Plug-in hybrids: All about the Benjamins All about driving needs and tax credits As the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid heads to market and the Chevy Volt continues to ramp up production, these two plug-in hybrids will begin to face ever greater competition. But is one of these plug-in hybrids obviously better than the other? More…

Revenge of the steam engine? If E-Cat is real, the world turns upside down Over the last few months the E-Cat or Energy Catalyzer story has really started to heat up, which shouldn’t be surprising since E-Cat promises to change the world in ways that will revolutionize life as we know it. OPEC, the electric grid, wind…

Despite its mild hybrid credentials, the Malibu eAssist could electrify 2012 With the help of Fortune Fortune Magazine has offered up its Most Anticipated Cars of 2012 list which includes a number of hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles, including the Ford C-Max, Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, as well as the BMW 3 and the Chevy Malibu — both of …

If the Silverado hybrid can't buzz, can adding a plug help? So why aren’t major automakers on board? Bob Lutz. What a guy. Almost 80 years old and still consulting for GM, Lotus and now VIA, an EV retrofitter based in Utah that currently has a contract with GM to convert a small fleet of pick-up trucks into plug-in hybrid pick-ups. I sure hope I have that much energy …

All about the carpool lane Prius plug-in suggests plug-ins still far away from mainstreaming In my opinion, the Toyota Prius plug-in is easily the smartest plug-in thus far, at least before tax credits. After federal tax credits, such a call is a little tougher to make. But, the government can’t subsidize plug-ins forever, or …

The MG6, an SAIC-owned product. Will scale, cheaper labor costs, and subsidies make it impossible for US manufacturers to compete? Since the Solyndra bankruptcy, I’ve paid a good bit of attention to the solar space, and it’s ugly right now. Certainly, the economic slowdown contributed to this cloudy situation, but the main solar storm is still brewing in China. And the new partnership between GM and Chinese-based SAIC to develop …

The most cost-effective plug-in still might not be realistic Is the goal plug-in market penetration or something else? Toyota. Loved by many for its reliable practicality, yet hated by others for the very same reasons. Yes, many also hate Toyota because it’s a foreign company, even though most Toyota’s are actually more American than many so-called American vehicles, but that’s a whole different animal…

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class E-cell Plus plug-in hybrid Might Nissan consider plug-in hybrids? Daimler is set to share its Merecedes-Benz MFA small car platform with its alliance partner Renault-Nissan for a new B-class Infiniti crossover that is due out in 2014 according to AutoWeek. Interestingly, that’s the…

Wipeout: A wagon, seriously? Surf catches the wrong wave Fisker is one of those companies that offers a feel good story that is a little hard to feel too good about. It’s just hard to believe that Fisker’s luxury plug-in vehicles are going to eventually translate into something that benefits mainstream consumers — something that should …

The Mercedes Benz vision for 2025 luxury Mercedes-Benz F125! plug-in fuel cell hybrid introduces many futuristic technologies By 2025 ICE-vehicles will still dominate auto sales according to every forecast available; however, alternative technologies should begin establishing a serious foothold in the mainstream market. While hybrid cars — still powered by ICE – will …

Mazda 6 hybrid expected in 2013 At least for niche automakers As Mazda heads into the future, a future that will require greater fuel economy and less CO2 emissions, advanced engine technologies, reduced weight and “driving dynamics” — the keys to Skyactiv — will be the focus of the company rather than hybrid and plug-in cars. …

Profitable by when without Chinese sales? Would a Chinese shift to hybrids slash plug-in forecasts and crush suppliers? Here in my home state of California, a few solar companies are hot. Unfortunately, the hottest companies don’t produce solar technologies. Instead, they lease them to homeowners and businesses. Sounds great, except that many …