Tag Archives: electric car

A Car That Runs On…Social Media?

Posted on by
Reply

We have innovation at its finest in Kansas City, Missouri where a group of high school students have built an electric car that runs on….social media?  Yes, you heard it right!  It runs on what the students have coined “social fuel”!  What was once a 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is now an electrified car that has been altered to run on posts, mentions and likes on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Minddrive, a non-profit group whose aim was to inspire and create a doorway for kids who may have no previous automotive experience, worked with this group of at-risk high school students as mentors to create this one of a kind car.

What is even more inspiring is that this week, the team will be driving the Karmann Ghia from Kansas City to Washington D.C. where they will be meeting with elected officials to promote education and funding for programs like Minddrive.  Along the way, they will be stopping at schools in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania to give presentations.

It will take a total of 71,040 watts to reach D.C.  You can help this ingenious car and its creators reach the American capital! Share this blog on Twitter by using the #MINDDRIVE or mention @mindriveorg.  You can also use Facebook “Likes and Shares”, Instagram follows and shares, as well as YouTube video plays, follows and shares.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Minddrive.org

THE ALL-NEW 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT!

Posted on by
Reply

Who killed the electric car? NO ONE!  If you’re looking for an “electrifying experience”, you need to consider the 2012 Chevrolet VOLT.

What many people don’t realize is that the VOLT is unlike other cars – past and present.  You no longer have to be concerned about how far you can drive, thanks to a range extending 1.4L gasoline-powered generator that takes over when you run out of battery charge.  The 16-kWh lithium-ion battery will charge in as little as 4 hours, and will allow you to travel between 40 and 80 kilometers on electric power.  The Volt can be fully charged in about 10 hours using a regular 120-volt household outlet.  Say goodbye to gas stations – simply pull up to your own garage, plug it in and you’re on your way.

Let’s breakdown some of the state of the art features the Volt has to offer.

  • The Chevrolet Volt features 3 driving modes: Normal, Sport and Mountain
  • Each Volt comes equipped with 8 standard air bags.
  • A charge unit and 5.5m 120-volt charge cord are included with every vehicle purchase.
  • Because the Volt runs in almost complete silence, an audible alert helps warn pedestrians of your approach.
  • The 16-kWh lithium-ion battery combines power from over 288 individual cells and is covered by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty.
  • The StabiliTrak electronic stability control system enhances driver control.
  • When battery operated, this vehicle produces zero tailpipe emissions!

The outstanding efficiency of the Volt is matched with its unparalleled performance, with an acceleration rate that takes you from 0-96km/h in under nine seconds.  Perhaps the most noteworthy feature is the almost silent delivery of the Volt.  When driving this vehicle, you will discover that it is as smooth as it is quiet – It almost feels as if you are floating through air.

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is the recipient of several awards including 2011 North American Car of the Year, 2011 World Green Car, 2011 IIGS Top Safety Pick, one of Car and Driver’s 2011 10 Best Cars, and Automobile Magazine’s 2011 Automobile of the year .

Embrace the future, reduce your environmental footprint and put your anxieties aside with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt.  If you are interested in purchasing the Volt or would like more information, please contact us at one of our two locations: Queenston on the Mountain and Queenston on Centennial.

By: Amy Cochren

CREDIT: General Motors, General Motors Canada