Chevrolet Volt gets driver-activated warning system for the blind

Whether it’s voluntary or enforced, it seems to be a safe bet that most electric vehicles will eventually break their silence in one way or another to warn nearby pedestrians — especially the blind. Chevrolet looks to be taking a slightly different approach than most with the Volt, however, and it recently tested out its system with a group of visually-impaired folks at its Milford Proving Grounds. Rather than simply making the vehicle sound like a regular car, Chevy has implemented a driver-activated system that emits what’s described as more of an “excuse me” sound than “hey you” sound whenever you want to warn people you’re approaching. Of course, depending on the driver does have its limitations, and Chevy says that future iterations of the Volt are likely to incorporate a more active system that can automatically alert pedestrians. Check it out in action after the break.

In conjunction with the release of its 2009 Ultimate Aero at the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show, Shelby SuperCars announced details of an electric version of this same car, due to be launched in the second half of this year. We hope the oil barons of Abu Dhabi took the news graciously, as Shelby’s move seems kind of like walking into a convention of cigarette makers and announcing a cure for tobacco addiction. But maybe they merely smiled at the fairly outlandish-sounding claims by Shelby SuperCars.

Ultimate Aero engine

The Ulimate Aero EV won’t need one of these.
(Credit: Shelby SuperCars)

According to Shelby, the powertrain developed for the Ultimate Aero EV uses a lithium ion battery pack, which can be fully charged from a 110 volt AC outlet in 10 minutes. This powertrain can be scaled from 200 up to 500 horsepower, with a special, dual-motor configuration that could produce 1,200 horsepower.

On top of that, Shelby claims a 200 mile range. If this powertrain can truly meet these specifications, Shelby will revolutionalize electric cars. Fortunately, we only have to wait about 10 months to see if it happens.

The details of this powertrain follow an announcement in July of last year that Shelby was working on turning the Ultimate Aero into an electric car. In that previous announcement, Shelby said its electric powertrain "will feature a revolutionary power source allowing for extended time between charging intervals with the possibility of several years between charging."

       Here are some great tips that could save you money on auto insurance.

1. Raise Your Deductible

One way to save money on car insurance is to raise your deductible. A higher deductible will result in a lower premium. Just remember that you will need to pay the deductible in the event of the accident. So don’t raise it so high, that you can’t afford to pay it if you were ever to get in an accident.

2. Take a Driver’s Safety Course

Did you know that taking a course in Driver’s Safety could save you money on your policy? Many companies offer discounts to customers who complete an approved driving course. See if your insurance company could offer you a discount for this.

3. Choose your Car Wisely

You may not be in the market for a new car right now, but when you are thinking of a purchasing a new vehicle, choose wisely. Don’t just look at the sticker price on the vehicle when shopping. Certain cars are more costly to insure than others, so you could end up paying a lot more in car insurance than you expected if you buy that nice sports car instead of the four door sedan. Cars that are more likely to be stolen or that have parts that cost more to replace will be more expensive to insure. Keep that in mind when you decide to purchase a new car.

4. Drive Less

You may be wondering how driving less will save you money on car insurance. Well, many companies offer discounts to people who meet certain low mileage requirements. Start carpooling to work or school. Not only could it save you money on car insurance, but it will also save you money on gas!

5. Compare Quotes from Multiple Companies

You may already have an auto insurance policy in place or you may be looking for one right now. Whatever your situation, it is always important to stay on top of car insurance rates that different companies are offering. If you already have a policy, compare quotes every six months or so to make sure you are getting the best rates out their for your situation. If you are looking for a policy, be sure to shop around before deciding on a company.

   If you’re considering purchasing a car, but you’re not sure whether you want a new car or a used car, this article may help. While most people understand the obvious difference in cost, there are a few other differences that may help you make up your mind as to whether you will purchase a new or used car. Here is some important information about why used cars are better than new.

Fees and Charges – Most people understand that there are extra fees and charges that come with new vehicles which don’t come with used vehicles. The unfortunate thing is that many people don’t understand what these fees and charges are for. A huge percentage of those fees have nothing to do with the quality of the car or whether it’s new or used. The money you pay in those fees simply goes to line the dealerships and the salesmen’s pockets! In fact, your salesman can add his own ‘fees’ which end up being bonuses to him for selling you the car! With a used car, you don’t have to worry about extra fees and charges – just the selling price!

Depreciation and Value – Something that is actually pretty depressing and not so well known is the rapid speed at which a new car depreciates. In fact, as soon as you sign the agreement of ownership on a brand new vehicle, it depreciates several thousand dollars. Why? Because you can no longer say the vehicle is brand new – it has had one owner. The depreciation continues rapidly as the car accumulates miles and the usual wear and tear. Why pay for a vehicle that will be worth several thousand dollars LESS than what you paid as soon as you pull it off the lot? For this reason, you can get a used vehicle that is just as good as a brand new one for thousands of dollars less!

Insurance and Taxes – When you’re paying for taxes and insurance on your new car, you will be paying a hefty sum. Most new vehicles can’t be driven off the lot unless they have full coverage insurance. With your used car, you can typically choose whether you want full coverage or simply liability insurance. This is a huge way in which you save money by purchasing a used car rather than a new one. Similarly, the taxes on your new vehicle will cost you a small fortune while the taxes on your used vehicle will be minimal. This is just another way in which a used car is better than a new car!

While many people want to be able to say they purchased a ‘brand new’ vehicle – it’s just not worth it. If you’re one of those people who places dependability and value before keeping up with the Jones’, a used car is right for you! The information above can easily outline why purchasing a used car is a much better idea than purchasing a new one!