One estimate says more than 600,000 EVs could be on U.S. roads by 2014, but that’s a speck in the rear-view mirror compared to the 140 million passenger cars Americans already drive. And, high vehicle costs combined with range anxiety makes many consumers leery to get off gasoline. So is the EV industry accelerating or running out of juice?
energyNOW! correspondent Lee Patrick Sullivan looked at the independent carmakers and big auto companies trying to charge up the transition to EVs and convince American drivers that going electric is really worth it.
Electric vehicles hold great promise for reducing both emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. Almost 30 percent of America’s energy use is for transportation, and almost all of that comes from oil, costing $300 billion per year. When compared to an Electric Power Research Institute estimate that running an EV costs 20 percent filling up a car with gasoline, and EPA’s estimate that EVs are half as carbon-intensive as gas-powered vehicles, the benefits of electric are clear.
But many potential EV owners are concerned about the higher up-front price of electric cars (despite them being cost-competitive or cheaper in the long term) and their limited range compared to gasoline-fueled models. Buying an EV can cost anywhere from $32,000 to $120,000, a tab somewhat mitigated by the $7,500 federal tax credit. And, most EVs get about 100 miles on a single battery charge, compared to 400 miles per tank for internal combustion engines. A recent study from Deloitte found that only 20 percent of U.S. drivers say they would buy an EV with a 100-mile range.
Perhaps no company embodies the EV industry better than Tesla Motors. Despite a successful launch of its Roadster model, the company was running on fumes until a Department of Energy low-interest loan enabled it to raise $600 million in private capital, build a massive factory, and launch its second vehicle, the Model S. “This is the first car that will have over 300 miles of electric range,” said JB Straubel, CTO and co-founder of Tesla Motors.
Several other notable EV manufacturers weren’t as fortunate as Tesla over the past year, however. Fisker Automotive had several delays in launching its extended-range EV, and both Modec and Think Automotive declared bankruptcy. Major automakers like Nissan and Chevrolet debuted their EV models this year, but have only sold half as many Volts and Leafs as expected.
These difficulties aren’t a surprise to Straubel. “It’s an extremely hard activity,” he said. “The tooling required, the investment, the years of engineering and validation, it’s all very, very difficult.”
вторник, 25 октября 2011 г.
четверг, 20 октября 2011 г.
BMW 3 series: More for less
BMW has aimed higher with its new 3 Series sedan, adding the luxury kitbag of its more expensive 5 Series while building on the appeal of the outgoing model.
The intention is to offer more for comparatively less, along with a sleek look, upmarket interior, a range of fuel-efficient, all-turbo engines - and, for the first time, optional XDrive all-wheel-drive.
Other firsts in class are the choice of a full hybrid model, a new personalisation programme and a full-colour head-up display, projecting information on to the windscreen in front of the driver.
The German carmaker has released details of the new car ahead of its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January.
It says the 3 Series has more space and comfort than before and is better to drive than its main rivals, the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
It will go on sale here next year. It is unclear if XDrive will be available in right-hand-drive.
The 3 Series is BMW's most important model, both in terms of numbers sold and as a flag carrier for the company's reputation for quality, reliability and desirability.
BMW says it will have eight versions of the 3 Series on sale in different markets by March that emit less than 120g per kilometre of CO2.
Towards the end of 2012, BMW launches XDrive four-wheel-drive versions and the ActiveHybrid 3 which is essentially a 335i with a 40kW electric motor.
Many of the new features introduced in the new 5 Series and 1 Series have made their way into the 3 Series, including eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start, electric-assisted steering, four selectable driving modes and a multi-function screen driven by the iDrive console knob.
The new 3 Series has been under development for longer than almost any other BMW. It was first spied testing early in 2009.
Weight has been reduced by a claimed 50kg compared to the previous model and the drag coefficient is down to 0.26 thanks to improvements in the aerodynamics.
These tweaks include a streamlined underside, covers which create a diffuser effect at the rear and channels in the front bumper which reduce the turbulence created by the front wheels.
The new 3 Series also features a much stiffer body and an all-new chassis with a longer wheelbase (up 50mm to 2810mm), with wider tracks (up 37mm at the front and 47mm at the rear) to improve handling.
Overall length has increased by 93mm and there's more space inside.
The exterior design has been inspired by the 5 Series. The new car's lights, flusher radiator grille and L-shaped LED taillights represent the biggest changes.
Under the skin, the chassis gets an updated version of the company's five-link suspension at the rear and more aluminium in the front set-up for lower unsprung weight.
BMW says the new suspension improves on the car's handling by making it even more agile and stable but with better ride comfort.
