Hasta La Gadget!

One of the most interesting electric vehicles on the market is the Tesla Model S. The thing that’s so interesting about this EV is that it seats multiple adults comfortably and has an impressively long driving range. A 2012 Model S Signature edition has hit eBay even before it’s actually built.

A seller has put the 2012 Tesla Model S up on eBay with a buy it now price of $145,000. That’s roughly $47,000 more than sticker price. Clearly, someone is looking to turn a tidy profit. Only 1000 of the Signature models will be constructed, and this one is Signature Red with white leather interior.

The car has the 85 kWh battery pack with an EPA rated 265-mile driving range. It’s also equipped with integrated tech package that features Dolby 7.1 premium sound and other goodies. The car in the auction is on auction for a couple more days ending on September 20.

The car is scheduled to be delivered on October 14. Well to do shoppers looking for a high-end Tesla Model S to add to their garage may not bat an eye at clicking buy it now and paying $47,000 more than the sticker price rather than wait to buy one later. I wonder if the fire issue that plagued Tesla and initiated a voluntary recall will affect this auction.

[via Venture Beat]

Tesla Model S hits eBay before it’s built is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Toyota announced its new all electric 2012 RAV4 SUV several months ago. The EV will go on sale in California to begin with through select dealers who focus on major metropolitan areas. Toyota has announced special financing and customer lease options for the RAV4 EV.

Toyota says that the vehicle will go on sale the week of September 24 at the previously announced MSRP of $49,800. Toyota is giving customers the option to purchase or lease with special purchase financing of 1.9% APR for qualified customers. A 36-month lease option will cost $599 per month with $3499 before driving off in the car.

Toyota plans to sell 2600 RAV4 EVs through 2014. Whether or not Toyota will be able to sell that many of the EVs remains to be seen. Toyota’s electric competition such as the Nissan Leaf has been unable to meet sales targets.

The EV is expected to qualify for the California $2500 Clean Vehicle Rebate Program and is eligible for the $7500 Federal Tax Credit. The electric SUV will also qualify for the California High Occupancy Vehicle lane white sticker program. The electric RAV4 is EPA rated for a driving range of 103 miles with 78 city MPGe and 76 combined MPGe.

Toyota RAV4 EV ready to roll into California is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Boosted Board isn’t the first powered skateboard to grace these pages, but it is the lightest. In its current prototype form, it weighs just 12 pounds, thanks to a high-end Loaded Vanguard longboard, 2,000W brushless electric motor, 100W/h Lithium polymer battery pack and regenerative braking and drivetrain bits. That hardware will move you along at up to 20mph, provide about six miles of range and tackle up to a 15 percent grade. The company is also evaluating different battery chemistries and cell sizes for folks looking for longer range. We were told that the board is capable of much higher speeds, but it’s been limited for safety reasons. However, that reservoir of power is put to good use when rolling uphill, as the Boosted Board’s got some custom firmware that aims to make cruising up inclines feel the same as riding on flats. Adjusting the speed is accomplished through a custom handheld, thumb-operated throttle that’s still in development.

We got to lay our hands (and feet) on one today in San Francisco, and we spoke with Boosted Board’s builders, too. The board’s lightweight design, with the battery pack and motor components nestled at either end, is quite different from other electric decks we’ve seen with a massive power pack centered underneath. This design is made possible by that power-dense brushless motor, and it allows the Boosted Board to maintain the flexible feel that regular longboarders know and love. For now, the drivetrain and components are left exposed (as you can see in our gallery) but a more integrated design will go to the Kickstarters who pledged the $1,200 needed to get one when they start shipping next May. Folks looking for more info can find it in the source below and the video after the break.

Continue reading Boosted Board electric longboard is lightweight enough to carry, powerful enough to haul riders uphill

Filed under: Transportation

Boosted Board electric longboard is lightweight enough to carry, powerful enough to haul riders uphill originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While we might not have enjoyed the full story arc just yet, we came within an electric whisker of seeing the electric Roadster‘s around the world trip derailed completely. The team at Tesla service in Munich, however, obviously love a fairytale ending — which is why they pledged to fix-up the car in the fastest time possible. Just four days after that show-stopping accident, de Mestre is back in the game, and heading south to Barcelona. The journey won’t end there though, as to make up some lost miles on the French Citroen team, he’ll travel back up to Strasbourg, and in turn roll over the virtual 25,000 km finish line. Assuming no other problems along the way, we’ll be mentally cheering the him along.

Filed under: Misc

Around the world Tesla Roadster tour back on track after swift repair job originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s not every day that you see a new EV manufacturer get started; it’s even less common when the company promises a switch-up of the typical automaker’s formula. Scarlet Motors has made its formal debut with an aim towards the same kind of openness in its electric sports cars that founder Julien Fourgeaud would be familiar with from his days at Nokia and the Symbian Foundation. In addition to giving a peek behind the curtain, Tesla-style, Finland-based Scarlet wants future (and eventually current) drivers to influence the design choices themselves, both through a dedicated community as well as Facebook and Twitter. We’ll get more details in time, but those that just can’t wait can sign up to the community beta and help shape what might become their next ride.

Filed under: Transportation

Scarlet Motors promises an open EV design process originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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