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AUGUST 2013 -
SEXY X2
MAGAZINE -
7
General Motors is #1 in plug-in sales with the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid
with 38 to 40 miles of electric range and 380 to 400 miles per gasoline fill-up
range. The Volt has a starting price of about $39,000. GM has a complete
Voltec Propulsion System roadmap that envisions added offerings of pure
battery-electric and diesel plug-ins. The second plug-in hybrid from GM is the
Opel/Vauxhall Ampera, now selling
in Europe. The all-electric Chevrolet
Spark EV can soon be ordered
in California
and Oregon
for about
$32,500
for this fun
city
car with
80-
mile range
between
charges.
In late
2013,
sales
are like-
ly for the Cadillac ELR
using a plug-in hybrid drive
system similar to the Volt. Chevy
Volt Owner’s Range and Driving
Experiences. Chevy Volt Owner’s Range and Driving Experiences.
Toyota, world-leading seller of hybrids, also sells
both plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars. The Prius
plug-in Hybrid looks like another Prius until you spot
the J1772 plug for smart charging for a 12 to 15-mile
electric range. With a starting price of $32,000,
Toyota is #2 electric car sales. Toyota also offers
three other electric cars in California: the all-electric
SUV, the RAV4 EV, with a 150-mile electric range; the
FCHV fuel cell car with over 350 mile range, and the
new Scion IQ-EV small all-electric city cars for car
sharing and campus pilot tests. By 2015, Toyota will
also offer 21 hybrid cars with similar electric motors
and advanced battery
packs used in its
electric cars.
Nissan is the sales leader of all-electric cars.
This 5-door, 5-seat, hatchback has the right
size and range for many who drive under
100 miles daily, or for households with more
than one car. Nissan is now making the 2013
LEAF in Tennessee for the U.S. market with
options that include Level 1 charge, Level 2
charge at 6.6 kW/hour, and 25-minute DC
fast charge. Nissan delivers great value with
the new 2013 price starting at $28,800.
LEAF Test drive.
Ford in 2013 is giving
customers the greatest
choice in all-electric and plug-in hybrid
cars and crossovers. The new Ford C-MAX
Energi is a 5-door, 5-seat, crossover with more room
than a small SUV. The C-MAX Energi is a plug-in hybrid
with 14 to 20-mile electric range and 620 mile total range.
It is well priced at about $33,700. If you prefer a classic
sedan, the Ford Fusion Energi uses the same plug-in drive
system, and similar electric and total range. The Ford Focus
Electric is an all-electric with 80 to 100-mile range, but
priced at $39,200. Increasingly, Ford is offering its cars with
customer choice between good MPG, hybrid, and electric.