VW’s New Diesel-Electric Concept Gets 261 MPG

from: http://www.autointhenews.com/

Volkswagen’s latest concept vehicle may look like something from the very distant future, but it could wind up on the road within a few short years. The Formula XL1 Concept combines a two-cylinder TDI engine, an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to attain over 260 miles per gallon.

In addition to this diesel-electric’s innovative powertrain, it features a plug-in system, low drag, and a bevy of lightweight materials to maximize fuel-efficiency. The Formula XL1 can also cover just over 20 miles on electric power alone for emissions-free driving. Technology proven in Formula 1 racing has also found its way into the Formula XL1, including the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer parts to reduce weight.

“When the new millennium was ushered in, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch formulated the visionary goal of bringing to the market a production car that was practical for everyday use with a fuel consumption of 1.0 liter per 100 km,” VW said in a statement. “In the new XL1, Volkswagen is demonstrating that this goal is now within reach.”

Inside, Volkswagen promises that the interior is well-suited for everyday practicality. Wing doors also make it easy to get in and out of this tiny two-seater.

One of the biggest variables in whether the Formula XL1 will get the green light for production is cost. But Volkswagen says it has found ways to significantly reduce production costs, and that factor alone could help this vehicle become a reality — at least in limited quantities.

The 60MPH Hand-Cranked Hybrid Car

Posted by Alec_Liu
From: http://www.motherboard.tv/

Professor Charles Samuel Greenwood first began working on human powered cars in 1968. The recently announced Imagine PS (the PS stands for power statsion), built by HumanCar, is the culmination of nearly half a century of dedicated work and should be available sometime next year.

It’s a four seater street legal vehicle where if everyone is cranking — essentially a rowing like motion — the vehicle can run on human power alone. The company notes that even a senior citizen of reasonable health should be able to handle the physical burden with no problem. And for those days you just want to chill? The vehicle has an electric battery and can be plugged in.

Understanding today’s culture of personalization, HumanCar has made the chassis customizable with different styling and battery options that can be easily swapped. With a top speed of 60 mph on flat land and about half that uphill, the car isn’t fast but it’s certainly no slouch.

And it’s reasonably priced. For only $15,500, you can be environmentally friendly while also getting a modest upper body workout. The company is accepting pre-orders now for a $50 100% refundable deposit.

Geneva Preview: Hyundai reveals diesel hybrid i-Flow

from: http://green.autoblog.com/

by Sam Abuelsamid

Hyundai's home office in Korea has dropped the first frontal image of the new concept that will be shown next week in Geneva along with some technical details. The i-Flow is a D-segment sedan meant to go up against cars like the Ford Mondeo in Europe. Under the hood, the i-Flow has Hyundai's first diesel hybrid powertrain including a new 1.7-liter inline-four. The diesel has dual stage turbocharging and is paired up with Hyundai's Blue-drive system using a new six-speed dual clutch gearbox. Like the upcoming Sonata hybrid, the i-Flow uses a lithium polymer battery pack. With its drag coefficient of 0.25, the i-Flow is claimed to achieve 78.4 miles per gallon (U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 85 grams/kilometer.

Joining the i-Flow onstage will be a refreshed version of the i30 (badged as the Elantra Touring in North America) and low emissions "blue" versions of the i10, i20, i30 and ix35 (Tucson). These models get automatic start-stop, low rolling resistance tires and aero tweaks. The four cars all get CO2 ratings under 100 g/km while the crossover ix35 gets 135 g/km. Finally, Hyundai will also show a fuel cell version of the new ix35/Tucson for the first time. Hyundai still plans to produce fuel cell vehicles in the thousands annually by 2012.

[Source: Hyundai]

PRESS RELEASE

HYUNDAI TO PRESENT EIGHT WORLD DEBUTS AT GENEVA

Hyundai has today revealed the first photo of the all-new concept car i-flow (HED-7), ahead of its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The i-flow, which advances the 'fluidic sculpture' form language of Hyundai, will be joined on stage by other newcomers, including the facelifted i30 ? to be launched as i30U ? and a number of new, production-ready derivatives with CO2 emissions below 100g/km.

Previewing a future D-segment contender from Hyundai, i-flow boasts sleek, elegant lines which not only create a bionic, futuristic shape, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics. The drag coefficient of 0.25Cd helps to reduce the car's CO2 output to just 85g/km and fuel consumption to only 3l/100km.

