Hybrid News

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Lotus, UK

We have been following the efforts of Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, and his attempt to build an electric sports car which he can power from the wind. Like several other efforts, a Lotus (in this case, an Exige) is being used as the underlying platform. Also like others, his project is taking a little longer than it was meant to but he says they are on course to have something on the road this December.

One of the things extending the build time may have been the decision to lengthen the chassis by 90mm (3.5 inches). While it’s not to difficult to stretch the frame, the body work is a different matter and that is where Peter Stevens comes in. The designer of the McLaren ʽ is now onboard with the project and will not just leave his fingerprints on the exterior but is also taking care of things like the instrumentation. Hit the jump for the latest chapter of the wind-powered sportscar in all its YouTube glory. You may also want to check out his Zero Carbonista blog for a few more details as well as a bit of Tesla-baiting.

[Source: Zero Carbonista]

Continue reading VIDEO: Zero Carbonista wind car update

VIDEO: Zero Carbonista wind car update originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: MPG, MINI, UK

If a Corvette Z06 with its monstrous 7.0-liter eight cylinder engine was able to achieve nearly 31 miles per gallon at the MPG Marathon, what were some other performance cars able to manage? BMW’s MINI can be both an economy car or a serious sporting contender depending on what engine option resides under its short little bonnet, and the highest of all performing Coopers features a force-fed 1.6-liter engine that’s included as part of the John Cooper Works package. One such JCW MINI took part in the aforementioned mileage challenge and after the first day of 411 total miles of various roads, the team of auto scribes from Auto Express managed an impressive 53.3 mpg. That equates to an improvement of over 25-percent when compared to the JCW’s combined European rating. To get that high mileage, the drivers of the car shifted early, usually under 2,000 RPM, kept a light foot on the throttle and didn’t pass 40 miles per hour.

For a more accurate portrayal of the kind of mileage you might manage from a JCW MINI just by driving the speed limit and with a reasonable amount of restraint, the team adjusted their driving habits for the second day of testing and drove the 60 mph speed limit. The results? Not bad at all, with the tally coming in at 49.4 mpg after the second day had ended. A spokesperson for MINI U.K. was impressed, saying, “You’ve proved this model is the UK’s greenest hot hatch. We believe this makes the JCW ideal for drivers who want to downsize, reduce fuel costs and environmental impact, but still own a sporting car.” High praise indeed, though it came from a person with a vested interest to believe his own words. Still, despite the fact that it didn’t win any records, it was a fine effort.

[Source: Auto Express]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, USA

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA were present at the Platts Cellulosic Ethanol conference in Chicago last week and put the national government’s biofuel efforts into perspective. Valri Lightner, of the Biomass Program at the DOE, and William Hagy III, deputy administrator of business programs USDA Rural Development, each spoke for about 20 minutes and

Lightner said the DOE’s Biomass Program mission statement is to find ways to use biomass to produce fuel, products and power. The short term goal is to have cost-competitive cellulosic ethanol (i.e., a cost of $1.33 to make a gallon by 2012), while the mid-term goal is to have sustainable biofuel production by 2017. There are a lot of bioenergy crop trials going on right now - switchgrass, sorghum, and more - as you can see in the map above and in this map. The DOE plans to help push down the cost of feedstock logistics from $60/dry ton to $46/dry ton by 2012. Meanwhile, the DOE also wants to lower the cost of biochemical conversion from $1.60 a gallon in FY 2007 to $0.82 in 2012. The department also announced last week that it will soon focus on pyrolysis.

This post continues after the jump.

Continue reading Platts Cellulosic Ethanol Conference - DOE and USDA discuss bioenergy

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Legislation and Policy, China

During and before this summer’s Olympic games, a significant amount of attention was given to the air quality that the world’s top athletes would be breathing in Beijing. As was widely reported, the city’s air was highly contaminated due to an abundance of people, manufacturing plants and automobiles. As you are likely aware, the city limited the number of cars that could be on its roads before and during the games and is set to continue the practice now that attention has turned away. The largest improvement is expected to come from limiting the number of new car sales in the city. Only 100,000 new license plates will be granted annually, which will have the undesirable effect of running half the city’s auto dealerships out of business. To help counter the expected problem, mass transit and bus routes will be upgraded.

As another measure, the city will take 30-percent of cars owned by its own government off the road as well, sealing them up “for safekeeping.” What’s more, the city vehicles that are left will be banned from the roads one out of every five days. Emergency and police vehicles won’t be included in that ban. These measures should help the city keep the clean air it fostered while the world was watching.

