug into any standard wall outlet. What probably sets the Anvil apart from most other NEVs is its interesting appearance. Looking something like a mashup between a Jeep Wranger, a Hummer H2 and a golf cart, the Anvil doesn’t really look like any other low-speed electric vehicle in recent memory - for better or for worse. Click past the break for two short videos of the Tomberlin Anvil in action. Gallery: Tomberlin Anvil [Source: Tomberlin , Dealernews ] Continue reading Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Although there may be many a MINI E , i MiEV s and smart ED s taking part in that £25 million ($40 million) UK electric vehicle test program , there is also a subset of sports cars involved. The EEMS Accelerate project says it plans to have 21 vehicles acquiring electric car data for 12 months in a rather more sporting style, including kilometers collected on a closed circuit as well as commuting. The four companies supplying the spiffy wheels are listed as the Lightning Car Company , Ecotricity cars , Westfield Sports cars and Delta motorsport . Though we’re unsure of how the numbers breakdown exactly, we do know that two of the 21 are supposed to be Lightning GTs. Add to that at least one recently test-driven “wind car” from carbon-free energy supplier Ecotricity and Westfield kicking in vehicles based on both their Lotus 7-derived Westfield Sport and the GTM Libra. Delta Motorsport will represent with the E-4 Coupe that is said to zip to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and travel 250 miles on a charge. While no dates were given for the trial, we expect it should start sometime early next year if it’s to stay somewhat contemporaneous with the overall trial. [Source: The Engineer Online / EEMS Accelerate ] Electric sports cars abound in UK EV test originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Ecotricity Wind Car in action - Click above to watch the video after the break The saga that has been the building of a ” wind car ” for Ecotricity founder, Dale Vince, appears to have come to a climax. All of the newly invented bits of this stretched and re-engineered former Lotus Exige have been put into place and the car brought out to a bit of tarmac for an initial trial. After a little sorting out of its computer and a slow speed run, Mr. Vince rode shotgun while former Lotus Formula 1 pilot, John Miles , demonstrated for his passenger the vehicle’s ability to give a roller coaster-like rush as they easily hit 100 mph while making a few passes on the old airfield runway. Finally it was Dale’s turn to take the wheel and, with the camera glued to the grin growing on the face of the eco-entrepreneur, the electric sports car had its pedal put down once again with clearly exhilarating results. His first impression of his sweet new ride? He loves the look, the sound and the performance. He believes its the fastest car he’s ever been in and says the sensation of being pushed back into the seat is like “…some mad fairground ride.” The positive experience seems to have pushed him closer to deciding on naming his beast Nemesis. While we’re not sure about the long term plans for the vehicle, after it gets a new set of brakes and tweaks here and there, the team has plans to bring it to a proper track and conduct a bit more testing before letting it go to its new home in Mr. Vince’s garage. Who knows, perhaps it will appear in next year’s car-friendly TTXGP . Hit the jump to see Nemesis in action for yourself! [Source: Zero Carbonista / YouTube ] Continue reading VIDEO: Ecotricity’s electric Exige Wind Car exceeds expectations on the track Filed under: EV/Plug-in , UK VIDEO: Ecotricity’s electric Exige Wind Car exceeds expectations on the track originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

The Focus-based electric car that Ford is developing with Magna for a 2011 introduction is not the only EV program in the company. Early next year, Ford will start testing a fleet of battery-powered Focuses in the UK with funding from a British government program. The Technology Strategy Board announced a total of £25 million for eight projects, including the Ford EV test (we’ll have details on the others up soon). Unlike the production-intent program in the U.S., Ford is collaborating with its partner for the Transit Connect EV, Smith Electric vehicles. The battery Focuses will be used by staff from Scottish and Southern Energy in Hillingdon, Middlesex, a utility which is partnering with Smith and Ford on the program. The Focus will use the same lithium iron phosphate batteries that Smith put into the Tourneo Connect BEV concept that we saw at the Geneva Show in March . Gallery: Ford Tourneo Connect BEV [Source: AutoCar ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , UK Ford to launch Focus BEV test fleet in the UK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Just curious, despite the title, my sisters RDX is a lease, so really, theirs nothing we can do to it, but this is more of a “What If?” question. Lets review, her car is beastly (For it’s class), 240hp and 260tq (from the single turbo), it just FLIES when it’s in Sports mode (60 in the 6’s, better than some cars obviously), and easily does 100 (She’s got it up to 140+ before), but somethings I’ve noticed is that it has Turbo lag (Before 40, the turbos building up) and I hear that at 100, it doesn’t have the proper Aerodynamics (We were in my older Sisteres X3 and she says that thing easily goes into the 100’s, while my sister says the gameplay changes with her RDX). My question is really; how much power and how much time would be added/shaved if were to be modded, with stuff like another Turbo (Similar or better), Exhausts/Headers, Intake, Chip, ect. (Feel free to add stuff I’m forgetting), just curious really, it’s a beast as it is, what would more power (and maybe some weight reduction) do to it

Brabus Tesla Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery If you are sick of hearing about the lawsuit filed by Tesla Motors co-founder Martin Eberhard against the company and current CEO Elon Musk, we’re sorry. There’s a lot to know about the case (like what’s in the complaint ), and we’re going to dig as deep as is reasonable as things move forward. For now, the company is dismissing Eberhard’s lawsuit as wrong and, basically, a mere nuisance. AutoblogGreen got the following from Tesla spokesperson Rachel Konrad: This lawsuit is an unfair personal attack and, more importantly, paints an inaccurate picture of Tesla’s history. It’s a fictionalized account of Tesla’s early years. To that extent, why not let Tesla’s verifiable track record speak for itself? Since the new management team came on board last year, Tesla has achieved unprecedented success, right up to the delivery of the 500th vehicle earlier this month and the opening of a retail network spanning two continents. We spearheaded a strategic partnership with Germany’s Daimler AG, an unquestionable validation