Have We Found A Better Place?

Project Better Place has been hard at work developing a variant on the Electric Vehicle Vehicle debate. Project Better Place, founder and Chief Executive Shai Agassi, indicates that the company is set to launch it's swappable-battery electric car program in 2010.

Project Better Place has designed a radically different "infrastructure" for purchasing and driving there vehicles, a system in which the company would install charging and battery swap stations. At the swapping stations drivers would be able to put in fully rechargeable lithium ion batteries in the same amount of time that it would take to fill up a gasoline powered vehicle.

But that's not all folks, Project Better Place business model revolutionizes the concept of purchasing a vehicle from Project Better Place, with Project Better Place you pay much like you do when utilizing a cell phone. From the Better Place Website: "Think of it like this: we pay mobile providers for minute-by-minute access to cell towers connected together in cellular networks. Truth is, we pay comparatively little - or next to nothing - for the phones themselves. After all, what you're really buying is air time, not a box with buttons. The same model works for transportation. Just replace the phone with an electric car, replace the cell towers with battery recharge stations, and replace the cellular networks with an electric grid. Now you're buying miles, not minutes."

The drivers of there vehicles would be paying for access to a network of charging spots and conveniently located battery exchange stations powered by renewable energy. Drivers would pay for the miles that they drive and would be made to be more affordable, even free in some markets, this would be accomplished by financial and environmental incentives to add drivers into the network. Project Better Place would operate the electric recharge grid that brings everything together.

The project is getting major backing from the Israeli government and has a alliance with Renault-Nissan that is developing the vehicle and the battery system and will invest $500 Million to $1 Billion dollars in the project over the next couple of years. The initiative has also raised another $200 Million in venture backing and has begun work on recharging networks in Israeli and Denmark. In addition Australia, Canada, California and Hawaii have committed to developing the infrastructure necessary to have the network available for consumers in those area's (Note to Better Place, on your website you indicate that California and Hawaii are countries, they are not, merely states within the USA).

I find that the effort is revolutionary, it will be interesting to follow the progress of this noble effort, some in the business and auto community are not giving the project much hope, however I am going to step back and examine the business model. If the company can sustain itself and find enough customers it may get some legs provided that the cost to operate does not shut out large numbers of consumers. I have not been able to find information to make an appropriate judgement until I can review those reports I will reserve judgement on it's success or failure.

I will say this, you will certainly have a lot of people thinking particularly if you can lower or meet the needs and demands of hungry consumers to go green and sustain a business model that does not require large chunks of up front money to spend on automobiles. I have a lot of questions that I want answered and I will report back when fully researched.

Enjoy Today!

That Car Guy

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Nissan unviels EV-01 Electric Vehicle...

Yokosuka, Japan-

Nissan unveiled its new EV-01 electric vehicle to the public today, that they say delivers more power than a typical hybrid that is found today. The new vehicle that is being prepared to be sold by 2010 produces it's power with 600 pounds (300 kilogram) of lithium-ion batteries.
Nissan has not proved test data like cruising range and other data.

Nissan along with its partner Renault SA, has stated that it is partnering with the Portuguese Government to sell electric vehicles in the country by 2011, in addition Nissan also announced it has other deals with a Palo Alto, California company A Better Place to market electric vehicles in Israel and Denmark by 2011.

Nissan promises to have the vehicle on sale in Japan and the U.S. by 2010 and globally by 2012. Nissan has been slow to the marketplace with its electric vehicle program and is playing catch up with rivals Toyota and Honda, in addition to entries from Ford and GM.

The vehicle has some unique features such as a side collision prevention feature that uses sensors to detect oncoming vehicles even in blind spots and will warn drivers when switching lanes. The driver will feel a slight tug on the wheels that is carried out with very light braking through the wheels, said Nissan Senior Manager Junichi Kobayashi.

More to come.

Enjoy Today!

Kevin Kimbrough
That Car Guy

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Nissan Pivo 2 Concept...

Nissan plans electric cars in Portugal
Carmaker, government link up to form charging network

Portugal’s Prime Minister Jose Socrates, 2nd right, and Nissan’s Vice President Carlos Tavares, right, look at a model of Nissan’s concept electric vehicle Pivo 2, in Lisbon.

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TOKYO - Automakers Nissan and Renault will sell electric vehicles in Portugal in 2011 and the allied companies have partnered with the government in an attempt to create a national network of charging stations.
Nissan has said it will sell electric cars globally in 2012, but the technology is still being developed. On Wednesday, Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of the French and Japanese automakers, and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said they would work together to raise awareness about the vehicles and try to make them easier to fuel.
Nissan has aggressively pursued deals with cities and governments on electric vehicles, as soaring gas prices and worries about global warming make the green technology more appealing.