All models get new electric-assisted power steering to cut weight and improve fuel efficiency. BMW claims it is just as accurate and has as much feedback as a conventional hydraulic system. However, its Variable Sport steering will be available as an option, as will Adaptive M Sport suspension with electronically variable dampers.
The intention is to offer more for comparatively less, along with a sleek look, upmarket interior, a range of fuel-efficient, all-turbo engines - and, for the first time, optional XDrive all-wheel-drive.
Other firsts in class are the choice of a full hybrid model, a new personalisation programme and a full-colour head-up display, projecting information on to the windscreen in front of the driver.
The German carmaker has released details of the new car ahead of its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January.
It says the 3 Series has more space and comfort than before and is better to drive than its main rivals, the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
It will go on sale here next year. It is unclear if XDrive will be available in right-hand-drive.
The 3 Series is BMW's most important model, both in terms of numbers sold and as a flag carrier for the company's reputation for quality, reliability and desirability.
BMW says it will have eight versions of the 3 Series on sale in different markets by March that emit less than 120g per kilometre of CO2.
Towards the end of 2012, BMW launches XDrive four-wheel-drive versions and the ActiveHybrid 3 which is essentially a 335i with a 40kW electric motor.
Many of the new features introduced in the new 5 Series and 1 Series have made their way into the 3 Series, including eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start, electric-assisted steering, four selectable driving modes and a multi-function screen driven by the iDrive console knob.
The new 3 Series has been under development for longer than almost any other BMW. It was first spied testing early in 2009.
Weight has been reduced by a claimed 50kg compared to the previous model and the drag coefficient is down to 0.26 thanks to improvements in the aerodynamics.
These tweaks include a streamlined underside, covers which create a diffuser effect at the rear and channels in the front bumper which reduce the turbulence created by the front wheels.
The new 3 Series also features a much stiffer body and an all-new chassis with a longer wheelbase (up 50mm to 2810mm), with wider tracks (up 37mm at the front and 47mm at the rear) to improve handling.
Overall length has increased by 93mm and there's more space inside.
The exterior design has been inspired by the 5 Series. The new car's lights, flusher radiator grille and L-shaped LED taillights represent the biggest changes.
Under the skin, the chassis gets an updated version of the company's five-link suspension at the rear and more aluminium in the front set-up for lower unsprung weight.
BMW says the new suspension improves on the car's handling by making it even more agile and stable but with better ride comfort.
All models get new electric-assisted power steering to cut weight and improve fuel efficiency. BMW claims it is just as accurate and has as much feedback as a conventional hydraulic system. However, its Variable Sport steering will be available as an option, as will Adaptive M Sport suspension with electronically variable dampers.
Glendale to monitor impact of electric cars
The first 100 people to buy an electric vehicle will get a $200 rebate from the city of Glendale in exchange for installing a special socket that will help measure the potential impact of more cars tapping into the power grid.
As plug-in electric vehicles become more popular, officials want to be prepared for the influx of energy use, so it’s requiring all BMW electric-vehicle owners to install a special socket that will measure the effect on the power supply, said Ned Bassin, assistant general manager of customer and support services at Glendale Water & Power.
“We expect in the future there will be a lot of electric vehicles,” Bassin said.
That could take a toll on the city’s energy system without proper planning, officials say.
“It’s like adding a whole home to our distribution system,” Bassin said.
Electric-car buyers that want to charge their car faster must hire an electrician to install a 240-volt socket, for which the city will be installing special meters to measure the energy use. But the meters need a special connection that the electrician will be required to install — typically at a cost of $200 — hence the rebate offer.
вторник, 11 октября 2011 г.
BMW 1-series ActiveE, an Autoweek Flash Drive Car Review
BMW's first series production electric car, the 1-series ActiveE, is coming in limited numbers to the United States in December. BMW says it will build no more than 1,100 copies of the car.
To be offered to customers on a two-year/31,000-mile lease similar to that of the earlier BMW-engineered Mini E, the zero-emissions coupe acts as a technological test bed for BMW's upcoming i3--a compact four-door hatchback previewed in concept form at the recent Frankfurt motor show. It's set to go on sale in 2013.
Unlike the two-seat Mini E, which relied largely on off-the-shelf electric-drive technology and was developed with the help of U.S. firm AC Propulsion, the four-seat 1-series ActiveE was conceived wholly in-house at BMW's Munich, Germany, R&D center. BMW worked closely with a series of system suppliers it says will play an important role in the new "i" brand and its initial i3 and i8 models. Many of the driveline components are unique.
The 1-series coupe was heavily modified to accommodate the ActiveE's electric drive system. Among the more significant changes is a new crash structure up front, an altered transmission tunnel down the middle of the steel floorpan, a reworked rear-end structure and a completely revised rear-axle assembly.
