EV Industry

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) October 11, 2011

AMP Holding Inc. (OTCBB and OTCQB: AMPD), a company engaged in the emission-free electrification of OEM SUVs, today announced its new AMP Mercedes ML EV, with new Generation 3 Drivetrain will be on-hand for test drives at the Business of Plugging In (BPI) Conference, October 11th and 12th in Dearborn, Michigan.

The BPI conference will be a great opportunity for journalists and visitors to take a test drive in our latest generation of the AMP Mercedes ML EV said Jim Taylor, CEO of AMP. Our new Generation 3 Drivetrain delivers a great driving experience with plenty of pick up and is very refined. We feel the fact that the AMP EV carries the known pedigree of Mercedes-Benz will be very attractive to our EV customers.

The AMP zero emissions design delivers impressive specs, not expected from a full-sized five-passenger EV SUV: driving range of up to 100 miles per charge; 0-60 in less than 10 seconds; top speed electronically limited to 90 mph. The vehicle complies with J1772 charging stations, and will charge from 110 or 220 volt outlets.

The current AMP EV Team is steeped in automotive background. Company management includes many former top GM and Chrysler executives. AMP has partnered with an impressive array of industry experts, which include Roush Industries chosen for vehicle performance, ESG for electrical and software integration, and AVL providing energy system analysis.

The AMP Mercedes ML EV heads up an impressive array of on-hand EVs at the BPI Conference. Also included are the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Ford Transit Connect, and Tesla.

About AMP Holding Inc.

AMP was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs who have created several hi-tech companies. Currently, the AMP team is comprised of top automotive industry veterans and business executives, as well as two key pioneers of GM’s EV1 project. AMPs first all electric demonstration models were the Saturn Sky and the Chevrolet Equinox. Since its inception, AMPs unique electrification technology has proven to be an idea that has generated an extreme amount of interest, with inquiries coming from around the world. AMPs intent is to electrify a range of OEM SUVs, and expects to announce new model additions in 2011. The Company expects its vehicle electrification technology will provide new solutions to America’s energy demands.

To learn more, visit the AMP website at http://www.ampelectricvehicles.com.

About The Business of Plugging In

The Business of Plugging In was launched in 2009 with a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission. It took place in Detroit, MI, the center of automotive technology leadership, to cultivate discussion among key stakeholders about developing a business model and infrastructure to support the introduction and future growth of plug-in electric vehicles. BPI is a Center for Automotive Excellence (CAR) Conference. CARs mission is to conduct research on significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive industry, as well as organize and conduct forums of value to the automotive community. For more information about CAR, visit http://www.cargroup.org .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and governmental and public policy changes. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.

Information:

Source: AMP Holding Inc.

Investors: Michael Mason, 212-691-8087, michaelm(at)allencaron(dot)com

Media: Mike Dektas, 513-266-3590 mike(at)ampelectricvehicles(dot)com

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Article source: http://carkeylocksmiths.org/2012/01/26/amp-mercedes-ml-electric-vehicle-featured-at-michigan-business-of-plugging-in-conference/

By Ross Blade, CEO Blade Energy Solutions Ltd and Blade Electric Vehicles Pty Ltd 2012

Climate change sceptics may be able to ignore the environmental cost of ‘business as usual’ expressed so eloquently in Al Gore’s “The Inconvenient Truth” but what can not be ignored is the fact that we can no longer extract enough Oil to keep the car industry growing as it has over the past 100 years. With diminishing Oil more people are looking to Coal and Gas to keep the wheels of Western Civilisation turning without counting the real cost. Auto Manufacturers who take this line are putting not just their businesses but the planet as a whole in peril.

Alan Moran, director, deregulation, at the Institute of Public Affairs wrote on 11 January 2012 in the Australian Financial Review an article titled, “Era of cheap energy needn’t be over.” Critiquing Minister Martin Ferguson’s white paper on energy where the Minister asserts that “the era of cheap energy is over”, Alan Moran concludes, “we are not running out of cheap coal or gas”. Alan’s assertion might be correct if one overlooks the staggering ecological cost associated with burning coal and gas (methane) and the economic and social impact on society as oil production plateaus. In just 100 years, mankind has released half the CO2 stored up by nature in the form of oil contributing to a global warming trend. Now that this resource is diminishing, Alan appears to suggest business as usual by burning the equivalent amount in coal – this despite the fact that coal can have as low as half the energy of oil and can release up to twice the CO2. Oil is the most energy rich substance on the planet and it was ours for the cost of drilling, pumping and transporting. Oil is so remarkable that it enabled us to build a civilisation of 7 billion souls in the space of just 100 years. A civilisation that can not survive in its present form without it.

