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Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Debuting at the 79th Geneva Motor Show alongside the Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air concept was an i MiEV prototype that may have been the most relevant electric car of the show. Although quite similar to the i MiEV design we’ve been showing you for the past couple years, this is the global version of the Japanese automaker’s electric car. As expected, it has a wider stance than the original and the front and rear overhangs have been extended and should offer more protection for passengers as well as any errant (heaven forbid) pedestrians. Also, the steering wheel is on the side you would expect to find it in most parts of the planet, the left. The company calls this i MiEV iteration the precursor to the car that will go on sale in Europe next year where it will carry the Mitsubishi badge as well as that of Peugeot . Although a timetable for American sales hasn’t yet been announced, we expect that it will happen eventually and something very close to this slightly enlarged prototype will one day be available here. Hit the jump for the official Geneva unveiling of the i MiEVs and as well as a bonus video of the global version posing for the camera in a studio and its designer giving some of his thoughts (in Japanese). Gallery: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype [Source: Mitsubishi / YouTube ] Continue reading Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Mitsubishi , Geneva Motor Show , Europe/EU Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype

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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Tesla holds customer town hall to explain price increases

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