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Smart Tech Aims To Reduce EV Power Grid Demand

Huw Evans — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:53:05 +0000

In regions where the power grid is already close to being taxed to the limit, the prospect of an increasing number of electric vehicles all plugging in at the same time has utilities and others looking for solutions to prevent an overload.

One idea being collaborated upon between IBM, Pacific Gas and Electric Co., and Honda is a project to enable electric vehicles and the power grid to essentially “talk” to each other.

The concept – generally in line with other such projects happening around the globe known as the “smart grid” – is that by advanced communications, EV owners will be able to figure out the best times to charge their vehicles.

A number of benefits considered potentially win-win are being touted for the idea aside from merely preventing a grid system overload, including savings for the EV motorist. For example, drawing the juice during the late night when off-peak rates are in effect, or during the early morning when there’s also less grid demand.

The system would also enable owners to select charging based on their vehicle’s battery condition, such as by delaying the need to charge until the battery is close to being depleted.

So how exactly would it work? Although still a work in progress, IBM’s online cloud system would theoretically enable vehicles to communicate with the grid, which is owned by PG&E.

“The novel concept is basically taking the vehicle data – such as battery’s state of charge – and grid data from PG&E to create an optimal charge schedule for the EV so we aren’t taxing the grid or inconveniencing the driver,” remarked Clay Luthy, IBM’s global distributed energy resource manager.

Currently, IBM is working with Honda to see if its cloud-based software is able to communicate with the automaker’s Fit EV during a series of preliminary tests. A small number of vehicles and motorists are testing the setup under real world conditions to see if it will be possible to implement on a large scale. The car’s on-board telemetry will be able to determine if the vehicle needs charging and when, based on the condition of the battery, with decisions made in seconds to ensure seamless vehicle operation.

Although there’s a fear of Big Brother here, IBM is adamant that motorists will have the ability to override the system, retaining the ability when and where they choose to charge up their electric vehicle, instead of it being done purely automatically.

However, there are some significant obstacles to overcome in order to make such a situation an actual reality, namely the fact that presently, it’s very difficult for charging companies to predict local loads on the grid, since vehicles can be plugged in anywhere. Not only that, but charging EVs already places huge demands on the power grid. During a quick charge cycle, one EV can place as much demand on the grid as several individual homes, something Luthy mentioned during an interview with Innovation News Daily.

Nevertheless, IBM believes that by developing a smart charging system, not only will it help minimize the impact of EVs on the power grid, it will also help boost the acceptance of EVs among consumers.

Although IBM has also been working on a number of related projects – including in Switzerland in which a smartphone app gives the choice of set-it-and-forget-it, or immediate top up, or late night/off peak demand pricing – the company has not disclosed a timeline nor cost of its ambitions smart grid project.

MSNBC

The post Smart Tech Aims To Reduce EV Power Grid Demand appeared first on HybridCars.com.

2012 New York International Auto Show Wrap Up

Huw Evans — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:10:44 +0000

As we write, the 2012 New York Auto Show has opened its doors to the public, and from what we gather, this could very well be the last time it’s hosted at the Jacob Javits Center. This famous location has now been earmarked for redevelopment into residences and a new NYC convention center is slated to be built on the site of the old Aqueduct race track in Queens.

From a green vehicle perspective, this year’s show seemed very much about making existing vehicles more efficient rather than developing new concepts in sustainable motoring. There weren’t many EV start-ups present; instead there was plethora of larger, more luxury oriented vehicle introductions; machines that will either spawn hybrid derivatives or boast greater use of technology to increase efficiency (such as multi-speed transmissions and stop/start).

If anything this stance illustrates that while the idea of sustainability is becoming more prevalent, the costs generally associated with producing green vehicles still mean such cars are currently tailored to buyers with greater disposable income, rather than mainstream car shoppers. Perhaps it could be viewed as working on an automotive trickle-down theory – what is now aimed at the well heeled will eventually be made available to all of us.

Following, we’ll take a look at some of the green vehicle highlights of this year’s New York show:

2013 Acura RLX Concept

A descendant of the original Legend, Acura’s flagship, subsequently renamed RL, has essentially withered on the vine, becoming barely visible on the radar of most luxury vehicle shoppers. Acura is hoping to change that with the RLX. Falling in line with the brand’s now customary three-letter nomenclature, the concept sports a 3.5-liter direct injected V6 engine teamed with a Sport Hybrid Super Handling (SHSH) AWD system. In this case, there’s one electric motor mounted up front that supplements the gas engine, plus another two (one mounted at each rear wheel), designed to optimize handling and traction under all driving conditions. If there was one saving grace of the previous RL it was the superbly engineered AWD system that enabled the car to pivot on just one wheel, providing amazingly sharp turn in. As a result, with this new, next generation flagship, Acura aims to build on that agility while providing better power (370 horsepower) and improved fuel efficiency.

However, what we did find interesting was the fact that Acura is being cautions with its new flagship; besides the Hybrid AWD version, it will also offer a conventional, FWD gas version, projected to sell at a lower price. The RLX is slated to be available sometime during 2014.

Infiniti LE Concept

This was big. While we’ve seen the likes of Tesla pursue all-electric executive transportation, until now, none of the major OEMs have really done so. That said, given Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn’s stance on EV technology and the automaker’s push toward all electric vehicles, beginning with the Leaf, it’s seemingly a logical step for Infiniti to be the first “mainstream” luxury brand to do so. As a result the marque’s first pure EV broke cover in New York, even if it was billed as a concept. Naturally, the LE utilizes a similar driveline to the Leaf, featuring a 134-horsepower electric motor that sends power to the front wheels and laminated 24- kw lithium ion battery pack. Yet, it’s rather a pretty thing, showing that a pure EVs need not be weird looking. In fact, it almost represents the next evolution of current Infiniti design language, found in cars like the contemporary G and M. It also boasts some novel features, including a 50-kw DC wireless (inductive) quick charging system. This incorporates a special coil pad that mounts on the garage floor, which you simply drive over. A magnetic field, created via energy flow, allows electricity be charged from the coil in the floor to a secondary coil mounted on the car.

Now while this might still seem a bit Buck Rogers, other automakers have hinted inductive charging is a direction they’ll take as well. But what really caused us to take note was that Infiniti says that a production version of the LE will be ready within two years.

2013 Lexus ES300h

In the past, the Lexus ES sedan was seen largely as a gilded edge Toyota Camry, a not particularly inspiring machine aimed at entry level luxury buyers that offered slightly better appointments but not much more than its more pedestrian counterpart. For 2013 Lexus has delivered a car that’s substantially reworked. Not only does it boast styling that’s no longer the work of a committee, it features a number of improvements designed to deliver a more dynamic driving experience as well as improve fuel efficiency. And while there’s a regular ES 350 (powered by a 3.5-liter V6), most eyes in New York were on the new ES300h Hybrid.

Utilizing a version of Toyota/Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive system, the E300h sports a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gas engine teamed with an electric motor and battery pack, that’s said to deliver 40 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving. There’s also four different driveline “modes,” ranging from Normal (designed to optimize acceleration and fuel consumption for daily commutes), Sport (to provide that extra bit of acceleration when needed), Eco (which lowers fuel/energy delivery to boost mileage and reduce emissions), plus EV, which enables lower speed driving on pure electric power.

The new ES is planned for an introduction sometime this summer, with prices likely to start in the low $40k range.

2013 Ram 1500

Now, full-size pickups aren’t generally the first thing that comes to mind when we’re talking about green vehicles but, the 2013 Ram sports a number of features that represent firsts in its segment and in most cases are designed to improve fuel efficiency. To begin with, there’s the eight-speed automatic transmission that will be offered with both the 3.6-liter base V6 and Hemi 5.7-liter V8 engines. There’s also a new frame that is both stronger and lighter than found on the 2012 Ram, plus a true first in the segment – active air suspension.

This automatically adjusts the vehicle ride height and suspension settings depending on the surrounding environment. For example, it lowers the truck to provide easier cab and bed access as well as to provide better stability and reduced drag at cruising speed. There are also active grille shutters and a new front spoiler to improve aerodynamics, as well as a thermal heating system that warms up vital fluids faster to reduce friction on the moving parts. Finally, electrically assisted power steering reduces parasitic loss and helps contribute to better fuel economy; said to be improved by 20 percent on V6 trucks and 10 percent on Hemi engine models. With Ford having already turned pickup conventionality on its head by introducing its EcoBoost V6 in the F-150 and now Ram’s new features aimed at greater fuel efficiency, it will be interesting to see what General Motors has in store when it launches its next generation full-size pickups in 2014.

2013 Volkswagen Alltrack Concept

It’s already on sale in Europe, but as far as we’re concerned, the diesel-powered Volkswagen alternative to the Subaru Outback is strictly a concept in North America, at least for now. In fact, the example on display in New York was locked and the windows darkly tinted to deter wandering eyes. Although this particular example featured a 140 horsepower 2.0-liter clean diesel engine (VW offers two diesel motors in Europe) along with VW’s signature 4Motion all-wheel drive system a 1.2-inch increase in ride height and electronic differentials (designed to give it some semblance of off road capability), all we could get from VW officials was that it’s merely a concept, designed to gauge public reaction in New York.

If it does eventually make it here, the Alltrack will no doubt represent a frugal and worth alternative to many crossovers currently in the market, whether conventional gas or hybrid models. And with the gradual proliferation of diesel passenger vehicles stateside, there’s a very good indication it could show up at your friendly neighborhood dealer in the not too distant future.

The post 2012 New York International Auto Show Wrap Up appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 059

Brad Berman — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:26:51 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0059 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Bay Area’s First Green Car Expo Set for Oct. 9
Green Drive Expo, the Bay Area’s first consumer eco-car expo, will feature exhibits, ride-and-drives, public programs and an unprecedented opportunity for owners of unique green car creations to show off their work and express their desire for change. Put it on your calendar.

The List of Six New Toyota Hybrids in 2012: Our Predictions
Six new Toyota hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012. And a plug-in Prius, small EV, and RAV4 EV. Is Toyota back in the game?

Expert: Expect More Than 100 Hybrid and EV Models in U.S. by 2015
Auto industry forecaster Alan Baum sees a rapid expansion of the hybrid and EV market. By 2015, expect 50 conventional hybrids, more than 30 pure electric cars, nearly 20 plug-in hybrids, and a handful of fuel cell vehicles.

New Study: 74 MPG by 2035 Is Feasible, Without Plugging In
A University of Michigan Auto Researcher says it’s possible to triple automobile fuel economy —without plugging them in. John DeCicco shows how new fleet efficiency can reach 52 MPG by 2025 and 74 MPG by 2035.

Civic Hybrid Owners Disappointed with Battery Software Fix
Last month, Honda finally acknowledged a problem with the batteries of the Honda Civic Hybrid by issuing a “technical service bulletin.” As the first set of Honda Civic Hybrids receive the software update, the results reported in our forums are mixed.

Nissan Reveals Pricing For LEAF Options: DC Fast Charger Extra, Unless You Live in Initial Launch Market
We recently got a nice peek into what the pricing sheet for the Nissan LEAF will look like. See the full list of costs, charges, and options.

Putting Thought into Putting Gas in the Chevy Volt
When your car needs a gas fill-up only a few times a year, you have to make sure that your gas doesn’t get stale or increase emissions. Here’s how the Volt takes care of the concern.

Defending the Plug-in Car; Anti-EV Rhetoric Attains High Crescendo
A recent anti-electric car opinion piece in the Detroit News gave us a chance to dispel the persistent myths about electric cars.

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Greetings, Hybrid & Electric Car Enthusiasts,
The economy remains sluggish and gas prices remain relatively low. But the macro-economic conditions aren’t slowing down the green car movement. The number of hybrids and electric cars on U.S. roads will grow from 23 today to 108—just in the next four years. Environmentalists are pushing for 60-mpg fuel efficiency average—that’s right, average—by 2025. Researchers are showing that we can take it to 75 mpg by 2035—not even including electric cars. The big remaining questions are about the pace of change: How fast and how big? Will it be evolutionary or revolutionary? Incremental improvements in gas engines or a massive shift to electric propulsion? This issue of our newsletter provides a snapshot of how it looks today. Enjoy.

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Bay Area’s First Green Car Expo Set for Oct. 9

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bay-area-first-green-car-expo-set-oct-9-28527.html

Green Drive Expo, the Bay Area’s first consumer eco-car expo, will take place on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location is the waterfront Craneway Pavilion in Richmond—a renovated 1931 Ford Motor Company assembly plant, which used to produce Model Ts and As, and now sports a 1-megawatt solar array and stunning views of the San Francisco skyline.

Attendees will be offered free public test drives of prototypes of Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid and other hybrid and electric cars. Ford, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Think will display their latest green vehicles. Auto company representatives will be on hand to discuss future products, and there will be a full day of public programs—hosted by HybridCars.com and PluginCars.com. (I’ll be there, so come by and say hello.) In many ways, the most exciting part of the show will be owners showing off their vehicles and discussing the issues with one another.

At this year’s Madison, Wisc. event, which took place in July, David Taylor won the “MPG Challenge,” racking up an unbelievable 763 miles to the gallon in his 2008 Toyota Prius, modified to run on a home-grown 10 kWh lithium ion battery pack.

Admission is $10 at the door, or you can register for free admission by using this discount code: HYBRIDCARS on this page:

http://greendriveexpo.com/greendriveexpocoupon

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bay-area-first-green-car-expo-set-oct-9-28527.html

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The List of Six New Toyota Hybrids in 2012: Our Predictions

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/list-six-new-toyota-hybrids-2012-our-predictions-28590.html

According to announcements made last week by Toyota Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada, the company plans to introduce six new hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012. Two of the new hybrids would be Toyota vehicles and two would be Lexus luxury models.

The company did not spell out which models would be offered as hybrids—so we’ll make our predictions. Actually, it’s not too hard to figure out where the hybrid gaps are in the Toyota line-up.

RAV4 Hybrid – Toyota has been selling the Highlander Hybrid mid-size SUV for several years. But where’s the crossover hybrid? Since 2004, the company has allowed Ford to have top-mpg bragging rights for SUVs with its 32-mpg Escape Hybrid. Toyota has committed to an all-electric version of the RAV4—developed in partnership with Tesla—by around 2012. A conventional hybrid version, with mileage in the mid- to high-30s, makes good sense. Perhaps it will be branded with a Prius badge.

