Varley’s evR450 all-electric supercar set to hit Australian roads next year

As Autoblog Green points out, Australia’s Varley Electric Vehicles is known more for bulky industrial vehicles than high-end sports cars, but the company’s now looking to change that perception with its new all-electric evR450 supercar. While it’ll no doubt turn a few heads simply standing still, it also looks to measure up reasonably well under the hood, boasting a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour (or 124 MPH) and a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. The company’s also promising a range of 150 kilometers (or 93 miles) that can be doubled with an optional range-extension pack, although its not letting anyone actually drive the car just yet (or even look under the hood, for that matter). As for a price, Varley’s saying that the base package will come in “below” $200,000 Australian dollars (or about $213,000 US), and it says it could roll out “as early as January 2012.”

Varley’s evR450 all-electric supercar set to hit Australian roads next year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf EVs to join NYC taxis, won’t make hailing a cab in Manhattan any easier

We’ve come a long way since Crown Vics crowded the streets of the Big Apple, opting instead for a fleet of hybrid taxis — but today the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission is taking its green approach one step further with the introduction of six electric Nissan Leaf cabs. Starting next spring, the electric cars will join the procession of mustard-colored whips as part of the Electric Taxi Pilot Program. The new additions are part of Bloomberg’s plans for an all electric cab system by 2012. It’s unsure yet whether the five-door electrics will have a distance or duty limitation and exactly what type of charging stations will be used. Curious cabbies can check out the source to find out how to sign up. Now, if we could only flag one down…

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Nissan Leaf EVs to join NYC taxis, won’t make hailing a cab in Manhattan any easier originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tesla Roadster to return in 2014, 3-Series fighter in the works

Didn’t have enough time to count 10 million pennies before the original Tesla Roadster went out of production? Well you’re in luck, because there’ll be a successor. Space cadet and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Elon Musk, confirmed to Autocar that a new Roadster would return in 2014. Unlike its Lotus-based predecessor, the redux will apparently be based on Tesla’s third-generation platform, which the automag muses will likely be built on a”shortened version of … the Model S.” Musk also noted that the platform will be more “mass-market,” giving rise to more pedestrian cars “like BMW’s 3 Series” — his words, not ours. With the Model S sedan on its way, and the Model X after that, the company certainly has its work cut out for it. But, if either are as delightful as prior Teslas, that’ll be reason to cheer.

Tesla Roadster to return in 2014, 3-Series fighter in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BYD’s e6 goes on sale in China, still mulling trek across Pacific

While it has yet to show up stateside as promised, that hasn’t stopped BYD from beginning consumer sales of its EV back home in China. Shenzhen citizens are finally getting a crack at owning an e6 after seeing it on the city’s streets in taxi and governmental garb for over a year. On sale for 369,800 RMB (or about $57,000), buyers will only have to part with 249,800 RMB (or about $38,000) come check writing time, thanks to extensive rebates from the government. In exchange for all that cash, you’ll get an auto equipped with BYD’s “i” system, which lets you access vehicle functions and info (like keyless entry and the car’s location) from your smartphone. BYD-i comes onboard a five-seat crossover with a range of up to 190 miles (!) that supports rapid charging — apparently there’s plenty of the speedy power stations in Shenzhen. Those keen to charge at home will also get some installation “assistance” from the automaker, which we’ll assume means a subsidy. Given that BYD’s electric buses will hit our shores soon, China’s first “domestic, long-range, all-electric” crossover can’t be that far behind, right? PR awaits you, after the break.

Continue reading BYD’s e6 goes on sale in China, still mulling trek across Pacific

BYD’s e6 goes on sale in China, still mulling trek across Pacific originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric DeLorean DMC-12 prototype goes round and round (and round) in test drive video

It’s already clear that you’re selling everything you own in an effort to purchase a 2013 DeLorean DMC-12 EV (and in turn, apply for a home tax deduction when you begin to live out of it), but what hasn’t been clear is exactly how it’d perform on the wide open road. Truthfully, we still aren’t entirely certain of that, but thanks to a raucous new video of a prototype on the track, we do know that it looks like the most (PG) fun you can have while sitting atop four wheels. We aren’t going to hold you here any longer — hop on past the break and mash play. 60mph in 4.9. 88mph in however long you want.