Hyundai's first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain is a key factor in delivering such an environmentally-conscious return. The exciting new U2 1,7-liter engine is augmented by two-stage turbocharging and Hyundai's Lithium Ion-Polymer battery, to give a very efficient and advanced combination, partnered with a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

The interior of i-flow redefines the perception of space in a sedan bodystyle, and sees the application of next-generation materials and technologies developed in cooperation with leading chemical company BASF. Fundamental elements, such as the seats and center console, have been crafted in collaboration with BASF for minimal weight and volume. The cockpit's main interface centers around an expansive, contoured screen, which recognizes not only touch but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display.

The glossy 'Liquid Metal' finish ? developed by BASF Coatings ? adds to the visual impact of i-flow's exterior. Special-effect pigments in this eco-friendly waterborne coating give the surface a polished metal appearance, and highlight the sculptural character of the car.

Entering mass production in March this year, the i30U takes over from the well-established i30, and incorporates a wide range of improvements in design, specification and competitiveness, as well as even cleaner powertrains. To complete the upgrade, i30U comes with the Hyundai 'Triple5' package, consisting of an enhanced five-year, bumper-to-bumper unlimited warranty, five years' roadside assistance, and an annual vehicle seasonal health check for five years. The package reflects the quality and reliability of the Europe-built i30 family and gives added peace of mind to consumers.

At the Show Hyundai will also reveal the latest additions to its growing collection of eco-focused Blue DriveTM innovations. Five new production vehicles have resulted from the company's leading-edge program: the i10 blue, i20 blue, i30 blue, i30cw blue, and ix35 blue. The new arrivals will drive the company towards its goal of global leadership in environmentally-sensitive automotive technologies.

Through innovations such as a stop-start system, low-rolling-resistance tyres and modified aerodynamics, the first four of these cars have CO2 emissions below 100g/km. The ix35 blue, meanwhile, boasts an impressive 135g/km ?a benchmark figure for a C-segment SUV. These improvements are achieved without compromising performance, reliability or driver satisfaction, making all Blue DriveTM models a realistic solution for motorists.

Looking one step beyond the blue-badged models, the ix35 FCEV moves Hyundai closer to the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. Debuting at Geneva, it features several important innovations over the previous-generation Tucson FCEV, and will lead to production volume of Hyundai FCEVs in the thousands by 2012. Among the developments implemented on ix35 FCEV are steps to reduce the cost and complexity of fuel-cell manufacturing and new approaches which simplify final assembly.

More information about Hyundai's star cars and the latest corporate news will be made available on the stand, where media can request press kits. The company's press conference will take place in Hall 1 at 14:15 (CET) on Tuesday 2nd March.