Tokyo-based Nissan Motor Co. and partner Renault SA have previously announced deals with Project Better Place, based in Palo Alto, Calif., which promotes electric vehicles, to mass market electric vehicles in Israel and Denmark in 2011.
While other car manufacturers concentrate on fuel cells and hybrids, Nissan is going all out on electric vehicles, promising to sell them globally in 2012, with the first models arriving in Japan and the U.S. in 2010.
“We are feeling more strongly than ever that we must speed up our development of electric vehicles,” said Nissan Senior Vice President Minoru Shinohara.
Nissan is also in talks with parking lot and railway companies to set up recharging stations, he told The Associated Press at the company’s Tokyo headquarters Wednesday.
The lack of charging stations has made electric cars impractical in the broader market. Skeptics say electric vehicles will stay niche for some time.
Combined with high costs and other technological hurdles, electric vehicles for the broader public are still experimental.
Proponents say tax breaks, preferential highways lanes and other incentives would boost the appeal.
“It’s still a very new technology and so much remains to be seen,” said Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co. “It’s unlikely people are suddenly going to switch in big numbers from gas-engine vehicles.”
Portugal is a global leader in promoting renewable energy, including wind and solar power.
“This agreement with Renault-Nissan will place Portugal also on the front line in terms of sustainable mobility with zero-emission vehicles,” Socrates said. “Promoting electric cars in Portugal will reduce our dependence on imported oil and will contribute to a cleaner environment.”
Shinohara said Japanese urbanites drive about 12 miles a day — so the limited range of electric vehicles isn’t a problem for daily grocery shopping and other errands.
Nissan has not yet given details of the electric vehicle it has in the works.
Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes Subaru cars, and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. plan to offer electric vehicles in Japan next year. Mitsubishi’s electric vehicle travels 99 miles on a single charge, while Subaru’s goes 50 miles.
Mitsubishi plans to sell its electric vehicle in Europe in 2010, while tests are planned for the U.S. for 2009. Subaru has not decided on overseas sales plans for its electric vehicle.
More on this story
Toyota to add solar panels to Prius hybrids
Masahiko Otsuka, president of Automotive Energy Supply Corp., a joint venture between Nissan and Japanese electronics maker NEC Corp. to produce batteries for electric vehicles, said Nissan has a history dating back to 1992 of testing lithium-ion batteries for cars.
Lithium-ion batteries are now more common in laptops and other gadgets but can pack more power than the kind of batteries in the gas-electric hybrids made by Toyota Motor Corp.
All major automakers are pushing new technology.
Honda Motor Co. is leasing a fuel-cell vehicle in California which emits only water.
U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. is developing an electric vehicle called the Chevrolet Volt, which it hopes to launch in 2010. Ford Motor Co. has a demonstration fleet of 20 plug-ins.

*Courtesy Armando Franco/AP

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And the Battle begins... Nissan GT-R vs. Corvette Z06...

*2009 Nissan GTR

*2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Nissan GT-R vs. Corvette Z06
By KRISTIAN ALEXIS

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In the same way that The Beatles needed The Stones, 50 Cent needed Kanye and Larry Bird needed Magic, a healthy competition between powerhouses of an equal echelon can increase ratings, fan statistics and sales on both sides of the fence, while motivating each to bring their A-game. With so much capital potential presented, it's no wonder why the benefits of a friendly rivalry have filtered into the JDM and Domestic supercar classes, none with more hype than Nissan's Godzilla GT-R and GM's giant Chevy Corvette Z06.The Nissan GT-R's anticipatory buzz is at a record high with its slated release steadily approaching. The Chevy Corvette, with its popular styling and bold performance, has been core to the American car canvass for 55 years and only continues this well-worn tradition in '08 with the advanced Z06. Whether your allegiance is sworn to hot imports or stateside rides, surely you can appreciate the wrench time put into both efforts.The score at the end of six categories is all that separates these powerhouses in this car vs. car between the 2009 Nissan GT-R and the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

