Oct 31

GM’s got a brand new electric motor and it’ll give you the key (video)

Posted in: electric vehicle, ElectricVehicle, ev, Today's Chili, video
Cars with electric motors running the show are few and far between, which is something we need to change — that’s why General Motors is finishing up a new plant in White Marsh, Maryland. The facility will be cooking up magnet and induction electrical motors to power GM’s next generation of EVs. The first off the line will be the 85 kW (114hp) electric engine that’ll sit inside the hood of 2013’s dinky Chevy Spark EV. Peek after the break and you’ll be rewarded with a cornucopia (that’s the technical term for four, right?) of videos and a press release about the company’s plans for electrical domination.

[Thanks, Nicole]

Continue reading GM’s got a brand new electric motor and it’ll give you the key (video)

GM’s got a brand new electric motor and it’ll give you the key (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 19

GM demos accident avoidance system with brains and long range

Posted in: Today's Chili
GM Collision Avoidance

Collision avoidance systems aren’t exactly exciting new news any more. But most of these systems, even the ones that jerk the wheel out of your hands, simply detect obstacles — they don’t talk to each other. GM’s new prototype uses Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) to share data with other vehicles. The cars not only detect other motorists, but construction zones, police activity, and slowed or stopped traffic. Unlike a similar concept from Ford, GM doesn’t just talk to cars in the immediate area, but can detect trouble up to a quarter mile down the road, offering plenty of warning time for you to change course or hit those breaks. We think the company’s estimate that such a system could avoid 81-percent of crashes in the US is a tad optimistic though — clearly they don’t realize how big of jerks most drivers are.

GM demos accident avoidance system with brains and long range originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 14

EV manufacturers get harmonized, agree to build a universal charging system

Posted in: car, electric, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, Ford, green, Today's Chili

Fancy segregating EV charging stations by vehicle manufacturer? No? A slew of major automobile firms didn’t like the idea much either, and have agreed on a combined charging system to use as an international standard. Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen now support a single-port fast charging system that integrates all charging configurations — from spiffy quick charging setups, down to modest Level 1 rigs. The new system also crowns HomePlug Green PHY as the standard communication protocol, allowing charging stations to hook compatible EVs to Powerline Smart Grid applications. Where do all these fancy features leave you and your Leaf? Charged, of course — the new “harmonized electric vehicle charging solution” promises to be backward compatible with current industry standard J1772 connectors. Hit the break for Ford’s official press release.

Continue reading EV manufacturers get harmonized, agree to build a universal charging system

EV manufacturers get harmonized, agree to build a universal charging system originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 13

GM puts Spark EV all-electric vehicle into production, begins development of next-gen EN-V concept

Posted in: electric vehicle, ElectricVehicle, ev, Today's Chili, video
GM has already done a fair bit of talking about electric vehicles this year, but it’s not done just yet. The company announced this week that it will be producing an all-electric version of its Spark mini-car — to be dubbed the Spark EV — into production, with the first vehicles set to roll out sometime in 2013 (including “limited quantities” in the US). Complete details on the vehicle are otherwise still a bit light, but GM says it will use nanophosphate lithium-ion battery provided by A123 Systems. What’s more, while there’s no word on it going into production, GM has also confirmed that it’s begun development of its next-generation EN-V concept vehicle, and that it will sport a Chevrolet badge this time around. As you may recall from our test ride, the existing EN-V is already plenty futuristic, so it’ll be interesting to see what the automaker comes up with next. Head on past the break for a video of the Spark.

Continue reading GM puts Spark EV all-electric vehicle into production, begins development of next-gen EN-V concept

GM puts Spark EV all-electric vehicle into production, begins development of next-gen EN-V concept originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 08

Opel shows off all-electric One Euro Car concept

Posted in: electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, Today's Chili
It’s saving most of the details for the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, but GM subsidiary Opel has now offered up the first glimpse of its all-electric One Euro Car, which seems bound to turn a few heads on the show floor. The car’s name comes from the company’s promise that the it will consume just one Euro’s worth of energy (or about $1.40) for every 100 kilometers, though there’s no indication of a price for the car itself other than that it’d be “affordable” — if it ever goes into production, that is. Otherwise, the company’s only saying that it will boast a top speed of 120 kilometers (or 75 miles) per hour, room for two, and a total weight about a third that of a modern compact car.

