Maserati plans to out an electric car by 2020

Maserati might be late in the electric car game but that isn’t stopping them from building their own EV. According to Fiat Chrysler (FC) engineering head Roberto Fedeli, Maserati’s EV might show up as soon as 2020—or possibly 2019. It won’t be like its competitors, though. It could possibly be a low-volume model like a grand-tourer instead of an SUV or large sedan. Fedeli says they want to try and bring something different to the market and it won’t be following in the footsteps of Tesla. In fact, he has a few choice words about Tesla, saying that “the execution and quality of the products of Tesla are the same as a German OEM in the 1970s. Their solutions are not the best.”

One of the big challenges Maserati faces with the EV is on the sporty driving experience and signature engine note the FC division has. They have to work on the lack of sound EV engines produce as well as the weight of the batteries. Another challenge is the electric car’s inability to be enjoyed like a sports car on a normal road is “inconsistent with the brand we are representing,” says Fedeli.

Source: Car And Driver

BMW and Nissan partner to create joint fast-charger network in the US

In a move that threatens Tesla’s own Supercharger network, BMW and Nissan have partnered to develop their own public network of fast-charging stations across the United States. This new DC fast-charging network is made up of 120 stations across 19 states. Each station makes use of dual 50kW DC Fast-charging station with CHAdeMO and CCS (Combo) connectors that can charge Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 vehicles. It promises that you’ll reach 80 percent charge in about 20 to 30 minutes.

But a more important point is it uses popular charger styles, which means any EV with a quick-charge port will be able to use it to charge up. LEAF and i3 drivers will be able to locate these stations using in-vehicle navigation or the i Remote app for BMW or Nissan’s EZ-Charge smartphone app. There is no word yet when the network will be completed.

Source: Mashable

Hyundai teases rendering of IONIQ

Hyundai’s new electric vehicle, IONIQ, is set for a January 2016 unveil. But the carmaker isn’t waiting that long to show off the new ride. New renderings of the vehicle show off the interior and exterior of the car. Its design concept not straying far from the other sedans made by the Korean automaker—from the roofline, hood, to the body lines. According to Hyundai, aerodynamics played a big role in the IONIQ’s exterior build. Wind resistance needed to be reduced while efficiency had to be improved.

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Ford to invest $4.5 billion, release 13 new Electrified Vehicles by 2020

On the way next year is a new Focus Electric, which features all-new DC fast-charge capability delivering an 80 percent charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range - an estimated two hours faster than today's Focus Electric. (Graphic: Business Wire)With an industry-wide shift in focus to electrified and hybrid vehicles, Ford has announced its plans to invest in developing EV solutions and technologies in the US and Canada.

Ford is investing an additional $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions by 2020 as well as changing how the company develops vehicle experiences for customers.

“For 70 years, market research has been done by asking people for their opinion. But Ford has always been fundamentally skeptical about that. Henry Ford used to say, ‘If I asked people what they wanted, they would have asked for a faster horse.’”

Ford is adding 13 new electrified vehicles to its portfolio by 2020, when more than 40 percent of the company’s global nameplates will come in electrified versions. This represents Ford’s largest-ever electrified vehicle investment in a five-year period.

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