Zoomi Life

Everyone wants government money. It seems that all of the electric vehicle manufacturers, whether making parts, batteries, or cars want in on that cheap Department of Energy cash. Matthew Lesko is already working on a new book with a working title of “Get FREE Government Money For Your Electric Car Company!”*

Read More: More Department of Energy Loans and Foibles: Tesla, Aptera, and More

The Karma from Fisker Automotive in Southern California has been much anticipated. Half family sedan, half sports car, this extended range hybrid has been one of our favorites here at Zoomilife for a long time. Lately, it’s been showing it’s abilities on the test track as it peels rubber towards its official release date.

Read More: Fisker Karma Flexes Its Muscles (video)

Compared to Tesla and it’s CEO Elon Musk, Fisker and its CEO Henrick Fisker, are a quiet little company in Southern California. The two companies are often compared, or more specifically, their vehicles are often compared, though. The Karma and the Roadster are both high-end sports cars with big price tags and lots of performance. Plus tons of green cred.

Read More: Henrik Fisker Gets Candid About the Karma and the Tesla Roadster

EnerDel officially commissioned America’s first commercial-scale production plant for lithium-ion automotive battery packs in Indiana. EnerDel (a subsidiary of Ener1) makes the batteries in the Think City, but has now signed an agreement with Fisker Auto (makers of the Karma).

Read More: New Indiana Plant to Make Lithium-Ion Battery Packs Commissioned

Here’s a great video (despite the music) showing the Fisker Karma being put through some paces on the track.

Read More: Video: Drive It Like You Stole It! Fisker Karma on the Track

FEV proposed the Wankel Rotary Engine as a range-extender solution at this year’s SAE conference. The issues of repeated starting and engine vibration are becoming paramount in plug-in hybrid maker’s minds. Efficiency, quiet operation, and the ability to stand up to repeated starting are important to the overall comfort and long-term operation of a PHEV.

Read More: FEV Proposes Wankel Rotary Engine as a Range Extender

Two venture capital investors have stepped up for the next round of capital to get Fisker to production level. One is Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers, who’ve been with Fisker Automotive since the beginning, and the other is Eco-Drive (Capital) Partners in New York.

Read More: Fisker Brings In Another $85M in Venture Capital for Karma

Fisker Automotive announced their first wave of selected retailers to carry the Fisker brand (and the new Karma). The list contains 32 retailers across the United States, which comes very close to Fisker’s announced goal of 40 by June this year.

Read More: Fisker Selects First Wave of North American Retailers

Keeping things on the continent, Fisker Automotive has signed a battery deal with Vancouver-based Advanced Lithium Power, Inc. The deal has two aspects: thousands of lithium-ion batteries for the Karma and a sizeable cash stake in the Canadian company.

Read More: Fisker Signs Battery Deal with Canadian Supplier

Fisker Automotive, whose Karma will be hitting the streets this fall, has announced a successful fundraising round of $3 million. The money will go towards purchasing partial ownership stock in an unnamed battery company, presumably to give Fisker more control over its supply chain.

Read More: Fisker Raises $3 Million to Buy Battery Stock