Boston Power interested in battery vehicle tech

Boston-Power Inc., a Westborough company focused on lithium-ion batteries, said that Robert C. Purcell Jr. has joined its board of directors.Purcell is a former executive with General Motors, and from 1994 to 2002, he led the GM Advanced Technology Vehicles Group.

Boston-Power, which develops batteries for laptop computers, sees opportunities in battery-powered vehicles.

"Working closely with Boston-Power's executive team and fellow board members, Purcell is applying his expertise in battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to help drive the deployment of Boston-Power's batteries throughout the transportation sector," Boston-Power said in a press release.

Source : The Boston Globe, February 22nd, 2010

Storage will be strategic

This surge in hybrid and plug-in automobile usage will result in one thing; storage solutions. Each of these vehicles will require some sort of rechargeable battery. Currently, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries rule the roost, finding their way into the popular Prius. However, many analysts predict that old style NiMH batteries will soon be replaced outright, by lighter, better-charging lithium-ion units. Deutsche Bank estimates that just the automotive market place for these L-ion will reach $10-15 billion in sales through 2010, dwarfing the entire market for L-ion batteries in electronic devices. This echoes the bullish stance from auto makers and the Obama administration, who handed out $2.4 billion in stimulus grants to companies involved in the engineering and design of batteries. Deutsche estimates that advances in L-ion technology could replace NiMH style systems completely by 2020.

Source : Investopedia, by Aaron Levitt

More Green cars to come !

Toyota's recent recall problems aside, the Prius has been a remarkably successful vehicle, highlighting the nations appetite for such cars. The upcoming much-hyped Chevy Volt and its rated 230 miles per gallon is just one of the slated 75 new hybrid electric models expected to make their debuts in the 2011 model year. And that number is growing. Reports from the National Highway Safety Commission estimate that nearly 20% of the United States auto market will be hybrid cars by 2015. Similar findings from J.D. Power and Associates show Europe reaching 50% hybrid saturation in the same time frame.

Source : Investopedia, by Aaron Levitt, February 11th, 2010

Kia Ray Plug-In Hybrid

The latest result of Kia's continued research into hybrid motoring has been revealed at the Chicago Auto Show. The dramatic-looking Ray coupé concept is designed to use a 153bhp 1.4-litre direct injection petrol engine and a 105bhp electric motor, both of which drive the front wheels through a CVT transmission.

With that amount of power available, the Ray should be pretty quick, so Kia's claimed top speed of 109mph is rather disappointing. Not so the fuel economy, though. Kia reckons that the Ray has the potential to run at 202 miles per gallon (1.16l/100km) (admittedly a figure which has not been confirmed by an EU economy test). The reason it can do this is that it's a plug-in hybrid, which means that the battery pack can be charged not only during braking or coasting but also through a mains electricity supply.

Don't expect to be able to buy a Ray from your local Kia dealer. It's more a suggestion of the way things might be in future.

Source : CarKeys.co.uk, February 11th, 2010