Buick to sell a PHEV in 2011

General Motors has announced that their plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011. The yet-to-be-named CUV will launch in late 2010 offering a variety of fuel-efficient direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model.

The plug-in hybrid has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips. This significant boost is achieved by combining a modified 2-Mode Hybrid system with advanced lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for GM's Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt extended-range battery electric vehicle in late 2010.

"LG Chem - the supplier of our battery cells for the Volt - has also been selected to supply the lithium-ion cells for the new plug-in hybrid, and Compact Power will supply the pack," said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development. The plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet.

By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. This differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions- and petroleum-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.

Source : Examiner, by Jeffrey Zurschmeide, August 6th, 2009

AQMD to monitor PHEV development

The South Coast Air Quality Management District was awarded a $45.4 million federal economic stimulus grant last week to develop a fleet of nearly 400 plug-in hybrid trucks and shuttle buses.

The grant is part of a $2.4 billion federal program, funded through the stimulus package, to advance the development of electric batteries and vehicles in the United States. AQMD will oversee and test the development of utility vehicles, delivery trucks and shuttle buses. Currently many utility vehicles are kept running while employees perform tasks, such as raising workers into the air in bucket lifts.

The fleet of demonstration vehicles would allow such functions to be powered with batteries, to reduce emissions, explained AQMD executive officer Barry Wallerstein.The grant covers half of the $90 million project. The other half is funded predominantly with private funds, largely from the producers of the vehicles to be tested.

Source : San Gabriel Valley Tribune, August 8th, 2009

Here come more EVs !!!

“Today the Obama Administration demonstrated its commitment to this fast-emerging industry and to green fleet vehicle technologies that will define the future of American automotive manufacturing. We are honored to be among the DOE grant recipients and commend the Administration for its leadership and shared vision that we can create a viable, sustainable industry and deliver green fleets today,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles, a company producing all electric trucks.

Smith Electric Vehicles was awarded a $10 million grant today by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The money is to be used for the production of all-electric, zero emissions commercial trucks for a nationwide demonstration project. The goal is to validate the performance of these vehicles across a range of climates and locations.

Also, President Obama announced that the government, as part of the Reinvestment and Recovery Act will fund $2 billion in research to develop advanced battery technologies. This comes on the heels of an announcement several weeks ago that the government will support the accelerated development of electric vehicles, and the money is now flowing as demonstrated by the grant Smith received.

Hansel noted, “This project is an endorsement of the electric commercial truck industry and begins to provide the resources needed to quickly increase production volume, which in turn will lower costs, increase demand and create more jobs. We have the potential today for tens of thousands of electric trucks in the fleets of corporate America. This demonstration fleet will allow major corporations to evaluate the technology at greatly reduced cost, which we expect will rapidly accelerate the shift from trial phase to volume orders.”

The purpose of the program is to hasten vehicle deployment and consumer adoption (aka purchases) through incentives that will reduce the cost of the commercial vehicles. Customers of the trucks currently include AT&T, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Frito-Lay, Kansas City Power & Light, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and Staples. Representatives of these companies were presented with the keys to the first U.S. Smith Newtons last week in an event on the National Mall. In keeping with the tradition of American made vehicles, Smith plans to open a new production facility in Kansas City. Some of the funds from the grant will be used for new equipment and to accelerate the hiring of the green collar manufacturing employees.

The Smith vehicles feature the latest in Lithium-ion battery cell technology, power management and direct drivetrains. The grant program supports demonstration fleets of two Smith vehicles: the Smith Newton and a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) version of the Ford Transit Connect, which is built through a partnership with Ford Motor Company. The Smith Newton is fuel-emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and stores electric energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking. It has a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h), a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles (160 km) and a payload of over 16,000 pounds (7.2 tons).

The Newton is also the first commercial all-electric truck to achieve new vehicle emissions certification in California. The truck has been selling in Europe for three yeas. The Transit Connect BEV is a new urban vehicle that can go up to 100 miles on a single charge of its all-electric power system, carries payloads up to 1,600 pounds and has a top speed of 70 mph. The vehicle requires no shifting and is faster from zero to 30 than its traditionally-powered equivalent.

Source : Gas2.0, by Joanna Schroeder, August 6th, 2009

Electric car firm in UK-US alliance

A pioneering UK electric vehicle company has teamed up with an American partner to take advantage of a multimillion-pound grant. Modec, which manufactures electric delivery vehicles, is starting a joint venture with US truck manufacturer Navistar International Corporation.

The partnership is set to benefit from a 39 million dollar grant, announced on Wednesday by US President Barack Obama at Navistar's premises in Elkhart County, Indiana. The deal will see a Navistar-Modec joint venture produce and sell electric Class 2c-3 commercial vehicles in North, Central and South America. The zero-emission vehicle, created by Modec, would primarily be used for urban-suburban pickup and deliveries. Manufactured in Coventry, Modec vehicles are already used by companies including FedEx, UPS and supermarket giant Tesco.

