Aside from the consumer education challenge, one curious conclusion in the study was

"just more than half the population of US households that buy new cars has the potential to recharge a vehicle at home with at least 110-volt service. This is 1.5 to 3 times larger than prior estimates."

If you're interested in something a bit more modern, the system is designed to work with an upgrade to lithium iron phosphate batteries too. And if you want to pump juice into those batteries using nothing but the sun, you might want to bolt on some solar panels. Us? We'd still rather have a VW Golf Twin Drive. [GreenCarCongress]

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: PickupTrucks.com speculates the truck Raser plans to convert is a Chevy Silverado, mostly due to the drivetrain's similarities to the Chevy Volt. We're inclined to agree with our good buddy Mike Levine over there if only for the reason that the internal drawings look just like a Silverado. We've also got to admit, a full-size truck capable of 100 MPG, even if they only make a few of them at a very high price, would be an impressive proof-of-concept for investors or OEMs. Hint, Hint.

[Pickuptrucks.com]

Grove believes the auto industry has reached what he calls a "strategic inflection point," the point at which a business has to either change or die. And he wants change in the direction of electrics; Grove has set up a course teaching about hybrids, plug-ins, and electrics in an attempt to move the discussion toward alternative energy sources. And then there's the fun part.

Mr. Grove is also a proponent of retrofitting current vehicles with the lowest fuel economy — trucks, vans and SUVs — with hybrid powerplants. Envisioning half a million Yukon owners reaching for their toolboxes, GM spokesman Greg Martin said, "We strongly discourage consumers from retrofitting vehicles." Unless they're out of warranty, in which case knock yourself out; the service department is hurting right now too.

All we hope is if Grove next ends up pushing for an Intel chip inside, he goes with an Apple OS to run it. Those Microsoft systems don't seem to be running well enough for even the back seat.[Detroit News; Photo Credit images.vnu.net]

Well, Volkswagen will work with the German government in experimenting with a fleet of 20 Twin Drive Golfs in 2010. Though evidently the Twin Drive just isn't green enough as is, so to further reduce emissions, the electrical energy required to charge the batteries of the experimental fleet will be generated from green resources such as windmills and hydro-electric dams. Of course, there are no plans for US export, or for any production at all at this point. But even though we're more easily excited about speed than with being green, we would totally rock one of these as a daily driver.
[carscoop, MotorAuthority]

Our take is that although a one-time team-up may be fun, GE's got a lot of expertise in batteries, drivetrains and power electronic controls — so the real fortunes and glory for Jeff Immelt's mega-company will come from being able to pivot this one-time project into a contract for supplying components for plug-in hybrid vehicles. But regardless of what company provides the technology, one thing that's clear is it took Chrysler much too long to start working on plug-in hybrid tech. At this rate they should have product hitting the street at about the same time as we start using plutonium to power SUVs. [via Automotive News (sub. req.)]

When I attended the BYD Auto press conference for the Ferrous Battery-Powered Dual Mode Hybrid, I expected it to be the usual mixture of iffy translations and awkward-looking Chinese cars. Instead, we get the unveiling of technology that's something we haven't seen before. And while it's not earth shattering, the system was intriguing, which was why I decided to go back to see them.

The BYD F6DM Dual Mode Ferrous Battery Hybrid Unveiled

Thankfully, by the time I made it back to the floor the press had scurried off to the next reveal leaving the entire BYD Auto team mostly alone. They were just lounging about after the auto press gang bang they had just received and were feeling playful. One of two American officials from BYD Auto, Michael Austin, was there to help. After explaining more about how the battery system worked, he asked me with a straight face how far other dual modes go without gas power. Then the conversation turned to how we might import one of the test models, including a quasi-legal "gray market" job that involved leaving one of the show cars behind.

An example of how the dual mode hybrid system works

I was trying to get the guy to tell me where the cars were going next when he suggested that we drive the driveable hybrid concept car a few feet, the first "test drive" in America for a company that had just held it's first American press conference only an hour earlier. We hoped to mimic something in the original press conference where the chairman drove the car back and forth a few feet for the cameras (nearly running over our own videographer who was standing in front of it).

