The Chevy Volt is still months away from hitting showrooms, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating on the next generation of Chevy’s plug-in hybrid. Will it make the jump to a fully electric vehicle? Will they make a sportier SS version? Will anybody actually buy the Volt? These are just some of the questions people are asking.

Some of the focus has been on the range-extending engine, which as it stands is a smallish, 4 cylinder, 1.4 L Ecotec powerplant which can recharge the batteries on the fly. But will they stick with the conventional engine, or go with something… different. Like a rotary engine, or perhaps even a diesel?

(more…)

Popularity: unranked [?]

Yesterday, a full day conference: Mobilizing NC: Where Air Quality, Energy & Transportation Meet, which concentrated on alternative fuel and advanced technology solutions to air quality, energy security and environmental concerns, was held at the Jane S. McKimmon Conference Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Topics covered during the event included: Fleets, Transportation and Land Use Planning Success Stories and concurrent sessions on Biofuels, Natural Gas, Propane, Diesel & Electric Vehicle Transportation Technologies. The luncheon speaker was Peter Maas, author of Crude World, the Violent Twilight of Oil .

Over 2 dozen Ride-N-Drive vehicles were displayed along with a number of exhibits.

The event was hosted by NC Solar Center/NCSU with support provided by Triangle Clean Cities, Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition, Land of Sky Clean Vehicle Coalition, Triad Air Awareness and NC State Engineering Foundation. A cosponsor included Growth Energy.

Popularity: unranked [?]

It is really such a shame that it has taken so long for city and state governments to catch on to the whole electric vehicle craze. We should have had electric buses and taxis in droves by now, mostly because it makes economic sense. Less upkeep and lower fuel costs will eventually offset the higher upfront cost, especially since many municipalities put hundreds of thousands of miles on their vehicles.

Looking to take a lead in clean public transportation, the Société de transport de Montréal, Montreals public transportation department, says it intends to replace its fleet of 1,300 buses with all-electric models by 2025.

(more…)

Popularity: unranked [?]