Great News! Even if the newly elected Danish government has killed the high ambitions for CO2 reductions and support for a greener and cleaner Danish future, the Copenhagen Municipality and Region has supported a new brilliant initiative.
In above image Kåre Albrechsen from Copenhagen Electric and the PR manager from Arriva in the back, at the opening event for the initiative at Copenhagens Municicpality Building infront of a huge excited crowd.
BMW, Arriva, Copenhagen Electric and Copenhagen Municipality has in a ground breaking collaboration started one of the most ambitious Electric Car Sharing concepts in the world.
Again, Copenhagen is in the forefront for Electric Cars, while the current so-called "Black Government" has let the oil and gas industry lobby corrupt their climate policies. Three steps forward and two steps back.
Go and register for free now, to start using the lovely BMWi3, that by the way was also exhibited at our "100 Years of Electric Cars" in 2014 at Øksnehallen, representing the latest electric car in a timeline going 100 years back.
A total of 260½ electric vehicles were united to drive in unison outside of Norway’s capital city of Oslo on August 31 2013.
“Starting from Maridalen in outer Oslo, the world’s cleanest and quietest automotive gathering of all time followed a pre-determined 4km route and was monitored by two-camera carrying drones to ensure that all vehicles were moving simultaneously and qualified for the new world record.”
This number is 35½ higher than the previous record set solely by Nissan LEAFs on the Silverstone circuit in the UK in 2012.
Norway’s record has been set by the Electric Vehicle Union (EVU) and Norwegian EV Association in Norway.
Almost half of the vehicles (128½) were LEAFs, but as we can see in the attached videos, practically all EVs were represented.
In connection with the Hope Trophy Project and Sharing Copenhagen's "Green Mobility Weeks" in September/October 2014, a new Guinnnes World Record will be attempted. UPDATE:
We just found out that the current record of 305 cars was set in Zurich 2013, after the Oslo version.
Since the record is for an electric-vehicle parade, all participating cars have to move to be counted. Eligible vehicles include all plug-in models. If you want to be part of this attempt in Denmark, please contact CO2 Green Drive HERE
In 1899, Hippolyte Romanov developed the first electric car in Russia (St. Petersburg). The style for his vehicle was borrowed from the Brittish cab, where the driver was located up behind the passengers. The vehicle was four-wheeled, the front wheels with a larger diameter than the rear. It used lead acid batteries and could go 60 miles before it needed to be charged again.
A Trolley Electric Vehicles was also invented by Hippolyte Romanov, who had visited St. Louis in 1903 as part of Russia`s preparations for the 1904 World`s Fair.
When World War I was raging in Europe, the Romanov family looked east for escape. After crossing the Ural Mountains, Hippolyte Romanov, who was carrying the equivalent of $40,000, and his family boarded the Trans-Siberian Railroad. In Siberia, they boarded a freighter for Japan, then Hawaii and finally California.
In San Francisco, the Romanov family was detained aboard ship because U.S. authorities thought they were members of Nicholas II`s imperial family, who also were named Romanov. When the confusion cleared, the mayor of San Francisco apologized and asked Hippolyte's Helene Romanov, to sing at an opera house.
The family finally settled in New York City. While Romanov worked on his inventions, Helene gave piano and singing lessons along with taking in White Russian boarders
The first Pobeda was developed in the Soviet Union under chief engineer Andrei A. Liphart. "Pobeda" means "victory"; and the name was chosen because the model's first tests were done in 1943 at Gorky Avto Zavod (GAZ, "Gorky Car Plant"), when victory in World War II began to seem likely. The above Silver Pobeda was converted to Electric by Estonian based ZEV Motors
Above is from CO2 E - Race/ Green Dive in Riga 2010, with Director of the Danish Cultural Institute in Riga Simon Drewsen Holmberg holding a speech.
Above, Bo Harald Tilberg who is the Director of the Vilnius Nordic Council of Ministers office in connection to the 2010 "Vilnius CO2 Green Drive".
