An anonymous source inside GM said that the American giant might develop a cheaper version of Chevrolet Volt, at the expense of a smaller mileage.

While the new Chevrolet Volt have not been launched on the markets yet, Chevrolet is seriously thinking at developing a cheaper version of it. The cheap Volt might be a rival of the hybrid and diesel models with smaller prices and will have a mileage of around 20 miles in full electric mode. Chevrolet Volt can run in full electric mode between 25 and 50 miles, then the internal combustion engine starts to recharge the batteries. The exception is the barrier of 100 mph, when the engine starts automatically.

According to some sources inside General Motors and quoted by Favstocks, Chevrolet might cut off $10,000 from the production price of Volt, only be redesigning in, raising the production numbers, a new battery, or a combination of the three. As well, they might reduce the autonomy in full electric model, a move that would increase the fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions, but would transform Chevrolet Volt into a cheaper car.

For now, GM officials didn’t speak about the rumor. Chevrolet Volt would have a major advantage, at least on the US market, if it has a starting price of $31,000, getting support from the US Government, that would offer a price reduction based on environmental funds specifically collected. On the other hand, increasing Volt’s production might lead to other problems, as the dealerships are already overworked, as the plant producing Volt’s batteries is already working at full capacity.

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Artega presented at Geneva Motor Show 2011 the electric supercar, SE. The Model is powered by two electric motors together developing not less than 380 HP.

The German automaker, Artega, prepared for this year’s edition of Geneva Motor Show, an electric version of their Artega GT. Named Artega SE, acronym for Sport Electric, the new product is underpinned by the petrol engine version of the model.

The coupe is powered by two electric units, one for every traction wheel, capable of working independently, but together developing a power of 380 HP. The resources are enough to give the electric concept better performances than of the Artega GT.

So, Artega SE sprints from 0 to 100 kph in 4.3 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than the petrol powered version. The top speed is pretty high for an electric powered vehicle, 250 kph. The performances are possible thanks to the low weight, of only 1,400 kg, with an 43:57 weight ratio.

A lithium-polymer batteries pack keep the electric motors alive, with a capacity of 37 kWh and nominal voltage of 350 V. The automaker announced that the new Artega SE will be capable of offering an official 300 km mileage. For a fast complete recharge of the batteries, Artega SE needs 90 minutes.

The German automaker have not ruled out the production version of Artega SE, but rumor has it that only a small number will be built.

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The world famous automakers have used the Geneva Motor Show to show the latest electric and hybrid cars. We present the most interesting five appearances.

The new “green wave” has reached the automakers present at Geneva Auto Show. Normally, the latest technological solutions were presented both on the models that already exists, but also on the new concepts. I chose five of the most important electric and hybrid models from Geneva Motor Show 2011.

1. OPEL Ampera

New Opel Ampera came at Geneva Motor Show 2011, in world premiere in series version. Last year, the Opel engineers had come to Switzerland Auto Show with an Ampera from Rüsselsheim and were very satisfied with the results. New Ampera is a hybrid in series configuration (The guys from Opel it named electric model with an extend autonomy system) that receiving an electric motor and a gasoline engine which, when the battery is empty, acts as a generator. The Ampera battery is charged from a normal outlet in four hours and the 25-50 miles electric autonomy power is extended to over 250 miles after the gasoline engine enter in action.

Opel Ampera

2. VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN HYBRID

New series hybrid model launched by the guys from Volvo at Geneva Auto Show 2011 has a technology that can not be found in any other automaker in the world. We are talking about the diesel-electric hybrid system and the V60 Plug-in- Hybrid battery can be loaded, if necessary, from a normal outlet. The Swedish model can run exclusive in electric mode for 31 miles and the hybrid mode enabling the 2.4-liter diesel engine and 215 HP, which works in parallel with the electric motor, which have 70 HP. If is used in the most eco mode as possible, the V60 special version consumption falls below 78 mi/gal.

Volvo V60 Hybrid

3. PORSCHE Panamera S Hybrid

I could skip the second model from Porsche history with a hybrid powertrain. It is Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, a version that receives the same drive train that I saw at Cayenne and also on Touareg Hybrid (380 HP and 428 lb-ft), this allowing to the German model to reach a good consumption for a model in this range. We’re talking about 34.5 mi/gal, a consumption that reaches half by the announced gasoline version of Porsche Panamera S version.

