Jun 10

Smug alert: Google says it has largest corporate EV charging network in the US (video)

Posted in: car, charger, charging, electric vehicle, ElectricVehicle, Environment, ev, Google, green, Today's Chili, video
Things are just getting greener and greener over at Google. Yesterday, the company triumphantly declared that its Mountain View campus now boasts the largest corporate EV charging network in the US, with some 200 chargers currently in place, plus an extra 250 that are on the way. It’s all part of El Goog’s RechargeIt sustainability initiative, launched in 2007, which has also given rise to the Gfleet — a set of company-owned plug-ins made available for employees. Now that Google has purchased some extra Chevy Volts and Nissan Leafs, this Gfleet will eventually expand to include a total of 30 EVs, which explains the expansion of its ChargePoint Network. The ultimate goal is to have charging stations at five percent of Mountain View’s parking spaces, all of which will be searchable on Google Maps, and available for employees to use for free. The company hopes this initiative will encourage more people to purchase EVs, and estimates that it’ll eventually save a total of 5,400 tonnes of CO2 per year — the equivalent to removing about 2,000 cars from the road. Head past the break for a video on the program, or hit up the source link if you’d like to help Google pat itself on the back.

Continue reading Smug alert: Google says it has largest corporate EV charging network in the US (video)

Smug alert: Google says it has largest corporate EV charging network in the US (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  sourceGoogle Green Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 09

Japan trying out roadside service vehicles capable of charging EVs, soothing range anxiety

Posted in: car, Cars, charger, charging, electric, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, Environment, ev, Japan, prototype, Today's Chili, Transportation

No matter how hard Nissan tries to convince folks that driving an EV won’t leave them stranded on the side of the road gagging for electricity, that pesky range anxiety issue continues to permeate discussions about electric cars. So, what else to do but strap an EV charger on roadside service vehicles? The Japan Automobile Federation is trialing just such a scheme, with a Nissan-built prototype service truck helping to top up electrified transporters that have ended up bereft of juice at an inopportune moment. The trial’s gotten its start in Kanagawa Prefecture this week, which, incidentally, happens to be using a Nissan Leaf as its governor’s official car. So, even if you do figure out a way to use up your Leaf’s entire battery, you get the comfort of knowing you’re riding like a governor and that the good men in orange jumpsuits will be there to take care of your problemo.

Continue reading Japan trying out roadside service vehicles capable of charging EVs, soothing range anxiety

Japan trying out roadside service vehicles capable of charging EVs, soothing range anxiety originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gizmag  |  sourceNissan  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 09

Panasonic, AT&T team up for connected cars, rule out extra-long Ethernet cables

Posted in: att, car, Cars, Panasonic, Today's Chili

High-end automakers like BMW and Audi have already demoed their takes on the “connected car,” and even Intel’s gotten into the game with its safety-first, egg-shaped iteration. Now Panasonic and AT&T have partnered to explore the concept: Panny will provide hardware and integration, and Ma Bell will handle connectivity. All this concept-exploration will take place in Peachtree City, Georgia, and the team’s “connected lifestyle projects” will likely include basic in-car infotainment systems — think streaming music and video, along with social networking apps. But we’re also hoping for some really blue-sky stuff, more like the Mini Cooper’s driving-influenced playlist. After all, it won’t be long before the cars drive themselves, leaving passengers to demand some serious entertainment. Oh, and speaking of entertainment, check out the press release after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic, AT&T team up for connected cars, rule out extra-long Ethernet cables

Panasonic, AT&T team up for connected cars, rule out extra-long Ethernet cables originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePanasonic and AT&T  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 07

Tesla Model S is almost production-ready, does photo shoot to prove it

Posted in: automobile, car, Cars, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, tesla, Today's Chili


You’re looking at an unlikely picture: two Tesla EVs on the same street. The Silicon Valley carmaker is hoping to become more mainstream, however, when it releases its Model S sedan next year to complement the exuberantly expensive Roadster 2.5. Tesla has just released photos of the latest, nearly production-ready build of the Model S to whet our appetites. The shots reveal a couple of sleek cosmetic changes to the front bumper and body panels, but mainly we’re just happy to see the S rolling on schedule. Oh yes, and there’s another glimpse of the 17-inch infotainment console, which Auto Evolution now reports will be accompanied by built-in 3G. Sounds dandy, but that $57,400 starting price had better include a data plan. Man, who are we kidding?

[Thanks, Lucian]

Tesla Model S is almost production-ready, does photo shoot to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Business Insider  |  sourceAuto Evolution, Tesla  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 06

Fisker Karma delayed again, but only by a tiny little bit

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

Yes, that’s a Fisker Karma at the Monaco Grand Prix starting line, but no, it won’t be taking off just yet, at least not this month. Last we heard from Roger Ormisher, Fisker Automotive’s Communications chief, the electric supercar was set to debut in the US during the June / July timeframe, but that’s now been nudged that extra bit later, with “the first” dealer demonstration vehicles and customer orders landing firmly in July. So, you’ll have to keep stashing that $95,900 under your mattress for a little while longer, but look on the bright side: Fisker’s delays are getting shorter all the time!