Early EVs Won't Need Many Public Charge Points, Says NYC

By John Voelcker Car Expert

From: http://www.greencarreports.com

January 21st, 2010 New York City often startles people, and it stayed true to form in a recent analysis done by McKinsey & Company for the city's PlaNYC planning group, "Exploring Electric Vehicle Adoption in New York City." In particular, one of the report's conclusions may come as a shock to many electric-vehicle advocates: It turns out you really don't need very many public charging points to get people to use EVs. Over the next five years, the likely early adopters will simply adapt their behavior to the limitations of the EVs: Early adopters do not appear to need a high-density public charging network. While the availability of charging at retail and curbside locations may be reassuring to the average driver concerned about range limitations, the study suggests that the earliest consumers will be willing to change their driving behavior and parking location, given their strong desire to purchase EVs. Thus, a dense public charging network will not be a strong priority for early adopters. Needed: easier installation Instead, it makes more sense to help those early adopters by streamlining the process for installing charging equipment in their homes, apartment buildings, or local garages: Given the likely strong demand among early adopters and the limited short-term supply of vehicles, initial actions would be most effective if they focused on helping early adopters enter the EV market. Survey respondents ... voiced a desire to have a convenient and easy-to-understand process to install necessary charging equipment, at home or in a commercial garage. "Range anxiety" This counterintuitive conclusion flies in the face of the received wisdom, which says drivers will avoid using electric cars unless they can be sure there are public quick-charge stations available wherever they may need them, because "range anxiety" makes them nervous that they'll run out of juice and be left stranded. But at least some EV advocates and urban planners who are now sketching out local and regional networks of EV infrastructure think the report is right on target. People quickly learn their electric car's range, they say, and pick the appropriate vehicle for the day's travel. In multi-car households, many drivers will take a compact car to deliver a kid to school or commute to work. But if there's sports practice after school that requires hauling six teenagers, they'll take the family minivan instead. For "compact car," substitute "electric vehicle," and you see how it works. 100 miles enough Sure, things come up unexpectedly. But in cities and suburbs, it's very rare that short local hops suddenly change to trips of more than 100 miles--the stated range of the upcoming all-electric 2012 Nissan Leaf, to pick one example. And the "range anxiety" concern is only relevant for battery-electric vehicles; both extended-range EVs like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and plug-in hybrids like the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In offer hundreds of miles of range, using their gasoline engines for longer distances. Demand exceeds supply 'til 2015 Among the report's other conclusions: A large group of early adopters will change their behavior to accommodate the limits of early electric vehicles; The number of those early adopters is greater than the likely supply of EVs until at least 2015; It won't be necessary to provide tax incentives or other subsidies to these early adopters, but they would like to be recognized; Charging electric vehicles poses no threat to the stability of the electric grid as long as it's mostly done off-peak (at night); and Collaboration among the City of New York, electric utilities, and automakers will be required to make it all happen. The full 24-page report, prepared under the auspices of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainabilityi, can be downloaded from the PlaNYC 2030 section of New York City's website. [NYC.gov]

 Public Charging Station for electric cars, courtesy Mitsubishi Motors
Enlarge Photo

New York City often startles people, and it stayed true to form in a recent analysis done by McKinsey & Company for the city's PlaNYC planning group, "Exploring Electric Vehicle Adoption in New York City."
In particular, one of the report's conclusions may come as a shock to many electric-vehicle advocates: It turns out you really don't need very many public charging points to get people to use EVs.
Over the next five years, the likely early adopters will simply adapt their behavior to the limitations of the EVs:
Early adopters do not appear to need a high-density public charging network. While the availability of charging at retail and curbside locations may be reassuring to the average driver concerned about range limitations, the study suggests that the earliest consumers will be willing to change their driving behavior and parking location, given their strong desire to purchase EVs.
Thus, a dense public charging network will not be a strong priority for early adopters.

 2012 Nissan Leaf, Electric Avenue, 2010 Detroit Auto Show
Enlarge Photo

 Nissan LEAF Charging Port
Enlarge Photo

 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car at quick charging station
Enlarge Photo

 PlaNYC: Exploring Electric Vehicle Adoption in New York City, January 2010, report cover
Enlarge Photo

Needed: easier installation
Instead, it makes more sense to help those early adopters by streamlining the process for installing charging equipment in their homes, apartment buildings, or local garages:
Given the likely strong demand among early adopters and the limited short-term supply of vehicles, initial actions would be most effective if they focused on helping early adopters enter the EV market.
Survey respondents ... voiced a desire to have a convenient and easy-to-understand process to install necessary charging equipment, at home or in a commercial garage.
"Range anxiety"
This counterintuitive conclusion flies in the face of the received wisdom, which says drivers will avoid using electric cars unless they can be sure there are public quick-charge stations available wherever they may need them, because "range anxiety" makes them nervous that they'll run out of juice and be left stranded.
But at least some EV advocates and urban planners who are now sketching out local and regional networks of EV infrastructure think the report is right on target. People quickly learn their electric car's range, they say, and pick the appropriate vehicle for the day's travel.
In multi-car households, many drivers will take a compact car to deliver a kid to school or commute to work. But if there's sports practice after school that requires hauling six teenagers, they'll take the family minivan instead.
For "compact car," substitute "electric vehicle," and you see how it works.
100 miles enough
Sure, things come up unexpectedly. But in cities and suburbs, it's very rare that short local hops suddenly change to trips of more than 100 miles--the stated range of the upcoming all-electric 2012 Nissan Leaf, to pick one example.
And the "range anxiety" concern is only relevant for battery-electric vehicles; both extended-range EVs like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and plug-in hybrids like the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In offer hundreds of miles of range, using their gasoline engines for longer distances.
Demand exceeds supply 'til 2015
Among the report's other conclusions:

• A large group of early adopters will change their behavior to accommodate the limits of early electric vehicles;
• The number of those early adopters is greater than the likely supply of EVs until at least 2015;
• It won't be necessary to provide tax incentives or other subsidies to these early adopters, but they would like to be recognized;
• Charging electric vehicles poses no threat to the stability of the electric grid as long as it's mostly done off-peak (at night); and
• Collaboration among the City of New York, electric utilities, and automakers will be required to make it all happen.

