New York Adding $2,000 EV Incentive

Three quarters of US states offer an EV incentive to people who buy a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, or fuel cell car. Despite its overall progressive stance, New York was not one of those states until recently. Starting April 1, New Yorkers will finally be eligible for a rebate of up to $2,000 when they buy an EV. The program was approved last year. At the time, April 1 was set as the latest the incentives could go into effect. Government being what it is, the state decided to wait until the very last day to offer the EV incentive.

Rebates are political hot potatoes. Most electric cars are priced well above what ordinary shoppers can afford, leading to questions about why taxpayers with lower incomes should help finance the purchase of new cars by people with higher incomes. States that are struggling to keep their budgets balanced are often reluctant to offer rebates and tax credits that are seen in some quarters as “budget busters.”

At the federal level, the whole idea of EV incentives may be under review as the new administration reconsiders any and all environmental policies that pertain to limiting human contribution to climate change. So long as the federal tax credit for electric cars remains in place, a New York resident who buys a new EV after April 1 could receive up to $9,500 in various state and federal incentives and credits.

Incentives remain an important consideration for those shopping for an electrified car. In Norway, where government incentives are particularly robust, sales of EVs account for more than 1/3 of all new cars purchased and that nation is looking at 100% EV sales by 2025.

In China, the government is worried it is spending too much money on incentives and has cut its EV incentive program by 20%. Sales promptly fell 74% the very next month. Georgia once had the largest state EV incentive at $5,000. It became a bright spot for electric car sales in America. Then Georgia repealed its rebate program. Sales of EVs plunged nearly to zero.

How America will proceed in its quest to put more EVs on the road from this point forward is anyone’s guess.

Source: Endgadget   Photo credit: matthiasmullie1 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Volkswagen Westfalia Could Return As An Electric Vehicle

A next-generation Volkswagen Westfalia is slated to be unveiled on April 15th, meaning a new generation can get its camping on in the cozy confines of a German-built bus. While it will only be a concept to begin with, if Volkswagen does decide to bring the famous microbus back, it could be as an electric vehicle. That’s the word from AutoCar, which got the info from Volkswagen board member Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser.

The new Volkswagen Transporter would use a front-mounted electric motor with batteries installed beneath the floorboards, and its design is said to be heavily influenced by the microbus of yesteryear (which really only went out of production a few years ago). if Volkswagen could managed to bring the costs in line with expectations, than a concept could actually become a production model…especially if those 400-mile solid-state batteries work out. A 21st century Volkswagen Westfalia with days worth of electricity on board to power your outdoor adventure is a tempting thought indeed.

A word of caution though. Volkswagen has teased the idea of an electric Transporter revival before, most recently with the Bulli concept that debuted waaaay back in 2011. Four years later, and still no new microbus. However, electric vehicles are much farther along today than they were in 2011, and this time around Volkswagen might actually be able to make good on their promise.

In other words, it’s alright to get your hopes up, but be prepared for disappointment too.

My 21st century hippie wife will probably be the first person in line for one too. I’ll tell you what, it’d make a great vessel for travelling to music festivals. A plug-in hybrid would make even more sense for those who want to get as far removed from civilization as possible, but with 250 miles of range I could find plenty of peaceful places to park my electric Westfalia. Maybe this time, Volkswagen won’t wimp out.

Limited edition Smart Fortwo Citybeam on sale this month, at dealers in April

It ain't exactly a Pontiac Trans Am and the Screaming Eagle, but Daimler is trying to get a little sportier with its Smart Fortwo vehicle line.

On January 15, Smart will start taking orders for the Citybeam limited edition Fortwo in Europe. The starting price is 14,490 euros (about $20,000) and the special version of the little-bitty two-seater will start deliveries to European dealers in April. No word on when or whether they'll grace our highways, but many limited editions like this one have been Euro-only in the past.

Exterior colors for the Citybeam include light blue, silver metallic and matt anthracite (that's black to you and me). The headlamps will be titanium-colored. Looking for three-double-spoke alloy wheels and extra wide rubber on the road? Check. There will also be upgraded seats and an improved instrument panel. Daimler, which also owns Mercedes-Benz, unveiled the Smart ForTwo Citybeam at the Brussels Motor Show on Friday.

The Citybeam will be available as both a coupe and convertible in both in both gas and electric versions. The gas version includes a regular 70-horsepower and a turbocharged 82-horsepower version, while the electric delivers 74 horsepower. Check out Smart's press release below.

Show full PR text

News Source: Daimler

Washington State to Create First EV Charging Corridor on a Scenic Byway

The Department of Commerce and the Washington State Department of Transportation plan to make the Stevens Pass Greenway the first electric vehicle-friendly National Scenic Byway route. With Federal Recovery Act funding through the State Energy Program, the state will install two to three electric vehicle (EV) DC fast charging stations along US Highway 2.

