California To ‘Require’ Sales Of Electric And Plug-In-Hybrid Vehicles

Just when you thought that legislators in the Golden State had come to their senses, something happens to reaffirm our opinion that California may be the least-car-enthusiast-friendly state in the country. After showing some degree of sanity by agreeing to adopt the proposed EPA mileage standard of 54.5 mpg by 2025, California has announced that, by 2025, a minimum of 15.4 percent of sales must be of electric, plug-in-hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles. Read more

Could Honda’s EV-STER Concept Become A Tesla For The Masses?

One of the highlights of this week’s Tokyo Motor Show is the debut of the Honda EV-STER electric roadster concept. Bold styling sets the EV-STER apart from the rest of the Honda lineup, and it may be an indication that Honda is listening to critics who find its current product line boring and uninspired. Read more

Almost 13,000 Falsely Claim Electric Car Tax Credit

Imagine that: nearly 13,000 Americans tried to scam the government in the first half of 2010 by claiming they purchased an electric car. The false claims amounted to about 20% of credits granted, and totaled some $33 million. Twenty nine of the fake claims were filed by prisoners (why not roll the dice when you’ve got nothing to lose), while other fraudulent claims were actually filed by IRS employees. Currently unemployed IRS employees, I assume. Some taxpayers claimed the deduction for the purchase of a Hummer H3, a Dodge Durango or a Cadillac Escalade, and one form actually tried to claim the credit for purchasing a golf cart. Read more

Tesla Model S – It’s Alive! Official Images

Okay, here it is. As promised, a few official images of the Tesla Model S plug-in electric sedan.

What is your opinion on the styling? Oh, you want to know my opinion first? Looks like a Maserati Quattroporte, Mazda RX-8, Jaguar XF and Infiniti G37 all had a child together only this one was born without a tail pipe. Go figure!

Enjoy the images below after the jump.

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Tesla Model S Images Leaked Just Before Today’s Official Unveiling

Tesla plans on unveiling the highly anticipated Model S plug-in electric sedan today. Kevin Rose, the creator and master-mind of Digg.com, had a few images posted on flicker of the new Tesla Model S fully revealed from the rear and side along with an (obvious pre-production or pre-finish) interior shot. Are these official exterior images? Sure, they are official until we get the “official” images later today after the reports of the “official” unveiling happens. Until then, bookmark or favorite AutomotiveAddicts.com now and come back shortly and we should have several images of the new plug-in sedan that is expected to cost $57,000 with a $7500 tax credit (for driving a plug-in electric vehicle).

President Obama is going to love this car… Al Gore too!

  

Tesla Model S Uncovered Images – Sort Of

The guys at Autopia have a great imagination just as other gear-heads who post off-the-wall automotive stuff online. A new rendering of the Tesla S has taken it to a new level. They have rendered what the Tesla S may actually look like found in their post, “Behold the Tesla Model S“.

They basically took a combination of a few teaser images that have already been circulating over the internet on various automotive sites and automotive blogs. If you ask me, it looks pretty convincing and I am willing to bet the actual Tesla Model S to look very similar to the photoshop job below. Can we call it a photoshop job? Is that still the correct lingo?

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Aptera Motors 2e – The Future Arrives in October

Aptera Motors, a southern California startup automotive company, has plans to put the new 2e electric-three-wheeled car in driveways by October of this year (2009). Although it is an “interesting” looking car to say the least, this vehicle should get the equivalent of 200mpg and can achieve 100 miles on a single charge. The 2e is all-electric and looks like a contender to win the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize which is basically a race to build a “supergreen car”.

As automakers struggle to make an abrupt change in the way they build cars and the green-friendly technology put in them, many new firms and startup companies such as Aptera Motors are developing new innovative creations for the masses. These new creations surpass anything ever seen on the road when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Even so, during the North American International Auto Show this year we witness the most “green” show ever from major Auto manufacturers around the world.

Looks like we will only see more and more of these innovative vehicles while we have already witnessed new breakthroughs by Fisker, GM and Tesla Motors to name a few.

[source: AUTOPIA - blog.wired.com/cars]

Mini E Emerges Popular in America

It is pretty much guaranteed that the Mini E would be a huge hit when gas prices reach $4 a gallon or more in America. But during the low prices the Mini E seems to still be a popular subject while being an all electric vehicle with a range of only 120 miles per charge.

The demand for the Mini E is about 4 to 1 so they cannot supply enough for every person who really wants one. They are currently being leased out for about $850 a month but the savings will actually come into play after you add in a few years absent of paying for gas for the miles driven.

BMW has plans to lease out 250 in SoCal and another 200 in NY and New Jersey by March. This is a good time to monitor the lithium-ion battery for future electric vehicles. Now only if Apple Computer could make a car like they do brand new 17 inch Macbook Pro’s that last 8 hours… just boost that power and put it in a car. I am sure it not that simple but nonetheless an idea to submit to Steve Jobs since he will remain CEO for a while longer.

  

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