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New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Over at Jason Calacanis’ blog, a new teaser shot of the Tesla Model S has surfaced that shows a bit more detail of the car’s greenhouse profile. According Jason, the photo was emailed to buyers of the Signature 100 cars of which he is one. We got our first glimpse of the new car last week but this one shows more. Most of the car appears to be hidden in this image but there are details if you know how to look. A visit to the curves adjustment in Photoshop reveals the same fender trim seen on the earlier shot as well as the wheels. In the adjusted version, the door handles and side glass profile are also visible as is the glass roof. We don’t know at this point if the glass roof will be part of the production model although it could be problematic for an EV. The extra thermal load would have the air conditioning working harder cutting into the range. You can check out the enhanced photo after the jump. Jason is so happy with his Roadster that he has decided to order two Model S Signature Series sedans. Tesla has opened the reservation list for the Signature Series. Right now, only early adopters of the Roadster can get on the list for a $40,000 refundable deposit. Following the March 26 reveal, anyone will be able to order one for a $10,000 deposit. If you already own a Roadster, you’ll get $10,000 off the price of a Model S. Don’t forget the enhanced version of the Model S teaser after the jump. Related: AutoblogGreen visits our founder to try out his Tesla Roadster [w/VIDEO] Tesla to unveil Model S on March 26, hopes for DOE money by summer Thanks to everyone who sent this in! [Source: Calacanis.com ] Continue reading New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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New Teaser of Tesla Model S surfaces, our friend Jason orders two!

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) is said to be considering adjusting registration fees skyward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles while discounting the same for fuel-saving models. The controversial legislation has earned the nickname “Hummer Tax” since it is rather obviously geared towards large SUVs like those sold by GM’s struggling HUMMER division. Opponents to the plan warn that the charges could have a disproportionately large impact on large families and small business owners that rely on large vehicles to perform their daily routines. On the other hand, proponents for the legislation highlight the fact that it’s technology neutral, meaning that any vehicle that manages to save fuel over its competitors would qualify for the savings, regardless of what kind of fuel or technology is being used. There are also movements within the current Massachusetts administration that hope to raise the state’s gas tax or increase the price of tolls. One problem with a gas tax increase is that the move towards more fuel efficient vehicles would lower the amount of income the state is taking in, so an alternative plan would tax drivers based on mileage driven. [Source: The Boston Globe ] Auto Blog: HUMMER , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , USA Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers “Hummer Tax” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Toyota enters biofuel territory with cellulosic ethanol plan

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:44:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Ethanol , Toyota , Japan Not many posts have been written on our little blog here that use both of the following two words: “Toyota,” “ethanol.” Until now, the Japanese automaker has mostly steered clear of the biofuel (with a few exceptions ), unlike the domestic brands that can’t seem to get enough . New reports from Reuters say that ToMoCo, along with other Japanse firms, will work to develop low-cost cellulosic ethanol. Go figure. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toray Industries Inc, Kajima Corp, Nippon Oil Corp. and Sapporo Engineering Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sapporo Breweries, are all joining the automaker in the project, which might use plant and timber waste as a biofuel feedstock. The group’s goal is to produce 1.6 million barrels a year by 2014; by 2015 they hope to drive the cost down to $70 a barrel (there are 42 gallons of fuel in a barrel, and compare here ). Anyone who’s been to the future should please post in theCar Blog Green what the price of oil will be in 2015. Thanks. [Source: Reuters via Domestic Fuel ] Toyota enters biofuel territory with cellulosic ethanol plan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Toyota enters biofuel territory with cellulosic ethanol plan

Better Late than Oily: America will have to wait for diesel MINI

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Diesel , MINI Click above for a hi-res gallery of the MINI Cooper D in the ABG Garage While the new electric MINI E is proving even more popular than expected and the Cooper D continues to sell big across the pond, MINI has been contemplating bringing the diesel hatch Stateside. However, the current diesel in the Cooper D, which AutoblogGreen drove last summer, isn’t deemed clean enough for U.S. emissions regulations. While previous reports suggested a modified version of the current Cooper D could make the trip across the Atlantic to the land of heavily-taxed diesel fuel, company spokesmen now say it could have to wait until a next-generation clean-burning diesel can be developed for the MINI. Although the artificially high price of diesel in the United States has prevented oil-burning vehicles from taking the lead here, MINI points out that the price difference between the premium gasoline their vehicles require and ordinary diesel is actually quite a bit more manageable. Add to that equation the 60 miles per gallon a diesel MINI being tested by Bosch here in the good old U S of A gets and a diesel Cooper is making more sense by the minute. Gallery: ABG Garage: 2008 MINI Cooper D [Source: USA Today via Kicking Tires ] Better Late than Oily: America will have to wait for diesel MINI originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Lexus Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LS600h The trend towards more fuel efficient automobiles is stretching past its expected economy car roots and into the upper reaches of large luxury vehicles. It could be argued that Lexus started this particular trend with its range of hybrid vehicles, especially the GS 450h and the LS 600h premium sedans. Perhaps the biggest hurdle Lexus needs to overcome to sell its hybrids is their price, since all that extra doohickery adds plenty to the bottom line. Perhaps it’s not surprising, then, to hear rumors that Lexus is working on a new version of its LS flagship that will use Toyota’s 2GR-FSE 3.5L V6 engine engine in lieu of the pricey hybrid or thirsty V8 options. We’d assume the new model would be named the LS 350. This particular powerplant has won accolades by combining both port fuel injection and direct injection to produce up to 311 horsepower (315 PS or 232 kW) and is already used in the automaker’s IS 350 and GS 350. This engine option in the LS would also allow buyers in some countries to avoid high taxes that are based on the powerplant’s displacement. Gallery: AutoblogGreen Garage: 2008 Lexus LS600h L [Source: Paultan.org ] Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Rumormill: Lexus LS could get base V6 model

