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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, Legislation and Policy, USA

Mr. Musk Goes to Washington? Jimmy Stewart references aside, that's the approach Tesla Motors chief Elon Musk may take in his crusade to get factory-owned dealerships legalized.

Musk tells Automotive News that he may go to Congress in an attempt to take on the country's auto-dealer groups in order for his company to own all of its distribution channels. Musk's main argument is that there is a conflict of interest when one dealer sells battery-electric vehicles and gas-powered ones and that the hyper-advanced technology of cars like the Tesla Model S need special explanations. This is why traditional franchise dealer models won't work with Tesla, at least while sales numbers are still relatively small. Once Tesla EVs account for one percent of all US new-car sales, Musk says, a mix of company-owned stores and franchises would suffice.

"It's really difficult for a new company with a new technology to be franchised," Musk told Automotive News. "It's not possible to effectively sell a new technology like electric vehicles, for a dealer to do that, without undermining the story behind gasoline cars."

So far, Tesla has taken on states such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and, most recently, Texas. Tesla recently gained a legal victory when New York Supreme Court Justice Raymond J. Elliott III wrote that dealers couldn't cite the Franchised Dealer Act as a motive to sue competitors. New York dealers last fall sued Tesla in an effort to get the company to close its company-owned stores. This patchwork strategy isn't appealing to Musk in the least. He told AN, "If we're seeing nonstop battles at the state level, rather than fight 20 different state battles, I'd rather fight one federal battle."

Elon Musk: Tesla could go federal with franchise dealer fight originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy

Park your gas-powered car in an electric-vehicle-designated spot in the Emerald State and you could find yourself Cashless in Seattle. The Washington State legislature has approved a bill that would impose a $124 fine on conventional-vehicle drivers busted for parking in spots slated for plug-in vehicles, the Associated Press reports. Legislators approved the bill by a seven-to-one margin. The bill now needs approval from Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

The bill highlights a growing issue between plug-in drivers and conventional vehicle owners who park in spots where publicly accessible charging stations are located. It's called "getting ICE'd out" (after the Internal Combustion Engines). Last fall, Ford created a placard with a list of EV-charging manners and included warnings that charging spots not be used by gas users. EVSE company ECOtality later created a "Blink Courtesy Notice" that plug-in drivers can print out and drop onto offending conventional vehicles.

As of the end of last month, Washington State was home to 326 publicly accessible charging stations, trailing only California, Texas and Florida among US states.

Washington State may impose $124 fine on EV spot stealers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Cadillac, AutoblogGreen Q & A, At Witz End

One other interesting and timely interview I was offered at this year's Detroit North American International Auto Show was with Don Butler, Cadillac's enthusiastic marketing VP. Why so timely? Because it was right after Cadillac unveiled the production version of its soon-to-come (early 2014) ELR extended-range electric vehicle. Not only is this edgy two-door compact coupe even sexier-looking than Cadillac's slick CTS coupe, it's powered by a slightly upgraded version of the same Voltec series-hybrid system that motivates the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid.

ABG: The ELR is a beautiful car, but - as a 2-door coupe with a tight back seat, it's less practical than the Volt and will be priced much higher. Won't that make it harder to sell?

"First and foremost, we said, 'Let's make a vividly expressive vehicle.' And, yes, some things have to be compromised."

DB: A sedan would have been the practical choice, but the provocative choice was to do a coupe that is a true styling statement. And when it comes to really stunning design, you have to focus on that as your priority. We weren't thinking as much about practicality and utility as in having it act as an icon and a halo for the brand.

First and foremost, we said, "Let's make a vividly expressive vehicle." And, yes, some things have to be compromised. Because of the way it's styled, the interior roominess and the backseat are adequate, I would say, but not roomy.

ABG: Who will be your customer for the ELR?

DB: It will probably not be anyone's primary vehicle. It will be a second, third, maybe even fourth vehicle in the household. We are not after volume with this car, not looking for hundreds of thousands of sales. That's not what this car is about. but it will definitely appeal to design enthusiasts and people who tend to be trendsetters within their spheres of influence and circles of friends. We're looking for those few discerning individuals because they are very important to Cadillac as a brand. Some of our best marketing and advertising will show this car driving down the street, creating a bold presence for Cadillac.

Continue reading VP Don Butler says Cadillac prefers electric assist over full EVs

VP Don Butler says Cadillac prefers electric assist over full EVs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: MPG, USA

As the Beatles succinctly put it: "It's getting better all the time." That's how we can characterize US new-vehicle fleetwide fuel economy, which last month marked the third straight in which US new vehicles set an all-time record for fuel economy.

In March, new light-duty vehicle sales averaged 23.7 miles per gallon, up from 23.4 mpg a year earlier, automotive researcher TrueCar reports. Cars averaged an even 27 mpg while trucks achieved a 20.2 mpg average.

Midsize cars made the greatest strides, boosting their average fuel economy to 27.7 mpg from 26.3 mpg a year earlier. Meanwhile, Hyundai and its Kia affiliate topped all major automakers with a 27.3 mpg average, while Nissan had the largest single-year jump, with a 1.4-mpg increase to 25.3 mpg.

While March 2013 advanced-powertrain sales were relatively even with 2012 figures, plug-in sales were up 49 percent from a year earlier, largely on monthly record sales of the Nissan Leaf battery-electric.

Last month, the US Environmental Protection Agency said fleetwide fuel economy went up a 1.4 miles per gallon, a single-year record, to an all-time high of 23.8 mpg. All in all, fuel economy is up 16 percent during the past five years. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) also called 2012 a record-high year for fleetwide fuel economy. Check out TrueCar's press release below.

Continue reading With 23.7 mpg, March sets third-straight month of record-high fleetwide fuel economy

With 23.7 mpg, March sets third-straight month of record-high fleetwide fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota plans to introduce 18 new hybrids and a fuel cell vehicle within the next two years, with more than five million Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles sold globally since 1997.

In order to develop the UK’s comparative advantage in the expanding international ULEV market, the Government and industry must take unprecedented concerted action, an influential think tank reports.

Biofuels will cost UK motorists in the region of £460 million during the next 12 months, a think tank suggests.

(Springer) Following the Fukushima nuclear accident, a large volume of data was collected about the soil, air, dust, and seawater in the area. Data was also gathered about an immense number of foods supplied to the market. Little is known, however, about the effect of radioactive fallout on agriculture. Although more than 80 percent of the damaged area is related to agriculture, in situ information specifically for agriculture is scarce.