Renault's electric future

You wait years for an electric Renault and then several turn up at once!

In a shock revelation to Auto Express in Geneva, top brass at the French firm has revealed more than one battery-powered model will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

And that’s not all, they also confirmed we’d have the chance to drive them before the year’s out.
In an interview with Renault design chief Patrick Le Quément, he revealed that the first electric car will be based on a soon to be launched petrol-powered car – likely to be the facelifted Clio – whereas the other models will be designed from scratch, specifically to run on batteries.

“Designing electric cars is a completely new challenge,” said Le Quément. “Factors such as the positioning of the power packs and the need for a reduced glass area mean conventional-looking designs simply don’t work.”

It also appears that the firm is set to take an equally innovative approach to selling its vehicles too, hinting the production cars could be cheaper to buy than their petrol equivalents.

The firm is looking to adopt a system which would see the cars sold to customers without expensive batteries included. These would then be leased. While it's not clear how much this would cost, Renault has promised that the eventual outlay required would be less than the cost of fuelling the vehicle with Petrol.

This system would also allow drivers to drop in on specially adapted charging stations, where depleted batteries could either be charged, or simply swapped for a full one.

New Ford hybrid sedans post 41 mpg in the city

Ford Motor Co. said today that its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milanhybrid sedans have been certified by the EPA at 41 mpg city/36 highway.

The ratings put the hybrids' fuel economy at the front of the mid-sized pack, Ford said in a statement. Ford engineers spent three years revamping the gasoline-electric powertrain that debuted in the 2004 Escape Hybrid crossover.

The announcement underscores efforts by the Detroit 3 to bring more fuel-efficient vehicles to market.

During recent congressional hearings for federal bailout funds, the Detroit 3 were criticized for their past adherence to larger vehicles with poor fuel economy.

The latest version of Ford's hybrid powertrain again uses a one-speed continuously variable transmission. The size of the gasoline engine has been increased to 2.5 liters from from 2.3. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack is smaller and lighter but puts out 20 percent more power.

The Fusion Hybrid arrives in dealerships next spring with a base price of $27,270, excluding delivery charges that have not been announced. No price has been announced for the Milan Hybrid.

Competition is stiff among fuel-efficient cars.

Volkswagen's compact diesel-powered Jetta sedan delivers 30 mpg city/41 highway, while the Honda Civic Hybrid sedan gets 40 city/45 highway. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, similar in size to the Fusion and Milan, is rated at 33 city/34 highway.

But Ford may have the edge when it comes to driving on pure electric power. The Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid can reach speeds of 47 mph on electricity alone, a higher speed than other hybrids.

"The Fusion Hybrid's ability to run at much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations," said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. "This would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode."

Norway govt won't intervene to save carmaker Think

The Norwegian government said on Tuesday it will not directly intervene to rescue electric car maker Think after the company on Monday halted production and said it would not survive without the state's aid.

Privately owned Think had asked the government to help it out of its "urgent financial distress" sparked by the global crisis, saying it had difficulty obtaining working capital and that its suppliers are severely hit.

"There are many companies that are in a demanding financial situation because of the financial crisis," Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Rikke Lind told Reuters.

"The government cannot go in on the ownership side or provide loans to specific companies in today's situation," she said.

Think has said it needs 100 million to 200 million crowns ($14.5 million to $29 million) in short-term guarantees after it temporarily stopped production at its Norway plant and laid off between 50 percent and 70 percent of its employees to survive and proceed with expansion plans.

Norway's government is preparing a fiscal stimulus package to combat unemployment and shore up its construction industry, due to be presented in late January or early February.

The government has approved an increase in loan support for Innovasjon Norge, an organization fostering small- and medium-sized companies, by 1 billion crowns to 2.5 billion, in effect from Jan. 1, 2009, from which Think could apply for loans.

It has also said it will boost export credit institution Eksportfinans with about 50 billion crowns to ensure exporters get the financing they need to sustain operations.

"Think needs to contact the apparatus, where we have different lending and guarantee options, but they have to be considered in line with everybody else," Lind said.

Think was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier in December, the Swedish government said it would provide up to 25 billion Swedish crowns ($3.12 billion) in credit guarantees and emergency loans to its ailing auto industry but has no plans to buy stakes in Volvo or Saab.

With one car model in production, the micro Think City, the Norwegian company aims to ramp up production next year, launch the car in several European cities and set a date for its U.S. entry