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's Yo-auto, along with Russia-based truckmaker Yarovit, is investing about $200 million in a car-making plant that's received public support from Putin. This past April, Putin took a prototype of the hybrid on a three-mile test drive to the home of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Prokhorov also acquired the NBA's New Jersey Nets not too long ago.
Idea: denial of complex lines and body elements, original approach to implementation of technical solutions
Design: prevalence of aerodynamic shapes
Engineering: new concept of door opening
Style: environmentally friendly innovative car
The doors slide into the back, and can definitely be compared to the Electric DeLorean's Wing Doors.
The "NOSE" feature in the back, gives the design a look of a Face. The design was developed by a staff designer of yo-auto Andrey Trofimchuk. It will however not be mass produced, but function more as inspiration for future production. Much like the Tesla Roadster opened up the door for the Model S.
EL LADA moved fast into the Russian market and was the first to put Electric Cars on Russian Roads in a long time. It has a 60-kilowatt (80-horsepower) electric motor that delivers a top speed of about 80 miles per hour (around 130 km/h) and a single-charge range of about 100 miles (161 km). The five-door compact hatchback EV got its first day-to-day road experience when it's tested when the First five El Lada cars were brought to the Stavropol district as ‘Green Taxi’, to services in the Local Mineral Waters resort.
Video in Russian.
EL LADA - Does sound rather Spanish. The French Brands Nissan and Renault has recently become the 50% owners of LADA, and it is no wonder that the brands behind the Leaf and Fluence Z.E. has interest in electric cars in Russia. The Nissan Leaf was also featured in Chris Paine's "Revenge of The Electric Car", that with Ancient Warrior Style in mind, was first on the Global market with a mainstream Electric Car.
...that was awarded "Car of the Year" in 2011. Above from the Hong Kong version "Clean Air Drive" in December 2012.
Then there is Renault with their collaboration with Better Place and an all Electric Fluence Z.E. with a for Denmark functional system and infrastructure that was initiated in 2009 and recently implemented in the whole country. The above Fluence Z.E. on Amagerbrogade in Copenhagen, during the 2011 Copenhagen version.
One might wonder if the French 50% owners of EL LADA also selected the models and dresses for the ladies that pose next to their cars at Car Shows? Events that include alcohol, Interaction between men talking about engines and horsepower has a tradition of including young women in small dresses or if possible bikinis.
The above photo from the Danish Custom Car Exhibition "Street Fire", showcasing the Danish Electric Car LYNX:
that in above clip did rather well in the Drag Race with a Tesla Roadster at Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix in 2009.
The above is an interview with Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Renault-Nissan from Chris Paine's 2011 Documentary Film "Revenge of the Electric Car". If he really means what he says about the environment and the concept that "Passion is a Strength", the future for Electric Car in Russia seems bright.
With the potential Russia has with producing Natural Gas, Water, Wind and Solar Energy, the new fleets of Russian Electric Cars might even be more sustainable than most other countries in the West. Unfortunately, most of the time the electricity for the electric vehicles on the road in 2013, is produced with Coal and Oil. It will be interesting to see what step Russia will make in taking steps towards sustainability.
Among a large variation of sources online and of course the film "Revenge of the Electric Car", a very helpful article came from: Green Auto Blog
Special Reception and CO2-Friendly Car Showcase on Sat., April 23 / 12-6pm
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Exit Art is pleased to announce a celebration of CO2-friendly cars through an exhibition that documents its erratic history and an CO2-friendly car showcase. AUTOTOPIA: CARS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW, a project of SEA (Social Environmental Aesthetics), focuses on the history of the electric car in connection with political and environmental factors that have revolutionized the methods and technologies of transit.
The first electric car (above), made over 100 years ago, was invented soon after the combustion engine vehicle (the kind of engines we use today) was developed as a new way of powering automobiles. Today, electric cars must be seen as serious alternatives to the gasoline powered-vehicles that are depleting fossil fuel supplies, polluting the environment, and exacerbating our dependence on foreign oil.