Power comes from an electric motor mounted at the rear, in the space usually taken up by the differential of the standard 1-series. Produced at BMW's Dingolfing factory in Germany, the brushless unit produces 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque the moment you depress the throttle--33 hp less but 24 lb-ft more than the Mini E's electric drive system.
By comparison, the 128i's naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gasoline engine delivers 230 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque.
Electrical energy to run the motor is provided by three separate banks of lithium-ion batteries mounted under the hood, down the center line of the floorpan within the altered transmission tunnel and under the rear seat. Together they have an overall capacity of 32 kilowatt-hours and provide a peak current of 400 amps.
The battery cells hail from a joint-venture company created by Korean giant Samsung and German-based electronics specialist Bosch called SB LiMotive. The control electrics, the brains of the whole system, are located in the trunk. Cargo capacity is cut nearly in half, to just seven cubic feet.
In a move BMW says was prompted by lessons learned with the Mini E, the batteries receive liquid cooling to ensure constant performance in all climates. Recharging is via a plug-in socket located behind the traditional fuel-door flap. Using the 32-amp charger that BMW offers as part of the 1-series ActiveE lease deal, the company claims recharging takes between four and five hours on a standard outlet.
Drive is channeled to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.
Despite the investment BMW has made into lightweight construction technology with its new i brand, the 1-series ActiveE retains an all-steel body shell without any aluminum or carbon fiber to help trim pounds. The standard rear bench seat was, however, exchanged for the seat used in the 1-series M coupe, which is claimed to save 11 pounds. Still, the new car's curb weight is put at a portly 4,001 pounds.
вторник, 15 февраля 2011 г.
Hanging Toiletry Bags Are Not Just Intended For Women
Everything in this world seems to be gender conscience. From the time that a baby is born, their parents will choose to adorn this child in something that emphasizes on their sex. For example, little boys will be dressed in blue clothing while little girls will be dressed in pink. Perhaps, this is one of the main reasons why many masculine men seem to associate hanging toiletry bags with feminine women.
The best way to travel these days is to remain organized at all times. Our totes that we choose to utilize should encompass key features that allow us to separate our things accordingly and give us the right to access the things that we made need to get to with haste. Men are generally the first individuals that would not want to ever be seen carrying around a tote that resembles a purse.
Therefore, many hanging toiletry bags are being manufactured with men in mind. These bags are being made incredibly inconspicuously; therefore the bags can never be categorized as a purse or something that is feminine. In fact, a lot of the toiletry bags that are being offered on the market these days encompass fairly masculine designs on their external surfaces.
Perhaps you are asking yourself, what the big deal with these bags are anyway; well, both men and women can utilize these bags in order to keep their personal bathroom accessories organized accordingly. The bags are manufactured to be hung on hooks, doorknobs or even in closets, as its name so proudly pronounces. Having the ability to hang the bag is actually a great benefit. Individuals no longer have to rummage through their bags in order to obtain or two bathroom toiletries that they may require.
Men can easily organize all of their bathroom toiletries in these bags without any complications. Items such as facial cleansers, shaving kits, deodorant, toothbrushes and cologne are just a few of the things that a male can choose to store in their personal bag.
You can easily keep your entire personal bathroom toiletries separated from your clothes, so you do not risk the chance of your toiletries soiling your clothes in any way shape or form.
When it comes to traveling, you have to keep all of your personal belongings organized. Hanging toiletry bags give you the ability to keep all of your bathroom accessories together and they eliminate the chances of you forgetting anything that you may stand in need of for your trip.
Wonderful Laptop Bags For Women
In fact, with a whole new range of colors and materials that are available, women can make a fashion statement with their laptop bags during the presentation in any meeting.
The women's laptop bag is designed to fit in not only the laptop but all other essential elements such as loose change, a change of clothes, zipper and pen pockets and compartments for lipsticks etc. They also come with a back pocket that can easily accommodate all the files that the working women need. Some of the laptop bags are even quilted and have embedded sequins to make a great fashion statement. You need to determine the size of your laptop before you go out to a mall to buy the women's laptop bag, along with cheap ugg boots style.
Leather women's laptop bag is of course used by most women who go to work. They are sturdy and they come in a number of finishes and colors and these can also be used by men. Given the vibrant color preferences that women have, these laptop bags are found in a wide variety of options including tartan and quilted finishes.
Another variation for the women's laptop bag is the laptop tote. This is designed just like the tote bag and has separate shoulder straps too. It has a full zipper compartment and can accommodate your laptop, files and other miscellaneous things easily. They also have comfort padded handles and drawstrings. They look just like tote bags that many women like to carry.
Finally, there are women's bags that are airport security friendly. They have a number of pockets to keep all the files, PDA, cell phones, knick knacks and are usually made of durable polyester. This makes them less susceptible to wear and tear. These laptop bags have been tested and approved for TSA guidelines for onboard luggage.
