News | Hybrids

Toyota Test Plug-in Prius at Logan Airport

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hybrid, plug-in, prius, volt

Published Aug. 17, 2010 at 4:46 p.m.

Toyota has been testing their plug-in Prius (due out in 2012 or so) in various sites and with different customers throughout the world ... And now it's Logan Airport in Boston who gets to try one out ... It will only be for two months as Toyota gathers feedback and testing information ... Massport officials, who run Logan, will use the "car to drive to meetings, visit construction sites and terminals, and to help with other errands." ... That's most likely going to result in really good test

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Alternative fuels versus batteries

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plug-in

Published Aug. 12, 2010 at 8:35 a.m.

Filling ‘er up with natural gas, really?Over the years I’ve attacked alternative fuels as a distraction from reality. Biofuels, natural gas and hydrogen, I’ve argued, were just excuses and delay tactics against the inevitability of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery-powered vehicles.In recent years, however, I’ve softened my stance against these alternatives to ending ending [ ... ] ...

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Detroit Edison Offers New Electric Car Buyers Special Rate

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Published Aug. 11, 2010 at 9:50 p.m.

Detroit Edison is offering first buyers a lower price on electricity ... For those who buy an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle, Edison is offering to the first 2,500 residential customers either a lower rate for charging during off-peak hours (11 pm - 9 am) or a monthly flat rate of $40 per vehicle ... They are also willing to pay up to $2,500 for a residential charging station, although they expect a typical 220-volt station to retail at $600 ... "We view -- as do a lot of people --

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GM to Boost Volt PHEV Production Capacity by 50% in 2012

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hybrid, plug-in, volt

Published Aug. 3, 2010 at 2:25 p.m.

794718-gm-to-boost-volt-phev-production-capacity-by-50--in-2012

Photo: GM From 30,000 to 45,000 Units Thanks to strong interest by the public, GM has decided to boost production of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid by 50% in 2012. This means that instead of making 30,000, they'll make 45,000 at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant. The company is probably hoping that it can improve the economics of the Volt by reaching economies of scale faster than initially planned, and it no doubt feels Nissan breathing down its neck with its cheaper LEAF el ...

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Can Hyundai Get to 50 MPG?

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Published Aug. 5, 2010 at 12:15 p.m.

Hyundai announced their plans to reach 50 mpg fleetwide by 2025 ... That's for all of its passenger cars and light duty trucks ... That's a really impressive goal, considering the most fuel efficient car they have in the US right now gets 30 mpg combined ... But this is by CAFE rules, where Hyundai is the leader at 30.9 mpg fleetwide ... By 2016, the NHTSA is requiring automakers to get to 35.5 mpg ... So, even the most fuel efficient automakers still have some ground to make up ... "We're

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Ford minimizes Alternator in Future Plug-in Non-Hybrid

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Published Aug. 9, 2010 at 3:08 p.m.

Well, this is interesting. Ford Motor Co. recently patented a system where automotive features such as the AC, radio, navigation systems, etc. are directly powered by a battery. Even more importantly, the alternator, ...

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Honda purchases plug-in car credits from Tesla

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Published June 4, 2010 at 6:58 p.m.

In order to meet California's unique demands for automakers to produce plug-in vehicles, Honda has purchased excess credits from Tesla Automotive ... Honda - Automobile - California - Technology - High Voltage ...

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China Sets Subsidies for Electric Cars

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hybrid, plug-in

Published June 3, 2010 at 9:12 a.m.

China is getting into the electric car game the same way the US and Japan did, using subsidies ... The Chinese government is offering 50,000 yuan (over $7,000) to those who buy a plug-in hybrid car, and 60,000 yuan (over $8,500) to those who buy an all electric car ... Those who just buy more fuel efficient cars (smaller engines of 1.6-litres or less) can get 3,000 yuan. (Source: Reuters) ... The subsidies are available in five cities and are an effort to cut back on pollution and fuel use. The

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Harris Study – No serious interest in hybrids and EVs

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Published June 1, 2010 at 11:20 a.m.

Not even much higher gas prices can force change?Are Americans ready for the hybrid and plug-in revolution?According to a new Harris study of American car owners, only 1 in 25 Americans are seriously interested in purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle. Instead, consumers are more interested in cheaper cars that offer better fuel economy, such [ ... ] ...

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Worth it to replace your hybrid’s battery?

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hybrid, plug-in, prius

Published June 4, 2010 at 11:33 a.m.

Dead battery equals worthless hybrid?After more than 200,000 miles, the battery on Donna’s 2002 Toyota Prius died. Should she replace the battery? Convert the Prius into a plug-in hybrid? Junk it?Unfortunately, most plug-in conversion packages were designed for the second generation Prius and after, so converting Donna’s Prius into a plug-in Prius poses extra problems. [ ... ] ...

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