Smart’s problems mean sales will likely be under 100,000 units for 2010

Filed under: SMART Smart ED - Click above for high-res image gallery The sad tale of Smart , especially in the U.S. market , is a prime example of the adage to “be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.” Smart has faced multiple problems, ranging from its design to its execution.

Car Charging Group inks deal to install electric vehicle chargers in Manhattan

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Green Daily Car Charging Group (CCG), a Florida-based electric vehicle (EV) charging systems operator, has teamed up with New York City’s Icon Parking Systems (IPS), to install EV charging stations in major parking lots scattered throughout the Manhattan area. CCG and IPS inked a test program deal that will allow for the free installation of five EV chargers at parking lots owned by IPS in the greater Manhattan area.

Renault Fluence Z.E. field tests begin in Israel

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Renault , Better Place Renault Fluence Z.E. - Click above for high-res image gallery Sometime in 2011, Israel and Denmark will be the first markets where drivers of electric vehicles will be able to stop by a quick-change station for a freshly charged energy unit.

Renault-Nissan signs MOU with Bajaj Auto to develop ultra-efficient vehicle for emerging markets

Filed under: Etc.

Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Renault , Paris Motor Show Renault DeZir Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Renault’s home auto show in Paris this fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design VP Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault it represents the vision of ’simple’, ’sensuous’ and ‘warm’. The shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.

Renault-Nissan headed to Taiwan with EV promotion plan

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Nissan , Renault 2012 Renault Fluence Z.E. - Click above for high-res image gallery The Renault - Nissan alliance has now tallied more than 60 electric vehicle (EV) partnerships with its most recent addition of Taiwan to the ever-growing list of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with governments , cities and other organizations scattered around the globe. The MoU signed between the Renault-Nissan group and Taiwan’s Taichung City is similar to many of the other agreements in that Renault-Nissan will work with the local Taiwanese government to promote the adoption of EVs countrywide

Nissan announces plans to double li-ion battery production as Leaf pre-orders swell

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Nissan , Green Daily Nissan Leaf battery pack - Click above for high-res image gallery Expansion is in the immediate future for Nissan’s joint battery venture Automotive Energy Supply Corp (AESC).

Amusing: Zoe Renault doesn’t want there to be an electric car called the Renault Zoe

Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Renault Renault Zoe Z.E. concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Any marketing person will tell you that coming up with the right name is one of the most difficult aspects of launching a new product.

Ghosn says Renault-Nissan will have capacity for 500,000 new EVs a year

Filed under: EV/Plug-in Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn with Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced earlier this week that his company is in a dominant position for the coming EV boom, remarking that the Leaf and the seven all-electric models from Renault -Nissan that follow it will be backed by battery production capacity for 500,000 EVs per year: No other automaker will be producing electric batteries or cars at such a scale. And customers are ready.

Trina Solar signs up to sponsor Renault F1 team

Filed under: Solar , Renault , Racing The Renault Formula One team still isn’t anywhere near as green as what the automaker is trying to do with its production lineup, but it does have a new green sponsor. Trina Solar has signed up to promote itself on the side of the R30 race car for the remainder of the 2010 season. In addition to financial support Trina will be providing solar panels for use in the Renault paddock and on top of its hospitality facilities at races.

Next Page »

AutoGreen Latest

• Spyshots: Is Phoenix Motorcars still working on a plug-in hybrid?
• Frost & Sullivan: EV production could be hindered by shortage of battery parts
• Coulomb unveils Michigan’s first ChargePoint America charging station
• General Motors Australia reveals new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback
• Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show
• Tesla Roadster eligible for $38,000 clean energy rebate in Japan
• Coda will sell electric sedan in Hawaii in late 2011
• 2012 Ford Focus Electric to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery
• Hybrid sales drop off for August; even Prius records a 37.5% decline
• Automotive X-Prize: no money until cars pass dynamometer validation tests
• Motive doesn’t Bogart cannabis car info, passes us more details
• Donnie Bowles scores first win in propane-powered Roush Mustang
• Mazda’s "uniquely engineered" Sky engines will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency
• GM says Chevy Cruze Eco with an automatic will hit 36 mpg highway
• Rumormill: GM to follow Hyundai with four-cylinder-only mid-size cars
• Electric motorycle entrepeneur killed in car accident