Recharge Wrap-up: Free chargers for Canadian ELR buyers, Renovo gets funding for EV supercar
Thu, Sep 18 2014
Early buyers of the Cadillac ELR in Canada will get a 240-volt charger installed at their home for free. It should help convince some buyers to adopt the range extended luxury EV. Cadillac's Chief Marketing Officer Uwe Ellinghaus says, "Professional installation of the fastest home-charging unit is a natural way to mark the introduction of ELR to the luxury market." Read more in the press release below.
Renovo has received venture capital funding from California-based True Ventures to build its Coupe electric supercar. The impressive EV, with its 500 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, is an inspiring vehicle built by a promising company, according to its financial backers. Toni Schneider of True Ventures says that Renovo has "created incredibly advanced technology and a beautiful machine that is well positioned to disrupt the automotive market." Read more in the press release below.
Renault says it will build its Fluence ZE electric car in China for an unnamed brand, pending government approval. Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn announced the plan at a test drive event in France on Monday. Renault has a partnership with Dongfeng Motors to build and sell its cars in China. Read more at Reuters.
Germany has lifted its ban on Uber. While the German court believes the ride-hailing service is operating illegally without proper licensing for drivers, it says Taxi Deutschland waited too long to file the case against Uber. The taxi association plans to appeal the decision soon. See more in the video below, and read more at The New York Times.
A new report from UC Davis claims that a global expansion of public transit could save 1,700 megatons of carbon dioxide yearly and over $100 trillion by 2050. A "high-shift scenario" would be necessary, wherein governments invest in rail and clean buses, expand biking and walking infrastructure and shift focus away from projects that encourage car use. This shift to public transit would especially be important in the US, China and India. Read more in the press release below.
Cadillac Enhances ELR Buying Experience in Canada
Early adopters to receive complimentary home charger and installation
Oshawa, Ontario (Tuesday, September 16, 2014) – Cadillac is offering a complimentary 240-volt home charging station and installation to early buyers of the all-new 2014 ELR electrified luxury coupe.
"The ELR's blend of leading technology with provocative design and fun-to-drive performance is set to bring new buyers to Cadillac and to electrification itself," said Uwe Ellinghaus, chief marketing officer, Global Cadillac. "Professional installation of the fastest home-charging unit is a natural way to mark the introduction of ELR to the luxury market."
The Cadillac ELR offers a convergence of luxury, electrification and sporty driving in a premium coupe with dynamic design and an award-winning range-extended electric powertrain.
As with all Cadillac models, the ELR comes standard with Cadillac Shield, a comprehensive suite of owner benefits including Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, a Premium Care Maintenance program and 24/7 roadside assistance. ELR also comes with an extended battery and propulsion warranty of eight years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first, and a four-year or 80,000 km, whichever comes first, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
Specially trained and certified Cadillac dealers sell and service the ELR. Backing up the dealership experience, prospective customers and buyers of the ELR can take advantage of their own Cadillac ELR Ambassador. Trained in white-glove customer care, the Cadillac ELR Ambassador is a dedicated additional point of contact for information on battery care, home charging, service scheduling, news and updates by calling 1-888-446-2000.
About Cadillac in Canada
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at www.cadillac.ca.
RENOVO MOTORS ANNOUNCES FUNDING BY TRUE VENTURES
CAMPBELL, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2014) – Renovo Motors, Inc., makers of a high-performance, all-electric supercar, today announced the closing of its recent round of funding led by venture capital firm True Ventures. Renovo Motors introduced the world to the Renovo Coupe in August with the launch of its production prototype at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance. Founded in 2010 with the mission to build the world's most exciting vehicles, Renovo has operated in stealth mode for over four years as the company developed and refined its patent-pending electric vehicle technology. The Coupe-the first all-electric American supercar-is the culmination of these efforts.
Powered by a patent-pending 740 volt lithium-ion battery pack, the Renovo Coupe uses two twin sequential axial flux motors to produce more than 500 horsepower and 1,000 ft-lbs of torque, available immediately from a complete stop. This groundbreaking powertrain allows the Coupe to attain 0-60 MPH in 3.4 seconds, making it the fastest production rear-wheel drive electric vehicle in the world. The Renovo Motors team is inspired by eras of automotive history where great change has enabled focused teams create disruptive technologies and enduring brands through a relentless pursuit of higher performance. With backgrounds in highly-technical fields, the Renovo team, led by co-founders Christopher Heiser and Jason Stinson, aims to take existing technology and use it as a foundation to create something the world has never seen before.
