A Holden Hybrid ?  

SMH reports that Holden may soon produce a hybrid Commodore - if it can get enough government incentives.

Holden, the company that last year sold more V8s than any other time in its 60-year history, will sell a petrol-electric Commodore "within two years" - but it wants the Federal Government to give hybrid cars a tax break. In a surprise announcement today, General Motors's Asia-Pacific boss Nick Reilly, in Australia for an annual review, said the company would introduce hybrids in the next couple of years. "Our strength in hybrids tends to be in the larger vehicles so that's where you'll see them first," he said. ...

He said the government should consider tax reductions for so-called "green cars". For the past 30 years, the import tariff on four-wheel-drives - among the thirstiest vehicles on our roads - have attracted a lower tariff than more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles. Today, for example, most 4WDs attract a 5 per cent tariff and most cars attract a 10 per cent tariff.

Nissan Motor Co plans to start full production of lithium-ion batteries for automobiles by 2009 to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and hybrid cars, the company said today. The venture company Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), which is owned 51 per cent by Nissan and 49 per cent by the NEC group, will develop and produce advanced lithium-ion batteries with an annual output capacity of 13,000 units. On a capital investment of Y12 billion ($A120.89 million) over three years AESC plans to expand its annual production capacity to 65,000 lithium-ion batteries per year by 2009. The push into advanced lithium-ion batteries comes as Japanese automakers invest in an array of new environmentally-friendly car technologies amid soaring prices at the pump.

Nissan has been slower than rivals Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co to embrace petrol-electric hybrids, but it aims to become the industry leader in electric vehicles. "Our vision for a more sustainable future is clear," said Nissan's executive vice president Carlos Tavares. "Nissan firmly believes the ultimate solution for sustainable mobility lies in zero emission. Electric vehicles will be a key product breakthrough our industry can deliver," he told reporters, adding that Nissan was ready to supply the batteries to any company interested in the technology.

So you're excited about the 2010 Prius with its modest mileage gains. Or maybe you really want a Chevy Volt with a 40-mile all-electric range. 2010, as we've noted, is going to be a good year for green cars. But this is ridiculous.

VW has been talking for a long time about its L1 concept, so called because it uses a measly 1 liter of gasoline to go 100 km. For us Americans, that translates to about 230 miles per gallon. Of course, the amazing mileage comes at a price. The car is tiny, more of a toboggan than a car. The single passenger actually sits behind the driver, like in a small airplane.

The tiny engine will only get the car up to about 75 mph and, as such, VW doesn't expect to sell a lot of these vehicles. Safety concerns might also keep the car from being a best seller. But, since it does have four wheels, it will have to meet all of the normal safety regulations for cars.

VW will continue to release details on the car, but it is firm that this vehicle will be produced by 2010. And, in terms of pure efficiency, its only real competitor will be the 300-mpg Aptera.