USA / Global
Articles by James Melvin
General
Op-Ed: The Other Side Of The Story – The KIA Dealer's Version of Steve's i3 Visit
You may have read a piece here by contributor Steve C. depicting a confrontation of sorts between himself and a KIA dealer in regards to his ability to charge his BMW i3 at their store. IN THE NAME OF FAIRNESS Upon reading Steve's piece (originally at his blog here), I felt compelled to call that dealership just to gain clarity on what exactly happened that day from their perspective. We al...
Aug 22, 2015
General
Op-Ed: Perhaps A Better Comparison - BMW i8 vs. Tesla Roadster
BMW i8 And Tesla Roadster - The Future And The Past Compete OK, the webosphere is dying for comparisons. Like Volt and LEAF were stuck together for a couple years (and still are for some), it seems the some of the “Tesla vs. BMW” folks just can’t stop virtual battling…so here’s a better comparison for them: Tesla Roadster vs. BMW i8 Oh sure – you and I know...
Aug 10, 2013
Charging
"Plug-In Ecosystem" Opens in Indiana
Starting today, mall shoppers at Carmel, Indiana's Clay Terrace can plug in for free while they shop 'til they'drop or stop by for a bite to eat. A group of public and private energy concerns has installed a unique charging station in the mall's parking lot to meet the needs of a new generation of plug-in drivers. Clay Terrace's new vehicle charging station is unique in that it uses level 2 a...
Feb 02, 2013
General
Silent Running - Portugal's Law Enforcement Orders Leafs
The Thin Blue Line that serves and protects may soon be colored green as the Portuguese have become the first to add battery electric police cruisers to their fleet. The country's police force ( or Policia de Seguranca Publica / PSP ) added 8 Nissan Leafs to it's fleet of over 5,000 vehicles. The EV police units will begin duty in urban areas mostly for it'...
Jul 12, 2012
General
Has Tesla Found the Secret Sauce?
What is the secret sauce of selling new-vision EV hardware to curious onlookers? Worthy of note are the "boutique" shopping mall outlets that could follow Tesla's lead. While Fisker joins forces with Penske Auto Group to proliferate Karmas and Atlantics, how closely are others watching Tesla's approach at 21st century marketing? BMW may be the first to emulate the strategy. I live in western Wa...
Jun 16, 2012
General
GM Files Trademark for "Electra"
On June 5, 2012 General Motors filed for a trademark for the word Electra. The Electra badge has historically been used for a range of large premium Buick vehicles between 1959 and 1990. The word mark is for goods and services, including “Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, vans, engines therefore and structural parts thereof” and shows a current and orig...
Jun 15, 2012