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Recharge Wrap-up: Tata unveils tiny H2 vehicle,Volt's new drivetrain explained

A new video explains the second-generation Voltec drivetrain in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The new Volt uses two planetary gear sets, a big difference from the first-gen Volt, which used just one. This opens up a multitude of various drive modes, and allows the engine to drive the wheels as well as the motor-generators. See the video above for the full, in-depth explanation, and read more at GM Authority. Coal power plants need to be retired to achieve air quality benefits from EVs. According to a study, EVs charged in coal-heavy regions produce more lifecycle emissions than gasoline vehicles. Depending on when they're charged, EVs with high-capacity batteries can be responsible for two to three times the amount of emissions as a hybrid car. In the near future, though, as coal plants are retired, this is expected to change. "When EV charging load is added to a power system, wind and solar plant output can't be turned up to respond because they are typically already fully utilized," says Jeremy Michalek, Professor of Engineering and Public Policy and Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. "Fossil fuel plants are the ones dispatched in response to new charging load. That's why the shift away from coal is so important for EVs." Read more at Green Car Congress. Tata has debuted the Magic Iris Ziva fuel-cell microvan at AutoExpo India. Replacing the Magic Iris' single-cylinder engine with a hydrogen-powered unit gives the Ziva 5 kW (6.7 hp) of power for normal driving, with a maximum output of 9 kW (12 hp) and 31 lb-ft of torque. It has room for five passengers, and features an eight-inch touchscreen display. Learn more at Green Car Reports. Related Gallery Tata Magic Iris News Source: GM Authority, YouTube: Alex on Autos, Green Car Congress, Green Car Reports Green Chevrolet Tata Motors Alternative Fuels Emissions Electric Hydrogen Cars Videos recharge wrapup

Chevy exec confirms SS production model reveal at Daytona on Feb 16

The 2014 Chevrolet SS will make its racing debut for the 2013 Daytona 500, but the production version of the car will get its official unveiling on February 16 in Daytona, a week before The Great American Race. According to a report by Automotive News, the reveal has been confirmed by Jim Campbell, Chevy's US vice president of performance and motorsports. With the departure of the Dodge Charger, the new Chevrolet racecar will be the only competitor to feature a V8, rear-wheel-drive layout in both street and NASCAR form.
NASCAR fans will be able to see the new fullsize performance-oriented sedan on display in the festivities leading up to the Daytona 500, but the car won't go on sale until later in the year. The Australian-built Chevy SS will be a low-volume performance model, and it will be priced above the 2014 Impala, which starts at $27,535.

GM threatens predatory dealers with order cancellations, non-transferrable warranties

General Motors will launch a second salvo against misbehaving dealerships next week with a new set of policies aimed at curbing predatory markup strategies. With the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06, GMC Hummer EV SUV and Cadillac Escalade-V about to head into production, GM is putting its foot down yet again. Dealers that attempt to circumvent GM's markup restrictions by dealing directly with brokers or other resellers could find themselves in a particularly nasty spot, as the company is threatening to withhold future allocations and end the transferability of warranties when dealers facilitate the reselling of vehicles within 12 months.  While this may help curb some dealership chicanery, it's possible the real loser in such a deal could end up being the customer who unwittingly ends up with an un-warrantied vehicle. We suspect GM has accounted for that, but we'll have to wait until next week to find out exactly how these new policies will be enforced.