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Toyota RAV4 EV recalled for Tesla motor assembly software problem

As we noted this morning, Toyota is recalling 112,500 cars and SUVs to fix problems with electric power steering controls and electric vehicle software. The largest of two recalls announced yesterday cover about 110,000 2015 Camry midsize sedans and Highlander SUVs, as well as 2014 and 2015 RAV4 SUVs. There is a specific problem for those RAV4s that are also of the electric variety, which Toyota built with Tesla help from 2012 through 2014. This recall covers 2,500 RAV4 electric vehicles. Software in a motor assembly can make the vehicles shift into neutral on their own. Toyota says it knows of no crashes or injuries that resulted from the problem. For the non-EV-specific recalls, Toyota says a circuit board in the electric power steering may have been damaged at the factory. Power-assisted steering could fail, increasing the effort needed to steer and raising the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace power steering controls if needed. Related Video: The AP contributed to this report. Featured Gallery 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV: First Drive View 22 Photos News Source: Bloomberg Green Recalls Tesla Toyota Electric rav4 ev toyota rav4 ev

Recharge Wrap-up: Child Tesla driver hits baby in Chinese mall, Ram adds new CNG offering

A five-year-old child in a China shopping mall started a Tesla Model S at a display and hit a baby in a stroller. The baby fell out of the stroller and was unhurt, according to the report. A reporter from a local newspaper arrived at the scene to find the other Model S on display still powered on, this one with another child in the driver's seat. The cars had wooden blocks under the brake pedals and stickers warning the public not to touch the touchscreen. Police have opened an investigation into the incident. Read more and see all the photos at Car News China. Ram will add a new compressed natural gas pickup truck to its lineup. The new offering, which is smaller and less expensive than the current CNG pickup (pictured), will be available as a regular cab two-door with two-wheel drive and a long bed. Ram has sold 1,000 of the current 2500 CNG four-door 4x4 offering since going on sale in 2012. Ram believes the new offering will expand sales to fleet operators looking for a less-expensive truck. Read more at Automotive News. New methods of harvesting energy are being explored for automobiles. By now we're all familiar with regenerative braking, but thermoelectric harvesting from the motor, range extender or possibly even the exhaust could come to cars soon. Energy harvesting shock absorbers and exhaust turbines are also viable. Wind turbines could generate electricity while the car is parked, and piezoelectric energy harvesting could run minor electrical systems while the car is in motion. Enough energy harvesting could allow cars to use much smaller engines, and could extend the range of electric vehicles. Read more at Energy Harvesting Journal.

Ford also working on 200-mile EV to compete with Bolt, Model 3

The Chevrolet Bolt is on a lot of people's radars. You may have even noticed friends and colleagues who harbor very little interest in the automotive world, or anything labeled as "green," who have taken notice of a 200-mile electric vehicle coming out of Detroit. Mass appeal is the idea, after all. You can include Ford in the list of interested parties, in this case with the intention of taking direct aim at the Bolt – and, by proxy, the Tesla Model 3 – with an affordable, long-range EV of its own. Ford will unveil its own long-range EV, positioned to compete with Chevrolet, later this year, according to Automobile. Details are very scarce about Ford's plans, but we do know that the Bolt (or whatever the Chevy all-electric hatchback will end up being called) is expected to offer over 200 miles of driving between charges, with a sticker price around $30,000. The other major player, of course, is Tesla's smaller, more affordable sibling to the Model S. The Model 3, also slated to go on sale in 2017, should cost less than $40,000. While Tesla has established itself in the EV world, another long-range EV out of Detroit would win some customers from the California-based startup. For now, though, we'll just have to wait, as Ford remains tight-lipped about its plans for the car. Automobile predicts a possible unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, what with California's EV mandate being a driver of strategy for various automakers. Most can agree, though, that a larger field of options – while not ideal for backers of the Bolt or Model 3 – will only benefit the car-buying public. Related Video: Featured Gallery Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept: Detroit 2015 Related Gallery Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept News Source: AutomobileImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Green Rumormill Chevrolet Ford Tesla Electric Future Vehicles Chevy Bolt ford ev

Tesla Model S Easter egg turns car into submarine

When thinking about Elon Musk, the first thing that comes to mind may not be his sense of humor. However, the Tesla boss is embedding a pretty funny Easter egg in the company's cars that references a part of his own collection. Musk famously purchased the Lotus Esprit submarine from the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me for about $967,000 in 2013. At one point, he even intended to install a Tesla powertrain and make it fully transformable. From anyone else that plan would sound like pure fantasy, but Musk has the money and the means to make it happen, if he wants. Now, every Tesla Model S driver gets to share in just a little of that very cool ownership experience. A person on YouTube filmed how to access the Easter egg, and it's extremely easy. Just hold down the T on the infotainment screen for a few seconds, enter the appropriate code 007 and check the suspension settings page. Instead of seeing a Model S, Bond's submersible Esprit now appears. As another cool touch, users can set the vehicle's depth in leagues, and the options max out at 20,000. This is almost certainly a subtle reference to the classic story 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Maybe someday Musk can get the Lotus' conversion complete, and we can see it working for real. Until then, this a neat way to show the unique car off. Related Video:

