Germany to take the green lead in Europe

By 2020 one million electric vehicles are to be on German roads pledged the German Cabinet last week when they unvelied a National Development Plan on Electric-Drive Vehicles covering the next ten years. The development plan aims to foster research and development into battery-operated electric-drive vehicles in Germany, as well as preparing the market and launching the vehicles on the market.

"It is a dream that we can make come true: individual cars without exhaust fumes,” declared Federal Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. More than 100 years after the internal combustion engine was first used in cars, electric vehicles are now ushering in a new technological era. Electric engines are a major feature of future mobility. They offer the opportunity not only to become independent of oil but also to reduce emissions. By promoting electricity for mobility, the German government is pursuing its strategy of moving away from oil.

In conjunction with renewables, electric-drive vehicles are making a significant contribution to achieving the climate protection targets of the German government. It is also important to see electric vehicles in combination with the government’s Fuel Strategy and its High-Tech Strategy.

Although the internal combustion engine will retain its importance for road traffic in the foreseeable future, it is important that we begin now to move gradually towards new, efficient technologies. If Germany is to hold its own against international competitors and retain its leading role in the automobile industry and the sector that supplies the industry, Germany must itself become the leading market for electric-drive vehicles. Germany’s National Development Plan on Electric-Drive Vehicles enjoys a strong, broad foundation. The fundamental technologies for electric motors, power cells and network infrastructure have been developed. They must, however, be fine-tuned. This is especially true of the key technology involved in the batteries.

In only a few years the first plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure electric-drive vehicles can be marketable. Before then, however, a network of battery charging points will have to be established step by step, initially concentrating on a few regions. The cost and the limited suitability of the vehicles for everyday use are still obstacles to any wide-scale marketing of the vehicles. The technological and economic challenges mean that electric vehicles will only be able to capture any sizeable share of the market in about ten years. Measures to promote new mobility concepts in the German government’s second recovery package will act as a catalyst for further research. "We will take electric-drive vehicles out of their niche and launch them onto the market,” declared Federal Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee confidently.

The realisation of the National Development Plan on Electric-Drive Vehicles demands close coordination from the outset between all stakeholders: politicians, industry, the academic community, local authorities and consumers. They will get together to form a national forum on electric-drive vehicles.

Source : eGov.monitor, AUgust 26th, 2009

Honda will produce an EV

Automaker Honda is developing an electric car that would debut in the US market by 2015. As per media reports, the company has not decided when to launch the final product.

Media reports stated that Honda is one of the automakers turning to electric vehicles to help them meet new US fuel economy and emissions rules. Next year, General Motors is expected to unveil its Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, in the US market.

Two other major Japanese automakers have already unveiled plans to debut electric cars. Toyota Motor plans to sell electric vehicles in the US from 2012 while Nissan Motor is seeking to begin mass-production of such vehicles in 2010 for release in the Japanese, Europe an and US markets, reported the Economic Times.

Source : Automotive Business Review, August 25th, 2009

The great Ford's PHEVs

Ford Motor Company is doing something incredible with the way its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will recharge. The Ford Hybrids will be intelligent enough to talk directly with the nation's electric grid. The vehicle-to-grid communications are part of a new intelligent control system that Ford is developing.

"Electric vehicles are an important element of our strategy for improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions," Ford's executive chairman, Bill Ford, said in a statement. "This vehicle-to-grid communication technology is an important step in the journey toward the widespread commercialization of electric vehicles."

The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid will eventually be equipped with the vehicle-to-grid communications technology. In fact, the first fleet has already been delivered to the American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio. Other Ford utility partners will also be equipped with the new plug-in electric hybrid technology. Here's how the new system works.

When your vehicle is plugged in, the battery systems will talk directly with the electric grid. This is all done by the vehicle's touch screen navigation interface. You will be able to access the grid to choose when your electric vehicle or car should be recharged. Utility rates are cheaper during off-peak hours between midnight and early morning. Once you have everything done from the touch screen navigation interface, the vehicle is recharged automatically at a time you specify. This is one of the reasons why Ford is calling it an intelligent smart meter, or communications system.

In addition to recharging from home, Ford wants to make it easier to recharge vehicles at other locations. Some of these other locations include a parking lot or a curbside station. The curbside stations will be available at many locations throughout metropolitan cities and local communities. These are also known as recharging, or refuel stations. They are no larger than a typical parking meter. Consumers can access the national grid by using these public fueling stations.

