http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (Phys.org) —The Volkswagen e-up!, an all-electric city car, is not for sale just yet, but this week the first-ever Volkswagen production electric vehicle was "unveiled" at a press and investors gathering in Wolfsburg, Germany, company headquarters. The news that EV watchers will want to know most about this new vehicle, as with any EV announcement these days, will center around practical concerns such as how long does it run before the battery power is depleted, and charging requirements. As for the e-up! it has an 18.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with a 93-mile range (150km) and provides the driver with a dual charging system. The battery is integrated under the floor area. A "Combined Charging System" supports AC and DC charging. The advantage of this, said the company, is that the driver can more easily charge the car at any charging station without worrying about the right power source. Also, it can be recharged up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. http://phys.org/news282633696.html Technology Sat, 16 Mar 2013 07:50:01 EST news282633696 Small-car manufacturer Fiat beat its efficiency record in the 2008 recession while former high-achievers Toyota and BMW showed their worst results in 10 years, according to a new study. http://phys.org/news282401933.html Technology Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:59:01 EST news282401933 Googling the nearest gas station, sending email from your smartphone, or booking a table at a restaurant: Those are all things you shouldn't do while driving. But so many drivers have grown accustomed to their on-the-go tasks that automakers are increasingly trying to make those things easier to pull off with both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. http://phys.org/news277064056.html Technology Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:14:27 EST news277064056 General Motors said Tuesday it will integrate Apple's voice-activated software Siri in some of its cars next year to allow iPhone users to perform hands-free tasks. http://phys.org/news273243670.html Technology Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:01:20 EST news273243670 US spy master Keith Alexander on Friday courted hackers at an infamous Def Con gathering rife with software tricksters wary of police and ferociously protective of privacy. http://phys.org/news262636932.html Technology Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:42:28 EST news262636932 The European Commission pushed Wednesday for cuts in automobile carbon emissions but environmentalists said the plans did not go far enough while car makers warned that it would hurt the industry. http://phys.org/news261228319.html Space & Earth Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:25:26 EST news261228319 In-car navigation firm TomTom on Tuesday said it has inked a deal to provide map information to Apple, which a day earlier introduced its own mapping service for iPhones and iPads. http://phys.org/news258728300.html Technology Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:58:36 EST news258728300 Carmakers at the Beijing auto show are due to unveil scores of clean energy vehicles as they try to convince Chinese customers to swap gas-guzzling SUVs for cleaner but slower and pricier options. http://phys.org/news254391221.html Technology Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:14:41 EST news254391221 Toyota's president unveiled a futuristic concept car resembling a giant smartphone to demonstrate how Japan's top automaker is trying to take the lead in technology at the upcoming Tokyo auto show. http://phys.org/news241687397.html Technology Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:25:02 EST news241687397 Formula One is preparing itself for a period of progressive change towards greater fuel efficiency, clearer 'green' credentials and much bigger popularity with car makers and racing fans. http://phys.org/news228741844.html Technology Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:24:18 EST news228741844 Forget the people carrier and electric runabout: with the economic crisis over, the low, sleek and powerful supercar regained its place at the Geneva Motor Show, which opens to the public on Thursday. http://phys.org/news218458639.html Technology Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:06:54 EST news218458639 (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. is teaming up with Russian automaker Sollers to make and distribute cars in Russia, one of the fastest growing auto markets. http://phys.org/news217349625.html Technology Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:54:09 EST news217349625 During the State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated a goal that surely set the hearts of electric car makers revving. http://phys.org/news217009334.html Technology Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:50:02 EST news217009334 Automakers are taking a drive into the future at the Consumer Electronics Show. http://phys.org/news213773153.html Technology Sun, 09 Jan 2011 07:30:01 EST news213773153 Internet radio star Pandora has topped 75 million users in the United States and is expanding into cars but it will be awhile before music fans abroad can enjoy their own personal stations. http://phys.org/news213707861.html Technology Sat, 08 Jan 2011 11:18:16 EST news213707861 Electric cars could help China and other countries reduce their dependency on oil but the government must provide incentive to make the shift, Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said Thursday. http://phys.org/news177257227.html Technology Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:01 EST news177257227 BMW and Mazda lead the way in cutting auto emissions, well ahead of their rivals in the hunt for cleaner cars as new European Union targets begin to bear green fruit, a report showed Tuesday. http://phys.org/news172176080.html Space & Earth Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:41:56 EST news172176080 AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson has a problem: There are way too many Toyota Prius hybrids sitting on his car lots across America. http://phys.org/news155565905.html Technology Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:50:19 EST news155565905 Four international bodies on Wednesday called on governments and car makers to halve global vehicle emissions by 2050 as the auto industry insisted it was serious about producing greener vehicles. http://phys.org/news155413701.html Technology Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:28:47 EST news155413701