OnStar and Chevy announced a new application for popular smartphones that will allow users to see critical data, control charging and even remote starting the new electric Chevrolet Volt. OnStar created the app that will run on the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry OS. The app is a first for electric vehicles. The smartphone app from more »

Held just this past week in San Jose was the Plug-In 2008 conference; where automakers, utilities, battery manufacturers, and academics, along with plug-in advocates from all over, were all there with one goal in mind: how to figure out how to get these cars on the road in big numbers. They realize that this change isn’t going to be simple, whether needed in many ways or not. The automakers have to figure out a way to market the technology to consumers who for the most part know nothing about it. On the part of utilities, they have to develop the infrastructure that would enable millions of people without a garage to plug in their cars. And it’s up to all of them to figure out a way to make the vehicles affordable. Joe Consumer probably isn’t going to buy it if it costs as much as the Batmobile, even if it does save him on gas.

Some of the main issues tackled at the conference addressed just these concerns. First and foremost obviously being, that you have the advocates claiming how the electric cars will save the planet. Hurrah! While most of us by this point are kind of selfishly just wanting something that doesn’t cost so darn much every time we go to the gas station. Hey, this way we can save the earth and our stomachs. Win/win.