Toni Schneider, a partner at Palo Alto-based venture capital firm True Ventures, said his firm invested in Renovo because of the founding team and the company's potential for market disruption.
"Chris and Jason are brilliant founders with deeply technical backgrounds and 15 years of history between them," he said. "They have created incredibly advanced technology and a beautiful machine that is well positioned to disrupt the automotive market. True Ventures is thrilled to become partners with this impressive company."
Renovo Motors plans to use the new funding to continue its research and development, focusing on the enhancement of its electric propulsion technology to create a revolutionary supercar that is unlike anything in existence, according to Heiser.
"With the Renovo Coupe officially available for purchase, we could not be more excited to partner with True Ventures and begin taking the next steps toward continued company growth and expansion," he said. "We are honored to enter this relationship while charting a successful path for Renovo for years to come."
The Renovo Coupe is on sale now in limited quantities and will begin shipping in 2015.
About Renovo Motors
Renovo Motors, a Silicon Valley car company, is driven to create the world's most exciting vehicles. By harnessing the power of the latest electrical, mechanical, and software systems the Renovo team creates cars that redefine the driving experience. Their debut offering, the Renovo Coupe, sets multiple benchmarks in the EV supercar segment and demonstrates the performance, control, and excitement that is made possible by Renovo's patent-pending technology. For more information on Renovo Motors and purchasing details, visit www.RenovoMotors.com or contact (951) 719-1040 or media@renovomotors.com.
About True Ventures
Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. With four funds and approximately $900 million in capital under management, True provides seed and Series A funding to the most talented entrepreneurs in today's fastest growing markets. With a mission to make the world a better place for entrepreneurs, True encourages each founder's vision and has built resources to empower the employees, families and communities of its portfolio companies. The firm maintains a strong founder community and offers innovative educational opportunities to its portfolio, helping entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of success and impact. With more than 150 companies funded and multiple companies acquired, the current True portfolio has helped create over 3,500 jobs. To learn more about True Ventures, visit www.trueventures.com.
GLOBAL SHIFT TO MASS TRANSIT COULD SAVE MORE THAN $100 TRILLION AND 1,700 MEGATONS OF CO2
More than $100 trillion in public and private spending could be saved between now and 2050 if the world expands public transportation, walking and cycling in cities, according to a new report released by the University of California, Davis, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. Additionally, reductions in carbon dioxide emissions reaching 1,700 megatons per year in 2050 could be achieved if this shift occurs.
Further, an estimated 1.4 million early deaths associated with exposure to vehicle tailpipe emissions could be avoided annually by 2050 if governments require the strongest vehicle pollution controls and ultralow-sulfur fuels, according to a related analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation included in the report. Doubling motor vehicle fuel economy could reduce CO2 emissions by an additional 700 megatons in 2050.
"The study shows that getting away from car-centric development, especially in rapidly developing economies, will cut urban CO2 dramatically and also reduce costs," said report co-author Lew Fulton, co-director of NextSTEPS Program at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. "It is also critical to reduce the energy use and carbon emissions of all vehicles."
The report, A Global High Shift Scenario, is the first study to examine how major changes in transportation investments worldwide would affect urban passenger transport emissions as well as the mobility of different income groups. The findings should help support wider agreement on climate policy, where cleanup costs and equity between rich and poor countries are key issues.
The report is being released Sept. 17 at the United Nations Habitat III Preparatory Meeting in New York, in advance of the Sept. 23 United Nations Secretary-General's Climate Summit, where many nations and corporations will announce voluntary commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including new efforts focused on sustainable transportation.
"Transportation, driven by rapid growth in car use, has been the fastest growing source of CO2 in the world," said Michael Replogle, co-author of the study and managing director for policy at ITDP, a global New York-based nonprofit. "An affordable but largely overlooked way to cut that pollution is to give people clean options to use public transportation, walking and cycling. This expands mobility options, especially for the poor, and curbs air pollution from traffic."
The authors calculated CO2 emissions and costs from 2015 to 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario and a "High Shift" scenario where governments significantly increase investments in rail and clean bus transportation, and provide infrastructure to ensure safe walking, bicycling and other active forms of transportation. It also includes moving investments away from road construction, parking garages and other steps that encourage car ownership, freeing up resources for the needed investments.
