The Nissan Leaf is a zero emissions all electric vehicle with a starting MSRP of $32,780. With the promised federal tax credit of $7,500 the
final cost is a competitive $25,280, with additional savings from state or municipal tax incentives. This puts the leaf in the price range of many consumers interested in a vehicle that doesn't require a trip to the pump. And that it is sold by a major carmaker will certainly put many people at ease who were reluctant to purchase a car from a new, or smaller, company with limited service options and limited reliability history.
The Leaf is being delivered around the same time as the Chevrolet Volt, and as such the two vehicles are being compared in price. However, there are significant differences between the two, and a fairer comparison would be between the Leaf and offerings from Tesla. While the Volt is a series hybrid (in spite of GM's continued insistence it is not a hybrid), the Leaf, like the Tesla, is a pure electric vehicle. It could be said the Leaf is the "poor man's" Tesla, although the two vehicles will certainly appeal to different audiences. It would be fair to say the Leaf and the Volt may have more in common in regard to potential customers.
The Leaf offers a 100 mile range before requiring recharging through a dedicated 240V charging system. The Leaf can not be plugged into a standard household outlet (unlike the Tesla or Volt), and requires the installation of a dedicated system hard wired to the electrical circuit. 4,700 home chargers will be available to customers through a partially federally funded project, but for others a charging system is available through Nissan for an average cost of about $2,200. The Leaf system is similar in principle to dedicated charging docks installed for electric forklifts used in warehouses. And to be fair, such stations (or portable 220V chargers) can be used by Tesla owners to decrease charge times.
With a 100 mile range and the need for a 240V dedicated charging station the appeal of the Leaf may be limited. There is some question as to how many consumers will be comfortable with a 100 mile range in a vehicle designed for everyday commuting. The Volt overcomes this with its ability to recharge itself through its onboard IC engine, and the Tesla offers greater ranges (although for considerably more money).
Another vehicle in development worth watching is the Tesla Model S. With styling on par with designs like the Fisker Karma and 
conventionally powered four-door cars from Maserati and Porsche, this all electric vehicle is scheduled for production in 2012. The starting price is $57,400, before the promised $7,500 federal tax credit. That brings the final cost to just below $50,000. Features of the car include seating for five adults plus room for an additional two children's car seats in the back, flat folding rear seats, charge ranges from 160 to 300 miles (depending on model chosen), and the ability to charge the vehicle on everything from standard 120V household current to a 480v dedicated system.
A charge range of 160 miles would be acceptable to many buyers, especially in a car that looks this good. However, it is not far enough for anyone requiring a car to take on extended vacations, which seating for up to seven (including young children) would imply. Ranges can be increased, but the price point will increase as well. This means all versions of the "S" will most likely appeal to a very narrow market, as does the current Tesal Roadster costing more than $100,000.
Something happened on the way to production. Unveiled in September 2008, the production version of the Chevrolet Volt has lost much of 
its cutting edge style and visual appeal in the name of decreasing drag and improving fuel economy. It also lost seating capacity, down from five to four, but gained in price, now estimated to be near $40,000 (or $35,000, as GM has kept pricing a guarded secret even as production nears). This begs the question, "who will buy it?" While the Volt still possesses a revolutionary propulsion system, and one that could change the way we view automobiles for some time, the price point may place the Volt in the position of a cachet vehicle rather than a vehicle for the masses as originally envisioned. At $4 a gallon gasoline it would take the average driver more than six years to recover the cost difference between a 30 mpg economy car costing $30,000 (of course, there are economy cars costing thousands less), and the $40,000 Volt- even if the Volt driver never burned a single gallon of gas. Promised tax incentives would certainly change this calculation, as would continued lower fuel costs. More likely, as competition for alternative fueled and operated vehicles continues to increase, functionality, operator ease, maintenance and reliability, and styling will likely play a bigger role in consumer decision making in the category.
It's hard to judge GM too harshly on the price increases, as they are dealing with new technologies. And production is still planned for late 2010. But the prototype's styling certainly was pushed by GM in the press and at auto shows, and may have created more interest in the car than it deserved. It is recognized that aerodynamics are important to overall fuel economy, especially as speed increases. But there is no denying that to make such a radical change to a "safe" design is disappointing, and certainly lessens the appeal of the car to many potential buyers. And due to its design similarity to other hybrids, the Volt becomes just one of several competing models.
