November 2011

Nismo LEAF concept introduced at Tokyo Motor Show

November 30, 2011
Thumbnail image for Nismo LEAF concept introduced at Tokyo Motor Show

Concept LEAF lighter, more powerful MotorAuthority.com provides us with some insight into one possible LEAF future – at least for those that choose performance over range. Nissan is introducing a possible road-going (read – civilized) version of their full on LEAF NISMO RC. While the RC (Race Car – clever, those Japanese) leaves no doubt […]

More →

Second evaluation shows Volt battery safety a concern

November 28, 2011
Thumbnail image for Second evaluation shows Volt battery safety a concern

LEAF battery undamaged in similar crash test We have seen the articles over the past several months as first one media outlet, then another would jump on the anti-EV (electric vehicle) band wagon with claims that the GM Volt battery could make your car burst into flames after an accident. We watched and waited to […]

More →

Nissan LEAF availability

November 27, 2011
Thumbnail image for Nissan LEAF availability

Reservation not required Certainly, this will not be the case across the country. And it will likely not be the case in newly opened Nissan LEAF markets. But it is worth noting, so we are passing this information along – Nissan LEAF is available without a reservation. At least to a limited degree. We just […]

More →

Nissan partners with ChargePoint Network

November 26, 2011
Thumbnail image for Nissan partners with ChargePoint Network

Charge station display remains incomplete Nissan selected Coulomb Technologies’ ChargePoint Network to show LEAF drivers where to charge their cars. The problem is, it is not a complete solution. Nissan’s new partner has a network of charge stations already installed around the country. Coulomb’s approach has seemed to be to make arrangements with anyone that […]

More →

Mazda to offer regenerative brake technology

November 25, 2011
Thumbnail image for Mazda to offer regenerative brake technology

i-ELOOP to improve fuel efficiency 10 percent Mazda has developed a regenerative braking system for use in their gasoline powered vehicles that will boost fuel efficiency as much as 10 percent. The Mazda system uses a variable voltage alternator to recapture energy from the vehicle as it slows. The alternator voltage varies from 12 to […]

More →

car2go electric car sharing program opens in San Diego

November 20, 2011
Thumbnail image for car2go electric car sharing program opens in San Diego

A different way to collect market data One of the first things that is important to know about car2go (all lower case) is that car2go is a subsidiary of Daimler AG – you know, the folks that make Mercedes-Benz. Daimler also makes the smart car (again, all lower case – those clever marketing folks) which […]

More →

Driving the Mitsubishi i

November 19, 2011
Thumbnail image for Driving the Mitsubishi i

An electric economy car We had an opportunity to drive the Mitsubishi i electric vehicle (EV) this morning, so we thought that we would take advantage of it. Interior Not long ago, we wrote an article that compared the two vehicles. Based on some of the measurements, we expected the little Mitsu to be really […]

More →

Mitsubishi i available to drive in San Diego on 11/19 and 11/20

November 18, 2011
Thumbnail image for Mitsubishi i available to drive in San Diego on 11/19 and 11/20

Test drives offered at two locations Since we last visited the Mitsubishi i drive tour website, updates had been made regarding the test drive events.  We had our calendar marked for a drive at the Mira Mesa mall tomorrow, only to find out that the location had been changed, and that we had already missed […]

More →

Nissan LEAF fuel economy

November 17, 2011
Thumbnail image for Nissan LEAF fuel economy

41 miles per dollar equals 156 mpg for us Monday was meter reader day for us. We may not have been totally dedicated to the “fuel” consumption of our LEAF initially, but we became more attuned to its impact as each day passed. We brought home our LEAF on March 25 and first charged it […]

More →

Electric cars and solar power? A natural combination

November 15, 2011
Thumbnail image for Electric cars and solar power? A natural combination

Nissan and SunPower Corp. to work together There are many reasons to own a Nissan LEAF. Contributing to a cleaner environment is one of them. To power a LEAF (or any other electric vehicle (EV)) down the road, one needs electricity and in almost one-half of the country, that power still comes from coal-fired plants. […]

More →

← Previous Entries