New AutoCars News: Electric cars

Showing posts with label Electric cars. Show all posts

2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle

3:21 PM

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The new Soul EV-e model offers a long list of standard equipment at a lower price point, while the Soul EV+ continues as the range-topping trim and is further enhanced for 2016 with the addition of the Sun & Fun Package. The other states in which the Soul EV is available (Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon, Texas and Washington) will continue to offer only two trim levels - Soul EV and Soul EV+.

In addition, all Kia Soul EV models get additional standard features for 2016 including a charge port nozzle lock, an illuminated Aux/USB port and two new exterior colors: Shadow Black and Bright Silver.

Priced from $32,775 ($25,275 if the federal tax credit is deducted), the new Soul EV-e model offers a long list of standard features including a DC fast charge port, 6.6-killowatt onboard charger, 3.5-inch OLED Supervision cluster, smart key with push button start and a driver-only ventilation function that closes the passenger vents to help maximize efficiency based on vehicle occupancy. The Soul EV-e also includes heated front seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and FlexSteer.

However, compared to the $34,775 Soul EV, it lacks a battery-heating system, heat-pump HVAC, navigation system, backup camera, UVO EV connectivity services, cargo screen, and turn-signal side mirrors.

For 2016, the popular Soul EV+ gains a new available Sun & Fun Package, which includes a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting and speaker lights that pulse to the beats of the six-speaker audio system. Standard EV+ features include ventilated front passenger seats, heated rear outboard seats, leather trimmed seats, front and rear Park Assist, and power folding mirrors.

Nothing changes from a technical point of view, with the Soul EV offering an EPA estimated range of 93 miles (150 km) from its 27-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

PHOTOS GALLERY:

11:19 AM

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The new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will offer an EPA-estimated 67 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city/highway/combined (or 3.5 l/100 km) when it hits dealerships in California this fall. This corresponds to a driving range of 312 miles (502 km) on a full tank of hydrogen.

"Toyota realized in the early 90’s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as the Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly twenty years ago, the Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation," said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz.

Toyota has also announced a range of services offered to Mirai customers in the United States, including three years worth of complimentary fuel (or $15,000 maximum, whichever comes first), no cost scheduled maintenance for three years or 35,000 miles (whichever comes first), three years of 24/7 customer call support, Mirai Complimentary Rental Experience for seven days per year for three years, as well as no cost enhanced roadside assistance for three years.

Toyota will offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the fuel cell stack and power control unit, fuel cell hydrogen tanks, hybrid battery pack and ECU, fuel cell air compressor, boost converter and ECU, hybrid control module (power management control module), and hydrogen fueling ECU.

9:33 AM

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The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid concept is the automaker's first PHEV with a front/transverse-mounted combustion engine. The vehicle features an 136PS (134hp) 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels, a high-voltage generator mounted in the front structure and a 65kW (87hp) electric motor sending its power to the rear wheels. As a result, the car has an all-wheel drive system similar to that of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, but in this case arranged in a mirror image.

The high-voltage generator on the front axle fulfils three different tasks: it boosts the combustion engine for brief periods with extra output of up to 15kW (20hp) and some 150Nm (111lb-ft) from rest, generates electric power while on the move and feeds it directly to the high-voltage battery, and enables the engine to be started and turned off very smoothly thanks to its higher output compared to conventional starters.

The concept can cover up to 38 km (23.6 miles) on electric power alone, sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6.5 seconds and average approximately 2 l/100 km (117.6 mpg US or 141.2 mpg UK), equating to CO2 emissions of under 50 g/km (according to the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles).

PHOTOS GALLERY:

12:38 PM

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The new New Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV go on sale in Japan on June 18 and July 9, respectively. Prices start from 2,519,640 yen ($20,540) for the regular Outlander and 3,596,400 yen ($29,317) for the Outlander PHEV. Mitsubishi also says acceleration and response from a full stop in urban environments as well as on the move has been improved thanks to a revision of the plug-in hybrid EV and motor control systems.

Inside, the plug-in hybrid model gets a new design and material for the seat upholstery, a new four-spoke design steering wheel and is now available with a new brown leather trim as standard on the G Premium Package. Accent stitching is used both in the seats and door trim, as well as on the instrument cluster hood. The center console uses a finish mirroring the elegance of black lacquer used in traditional Japanese craftwork, while black stream patterns as well as shiny accents are used in the dashboard and door trim ornament panels.

The plug-in hybrid system of the Outlander PHEV has received some updates as well. Thanks to optimization and reduction in engine friction, fuel economy has improved by 1.6 km/L to 20.2 km/L (4.95 l/100 km or 47.5 mpg US), measured in the Japanese JC08 drive mode. Additionally, improvements to electric motor efficiency have increased all-electric range by 0.6 km to 60.8 km (37.7 miles).

6:32 PM

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autocar,electric vehicles,ford focus electric vehicles

The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf may have stolen the show for electric vehicles in 2010, but Ford is hoping to make big waves in 2011 with its first EV passenger car, the Focus Electric. The zero-emissions Focus hatchback makes its official debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show and Ford says the car will officially launch at the end of 2011 here in North America, with European customers expected to take delivery sometime before 2013.