Toyota Sienna Hybrid – Green-leaning sensible family folk have been screaming for a hybrid minivan for years. It appears that Honda will step forward with a hybrid Odyssey in the next couple of years. Could Toyota be far behind?

See our other predictions here:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/list-six-new-toyota-hybrids-2012-our-predictions-28590.html

Or learn about pricing for the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid here:

http://www.plugincars.com/toyota-sell-plug-prius-starting-spring-2012-estimates-3-5k-premium-over-base-prius-73014.html

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Expert: Expect More Than 100 Hybrid and EV Models in U.S. by 2015

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/expert-expect-more-100-hybrid-and-ev-models-us-2015-28579.html

The one consistent truth in automotive sales forecasting is that all forecasts are wrong. The size of the market for emerging technologies, like hybrids and electric cars, is even trickier to forecast. That’s partly because car companies, governments, and environmentalists like to publish and promote rosy scenarios based on market goals, rather than concrete plans.

But when you take a hard look at concrete plans for specific electric-drive vehicles in the next five years, you see a burgeoning market with more than 50 conventional hybrids, more than 30 pure electric cars, nearly 20 plug-in hybrids, and a handful of fuel cell vehicles. Those numbers come from Alan Baum, a Michigan-based auto industry analyst who has been running auto market forecasts since the 1980s.

“My forecast is model-by-model and bottom up. Most of the other forecasts are based on assumptions, and work top down,” Baum said. “It’s not that I’m smarter. It’s an outgrowth of my work on the broad automotive market for a long time.” Baum, who recently left The Planning Edge to form his own market analysis firm, also looks at supplier orders, plant capacity, volume planning, and macroeconomic conditions such fuel prices, interest rates, and government regulations.

Baum is predicting a whopping 108 electric-drive vehicles by model year 2015. That’s up from 22 grid-free hybrids and one electric car, the Tesla Roadster, in production today. There will be 27 new model introductions for the model year 2011 alone—effectively doubling the number of hybrids and plug-ins in a single year. Baum believes that the 2011 U.S. line-up will add 13 conventional hybrids, 3 plug-in hybrids, and 11 battery electric cars. By the model year 2015, the new car market is predicted to have 108 electric-drive models. Nearly half of them will be conventional hybrids, but there will also be 18 plug-in hybrids, 32 EVs, and 6 fuel-cell electric cars. Many of these models have been announced, but just as many have not yet been unveiled.

Baum groups conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars into a single “electric vehicle forecast.” He sees the biggest growth in conventional hybrids, and believes that pure electric cars will only strengthen the market for standard hybrids. “Consumers will look at EVs and plug-in hybrids and say, ‘That’s kind of out there. If that works, then maybe it’s time for a conventional hybrid, available in many more models, and with no need to worry about range or infrastructure.’”

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/expert-expect-more-100-hybrid-and-ev-models-us-2015-28579.html

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New Study: 74 MPG by 2035 Is Feasible, Without Plugging In

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/new-study-74-mpg-2035-feasible-without-plugging-28514.html

In a new study released earlier this month, John DeCicco (who has been a contributor to HybridCars.com) shows that optimizing internal combustion engines plus rising adoption of “grid-free hybrids” will enable new fleet efficiency to reach 52 MPG by 2025 and 74 MPG by 2035.

“To push efficiency really far, it means a lot more hybrids than previous studies have indicated,” DeCicco said, in an interview with HybridCars.com. “Hybrids are going to rule the world, that is, if we want to be serious about reducing oil use and greenhouse gases.”

DeCicco questions the prevailing wisdom of public support for cars that use energy from the grid. “I’m not opposed to plugging in, but there’s no justification for massive subsidies,” DeCicco told us. “Let automakers and willing customers explore this on their own nickel. We ought to have policies that give us the biggest bang for the buck, and most efficiency can occur without plugging in.”

The key, according to DeCicco, is cost effectiveness over the entire fleet. DeCicco calls for a “revolution by evolution” in cars that rely on internal combustion engines. He points to a range of technologies, including turbocharging, gasoline direct-injection engines, low-emissions diesels, lightweight steel, and most of all hybrids. Looking at historical adoption rates for technologies such as front-wheel-drive or fuel injection—which zoomed from introduction to dominance in a couple of decades – DeCicco believes it’s realistic for hybrids to make up as much as 90 percent of our cars in about 20 years.

Get the details and download the study:

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/new-study-74-mpg-2035-feasible-without-plugging-28514.html

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Your Support
Check out the Hybrid Cars Store for hybrid accessories:

http://store.hybridcars.com

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Civic Hybrid Owners Disappointed with Battery Software Fix

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/civic-hybrid-owners-disappointed-battery-software-fix-28450.html

In August, Honda finally acknowledged a problem with the batteries of the Honda Civic Hybrid by issuing a “technical service bulletin.” This comes after one year of complaints—more than 100 on the HybridCars.com forum alone—about diminished fuel economy and power after a year or two driving, especially in hot weather conditions. Drivers have also complained about a reduction in the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

To address the problem, Honda started to install a software update on Civic Hybrids (model years 2006 through 2008). Letters were mailed to more than 100,000 Civic Hybrid owners on July 30. According to the Los Angeles Times, only about 4 percent of the vehicles have received the software change through mid-August.

As the first set of Honda Civic Hybrids receive the software update, the results reported in our forums are mixed.

“My 2008 [Civic Hybrid] purchased new started having these problems about 6 months ago. Now Honda reprogrammed the software. Made it even worse.”

“I took my 2007 HCH with 38,000 miles to the dealer for the software update a week ago. Prior to the update, I had no problems or complaints with my car. I loved it. Just the right combination of mileage, 41-mpg average with adequate power. After this update my mileage has dropped to 35.5 average with a noticeable loss of power.”

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/civic-hybrid-owners-disappointed-battery-software-fix-28450.html

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Nissan Reveals Pricing For LEAF Options: DC Fast Charger Extra, Unless You Live in Initial Launch Market

http://www.plugincars.com/nissan-reveals-pricing-leaf-options-dc-fast-charger-extra-unless-you-live-initial-launch-market-6473

Ray Ishak, the EV leader and fleet sales manager for Campbell Nelson Nissan outside of Seattle, recently gave us a nice peek into the pricing sheet for the Nissan LEAF.

The pricing sheet gives would-be Nissan LEAF buyers some good insight and bargaining power by providing the invoice cost of both the base SV model ($31,393) and the upgraded SL model ($32,293). The ubiquitous destination and handling charge (at least for the Seattle market) comes to a rather standard $820. There are also a whole host of other options listed for the Seattle market including splash guards ($140), floor mats ($170; why the heck are these ALWAYS an optional item now), and a rather mysterious “recycling and organizational package” for $225.

One item that has caused an uproar on the internet after the revelation of options and costs is the fact that the DC quick charge port will be optional, cost an extra $700, is only available on the upgraded SL model, and cannot be added after purchase. To clarify this option, Mark Perry also told our writer Nick Chambers that the DC quick charge port will be available as a free add-on to some customers in the 5 initial launch markets of Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee. So, although most LEAF customers will need to pay extra for the DC fast charging option, a select few will get it for free.

See the complete pricing sheet:

http://www.plugincars.com/nissan-reveals-pricing-leaf-options-dc-fast-charger-extra-unless-you-live-initial-launch-market-6473

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Putting Thought into Putting Gas in the Chevy Volt

http://www.plugincars.com/putting-thought-putting-gas-chevy-volt-69473.html

If you own the Chevy Volt and drive less than 40 miles a day, then you will almost never have to visit a gas station. General Motors engineers took this into consideration when developing the gasoline storage system on the Volt. I recently had the chance to gas up the Volt, and learned just how much technology and computing power was applied to the refueling event. After all, when your car needs a gas fill-up only a few times a year, you have to make sure that storing gasoline for weeks or months won’t increase emissions.

To release the gas nozzle inlet, located on the rear passenger side, the driver pushes a small button on the driver’s door. The gas release button is a little hard to see at first, but it’s right above the electric charging inlet release button. (The charging inlet, where you juice up on electricity every day, is on the front driver-side of the car.)

When you hold and release the gas door button, you need to wait a moment. An indicator on the dash tells you to “wait to refuel.” That gives a vacuum pump enough time to evacuate the pressurized tank and pump the vapors into a carbon canister. The gas tank is otherwise completely sealed.

The Volt’s computer system is monitoring this activity—keeping track when the gas door opens and closes, how much time has passed, and how many EV miles you’ve driven since the gas engine was last called into action. If you open the gas door, but don’t put in any gas, the Volt knows. The car’s system is double-checking to make sure that new fuel has been added, because old stale gasoline is potentially bad for the system and bad for emissions. An outside temperature sensor is even keeping track of hot days to determine if the fuel might be cooking.

If you haven’t burned fuel for a while, the dashboard display will encourage you to burn some gas, by driving the vehicle beyond its 40 miles battery-supplied power. You can ignore the call to action, but after two warnings about the need to drive using some gasoline, the car will take matters into its own hands. The Volt will then start up the gas engine in order to burn off stale gasoline, circulate engine oil, and pressurize the engine system.

When the car completes this “engine and fuel maintenance mode,” it shuts down again, giving the reins solely back to the electric motor. At that point—for drivers who stay close to home—the gasoline is again left in reserve for days, weeks or months, until your next rare and infrequent trip to the pumps.

Complete article and user comments:

http://www.plugincars.com/putting-thought-putting-gas-chevy-volt-69473.html

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Defending the Plug-in Car; Anti-EV Rhetoric Attains High Crescendo

http://www.plugincars.com/defending-plug-car-anti-plug-rhetoric-attains-high-crescendo-70845.html

A recent anti-electric car opinion piece by Neil Winton on the Detroit News begins, “It’s nearly time to put up or shut up.” After reading the piece through several times, our writer Nick Chambers addressed the overarching points of his article and dissected them for your reading pleasure.

Here’s the first assertion by Mr. Winton: “The first evidence of battery-power reality will be an enormous increase in call outs for road side assistance as electric motors expire miles from home.”

Nick’s rebuttal: Essentially what Winton is saying here is that you, the electric car purchaser, are too stupid to even be able to communicate in grunts and gestures. He’s also showing an intriguing lack of understanding of how plug-ins work; I think he meant “as the batteries expire miles from home.”

Unless the driver of a plug-in car is completely unaware of the limitations of his or her vehicle and doesn’t ever look at the dashboard, this just won’t happen. It’s like saying that you’d willingly take your 300 mile range combustion-engined SUV on a 400-mile trip into the tundra of Siberia knowing that you would have no access to fuel. Who would do that? Nobody. It’d be stupid.

Luckily most people in Europe and the U.S. drive less than 40 miles a day, so the EV can handle 90 percent of your daily needs, and when it doesn’t you use your second car.

The other points asserted by Mr. Winton (and ripped up by Nick) relate to EVs not being capable of highway speeds; the silence of battery cars leading to more pedestrian deaths; the supposed higher cost of ownership for battery cars; electricity generation and distribution being less efficient than fossil fuel acquisition and distribution; and the classic criticism that EVs really aren’t green after all.

Full article:

http://www.plugincars.com/defending-plug-car-anti-plug-rhetoric-attains-high-crescendo-70845.html

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WRAP-UP
That’s all for now. We hope to continue the conversation with you at the Bay Area Green Drive Expo on Oct. 9. Don’t forget to get your free admission by using this discount code: HYBRIDCARS on this page:

http://greendriveexpo.com/greendriveexpocoupon

I’m serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the public program. Again, please come by and say hello. Until then…

Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 059 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 058

Brad Berman — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:45:24 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0058 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Ford Aims for 100-Percent Petroleum-Free Compostable Cars
“I want to say just one word to you: Plastics!” That might have been good advice to new college graduates a generation ago, but today that could be replaced with this word: “Biofoam.”

Hybrid Invasion of Europe Begins with Auris Hybrid
Toyota began selling the Auris Hybrid in the U.K. on July 1. It’s the first time a full hybrid has been produced in Europe for Europe.

VW Plans to Go Hybrid with Gas-Electric Jetta in 2012
In one more sign that the automotive world is shifting to electric-drive technology, Volkswagen reconfirmed its commitment to producing a hybrid version of its popular Jetta.

Chrysler Plans for Hybrids, EVs and Natural Gas Vehicles, Probably
FIAT-Chrysler says that will compete on hybrid and electric cars, as well as vehicles powered by compressed natural gas. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Mixed Reviews on Honda CR-Z as Hybrid and Sports Car
Honda recently gave automotive journalists their first chance behind the wheel of the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Honda’s goal is to combine the fuel parsimony of a hybrid with the sportiness of the company’s classic CRX coupe. Did Honda succeed?

Fisker Delays Karma Until Next Year, But Wilmington Plant is a Go
The Fisker Karma, an $88,000 plug-in hybrid sports car that was scheduled to hit showrooms this summer, has been pushed back until next year.

Electric Vehicle Bill Wins Some Powerful Supporters, But Can it Pass?
The Obama administration is said to have given its support to the Electric Vehicle Deployment Act of 2010, which could provide billions of dollars in additional subsidies for EVs. What lies ahead for the legislation?

Volt vs. LEAF: Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Step aside Rodney King. Mini E driver Tom M. asks why fans of the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF can’t play nice.

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Greetings, Hybrid & Electric Car Enthusiasts,

This is our first newsletter since launching PluginCars.com, the sister site to HybridCars.com. Eventually, we might produce two separate newsletters—one for efficient cars sans plug, and another avec plug. But for now, we combine the top news from the past month about the full range of electric-drive vehicles—from hybrids to EVs. This approach will mirror what we expect in the marketplace: not two distinct buyers and markets, but a continuum of choices offering consumers a wide range of options for greatly reducing or completely eliminating their use of petro-nastiness. The volume of news about all these options is off the charts—and that’s a good thing. Thanks for your interest.

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Ford Aims for 100-Percent Petroleum-Free Compostable Cars

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/ford-aims-petroleum-free-compostable-cars-28147.html

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—used in everything from seats to dashboards—also has 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.

