Follow ZAP as it drives in the Korea Electric Vehicle Challenge with partner and sponsor Samyang Optics. For the first time ever, the ZAP Alias and SUV appear in an on-road demonstration, a 220 km freeway rally in Korea at speeds of 80 kph. The multistage event included three rest and recharge stops.
Its been challenging to obtain the final results about this first-time event organized by the Korean government. With close ties to distribution partner Samyang Optics it was decided just a week beforehand that this was an event ZAP could not afford to miss. A decision was made to use the first drivable prototype of the Alias finished in 2009 equipped with a lead-acid battery pack for demonstration purposes. The SUV was still in process, a prototype model using an economical drive train designed with a lithium battery pack for mid-range electric fleet applications.
ZAP is extremely pleased with the results. In the cold weather and uphill climb of the first leg, the Alias and SUV performed exemplary. Even with lead-acid batteries the Alias made it to the first checkpoint at 54 km and stole the show according to an eye-witness. Another Alias prototype is now road testing lithium batteries and ZAP is looking forward to testing their performance in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize Shakedown Stage May 2-8 at Michigan International Speedway.
The Alias stopped at the first checkpoint, but reports indicate the SUV recharged for 1.5 hours and continued on in the challenge. It recharged again for 1.5 hours at the second rest stop and another .5 hours before having to stop at the 200 km/120 mi mark of the 220 km course. It has not been reported how the other two Korean vehicles performed in the rally. ZAP feels this is an excellent performance for the SUV in its first public demonstration with having only a week to prepare beforehand; the entire design/build team is to be commended. The economically-sized lithium battery pack recorded an impressive display.
Results will be updated as they become available, but organizers stated the goal of the event was to demonstrate electric vehicles, not test the limits of their performance. Reports indicate that more than a dozen different electric vehicle companies participated in parades and an exhibition. The event was organized by the Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Environment. The Korean government has announced support and investment in electric vehicles over the next few years.
The event was launched by government and business leaders including Korean ministers, congressmen and a representative from the Korean Electric Vehicle Association. Samyang CEO Christopher Kang and ZAP CEO Steve Schneider also attended. Thanks to Steve for getting this great footage of the first leg back to the states. And Congratulations to Aubre Decker for driving the Alias on the first leg and the SUV for the remainder of the Challenge. For further information visit http://zapglobal.wordpress.com
Duration : 0:9:33
Plug in hybrid vehicles will be zooming along our roads soon and the Smart Grid is making it real. Visit www.itsyoursmartgrid.com or www.edisonsdesk.com for more information
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OTV: save lots of money by buying hybrid cars in Lebanon
Toyota Pirus
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Visit NJRenewableEnergy.com
Global Electric Motorcars, a Chrysler company, has been in operation for ten years. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, Global Electric Motorcars manufactured its first vehicle in April 1998, a 48-volt GEM car that accommodated two passengers and had a top speed of 20 mph. Less than two months later, a significant breakthrough occurred in the market as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) designated a new class of motor vehicle, the low-speed vehicle, also known as the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). The low-speed vehicle class allowed GEM cars to be driven on public roads if they met certain safety criteria such as having safety belts, headlamps, windshield wipers, and safety glass. GEM cars always come equipped with these safety features making them a benchmark in the industry.
GEM battery-electric vehicles not only represent a relatively new vehicle in an emerging market segment, but also a new and growing brand within the Chrysler family. Just like Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep®, or many of the other well-established brands in the company’s portfolio, GEM stands for innovation and leadership.
Global Electric Motorcars aims to establish its brand presence both as the maker of the top-selling NEV in the market and the purveyor of one of the smartest solutions to traffic congestion and air quality problems yet to be introduced. The solution: zero-emissions personal transportation that is well integrated with traditional alternative transportation choices such as mass transit and carpooling.
GEM models are sophisticated yet simple. They represent a new kind of personal transportation, that expands the capacity to have fun. They represent a versatile and efficient way to get the job done, as well as a clean way to do everyday work. GEM cars harness and put to work the power of silence.
Today, Global Electric Motorcars remains committed to maintaining its leadership position in the NEV market with product improvements, innovations, and offerings. Currently, GEM cars are available in six unique models and are seen in cities, master planned communities, universities and colleges, industrial complexes, security companies, airports, and resorts throughout the world. Looking to the future, Global Electric Motorcars is strategically positioned within the Chrysler family to aid in the company’s continuing efforts and commitment to developing, producing, and selling the world’s most environmentally-friendly vehicles.
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Solaris Launches Assembling electric cars in Ethiopia
This proves that the technology is available right now! So lets all stop paying $3to$4 for gas and lets all plug in. If GM&Ford don’t want to do it that’s fine we will all buy a car from whoever produces one. I drive a GM right now but the next car we buy will be a plug in EV (electric vehicle) or plug in hybrid (PHEV — plug in hybrid electric vehicle)
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Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.
As the world looks for more efficient vehicle designs that combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a futuristic four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle configuration from Kia. Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.
Technical Specifications
•Length: 173.2 inches / 4,400 mm
•Width: 72.8 inches / 1,850 mm
•Height: 53.5 inches / 1,360 mm
•Wheel base: 106.3 inches / 2,700 mm
•Tires: 195/50 R20 low-rolling resistance
•Engine: 1.4-liter Gamma 153-hp GDI engine / 78kw electric motor
•Transmission: CVT/ fixed ratio
•Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
•Top Speed: 109 mph
•Fuel Economy
?Pure HEV Mode: 77.6 mpg
?Plug-in HEV Mode: 202.3 mpg
•Vehicle Range: 746 miles
•Cd: 0.25
•Steering: By-wire
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Indiana is slated to be the leading state in the development of electric cars. Thursday evening, the man who may know more than just about anyone else about electric cars spoke to a group at the art museum.
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Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) — Bloomberg’s Gigi Stone reports on the outlook for Toyota Motor Corp.s Prius hybrid car, which is under investigation by the U.S. Transportation Department for reports of defective brakes in its 2010 model. (Source: Bloomberg)
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Environment Michigan’s Shelley Vinyard discusses her agency’s new report on electric vehicles. The group says EV’s will create a cleaner economy for America, and that more infrastructure will need to be built to support the new vehicles.
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