Hybrid News

Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Detroit Auto Show

The realities of the economy have taken another bite out of the Detroit Auto Show as Honda has decided not hold a press conference. Unlike Nissan and Mitsubishi, Honda won′t be pulling out entirely. The production version of the new Insight will be appearing on the show floor with the rest of the lineup and Honda executives will be on hand to talk to the media. Honda is just forgoing the expense of have a stage, chairs and lighting and sound set up. Like Nissan, Honda will also take a pass on a press conference the following month at the Chicago show.

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

Honda to debut production Insight at Detroit without press conference originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Original post by ken1784

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, Honda, LA Auto Show

Honda joins Ford in the green dash race with its latest piece of clever technology, the Eco Assist dashboard, which the automaker has revealed here in LA and will come with the 2009 Insight hybrid. There’s an ECON button on the dash that increases fuel efficiency by changing settings on the CVT transmission and air conditioning unit and by increasing regenerative braking capabilities and a more aggressive anti-idling algorithm.

The Insight’s new dash will also change colors between shades of green and blue to tell the driver how they’re driving. There is also an an “economy scoring function” that keeps track of the way the car is driven and gives eco-scores to the pilot. Ford has taken a similar approach with its new Fusion hybrid, which will be equipped with an LCD gauge cluster called SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading LA 2008: Honda shows off Insight’s Eco Assist dashboard

LA 2008: Honda shows off Insight’s Eco Assist dashboard originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Emerging Technologies

In order for electric vehicles to make any actual impact on greenhouse gas emissions, a great deal of progress will need to be made on renewable sources of power generation. Wind power generation has been expanding rapidly, and solar is growing in some areas. Another source with huge potential is geothermal. If the natural heat energy held within the planet can be tapped, it could be almost limitless. That’s easier said than done in most places but there are some areas where it could be very practical. The U.S. Department of the Interior has decided to offer up leases for geothermal development on 190 million acres of Federal land. It’s estimated that up to 5,540 megawatts of power could be generated from these lands by the middle of the next decade. That could increase to 12,100 megawatts by 2025. The available lands for development will not include any national parks or wilderness areas.

[Source: TreeHugger]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota

What you are looking at here may well be the first unofficial, official image of the third (fourth according to Toyota) generation Toyota Prius. The original hybrid isn’t supposed to debut until we get to Detroit in January, but three images that look like they may well be authentic have turned up on Prius forum. The shape we see here certainly fits with the camouflaged spy photos we’ve seen so far. The basic shape looks much like the current Prius, but the front has been re-shaped. The nose of the car fits in with the look of other current Toyotas but doesn’t seem to carry over much from the Hybrid X concept that appeared at Geneva 2007. If these photos are to be believed the interior unfortunately also carries over the interior concept of the current car with the center mounted gauges. We’ve contacted Toyota for a comment, but we don’t seriously expect anything other than a no comment. If we do learn anything more we’ll be sure to let you know. Thanks to Rafih for the tip!

[Source: PriusChat]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa, Paris Motor Show

The first images of the Joule from Optimal Energy have now turned up on the interwebs. The Joule will be officially unveiled this week in Paris at the Motor Show. The six-seat hatchback stores energy in a lithium ion battery pack that can nominally propel it for about 120 miles. A second pack can be added that doubles the range. The plan is to eventually offer packs from a number of suppliers with different characteristics. This would allow drivers to opt for longer range or more performance. South Africa-based Optimal Energy is still looking for a site for its factory and the city of Gauteng is said to be in the lead. The car is expected to be available toward the end of 2010. Thanks to Matt for the tip!

[Source: CarToday]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, Lightweight

From the people who brought you the Hinterland 1, that clone trooper eco-tank, comes something with a little less armor: the Energya three-wheeled vehicle. The tadpole-style Energya weighs just 350kg, with particular attention paid in the design period to reducing the weight of non-suspended components (its got an aluminum frame, for example) while “centralizing most of the mass closer to the vehicle center of gravity for enhancing dynamic performances.” Thanks to the three wheels of the Energya, Canadian company Higgins-Aubé Inc. wants to power the vehicle with a motorcycle engine connected to a six-speed manual tranny. Higgins-Aubé is without a doubt playing the it’s-not-a-car regs with the three-wheeled design. From today’s statement announcing the Energya, “Since the vehicle may do without many of the mandatory systems and components required on an automobile, the motomobile may consequently be made lighter, advantageously influencing its performances” (full statement after the jump).

Should the money from venture capitalists or others come flowing in, the Energya could be available within 18 months and, should everything go well “it is envisioned that the Energya[TM] motomobile will be offered as an electric vehicle. This will turn the electric-car stereotype on its head, as the same performance objectives will be maintained.” Bears watching, but what’s with the promo shots with the Energya digitally inserted into real photos?

