GM Counters Chevy Volt Fire Fears By Offering Loaner Cars

There’s been a significant amount of coverage in the news lately about post-crash fires in Chevy Volt extended-range EV’s, likely as a result of an NHTSA investigation into the car. While there have been no documented cases of an undamaged Chevy Volt causing a fire, GM is erring on the side of caution and offering free loaner vehicles to any Volt owner who has concerns about the fire risk posed by the car. Read more

Confirmed: Cadillac Will Build Converj, Call It ELR

Just last week we told you that, like zombies and politicians, the Cadillac Converj electric car concept had risen from the grave. Now GM is confirming those rumors, admitting that development work is underway for a car it’s calling the Cadillac ELR. The name ELR (“Electric Long Range” is our guess) befits the car’s electric propulsion system, and ties in with the brand’s three-letter naming convention. Read more

Report: Cadillac Converj Electric Car Rises From The Dead

When Cadillac showed their Converj extended-range electric concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, it was a huge hit with both the public and critics alike. The futuristic coupe was unlike anything Cadillac had styled to date, and the car’s lines foreshadowed the CTS Coupe, released in 2010. The Converj project got the green light, and by January 2010 the Converj had even been approved by GM’s management. Read more

Fisker Karma Production Begins

The Chevrolet Volt will soon relinquish its title as the sole production serial hybrid automobile, as Fisker has announced the start of Karma production. The cars will be built by manufacturer Valmet Automotive, the Finnish automaker who produces the Cayman and Boxster under license from Porsche. Plans are to launch the car simultaneously in the U.S. and the E.U., with initial deliveries beginning in April. To ensure consistent quality of production models, Fisker will ramp up the manufacturing volume slowly; in fact, only 7,000 Karmas are expected to be delivered worldwide in 2011. Read more

The 2011 Chevy Volt Is As Good As The Hype – Chevrolet Volt Full Test Drive

‘The 2011 Chevy Volt Is As Good As The Hype’

There appear to be two camps when it comes to the Chevy Volt; on the one hand, detractors cry, “it’s just another hybrid”, while discussing conspiracy theories about government subsidies for electric vehicles.  On the other hand, those who’ve driven it, myself included, come away pretty damn impressed.  How impressed?  Motor Trend just named the 2011 Chevy Volt the “Car of the Year”, and not two hours later Automobile magazine followed up with the “Automobile of the Year” award.  I’ll tell you flat out: the Chevy Volt is perhaps the most significant automobile of the past 50 years, and it’s the launching pad for a whole new generation of high-tech vehicles.  You can love it or you you can hate it, but you certainly can’t ignore it.

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100 Mile Per Gallon Hummer – The Chevy Volt’s Daddy

Who said Hummers are one of the most gas guzzling and uneconomical SUV’s around? I actually use to say that all the time until now. A Utah company, Raser Technologies, has converted a Hummer H3 into a 100mpg extended range vehicle good for about 40 miles.

Today posted on Wired.com’s blog is a write-up about this new mammoth that was one of the most criticized vehicles when it comes to fuel efficiency. Raser Technologies says this vehicle should push 90mph and still have off-road capabilities. It has a lithium ion battery that can be charged in 3 hours. The company has also said they will be converting upwards of 2000 of these big SUV’s by the end of the year.

 

 

So why start with a Hummer in making it an EV or extended range electric vehicle?

Below is a short excerpt from wired.com’s blog answering that very question:

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