The company, formed in 2004, started production in 2007 and has already expanded to seven countries. The joint venture with Navistar is a world-first and is hoped to mark a significant move for the automotive industry toward a zero-emission future. Navistar chairman, president and CEO Daniel Ustian welcomed Mr Obama's announcement of the US government cash injection. He said: "The all-electric delivery vehicle is a concrete example of what business and government can do when we work together. The future is now with this electric vehicle. In fact, we already have interested customers, including some of the most respected names in the industry." Modec chief executive Bill Gillespie added: "Modec is delighted to be finalising a joint venture with Navistar. The positive impact on Modec and the electric vehicle world will be significant and this is a true sign of evolution in the automotive industry."

Source : The Press Association, August 6th, 2009

Green Automotive batteries to come

Johnson Controls said today it received a $299 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the stimulus package to build domestic manufacturing for advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.

It is the largest funding of 48 advanced battery and electric drive projects that were awarded a total of $2.4 billion from the DOE. The grant accounts for about half of Johnson Control’s total intended investment of $600 million in advanced battery manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development. Today's funding is for Johnson Controls to produce nickel-cobalt-metal battery cells and packs, as well as funding battery separators from partner Entek for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Saft America also received $95.5 million from the DOE today to produce lithium-ion cells, modules, and battery packs for hybrid and electric vehicles. Johnson Controls has established a joint venture with Saft America's parent company, Bagnolet, France's high-tech battery manufacturer Saft. In April, the joint venture Johnson Controls-Saft was awarded $148.5 million in incentives from the state of Michigan to build a manufacturing facility for lithium-ion cells and hybrid battery systems. The Holland, Mich.-based plant, which is converting an existing Johnson Controls facility, is expected to be operating before the end of 2010.

The Michigan facility's customers are to include Ford, with its first plug-in hybrid vehicle slated for 2012, Azure Dynamics, which plans to launch its next generation Balance Hybrid Electric commercial vehicle in 2010, Daimler and BMW. The Michigan funding was one of many for the joint venture. In 2008, Johnson Controls-Saft received an $8.2 million contract for plug-in hybrid electric battery development from the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, with funding from the DOE. Through the project, Johnson Controls-Saft said it planned to validate the commercial feasibility of lithium-ion technology for mass market plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Earlier this year, Johnson Controls-Saft also started production at an automotive lithium-ion cell manufacturing and battery assembly facility in Nersac, France. The facility supplies advanced battery technology for the Mercedes S-class hybrid, already on sale, and the BMW 7 series ActiveHybrid, to be available in early 2010.

Source : Cleantech, august 5th, 2009

BASF to developd green energy

BASF, the world's leading chemical company, today announced that it has been selected to receive a $24.6 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative (DE-FOA-0000026).

The received DOE funds will be applied to construction of BASF's new lithium-ion battery materials production facility in Elyria, Ohio. Under the terms of the plan -- which still need final approval by the BASF SE Board of Executive Directors - the BASF facility is expected to be the largest cathode material production plant in North America.

The DOE grant represents approximately half of the necessary funding to construct the estimated $50 million facility, requiring matching funding from BASF. The facility's creation supports the company's long term growth and development strategy for the lithium-ion materials and battery markets and will mean job creation for skilled labor in the local region.

The automotive industry represents the largest potential marketplace for lithium-ion batteries and BASF aims to become the cathode materials supplier of choice to automotive lithium ion battery suppliers. Since 2005, BASF has invested several million dollars in research and development of lithium-ion materials and as part of BASF's long-term strategy, will continue similar investment moving forward.

"BASF is excited to be selected to receive funding from the Department of Energy to help facilitate the building of the North America's largest lithium-ion battery materials production facility in Elyria, Ohio," said Joseph Breunig, BASF Corporation President of Market and Business Development. "The proposed facility will put BASF and the region at the leading edge of the lithium-ion battery market while creating a more sustainable environment, helping move the economy forward and creating new and needed jobs."

The main focus of the new facility will be to mass produce and market composite cathode materials to manufacturers of advanced lithium-ion batteries in the transportation industry, as well as other consumer applications and devices. According to the proposed plan, during the plant construction phase numerous primary jobs and additional secondary jobs of equipment vendors, suppliers and contractors will be created. As outlined, once the plant is operational, BASF will add additional personnel for plant operation and support. Created positions at the new facility will include engineering and technical positions providing vast opportunities for the area's skilled labor force.

"The DOE grant program and the opening of the proposed BASF materials facility in Elyria will allow us to significantly contribute to achieving President Obama's goal of having one million Electric Vehicles on the road by 2015," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Managing Director, BASF Future Business.

"As the world's largest chemical company, BASF has the ability to make advanced lithium-ion materials widely available and will play a leading role in penetrating the U.S. marketplace as next generation lithium-ion battery production begins in facilities throughout the country."

Earlier this year, BASF announced a world-wide licensing agreement with the DOE's Argonne National Laboratory to further develop Argonne's large and diverse suite of lithium-ion battery inventions and patents. The further development and commercialization of the cathode materials will result in advanced batteries that are higher-performing, longer-lasting and safer when compared to the existing technology that has dominated the market for nearly two decades.

