Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Etc., Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials
Since it was announced that the highly quotable Bob Lutz would be departing from his General Motors management spotlight, automotive bloggers and reporters everywhere have been mourning the loss of an executive with such an exquisite way with words. Now it appears that the pining may have been premature, thanks to the emergence of another top management type with the brass, it seems, to freely speak his mind in public.
In a new interview with Yahoo! Tech Ticker’s Sarah Lacy, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was asked what he thought of an earlier New York Times piece that voiced opposition to a government loan for the electric car maker. With a huge smile indicating his delight in the opportunity to speak about the issue, Musk announced that “Randy Stross is a huge douchebag”. After a brief pause he added, “…and an idiot.” Take that, Mr. Fancy Pants reporter guy!
In the course of the interview, Musk goes on to explain exactly how he felt the writer in question cherry-picked from the facts to make a case for Department of Energy loan denial, going on to vigorously defend the Tesla business model. In the conversation that followed the opening barrage, it was very interesting to note the certitude expressed by Elon that Tesla Motors would receive the low interest loan requested from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program. Noting that his company is a “perfect fit” for ATVM funds, he states, “The odds of us getting that money ($350 million) are 99 percent…” alluding to assurances given in private meetings, Musk suggested the funds are coming and coming soon. Hit the jump for the entertaining and informative video.
Gallery: Tesla Model S
[Source: Tech Ticker via Tesla Motors Club]
Continue reading VIDEO: Tesla CEO 99 percent sure of DOE loan, calls NYT writer “a huge douchebag”
VIDEO: Tesla CEO 99 percent sure of DOE loan, calls NYT writer “a huge douchebag” originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Green, Motorcycles
After months of teasing, Zero Motorcycles has finally lifted the veil from its all-electric supermoto for the streets and revealed a ride that’s well worth the wait. The Zero S shares some of the same styling cues as its off-road little brother, the Zero X, but with it’s highway-appropriate tires and “projector beam” headlight, it seems ready to deliver some serious asphalt action. With 31 horses and 62.5 lb-ft of torque instantly available, the clutchless one-speed “S” should take you up to its top 60 mph speed in no time. Its four kWh battery can keep you going for up to 60 miles, after which the integrated charger will allow you to do it all over again after plugging it in for less than four hours.
Zero Motorcycles is now accepting orders with deliveries beginning in early May. Buyers have the option of either putting down $1,000 now or writing a check for the full $9,950 purchase price. You can have it shipped straight to your door anywhere in the continental U.S. for $500, though international customers who wish to indulge in the Zero S experience may pay more. We can’t wait to get in the saddle of this machine ourselves but for now we’ll have to make due watching someone else enjoying electric “S” action in the video after the jump. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Gallery: Zero Motorcycles Zero S
[Source: Zero Motorcycles]
Continue reading Zero Motorcycles unveils the Zero S [w/Video]
Zero Motorcycles unveils the Zero S [w/Video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green
It’s been barely a week since the curtain was lifted on the Tesla Model S, and not only has its design received positive reviews, those sensuous lines have seduced 520 people to fork over some deposit cash for the new all-electric sedan. Tesla won’t say, however, how many people chose the standard version that requires a refundable deposit of $5,000 or one of the 2,000 Signature Edition models that requires a $40,000 deposit.
Initial sales of the Model S have exceeded Tesla’s expectations and are quite a feat considering the economic times, plus the fact that these cars are still a few years away from being delivered. The real test of the S’s ability to beguile may come tonight as the all-electric sedan makes its East Coast debut. With the company attempting to secure a $350 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program for a plant in which to build the Model S, the car will begin a string of appearances on the right side of the country with a showing at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Tesla also has good Roadster news. Production of the two-seater sports car continues to speed up and reached 104 units for the month of March. That gives the automaker a total of 170 Roadsters built for the first quarter of 2009 and about 320 altogether, in case you’re keeping track. Hit the jump for the press release and bonus videos of the Tesla Model S in action, as well as having its auto-extending door handles explained by CEO Elon Musk.
Gallery: Tesla Model S
Gallery: Tesla Model S: LIVE REVEAL
[Source: Tesla Motors]
Continue reading Tesla Model S gets over 500 reservations in first week
Tesla Model S gets over 500 reservations in first week originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Government/Legal, Green
In the message-appropriate setting of the Southern California Edison Electric Vehicle Technical Center, President Obama announced yesterday the availability of $2.4 billion to aid the development of plug-in cars and the infrastructure required to keep them charged. The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and is divided into 3 parts.
- $1.5 billion for U.S.-based manufacturers to produce batteries and components
- $500 million to help produce other electric vehicle (EV) components such as electric motors
- $400 million to demonstrate and evaluate plug-in hybrids and other electric infrastructure concepts which could include charging stations, electric rail and training for technicians to build and repair EVs
The announcement was the center piece of a speech that focused on energy and the economy. The President stressed the need for more renewable sources for electricity and less dependence on imported oil, noting that the SUV of today gets worse mileage than the Model T of 100 years ago. While perhaps not the most even of vehicular match-ups, the point was subtextually made that gains in efficiency can be a source of prosperity. Hit the jump for video of the speech (in two parts) as well as the press release from the Department of Energy (DOE) about the announcement.
[Source: White House blog / DOE / YouTube, Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty ]
Continue reading President Obama announces $2.4 billion for electric vehicles
President Obama announces $2.4 billion for electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Green, Motorcycles
Mission Motors has just revealed its all-electric sport bike and the family-friendly version of our initial reaction goes something like, “Holy Mother of God and all that is good and decent!”, followed immediately by the sound of our jaws hitting the floor. After a couple of years of staying almost perfectly in stealth mode, the Mission One is being unveiled today at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference. The Yves Béhar-designed bike sets a new performance standard for electric two-wheelers with a top speed of 150 mph and an estimated range of 150 miles. Of course, the strength of an electric drivetrain is torque and the Mission One has 100 lb-ft of the stuff on offer from the first twist of the throttle up until 60 mph. When it makes its race debut at the TTXGP on June 12th, we suspect the other entries will be scrappin’ it out for second place.
To bring this amazing machine to market, Forrest North and his two co-founders, Edward West and Mason Cabot, have assembled a real dream team with incredible depth and experience and whose resumés list companies like Tesla Motors, Ducati and Google. The first 50 bikes produced will be a special Limited Edition model delivered in 2010 bearing a $68,995 price tag, while a standard, more affordable Mission One model will be announced this summer. If the goal of this company was to create a paradigm-busting object of desire, then we say, “Mission accomplished”. Mouth watering specs below and official press release after the break.
Gallery: Mission One EV sport bike
[Source: Mission Motors]
Continue reading Mission One EV sport bike unveiled – 150 MPH, 150-mile range
Mission One EV sport bike unveiled – 150 MPH, 150-mile range originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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