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The Volkswagen E-Up! Concept is only a few days old now, but VW is already making a big statement and calling it the "Beetle of the 21st Century." No, it's not a homage back to any sort of retro vehicle, and instead uses Volkswagen's latest design language that we've seen in production form on the Golf and Scirocco. The automaker hopes that the E-Up! will be its small car of the future, better serving the needs of buyers who would originally shop the New Beetle.

As the big capital E in its name would suggest, the E-Up! is powered by a completely electric motor, producing 54 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, all running to the front wheels. Not that any eco-drivers will be worried about this, but 0-60 sprints should happen in 11.3 seconds and the E-Up! will top out at a maximum speed of 84 miles per hour.

Inside, the E-Up! benefits from a unique three-plus-one seating concept derived from the original Up! concept shown a few years back. This layout means that the driver and two side passengers will have optimum seating positions with the extra space behind the driver used for cargo capacity. Interesting stuff, no?

Will the E-Up! make it to production? We hope so. And if VW wants this to be the Beetle for our future, they'd better get moving. Click through the post for all of the nitty gritty details.

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Audi, like other German automakers, has long trumpeted that diesel power is the way of the future, and we've seen examples like the R8 V-12 TDI concept to prove this point.

Not anymore. The first images of Audi's all-electric e-Tron concept have leaked onto the web, and the car will make its official debut at the Frankfurt show this week. It's no secret that this car shares most of its construction with the R8 supercar, though overall aerodynamics have been improved -- fitting of a MPG-happy electricity sipper.

We'll have the full details later this week, but in the meantime, scroll through our gallery of images above to see the e-Tron from all angles.

+ Autoblog: Frankfurt Preview: Audi e-Tron electric supercar gets early web unveil

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Just a few days after General Motors caused a stir by announcing that the Chevy Volt will achieve up to 230 miles per gallon, Nissan has already one-upped them. According to a report from AutoWeek, Nissan says that the Leaf EV will get 367 miles per gallon with no fuel required.

To further start the war between EV cars, Nissan also states that its Leaf will be very affordable, too, priced within the $25,000 to $33,000 range. However, like the Volt, it's still very unclear how Nissan came up with the 367 mpg rating, and we'll be interested to see how the EPA reacts to this statement, too.

+ AutoWeek: Nissan says the Leaf EV beats the Chevrolet Volt with 367 mpg

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According to a report from Autocar, an unnamed source at Volvo has confirmed its all-electric C30 hatchback debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The Volvo spokesperson also states that it is still a concept car and that “Volvo has no current plans to put it into production.” Volvo is considering whether or not an electric C30 will fit into their lineup, but don’t expect this battery-powered hatch to hit showrooms anytime soon.

Scroll through our Volvo Recharge Concept gallery above, and for more information about the new Volvo all-electric C30 click on the link below.

+ Autocar: All-Electric Volvo C30

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Nissan unveiled its all-new electric vehicle called the Leaf yesterday, which is to be launched in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. in late 2010.

Unlike internal-combustion engines, the Leaf’s powertrain does not have a tail pipe and hence cannot emit any environmentally hazardous gases. Of course, electric vehicles push emissions back up the chain to the source of electricity, making it unlikely that such vehicles are truly zero emissions (see our Tesla coverage for more on this).

The Leaf is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 120 horsepower, while its electric motor delivers 80 kilowatts (107 horsepower)/ 280Nm (206 pounds-feet of torque) and the regenerative braking system aids the driving range of 100 miles on a full charge.

The Leaf has a sharp, upright V-shaped design featuring long, up-slanting LED headlights (which happen to consume only ten percent of the electricity that other LEDs use). The headlights have been specially designed to slit and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors to help reduce wind noise. The interior colors of the car come in bright,  “blue earth” color schemes. The mounted monitor displays the amount of power left in the car and can also show you where nearby charging stations are. With a quick charger, the Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80-percent in 30 minutes.

