Automotive X Prize News: Feb 24th, 2008

By Eric Boyd on February 24, 2008 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tags:

air car,

Cornell University,

EV,

li-ion,

Loremo,

Maine Automotive,

Miles EV,

Tesla,

VW

News this week includes an all-electric version of the Loremo, an update from Cornell University, $40M for Tesla, a lot of press for the Air Car, and some other interesting stories.

Tesla gets $40M, to help fund production of the roadster and ramp up development of the sedan codenamed "White Star". Also, Tesla posted a Q&A with Mac Powell, Tesla Motors Vice President of Vehicle Integration.

The Loremo got a lot of press this week: MSN Autos, Autoblog Green, the Loremo Blog itself, new photos at Flickr. They are designing a new electric version of the Loremo, with a maximum speed of 106 MPH, 0-60 in 15 seconds, a 20 kW engine, and a range of 95 to 125 miles. Also, they will be skipping this years Geneva Motor Show.

Cornell University AXP Team photo, another update from Popular Mechanics, their big sponsor. Apparently the team has spec'd out the initial parts to retrofit their Geo Metro, and will be ordering them this coming week. They are also running "baseline tests" to have a benchmark against which to compare the vehicle after all of their changes. Sounds like their hundreds of undergrads are getting things done!

Volkswagen to unveil diesel-electric hybrid Golf, 83.1 MPG! (probably European gallon: 69 MPG US, still very impressive) And it meets US BIN 5 requirements for sale in all 50 states.

The Dilbert Blog: The Car You Won't Own. Scott Adams apparently thinks the Automotive X Prize is a waste of time - or at least, that poking fun at the AXP will get him lots of laughs :-). The comments are a collection of outrage, more poking of fun, and some informative research, so I think it went over quite well...

Miles Electric Vehicles Gets $15M Investment. They plan to make a highway capable EV.

Lotus Announces Introduction of Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Group. Should be useful to all of the Tesla's of the world who need that kind of work done.

The Air Car also got a lot of press this week: Popular Mechanics, Autoblog Green, but as far as I can tell nothing has changed since I made the page.

As Lithium Cars Arrive, Lithium Questions Persist, an interesting article about lithium batteries, ongoing research, and what various carmakers are doing.

Maine Automotive X - seeking 100 MPG