Tags: automotive technology / concept vehicles / electric cars / Faraday Future

Faraday Future's Zero1 Concept: the Real-Life Homer

- Sabtu, 23 Januari 2016 No Comments

If you didn't catch the Faraday Future reveal of its ultra-secretive Zero1 Concept vehicle last night, you didn't miss much. I watched it online and immediately wanted that 45 minutes of my life back. The really sad part was I was excited to see what the company had in store, because I'm all for shaking things up and getting more electric cars out there.

When the sheet was pulled off  the car, the first thing I thought was that the whole thing was a joke. Like so many others, I saw the leaked photos of the FFZero1 concept online a little before the reveal, and dismissed them as pure rubbish. But there it was, plain as day, a car so zany-looking and impractical that it was shocking.

It reminded me of something I couldn't quite zero in on. Later, I realized what it was: The Homer, that ill-fated car from the Simpsons that sunk a man's career.

Instead of giving us a vehicle that is made for the everyman, Faraday Future decided to make something only billionaires could possibly afford. It's a bad foot to start off on, despite the company claiming it will quickly debut more practical models for production. Maybe it will, but right now things don't look so good.

Tesla has been struggling to really pump up its sales numbers because most people can't afford the Model S or Model X. The Model 3 will be incredibly important simply for the fact it promises accessibility.

One other thing about the Faraday Future reveal: the company's executives love the sound of their own voices. There was more talk than substance in the presentation, with the phrase "the future of mobility" thrown out at least 30 times. Topping it all off, the car on the stage was a shell, with no electric powertrain, no batteries and no fun. I won't go so far as to call Faraday Future vaporware, but I'm not defending it against people who are.

Tags: electric cars / Press Release

Landlord Lays on a Silent Night Ride Home for Regulars this Christmas

- Rabu, 23 Desember 2015 No Comments

Santa may have his sleigh, but one pub landlord has found a more modern means of transport to help his regulars home after closing time this Christmas – an all-electric van.

Rafael Krasnodebski is using a seven-seater Nissan e-NV200 Combi to make sure customers get back safely following last orders. The aim is to prevent drink-driving over the festive period as well as promoting a more

Tags: automotive technology / car safety / electric cars

What a Mysterious Car Fire Reveals About Electric Vehicle Technology

- Senin, 19 Oktober 2015 No Comments

Tesla Model S. Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors.

Just over the weekend, a car at a Ken Garff dealership in Orem, Utah mysterious caught fire. It was given a little mention on the news here, with people wondering if someone was trying to vandalize vehicles on the lot. According to the news, the local police don't think it was a case of arson, and that's where the whole issue gets interesting.

Most people have probably forgotten how a few years ago when the Tesla Model S first launched, people were freaking out because a few of them caught fire. The electric cars were called unsafe and there was a witch hunt to "take down" Tesla Motors over the whole issue.

In case you can't tell, I'm of the opinion the whole thing was ridiculous, because it was. While I don't think that Tesla's shit doesn't stink, (there are too many out there who do) I also don't have an irrational fear or hatred of the company or its technology.

Had this car that mysteriously combusted been an electric vehicle, the news would have been splashing it everywhere and the public would've been in an uproar. Here in Utah, and in a lot of places, (unfortunately) too many people are still highly suspicious of electric cars. Sure, they'll plug in their own electric clothes dryer without a second thought -- they'll even swap out the plug without calling an electrician. But suggest that driving a car that's propelled by electric motors and you're obviously a communist.

What most people have become far too comfortable with is driving around in a vehicle that carries 20 gallons of highly combustible fluid. We humans can be a highly irrational bunch, and many of us fear change for illogical reasons. But this is human nature and it's creating an obstacle to shifting the automotive industry away from internal combustion engines. That shift is and will continue to happen, it's just a question of how quickly it will take place.

Tags: diesel cars / electric cars / Volkswagen

Volkswagen Is Working On a New Image

- Senin, 05 Oktober 2015 No Comments

2016 Volkswagen e-Golf. Images courtesy of VW.

Volkswagen's public image is a bloodied, disgusting mess as it should be. After all, it's not everyday that an automaker has systematically gamed governments around the globe, putting everyone's health at risk in the process. It will be living the whole Dieselgate scandal down for years to come, which is exactly why VW needs to work extra hard on creating a new image.

The company is already working on a plan, and it could look something like the commercial down below. Plenty of people have suggested that governments should require Volkswagen to make a certain number of electric vehicles to reverse at least some of the damage done by its TDI engines.

While that might sound like a funny punishment, there's a strong message behind this initiative. The fact is that VW can remake its public image in a hurry by transforming into a champion of electric car technology. Instead of trying to convince everyone that TDIs are great, the company can do some good and convince the public it's trying to do what's right by cranking out electric cars.

For bonus points, Volkswagen could also partner up with different solar energy providers and push renewable electricity big time. I'm not joking the least, and I sincerely hope that management is already working on this kind of a plan.

Tags: concept vehicles / electric cars / hybrids / Jaguar / Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover Working On Several Electric Vehicles

- Jumat, 02 Oktober 2015 No Comments

Photos courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover

While everyone's raving about the new Tesla Model X, few people took note of another important announcement in the quest to electrify SUVs: Jaguar Land Rover is working on several concept models that could one day lead to an electric off-road machine.

It's a smart and necessary move as more consumers begin to demand partially- or fully-electric vehicles, particularly in the luxury segments. German automakers are toying with similar ideas, which has spurred Jaguar Land Rover further even more as it quests to be taken more seriously in the grand scheme of things.

One concept has a mild hybrid powertrain. It uses brake energy to charge up a battery, which then supplies electricity for ancillary functions like the air conditioning, not moving the vehicle forward in any way. The hybrid module is located between the engine and transmission, making it a fairly compact design. Some are questioning why the automaker is even playing with a half measure, but they're forgetting it's a step in the right direction.

The second concept is a plug-in hybrid which actually uses electricity to turn the wheels. The electric motor is still placed between the engine and transmission, but the vehicle can drive using either a mixture of the gasoline engine and electric motor, or on only electricity for limited distances. This is a setup that's become increasingly common, such as the plug-in hybrid version of the new Volvo XC90.

Looking more toward the future is the third concept, which has a fully-electric powertrain. It's designed for the company's lightweight aluminum vehicle platform, which is being used successfully in several new models like the Jaguar XE. An electric motor is mated to each of the axles, meaning the vehicle is by default all-wheel drive.

Jaguar Land Rover is also playing with some other cool tech that would make better use of energy, including infrared panels strategically placed inside vehicles to help keep people warm and seats that can draw warm air through them to help everyone cool off during the summer. 

Tags: car reviews / electric cars / Nissan

The 2012 Nissan Leaf

- Senin, 17 Agustus 2015 No Comments

2012 Nissan Leaf. Photos courtesy of Nissan

Nissan jumped into the electric car arena with the Leaf, the compact hatchback providing average people a way to skip gas pumps altogether. Unlike the hybrid cars on the market which use a combination of an electric motor and a gasoline engine, the 2012 Nissan Leaf has only one motor and runs solely on electric power. The car provides a driving experience that closely mirrors that of driving a gas-powered car, including a brisk acceleration ability that comes in handy when merging on the freeway, tight handling dynamics as well as a top speed of 90 mph.

Powering the 2012 Nissan Leaf is an 80-kilowatt electric motor that is connected to a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted to the underside of the car. The motor produces 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Drivers should be able to drive about 73 miles between recharging the battery pack, according to EPA estimates. Nissan reinforces that the driving range is only an estimate, and that real-world results are affected by a person’s driving style and habits. The Leaf has earned an EPA energy efficiency equivalent rating of 106 mpg in city driving and 92 mpg in highway driving.

Charging the Nissan Leaf is a task that can be done at home or at a public charging station, in areas where such stations exist. Owners who choose to charge the Leaf using a standard electrical plug can expect the process to last at least overnight. Nissan offers a home charging station that cuts the charging time down to as little as four hours. Cars outfitted with the special quick-charging plug can use public stations to charge in as little as 30 minutes.

Since the Leaf’s introduction in 2011, Nissan has improved its offering by including more features on the interior and exterior of the 2012 Leaf.  For the 2012 model year all models come with new standard features that benefit those who live in colder climates, such as a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, heated side-view mirrors and a heater for the car’s battery.  SL models come with a port for quick charging of the car’s battery at public stations as standard equipment.

Other standard features for all Leaf models include LED headlights that efficiently illuminate the car’s pathway, 16-inch wheels, cruise control and a cloth interior that is made from recycled materials. Nissan throws in technological creature comforts like Bluetooth phone connectivity for hands-free calling while driving, a navigation system and a jack on the car’s stereo system that connects to an MP3 player. SL models also come with automatic headlights, fog lights, a backup camera and a solar panel that mounts to the car’s spoiler.

Tags: car reviews / electric cars / Tesla

The 2012 Tesla Model S

- Rabu, 05 Agustus 2015 No Comments

Tesla Model S. Images courtesy of Tesla Motors.

The 2012 Tesla Model S is the electric luxury car that has proven many a critic wrong as it converts even more people into electric car believers. The Model S comes with stunning good looks both on the outside and in, along with the feel of an internal combustion car and the same modern conveniences.

Power for the Models S comes from an array of batteries that are attached to an electric motor. Maximum output is an impressive 362 horsepower and 325 pound-foot of torque, while models with the optional Performance package produce a healthy 416 horsepower and 443 pound-foot of torque. Like other electric vehicles, the full torque output is available from a standstill, meaning the car can launch forward with an exhilarating amount of speed. In fact, the 2012 Model S can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5.6 seconds. A single speed transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

Tesla gave the Model S a modern four wheel independent suspension setup, with double wishbone suspension in the front and multilink suspension in the rear. An air ride system helps soften the movements of the car even further, delivering an enjoyable riding experience, even when the driver is taking the Model S through a series of tight turns.  