As the price of gas starts to rise again, consumers will appreciate a cheaper way to refuel their cars. It is only a matter of time before public charging stations are available in your community as utility companies are already preparing for the extra need for electricity. Ford Motor Company is already testing most of these services with new plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) and it's only a matter of time before we see them in the showrooms.

Source : NewsOXY, by Andy Hodges, August 28th, 2009

Mitsubishi to launch its PHEV SUV

Mitsubishi is planning to bring forward the introduction of its new compact SUV, based on the Concept cX from the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. The new car, which will provide Mitsubishi with a rival for Nissan’s Qashqai, was originally due in May next year, but improving sales of compact SUVs in Japan have forced the firm onto a more aggressive schedule.

The new SUV will now be launched in Japan next February; Europe will follow soon after. The production version of the cX (the name will change) will use the Lancer platform and come with petrol and diesel options, from 1.8 to 2.2 litres. An Evo-style SST dual-clutch ’box and four-wheel drive will also be available. Mitsubishi is not planning a hybrid cX, but it will unveil a plug-in hybrid system in a fresh SUV concept at October’s Tokyo show. The technology is earmarked for the next Outlander.

Source : AutoCar.co.uk, August 26th, 2009

BYD to bring electric cars to U.S. in 2010

Chinese automaker BYD Co. is pledging to bring an electric vehicle to the U.S. next year, a development that threatens to steal some of the marketing spotlight General Motors Co. hopes to grab when it introduces its own Chevy Volt in the second half of 2010.

BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu told The Wall Street Journal his company would bring a "few hundred" $40,000 e6s electric cars to government agencies, utilities and "maybe some celebrities." The company intends to enter Europe a year later using a similar strategy.

The Journal says BYD's U.S. expansion appears tied to Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holding Co., the utility that paid $230 million for a 10% stake in BYD. But it is unclear whether the company would attempt to launch its U.S. operations in MidAmerican's Iowa home base, a market far removed from electric vehicle hotbeds like California. Most expect electric vehicles to first invade more urban areas.

Hurdles remain. The Journal notes that while BYD has introduced a plug-in hybrid car in China for fleet customers, it has failed to make it available to consumers amid speculation that there have been troubles with the car's lithium-ion battery technology. But the potential emergence of an electric vehicle from China to compete with the Volt is yet another reminder of the challenges facing the Detroit automakers as they attempt to rebuild their businesses.

Source : TheDeal.com, by Lou Whiteman, August 25, 2009

The future of green plug-in vehicles

Ford has been working to restructure itself as a provider of hybrid and electric vehicles. The transition to electric vehicles will require a host of technology providers working together to ensure success. Mike Tinskey, manager of Ford’s sustainability activities, outlined what Ford sees as essential for electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure, during a presentation at the Plug-in 2009 conference in Long Beach this past week.

During his talk, he suggested that migrating to battery commonality would be a huge win for the industry simply because it would support a more rapid achievement of the higher production volumes required to bring prices down.

According to Tinskey, 'The biggest issue with batteries now is not necessarily the technology, it’s the volume. If the battery manufacturers could get north of 100,000 packs, annually prices come down drastically.'

A new battery standard would also be helpful, Tinskey added, 'But if we could get movement to migrating to some commonality, overall that would be a huge win for the industry.'

Currently, Ford has four full hybrids on the market. For the mid-term (2011-2020), Ford will increase its use of hybrid technology, and introduce plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) on the market.

For the long-term (2020-2030), Tinskey said, Ford will focus on volume expansion of hybrid technologies, continue to leverage PHEVs and BEVs, and introduced fuel cell vehicles. There is also an accompanying long-term focus on clean electricity and hydrogen for fueling.

Ford chose to develop many of its electrified products on its global C platform - a high-volume platform that sells millions every year. Specifically on the BEV side, Ford has announced two vehicles: the electric Transit Connect light commercial van in 2010, and the battery electric Focus in 2011 (using new styling and with a new model).

Both of these are C-platform applications. Ford will introduce a plug-in hybrid version with its next generation hybrid vehicles in 2012.