I was jumping at the chance to get the exclusive first drive of the concept car and was therefore not too worried by the suddenly confused look all of the Chinese executives got on their faces when Austin suggested this idea to them. A tall and young executive lunged at me with a business card while the rest of them tried to construct a game plan. While discussions continued, the chairman jumped in the car with a translator in tow and invited me to hop in the passenger side.

This is before I realize what was in store for us

I flashed a look to Sherry, our photographer, that said "please dear God be getting this on film." After being visually assured we were going to get art I joked to the translator that we should buckle up. This was a joke because everyone expected the car to only go back and forth a few feet in their display area. Little did we know the chairman had other plans.

After pulling the car forward a few feet so Sherry and a photographer for BYD could snap a few shots we slowed to a crawl. Then he turned the wheel towards the rest of the auto show. I should explain that we're in the middle of an auto show hall at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit. Everyone has their carpeted show area and there are pathways a few feet wide in between all the automakers (in this wing mostly Chinese). It's not an area that anyone would consider driving. But the chairman's not anyone.

All of a sudden the chairman drives us out into the hall

All of a sudden the car starts moving down the hall and towards the Michelin design gallery. While this is happening the contingent of BYD executives that aren't snapping pictures realize that they need to move people out of the way lest they be hit by the chairman. The translator cooly explains the merits of this clearly workable prototype as the chairman calmly drives around as though he's navigating a quiet boulevard in Shenzhen.

I'm now completely taken with my good luck at getting a real test drive from the Chairman, looking back at the BYD booth now 100 feet away. I was convinced that this was the end of the trip and the car would be backed up to the booth. And then the car sped up to about 10 mph, which is an uncomfortable speed in the middle of a convention center. There was only one obstacle in the way: a press conference.

Little did the ALMS people know the Chinese were on their way

The American Le Mans Series was holding a press conference to discuss the environmental innovations they were making in their racing (including the introduction of E85 ethanol to the racing series). It was fitting then that the chairman of the small chinese automaker, that sells annually in China what Honda sells in a month in the US, was pointing his answer to the environmental question right at them.

The ALMS people are starting to regret having their meeting in the Chinese wing as we drive right in front of the press corps.

And we mean right at them. Right in front of the car was a soon-to-be confused production assistant with a headset going through the sequences of the conference on her walkie-talkie on the area in front of the press, completing the tasks she probably rehearsed all day. She stood alone in the small path that separated the stage with all the conference presenters and the assembled automotive press with their photographers and TV cameras.

Despite the obstacle the chairman pressed on straight at her. A fast acting reporter in the front row tugged on her jacket and she quickly turned to see us in the prototype car. As she moved out of the way I did my best to indicate to the collected press and the poor production crew that I was so sorry we had suddenly driven through their press conference.

After that it was all open road convention center floor. Either everyone had gotten the memo or the BYD folks acted quickly enough to move those who weren't in the press conference, because the chairmen was able to glide the prototype quickly around the floor and back towards the BYD booth.

I thank the Chairman and give a thumbs up to the BYD photographer, I'm probably on a brochure already

The staff quickly worked to help the chairman back into the display before anyone noticed (other than all the press) that we'd driven a car under a strict-import rule that's not certified to drive on roads, let alone not certified to drive around a convention center. When we jumped out I thanked the Chairman and his staff for letting me be the first, and only, member of the American press to get a drive in this functional prototype due for production in China in the near future.

Dr. Chaunfu is China's answer to Dr Z.

And how was the car? I have to admit, besides it's "heavily borrowed" styling, the F6DM was quite smooth and with a level of fit and finish that was superior to many of the other full production cars on display from China. And that electric motor? Quiet as a mouse. And though we didn't get the high-speed tour, the car drove smoothly and easily around the floor. Is this the future? I can't be sure. But there's no doubt that the company's Chairman is dedicated to proving his car works. Conventions and convention center staff be damned.