of Tesla’s business strategy and the strongest endorsement yet of the current management team’s many achievements. We spent the past year relentlessly driving down Roadster unit costs and increasing supply chain efficiencies - to such success that Tesla is now widely considered the leanest automaker worldwide. We launched the Model S sedan and have received more reservations than even our own bullish internal estimates. These are all astounding triumphs for such a young company - and it shows just how much Tesla has grown in the past year alone. Finally, it goes without saying that this lawsuit will not have any effect on Tesla’s considerable momentum or business strategy going forward . Stay tuned. Gallery: BRABUS Tesla Roadster [Source: Tesla] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Tesla Motors says Martin Eberhard’s lawsuit “will not have any effect on Tesla’s considerable momentum” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Elon Musk There are 146 pages in the complaint filed by Tesla Motors co-founder Martin Eberhard against the company and current CEO Elon Musk (download the PDF here and read more background on the story here ). It’ll take a while to go through and understand the whole thing (we’re not lawyers) and there will be reams more documents released as the case moves forward, but for now, here are some of the things that jumped out at us in the first skim through (all of these statements are alleged): From the moment Musk joined the company in April 2004, he began a campaign to appropriate control of Tesla Motors and of Eberhard’s legacy” and “committed a series of actions that not only resulted in the delay of the release of the Roadster to the consumer market, but also compromised Tesla Motors’ financial health (page 2). During the design process of the Roadster, Musk took a persistent and distracting interest in random details of marginal importance, such as wasting valuable resources and time on research on installing electronic door latches rather than conventional door latches (page 6). There’s more after the jump. Continue reading Tesla lawsuit, first read: learning more about the fight between Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Green Daily Tesla lawsuit, first read: learning more about the fight between Martin Eberhard and Elon Musk originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tata Nano Europa Ever since Tata Motors announced plans to build a $2,500 car , speculation has been rife about whether the car would ever make it to the U.S. At the annual meeting of the company this week, Ratan Tata made it clear that the little Nano will indeed come to America if he has anything to do with it. The Nano is currently undergoing modifications and testing to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. The U.S. version will likely be based on the Nano Europa that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. In addition to a model that meets American regulations, Tata is reportedly working on other variants, including a more powerful two-door and even a MINI Clubman-esque wagon. Even the existing four-door will get more powertrain options like all-electric and hybrid drive. The hybrid is likely of the micro-hybrid auto start-stop variety. Tata is also a licensee of the MDI’s compressed air drive technology and is working on a Nano-based application. Thanks to Jaz for the tip! Gallery: Tata Nano [Source: Indian Autos Blog ] Filed under: Tata Tata wants to bring the Nano to the US within two years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Coda sedan - click above for a high res live gallery Unfortunately, we didn’t have anyone from the ABG team available locally to attend the unveiling of the new Coda electric sedan earlier this week in Santa Monica. However, it pays to have friends in sunny places, including our pal Mike Levine. Mike took a break from his coverage of pickup trucks to go check out the new EV and came away somewhat disappointed. Overall the styling of the car is so-so. It’s certainly not going entice anyone interested in a Tesla Model S with its looks. Even with a new nose, it’s a pretty average compact sedan. Mike’s primary complaints about the Coda were related to the car’s interior. Admittedly this is a prototype and, as such, it can’t be judged as final. However, Mike has seen plenty of prototype vehicles over the years and felt this one was pretty rough even for this stage of development. The interior appeared to be the standard production setup from the base Hafei sedan on which the Coda is based, including the logo on the steering wheel airbag. Coda officials promise the production version will be much better and it will need to be if Coda expects anyone but the hardcore EV fans to shell out nearly $40K for this car. Another issue that may be more difficult to address is rear seat room. Mike describes the trunk as ample but tells us that the volume seems to have come by pushing the back seat forward. The back seat is apparently all but unusable as a result. According to Coda officials we’ve talked to, the goal is an interior competitive with other cars in the mid-$20,000 range. Hopefully, they are working on it, because from what we can see in these pics, they will struggle to compete with a $10,000 Hyundai Accent or Nissan Versa, that $30,000 difference will buy an awful lot of gasoline. Gallery: Coda EV live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Mike Levine Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Miles EV Live coverage of the Coda EV including interior photos originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Click for a high-res gallery of Tesla’s Menlo Park Store It’ll be that much easier to test drive a Tesla Roadster in seven cities - New York, Seattle, Chicago, Miami, London, Monaco and Munich - very soon. These cities are where Tesla plans to open its next batch of stores (officially, “Sales & Service Centers”) and the first of the batch, New York, Seattle, London and Chicago, should open later this month. As much as possible, Tesla has picked store locations that “quick access to nearby highways and suburbs, giving prospective owners an opportunity to experience Tesla’s best-in-class performance under a range of driving conditions.” Seems smart. In related news, a Roadster owner living near San Francisco decided it would be a fun thing to drive to Yosemite National Park . It took some planning to make sure the electric car wouldn’t run out of juice during the 400+ mile round trip. The pictures and write-up of the drive are enough to make just about anyone jealous. Gallery: Tesla Motors Menlo Park Store [Source: Tesla ] Continue reading Seven new Tesla stores will open soon; one Roadster makes it to Yosemite Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors , Green Daily Seven new Tesla stores will open soon; one Roadster makes it to Yosemite originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments