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150 MPG with AFS Trinity’s PHEV Technology

Matt Kelly — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:26:35 +0000

Prior to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), one news story getting a lot of traction was the conversion of a Saturn Hybrid into a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) capable of 150 miles per gallon. So I was quite excited to speak with Don Bender, chief technology officer for AFS Trinity, the company behind the conversion, about their soon-to-be patented Extreme Hybrid drivetrain.

Tags: AFS Trinity, Don Bender, Extreme Hybrid, hybrid, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, PHEV, Saturn

Cadillac Provoq’s a Response at NAIAS

Matt Kelly — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:15:24 +0000

During the North American International Auto Show, (NAIAS), I spoke with Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac about the Provoq, the luxury SUV concept based on the Volt E-flex platform, unveiled at CES.

Tags: Cadillac, CES, Clay Dean, E-Flex, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Volt

NAIAS: Ford’s Explorer America with EcoBoost

Matt Kelly — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:45:58 +0000

Another exciting discovery at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was Ford’s EcoBoost platform and the unveiling of their Explorer America concept. Dan Kapp, Ford’s Director of Powertrain Research, introduces me to this next-gen SUV and it’s performance enhancing technologies that will boost power and increase mileage while also reducing harmful emissions. Paul Eisenstein of the Car Connection has a great writeup entitled, “Ford EcoBoost: V-8 Power from Six?”

Tags: Car Connection, Dan Kapp, EcoBoost, Ford, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Paul Eisenstein

GM’s Chairman Rick Wagner Meets with Bloggers at NAIAS

Matt Kelly — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:28:06 +0000

In an hour sit down with online journalists during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), GM’s Chairman Rick Wagner answered questions on several topics from the joint partnership announcement the day before with Coskata, to Tata Motor’s Nano, recently unveiled for the Indian auto market. Participating int he breakfast meeting were journalists including (but not limited to) Brian Dooley at HummerGuy.net, Lyle Dennis of GM-Volt.com, Joe LaMuraglia - Gaywheels.com, Paul Stamatiou, Gear Diary’s David Goodspeed, Hybridcarblog’s Chad Snyder, Hank Green of Ecogeek.org, Joel Williams of Lifegoggles.com, Alphamom’s Isabel Kallman, Autowriter Matthew Keegan, Philippe Daix of TopSpeed.com, Clayton Cornell of Green Options, and Autopia’s Marty Jerome.

Tags: Coskata, GM, NAIAS, Nano, North American International Auto Show, Rick Wagoner, Tata Motors

GM Partners with Ethanol Producer Coskata

Matt Kelly — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:24:10 +0000

During the North American International Auto Show, (NAIAS) one of the most important announcements I heard was made by GM Chairman Rick Wagoner, who announced a partnership with Coskata, a Warrensville, IL, biology-based ethanol producer. The company uses proprietary microorganisms and patented bioreactor designs to turn biomass, municipal solid waste and other carbonaceous material to produce ethanol for under US$1.00 per gallon. I spoke with Coskata’s founder Todd Kimmel and GM’s Alan Adler about the partnership and the implications for consumers and the world at large.

Tags: Alan Adler, Coskata, ethanol, GM, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Rick Wagoner, Todd Kimmel

GM’s Bob Lutz Holds Court at NAIAS

Matt Kelly — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:59:54 +0000

During the North American International Auto Show, (NAIAS) GM’s Vice Chairman Bob Lutz joined a roundtable discussion with a group of online journalists including (but not limited to) Brian Dooley at HummerGuy.net, Lyle Dennis of GM-Volt.com, Joe LaMuraglia-Gaywheels.com, Vincent Nguyen at Slashgear.com, Paul Stamatiou, Gear Diary’s David Goodspeed, Hybridcarblog’s Chad Snyder, Hank Green of Ecogeek.org, Joel Williams of Lifegoggles.com, Alphamom’s Isabel Kallman, Autowriter Matthew Keegan and Autopia’s Marty Jerome.

GM’s Rick Wagoner at CES

Matt Kelly — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:50:05 +0000

During CES, GM’s Chairman Rick Wagoner spoke with a group of bloggers and journalists.

Tags: CES, GM, Rick Wagoner

GM Provoq’s Audience at CES

Matt Kelly — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:28:02 +0000

During the keynote address at CES, GM Chairman Rick Wagoner unveiled the company’s newest fuel-cell concept vehicle on the E-Flex platform and the first vehicle introduction ever at CES, the Cadillac Provoq. Featuring GM’s fifth generation fuel cell technology, the Provoq includes a solar roof-top panel to power onboard accessories, an active front grille with louvers that close at freeway speeds to enhance aerodynamics and left and right fender-mounted charging ports.

