All About Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

A new self-service electric car scheme is to be modelled on Paris’s popular bike rental scheme
Source: BusinessGreen staff, BusinessGreen, 03 Jan 2008
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/
news/2206408/parisians-electric-car-hire

The Mayor of Paris is poised to launch a new green transport initiative that will see Parisians offered access to 2,000 self-service electric cars.  According to a report in The Times, Bertrand Delanöe aims to model the new initiative on the popular Vélib bike hire scheme, which began in Paris last July. The proposed Automobiles-en-Libre service would allow subscribers to pick up cars from dozens of collection points at any time of day without booking and leave them anywhere in the city. The electric cars would cost just a few euros a day to hire and may emulate the Vélib scheme by being largely funded through advertising.
(more…)

by Justin Couture, January 4, 2008
Source: Automobile.com
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/news/
subaru-s-electric-car-on-sale-next-year/5379/

In many ways, mass volume electric cars are closer to reality than many people might  Subaru will be selling the R1e through its Japanese retail vendors starting next year.  Although the Chevrolet Volt is still years away (although more of a reverse hybrid than a true EV) and another EV candidate, the Pininfarina-Bollaré isn’t expected until 2010, Tesla has been producing and selling a full electric vehicle for some time now, and other more mainstream automakers are working full steam ahead to produce pure electric cars before the end of the decade.
(more…)

Does your garage have an electrical outlet? Seattle-area companies, governments, and early adopters are at the forefront of driving down the cost of electrified autos. Later this year, you’ll be able to modify your gas Prius for less than $10,000.

By Carolyn McConnell, Washington, Seattle, Jan 9, 2008
Source: Crosscut.com
http://www.crosscut.com/washington/10569/Here+come+the+plug-in+hybrid-electric+cars/

Driving a Prius can be a tantalizing experience: You’ve got the engine warmed up, you’re going 30 mph on flat ground, the motor is a nearly silent electric purr, and you watch the bars on the gas-mileage screen mount happily up to 99.9 — infinity! Then you hit a hill, have to step on the gas, and those bars plunge into the teens. You might as well be driving a Hummer.
(more…)

Source: Transport News and Network TNN /Jan 8, 2008
http://www.tnn.co.uk/Manufacturers/plonearticle.2008-01-08.8552537136

The world’s leading commercial electric vehicle manufacturer has secured an order for 100 zero emission vans and trucks for the Republic of Ireland.  Smith Electric Vehicles will deliver 100 of its leading edge Newton and Edison vehicles, in its largest fleet order to date. Replacing 100 diesel powered commercial vehicles with these battery powered vans and trucks will save an estimated 760,000kg in carbon dioxide exhaust emissions each year.
(more…)

Tyler Hamilton, Energy Reporter
Source:; Toronto Star /Jan 7, 2008
http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/291514

Matthew Stevens and Christopher Mendes began working with each other in 2004, part of a University of Waterloo team trying to design the vehicle of the future.  Their team, in fact, was the only Canadian one in a 17-university North American competition sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy. Called Challenge X, the three-year competition pitted some of the brightest young minds on the continent against each other in a search for the most energy-efficient vehicle design.
(more…)

Source: PR-USA.net /8 Jan 2008
http://www.pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56677&Itemid=9

Following a year of significant advancements in its technology and product line, Miles Electric Vehicles was named the “Electric Car Company of the Year” by GoodCleanTech, a 2007 Weblog Awards Finalist and active eco-friendly blog website, December 30, 2007.
(more…)

Incentives Can Add Up to Free Car, Says ZAP CEO
London, Jan 3, 2008
Source: ZAP electric cars, press release
http://www.zapworld.com/node/297

Electric car pioneer ZAP  says that owners of its ZAP Xebra electric city car commuting into London can save so much on parking, charging and tolls that it could help pay for the car within a year.  London is expanding the number of charging stations, according to recent news reports. The London Evening Standard said that Westminster council is putting in 10 roadside posts following a trial of two in Covent Garden. About 50 more will be installed in 13 of its car parks. Funded by Transport for London, the Energy Savings Trust and EDF Energy, users have to register with the council and pay a one-off fee to cover administration costs after which charging is free. Colliers International estimates parking in London to cost US$55 per day. With free parking, charging and no congestion tolls, the incentives start adding up.
(more…)

Santa Rosa, CA, Jan 8, 2008
Source: ZAP electric cars press release
http://www.zapworld.com/node/295

Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB) will be designing its cars to play and recharge the iPod and will preview the concept at the Macworld Expo, January 15-18 in San Francisco.  ZAP is previewing a made for iPod electric car as well as introducing its iZAP rechargable battery technology for the iPod at Macworld 2008, January 15-18 in San Francisco, California.
(more…)

Santa Rosa, CA — Jan 7, 2008
Source: Zap electric cars
http://www.zapworld.com/blog/1

Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB - News) announced today that it is offering free electricity to charge your electric car for one year.  When you reserve a Xebra electric sedan or pickup online at http://www.zapworld.com you will get a free Kill-A-Watt Smart Power Meter and free electricity for one year. (more…)

Graeme Fletcher, For CanWest News Service /December 06, 2007
Source: Driving.ca
http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?
id=35bcf8f5-4009-4db1-8c44-aa30bde4d9aa

Look at the Kia Sportage Fuel Cell and it could be just another SUV. Turn the ignition key, however, and the difference is deafening.  Aside from the slight whirring from the various fans needed to cool and feed the fuel cell, there is nothing but silence. It just sits there waiting for someone to prod the accelerator pedal.  Prod it, though, and the Sportage takes off with a burst of energy only an electric-powered car can produce — the electric motor’s peak power is developed at the first rev. On the test loop the Sportage FC tackled some fairly serious hills without missing a beat.
(more…)