There is no question that early adopters will struggle to find charging stations in the coming years. Until there is a charging network for electric cars, the demand for the vehicles will remain low at best. What should come first, the charging stations or the electric car consumers?

The city of London is taking action by attempting to include charging station policy that would require developments, both commercial and residential to include charging stations once the density of population breaks a pre-defined threshold. The city has also committed to public charging station networks to be matched by private investors and the national government.

In a recent panel hosted by ThinkLondon, the topic of conversation was an electric charging network that would be built as a open source model. In a conversation with one of the attendees, BusinessWeek quoted London’s climate change program chief, Padmesh Shukla with the following:  ”Using the open platform model, the idea is to help foster development of common standards, tools, and practices for charge point developers, ensuring that all charging stations can operate with all electric models and generally create an environment in which electric car companies can prosper.” 

Back home in the U.S., San Diego based company San Diego Gas and Electric is attempting an open-source model as well. According to BusinessWeek, San Diego Gas and Electric is working with the Renault-Nissan Alliance and multiple charging companies on ways to innovate a charging network that integrate with San Diego Gas and Electric’s grid.

It’s good to see that large cities like San Diego and London are attempting to build the infrastructure necessary to boost and retain demand for electric cars.

Fiat Still Committed to Chrysler

Tuesday, Italian automaker Fiat remained committed to gaining majority control over Chrysler, even with the recent Supreme Court stay on the sale. In the agreement, Fiat has the option to walk away from the deal if it is not completed by June 15. Three Indian pension and construction funds, which hold a portion of the remaining Chrysler debt, are claiming that the pending sale unfairly supports unsecured stakeholders vs. secured debt holders.

Amid the confusion and pending decisions from the Supreme Court, Fiat remains committed to Chrysler. “Fiat won’t walk away from Chrysler,” Fiat spokesman Gualberto Ranieri

The pending agreement allows Chrysler to have access to the environmentally-concious engine technologies and management expertise of Fiat, all for a 20 percent stake in the company.

Fiat will also bring the popular Fiat 500 and the Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S.

DrivePwr will continue report on the pending sale. Stay Tuned!

Coda Automotive, an all-electric Sedan "for the masses."

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California., Coda Automotive is a manufacturer of all-electric, highway capable vehicles. For better or for worst, most of the blogging world has become very familiar with the Tesla and other EV companies, but the new addition of Coda could shake-up the landscape of all-electric vehicles. It is reported that Miles Rubin is the champion and steward of the new release. Coda has plans of making first shipments in Fall of 2009, but only to the state of California. Currently, Coda has a joint relationship with Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint Stock Co., Ltd., which provides the lithium-ion batteries used in the Coda. The four-door, five-passenger, fully loaded mid sized sedan will be available for $45,000 (mid-30’s after $7,500 tax credit and other state incentives).

According to Coda Automotive, the sedan will be powered by a 333v lithium-ion battery with a range of 90 to 120 miles, which is all dependent on driving habits. Coda suggests that the new sedan will travel far enough to satisfy 94% of daily driving routines. The vehicle also comes protected with a three-year/36,000 mile warranty.

The current guidance suggests that the vehicle will arrive in Fall of 2009 for California drivers. I suspect there will be a delay in delivery, followed by the typical recalls, similar to what has recently transpired with Tesla Motors. Only time will tell, so stay tuned!

"So Long" to the Hummer, may the Chinese make you more efficient. Please leave out the lead though.

Today, a statement was released by General Motors which outlines the potential acquisition of the HUMMER brand by Chinese manufacturing company, Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. With the deal, Tengzhong will not only retain the Hummer brand, but will bring along with it the senior management and operational team, along with the existing dealer agreements.

“Based in the Chinese province of Sichuan, Tengzhong is a privately-owned company and a leading domestic manufacturer of road, construction and energy industry equipment. It will expand into the premium off-road vehicle segment through what will be a strategic acquisition for Tengzhong and a catalyst for HUMMER’s growth in the U.S. and around the world.”

Is it just me, or does the expertise of a foreign manufacturer of road construction equipment lend itself to the Hummer brand? I hope this isn’t the result of  GM’s post-bankruptcy-filing-hangover. According to the press release made available by GM, the new deal, if it goes through will save 3,000 American jobs. So, how do you say Hummer in Chinese?

Oh, by-the-way Citi is serving as the financial advisor to GM. Kind of like the bling leading the blind, huh?

2010 Toyota Prius 3rd gen

According to Green Car Advisor, Toyota will be increasing production upon receiving news of achieving their Japan forecast of 100,000 units. The original forecast, which was stated at 100,000, was met two-weeks after launch. 80,000 units were pre-ordered, while another 20,000 were sold. The monthly guidance for the Prius in Japan was set at 10,000 per month. To support the demand and protect allocation around the globe, especially in North America and Europe, Toyota will boost production hours at the Prius plants of Fujimatsu and Tsutsumi.

I think it is safe to assume that the third-generation Prius has been a hit thus far in Japan.

However, it is important to note that sales are up due to tax incentives which have been granted by the Japanese government. In addition, It is reported that parliament is delivering cash-back incentives for trading cars that are over thirteen years or older.

The new Prius is about to release in North America, so it will be interesting to see how the sales move at home and abroad.

Stick around.

I can't imagine Tesla Motors being happy about this one. Better yet, I can't imagine the owners are happy. Talk about some bad press..

Today, the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put a halt to the positive vibes Tesla has been fueling. The most recent recall of the Tesla Roadster could prove to be a huge hit for the company.

“Tesla Motors, Inc. is recalling 345 2008 Tesla Roadster vehicles manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose…”

Ummm…so you’re saying that this could cause you to crash. If Tesla doesn’t shape up, the new Roadster is going to be known as the all-electric-wrecking-mobile. All you Tesla Roadster owners, you better get your ride back to the shop.

Even better, call the following: “Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safecar.gov.”