Los Angeles Auto Show: a frenzy of EV action

[wtmusic]

LA 2009 was a disappointment with Nissan a no-show, Chevy demoing an untouchable shell for the Volt, and most others automakers trotting out million-dollar fuel cell prototypes. But stellar preliminary reviews of the Nissan Leaf have perhaps done some asskicking for 2010. Some good news to report, for a change:

LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

"Proudly "Powered by Tesla," the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley's electric cars. As we've known, Tesla's role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain – including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software – for Toyota's popular CUV."

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/la-2010-toyota-rav4-ev-powered-by-tesla-hits-the-stage/

LA 2010: Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby now likes electric cars, because he's driven one

"Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby has never been the biggest fan of electric vehicles (EVs), having said in the past that mainstream affordability and widespread readiness are many years away. Speaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, Jacoby sounded a slightly different tune – for a while."

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/la-2010-volvo-ceo-stefan-jacoby-now-likes-electric-cars-becaus/

LA 2010: Honda debuts Fit EV concept, production version coming in 2012

"We were a bit miffed at the Paris Motor Show this year when Honda debuted its Fit Jazz Hybrid and told us there were no plans to bring it to the United States. Bigger plans were in the works, however, and we've now caught our first glimpse of the Fit EV concept on display at this year's LA Auto Show.

Visually, the Fit EV doesn't stray too far from the design language we've come to know from the gasoline-powered hatchback, albeit with a few concept-y touches thrown in for good measure. Interior refinement is standard-grade Fit spec, as well, with a modified gauge cluster showing battery and efficiency information."

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/honda-debuts-fit-ev-concept-production-version-coming/

[pscot]

1. They have the look

but where's the beef? They've been playing around with this stuff for a century. Maybe it just costs too much.

[wtmusic]

2. 8.2/10

"The Basics

"The 2011 Nissan Leaf is the first production electric car to be sold by a major automaker in more than 80 years. It has a striking design that's every bit as groundbreaking and modern as the 2004 Toyota Prius hybrid was in its day; it's easy to drive; seats four people comfortably and five adequately; and is priced quite aggressively, considering its pioneering nature.

Unlike the range-extended electric 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Leaf is a pure battery electric vehicle. It is powered solely by grid electricity, which charges its 24-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack."

http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1050751_2011-nissan-leaf

On the road next month.

[pscot]

3. Very elegant

but can they put 50 million of them on the road? And how soon will that happen? We're under a bit of a time constraint what with peak oil, melting ice and climate change and all.

[Eddie Haskell]

4. Fit owner

The Fit is the most versatile vehicle I've ever owned. I'm not crazy about the dash, but the utilization of space is the best available.

6'-8" and comfortable