Electric Cars Facts

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Just like in the United States, many automakers in Europe are going green with their design and technology. EVs are ideal for the congested streets of Rome, Paris, and other major European cities. Check out a few cool models that are being manufactured in Europe, but have yet to have a strong presence in the U.S. These EVs, however, have limited runs and are more intended for local commutes.

Karmann Quicc DiVa

Don’t let its eyebrow raising name distract you. This EV was developed together by Karmann, a well-established German company, and DuraCar, a Dutch automaker. The most unique quip about the Karmann Quicc DiVa is that its body and chassis are entirely made of plastic. The two joint companies hope to introduce 15,000 of these models or more per year.

Heuliez Friendly

Available in 27 different variations, the Heuliez Friendly comes with options such as body length, motor output, and battery type—perfect for the custom car guru. This mini minivan has a range between 60 and 150 miles, depending on the variables you choose to come with the car. All versions are configured with three seats: One in the front and two in the back. Disclaimer: The motor has limited power, so think twice before climbing up a very steep hill with the Friendly.

Pininfarina B0

At a recent Paris Auto Show, the Pininfarina B0 was the talk of the event. It is a four-seat, four-door electric hatchback that’s about the size of a Honda Fit. The car has an amazing range of 153 miles and a surprisingly good top speed of 80 miles per hour, considering its size. The technology behind the B0 are its solar cells, which are situated on the roof and front end to cover the lithium ion battery. Acceleration on this model is just over six seconds for a 0-60 mph reading. The Pininfarina company is considering direct sales of the B0 on the Internet for this year.

UK Lightning

The name already establishes that this EV is a force to be reckoned with. The Lightning Car Company aims to build an all-electric luxury sports car with a sharp British design to boot. Its top speed is 130 mph. The GT model promises a 0-60 mph performance in just under four seconds. And, in terms of its extended range, you won’t have to recharge the battery until after 250 miles on a good day. And, even if you do charge, it’ll only take ten minutes using a standard house wall outlet. Sounds too good to be true? Not if you can shell out $300,000 for it.

What are some other European EVs that are interesting or unique?

Regarded as a comfortable and very modern vehicle by car experts, the 2012 Ford Focus Titanium features a vast array of new electronic devices, a few more cool additions to the former model, and amazing driveability. Read on to hear about the pros, cons, and overall evaluation of this latest EV from Ford.

Before delving into its many plusses, one of the main disadvantages of the Focus hatchback is its poor gas mileage, which racks just a total of 28.8 miles per gallon. This isn’t a terrible number per se, but compared to others in its class, the Focus will have to fight to get to the top. Its six-speed PowerShift automated manual transmission version, on the other hand, receives 28 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway, for a combined EPA rating of 31 mpg. Not too shabby, but again, it could be better. This EV is also a great car to maneuver small, winding mountain roads, thanks to enhanced modifications to its technology.

In terms of its exterior, the Focus’s modern styling will surely make it stand out from the rest when you’re cruising down the highway and has been said to surpass the Prius’s design. Its body is crisp and expressive, without overwhelming the un-intrusive modern look of the car. Inside the cabin of the Focus, the dashboard and instrument panel is able to neatly handle a multitude of controls, screens, and vents, all while looking stylish at the same time. The only thing with the interior is that the radio controls on the base version looks a bit cluttered.

If you are interested in an even higher fuel economy, consider the optional SFE version, which brags a 40 mpg highway mark. The combined average fuel efficiency rating for this edition is 33 mpg and is thanks to the SFE’s aero aids, higher gearing, and low rolling resistance tires.

What’s your take on the new 2012 Ford Focus Titanium? What are some of its other advantages and disadvantages?

If you can’t tear yourself away from driving your truck but want save on gas, consider converting your current truck into a electric or hybrid vehicle. By doing so, you’ll be getting much better mileage per gallon. Substitute fuel costs are just a third of the price of regular gasoline or diesel.

There is a gradual yet growing trend of converting trucks into plug-in hybrids, particularly pickups, customs, and conversion SUVs. This option is ideal for those who need to or prefer to drive trucks but wish to conserve their gas money, as well as partake in a more eco-conscious lifestyle. With today’s advanced green technology, it is possible to cruise with a large vehicle and still get great gas mileage.

Companies such as ConVerdant Vehicles will install a new motor, batteries, controller, and charger into your existing truck. The original engine and other components are not altered. Instead, ConVerdant will simply add in a few electric devices and “trick” the vehicle’s motor into thinking it should work with the new motor.