This route will connect to the I-5 “electric highway” enabling electric vehicle drivers to travel from across the west coast to North Central Washington by the end of 2011. In addition to the state’s investment, the Port of Chelan County and the Advanced Vehicle Innovations Consortium in Wenatchee have catalyzed private investment to install Level II charging stations at popular travel destinations along the US 2 byway route. These destinations include:

• Stevens Pass Ski Area;
• Leavenworth’s Sleeping Lady Resort and Icicle Ridge Winery; and
• Wenatchee’s Convention Center, Town Toyota Center and SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wenatchee Hotel.

More than a half-dozen additional destination property owners and public entities from Leavenworth to Chelan are also expected to announce their intentions to purchase and install charging stations by the time the EV fast charging stations are deployed on US 2.

Source: Green Car Congress

Honda Starts Electric Vehicle Testing Program with Kumamoto Prefecture

Honda was one of the last major auto makers to get on board with electric vehicles but now that they have made their decision, they are jumping in feet first. For years, Honda had stuck tenaciously to its Clarity fuel cell car, thinking the hydrogen powered automobile was the future.

Press Release

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its plan on the ongoing cooperation with Kumamoto Prefecture on Electric Vehicle Testing Program for next-generation personal mobility products, including electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters and electric carts. The specifics of the testing program, testing vehicles and solar-powered charging stations have also been revealed at Honda's Kumamoto Factory.

Conducted in real-world urban transportation environments, the program will focus on motorcycles, automobiles and power products based on electromotive technologies. The comprehensive program will also use advanced communications & telematics and solar-powered charging technologies to explore future forms of personal mobility and their potential of CO₂ emissions reduction.


On August 5, 2010, Honda and Kumamoto Prefecture entered into a comprehensive agreement to perform testing of next-generation mobility within the prefecture (agreement period: August 2010-March 2013). Based on this agreement, Honda has already begun testing the Monpal ML200 electric cart with the cooperation of Kumamoto City starting in October 2010. Additional testing programs will take place in Kumamoto City, Minamata City, Aso and Amakusa areas to further help realize a low-carbon mobility society in the future. The program will study the following:

	The practicality and convenience of electromotive technology featured on next-generation personal mobility products, including Honda's EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the EV-neo electric scooter and the Monpal ML200 electric cart.
	The effectiveness of solar power generation and other renewable energy sources in helping to realize a low-carbon mobility society.
	The potential of next-generation personal mobility to enhance the QOL (quality of life) of residents in local communities.

Earlier on December 15, 2010, Honda announced its Electric Vehicle Testing Programs in the United States (Torrance, California) and with Saitama Prefecture on December 20. In addition to Japan and the United States, Honda is also considering the possibility of conducting a similar program in China.

Testing vehicles and solar-powered charging station

[Electric Vehicle Testing Program in Kumamoto Prefecture]
Kumamoto Prefecture, its cooperating municipalities, the Kumamoto Industrial Federation, Kumamoto University, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. and Honda have formed a Next-Generation Mobility Testing Program Implementation Committee, which will explore the potential QOL benefits of next-generation personal mobility. To help contribute to the expansion of EVs and plug-in hybrid use, the committee will also explore future programs and locations within Kumamoto Prefecture. The following are the program objectives for each city:

	Kumamoto City
		Evaluate the QOL benefits of sharing Monpal ML200 electric carts at facilities for senior citizens using quantifiable data:
		・	Shared use among residents of senior citizens' home located near the heart of the city.
		・	Personal use of Monpal to senior citizens for commuting to a suburban health and welfare facility.
		・	Short-term rental to residents and/or visitors to senior care facilities.
		Rental program of EV-neo scooters to local residents and tourists to study its convenience of use and benefits. In addition, provide EV-neo to high school students to familiarize them with motorcycles and EVs as well as study their use in their school route.
		Identify optimal locations for EV charging stations on prefectural facilities and other properties.
	Minamata City
		Rental program of EV-neo scooters to local residents and tourists to study its convenience of use and benefits, and identify optimal locations for EV charging stations on prefectural facilities and other properties.
	Aso area
		Rental program of EV-neo scooters and plug-in hybrid vehicles to tourists to study its convenience of use and benefits.
	Amakusa area
		Study the convenience of use and benefits of EVs as local transportation on the island.

[Electric Vehicle Testing Program vehicles]
In addition to zero-emission electric vehicles, scooters and carts, the testing program will also include Honda's plug-in hybrid vehicles, which combine a gasoline engine with two high-output electric motors.