Citing the wide variance in industry projections - ranging from the extremely conservative to the wildly optimistic - Tinskey noted that the large degree of uncertainty contributed to Ford’s adoption of its current electrification strategy which is designed to optimize flexibility and response time.

Market enablers for electrification

In addition to battery commonality, Ford sees other success factors contributing to successful electrification as:

1- The charging infrastructure. Ford sees home charging as the segment where the most frequent charging will occur, followed by fleet depot charging, charge at work, and then public charging, in that order. For the next four years or so, he sees no major charging infrastructure. Standards are critical for success here. Tinskey also noted that fast charging present challenges on vehicles, due to the sizing of onboard electronics.

2- Supporting policies.

3- Utilities, vehicle-to-home (V2H), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G). Ford is a little bearish on the concept of V2G at this point, he said. 'Let’s figure out V2H-then we can figure everything else out.' Key for success here is working with utilities and emerging standards for messaging and communications between the vehicle and the grid and utility.

4- Utility partnership and renewable power generation.

5- Alternative business models and alliances.

6- Government incentives and grants.

7- Secondary uses for the battery pack (this is linked to the commonality issue, as repackaging common formats would reduce cost and make sales less convoluted.

8- Demonstrations and early fleet sales.

Source : Environmental Expert, August 19th, 2009

More performant batteries to come

Compact Power, a subsidiary of LG Chem, Ltd., is bringing the power of Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery Technology to North America for Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and Electric Vehicle (EV) applications in the automotive, commercial, and military markets.

The company was just chosen by General Motors (GM) to provide complete lithium-ion battery packs for a Buick plug-in hybrid SUV that will debut in 2011 - the same SUV that was to be the Saturn Vue plug in, prior to GM's bankruptcy and Saturn sale to Penske Automotive.

The battery pack will leverage GM’s Voltec technology, currently being used on the Chevrolet Volt, which was developed collaboratively by LG Chem, Compact Power and GM over the past two years. The pack will use the same cells as the Volt, using manganese spinel chemistry. During Plug In 2009 show in Long Beach, Calif., Damien Gardley, CPI's Director of Sales spoke about the company's wins and gave a tease about what we can expect in the next twelve months from them.

Source : Examiner, by Matt Kelly, August 19th, 2009

Ford Unveils Intelligent Charge System

The major automakers are all focusing on alternative fuel sources in the economic recession with the consumers demand for low cost vehicles that dare fuel-efficient.

Ford has announced a new intelligent system for plug-in hybrid vehicles that allows the hybrid cars to communicate with the electric grid.

The charging tech allows the car owner to program when the car will charge and for how long it will charge. The system even lets the user choose the utility rate they will pay to charge the vehicle meaning the user can charge the car at off peak hours.

Ford says that it plans to produce an electric commercial van called Transit Connect in 2010, a battery powered electric Focus in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012. The new charge system will allow these vehicles to further reduce their environment impact by only charging when power is the cheapest and most available.

Source : i4unews, by Shane McGlaun, August 19th, 2009

GM's green strategy

General Motors threw itself a party this week, hosting media and consumers in an event to showcase upcoming models and technology. Center stage was the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the bold announcement that it would achieve 230 mpg in the city, based on an upcoming EPA protocol.

GM officials also reaffirmed various brand positioning strategies: Buick will target Lexus, and Cadillac will compete with BMW. Sneak peeks revealed the future products designed for just that purpose. In the short term, GM’s 2010 model-year changes show a focus on fuel economy and safety.

Highlights from the GM road map:

• Chevrolet alone is introducing 10 new models by end of 2011, including the 2011 Aveo, Cruze, and Volt. The Spark hatchback becomes the entry-level Chevrolet for 2012. The same year, the Camaro line gets a convertible. The C7 Corvette is scheduled as a 2013 model. The Chevy Orlando, a mini minivan, based on the Cruze is also in the plan.
• Buick and GMC are adding 10 new entries, including a Buick plug-in hybrid small SUV, based on the Saturn Vue and Regal sedan in 2011. A freshened Enclave will follow the next year. Changes to the large body-on-frame trucks from the various brands are yet to be determined as the company wrestles with upcoming fuel economy standards. Rest assured, full-sized pickups will remain in the portfolio, but the SUV designs and platforms are subject to review.
• Cadillac is introducing five new models through 2011. Most notable, Cadillac is taking aim at the BMW 3 Series with a sub-CTS model called ATS that will be offered in rear- and all-wheel drive. A hybrid version is possible.

