Hybrid News

How fast will lithium for autos develop?

What kind of penetration will plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars make into world auto sales by 2020?

That depends on the price of oil according to a study funded by Credit Suisse. According to the study, plug-ins will achieve 10 percent world market penetration by 2020 if the price of oil is $100 per barrel. If the price of oil hits $200, then plug-inz could achieve 25 percent penetration.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Still too expensive?

Hybrid vehicles, and other emergent fuel efficient technologies, are not the cheapest vehicles on the block, especially up front. And, when your 401K, pension plan, and home equity values are racing downward - with gas prices - sticker price becomes even more important.

While plug-in hybrid vehicles have received all of the hype and hope recently, aren’t cheap hybrid cars the most efficient path to better fuel economy and technological economies of scale?

Thus far, however, only Honda seems focused on cheap hybrids, even more so than Toyota, although I’m certain Toyota can readjust to cheaper hybrids quite quickly.

Obviously, the development of plug-ins is extremely important, but isn’t there great danger in putting off until tomorrow what can be done today?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Time to move composites out of concepts

Yesterday, I blogged on one of my favorite out of the box thinking autos, the Aptera plug-in hybrid. Yet, it isn’t really the plug-in hybrid technology that inspires, instead, its the lightweight and super strong composites that make up the Aptera′s body.

And composites aren’t just about auto design and lightweight, super strong bodies.

Applied Sciences Inc. and Pyrograf Products Inc. believe that carbon fiber, another composite material, could offer battery-powered vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, better range by making lithium ion batteries significantly lighter.

The role of composites in the automobile is just emerging. Finish: Forget hybrid batteries, let’s focus on composites

Original post by Dahcredyns

Can it forever change the auto industry?

Last week I highlighted the Citroen Cactus electric car as an example of out of the box thinking. Still, my favorite out of the box thinking example continues to be Aptera.

While I like the Aptera Typ-1e and its 120 mile range, it’s the Typ-1h that really captures my attention. Yet, it’s neither the 130 mpg+ the Aptera Typ-1h plug-in hybrid will achieve that most arouses my attention, nor its qualification for car pool lane status.

Instead it’s the as-safe-as-any-car ultralight composite body that results in space age designs, only 1500 pounds of weight, and .15 drag coefficient (The Toyota Prius is .26) that rocks my world.

The Aptera demonstrates that everything about the automobile needs to be reinvented. Today’s automobile shapes, designs - even materials - have become archaic. We can, and must, do better.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Vaporware?

In the last month or a so, a number of rumors about Chrysler’s plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles culminated in Chrysler showing off a number of such vehicles with the announcement that one would be produced in 2010.

At the same time, however, Chrysler was in discussions with GM about the possibility of GM taking over Chrysler.

Was all of Chrysler’s plug-in talk just a ploy to raise the value of its market capitalization? If Cerberus is trying to offload Chrysler, are they really that serious about a very expensive plug-in program?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Cuz you have to believe in something

In the past I bought a hybrid car when it really didn’t make financial sense. I just don’t drive enough. I’ve spent the last several years building my life around LA’s public transportation system.

You see, after 9/11, I decided my life could never be the same. I had to end my foreign oil footprint. Plus, ending foreign oil dependency would have a huge impact on global warming.

Still, I needed a new car. So, I bought a hybrid. Not to gloat. Not because of global warming. Because I believe only technology will end foreign oil dependency.

Today, I’m thinking about buying stock in GM, even though it also might not make financial sense.

Why? Have I lost my mind? FINISH: Why I might buy GM stock

Original post by Dahcredyns

Camry hybrid - Fill ‘er up with natural gas?

According to proponents, natural gas is cheaper and cleaner than gasoline, and it’s not derived from foreign oil. Of course, if demand for natural gas increased drastically, would it still be so cheap?

Regardless, interest in natural gas vehicles isn’t very strong. Part of the problem is the lack of refueling stations. There are only about 1,000 natural gas stations across the US. However, home refueling stations, for instance, could alleviate this problem much the same way standard plugs will help plug-in hybrids overcome limited plug-in stations.

Add the fuel economy of hybrid cars, or plug-in hybrids, and natural gas vehicle refueling would be much less common.

Can hybrid vehicles help sell natural gas as a transportation fuel?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Don’t call the Chevy Volt a concept

Spend any time around GM’s top Volt engineers and one thing is clear: this vehicle will happen. Sure there are still questions about production capabilities and costs. Technology, however, will not prevent the Chevy Volt from becoming a reality.

Thus, while Volt sales in and of themselves can’t save GM, the Volt is GM’s icon for change. Proof that GM can compete, even beat, any other automaker. Proof that GM’s engineering, quality, and reliability are just as good as any other automaker.