Opel shows off all-electric One Euro Car concept originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 26

LG and GM team up to build next generation of electric cars

Posted in: car, Cars, LG, Today's Chili
Abbreviation loving multinationals Lucky Goldstar and General Motors have entered into an “Electric Vehicle Cooperation” agreement to build the next generation of EVs. The partnership follows a successful dating phase where LG supplied the batteries for the Chevy Volt. Now, teams from both companies will collaborate on key components, vehicle structures and architectures — which we take to mean that it’s a more substantial proposition than just battery sharing. The plan is to meet the new US fuel economy targets by 2025, so the design phase for the new autos will kick off soon. Let’s hope this new venture bears some fruit that’s faster than a flying banana.

LG and GM team up to build next generation of electric cars originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 18

Cadillac Converj hits production as ELR, escapes concept purgatory

Posted in: electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, green, hybrid, Today's Chili
Cadillac Converj hits production as ELR, escapes concept purgatory

If you’re not already familiar with the story of the Cadillac Converj, take this quick primer: the Converj is the Chevy Volt’s luxurious, canceled cousin. The up-and-coming concept suffered an early death shortly after its debut at the 2009 Detroit auto show. Now it’s back, returning to development under the name Cadillac ELR. The new electric caddy is said to feature an updated version of the Voltec powertrain, complete with a Chevy Volt-like range-extending generator. Detroit promises that pricing and availability will be released “later,” but you can cruise past the break right now for some extra classy PR.

Continue reading Cadillac Converj hits production as ELR, escapes concept purgatory

Cadillac Converj hits production as ELR, escapes concept purgatory originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 04:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 16

Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, application, game, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili, xperia
Just a couple months after making its grand debut at this year’s E3, Minecraft has finally made its way to the Android Market, much to the delight of cube enthusiasts and time-wasters everywhere. With this new, Pocket Edition app, Mojang is hoping to faithfully recreate the Minecraft experience on mobile platforms, with a special emphasis placed on the game’s creative side. In version Alpha 0.1, users will be able to explore randomized worlds, invite friends to play along in their worlds and save multi-player realms directly to their phones — all while manipulating 36 different kinds of blocks from the comfort of their touchscreens. For now, the game will only be available for Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play, though Mojang plans to release it for other Android handsets “in the near future.” You can grab it now for $6.99, or swerve past the break for more information, in the full press release.

Continue reading Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply

Minecraft Pocket Edition hits Android Market, only Xperia Play users need apply originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 03

OnStar Family Link brings loved ones closer together through vehicle tracking

Posted in: automobile, car, Today's Chili

Add this to the ever-growing list of things we’re glad we didn’t have back when we were teenagers. GM this week announced the release of Family Link, the latest addition to its OnStar service. The new feature lets subscribers track the exact location of vehicles at any time via an online map. Subscribers can also set up a text message alert to keep on top of the car’s location. There’s certainly potential for the feature as a safety tool, but it’s also no doubt a long awaited addition for overbearing parents everywhere. The service is beginning life as an invitation-only pilot program that includes around 10,000 OnStar subscribers.

Continue reading OnStar Family Link brings loved ones closer together through vehicle tracking

OnStar Family Link brings loved ones closer together through vehicle tracking originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 19

OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300

Posted in: BestBuy, bluetooth, navigation, phone, safety, security, Today's Chili

Perhaps you recall hearing, back at CES, about GM’s aftermarket mirror that would make the OnStar service available to most cars, including those from its most hated rival in Dearborn. No? Don’t worry, here’s the skinny: the OnStar FMV will let you have the company’s popular blue button technology in over 90 million automobiles. Meaning that almost anyone can now reap the benefits of features like automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation and hands-free calling. You know… unless you’re cruising in the General Lee, or something. Selling for $299.99, plus a $75 installation charge and $18.95 per month ($199 yearly) subscription, the high tech rear-view mirror will be on shelves at Best Buy starting July 24th and is now available for pre-order. Before you throw down the Benjamins for this automotive security blanket, you might want to double check that your car is compatible — check the full PR to find out how.

Continue reading OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300

OnStar FMV available at Best Buy July 24th for $300 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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