The Cadillac XTS sedan will replace the DTS and STS for 2012, based on a global platform with front- and all-wheel drive. A premium coupe has been rumored, inspired by the striking, long-hooded Sixteen concept.

Clearly, General Motors has much up its proverbial sleeve. How the products measure up remains to be seen. Many recent GM models have performed well in tests, though reliability continues to be mixed.

Source : ConsumerReports, by Jeff Bartlett, August 14th, 2009

Green cars are the future

U.S. automaker General Motors is developing a car to be released in late 2010 that can travel 98 km on just one liter of gasoline (230 MPG - 1.64l/100km).

The Chevrolet Volt is powered by an electric motor until it reaches a speed of 64 km/h (40 mph), when a small combustion engine kicks in. With the engine recharging its batteries, it can travel up to 483 km (300 miles).

If it is used to commute only 50 to 60 km (30 to 40 miles) a day, the Volt does not require any gasoline. The Toyota Prius, which is the icon of environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient automobiles, can travel 20 km/l (47 MPG - 5l/100km). Mitsubishi's latest creation i-MiEV, which is powered by electricity only, can travel up to 62 km/l (146 MPG - 1.61l/100km) if its electricity costs are calculated as gasoline costs. Japan still leads the world in "green" auto technology, but the U.S. is becoming a serious contender. Even as it faced bankruptcy, GM continued to invest money in developing the Volt.

Hybrid vehicles are currently the most popular kind of green cars and Japan is the leader in the field. Hybrids are driven by gasoline engines and use batteries as back-up power sources. European carmakers have invested heavily in developing clean diesel vehicles. The Chevy Volt is a "plug-in" hybrid representing the next level of green autos.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Nissan Leaf, which will go on sale next year, are driven purely by electricity. The global auto industry has bet everything on the development of green vehicles and this has led to the development of new technologies at unprecedented speeds. Experts say Korean automakers are still a few years behind advanced countries in green auto technology. Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group recently unveiled an LPG hybrid, but it is intended only for the domestic market. Hyundai-Kia plans to roll out a gasoline hybrid next year and a plug-in like the Volt in 2012.

It is encouraging to hear the news that Korea is the world leader in battery technology, which is a key component of next-generation electric vehicles. The battery that powers the Volt is manufactured by LG Chemical, and Samsung SDI has joined hands with Germany's Bosch to be the exclusive battery suppliers for BMW's electric car. Although they got off to a late start, Korean automakers are capable of catching up any time if they push themselves hard enough.

Source : The Chosun Ilbo, August 14th, 2009

GM announces $43M battery plant

General Motors became the first major automaker to announce plans for a battery manufacturing facility today, unveiling a roadmap that will jump start production of up to 70,000 lithium-ion battery packs a year by the end of 2010.

The batteries produced will be used primarily in the car company’s long-anticipated electric Chevy Volt. The plant will be located near GM’s headquarters in Michigan, which is quickly becoming a mecca for the battery industry, with A123Systems, Johnson Controls and others drawing significant Department of Energy stimulus funds to the region. Production of the battery packs for the Volt is heavy-duty business — each one weighs 400 pounds. The actual cells will be made inexpensively by LG Chem in South Korea.

The parts will then be assembled into pack form at the leased plant in Michigan. As an electric-hybrid vehicle, it is said to run 40 miles on one full battery charge (a charge that can be delivered overnight via a standard electrical outlet). Earlier this week, GM reported that this system will allow the car to travel 230 miles per gallon (for street driving), which is more than four times the mileage of the Toyota Prius.

GM seems to be on a roll these days — a roll spearheaded by the Chevy Volt. The DOE awarded the company $105 million in grants during the second round of its Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. GM’s absence from the first round of grants was very obvious — interpreted by many as a clear message to the company that it first needed to get its act together after the bailout and declaring bankruptcy — especially since Ford and Nissan were named as recipients.

The Volt stands a good chance of being the first mass-market, plug-in hybrid electric car to make it to market. This would give GM a big leg up over its competition, even though it plans to only produce 10,000 cars in its first year. Ultimately, it plans to scale production to 60,000 cars a year. It will be interesting to see if the other major automakers follow suit, leasing battery plants of their own. For now, most of them are relying on partnerships with nimbler third-parties. For example A123Systems has been contracted to provide battery packs to Chrysler, and Johnson Controls has been tapped by Ford. GM is working closely with LG Chem — but the relationship is slightly different since it is based overseas.