Unfortunately, despite loans, Wall Street credit bailouts, and huge plug-in tax incentives for the Volt, those in the stock market are starting to believe that the Volt can’t come quick enough to save GM. Hence, GM’s stock price has touched lows not seen in several decades.

The other day I read a GM-Volt post that finished with: Long live the US, GM and the Volt. Well, if you believe that then isn’t it time to put your money where you mouth is and buy GM stock?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Don’t call the Chevy Volt a concept

Spend any time around GM’s top Volt engineers and one thing is clear: this vehicle will happen. Sure there are still questions about production capabilities and costs. Technology, however, will not prevent the Chevy Volt from becoming a reality.

Thus, while Volt sales in and of themselves can’t save GM, the Volt is GM’s icon for change. Proof that GM can compete, even beat, any other automaker. Proof that GM’s engineering, quality, and reliability are just as good as any other automaker.

Unfortunately, despite loans, Wall Street credit bailouts, and huge plug-in tax incentives for the Volt, those in the stock market are starting to believe that the Volt can′t come quick enough to save GM. Hence, GM’s stock price has touched lows not seen in several decades.

The other day I read a GM-Volt post that finished with: Long live the US, GM and the Volt. Well, if you believe that then isn′t it time to put your money where you mouth is and buy GM stock?

Original post by Dahcredyns

EVs and PHEVs

Mitsubishi has now added plans to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles in addition to its previously stated plans to develop electric vehicles such as the iMiev according to GCC.

“The development of a plug-in hybrid comes on the heels of the auto maker’s plan to launch a mass-produced electric vehicle [the iMiEV] next year in Japan… Masuko noted that the plug-in hybrid will be better suited for longer distances than the electric car.“

Original post by Dahcredyns

Can diesel work in America?

Just because the king of hybrid cars, Toyota, isn’t interested in bringing diesel hybrids to the US, doesn’t mean all other automakers agree.

According to Mototrend, Volvo will start bringing diesel hybrids to the US in 2012. With a focus on larger SUVs, crossovers, and sedans, Volvo will utilize a 5-cylinder turbodiesel motor to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels. This full hybrid configuration will enable Volvo′s diesel hybrid vehicles to function purely on electric power at low speeds.

Likewise, Volvo will also bring diesel plug-in hybrid vehicles to the states shortly thereafter.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Can diesel work in America?

Just because the king of hybrid cars, Toyota, isn’t interested in bringing diesel hybrids to the US, doesn’t mean all other automakers agree.

According to Mototrend, Volvo will start bringing diesel hybrids to the US in 2012. With a focus on larger SUVs, crossovers, and sedans, Volvo will utilize a 5-cylinder turbodiesel motor to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rear wheels. This full hybrid configuration will enable Volvo’s diesel hybrid vehicles to function purely on electric power at low speeds.

Likewise, Volvo will also bring diesel plug-in hybrid vehicles to the states shortly thereafter.

Original post by Dahcredyns

The only Prius challenger for years?

Duh? The Chevy Volt, right?

Not any time soon. Maybe not ever.

A significant percent of Americans simply can’t plug-in, won’t want to plug-in, or won’t want to front the extra money up front for the benefits of electric vehicles.

Ultimately, there will be plenty of consumers for both the Toyota Prius and the Chevy Volt, but they are two very different technologies for two different consumer segments.

Yet, Toyota is also developing plug-in hybrids to challenge the Volt. Are GM′s lithium-powered BAS hybrids really a challenge to the Prius? Are 20,000 Ford Focus hybrids a challenge to the Prius? And what about Chrysler?

In recent months, both Hyundai and Honda have committed to selling 100,000’s of thousands of hybrid cars each, per year, within the next several years. Shouldn’t the Big 3 be doing the same?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Parallel plug-in hybrids aren’t dead yet

Audi is debuting an interesting plug-in hybrid today at the Paris Auto Show.

The Audi A1 Sportback plug-in hybrid can achieve up to 62.4 miles in pure electric mode according to reports. However, the Audi A1 can also draw power from a conventional engine or, in boost mode, the Audi A1 can use both the conventional engine and the electric motor.

The range of this vehicle seems to demonstrate that series plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevy Volt, might not be the dominate plug-in hybrid technology for EV fans. Not only would the Audi A1 provide more electric range than the Volt, it would also offer sportier performance.

Of course, this Audi plug-in hybrid is still just a concept. Yet, it seems to hint that calling a winner in the plug-in hybrid segment is premature.

Original post by Dahcredyns

$4,168 - $7,500 tax credit for plug-ins

If the new bailout package in Congress is approved on Friday, it will also include a new plug-in tax credit.

Plug-in vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds with at least a 4 kWh battery pack will qualify for a $4,168 tax credit. The value of the credit will scale up to a maximum of $7,500 for each extra kWh of battery capacity.

Once automakers, collectively, sell 250,000 plug-ins in one year, the credit will expire.

Original post by Dahcredyns