98-03 Ford Ranger F150 F250 Radio 6 Cd Face Plate 3c3t-18c815-aa-g62160 on 2040-parts.com

AAA unveils battery-charging trucks for stranded EVs

The American Automobile Association has unveiled an example of its new roadside-assistance truck, which is capable of recharging batteries for stranded drivers of electric vehicles. AAA first announced the plan in June, and the first truck was shown on Monday at the Plug-In 2011 electric-vehicle conference in Raleigh, N.C. It uses Green Charge Networks technology and has a removable lithium-ion battery pack that allows for mobile charging.

Renault Alpine A110-50 at Monaco? Possibly, but surely this isn’t it.

Is this a new Renault Alpine (left), or a Photoshopped Renault DeZir (right)? The rumour mill says Renault will revive Alpine with a tribute to the A110 – the Alpine A110-50. But the photo doing the rounds surely isn’t it.

Volkswagen Passat (2011): the American one

Volkswagen has unveiled the US version of the Passat at the 2011 Detroit auto show. VW’s European customers won’t be able to buy it, but will be interested in the price: despite being longer and wider than the car offered in Europe it will start from just £13,000 before taxes for a 168bhp five-cylinder petrol. The nearest petrol Passat costs £19,529 in the UK.