Coming to every state in the US this year Good news for Volt fans Originally, GM did not intend to sell the Chevy Volt in most US states until late next year; however, the AP is reporting that GM now plans to sell the Volt in every US state some time this year. Additionally, GM is looking into ways to increase production while spreading the Volt’s technology into other vehicles.

When will such a hybrid be cost-effective? Coolest concept you’ll never drive? What’s not to like about the VW XL1 plug-in hybrid debuting in Qatar? 21 miles of EV range. Carbon fiber. A plug-in hybrid architecture that achieves 261 mpg. This is the kind of car that …

The most hyped car ever? Too much marketing, too much spin, too little leadership? Yesterday I read that some believe that GM’s new CEO Dan Akerson is too focused on marketing, rather than product – a tendency that has often plagued GM in the past. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it got me thinking about goals and leadership, especially in corporate America …

Can lithium drive US auto profits? Isn’t no battery or less battery the best? Alright, I’m a bit smitten with this idea of hydraulic hybrid cars right now. No need for foreign lithium. No need to worry about competing with the much more mature Asian battery manufacturing industry. No need to worry about state-owned Chinese auto companies and tens of billions in tax incentives. Besides, what could be wrong with cheap…

How does $4.00 gas sound? $4.00 gas in California heading into Summer? Today, gasoline prices average about $3.12 a gallon nationally, although my local gas in Southern California already tops $3.40. However, by Spring gas prices could reach as high as $3.75 according to the AP , which would put my local gas pump prices well over $4.00 per gallon. Overall, by Memorial Day the consensus seems to indicate that gas prices will fall somewhere…

Maybe late to EV production, but not patents Alternative vehicle technology patent filings on the rise According to the 2010 Innovation Report: Twelve Key Industries and Their States of Innovation by Thomson Reuters, automotive patent filings jumped significantly in 2010 compared to 2009, with patent filings in the alternative vehicle sector leading the …

Shoulda had a Volt? Did Toyota blow a big opportunity? When the Chevy Volt finally went on sale after years of marketing, the folks over at LeaseTrader.com expected a number of Toyota Prius lessees to inquire about turning in their Prius leases in order to pursue a Chevy Volt purchase or lease. Well, that early Volt marketing worked…

Innovation doesn't come without risks What did you expect, overnight success stories? Overall EV startups haved failed to live up to their promises according to Cars.com . Almost every EV maker thus far has over-promised and under-delivered, often missing numerous launch dates, running out of cash, etc. Yet, most are…

Is Congress just a bunch of pig farmers? Does the GOP have an energy vision for 2020? Last night I caught an episode of Dead Man Walking, the new AMC series. Just before the Centers for Disease Control Atlanta headquarters was about to blow up because they had run out of oil, the last CDC scientist said something like ‘we still power our world…

Ugliest, smallest, smartest car ever. Or is it the idiots that don’t get it? How ugly is the Murray T.27  electric car? Just look for yourself. It’s so small it could fit in the back of most American vehicles, yet it might be the smartest vehicle idea on the planet. Seriously, what do Americans really achieve with the cars we purchase? One of richest …

On board information, telematics are key emerging trends in the auto industry. Focusing on mega trends One of the top industries for embracing technological change is telecommunications, and new GM CEO Dan Akerson is using his experience at Nextel and MCI Communications to bring such a focus to the auto industry. Consequently, Chairman Thomas Stephens has been named global chief technology officer. In that role Stephens will …

Working a rare earth deal? Analysts expect prices to rise Is China using its rare earth dominance to hurt other countries? Does it matter? The fact is China is quickly nationalizing its rare earth industry as it cuts exports and raises export taxes, and analysts claim this new nationalization move will only increase prices for these rare earths even more. “Prices will …