Fisker Karma delayed again, but only by a tiny little bit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Autoblog  |  sourceGreen Car Reports  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 01

BMW, Porsche, others announce support for HomePlug’s EV networking spec

Posted in: car, charger, charging, electric vehicle, ElectricVehicle, ev, germany, green, hybrid, interface, network, Today's Chili

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance already wants to tether your entire household to the Internet, and it may soon extend its reach to your garage, as well. At Computex today, the company announced that Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen have all agreed to support its HomePlug Green PHY (GP) technology as their EV charging interface of choice. The networking specification would allow electric car owners to link their plug-ins to the Smart Grid via the same ports used to charge their batteries, opening up new, Powerline-based possibilities. Once your EV hooks up to the network, it may be able to conduct system checks in real-time, for instance, or provide instant feedback on performance or the condition of your battery. The low power GP spec will also be interoperable with HomePlug’s forthcoming AV2 spec, though it’s still not clear when we can expect to see Germany’s automakers incorporate it into production. Zip past the break for the full PR.

Continue reading BMW, Porsche, others announce support for HomePlug’s EV networking spec

BMW, Porsche, others announce support for HomePlug’s EV networking spec originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 27

Transportation Department to propose mandatory black boxes in passenger vehicles?

Posted in: car, safety, Today's Chili

A few years back, the Department of Transportation recommended that auto makers give car owners a heads up when they slip event data recorders — also known as “black boxes” — into new models. Now, it looks like the department is considering taking its policy a step (or several) further: a memo reveals that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to propose later this year that all new passenger vehicles have EDRs. So far, heavy-duty vehicles appear to be excluded, and either way, it’s unclear how many years auto makers might have to work black boxes into their future models. Interestingly, when we asked a DoT staffer for clarification, he reminded us that the agency hasn’t issued a press release and said he wasn’t sure where Wired and other outlets were getting their information. Indeed, the Transportation Department hasn’t proposed such a law yet, though it’s pretty safe to say it’s at least pondering it. Hit the source link to pore over the 197-page doc for yourselves (tip: we suggesting paying particular attention to page 54). [Warning: PDF source link]

Transportation Department to propose mandatory black boxes in passenger vehicles? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Detroit News, Wired  |  sourceDepartment of Transportation  | Email this | Comments

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May 26

Tesla Roadster 2.5 gets 119 MPGe rating from EPA, still as expensive as ever (updated)

Posted in: car, electric car, electric vehicle, ElectricCar, ElectricVehicle, ev, tesla, Today's Chili
Move over, Nissan, because there’s a new MPGe king in town. Yesterday, the EPA anointed Tesla scored its Roadster 2.5 with an MPGe rating of 119, which would make it the most fuel-efficient car on the market. That places the plug-in ahead of both the Nissan Leaf (99 MPGe) and Chevy Volt (93 MPGe). According to the government-approved mock-up window sticker, Tesla’s EV can last for up to 245 miles on a single, eight-hour charge, while getting the equivalent of 112 miles per gallon on the highway and 124 in the city. The original Roadster, meanwhile, received an MPGe score of 111 yesterday, with ratings of 105 on the open road and 116 in the city. Both models scored a perfect 10 for their greenhouse gas and smog emissions, though those ratings probably didn’t factor in all the cash you’d have to burn to actually buy one.

Update: We just heard from the EPA, which clarified that this is not their official rating for the Roadster 2.5. These numbers are Tesla’s, and the window sticker itself is a mockup – not a legitimate sticker from the EPA. Still, if you’d like to see it, it’s down after the break.

Continue reading Tesla Roadster 2.5 gets 119 MPGe rating from EPA, still as expensive as ever (updated)

Tesla Roadster 2.5 gets 119 MPGe rating from EPA, still as expensive as ever (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Autoblog Green  |  sourceConsumer Reports  | Email this | Comments

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May 25

Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile

Posted in: Apple, car, ios, iPhone, ipod, Today's Chili

Rumors regarding Pioneer’s AppRadio hit the web last month, promising unparalleled iDevice integration for our automobiles. Pioneer has finally unleashed the double-DIN device, and it’s everything we thought it would be — namely a big car stereo that plays nice with iOS. There’s an 800 x 400 6.1-inch multitouch capacitive display, Bluetooth connectivity, and it teams up with your iPhone or iPod touch (running iOS 4.2) via a 30-pin connector and Pioneer’s AppRadio app. There’s also an external mic and GPS antenna, full iPod music control and Google Maps integration, and specially formatted apps from Rdio and Pandora. Pioneer suggests a price “below $500” when it goes on sale June 22nd. We’re going hands-on with the new stereo as we speak, so peruse the PR after the break and stay tuned for pics and impressions.

Continue reading Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile

Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May 25

TomTom announces Go Live 800 series PNDs for lost Europeans

Posted in: bluetooth, car, navigation, satellite, Today's Chili, tomtom
TomTom‘s Go Live family got a little larger today, with the unveiling of the company’s new 800 series of PNDs. With the purchase of an 820 or 825 GPS, you’ll get a year’s worth of free access to HD Traffic, a speed camera alert system, local weather updates and all the rest of TomTom’s Live services. The navigators also come with intelligent orientation sensors that allow for easy dashboard mounting, as well as Bluetooth capabilities that enable drivers to make hands-free calls while they cruise. The five-inch 825, much like the ARM11-powered Go Live 1000, generates routes using TomTom’s IQ Routes technology, though it won’t cost quite as much as its big brother. No word yet on the pricing of the 4.3-inch 820, which is due to hit Europe this September, but the 825 will retail for about £230 ($373) when it launches this month. Full presser after the break.

Continue reading TomTom announces Go Live 800 series PNDs for lost Europeans

TomTom announces Go Live 800 series PNDs for lost Europeans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 10:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Pocket-Lint  |  sourceTomTom  | Email this | Comments

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