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Blogger extraordinaire Mickey Kaus recently spied the above SUV innocuously parked in Santa Monica and sent us the photos, wondering if we had any clue what it is. As luck would have it, we do. The truck is a SsangYong Actyon SUV, but it's also more than that. You see the Actyon, in both SUT and SUV body styles, is the basis for Phoenix Motorcars' electric SUT and SUV, which are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2010. The white example Mickey snagged had been de-badged, which lends it an air of mystery, but we know SsangYong's not coming to the U.S. market.

As our esteemed colleague Sam Abuelsamid points out, Phoenix is based in Ontario, CA so it's basically a lock that this is one of their EV development mules. Using the SsangYong trucks as the basis for their electric utility vehicles has two distinct benefits for Phoenix. First, they offer proven, practical and usable packaging that'll work fine in the real world. Second, their front-end styling is bizarre enough that the unwritten rule which states that EVs have to look weird will surely be upheld. Obviously, those Tesla guys, with their sexy-spiffy Roadster, didn't get that memo.

You can check Mickey out every day at Kausfiles, and, on occassion, at Bloggingheads.tv as well. Thanks for the photos!

[Source: Mickey Kaus]

Altairnano has had the spot light thrown on it recently as a result of an agreement between Electrovaya and Altairnano partner, Phoenix Motorcars. It is in this environment of speculation that they released their 2008 1st quarter earnings report. In a continuance of recent performance, they reported a slightly reduced revenue of $1.07 million and moderately increased expenditures. Net loss for the quarter was $8.29 million. So that's not so good, right?

While it definitely wasn't an outstanding financial performance, interim president Terry Copeland sounded relatively upbeat during the conference call with investors that broke the numbers to them. Now stored on their website, the call began with talk of one of Altairnano's brighter prospects, their deal with AES and the near completion of, so far, very successful testing. He stated the 2 megawatt battery system could move power around at a 4C rate or about 250kwh in 15 minutes. That certainly sounds impressive. In fact, throughout the talk, which also touched on the Phoenix Motorcars relationship, Copeland stressed the superior ability of their battery's power density as well as their extreme temperature tolerance. In an attempt to calm fears on the financial front he discussed their near-term goal of reducing the cash burn rate.

So what of the future? Perhaps not too bad if the AES relationship begins to bear some significant sales fruit. Their Navy contract also holds good earning potential. Mentioned briefly during questioning from investors was news of possible HEV applications, including a bus. You can listen to the conference call by clicking here and read the complete Q1 report for yourself after the jump.

[Source: Altairnano]

It appears that along with re-engineering the powertrain of their upcoming electric vehicles Phoenix Motor Cars has decided to hedge their battery bet. Phoenix was the first company to commit to using Altairnano's lithium titanate batteries in an automotive applications. However Canadian battery supplier Electrovaya announced the other day that they would be supplying battery packs to Phoenix. The obvious question is what becomes of Altairnano? According to Phoenix Marketing VP Bryon Bliss, the company will be offering packs from multiple suppliers. Both Altairnano and Electrovaya batteries will be sold for the upcoming SUV and sport utility truck. The Altairnano batteries have the advantage of being able to withstand 10 minute rapid charges. Unfortunately they only have about half the energy density of other lithium battery technologies and so far they are also much more expensive. We're still trying to get more clarification on timing and cost differences for the different battery packs and we'll keep you updated.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

In an interesting twist to the saga that is the development of the Phoenix Motorcars electric SUT & SUV program comes news that they are now partnering with a Canadian battery maker. In a press release from that company, Electrovaya says that they are now negotiating an arrangement with Phoenix and have already begun the work of integrating their proprietary Lithium Ion SuperPolymer® battery along with its intelligent battery management system ("iBMS").

Phoenix Motorcars President and CEO, Daniel J. Elliot is quoted by the release as saying, "We are pleased to have Electrovaya join forces with us, and we are excited to be working with their team and their advanced technologies. Electrovaya's innovative Lithium Ion SuperPolymer® battery technology stands apart from its peers as a platform, chemistry agnostic technology. Electrovaya's systems expertise and design experience provide what we need in terms of battery performance." Hmm. That strikes us as possibly being in conflict with a statement made by the CEO a couple months ago in a different press release which can still be found on the Phoenix Motorcars website. And we quote, "We wholeheartedly support Altairnano's technology and believe they provide the greatest product available on the market today." Altairnano being the company that has been trumpeted as the supplier of their battery of choice for some time now, we wonder if a similar fate has befallen them as has their original motor supplier, UQM. Or perhaps Phoenix plans on utilizing the power packs from both companies. We shall try to get the straight dope and let your enquiring minds know but in the mean time go ahead and read the available details in the press release after the break.