The full 24-page report, prepared under the auspices of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainabilityi, can be downloaded from the PlaNYC 2030 section of New York City's website.
[NYC.gov]

Peugeot Epine – Futuristic Hybrid Car

from: http://www.geekcivilization.com/

Epine concept car is a hybrid eco-friendly vehicle that offers a new way of being in contact with the nature and is aiming to provide a racing track experience to its occupants. This car has a minimalist unique design that is inspired from the racing vehicles like Formula One cars and motorcycles. The most important technical feature of this car is its Epine system. The car is equipped with an innovative seating arrangement and adopts the drive-by-wire technology to run the steering system.

This new Epine concept car includes a whale skeleton as a tribute to Mother Nature. Daniel Schumpert, a graduate from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit MI with a BFA in Transportation Design, is the creator of this new concept car which brings the experience of the racing vehicles. Its name is derived from the incorporated Epine (spine) system.

The car is designed in such a way that the storage compartment can be found in the front and the power plant at the rear side of the car. It has got the airless wheels based on the Michelin Tweel concept and is housed in the wheel itself. The wheel spokes are able to compress and decompress and has been used in the suspension system of this car to offer a smooth, trouble-free ride. The structure and the materials of the wheel spokes offer a wide collection of motions. This is a compact car that measures 4260 mm in length, 1882 mm in width and 1153 mm in height.

Peugeot draws inspiration from the 1940s for its latest quirky electric car design

By Philip Case

It may not give you 'The Drive of Your Life', as its makers Peugeot may try to claim, but the latest micro electric car is creating huge excitement in the automotive industry.

The Peugeot BB1, a cross between a scooter and a car, is powered by two electric motors which are mounted in the rear wheels.

A silver prototype BB1had residents and tourists stopping to take a closer peak when a prototype version rolled into Paris today.

Inspired by Peugeot’s electric VLV from the 1940s, the new all-electric BB1 represents the car firm’s view for the future of electrical-based urban mobility.

The Peugeot BB1, a cross between a scooter and a car, is powered by two electric motors which are mounted in the rear wheels

Back to the future: Peugeot has based the design of the BB1 on its VLV from the 1940s

At just 2.5m long, the bubble-shaped BB1 can amazingly seat four people in saddle-like seats and its packaging miracle is achieved by rethinking the driving task.

There are no pedals so the driver sits more upright with the rear passenger's legs around the driver's torso, motorbike pillion-style.

There is no room for a steering wheel either and the driver uses handlebars to control the mini vehicle, which is undoubtedly a real head-turner.

Peugeot sought inspiration from quad bikes when planning the BB1's electric propulsion system, co-developed with tyre manufacturer Michelin.

And the rear-wheel driven car is powered by two electric engines which give it plenty of poke.

It can reach 0 to 19 mph in 2.8 seconds and 19 to 37 mph in an impressive four seconds, with a top speed of around 65mph.

The power for the vehicle is provided by two lithium-ion battery packs supplying energy to the respective electric motors located under the right and left-hand rear seats, with a comfortable range of 75 miles.

Future's bright: The Peugeot BB1 could revolutionise the electric car industry if if it makes it to production

Peugeot says the BB1 is a logical addition to a vehicle line-up that incorporates bicycles and scooters, as well as cars.

Access to the vehicle is gained via the reverse opening doors, while the load area access is through an innovative tailgate design.

The body is made up of a very light carbon fibre structure, designed to wrap around the passenger compartment.

Inside, the car has an extensive range of interactive technologies, including a colour multi-function display and audio system with telephone, navigation, Internet access, radio, MP3, USB connector and 12V power socket if necessary.

Peugeot’s keeping mum about whether it will actually put the BB1 into production.