FORD DELIVERS FIRST ESCAPE PLUG-IN HYBRID TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

* First Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) delivered to Southern California Edison as part of unique partnership to advance commercialization of PHEVs
* Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid with lithium-ion battery achieves up to 120 mpg
* Two industries connected through a common fuel, changing the transportation and energy future

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 3 - Ford Motor Company's first demonstration Escape Plug-In Hybrid is ready to roll on California roads. Ford today delivered the first of 20 research PHEVs to Southern California Edison to begin road testing as part of a unique partnership between the automaker and utility.

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, a research vehicle using high voltage, lithium-ion batteries, can deliver up to 120 miles per gallon which would mean far fewer trips to the gas station. The vehicle uses common household current (120 volts) for charging. Full charge of the battery takes six to eight hours. When driven for the first 30 miles following a full charge, the Ford Escape PHEV can achieve up to 120 mpg when driven on surface streets. The vehicle is not range limited by the amount of charge available in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery, because once the charge in the battery has been depleted, the vehicle continues to operate as a fuel efficient, standard Ford Escape Hybrid. The transition is automatic and unnoticeable to the driver.

The delivery comes just five months after Ford and Southern California Edison announced their collaboration to advance the commercialization of plug-ins by exploring the values of new technologies and new business models when the battery is connected to the home and, in time, the electrical grid.

"The electrification of vehicles has sparked significant interest in this country. The delivery of this Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid research vehicle today represents another step in our development and understanding of the technology and its place in the overall energy picture," said Sue Cischke, senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "PHEVs are one element of our blueprint for sustainability that includes actions ranging from refinements in gasoline fueled engines and transmissions, to the development of hydrogen fuel cells."

"We are united in a common cause," said Lynda Ziegler, Southern California Edison's senior vice president, Customer Service. "We bring our expertise in energy production, delivery and management, and combine it with Ford's expertise in hybrid technology. Together, we are seeking solutions to address the needs of our shared customers and to ultimately help this nation achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "This is not about simply connecting the car to the grid. It's about integrating vehicles and energy storage technologies into the energy system of the future".

The two companies are exploring new business models related to the electrification of vehicles that could help lower the cost of PHEVs to make them more affordable to consumers.

"Although the energy infrastructure is in place, significant challenges remain for widespread adoption of PHEVs," said Cischke. "Cost, durability and reliability issues all need to be addressed before these vehicles can make a significant impact on the global issues of climate change and energy security."

Ford and SCE will jointly conduct testing of the vehicles, some of which may be evaluated in typical customer settings to model overall home and grid values. The testing will provide valuable data related to the durability, reliability and safety of new battery technology. The cost of advanced lithium ion batteries means the technology is currently not economically feasible for widespread vehicle application. [Source: Ford]

300 Miles Per Gallon! Aptera Motors Unveils Ultra Efficient All-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles for Under $30K 300 Miles Per Gallon! Aptera Motors Unveils Ultra Efficient All-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles for Under $30KCARLSBAD, Calif.CA-APTERA

Today, Aptera officially unveiled two vehicles that could change the Future of automotive design. Aptera's Typ-1 is a radically different vehicle designed to marry advanced aerodynamics with light-weight composite technology creating an incredibly powerful, yet extremely safe vehicle that is a joy to drive — even for the most performance-minded individuals. The Aptera Typ-1 will be available in all-electric and hybrid models for less than $30,000, the electric version slated for delivery in 2008 with the hybrid model to follow.

The all-electric model has a range of 120 miles. The plug-in series hybrid has achieved more than 300 miles per gallon with a range of more than 600 miles. Both versions are loaded with safety features.

?Unveiling the Aptera Typ-1 represents a pivotal point in automotive history as we mark the transition from research and development to manufacturing the most energy efficient vehicle with a price tag to fit almost any budget,? said Co-Founder & CEO, Steve Fambro.

