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Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge

No Volt For Under $30k (Probably, That Is)

You may have read our story the other day about an electric car from GM, possibly the Volt, that was supposed to available for under $30,000 and before 2010. Well, we hate to be the party poopers, but it isn't going to happen, at least not without Congress's help.

AutoblogGreen reports that to make the car "less financially painful" for the automaker and the customer, a tax break from Congress would be needed. Ideally, the tax break would need to be about $7,000. There has been a debate for a while to make a tax credit for plug in hybrids, and just last week the House Of Representatives passed a plug in hybrid tax credit bill, but the White House is expected to veto. Hopefully, something will happen when there is a new President next year.


Link: AutoblogGreen

Car Profile: Triac (Highway Capable For Under $20k)

This is the first time we are talking about the Triac here at Electric Cars Now!. The Triac, pictured above, is a three wheeled electric car. Although it classifies as a motorcycle, you do not a special license, a class C drivers license will do.

The car is highway capable and is able to reach speeds of up to 80 m.p.h. and can go up to 100 miles per charge, more than enough for daily driving. The car will also take 5 hours to charge. When it comes to safety, the Triac uses the same steel cage technology in race cars.

Finally, the price. This car will cost $19,995. Not $100,000, not even $50,000. Yes, a highway capable electric car for under 20 grand.

It will become available in July.

Link: Green Vehicles home page
Triac Spec Sheet

UPDATE #2: RAV4 On eBay Goes For Over $89,000

We brought you this story the other day about an all electric Toyota RAV4 up for sale on eBay. Other RAV4's have sold for almost $70,000, so this one could be a new record. The car had 30 bidders with 55 total bids. The final price the car sold for was $89,200. AutoblogGreen theorizes that it sold for so high because of the included wall mounted charger, new spare tires, or maybe $4 a gallon gas. Find the link to the final eBay page below.

UPDATE: The winner of this auction has withdrawn their bid. AutoblogGreen has this quote from the bidder:

"I am sorry about the bid my husband placed on this item. He thought he retraced it but I guess he didn't. He has a brain tumor and can't see real well. Could you please offer this item to the next highest bidder? Thank you for understanding."

Just so you know, there is another RAV4 EV up for sale on eBay. At the time this post was updated, it was currently at $51,100.



Link: eBay via AutoblogGreen

Chevy Volt To Be Under $30,000 By 2010?

Forbes is reporting that:

General Motors Corp. aims to start selling electric cars for less than $30,000 each by 2010, earlier than planned, chief executive Rick Wagoner told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in an interview.

AutoblogGreen points out that this might not be talking about the Volt. Although it is possible it is, GM is also planning to release a plug-in version of their Saturn branded VUE, a small SUV. It is unclear which car is meant.

Link: Forbes via AutoblogGreen

AMP Vehicles Making the Saturn Sky Electric

Advanced Mechanical Products, also known as AMP, will convert the Saturn Sky sports convertible to all electric power. They are currently taking pre-orders for the 300 cars they will produce. The total price of the car and conversion will come to about $50,000. The car will be able to go 150 miles per charge, at a max speed of 90 m.p.h. It will also be able to go zero to sixty in under six seconds.

AutoblogGreen also reports that AMP has plans to convert a Saturn SUV and Saturn sedan to all electric power.



Link: AMP via AutoblogGreen

14 Year Old Goes Way Above And Beyond To Support Electric Cars

Hopefully you have seen the film "Who Killed The Electric Car?" or at least read our page about it. Well, 14 year old Liza Stoner from Minneapolis was influenced by the film to do something extraordinary. This summer, she will bike from her home to Washington D.C. to deliver a petition calling for Congress to take action.

Her ride is supported by the Fellowship for Renewal, which "supports youth led initiatives and young activists who aim to inspire a call to action by creating awareness and understanding of environmental and social injustices through extraordinary physical endeavors." She has a petition you can sign to support her, and a website about her adventure, both can be found on the links below.

Liza, you have a 100% support from Electric Cars Now! Good Luck!


Links: Petition
Ride For Renewal via AutoblogGreen

Get Your Electric Car On eBay!

Up for sale today on eBay, the site were you auction off anything you want, is the all electric Toyota Rav4 EV. As of 6:43 P.M Pacific standard time on May 19, 2008, the car is at a $26,000 so far, but with six days left, it could go higher. The 2001 model EV has under 50,000 miles on the batteries. The home charger and 2 new tires are included.

As you know by reading the "Who Killed The Electric Car?" page of our site, many EV's were crushed. The ones crushed were by GM, not Toyota.


Link: eBay Motors via AutoblogGreen

New Subscription Service!

Electric Cars Now! is proud to announce our new subscription service. Are you too busy to check Electric Cars Now! regularly? Why not have the stories we publish sent to your inbox? With our new subscription service, you can! When you sign up for free, we will send you the latest news stories as soon as we publish them. Click the subscription link on any page to sign up.

Chevy Volt Is Meeting Expectations

The Chevy Volt, which we have talked about before, has been meeting or exceeding the battery range GM wants it to, or 40 miles per charge. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz says:

It is reliably meeting its objectives. Even with a rough calibration, even with the wrong drive unit, the wrong body, etc. etc., it has been hitting its 40 miles on electric power.

The article, from GM-Volt.com, says that Lutz is more confident in the November 2010 deadline they have for the Volt to be in showrooms. The full article can be found below.


Link: GM-Volt