Electric dreams: A cameraman films the Peugeot BB1 prototype, styled on a 1940s design, while it is parked outside a Parisian cafe

C'est chic: French business people flock around the new Peugeot BB1

Explore more:

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/motoring/article-1219666/Peugeot-draws-inspiration-1940s-latest-quirky-electric-car-design.html#ixzz0TqAKWYNH

Israel declares "revolution" against gas guzzlers

By Allyn Fisher-Ilan

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel declared a "green tax revolution" on Monday, proposing a new customs levy on large vehicles and a rebate for junking older gas-guzzling models.

Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said he hoped his plan would persuade Israelis to switch to hybrid cars while earning the state up to 400 million shekels ($100 million) a year.

"We are introducing a green tax revolution," Steinitz said.

The plan would be implemented over the next decade and must first be approved by parliament's finance committee, which was likely to do so in the coming weeks, Environmental Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan told reporters, alongside Steinitz.

Israel's conflict with Palestinians has long overshadowed environmental concerns. But high levels of carbon emissions from a growing fleet of private and commercial vehicles has begun to eat into the country's gross domestic product, Erdan said.

He said up to 2 percent of Israel's GDP of 714 billion shekels in 2008 was lost to the costs of automobile pollution, including illness, damage to buildings and other infrastructure.

Due to the recession, Israel is expected to post a budget deficit of 6 percent of GDP in 2009.

The government's plan to cut state spending was rejected by labor unions so new ways to increase revenues are being sought to keep the deficit under control.

The government has already raised fuel taxes and increased the value added tax (VAT) to 16.5 percent from 15.5.

Critics said the new tax plan, which would raise the base tax on new vehicles from 75 percent to 92 percent, then offer discounts for cars with better gas emissions standards, may actually increase the prices of many smaller cars.

Steinitz said purchase taxes would be slashed to just 30 percent for hybrid vehicles, and that the bulk of most tax increases would be borne by purchasers of larger, luxury automobiles or SUVs.

Erdan said the policy also meant to educate the Israeli public "to get used to opting for consumer items that do less damage to the environment."

The government would also try to encourage Israelis to get rid of thousands of older vehicles clogging the roads -- about 70,000 are at about 20 years and older -- by paying 3,000 shekels ($750 shekels) apiece to junk them, Erdan said.

(Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by David Cowell)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

Ferrari To Go Hybrid, World Trembles On Its Axis

By John Voelcker

Email this page to your friend:[ x ]

Your Email:

Please enter a valid 'from' email

Friend's Email:

Please enter a valid 'to' email

Your Message:

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Enlarge Photo

Ferrari. Hybrid. Ferrari. Hybrid.

Hmmmmm. Hard to put the two together, isn't it?

Well, hold onto your (prancing) horses, kids, 'cause the men from Maranello are indeed readying a hybrid system for future Ferraris, which will most likely launch in 2015 or thereabouts.

In March, Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the company was testing prototypes of a hybrid powertrain in a 2009 Ferrari 599 adapted to the new drive system.

Now, drawings from a patent application have leaked out and more details are known. The Ferrari papers show several variants of four-wheel-drive and hybrid technology, with one pair of wheels (presumably the rear) driven by the engine through a transmission, and the other pair (the front) powered by either an electric motor or a pair of in-wheel motors. Both front- and mid-engine layouts are included.

While the patent application claims the system is meant to improve handling, Ferrari has said in the past it intends to reduce its carbon emissions a full 40 percent by 2012. That goal, however, seems aggressive for just two model years from now.

But the company has recent experience in recovering wasted energy via regenerative braking, from none other than its Formula One team. As of this season, the team is using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) to comply with new rules on the world's most prestigious racing circuit.

Regardless of launch date and final drive system, we here at GreenCarReports.com are very excited at the prospect of finally having an excuse to road-test a Ferrari.

Green. Ferrari. Green. Ferrari. Hmmmmmmm. That one works!

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Enlarge Photo

[SOURCES: Left Lane News, Autocar ]

Hummer H3 Plugin Hybrid Gets 100 MPG, Kicks Prius Butt

Written by Jerry James Stone

11
votesBuzz up!

While we wait to see if General Motors will go banko come June 1, Raser Technologies is hoping to change our minds about one of GM’s most iconic offerings: the Humvee.

During the upcoming 2009 SAE World Congress (Detroit, April 20 - 24) the company plans to unveil a Hummer H3 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (ReEV) prototype. The vehicle is designed, first and foremost, as a purely electric vehicle with a drive train similar to the Voltec system in the Chevrolet Volt.

