Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (April 16-22 ) Automotive News In Case You Were Sleeping

* A new study released by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that electric vehicle owners could save between $750 and $1,200 a year compared to the average compact gas-powered car getting 27 mpg and driven 11,000 miles per year, based on the national average electricity price of 11 cents per kilowatt hour and an average gas price of $3.50 per gallon. The study took into account the higher cost of the electric vehicles and the price of electricity and gas. However, 45% of Americans get their electricity from coal fired power plants and it would be better for the environment if they drove a hybrid.

* Ford's new Focus Electric, with its $40,000 sticker price, is in the midst of a quiet rollout focused on California, New York and New Jersey. A rollout in 19 targeted metropolitan areas will follow before it goes nationwide. The Focus Electric went on sale in December. Ford sold only a couple dozen in the first quarter. This contrasts the General Motors launch of the Chevrolet Volt that was promoted four years ahead of it going on sale.

* And…Ford will provide the first all-electric pace car for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race April 28 at the Richmond 400. Ford also was first to use a hybrid to start a NASCAR event with the pace car for the Ford 400 at Miami in 2008.

* Noteworthy in the motorsports arena is the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix victory by Germany's Nico Rosberg driving a Mercedes. It is Mercedes first win in 57 years!

* U.S. safety regulators have upgraded their investigation into 122,000 BMW 7-series cars to an engineering analysis -- a step closer to a recall -- after receiving 50 complaints of unattended vehicle movement or rollaway.

* The Hartford is now offering drivers of electric vehicles a discount on their auto insurance policies, demonstrating the company's commitment to supporting a cleaner environment. The 5 percent discount is now available to new policyholders with electric vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas and will be available nationwide by the end of 2012. Current policyholders with electric vehicles will receive the 5 percent discount at renewal. * Audi announced this week it will buy Ducati Motor Holding SpA of Bologna, Italy for about $1.1 bullion, reportedly for the latter's expertise in lightweight construction and high-performance engines.

* For those who lust for a high-performance SUV take a look at the new Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG first shown this week. The boxy, upright, iconic design going back to the Gelandewagon is powered by a 5.5-liter, 544-horsepower biturbo V8. Look for it in dealer showrooms in August.

* Speaking of the German marque, it is rumored this week that Mercedes-Benz will provide vehicle platforms - next generation C-Class - for the next-generation G-series of cars from Infiniti. Expected to be slightly larger than the current G it will only share underpinnings and perhaps some drive trains. Expect dramatic Infinity styling.

* Recalls are not the purview of just common cars. A recall notice went out this week to owners of Rolls-Royce Ghosts, the result of a problem with the auxiliary water pump circuit board that can cause a fire. Similar problems have been identified with BMWs which share many mechanical elements.

* The National Academy of Sciences, pressed in to service to study the Toyota unintended acceleration issues, concluded that the cause was largely "driver error," that is, hitting the wrong pedal. Now a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the majority of incidents happen with older women and drivers under 20 years old. While some other causes were identified, like ill-fitting floor mats and sticky throttle linkage, all studies have specifically excluded gremlins in the electronic controls.