Through extensive fluid dynamics modeling and materials engineering, the Aptera team has created the most efficient, lowest-drag shape that can surround two occupants side-by-side, and has made safety a priority in the design. Additionally, the car features three wheels, making it eligible for most carpool lanes, even with only one person in the vehicle.

The car has "two plus one" seating offering ample room for driver and passenger while an infant seat (for newborns to age three) can be located in the middle behind them. Storage room is also generous with enough space to fit 15 bags of groceries, two full-size golf club bags or even a couple of seven foot surf boards with the infant seat removed.

The Aptera Typ-1 is loaded with safety features. They include a front crumple zone, a front end that re-directs crash energy in a frontal impact, steel and composite side and rollover protection as well as driver and passenger side airbags.

The Aptera Typ-1 is available in two models:

All Electric - This model is powered exclusively with batteries and will get someone around town for approximately 120 miles depending on driving conditions. At night, simply plug the Aptera into any standard 110-volt outlet, and in just a few hours, the vehicle will be fully charged and ready for another 120 miles.

Plug-In Hybrid - The Aptera hybrid is powered by an electric drive train but is also assisted by a fuel-efficient gasoline-powered generator, which stretches the range considerably. In typical driving, the hybrid Aptera may achieve over 300 miles per gallon, a range far beyond any other passenger vehicle available today.

The Aptera Typ-1 also offers features that typically are not found on any vehicle, much less a hybrid or all-electric model. Solar cells embedded under the roof operate an always-on climate control system, ensuring the interior never gets too hot or too cold. The dashboard display and infotainment system is controlled by an in-vehicle computer, which also controls the ?Eyes Forward? vision system. By replacing the side mirrors with embedded cameras that display a 180-degree rear view in the front of the instrument panel, Eyes Forward gives the driver complete situational awareness without taking their eyes off of the road.

Other standard features include:

* Driver and passenger side airbags
* Energy absorbing and impact deflecting passenger safety cell
* Advanced drive computer with GPS navigation, CD/MP3/DVD player, XM satellite radio
* Large rear view camera and complete vehicle diagnostic system
* LED interior and exterior lighting for maximum energy efficiency
* An RFID (Radio Frequency ID) ? an automatic identification method so a driver never has to pull out their keys to enter or start their Aptera
* USB port for powering a laptop or charging an MP3 player and other mobile devices

Fully refundable reservation deposits of $500 are now being accepted from California residents on the Aptera website (http://www.aptera.com). The company will initially deliver vehicles in Southern California, then in northern California and to other regions nationwide.

Initial response has been tremendous; validating our belief that future-minded consumers want a vehicle that is sleek, safe, eco-conscious and affordable. Through word-of-mouth alone, we?ve already received more than 400 pre-sale deposits,? added Fambro.

Aptera is backed by Idealab and Esenjay Investments with initial financing allocated to building the Typ-1 all-electric and plug-in hybrid prototypes. Aptera is currently raising additional capital to begin manufacturing.

About Aptera

Aptera, Greek for ?Wingless Flight,? delivers on its name with a radically different vehicle designed to marry advanced aerodynamics with light-weight composite technology to create an incredibly powerful, yet extremely safe vehicle that is a joy to drive. The Aptera Typ-1 will be available in all-electric and hybrid models for less than $30,000. The all-electric model has a range of about 120 miles. The plug-in series hybrid has achieved more than 300 miles per gallon with a range of more than 600 miles. Both versions are loaded with safety features. Aptera is backed by Idealab and Esenjay Petroleum and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. www.aptera.com

• Volvo is looking at this car to hit the streets in 2015, but it won't be the first hybrid Volvo plans on releasing — but they're keeping what the first one will be a secret until later.
  
• There's four electric motors — one at each wheel.
  
• This emphasizes safety as they've moved the motors away from the front of the car and to the wheels. By not having the engine in the front, it allows for Volvo to use the front for more crash-protection.
  
