EV, PHEV PLANS

Auto industry on plug-in hybrids and electric cars
April 15, 2009 (AP)

"Several automakers are developing plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars that could help meet President Barack Obama's goal of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015….A look at the work by some auto manufacturers:

"…General Motors is set to produce the Chevrolet Volt, an extended range electric plug-in, in late 2010 in limited numbers. The Volt is the centerpiece of GM's attempt to take the lead in electric vehicles…[Its] lithium-ion battery and electric motor…can take the car 40 miles on a single charge. A gasoline engine will… extend the Volt's range…[T]he price] is expected to be $30,000 to $40,000."

GM's Chevy Volt(click to enlarge)

"… Toyota will start global delivery of 500 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids powered by lithium-ion batteries later this year…150 will go to U.S. lease and fleet customers…[It] is expected to operate in a similar fashion to the current Prius model by using both gasoline and electricity…Toyota is also developing the FT-EV, an all-electric vehicle that is expected to have a range of 50 miles and be on U.S. roads by 2012.

"… Chrysler has shown off five different electric-drive vehicles developed by its high-tech ENVI unit and said it plans to start selling one of the five models [a Dodge sports car, a Jeep Wrangler and Patriot, a Chrysler minivan, and a concept version of an electric-powered sedan] next year … The automaker is testing the vehicles simultaneously and recently announced that Massachusetts-based A123Systems will supply the lithium-ion batteries for the company's extended range gas-electric cars and its all-electric cars."

Tesla(click to enlarge)

"… Ford is planning to produce a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle beginning in 2012 and has been testing a fleet of vehicles through partnerships with several utilities…[Ford] intends to bring a battery-electric van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small battery-electric sedan developed with Magna International by 2011 and a plug-in electric car by 2012… Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the battery system for their first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

"…Nissan has outlined plans to mass-market electric vehicles by 2012, and to make the cars available on a wide scale in Israel and Denmark in 2011. Nissan's all-electric car will be sold in late 2010 and have 100 miles of pure battery range…[With] states and utilities [Nissan is promoting and developing]…charging networks."

(click to enlarge)

"… Tesla is selling the Roadster, an electric sports car which starts at $109,000 and can travel 244 miles on a 3.5-hour charge. [Tesla is also] developing the all-electric Model S sedan, which is expected to sell for $60,000 by mid-2011.

"…[Fisker Automotive] is releasing its $87,900 Karma plug-in luxury sports sedan, a four-seater with solar panels, in October. The plug-in can drive gas-free for 50 miles. Fisker is also developing the Karma S, a convertible expected in 2011."