Car Blog

An all electric Jeep Grand Cherokee will be introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and available to test drive

AMP Electric Vehicles, specializing in SUV electric vehicles, announced the expansion of their product line-up with their new AMP Jeep Grand Cherokee EV, which will be introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This is the latest demonstration of AMP’s proprietary technology for SUVs and full-sized vehicles.

The addition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee complements AMP’s Mercedes M-Class EV offering. EV buyers will now have two great SUV choices in the retail market, and the Jeep EV also provides an attractive entry for companies that are adding “green” vehicles to their fleets.

“Beginning with a world class vehicle, and adding AMP’s electrification results in an EV that offers everything SUV Customers expect: smooth powerful performance, zero emissions and up to a 100-mile range,” said Jim Taylor, AMP CEO.

AMP will announce pricing, initial delivery dates and market distribution at the Detroit Auto Show.

Nissan North America announced that it is bringing an innovative, low-cost DC quick charger for electric cars to the U.S. market. The DC quick charger is being launched as part of a global collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation, with the first installations planned for early 2012.

Nissan and Sumitomo also announced that they are looking to Nissan North America’s preferred home charging station partner AeroVironment  to be their wholesale and retail distributor, as well as the preferred provider for U.S. installation services.

Nissan announced the development at a press conference associated with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Honolulu, where Nissan also is offering test drives of the all-electric Nissan LEAF, the only 100 percent electric car designed for the mass market. The new DC quick charger can support all plug-in vehicles capable of quick charging on the CHAdeMO standard, including the Nissan LEAF which is available to U.S. consumers equipped with an on-board quick-charging port. Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan Canada made history when it delivered the first all-electric Nissan LEAF to a Canadian consumer at an event in Ottawa. Ricardo Borba, an Ottawa resident and the first person in Canada to place a Nissan LEAF order, received the keys to his black Nissan LEAF SL from Allen Childs, President of Nissan Canada. Hunt Club Nissan in Ottawa hosted the event and is also hosting the Ottawa stop of Nissan’s cross-Canada Drive Electric Tour.

“This is a significant milestone in the movement that brings sustainable mobility within our grasp and at Nissan we’re excited to be leading the way by bringing the world’s first all-electric car to the mass market, which was also recognized as the 2011 World Car of the Year,” said Allen Childs, President of Nissan Canada, Inc. “Today we made history by handing over the keys to Mr. Borba, the first Canadian consumer to purchase a Nissan LEAF. This represents the freedom to choose a car that has no tailpipe, produces no emissions and will never have to visit a gas station.”

Borba, a 44-year old electric engineer and software developer with IBM currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario with his wife and son. His new Nissan LEAF will be the family’s primary car providing ample range for their day-to-day commutes. Read the rest of this entry »

Chevrolet is harnessing the power of the sun to install solar-powered electric charging stations for its Volts at dealerships in North America. The Green Zone initiative will generate electricity equivalent to 12 full vehicle charges per day and excess electricity created will help supplement the dealership’s power needs.

“The Chevrolet Green Zone will provide our U.S. dealers with added flexibility when it comes to charging their vehicles, while also reinforcing GM’s commitment to renewable energy projects,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Chevrolet Marketing and Strategy.

American Chevrolet in Modesto, Calif., and Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc, Mich., are the first U.S. dealerships to complete their solar charging capability by installing Green Zones on their property.

“The question isn’t whether to install a solar canopy, it’s where and how many,” said Joe Serra, president of Serra Automotive. “It’s a win for us because the electricity generated will help reduce operating costs, and it’s a win for the environment since solar power helps reduce our carbon footprint.” Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan North America Inc. is expanding availability of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to U.S. consumers for the 2012 model year, with upgrades based on feedback from the thousands of owners who already have driven several millions of miles in the first 100-percent electric car for the mass market.

The Nissan LEAF, enriched with additional standard equipment including quick charging and cold-weather features for the 2012 model year, now will be available for order in the Southeastern United States and Illinois.

“Many enthusiastic consumers have eagerly anticipated ordering a Nissan LEAF of their own, and now we can make zero-emissions mobility a reality in more markets,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. “In response to direct feedback from Nissan LEAF owners, the features that customers want most will come standard on the 2012 Nissan LEAF – including quick charging and cold-weather features.” Read the rest of this entry »

Battery Electric Model Honored at Washington Auto Show

Green Car Journal’s annual Green Car Vision Award was presented to Ford today at the Washington Auto Show. Honoring the Ford Focus Electric vehicle that will come to market late in 2011, the Green Car Vision Award celebrates an industry-leading, environmentally focused vehicle that is in its early stages of commercialization or in demonstration programs, but not yet on sale.

“The groundwork that Ford has laid with such advanced and sensible technologies as EcoBoost, hybrid drivetrains, and ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles has shown an understanding of what it takes to bring fundamental change to the marketplace, without sacrificing the features and the driving enjoyment that is so important to new car ownership,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “The Focus Electric is an extension of this philosophy.”

Based on the all-new 2012 Focus global car platform, the Focus Electric was designed from the ground up to be efficient, attractively packaged, and meet the needs of the mass market with the safety, comfort, and stylish features expected of the brand’s conventional models. It’s powered by lithium-ion batteries and offers a projected 100 mile all-electric driving range. It can be charged in three to four hours with a 240 volt home charger.

This year, Green Car Vision Award™ finalists included the Ford Focus Electric, Honda Fit EV, Mitsubishi i, Toyota RAV4 Electric, and Volvo C30 DrivE electric. For the first time in the history of this award, all candidates featured electric drive.