Hybrid News

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, LA Auto Show

On top of the new Ford Mustang that everyone’s so excited about, Ford is unveiling the new Fusion hybrid at the LA Auto Show this week. The Fusion (and the Marcury Milan hybrid) feature the new SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide that grows leaves when the driver uses a green foot. The benefit - aside from the pretty pictures - is the ability to go over 700 miles on a tank of gas. A 2.5 liter 4-cylinder puts out 155 hp/136 lb.-ft. of torque. The amount of fuel needed at startup is also reduced thanks to an enhanced electronic throttle control. There’s also a lighter, better NiMH battery pack. Want one? It’ll be one dealer lots in spring 2009.

The 2010 Fusion comes not only in a hybrid flavor, but also with some fuel-efficient gas engines that displace 2.5, 3, and 3.5 liters - oh, and they’re all cleaner than the engines they replace. There’s heaps more information after the jump. Check back for the pictures of the live unveiling later today.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available

LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, LA Auto Show

On top of the new Ford Mustang that everyone’s so excited about, Ford is unveiling the new Fusion hybrid at the LA Auto Show this week. The Fusion (and the Marcury Milan hybrid) feature the new SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide that grows leaves when the driver uses a green foot. The benefit - aside from the pretty pictures - is the ability to go over 700 miles on a tank of gas. A 2.5 liter 4-cylinder puts out 155 hp/136 lb.-ft. of torque. The amount of fuel needed at startup is also reduced thanks to an enhanced electronic throttle control. There’s also a lighter, better NiMH battery pack. Want one? It’ll be one dealer lots in spring 2009.

The 2010 Fusion comes not only in a hybrid flavor, but also with some fuel-efficient gas engines that displace 2.5, 3, and 3.5 liters - oh, and they’re all cleaner than the engines they replace. There’s heaps more information after the jump. Check back for the pictures of the live unveiling later today.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2008: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available

LA 2008: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Saturn

The other day we mentioned that it looked like the plug-in hybrid version of the Saturn Vue had been delayed as result of GM’s current financial calamity. GM spokesman Brian Corbett gave ABG the following update about the status of the PHEV Vue program. “Our original statement said that production would begin ‘as soon as 2010′ because we did not want to create artificial deadlines. We have dedicated significant resources to the program and it is progressing rapidly. Now that we are further along in the development process, we can now give a more up-to-date projection.” While Corbett did not officially confirm a delay, stories from the original announcement at the 2006 LA Auto Show indicate that GM never actually announced a 2009 date. From what we’re hearing from sources at GM, the PHEV is still moving ahead and will go into production and it will likely debut sometime in 2011. Given the importance of the Volt to GM and the limited resources it has at the moment, it makes sense for them to focus on the ER-EV first. Work is proceeding on the VUE and knowledge learned about lithium batteries and controls is being applied to the PHEV.

[Source: General Motors]

More on the delay of the plug-in Saturn Vue hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Saturn

During the General Motors third quarter earnings (or lack thereof) conference call on Friday, company executives discussed the vehicle introduction schedule for 2009 and 2010. Several cars that had been expected to debut during 2009 have been pushed back to the following year, including the Saab 9-4X and Cadillac CTS Coupe. GM declined to discuss any vehicles beyond the 2010 calendar year. One vehicle that notable by its absence in the list of vehicle launches is the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid. The two-mode hybrid version of the Vue is launching production right about now and the first drives are due in about a month. The plug-in variant that was expected to launch late in 2009, although GM has never given an official date, only approximate targets. A late 2009 production launch would have made the Vue among the first, if not the first production PHEVs on market. During the call, GM president Fritz Henderson explained that the list was not exhaustive. At this point we’re still waiting to hear more from GM on the fate of the PHEV Vue.

