Aspiring zookeeper and frequent Tiffany’s shopper Newt Gingrich made some fresh waves in his wavy presidential campaign last week in Georgia, claiming the Obama administration wanted to force smaller vehicles and electric cars like the Chevrolet Volt on Americans, saying: “You can’t put a gun rack in a Volt.” One Chevrolet Volt owner took that as a challenge.

In the video below, the Volt owner – also apparently from Georgia — says he made the video to respond to the cheap shots by Gingrich made against the Volt, noting it’s made and designed in the United States, unlike nearly every other hybrid or electric vehicle on American roads. All we’ll add is that while GM says it didn’t design the Volt to be a “political punching bag” and might not be the first choice for a hunting trip, it did shoot battery packs to ensure they wouldn’t blow up if bullets passed through. (They don’t.)

Score one for engineering over politics.Gun Racking Chevy Volt Owner

Electric vehicles have been out of testing labs and on the market, at least in limited quantities, for a few years now.  There are not a large number of these vehicles on the roads just yet, but slowly they are starting to become more of a presence.  One of the biggest reasons why the vehicles have not gained more popularity is simply that they are harder to manage.  While a traditional vehicle can go around 300 miles before refueling at one of the many available gas stations, electric vehicles can traditionally go about 100-200 miles before needing to be charged using a proper power source.  But a recent deal with A123, a maker of batteries for electronic vehicles, indicates that things may soon be changing.

A123 has inked a deal with Detroit’s GM to supply batteries for vehicles that are intended to be announced later on.  While little is known about the deal or the vehicles that the batteries will be used for, speculation indicates that the company will be providing GM with thousands of batteries.  The batteries are expected to be engineered and produced by the end of 2012, with vehicle production to begin shortly thereafter.  In the time following this announcement, it has also been noted that the remainder of the year is expected to bring more announcements from A123, including deals with BMW as well as another major North American car manufacturer.

So, what does all of this mean for the electrical vehicle market?  Well, it seems that this, too, is open to speculation.  Are GM and BMW working on new electric vehicles?  It will be some time before those announcements are made, but indicators are certainly pointing in that direction.  With numerous major car companies producing electric vehicles, the race may finally be on for car companies to produce an EV that can go farther and longer without the need to recharge.  The recent announcement regarding solar panels with the new EV from Ford certainly shows that makers are working hard to improve EV lifespan between charges.

Electric vehicles are still in their infancy.  The technology is available, but improvements will likely need to continue before the general public is willing to make these vehicles the primary choice.  But with announcements like these indicating that major manufacturers are likely putting more work and research into creating better electric vehicles, the dawning of a new era in personal vehicles might not be as far away as you think.

Yahoo Finance: A123 Systems, Inc., (AONE)

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Late last year, the Company announced a new business strategy.  The company will transform itself into a nutraceutical/pharmaceutical business venture with new strategic goals.

The announcement came just weeks before the Washington state Senate has passed a bill to charge electric car owners a $100 annual fee to compensate for the lack of gas taxes they pay. The bill comes as a slap in the face to all EV owners as the passing have the possibilities to  be adopted to all 50 states in the future. Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, the Camano Island Democrat who sponsored the bill, says while electric cars are good for the environment, they put the same wear and tear on the state’s roads that gas vehicles do.

“What you are searching at is really a gas-powered Capstone turbine engine that spins at 100,000 revoltions per minute, but only has one moving part and may help electric vehicle proprietors circumvent the possible lack of quick-charging stations,” Sadow states, starting right into a flurry of scientific jargon that’s the San Francisco Bay Area engineer’s natural language.

When Nissan revealed its Leaf EV this past year, the wedge-like machine lifted the spirits associated with a driver disgruntled through the Who Wiped out The Electrical Vehicle? era. None much more than Sadow, who was raised criss-crossing the nation because of his father’s job using the electric golf buggy giant, E-Z-Go.