Cutting emissions across the world's cities
Transportation in urban areas accounted for about 2,300 megatons of CO2 in 2010, almost one quarter of carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Rapid urbanization -- especially in fast developing countries like China and India -- will cause these emissions to double by 2050 in the business-as-usual scenario. Among the countries examined in the study, three stand out:
* United States: Currently the world leader in urban passenger transportation CO2 emissions, the U.S. is projected to lower these emissions from 670 megatons annually to 560 megatons by 2050 because of slowing travel growth combined with sharp improvements in fuel efficiencies. But a high shift to more sustainable transportation options, along with fewer and shorter car trips related to communication technologies substituting for transportation, could further drop those emissions to about 280 megatons.
* China: CO2 emissions from transportation are expected to mushroom from 190 megatons annually to more than 1,100 megatons, due in large part to the explosive growth of China's urban areas, the growing wealth of Chinese consumers, and their dependence on automobiles. But this increase can be slashed to 650 megatons under the High Shift scenario, in which cities develop extensive clean bus and metro systems. The latest data show China is already sharply increasing investments in public transport.
* India: CO2 emissions are projected to leap from about 70 megatons today to 540 megatons by 2050, also because of growing wealth and urban populations. But this increase can be moderated to only 350 megatons under the High Shift scenario by addressing crucial deficiencies in India's public transport.
Under the High Shift scenario, mass transit access worldwide is projected to more than triple for the lowest income groups and more than double for the second lowest groups. This would provide the poor with better access to employment and services that can improve their livelihoods.
The study was funded by the Ford Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation and Hewlett Foundation.
About the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is a global nonprofit that helps cities design and implement high-quality transit systems to make communities more livable, competitive and sustainable. ITDP works with cities worldwide to bring about transport solutions that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of urban life. Please visit http://www.itdp.org for more information.
About UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
The Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis is the leading university center in the world on sustainable transportation. It is home to more than 60 affiliated faculty and researchers, and 120 graduate students. ITS-Davis is partnered with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations to inform policymaking and business decisions, and advance the public discourse on key transportation, energy and environmental issues. The U.S. Department of Transportation recently designated ITS-Davis as the lead university for the National Center on Sustainable Transportation. More information: http://www.its.ucdavis.edu/.
About UC Davis
UC Davis is a global community of individuals united to better humanity and our natural world while seeking solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. Located near the California state capital, UC Davis has more than 34,000 students, and the full-time equivalent of 4,100 faculty and other academics and 17,400 staff. The campus has an annual research budget of over $750 million, a comprehensive health system and about two dozen specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and 99 undergraduate majors in four colleges and six professional schools.
Early adopters to receive complimentary home charger and installation
Oshawa, Ontario (Tuesday, September 16, 2014) – Cadillac is offering a complimentary 240-volt home charging station and installation to early buyers of the all-new 2014 ELR electrified luxury coupe.
"The ELR's blend of leading technology with provocative design and fun-to-drive performance is set to bring new buyers to Cadillac and to electrification itself," said Uwe Ellinghaus, chief marketing officer, Global Cadillac. "Professional installation of the fastest home-charging unit is a natural way to mark the introduction of ELR to the luxury market."
The Cadillac ELR offers a convergence of luxury, electrification and sporty driving in a premium coupe with dynamic design and an award-winning range-extended electric powertrain.
As with all Cadillac models, the ELR comes standard with Cadillac Shield, a comprehensive suite of owner benefits including Remote Vehicle Diagnostics, a Premium Care Maintenance program and 24/7 roadside assistance. ELR also comes with an extended battery and propulsion warranty of eight years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first, and a four-year or 80,000 km, whichever comes first, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
Specially trained and certified Cadillac dealers sell and service the ELR. Backing up the dealership experience, prospective customers and buyers of the ELR can take advantage of their own Cadillac ELR Ambassador. Trained in white-glove customer care, the Cadillac ELR Ambassador is a dedicated additional point of contact for information on battery care, home charging, service scheduling, news and updates by calling 1-888-446-2000.
About Cadillac in Canada
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at www.cadillac.ca.
