Recent Comments:
Hyundai to get half of MPG improvement from powertrains {Autoblog Green}
May 6th 2008 10:17AM Dollar for dollar I believe Hyundai vehicles represent one of the best values in the market. As others have said, this Korean manufacturer is following the path of the Japanese from 10-15 years ago, but they are doing it much faster.
Their sales targets are a bit outrageous, but the models they are turning out are pretty darn good.
Update on the Uno electric unicycle {Autoblog Green}
Apr 28th 2008 3:42PM While I don't claim to be an expert as physics, it seems like considerable energy would be used up in the process of this thing keeping itself upright. I'm not sure this really solves the problem of emissions and smog that they are aiming for.
USA Today: plug-in vehicles may increase air pollution {Autoblog Green}
Feb 26th 2008 11:47AM Most studies I have read conclude that a majority of the existing vehicle fleet in the US could switch to plug-ins and not require large increases in generating capacity - if the plug-ins are charge at night during off peak hours.
The 3,000 mile oil change is a myth {Autoblog Green}
Jan 24th 2008 12:14PM SNM - Most enthusiasts recommend changing to synthetic oil for the 1.8t engine, and then you are perfectly fine going 5k miles.
Israel Corp to invest $100m in new electric car {Autoblog Green}
Aug 27th 2007 3:53PM Anybody have any TCO data to backup his claim? I wonder how it compares for different countries around the world with different rates for fuel as well as labor/maintenance.
If the lines have truly crossed then I agree with his assertions. Monetizing a new model could prove difficult. Consumers tend to like low upfront costs since it is the big one staring them in the face. Monthly or yearly costs seem to get processed by the brain differently, since they a broken up into smaller amounts. For that reason it will be hard to convince people to spend a great deal more upfront on an electric vs. a cheap gas car.
Albuquerque paper wary about Tesla's Whitestar plant promises {Autoblog Green}
Aug 24th 2007 12:33AM Since February things have changed, the company has seen a great deal more press, and have seen sales of the Roadster grow steadily. Competitors like GM (Volt) have also announced more about their plans for PHEVs, perhaps giving more credibility to the market potential of electric cars. As one person speculated in another article, Tesla might even need more factory space than they anticipated. The company also has closed on a $45 million round of funding which they have said will provide the necessary financing to build the factory and put in stores.
Overall I think NM can sleep soundly and not worry about Tesla backing out. Like most new products, be it cars or an operating system -- delays happen and things always take longer than hoped for.
Nissan's new models to get fuel efficiency gauges {Autoblog Green}
Aug 21st 2007 7:35PM Standardizing this feature across all models regardless of options - I believe is new. Many manufacturers have had mpg calculations along with other trip functions as options, such as all VW/Audi cars with the trip computer feature, which was out around 1996, or earlier. (I have it on my '99 Passat)
I think this is a great step to raise driver awareness. I find when I have the mpg display up on the dash I do drive more like a grandma. Hopefully other manufacturers will follow suit.
RAV4 EV going for cheap (currently) on eBay {Autoblog Green}
Aug 16th 2007 6:33PM Already way up, now maybe you can hit up the seller for a donation to ABG.
Dr. Z thinks driver training could have as much impact on MPG as technology {Autoblog Green}
Aug 6th 2007 10:44AM I drive a car with a trip computer that gives me a momentary MPG, as well as a trip/avg MPG. The same screen provides avg speed, clock, and time of travel.
I've found that I drive more conservatively when I have the MPG counter up, instead of the clock. There is a bit of a psychological element there. Just like in the Prius where drivers can see exactly how efficient their car is running.
If every manufacturer put a screen in the dash for MPG, I bet many people would become much for interested in reaching a higher number. Then consumers would see their dollars slipping away.
Tesla Roadster (oh, and Martin Eberhard) on display next week {Autoblog Green}
Aug 2nd 2007 12:35PM I wish I could go. I hope somebody will report back on what Martin says. Hopefully he let's some new details on future plans slip too!