See 2009 Nissan GTR Photos
Nissan GT-RMSRP (base): $69,850Engine: 3.8-liter, 32-valve, V38, V6Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6,400 rpmTorque: 434 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpmMPG: City: 15; Highway: 21Performance - 19/20The Nissan GT-R is arranged atop a broadened aluminum deck, attributing much of its cornering capability to its 109.4 inch girth. Suspension guru, Bilstein, provides the five-link, independent configuration known as DampTronic, aided by an ECU governed stability control. Solely offered in AWD trim, the GT-R ride is as smooth as glass, utilizing the ATTESA ET-S (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Electronic Torque Split). The run-flat RE070A rubber was made possible by Bridgestone and the award-winning stopping package is a product of Brembo's innovation.Cited as being one of the most unconventional engine displays, the twin-turbine with an intercooler, 3.8-liter, 32-valve, V38, V6 block with plasma sealing may very well induce shallow breathing and rubbery knees. The 'tween- sized aluminum motor allows for 480 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, with 434 lb-ft of torque from a well-spread 3,200 rpm to 5,200 rpm. With the hammer down the GT-R owns the drag strip, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, an 11.7 second quarter mile and a max speed of 193 mph. The beastly coupe is harnessed by a Borg Warner, six-plate, dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic gearbox and its correlating magnesium paddle shifters that make the transmission on the Nissan GT-R unlike any you've ever experienced before.Exterior - 17/20The design appeal of the modern Nissan GT-R lies in its pressingly aggressive stature and needle-sharp detailing. Initially designated as a concept rendition at the Tokyo Auto Show (in 2006), much of that sketch has found its way onto the final assembly lines. Die-cast aluminum composite is found from the returning crimson GT-R badge to the hood, doors, rear deck spoiler, and trunk lid , while much of the bumpers are crafted with polypropylene plastic to grate the excess weight off the mass index. The blacked-out grille, acute headlamps and stout, raised fenders only add to the ominous effect that the Nissan GT-R emits. The "battle god of Japan" also features its signature quad-tail afterburners and four orbed taillights.

See 2009 Nissan GTR Photos
Interior - 8/10The Nissan GT-R's cabin is cavernous and offers ample room for maneuvering, save for the rear split bench that can only comply with children or mid-sized adults at best. The spongy, yet firm, bolstered cowhide upholstery is a welcome amenity and is aggressively accented by the polished aluminum sport trim. Being sure not to abandon functionality, the pilot's chair is adorned with an inconspicuous inclined curvature, strategically located nigh the small of the back for pronounced rigidity with a bit of give in harsh turns. The dials on the operator-friendly HUD are brilliant in both color and dimension, and lend visual pop to the Nissan GT-R's cockpit. The center meters were a collaborative effort put forth by Nissan and Polyphony Digital, a name easily recognized by gamers worldwide as the source behind PlayStation's simulation series, Gran Turismo. Resembling a virtual information paradise, the electronic gauges are the most comprehensive we've seen in some time; displaying engine coolant temperature, oil temperature, oil pressure, transmission oil pressure, turbo boost psi, torque split, throttle position, steering angle, and longitudinal/lateral G-force. There is also a data library that tracks and updates in real time to keep the driver well informed.Sound system/goodies - 6/10As if the outstanding engine output wasn't entertaining enough, even supercars come with an exuberant scroll of multimedia bells and whistles attached. The GT-R appeases all with its lightning quick and responsive CARWINGS navigation system for its Japanese market and a slightly less capable interpretation of the system stateside. Both appeal to the techie in all of us with a paramount 30 GB hard disk drive, showcasing a simple-to-manage touch pad in addendum to more traditional navigational switches. The monitor interface is uber versatile and not only suits your directional demands, but also makes the most of a separate Music Box hard drive, six-disc, in-dash CD changer, DVD player and hands-free Bluetooth 2 audio technology. Nissan will utilize an accolade-worthy, premium Bose sound system, with two forward-facing sub woofers gracing the rear center armrest in junction with conventional door speakers -- 11 in total. All speakers are mounted in aluminum die-cast pods and provide the enriched quality expected of the brand.Bang for your buck - 19/20The Nissan GT-R was employed to recapture the supercar title and to readily quench the North American arena's thirst for the celebrated "Skyline." With a fuel consumption rate of 15 city mpg and 21 highway, and the underhood savvy to out-motor the Ferrari 430, Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Gallardo, the $70,000 asking sticker is a steal.Driving experience - 18/20The GT-R delivers the race-bred technology and styling of a ride far more exotic than a JDM, while maintaining the long trek agreeability of the Altimas and Maximas of the Nissan catalog. Not to mention you'll be driving a GT-R ... an actual GT-R. For any gearhead, that alone is the best part of the experience.Overall score - 87/100The engineers have really nurtured what was once a concept model from blueprint to assembly line as the Nissan GT-R collects.