RENOVO MOTORS ANNOUNCES FUNDING BY TRUE VENTURES
CAMPBELL, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2014) – Renovo Motors, Inc., makers of a high-performance, all-electric supercar, today announced the closing of its recent round of funding led by venture capital firm True Ventures. Renovo Motors introduced the world to the Renovo Coupe in August with the launch of its production prototype at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance. Founded in 2010 with the mission to build the world's most exciting vehicles, Renovo has operated in stealth mode for over four years as the company developed and refined its patent-pending electric vehicle technology. The Coupe-the first all-electric American supercar-is the culmination of these efforts.
Powered by a patent-pending 740 volt lithium-ion battery pack, the Renovo Coupe uses two twin sequential axial flux motors to produce more than 500 horsepower and 1,000 ft-lbs of torque, available immediately from a complete stop. This groundbreaking powertrain allows the Coupe to attain 0-60 MPH in 3.4 seconds, making it the fastest production rear-wheel drive electric vehicle in the world. The Renovo Motors team is inspired by eras of automotive history where great change has enabled focused teams create disruptive technologies and enduring brands through a relentless pursuit of higher performance. With backgrounds in highly-technical fields, the Renovo team, led by co-founders Christopher Heiser and Jason Stinson, aims to take existing technology and use it as a foundation to create something the world has never seen before.
Toni Schneider, a partner at Palo Alto-based venture capital firm True Ventures, said his firm invested in Renovo because of the founding team and the company's potential for market disruption.
"Chris and Jason are brilliant founders with deeply technical backgrounds and 15 years of history between them," he said. "They have created incredibly advanced technology and a beautiful machine that is well positioned to disrupt the automotive market. True Ventures is thrilled to become partners with this impressive company."
Renovo Motors plans to use the new funding to continue its research and development, focusing on the enhancement of its electric propulsion technology to create a revolutionary supercar that is unlike anything in existence, according to Heiser.
"With the Renovo Coupe officially available for purchase, we could not be more excited to partner with True Ventures and begin taking the next steps toward continued company growth and expansion," he said. "We are honored to enter this relationship while charting a successful path for Renovo for years to come."
The Renovo Coupe is on sale now in limited quantities and will begin shipping in 2015.
About Renovo Motors
Renovo Motors, a Silicon Valley car company, is driven to create the world's most exciting vehicles. By harnessing the power of the latest electrical, mechanical, and software systems the Renovo team creates cars that redefine the driving experience. Their debut offering, the Renovo Coupe, sets multiple benchmarks in the EV supercar segment and demonstrates the performance, control, and excitement that is made possible by Renovo's patent-pending technology. For more information on Renovo Motors and purchasing details, visit www.RenovoMotors.com or contact (951) 719-1040 or media@renovomotors.com.
About True Ventures
Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. With four funds and approximately $900 million in capital under management, True provides seed and Series A funding to the most talented entrepreneurs in today's fastest growing markets. With a mission to make the world a better place for entrepreneurs, True encourages each founder's vision and has built resources to empower the employees, families and communities of its portfolio companies. The firm maintains a strong founder community and offers innovative educational opportunities to its portfolio, helping entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of success and impact. With more than 150 companies funded and multiple companies acquired, the current True portfolio has helped create over 3,500 jobs. To learn more about True Ventures, visit www.trueventures.com.
GLOBAL SHIFT TO MASS TRANSIT COULD SAVE MORE THAN $100 TRILLION AND 1,700 MEGATONS OF CO2
More than $100 trillion in public and private spending could be saved between now and 2050 if the world expands public transportation, walking and cycling in cities, according to a new report released by the University of California, Davis, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. Additionally, reductions in carbon dioxide emissions reaching 1,700 megatons per year in 2050 could be achieved if this shift occurs.
Further, an estimated 1.4 million early deaths associated with exposure to vehicle tailpipe emissions could be avoided annually by 2050 if governments require the strongest vehicle pollution controls and ultralow-sulfur fuels, according to a related analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation included in the report. Doubling motor vehicle fuel economy could reduce CO2 emissions by an additional 700 megatons in 2050.
"The study shows that getting away from car-centric development, especially in rapidly developing economies, will cut urban CO2 dramatically and also reduce costs," said report co-author Lew Fulton, co-director of NextSTEPS Program at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. "It is also critical to reduce the energy use and carbon emissions of all vehicles."
