Electric Vehicles
Electric Cars Coming to Detroit
Electric cars from household names—and from some less familiar—will be on display at January’s Detroit Auto Show.
The Smart for-us might be the smallest pickup ever seen. (Photo By: Daimler)
One of the eagerly awaited debuts will come from Toyota. The automaker has said only that its NS4, described as “an advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle,” will be introduced Jan. 10.
The automaker released a teaser photo, showing one headlight and not much more.
Equally mysterious is the electric van that Nissan will unveil. The maker of the all-electric Leaf said the van will be a preview of a “future production version of a full electric vehicle.”
From Germany, Daimler’s Smart division will introduce the Smart for-us, which might be the smallest pickup most Americans have ever seen. Daimler describes it as “a mobility concept.”
When the electrically driven tailboard at the back opens, the cargo floor, including tailboard, retract about 11 inches. The tailgate then slides down in a parallel position.
One of its unique features is that instead of the usual rear-view mirror, there’s a holder atop the instrument panel for a smartphone. The phone connects to the car’s integrated video camera, and that’s how the driver sees what’s going on behind.
You might have never heard of Via Motors, but the Utah-based company has big plans for the auto show. The company, which plans to introduce three new models, builds plug-in hybrid vehicles that go up to 40 miles on a charge before a gasoline engine kicks in, extending the range up to 300 miles.
Ohio-based Amp Electric Vehicles specializes in converting traditional gasoline-powered vehicles to electric. Amp plans to show off a converted Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit.
Tags: Electric Vehicles