Texas trying once again to legitimize Tesla sales

When pigs fly. That might be the Lone Star-style response to news that Texas may allow Tesla to sell its electric vehicles directly to the state's residences. But at least a half-dozen state lawmakers are pushing for it, says Automotive News. Indeed, five state representatives and one state senator filed bills last week pushing tweaks to state laws that would allow Tesla to skip the traditional third-party dealership distribution model and sell direct. House Bill 1653/Senate Bill 639 would have its limits, saying that any company (say, for example, Tesla) selling direct would be allowed a maximum of 12 stores in Texas. Considering there are about 1,200 franchised car dealerships in the state, that gives a whole new meaning to the term "one percenters," doesn't it? Supporters of the proposed bill say Tesla represents innovation and a true vision of the free market. Of course, Texas dealership representatives slammed the idea because revenue would go directly to California-based Tesla without making any sort of detour to state coffers. Tesla spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson confirmed that a bill suggesting the change in state law has been filed with both the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and that it has been referred to the state's Natural Resources and Community Development Committee, but declined to comment further when reached by AutoblogGreen. Similar legal and ideological battles are being fought in states like Arizona and Connecticut. Discussions among the latter state's lawmakers gained steam earlier this month, with some proposing that a handful of dealerships should be permitted within the state in order to stop folks from going to New York or Massachusetts to get their new rigs. Related Videos: Featured Gallery 2015 Tesla Model S P85D: Detroit 2015 View 18 Photos News Source: Automotive News-sub.req. Government/Legal Green Tesla Electric dealer fight

Recharge Wrap-up: Formula E reveals Berlin circuit, BYD sells EV buses to Japan

Tesla Motors heads to UNLV to recruit new talent. Tesla sent representatives to the University Tuesday and Wednesday as the electric automaker looks to bolster its employee roster in Nevada. Tesla is building its $5-billion Gigafactory battery manufacturing facility in Reno, Nevada. Read more at 8 News Now. A Tesla Model S owner charged his car by tapping directly into a power line. The driver, who found himself stranded without a charge, took matters into his own hands rather than call for a tow. He appears to have rigged some sort of method to transfer power from the utility pole to his vehicle without killing himself or causing serious damage to his Model S. Brilliant, or stupid? Take a look for yourself at Autoevolution. BYD has delivered five electric buses to a transit operator in Kyoto, Japan. This makes it the first Chinese automaker to break into the Japanese market. Kyotokyukou Bus Incorporated will operate the buses, which are powered by iron-phosphate batteries running in-hub motors and have a driving range of over 155 miles mile on a single charge. "The Japanese market has stringent requirements for technology and quality," says BYD's Liu Xueliang. "The delivery of the BYD buses means a great recognition for BYD as well as for China's technology and quality." Read more in the press release below. Formula E has revealed the circuit for the Berlin ePrix on May 23. The 1.53-mile course consists of 17 turns built within the retired Tempelhof Airport. The Berlin ePrix will also feature off-track entertainment, including eBike stunts and driver autograph sessions. German driver Nick Heidfeld - who was part of a dramatic crash in Formula E's inaugural race - says the Berlin race, is "going to be very special racing in front of my home crowd and I'm really looking forward to it." Heidfeld also said it appears to be "a very twisty and challenging circuit." Read more from Formula E and see the circuit guide. BYD Becomes First Chinese Auto Company to Penetrate Japanese Market KYOTO, Japan, Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyotokyukou Bus Incorporated has taken delivery of 5 Long Range Battery Electric Buses from industry pioneer BYD Company Ltd. The delivery ceremony held was widely covered as it not only represented electrified public transportation, but also Japan, a nation built on engineering excellence, for the first time acquiring high tech vehicles from their neighbor, China.

Buick tops in Consumer Reports' annual brand rankings

Buick is the first US-based automotive brand to crack the top 10 in Consumer Reports magazine's annual brand report cards. US automakers also placed three vehicles on the magazine's list of "top picks" for vehicles, the first time that's happened in 17 years. The rankings were unveiled Tuesday in the magazine's annual auto issue. Buick placed seventh in the brand rankings. But the brand rankings and top picks still were dominated by Japanese and German manufacturers, with Lexus, Mazda, Toyota, Audi and Subaru taking the top five brand spots. The magazine calculates each brand's overall score with a composite of its vehicles' road-test scores and reliability scores for each model in its annual survey of subscribers. It's the third year for the brand rankings. Porsche placed just ahead of Buick at number six, while Honda, Kia and BMW rounded out the top 10 brands. Mercedes-Benz, Acura and Infiniti all suffered precipitous declines in their rankings due to unreliable new models or poor road test scores. Mercedes fell out of the top 10 to 21st, while Acura dropped from number two to 11 with an unimpressive test of the new RLX sedan, the magazine said. In the model rankings, the top overall finisher was California-based Tesla's Model S electric car, for the second year in a row. The Model S, which cost the magazine $89,650, finished first due to its performance and technical innovations, the magazine said. Buick's Regal midsize car beat the BMW 328i as the top sports sedan, and the Chevrolet Impala was named the top large car. The model rankings show Consumer Reports' favorite among the 270 vehicles its team has recently tested. The rankings are closely watched in the auto industry, since shoppers consistently cite Consumer Reports as a main source of car-buying advice. Other top picks included the Subaru Impreza in the compact car category, Subaru Legacy in midsize cars, Toyota Prius as the best green car, Audi A6 luxury car, Subaru Forester small SUV, Toyota Highlander midsize SUV and the Honda Odyssey minivan. Japanese vehicles won six of 10 top pick categories, but that was the smallest number in the 19-year history of Consumer Reports top picks. "For years domestic automakers built lower-priced and lower-quality alternatives to imports, but those days are behind us," said Jake Fisher, the magazine's director of automotive testing. But other U.S.-based automakers still had problems.