Charging the Tesla Model S can be done either with a regular household 120 volt electrical outlet, or with a 240 volt outlet. Tesla offers an at-home charging station that facilitates the 240 volt charging option. Charging the batteries all the way takes about five hours with the 240 volt electrical connection, or overnight if charging with a 120 volt outlet. A driver can go up to 300 miles on a single full charge, going 55 miles per hour the whole way. The car doesn’t use fuel, but it does achieve an EPA estimate 88 miles per gallon equivalent in city driving and 90 miles per gallon equivalent in highway driving.

Inside, the 2012 Model S provides seating for five, or with an optional two rearward-facing jump seats behind the second row to make it seven. Like with internal combustion vehicles, occupants enjoy amenities such as air conditioning, heated leather seats, a stereo system and Bluetooth connectivity. The driver interacts with many of the car’s features using a 17 inch touchscreen mounted in the car’s center stack. From this touchpad, the driver or front seat passenger can see how much charge the batteries have left as well as estimate how much further the car will drive under present conditions. Cargo is ample, with one trunk in the front and one in the rear, making it a pleasant car to take on the open road (as long as you stop for charging when necessary).

Tags: electric cars / Tesla

Enough With the Tesla Fanatics!

- Senin, 20 April 2015 No Comments

Photos courtesy of Tesla Motors

I like Tesla Motors, I really do. Every time I see a Model S on the roads around here (which lately seems to be just about every other day) I stop and stare longer than normal and point it out to my kids. What Elon Musk has accomplished the past several years has been amazing and is commendable on many levels. 

Still, I'm getting tire of all the Tesla fanatics. 

When I say "fanatics" I mean fanboys, because Tesla definitely has them. Sure, there are Camaro fanboys, Mustang fanboys, Ferrari fanboys, etc. but today I want to address the problem with the extremists who support Tesla in all it does, both good and bad. 

Even though I like Tesla, I wouldn't dream of saying it's a "perfect" company by any means, and I have a feeling Musk wouldn't either. Like any other organzation, it can do things better and improve, so by definition it can't be perfect. 

That hopefully seems like common sense to you, but I've bumped into people who seem to think that pointing out any flaws in their favorite electric car company is blasphemous and must be reconciled with a swift death. I've had such individuals accuse me of being part of a conspiracy, outright hating Tesla, being anti-technology, etc. simply for hinting that the company might be taking the wrong course of action on literally anything. 

I do feel like since the company enjoys a darling position in the public eye and to an extent in the industry, most people don't talk about these annoying Tesla fans without going to the opposite extreme of saying that Tesla is a "sham" or "dead weight." 

Don't even think about saying anything that's less-than-positive about Tesla's direct sales model, because it must've been established by God himself. While I don't think it's right, the fact that Tesla won't use dealer networks like virtually every other automaker is the thing that's kept it from selling cars in multiple states, including here. Elon Musk has said before that the company's current circumstances don't jive well with anything but direct sales, but he's also said that it likely won't stay that way forever. Apparently some Tesla extremists didn't get that memo, because when I once suggested that Tesla would one day use franchised dealers, I might as well have been tap dancing on a burning picture of Jesus in the middle of the Vatican for the way they reacted. If Tesla doesn't want to go that sales route right now, so be it. Tesla likely won't sell as many cars using a direct sales channel, so if the company's okay with that then it is what it is. 

The one thing that will definitely make a Tesla fanboy go ape is to just mention the term "range anxiety." Recently, when Elon Musk said he was about to end range anxiety, and I pointed out that it's a big hurdle for many who might otherwise consider electric cars, a Tesla fanatic tore into me for playing up a "non-issue." Apparently, because that person doesn't personally know anyone out of his five friends and little brother who suffers from range anxiety, the condition simply doesn't exist. As I pointed out in the article, with internal combustion cars you can carry a can of fuel back to a car that has exceeded its range, but you can't really carry electricity back to an electric vehicle. 

According to the hardcore Tesla fans, nobody (and I mean nobody) needs to drive more than 200 or maybe 300 miles without waiting 15 minutes or more to drive that same distance, or almost as far again. Sorry, but that's simply narrow-minded. While many people on a daily basis don't drive that far, there are people who drive around as part of their living, such as real estate agents, Some of us live where there aren't public chargers all over, making recharging a vehicle a bit of a fiasco. Sure, you adjust, but a fair amount of consumers look at those adjustments at best as a significant inconvenience. After all, how would you like to hang out by a charging car with cranky kids who just want to go home? Slitting your wrists and swimming through a pool of iodine would be less painful. Being able to refuel a vehicle in under five minutes is a real godsend, trust me. 

I do believe that Tesla and other automakers will overcome the challenges they face right now. Battery tech will move forward, allowing for greater range and shorter charging times, electric cars will become even more common and droves of consumers will buy them. Denying the challenges that face the technology right now doesn't help push for real solutions to problems. Instead of engaging in a big group-think session about why electric powertrains are perfect, let's come together and figure out how we can design vehicles that work well for everyone.