Fossil fuel energy is only cheap because we, as a society, have for the most part chosen to ignore two facts. The first is that burning fossil fuels damages the environment and second that our civilisation is totally dependent on a finite energy source now half depleted. When we can no longer extract enough oil to meet our ever increasing demand the age of cheap energy will end and this will have painful economic consequences if we fail to adapt. It could be argued that the headlong rush to extract Coal Seam Gas marks the tipping point where we can no longer extract enough oil to meet our voracious demand for energy. Renewables are in no position to fill the energy gap and as we turn to coal we must account for the fact that weight for weight it can have half the energy of oil and release up to twice the CO2 along with sulphur and and other toxic waists. For its part Coal Seam Gas extraction is fraught with dangers to the water table and farm land. In addition, the gas that escapes during extraction has 20 times the heat trapping ability of CO2. In short, as we turn to so called cheap coal and gas we risk rapidly increasing the pace of global warming to levels best described as a global ‘cook out’. Fossil fuels like coal and gas have an environmental cost that we choose to ignore at our peril. For now however, they are our only means to fill the energy gap left by Oil.

Which brings me to the issue of switching from petrol to electric cars – in particular BIG powerful electric cars. “At a factory in Port Melbourne, just up the road from General Motors Holden, a group of parts makers led by Better Place and Futuris have built a Holden Commodore EV at their own expense [with $3.5 million from the Tax Payer to cover engineering costs] to prove to GMH and the government that it can be done cost-effectively”. (Alan Kohler, ‘Carr’s chance to rev the EV engine’, 12 Jan 2012 BusinessSpectator). This project brings together major automotive components suppliers Air International, Bosch, Continental and Futuris, electric vehicle infrastructure and services provider Better Place, with the support of Holden and the CSIRO. According to the chairman of EV Engineering Limited and former President and CEO of Mitsubishi Australia, Robert McEniry, large, powerful, zero-emissions vehicles represent an important part of the future of the Australian car manufacturing industry (EV-Engineering Media Release 18-02-2011).

Today, some promoters of electric cars assure consumers that their public recharge networks will only provide green power such as wind, solar and wave energy. However, to suggest a future worldwide or even national fleet of electric cars will run on green power alone is a myth. Of the 80 million barrels of oil consumed world wide per day approximately 56 million barrels per day are used for transportation. Of these 30 million barrels a day are used to move people and there is no way that renewable sources will replace this level of energy demand any time soon – if ever (“Life without Oil” by Steve Hallett, 2011). Should we choose to run big electric cars like a Commodore we’ll need to burn a lot more coal, as the energy gap widens, than would have been needed had the well meaning consortium selected a smaller vehicle. Keep in mind that in key Western export markets the best coal was burned during the Industrial Revolution leaving lesser quality fuel with associated sulphur, heavy metals and other undesirable waists.

Big cars are attractive in terms of their comfort and safety however we also need to consider that an electric Commodore could require in the order of 35kW hours to travel a practical 100km on Australian roads. That’s twice what the smaller Mitsubishi iMiev, Nissan Leaf or Blade Electron require to travel the same distance. According to, “Energy market arrangements for electric and natural gas vehicles – Issues Paper”, published by the AEMC 18 January 2012 the proposed cars could use around 10MWh per annum – ten times more than a small EV. Figuratively speaking, if the world’s roads filled with big powerful electric cars like a Commodore, or heaven forbid a Humvee, we might end up cooking the planet to run them.

The year 2011 was the 11th hottest on record down to 0.5 degrees warmer than the 20th century average due to the cooling effect the recent La Nina – the warmest La Nina year on record. This marks the 35th straight year that global temperatures were warmer than normal with more rapid warming appearing over the next few years (http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/2011/). Professor Barnett said an increase of more than two degrees would be catastrophic. “A four-degree increase in temperature would result in an extra 3242 years of life lost per year in Brisbane.” (‘Climate warming would cause loss of life.’ SMH, 17 Jan 2012). As we finally s tart to pay for the CO2 we emit coupled with, “families already suffering from raging energy bills” (Helen Pow, “The Dark Ages” Sunday Telegraph Jan 15, 2012) an electric Commodore could quickly go in the same direction, in terms of sales, as its petrol cousin. Add to this the cost to upgrade the grid to cope with the additional demand created by EV’s and in this context GMH and Minister Carr would be wise to avoid the temptation of a big powerful electric car fix for the ailing Commodore. GMH and the planet will do better to stick with its smaller modestly powered Volt.