Ford’s use of biofoam has helped the company reduce its petroleum oil usage by more than 3 million pounds annually and carbon dioxide emissions by 11 million pounds. In a press release, Debbie Mielewski, technical director of Ford’s Plastics Research Group, said, “One day I hope to see the automotive world go totally compostable, removing the use of petroleum-based parts 100 percent.”

We reached out to Debbie to learn more.

HybridCars.com: What are the most toxic or energy-intensive parts found in cars today?

Mielewski: Our goal is to make sure cars today don’t use anything that can be labeled toxic. The objective of my group is to develop alternative materials to limited, traditional petroleum-based plastics. These materials can be 20 to 30 percent lighter in weight, improving fuel economy. They can utilize a waste material—such as wheat straw, which is left after the grain is harvested. They can have an improved lifecycle—less energy to produce and less CO2 emitted into the environment. Some of the materials are compostable, eliminating the landfill of plastics. Plastics are certainly a huge part of the automotive process—and we are quick to recognize that—so the more sustainable we can make these plastics the better. We are also working hard to make sure all Ford cars are 100 percent recyclable. The materials we use play a huge part in that process.”

Read the entire interview:

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/ford-aims-petroleum-free-compostable-cars-28147.html

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Hybrid Invasion of Europe Begins with Auris Hybrid

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-invasion-europe-begins-auris-hybrid-28168.html

Toyota began selling the Auris Hybrid in the U.K. on July 1. It’s the first time a full hybrid has been targeted for the heart of the European market.

The Auris—which uses the same technical architecture as the Toyota Prius— is a mainstream economical model, with a position in the market roughly similar to the Corolla. The hybrid version is very similar to the conventional Auris. The main differences are: lower ride height for better aerodynamics (0.28 Cd); reshaped bumpers and longer rear spoiler (also for aero); and a smaller gas tank and trunk to accommodate the nickel metal hydride battery pack. Cosmetic changes include a chrome grille, LED driving lights and hybrid blue-tint badges.

Europe has historically preferred diesels to hybrids as a green fuel efficiency choice—but this marks the beginning of a shift to hybrids. The Auris Hybrid could help Toyota bypass FIAT to become Europe’s low-CO2 champion. The Auris hybrid’s CO2 output is just 89 grams per kilometer.

Toyota says the Auris Hybrid central to its Europe strategy. Toyota expects the hybrid version to account for one-quarter of Auris sales this year. That means 14,000 units, growing to 30,000 starting in 2011. By 2015, Toyota wants hybrids to make up 50 percent of its model range in Europe.

The introduction of Auris Hybrid could ripple across the pond. Could Toyota push down the price tag of a U.S. Auris Hybrid to $19,000 or lower? Could it configure the car to break 50 mpg? Could the design be modified with some of the Prius’s DNA for those that like a unique, eco-friendly appearance? If yes to all the above, Toyota could have the first serious option for hybrid affordability.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-invasion-europe-begins-auris-hybrid-28168.html

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VW Plans to Go Hybrid with Gas-Electric Jetta in 2012

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-goes-hybrid-gas-electric-jetta-2012-28106.html

In one more sign that the automotive world is shifting to electric-drive technology, Volkswagen reconfirmed its commitment to producing a hybrid version of its popular Jetta. A gas-electric Jetta, to debut in 2012, would put another affordable mainstream hybrid option into showrooms.

Affordability is the key word, as hybrids push further into mainstream vehicle lineups. The new (gas-powered) 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is priced at $16,000, about $1,700 less than the current version. “With the new Jetta, we’ve kept everything people liked, but also made the car more accessible to the entry-level buyer in the compact segment,” said Toscan Bennett, a VW product strategist. “We want people who had considered Jettas too expensive to put us on their shopping lists.”

Volkswagen later this year will introduce the Touareg Hybrid SUV its first hybrid—but it will hardly be affordable. Based on pricing announced in Europe, the Touareg Hybrid could exceed $90,000 in the U.S. Moreover, it will join a crowded field of expensive luxury hybrid SUVs already on the market—SUVs that aren’t selling particularly well.

On the other hand, a Jetta Hybrid probably will probably be priced in the low $20,000s, while offering fuel economy numbers in the mid-40 mpg range. It will represent the first time an automaker stacks up a hybrid and clean diesel option in a cost-competitive model.

More importantly to the green car movement, Volkswagen is demonstrating the “no silver bullet” philosophy, in which efficient gas-powered cars, clean diesel, hybrids and electric cars mutually coexist. Cutting oil dependence and reducing emissions is not an either-or decision. It’s all of the above.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-goes-hybrid-gas-electric-jetta-2012-28106.html

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Chrysler Plans for Hybrids, EVs and Natural Gas Vehicles, Probably

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/chrysler-hybrid-and-electric-car-plans-probably-28133.html

Last November, FIAT-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and his lieutenants spent a long day laying out the details of their plans for a new Chrysler that would compete on all fronts, including cars that would compete in a growing field of hybrid and electric cars.

Since then, an electric version of the FIAT 500 has made the round of auto shows—and is scheduled to go on sale in 2012. The company also announced plans for a small test fleet of Dodge Ram plug-in hybrid pickups—backed by a $48 million U.S. Department of Energy grant. (The conventional hybrid version of the Ram was canceled, after years of development.) And, of course, the company still sells the GEM, a line of neighborhood electric vehicles. Other than that, the company has been silent on its green car plans while it struggles to right its balance sheets and bring new volume product to market.

At the Automotive News Detroit Green Car Conference last month, Paulo Ferrero, Chrysler’s senior vice president for powertrain, might have elaborated on the company’s strategy for electrification—since speakers from Nissan, BMW and Think were talking about their companies’ EV strategies already being implemented. His presentation did include a slide or two on plug-ins, but with no new information other than a commitment to “develop a range of technologies for hybrid/electrification across various platforms.” That’s pretty vague and clearly not a commitment to deliver vehicles on a timeline with the competition.

Ferrero did drop a big surprise: natural gas vehicles! It turns out FIAT has CNG powertrains in a full range of vehicles already in Europe (where government incentives and utility support make them an attractive option) and they might find their way over here—along with multi-air engines and a variety of improvements to gas-powered engines and transmissions promising a 25 percent overall fleet average fuel economy improvement for Chrysler’s fleet by 2014.

Check it out:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/chrysler-hybrid-and-electric-car-plans-probably-28133.html

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Your Support
Check out the Hybrid Cars Store for hybrid accessories:

http://store.hybridcars.com

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Mixed Reviews on Honda CR-Z as Hybrid and Sports Car

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/mixed-reviews-honda-cr-z-hybrid-and-sports-car-28117.html

Can a hybrid be as fun as a sports car? Can a sports car save fuel like a hybrid?

Honda recently gave automotive journalists their first chance behind the wheel of the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Honda’s goal with the all-new two-seater is to combine the fuel parsimony of a hybrid with the sportiness of the company’s classic CRX coupe—and to offer it as the most affordable hybrid on the market. The fuel economy rating of the standard six-speed manual is 31/37 mpg, with the optional automatic (CVT) rated at 35/39 mpg.

Here’s a sampling of what auto critics had to say on the twin goals.

Jalopnik: “The CR-Z is not a fast car; it is not even a quick car…but it’s still moderately entertaining. Is this the most entertaining hybrid car money can buy? Yes. Is it what I want and, frankly, what the market needs? Not quite.”

Automotive News: “Well, it won’t set your hair on fire, and a small car can feel fast even when it isn’t. Is it more fun to drive than a Prius or Insight? Definitely…A day of spirited country-highway driving netted 35 mpg — not much better than the similarly sized Honda Fit, which isn’t even a hybrid.”

Car and Driver: “Somewhat shockingly, however, this hybrid is entertaining, even as it tries to marry the disparate concepts of sport and efficiency… Particularly with the three-mode adjustable drive system in Sport, it’s a relatively fun little car…[Yet] if fuel-efficiency is the goal, better mileage (and practicality) can be found in the Toyota Prius and the Insight, which are EPA-rated for 50 and 41 mpg combined.”

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 057

Brad Berman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:38:14 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0057 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcing Launch of PluginCars.com!
It’s with great pride that we announce the launch of PluginCars.com, a sister site focusing on plug-in hybrids and electric cars. Check it out, and let us know what you think.

Blame for Gulf Coast Spill Begins at the Pump
If you’re mad about the spill, think about what you’re driving.

13 Key Questions and Answers about Nissan Leaf
Last week, we attended the groundbreaking for Nissan’s new electric car battery plant. That gave us a chance to do a deep dive with Nissan.

Honda Boss: Next Insight Will Beat Prius MPG
Honda’s chief said the company has been “complacent.” To make up for lost ground, it’s going to try to reclaim the MPG crown.

Hyundai Has Prius-Killer in the Works
The South Korean company is studying a dedicated hybrid-specific vehicle. “It’s its own thing,” Hyundai said.

Despite Caveats, Prius Plug-in Hybrid Could Be Surprise Hit
Before we got behind the wheel of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota told us the reasons why plug-in hybrid might not be the best choice. Then, we took it for an 18-mile spin and easily got 87.7 miles per gallon.

Ray LaHood: “People Want Out of Their Cars”
The 64-year-old secretary of transportation tweeted this message: “More cars on more roads may not be the best way to move people more effectively.”

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Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,
Have you noticed that all the reports about runaway Priuses have stopped? Either the problem magically went away or, just maybe, one or two extremely isolated cases got blown out of proportion? Discuss amongst yourselves. In the meantime, it looks like the Prius is still the green mark for car companies such as Honda and Hyundai to hit. At least, until the Nissan Leaf, the Chevy Volt and other plug-ins hit the road. This newsletter chronicles the latest news. Enjoy.

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PluginCars.com Launches!

http://www.plugincars.com

The web company behind HybridCars.com today launched PluginCars.com, creating a forum for shoppers, drivers, carmakers, municipalities, and energy companies. The site offers online community tools focused on the plug-in cars arriving later this year, the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, as well as about 20 other upcoming electric-drive models, including the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Ford Focus Electric, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Coda Sedan, and Fisker Karma.

The electric vehicle industry is trying to overcome negative public perception around the last generation of electric cars, marketed primarily in California from 1996 to 2003. That history was documented in the 2006 film, Who Killed the Electric Car?

“Because of the history, it’s crucial this time around that we get it right. Credible, objective information from manufacturers and media will be key, but the educational and marketing power of the plug-in vehicle community should not be underestimated,” said Chelsea Sexton, one of the key figures in the documentary. “Electric cars can be fast, comfortable, fun to drive and easy to recharge. PluginCars.com creates a channel for consumers to learn directly from experienced drivers as well as some of the most veteran voices in the industry.”

We hope that you’ll visit the site and become an active member of the community of plug-in drivers.

Take a look:

http://www.plugincars.com

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Blame for Gulf Coast Spill Begins at the Pump

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/blame-gulf-coast-spill-begins-pump-27877.html

If you’re mad about the spill, think about what you’re driving.

The devastating oil spill in the Gulf Coast will embolden green transportation advocates to push harder for change—from fuel-efficient cars to public transportation and bicycle use. But that change won’t happen until drivers make a fundamental connection between their oil use, oil spills, and other severe environmental and economic risks.

Electric-drive cars, especially those fueled by electricity instead of petroleum, could play a key role in reducing the need to drill. The good news is that electric cars and plug-in hybrids are finally coming to market, but they are trickling out while the spill in the Gulf gushes out. The current spill is not an isolated event. Between 2001 and 2007, there were 356 oil spills of varying degrees of seriousness on federal lands and waters alone.

We could get angry at Big Oil, or at negligent federal regulators, but consider this possibility: Nothing will change as long as the average driver—not just hybrid and EV owners—fails to connect the dots. That’s why author Lisa Margonelli’s clever idea is maybe about the best we can muster right now: “We should print the risks [of using oil] on every gasoline receipt, just as we label smoking’s risks on cigarette packs.”

Read on:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/blame-gulf-coast-spill-begins-pump-27877.html

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13 Key Questions and Answers about Nissan Leaf Battery Pack and Ordering

http://www.plugincars.com/13-key-questions-and-answers-about-nissan-leaf-battery-pack-and-ordering.html

Last week’s groundbreaking for Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. battery plant allowed us to do a deep dive with Mark Perry, Nissan’s director of product planning for the Nissan Leaf. The new facility will thrust Nissan and the State of Tennessee into the forefront of global manufacturing of electric cars and the lithium batteries that power them.

We compiled what we learned into a set of questions and answers. Check out these two, and visit PluginCars.com for the other 11.

Will the future generations of Nissan Leaf cars have battery packs with much longer range?

Nissan is anticipating an improvement in capacity at about 8 to 10 percent year over year. This improvement could be applied to greater range or reducing the cost. If customers indicate that they are satisfied with 100 miles range, then future battery packs may be smaller with fewer cells, and therefore cheaper.

Will Nissan allow selling or trading pre-sale reservations/registrations either locally or out-of-state?

People will be discouraged from selling their reservation spot. Trading reservations to interested customers out-of-state will be allowed. Nissan will fully inform customers outside the official first markets that they will be driving without the benefit of the charging stations installed in those initial markets in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. Therefore, those customers will need to be comfortable with relying exclusively on home charging. Service from Nissan dealers may also be an issue.

Read on:

http://www.plugincars.com/13-key-questions-and-answers-about-nissan-leaf-battery-pack-and-ordering.html

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Your Support
Check out the Hybrid Cars Store for hybrid accessories:

http://store.hybridcars.com

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Honda Boss: Next Insight Will Beat Prius MPG

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-boss-next-generation-insight-will-beat-prius-mpg-27839.html

Takanobu Ito, Honda’s president, said in April that the company has grown “complacent,” and specifically pointed to its poor performance with hybrids as a key sign of the problem. To correct the situation, Ito is pushing his engineers to have the next-generation Honda Insight beat the Toyota Prius’s fuel economy numbers—and to deliver it as soon as possible.

In concept, the Honda Insight was intended to compete as a more affordable alternative to Toyota Prius. But the price of the Insight, typically in the low $20,000s, is not that much cheaper than a Prius—and the fuel economy is considerably lower. The Prius gets 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway, compared with the Insight’s 40/43. The copycat shape of the Insight added to the negative comparison with the Toyota Prius, which has outsold the Insight by about 5 to 1.

