Automobiles

Toyota Sells One Millionth Prius in U.S.

Megan Treacy

prius-battery
The Toyota Prius has hit a major milestone: there are now 1 million of them on U.S. roads. But it's not just popular in the U.S. As of a month ago, the hybrid has surpassed 3 million sales worldwide.

More than 97 percent of Priuses sold since the car's debut 11 years ago are still on the road, confirming two things that were unsure back in 2000 -- that millions of people would want to buy a hybrid electric vehicle and that the vehicle would be just as durable and reliable as a conventional car over a decade later.

That's great news for all the electric car launches happening now and in the near future. What may seem like a vehicle only coveted by a small percentage of people now, could have millions and millions of drivers in just a decade. And the benefits will be measurable: since 2000, the Prius has saved 881 million gallons of gas and 12.4 million tons of CO2 emissions.

via USA Today

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European Union Plans to Eliminate Gas-Fueled Vehicles by 2050

Megan Treacy

euro-road
A report from the European Union's European Commission branch reveals a plan to remove gas and diesel-fueled cars from the continent's cities by 2050.

The plan describes a "single European transport area" where the gas-fueled vehicles are gradually phased out and replaced with alternatively-fueled cars and where new infrastructure will be constructed to cater to these vehicles. The transition would cost upwards of $2 trillion.

The proposed plan also calls for a ban on the shortest flights and that rail travel should be required for trips more than 186 miles.

While the architects of the plan themselves refer to it as "very radical" and "very ambitious," it's still a plan that is looking four decades into the future. By then, the idea may seem like a rather safe solution.

via Treehugger

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Porsche Sets Super High Price and Limited Number for 918 Spyder Hybrid

Megan Treacy

porsche-spyder
Porsche has started taking orders for the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar, but they're keeping the list exclusive with a super high price and a limited production number -- the German automaker is asking $845,000 for the car and is capping production at, ahem, 918.

If you're one of the lucky people out there that can gets themselves on the list, you'll be getting a lot of performance from the sporty hybrid. The vehicle is outfitted with a 500-horsepower V8 engine and two electric motors worth another 218 horsepower. It will be able to go from zero to 100km/hr in 3.2 seconds and has a maximum speed of 199 mph.

From an efficiency stand point, it should get 78 mpg under normal driving conditions, but if you're taking it to the race track, expect the fuel economy to drop. The car can run in all-electric mode for up to 16 miles and the battery can recharge in three hours.

Porsche isn't set to start production on the car until September 18, 2013, so for those that make an order, you'll have to wait about 2.5 years before it's in your driveway.

via Wired Autopia

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Japanese Vending Machines Will Also Offer EV Charging

Megan Treacy

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In just a few months, Japanese drivers can stop at vending machine and get both a soda for themselves and some juice for their EV. Ten Japanese companies have formed a consortium to install electric car chargers at the site of beverage vending machines across the country.

The consortium includes vending machine operator Forking Co. and Panasonic Electric Works, along with eight other companies that will develop and produce EV chargers to go along with the vending machines. Within the first year of the project, which will start at the end of this month, Forking plans to install 10,000 chargers at its vending machine sites.

The consortium will pick some new sites to install both vending machines and chargers as well. Two other companies, SoftBank Telecom and Softbank Mobile, will provide telecom services to connect the charging stations.

By working together, the ten companies are able to cut costs and move forward more quickly, enabling the companies to position themselves at the forefront of an EV infrastructure roll-out in Japan.

via Physorg

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Chicago Installing 280 EV Charging Stations

Megan Treacy

chicago-ev-charging
The Midwest will now have an electric vehicle hub in Chicago. The city will be home to 280 charging stations built by utility company Exelon by the end of the year.

The charging stations will be located at shopping malls, both of the city's airports, rest stops along the Illinois Tollway and other various locations, and two will even be solar powered.

Chicago currently ranks in the top ten cities for hybrid owners, so the city is preparing for the roll out of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles over the next few years. With 280 charging stations, it's residents will have plenty of places to fill up their batteries. Until that influx of plug-in cars makes its way into the city though, the fleet of Chicago utility ComEd will use the charging stations.

via Grist

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Toyota Sells One Millionth Prius in U.S.

European Union Plans to Eliminate Gas-Fueled Vehicles by 2050

Porsche Sets Super High Price and Limited Number for 918 Spyder Hybrid

Japanese Vending Machines Will Also Offer EV Charging

Chicago Installing 280 EV Charging Stations

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