After making a pretty big splash in 2006 around the same time that Tesla launched, Phoenix Motorcars has not made all that much noise about their four-door electric pickup, based on a SsangYong design. We enjoyed our drive in the electric SUT last year, and sincerely hope that the company is able to make good use of the Altairnano lithium titanate batteries that seem so promising.


What's Number 11?

Tesla Motors has just updated their blog, this time with a post from Greg Solberg, who is Tesla Motors Firmware Engineer. The post is all about regenerative braking. Just like most of the other posts at the Tesla Motors blog, this one is quite informative and offers us all a glimpse into just what it takes to get a vehicle from the drawing board to customer hands on the road.

Regenerative braking is often a misunderstood part of electric cars. Almost everybody knows that electric cars can have regenerative braking, but most are unaware of just what is happening in the process of slowing the vehicle down. In fact, I would guess that there is a large number of drivers who don't even know what is happening when normal disk or drum brakes are slowing down their car. I think that many would find it interesting to know that much of the work going on at Tesla to make regenerative braking work properly is being done in software. The motor controller of any electric car is in charge of making the regen power recharge the batteries, just as it is in charge of making the battery charge provide forward motion. So, just as the power profile of the vehicle can be "tuned", the reverse is also true, and the braking force can be "tuned" as well. As Greg writes, there are differing opinions on how the regenerative braking should feel. Good reading, if you ask me.

Perhaps it is also worth noting that other manufacturers have worked through these same compromises already. For instance, check out Sebastian's post on riding in the Phoenix Motorcars SUT. Vectrix has done something completely new with their electric scooter, where regenerative braking occurs when the throttle is moved backwards, leaving the normal brake lever alone. There's more than one way to... you know the rest.

[Source: Tesla Motors blog]

As my fellow blogger Sam pointed out recently, Darryl Siry, Vice President of Marketing for Tesla Motors, recently wrote on their site's blog that "The Media Need to Toughen Up on the Subject of EVs". This is true on many levels, and it could be argued that the media needs to toughen up when it comes to reporting in general. But, this is not the subject of this particular editorial. But, in the spirit of doing exactly what he asked the media to do, let's consider some of the hard questions facing hopeful electric vehicle manufacturers in the coming years.

Darryl mentioned, as did Tesla Motors CEO Martin Eberhard in Sam's interview, that Tesla perceives themselves as different than other new electric vehicle manufacturers. Indeed, they see themselves as more like GM, Ford, Toyota and Nissan. Are they? I am not sure, as they have yet to produce a single vehicle for public consumption, as compared to the almost too numerous to mention vehicles those other companies have sold. This begs the question, is Tesla getting ahead of themselves? Are they really competing directly with GM and Toyota?

Continue reading my thoughts after the break.

I won't delve into the details of the Phoenix SUT, as they have been covered here before. The basics are that this is an electric vehicle that will act just like any other four door pickup truck for 130 miles at a time between charges. I am seriously considering getting one when I replace my current pickup truck.

If you are interested in one of these for yourself, you will be happy to hear that the official launch of the SUT has taken place in California. I wasn't in attendance, but David Anderson over at Green Options was there and gave his personal observations after riding in the vehicle. Check it out!

Also, Ecorazzi ran a little piece on the unveiling as well, and highlighted Ed Begley Jr. and his wife at the event. Daryl Hannah was also in attendance and they spoke with her too. A detail that I found very interesting and telling was that Phoenix Motorcars is trading their zero emissions credits to other automakers for a price break on their own pickups! That is really great, I think, as it brings the option of owning a zero emission electric vehicle to people (like me) who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. Plus, it helps make up the lack of mass-production savings that Phoenix cannot enjoy as a small vehicle manufacturer.

Click here for a video from LA's KTLA news site!

Click here for pictures from Phoenix Motorcars of the SUT's unveiling!