See 2008 Corvette Z06 Photos
Chevrolet Corvette Z06MSRP (base): $71,386Engine: 7.0-liter, 32-valve LS7 V8Horsepower: 505 hp @ 6,200 rpmTorque: 475 lb-ft @ 6,300 rpmMPG: City: 16; Highway: 22Performance - 18/20The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 adds a degree of separation from the entry tier C6 by being structured around an amended hydro-formed aluminum base, and is exclusively outfitted in a RWD format. The 106-inch wheelbase remains a staple from all other Corvette trims, as does the short-long arm suspension and transverse leaf spring blueprint. Lending assistance to the already pillow-esque dampers and abundant rolling stock is the cross-perforated, four-wheel disc brake setup, complete with Delphi four-channel ABS. An air of race influence is derived from the naturally aspirated, 7.0-liter, 32-valve, LS7, small block V8, with dry sump oil lubrication and employs AE44 magnesium alloy in the engine cradle. A hearty 505 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 475 lb-ft of torque is the result of the engine's 427 cubic-inch geometry. Intended as a slightly diluted variant of the C6.R, with a wide-open throttle you'll see upwards of 195 mph, a sub 12-second quarter mile, and 0-60 mph in 3.7 ticks. A limited slip differential accompanies the six-speed manual transmission.Exterior - 17/20The body paneling of the all new Corvette Z06 was meticulously sculpted, with every component deliberately intended to improve the aerodynamics by transferring air more efficiently and minimizing lift. Resting atop the 10-spoke wheels is an extended front fascia with a widened grille, a splitter surfacing the bottom and "Gurney lips," which create an absurd amount of downforce. Preventing the engine from getting too balmy, a larger cold-air hood scoop was implemented to accommodate the air input system. A fixed-roof body was integrated to supplement rigidity, as the capacious rear flared fenders and brake cooling scoop aft of the wheels are elemental in aiding the coupe's symmetry. Rounding out the order is the taller, "shopping cart" spoiler that adds to the wind-splitting effect, but may throw some consumers off.

See 2008 Corvette Z06 Photos
Interior - 5/10The cockpit of the Corvette Z06 is the setting for a considerable amount of noticeable advancements. Although interior options may seem slim and few when involving the somewhat confined format of a two seater, Chevy has made a valiant charge at extending comfort and convenience. In accordance with its aim for graduated performance and to the dismay of many, engineers did have to order a few components to the chopping block. The sacrifices included bold, fixed, side- bolstered seating, as opposed to the adjustable variants found on rival models. The snug and stalwart, two-tone bucket seats are race inspired, weighing less than standard Corvette seats with the Z06 badge emblazoned in contrasting stitching onto the suede surfacing. Ensuring that your wingman gets a workout, the electronic passenger chair's controls were scrapped in favor of manual cranking, to skim the weight of a power-adjust mechanism. The HUD has a revised gauge cluster with a "track mode" option, providing accurate readouts of the (dry sump) oil pressure and lateral G's achieved. There is a new three-spoke steering wheel, shrunken in diameter for nimble agility, and a reworked acoustic package for more audible in-car feedback of the powertrain.Sound system/goodies - 4/10When cross referencing the checklist of in-class media options, the Corvette Z06 seems primitive and, at best, dismally basic. It too incorporates a Bose audio system and an in-dash, six-disc CD changer, and although it claims to support most media, the Z06 struggles to scan MP3 codes and isn't nearly as refined, complete or sophisticated as the system found in the Nissan GT-R. The navigation module isn't compatible with Bluetooth, but the available OnStar GPS is equipped with a phone service and a Homelink setup, but almost as if it recognizes you're piloting a punchy supercar, the estimated arrival times can seem too expectant of some serious driving. Just shy of being a handicap, there is no easily feasible way to set multiple destinations. Other bonuses include heated seats, side air bags and a telescoping steering wheel.Bang for your buck - 16/20The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the fastest and most powerful offering from GM, and it has one of the most devout enthusiast followings to ever come out of Detroit. What it lacks in its marginal cache of electronics, it makes up for in kinetics. An EPA of 16 city and 22 highway aren't exactly-wallet friendly figures, but $71,000 is an acceptable MSRP.

Driving experience - 15/20While the Corvette Z06 can certainly handle motoring from city to country all in the same outing, the mass of audible noise reverberation is excessive and can be annoying on extensive roams. What you're getting here is an all-American drive in an all-American car that will continue to be popular no matter what GM does.Overall score- 75/100The outstanding credentials of the Corvette Z06 are not to be ignored. With minimal quirks, Chevrolet reached a new tier when they created this true American supercar.And the Winner Is ...The Chevy Corvette Z06 has some major grunt and is poised to be a sure hit with domestic and import connoisseurs alike, but falls shy of besting the GT-R on the whole. And really, when we think about it; even a Lambo would pale in comparison to the much-coveted Nissan GT-R right now

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