Mitsubishi jumps into U.S. electric car race with i MiEV . . . in Oregon?
Venture-backed electric car companies have been getting the lion’s share of attention these days. Fisker Automotive just raised a cool $85 million to produce its hybrid-electric Karma, and Tesla Motors has been abuzz since unveiling its Model S sedan. But that doesn’t mean the traditional auto titans are down and out. Just today, Mitsubishi announced plans to bring its all-electric i MiEV vehicle to the U.S.
This is a pretty big milestone: The car will be… Continue Reading
Electric cars disappointed in 2008 — and 2009 won’t be different
The Detroit Auto Show is underway, and the world’s most famous vehicle brands are touting the next generation of cars. And although yesterday’s fervent promises of hydrogen-powered vehicles have mostly fallen away, they’ve been replaced with new promises, this time centered around the idea of the electric car.
Don’t believe the hype. Although electric vehicles are almost certainly the way forward, much of the motion is really a show intended to sway the opinion of consumers… Continue Reading
Norwegian electric vehicle headed to the US
It looks like Tesla Motors will finally have some competition for headlines in the United States: Think, a Norwegian maker of electric cars, has announced a partnership with Kleiner Perkins and Rockport Capital Partners to export its vehicles stateside through Th!nk North America, a new subsidiary.
Out of the many small electric vehicle makers in existence, Think is one of the few that seems credible. The company has proved popular in its home country and taken… Continue Reading
GE invests in Think electric car and A123 Systems
In two connected investments, General Electric has put $4 million into Think, a Norwegian electric car manufacturer, and $20 million into A123 Systems, which manufactures batteries that are used in the cars.
Both companies are already well funded. Think has taken over $80 million to date and A123 has topped $150 million (past coverage here). The new investment by GE makes it the single largest shareholder in the latter company.
A123 is also planning an IPO sometime… Continue Reading
30 electric cars companies ready to take over the road
It’s official: Green car madness has taken over. After seeing more electric and hybrid vehicle startups than we could keep track of, we finally decided to start keeping count.
We’ve compiled a list, below, of 27 (update: the list has reached 30; thanks for the comments) startups, listed according to their release date, with additional information on fuel type, range, top speed and price. Most haven’t yet taken venture funding, but where applicable, we’ve listed financial… Continue Reading
Tesla swerves, will sell high-tech batteries to others
Tesla Motors, the electric sports car start-up, has created a new division to sell its high-tech batteries, and that it has taken a $43 million order from a Norwegian car maker.
Chief executive Martin Eberhard has just blogged about the move.
The Norwegian electric car maker, Think (see image of the Think car, below), will buy the lithium-ion battery packs and will bring Tesla $3 million this year and $40 million in 2008, according to additional details… Continue Reading