“You can tell I acquired the EV bug early, around age 7,” Sadow states.Skip forward couple ofseveral decades, which kid has become an electric engineering whiz that has become consumed with creating this version from the electric vehicle live.

“Transpire is always to make EV’s successful, because it is factoronly factor that’s likely to save us,” statesaccording to him. “The west is dependant on cars, so that is not vanishing. However when oil becomes scarce, our economy will most likely tank given our addiction to foreign oil. I simply hope what we are doing is not not enough past too far.Inch

Sadow is a component of the growing number of savvy fanatics who’re wanting to enhance whatever alternative-fuel automobiles auto producers can produce. In lots of ways, this smart number of renegades aren’t unlike the garage-based computer nerds who, in the past from the PC, compromised around to be able to find more effective methods of the machines to operate.

Hacker, however, is really a term which make Sadow wrinkle his nose. “We’re making appropriately designed items,” he states. “We are not hacking things together.”

Although Sadow themself drives a heavily modified Prius — run by a 6.5 kilowatt-hour battery power and monitoring system of their own devising — he understood that Leaf proprietors would benefit most out of his brainstorms. His first thought had related to japan EV’s 120-volt energy cord, which could re-charge the Leaf in around 20 hrs, “that is just way too lengthy to become practical.”

Joining track of fellow EV enthusiast Mark Dutko, EVSE Upgrade was created. The internet company sells re-designed Leaf energy cords for $240, which may be blocked into 240-volt connections — what most houses have for any washer/dryer or spa — therefore reducing re-charge occasions close to seven hrs. Another $25 buys a fast-220, a forked adapter that enables the Leaf to charge off two separate 110-volt shops.

Dutko will not release sales figures, but he states EVSE Upgrade has put connects to the hands close to 15 % from the nation’s 7,000 Leaf proprietors. Nissan hasn’t endorsed Sadow’s invention, something he finds vexing.

“It’s certainly simple for individuals to panic,Inch he states, referencing the fires some Chevrolet Volt proprietors faced consequently of this plug-in hybrid’s energy cord issues. “However I think overall there’s an excessive amount of untrue stories available.”

Sadow states he’s heard no reviews of incidents from his clients. That’s given him the impetus to further upgrade the Leaf. Next is really a $150 tweak towards the car’s climate controls. In the as-shipped condition, the Leaf’s heater — a substantial energy drain, because it does not come with an car engine producing spare warmth — can’t be turn off using the press of the mouse, much the means by a regular vehicle the energy-drawing AC could be shut lower with one touch.

“Using what we are developing, the Leaf owner can very simply turn off the heat tank,Inch states Sadow. “What we should find is the fact that with many EV proprietors, an obsession evolves around mileage. People wish to go so far as they are able to off electric power charge, and do not want almost anything to get when it comes to that mission.”

Sadow happily announces he has not put gas in the Prius since last March.

Such obsession is part associated with a new technological boom, states Andy Frank, the plug-in hybrid pioneer whose transmission system improvements produced as they was in the College of California-Davis happen to be licensed to a different firm he’s managing, Efficient Drivetrains, Corporation.

“Should you look in time, the beginning associated with a new technologies have found people tinkering, in the Model T on up,” states Frank. “I performed with hot rods like a kid. Exactly the same is happening with plug-inches and hybrid cars. It’s a part of American culture.”

Frank salutes leaders for example Sadow, but, like a passionate Volt owner, thinks that plug-in hybrid cars possess the best possibility of beginning a genuine automotive revolution due largely towards the vexing problem of re-charging EVs, whose range typically tops out around 100 miles.

“For brief drives out and about, my Volt runs only on electric,” states Frank. “But when I were an EV owner and needed to move from Davis to Bay Area and back, I’d need to rent a vehicle.”

That kind of talk will get Sadow’s motor running. Actually, he was partially driven to action by EV owners’ frustration over both how gradually electric re-charging stations are now being folded out by the prices – $6,000 or even more – of in-home re-charging models.