[Source: CNN Money]

Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid delayed to 2011 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hybrid, Saturn, First Drive

We attended the New York-area “GM Collection″ event this week, which is basically an opportunity for journalists to drive a variety of 2009 models up at Bear Mountain, an hour or so outside Manhattan. What we didn′t know going in was that GM would bring along three production-spec examples of the ‘09 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and that this would be the first opportunity to take the new gas-electric ‘ute for a spin. Bear in mind that this impression is based on about 25 minutes of shared time with the car (we buddied up with Jalopnik’s Wes Siler). The official full-dog-and-pony-show media launch event is set to take place in December, and we’ll be on hand for that as well. For now though, follow the jump to see some initial impressions of the new Saturn hybrid.

All Photos Copyright (C) 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

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Original post by Alex Nunez

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chrysler

Chrysler seems to be more than a little behind its cross-town rivals when it comes to electric vehicles and hybrids. After all, GM has committed a great deal of its available resources to get its Volt to market as quickly as possible and matches Chrysler’s full-size SUV hybrid offerings. Ford has been selling a hybrid version of its own Escape for years with good success. Meanwhile, Chrysler has shown off three EV concepts that don′t quite seem ready for prime time and has just released its first hybrids. Still, the automaker definitely recognizes that fuel efficiency and vehicles that don’t use any gasoline at all will become increasingly relevant in the next few years.

Chrysler is also saddled with mid-size sedans that can’t quite compete on even footing with the best from Detroit, Japan or Korea. It’s hard at work fixing that problem and says that both fully electric and range-extended hybrids are being considered. With all the talk as of late regarding a possible GM/Chrysler merger (as unlikely as that seems), along with the admission that Chrysler would prefer to have a partner for its next mid-sized sedan, we wonder if the automaker has had talks with the General regarding platform sharing of the new Volt. Totally speculation, but interesting nonetheless, no?

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req′d]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid

Let’s see? Boostcap, Boostcap, Boostcap. Where have we heard this before? Ah, yes. Back in November 2006 we first heard about Maxwell Technologies’ 125 volt ultracapacitor and we later learned about the heavy duty version (390 volts) for hybrid buses and how the ultracaps might go into Chinese vehicles and be used in Milan. But, if you haven’t been following this news, you can get your fill of BOOSTCAP ultracap news at the American Public Transportation Association EXPO (AKA “public transportation’s premier showcase”) in San Diego next week. Maxwell will be showing all of its heavy duty BOOSTCAP ultracapacitors - everything from 16 to 1,500 volts. If that’s not enough power for you, then please tell us what vehicle you’re running.

[Source: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.]

Continue reading Maxwell will bring BOOSTCAP line to public transportation expo

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Hydrogen, Kia

Kia is reportedly considering the use of ultra-capacitors to store electrical energy in the next generation version of its fuel cell vehicle. Ultra caps have an advantage over batteries in that they can absorb and release energy much more quickly. Unfortunately, they don’t have as much capacity and are currently much more expensive. There is a lot of work being done on capacitors and EEStor has made claims of tremendous progress. So far, though, EEStor has not publicly demonstrated any prototypes of its capacitors. In its current form, the Sportage FCEV has a range of 235 miles. Interestingly Honda has gone the opposite direction for its fuel cell vehicles. The previous-generation Honda FCX used ultra-caps but those have been replaced by a lithium ion battery in the FCX Clarity.

[Source: The Telegraph]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil, USA

It’s no secret to the majority of our readers that it is possible to run many older diesel engines on nothing more than straight vegetable oil. In fact, the first diesel engine, invented by Rudolph Diesel, ran on peanut oil. This fact is also well known by the students at the Michigan Technical Academy who have converted their own school buses to run on waste vegetable oil. Garden Fresh Foods in Ferndale, Michigan is providing used veggie oil that was first used to fry tortilla chips for no charge. The total cost of the fuel for the two buses that are running on 100-percent veggie oil is estimated at about 80-cents a gallon. Other buses are running on a 10-percent blend of oil and diesel fuel. As the temps in Michigan go down, the blend will be adjusted, though the students are currently hard at work solving that problem with heaters. Great work.