Source : PR Newswire, August 5th, 2009

Grants to help develop battery techs

Celgard, a developer of materials for use in lithium-ion batteries, is one of the big winners among firms selected to receive $2.4 billion in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Celgard, which operates a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, will receive $49 million to be used for expansion of its batter separator product. The company also will open a plant in Aiken, S.C.

Celgard is expected to create hundreds of jobs at the facilities, according to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, who announced the grant Wednesday in Charlotte. Celgard is a subsidiary of Polypore International.

Last December, Celgard received a $2.3 million contract from the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium to develop separator technology.

Three other firms also received grants, which President Obama and other administration officials disclosed in a series of press conferences from Florida to Michigan. Progress Energy, which is based in Raleigh, will participate in a project related to electric vehicles in Florida.
Other grants in the region:

• Toda America, Goose Creek, S.C.: $35 million for production of nickel-cobalt-metal cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

• Chemetall Foote Corp., Kings Mountain, N.C. and Silver Peak, N.V.: $28.4 million to production of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide.

• Exide Technologies, Columbus, Ga. And Bristol, Tenn.: $34.3 million for production of advanced lead-acid batteries, using lead-carbon electrodes for micro and mild hybrid applications.

Georgia Tech and the state of South Carolina will also share in two grants for advanced electric drive vehicle education programs.

Source : LocalTechWire, August 5th, 2009

A123 projects with grant money

Watertown lithium-ion battery maker A123Systems is receiving $249 million in federal stimulus funds, nearly a fifth of the money aimed at makers and recyclers of high-tech batteries and battery components -- but according to a government release, the money going to A123Systems will pay for construction of facilities in Michigan.

The Obama administration today announced $2.4 billion grants, $1.5 billion of which will go to the battery industry. Among the recipients were Ford Motor Co., Chrysler Group, and General Motors Corp., which will share more than $600 million meant to encourage development of battery technology for cars.

Westborough battery maker Boston-Power Inc., which was vying for at least $100 million in federal and state grants to finance a new factory in Auburn, did not receive any money from the federal grant announced today. As of June, the company had leased a 455,000-square-foot former distribution center for the retailer Filene's Basement, which it planned to convert into a plant to produce the Swing battery for cars.

Only one other Massachusetts group was among the grant recipients announced today -- the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, which received $4.4 million.

An A123 spokeswoman declined to comment today, citing the “quiet period” before company’s anticipated intitial public offering. The firm has signed a deal with Chrysler LLC to provide batteries for the vehicle maker's line of electric cars.

Source : The Boston Globe, by Sean Sposito, August 5th, 2009

EnerDel lands $118 million grant

EnerDel, an Indianapolis-based producer of automotive lithium-ion batteries, will receive $118.5 million in a matching grant from the federal government.

President Obama is in Elkhart today to announce $2.4 billion in taxpayer-funded grants to create electric cars and, possibly, thousands of jobs.

Besides EnerDel, grants will go to Kokomo-based Delphi Automotive Systems LLC ($89.3 million), Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission ($62.8 million), Anderson-based Remy Inc. ($60.2 million) and Purdue University ($6.1 million).

Grants going to companies in other states could also help Indiana employers. Michigan-based Magna E-Car Systems of America Inc., which has a manufacturing plant in Muncie, got $40 million, and Illinois-based Navistar Inc., which has a plant in Elkhart County, received $39.2 million.

Those receiving awards need to match the amount of the federal grant. EnerDel, for instance, will have to raise $118.5 million.

"It's really exciting that the administration is focusing on this today; it's really exciting for us," an EnerDel spokeswoman said as the awards were being revealed late this morning.

EnerDel also is in the running for as much as $480 million in financing under a U.S. Department of Energy program aimed at fostering advanced vehicle manufacturing. The growth plan laid out in the application calls for boosting employment from 150 now to 3,000 within five years.

EnerDel is among a growing number of companies pinning their hopes on the production of automotive lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter and more powerful than the nickel-metalhydride batteries used in the Toyota Prius and other hybrids now on the market.

Of the federal grants announced today, $1.5 billion will go to the production of batteries and their components; $500 million will go for other components needed for the cars, like electric motors; and $400 million will go toward plug-in hybrid cars, training for technicians and related costs.

Source : Indiana Business Journal, by Scott Olson, August 5th, 2009

Michigan and Indiana to get great shares of the grant

The Obama administration says 11 Michigan manufacturers and research facilities will receive a share of $2.4 billion in grants for development of the next generation of electric vehicles and batteries, more than any other state.

Michigan and Indiana combined will receive the largest portion of the grant money.

Grant recipients and the specific amounts they will receive are being announced Wednesday by President Barack Obama in Wakarusa, Ind., and by Vice President Joe Biden in Detroit.

Matt Rogers, senior advisor to Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, told reporters during a briefing that the 48 projects in 25 states will create or retain tens of thousands of jobs. He says grant recipients will release exact figures.

Source : Associated Press, August 5th, 2009