Two of the small entrants in the PHEV race are making progress:
Aptera and Fisker both plan PHEV production in 2009.

APTERA: Here's the press release; you can also read about it and
view/post comments at Green Car Congress
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/11/aptera-motors-u.html

300 Miles Per Gallon! Aptera Motors Unveils Ultra Efficient
All-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles for Under $30K
Electric Model Slated for Delivery in Q4, 2008, 400+ Deposits Have
Already Been Received
Aptera Now Accepting Reservations in California With Other Regions Planned
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POP\
UP_TYPE&newsId=20071119005664&ndmHsc=v2*A1192878000000*B1195511467000*DgroupByDa\
te*J2*L1*N1000837*Zaptera&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Aptera officially unveiled
two vehicles that could change the future of automotive design.
Aptera's Typ-1 is a radically different vehicle designed to marry
advanced aerodynamics with light-weight composite technology creating
an incredibly powerful, yet extremely safe vehicle that is a joy to
drive -- even for the most performance-minded individuals. The Aptera
Typ-1 will be available in all-electric and hybrid models for less
than $30,000, the electric version slated for delivery in 2008 with
the hybrid model to follow. The all-electric model has a range of 120
miles. The plug-in series hybrid has achieved more than 300 miles per
gallon with a range of more than 600 miles. Both versions are loaded
with safety features.

"Unveiling the Aptera Typ-1 represents a pivotal point in automotive
history as we mark the transition from research and development to
manufacturing the most energy efficient vehicle with a price tag to
fit almost any budget," said Co-Founder & CEO, Steve Fambro.

Through extensive fluid dynamics modeling and materials engineering,
the Aptera team has created the most efficient, lowest-drag shape
that can surround two occupants side-by-side, and has made safety a
priority in the design. Additionally, the car features three wheels,
making it eligible for most carpool lanes, even with only one person
in the vehicle.

The car has "two plus one" seating offering ample room for driver and
passenger while an infant seat (for newborns to age three) can be
located in the middle behind them. Storage room is also generous with
enough space to fit 15 bags of groceries, two full-size golf club
bags or even a couple of seven foot surf boards with the infant seat removed.

The Aptera Typ-1 is loaded with safety features. They include a front
crumple zone, a front end that re-directs crash energy in a frontal
impact, steel and composite side and rollover protection as well as
driver and passenger side airbags.

The Aptera Typ-1 is available in two models:

All Electric - This model is powered exclusively with batteries and
will get someone around town for approximately 120 miles depending on
driving conditions. At night, simply plug the Aptera into any
standard 110-volt outlet, and in just a few hours, the vehicle will
be fully charged and ready for another 120 miles.

Plug-In Hybrid - The Aptera hybrid is powered by an electric drive
train but is also assisted by a fuel-efficient gasoline-powered
generator, which stretches the range considerably. In typical
driving, the hybrid Aptera may achieve over 300 miles per gallon, a
range far beyond any other passenger vehicle available today.

The Aptera Typ-1 also offers features that typically are not found on
any vehicle, much less a hybrid or all-electric model. Solar cells
embedded under the roof operate an always-on climate control system,
ensuring the interior never gets too hot or too cold. The dashboard
display and infotainment system is controlled by an in-vehicle
computer, which also controls the "Eyes Forward" vision system. By
replacing the side mirrors with embedded cameras that display a
180-degree rear view in the front of the instrument panel, Eyes
Forward gives the driver complete situational awareness without
taking their eyes off of the road.

Other standard features include:

* Driver and passenger side airbags
* Energy absorbing and impact deflecting passenger safety cell
* Advanced drive computer with GPS navigation, CD/MP3/DVD
player, XM satellite radio
* Large rear view camera and complete vehicle diagnostic system
* LED interior and exterior lighting for maximum energy efficiency
* An RFID (Radio Frequency ID) - an automatic identification
method so a driver never has to pull out their keys to enter or start
their Aptera
* USB port for powering a laptop or charging an MP3 player and
other mobile devices

Fully refundable reservation deposits of $500 are now being accepted
from California residents on the Aptera website
(http://www.aptera.com). The company will initially deliver vehicles
in Southern California, then in northern California and to other
regions nationwide.

"Initial response has been tremendous; validating our belief that
future-minded consumers want a vehicle that is sleek, safe,
eco-conscious and affordable. Through word-of-mouth alone, we've
already received more than 400 pre-sale deposits," added Fambro.