Tags: CES, Rick Wagoner, E-Flex, Cadillac Provoq

Biodiesel: Out of the FOG (Fat’s Oils, Greases)

Matt Kelly — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:43:32 +0000

During the first annual Renewable LA, a day long “consumption-lite” eco fest celebrating renewable energy and transportation, Joe Gershen, Board Member, Green Depot sustainable energy organization, gave a presentation on the many benefits of Biodiesel.

Tags: biodiesel, Green Depot, Joe Gershen, Renewable LA, Joe Gershen

Hollywood Goes Green: Centron Energy

Matt Kelly — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:39:05 +0000

Ron Likis heads up Centron Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin alternative energy company that has created a fuel additive that after 300 million of miles of testing, has been CARB approved and EPA recognized to decrease emissions and increase mileage in gasoline, ethanol, or diesel engines. I spoke with him about his company’s creation during iHollywood Forum’s Hollywood Goes Green.

EVS 23: The Fuel Cell Store

Matt Kelly — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:00:51 +0000

One of the interesting folks I met at EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, Calif., was Kathleen Larson, former math teacher and owner of the Fuel Cell Store. Concerned about reducing their carbon footprint, she and her husband started the company seven years ago, which sells among other things, hydrogen fuel cell model cars for science school classrooms nationwide. The company was just acquired by ECOtality and will be moving from Boulder, CO to San Diego, CA as part of Innergy Power and also offers teachers information about where they may receive financial assistance to fund these teaching tools.

Tags: ECOtality, EVS 23, Fuel Cell Store, hydrogen fuel cell model cars, Innergy Power, Kathleen Larson

EVS 23: The V3 by Vectrix

Matt Kelly — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:42:05 +0000

Another company making news during EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium, was Vectrix Corporation. Durng the show, Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Morrill introduced me to the V3, an all electric three-wheeler featuring twin front wheels that grasp the road during cornering, offering the agility of a scooter and the safety and stability of a small car. It’s lithium ion battery powers the three-wheeler 0-50 MPH in 5.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 62 mph and goes 40-60 miles on a single charge. Yet at lower speeds, the bike is stable and allows riders to remain upright without ever having to put their feet down.

Tags: EVS 23, Jeff Morrill, V3, Vectrix

EVS 23: Big Kid Toys

Matt Kelly — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:58:10 +0000

I met EJ Wessel, owner of Big Kid Toys in Napa, Calif., at the LA Auto Show, but sadly, I wasn’t able to go for a ride in his T-Rex then. So when we met at EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, Calif., I was all game for for a test ride. The electric version was on the show room floor and getting primed for its appearance in an MTV special, so I had to forgo that experience, but a ride on the gasoline version was just as fun. 0-60 in under 4 seconds…definately a gas!

Tags: Big Kid Toys, EJ Wessel, EVS 23, LA Auto Show, T-Rex

EVS 23: Smart’s Pitt Moos

Matt Kelly — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:06:24 +0000

Durng EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium, I spoke with Pitt Moos, Product Manager for the smart ev, a prototype and research electric vehicle being developed by http://www.daimler.com/ Daimler. Currently 100 of them are being built and delivered to consumers in London, England as part of a four year project. The smart for two arrives on North American shores in early 2008, and rumour has it, the EV version will be here not too long after. Sign me up!

Tags: Daimler, EVS 23, Pitt Moos, smart ev, smart for two

Hollywood Goes Green

Matt Kelly — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:32:04 +0000

During iHollywood Forum’s Hollywood Goes Green conference, Chris Paine, director of Who Killed the Electric Car joined Greg “Gadget” Abbott, founder of Electric Motors, Dave Barthmuss, GM’s Group Manager for Western Region Environment & Energy Communications and Dale Wiley, CEO and President, of American Green Holdings, for a panel discussion about how the depiction of cars in film and television can influence public opinions and auto sales.

Tags: American Green Holdings, chris Pane, Dale Wiley, Dave Barthmuss, GM, Greg “Gadget” Abbott, Hollywood Goes Green, iHollywood Forum, Who Killed the Electric Car

EVS 23: Brammo’s Electric Motorcycle Enertia

Matt Kelly — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:42:01 +0000

During EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, CA, I met Brian Wismann, director of design for Brammo Motorsports of Ashland, OR., a manufacturer of ultra-efficient, lightweight vehicles. During the event they unveiled the Enertia, an electric motorcycle perfect for urban commuting that exceeds 50mph and 40 miles on a single 3-hour charge, using a lithium phosphate battery from partner Valence Technology. AutoblogGreen has more PR video of the bike here.

EVS 23: ExxonMobil Chemical’s Separator Film

Matt Kelly — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:13:11 +0000

During EVS 23, Jm Harris, SVP for ExxonMobil Chemical Co., gave a presentation about the company’s new battery separator film that can reduce heat issues with lithium-ion batteries. I had a few questions for Jim after his presentation, during the Q & A. Read more about it from Green Car Advisor at edmunds.com.