The link is the same as the one used for the original article on the Volt found at the bottom of this page. Both point to GM's website.
Ford has teamed up with DeWalt, Garmin, Magneti Marelli, Master Lock, and Sprint to create a technological toolset for their worktrucks. A
n onboard computer is teamed with RFID technology, GPS, and mobile communications to expand on the idea of a worktruck acting as mobile office for the construction oriented worker or manager. Besides that the old Italian racing supplier marque Magneti Marelli is involved (I used to put their stickers on my slot cars), the most interesting feature is the use of RFID technology to keep track of tools in the truck. In addition to letting the driver know if a tool is missing, the system can be programmed for specific tool lists for a particular type of job and used to make sure all required tools are loaded before leaving the shop or office. The Crew Chief feature uses GPS technology to track errant workers on an extended coffee break, or route them to the nearest job site, much like current GPS systems operated from a dispatch office. Master Lock provides a cable locking system that can be run through tool handles and other openings to secure what's loaded from theft. A monthly fee is required to access all features, and no doubt the proprietary technology will help build brand loyalty for Ford. A similar, though not as technologically capable, system was introduced by GMC as a concept in 1999.
TOYOTA HYDROGEN HYBRID FUEL CELL HYBRID MAKES 2300-MILE ROAD TRIP
As evidence of the viability and reliability of their hydrogen-hybrid fuel-cell powertrain system, a Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) 
made a 2300-mile trek from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia with no major problems. The route included remote sections of the Yukon Territory and speeds of 90 mph. The vehicle was able to cover 316 miles on a single fueling and could have gone nearly 400 miles. A cutaway display of the system, along with the vehicle, was on view at the 2008 NAIS/ Detroit Auto Show. In the accompanying photo taken at the show can be seen the hydrogen tanks as well as the hydrogen fuel stack and hybrid battery.
GM DEBUTS BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID IN CHINA, FOLLOWING TOYOTA'S PRIUS
GM, in partnership with SAIC Motor Corp., brings its first hybrid to China. Like Toyota, GM is hoping high fuel prices, and a government supported awareness of the environment and energy efficiency, will convince Chinese auto buyers to spend more for hybrid cars. Last year, the number one selling car in China was the Volkswagen Santana. The Santana is for the most part a long-wheelbase version of the old Quantum, and is based on the B2 Passat. One might think of it as the Crown Victoria of China as it's used for Taxis and Police Cars. GM has not said what the new LaCrosse will sell for, but the Toyota Prius sells for more than twice as much as the Santana.
Read my piece published January 9th, 2007, in the Daily Oklahoman regarding the recent Energy Bill.
GM has come up with an intriguing variation of the hybrid vehicle concept with the Chevrolet Volt. Hybrids currently in production, such a
s the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid, utilize an electric motor in combination with an internal combustion engine to drive the wheels. In these configurations the electric motor is primarily used to get the vehicle going from a start, or at low speeds, with the internal combustion engine becoming the primary source of power at all other times. What sets the Volt concept apart is the electric motor is the only source of power connected to the wheels, with the internal combustion engine used as a generator to recharge the onboard batteries when needed. This configuration allows the internal combustion engine to run at a constant and most efficient speed. It also allows the use of any conventional or alternative fuel in the engine, or the use of a hydrogen fuel-cell to generate electricity.
While GM prefers to not call the Volt a hybrid, instead referring to it as using their E-Flex Propulsion System, it is in truth a "series hybrid."
Another interesting thing about the Volt is that it is also a "plug-in hybrid," meaning the batteries can be charged by plugging the car into a standard electrical outlet. The concept is expected to be able to run on battery power alone for approximately 40 miles, which would enable a majority of daily commuters to drive the car to work and back each day without the internal combustion engine ever running. You can see the plug cord in the accompanying photo.
Like any electric powered vehicle battery technology and availability plays a huge role in the eventual success or failure of the Volt. While officially unveiled in January 2007, questions of battery availability have delayed its expected production until 2010.
The Volt will accommodate four to five passengers and is expected to cost in the $20,000 to $30,000 price range. In Europe, the E-Flex Propulsion system is being used in the Opel Flextreme concept, with a diesel engine and hatchback styling suitable to the European market.