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First factory-built wheelchair-accessible vehicle hits the market

Before Wednesday, the only wheelchair-accessible vehicles available to the public were aftermarket conversions that generally came with structural modifications and a price tag ranging from $50,000 to $80,000. Now, a startup company called the Vehicle Production Group (VPG) has released the first vehicle specifically assembled to accommodate people in wheelchairs, with an MSRP of $39,950. The vehicle is called the MV-1, which stands for Mobility Vehicle 1, and it was built for the disabled community.

Next-generation Chevy Volt to have 60-mile electric range?

On the heels of the recently announced price cut for the 2014 Volt, General Motors chief executive Dan Akerson is suggesting that we may see a Volt with 60-mile electric range in three or four years. In an interview with Bloomberg, Akerson suggests that GM is hoping for a "significant" improvement in the extended-range Chevy's ability to run solely on electric power. “For something to be significant to me, I gotta get at least 20 percent improvement in performance," the CEO asserted.

Aptera Motors reaches end of the road

Start-up EV manufacturer Aptera Motors has announced it is going out of business. The brainchild of former Chrysler brand manager and CEO of ASC Inc, Paul Wilbur, the company had gained approval for a $150 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy's advanced vehicle fund, but was unable to find further backing.