The report, A Global High Shift Scenario, is the first study to examine how major changes in transportation investments worldwide would affect urban passenger transport emissions as well as the mobility of different income groups. The findings should help support wider agreement on climate policy, where cleanup costs and equity between rich and poor countries are key issues.
The report is being released Sept. 17 at the United Nations Habitat III Preparatory Meeting in New York, in advance of the Sept. 23 United Nations Secretary-General's Climate Summit, where many nations and corporations will announce voluntary commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including new efforts focused on sustainable transportation.
"Transportation, driven by rapid growth in car use, has been the fastest growing source of CO2 in the world," said Michael Replogle, co-author of the study and managing director for policy at ITDP, a global New York-based nonprofit. "An affordable but largely overlooked way to cut that pollution is to give people clean options to use public transportation, walking and cycling. This expands mobility options, especially for the poor, and curbs air pollution from traffic."
The authors calculated CO2 emissions and costs from 2015 to 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario and a "High Shift" scenario where governments significantly increase investments in rail and clean bus transportation, and provide infrastructure to ensure safe walking, bicycling and other active forms of transportation. It also includes moving investments away from road construction, parking garages and other steps that encourage car ownership, freeing up resources for the needed investments.
Cutting emissions across the world's cities
Transportation in urban areas accounted for about 2,300 megatons of CO2 in 2010, almost one quarter of carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Rapid urbanization -- especially in fast developing countries like China and India -- will cause these emissions to double by 2050 in the business-as-usual scenario. Among the countries examined in the study, three stand out:
* United States: Currently the world leader in urban passenger transportation CO2 emissions, the U.S. is projected to lower these emissions from 670 megatons annually to 560 megatons by 2050 because of slowing travel growth combined with sharp improvements in fuel efficiencies. But a high shift to more sustainable transportation options, along with fewer and shorter car trips related to communication technologies substituting for transportation, could further drop those emissions to about 280 megatons.
* China: CO2 emissions from transportation are expected to mushroom from 190 megatons annually to more than 1,100 megatons, due in large part to the explosive growth of China's urban areas, the growing wealth of Chinese consumers, and their dependence on automobiles. But this increase can be slashed to 650 megatons under the High Shift scenario, in which cities develop extensive clean bus and metro systems. The latest data show China is already sharply increasing investments in public transport.
* India: CO2 emissions are projected to leap from about 70 megatons today to 540 megatons by 2050, also because of growing wealth and urban populations. But this increase can be moderated to only 350 megatons under the High Shift scenario by addressing crucial deficiencies in India's public transport.
Under the High Shift scenario, mass transit access worldwide is projected to more than triple for the lowest income groups and more than double for the second lowest groups. This would provide the poor with better access to employment and services that can improve their livelihoods.
The study was funded by the Ford Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation and Hewlett Foundation.
About the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is a global nonprofit that helps cities design and implement high-quality transit systems to make communities more livable, competitive and sustainable. ITDP works with cities worldwide to bring about transport solutions that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of urban life. Please visit http://www.itdp.org for more information.
About UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
The Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis is the leading university center in the world on sustainable transportation. It is home to more than 60 affiliated faculty and researchers, and 120 graduate students. ITS-Davis is partnered with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations to inform policymaking and business decisions, and advance the public discourse on key transportation, energy and environmental issues. The U.S. Department of Transportation recently designated ITS-Davis as the lead university for the National Center on Sustainable Transportation. More information: http://www.its.ucdavis.edu/.
About UC Davis
UC Davis is a global community of individuals united to better humanity and our natural world while seeking solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. Located near the California state capital, UC Davis has more than 34,000 students, and the full-time equivalent of 4,100 faculty and other academics and 17,400 staff. The campus has an annual research budget of over $750 million, a comprehensive health system and about two dozen specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and 99 undergraduate majors in four colleges and six professional schools.
Featured Gallery Renovo Coupe EV Supercar
Related Gallery 2015 Cadillac ELR: First Drive
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- News Source: Domestic Fuel, Cadillac, Renovo Motors, Reuters, New York Times, UC Davis
- Image Credit: Renovo Motors
By John Beltz Snyder
See also: 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe configurator is ready to get personal, GM learning from current Chevy Volt owners as it works on next-gen model, Nissan not shuttering Leaf EV battery plants, at least not yet.