Cars are now being designed to enhance our lives – through the integration of digital communication systems – and improve our future, by providing a solution to our energy crisis. Wireless Internet allows vehicles to connect and share data on traffic patterns, intelligently coordinating movements and keeping drivers connected to social networks. The reinvention of the automobile, and the infrastructures that make it possible, will not be easy – but it will be essential.
This exhibition coincides with Earth Day, and is organized concurrently with the CO2 E-Race, the culminating event of New York City’s Earth Day celebration. Initiated in 2008, the CO2 E-Race (A Race for Climate Awareness) increases public awareness of global climate changes using CO2-friendly vehicles as a way to spread the message. The New York E-Race is a parade of CO2-friendly cars through the streets of Manhattan; connected to GPS devices, their route can be tracked online and on the Toshiba jumbo screen in Times Square. The “E” shape formed by the parade draws attention to Earth Day and CO2-friendly cars as the future of transportation, encouraging the public to “erase” climate change.
Organized by Herb Tam, Associate Curator, and Lauren Rosati, Assistant Curator.
ELECTRIC CAR SHOWCASE - ONE DAY ONLY!
Saturday, April 23, 2011 / 12-6pm
Following the CO2 E- Race, Exit Art will exhibit several participating CO2-friendly cars in a showcase format. Tesla Motors will be showing an electric, zero-emissions Orange Roadster, which gets 245 miles per charge and goes from 0 to 60mph in 3.7 seconds. A converted Electric DeLorean (above) will also be on view, along with a Biofueled (E85) driven Ford Fusion FFV from the Danish company Novozymes.
2pm:Jacob Fuglsang Mikkelsen, the organizer and artist behind the CO2 E-Race, will give a brief talk about the origins of the project and the environmental issues it seeks to address.
ABOUT SEA (Social Environmental Aesthetics)
SEA is a diverse multimedia exhibition program that addresses social and environmental concerns. It assembles artists, activists, scientists and scholars through presentations of visual art, performances, panels and lecture series that communicate international activities concerning environmental and social activism. It provides a vehicle through which the public can be made aware of socially- and environmentally-engaged work, and a forum for collaboration among artists, scientists, activists, scholars and the public. SEA functions as an initiative where individuals can join together in dialogue about issues that affect our daily lives. Conceived by Exit Art Co-Founder / Artistic Director Papo Colo.
Two Tesla's, a Mini Hummer and a Biofuel run Novozymes Volvo lining up in front of Forum before the start of the CO2 Painting Performance. Each electric car was handed a TracTrac GPS modul on a silver platter by Mr Green, to use as paint when driving the CO2 route.
The Lynx on the Catwalk on Copenhagen's main Square Rådhuspladsen
The snake of cars over Queen Louise's Bridge with neon lights telling the date in the background
Chris Paine, the Director of the Documentary Film "Who Killed The Electric Car", documenting the project for his next film "The Revenge of the Electric Car"
Danish Man of Adventure, Hjalte Tin talks about his CO2 friendly vehicle that he will drive around the world in.
The Hopenhagen Globe with the CO2 Tag being drawn on by the almost 100 CO2 friendly cars and their GPS, projected by five projectors. The GPS moduls from TracTrac sent live information to the projector that screened the actual cars realtime as they moved through the streets in one long parade.
Above the CO2 tag on COWI's photo over Copenhagen and Tratrac's webinterface, showing each car on the right side, each with a different color dot and virtually painting one layer each og the final line.
Two Tesla's in fron t of The Danish National Art Gallery, shot by John Krøll as part of his 360 PAN-X documentation of the project.
Image shot out of the back window of the Electric Arriva Bus that the CO2 E - Race Crew, The Mr. Green Crew and the General Secretary of the Danish Cultural Institute Finn Andersen was all inside of during the performance.