The era of cheap energy is over and if it is our intention to pass on a better world to our children then it is time, as a society, to cut back our energy consumption and not to increase it. At least until a cheap non-fossil alternative is put in place. This means smaller energy efficient housing, greater use of rail for transporting people and goods, products that are made to last longer (say 25 years) and small zero emission cars that require ‘less to do more’. For the next 50 years at least the only cheap non fossil fuel alternative to oil for our primary electricity, heating and transport needs is nuclear – preferably Thorium which is 1000 time less radioactive than Uranium and its waste decays in 30 years compared to 10,000 years for that of Uranium. However after Fukushima it is far from certain that we’ll choose the nuclear option. If we reject it then the only sustainable choice open to us is to ‘radically’ cut back on our energy consumption and in this context, if personal transport is to survive, it will be in the form of small electric cars.

Blade Electron DG

Article source: http://bev.com.au/2012/01/still-inconvenient-still-the-truth/

electric-vehicle-charging-station

At a kick-off event held today, Mayor Heartwell announced the availability of five (5) Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging stations at various parking ramps and on Ottawa Street in downtown Grand Rapids.  Christina Keller of Cascade Engineering was on hand to ceremonially charge the first electric vehicle.

Mayor Heartwell stated, “This is a great step for the community.  Providing the necessary infrastructure will encourage and support those choosing to own electric vehicles and support the auto industry and supporting industries both in the City and throughout Michigan.”

electric-vehicle-charging-station_1

Charging stations are now available at the following locations:

Within City-owned parking structures

1) Government Center Ramp (300 Monroe Ave NW) – Ottawa Level

2) Ottawa Fulton Ramp (50 Ottawa Ave NW) – Level A

3) Gallery on Fulton Ramp (10 Commerce Ave SW) – Near entrance

4) Weston Commerce Ramp (16 Weston St SW) – Level B

 On-street parking

1) City Hall (300 Monroe Ave NW) – Ottawa Street parking spaces

Parking spaces adjacent to the charging stations will be treated as premium spaces and motorists using the spaces will be charged $.50 per hour in addition to the regular cost of parking to cover the cost of installation and operation of the charging stations.

Motorists using the charging stations can also subscribe to the ChargePoint network. For more information on how to subscribe to the network please visit the following link at ChargePoint Network: http://www.mychargepoint.net/

“I want more people to understand the negative impact of fuel usage.  Electric vehicles are a great way of avoiding the environmental impact of gas emissions and of creating a better world for future generations,” said Christina Keller, of Cascade Engineering.

The acquisition of these charging stations was made possible through Coulomb Technologies,                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Inc. (CTI), a California-based manufacturer, whose ChargePoint™ America Program received $15 million in federal stimulus funds to install 4,800 charging stations across the country.   This program was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Transportation Electrification Initiative with the goal of accelerating the development and mass production of electric vehicles to sustainably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs.

The City was provided the opportunity to apply for the charging stations through its participation in the West Michigan Energy Group, a regional partnership with the West Michigan Strategic Alliance (WMSA), Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), City of Grand Rapids, and others.   Through the work of the West Michigan Energy Group, a group of local private companies, non-profit agencies, and municipalities applied to CTI’s ChargePoint™ America Program with 100 suitable locations for charging stations. The City of Grand Rapids was successful in being awarded five (5) charging stations for installation in City facilities.

Article source: http://grpulse.com/?p=1722

Winston Chung came to Southern California two years ago like a standard-bearer for the new China, a wealthy Hong Kong entrepreneur with visions of creating an electric vehicle industry by reviving struggling manufacturing firms.

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Some dreams rolled out as planned. The battery scientist and clean-energy promoter bought control of four Southern California specialty vehicle makers. The University of California-Riverside renamed a building as Winston Chung Hall, saying that the $13 million he provided for green power research was the biggest donation in campus history.

But other ventures skidded off course, the biggest failure being a bid to step into the social spotlight by purchasing the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, a Rat Pack-era landmark where Republican power brokers mingled and John Wayne tossed back Conmemorativo tequila.

RELATED: Surging BRIC middle classes are eclipsing global poverty

The $174.5 million deal for the combination yacht club and hotel and its sister Newport Beach Country Club was called off earlier this month. Chung never came up with the money as agreed, forfeiting what city documents show was a nonrefundable $4 million down payment.

