Tag Archives: electric cars
Illinois Boasts Nation’s Largest Fast Charge Station Network For Electric Vehicles
Electric Car Owners Can Now Juice Up At Tollway Oases
EV charging station outside a West Loop Walgreens
Above the din from hundreds of traditional gas powered vehicles roaring past the O’Hare Tollway Oasis Thursday afternoon, Governor Quinn announced Illinois will soon be the home to the nation’s largest network of fast charging stations for electric cars.
“We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America,” Governor Quinn said. “By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally-friendly and affordable travel options.”
The O’Hare Oasis is just one of four oases where fast chargers have been installed. The other three locations includes the Des Plaines Oasis (along I-90), the Lake Forest Oasis and Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis.
Eventually, electric vehicle fast charger units will be available at all seven oases in the Illinois Tollway system.
The state has partnered up with EV charging station management company 350Green, the Illinois Tollway and the 7-11 locations at each of the four oases to allow owners of electric vehicles re-charge their batteries in under 30 minutes.
I-GO Spending $2.5 Million To Go Electric
I-GO's future solar powered EV charging stations
I-GO, Chicago’s homegrown non-profit car sharing program, recently announced a new $2.5 million initiative to fully embrace the burgeoning electric car movement.
Not only does I-GO have plans to purchase 36 new all electric vehicles to add to their stable of over 225 hybrid or gas powered vehicles, but will also fund the installation of 18 solar powered electric car charging stations in and around Chicago.
Once the initiative is finished, I-GO will have the largest all electric car fleet in the Midwest and will use more solar power to charge electric vehicles than anyone else in the nation.
Problems, Problems, Problems For Chevy Volt
Chevy shows off the Volt at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show
General Motors has put a lot of money, energy and marketing muscle behind their inaugural foray into their first electric vehicle–the Chevy Volt.
But the Volt has been experiencing some embarrassing problems as of late.
Most recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun a formal safety investigation into the Chevy Volt after the car’s battery caught fire in three separate Volt’s used in side impact crash tests.
Electric Car Company Caught In Controversy
The beautiful, but expensive Fisker Karma hybrid
Electric car technology seems all the rage these days.
Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Tesla Roadster, Mistibushi MiEV and others.
One of these electric car companies, Fisker seems to be getting some bad press lately.
First, ABC News reports that Fisker got $529 million in loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy at the behest of the Obama administration to build cars in the U.S.
The good news is 500 people were hired to manufacture the luxury $97,000 Fisker Karma. The bad news is, those 500 people live in Finland.
Nissan Leaf Sets Bar High For Electric Vehicles
New All Electric Car Impressive In Test Drive
Nissan's all electric Leaf poses for a photo on the lakefront
The internal combustion engine is a truly amazing thing.
It is arguably, one of the most important inventions in human history.
After driving gas powered vehicles for over 30 years it is with a high degree of skepticism in which I view electric powered vehicles. In fact, I’ve often scoffed at the idea that electric cars could ever replace the combustion engine.
They’re not fast enough. The pickup is too slow. The range is too limited.
Well, after test driving this Nissan Leaf this past Saturday morning, a healthy meal feasting on my words may be in my immediate future.
Nissan Leaf Drive Electric Tour
This weekend, Nissan invited me to stop by the Nissan Leaf Drive Electric Tour in the shadow of Soldier Field and test drive a Leaf.
From the looks of it it was going to be a busy day for the Nissan folks as a line had formed at the entrance with many Chicago drivers looking to take their turn behind the wheel of this electric vehicle.
Electric Cars To Park Free In Oak Park
Thinking about buying an electric car?
If the gas savings isn’t enough to convince you, west suburban Oak Park is making it even more affordable by offering free metered parking to electric cars and no cost city stickers for electric car owners registered in town.
The Oak Park Village Board of Trustees voted at their meeting on Monday to allow all electric vehicles like the soon to be released Ford Focus, Chevy Volt or Nissan Leaf to park for free at meters, and at city owned parking lots and garages.