The women's laptop bag is designed to fit in not only the laptop but all other essential elements such as loose change, a change of clothes, zipper and pen pockets and compartments for lipsticks etc. They also come with a back pocket that can easily accommodate all the files that the working women need. Some of the laptop bags are even quilted and have embedded sequins to make a great fashion statement. You need to determine the size of your laptop before you go out to a mall to buy the women's laptop bag, along with cheap ugg boots style.
Leather women's laptop bag is of course used by most women who go to work. They are sturdy and they come in a number of finishes and colors and these can also be used by men. Given the vibrant color preferences that women have, these laptop bags are found in a wide variety of options including tartan and quilted finishes.
Another variation for the women's laptop bag is the laptop tote. This is designed just like the tote bag and has separate shoulder straps too. It has a full zipper compartment and can accommodate your laptop, files and other miscellaneous things easily. They also have comfort padded handles and drawstrings. They look just like tote bags that many women like to carry.
Finally, there are women's bags that are airport security friendly. They have a number of pockets to keep all the files, PDA, cell phones, knick knacks and are usually made of durable polyester. This makes them less susceptible to wear and tear. These laptop bags have been tested and approved for TSA guidelines for onboard luggage.
Facts About Women's Fashion Shoes
There is a rapid fashion change in the world we currently live in as people are becoming more and more conversant with better, improved and newer things that relate to how we look. Designers are working around the clok to meet the demands of a fashion-obsessed society. Uniqueness, class and attractiveness have come to top the list of dressing codes and clotting requirements and sure enough, designers are not letting the people down as they come up with dazzling designs and amazing products day after day. Everything from shoes, clothing, jewelry, perfumes and other beauty accessories has undergone tremendous improvements in the recent years to become unique, gorgeous and nice.
Dressing plays a big role in bringing out someone’s beauty but just the costume alone is not enough to make the complete figure charming and stylish. Shoes are crucial to make a person attractive, classy and gorgeous.
Shoes is without doubt a very important part of the wardrobe fashion, it makes one of the biggest contributions in making the wearer look charming, beautiful and trendy. Truth is that the shoe is what will complete your fashion and the kind of shoe you wear will determine how people perceive you and how every other accessory you are wearing will match your personality. Women have an unquestionable passion for stylish footwear mainly because they adore and pamper their feet and designers are doing a great job of coming up with fascinating designs and varieties of women shoes. Although there are so many types of women shoes, high heel shoes definitely take the crown as the most favorite among many women.
Some of the leading shoe manufacturers like Betsey Johnson, Cordani and Bruno Magli icon shoes among others are very popular and bestselling because of high heel shoes. It is no secret that people love heel shoes because they are stylish, they come in a variety of designs and color and the height of the heel is also available to suit everyone’s preference, from 3 to 8 inches. Spike heels are very popular in this genre although Stiletto heels are catching up really fast. This is because stiletto heels are fashionable, charming and naturally beautiful. You can find them in a wide variety of sizes, colors, patterns and designs.
If you need shoes that perfectly combine longevity, comfort and design then kitten heels is your kind of shoe. This type of high heel shoe has won the hearts of many women. You will have a fresh, charming and stylish look that will give you a positive energy and a great sense of personality.
Dressing plays a big role in bringing out someone’s beauty but just the costume alone is not enough to make the complete figure charming and stylish. Shoes are crucial to make a person attractive, classy and gorgeous.
Shoes is without doubt a very important part of the wardrobe fashion, it makes one of the biggest contributions in making the wearer look charming, beautiful and trendy. Truth is that the shoe is what will complete your fashion and the kind of shoe you wear will determine how people perceive you and how every other accessory you are wearing will match your personality. Women have an unquestionable passion for stylish footwear mainly because they adore and pamper their feet and designers are doing a great job of coming up with fascinating designs and varieties of women shoes. Although there are so many types of women shoes, high heel shoes definitely take the crown as the most favorite among many women.
Some of the leading shoe manufacturers like Betsey Johnson, Cordani and Bruno Magli icon shoes among others are very popular and bestselling because of high heel shoes. It is no secret that people love heel shoes because they are stylish, they come in a variety of designs and color and the height of the heel is also available to suit everyone’s preference, from 3 to 8 inches. Spike heels are very popular in this genre although Stiletto heels are catching up really fast. This is because stiletto heels are fashionable, charming and naturally beautiful. You can find them in a wide variety of sizes, colors, patterns and designs.
If you need shoes that perfectly combine longevity, comfort and design then kitten heels is your kind of shoe. This type of high heel shoe has won the hearts of many women. You will have a fresh, charming and stylish look that will give you a positive energy and a great sense of personality.
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