“I needed a means for individuals to recharge without resorting to city assessments and major electrical rewiring projects,” he states.

What quickly adopted suit was the Leaf’s upgraded plug, its enhanced Air conditioning system, and — perhaps his most impressive if up to now not scaleable invention — a transportable electrical powerplant that will get towed behind the Leaf.

It’s this contraption which has Golden Gate Park drivers slowing down and bike riders preventing.

“Uh, what’s that factor?” asks a biker because he pulls a set of buds from his ears.

Sadow does not have to be requested two times within minutes, he’s off and running having a science-heavy explanation of methods he fabricated a tow-hitch to drag a micro-turbine given by gas you can use to charge the vehicle from zero to 80 % in about half an hour (the final 20 % takes another 40 minutes), or utilized on-the-go therefore stretching the plethora of the EV as lengthy because the gas lasts.

“This can be a evidence of concept, and we are still tinkering,” states Sadow, explaining the way the somewhat bulky package may ultimately be sleek right into a sleek tow-able oblong. He stays he mind within the turbine’s exhaust and sucks inside a lungful of air. “It’s cleaner than most air you breathe,” he states.

The price of Sadow’s portable generator continues to be within the prohibitive category, around $30,000. But he’s going to bring that lower, in addition to expand the scope of the potential marketplace for the invention. He’d particularly prefer to interest traditional gasoline stations covering the country’s interstates. “Not just could they assist EV proprietors fill, however they could likely get free heating for his or her garages” because of towards the extreme warmth produced through the turbine, states Sadow.

Not sometime ago, Sadow reached demonstrate his invention in a gathering of EV fans for Hidetoshi Kadota, Nissan’s chief vehicle engineer for that Leaf. Sadow reviews that although impressed, Kadota felt such improvements would only attract “techies, but that is not really a fair description of who Leaf proprietors are,” states Sadow. “Should you continue any EV discussions groups (online), you’ll find yourself speaking to everybody from doctors to mechanics, Dems and Republicans. We are just individuals who want to get rid of the earth, and believe that cars make the perfect starting point.Inch

Sadow shrugs. “I possibly could make much more money talking to than I actually do with EVSE, however i am going to help begin to see the EV grow,” he states. He then confesses for an odd dream to have an entrepreneur.

“Eventually, we’ll get beyond these habits that we have produced over decades, of seeing a service station to fill on oil therefore we can drive these noisy, smelly gadgets,” he states. “When on that day comes and you will find a lot more EVs on the highway in addition to easy methods to recharge them, I’m going to be happily bankrupt.”

EVCARCO takes a look inside the world of hybrid vehicles to look at an unexpected turn towards the seriously sexy with the release of the Fisker Karma in 2011. Not a fully electric car, it nonetheless has a lot to offer to the environmentally friendly driver. It also has a tremendous amount to offer to those interested in sports cars too. Difficult to describe in terms of design and appearance, the fact that this new offering from Fisker Automotive sold out until 2012 demonstrates the universal appeal of the car.

Basically, the Fisker Karma is powered by batteries that can give it around 50 miles per charge. When the batteries are low or depleted a simple flick of a steering wheel-mounted paddle kicks in the 2 liter turbocharged engine (four cylinders) that will power the car on lengthier trips even as it is also recharging the batteries. It takes around five hours to fully charge the batteries, and to run the vehicle in its Stealth mode.

Fisker Automotive decided to mount the electric motors in the rear of the car and to give them enough power to supply the driver of the Fisker Karma with a stunning 260 horsepower. When these are active (in the Sport mode) the car can go from zero to sixty in less than six seconds and can reach speeds of 125 mph. This is unprecedented in the world of hybrids and EVs (electric vehicles) and accounts for the diverse number of buyers who managed to acquire all 3,000 units available.

Fisker Automotive also opted to outfit the interior of the Fisker Karma with technologies and luxuries too. Drivers are seated on leather upholstery, touch suede or wood to engage all of the different functions, and even see a large central touch screen that will interact beautifully with any driver’s command.

What all of this means is that the Fisker Karma is taking the world of hybrids and EVs to an all-new level. Some industry experts worry that the release of this model is too early in terms of viability. These concerns are due entirely to the difficulties with “away from home” charging in many parts of the world. There are some places in which public charging stations are readily available, but in a location such as the United States the infrastructure is not yet “up to speed” and may impact the delight that should be experienced by all who are driving these amazingly impressive and eco-friendly cars.

Though some of the most accessible and first fully electric cars have began to arrive in the United States in late 2011, the turn to hybrid plug-in and all electric vehicles has created the need for a system of charging station access. If you don’t know a lot about electric vehicles, or EVs, it helps to know that they have what is known as a “range”. This is a figure that indicates the number of miles that the EV can operate in between full charges. Hybrid plug-ins vehicles also have their electric capabilities or ranges too, and this is the reason behind the need for charging station access around the country.

What is so interesting is that it is retail stores that are really moving things forward by opting to install stations for consumers to use as they do their shopping or errands. The average charging station is going to be able to supply power to cars, scooters, and bikes that require batteries, but they will vary in terms of fees or prices.

For example, the world-famous Mall of America in Minnesota has a charging station system that asks for three dollars per hour in order to charge the batteries while other stations ask for nothing in return. The owners of the fee-less stations usually understand that a customer is not going to be in their store or shop long enough to take the full charge and they believe that this is simply a service to clients and the environment.

Industry experts feel that the days of free charging station access are numbered simply because the shift to hybrid and fully electric vehicles is inevitable. With changing efficiency standards being required by the United States government (capped at more than 50 MPG by 2025) it is going to be impossible for most manufacturers to avoid the use of battery systems. This means that increasing demands for charging stations will begin to arise very quickly, and the option for free charges will disappear just as quickly.

For now, there are literally hundreds of stations popping up all over the country. The most unique of them was unveiled in Bethesda, MD in 2011. This is a totally green station that uses solar panels, GPS tracking of the sun, and clean supplies to provide drivers with free charges. The owner is a real estate developer who decided to his “bit” for the environment by making the green solar charging station available in a heavy commuting region.

[GM  24.86  -0.14  (-0.56%)   ]

On January 20^th, 2012 the NHTSA cleared the Volt

“The NHTSA issued a statement essentially saying, ‘case closed.’ Typically, when the NHTSA closes an investigation, there is no public statement. Not this time. This time, the NHTSA issued a very public release, explaining it closed the Volt case, finding no safety defect. Then the federal government went a step further. In its release, the NHTSA said the Chevy Volt and other electric vehicles pose no greater risk of catching on fire than gasoline-powered cars. It was a very public and strong statement about the safety of electric vehicles.”

Read more from CNBC here

You can also read the full statement from the NHTSA here

Even though the opening of this investigation generated national news coverage along with a slew of online press stories, it seems the “case closed” statement isn’t reaching exactly the same audience. We’re encouraged that Chevrolet Volt sales, together with Nissan Leaf sales, continue to increase each month they are available. Some interesting sales statistics are available here showing that sales of electric vehicles continue to increase despite this (now closed) NHTSA case. You’ll find that in their first year of availability both the Nissan  Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt (individually) outsold the Toyota Prius in its first year of availability here. The Volt and Leaf each sold between 7,500 and 9,000 vehicles in 2011, almost double that of 2000 sales of the Toyota Prius (~5,000). This bodes effectively for the continued adoption of the electric vehicle, as also does the information found here, showing that Nissan has officially hit its goal of selling 10,000 Leafs in the states (less than 20 days after its target date of December 31, 2011).

With the NHTSA case closed, having a vote of confidence in electric vehicle safety, and with the promising 2011 EV sales figures, we believe the EV market is going to have an exciting 2012.

Improvements in Electric Vehicle Systems

What do you need to run electric vehicles (EVs)? Obviously you require a good battery system inside of the car or light truck, but you also need a place where “fuel” or energy can be supplied. Currently there are a few ways that this is done. For instance, in some locations there are curbside stations that allow users to plug their fully electric or hybrid vehicles in for a charge. There are also some innovative solutions in the form of battery swapping stations (which is currently being tested in Israel), and then there are solar powered poles that allow electric vehicles (EVs) to be plugged in while the driver runs errands or goes to work.

It is the latter that is of such interest to many people in the world. For example, in mid-2011 a real estate developer in the Washington D.C. metro area spoke with his children about the need for solar charging stations for the many hybrids that fill the streets of the region. The three teenagers challenged their father to begin developing the “greenest” stations possible for those with electric vehicles (EVs), and together they came up with a very unique plan.

They designed and installed the first Solar Power Pole. This is a device that uses solar panels mounted to a very sturdy utility pole. The panels are equipped with “tracking” gear that enables them to turn with the sun and to accumulate energy all day long. Thus, they are of tremendous use to commuters who need to give their electric vehicles (EVs) a charge, but who do not want to drive well out of their way in order to obtain a resource making energy available.

The concept was actually implemented by the ATR Corporation (Advanced Technology and Research) and is capable of generating an impressive 1410 watts of electricity. This makes it around 45% more efficient than standard “fixed” solar arrays. The tracking is done through a built in GPS system that follows the trajectory of the sun and maximizes the production from the pole.

It is interesting to note that these poles work in the same way that all net-metering systems do in standard households. They generate totally green energy that is then fed into the public supply. The pole itself is fed with constant electricity by the actual grid, but the use of the supplies is offset completely by the creation of the green energy that is sent into the public grid. This makes the system neutral, and gives drivers the ability to use only the most earth friendly energy possible.

2012 Electric Cars Unplugged

If the idea of inserting a plug to your vehicle every time you need to charge up is a pain, here’s promising news: Sears has connected with Evatran to sell the wireless

Evatran's Plugless Power

charging systems for residential and commercial use. The Evatran system, known as Plugless Power, means that you could simply drive to your office or home garage and jump from the vehicle without needing to worry that you simply didn’t remember to hook it up.  This of course might not be among life’s large problems but getting a vehicle that will not go is worse than getting an iPad that is not juiced up, so you shouldn’t be too quick to laugh about this.

Installation will be handled by Sears Home Services that has been setting up home appliances and electronics for many years.

“Sears is very excited to announce this agreement with Evatran to support the installation and servicing of these stations. We look forward to being one of the leaders in this growing industry,” said Stu Reed, SVP and President, Home Services at Sears Holdings.

The companies say the benefits of the Sears-Evatran agreement includes:

• Simplified Purchasing: Evatran will offer Plugless Power systems with optional basic or standard home installation wrapped into the purchase price of the equipment; this full price may be included in the vehicle purchase or lease at the time of sale.
• Pre-Installation Site Visits: Site visits, as necessary to quote non-standard and commercial installations, will be completed in advance of installations.
• Timely Installation: Sears will receive automatic notification of a customer’s installation request; Sears will contact the customer within one business day of equipment purchase to schedule home installation.
• Convenient Additional Services: Sears will offer ongoing service and maintenance to Plugless Power owners.

Sears installation network technicians will be trained and certified on the wireless charging systems and will work with Evatran to structure a comprehensive launch plan for aftermarket systems throughout 2012, the companies said.

Product offerings will initially focus on Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models but Sears and Evatran said they will quickly expand to include additional electric vehicles. Installation will be offered with the sale of each Plugless Power system and priced based on the customer’s home and current electrical service. Sears will also offer commercial installation for electric vehicle fleet owners and managers.

Aftermarket systems will be available for installation starting in 2012 for Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt models. A specific geographic rollout plan will be announced next year with final installation pricing for basic and standard home installations.

Tesla Motors Inc, (NasdaqGS: TSLA) is a company that is making a big name for itself in the electric vehicle market.  The company was founded by a group of Silicon Valley engineers back in 2003 and since that time, the company has been working hard to create efficient, stylish electric vehicles that consumers will want to drive.  The company strives to reduce dependence on petroleum while also working to decrease the cost of EVs, and with each new model, the company is coming closer to achieving these goals.  Of course, no company can achieve greatness and perfection without talented and motivated experts to help facilitate the process, and in August 2011, Tesla announced the addition of four new members of their management team

These new members represent top talents from the tech, travel, and manufacturing industries.  The first addition is Greg Reichow, who has been appointed as the lead for powertrain

Greg Reichow

manufacturing operations for the company.  Reichow is expected to help make existing lines more efficient while also helping to increase innovation on future projects and designs.

Peter Carlsson

Peter Carlsson is another newcomer to Tesla Motors.  Carlsson comes from NXP semiconductors, where he actually helped to build a successful global purchasing organization.  His expertise will help him to lead supply chain and purchases for Tesla so that he can help ensure greater quality and timeliness while also helping to boost the company’s overall cost efficiency in a number of ways.

Ravi Simhambhafta has been hired on to help Tesla Motors streamline their information and technology platform so that they can not only provide greater efficiency within, but so that they can work to improve the customer experience as well.  Ravi was a founder and CIO at Virgin America and

Ravi Simhambhafta

helped to build both the website and the IT platform for the award winning airline.

Last is John Hillegass, whose experience includes work with the likes of HP, Intel, Pixar, and more.  Hillegass has overseen the creation and development of new stores for a variety of his clients, and his 25 years of experience will help Tesla design and build successful retail stores across the country.

In all, these individuals represent four very experienced additions to Tesla’s team.  But if we have learned anything about Tesla Motors since their creation, it is that the company works not as a group of individuals, but as a team that truly works together on all fronts.  Tesla has already experienced great success in the EV market, and these new managers will certainly help to increase the company’s success in the future.

More info on Tesla Motors Officers/Directors check Yahoo finance: http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=TSLA&ql=1

Or Tesla’s Website: http://www.teslamotors.com/

OTHER EV INDUSTRY COMPANIES TO WATCH:
Nissan Motor Co – Nissan Leaf:  http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/index

Mitsubishi – i-MiEV: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/special/ev/

Fisker Automotive – Fisker Karma: http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/en-us

Ford – Ford Electric: http://www.ford.com/technology/electric/

GM – Chevrolet Volt (hybrid): http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car/

Toyota EV & Hybrids: http://www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/rav4ev.html

Here’s how it works – the company already has hybrid refrigeration units that transport food and yet keep it at safe temperatures while in motion or parked at delivery and storage locations. They worked with the United States Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, the Southern California Association of Governments Clean Cities Coalition, and Ryder System, Inc. to purchase the fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) delivery trucks that would produce 30% fewer emissions than other vehicles of the same size and transportation capabilities.

By using the hybrid cooling along with the advanced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) delivery equipment, the company is dramatically cutting transportation, storage, and refrigeration expenses. By doing this they can then reduce the costs of the foods that they sell in each of their stores. For example, if it now costs 20% less to obtain and distribute strawberries, this will be reflected in a notable decrease in the cost of the fruit when put up for sale.

This sort of system proves that CNG fleet vehicles are one of the best ways to save the environment while simultaneously helping consumers to enjoy more affordable lives. What is interesting to note is that this same sort of approach could leave consumers open to some of the abuses that the major fuel companies have perpetuated. Consider that the Pakistani government has continually increased the prices of commuter tickets even as they rely on thousands of CNG vehicles. The reasoning for the escalating prices is open to dispute, but many believe that it has to do with the desire of the government to pass on financial difficulties to the consumer market even as the costs of operating public transportation decline.

What this all means is that there is a tremendous amount of potential in the CNG vehicle industry. It also shows that some of the world’s most polluting vehicles can be easily replaced with buses and trucks that produce around 30% fewer emissions, with some reaching around 90% fewer emissions too.