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This is the Kodak Moment for the Auto Industry

Plug-In Drivers Not Missin' the Piston Electric vehicles are here to stay. Their market acceptance is currently small but growing...

Monday, January 28, 2013

Europe Sets Common Standard for Electric Vehicle Charging

Europe Sets Common Standard for Electric Vehicle Charging | Environment News Service: "The “Type 2″ plug developed by the German company Mennekes will be the common standard for charging electrified vehicles across the European Union, the European Commission has announced.

Long sought by EU automakers, the common standard was announced Thursday as part of a set measures to build alternative fuel stations across Europe with common standards for their design and use."

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Maine Ski Resort Add EV Charging

Abram recently became one of the nation's first ski areas to install 220-volt charging centers near the lodge – a reward for drivers of hybrid and electric cars.

via The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Oregon’s newest quick-charge stations for electric vehicles

Umpqua, Sterling post winning 4Q 2012 results: "Oregon’s newest quick-charge stations for electric vehicles are up and running, completing the Oregon portion of the West Coast Electric Highway.
The new locations at a Southeast Portland Burgerville, Woodburn Elmer’s restaurant, Clackamas Town Center, Wilsonville Town Center, and Shari’s Restaurant in Keizer.
The West Coast Electric Highway is a tri-state initiative to advance EV adoption along the I-5 corridor from British Columbia to Baja, Calif., through an extensive network of quick-charge stations. When complete, it will span 1,300 miles with public quick-charge stations every 25 to 60 miles."

Alt-fuel vehicles electrify Detroit - MSN Autos

Alt-fuel vehicles electrify Detroit - MSN Autos: "Hybrid and electric cars should climb to 5 percent of U.S. market share this year, an increase from 3.3 percent in 2012, according to WardsAuto"

Friday, January 25, 2013

ecolog.com - EcoLog Environment News and Environment Legislation and Health and Safety News and Health and Safety Legislation - - 1/25/2013

ecolog.com

"B.C.'s CHAdeMO electric car fast charging stations:

Whistler - Conference Centre (4010 Whistler Way)
Squamish - Stan Clarke Park (2nd Ave., across from Municipal Hall)
Surrey - Surrey Museum (17710 - 56 Ave.)
Township of Langley - Langley Events Centre (7888 - 200 St.)
Saanich - Uptown Shopping Centre
Merritt - Merritt Tourism/Visitor Info Booth (2202 Voght St.)
Hope - Hope Visitor Centre (919 Water Ave., at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5)
Cowichan Valley Regional District (Duncan) - Island Savings Centre (2687 James St.)
Nanaimo - Bastion Square (94 Front St.) or Vancouver Island Conference Centre (Gordon St.)
City of North Vancouver - Lower Lonsdale
District of North Vancouver - District of North Vancouver Operations Centre (Crown St.)
Vancouver - Telus World of Science (1455 Quebec St.)"

Friday, January 18, 2013

CBO | Effects of Federal Tax Credits for the Purchase of Electric Vehicles

CBO | Effects of Federal Tax Credits for the Purchase of Electric Vehicles: "CBO estimates that federal policies to promote the manufacture and purchase of electric vehicles, some of which also support other types of fuel-efficient vehicles, will have a total budgetary cost of about $7.5 billion through 2019. Tax credits for buying electric vehicles—which account for about one-fourth of that cost—are likely to have the greatest impact on vehicle sales."

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Virginia Makes an End Run Around Gas Taxes - The Daily Beast

Virginia Makes an End Run Around Gas Taxes - The Daily Beast: "It seems somewhat perverse. For years, the federal government (and many state governments) have provided significant financial penalties to people who purchase and use gasoline profligately—i.e. gas taxes—while offering significant financial incentives for people to buy gas-sipping hybrids or electric vehicles. And why not? We’ve decided as a society that it’s good to discourage the use of expensive, polluting, imported oil as a transportation fuel."

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Now the Government Wants to Track and Tax Your Mileage – Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From

Now the Government Wants to Track and Tax Your Mileage – Money Morning - Only the News You Can Profit From:

"The Unintended Consequences of a Mileage Tax:

As far as I am concerned, boneheaded moves like this one are going to put yet another roadblock to more fuel- efficient motoring and create a distinct disincentive to buy fuel- efficient cars. Last time I checked, energy independence was a national issue that played heavily in the most recent election cycle just as it has for years."

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Battery Life Extension Tips From Nissan Leaf Owner's Manual



  • Avoid 24-hour exposure @ 120° F or more (EV-21)
  • After use, allow vehicle & battery to cool down before charging (EV-21)
  • Park and store in cool locations avoiding sunlight & heat sources (EV-21)
  • Minimize use of public Fast Charge or Quick Charge (EV-21)
  • Avoid exceeding 70-80% charge if using fast charge or quick charge > 1 time/week (EV-21)
  • Deplete to at least 80% before recharge (EV-21) (i.e. do not top off)
  • Use long-life charge mode except for long trips (i.e. limit total SOC, do not top off)
  • Do not store for >14 days when the battery is empty (EV-21)
  • To extend the life of the battery use long life mode by selecting 80% charge (EV-21 and CH-20) 
  • If the battery temperature gauge indicates too hot or too cold, charging is not possible (CH-31)
  • Drive moderately & use ECO driving mode (EV-21) (i.e. limit max power draw)