Small cars suddenly selling well in China

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Auto Blog: China No matter where you are in the world, there seems to be a universal truth that when gas prices go up, cars get smaller and more efficient. Even in China. It’s sort of like the rule of supply and demand, except that there is still just as much actual fuel available as before, but the Chinese government has raised its price and has therefore changed the amount that its citizens can afford. This action has had the desirable effect of increasing sales of fuel-efficient cars, in spite of a weak overall market. The largest market share gains have been won by joint ventures led by Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda, which led the charge with an increase in sales of nearly 30 percent. Also helping promote the switch from large cars to smaller machines was a variable tax that was reduced for cars with engines of 1.6 liters or smaller. [Source: Nikkei via TTAC ] Small cars suddenly selling well in China originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Small cars suddenly selling well in China

California gas stations choose to close instead of buying vapor-reducing pumps

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Etc. , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily Photo by ellievanhoutte . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0 . This April, a mandate from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) called the Enhanced Vapor Recovery Program (EVRP) will go into effect. The idea behind the program is to get next-generation clean nozzles and equipment installed at fuel pumps in the state in order to control emissions. Sounds like a good thing, right? The environment wins becasue ground-level ozone should be reduced and people win , too. What’s the problem? These new cleaner gas stations aren’t cheap, and “dozens, and potentially hundreds” of gas stations in California might close down instead to upgrade. In other words, in this case, going green means going out of business. According to the Pasadena Star-News , the South Coast Air Quality Management District has heard from 76 refueling sites (of about 4,500 total in its area) that will shut down because of the high costs of the EVRP. CARB responds by saying that gas prices will go up by about 0.68 cents a gallon to cover the cost of upgrading. [Source: Pasadena Star-News ] California gas stations choose to close instead of buying vapor-reducing pumps originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Cree SAM-Evolution II looks like an angry locust, available now

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:21:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Lightweight , Europe/EU If you crave driving an electric car that looks like an angry locust and are tired of waiting for the new version of the SAM that we told you may be coming , this may be your lucky day. We have found one of the original 80 prototypes for sale and, though it may be a few years old, it has been much improved! Re-dubbed the “Cree SAM-Evolution II,” this baby has had its Zebra batteries replaced by modern lithium iron phosphates (LiFePO4) that give it a much more practical range of 100 miles. Actually, it has two. One for propulsion up to speeds of 60 mph and one for heating and lights. With only 6,524 miles on it, the asking price is a negotiable €24,900 ($32,913.77) which doesn’t include shipping from Switzerland. Ouch! Kind of makes waiting an extra year for a $25,000 Aptera 2e seem worth it,no? If you have your heart set on a SAM and this one is a little out of your budget then consider the adage, “Patience is a virtue.” We expect to hear positive news about factory new vehicles sometime in the next couple months. Bonus video of someone cavorting in the snow with their SAM after the break. Gallery: Cree SAM-Evolution II [Source: Elektroauto Kleinanzeigen ] Continue reading Cree SAM-Evolution II looks like an angry locust, available now Cree SAM-Evolution II looks like an angry locust, available now originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Tesla holds customer town hall to explain price increases

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Tesla Motors Click above for high-res image gallery of Jason’s Tesla Roadster Tesla Motors held the first of a series of customer town hall meetings at its Menlo Park store on Tuesday to try and assuage anger over recently announced price increases . A couple of attendees have posted their thoughts about the meeting around the web. As usual, CEO Elon Musk was forthcoming with information, although it some cases it may actually raise more fears than calm them down. For example, when responding to a query about the price hike, Musk responded, “It was a really close call at the last round of investments, I can’t shoulder the load of the company alone and I couldn’t continue the company like that.” Musk also revealed that the company would be getting an investment from a “well respected company” in the next week or so. In the current environment, that may not have been the safest response if the deal has not yet closed. If something happens and it falls apart, the company could end up looking worse. Musk blamed the new $3,000 price for the high-powered charging cable on the cost of making the current one and said a new, less expensive version is being developed. A 440V charger that would facilitate 45-minute charges is in the works, he said, possibly for 2010. Musk also announced that the Model S would be shown to customers and VIPs at an event at the Space-X headquarters in Los Angeles on March 5. Tesla is also working on drivetrain 2.0 with an eye on cost reduction. Gallery: Jason Calacanis’ Tesla Roadster Gallery: Trying out Jason’s Tesla Roadster Photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips , Sam Abuelsamid, Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: Planettesla , TeslaMotorsClub ] Tesla holds customer town hall to explain price increases originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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First stage of Nevada algae biodiesel completed successfully

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:09:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Biodiesel One of the most promising biofuel feedstocks in recent years has been algae. Algae is high in oil content, potentially providing much higher yields of fuel than any other current crop – as much as 100 times more than soy, for example. Researchers at the University of Nevada-Reno have been testing a pair of outdoor algae ponds to evaluate the viability of growing fuel algae in the region. The first phase was a success with algae growing in a pair of 5,000 gallon ponds even with overnight temperatures in the 20s. The ability to grow algae in the open ponds in Nevada means that it could be much more economical than building enclosed bioreactors that might require heating and pumping. Professor John Cushman has been collaborating with Enegis, LLC and Bebout and Associates and the school could share in any profits derived from new patents that come out of this research. The first batch of algae grew from a “starter” culture to a stable equilibrium in less than three weeks. The team are moving forward with developing robust algae species that can thrive in the salty water of the region. [Source: Nevada News ] First stage of Nevada algae biodiesel completed successfully originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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First stage of Nevada algae biodiesel completed successfully