“We are resurrecting the Hummer,” David West, vice president of marketing for Raser Technologies said, adding that “It’s like a Volt on steroids.”

• » See also: Holy Honda Mod, Batman! Hawk 3-Wheeler looks like Batmobile Meets Rocket
• » Get Gas 2.0 by RSS or sign up by email.

So far, this zombie Hummer pretty sweet. The modded Hummer gets 268 hp, has a 40 mile all-electric range, and a fuel-efficiency of over 100 mpg.

“We’ve taken the worst environmental offender on the road and made it greener than a Prius,” West told Wired.com.

Seriously, can it really out-green the Toyota Prius?

“Yes,” explains West. “We took the challenge and here it is. The average driver starts off with a full charged battery with a 40 mile battery range. 75-percent of consumers live within that range and drive less than 40 a miles a day. So most people will never hear the gas engine come on.”

GM probably hopes so. GM was topdog for over 70 years until 2007 when they were surpassed by Toyota as the world’s No. 1 automaker.

“We are excited to be able to demonstrate an electric powertrain for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs,” said James Spellman, Vice President, of Transportation for Raser Technologies. “These are the best selling vehicles in America and can benefit the most from increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.” He went on to say, “Unlike the Prius, which is a mild hybrid vehicle, an eco-friendly SUV will get people’s attention.”

The vehicle is propelled by a 200 kW Symetron Enhanced AC induction motor hooked directly to the transmission, which is still connected to the all-wheel-drive system. According to Raser, it’s one of the most powerful passenger vehicle electric motors offered today and the whole system has near zero emissions. Also, the traction motor will support regenerative braking.

“If we put this powertrain in smaller vehicles down the road,” West said, “you could expect about 400 miles per gallon for the average (city) consumer.”

The V-8 combustion engine has been replaced by a small stand-alone 4 cylinder 2.0L engine which is only connected to the 100 kW Symetron PM Synchronous generator, and not the drive system. The engine is used only generate electricity and recharge the batteries when the vehicle drives beyond its 40 mile battery range and the lithium ion batteries are spent.

Three liquid cooled lithium ion battery packs are mounted between the frame rails and can be charged with a standard 110-volt household outlet. For a quicker charging 220-volt outlets are also supported. A full charge will take between 3 and 10 hours.

This plugin hybrid drive-system was designed by Raser Technologies, but developed by FEV, Inc. But is a 100 mpg Hummer enough to change the minds of the 30,000 industry specialists, engineers and business leaders who will be attending SAE?

No gas is used up to 40 miles. At 50 miles a day, the vehicle would still get 185 miles to the gallon. For 60 it’s 100 miles per gallon and over 200 miles the miles per gallon goes down to 33.

“Our goal in exhibiting this particular vehicle is to demonstrate that electric vehicle technology is a viable solution for a variety of vehicle platforms,” said Gary Rogers, FEV, Inc. president and CEO. “Needs of consumers will continue to vary, and the Hummer range-extended electric vehicle shows that fuel economy does not necessarily mean sacrificing power and utility.”

As of yet, there has been no talk of funding but I suspect that will come up during SAE. Raser hopes to have 2,000 of these things on the road by the end of 2010. Wired.com reports that Pacific Gas & Electric has already requested two of them.

Hey, only 1,998 more to go!

Coke Tests a Hybrid Truck in Europe

By James Kanter

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Europe The beverage giant is testing a hybrid truck.

Beverage giant Coca-Cola has been delivering some of its products with hybrid electric trucks in North America for some time. Now the company says it will roll out the first hybrid vehicle of its kind to be used in a European city.

Coke says the hold-up in Europe was a special formula – not for the famously secret recipe for its cola but for manufacturing hybrid engines for delivery vehicles in urban areas, where frequent stops and starts are common.

“In Europe, we have lagged behind the U.S. in hybrid technology development with the majority of hybrid manufacturers being U.S.-based and having intellectual property exclusivity on their technology,” said Hubert Patricot, the president of Coca-Cola Enterprises Europe, who made the announcement at a business summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The pilot program, to run in Brussels until July, is part of Coke’s efforts at “developing a sustainable transport strategy across our European business,” Mr. Patricot said.

In the United States, Coke has worked with Eaton Corporation to develop hybrid components and with suppliers including as Kenworth and Cummings to configure the engines.

