According to a recently-released Department of Energy report, several clean energy technologies—including electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles—are at risk due to the “critical risk” posed by short-term supply disruptions in the rare earth elements market.
For about two years, media reports have stirred fears about a possible shortage of rare-earth metals needed for hybrid and electric cars. According to these reports, a shortage could threaten future production of hybrids and EVs. Today, Bloomberg and others are reporting that Toyota is developing a workaround: development of inductive motors that don’t need rare-earth metals. These motors could also be lighter and more efficient than the magnet-type motor now used in hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius.
While lithium may attract more attention, a recent report from the Department of Energy suggests that rare earth metals are a bigger supply concern. In the short term, the report does not find that lithium supply is likely to be an issue. After 2015, depending on the market penetration scenario for PHEVs and BEVs, demand does begin to outstrip potential supply.
Last week, Nissan announced that its 2012 Infiniti M35h would be the world's first hybrid to come equipped with standard pedestrian warning sounds when it goes on sale early next year. Other hybrid makers seem to be moving in the same direction—perhaps in anticipation of new regulatory frameworks in countries that could mandate such systems on all vehicles capable of driving in near-silence.
Like the drivers behind their steering wheels, vehicles have been adding extra pounds—a 20 percent weight gain overall in the past 20 years. And it’s not just big luxury cars, SUVs and pickups. For example, the lovable little 1990 Honda Civic has become a somewhat porky 2010 Civic with its slightly more than 16 percent weight increase—a 2,262 pound curb weight versus 2,630 lbs. Even the automotive darling of nearly every greenie on the planet, the Toyota Prius, isn’t immune to adding a little flab; the newest edition is 152 lbs. heftier than the model it replaced. What are we going to do about it?
AFS Trinity claims that its ultracapacitor technologies could push the mileage of a small plug-in hybrid SUV to 150 mpg.
EcoMotors, a two-year-old start-up with fewer than 40 employees, scored a $23.5 million Series B round of investment from Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and alternative energy investor Vinod Khosla. The money will be used for engineering and further testing of the company's Opoc engine, which promises to provide a 50 percent fuel efficiency improvement on current engines while using half as many parts. Gates, who invested through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, “The Opoc engine can be an important step in providing affordable, low-emission transportation for the developing world.”
Panasonic, perhaps best known to hybrid fans as the supplier of batteries for the Toyota Prius, last week began shipping samples of a new lower-priced diesel particulate filter that reduces emissions. Even as hybrids and electric cars enter the diesel-oriented European market, Panasonic’s new filter technology, along with engine improvements, could help keep efficient diesel engines in the mix for some time.
Most conversations about the environmental impact of cars focus on drivetrains—hybrid versus diesel versus electric, etc. But the use of new bio-based materials—from seats and floormats to dashboards to windshields—also have a big impact on energy, as well as the environmental safety of passengers. That’s why Ford is expanding its use of bio-based soy foam through nearly all of its vehicle lineup this year as part of an ongoing effort to use more renewable and recyclable materials. We reached out to Ford Technical Leader of Plastics Research Debbie Mielewski to learn more.
Tire manufacturer Michelin this week held its almost annual international forum on sustainable mobility in Rio de Janeiro. The event, called the Challenge Bibendum, offered a busy schedule of round-table discussions, debates and demonstrations—but ultimately the tire company is interested in what happens when the rubber hits the road. That means lower rolling resistance on today's tires.