• Also, despite having an engine, it has no driveshaft.
  
• Full recharge of the batteries will take three hours, but the car should be drivable on an hour or less.
  

Volvo ReCharge Concept: Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 100 km - and Flexifuel engine for backup power

Volvo Cars is introducing the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit. Recharging allows the car to be driven about 100 kilometres on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery. Volvo ReCharge Concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

"A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines an excellent battery range with a backup combustion engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars. The ReCharge Concept has been developed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), the Volvo Car Corporation's think-tank in Camarillo, California.
"This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson. Thanks to the excellent electrical range from a fuel consumption angle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is exceptionally kind to the car owner's wallet. When driving on electric power only, operating costs are expected to be about 80 percent lower than that of a comparable petrol-powered car. When driving beyond the 100 km battery range, fuel consumption may vary from 0 to 5.5 litres per 100 km depending on the distance driven using the engine.

"This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity in intended markets comes from CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power," says Magnus Jonsson.

An electric motor at each wheel
The Volvo ReCharge Concept combines a number of the latest technological innovations into a so-called "series hybrid" where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.
The battery pack integrated into the luggage compartment uses lithium-polymer battery technology. The batteries are intended to have a useful life beyond that of the car itself. Four electric motors, one at each wheel, provide independent traction power. Four-cylinder 1.6-litre Flexifuel engine drives an advanced generator that efficiently powers the wheel motors when the battery is depleted.

Electric car with a combustion engine as backup
In principle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a battery electric car with an efficient generator, an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), that steps in when battery charge becomes insufficient for adequate driving performance. The APU is designed to distribute electrical power to the individual motors at each wheel. Since the combustion engine only powers the APU, it can operate in an optimal fashion, both for regulated emissions and CO2. The APU is sufficiently powerful to supply an entire villa with electricity. For example it could with minor modifications in principle give the car owner an electricity generator right at his front door in the event of a power failure.

The driver can choose the power source
The combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been used up. However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually via a button in the instrument panel.

This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximize battery charge, for instance when out on the highway in order to save battery capacity for driving through the next town.

"There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept. He adds: "What is more, our C30 with plug-in hybrid technology retains its lively and sporty driving properties. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 9 seconds and top speed is 160 km/h."

Specially developed electric motors
The central electrical components in the Volvo ReCharge Concept demonstrator - the generator for the APU and the wheel motors - were developed together with British electromagnetic specialists PML Flightlink.

With an individual electric motor at each wheel, weight distribution as well as mechanical efficiency and traction are maximized. The friction in mechanical gears is eliminated. Since the car does not have the transmission found in ordinary cars, there is no need for a gear lever. To help maximize the environmental benefits, the Volvo ReCharge Concept has high-efficiency tyres developed by Michelin. They are specially designed to accommodate the wheelmotors. Further more, the car has All Wheel Drive in the truest sense of the term. Power to each wheel is controlled individually.

The energy that is generated during braking is transmitted to the battery pack. When the system is ultimately developed, traditional wheel brakes will be completely replaced by electrical brakes with minimal energy wasted through friction. To ensure reliable operation of the drivetrain and braking system, driver inputs are fed into a quadruple-redundant electronic control system.

Ecologically sound solution for commuters

The Volvo ReCharge Concept is best suited to car drivers who cover moderate distances every day. For example, a commuter who has less than 100 kilometres (62 miles) to drive between home and workplace can cover the entire round trip on electric power alone and the equivalent daily fuel economy will be zero litres per 100 km.

Even drivers who cover more than the battery-only range will benefit from the ReCharge Concept. For a 150 km (93 mile) drive starting with a full charge, the car will require less than 2.8 litres of fuel, giving the car an effective fuel economy of 1.9 l/100km (124 mpg).

"The only requirement is that the car owner has access to electrical outlets at convenient places, such as at home or at the workplace. A full recharge takes 3 hours. However, even a one-hour quick charge should provide enough charge to drive about 50 kilometres," says Magnus Jonsson.

