CES 2016: VW's Budd-e concept is a futuristic EV minivan

Volkswagen just unveiled its BUDD-e concept vehicle which holds the promise of many future technologies including a hypothetical 373 miles of range and ability to charge to 80 percent of battery capacity in about 15 minutes, this doesn't represent any technology currently available to VW but is more a marker for what's to come in the future.

With a fully reconfigurable interior reminiscent of older camper microbuses, the Budd-e concept also features 12.3-inch curved screen in front of the driver that blends into a 13.3-inch display in the center console. It's good to see VW aspiring for an all-electric future in a vehicle that, while purely conceptual, could generate interest in pursuing and developing more widespread technology, safety and energy efficient solutions.

Source: VW

VW hinting at EV Microbus reveal at CES

VW has brought back the Beetle numerous times and now looks to revive another beloved model for modern times at a point in its history where positive news and goodwill is much needed. The vehicle in question is the Microbus or Kombi which might appear at CES 2016 as an electric vehicle with a long range. Few vehicles, specially vans, are as iconic as the original VW Type-2, which had a long and successful run as a family mover as well as a reliable and affordable work bus. The keynote, which takes place in Las Vegas, will reveal more about this next EV move by VW.

Source: VW

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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Nissan's autonomous driving car prototype hits the road

Nissan's EV Leaf-Based autonomous driverless car is now being tested Japanese public roads and highways. It features various modes of driving and Nissan seems to be focusing on testing the Intelligent Driving System features pertinent to dricing autonomously in heavy traffic situations on highways. This stop-go rate of driving for long periods of time is the most stressful one for drivers and having the car take over is a good place to start, specially since it can safely correct itself in various situations.

Nissan seems to be on the ball with their rollout plans, autonomous driving in traffic by 2016, the ability to change lanes by 2018 and the smarts to navigate city roads and intersection without human input by 2020.

Source: CTV News