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

4. BMW ActiveE

BMW shown at Geneva Motor Show 2011 the series prototype version of the compact 1 Series electric version. The first road models will be launched later this year. Based on the 1 Series Coupe version , the electric version can not be bought, but can be rented, BMW will produce a series of 1000 copies. The 170 HP and 184 lb-ft provide by the electric motor propels the new ActiveE from 0-60 mph in 9 seconds, guaranteeing a top speed of 90 mph, electronically limited to not discharge the battery resources. The announced autonomy by the guys from BMW is up to 100 miles.

BMW ActiveE

5. ROLLS ROYCE 102 EX Concept

What would you say if Rolls Royce would be released an electric Phantom? If ten years ago this idea would have aroused laughter, now the idea could be real. The reason: 102 EX Concept presented at Geneva Motor Show 2011, predict such a model that could be launched in future in the British brand range. It is not known if this concept will be produced in series, the only thing known is that after the Geneva Auto Show, Rolls Royce 102 EX Concept will make the world tour. If they will show interest, the electric Phantom will be produced in limited series.

Rolls Royce 102 EX Concept

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Opel has released the first official picture with the series version of Ampera. The electric / hybrid model with extended autonomy will be presented in world premiere at Geneva Motor Show 2011.

The series version of the Opel Ampera model, the European brother of Chevrolet Volt model, will be presented in world premiere by the German automaker in its own stand at Geneva Motor Show. The model with electric propulsion that can be a hybrid in series configuration when the battery is low will be presented for the first time in the final configuration, the previous two editions from Geneva Motor Show was dedicated to the pre-production versions of the German model.

Because the model is classified as an electric / hybrid vehicle, Ampera don’t pay pollution tax, despite the fact that it is equipped with a gasoline engine that supports the propulsion system. The model battery can be loaded in just four hours and the 100% running in electric mode may take place over a distance of between 25 and 50 miles, which is more than the average distance traveled by the commuters from Europe.

The Opel Ampera battery can be charged from a standard 230V AC outlet in just four hours, say the officials from Opel. Therefore, the vehicle could be charged even if you are at work. In the next years, is probably that the commercial places will provide charging facilities for the electric vehicles.

According to the official press release that accompanying the first official picture of the German model, Ampera can reach a top speed of 100 mph, while the acceleration from 0-60 mph is achieved in 9 seconds.

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BMW 5-Series is set to receive an electric version by the end of the year. The electric model will be sold only on the Chinese market, being developed in a partnership with Brilliance Auto.

BMW will develop an electric version for their 5-Series model, a car build exclusively for the Chinese market. The model will be developed in a partnership with Brilliance Auto Holdings, the company that has a joint-venture agreement with BMW, for penetrating the Chinese market. For now there is no official informations and specs of the electric vehicle, but the concept previewing the electric BMW 5-Series will be displayed at this year’s Beijing Auto Show edition.

BMW Group already sold 169,000 units in China in 2010, with an 87% raise compared to 2009. In 2011, the Germans want to launch the new X3, 6 Series – in both body versions – and Mini Countryman, cars that should lead to an increase in sales. BMW doesn’t expect to build the new model in large volumes, but only to offer the Chinese customers a new propulsion version.

BMW and Brilliance Automotive Co have a join-venture deal in China, allowing them to build Chinese version of BMW 3-Series and BMW 5-Series. Both models are built in Shenyang. The Chinese can also buy a special version 5-Series, which has a longer wheelbase. The BMW 5-Series L (Long) is built exclusively for the Chinese market, and it seems that the electric 5-Series will have the same destiny.

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This statement belongs to Henrik Fisker, the man behind the luxury electric vehicle, Fisker Karma. He said that the people will get used to hybrid and electric vehicles just like they did with the smartphones and flat screen TVs.

Henrik Fisker said that ones contesting the electric and hybrid cars because of their production costs should take a look at the inventions of the last 10 years. The new technology is very expensive in the beginning, but once it is developed, the production price drops, saying that the spartphones and the flat screen TVs are the best example.

Fisker believes that this is only the beginning of the electric cars era, and just like any advanced technology, is first bought in small numbers, than the sales increase exponentially. The Fisker Karma model is a luxury electric vehicle that combines that very low emissions with sportiness and luxury in the same car.

Henrik Fisker said that the mid-size luxury car segment, will be one of the main segments for developing the hybrid and electric drive trains. The only impediment at the moment is the production price. Fisker wanted to highlight that in 1997 a flat screen TV had a price of around $20,000 and now it can be bought for $500, and that the same will happen with hybrid and electric technology

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Dan Akerson, CEO of General motors, confirmed a hybrid version of Cadillac SRX and announced that the GM plans will built twice more Chevrolet Volt units in 2011 than initially planned.

The officials of Chevrolet US announced that General Motors will double the production number for Volt during 2011. The Americans aim to build 45,000 Chevrolet Volt units  per year in 2012, and for 2011 they want to build not less than 25,000 vehicles. The reason behind the increase in production numbers is the high demand registered by this model and its introduction in more and more Chevrolet and General Motors dealerships.

The end of 2011 will mark Chevrolet Volt’s debut on the European market. The Europeans will also receive its version built by Opel and called Ampera, a vehicle that benefits from the same Voltec drive train. First, the Volt units shipped to Europe will be built at the GM plant in Hamtrack, Michigan, but the Americans might also use a European plant to built Chevrolet Volt in order to reduce the costs.

As about the hybrid version of Cadillac SRX, Dan Akerson said that “is very likely” for the model to enter production. Despite Volt’s success, the model will not be built in a Cadillac version, staying a member of the Chevrolet family for the US market.

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Ford brings at Detroit Auto Show two green versions of the C-Max model: Energi and Hybrid. The first can be recharge at an outlet and the second is like to be a more economical hybrid than Fusion Hybrid.

After the electric Focus revealed yesterday, Ford continues to surprise at Detroit Motor Show by two other ecological models, both developed on the new series version of the C-Max model and also on the C segment platform, scheduled to host 10 different cars in 2014.

The surprises prepared by Ford are called C-Max Energi, the first vehicle can be recharged to an outlet from the Ford range and C-Max Hybrid, a derivative with hybrid drive train. Although the guys from Ford have not published enough informations about the two new models yet, Ford wanted to clarify that the both versions will receive a set of lithium-ion batteries developed in Ford laboratories from Michigan.

The new C-Max Energi promises a total autonomy of 500 miles, but ensures more miles in electric mode, after an outlet, rather than the newest hybrid from Detroit, Chevrolet Volt.

On the other hand, the new C-Max Hybrid wants to be a more economical alternative than the current Ford Fusion Hybrid, which currently guarantees an average consumption of 41 mi/gal and is officially designated the most economical sedan in United States.

The new models will reach on the market until 2012, but Europe will get them somewhere in 2013.

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Porsche has unveiled at Detroit Auto Show the 918 RSR concept, a circuit interpretation for the already popular Porsche 918 Spyder. The prototype has hybrid propulsion.

As promised, Porsche marks his return at Detroit Auto Show with a revolutionary concept based on the already popular 918 Spyder. The rumors were true and the automaker from Stuttgart has exhibited at its stand from Cobo Hall, the new Porsche 918 RSR, a circuit version of the concept shown last year.

Seen as a cross of performances of the the current Porsche 911 GT3 R with the efficiency of the hybrid drive train of the 918 Spyder Coupe, the new prototype aims to be an ideal alternative for the motorsport competitions.

Individual with a large rear spoiler and with some more generous bosses, the new 918 RSR adopting a Liquid Metal Chrome blue color, but does not abandon the traditional orange from the models dedicated to motorsport, a color found at the calipers level.

Under the carbon fiber body is a V8 engine with direct-injection, capable to delivering 563 HP at 10,500 rpm. The front wheelbase has another two electric motors, each capable to delivering 100 HP. In these circumstances, the 918 RSR receives a total of 767 HP, managed by a gearbox with six reports, which can be operated using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

To control the 767 HP, Porsche installed a completely new braking system, hidden behind the 19-inch wheels and “shod” with special tires.

Like already popular 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the new 918 RSR adopt a new system of regeneration braking force, able to supply the lithium-ion battery pack, and also responsible for the maintaining in life of the two electric motors.

New Porsche 918 RSR is still a German experiment in hybrid technology.

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Ford is a company which takes in-car apps seriously and it has announced an application which will monitor the charge status of upcoming electric Ford cars. The application will become available for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry smartphones, however, Ford demoed the app on the Samsung Focus which is a Windows Phone 7 device.

According to Ford, the application will also be released as a web-based app meaning that all featurephones with a browser compatible with HTML5 will get a change to monitor their cars.

Ford says that the MyFord Mobile app is like a sleeping monitor app as it will let you know when’s the best time and cost to charge your electric car. Ford didn’t announce which cars will support MyFord Mobile, but it did specify that the vehicles will need a special plug. Maybe wants to fight against piracy, speaking of which, the price of app is unknown for now.

The MyFord Mobile application will also allow users to find their car using the GPS and as soon as that happens, they’ll be able to unlock the cars’ doors. Pretty clever and handy, but we need to see a car which will fit.

MyFord Mobile App On Windows Phone 7

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