Click here for our complete coverage of Phoenix Motorcars!

[Source: Phoenix Motorcars via Green Options and Ecorazzi]

A123 batteries, who recently won a contract, along with Johnson Controls via the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, delivered an unidentified plug-in hybrid to the White House for President Bush to inspect. Along with them, Phoenix Motorcars chief financial officer Dennis Hogan brought their all electric Sport Utility Truck. Hogan said, "We have no idea how they got on their radar, people will see us and take a bit more notice. It gives us a little more credence when we are trying to visit fleet customers." Hogan mentioned that they were contacted by the White House two weeks ago to arrange the visit. Bush met with a group of experts and executives, including Phoenix Motorcars CEO Dan Elliott, A123 Systems CEO Dave Vieau and Alex Molinari, president of Johnson Controls' power solutions business before Bush publicly evaluated the vehicles on display.

Referring to cellulosic ethanol, Michigan State University professor Bruce Dale, an expert on ethanol who was invited to the event said, "This is real. It is not pie in the sky," Dale said. "It's going to grow exponentially."

I find it rather interesting that none of the large U.S. manufacturers were invited for the demonstration. One might think that at least General Motors would be on hand to show off their Chevrolet Volt concept. But, with the battery vendors and researchers there, I am sure that the topic will come up as to who will be using these technologies in the near-term future, which would include, I would imagine, Chevrolet - if they do introduce the Volt to the market.

Click here to open a video from ABC News highlighting the meeting.

[Sources: Whitehouse, ABC News, Detroit Free Press and Phoenix Motorcars]

As one of the most recognized environmental advocates around, Ed Begley Jr. can be a lightning rod for criticism and is often a target for jokes on late-night television. Sometimes his enthusiasm comes off as preaching; but he is true to the cause, living an environmentally-focused lifestyle that includes using solar power for his house. As for transportation, Begley has owned numerous electric vehicles, including a converted VW Rabbit, a GM EV1 and a Toyota RAV4. He also owns a Toyota Prius for long trips. AutoblogGreen caught up with Begley at the SEMA Show where he was promoting the introduction of the Phoenix Motorcars sport-utility truck, an electric vehicle that could go on the market next year. Begley has a brisk yet pleasant manner. He speaks with confidence and knowledge about products that can harm or help the environment. During the Phoenix press conference, he stressed the economic advantages of owning an electric vehicle or hybrid over the environmental impact of importing oil from the Middle East. My first question posed the possibility that Hollywood personalities can help promote green awareness or they can be perceived as being elitist. Begley took the conversation from there and rarely let up.

Begley: There is that risk. We don't want to appear elitist or be elitist in any fashion. But if we can provide a vehicle for someone somewhere to get them out of a limo, that's a good thing. Or provide a vehicle for someone on low income and save them money, they'll embrace it, too. You're going to save money in the long run. I've saved so much money with that Prius I bought for $20,500 in August 2000. It has 120,000 miles and all I've paid for are lube and oil and about $500 to $700 for the regular service appointments. I've never had a car so cost effective, ever.

(Read the rest after the jump)

Ed Begley Jr. says the aftermarket should look at electric vehicles and hybrids. While promoting the Phoenix Motorcars sport-utility truck, Begley acknowledged that electric vehicles have "lacked style," and that the aftermarket should embrace the segment. "We need SEMA. We need to work with all the aftermarket to give style to this vehicle," he said, noting that SEMA members have the "style, innovation and engineering" necessary to customize electric vehicles and hybrids.

Begley didn't waste a second of his press conference, touting the advantages of EVs and hybrids. He acknowledged that an electric vehicle can't perform some tasks but for most chores it is reliable. "You don't need a sledgehammer to put in a carpet tack," he explained. "I've been driving electric vehicles since 1970. I know they work and they've come a long way. If you can get the style and performance and do it cleaner, I say why not."

Officials from Phoenix Motorcars and Altairnano, the manufacturer of the NanoSafe battery system, were on hand during the brisk, unscripted press conference. Dan Reigert of Phoenix said a production run of 500 units is planned for 2007. Since the vehicle is based on a Korean-made chassis, the technology may be transferred to Korea for expanded production. The goals include 6,000 units in 2008 followed by 20,000 in 2009 and 100,000 in 2010. Besides the truck, Phoenix wants to develop an SUV.