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Recharge Wrap-up: Volvo's efficient truck concept, Tesla's updated mobile charger is cheaper

Mercedes-Benz plans to equip its gasoline-powered cars with particulate emissions filters, just like its diesel vehicles. Claiming to be the first automaker to apply the technology to gasoline motors, successful testing in the S500 led to the decision to expand the use of these filters. This announcement coincides with a $3.35 billion investment in clean diesel technology, including a new four-cylinder engine that adheres to strict emissions guidelines. It's not clear when Mercedes will begin including the filters on its gasoline vehicles, or if it intends to use them outside of Europe. Read more at Green Car Reports. Tesla has updated its mobile charger and given it a lower price. The 40-amp "Mobile Connector Bundle" – which used to sell for $650 – is now priced at $550 with two adapters and a storage bag, with an available $520 version offered without the adapters. Tesla's product description reads, "The Corded Mobile Connector has an integrated 240 volt 50 amp rated plug for high power output. A seamless design provides a low profile connection, allowing for use with covered outdoor outlets." Read more at Electrek. Volvo has developed a new truck concept that reduces fuel consumption by more than 30 percent. The modified Volvo FH 420 long-haul truck, simply called the Volvo Concept Truck, features 40 percent better aerodynamic efficiency, a weight reduction of about 4,400 pounds, and tires with lower rolling resistance. The truck's rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras, which, in addition to reducing drag, also improve safety through better visibility. While the research vehicle won't reach market as-is, some of its aerodynamic features have already been included in real-world applications, with more to come as Volvo aims to improve the efficiency of its trucks by 50 percent. Read more at Green Car Congress, and in the press release below. Volvo Trucks' new concept truck cuts fuel consumption by more than 30% Almost one-third lower fuel consumption. Volvo Trucks' new concept vehicle shows how it is possible to drastically boost productivity in long-haul operations. Among the secrets behind these remarkable fuel savings are aerodynamic design and lower kerb weight. With support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Trucks has developed a new concept vehicle, the Volvo Concept Truck. It is the result of a five year long research project aimed at creating more energy-efficient vehicles.

Tesla Motors appeals sales ban in New Jersey

Resistance to the way Tesla Motors sells its cars - directly to the consumer, with no negotiating and no dealer middleman - comes mostly from dealership organizations around the country. It's also illegal in some states, thanks to laws ushered into place with help from dealers. The reaction to Tesla's new style of business is led by what Steve Blank calls, "rent seekers" or "landlords of the status-quo." Tesla itself isn't into that sort of name-calling, but it will take to the courts when necessary. Case in point, New Jersey, where the legislature voted in mid-March to stop Tesla stores from selling cars starting April 1. This week, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) extended a deadline until April 15, a move that could save the EV automaker's future in the state. Tesla has now filed with the state Superior Court asking that the ruling be appealed. Tesla says that the MVC is taking its orders from the state dealers association, the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. Tesla also made an argument against the traditional gasoline vehicle dealers that we've heard before. Here is some of the text of the appeal: Franchise dealers have an inherent conflict of interest in selling electric vehicles. In order to do so effectively, they would need to enthusiastically tout the reasons why electric vehicles are superior to gasoline vehicles. This is not something that they are going to do since gasoline vehicles represent virtually all of their revenue. Dealers also depend on quick, high volume sales - incentivized by substantial sales commissions - in large, out-of-the-way facilities that contain large inventories of new and used cars. By contrast, Tesla sells its cars in relatively small showrooms, often located in shopping malls (like the two stores in New Jersey) that invite people unfamiliar with electric cars to drop in. You can read the full appeal in the PDF below. The TSLA stock price rose after the appeal was filed, but has since leveled out. Tesla vs. New Jersey Auto Dealers Superior Court Appeal by AutoblogGreen This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Tesla rockets to $259 a share on Morgan Stanley, Consumer Reports announcements [w/video]

Remember way back when we mentioned that Tesla's Gigafactory for batteries might prove to be a good investment opportunity, with its potential to bring cell prices down to a level that could make the forthcoming Tesla Model E affordable, not to mention attractive for massive amounts of renewable energy storage? Well, today the automaker's share price popped – we'd say exploded, but it's not as alliterative – up over 15 percent to hit an all-time $259.20 high. It seems market analysts at Morgan Stanley were way ahead of us, and they have now released a report outlining their decidedly optimistic expectations. Authored by analyst Adam Jonas, the document looks forward to a Utopian future (around 2026, for those anxious for such a thing) where it is predicted that Tesla will enjoy a commanding share of both the battery and autonomous automobile market, and its revenues will be sixty times that of today. Sixty times. That's a pretty sunny outlook. Not incidentally, the financial services company also has doubled its target price for TSLA, from $153 to a nice, round $320. Consumer Reports named the Tesla Model S its best overall top pick for 2014. That rosy outlook report is not necessarily the only thing filling the sails of the California automaker today. Consumer Reports has also also added to the momentum, naming the Tesla Model S its best overall top pick for 2014. And now we hear that Panasonic and some partners are interested in investing almost a billion dollars into Tesla's new gigafactory. Of course, we here at AutoblogGreen are simply scribes, not investment professionals, so this is not an encouragement to buy, sell or hold. We can recommend, though, that you scroll below and check out CR's brief video containing all 10 of its 2014 top picks. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.