[Source: The Detroit News]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, MPG, Chevrolet, GM, Natural Gas, HCCI

On Friday GM officially kicked off use of its new Powertrain Engineering Development Center in Pontiac MI. The new $463 million facility includes 120 dynamometer test cells for exercising all manner of new drivetrains. Among those cells 20 are specifically dedicated to testing motors for electric and hybrid drive systems. Others are split among fueled and non-fueled cells for testing gas, diesel, and flex-fuel engines and transmissions respectively. A new quick connect pallet system allows technicians to assemble a test configuration outside the cell and then have it installed and running within 20 minutes. The photo above showse a technician connecting the 1.4L engine and generator combinatin that will serve as the Chevy Volt range extender.

[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]

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Original post by AutoblogGreen Staff

Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, MPG, Chevrolet, GM, Natural Gas, HCCI

On Friday GM officially kicked off use of its new Powertrain Engineering Development Center in Pontiac MI. The new $463 million facility includes 120 dynamometer test cells for exercising all manner of new drivetrains. Among those cells 20 are specifically dedicated to testing motors for electric and hybrid drive systems. Others are split among fueled and non-fueled cells for testing gas, diesel, and flex-fuel engines and transmissions respectively. A new quick connect pallet system allows technicians to assemble a test configuration outside the cell and then have it installed and running within 20 minutes. The photo above showse a technician connecting the 1.4L engine and generator combination that will serve as the Chevy Volt range extender.

[Source: Green Fuels Forecast]

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Original post by AutoblogGreen Staff

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Lightweight

In mid-February, an electric bike built by ThunderStruck Motors and Lithium Technology Corporation raced a 1/8 mile course in 7.169 seconds, setting a new record of 93 mph in the 96 volt class. The previous record was 78 mph.

The electric drag bike uses 72 of LTC’s 7.5Ah DD cells and has 2 kWh of available energy. Combine that with a bike the weighs just 53 pounds and you’ve got the recipe for a machine that will do the 1/4 mile faster than the bikes it was racing against, some of which had 240 volts of power. I’m still looking for a picture of the bike, but you can find the official announcement of the result after the jump.

Press Release:

Lithium Technology Corporation Powers Record Breaking Electric Vehicle

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The electric drag motorcycle powered by Lithium Technology Corporation (”LTC”) set a new record in the National Electric Drag Race Association (N.E.D.R.A) 96 volt class race on February 18th. LTC’s cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology drove ThunderStruck Motors′ bike across the finish line of the 1/8 mile race in 7.169 seconds at 93 miles per hour (mph). The previous record was 8.667 seconds at 78 mph.

“We are pleased to co-sponsor the ThunderStruck bike and lend our technology to a movement that increases public awareness of electric vehicle (EV) performance and encourages advances in EV technology,” commented Dr. Klaus Brandt, chief executive officer of LTC. “With this record breaking race, we have once again proven the superiority of our battery technology.”

In addition to setting the record for the 1/8 mile race, the bike proved faster in the 1/4 mile than all the other bikes up to 240 volts. The battery behind the power and speed of the ThunderStruck bike weighs only 53 lbs. and consists of 72 of LTC’s 7.5Ah DD cells, with a total of 2 kWh available energy.

“With the help of LTC we have taken a leap forward,” stated Brian Hall, owner and operator of ThunderStruck Motors. “Unlike many companies that seemingly jumped on the lithium band wagon within the last few years, LTC has been has focused solely on the development and production of large format lithium-ion batteries for more than ten years. They can offer the product today that others only talk about being able to offer in the future.”

N.E.D.R.A is made up of a coalition of drag racing fans, electric drag racing vehicle owners and drivers, EV parts suppliers and manufacturers, and other environmentally concerned companies and individuals who are also interested in promoting the sport of EV drag racing.

From racetracks to highways, to the depths of the ocean and up into space, LTC is powering the world in extraordinary ways. The Company manufactures a range of cells with two different types of chemistries. Both chemistries coupled with the company’s innovative end-to-end manufacturing processes and proprietary design and assembly techniques, allow LTC to provide large high performance cells unmatched by any other product.

About Lithium Technology Corporation: Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC) is a global provider of large format rechargeable power solutions for diverse applications, and offers the largest lithium-ion cells with the highest power of any standard commercial lithium ion cell produced in the western hemisphere. With more than 20 years of experience, LTC leverages its extensive expertise in high power and large battery assemblies to commercialize advanced lithium batteries as a new power source in the military and national security systems, transportation and stationary power markets.

LTC manufactures the GAIA(R) product line of large, high power hermetically sealed rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries. The Company’s product portfolio includes large cells and batteries from 10 times the capacity of a standard laptop computer battery to 100,000 times greater. LTC manufactures a variety of standard cells that are assembled into custom large batteries complete with electronics (battery management systems) and electronics to communicate with other components of the system for performance monitoring.

LTC headquarters are located in Plymouth Meeting, PA and R&ampD in Nordhausen, Germany. LTC sales for the U.S. and European markets are managed out of each of the offices. For more information about LTC, its technology and products, please visit http://www.lithiumtech.com/ .

Safe Harbor for Forward-looking Statements:

The foregoing information contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties relating to such matters as financial performance, technology development, capital raising, business prospects, strategic partnering and similar matters. A variety of factors could cause LTC’s actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. This notice does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.

[Source: Lithium Technology Corporation]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Ethanol, USA

Photo by MikeGroft. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

The weekly email from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) arrived today and it contains one important number: 6.48 billion gallons. That’s how much ethanol - almost all of it from corn - was made in the U.S. last year, a total that comes to an average of 423,000 barrels per day. Compared to 2006, this is an increase of 34 percent. Still, more corn will be needed to reach the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007’s new Renewable Fuel Standard for 2008: eight billion gallons. A problem? Not according to the Renewable Fuels Association, which says that current biorefinery capacity is 13.4 billion gallons per year. With 57 new refineries on the way, the eight billion gallons will be here before we know it.

[Source: EERE]

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Etc., BMW, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Saab, Toyota, Volkswagen, Citroen, UK

Do you have a fleet in the UK and you want to know how green it is? Business Car, which is specializes in cars for fleets, has taken CO₂ emission information for the three best-selling fleet models, the automaker’s CO₂ reduction figures, as well as other considerations regarding low-emitting models across the range.

Their results are quite interesting. The top marques are, surprise, Toyota, not only because of the Prius, but thanks to clean diesel technology. Volkswagen follows, thanks to the availability of Bluemotion models across the range and a hybrid announcement. Third is Citroën, which has a lot of cars with low CO₂ emissions, although the same can’t be said for the upper models. Fourth is BMW which has brought “ecology” to the luxury car segment.

On the negative side there’s Saab, which struck out due to the Swedish marque’s bet on biofuels and the lack of biofuel support in the UK, as well as the lack of availability of smaller models. Then there’s Mercedes, which was hit because they don’t (currently) have any green technology vehicles on sale; the company’s larger cars are available, though. Closing our the four worst list is the Land Rover, with a high CO₂ average, and Mazda, which suffers due to a lack of an eco label. I bet they wish Econectic, parent Ford’s green brand, could be handed down.

[Source: BusinessCar]

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Original post by Xavier Navarro

Filed under: Etc., Ford

For several years, Ford has been working to reduce waste, energy use and emissions generated by its manufacturing facilities around the world. Its latest step has been to join to the Climate Registry, a non-profit group that is developing standards for reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The idea is that emissions reporting is useless unless everyone uses the same criteria to determine and record the output. Most of the U.S. states, Canadian provinces and Mexican states have adopted these standards. Companies reporting their emissions can use the same methodology in all the regions that have adopted the TCR regime. To be a member of TCR, Ford (and all other member companies and agencies) will have to measure, independently audit and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions.

[Source: Ford]

 

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid