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Tesla introduces Model S 70D as its new entry level vehicle
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
Tesla has removed the underperforming (sales-wise) Model S 60 entry level vehicle from its lineup, and has replaced it with a new, more powerful base model that it’s called the Model S 70D. The new Tesla Model S 70D bring with it a dual-motor all wheel drive feature that packs a 329 horsepower punch, as compared to 302hp offered by the departing Model S 60. The allows the Model S 70D to go from 0-to-60 MPH in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 140 MPH. Access to the Tesla Supercharger network is now included, a perk that Model S 60 customer had to pay extra for. Same goes for a bunch of the features that were previously included in the technology package.
Tesla begins shipping the Model S 70D shortly, and you can order one at a base price of $75,000, or lease one starting at $818 per month.
Read More 
| Tesla
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A look at the next-generation 2016 Chevy Volt
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Rumors, Transportation,
GM is set to debut the next-generation Chevy Volt at the North American International Auto Show, which is just over five months away, taking place in Detroit in January 2015. The 2016 Chevy Volt will be the first redesign for the game-changing electric car, and details are obviously scarce since the company is going for the element of surprise. However, this morning they gave us a peek at the next design. Above you see what appears to be the rear liftgate, lit up by a sunset. My wish list? As a Chevy Volt owner, I'd like to see the 2016 model pick up a 50-mile electric range, 50 miles-per-gallon in range-extending mode, and a redesigned battery pack that will allow for three seats in the rear. We'll know more in a few months!
Read More | Chevy Volt Twitter
GM working on bringing down price of Chevy Volt for 2016 model
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,
As a brand, the Chevy Volt is well-known in the electric vehicle market. That said, mind-share doesn't equal sales, and GM is set to step up its efforts to make the Volt the car that EV buyers end up choosing when it's time to buy. To fix this, GM is planning on bringing down the entry-level price of the 2016 Volt, and then offering tiered upgrades, similar to the way Tesla sells the Model S.
At the low end, the 2016 Chevy Volt should cost just over $30,000, which is about $5,000 less than it currently costs now, bringing it closer in line with competing vehicles like the Honda Accord plug-in and Ford C-Max Energi. Total range of the entry-level Volt should be under 300 miles, and won't be as heavy on the upgraded feel of the car--but if those options aren't your jam anyway, then you can save yourself some money.
Cadillac ELR special limited edition now on sale through Saks Fifth Avenue
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,
The next big thing from Cadillac will be the release of its ELR, and it looks like Saks Fifth Avenue of all companies gets the first crack at selling a limited edition model of the new electric vehicle. The Saks version of the Cadillac ELR is so limited that there will only be 100 of them made. For the privilege of being 1 of 100, you get the Cadillac ELR in White Diamond with your choice of Light Cashmere or Jet Black interior. You also get a premium 240V charging station and included installation service.
Wanna get your hands on one? You'll have to pick up the phone and dial 855-SAKS-CAD to place a special order. The dedicated order line is open now, and will stay open through January 10th. No word on if the limited model will see a price increase from the standard starting Cadillac ELR MSRP of $75,000. All special edition vehicles will be available for delivery in March 2014.
Volkswagen e-Golf EV provides 118-mile range, 0-to-80% charge in 30 minutes
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,
We've been watching the progress of Volkswagen's Golf Blue-e-motion electric car for a couple of years now, and are excited to report that the vehicle is finally set for release. The German automaker says we should expect to see it arrive Stateside sometime between late 2014 and early 2015. Expect features like LED headlamps, a quick charging battery that can go from empty to 80% in about 30 minutes, and a range of 118 miles on a full charge. Oh, and zero-to-60 MPH in ten seconds. What do you think? Is a Volkswagen EV for you?
Read More | Volkswagen
BMW i3: A luxury electric hatchback for $41,000
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,
If you're looking for a luxury EV and want a more established name than Tesla, BMW has entered the fray with the i3. In fact, the BMW i3 is both the first EV from the company, as well as a platform to build on for the future. The i3 will be priced at $41,350 when it goes on sale in the US in Q2 2013, although, like many electric vehicles, it isn't for everyone.
While it isn't the most expensive EV on the market, it also costs well above what the typical car buyer pays for a new vehicle. Also, range anxiety will be a problem for some as well, as a fully-charged BMW i3 will only get you 80-100 miles. If that worries you, you can opt for the 650cc two-cylinder generator add-on, that makes the i3 similar to a Chevy Volt, letting you get extra range through using gasoline. At 170 horsepower coupled with 184 pound-feet of torque, you'll be able to go from zero to sixty in seven seconds.
BMW definitely knows how to make a car, and for EV enthusiasts who've grown weary of the odd space-age concepts found in some other car manufacturer lines, could be a breath of clean, fresh, environmentally-safe air.
Read More | BMW i3
An inside look at how robots birth the Tesla Model S [Video]
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Here is a detailed inside look of how the famed all-electric battery powered Tesla Model S car is made. It's an automotive robot car manufacturing plant literally straight out of the future. Check out the video!
Click to continue reading An inside look at how robots birth the Tesla Model S [Video]
Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation, Videos,
Last night Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk teased that the company would show off its battery swap service this evening, and lived up to the promise with an impressive demonstration. Tesla owners will be able to pull into a battery swap facility with their charge is running low, and a staff member will swap out the low battery with a full one. The kicker here is that the swap is performed faster than it takes to fill an empty gas tank at the pump--less than 90 seconds. Owners don't need to leave their vehicles, and the service is priced to be competitive with gas station services. The first swap stations will cost about $500,000 to build, and will appear in some of the busier Tesla corridors, including I-5 in California.
Swapping will take 90secs. You'll never get out of your car. Return the pack on your journey back or keep it & we'll bill you the difference
— Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) June 21, 2013
Check out the video after the break for the live demo, recorded from the crowd.
Click to continue reading Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]
Tesla to show off Model S battery swapping this Thursday
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,
Tesla will be showing its new technology that allows Model S owners to swap battery packs in their vehicles as its design center in California on June 20th. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement on Twitter, reinforcing previous statements that Tesla would allow its customer to driver longer distances without the need to wait for the battery to charge at a Supercharger location.
We aren't sure if this applies to current Models S cards, or if this is a redesign that will be part of future models. Apparently, switching out the batteries takes just minutes--about the same amount of time that it takes an average car to be filled up with gas.
Live pack swap demo on Thurs night at 8pm California time at our design studio in Hawthorne. Seeing is believing.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 18, 2013
Tesla set to triple Supercharger charging network by the end of June
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,
At the D11 conference, Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced a major expansion to the Tesla Supercharger network. According to Musk:
"There's going to be a dramatic acceleration of the Supercharging network. By the end of next month, we'll triple the Supercharger coverage area. There's a map that'll go live tomorrow. By the end of this year, you'll be able to drive from LA to NY just using the Supercharger network. We're improving the density of Superchargers in well-traveled routes, as well as the overall coverage area."
This is huge, as there is always range anxiety for owners of vehicles that are 100% powered by electricity. Rapid expansion of Tesla's Supercharger network is essential to curbing that feeling. Tesla Model S owners using the Supercharger can go from 0% to 80% charged in 30 minutes. Of course, the Model S is a very expensive vehicle, but getting Superchargers in place for when Tesla expects to have a $30,000 range vehicle for sale (in about three years, according to Musk,) will go a long way towards buyer confidence.
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