Chery, China’s biggest independent car manufacturer, has finally unleashed its first all-battery operated electric car, the S18 EV. The small four-door vehicle was shown as the battery-operated edition of the S18/QQ2 that was revealed at the 2008’s Beijing Auto show. Chery is the second car company in China to produce a full electric vehicle (BYD was the first).

The S18 Electric edition has a noted range of 150 km and holds a top speed of 120 km/h. It has an in-house design, and features batteries of lithium ion phosphate (LiFePO4). The charging time is for 4-6 hours and fast charging will supply 80% capacity in just 30 minutes. It also bears the 336 volt system that permits 40 Kw motor to take it up to the winding speed of an amazing 120 kph (75 mph).

Chery Auto’s deputy general manager Yuan Tao announced that the S18 EV made use of the world’s advanced technology and offers a very effective energy conservation mechanism.

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The US Department of Energy has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) worth $300 million for helping out the expansion of researches and practical use of alternative fueled engines and advanced technology vehicles.

The latest FOA has four areas of interest:
1. Refueling Infrastructure for alternative fuels
2. Additional costs of alternative fuel vehicles
3. Outreach an educational programs for reduction of petroleum fuels and technologies
4. Pilot Programs for Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles

The funding program may support up to 30 geographically distributed projects. The recipients may include local and state governments, and transportation administrations, provided that they are affiliated with a committed Clean Cities Coalition(s).

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Mini USA will lease 450 Mini E electric cars to successful applicants this year. However, the program, which was expected to kick off at the beginning of 2009, is delayed due the surge of about 1,800 new applicants.

The chosen candidates expect to get their 450 Mini E sometime this April. Thirty more vehicles will be allotted to the different cities and navies for a year, to see whether the Mini E will have a shot at the market. Ten vehicles will be given to New York and will be used as patrol cars. Los Angeles will get five vehicles.

Mini Car USA has cut the list to about 1,000 lucky people while the on-going applications are still being scrutinized by 16 dealers—eight in Los Angeles, five in New York, and three in New Jersey. Jim McDowell, Vice President of Mini USA said that the dealers will cover the lease and service of the Mini E vehicles during the year-long trial.

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CEO Elon Musk, founder and chairman of Tesla Motors Inc., announced that they have been working with Daimler AG since 2007 to produce the Smart Car Electric microcars, with Tesla providing the battery packs and chargers need for initial plan to deliver 1,000 vehicles by the end of the year. During the North American International Auto Show, Musk told the Society of Automotive Analysts, “If the 1,000-vehicle fleet is a success and the economics make sense and the product is compelling, that will expand to tens of thousands of vehicles per year.”

Musk stressed that Daimler is looking at this joint project very seriously. Last year, Daimler brought the Smart fortwo to the United States during the time when gas prices skyrocketed. It reached more than 24,000 in sales, at US$12,000. The two-seater call is less than 9 feet long and carries a three-cylinder engine that produces 41 mpg (5.7 liters per 100 kilometers) during highway driving.

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The ExxonMobil Refining and Supply discloses that they will be spending at least $1 billion to beef up the production diesel of their three refineries. The company aims to increase the volume of production by as much as 6 million gallons per day.

The boost in the production of cleaner diesel in their 3 refineries can match the output of four average processing plants. The company fulfills its commitment to meet the demand for cleaner fuel in the market place.

The diesel refined by their factories contains a lower level of sulfur which contributes to a better emission. Aside from cars and other vehicles on the road, the cleaner fuel is also being used by the industrial sector.

The completion of the upgrades of their refineries is scheduled to be completed by 2010. This will further boost the supply of diesel with 15 parts per million level of sulfur in the market.

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Ford and Alternative Fuels are starting to prove to be a winning combination. For has been trying to expand the use of E85 throughout the Midwest this year. In its partnership with VeraSun energy they are trying to increase the availability of E85 to several states around the area as well.

While that is going on Ford and Alternative Fuels are making new advancements in other bio-fuels as well. Ford is trying to focus on bio-eathanol, bio-desel, and natural gas methods. Combining Ford and Alternative Fuels is a chance to keep Ford alive in the competitive car market out there. Ford is trying to get these projects underway in Ireland, the UK, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. With Ford teetering on the brink of extinction they are trying to remain the pace setting bio-fuel car in Europe.

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One of the highlights during the 2008 SEMA in Las Vegas is the Volkswagen, but not without certain modifications just like everyone else. Volkswagen has launched its own modified car called the Performance CC Eco. What makes this car stand out among the rest of the pack is its functionality with ultimate luxury.

While the Performance CC Eco is already a sight to behold, the upgrades on this luxury vehicle are anything but exaggerated. Car lovers would just drool at the embellishments on this car. With a 311 hp and 313 lb-ft of torque, the Performance CC Eco is expected to boost power from a turbo-charged 2.0 L four-banger. The driving features enable the driver to reduce power but picking it up again at 33 mg while on the highway.

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While I have never driven any of the Toyota hybrids and I certainly do not know the specific mechanics of the models. I am puzzled by the fact that in order to use the electric motor, the vehicle still relies on gasoline. According to Toyota’s Myths and Misconceptions section, although the Hybrid Synergy Drive system cars are capable of running on electric alone, it cannot be done without gasoline in the fuel tank. The material further states that running the cars in electric mode only without gas in the tank can lead to severe damage of the hybrid system.

Moreover, these electric mode vehicles should not be confused with other electric models that require charging by plugging into an outlet. The electricity used to power in electric mode is ”an ingenious regenerative braking system that converts otherwise wasted kinetic energy into electricity and the ability to reclaim excess energy when driving at a sustained pace, the battery is automatically recharged”.

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Electric cars have come a long way in a short time frame. Moving away from the original low speed restrictions and little box type design, the convertible Tesla Roadster is sexy, fast and the ultimate in luxury. Even though it is an electric car, it might even be considered a chick-magnet for all you guys out there worried about how you look in an eco-friendly vehicle.

Aside from the sharp looking appearance and the obvious fuel efficiency, the Tesla Roadster sports many other positive features. A normal gasoline driven vehicle requires many parts to make the car ignite and the motor run. The Tesla, on the other hand, only has a rotor so one of the biggest advantages is not having parts break down and the expense of being repaired. In addition to fewer replacement parts, the battery of the Tesla replaces the fuel tank of traditional vehicles. Eliminating the need for gas makes this battery cost efficient and much cleaner to use. At the same time, it is high powered with the ability to deliver power allowing the roadster to go from zero to sixty in four seconds.

Further, the motor, approximately the size of a watermelon, has been designed to store energy for propelling the vehicle rather than heating up the car needlessly expending precious energy. The transmission works like a manual but is easier to manage much like an automatic. All of these points help to make the car more conducive to positive interaction with the planet as opposed to destroying it.

Looks a little like a Lotus Elise, doesn’t it?

More info on Tesla Motors dot com.