[Source: Gasgoo]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily

Ahh, the blogger round table. At GM’s Centennial celebration yesterday, GM chairman sat down with a group of bloggers to talk about - what else? - the Volt. Lutz took questions about the car and gave a upbeat assessment of where the overall program is now; he didn’t even knock wood when he said that the battery testing has not given them any problems - guess he’s not superstitious. One thing that Lutz said would help GM sell more Volts would be government incentives, specifically $7,500 incentive for each person who buys one. By the looks of it, the he won’t quite get that amount.

Over the next few years, here’s what will happen with the Volt program: There will be 50 or so Volt powertrains in Chevy Cruze bodies cruising the streets gathering data in the next few months. They are currently building three a week. Next year, about 100 Volts that look like the Volt will be out and about and in 2010 there will be a “pretty huge fleet” testing. Basically, Lutz said, everything’s on track for the late-2010 production date.

We also hear how those leaked photos hit the web - yup, GM was embarrassed.

Have a listen to all this a lot more (31 min):

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Lotus, Zap

The Malaysian government has given the green light to national car maker Proton to begin “in-depth validation and testing” of electric cars. The announcement came after the Cabinet Committee on Inflation received a briefing on the role e-cars can have in reducing the consumption of petrol and diesel. Prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who seemed to be completely behind the idea, expressed hope that commercialization of the project could begin in a years time. As part of the announcement, the politician went for a ride in an electric Lotus Elise converted and supplied by Dutch company, Electric Cars Europe (ECE). Interestingly, Detroit Electric was named, along with PRO Dis-T, as one of the companies that Proton would be working with to “fine-tune″ the car. In a somewhat convoluted web of alliances, Detroit Electric is a joint venture between Chinese firm, Youngman Automotive Group and ZAP! which is headed by Albert Lam, formerly of Lotus, which is owned by Proton. Youngman currently rebadges the Proton GEN2 as the Europestar RCR for the Chinese market. Also, Electric Cars Europe, as we recently informed you, has plans to bring ZAP/Detroit Electric vehicles, including the famous Alias, to the European market. It wasn’t stated which model Proton would be initially using for the project but the ECE website shows the Savvy (pictured above) as one of the models it has targeted for production in 2009. We await further announcements to make the room stop spinning.

[Source: The New Straits Times / PaulTan.org]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: Diesel, Green Culture, Hybrid, Volkswagen, Geneva Motor Show

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Golf TDI Hybrid Concept

Finally, we have the full, complete details on the Volkswagen Golf TDI Hybrid concept. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, lets get one thing out of the way. Volkswagen confirms that a version of this very car is likely to see production (in Europe, at least). Now, on to the details. The Golf TDI hybrid pairs a 74 hp/132 lb-ft 1.2L 3-cylinder diesel (not the 1.4L used in the Polo BlueMotion, as had been speculated) with a 26.6 hp/103 lb-ft electric motor. At low speeds, the car will run in EV-only mode, with the TDI joining in if/when necessary. The tandem should be good for for 69 US mpg and 89 g/km of CO2 emissions in the EU combined cycle. The electric motor replaces the starter motor and alternator, and it will also charge the car’s 220v NiMH battery via regenerative braking. When stopped, the diesel cuts out entirely — all behavior hybrid drivers are accustomed to.Where this Golf concept veers from the norm somewhat is in its use of a 7-speed DSG instead of a CVT. According to VW, using the dual-clutch transmission helps maximize fuel economy. What’s left unsaid, but is known to anyone who has driven a DSG-equipped VW or Audi, is that it should also make it much more engaging to drive, given that the operator can manually shift if he or she wants to.

Visually, the Golf TDI Hybrid is lowered, has smaller intakes, sports a unique grille design, and wears aerodynamic wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires — all lessons VW has learned with its various Euro-market BlueMotion offerings. The front splitter is the same one used on the GTI Edition 30, and occupants will find a uniquely-trimmed interior waiting for them. Overall, this is a very attractive package that pairs a popular, practical body style with a compelling drivetrain that should not struggle in any normal driving situation. 100+ horses and 235 lb-ft of combined power ensure that the Golf TDI Hybrid can merge and pass with ease, and its hybrid operation should make it excel in local/urban runabout duty. They may be late to the party, but VW looks to have brought something good for the guests to try.