		Electric vehicle (EV):
		Based on the popular Fit that is known for its compact, maneuverable body and superior utility, this vehicle features a coaxial motor and other electromotive technologies developed for the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, combined with a Toshiba-produced lithium-ion battery. Charging with a 200-volt power source takes less than six hours, and vehicle driving range exceeds 160 km.
		Plug-in hybrid vehicle:
		Based on the platform of the Inspire mid-size sedan, this vehicle features a fuel-efficient 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine and two high-output electric motors, specially developed for this system. The vehicle can be operated in three drive modes: all-electric, gasoline-electric hybrid and engine drive modes. The lithium-ion battery is manufactured by Blue Energy, and the vehicle's all-electric mode driving range is 15 to 25 km.
		Electric Sccoter (EV-neo):
		Honda made the EV-neo electric scooter available for lease today in Japan to companies that make short-range deliveries and also to individual business owners.
		Electric Cart (Monpal ML200):
		Firstly launched in 2006, this stylish, comfortable and easy-to-ride 4-wheel electric cart with great stability will also be used as a testing vehicle. The Monpal used in this testing program will add a recording device capable of storing a variety of vehicle operation and performance data.

Major specifications of program vehicles (EV and plug-in hybrid)

	EV	Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
Engine	—	2.0L in-line 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle i-VTEC engine
Transmission	—	ECVT
Motor	Coaxial electric motor (same as in FCX Clarity)	Two-motor system (drive, generation/regeneration)
Max. motor output	92 kW	120 kW
Battery type, manufacturer	Lithium-ion battery, Toshiba	6 kWh lithium-ion battery, Blue Energy
EV range	Over 160 km	25 km (JC08 mode)
EV max. speed	144 km/h	100 km/h
Charge time	100 V: under 12 h 200 V: under 6 h Rapid charger: 30 min. (80%)	100 V: under 4 h 200 V: under 1.5 h

Major specifications of program vehicles (EV-neo, Monpal ML200)

	EV-neo	Monpal ML200
Motor	DC brushless motor	DC brushless motor
Max. motor output	2.8 kW	—
Battery type, manufacturer	Lithium-ion battery, Toshiba	Valve-regulated lead-acid battery, Panasonic
EV range	Over 34 km (as tested at 30 km/h on flat road)	Approx. 25 km (6 km/h on level ground)
Charge time	100 V, regular charger: approx. 3.5 h 200 V, rapid charger: approx. 0.5 h	100 V: approx. 9 h

[Solar-powered charging station]
Located inside Honda’s Kumamoto Factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, this charging station features a solar-powered generating system manufactured by Honda Soltec. Honda will use the station in combination with advanced communications & telematics to test a wide variety of program objectives.

Solar-powered charging station (schematic)

[Advanced communications and telematics]
Using the InterNavi Premium Club services, Honda's information network for automobiles, Honda will test charging station communications to improve customer convenience and safety. Using this support tool, a customer can search for charging stations, set destinations, confirm various vehicle conditions and access other information by using either a smartphone or a car navigation screen.


Even when away from the test vehicle, a customer can view a map on their smartphone of how far the vehicle can drive on its remaining battery charge, and also search for charging stations within that area. The customer can then select a charging station from the search results, forward the station information to the vehicle via the InterNavi Information Center, and set the station destination on the navigation screen. The navigation system will then guide the customer to the charging destinations.

[Smartphone display examples]

Check the remaining batteries		Drive range area 1		Drive range area 2

Nissan Needs European Loans to Continue Electric Vehicle Project

The Nissan Nuvu electric city car concept



Here is an interesting story. The Japanese motor company, Nissan, is pressing for huge sums of money from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The automaker is in a similar situation as most others, in that is becoming strapped for cash and the banks are not willing to loan large sums of money due to the recent financial crisis.

Eric Nicolas is Nissan's senior vice president of finance and administration and had this to say, "I need money to survive and we are not going to get it from the banks at the moment." Nissan has also held two high-level meetings in recent months with the Luxembourg-based EIB. The thrust of these meetings were attempts to obtain an initial injection of low-cost financing before year-end, according to Nicolas. Also during these meetings Nissan has told the EIB that it needs help towards the billions of euros it will cost to fund the European elements of its global electric vehicle project. This project is being orchestrated in conjunction with French alliance partner Renault.

In a separate application, Renault has already requested 400 million euros from EIB, which could be approved in the coming months.

The bottom line is that if Nissan can not obtain these loans, then the electric project will be halted as well as their current European research and development. Nissan is shooting for an electric car sales debut in 2012, so let's wish them luck. As I have said before, we need all the alternative energy automobiles we can get.