ConVerdant provides a lithium phosphate battery which the company boasts offer a longer lifetime and three times the density of a lead acid battery. The charger itself can be plugged into any standard 120-volt outlet to be filled. Meanwhile, the motor mounts on the drive shift right behind the transmission. A technician will mount the charger plug onto either the front or rear fender, as the car owner desires. Just be sure to plug in the charger at night to recharge the battery. The designs of these add-ons were made for harsh road conditions and extreme temperatures.

This service is available for a variety of truck models, including the Ford 150 series, Ford SUVs, Chevy 1500-2500-3500, and Toyota, Chrysler, and Honda trucks and SUVs. The price rate starts at $13,500 and the warranty is for three months on parts and labor. With a reservation, you can walk out of ConVerdant’s shop with your hybrid truck in two weeks after checking it in.

Before buying any car, it’s important to learn about the basics of how it functions and what to do in case something happens. An electric car requires a lot less maintenance than a petroleum-fueled one. This is one of the most advantageous features of today’s EVs. However, it would be useful to keep the following bullet points in mind.

- Monitor the Battery

Arguably the most important component of electric vehicles is the battery. Check the battery connections on a routine basis and make sure that they are tight. Also, see that the terminals have no indication of corrosion. The water level should be at a proper level. If not, you can simply refill it with water yourself.

- Check the Tires

With any vehicle, tires and tire pressure are key to the safety and efficiency of your drive. Since tires are the four entities that bear the entire weight of the car, they are extremely important to your safety. Any time you fill up gas at the station or are waiting for your car to warm up, check to see that the tires are in great condition, with no signs of wear and tear. Also, apply pressure to each of the tires with your hands to see that the pressure is perfect.

*Note: When checking your tires, be sure to have a look at your spare tire too. It’s just as crucial as the other four tires in the event that you need to replace one.

Maintain the Brakes

- Just as important as the tires are your EV’s brakes. The standard rule is that the brakes should be checked by a professional after every 20,000 miles. If you maintain your vehicle well, then you won’t have to change the brake shoe until after 40,000 miles. It’s also helpful to give a general scan of your brakes for any signs of wear and tear.

Suspension Maintenance

- In general, suspension doesn’t require any maintenance on the owner’s part. This is unless the struts or shocks have to be replaced. Although a rare matter, a thorough check on your EV’s suspension will further ensure good performance from your car.

Hybrid cars require a bit more maintenance compared to EVs. With the former, you’ll have to check the engine oil routinely. If necessary, replace the oil or add more until it meets the required level. Similarly, regular checking of the vehicle’s transmission fluid is essential.

You might not have expected it, but auto experts are predicting that the first country that will make electric vehicles the default national transportation is the geographically small nation of Iceland. The country’s population is heavily dense near its capital: Approximately 75% of Icelanders live within 37 miles of Reykjavik. The rest of the country, particularly its rural areas which are connected by 840 miles of ring road, would suffice with a mere 15 charging stations. Yet another appealing motivation for this plan is the fact that 80% of Iceland’s energy is cheaply produced and renewable, primarily geothermal and hydro power. That’s right folks—Iceland is the hottest test bed for electric vehicles.

But, like in dozens of other countries in the world, Iceland’s economic progress has been experiencing delay in light of the global financial crisis. It has not lessened commitment from automakers and the government though. Iceland’s President, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, is spearheading efforts to make the country more green by putting more EVs on their roads.

Back in 2008, Iceland established a memorandum with Mitsubishi Motors to deliver i-Miev electric cars. The two entities are already on powerful terms, since they were already partners for the country’s aluminum smelting operations. Vision of the plan included having several dozen i-Mievs on the road by 2009 and imported tax free. However, due to the financial crisis’ impact on both the auto giant and the nation, only a few of the models are on the island at the moment.

Because Iceland originally set its signs on a hydrogen-based energy economy, Shell opened a commercial hydrogen pumping station and briefly fueld Daimler-Benz Citaro fuel-cell buses in the country in 2003. There are also a few hydrogen burning Priuses around Iceland, mostly available for rental through Hertz. No one yet has made a big move on hydrogen vehicles yet. The government has set a target year of 2015 to amplify its quantity of hydrogen vehicles on the road.

It’s not just the government and corporations that are advocating for green cars in Iceland. Gisli Gislayson, an entrepreneur, is planning to work with several organization to import electric vehicles into the country, beginning with India’s Revas model.

It may not be a big country in terms of sheer size, but Iceland is tech-savvy and has great potential in snapping up existing electric vehicles and promoting the green movement in automobiles with its eco-conscious government and policies. Despite the financial crisis, Iceland still receives a substantial income as one of the more wealthy countries in the world.

What is your outlook on Iceland’s potential as the next green frontier for EVs? What electric car model do you think should be the next one introduced on a mass scale there?

Tesla, a leading electric car manufacturer based in Palo Alto, California, is currently working on a small sport utility vehicle that the company will call Model X. They plan to release the model in 2014.

Though it will be branded as a small SUV, Model X will feature a very spacious interior for comfort. The electric drive train and components will take up a lot less space than a conventional gas engine and transmission, so this allows for the roomier cabin.

Tesla is also forming a partnership with Toyota to develop an electric version of the latter’s RAV4, which is a compact sport utility vehicle, which the two companies plan to release to the market in 2012. In the mean time, Tesla continues to work on its Model S sedan at the company’s factor in Fremont, California for the next couple of years until its expected sale, also in 2012.

Tesla’s plan is to produce 20,000 of these EV sedans on an annual basis. The vehicle will have a retail value of $57,000 and the government will offer an additional $7,500. The specifications on this Tesla EV will definitely make it a strong competitor in the green car market: The Model S is expected to accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in under six seconds. On a single charge, it will be capable of a 300 mile range. What’s more, it will have trunk space in both the front and rear end of the vehicle. If this isn’t enough to knock your socks off, it will also have an extra row of fold-up seats for small children in addition to its existing five-passenger capacity.

Industry politics will always play a hand in the fermenting EV movement. During this past June, Tesla sold its shares to the public, making it the only publicly held automaker based in the state of California, as well as the first car manufacturer to float an initial stock offering since Ford Motor Company went public back in 1956.

What are your thoughts on the Model X and Tesla’s role in supporting the green car movement?

Q: Will my current car insurer cover my new electric car?

A: Most car insurance companies nowadays offer coverage for hybrid cars. However, not very many mainstream providers offer a premium package for fully electric vehicles. As EVs become increasingly popular, this will most likely change in the next couple of years. For now, it’s recommended to seek coverage through a specialist, such as the company PlugInsure.

Q: Ok then, who insures my car’s battery?

A: This depends on the insurance policy you have. Some electric car owners lease their batteries, but experts argue against this, saying that it makes your insurance plan more unnecessarily complex. Instead, talk directly to your insurance company to establish a deal. Your battery is probably the most valuable asset of your EV, so be sure to know who is taking care of it so you won’t have to worry about costs if something happens.

Q: Is it cheaper to insure an electric car than other vehicles?

A: At this point, yes. The U.S. government in particular is offering grants of up to $7,500 for consumers who purchase an electric car. However, you’ll also have to take into consideration that electric cars require specialist repair work since they are fairly new to the market. It is highly recommended that you obtain a variety of car insurance quotes as you do your EV research. In London, for example, EVs are exempt from vehicle tax and congestion charges. The same may very well apply to states in the U.S., especially those with many heavily populated cities.

Q: Should I even purchase an electric car with all of these different car insurance traits?

A: If maintained correctly, electric cars will save you a whole lot of money because they are cheaper to run. While most travel a distance of 40 to 70 miles before requiring a recharge, the federal government is currently offering huge subsidies and incentives for those who’d like to invest in an EV. You would be also making a significant effort in fostering an eco-friendly society.

An electric vehicle is very unique compared to traditional cars that guzzle up a lot more gas. Because their technology and specifications are different, the way in which you maintain your EV must be different as well. Below are a few great tips for maintenance issues while you’re on the road.

If You Run Out of Electricity

As you reach the last portion of your charge, you’ll begin to notice a slight sluggishness to the car’s acceleration. Pull over and let the batteries rest and rejuvenate for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will recover at least some of the charge in the event of an emergency and will give you a mile or so. If things get really desperate, you can repeat this process until you reach the nearest charging station or your home, though it’s not recommended to do this often.

Your EV should have a gauge though, just like a gas gauge on a traditional car, so that you’ll get a heads up when you’re running low on power. Also, electric vehicles tend to be used for daily commutes and routine driving, so it’d be in your interest to calculate a general life span of your energy and to be sure that it’s always in check.