“We were told he was having difficulty moving money out of China,” David Wooten, chief executive of the clubs, said Monday. The deal could be revived if Chung produces the cash, but for now, competing offers will be considered, he said.

The Bay Club deal is one of at least three stalled ventures.

A seven-figure deposit Chung made in June on a Newport Harbor mansion once owned by actor Nicolas Cage is in jeopardy because he never came up with the money to complete the purchase.

And a plan to increase manufacturing at a Riverside motor home company, with the four-year goal of selling $5 billion in tour buses and campers to newly wealthy Chinese consumers, has been on hold for a year while awaiting approval from Chinese regulators.

Chung, 53, whose companies in the south China boom town of Shenzhen make products such as electricvehicle power trains and storage batteries for power plants, insisted early this month that the setbacks in Southern California would be temporary.

He blamed the delays on Chinese government reviews. Cash for the Balboa Bay Club and the waterfront estate was being held up by China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Chung said. His plan to sell U.S. motor homes in China was waiting approval from the country’s Ministry of Commerce.

In telephone interviews, he said Chinese authorities had assured him that approvals would be forthcoming in time for him to buy the properties and to start manufacturing motor homes in March.

“One hundred percent certain they’re going to go through,” Chung said of his pending deals. A spokeswoman declined to comment further Monday.

Aaron Brickman, a U.S. Commerce Department official overseeing a program to stimulate foreign investment, said difficulties in getting funds out of China are not surprising. Unlike major Western countries, China controls the outward flow of cash as well as money coming into the country.

“China is still becoming comfortable with its own evolution regarding capital flow and investments,” Brickman said.

The setbacks are bad news for Brad Williams, chief executive of MVP RV Inc., the Riverside maker of motor homes and trailers.

Williams said that about $30 million from a Chinese investment group that included Chung rescued his idled company in 2010. Among other things, the backing enabled MVP to buy a 24-acre Riverside manufacturing complex from bankrupt RV giant Fleetwood Enterprises.

But an additional $310 million in funding that Chung had pledged to jump-start production appears to be in jeopardy. At the very least, it won’t flow until Chinese authorities approve the design of the tour buses and campers that MVP hoped to sell in China.

Williams, who had talked of generating 1,200 jobs in California’s economically battered Inland Empire _ a deal the White House praised as an emblem of U.S.-China cooperation _ expressed frustrations in an interview last year.

“I’m dying to start hiring and I can’t,” he said.

RELATED: Surging BRIC middle classes are eclipsing global poverty

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Tags: China media news

Article source: http://www.chinamedia.com/2012/01/24/electric-vehicles-entrepreneur-from-china-stumbles-in-us/

Posted on 20 Jan 2012 at 10:30

The government has confirmed that it plans to extend the Plug-In Car Grant, which offers buyers of electric vehicles £5,000 off the purchase price to encourage more rapid adoption, and that electric vans will be included in the offer for the first time.

Announced by the government yesterday, the renewed grant will run until 2015 and offers buyers of plug-in electric vehicles £5,000 off the purchase price. For fleet buyers, plug-in electric vans will now be eligible for a grant of up to 20 per cent of the purchase price, with a cap of £8,000.

The news has been welcomed by those involved in the electric vehicle industry.

“Today’s announcement reinforces the government’s commitment to improving air quality in cities and reducing carbon emissions,” explained Nissan’s James Wright, as his company pushes the Leaf electric vehicle and runs trials of the NV200 electric van prototype. “This grant, coupled with lower running costs and tax benefits, will make switching to an electric van a very attractive option for businesses.”

“It is great that the government has listened to the feedback from business fleets, who have spent the last year telling the government that the van market was crying out for this sort of low-carbon incentive. Electric vans are very expensive, but the combination of this grant, much lower running costs and some significant tax benefits will enable many fleets to take the plug-in van plunge,” added John Lewis, chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.

“As well as identifying which vehicles will qualify for the grant, we hope that the government will learn the lessons from its introduction of the plug-in car grant by moving much more swiftly to clarify how the grant will be treated for VAT purposes.”

The renewed grant for both electric cars and vans will run until at least 2015, the government has confirmed.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

Article source: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/car-tech/1289842/government-plug-in-car-grant-scheme-extended

Article source: http://evindustry.com/2012/01/20/government-plug-in-car-grant-scheme-extended-expert-reviews/

Article source: http://evindustry.com/2012/01/21/government-plug-in-car-grant-scheme-extended/