[Source: Volkswagen]

PRESS RELEASE:
83 MPG, 89 G/KM OF CO2: INTRODUCING THE GOLF TDI HYBRID CONCEPT

***EDITOR’S NOTE - MPG figures described are in Imperial gallons***

The challenge: to create a viable, highly-efficient family vehicle capable of emitting less than 90 g/km of C̘. The Volkswagen engineers’ solution, unveiled on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, combines an advanced diesel engine with an electric motor and the very latest generation of seven-speed DSG gearbox. The so-called Golf TDI Hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 83 mpg on the combined cycle and emitting just 89 g/km of C̘ - while around town the vehicle reverts to purely electric mode to be emission-free.

At the core of the new Golf TDI Hybrid is a highly-efficient 1.2-litre three-cylinder common rail TDI diesel engine developing 75 PS and 132 lbs ft of torque. Working either in tandem with the diesel engine or, if required, on its own, is an electric motor developing 27 PS and 103 lbs ft of torque. The electric motor also replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator to save weight and improve packaging.

It can also operate as a generator, recovering kinetic energy from the car during braking to charge the 220 volt, 45 kg nickel metal hydride battery which has a capacity of 1.4 kW hours.

In practice the electric motor powers the vehicle from standstill with the diesel engine only engaging should additional acceleration be required or at higher speeds. In these situations the diesel engine takes over with the electric motor only working if required to supplement the combustion engine - for example, during overtaking manoeuvres. When at a standstill the diesel engine shuts down completely to conserve fuel and increase efficiency. The energy split is relayed to the driver and passengers through a graphic display accessed through the touchscreen satellite navigation screen.

Drive on the concept car is channelled through the new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox. This features a pair of dry clutches as opposed to the wet clutches and sets a new energy efficiency standard for automatic gearboxes.

Visual changes which differentiate the Golf TDI Hybrid include a new, unique grille design, smaller front air intakes to reduce aerodynamic drag and subtle ‘TDI-Hybrid’ badging. The Golf TDI Hybrid also sits lower than the standard Golf on revised suspension and adopts the front splitter from the Golf GTI Edition 30 to help further reduce aerodynamic drag. A unique interior further distinguishes the Golf TDI Hybrid from the conventional vehicle.

The Golf TDI Hybrid is currently a concept vehicle, but a version of this vehicle is likely to go into production in the future.

This study follows the recent launch of the efficient new Golf BlueMotion. Adopting an optimised 1.9-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine linked to a revised gearbox and more efficient aerodynamics the Golf BlueMotion can achieve a combined 62.8 mpg while emitting just 119 g/km of CO2 meaning it will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge from October 27th onwards.

Timing

• Makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show
• The Golf TDI Hybrid is likely to inspire a future production vehicle

Key facts

• An engineering study aimed at extracting maximum efficiency from the combination of an advanced common rail diesel engine and a powerful electric motor designed to work in tandem; also uses very latest generation of seven-speed DSG gearbox
• The so-called Golf TDI Hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 83 mpg on the combined cycle and emitting just 89 g/km of CO2; around town the vehicle reverts to purely electric mode to be emission-free
• Powered by a highly-efficient 1.2-litre three-cylinder common rail TDI diesel engine developing 75 PS and 132 lbs ft of torque. Working either in tandem with the diesel engine or, if required, on its own, is an electric motor developing 27 PS and 103 lbs ft of torque. The electric motor also replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator to save weight and improve packaging
• The motor also operates as a generator, recovering kinetic energy from the car during braking to charge the 220 volt, boot-mounted 45 kg nickel metal hydride battery which has a capacity of 1.4 kW hours
• The electric motor powers the vehicle from standstill with the diesel engine only engaging should additional acceleration be required or at higher speeds. In these situations the diesel engine takes over with the electric motor only working if required to supplement the combustion engine - for example, during overtaking manoeuvres
• When the vehicle is stationary the diesel engine shuts down completely to conserve fuel and increase efficiency. The energy split is relayed to the driver and passengers through a graphic display accessed through the touchscreen satellite navigation screen
• Drive on the concept car is channelled through the new seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox
• Visual changes which differentiate the Golf TDI Hybrid include a new, unique grille design, smaller front air intakes to reduce aerodynamic drag and subtle ‘TDI-Hybrid’ badging. The Golf TDI Hybrid also sits lower than the standard Golf on revised suspension and adopts the front splitter from the Golf GTI Edition 30 to help further reduce aerodynamic drag