Source : Venture Beats, by Camille Ricketts, August 13th, 2009

Rapid Electric Vehicles REV's up Fleet Sales

During Plug In 2009 in Long Beach Calif., Rapid Electric Vehicles introduced the REV™ 300 ACX electric vehicle, an OEM Ford Escape vehicle with its internal combustion engine and related drive and fuel components completely removed.

Based in Vancouver, BC, REV's founder/CEO Jay Giraud states there is no re-engineering performed on the vehicle - its original driving characteristics are completely intact. Instead, high-performance lithium battery packs, a high-performance electric motor and related charging components are installed. The end result is a vehicle that retains almost exactly the same weight, with faster acceleration, increased horsepower and torque, a lower center of gravity, improved safety systems and improved weight distribution.

"REV is a fully integrated fleet technology solutions provider," says Giraud. He adds, "We offer a completely decentralized and scalable business model that's transforming transportation. This is the complete solution for electrifying fleets and is recycling at it's highest form." Later in 2009, REV will offer training for fleet customers to self-service their vehicles.

The company will also offer the REV Ford Ranger battery-electric vehicle and an all electric Ford F-Series truck in 2010. The internal combustion engine is completely removed, and the vehicle’s new electric motor and regenerative braking can recharge the batteries, or they can be recharged by any external power source using 110V or 220V of power.

Source : Examiner, by Matt Kelly, August 13th, 2009

ZAP lands 25 million $

ZAP, a company known for building electric motorcycles and three-wheel cars, has just raised $25 million in capital and plans to use the money to jump headlong into full-size electric vehicles. To buoy this effort, it is also seeking $200 million in stimulus loans from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based ZAP is uniquely positioned for several reasons. Due to its well-developed scooter business — which has been around since 1994 — it has its foot in the door many places where many of its competitors do not. Namely, it has an entryway into markets in Europe and Asia where even Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive do not. In the U.S. alone, it sells through 56 dealerships. It also has experience with advanced battery technology. After using lead-acid batteries in its scooters, the company will transition to lithium-ion packs for its cars.

Still, ZAP has some hurdles to contend with. The four-wheel, sub-compact cars it plans to produce are smaller and perhaps less marketable than those built by others. They are slated to travel 200 miles per full charge. Tesla says its Roadster can travel close to 250 miles on one charge and that its Model S will go 300 miles. Chevy’s Volt is also expected to go 230 miles on one charge and look like a regular sedan. In order to remain competitive in this field, the company is placing large bets on getting money from the DOE.

It plans to use the funds, loaned via the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, to build a manufacturing facility in Franklin, Ky. The plant would be capable of churning out 40,000 vehicles per year initially, and up to 100,000 eventually. It would be up and running within 13 months of receiving the $200 million from the government, ZAP says. Until now, the company has been manufacturing its components in China and assembling its vehicles in Santa Rosa, Calif. The DOE has already distributed the first round of these funds, with Tesla receiving a whopping $465 million, and the rest going to limping automotive giants like Ford and Nissan. The recent $25 million for ZAP came from Cathaya Capital, a firm funded by Jaccar Holdings. Jaccar has taken a 20 percent stake in the company at this point.

Source : Venture Beat, by Camille Ricketts, August 11th, 2009

Electric Bus to Debut in Seoul in 2011

Seoul City plans to operate buses powered by electricity supplied from equipment planted in road surfaces from 2011.
The "On Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV)" has been developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Seoul City signed a memorandum of understanding with KAIST for the project. The electric vehicles will be produced by October and test-operated on a 2.2-kilometer (1.4 mile) Seoul Grand Park shuttle route from November.
The city will continue test-driving in the areas around Sangam-dong, Seoul, next year and introduce the bus to bus-only lanes in broader areas in 2011.

The OLEV gets its power supply from an electric facility laid underground, without rails or surface power lines, and it can share the road with other vehicles as well.
It is 30-90% cheaper to make and maintain than existing electric buses and does not emit any air polluting substances.

The city plans to replace all cars, buses and taxis with electric or hybrid cars and expand charging stations by 2020.