In addition to trying to beat the mileage of the Prius, Ito wants to roll out a new two-motor hybrid technical design—one motor employed to increase engine power and another to solely charge the battery. The new system is also likely to switch to lithium ion batteries from the nickel metal hydride technology currently in use. Honda will apply its new hybrid approach to a minivan and in Acura models.

Honda’s new and improved hybrids are not expected until about 2012. Meanwhile, the company will introduce the Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe this summer.

Read more about the CR-Z and other Honda hybrids:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-boss-next-generation-insight-will-beat-prius-mpg-27839.html

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Hyundai Has Prius-Killer in the Works

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hyundai-has-prius-killer-works-27772.html

Honda is not the only company going after the Toyota Prius. “We are studying a dedicated Prius-fighter vehicle, meaning a hybrid-specific nameplate that isn’t based off a Sonata or a Santa Fe,” Miles Johnson, Hyundai’s product public relations manager, told HybridCars.com. “It’s its own thing.”

While Johnson did not confirm a specific production date, he placed the new hybrid-only model ahead of the Hyundai Blue Will plug-in hybrid concept. “We’ve also been studying plug-in hybrid technology, which is a bit farther out for us. But the near-term would be a Prius-sized vehicle,” Johnson said. “You can look at the dimensions of the Blue Will concept and see it would be a similar package and size to a Prius.”

We can look at the shape and design of the Blue Will—which employs Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” concept—for cues on the shape of a new Hyundai hybrid-only model. Johnson said the Blue Will was like “fluidic sculpture on steroids.” So, tone down all the flourishes and gadgetry to predict the design direction of a new ground-up Hyundai hybrid.

In terms of technology, a new Prius-like Hyundai likely will follow the direction of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, due for release in late 2010. That model uses Hyundai’s proprietary full hybrid system with lithium polymer batteries. Great pains were taken to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics in the Sonata Hybrid. An original platform should allow Hyundai to go even further. Moreover, Hyundai is emphasizing efficiency in highway driving instead of city driving.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hyundai-has-prius-killer-works-27772.html

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Despite Caveats, Prius Plug-in Hybrid Could Be Surprise Hit

http://www.plugincars.com/despite-caveats-prius-plug-hybrid-could-be-surprise-hit.html

Last month, we attended Toyota’s Sustainable Mobility Seminar in La Jolla, Calif.—where Toyota gave us all the reasons why today’s hybrids, rather than tomorrow’ plug-in hybrids, make the most sense. Then, we had a chance to drive one of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid test vehicles.

The Plug-in Prius, which will be tested for the next two years, is almost identical to the 2010 conventional Prius. Besides the addition of extra batteries and a plug, the differences are fairly trivial: air vents under the rear seats to help cool the additional batteries; no manual EV button because the computer takes care of shifting in and out of all-electric mode; and a small indicator lighter on the dash that goes off when the three-hour full charge from a 110-volt outlet is complete. Otherwise, in terms of its driving characteristics, creature comforts and style, it’s a Prius.

Based on our 18-mile test drive of the Prius Plug-in along the gorgeous La Jolla coast, Toyota could have a problem keeping up with demand when the vehicle goes on sale in 2012. Until the last mile of our route, when we put the car in power-performance mode, cranked the AC and floored the accelerator uphill, the car maxed out to 99.9 mpg. By the end of the trip, we tallied an average of 87.7 miles per gallon, with 12.6 percent of driving in EV mode. Our top EV speed was 62 mph, and the average speed—including a number of stops at long traffic lights—was 25 mph.

Our only gripe is that the dashboard designers didn’t move the decimal point over so we could see how far over 100 mpg typical driving would be.

Read the full article and watch the video:

http://www.plugincars.com/despite-caveats-prius-plug-hybrid-could-be-surprise-hit.html

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Ray LaHood: “People Want Out of Their Cars”

http://www.hybridcars.com/incentives-laws/ray-lahood-people-want-out-their-cars-27716.html

In March, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood surprised delegates at the National Bike Summit, when he jumped up on table and proclaimed that national policy would no longer “favor motorized transportation at the expense of nonmotorized.” It was a watershed—a direct statement from the US czar of transportation that fuel-efficient auto technologies, such as hybrids and electric cars, are only part of the solution.

“People want out of their cars, they want out of congestion, they want to live in livable neighborhoods and livable communities,” LaHood told the crowd.

Despite the federal support for electric-drive cars–$2.4 billion in grants and $25 billion in low-interest loans for retooling – it will take decade or more for hybrids and EVs to rise above their niche status. The greenest cars are still cars—which require tons of energy, produce lots of emissions, and erode the quality of life along increasingly congested roadways. And after all, bicycles are the only true zero emissions vehicles.

Mr. LaHood, the 64-year-old former Republican member of the US House of Representatives, outlined the new policy in his blog. He called on state and local governments to go beyond minimum planning and maintenance requirements to provide convenient and safe amenities for bikers and walkers. “Walking and biking should not be an afterthought in roadway design.” Transportation agencies are urged to take action on a number of fronts, including the creation of pathways for bike riders and pedestrians on bridges, and providing children with safe biking and walking routes to schools.”

In a follow-up tweet, LaHood wrote, “More cars on more roads may not be the best way to move people more effectively.” The response from the blogosphere was almost all positive. One enthusiastic commenter wrote on LaHood’s Facebook page, “Finally we have a Secretary of Transportation and not a Secretary of the Automobile.”

Check it out:

http://www.hybridcars.com/incentives-laws/ray-lahood-people-want-out-their-cars-27716.html

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WRAP-UP
Let’s recap and imagine what the road looks like in about two years: the 50-mpg Prius next to a 50-mpg Honda, next to a 50-mpg Hyundai, next to a 90-mpg Prius Plug-in Hybrid, next to the pure-electric Nissan Leaf, next to a Chevy Volt—with 64-year-old Secretary LaHood whizzing by in his bicycle. The times they are a-changin’.

Don’t forget to check out PluginCars.com. (In the coming months, we’ll spin off a plug-in specific newsletter.)

Thanks and Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 057 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 056

Brad Berman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:40:57 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0056 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Prius Runaway Story Raises Suspicion
Should Prius drivers be alarmed by the recent story of a man and his runaway Prius in San Diego. Or is he the latest balloon boy?

Toyota Confirms US Launch of Compact Lexus Hybrid
In recent weeks, Toyota officials confirmed that the Lexus CT 200h, a premium hybrid hatchback, and the RAV4 Hybrid are both coming soon.

VW Promises to Lead on Hybrids and Electric Cars
After years of arguing that clean diesel is a better efficiency strategy compared to hybrids, Volkswagen is aiming to “take the hybrid out of its niche status.” Audi plug-in hybrids and EVs are also on VW’s roadmap.

Geography, Oil and the Coda Electric Car
Fans of electric vehicles might celebrate Coda’s independent approach—but that’s being undermined by questions about the manufacturing origins of the Coda all-electric sedan.

Honda’s Hybrid Comeback: Hybrid Minivans and SUVs
Big is big again. Honda is developing a hybrid system suitable for larger cars such as the Odyssey minivan the Pilot sports utility vehicle.

BMW Moves Methodically Toward Electric Cars
BMW is developing the knowledge and capacity to deliver a small all-electric car by 2013. The company’s next test platform is the ActiveE, an all-electric version of the 1-series.

Report: GM Drops Cadillac Converj to Focus on Cheaper Plug-In Hybrids
General Motors stopped work on the Cadillac Converj, a sleek electric-drive coupe, to focus on cheaper plug-in hybrids for its luxury brand. What does that say about battery cost?

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Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,
Despite the media hysteria associated with new reports of Prius unintended acceleration, the auto industry is picking up the pace for production of future hybrids and electric-drive vehicles. We’ve been tracking the exciting and overwhelming number of product announcements. Shameless promotion: If you like the service we’ve been providing, please vote for HybridCars.com as the “Best Transportation Website” in TreeHugger’s “Best of Green” Awards:

http://www.treehugger.com/best-of-green/cars-transportation/index.php

FYI. You can vote once a day from now through April 2. Thanks!

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Prius Runaway Story Raises Suspicion

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/prius-runaway-story-raises-suspicion-27469.html

James Sikes, a 61-year-old San Diego-based real estate executive, made national news last week when he claimed that his 2008 Toyota Prius sped out of control on California’s Interstate 8. Sikes said, “I pushed the gas pedal to pass a car and it did something kind of funny…it jumped and it just stuck there.” Speaking at a news conference, Sikes said, “I was trying the brakes…it wasn’t stopping, it wasn’t doing anything and it just kept speeding up.” The story was picked up by major national media and ricocheted around the Internet.

According to Sikes, he was unable to shift into neutral, power down the car, or apply the parking brake—but he did manage to call 911. While Sikes was on the call, which lasted 23 minutes, a California Highway Patrol officer raced to the side of the speeding car. The patrolman used a loudspeaker to advise Sikes to apply the parking brake and foot brake simultaneously, and thereby successfully stopped the car. There are conflicting reports about whether or not Sikes tried to put the Prius into neutral during the early part of the incident.

James Sikes was identified in a 2006 newspaper story as a longtime lottery player who won $55,000 and auditioned to appear on a California Lottery TV game show. Another report indicates that Sikes filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008, and faced federal and state tax liens.

Toyota dispatched a field technical specialist to San Diego to investigate the report and offer assistance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also examined the Prius. So far, there’s no conclusive evidence of a technical problem with the vehicle. As the story rippled throughout the Internet, web readers repeatedly expressed doubts about the veracity of Sikes’s story.

Read the whole story, watch the video, and share your assessment:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/prius-runaway-story-raises-suspicion-27469.html

Also check out:
Hysteria Trumps Reason in Prius Acceleration Story

http://www.hybridcars.com/safety/hysteria-trumps-reason-prius-acceleration-story-27481.html

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Toyota Confirms US Launch of Compact Lexus Hybrid

http://www.hybridcars.com/vehicle/lexus-ct250h.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/toyota-confirms-rav4-hybrid-27338.html

Toyota officials confirmed that the Lexus CT 200h, a premium hybrid hatchback, is coming to the United States, according to a report in Automotive News. The CT 200h would be Lexus’s first compact car, and the first compact hybrid sold by Toyota in the U.S.

The car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, but until recently the company insisted that the compact hybrid would be sold only in Europe. According to Automotive News, Lexus executives pleaded with Japan to bring to the car to the U.S.—partly in hopes that the smaller Lexus would appeal to a younger demographic. “When the all-new Lexus CT 200h enters the market it will be the only hybrid vehicle in the emerging premium compact segment,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager.

The recipe for the CT 200h is to place a Prius-type hybrid system—featuring a 1.8-liter gas engine with variable valve timing, and energy storage with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack—into small relatively affordable premium compact car. While fuel economy numbers have not been announced, the CT 200h’s small size and aerodynamics should push its mileage ahead of the 50-mpg 2010 Toyota Prius, currently the highest rated car for mpg.

Toyota is not stopping there. A few weeks ago, UK’s Autocar website reported that Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motors Sales, confirmed development of a hybrid gas-electric version of the company’s RAV4 crossover SUV. Lentz added that Toyota’s 1.8-liter hybrid system will become the company’s “core powertrain.” The RAV4 Hybrid is due in spring 2012, but only the five-door model will get the hybrid option.

There are also rumors that the Toyota Auris Hybrid, a small hybrid hatchback built on the Scion xB platform, will head to the US.

Get the details:

http://www.hybridcars.com/vehicle/lexus-ct250h.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/toyota-confirms-rav4-hybrid-27338.html

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Your Support
Check out the Hybrid Cars Store for hybrid accessories:

http://store.hybridcars.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VW Promises to Lead on Hybrids and Electric Cars

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-promises-lead-hybrids-and-evs-27370.html

After years of arguing that clean diesel is a better efficiency strategy compared to hybrids, Volkswagen is switching gears. In a statement issued on the eve of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Martin Winterkorn, VW chairman of the board, said, “We will take the hybrid out of its niche status with our high-volume models. In the future, the heart of the brand will also beat with electricity.”

VW’s Electric-Drive Roll Out

* A hybrid Jetta will be offered in the US in 2012
* In August 2013, the Passat Hybrid will be introduced, followed by a Golf Hybrid two months later
* Starting in 2013, VW will begin rolling out pure electric cars, starting with the e-up! minicar, followed by an all-electric Golf, and other electric vehicles yet to be named
* VW’s luxury brand Audi will also launch hybrids, beginning with an Audi Q5 Hybrid in early 2011, and a limited introduction of the electric e-tron in 2012

The Volkswagen press release states: “Starting in 2013, the high-volume Golf and Jetta models of the Volkswagen brand are expected to dominate the hybrid and electric vehicle market.”

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-promises-lead-hybrids-and-evs-27370.html

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Geography, Oil and the Coda Electric Car

http://www.hybridcars.com/economics/geography-oil-and-coda-electric-car-27380.html

The Coda all-electric sedan, due late this year, is the underdog in the race for an affordable mass-market pure electric car. As a start-up, it doesn’t have the financial and marketing resources that Nissan and General Motors are putting behind the Leaf and Volt. Unlike Tesla and Fisker, Coda hasn’t received big government loans. So, Coda is playing the role of a small, smart and scrappy start-up electric car company, using every means possible to bring a practical, petroleum-free car to the United States.

Fans of electric vehicles, and supporters of good old-fashioned American entrepreneurialism, might celebrate Coda’s rugged and independent approach—but that’s being undermined by questions about the manufacturing origins of the Coda sedan. Critics say the car is manufactured in China, so it’s a Chinese car. Full stop. Forget for a moment that nearly every manufactured good we use today comes from China. An analysis of the nationality of the Coda is complex—considering the global nature of the automotive industry.

Where does the Code really come from? Connect the dots:

* The car is adapted from a gas-powered car from Chinese state-owned Hafei Motor Co. The chassis of that car was licensed from Japan’s Mitsubishi.
* The Coda visual design comes from Pininfarina, the legendary Italian sports car designer. Coda’s U.S. engineers put in more changes to meet U.S. performance and safety specs. Other design aspects came from global automakers, such as Porsche.
* About 40 percent of the components in the car, when measured by monetary value, come from U.S. manufacturers, such as Borg Warner.
* The battery inside Coda’s sedan comes from a joint venture owned by Coda and China’s Tianjin Lishen Battery Co. The electronics for thermal and battery management of the pack were designed and will be produced in the U.S. and shipped to Asia.
* The car will be built on assembly lines in China, with Coda engineers remaining full-time on the manufacturing floor to oversee production.