The term "plug-in hybrid" will one day hang beneath "1/3 less calories" and "dolphin-free tuna" in the advertising and public relations halls of fame. For now, we'd imagine all hybrid-building carmakers will either add the capability to their hybrids, or say they're looking into it. That's not to diminish the latest plug-in announcement, this time from everyone's favorite German-American hybrid. DaimlerChrysler says its first plug-in hybrid will be in the form of a Dodge Sprinter van. It'll test market viability among a control group of fleet buyers. The project will mark the first fleet test of a diesel hybrid plug-in system, though the company's also testing a gasoline-combustion variety. What's more, some of the test vehicles will use lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-metal hydride batteries. However the test goes, it's obvious plug-ins will likely excel in the stop-and-go world of local delivery, the likely domain of the Sprinter PHEV. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release

DaimlerChrysler Expands Concept Plug-in Hybrid Program

Next-generation plug-in hybrid concept will be built on the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter platform

· DaimlerChrysler is the only automaker to test plug-in hybrid technology in the United States with customers
· Lithium-ion battery research will accelerate future hybrid development
· Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power
· Industry first: PHEV combined with diesel for maximum fuel efficiency

In a display of commitment to the development of hybrid powertrain architecture and advanced batteries, DaimlerChrysler is expanding its concept plug-in hybrid program to include the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter.

Up to 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the United States between now and the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test-fleet program. Four of the vehicles, built on the previous-generation Dodge Sprinter, already are in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is the only auto manufacturer currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain (diesel and gas) configurations in real-world, customer-operation service within the United States.

Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid and fuel-cell transportation. Lithium-ion holds the greatest promise for battery technology. A number of the Dodge Sprinter PHEVs will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries that are about half the weight and have much greater storage capacities when compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real-world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries.

"For plug-in hybrid technology to move forward, a dramatic leap in battery technology is necessary," said Mark Chernoby, Vice President - Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler Group. "The energy storage systems in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV concept fleet will provide valuable field experience on the possibilities with lithium-ion battery technology."

Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications where the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid. In short stop-and-go routes, the vehicle will use very little fuel.

The Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV: diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.

Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler's advanced propulsion technology umbrella that also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.

Related:
BREAKING: GM to Produce Plug-in Hybrid Vue; Googling a Hybrid: Search Giant's Charity to Develop Plug-in Hybrid [internal]

A Plug-In Toyota Prius Hybrid is going to be on the south lawn of the White House today, but you're not going to be able to tell it's a Toyota because the hood is going to be up for photo time. Why? Because it doesn't sit well with the domestic automakers that a Toyota is there (why no Chrysler Hybrid? Oh... wait) and the White House won't stand up to the Big 3, even though Toyota is creating jobs in his adopted home state of Texas while the Big 3 are cutting jobs and benefits. That Prius I just told you about isn't supported by Toyota even though it gets close to 300 MPG. The Middle East is as unstable as it can be without devolving into chaos because we don't make or support many cars that get good gas mileage. But hey, Anna Nicole Smith is getting buried in the Bahamas, so I'm sure everything is going to work out fine. – Matt Hardigree

Toyota Prius To Make White House Appearance Today [Detroit News]

Related:
President Bush: Someday You're Going To Be Able To... Drive 40 Miles On Battery" [Internal]

Kicking off the 100th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Auto Show, hizzoner Antonio Villaraigosa asked Rapping Rick to move GM to Los Angeles. Rick said no. More importantly, Wagoner assured the booze hounds assembled journalists that General Motors is committed to "energy diversity." And that means, gasoline, E85, high-value (low-tech) hybrids, "advanced" two-mode hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric fuel cell vehicles. Edison, it turns out, was right. The brothers Stanley, wrong. In fact, in about seven minutes, Saturn will be debuting the VUE plug-in hybrid, a world first, that will provide "significantly higher fuel savings" than the massively advanced, though yet to be released, two-mode VUE. Go planet Earth!