[Source: Higgins-Aubé]

Continue reading Meet the Higgins-Aubé Energya, your next EV lust

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM

In an interview with Design News, GM Vice President for R&ampD and Strategic Planning Larry Burns reiterated the company’s intention to have the lithium ion battery pack last essentially the life of the car. Since early on the program, GM officials have set the target lifespan of the battery pack as 10 years and 150,000 miles. Since the battery is such an integral part of making the car work, the company needs to ensure its durability. In his response Burns indicated that the battery would be covered under warranty for that time frame although at this point it far too early to know what the details of such a warranty might be. Regular 12V car batteries typically have pro-rated warranties that that cover less as the age of the battery increases. With only a three year development time for the Volt GM will have a tough time validating the durability of the battery although a lot of accelerated testing is happening. The pack itself will have 200-300 cells inside and GM will have to be carefully manufactured so that all the connections are robust. Beyond the Volt Burns expect all of GM’s cars to eventually be electrically driven either with batteries or fuel cells. He indicated that a commercial fuel cell market should be going by about 2012-14 although that depends on the expansion of fuel availability.

[Source: Design News]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM

In an interview with Design News, GM Vice President for R&D and Strategic Planning Larry Burns reiterated the company’s intention to have the lithium ion battery pack last essentially the life of the car. Since early on the program, GM officials have set the target lifespan of the battery pack as 10 years and 150,000 miles. Since the battery is such an integral part of making the car work, the company needs to ensure its durability. In his response Burns indicated that the battery would be covered under warranty for that time frame although at this point it far too early to know what the details of such a warranty might be. Regular 12V car batteries typically have pro-rated warranties that that cover less as the age of the battery increases. With only a three year development time for the Volt GM will have a tough time validating the durability of the battery although a lot of accelerated testing is happening. The pack itself will have 200-300 cells inside and GM will have to be carefully manufactured so that all the connections are robust. Beyond the Volt Burns expect all of GM’s cars to eventually be electrically driven either with batteries or fuel cells. He indicated that a commercial fuel cell market should be going by about 2012-14 although that depends on the expansion of fuel availability.

[Source: Design News]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: GM, Natural Gas

Natural gas has a lot of potential advantages as a fuel because its simple molecular structure and gaseous form at ambient temperatures helps it burn very completely. Unlike gasoline and diesel fuel it emits virtually no unburned hydrocarbons,particulates and volatile organic compounds. It does of course produce carbon dioxide but carbon monoxide emissions are also low. Over on the GM Fast Lane blog, VP of R&D and Strategic Planning Larry Burns has a post extolling the virtues of natural gas. In the near term it is certainly viable as a direct vehicle fuel and automakers have dabbled in offering CNG vehicles over the years. None have been commercially successful in the the US market except for fleet applications although they are popular in some other markets around the world. While natural gas is relatively plentiful and inexpensive using it in compressed form has the same issue of bulk that hydrogen gas does. Nonetheless offering CNG versions of trucks and vans for commercial use could prove a better alternative right now with elevated liquid fuel prices. However, using natural gas longer term to fuel power plants to produce electricity for cars like the Volt and pure battery electrics is probably a better option. Another source of natural gas is the methane emitted from land-fill sites and dairy farms. If this gas is captured and burned to generate energy, it would actually be advantageous from a greenhouse gas standpoint. Methane has ten times the greenhouse gas effect of carbon dioxide so even the increased emissions of CO2 would be a net benefit if it displaces methane emissions.

[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: MPG, BMW, Germany

BMW is going to start selling the 316i in Austria this month. The vehicle’s small engine, mated to the Bavarian marque’s “Efficient Dynamics” package, makes the 3-series’ entry car a competent performer. The 1.6 liter engine puts out 122 HP while using 5.9 liters of gas per 100 km (that’s about 40 mpg U.S.). Regarding CO₂ emissions, the car produces 142 g/km. According to the press release, “the BMW 316i scores not only by its low entry price, but above all by moderate maintenance costs.” How much? From 26,950 EUR in Austria.

[Source: BMW]

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Original post by Xavier Navarro

Filed under: Hydrogen, BMW

Actor Jason Bateman is finally get a decent set of wheels. After being relegated to the Bluth family’s stair car, a scorched old Mercedes and his bicycle for two underwatched seasons on Arrested Development, Bateman is now getting one of BMW’s Hydrogen 7s. Bateman is the latest in the list of celebrities to be loaned one of Munich’s dual fuel hydrogen wonders. BMW has built about 100 of the Hydrogen 7 sedans that retain a V-12 engine but can run on either gasoline or liquid hydrogen. Since the car only has a range of about 100 miles on hydrogen, the gasoline option comes in handy.