Source : The Korea Times, by Kwon Mee-Yoo, August 12th, 2009 (photo : Proterra Electric Bus)

PHEVs and EVs are the future

Yes, there are kinks still to be worked out, but what good news it is that automakers are in the final stages to produce plug-in hybrids and electric cars with sky-high fuel- efficiency ratings. General Motors announced Tuesday that its new Chevy Volt, available in 2011, will achieve 230 miles per gallon in city driving. It also announced that Buick would feature a plug-in hybrid in 2011. The Volt relies mainly on electricity, but it goes only 40 miles before it wears out its charge. At that point, a backup gasoline engine kicks in and powers the car while also recharging the battery.

Nissan said its all-electric Leaf, which doesn't use a backup motor, will be out in late 2010 and be officially rated at 367 mpg (0.6L / 100 km). Though we're a little hazy on why the Environmental Protection Agency uses mpg ratings for cars that don't run primarily on gas, the nut of the technology advancement means that fewer drivers will contribute to our dependence on imported oil, and that's a trend we hope accelerates. Still, the Leaf goes but 100 miles (160 km) to a charge, so the cars clearly are meant for getting around town.

Another limitation is the cost. The Volt starts at $40,000 (28,200 €) and the Leaf is expected to cost $25,000 (17,600 €) to $30,000 (21,200 €). Though GM expects the federal government to offer $7,500 (5,300 €) rebates, an analysis in the online version of The Atlantic found that a buyer who picked a Volt over the lower-priced (and very popular) Toyota Corolla would have to drive nearly 230,000 miles (370,000 km) to make up the cost difference in gasoline savings. But these are first-generation cars. Remember when personal computers were only affordable to the well-to-do? Now it's likely you're carrying one in your cellphone.

Meanwhile, states ought to provide incentives for the pioneers out there willing to buy the new electrics. In Colorado, for example, there's no incentive to use electricity in off-peak hours. At some point there should be, so electric car owners will make a point of recharging them while they sleep. GM is counting heavily on this new generation to save its troubled bottom line. Let's hope it works, so that we can end our government ownership position in the company and start cutting our dependence on oil.

Source : Denver Post, August 12th, 2009

Volvo will produce its EV

Volvo confirmed that it had built at least one battery electric version of the C30 coupe, but said a decision on putting the car into series production won’t be made until the fall or winter.

Last week was reported that Volvo was considering an all-electric C30. On Monday, it was reported that Volvo will show a plug-in C30 coupe, with at least a visual resemblance to the ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept vehicle, at its Innovation for Life event held shortly after the Frankfurt auto show in mid-September.

ReCharge was unveiled in Frankfurt two years ago, with wheel motors at all four corners and 62 miles (100 km) of electric range. Versions were shown with both flex-fuel and diesel engines. Volvo has said it will produce a production plug-in hybrid by 2012, and a company spokesman, Daniel Johnston, said it would be introduced first in Europe “and then later in the U.S.” The wheel motors did not make it into the electric C30, Mr. Johnston said, and they may not be part of the production plug-in hybrid, either. “There are technical issues,” he said. “It may be too early to put them into production. They’re not happy with the performance.”

Mr. Johnston said the battery C30 will have about 130 miles (210 km) of range (more than the newly unveiled Nissan Leaf, a potential competitor) and could be part of a 100-vehicle test fleet if plans were approved.

Source : The New York Times, by Jim Motavalli, August 11th, 2009

BYD's PHEV to be imported in Europe

The Austrian car dealer Denzel said it plans to import cars made by Chinese manufacturer Geely Holding Group Co and BYD Auto from 2010. Denzel signed partnership contracts with the two Chinese manufacturers back in 2008 but is still waiting for their car models to pass the Euro NCAP crash test.

Denzel will start to sell these models in Europe when everything is ready. Denzel said it is impressed with BYD's electric model plans and is confident to its prospective. BYD Auto launched its first plug-in hybrid vehicle, the F3 DM sedan, last December and is expecting to launch all-electric models, like the F3e and F6e, by the end of this year. According to the report, Denzel is Austria's biggest car importer with sales revenue rising five times in the first half of this year to €3.4 million, thanks to a sales boost of cars imported from Hyundai Motor Company.

