Chevrolet Begins Taking Orders for Volt in Canada

General Motors is adding Canada to the list of countries that will soon get the Chevrolet Volt as starting from today, the company’s dealers in seven key regions across the country will begin accepting orders for the extended range electric vehicle, with prices starting from at CA$41,545 (equal to US$43,780 at today’s exchange rates).

The Volt will initially be available to retail customers in the marketing areas for Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Oshawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City, with first deliveries for these areas set for the third quarter of this year. GM’s Canadian arm said that within twelve months of the retail launch, the Volt will be offered at dealerships nation-wide.

In Canada, the Volt will be marketed in a single trim level, along with two optional packages: a Premium Trim Package and a Rear Camera and Park Assist Package.

Along with the three-year or 60,000 km (*whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper coverage, five-year/160,000 km* roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and limited engine coverage, GM also offers an eight-year/160,000 km* limited warranty on the Volt’s 16-kWh lithium-ion battery.

The Volt is powered by an electric motor fed by a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers a pure electric driving range between 40km and 80km (depending on the driving conditions). Once the battery’s energy is depleted, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine that acts as a generator kicks to provide electric power extending the driving range up to an additional 500 km on a full tank of fuel.

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Peugeot's EX1 Concept Breaks the Electric Car Record on the Nurburgring

It's not very often we hear about an electric car taking on the fearsome Nurburgring-Nordschleife track. A concept version of an EV is an even rarer sight on the “Green Hell”, but that's exactly what Peugeot did as it put the EX1 design study at work on the world's toughest circuit.

It wasn't just a pleasure ride, however, since Peugeot visited the ‘Ring to break the lap record for electric cars. And it did, with driver Stéphane Caillet lapping the 20.8-kilometer (12.92-mile) long track in 9 minutes and 1.338 seconds, at an average speed of 138,324 km/h (85.95 mph), in “very unfavorable weather conditions”, according to the French automaker. The previous lap record set by an electric car belonged to the Mini E racer, which lapped the German track last year in 9 minutes and 51.45 seconds.

WIGE Performance, the official timekeeper of the Nordschleife track, tracked Peugeot’s record. Revealed at the Paris motor show last year, the EX1 roadster is powered by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, thus offering four-wheel drive. Each electric motor produces 125 kW (170HP) for a combined output of 340HP and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. Energy comes from a high-output lithium-ion battery pack.

The radical-looking concept measures just 0.90 meters in height and 1.77 meters in width and makes use of a monocoque body structure manufactured from a carbon/honeycomb composite to optimize weight and rigidity.

Peugeot has promised to share a video of the EX1 lapping the Nurburgring. Once it’s out, we’ll update this story.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf Receive Top IIHS Safety Ratings in Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released the results of the first-ever U.S. crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars, with the two EVs earning the highest safety ratings. The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf were awarded the top rating of “good” for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection. Since both cars are fitted as standard with electronic stability control systems, they also qualified as winners of Top Safety Pick, the Institute's award for state-of-the-art crash protection.
"What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and Leaf is as high as any of our other top crash test performers," says Joe Nolan, the Institute's chief administrative officer.
"The way an electric or hybrid model earns top crash test ratings is the same way any other car does. Its structure must manage crash damage so the occupant compartment stays intact and the safety belts and airbags keep people from hitting hard surfaces in and out of the vehicle," Nolan added.
Classified as compact cars from their exterior dimensions, the Volt and Leaf are closer to midsize and larger cars when it comes to their curb weights, due to their hefty battery packs. At 3,370 pounds (1,529 kg), the Leaf is heavier than the Nissan Altima (3,200 lbs), while the 3,760-pound Volt (1,705 kg) outweighs the Chevrolet Impala (3,580 lbs).
"The Leaf and Volt's extra mass gives them a safety advantage over other small cars. These electric models are a win-win for fuel economy and safety," Nolan says.
Scroll down to see how the IIHS tested both the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Taiwan’s Luxgen Shows Off Neora EV Concept Sedan in Shanghai

Among the many world premieres hosted at the Auto Shanghai 2011 (April 21-28) is a new concept model for an all-electric sedan from Taiwanese automaker Luxgen. Called the Neora, the study is meant to demonstrate the firm’s technological prowess as well as to preview a future design language.

The plug-in four-door sedan concept is propelled by an electric motor with 180kW or 241-horsepower that drives the front wheels. According to Luxgen, the Neora tips the scales at 1,600 kg or 3,527 pounds and is capable of completing the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in just 6.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). The electric motor is fed through a 48 kWh lithium-ion battery set, which is said to offer a driving range of around 400 kilometers or 248 miles on a single charge.

“[The] Neora perfectly represents LUXGEN’s brand spirit of Think Ahead, and the new form of appearance will be the design cues for LUXGEN’s upcoming models in the future,” said the company’s Vice President, James Shyr. “Its streamline flow, and the innovation of lightweight, as well as fuel economy, represent the novelty of LUXGEN’s energy saving future technologies,” he added.

The Taiwanese automaker’s automobile range currently includes two models, the Luxgen7 SUV and the Luxgen7 MPV.

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The first electric airplane

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Elektra One performed the first flight on 19 Mar. 2011 at the Augsburg Airport in Germany. Jon Karkow, an well known test pilot and aircraft engineer performed the first flight. Flight characteristics and engne parameter were tested. The test pilot was very satisfied with the results. Three flights were performed. The climbing rate was 400 ft/min. A new 30 min. flight was performed on 23 Mar. Only about 3kW from the total on board of 6kWh energy was used. IN the next two weeks the new variable pitch propeller and the retractable landing gear will be installed.
Thanks for the whole team who contributed to this success !!!