For more details about the Nissan Leaf scroll down and read the press release.

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Nissan announced today that its electric-vehicle platform, which is based on the Versa, is expected to be in the U.S. by the beginning of next year.

Nissan states that this new EV platform is built with a high-performance motor, an extremely rigid body, and a compact lithium-ion battery with high power output and energy capacity. The engine delivers 80 kilowatts (107 horsepower)/ 280Nm (206 pounds per feet of torque) for better response and powerful acceleration, the battery pack is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging and to create more cargo space and the additional frame for the battery pack helps improve the rigidity of the platform.

The new EV also comes with a navigation map, which can show the driving radius within range under the current state of charge. It can calculate if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination and can point out the latest information on available charging stations within its current driving range.
Nissan plans to unveil the design of its production EV at its new Global Headquarters Opening in Yokohama on August 2.

Click on the link below to watch a video of the new EV and scroll down to read the entire press release.
+ egmcartech: Nissan EV

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Brammo has started production of its electric motorcycle, Enertia, and the bikes are going to be sold at select Best Buy stores in the Northwest, by the end of this month.
 
The Brammo is a plug-in, capable of 53 miles per hour with a range of 45 miles. The Enertia has 18 horsepower and peaks at 3600 rpm. According to the Brammo website, the Enertia was designed keeping in mind and enhancing the pleasures of riding and by reducing elements that are daunting to a rider.
 
The bike seems ideal for short day-to-day commutes and city driving. This single-seater comes in several colors and is steeply priced at $11,995. To make amends for the exaggerated price, at zero-emissions it will be cheap to run and easy to ride in crowded areas.

For more details and to order your new Enertia, click on the link below.

+ Brammo: Brammo Enertia Powercycle

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It's no secret that the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (with those awesome gullwing doors) will be nothing short of wonderful when it hits the streets in the near future. And while the full production version is expected to be shown this fall at the Frankfurt Auto Show, new reports are suggesting that there may be an all-electric SLS in the works for a 2015 launch.

Dubbed the SLS eDrive, the EV Merc will use batteries from Evonik, a company who is partnering with Daimler for batteries. The electric version is expected to produce the equivalent of 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque, meaning that 0-60 sprints should happen in about four seconds flat. Not bad, considering that the gas-powered version is only expected to be 0.2 seconds quicker doing the same.

+ AutoWeek: Mercedes plans elecric version of SLS AMG supercar

Electronics retailer Best Buy has signed on as a sponsor for the electric motorcycle maker Brammo’s racing team. In addition to giving the EV builder support for the upcoming zero-emission grand prix—the TTxGP on the Isle of Man—Best Buy may offer a high-profile retail outlet for the Brammo Enertia street bike.

So far, Best Buy has not only invested in Brammo but has also reportedly, “Committed to testing the bike in stores.”  The first retail Enertia’s will likely show up in West Coast stores first, priced at or around $12,000.

Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher has also said that two new EV bike models are to be announced sometime within the next six months. One to slot in below the Enertia in terms of price, and another model that’s more closely related to the race bike seen here.

+ Wired Autopia: Best Buy Takes a Flyer on Brammo Electric Cycles

The hype around the Chevrolet Volt is growing faster and faster now that the car is closer to its production debut. And while official pricing is still far from being released, former GM car czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz revealed that the Volt's price tag will sit "around $40,000." This detail was leaked during Lutz's appearance on the David Letterman show recently.

General Motors was originally hoping for the Volt to come in below the $30,000 mark, but Lutz says that consumers can expect to pay around $32,500 when the car actually hits showrooms, thanks to a $7500 federal rebate for the purchase of advanced, plug-in vehicles. No official details have been released as to when the Volt will hit showrooms, Lutz says that we can expect to see a few examples dropping near the end of 2010, with full production to ramp up in 2011.

Would you pay $32,500 (or more) for a Chevy Volt? Let us know what you think, in comments.