Aptera is backed by Idealab and Esenjay Investments with initial
financing allocated to building the Typ-1 all-electric and plug-in
hybrid prototypes. Aptera is currently raising additional capital to
begin manufacturing.

About Aptera

Aptera, Greek for "Wingless Flight," delivers on its name with a
radically different vehicle designed to marry advanced aerodynamics
with light-weight composite technology to create an incredibly
powerful, yet extremely safe vehicle that is a joy to drive. The
Aptera Typ-1 will be available in all-electric and hybrid models for
less than $30,000. The all-electric model has a range of about 120
miles. The plug-in series hybrid has achieved more than 300 miles per
gallon with a range of more than 600 miles. Both versions are loaded
with safety features. Aptera is backed by Idealab and Esenjay
Petroleum and is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. www.aptera.com



FISKER, the high-end automotive aftermarket company
http://www.fiskerautomotive.com/
* released photos of its $80K PHEV to be built with Quantum
http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=16505
* said it was taking $1,000 deposits for the car for 2010 and $5,000
deposits for 2009 http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/11/9/145814/981
* said it would be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January and
expected to ship 15,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LATU11413112007-1.htm,

You can also read about it and see/post comments at Green Car Congress:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/10/fisker-and-quan.html

Here's Quantum's press release:

Quantum's Fisker Automotive Joint Venture Releases First Images of
Plug-In Hybrid Four-Door Premium Sports Sedan
PR Newswire November 13, 2007: 06:00 AM EST

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quantum Fuel
Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC have
released a preview of the first production vehicle to be launched
from Fisker Automotive, Inc. -- the green American premium car
company. Fisker Automotive, Inc. is a joint venture between Quantum
and Fisker, and will offer a range of environmentally friendly
premium cars. The plug-in hybrid four-door premium sports sedan will
make its debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)
in Detroit in January 2008. Initial deliveries are anticipated to
commence in the 4th quarter of 2009, with annual production projected
to reach 15,000 units.

Quantum will supply its proprietary high-performance plug-in-hybrid
electric vehicle architecture, known as "Quantum Hybrid," integrated
into a unique chassis developed by Quantum that will enable
optimizing the performance and vehicle dynamics for all Fisker
Automotive models. Benefits of the Quantum Hybrid drive system
include optimized fuel efficiency and superior performance, unchanged
gas station infrastructure, and home-based battery recharging with
any 110-volt outlet.

The Fisker Automotive vehicles will also offer recharging system
options in addition to the standard 110/120 volt system. A
fast-charging 220/240 system and a solar carport, equipped with solar
modules supplied by Quantum and its German partner, asola Advanced
and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH ("Asola"), will be offered as
dealer options. A Quantum/Asola solar roof panel will be offered as a
factory installed option to provide power for ventilation when
parking, pre-air conditioning of the vehicle, supplemental cooling of
the lithium-ion battery pack, and opportunity trickle charging of the
vehicle batteries.

"The new Fisker sports sedan, which incorporates Quantum's
proprietary Quantum Hybrid system, will change the way we look at the
automotive world," said Alan Niedzwiecki, the President and CEO of
Quantum. "With oil prices approaching $100 a barrel and the mounting
evidence of the impact of greenhouse gases on global climate change,
there is growing demand worldwide for energy efficient transportation
and renewable energy. Quantum's proprietary plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle technology, together with Quantum/Asola solar modules,
provides an integrated solution in a premium sports sedan with no
compromise of performance or luxury."

Each Fisker Automotive vehicle will feature a revolutionary new
platform that enables the designer and CEO of Fisker Automotive,
Henrik Fisker, to create an amazingly well-proportioned four-door
premium sports sedan. "The sleek design accentuating the long hood is
a direct result of our breakthrough chassis which carries the battery
pack at the center of the vehicle between the two axles," explains
Henrik Fisker. "This positioning provides optimal vehicle driving
dynamics, maximum safety, proportionate design as well as industry
standard performance figures within this car class."


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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
CalCars-PHEV Newsletter
http://www.calcars.org/news-archive.html
Photos of PHEVs/Well-Known People
http://www.calcars.org/photos-people.html
PO Box 61045 Palo Alto, CA 94306
cell 650.520.5555 voice 650.599.9992
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