Chinese company gives Tesla Model S sedans as bonus

We are in the wrong business. Apparently, some companies award its employees this thing called a "bonus." According to reports, it often comes in the form of a cash payout, but it seems it can take other shapes too, including our favorite: Tesla Model S-shape. Chinese app outfit WiFi???? (WiFi Skeleton Key) appreciates its workers so much that it is giving dozens of them an electric sedan as a reward for their hard work and loyalty. The only catch was that they had to have been employed by the Shanda-backed tech firm for at least four months. Reportedly, the act of generosity will cost the start up more than CNY 30 million ($4.8 million at today's rates). Though perhaps lavish by western standards, top Chinese tech companies have been handing out end-of-year bonuses as large as several years worth of regular pay. According to founder Chen Danian, "Talent is the key determinant for the success of high-tech companies. Through this move, we want to show how much we value and respect our talent." Indeed. We can only hope that this example of largesse gets echoed by our own corporate overlords, and in case anyone is asking, I'll take a P85D in Pearl White with 21-inch grey turbine wheels. Thank you. Related Video:

Anime tiger Tesla Model S shows up in Japan

Look! Outside the office complex! Is it a '68 Dodge Super Bee? The official electric vehicle of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Something the Bumble Bee characters led by John Belushi in the old Saturday Night Live episodes should be cruising around in? Nope, it's a Tesla Model S decked out as the tiger in the Shima Shima Tora no Shimajiro Japanese anime series that was once so beloved by Japanese toddlers. And, in this case, us as well. The Tesla, first seen a few years ago, was spotted outside of an office complex in Kobe, Japan, and was committed to posterity in a 46-second video now posted on YouTube. The black-and-yellow Model S was part of a local educational program that included the Shimajiro series, which debuted in 1993 and ran for almost 15 years. And ferocious performance be damned, this Tiger-themed Tesla looks downright cuddly. The sedan includes a smiley face and two saucer eyes on the grille of the Model S's "frunk," a pair of "ears" near the windshield and, yes, a tail sticking out of the trunk. Check out the video above and prepare to be charmed.

Recharge Wrap-up: Telsa's aerodynamic modeling program, new toll plan for NYC

A video shows the digital aerodynamic modeling Tesla used when making the Model S. The video is from Exa, which uses predictive airflow software to create a "digital wind tunnel." Tesla's aerodynamics guru Rob Palin said the digital modeling helped them pinpoint areas with the most drag - the mirrors and wheels being the big anchors - and make the car more slippery overall. "One of the objectives with the Model S was to minimize the airflow around the front wheels and to line up the airflow so it hits the front wheels head on," says Palin. "This was an area where we made a huge improvement from the initial concept designs to the final design." See the car's 0.24 drag coefficient in action in the video above, and read more at Teslarati. A new toll plan in New York City could help ease congestion and pay for infrastructure. A report from Move NY Fair finds that drivers in the outer boroughs end up paying most of the tolls, while Manhattan drivers do not. "The toll levels charged to motorists do not accurately reflect travel demand nor do they appropriately act as a disincentive to drive into the most congested part of the city," according to the report. Under the new plan, driver's entering central Manhattan would pay $8, while tolls would be lowered by 45 percent on bridges that don't lead into the central business district. The plan would encourage mass transit, and generate an expected $1.5 billion in annual revenue. Read more at Wired. More and more, utilities are getting into the business of electric vehicle charging. More energy providers are looking to install and operate EV charging stations in order to promote electric driving and create new revenue selling electricity. EV charging can also help to manage the grid more efficiently. Some charging companies and energy consumers oppose utilities getting into the charging game, though. They worry about stifling competition and burdening customers with the costs of creating the infrastructure. The large utility companies, though, are better poised to take on such large projects. Read more at The New York Times. Related Gallery Tesla Model S: Quick Spin View 33 Photos News Source: Teslarati, Wired, New York TimesImage Credit: YouTube: exacorporation Green Tesla Alternative Fuels Electric recharge wrapup