The family run Brøchner Hotels in Copenhagen has taken the necessary steps to become the first hotels in the world to be CO2 neutral. Not only is the hotels CO2 neutral, they also offer their guests CO2 neutral cars as the above two seater "Buddy". These cars will also be part of the "Sunny Happy People Parade" on the 5th of June in the streets of Copenhagen.
Saab-Scania made possibly one of their first electric vehicles thirty years ago. This electric vehicle was based off of the Saab 99, but converted into a van for the Swedish Postal Service.
2012 UPDATE on SAAB and their Electric Adventures:
SAAB Phoenix - Out of the Ashes
National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB acquires the main assets of Saab Automobile
National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS) and the Receivers of the Saab Automobile bankruptcy estate today signed a purchase agreement which covers the main assets of Saab Automobile AB, Saab Automobile Powertrain AB and Saab Automobile Tools AB. The agreement includes all outstanding shares in the property company which owns the Saab Automobile facilities in Trollhättan, Sweden. The price for the assets has not been disclosed. Saab Automobile Parts AB, as well as intellectual property rights for the Saab 9-5, owned by General Motors, are not included in the purchase agreement.
"The sale to NEVS is our most important action to realize the assets of the estate," said Anne-Marie Pouteaux, Partner, Wistrand, Hans L. Bergqvist, Partner, Delphi, Receivers in bankruptcy for the Saab Automobile estate and Kent Hägglund, DLA Nordic, Co-receiver in bankruptcy for the Saab trademark and trade name rights. "From the outset, it has been our ambition to find a comprehensive solution by the summer, so we are very pleased today, having reached this agreement."
NEVS is an international consortium formed by Japanese, Swedish and Chinese stakeholders. The company will establish a new automobile venture in Trollhättan, solely dedicated to development and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs).
The first model to be developed will be based on the current Saab 9-3, which will be modified for electric drive using advanced EV technology from Japan. Launch is targeted at year-end 2013/2014.
In parallel with EV conversion of the Saab 9-3, an all-new model will be developed, based on additional cutting-edge technology from Japan. Marketing and sales will be global, with an initial focus on China, projected to be the largest and most important EV market.
"China is investing heavily in developing the EV market, which is a key driver for the ongoing technology shift to reduce dependence on fossil fuels," said Kai Johan Jiang, founder and main owner of National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd, the majority shareholder of NEVS. "The Chinese can increasingly afford cars; however, the global oil supply would not suffice if they all buy petroleum-fueled vehicles. Chinese customers demand a premium electric vehicle, which we will be able to offer by acquiring Saab Automobile in Trollhättan."
NEVS aims to become a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. Recruitment to a number of key positions in the company is in progress, and the following step is to hire skilled engineers to the Trollhättan site, in order to immediately start the product development. The development will be conducted in collaboration between Swedish, Japanese and Chinese engineers.
"I am delighted that we can build on Saab Automobile's skills in vehicle design and production to start a new future-oriented venture in Trollhättan, where world class manufacturing facilities are available," said Karl-Erling Trogen, Chairman, National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB. "We will match Swedish automobile design and manufacturing experience with Japanese EV technology and a strong presence in China. Electric vehicles powered by clean electricity are the future, and the electric car of the future will be produced in Trollhättan."
About National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB
National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS) has been established for the purpose of acquiring the assets of the Saab Automobile bankruptcy estate. Using existing resources, and adding Japanese cutting-edge technology, NEVS plans to start a new venture in Trollhättan, Sweden, aiming to become a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles.
Fashion house, Maison de Courreges’s Andre and Coqueline Courreges have embellished their electric vehicle line with the latest ‘Zooop’ that takes you 450 km per charge.
The three-seater 690 kg car runs on powerful Lithium Polymer batteries (70 A/hour 370 V) that don’t let you down by generating 150 kW of power and still maintaining their cool, and charging and recharging fast. The Zooop can reach speeds of 180 km/h. Love the Orange!
