Each week, we try to bring you not just news but a range of insights relating to plug-ins. At the end of the week though, there are inevitably some stories left over that we think are important but didn't get a chance to cover. Here are a few that caught our eye from last week:
Mazda Announces Rotary Range-Extended Plug-in
Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi told journalists at the Moscow motor show last week that his company will release a range-extended rotary plug-in vehicle in Japan next year. As we've pointed out in the past, rotary engines are an intriguing possibility for PHEVs because their light weight and compact size, and have already seen application in Audi's A1 e-tron concept. (Source: HybridCars)
Tesla Will Build an Electric Supercar (Eventually)
In an interview with Jalopnik readers, Tesla boss Elon Musk confirmed that the company is planning to build an electric supercar "in four to five years." Originally planned for release following the Model X crossover SUV, Musk said the yet-unlettered vehicle has been pushed behind the "Model E"—most likely a reference to the more affordable family sedan Tesla has been touting for years now. (Source: Jalopnik)
Non-Homeowner Charging Challenges
GreenCarReports brought us the findings of a report out of UCLA about the challenges tenants face in convincing landlords to install plug-in charging infrastructure at their apartment or condo. Among other things, the report recommended subsidies for survey costs and the charging stations themselves, as well as the creation of a database of plug-in friendly multi-unit dwellings to help prospective tenants find buildings that are more welcoming of their cars. (Source: Green Car Reports)
XL1 Spy Shots
The Volkswagen XL1, a revolutionary concept car that we've discussed at length here on PluginCars.com, was spotted on the road last week. Originally conceived as a 235-mpg gas car called the One-Liter, the XL1 has taken on a variety of shapes and configurations since its first incarnation as a concept back in 2002. Last year, VW confirmed that the XL1 would see a limited European release as a diesel-electric PHEV. (Source: Motor Authority)
Top 10 EV-Ready Cities
PlugShare used its collection of plug-in vehicle charging data to create its list of the top-10 EV-ready cities in the U.S. Topping the list was Portland, Oregon, followed by Dallas, Nashville, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. The list was compiled on the basis of how many public charging stations each city offered per 100,000 residents. (Source: Torque News)
Elon looks really tired on that photo....
I wish good luck to him and Tesla. If I could afford Model S I would put deposit already....