Electric Vehicles
VW Bug Gets Electrified
The car that was once the icon of Flower Power is now running on electric power.
Volkswagen’s E-Bugster concept car is an electric version of the Beetle. (Photo By: North American International Auto Show)
Volkswagen debuted an all-electric concept version of its Beetle, dubbed the E-Bugster. It was introduced Jan. 9 at the Detroit Auto Show, although VW did not say when the concept might turn into a showroom reality.
The German automaker said the nearly 700 pound lithium-ion battery is good for 100 miles of driving. The battery can handle traditional 120 volt and 240 volt charging. There is also a fast charge that provides an 80 percent charge in half an hour.
Meanwhile, Ford used its hometown auto show to take the wraps off its Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, which the automaker said is “aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world.”
Ford said the PHEV will arrive in showrooms in the fall, and should deliver the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon. That would be 8 MPGe more than archrival General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt PHEV.
The car, to be built in Dearborn, Mich., will have a 14 gallon gas tank, which will kick in when the electric charge is used up.
Alan Mulally, Ford’s CEO, said the automaker plans several other electric models, including the Ford C-Max and the Lincoln MKZ.
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Tags: Electric Vehicles