David @ the Hybrid Car Show

GM Volt: Dream Car or Road to Bankruptcy?

Though I love the interior, I'm not too keen on the exterior styling of the production Volt. I preferred the "tougher" more angular look of the concept car. I believe GM made the change for aerodynamic/fuel economy reasons, but this car needs to make a statement, inside and out. Maybe just me.

GM Volt video player at www.hybrid-car-show.co...

Are Hybrid Vehicles Worth the Price?

Consumer Reports has a new analysis as well (link below). According to CR the Toyota Camry was on top for cost savings. The Saturn Vue scored well also.

Click Here for Link to full article:

www.hybrid-car-show.co...

General Motors: The Next Delisting from the Dow?

Not so fast. Plug-in hybrid development on the Volt is getting into full swing, and this time the suits at GM are serious. They've been laying the groundwork for what looks to be like a potential marketing monsoon. The Volt may be featured in the next Transformers movie. (If you want to sell a car - put it in the movies.)

Video interview with Chevy Volt developer Frank Weber at:

www.hybrid-car-show.co...

Ethanol: Our Answer to Reducing U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

Our energy and tax policy does not help. Preferential U.S. regulatory and tax treatment of ethanol automotive fuels introduces complexities beyond its energy economics alone. North American automakers promote a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, marketed as E85, via their flex-fuel vehicles, e.g. GM's "Live Green, Go Yellow" campaign. The motivation is the nature of U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which give an effective 54% fuel efficiency bonus (which is patently untrue) to vehicles capable of running on 85% alcohol blends over vehicles not adapted to run on 85% alcohol blends.

Will GM's Volt Change History?

Interview with Chevy Volt's Frank Weber (Volt developer) at:

www.hybrid-car-show.co...

Do We Need an Alternative Energy 'Manhattan Project'?

For any interested, I'll send a copy of King Hubbert's original paper which he presented to the American Petroleum Institute in March, 1956 - cited as the origins of peak oil theory. I know this crowd understands the theory, but it's inspiring to read the original -from a man who will go down as true visionary. Just send me an email at:

www.hybrid-car-show.co...

The Electric Car Battery Battle

By the way if you want to hear Carlos Ghosn's comments about Peak Oil and how Nissan is "preparing for the worst"...

www.hybrid-car-show.co...

Oil, Gas, Electric Cars, the Market and the Economy

Hey Jim - How about an update on EEStor / Zenn now that EEStor has recently passed some 3rd party testing? Also the EEStor CEO (former IBM'er) has made some publicly optimistic lately - not his usual style.

David at www.hybrid-car-show.co.../

Slow Start for Lithium-ion Hybrids

Hey Jim - enjoying your articles - and would appreciate one on Zenn Motors - due to their being their being the only way to indirectly invest in EEStor.

David at www.hybrid-car-show.co.../

EEStor Advanced Capacitor Best Use in A Hybrid Car

Great analysis - just one question. Why not invest in Zenn Motors? - as you seem to know, Zenn has a small stake in EEStor - and is the only way for individual investors to participate in the profits.

David at www.hybrid-car-show.co.../

The Electric Car Battery Battle

Jim - great article. “If the people will lead,” somebody once said, “leaders will follow.” Nowhere has that been more true than in the U.S. auto market. CEO Carlos Ghosn seems intent on verifying this truth when he explained why his company now aims to be the first to bring an electric vehicle to U.S. auto showrooms: “What we are seeing is that the shifts coming from the markets are more powerful than what regulators are doing…”

As recently as 2005, Ghosn called battery-powered cars “niche products.”