+ Motor Authority: Lutz gives $32,500 ballpark price for Volt

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Earlier this week, editorial director Tom Martin and WR contributor Rex Roy drove a brand new Tesla Roadster through the winding roads of California, bringing a Lotus Elise SC along for fun (more on that later).

We've created yet another Ask It forum thread about the Tesla, so feel free to drop us a line with any questions that you may have about the electric roadster.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Tesla Roadster

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After a quick (and early) peak at the car yesterday, Tesla has gone and officially revealed the newest member of its two-car line up, the Model S Sedan. 

The Model S has some pretty impressive numbers going for it, with a 300-mile all-electric range, 45 minute quick charging of its batteries, a 130 mile per hour top speed (limited electronically) and a 0 to 60 sprint of “under six seconds.” Perhaps most impressive though, is the projected sticker price of $49,900-that's after taking into account the $7500 federal tax credit.

With its powertrain mounted in the floor of the vehicle, the Model S promises to be one of the most uniquely versatile sedans on the market. There'll be seating for seven (two rear-facing jump seats for kids only in the back), along with loads of storage space thanks to a hatchback configuration, fold-flat seats, and trunk space in front and rear.

It's all very exciting, without at doubt, but don't expect to have a Model S sitting in your driveway anytime soon. Tesla's anticipated start of production date isn't until late in 2011. Click through the gallery above for more images of the Model S or read more about the car in the official press release below.

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Tesla’s plan to reveal its new Model S sedan today at Noon PST has been slightly altered, as technophile darling Kevin Rose—founder of Digg.com—decided to upload some stock images of the Tesla to his personal Flickr page. Just a few hours early.

Rose’s daring is our gain, as it gives us our first unobstructed view of the handsome EV sedan. The Model S bears more than a passing resemblance to Jaguar’s swooping XF—which is no bad thing in our book. The low-slung sedan also appears to have a completely glass roof to complement its elegant sheet metal.

The lone interior shot may only reveal a partially completed cockpit area, but it does highlight a huge and unmistakable center stack touch screen display. A configurable control system is likely then, nestled inside of what seems to be a very nicely conceived, leather bound interior.

All in, it’s a lot of next generation appeal for a sedan that’s expected to retail for $57,400. Anticipate more detail as we have it.

+ AutoblogGreen: Leak! Tesla Model S pics surface on web ahead of today's debut

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Up until this point, Koenigsegg has solely been known for producing high-horsepower supercars with Bugatti Veyron-like top speeds. That all changed on the Geneva Show floor, though, when Christian von Koenigsegg unveiled his latest creation, the Quant, which runs only on electric power.

Developed in part by NLV Solar AG, the Quant uses individual electric motors that power each rear wheel, and additional energy comes from solar panels which have been slotted into the hood and roof. These batteries won't really be used for any sort of powertrain charging, but will provide enough juice to power interior electronics, etc. This four-passenger coupe is expected to produce an astonishing 512 horsepower and 527 pound-feet of torque -- impressive from just two electric motors.

So, it looks like the future of Koenigsegg might not just be about go-fast sports cars, after all. But the question is, if an EV were to come from the Koenigsegg folks, would it sell in the same sort of volumes as their famed CCX-series of supercars?

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Job one for engineering firm Magna Steyr is to realize and meet the needs of different OEMs and create products that can be utilized in a variety of different configurations for future vehicle creations. At the Geneva Motor Show, Magna Steyr unveiled their latest Mila EV concept, a five-door small car, and we're told that every part of this car's design and engineering has been entirely focused around alternative, forward-thinking drive technology.

The Mila EV is powered by an electric motor which produces 67 horsepower from its Magna Steyr-sourced lithium-ion battery. After charging for only 2.5 hours, we're told that this car can travel up to 150 kilometers (93 miles). Additionally, solar cells are integrated into the EV's glass roof, providing extra energy generation for interior features (audio, HVAC, etc.). More significantly, the Mila EV does away with side mirrors, in favor or sleeker camera housings with corresponding displays inside the car.