Read about the balancing act between U.S. Jobs and U.S. Oil Independence:

http://www.hybridcars.com/economics/geography-oil-and-coda-electric-car-27380.html

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Honda’s Hybrid Comeback: Hybrid Minivans and SUVs

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-hybrid-comeback-hybrid-minivans-and-suvs-27277.html

Honda unveiled a sleeker, more stylish Odyssey minivan concept at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show in February. New design elements could appear in the 2011 Odyssey. Within three years, Honda could produce a hybrid gas-electric version of the minivan.

Honda is developing a hybrid system suitable for larger cars such as the Odyssey minivan the Pilot sports utility vehicle. Tomohiko Kawanabe, Honda’s chief operating officer for automobile research and development, today told Reuters, “We’ve left the research stage and entered the field of development.” Kawanabe said these vehicles could hit the U.S. market in about three years.

Honda took an early lead in hybrid development about a decade ago, but has fallen behind Toyota and Ford in the race for appealing, fuel-efficient, gas-electric vehicles. Honda has been advocating a two-part efficiency strategy: diesel vehicles for larger vehicles and hybrids for cars. However, it appears that the company might be flipping that strategy by producing larger hybrids for the U.S. market and diesels with smaller engines for Europe and Asia.

The prospect of a full range of Honda hybrids, especially a Honda hybrid minivan, is expected to be well-received by hybrid fans. Toyota’s recent quality problems could create an opportunity for Honda to become competitive with hybrids. If Honda can succeed, a new level playing field for hybrids could emerge, with Toyota, Ford, Honda, General Motors and Nissan going head-to-head with electric-drive vehicles.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-hybrid-comeback-hybrid-minivans-and-suvs-27277.html

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BMW Moves Methodically Toward Electric Cars

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bmw-moves-methodically-toward-electric-cars-27323.html

One step at a time—slowly but surely—BMW is developing the knowledge and capacity to deliver a small all-electric car by 2013. In 2009, the company began leasing an electric two-passenger version of the Mini Cooper to about 600 drivers in California, New York, and New Jersey. That program was designed to help BMW learn about real-world driving and charging experiences.

Beginning in 2011, a similar number of drivers will lease BMW’s next electric test vehicle, the four-passenger ActiveE—essentially an electric-drive version of the BMW 1-series. The ActiveE will allow the company to further refine the requirements for a line of large-volume future electric cars, as part of its “Megacity” project. That name, the current working title for its 2013 small electric car, is based on the idea of targeting urban commuters in, well, megacities. Although the ActiveE will cleverly package the power electronics to allow for a decent sized trunk, the Megacity is expected to be a four-seat, three-door hatchback—similar in size to a Honda Fit.

The ActiveE puts out 125 kilowatts (170 horsepower), a similar amount of power as found on other 1-series Bimmers. The ActiveE’s 32-kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack is slightly smaller than the Mini E’s. All of the vehicles apparently are targeting about 100 miles of range on a single charge—although aggressive driving and cold weather conditions have reduced the Mini E’s range by 20 or 30 miles according to multiple reports from drivers.

BMW appears to be very serious and specific about its electric car program. For example, the company yesterday announced it will use its plant in Lepzig to produce the electric vehicles. The inside story is that BMW executives believe that zero-emission electric cars, and fuel cells for that matter, are a must—that is, if the company is going to meet stricter guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the world’s major global auto markets.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bmw-moves-methodically-toward-electric-cars-27323.html

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Report: GM Drops Cadillac Converj to Focus on Cheaper Plug-In Hybrids

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/report-gm-drops-cadillac-converj-focus-cheaper-plug-hybrids-27366.html

Bloomberg is reporting that General Motors stopped work on the Cadillac Converj, a sleek electric-drive coupe, to focus on cheaper plug-in hybrids for its luxury brand. The report is based on comments from two GM executives who asked not to be identified because the details aren’t public.

The decision, if verified by GM, represents an acknowledgement of the high cost of producing plug-in hybrids that run for long distances without using any gasoline—rather than the type of plug-in hybrids that can use smaller and therefore less expensive battery packs. The Cadillac Converj was intended to follow the design of the Chevy Volt—referred to as an extended-range electric vehicle or plug-in series hybrid—which runs up to 40 miles before the gas engine is used to maintain the vehicle’s range.

Cost is a major factor. GM has insisted that 40 miles of range, without using a single drop of gasoline, is critical. However, Toyota plans to offer a plug-in version of the Prius with about 13 miles of all-electric range, and Ford’s Escape Plug-in Hybrid will provide around 30 electric miles—with both vehicles expected to put the internal combustion engine to some use throughout the drive cycle, if it means overall greater efficiency. This approach is sometimes called a “blended” strategy. GM’s own plug-in hybrid SUV in the works is reportedly aiming for approximately 10 miles of electric-only range.

“The future lies in plug-in hybrids with smaller electric range,” Eric Noble, president of CarLab, an Orange, California-based automotive consultant, told Bloomberg. Dropping the Converj is “a tacit admission from GM that they over-batteried the Volt.”

Additional info:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/report-gm-drops-cadillac-converj-focus-cheaper-plug-hybrids-27366.html

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WRAP-UP
Add up all these stories and you get a pretty impressive array of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs in the coming years. Bring it on!

Don’t forget to vote for HybridCars.com as the “Best Transportation Website” in TreeHugger’s “Best of Green” Awards:

http://www.treehugger.com/best-of-green/cars-transportation/index.php

Thanks and Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 056 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 055

Brad Berman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:31:48 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0055 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Sorting Out Hybrid Brake Issue: Safety Issue or a Different Feel?
Did media coverage of Toyota’s safety issues blur the lines between a potentially fatal problem with the accelerator pedals and the hybrid braking issues that largely may be based on perception?

Prius Owners Mostly Unfazed by Recall
Most industry observers believe the recall will have little impact on sales of the Toyota Prius and other hybrids.

GM: “We’re Forced to Make Hybrids.” But Which Ones?
Last week, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz repeated his long-held opinion that hybrid gas-electric cars have a limited market and will not be profitable for the company. Yet, GM is planning more hybrids. What gives?

Where Are the High-MPG Small Hybrids?
The original two-seat Honda Insight delivered 70 mpg in real-world mileage for many of its drivers. Where is the next generation of small high-mpg hybrids?

BMW Plug-in Hybrid Sports Car Coming in 2013
BMW’s 356-horsepower, plug-in hybrid 2+2 concept sports car is headed for production in 2013. That’s more proof that some of the world’s fastest, most exotic, and most expensive sports vehicles will utilize some form of efficient electric-drive technology.

Will EV Rapid Chargers Kill the Gas Station?
Rapid chargers for electric cars will allow electric car drivers to roll up, fill up, and drive off almost as fast as they do today in gas-powered cars. John Aker, president and CTO of Aker Wade, explains.

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Your Support
Check out the new Hybrid Cars Store, for the web’s best prices, selection and service on hybrid accessories and other goodies.

http://store.hybridcars.com

Thanks for your support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,
The global recall of the 2010 model of the Toyota Prius may be the biggest test yet of the longevity of electric-drive vehicles. The media frenzy made it difficult to figure out if Prius brake problems are a minor software issue—or a serious safety threat. There’s no doubt that the Toyota brand has been damaged, and that hybrid technology is being questioned like never before. But as the days pass, it appears that hybrid and electric cars may have only suffered a temporary setback. Read on, and judge for yourself.

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Sorting Out Hybrid Brake Issue: Safety Issue or a Different Feel?

http://www.hybridcars.com/safety.html

After several days of speculation, Toyota issued a recall of the 2010 model year Priuses as well as the Lexus HS250h luxury hybrid. Only the 2010 model year vehicles are involved because previous generations had different brake system software. The repair, which involves loading new anti-lock brake software onto the car, takes about 30 minutes to perform.

Toyota says the 2010 Prius is completely safe. If the brakes feel unusual, keep pressing firmly on the brake pedal. Don’t pump brakes. Instead, keep the pedal firmly pressed down.

Coming at the heels of Toyota’s problems with sticking accelerator pedals, news of the braking problems on the 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h hybrid raised legitimate concerns among hybrid owners. Yet, media coverage of Toyota’s safety issues may have commingled coverage of a potentially fatal problem with the accelerator pedals—resulting in a massive recall of 4.5 million Toyota vehicles—with hybrid braking issues that largely may be based on perception.

Toyota doesn’t believe there are any “defects” and any problems related to the driving experience will easily be fixed by the software patch. That’s exactly the position taken by Ford to some customer complaints about braking in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. “While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes,” said Ford. “There have been no injuries related to this condition.” Toyota informed HybridCars.com that “there is no loss of braking control.”

Aaron Bragman, an automotive analyst at HIS Global Insight, told The Wall Street Journal that some drivers are unfamiliar with the idea that hybrids drive slightly differently. “The brakes are different and the regenerative system is different. It’s a learning curve when you’re driving a hybrid.”

Regenerative braking is a key function of hybrid cars—as well as the plug-in hybrids and electric cars expected in the coming years. These systems have been put to use in hybrids since 1997 in Japan, and since 2000 in the United States. There are nearly 2 million hybrids in use in the United States.

See all our coverage of hybrid safety issues:

http://www.hybridcars.com/safety.html

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Prius Owners Mostly Unfazed by Recall

http://www.hybridcars.com/safety/prius-owners-mostly-unfazed-recall-26622.html

On the first day or the announced recall of Toyota Priuses, the reaction from hybrid owners was remarkably muted. Media reports from around the country reveal that few Prius drivers seem overly concerned about a potential problem with uneven braking. The calm reaction could be explained by the devotion of Prius drivers to their hybrids—or to the Toyota brand—or by the fact that Toyota’s much larger and potentially dangerous recall involving unintended acceleration makes the Prius problem seem minor. Or is the public growing weary of the Toyota recall story?

Here’s a sampling of responses:

Cleveland.com: “Auto industry experts say the brake issue probably won’t have much of an impact on Prius sales. Hybrid owners adore their cars and are far more forgiving than other Toyota buyers.”

CNet.com: “So am I losing sleep over my Prius? So far, no. Toyota made technical mistakes and apparently fumbled in acting on the problem. But I don’t think I’ve encountered this specific problem, even over potholed roads.”

Jacksonville.com: “Toyota’s announcement Tuesday about recalling the 2010 Prius to update computer software for its brake system didn’t bring a wave of calls to Jacksonville dealerships like Toyota’s earlier recall of eight models for potentially faulty gas pedals.”

Edmunds.com: “Most Prius shoppers aren’t looking for anything else and are likely to be willing to wait until they feel the problem has been fixed rather than going to another hybrid.”

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/safety/prius-owners-mostly-unfazed-recall-26622.html

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GM: “We’re Forced to Make Hybrids.” But Which Ones?

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-forced-make-hybrids-which-ones-27259.html

Last week, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz repeated his long-held opinion that hybrid gas-electric cars have a limited market and will not be profitable for the company. Yet, he believes GM will be forced to make more hybrids because of tougher fuel efficiency regulations. This begs the question: What hybrids should we expect from GM?

According to Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics, GM’s two-mode system will be migrating down to rear-drive sedans—the Cadillac ATS and CTS. The ATS, a luxury compact sometime referred to as a “baby Caddy,” is expected to go on sale in the US next year. Hall expects that the next-generation CTS, scheduled for 2012, eventually will offer the next-generation hybrid system. Hall’s viewpoint is supported by GM’s announcement last month that it will set up a $246 million facility to build electric motors to power future hybrids. GM said that the newly designed electric motors would appear in 2013.

“In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman, global product operations.

If cost is the worry about hybrids, then GM might try to produce less expensive mild hybrids. That’s what the company has been hinting at for about two years. In 2008, former GM CEO Rick Wagoner promised big: “We plan to roll out this next-generation hybrid technology globally, across our brands and regions, starting in 2010 in North America, and we expect that volumes will eventually exceed 100,000 units annually.” (In 2009, GM sold about 16,000 hybrids.)

Last year, at the SAE 2009 World Congress, Larry Nitz, GM’s executive director of hybrid powertrains, said the company will offer mild hybrids with power roughly equivalent to the 2010 Honda Insight. Nitz, once again, emphasized that the mild hybrid system is a strategy for making hybrids cost-effective.

Add it up: In the course of a couple of years, GM could be producing mild hybrids in decent numbers, full hybrids in small numbers, and a few standout electric-drive vehicles, most notably the Chevy Volt.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-forced-make-hybrids-which-ones-27259.html

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Where Are the High-MPG Small Hybrids?

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/where-are-high-mpg-small-hybrids-27248.html

It was once thought that the great promise of gas-electric hybrids was to offer new levels of fuel efficiency. In other words, adding even a modest battery pack and motor to a compact or subcompact car could boost the fuel efficiency of a small car from the mid-30-mpg range into the 40- or 50-mpg range. The original two-seat Honda Insight delivered 70 mpg in real-world mileage for many of its drivers. Where is the next generation of small high-mpg hybrids?

Honda Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo recently told Bloomberg that the 2010 Honda Insight might have compromised too much size in the name of efficiency. The company will soon introduce another small hybrid, the two-seat Honda CR-Z, followed by a gas-electric version of the Honda Fit. “There are plenty of people who think that the current Fit meets their needs already” with its fuel efficiency, Kondo said. “A hybrid version might seem expensive. Our engineers are really struggling.”

Toyota is showing off its Toyota FT-CH—the CH stands for compact hybrid—on this year’s auto show circuit. The company has also hinted at a smaller version of the Prius, and plans to unveil the Lexus CT 200h, a premium compact hybrid, at the upcoming Geneva auto show. If Toyota delivers on its promise of more hybrids throughout its entire lineup, at some point it will need to get small. Hybrids haven’t been big sellers in Europe, but perhaps the small hybrid format is better suited to European drivers. The CT 200h apparently will only be available in Europe, to take on the Audi A1.

Other automakers have been thinking about future small hybrids, including Volkswagen, which showed it New Compact Coupe concept at last month’s Detroit auto show. The NCC mates a hybrid powertrain to its direct-injection gasoline engine to yield around 45 mpg. Upcoming electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus Electric, are also compacts.