Continue reading Electric DeLorean DMC-12 prototype goes round and round (and round) in test drive video

Electric DeLorean DMC-12 prototype goes round and round (and round) in test drive video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fisker Karma gets EPA-certified 52MPGe, sales ready to begin

It hasn’t had the smoothest birth, nor the cheapest, but Fisker can apparently start selling Karmas for real this time. The tantalizing plug-in hybrid that first wowed us nearly four years ago has just cleared US government testing, the final hurdle holding back deliveries. So, how did it fare after being brutalized by the EPA? Not as well as the company had hoped, as the 52MPGe and 32 miles of electric range fell short of the respective 67.2 and 50 figures the company had previously been touting. Not a huge drop, like another plug-in EV we know, yet probably less than you’d been hoping for something that costs over $90,000. And, when you do run out of juice, you’ll be looking at just 20MPG while puttering around on gasoline. Actual customer deliveries are scheduled in the following weeks, but until then take a joy ride in one of 39 Karmas being rolled out to dealers.

Continue reading Fisker Karma gets EPA-certified 52MPGe, sales ready to begin

Fisker Karma gets EPA-certified 52MPGe, sales ready to begin originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DeLorean DMC-12 EV announced for 2013 production, Doc Brown’s whip gets real… electric

An electric-powered, production DeLorean? Believe it. It’s in part thanks to the eponymously dubbed DeLorean Motor Company of Texas (not to be confused with long defunct DMC), which is known for its modernized restorations of the famed auto — using original parts with slight modifications incorporating newer accoutrement. The automaker took to its blog this weekend announcing a partnership with Epic EV to make this “all-electric” DMC-12 a reality. Your Houston News reports that it’s rated for 260 horsepower with a maximum speed of 125MPH — although, we all know there’s no need to go past 88MPH. It’s expected to cost about six-figures, which sadly won’t include a Flux Capacitor, but you could always run the app for that with its in-console iPhone holster. The DMC-12 EV is set to be released in 2013, and should be an excellent match for anyone who secured some of those Marty McFly-approved Nike Air Mags a few weeks ago. You’ll find full details in the links below.

DeLorean DMC-12 EV announced for 2013 production, Doc Brown’s whip gets real… electric originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

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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Panasonic, Tesla rekindle romance, strike supply agreement for Model S batteries

Panasonic and Tesla renewed their corporate wedding vows yesterday, with a new supply agreement on lithium-ion batteries. Under the accord, Panasonic will provide Tesla with cells for some 80,000 cars over the next four years, effectively ensuring that the manufacturer will meet its ramped-up production targets for 2012 — including more than 6,000 orders for its Model S EV. As for the batteries themselves, they’ll be made using Panasonic’s nickel-type cathode technology, which, according to the company, will offer the highest energy density known. Of course, we’re still awaiting for the Model S to actually enter full production, but you can whet your electric appetite with Panasonic’s full press release, available after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic, Tesla rekindle romance, strike supply agreement for Model S batteries

Panasonic, Tesla rekindle romance, strike supply agreement for Model S batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe rating

Edison2 eVLC

After winning the X-Prize, Edison2 decided the next logical step for its Very Light Car was to put an electric engine in it. Well, what is now known as the eVLC has been put through the EPA-certified ringer and come out boasting a jaw-dropping 245MPGe. Using the latest, more stringent, 5-cycle EPA tests the strange looking vehicle posted a miles-per-gallon equivalent almost 250-percent that of the Nissan leaf. The four-passenger eVLC also scored an impressive 114 mile range on its tiny 10.5 kWh battery (the Leaf gets 117 miles out of its 24 kWH battery) and sucked down a full charge in six hours from a standard 110v socket. For a few more details check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading The very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe rating

The very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe rating originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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