Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Tesla, Proterra, Brammo.
Koreans charge ahead: Together, Hyundai and Kia want to introduce four new hybrids, two plug-ins and one electric car in the USA, Automotive News reports. Two models are solely designed as hybrids. They are based on the platform of the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte, respectively, and can be expected by 2017. The all-electric model will come from Hyundai, possibly in the same year.
autonews.com, autoguide.com
BMW i5 update: An electric and a PHEV variant of the i5 are becoming more likely. AutoBild summarises presumptions so far: it will be bigger than the i3 but use the same electric motor, while the PHEV will be coupled with an engine doubling as range extender. Materials will include carbon, but less to keep the cost down. The price is presumed to be around 5,000 euros higher than a comparable 3-series BMW. The launch is expected by 2019.
autobild.de (in German)
Model X production delayed? Tesla is still negotiating with three essential suppliers and not all components have been ordered yet, Green Car Reports discloses. Consequently, only a few units of the Model X are being assembled pretty much by hand, while serial production might not start before December or January.
greencarreports.com
Explosion at Proterra plant: The electric bus maker’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, saw two blasts last night. Apparently, one bus also caught fire. The cause of the explosions is still being investigated. No one was harmed.
foxcarolina.com via insideevs.com
Out with the old: Brammo is selling off its remaining stock of electric motorcycles. 2014 Empulse models now cost only 9,995 dollars, while the 2014 Empulse R, on which the new 20,000-dollar Victory Empulse TT is modeled on, is selling for a mere 11,995 dollars.
blog.motorcycle.com
Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 unveiled: The second generation of the Le Mans racer features a more angular nose than last year’s design. The hybrid drivetrain will consist of a V4 gasoline engine, an electric motor to power the front wheels, as well as two recuperation systems.
What the new Leaf could look like: AutoExpress issued what it says is an exclusive preview of the 2016 Nissan Leaf. The EV is said to come with a sportier yet conventional look. Moreover, the publication speculates that the next generation will be equipped with Tesla Supercharger capabilities instead of CHAdeMO.
Low cost e-scooter for India: Hero Electric presented its latest electric scooter, the Photon, designed for the Indian market. It has a top speed of 45 kph and a said range of 80 kilometres. The Photon is priced at 54,110 rupees, that is less than 900 dollars, and will first be available in five cities across India.
Sensible cooperation: Fraunhofer IAO is collaborating with MIT’s SENSEable City Lab. A new research centre in Stuttgart called Ambient Mobility Lab will develop “future-ready mobility concepts” like autonomous driving, carsharing, and new drivetrains. The state of Baden-Württemberg is funding the project with 2.65 million euros.
Brammo Empulse updated: The 2014 models of the Empulse and Empulse R electric motorcycles are now 4.5 kg less heavy, which leads to improved handling and performance figures. The refined all-electric motorbikes will become available during 2014 with prices starting at 16,995 dollars.
Tesla goes China: Veronica Wu, vice president of Tesla in China, told Reuters in an interview about Tesla’s big plans for China. Tesla aims to open shops in 10-12 Chinese cities by the end of this year. By 2015 the production for China could be on level with the number of cars made for the U.S. and eventually requiring a local plant, Elon Musk said. Thanks to a recent court decision, the electric carmaker now owns the rights to operate under its name “Te Si La”.