A unique interior further distinguishes the Golf TDI Hybrid from the conventional vehicle

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Alex Nunez

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel

Life can be rough. I had just received a press notice telling me about this “green” race car, the Radical S‒ LMP1 prototype, that the British Eco Racing team has entered in the American Le Mans Series opener at Sebring. I did a little digging so I could better inform you when I found headline-reversing type news. Apparently, there was an incorrect provision of homologation (yeah, I had to look it up too) papers from chassis manufacturer, Radical, according to a report in the well-informed PlanetLemans. The team does hope to get its affairs in order in time to race in the fourth installment of the ALMS in Salt Lake City.

What exactly makes this car so green besides the (water-based) paint scheme? It has been engineered to run on a 50 percent biodiesel mix (though because of “rules″ it may have to use Shell GTL diesel for now). Also, the car uses bodywork components made from 100 percent biodegradable hemp fibre and it has solar panels to juice up some of its electrical systems. No word on any carbon offset program.

[Source: Planetlemans]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels

Click on the image for more shots of the Skidscooter

Here’s a concept that we never would have thought of ourselves: the Skidscooter. This award-winning design melds two transportation methods - a powered electric scooter on land and a swimming-aid in water - into one product. On land, both the front and rear wheels are powered by in-hub electric motors and those same motors provide motive force on water, acting as propellers with their thrust directed towards the rear of the device. Does anybody actually need a device like this? Probably not, with the possible exception of a certain British spy and people who want to cheat in a triathlon. At least it looks like a well-designed answer to one question nobody asked.

[Source: jieyu-design via Trend Hunter]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Diesel, Audi, UK

While Audi’s exhaustive press release accompanying the launch of the newly-revised-for-2009 A3 mentioned both the availability of new diesel engines along with a seven-speed version of the dual-clutch S tronic transmission, Audi’s arm in the UK has decided it’s worth mentioning them again. This time, though, statistics regarding the reduction of carbon emissions are given, so decided we’d share them too. For instance, the revised ‘09 2.0 TDI with 140 horsepower, which was rated at 52.3mpg (US) last year, jumps to 55.4mpg, while reducing CO₂ output from 143g/km to 134g/km. Audi also points out that the new 105 horse 1.9 TDI e offers a low CO₂ output of 119g/km while gaining standard manual air conditioning. The e series from Audi, like the Bluemotion models from VW, are designed specifically with low carbon emissions in mind. Too bad the 1.9 TDI e engine comes paired with a five-speed manual only, as the mileage would likely increase with the addition of the seven-speed S tronic. See all of the available powertrain combinations in the press release after the break.

Press Release:

GREENER NEW GENERATION AUDI ʍ RANGE MAJORS ON EFFICIENCY

Raft of enhancements for 2009 Model Year versions of premium compact hatchback includes all-inclusive CO2 reductions

* Visually and mechanically enhanced A3 3dr range available to order from Friday May 2nd, and 5dr A3 Sportback from Monday May 19th for first deliveries in July 2008
* OTR prices range from £14,995 to £27,720
* S3 becomes available for the first time in five-door Sportback form
* Advanced common rail 2.0-litre TDI first seen in A4 Saloon is adopted by A3 in 140PS and 170PS forms, bringing significantly improved efficiency, acoustics and refinement
* Improvements to 1.4 TFSI, 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines boost efficiency
* Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping as used by the TT and R8 becomes available as an option for selected models
* New seven-speed version of S tronic dual clutch transmission for selected models, including, at a later date, the S3
* New faster-reacting quattro four-wheel-drive system for A3 and S3

The Audi A3 moves with the times this week as a new generation of the market leading premium hatchback range focusing even more acutely on economy and emissions control opens for UK order priced from £14,995 OTR.

Set to reach its first customers in July, the latest line-up is equipped with wholly new or revised engines delivering reductions in CO2 emissions of up to 15 per cent, paring back the output of the 1.8 TFSI S tronic model, for example, from 179g/km to 153g/km. More immediately apparent benefits for three-door and five-door Sportback models also include subtle, A3 Cabriolet-inspired styling revisions inside and out and a clearer equipment structure with sophisticated new options including Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping.

The styling enhancements extend to the potent 265PS S3 quattro, which also becomes available for the first time in five-door Sportback form.

