We haven't heard much from A123 Systems in recent months, other than the battery maker's public stock offering. Its best shot at a major automotive battery program seemed to be with Chrysler, until we found out that all those plug-in vehicles we saw…
Category: Autoblog
Automotive X-Prize wants major automakers to join the race
There's been plenty of interest in the Automotive X-Prize since it launched a couple of years back after the success of the original Ansari X-Prize. Dozens of start-ups and independent inventors have signed up to compete. Notable by their absence,…
Woodward 2008: And the award for hydraulics overload goes to…
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In the category for best misuse of hydraulics, this car definitely takes the trophy. There were a couple of honorable mentions but nothing quite as extreme as this example. The S10 with the 30-degree starboard list might…
Cornell University X-Prize team to base their car on a Geo Metro
One of the teams entered in the Automotive X-Prize is from Cornell University and they have selected an unexpected car which they will use as their test platform. In order to meet the goal of 100 mpg gasoline equivalent, team members have decided to…
e-Mobility Italy: electric drive Smarts get a taste for pasta
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Daimler is expanding the e-mobility test program that will launch in Berlin in 2009 to Italy. 100 Smart ForTwo ED models will go into service in Rome, Milan and Italy in 2010. Italian power provider Enel will…
A123 Systems gets $12.5 million PHEV battery deal from USABC
A123 Systems has just earned yet another development contract for developing lithium ion cells for plug-in hybrid applications. The US Advanced Battery Consortium and the Department of Energy have awarded a $12.5 million, 36 month contract to A123.…
A123 Systems Q2 loss grows, spins off grid battery venture, drops Chrysler
A123 Systems had a tough second quarter with an increased loss and the loss of potential business with Chrysler. A123 had been named by Chrysler as its electric vehicle battery supplier early in 2009. Unfortunately, Chrysler's ENVI division was…
Toyota gets Japanese approval for PHEV Prius road tests
Even though Toyota has been unenthusiastic about efforts by American owners to convert Priuses to plug-in capability, they have been working on PHEVs internally. They've now received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and…
Quick Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid, two-mode goes German
Click above for a high res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid
An hour after Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new ML450 hybrid at the New York Auto Show, we got to take our first quick drive in the first German version of a two-mode hybrid.…
LA 2009: BMW prices the ActiveHybrid 7, starting at $103,125
The most powerful hybrid luxury sedans will be priced from $103,125
Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, December 2, 2009… BMW announced pricing today for the 2011 ActiveHybrid 7models during their North American debut at the Los Angeles International Auto…