AutoblogGreen

Plug In America, a California-based nonprofit organization that advocates the use plug-in cars, has taken note of our crossing the threshold of a $4 per gallon national average for gasoline prices. The group, originally organized to fight the crushing of the electric cars produced to meet California's Zero Emission Mandate of the 1990s, has become a major player in the push for vehicle electrification. After a partially successful attempt to strengthen the California regulations - the revised Mandate now calls for more plug-in hybrids but fewer electric cars - they are calling on consumers to exercise their power. Linda Nichols, president of the organization, says "Call Toyota, call GM, call Ford, call them all and tell them that you won't buy another car until it can be plugged in and charged with electricity." A number of auto makers, including GM and Nissan, have announced plug-in cars in the 2010-2012 time frame. Full press release after the jump. [Full disclosure: I am on the Board of Plug In America]

Another RAV4 EV is up on eBay. The last time one of these rare fully electric cars was put up on the auction block it sold for nearly $70,000. It was a 2002 with less than 50,000 miles on it. This time it's a 2003 model. The 2003 was stripped of a few perks. No heated front seats, and no heated front windshield for defrosting. But the battery was said to be improved for the last model year the car was made. And the car being sold has shown its chops; it already has over 125,000 miles on the original battery pack. The seller says the car still gets 100 miles per charge. The seller's thorough report makes some interesting reading about electric cars and service. One example: the car, which utilizes regenerative braking, is still on its first set of brake pads.

[Source: eBay]

On a local radio show, Hawaii's Governor Linda Lingle said the state is in discussions with Project Better Place. The California-based startup, in partnership with Renault, has already announced its intention to bring electric cars to Israel and Denmark. A little over one week ago ABG reported on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's interest entrepeneur Shai Agassi's project.

Raising Islands, a Hawaiian blog on science and environment, reports the Governor saying "We are also in discussions with the same organization. It's to create a society where you don't need to use oil or gasoline." The Hawaiian islands would seem a logical location for electric cars, given the islands' natural limitation on long distance driving and potential for abundant wind and solar electricity. Thanks to Simon for the tip.

[Source:Raising Islands]

Many have seen the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and become angry about a previously untold tale and frustrated by the lack of electric cars in the market. 14-year-old Liza Stoner of Minneapolis saw the film and decided to do something to carry its message further. This summer she will pedal from her home to Washington DC to deliver a petition calling on Congress to take action.

Her ride is supported by the Fellowship for Renewal, a group that "supports youth led initiatives and young activists who aim to inspire a call to action by creating awareness and understanding of environmental and social injustices through extraordinary physical endeavors." Calling her effort the "Ride for Renewal," she could use your signature. The petition is online at at ipetitions here. More information about the ride is at rideforrenewal.org.

[Source: Ride for Renewal]

As ABG readers know, car makers large and small are considering electric cars once again. With gasoline hovering around $4 a gallon, greenhouse gas emissions soon to be regulated and national security jeopardized by petroleum, the need for electric cars has never been so obvious. But if you want a full-function, highway-capable 100+ mile range EV now, the options are few and far between. And pricey. The choice today is order a Tesla and wait a year, or wait for a used RAV4 EV to hit the market. It doesn't happen often, but now a Toyota-built, all-electric RAV4 EV is for sale on eBay, here.

One of fewer than 400 RAV4 EVs in private hands, this one is in San Francisco. It has under 50,000 miles on the batteries. While automakers today look to lithium batteries to power their next-generation electric cars, the NiMH batteries in these ZEV mandate era vehicles are proving to be strong, stable, and long-lasting, exceeding Toyota's expectations. A number of these cars have driven over 100,000 miles on the original batteries, and they still deliver a 100-mile range. You might be tempted to ask why we don't have NiMH cars on the market while lighter, longer range lithium is developed. To remain sane, let's just say the car makers learned the lesson of the laptop. We all regret the heavy NiMH laptops of the 90s, with their short battery life and long recharge time.

[Source: eBay]

The Daily Times of Pakistan reports that the Canadian manufacturer of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles Dynasty Electric Car Corporation has been sold to Pakistani automaker Karakoram Motors. Dynasty General Manager Danny Epp told Canadian Broadcasting that limitations on the use of NEVs on Canadian roads along with the strong Canadian dollar contributed to the decision by the owner to sell the company. Dynasty has been manufacturing thirty to forty vehicles per year. Karakoram Motors assembles and markets light duty trucks in Pakistan.

[Source: Daily Times of Pakistan]

Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman and Volt booster, told Edmunds AutoObserver today that the Volt is achieving its 40 mile all-electric target in initial on-road testing. "It is reliably meeting its objectives," Lutz confirmed. "Even with a rough calibration, even with the wrong drive unit, the wrong body, etc. etc., it has been hitting its 40 miles on electric power."

There was no word on which of the two battery suppliers' products was installed in these first drives on GM's proving grounds in Michigan. He did say the Volt's Battery Management System was successfully keeping temperature rises to a minimum and maintaining even heat distribution across the cells.

Lutz ever more enthusiastically says the Volt will debut for sale in Chevy showrooms in November 2010. And he went out of his way to underscore Chairman Rick Wagoner's interest and support for the Volt project.

[Source: Edmunds AutoObserver]

It could be the quickest vehicle to go from concept to a public, drivable prototype in automotive history. As previewed, "Israelis got a first demonstration Sunday of the electric car that developers hope will revolutionize transportation in the country and serve as a pilot for the rest of the world," began the report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

A parking lot in Tel Aviv hosted the demonstration of the Project Better Place/Renault collaboration. Acceleration was said to be impressive and the silent drive familiar to proponents of electric vehicles was noted in the silver, normal looking sedan. The car is expected to have a range of 125 miles, more than sufficient for most drivers in a nation that's no more than 60 miles wide and 260 long. Haaretz reports that several hundred cars will begin appearing on Israel roads in 2009, with sales to begin in late 2010.

[Haaretz]

Not all electric conversions are small Geo Metros, Volkswagens or Porsches. For sale on the San Francisco Bay Area Craigslist, here, is an eVolvo. It's a converted 1995 Volvo 850 sedan. It's got new batteries and new low rolling resistance tires. The seller claims a range of about 40 miles with 15 kWh of lead acid batteries. Asking price is $14,000. Searching through the EVAlbum database, a useful resource with over 1,500 electric vehicles listed by their owners, one only finds three Volvo conversions in the U.S., including, I believe, this car listed by its previous owner in Seattle.

For Volvo fans awaiting the ReCharge plug-in hybrid, we've previously reported about, this could get you into an electron-driven Swede today.

[Source: Craigslist]

You may have seen an ad or two by "The People of America's Oil and Natural Gas Industry" lately. With price reaching $120 a barrel and $4 a gallon, the monopoly fuel for transportation in the U.S. apparently feels the need to do a little explaining. A spokesmodel on TV tells us there's enough oil here to fuel 60 million cars for 60 years (if only we let the oil companies go get it.) A voice on radio suggests we stop knocking oil companies because they are us; we all own a piece (through our pension funds). We really ought to stop beating up on ourselves.

Last night, Stephen Colbert took a closer look at a newspaper ad on "The Price at the Pump." He discovered "oil is a zero profit business." Check out the video clip after the break.