As long as gas prices are low, the numbers are tricky and the concepts are remaining in research and development labs. Yet, if and when gas prices take a jump, the move to small hybrids that can get 50 or 60 mpg could happen quite quickly.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/where-are-high-mpg-small-hybrids-27248.html

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BMW Plug-in Hybrid Sports Car Coming in 2013

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bmw-plug-hybrid-sports-car-coming-2013-26567.html

A senior BMW executive told Edmunds.com that its 356-horsepower, plug-in hybrid 2+2 concept sports car is headed for production in 2013. Only time will tell if the comment is backed by a real commitment from BMW. Regardless, the vehicle follows an emerging trend that some of the world’s fastest, most exotic, and most expensive sports vehicles will utilize some form of efficient electric-drive technology. It also, once again, shatters the image of a hybrid as slow and dorky.

“It’s the sports car of the future, the way BMW imagines it.” That’s how Adrian van Hooydonk, director of BMW’s group design, described the “BMW Vision EfficientDynamics” two-door vehicle that was unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. BMW’s overarching goal was to combine breathtaking speed and groundbreaking efficiency. In the BMW Vision, that boils down to 4.8-second 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration and 63 miles to the gallon.

First, BMW engineers combine a turbocharged three-cylinder diesel engine and the mildest forms of hybrid technology and drive both through the rear axle. Then they add a second motor to drive the front wheels exclusively by electricity. When both are called into service, the overall system can put out 356 horsepower. The car’s slippery design boasts a drag coefficient of 0.22—beating out the Toyota Prius’s 0.25. With great aerodynamics and a lightweight polycarbonate glass skin, the Vision’s 10.8 kWh battery provides enough grid-supplied energy storage to travel 30 miles purely on electricity.

BMW executive said volume could be between 5,000 and 10,000 units. No word yet on price, but if you have to ask, it’s too expensive.

Check it out:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/bmw-plug-hybrid-sports-car-coming-2013-26567.html

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Will EV Rapid Chargers Kill the Gas Station?

http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/will-ev-rapid-chargers-kill-gas-station-26527.html

Think, the electric car producer, announced last month at the Washington Auto Show that it is partnering with AeroVironment to commercialize rapid chargers. This could mean charging an electric car to about 80 percent capacity in 15 minutes. Richard Canny, Think’s CEO, called the move to so-called Level III rapid charging “a major leap forward for electric vehicles.”

Weeks earlier, Aker Wade Power Technologies and Coulomb Technologies announced an agreement to develop public charging stations capable of charging an electric vehicle in 30 minutes or less. Allowing electric car drivers to fully recharge in minutes rather than hours could alleviate “range anxiety”—the concern that a pure electric car could run out of energy and its driver could be stranded for hours until the vehicle is adequately recharged.

HybridCars.com caught up with John Aker, president and CTO of Aker Wade, to learn about the vision of EV rapid charging.

HybridCars.com: Is Level III rapid charging a pipe dream?

John Aker: No. Level III is here and it’s here right now. It’s being done on the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in Japan. There are about 30 or 40 chargers distributed around Tokyo that have taken the range anxiety from the users of EVs, because they know they can fill up quickly if they need to.

HC: How fast can they charge up?

Aker: Today it will take 20 to 30 minutes to fill the battery with a Level III system. In five to 10 years, we’ll see that drop to 10 to 15 minutes. This will be helpful in situations where people need to fill up quickly and be on their way such as a highway rest stop or a gas station.

HC: You’re talking about decades into the future, but what are the steps along the way?

Aker: Today, with gas at about $3 a gallon, it’s cheap. You’re going to get early adopters [of electric cars] now. But you have a billion Chinese and a billion Indians that want to drive cars. And the Chinese standard of living is going up. They are now a bigger market for cars than we are. Within the next five to 10 years, they’re going to have a bigger fleet than we do. The price of petroleum is going to shoot through the roof. As the prices go up, it’s going to make electric cars more and more attractive.

In the meantime, electric [transportation] is going to gain a foothold and incrementally move up. Early adopter and fleets are going to step in and volumes will grow. You’re going to see a crossover point about 2025. You’re going to see more EVs than internal combustion engine cars. By 2040 or 2050, we’ll look at the internal combustion engine as you and I look at the Model T. It’s cute. It makes noises. It’s fun to drive around the parking lot. But hey, I got this really cool fast EV.

Read the entire interview:

http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/will-ev-rapid-chargers-kill-gas-station-26527.html

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WRAP-UP

There you have it. Both the peril and promise of the bold new automotive landscape. The plot will only get thicker from here. And we’ll be here to tell the story.
Happy Driving,

Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 055 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 054

Brad Berman — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:40:31 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0054 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]

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IN THIS ISSUE:
2009 Was Breakthrough Year for Global Hybrid Car Sales
You would have never guessed it, but last year might go down in history as a breakthrough year for hybrids.

Hybrid Car Horse Race Heats Up for 2010
Every global carmaker is cranking up its R&D departments and turning up its marketing efforts to promote their place in the hotter-than-ever hybrid race.

2010 Detroit Auto Show: Electric Drive Is Here to Stay
The year’s North American International Auto Show puts to rest any questions whether electricity will be integral to the vehicle powertrains of tomorrow.

The Persistent and Elusive Dream of a Diesel Hybrid
The idea of combining a diesel engine and a hybrid powertrain has been on the drawing boards for many years. In 2010, it’s diesel-hybrid-déjà vu all over again.

GM Unveils Chevy Volt Smartphone Application
In one more sign that plug-in cars and information networks are merging, General Motors unveiled a downloadable smartphone app for remotely controlling and monitoring vehicle charging and other functions.

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Your Support
Check out the new Hybrid Cars Store, for the web’s best prices, selection and service on hybrid accessories and other goodies.

http://store.hybridcars.com

Thanks for your support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,
When consumers were hit with the big gas price spike of 2008, most global automakers were caught off guard. That spike past $4 a gallon helped contribute to the economic crisis, which decimated automobile sales in the United States for the past year and a half. As we slowly crawl back to better economic ground—and the economic engine, especially in developing countries, picks up speed—the price of oil is expected to rise. Yet, the next price spike at the pumps could be very different. That’s for one reason: There will be a vast array of choices of electric-drive vehicles that use a lot less fuel, like a conventional hybrid, to pure electric cars those that don’t use any at all. This issue of our newsletter chronicles how close we’re getting to this new automotive reality. Enjoy.

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2009 Was Breakthrough Year for Global Hybrid Car Sales

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2009-was-breakthrough-year-global-hybrid-car-sales-26419.html

Last year was the worst for auto sales in decades, but might be recorded in history as the breakthrough year for gas-electric hybrids and other small efficient cars. Connect these dots from global sales stats.

Prius Was No. 1 Seller in Japan
The Toyota Prius was Japan’s top-selling automobile last year for the first time since its debut in 1997. The Prius took the number one sales slot in May, and never let go—posting a total of 208,876 units in Japan in 2009. That represents 5.3 percent of the Japan’s new passenger car sales. The Honda Insight came in fifth with 93,283 units. Strong hybrid sales in Japan revealed how the right vehicles, combined with effective government incentives, can effectively push consumers toward efficient automobiles.

Hybrids Gained Market Share in U.S.
Hybrid sales in the U.S. comprised 2.8 percent of the new vehicle market, its highest market share ever. In July, hybrids peaked at 3.6 percent of the market, boosted by the “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program. The total number of hybrids sold declined 7.5 percent from last year, but the overall market fell by 20 percent. Hybrids are expected to make a gain of one or two percentage points in 2010, when the overall market bounces back. In a sign of what may come, hybrid sales in December 2009 rose by 42 percent compared to the previous year. Ford’s annual hybrid sales were up 72 percent from 2008.

Fuel-Efficient Ford Models Topped Charts in the UK
The Ford Fiesta took over the top sales position in the UK from the Ford Focus and the pair retained first and second in the sales charts through the end of the year. Ford sold 117,296 Fiestas during the years. The Econetic version of the Fiesta manages better than 60 miles per gallon. The Ford Fiesta will make its US debut in mid-2010. The Focus, the second-best selling car in the UK, will get a stop-start system—a mild form of hybrid—next year, boosting its mileage beyond 60 mpg.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2009-was-breakthrough-year-global-hybrid-car-sales-26419.html

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Hybrid Car Horse Race Heats Up in 2010

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-car-horserace-heats-2010-26481.html

Although hybrid cars currently account for less than 3 percent of auto sales, major car companies are fighting for position to become leaders in gas-electric technology. Every day brings more news that auto executives see electric-drive cars as the key to future prosperity.

Toyota, the current leader by a wide margin, is planning to double its hybrid production by next year—mostly by adding about 10 new models. Reports this month indicate that the company expects to have the capacity to sell 1 million hybrids every year, as early as 2011. On Tuesday, Toyota announced that it will guarantee a flow of lithium—the key to the next generation of advanced auto batteries—by taking a 25 percent stake in an Argentina-based lithium production project. (Of course, the company has bigger problems these days than lithium supply.)

Honda, once neck-and-neck with Toyota in hybrid technology, has experienced one blunder after the next in its hybrid marketing efforts. But it’s not giving up. Honda CEO Takanobu Ito, speaking at the Detroit auto show, said that he wants “to develop and expand our hybrids.” He challenged his research and development staff to produce a hybrid that beats the Toyota Prius in fuel economy.

On a happier note, Ford is on the rise. The Ford Fusion Hybrid received the North American Car of the Year Award. In 2009, Ford bypassed Honda to become the second largest seller of hybrids in the United States. Sales of the Fusion/Milan and the Escape SUV hybrid approached 32,000—eclipsing Honda, although still one-sixth that of Toyota’s U.S. hybrid sales. Moreover, Ford is on track to introduce an all-electric car, the Ford Focus EV, in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid version of the Escape Hybrid.

Meanwhile, the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid and all-electric Nissan Leaf are waiting in the wings—for limited introduction later this year. Critics warn that market adoption of plug-in cars with large, expensive lithium ion batteries will take time, while conventional hybrids have proven themselves. Yet, it’s not a question of either a hybrid or an electric car. Both are expected to gain a foothold in the marketplace, as every global carmaker cranks up its R&D departments —and its marketing efforts – to promote their place in the hotter-than-ever hybrid race.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrid-car-horserace-heats-2010-26481.html

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2010 Detroit Auto Show: Electric Drive Is Here to Stay

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2010-detroit-auto-show-electric-drive-here-stay-26426.html

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit puts to rest once and for all any questions about whether electricity will be integral to the vehicle powertrains of tomorrow. A sampling of this year’s Detroit announcements reveals different directions depending on whose electric navigation screen you’re viewing at any given moment.

* General Motors continued the drumbeat for the Chevy Volt, while announcing that it had built its first lithium ion battery pack at a special battery assembly plant near Detroit.
* The Ford Fusion Hybrid won the 2010 Car of the Year award. Ford also reiterated its plans for a battery-powered Focus, which in its new gasoline engine guise was Ford’s top-billed new product at the show.
* What really underscores the industry’s unanimity on electrification is Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupe concept, which mates a hybrid powertrain to its TSI gasoline engine. The vehicle is a veritable showcase of advanced technology, with a hybrid system backed by a lithium battery and a turbocharged, direct-injection engine backed by a 7-speed direct-shift gearbox. The NCC concept promises 45 mpg.
* BMW is taking the next steps in its electrification plan. The Active E will be an all-electric version of the BMW 1 Series and is destined for a limited test market next year.
* The Nissan Leaf, the only car that Nissan brought to Detroit, helped anchor the show’s “Electric Avenue,” a collection of electric-drive hopefuls situated along a back wall of Cobo Hall.
* Harking back to the CRX pocket rocket, the new, two-seat Honda CR-Z hybrid promises a big dose of zip along with hybrid electric drive zap. Slated for launch this summer, the CR-Z uses Honda’s proven hybrid technology, applying its IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system plus a 1.5-liter iVTEC engine.
* Toyota’s news was the FT-CH hybrid concept car. A “don’t touch me yet” mock-up lit up the stage, sketchy on details except it will be 22 inches shorter than the Prius. The CH in the name stands for Compact Hybrid, and Toyota is targeting the car for a lower price to appeal to a younger, less-affluent but city-hip demographic.

More info:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/2010-detroit-auto-show-electric-drive-here-stay-26426.html

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The Persistent and Elusive Dream of a Diesel Hybrid

http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/persistent-and-elusive-dream-diesel-hybrid-26410.html

The idea of combining a diesel engine with a hybrid powertrain has been on many drawing boards for many years. The Clinton Administration’s fuel efficiency research programs program of the 1990s produced a trio of 80-mpg diesel hybrids. None went into production. Peugeot has been showing a diesel-hybrid concept for years. GM unveiled a 60-mpg diesel-hybrid Opel Astra concept about five years ago. Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes all were talking about diesel hybrids in early 2008. And buzz about a 70-mpg VW Diesel-Hybrid Golf spread across the blogosphere, also in 2008, with rumors that Volkswagen would deliver one “as early as 2009.”

Here we are in 2010, and it’s diesel-hybrid-déjà vu all over again. Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has confirmed suggestions from last summer that Mercedes will launch the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300 Hybrid using a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine with twin turbochargers, in late 2011 (probably only for the European market). The lithium ion battery and electric motor in the E300 would be similar to those used in the $89,000 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, which went on sale late last year. Add a diesel engine to that vehicle and expect a price tag close to $100,000.