Tags: Edmunds.com, EVS 23, ExxonMobil Chemical, Green Car Advisor, Jim Harris

EVS 23: Chelsea Sexton and the Volt

Matt Kelly — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:53:12 +0000

I’ve never been this close to the Chevy Volt, so during EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, CA, I thought it was an interesting juxtaposition to speak with Chelsea Sexton of Who Killed the Electric Car and Plug-In America, about GM’s E-Flex concept vehicle.

Tags: Chelsea Sexton, Chevy Volt, E Flex, EVS 23, Plug In America, Who Killed the Electric Car

The EV1 Electrifies Audience at Renewable L.A.

Matt Kelly — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:14:43 +0000

American Hi Definition and Sweetwater Digital of Van Nuys, CA, hosted the first annual Renewable L.A., a day long “consumption-lite” eco fest, celebrating renewable energy and transportation. The first annual solar open house and green holiday gift event put a spotlight on the largest solar installation in the area, constructed by Energy Efficiency Solar of Pomona, CA, comprised of 600, 190-watt individual solar panels. In addition to test rides of two Vectrix Maxi-Scooters and three ZENN’s, the over 300 visitors who attended the event had a special treat when an EV1, one of the handful not notoriously crushed in 2005 by the all-electric car’s maker, GM, made a surprise appearance, driving onto the event’s parking lot. I spoke with Alexandra Paul, actress, EV1 advocate and activist, who appeared in the movie, Who Killed the Electric Car, about the momentous occasion. Zan Dubin Scott has more in a writeup on Edmunds.com.

Tags: Alexandra Paul, American Hi Definition, Edmunds.com, Energy Efficiency Solar, EV1, GM, Maxi-Scooter, Renewable LA, Sweetwater Digital, Vectrix, Who Killed the Electric Car, Zan Dubin Scott, ZENN

EVS 23: eGO Vehicles

Matt Kelly — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:31:41 +0000

During EVS 23, the Electric Vehicle Symposium, Kris Sorensen, VP, sales & marketing for eGo Vehicles, took to the podium to introduce the audience to his company which offers eco-friendly personal transportation for business, commuting, errands or recreation. At the conference he announced a major partnership with Intrago, a Boulder, CO company providing personal and electric vehicle rental management systems for the real world.

Tags: eGo, EVS 23, Intrago, Kris Sorensen

EVS 23: GM’s Jonathan Lauckner

Matt Kelly — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:35:17 +0000

At EVS 23, the Electrical Vehicle Symposium held this year in Anaheim, CA, Jonathan Lauckner, General Motor’s VP for Global Program Management, addressed the audience during the opening plenary session, detailing GM’s plans and goals regarding sustainable transportation and specificially their E-Flex platform and the Chevy Volt.

LA Auto Show: Chrysler Designer Ryan Nagode

Matt Kelly — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:36:17 +0000

Ryan Nagode is only 27 years old, but don’t let his youth fool you. He is Senior Designer and Car Stylist for Chrysler, and was the Exterior Designer for the 2009 Dodge Journey, unveiled at the LA Auto Show.

Tags: Chrysler, Dodge Journey, LA Auto Show, Ryan Nagode

LA Auto Show: GEM Celebrates 10 Years

editor — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:40:19 +0000

It’s been 10 years in business for GEM or Global Electric Motorcars, a division of Chrysler and one of the first manufacturers of Low Speed Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. During the LA Auto Show, Larry Oswald, GEM Chief Executive Officer and Director of Chrysler’s GEM and Electric Vehicle Product Team, spoke to me about the company’s milestone achievement, and the release of it’s Special Edition Package to celebrate the occasion.

Tags: GEM, Global Electric Motorcars, Chrysler, Low Speed Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, LA Auto Show, Larry Oswald

LA Auto Show: T-Rex

Matt Kelly — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 09:04:33 +0000

EJ Wessel owns Big Kid Toys in Napa, CA, a company that sells electric cars and trucks, including the T-Rex, a gas or electric, three-wheeled performance vehicle. With its’ triangular wheel configuration, low center of gravity and open cockpit and distinctive apprearance, the T-Rex provides exotic motorcycle performance and side-by-side seating, as I found out while talking with EJ during the LA Auto Show.

Tags: Big Kid Toys, T-Rex, LA Auto Show

LA Auto Show: Kia Unveils the KND4

Matt Kelly — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:53:30 +0000

Another auto show and another concept car from Kia, following in the design style of the concepts Kia Kue and Kia Soul. After the KND4’s unveiling, I spoke with Kia’s public relations manager Alex Fedorak at the LA Auto Show.

Tags: Kia, Kue, Soul, Alex Fedorak, LA Auto Show