Source : TheAutoChannel, August 11th, 2009

Plug-in 2009 open its doors

This evening from 5:30 to 9:00 the Plug-In 2009 Expo opens its doors to the public for a special viewing of portions of the 3 day long event that is held in Long Beach, California. The expo draws journalists, industry experts, environmentalists and scientists from across the globe to speak about the plug-in future of automobiles. The three day event include numerous speeches, product demonstrations and more that all center on plug-in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Tonight, the public will be allowed in for only $10 a ticket. Those that visit the expo will have a chance to see numerous plug-ins on hand including the Chevy Volt, the Ford 550 plug-in hybrid truck, the Ford Escape plug-in, and a plug-in Prius as well as several other vehicles. Panel discussions will follow the public viewing period. Also appearing at the event are several well known people from all industries including Peter Horton the director of Grey's Anatomy, Chris Paine director of "Who Killed the Electric Car", and for those whose admiration runs deep for the GM EV1, a vehicle specialist will be on hand to answer question about the infamous car.

Source : AllCarsElectric, by Eric Loveday, August 11th, 2009

Hummer, the greenest SUVs

Raser Technologies, the company behind the hybrid hummer, claims to have achieved the impossible by greening up one of the cars with the worse environmental record. Hummer cars are known to have previously achieved as little as 12mpg, but thanks to Raser Technologies; who are currently exhibiting the new Hummer at the Plug-In Conference 2009, until Wednesday, 12 August at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California; the reputation of the Hummer could be on the mend.

Raser Vice President David West is expected to speak at the convention on “Scaling Up from an Idea to Production.” “We’ve taken a vehicle known for being both a gas guzzler and an environmental polluter and turned into a clean, green machine that outperforms its gasoline powered equivalent,” said West. The Hummer H3E is a plug-in electric vehicle with an onboard range extender. It’s designed to go about 40 miles in all-electric mode after which a small gas powered engine kicks in and powers a generator which then re-charges the batteries.

The H3E can go about 400 miles before needing to refuel. For most drivers, this means over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving and about 5 cents per mile versus 20 cents per mile for the typical gas version. The Hummer H3E was developed in cooperation with General Motors and integration partner FEV. “We will be working now to implement this powertrain in as many trucks and SUVs as possible for both fleet and consumer use,” West added.

Source : TheGreenCarWebsite, August 11th, 2009

GM, the green Automaker

General Motors recently announced the Chevrolet Volt, its extended range electric vehicle due out in November 2010, will get an estimated city fuel economy of 230 mpg, or 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles.

GM will unveil 25 new models between now and the end of 2011, it said in a statement released as President and CEO Fritz Henderson was about to hold a press briefing and webcast. "When the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle rolls off the assembly line late next year, it will be the first mass-production automobile to achieve triple-digit fuel economy, with an expected 230 mpg in the city, or 25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles," GM said.

Henderson also confirmed in the statement that Cadillac is developing an entry-level luxury sport sedan to capitalize on the growing market for smaller luxury sedans in the U.S. and globally. The rear- and optional all-wheel drive sedan will compete in the segment below the CTS, delivering outstanding performance and driving dynamics. At GM's Design Center and Milford Proving Ground today, GM is showing off six all-new 2010 vehicles and a glimpse of what is being introduced through the end of 2011:

• Chevrolet is introducing 10 new models, including the 2011 Chevrolet Volt through the end of 2011.

• Buick and GMC are adding 10 new models, including an as yet unnamed Buick plug-in hybrid compact crossover in 2011.

• Cadillac is introducing five new models through 2011.

One pilot web initiative, called "The Lab," will involve GM's Advanced Design studio and allow users to talk with designers about ideas and consumer-friendly technologies that were previously shared only in unbranded clinics. GM is building 10 Volt pre-production vehicles a week and has a fleet of 30 being tested in Yuma, Ariz. "The key to restarting this company lies with GM's customers, cars and culture," Henderson said. "With four focused brands, we are committed to exceeding our current customers' expectations and giving consumers plenty of reasons to choose a Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac car or truck."

Using development testing based on a draft U.S. Environmental Protection Association (EPA) procedure for plug-in electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt is expected to achieve 230 miles per gallon or better in city driving (25 kilowatt hours per 100 miles). The Volt, scheduled to begin production late next year as a 2011 model, can travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and can extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.

Source : The Detroit News, by David Shepardson, August 11th, 2009