According to Autocar, a UK-based auto website, engineers at GM Europe are also “studying the feasibility of integrating the company’s existing hybrid components—motor-generators, batteries and control electronics—with diesel engines.” The GM engineers are even reported to be considering a diesel version of the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. The prospect of a diesel plug-in hybrid—even better if running on biodiesel—could mean operating a car almost entirely on electricity, and using biofuel to extend its range. That would be the holy grail of long range and zero petroleum. Unfortunately, the cost of a large lithium ion battery pack, electric motors and a diesel engine is likely to keep this idea in research labs for many years. Green car fans shouldn’t get their hopes up again.

http://www.hybridcars.com/types-systems/persistent-and-elusive-dream-diesel-hybrid-26410.html

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GM Unveils Chevy Volt Smartphone Application

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-unveils-chevy-volt-smartphone-application-26402.html

In one more sign that plug-in cars and information networks are merging, General Motors unveiled a downloadable application that will let Chevy Volt drivers use a Blackberry, iPhone or Motorola Droid to remotely control and monitor vehicle charging and other functions. GM demonstrated the mobile application at the glitzy International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The driver will be able to use the phone for various functions, including:

* Scheduling or initiating charging, and displaying charge status and level
* Getting status reports, such as how much electric driving range is available
* Warming up or cooling the vehicle before getting in
* Sending text messages to remind drivers to plug in their vehicles
* Showing miles per gallon, EV miles and miles driven for last trip and lifetime

Drivers also will be able to view and manage vehicle systems and commands from the vehicle, the Internet or through a monthly OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail.
Similar smart phone applications, and remote charging controls, are expected from Nissan for its all-electric Nissan Leaf, and from Toyota for the plug-in version of the Toyota Prius. In August 2009, Ford introduced an “intelligent” system for drivers to manage charging of its planned electric and plug-in hybrid cars. That system is being installed in 20 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid demo vehicles.

Check it out:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/gm-unveils-chevy-volt-smartphone-application-26402.html

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WRAP-UP
Conventional hybrids. Diesel hybrids. Plug-in hybrids. Pure electric cars. The pace of change is accelerating. We’ll be here to capture the changes.

Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 054 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 053

Brad Berman — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:20:34 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0053 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IN THIS ISSUE:

Three News Flashes:
Chevy Volt is headed to California first. Hyundai has the most efficient fleet. German hybrids arrive with big engines and big price tags.

Top 7 Aftermarket MPG-Boosting Prius Accessories
The recent annual SEMA show, the ultimate pimp-your-ride Las Vegas extravaganza, got us thinking about what aftermarket products make sense for our mild-mannered hybrids.

The Tale of Three Detroit Electric Car Programs
Chrysler is killing its dedicated electric car program. General Motors is moving forward with its sleek electric-drive Caddy. What do these tell us about Detroit’s prospects in the bold new era of EVs and plug-in hybrids?

Nissan Leaf Updates
The national tour for the all-electric Nissan Leaf continues to make its way across the country. We were able to see the five-seat, 100-mile-range car and confirm a few key points.

Can Coal-Powered Cars Be Clean?
Skeptics of plug-in cars point out that swapping oil-based gasoline for coal-based electricity just moves pollution around, without reducing it much if at all. They are only half-right.

Aptera’s Uncertain Future, Foretold by Buckminster Fuller
Does the futuristic Aptera three-wheeled vehicle have a chance to succeed in the real-world market? Or is it destined to become another futuristic, but entirely impractical vehicle?

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Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,
Evolution or revolution? Which will move the needle more for cars that have less impact on the environment? Many would argue that hybrid gas-electric cars like the Toyota Prius still use gasoline and are therefore more evolutionary than revolutionary. Yet, hybrids have not yet broken past about 3 percent of the market. Meanwhile, pure electric cars that never use a drop of gasoline might be considered revolutionary. How long will it take for pure electric cars to become as popular as today’s hybrids? And what will the transition mean for global car companies and for the environment? These questions provide the context for evaluating the flood of news stories about electric drive vehicles, which we examine in this issue of our newsletter. Enjoy.

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Volt in California, Hyundai’s Fleet, German Hybrids
First Flash: GM unveiled the production version of the Chevy Volt at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The company confirmed that the plug-in hybrid—with an anticipated 40 miles of all-electric range—would first be offered in California. That means limited availability in many parts of the country for the next couple of years. Why would GM limit the distribution of its star green car?

The answer came from Bob Lutz, GM’s vice chairman. He said that most Americans would not be willing to spend the premium of thousands of dollars for an electric car, and said the total market for plug-in vehicles by 2015 would be about 3 percent of auto sales.

Second Flash: Instead of aiming for one super-green car with ground-breaking mpg, Hyundai has managed to nudge up the average mpg of its entire fleet. In fact, the Korean automaker now is the most fuel-efficient automaker in America. That’s according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest annual fuel economy report. In lab tests to determine combined city-highway fuel economy of cars and trucks, Hyundai’s fleet achieved 30.1 miles per gallon. The runner-up carmakers in the EPA’s 2009 list of top five fuel-efficient carmakers are Honda (29.7 mpg), Volkswagen (29.6 mpg), Toyota (29.4 mpg), and Kia (28.0 mpg.)

Third Flash: Ten years after the first hybrids hit US roads, BMW and Mercedes both announced pricing for their first gas-electric hybrids arriving in showrooms this month. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will sell for $89,725. The Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid will only be offered on a lease of $659 a month for 36 months, or $549 a month for 60 months. And the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7, billed as the most powerful hybrid sedan, will be priced from $103,125. It screams onto roads next spring.

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Top 7 Aftermarket MPG-Boosting Prius Accessories

http://www.hybridcars.com/decision-process/top-7-aftermarket-mpg-boosting-prius-accessories-26229.html

The annual SEMA show, the ultimate pimp-your-ride Las Vegas extravaganza, wrapped up last month. The crazy body mods, garish oversized wheels, onboard big-screen TVs, and high-horsepower antics got us thinking about what aftermarket products make sense for our mild-mannered hybrids.

As you might expect, boosting mileage is the name of the game. But looking a bit cooler, and easier access to your iPod, are not out of the question. We compiled seven nominees for the top hybrid accessories—some of which were slammed as useless by our readers. Two that were better received:

EV Button – $69
The Prius “Electric-Only Mode” option package is available for second generation Priuses, from 2004 to 2009. (The 2010 model comes standard with the EV button.) This replica of the OEM option—which was a de facto feature of Priuses in Japan but was disabled in North America—can be installed in minutes. Activating the EV mode via the button will put older models into gas-free EV mode for small stretches. The overall boost in mileage is modest, but it gives you a sweet taste of things to come from plug-in hybrids.

Kiwi Diagnostics Game – $289
If information is power, then the Kiwi is omnipotent for a hybrid. The Kiwi device plugs right into your existing onboard diagnostic port near your steering column in a matter of seconds. Once installed, the Kiwi works like a game—rewarding you for sensible driving and observing the speed limit, and penalizing you (and your mileage score) for jackrabbit starts, excessive speed, and heavy braking. Think of it as a more useful and engaging screen than the one supplied by Toyota. By some estimates, playing the Kiwi mpg game can save you hundreds of dollars at the pumps.

Details and photos:

http://www.hybridcars.com/decision-process/top-7-aftermarket-mpg-boosting-prius-accessories-26229.html

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The Tale of Three Detroit Electric Car Programs

http://www.hybridcars.com/economics/tale-three-detroit-electric-car-programs-26225.html

This piece is excerpted from my recent op-ed in the Detroit Free Press.

Last month, Chrysler Spokesman Nick Cappa said that its in-house team of electric car development engineers had been disbanded and will be folded into the company’s org chart. This announcement comes three months after Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans. It comes less than a year after Chrysler built its case for federal aid—it received $12.5 billion—by showing flashy designs of electric sports cars, trucks and vans, and promising 500,000 battery-powered vehicles on the road by 2013.

With a swipe of his wrist, FIAT-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne cast aside Chrysler’s EV plans—commenting that batteries aren’t ready, the market is minuscule, and “electric vehicles are going to struggle.” In an era when green is the new black, the breakup of the company’s hybrid and electric car team is a public relations blunder.

General Motors, on the other hand, knows about such blunders—but has learned the lesson too well. After the infamous killing of the EV1, and years of dismissing hybrids as “making no economic sense,” the company is now using its forthcoming star car, the Chevy Volt, as a poster child for all things green and good. GM’s Volt program is tremendous and deserves due recognition as a major achievement. Kudos. Yet, the company continues to turn up the brightness of the klieg lights—now reaching a blinding level. For example, GM’s recent national Volt advertising campaign—promising 230 miles to the gallon—does more to obfuscate than to elucidated.

The publicity is working. The latest example is news that the company has given a green light to produce the Cadillac Converj, a slick electric coupe unveiled in concept form at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. As cool as the car looks, the news flash—picked up by major media outlets and the blogosphere alike—is all about marketing. “Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it’s a good strategy for them,” Rebecca Lindland, director of auto industry research at IHS Global Insight, told the Detroit News. Bingo.

Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a Detroit auto company that saw the value of electric-drive vehicles (unlike Chrysler), and (unlike GM) was modestly going about producing common-sense, affordable electric cars and plug-in hybrids on existing global scalable platforms? Maybe something like an electric version of a practical, mild-mannered Ford Focus, or a plug-in hybrid variant of a small crossover Escape? No super fanfare. No rumors of slick, expensive future EVs that may or may not come. No Hail Mary passes. No bloated promises in exchange for handouts from American taxpayers.

That’s what Ford is doing, again proving that it’s moving in the right direction—not only for consumer value and profitability, but for the future of Detroit, the U.S. economy and Planet Earth.

Read full article:

http://www.hybridcars.com/economics/tale-three-detroit-electric-car-programs-26225.html

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Nissan Leaf Updates

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/nissan-leaf-details-revealed-national-tour-26258.html

The national tour for the all-electric Nissan Leaf continues to make its way across the country. We were able to see the five-seat, 100-mile-range car yesterday in Walnut Creek, Calif.—a few days before it arrived at the 2009 San Francisco International Auto Show. This gave us an opportunity to confirm a few key points, and discover one or two others.

Priced Like Fully Loaded Prius
The Nissan Leaf’s price—still not official—will be “about the same as a fully loaded Toyota Prius,” which means low-$30,000s. Only one package will be available, also fully loaded.

Battery Leasing
No definite word yet on battery leasing, but it looks likely. In other words, a portion of the purchase price will come off the top, and be financed in a lease to cover the 24 kilowatt-hour battery pack. The goal is to alleviate consumer concerns about battery longevity. If anything goes wrong with the leased battery, Nissan owns it—so the company replaces it.

Pre-Order in February. Wait for a Year.
Pre-orders, with a “modest” deposit, will begin about February 2010. The first 5,000 cars go to the five markets participating in a Department of Energy project: Phoenix/Tucson, San Diego, Portland/Salem/Eugene (Ore.), Seattle, and Nashville/Knoxville. Folks in other markets will have wait until 2011. At that point, customers with deposits will take their first test drive, and decide whether or not to complete the transaction.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/nissan-leaf-details-revealed-national-tour-26258.html

Also check out “A Boring Conversation about the Nissan Leaf:”

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/boring-conversation-about-nissan-leaf-26272.html

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Can Coal-Powered Cars Be Clean?

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/can-coal-powered-cars-be-clean-26233.html

Skeptics of plug-in cars point out that swapping oil-based gasoline for coal-based electricity just moves pollution around, without reducing it much if at all. Indeed, half of U.S. electricity still comes from coal. That’s an improvement from decades past, when coal’s share of power generation was near 60 percent. States such as California, a long-time booster of cars that can run on electricity and other alt fuels, have cleaner power than average. Nonetheless, per unit of energy delivered to a car’s tank or battery, even California electricity, entails more greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum fuel. On a national average, BTU-per-BTU basis, electricity is 1.7 times as planet-polluting as gasoline.

But that’s only half the story. As any EV buff will righteously—and rightly—assert, electric drive is far more efficient than an internal combustion engine.

Perhaps the best apples-to-apples comparison is provided by the Mini Cooper electric and gasoline stablemates. When we ran the math, we learned that under average U.S. conditions, replacing a gasoline mile with an electric mile cuts global warming pollution in half.

Check out our detailed calculations:

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/can-coal-powered-cars-be-clean-26233.html

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Aptera’s Uncertain Future, Foretold by Buckminster Fuller

http://www.hybridcars.com/history/aptera-uncertain-future-foretold-buckminster-fuller-26235.html

Does the futuristic Aptera three-wheeled vehicle have a chance to succeed in the real-world market? Or is it destined to become another futuristic, but entirely impractical vehicle, much like Buckminster Fuller’s 1933 three-wheeled Dymaxion Car?

The Aptera 2e and 2h—all-electric and plug-in versions, respectively—earned an almost cult-like following nearly from the moment the first images of the vehicle hit the web in 2007. The vehicle, something like a cross between a motorcycle and an ultralight single-occupant airplane, garnered tens of millions of dollars of investment, thousands of $500 deposits, and innovation awards and cover shots from prestigious publications. The Aptera’s lightweight, aerodynamic design, and electric drive, promised hundreds of miles per gallon. But in recent days, it appears that the visionary reach of its founders may have exceeded their grasp.

Wired.com, the Los Angeles Times, and the unofficial online Aptera Forum reporting a few weeks ago that founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony were ousted from the company over a dispute with Paul Wilber, the CEO hired to run the company in 2008. Apparently, the founders wanted to push the vehicle into production ASAP as a way to generate cash for the struggling company, while Wilber insisted on modifications to satisfy the needs of real-world customers. For example, Wilber reportedly wanted the Aptera to have windows that could roll down, instead of the fixed windows built into the gull-wing doors.

More than 70 years ago, Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion Car held similar promise. Like the Aptera, the Dymaxion was built as a lightweight, aerodynamic, tear-shaped vehicle with excellent fuel efficiency. It got 30 miles per gallon—an amazing achievement for a car 20 feet in length with capability to carry 11 passengers. Fuller found an angel investor who helped him build a couple of prototypes, which were fawned over by the media and celebrities. However, an accident at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, damaged the first prototype badly, killing the driver and the prospects of a production version.

The Dymaxion is now considered an oddball of automotive history—but it’s credited as the inspiration for many streamlined aerodynamic designs that would follow, including the Aptera. Hopefully, Aptera and its founders will bounce back. But regardless of the fate of Aptera 2e, it has already earned its place in history alongside Buckminster Fuller’s creation—as an inspiration for what car designers might achieve with innovative body design, propulsion system, and fresh ideas.

http://www.hybridcars.com/history/aptera-uncertain-future-foretold-buckminster-fuller-26235.html

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WRAP-UP
Thanks for checking out this month’s newsletter. Next month, we’ll take a look back at 2009’s top stories. It was a crazy year of ups and downs in the hybrid world. And we’ll glance forward to 2010, the beginning of the second decade of hybrid cars in the United States. The green car revolution is only beginning.

Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 053 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 052

Brad Berman — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:13:55 +0000

~~~ Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 0052 ~~~
Moderator: Bradley Berman [brad@hybridcars.com]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IN THIS ISSUE:
Top Hybrid Rankings from EPA and Consumer Reports
In back-to-back announcements, hybrids were ranked as the most fuel-efficient and the most reliable cars on the road.

Dude, Where’s my Subie Hybrid?
The Subaru personality is urban, progressive, outdoorsy, and family-oriented. Then, why no hybrids?

Key to Hybrid Minivans: Getting Small
Japan has had hybrid minivans for about a decade, but those minivans are much smaller than US models. Is it time to get small?

Tokyo Auto Show Wrap-Up: Plug-ins and Urban Networked Electric Cars
The theme of last month’s 2009 Tokyo Auto Show 2009 was “Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth.” That translates to some seriously funky futuristic networked electric cars.

VW Overwhelmed by Demand for Clean Diesel Sportwagen
“The TDI penetration rate was spectacular,” VW told us. “It caught us off guard a little bit.”

Mercedes Takes Hybrid Lead Among European Carmakers
Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler, is promising a hybrid version of each of Mercedes’s high-volume cars and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

Attack of the Meat-Eating Prius Drivers
Michael Pollan, author of “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” made this claim: “A vegan in a Hummer has a lighter carbon footprint than a beef eater in a Prius.” Then, he had to eat his words.

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Greetings, Hybrid Car Enthusiasts,

For about a decade, we’ve been watching gas prices move in lock step with interest in hybrids. And once again, gas prices are climbing. Forecasters are predicting oil prices to stay high through the rest of the year, with lots of instability through 2010 and beyond. Unlike previous spikes, the auto industry is preparing for the next one with an unprecedented selection of hybrids and other fuel-efficient cars. Read on to learn about the new players, new segments, and the latest controversies in the hybrid world. Enjoy.

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Top Hybrid Rankings from EPA and Consumer Reports

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrids-dominate-epa-top-10-fuel-economy-list-26168.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/decision-process/consumer-reports-names-honda-insight-most-reliable-car-26207.html

October was a good month for hybrid self-esteem. It’s a bit of a no-brainer, but nine of the top 10 vehicles in the Environmental Protection Agency’s new fuel economy rankings for the 2010 model year were hybrid gas-electric vehicles. The list also reveals the trend of more hybrid models coming out from a wider group of automakers. Six different car companies now make hybrids. “There’s now a hybrid for everyone,” the EPA said in releasing the latest findings. “It’s not either a Prius or a Insight anymore.”

The Toyota Prius was once again the leader, with fuel economy of 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. Other vehicles in the top 10 include the Ford Fusion Hybrid and its Mercury Milan twin, the Insight and Civic Hybrid from Honda, and the Nissan Altima. The only non-hybrid on the list was the tiny Smart ForTwo, which is rated at 33 mpg city/41 highway.

Two weeks later, Consumer Reports released results from its annual car reliability survey, and the 2010 Honda Insight scored the highest of any vehicle in predicted reliability. Hybrids dominated the list for reliability—with five of the eight most reliable family cars: Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Among all automakers, Honda was at the top, with every Honda and Acura vehicle surveyed having average or better-than-average predicted reliability. Toyota and Lexus models were right behind, with 98 percent of the models surveyed having average-or-better predicted reliability. Ford secured its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. There were no hybrids on the magazine’s least reliable vehicle lists.

When the EPA and CR rankings are read together, hybrid gas-electric cars establish a dominant status as both the most fuel-efficient and most reliable segment of automobiles.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/hybrids-dominate-epa-top-10-fuel-economy-list-26168.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/decision-process/consumer-reports-names-honda-insight-most-reliable-car-26207.html

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Dude, Where’s my Subie Hybrid?

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/subaru-executive-confirms-hybrid-plans-26193.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/hybrid-drivers/subaru-fans-where-my-hybrid-26145.html

If ever there was an automotive brand that embodied the spirit of hybrid cars—urban, progressive, outdoorsy, family-oriented—it would be Subaru. Furthermore, Toyota, the hybrid leader, owns 16 percent of Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars. Yet, loyal Subaru owners continue to wait in vain for the Japanese company, whose name translates to “unite,” to delivers on its promise to go hybrid.

In May 2009, Subaru announced plans to introduce a gas-electric hybrid car by 2012—but provided no details. Readers of HybridCars.com responded with enthusiasm. Family Guy wrote, “I want it. My 2002 Outback will be 10 years old by 2012. Now, I can look forward to the possibility of replacing my Subaru with a hybrid from Subaru. Woo!” But others appeared tired of waiting. TS wrote, “We leased a 2005 Outback, hoping they’d have a hybrid by the time the lease was up. Didn’t happen. Too bad. Bought a Prius now. They missed a window.” William admonished Subaru, “Toe dipping in the hybrid pool is useless.”

In the run up to last month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, some hybrid fans harbored hope that Subaru would finally pull the wraps off a practical affordable Subaru model heading to a US showroom sometime soon. Instead, the company presented the four-seat Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept, yet another hypothetical rad-cool vehicle with gull-wing doors, lithium ion batteries, and motor-generators in front and back to electrify the company’s signature all-wheel drive and direct fuel-injected Boxer engine.

Then, news finally came. Speaking from the Tokyo Motor Show, Ikuo Mori, president of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru cars, reiterated the company’s hybrid plans, saying that a hybrid would help Subaru meet tougher US fuel economy rules—and it would be on roads by 2012. He did not specify which model would get a hybrid drivetrain, but suggested it would be a smaller vehicle. Mori expressed concern about the company’s ability to meet long-range emissions regulations with its current gasoline engines. “We need a hybrid system.”

Mori’s promise of a 2012 hybrid did not inspire unanimous confidence. A HybridCars.com reader named Skeptic responded: “We’ve been here before. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Get the details:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/subaru-executive-confirms-hybrid-plans-26193.html

http://www.hybridcars.com/hybrid-drivers/subaru-fans-where-my-hybrid-26145.html

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Key to Hybrid Minivans: Getting Small

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/key-hybrid-minivans-getting-small-26178.html

The clamoring of Subaru fans is nothing compared to the pitchfork-level cries of those demanding a hybrid gas-electric minivan. After all, they say, Japan has had hybrid minivans for about a decade. The explanation that Japan’s minivans are much smaller than US models—and therefore better suited for Toyota and Honda gas-electric drivetrains—offers little solace. But help might be on the way, in the form of pint-sized three-row family haulers coming to America.

According to Automotive News, a growing segment of compact minivans—in the style of the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo—are in the works. Ford is planning to make compact US vehicles with minivan and wagon characteristics: three rows of seats, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines and sticker prices several thousand dollars lower than those of minivans. The seven-seat Ford C-Max—only a little bigger than a Ford Focus—is scheduled to go on sale in the US with a sticker price of about $20,000. Ford showed the new 2010 C-Max at the recent Frankfurt Auto Show. The vehicle will introduce a host of new fuel-efficient technologies, including an all-new 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost direct injection petrol engine.

General Motors will offer the similarly small Chevy Orlando also in 2011. Both vehicles were developed in Europe but will be built in the US. The Chevy Orlando will be built on the same platform as the upcoming Chevy Cruze and Chevy Volt. GM’s Bob Lutz fueled speculation that the Orlando could one day be offered as family-friendly plug-in hybrid when he said, “We are actually studying the adaptation of Volt technology to the upcoming Orlando.”

The key question is if the waiting list for a hybrid minivan would evaporate if it came in the form of a mini-minivan. Small vans have been successful in Europe and Asia, but surveys find that some US consumers are critical of the vehicles’ lack of power, cargo space and legroom in a tight third row.

More info:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/key-hybrid-minivans-getting-small-26178.html

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Tokyo Auto Show Wrap-Up: PHEVs and Urban Networked Electric Cars

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/funky-urban-networked-electric-cars-coming-tokyo-show-26159.html

The theme of last month’s 2009 Tokyo Auto Show 2009 was “Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth.” So, it’s no surprise that Japan’s biggest automakers—Toyota, Nissan and Honda—rolled rolling out their funky futuristic networked electric cars.

While falling behind on hybrids, Nissan is taking the lead on electric cars. The company showed the Nissan Leaf, which will make its US debut in late 2010. But Nissan will also display a concept two-seat electric car called the Land Glider. The cocoon-shaped vehicle is 10 feet long, three-and-a-half feet wide, and can lean as much as 17 degrees when turning corners. According to Nissan, the ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight, ultra-narrow Land Glider has a potential to become a new means of transportation in urban areas, reducing traffic and parking congestion.

Honda showed a near-ready production version of its CR-Z hybrid—as the company follows its strategy of focusing on small and affordable hybrids like the Honda Insight. The company also gazes into the future when cities will be more congested and more networked. Honda displayed the EV-N design study—a small, four-seat battery-electric vehicle that combines Internet-age technology and retro-1960s style. The Honda EV-N uses solar cells in the roof, and a wireless communication system for traffic and EV charging station info. The EV-N’s door conveniently stores the Honda U3-X, its quirky electric unicycle that can move in any direction when the driver leans in the intended direction.

See the other concepts with photos:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/funky-urban-networked-electric-cars-coming-tokyo-show-26159.html

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VW Overwhelmed by Demand for Clean Diesel Sportwagen

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-overwhelmed-demand-clean-diesel-sportwagen-26149.html

Soaring demand for Volkswagen’s clean diesel Jetta Sportwagen TDI left VW dealerships unable to keep up with demand. Waiting lists for the $24,000 vehicle—with MPG ratings of 30 city / 42 highway—are as long as 45 days in some Southern California dealerships.

“We’re almost selling them off the trucks,” said Tom Wegehaupt, Volkswagen PR specialist, in an interview with HybridCars.com. “As soon as they’re on dealer lots, they’re gone.” The demand for the Sportwagen TDI is especially striking, considering a dismal auto market that has left most dealers desperate for customers.

Demand for the clean diesel Jetta Sportwagen prior to the Cash for Clunkers program left VW dealership inventories stretched to the limit. With the Clunkers program, inventory for the vehicle was depleted in areas of the country—mostly East and West Coasts where diesel vehicles and Volkswagens are most popular. The problem is exacerbated by the Sportwagen TDI going through a model year changeover, with an inventory gap between the outgoing 2009 version being phased out and the redesigned 2010 version arriving in dealerships this month.

“Eighty percent of all Sportwagens that were sold had the TDI engine in it. The TDI penetration rate was spectacular,” Wegehaupt said. “It caught us off guard a little bit.”

In many respects, the Sportwagen TDI is to clean diesel what Prius is to hybrid: the halo vehicle that succeeds for its fuel-efficient technology but more importantly for the sum total of its benefits, functions and design. Sales of clean diesel vehicles from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes—either luxury or SUV or both—have not performed nearly as well, much the same way that SUV and luxury hybrids have lagged behind the Prius.

It will be interesting to follow the public’s response to the new 2010 Golf TDI sedan—30 mpg city / 42 high mpg—which just hit showrooms. VW announced a starting price tag of $21,990 for the Golf diesel.

Learn more:

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/vw-overwhelmed-demand-clean-diesel-sportwagen-26149.html

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Mercedes Takes Hybrid Lead Among European Carmakers

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/mercedes-takes-hybrid-lead-among-european-carmakers-26153.html

It looks like Mercedes has caught hybrid fever. In August, the company launched its Mercedes S400 mild hybrid—the first hybrid from a European automaker and the first hybrid vehicle to use a lithium ion battery. Even more impressive, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler, is promising a hybrid version of each of Mercedes’s high-volume cars and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

The $89,000 Mercedes S400 mild hybrid began arriving in US showrooms in August. The S400 hybrid is the lowest-price model in the S-class range—and was awarded a federal tax credit of $1,150 awarded. At the same time, the S400’s mileage rating of 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway is 30 percent more fuel efficient than the more expensive S550. Efficiency gains come from the 120-volt battery pack, which is neatly packaged in the engine compartment—unlike other hybrids that use trunk space for the batteries.

The tradeoff of efficiency for horsepower reflects a shift in the luxury market. The Mercedes S550 delivers 382 horsepower versus the S400’s 275 hp. “I am convinced that many customers continue to want a comfortable and spacious car. They would not like to be called callous by their neighbor because the fuel consumption is astronomic,” Zetsche said in an interview with Automotive News. “We have to provide fun without pain by being able to offer these kinds of attributes in a vehicle and with lower fuel consumption.”

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/mercedes-takes-hybrid-lead-among-european-carmakers-26153.html

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Attack of the Meat-Eating Prius Drivers

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/michael-pollan-recants-comment-about-meat-eating-prius-drivers-26210.html

At last week’s 2009 Poptech conference, author Michael Pollan made this claim: “A vegan in a Hummer has a lighter carbon footprint than a beef eater in a Prius.” Days later, Pollan, author of the bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma, retracted the statement after researchers showed that Hummers are significantly more destructive to the environment than hamburgers.

Pollan wrote this mea culpa: “After digging into it further…I don’t feel comfortable defending [my earlier statement]. It’s much more important to keep the focus on the central thrust of the environmental case against eating industrial meat, which is not in dispute and certainly does not stand or fall on the case of the vegan Hummer driver.”

Pollan’s acknowledgment that he put his foot in his mouth is not likely to stop the ongoing debate about the relative impact of clean driving and dirty dining. The blogger Fat Knowledge posted a 2007 spreadsheet calling a tie between Hummer-driving vegans and burger-chomping Prius owners. Then, there’s the infamous 2006 CNW study that claims that Priuses are worse than Hummers in terms of energy consumption, regardless of drivers’ diets. And let’s not forget Big Vegan’s 2007 challenge to Al Gore to give up his cherished cheeseburgers to prove his commitment to reducing global warming.

In issuing the challenge to Gore, various vegetarian organizations and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals cited a United Nations study showing that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.

http://www.hybridcars.com/environment/michael-pollan-recants-comment-about-meat-eating-prius-drivers-26210.html

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WRAP-UP

Thanks for checking out this month’s hybrid romp—from the absurd to the ridiculous.

Don’t forget to check out the HybridCars.com Store:

http://store.hybridcars.com/

Happy Driving,
Bradley Berman
brad@hybridcars.com

The post Hybrid Cars Newsletter: Issue No. 052 appeared first on HybridCars.com.