We'll be interested to see if Magna Steyr can get any OEMs on board with their Mila EV concept, as it could prove to be a very useful product for manufacturers looking to electrify their small car offerings. Click through the post to read Magna's official words, and click the images above for a few images of the Mila EV.

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The excitement behind the impending launch of the Chevrolet Volt won’t have to be limited to North America anymore—it’ll just have to be put off for one year. General Motors has shown off the European-flavored Volt, a restyled Opel version known as the Ampera.

The Euro versions (there will also be a right-hand-drive Vauxhall Ampera for Blighty) have all the same underpinnings as the revolutionary Chevy version, though some tweaks will have to be made to make the car compliant with Euro power grids. Have a closer look at the Ampera in our gallery above or scroll down to read the official press release. 

At the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Ford announced its plans to slowly roll out a range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), one of which would include some sort of commercial vehicle. Today, the Blue Oval folks have issued an official press release announcing that the Transit Connect will be available as a BEV in the second half of 2010. Ford will be working with Smith Electric Vehicles on all of the upcoming BEVs, a company that has been around since 1920.

The Transit Connect BEV will have an electric range of up to 100 miles. Since most Connects will be owned and operated by small businesses, many federal and regional programs will be offering incentives for companies who choose to electrify all their fleet of commercial vehicles.

This will be the first example of Ford's battery vehicle program. A small car (think: Focus) will be rolled out in 2011, next-generation hybrids will appear in 2012, and plug-in hybrids will also be available in 2012. Click through the post to read Ford's official press release.

Last month, Norweigan automaker Think filed for bankruptcy after not being able to raise the nearly $100 million that it needed to finance its growth. During the year 2008, Think sold around 350 examples of its two-seat plug-in city car, and with a higher global demand for more efficient vehicles, the automaker planned to boost production to 10,000 units in 2009.

In speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Think chief executive said, "It doesn't seem right that the traditional auto companies are getting massive public money to stave off their decline, while newcomers in the electric car space are being starved of capital."

Right now, however, Think is seeking strategic partnerships in order to secure more funding. In early January, the automaker received $5.7 million in financing from a group of lenders, including Ener1 Group, Inc. -- the company that makes the lithium-ion batteries which power the Th!nk cars. In the meantime, this money will aid in Think's plan to restructure their business model over the next few years. The long-term plan is to raise equity capital and eventually commence large-volume production.

+ Wall Street Journal: Faded Green: A Carmaker's Woes

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While Mercedes-Benz didn't have an official press conference during the show, their latest little BlueZERO concept did make its way onto the show floor. The cute little Benz uses a unique sandwich-floor architecture which Mercedes-Benz had originally introduced for the A-Class and B-Class nearly ten years ago. The BlueZERO is Mercedes' entry into the small, electric concept car segment, showing that they have all of the necessary equipment to create vehicles like these.

For all of the details, click through the post and read M-B's press release, and click through the gallery above to see the BlueZERO live on the NAIAS floor.

 With 150 roadsters already delivered to its customers, Tesla has recently added a new model to its lineup called the Roadster Sport. Essentially an upgraded version of the original roadster, the Sport has 15 percent more power, totaling to about 285 horsepower (compared to the regular 248), bringing the 0-60 time down to 3.7 seconds— 0.2 faster than the standard model.

The additional power partially comes from the hand-wound stator with a higher winding density and lower resistance, which (apparently) provides a higher peak torque. The electric motor redlines at 14,000 rpm with power transmitted to high-performance Yokohama tires via an upgraded gearbox found in the “powertrain 1.5” package. Improved suspension, including adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, keep the Roadster Sport firmly planted on the ground.

Tesla has already started taking orders on the $128,500 Sport in the U.S., and the first completed models are expected to be delivered in late June. For the 1,100 customers who have yet to receive their Tesla, they can still upgrade to the more powerful model.

+ Motor Authority: Tesla adds more powerful Roadster Sport to lineup