Transportation

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Hybrid, Transportation Alternatives, USA

What better place to hold a summit than at an actual summit? Perhaps none. But that's not exactly why the Mt. Washington Auto Road Alt Energy Summit piques (ahem) our interest. The event, to be held this September 14th and 15th atop the famed New Hampshire mountain, is not only set to feature alternative-fuel vehicles of every kind displayed by owners, builders and dealers, but there will also be exhibits showing off the latest in renewable energy systems to refuel them.

Perhaps the centerpiece of the whole affair is the "Alt Energy Drive to the Summit." Participants will have the opportunity to drive the 7.5-mile length of the Mt. Washington Auto Road in something of an echo of a similar event that took place for several years in the 1970's, when America was in the midst of its "energy crises."

Besides giving an opportunity to show off the hill-climbing abilities of the vehicles on hand, it also provides a chance to reflect on just how far alternative transportation choices have come in the last few decades. Instead of being stuck with cheese-wedge mobiles like the Sebring Vanguard Citicar (pictured) - as geek chic as that might be - we can, if we like, choose from any number of modern looking, fully capable automobiles, motorcycles and electric bicycles.

Scroll down for the official press release along with a complimentary video from event director - and From Fossils To Flux author - Ted Dillard taking his own two-wheeled battery-powered creation to the 6,288-foot peak.

Continue reading Mt. Washington Auto Road Alt Energy Summit piques our interest

Mt. Washington Auto Road Alt Energy Summit piques our interest originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Carbon Offset, Legislation and Policy

Plug-in electric vehicles are heading for another global market, South Africa, but it may take a while. Eskom, a South African electricity public utility company, told the legislature it will conduct a three-year study to see if the local power grid can handle a bunch of plug-in cars.

Testing started in March when Eskom received 10 Nissan Leafs for its program. Barry McColl, Eskom's GM for research, testing and development, told Parliament the testing is being done to determine what effect a surge in the use of EVs might have on the national power grid. Eskom is already vulnerable to rolling black outs as the utility operates with very narrow reserve margins.

South Africa wants to cut emissions to one ton per person by 2050. In a country of 50 million, this is a problem for a utility that generated 230 million tons in 2011.

The potential for reducing carbon emissions will also be examined, since the country has an ambitious goal to cut these emissions to about one ton per person by 2050. Since there are 50 million people in South Africa, this could be a problem for the utility. In 2011, Eskom generated 230 million tons of carbon dioxide, making it one of the largest emitters in the world. Eskom has already launched a program to reduce emissions through redesigning its power stations in Kusile and Medupi so they emit 15 percent less carbon than other coal-powered stations. It's a start.

McColl told Parliament's portfolio committee on energy that the effect of EVs on the power grid could be significant. The three-year study is being done to ensure that the utility is prepared for the future. McColl said that the sale of EVs has been slow - about 100,000 worldwide. Taking time to do a three-year study will only slow things down more, and the introduction of EVs to South Africa already been dragged out. EV sales are much slower than expected in North America and Europe, where concerns over grid capacity in these regions don't get raised much anymore.

South Africa taking three-year study to see if it's ready for EVs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Cadillac, Celebrities, Electric, Luxury

While Jerry Seinfeld was gallivanting around LA with Sarah Silverman in a Jaguar XKE, our favorite car-loving comedian, Jay Leno, was checking out the all-new 2014 Cadillac ELR. Set to go on sale later this year, Cadillac brought its ELR to Jay Leno's Garage to show off some of its styling and technology as well as give Leno some seat time in the range-extended EV. Leno owns both a Volt and a CTS-V, and the ELR is a kind combination of the two (sort of).

In this episode, Leno spends some time talking to Frank Saucedo, GM director of advanced design, and ELR chief engineer Chris Thomason before logging a few miles on the sleek coupe. Interestingly, it seems that GM has definitely changed its tune a little since the introduction of the Volt a couple years ago; Saucedo and Leno both refer to the ELR as a hybrid, and Thomason says that it gets the "bulk of its propulsion" from the electric motors. Whatever you want to call it, scroll down to watch the latest episode of JLG with some great information and driving shots of the plug-in Cadillac.

Continue reading 2014 Cadillac ELR whirs into Jay Leno's Garage

2014 Cadillac ELR whirs into Jay Leno's Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU

Earlier this year, Malta-based Silex Power promoted a concept electric vehicle that could go from San Francisco to Portland on a single charge. Not content with that claim, the company is now saying it's ready to make a high-powered electric charger that could fully recharge a top-of-the-line Tesla Model S in about the time it takes to play a hit single.

Silex says 2014 will be the year the first versions of its charging stations with its so-called HyperCharging technology will see the light of day. The station will have a voltage range from 360 to 1,440 volts (!!!) and will be connectable to medium-tension power lines. Most importantly, the stations will be able to recharge a 200-kWh battery pack in less than 10 minutes, or Tesla's 85-kWh pack in about four. That sort of speed will "eradicate complete the perception (sic) of long charging time inconvenience in electric vehicles," Silex says.

If this sounds like a bit of hyperbole from Silex, it wouldn't be the first time. In February, the company put out a release (and, as seen above, pictures) about an all-electric car called the Chreos that delivers 640 horsepower, has a top speed of 186 miles per hour, has a single-charge range of more than 600 miles, can be fully recharged in less than 10 minutes, and leap tall buildings in a single bound. It's also a concept car that Silex says is at least three years away from production.

Read more amazingness in Silex's press release below.

Continue reading Silex says first 'HyperCharging' stations will be available next year

Silex says first 'HyperCharging' stations will be available next year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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