Coke’s partner in Europe is Iveco, a truck maker belonging to the Italian Fiat Group. Iveco already makes some hybrid vehicles, including city buses, and a medium-distance truck called the Eurocargo. Iveco developed the new system to be used in Brussels itself.

The new Coca-Cola truck, which weighs 12 tons, will serve a 20-kilometer route in the center of Brussels running both diesel and electric engines. A battery feeds the electric motor to start and accelerate up to 20 kilometers an hour. Then the diesel motor takes over when the vehicle normally consumes the least fuel, at speeds over 20 kilometers an hour.

Coke wants to see if the truck really can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 24 percent, as initial estimates suggest.

Toyota says Prius plug-in gets 65 mpg

By RICK KRANZ,

A picture of Toyota will test 150 U.S. units of the 2010 Prius with plug-in technology. A non-plug-in 2010 Prius is shown.

Toyota will test 150 U.S. units of the 2010 Prius with plug-in technology. A non-plug-in 2010 Prius is shown.

Roger Hart

Toyota Priuses with plug-in hybrid technology are averaging 65 mpg in combined gasoline and electric-mode testing.

"That is real-world driving," said Bill Reinert, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s national alternative-fuel vehicle manager. "I ask my guys to drive them as you drive your normal Prius."

By comparison, the redesigned 2010 Prius, a parallel hybrid with nickel-metal hydride batteries, will have an estimated 50 mpg rating.

U.S. sales of a Toyota plug-in hybrid will begin sometime after 2010.

"It would make sense that we would do it with a Prius, but we haven't announced anything as to which vehicles" will offer plug-in technology, said John Hanson, a Toyota spokesman. But any hybrid model is a possible candidate, he said.

Reinert said fuel economy for plug-in hybrids depends on the battery pack's capacity and how the car is driven. Both factors determine how many miles can be driven in electric mode.

At the Detroit auto show last month, Reinert said: "How hard do you drive it? How fast do you drive it? When the hybrids first came out, there was a huge variance in gas fuel economy, depending on your right foot and other conditions.

"That difference is just magnified, supercharged, turbocharged with a plug-in electric because how fast you go really pulls the current out of the battery. It is a big deal."

Toyota will import 150 Prius plug-in hybrids late this year for testing by universities, commercial fleets and individuals.

The vehicles will test several lithium-ion battery packs that will be teamed with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine.

To read more visit the AutoWeek New car news, road tests, blogs, pix and expert insight section.

UPS is First in Delivery Industry to Test Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles: 50% Better Fuel Economy and 40% Lower Emissions

Written by Nick Chambers

Published on October 28th, 2008

In partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency, UPS will begin testing a small fleet of hydraulic hybrid delivery trucks in the United States. The new vehicles can achieve 50-70% better fuel economy, a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and pay for their extra expense in less than 3 years.

UPS will field two hydraulic hybrids in Minneapolis, MN, in early 2009 and an additional five hydraulic hybrid trucks will be deployed later in 2009 and early 2010. Although this sounds like a tiny fleet, keep in mind that this is the largest scale commercial test of hydraulic hybrids ever conducted.

The UPS hybrid hydraulic truck is a standard-looking 24,000 pound package car, with an EPA-patented diesel series hydraulic hybrid drive attached to the rear axle.

In a series hydraulic hybrid, the conventional drivetrain is replaced with a hydraulic system that stores energy by compressing gas in a chamber using hydraulic fluid. It works in much the same way that a hybrid electric car does — a small, efficient motor generates power which gets stored for later use — only, the way energy is stored in a hydraulic hybrid is in a pressurized chamber rather than in a battery.

The hydraulic hybrid drivetrain eliminates the need for a conventional transmission and increases fuel economy in three ways:

1. A large amount of the energy that is otherwise wasted in braking can be recovered to pressurize the hydraulic fluid.
2. The engine operates much more efficiently — similar to a hybrid electric car, only without the bulky batteries
3. The engine can easily be shut off and instantaneously restarted during regular driving — such as when the vehicle is slowing down or stopped at a light.

UPS has been developing what it calls its “green fleet” over the last several years and currently has more than 1,600 low carbon emissions vehicles including electric, hybrid-electric, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and propane trucks.

Although this is a small step, I applaud UPS for testing the waters. Hopefully others will join in quickly.

Source: UPS press release
Image Credit: UPS