New high-tech TDI
All four petrol engines powering the revised A3 line-up, the majority of which combine sophisticated FSI direct injection with turbo charging, have been modified with a view to maximising efficiency. The TDI range also builds on its reputation for outstanding frugality and takes a major stride forward in terms of refinement through the adoption of the all-new 2.0-litre TDI unit with common rail piezo fuel injection first seen in the new A4 Saloon.

Available in 140PS and 170PS forms, with the 140PS version expected to be the most popular overall in the range, the impressively muted new unit replaces the familiar 2.0-litre pump jet injection engine, and brings significant gains in economy and a reduction in CO2 emissions of as much as 15 per cent. As an example of its positive impact, the combined fuel economy figure for the A3 2.0 TDI 140PS climbs from 52.3mpg to 55.4mpg, while its CO2 output falls from 143g/km to 134g/km.

As before the TDI range will also contain the most economical and efficient model in the line-up - the 105PS A3 1.9 TDI e - which in standard trim retains an impressively low CO2 output of 119g/km despite the addition of manual air conditioning as part of the latest range improvements.

A six-speed manual transmission is common to all versions bar the five-speed 1.9 TDI, and in all front-wheel-drive models except the 1.9 TDI can be replaced at extra cost by the much praised S tronic dual clutch transmission (formerly DSG). In the quattro four-wheel-drive camp, the ʍ 2.0 TFSI quattro will be available in S tronic form only, while the 2.0 TDI quattro (170PS) and S3 quattro will continue to be offered only as six-speed manuals.

The foundations for the latest generation ʍ models are provided by the familiar McPherson strut front and four link rear suspension that has brought control, composure and agility to the range since its 2003 launch. For the first time, though, the set up can be enhanced at extra cost in selected versions by the high-tech Audi magnetic ride system already used by the TT and R8 sports cars.

The fluid in the Audi magnetic ride system’s sophisticated dampers contains magnetic particles that can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. When a voltage is applied to the system’s electromagnets, the viscosity of the fluid is altered by the affected magnetic particles, so resistance to damper movement can be increased to iron out pitch and roll when necessary, or reduced when ride comfort takes precedence.

Faster-reacting quattro four-wheel-drive
The renowned quattro four-wheel-drive system, offered in conjunction with 2.0-litre TFSI petrol 200PS and 265PS engines and for the 2.0-litre TDI 170PS unit, has also evolved in this latest generation model. Its central hydraulic multi-plate clutch now responds even faster when the engine’s power needs to be redistributed between the front and rear wheels to maximize stability and traction.

As before, the new generation A3 range model structure begins with standard specification, and is followed by the comfort-oriented SE and performance-focused Sport and S line trim options, but there are revisions at every level. Standard specification has been enhanced by the addition of manual air conditioning at no extra cost, and the content and pricing of the SE and Sport upgrades has been adjusted to make these options more attainable.

The SE model, for example, builds on its standard counterpart’s equipment with a multi-function leather-rimmed steering wheel, a front centre armrest, a Driver’s Information System, front fog lamps and special 16-inch alloy wheels. It now carries a premium of £650 over the standard model, a reduction of £1,350 compared with the previous SE specification.

At the head of the range, the S line specification, including a unique front and rear bumper design, new 18-inch alloy wheels and S line interior equipment, is the only A3 trim line to be available in the UK in combination with the new option of Xenon Plus head lamps with LED strip daytime running lights. These striking new distinguishing features are fitted as standard to the S3.

Pricing and Specification - Standard A3 3dr models

*** Premium for five-door Sportback models is £500 in each case ***
***Premium for S tronic transmission is £1,400 where applicable ***

[Source: Audi]

&nbsp

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Hybrid, Fiat, USA, Alfa Romeo

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo Kamal concept

Car-obsessed Americans will get another chance at the historic Alfa Romeo brand soon enough, as the company is planning on a resurgence for the U.S. market. As is the current trend among automakers, along with the beautiful range of automobiles that the Italian marque will be bringing to our shores, it plans on offering a crossover as well. Expect something in line with BMW′s current utility vehicle offerings. What’s more interesting to us at AutoblogGreen, though, is a possible hybrid system snagged from Fiat, which owns Alfa. Even if the full hybrid drivetrain is left off the docket, at the very least, a mild hybrid system in the form of stop/start will almost assuredly be available.

As an aside, take a good look at the Kamal concept from 2003. Looks a bit like the Subaru Tribeca before its last redesign, wouldn′t you say?

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog]

&nbsp

Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski