Henrik Fisker says production of the Fisker Karma is not dependent on Dept of Energy loans, and that the company is pursuing a “plan B” to fund the company independently from private investors to prevent the company from being a political football. In early February, Fisker Automotive laid off a few workers following a suspension of…
During a campaign sweep through Georgia last weekend, Newt Gingrich had some interesting things to say about the ability of a Chevy Volt to carry a gun rack, and his fantasy of returning to $2.50 a gallon gasoline. Last weekend Newt Gingrich decided to unload both barrels on the Chevy…
The transportation bills being considered by the Senate and House are operating in different universes, with the Senate following the usual bi-partisan process to create good transportation policy, and the Republican-dominated House larding their bill with extreme right wing ideology that would doom mass transit systems, gut environmental review processes, and fundamentally change transportation system funding…
GM’s former CEO Bob Lutz publishes another op-ed piece in Forbes defending the Chevy Volt, and this time pointing fingers at right wing media figures, claiming their Volt bashing will cost American Jobs. A couple weeks ago Bob Lutz, GM’s former CEO and Chairman, and Father of the Volt, wrote a piece for…
The 2013 Tesla Model X unveiled tonight is an all-electric full size SUV/minivan, capable of holding 7 full size adults and all their luggage, and with the right options is capable of out accelerating a Porsche 911. This evening Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk revealed the long-awaited Model X Electric SUV before a huge crowd…
A law before the Arizona legislature would collect a $.01 per mile tax from electric car owners. The tax would go to pay for build and maintaining roads. Currently highway funds come primarily from gasoline taxes and that electric car owners do not pay gasoline taxes, and therefore do not…
Proposed laws in Arizona and elsewhere would collect additional taxes from owners of electric cars, is it too soon to start collecting road use fees from electric car owners? Pop quiz: Who pays for building and maintaining the highway system? It’s largely paid for via gasoline taxes. Another pop quiz:…
Fisker Automotive runs into cash crunch, after missing milestones in the Dept of Energy loans program, due to repeated delays on the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sedan. Fisker Automotive, the designer and manufacturer of high end luxury plug-in hybrid cars, has run into a cash crunch and is laying…
GM’s strange Chevy Volt superbowl ad caused a couple Fox News commentators to launch into a flimsy and leaky hit job on the Chevy Volt. It’s superbowl season and one of the now-traditional side-shows to that football game is the advertising run during the show. Because of the large audience…
The excitement over the rebirth of the DeLorean sports car, in between 88 miles per hour jokes, is news that the chassis and battery pack will be built by Aptera alum companies Epic Electric Vehicles and Flux Power. Like an 88 miles/hr bolt of lightning from the past, DeLorean Motor…
The laudable goal, developing a gasoline powered car with 100 miles/gallon fuel efficiency, is being offered a $1 billion government prize as incentive, and would keep the U.S. addicted to oil. Not all Californians are looking forward to electric vehicles, some are Congressmen who propose legislation whose result would be to keep us addicted to oil.…
GM’s former Chairman, Bob Lutz, blasts the right wing media for lying about the Chevy Volt. Yesterday Forbes published an op-ed piece from GM’s former CEO, Bob Lutz defending the Chevy Volt and calling on certain right wing media outlets to focus on telling the truth, rather than concocting lies. One wonders after reading…
According to the NRDC, House Speaker Boehner wants to steer America onto a disastrous transportation policy path, that makes America’s energy security and environmental problems worse, is financially dangerous, and leaves the nation’s highway system subject to political manipulation akin to taking a road to nowhere. On Feb 2 the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure…
Lithium battery maker Ener1 inconveniently declared bankruptcy the day after President Obama’s State of the Union declared support for the domestic advanced battery industry. Any company can run into trouble if the market conditions shift, that’s what bankruptcy courts are for. Last week when lithium-ion battery maker Ener1 entered bankruptcy proceedings it was…
A politically charged Congressional Hearing this morning questioned the NHTSA’s integrity following the Chevy Volt crash test fire last summer, with Administrator Strickland bearing the brunt of Rep. Jordan’s angry questioning. In a politically charged Congressional Hearing held today, the safety of the Chevy Volt, and the integrity of the…
