Tesla Motors presented the silvery Model S Alpha Build Prototype at the Detroit Auto Show.

The prototype was gussied up a bit for the show floor, but this is the same thing that the engineers are using in the vehicle’s first testing phase. Tesla says the Alpha test phase checks the Model S under extreme conditions for brakes, driving dynamics, suspension, fit and finish, and safety requirements. The next step is the Beta test phase. With this presentation, Tesla is trying to push the idea that the company has a strong engineering team.

The specific details of the Model S remain the same: the car is scheduled to be released in 2012 and will cost $57,400. Tesla spokesman said that the Model S is a very economical vehicle.

Audi will begin series production of the A6 hybrid, its second hybrid model after the Q5 hybrid quattro. The A6 hybrid employs an efficient parallel hybrid concept: Its combustion engine, a 155 kW (211 hp) 2.0 TFSI, works together with an electric motor that delivers 33 kW (45 hp) and 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque. The electric motor sits directly behind the TFSI, occupying the space of the torque converter upstream of the modified 8-speed tiptronic. The transmission sends torque to the front wheels.

The first all-electric passenger vehicle from Ford has finally been unveiled in the form of the Focus Electric.
Expected to launch in late 2011, the Ford Focus Electric is said to offer a 100-mile-range. It will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent ratio that surpasses the Chevrolet Volt and will be competitive with other battery electric cars.
Powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery, the Focus Electric uses heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and fuel-free driving range. The active liquid system heats or chills the coolant before pumping it through the system helping to regulate the temperature against external conditions.

A full recharge takes place in less than four hours at home with a 240V charging station. The vehicle also includes new features and technologies such as a MyFord Touch driver connect system and a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft. The MyFord Touch driver connect technology offers an innovative presentation of vehicle information including battery state of charge, distance to charge point and the corresponding range budget and … Read More

Ed Begley, Jr, actor and activist talks about Ford electric vehicles in this video prepared for the 2011 North American International Auto Show.

Before 2010 came to a close, both Nissan and General Motors launched their respective plug-in vehicles. For General Motors, it was the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid that made its December debut. The Nissan Leaf electric vehicle landed in a lucky buyer’s driveway on the 11th of last month. With both automakers making good on their promise to debut mass-produced plug-ins by the end of 2010, the question of which vehicle tallied more total U.S. sales in the month of December can, with a limited degree of accuracy, now be answered.

The Associated Press reports that General Motors sold between 250 and 350 Volts in the U.S. by the end of 2010. On the other hand, Nissan reportedly sold less than 20 Leafs in the U.S. before 2011 rang in. Production volumes for both vehicles will continue to ramp up in the coming months and that’s where the real battle lies, but if you’re dead set on comparing actual 2010 U.S. delivery numbers, than it’s the Chevrolet Volt that outsold Nissan Leaf by a substantial margin.

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