Climbing Hills

EVs are known for their torque, or power. Most can climb hills fairly well, but the only drawback is the distance in which it can stagger up steep inclines. A long, continuous climb puts a lot of stress on the motor and speed controller, so try to avoid doing this too much if possible. Your EV won’t overheat though. It would be your best bet to zigzag up a hill if you can instead of taking a straight yet steep hill directly up.

Miscellaneous EV Maintenance

The beauty of electric cars is that they require a substantially less amount of maintenance than your gas guzzling SUV or 10-year-old family sedan.

- Be sure to check the batteries once a month to make sure everything is in running condition. – -  – Confirm that the connections are clean and tight from time to time.

- Just like any other type of car, keep your tires properly inflated for good performance

- Maintain the clutch, brakes, and suspension as you normally would

- Don’t forget to change the brushes on the motor at your 80,000 mile mark too!

This year, many anticipated electric cars will be showcased. Here are just three of the many new and exciting ones to look out for at the next showroom event.

Chevrolet Volt – $41,000

The Volt is an 84 horsepower plug-in hybrid from General Motors. It has 25 to 50 miles of all-electric range and a four-cylinder engine that creates power for a 16-kilowatt hour batter back and drive motor. Its 0-60 mph acceleration time is approximated at 8.5 seconds. The Volt won’t be raking in a whole lot of revenue for GM, but it’s the company’s effort to gain eco-friendly credibility and join the growing trend of hybrid vehicles. This is because GM has been known better in its past for producing gas guzzling SUVs.

Nissan Leaf – $32,780

The Nissan Leaf is Nissan’s golden nugget and will be manufactured worldwide. Its top speed is at 90 miles and it packs a 24-kilowatt-hour li-ion battery pack paired with an 80-kilowatt electric motor. Although Nissan has yet to release an official 0-60 statistic yet, experts have described the acceleration of the Leaf as sprightly and easy to handle. The company has put a great deal into the marketing and promotions of this car. The Leaf is already iconic for its unique design and will surely be a top competitive in this year’s car market.

Coda Sedan – $44,000

Based on the design of a Chinese car, the Coda Sedan’s top speed is limited to 80 miles but has a strong acceleration. In these past few years of its development, this electric four-door sedan has undergone numerous upgrades and passed the U.S. crashing test. Compared to the Leaf, the Coda has a larger pack and thermal battery management, making it a bit pricier as well. It will initially be only available in California, but the company promises that it will eventually cover the rest of the U.S. soon.

The new wave of EVs this year are a bit on the pricey side, but the purchase can be offset by an incentive from the government, which offers a $7,500 federal income tax credit, state rebates, and tax credits with your new purchase.

What’s your favorite new EV and why?

There are numerous electric car motors out there. How do you know which one would be the best fit for your own electric vehicle? It’s important to balance out factors such as cost, availability, and the do-it-yourself factor, since you’ll be figuring out how to install it yourself or how to find the best professional to hire the job out to.

DC Series Wound Electric Car Motors

Starting off the list is a motor for cars that is, interestingly enough, also used for electric drills. The advantage of the DC Series is that it has a great amount of torque available to the driver starting at a complete stop. One setback of this type of motor, however, is that it’s not the best motor to use for extreme driving or hill climbing. It would be difficult to use Series motors in situations where speed is constant while the load varies.

Permanent Magnet DC Electric Motors

These are statistically the second most popular electric car motors in the market, after the DC Series. This statement should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as DC motors are known to be a bit on the noisier side because their brushes produce an electrical radio interference. PM motors, however, have no natural filtering. These motors are also extremely popular with bikes, motorcycles, scooters, and other smaller-scale modes of transport.

3-Phase AC Induction Motors

Completing this triad of car motors is the AC Induction motor, and it has been rated by car experts as one of the best and most efficient motors for electric vehicles, though it isn’t as popular since it’s more expensive. The 3-Phase AC runs on batteries, just like the DC motor does. An inverter, however, replaces the controller you can find in DC systems, and this what increases its retail value. With a 3-Phase AC Induction Motor, you can move heavier objects in your car and maneuver hills much more easily. Plus, the AC system treats your transmission a lot more gently than the other two above.

Depending on whether you prioritize costs, power, efficiency, or another factor, there is an ideal electric car motor for you. After considering three of the most popular, which one would you be interested in?