[Source: BMW]

JASON BATEMAN GETS A NEW SET OF WHEELS.
03/14/2008

The Golden Globe Winner to be among the first Americans to hit the road in a BMW Hydrogen 7
Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Arrested Development star Jason Bateman received a new set of wheels. BMW announced that he is the latest person to receive the keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7 - the world’s first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan. The BMW Hydrogen 7 melds the polished luxury of BMW’s largest sedan with the virtually emission-free power of a hydrogen combustion engine.

The BMW Pioneer Program gives industry leaders and prominent figures in entertainment, politics and business a BMW Hydrogen 7 for their daily use as proof that hydrogen powered vehicles can be viable for everyday driving. Bateman is the newest member of a group that includes Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, Ed Norton, and Cameron Diaz, among others, to opt for a BMW Hydrogen 7 as their energy-efficient ride of choice.

“Driving in the H7 is like being in a time machine - a full size luxury time machine… with power windows,” said Bateman. “And in the future people are smart; they pump water instead of gas! Hopefully someday soon I’ll be able to buy one of these beautiful cars so I can get back to the future.”

In addition to memorable roles in films like The Kingdom and Smokin’ Aces, Bateman was most recently seen as Michael Loring in the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated film, Juno, and will also be seen in this summer’s action-comedy film Hancock.

Previously announced members of the BMW Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program include Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, opera star Placido Domingo, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere, Sharon Stone, Oscar(R) Award-winning producer Davis Guggenheim (”An Inconvenient Truth″), and famed director Steve Gaghan, among others. The vehicle has also made an impact oversees, with luminaries such as Michael Glos, German Federal Minister for Economy and Technology, and Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission, and many others.

 

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hybrid, BMW

At the international media launch for BMW’s new Ͷ “Sport Activity Coupe” in Spartanburg, South Carolina, company officials confirmed that the hybrid version is indeed coming next year. When it launches in 2009 it will be available only with the the 4.4L turbocharged V-8 that is debuting right now in the 2008 Ͷ. The Ͷ will be BMW’s first application of the two mode hybrid system that is being developed along with GM, Daimler and Chrysler. Like GM and Chrysler, BMW will be using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications. Unlike the two American brands, the BMW engine won’t be using cylinder deactivation. According to BMW engineers, they didn’t see a significant improvement in efficiency with cylinder deactivation compared to the direct injection and variable valve timing and lift system their V-8 uses.

Like the American hybrid SUVs, BMW chose to apply hybrid technology to a heavy, powerful vehicle because the absolute fuel savings (the number of gallons reduced) are much larger compared to the same percentage increase on a smaller vehicle like the 1-series. In Europe BMW, has started to add systems like automatic start-stop and brake energy regeneration to their smaller vehicles. They are implementing each of these technologies on one platform or powertrain combination at time. The start-stop system is currently available on manual transmission four cylinder cars, none of which BMW sells in the U.S. right now. Over the coming years they plan to expand availability to virtually all of their platforms. In the meantime, the X6 Hybrid will save some gas compared to the regular model, but at 5,000lbs and up, it won’t be winning any fuel economy competitions anytime soon.

[Source: BMW]

 

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Audi, GM, Tesla Motors, Podcasts

It’s tales from the road for episode #21 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast. Sebastian got a peek behind the curtain at GM to see the Chevrolet Volt, and Sam jet-setted to sample wares from Audi and BMW. Hybrids, diesels, EVs, and more - plus, we wrap up with an interview with Tesla’s Daryl Siry for a total of 43 minutes. Thanks for listening!

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Original post by Dan Roth

Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Lightweight

The current GMT920 full-size SUVs from General Motors are very likely to be the last of their kind from the Detroit automaker. Even though new fuel economy standards give the big trucks a break based on their footprint, radical changes are likely for the next-generation models. A fully-equipped Tahoe is well over 5,500lbs and a big part of reducing fuel consumption in the next few years will be weight reduction. One step in that direction will be a shift from the body on frame designs these vehicles have used since their inception over to a uni-body structure. Ford already declared that the next-generation Explorer will be a uni-body and GM has their Lambda platform crossovers which are nearly as large as the GMT920s. Sales of the Tahoe are already down 10.5 percent this year and that trend is likely to accelerate. The next-generation models that are due to debut around 2012 will almost certainly make the jump to a smaller, lighter platform. In fact, a distinct possibility might be an SUV derived from the Zeta platform like the Denali XT pickup concept that was shown at the Chicago Auto Show this year. Without the pickup bed and with a slightly taller roof, this design could likely shave nearly 1,000lbs off the current SUVs. Regardless of the design direction that GM follows, the maxi-sized SUVs and pickups will likely never reach the sales heights they once did, meaning that GM is planning to scale back production capacity. The current 1.7 million annual capacity will probably drop to somewhere around 1 million. GM recently announced plans to cancel one shift at each of four truck assembly plants. Going forward, that production will likely be consolidated to fewer plants.

[Source: Bloomberg]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid