Fisker Karma Chassis - First Pics

The advanced aluminium space frame underpinning the Fisker Karma incorporates new levels of rigidity and strength that will give the world's first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle world-class ride and handling characteristics. It will debut during the Motor Show in Geneva.

Fisker Automotive's talented and experienced engineering team designed the Karma's space frame around the car's unique Q-DRIVE® series-hybrid powertrain, filing for multiple patents in the process. Q-DRIVE® consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged ECOTEC® engine/generator set, a lithium-ion battery pack from A123 Systems, and a rear-mounted 403hp traction motor assembly.

Though it forms the foundation of a large sedan the Karma space frame's rigidity is exceptional even when compared to today's sports cars. By utilizing 5,000- and 6,000-series aluminium alloys and a unique extrusion-intensive architecture, the Fisker engineering team achieved the best balance between weight and size.

"Our top priorities when we designed the Karma's aluminium space frame were that it have extremely high torsional rigidity and could be easily modified to accept Karma model variants," explained Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive. "We benchmarked some of the world's best cars to create an all-new space frame that will deliver an exhilarating experience behind the wheel.

A super-structural tunnel running down the car's centerline acts as the Karma's backbone. It not only houses the battery pack but acts as a torque tube connecting front and rear sections. For optimal strength the Karma's space frame is joined with 79 meters of precision welding and 1,058 self-piercing rivets. Each technique is used independently only where necessary to ensure top quality and durability.

The result is an industry-leading space frame that provides a solid foundation for the Karma. Few cars match its statistics: Static torsional rigidity - the amount the space frame resists twisting forces when entering a ramp at an angle, for example - measures more than 33,000 Newton-meters per degree (Nm/deg). Static bending rigidity - the amount the space frame resists flexing forces as the car enters a ramp straight on, for example - measures more than 23,000 N/mm. Dynamic stiffness - the space frame's resistance to resonant vibrations like those felt when driving over a sharp bump or rough road surfaces -- is also world class.

Priority: Safety
Thanks to intelligent engineering solutions the Karma's space frame also provides the utmost in occupant safety and exceeds global crash protection standards.

Front impact protection starts with a patent-pending, multi-cell tempered aluminium crush box that displaces high-impact energy away from passengers. Its unique design allows it to be easily replaced, reducing repair costs that could lower insurance premiums. Dual Phase 600-Series steel reinforced components in the doors and Bpillars provide substantial side impact protection. And the lithium-ion battery's location in the center of the car puts it farthest from impact areas.

Valmet Automotive will assemble the space frames at its state-of-the-art facility in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

Opel Ampera prototype to drive across Europe to Geneva Motor Show

The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will use the energy stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to drive the first stage of the 600 kilometers journey from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, without emitting CO2.

At the wheel will be Opel/Vauxhall Director of Electric Vehicle Implementation, Gherardo Corsini. “I am really looking forward to putting a lot of “miles” on our first Ampera prototype during this maiden test on public roads,” said Corsini. “With 370 Nm of instantaneous, electric torque under my right foot, it promises to be an interesting and almost silent drive to Geneva."

When the battery’s charge is low after around 60 km, the Ampera’s on-board internal combustion engine will start to generate electricity to drive the wheels for the remainder of the journey.

A battery electric vehicle would need to find a recharging station and stop for up to several hours to recharge its depleted battery before continuing the journey. The Ampera, however, brings emission-free electric mobility without the limitations of conventional electric cars. It can drive on seamlessly and without interruption for more than 500 km before plugging into a household socket or filling up with fuel.

The prototype’s long-distance drive from Rüsselsheim to Geneva demonstrates that the five-door, four-seat Ampera can be the primary vehicle in the household, ready to drive anywhere, any time. Series-production of the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera is scheduled to begin at the end of 2011.

Opel's own bloggers will accompany the Ampera on its first long distance test under real world conditions. Starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 28, the blog will give regular updates about the journey to Geneva and continue until March 3, the day before the motor show begins. The blog can be found at:

http://opel.posterous.com/

Avis to hire out Renault Electric Cars from 2011

Building on its long-term environmental heritage, leading car hire company, Avis, has partnered with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to offer electric cars to its customers from 2011.

The partnership will add to Avis' already well-established environmental programme, which has seen the company maintain a CarbonNeutral® status since 1999.

Pascal Bazin, Chief Executive for Avis Europe, explains: "At Avis, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and are always looking for new ways to improve our environmental performance."

"We are delighted to sign this important partnership with Renault to offer electric vehicles as part of our green fleet, which is an increasingly central part of our customer offering. Despite the impact of the recession, consumers are just as aware of the issues of climate change and it is only by working together with our partners that will we be able to make a difference."

Senior Vice President, Renault Corporate Sales Division, Uwe Hochgeschurtz, adds: "Avis is an important long-term partner for Renault, so we are thrilled to be able to expand our offering with the company to include electric vehicles. We are confident that the partnership will play an important role in enabling customers to experience the new technology and learn about the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, which are sure to become a significant alternative for car travel in the future."

With electric vehicles, which produce zero emissions during use, Renault is preparing a breakthrough solution that provides sustainable mobility for all. From 2011, Renault will progressively roll out four electric vehicles.

These include two derivatives of internal-combustion vehicles: • Renault Fluence Z.E., an electric version of Fluence. • Renault Kangoo Express Z.E., an electric version of Renault Kangoo Express, intended primarily for fleet and business use. The range of electric vehicles will later be extended to cover other segments, including two new cars whose architecture will be designed to run exclusively with electrical power:

• A car derived from the Twizy Z.E. Concept for motoring in built-up areas. • The fourth vehicle will take its inspiration from Zoe Z.E. Concept and is scheduled to be released at the beginning of 2012. It will be a particularly versatile vehicle
intended for everyday motoring in and around cities.

With a long history of environmental awareness, Avis has offset more than 147,000 tonnes of CO2 since 1997 by investing in a host of environmental initiatives such as renewable energy, methane capture projects and tree planting, which mean the company has now been CarbonNeutral® accredited for more than a decade.

Average CO2 emissions have also been successfully reduced year on year through the introduction of further environmentally friendly technologies and practices, including motion detector lights in many of its European offices, an extensive recycling scheme for staff and the development of a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan to prevent spills from storage and during fuel loading at rental stations across Europe.

Meanwhile, Avis customers can already benefit from an extensive eco-offering. Each car on the Avis fleet is typically only six months old, to ensure maximum fuel efficiency, whilst the average CO2 emissions for cars purchased in 2009 was just 144.6g CO2/Km.

All Avis customers also have access to environmental driving tips to help lower their emissions and can choose a vehicle from a wide ranging green fleet, including hundreds of vehicles which run on fuels other than petrol or diesel. Leisure and business customers also have the option to offset their carbon emissions prior to their journey

Lotus power for PROTON Series Hybrid Concept

The PROTON Concept car, to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcases an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited today announces its latest series hybrid vehicle technology application in the PROTON Concept, which will be unveiled at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show. The complete hybrid drivetrain in the PROTON Concept city car has been developed by Lotus Engineering and it includes the Lotus Range Extender engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles.

The PROTON Concept, a plug-in series hybrid city car, has been styled by Italdesign and will be unveiled on the Italdesign stand at the Geneva Motor Show. Lotus Engineering has designed and integrated the complete drivetrain, including the electrical drive system with single-speed transmission, which delivers low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable electric-only operating range for city use. For longer journeys, when the battery charge level falls, the 3 cylinder, 1.2 litre Lotus Range Extender engine is used to replenish the charge in the battery and provide electrical power for the drive
motors. The battery can also be recharged via an AC mains domestic outlet to achieve initial electric-only operation.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: "The hybrid drivetrain of the PROTON Concept is another example of Lotus Engineering's expertise in electrical and electronic systems and efficient performance engines. The high efficiency Lotus Range Extender engine, which we unveiled to great acclaim at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show last year is perfectly suited for the
advanced series hybrid we have created for the PROTON Concept city car. It is an exciting example of the diverse range of highly efficient total propulsion systems that Lotus Engineering continues to develop for its partners and clients."

PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir said, "Our collaboration with Lotus and Italdesign on progressive technology and design will further propel our competitiveness in the world market. Through this association, we strive to acquire and jointly develop new knowledge, skills and technologies that will ultimately benefit our customers."

Lexus release PR shots of CT 200 Hybrid hatchback

Lexus has unveiled its new premium hybrid hatchback ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. A worldwide launch is promised later this year, but we can't confirm whether that includes the United States.

From what we can tell, the car retains some of Lexus's L-finesse design philosophy as seen on the LF-Ch concept that debuted in Frankfurt last year, except in a somewhat more production-ready (read: toned-down) state. Inside, Lexus employs an asymmetrical dash design that's split into what Lexus refers to as an upper Display Zone that includes an eight-inch LCD multi-display screen and a lower Operation Zone, which includes the shift lever and other controls such as Lexus's Remote Touch multi-function controller.

As expected, the baby Lexus is equipped with a 1.8-liter VVT-i gasoline-fed engine that's mated up with an electric motor using Toyota's proprietary Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and a continuously variable transmission. Sadly, we have no official power figure, but we imagine it should be somewhat close to the 134 combined ponies of the latest Toyota Prius.

According to Lexus, its hybrid hatchback can run in EV mode for up to 1.2 miles at speeds up to 28 miles per hour. In addition to pure EV mode, the driver can also select from Eco, Normal and Sport modes. Setting the CT 200h apart from other Toyota offerings is its dedicated double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system.

All-New CR-Z Hybrid Vehicle Introduced in Japan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that the all-new CR-Z hybrid vehicle will go on sale in Japan on Friday, February 26, 2010. CR-Z combines a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda's proprietary Integrated Motor Assist system, and creates fusion between futuristic and dynamic styling and exhilarating driving, along with outstanding fuel economy of 25 km/l.

Based on Honda's passion to broaden the potential for a hybrid vehicle and enable customers to experience a new kind of excitement with all of their senses, CR-Z was developed offering three core values -- Emotional (emotional look and feel), Exciting (make people want to enjoy driving) and Smart (environmentally responsible, useful and liberating). To achieve these three values in all areas of this vehicle, including design, packaging and performance, Honda applied its most advanced technologies.

CR-Z stands for "Compact Renaissance Zero," which represents Honda's commitment to go back to the point of origin (zero) to take on the challenge to create a new compact car without being bound by the values of traditional coupes.

Toyota Australia Camry Hybrid advertisement

First TV advertisement for the Australia built Camry Hybrid.

The family-sized Hybrid Camry uses the same technology found in the Toyota Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive and delivers a respectable fuel economy figure of just 6.0 litres of regular unleaded petrol to travel 100km.

That figure makes it nearly 32 per cent more fuel efficient than the automatic petrol Camry, which incidentally already held the title for the most fuel-efficient Australian-built car.


Powering the Hybrid Camry a combination of a 2.4-litre petrol engine and 105kW electric motor resulting in a total power output of 140kW almost 20 per cent better than a petrol-only Camry.

U.K. to Subsidize 25% of Electric Car's Price

The British government is to give up to 5,000 pounds ($7,668) to anyone who buys an "ultra-low carbon" car from next year and will build recharging hubs, the Department of Transport said on Thursday.

The Plug-in Car Grant of 25 percent towards the purchase price, capped at 5,000 pounds, will be available across Britain for both private and business fleet buyers from January 2011, by which time a range of eligible vehicles should be on sale.

"By this time next year, cutting edge motorists will be on the roads with these next generation cars they've purchased because of our help," Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said.

Only battery electric, plug-in hybrids with emissions of less than 75 g/km, or hydrogen fuel cell cars will be eligible for part of the 230 million pound total fund.

The electric vehicles must have a range of at least 70 miles, or 113 km, while hybrids must be able to run for at least 10 miles without using fuel, and all vehicles must be able to go faster than 60 miles per hour. The government also plans to spend 30 million pounds on a network of electric vehicle hubs, called Plugged-In Places, in car parks, supermarkets and selected streets.

London, Milton Keynes and the north east of England will get the first recharging points—with a total of 11,000 to be set up in the next three years in those areas.

The programme is a key part of British efforts to cut emissions of climate-warming carbon from transport, which accounts for about a fifth of the country's total emissions.

Recharging electric vehicles overnight is also expected to help use up any excess electricity produced by the thousands of wind turbines that the government wants to be built over the next decade.

Tesla to Offer Auto Leases on Roadster

Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. said Wednesday that it will offer a lease option on its flagship Roadster and Roadster sport models, in a move intended to help ease the pricey vehicle into the mainstream.



Starting Wednesday, the 2010 Roadster, which competes against exotic sport cars like the Porsche 911, will be available on a three-year, 30,000-mile lease based on the manufacturer's price of $111,005, Tesla said. A lease requires an up front $12,453 payment, which includes a $1,658 first monthly payment, a $9,900 down payment and an $895 acquisition fee, company said.

NASA: Cars Greatest Net Contributor to Climate Change

A new study by led by Nadine Unger at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) that analyzes the net climate impacts of emissions from economic sectors rather than by individual chemical species has found that on-road transportatation is and will be the greatest net contributor to atmospheric warming now and in the near term.

In their analysis, motor vehicles emerged as the greatest net contributor to atmospheric warming now and in the near term, with a total radiative forcing of 199 mWm-2 in 2020. The researchers found that the burning of household biofuels—primarily wood and animal dung for home heating and cooking—contribute the second most warming. And raising livestock, particularly methane-producing cattle, contribute the third most.

The industrial sector releases such a high proportion of sulfates and other cooling aerosols that it actually contributes a significant amount of cooling to the system. And biomass burning—which occurs mainly as a result of tropical forest fires, deforestation, savannah and shrub fires—emits large amounts of organic carbon particles that block solar radiation.

Lotus Engineering unveil the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, so-named because this latest environmentally-focused technology demonstrator from Lotus Engineering produces 414 PS (306 kW) of power, promises breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. The concept showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement, the adaptability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) that underpins the Evora 414E Hybrid and a dramatic new roof system and interior concept from Lotus Design. Through all of these aspects it ultimately demonstrates the exceptional ability of Lotus Engineering to integrate and develop advanced technologies for exciting, efficient, high performance niche vehicles.

The range extended electric drive of the Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors driving each of the rear wheels independently via single speed geartrain, integrated into a common transmission housing, thus enabling torque vectoring for stability control of the vehicle. Electrical power is stored in a lithium polymer battery pack optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, mounted in the centre of the vehicle for stability and safety. Additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles. The drivetrain is designed to combine astonishing performance with efficient, low emissions driving.

Driver involvement is enhanced by the incorporation of HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International, which provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. Integrated with the HALOsonic technology, the Evora 414E Hybrid also showcases a brand new technology from Lotus Engineering, a sports mode that simulates a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car and optimised energy recuperation.

The Evora 414E Hybrid has been designed to highlight Lotus’ innovative electric and hybrid vehicle technology without distracting from the pure sportscar character of the Evora. The solution is innovative, instantly recognizable, beautiful and sporty. It demonstrates Lotus DNA.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering’s core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics. The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area.”

The Drivetrain
For the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, Lotus Engineering has developed a highly efficient, high performance drivetrain system consisting of twin motors each limited to providing 152 kW (207 PS/204 hp) of power and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions integrated into a single housing, enabling torque vectoring dynamic control of the vehicle.

The vehicle energy storage system is made up of the latest Lithium Polymer battery chemistry providing 17 kWH energy storage capacity. The battery pack is optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, with over 100 kW discharge capability.

The Lotus Range Extender engine provides 35 kW (48 PS/47 hp) of power at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator and features an innovative architecture comprising an aluminium monoblock construction, integrating the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass, assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability. The engine uses an optimised two-valve, port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and can be operated on alcohol-based fuels and/or gasoline. The generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to replenish the battery pack charge and provides additional vehicle range in a small light weight package. The generator is also used as a motor to start the range extender engine. The low mass of the range extender unit (85 kg) and compact package makes it ideal for the series hybrid drivetrain in the Evora 414E Hybird.

All the operation and management of the range extender engine, the power management of the batteries and motor control are controlled by Lotus’ electronic control units and software systems. Full energy management of all the operating systems is the key to maximising performance and operation while minimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

For everyday commuting journeys, up to 35 miles can be travelled using battery power. The battery can be charged overnight using a conventional domestic mains supply through a socket concealed by the rear number plate. This permits the vehicle to operate with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer journeys, exceeding the battery capacity, the highly efficient range extender engine is used as a generator to supply the motor with electrical power and top up the battery.

Lotus has used its own vehicle simulation tools to determine the size, capacity, power and performance of all the components in the drivetrain system to optimise the system operation. Overall this is far more energy efficient, weight efficient and cost effective than fitting the vehicle with a larger and more expensive battery, which for the majority of short journeys is a redundant weight, which increases energy requirements. With regard to the total lifetime CO2 emissions of the vehicle, including the energy required to manufacture and run it, the range extender solution has a lower overall CO2 footprint than a fully electric car of comparable performance and operating range running with a larger battery.

The Package
The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid structure is the same award-winning, versatile vehicle architecture used on the Lotus Evora. The low volume architecture was designed with the upmost flexibility in mind. The Evora 414E Hybrid is a perfect example of how to integrate a compact packaged drivetrain, with excellent performance and range, while using this underpinning. The complete chassis has remained unchanged from the Evora which maintains the structural integrity and strength performance of the original car.

The structure progresses the Lotus ‘bonded and riveted’ technology with new and unique extrusions and folded panels, whilst providing production build modularity and lower cost repairs. The chassis has been designed for scalability so that it can be extended in width, length and height. The strength and stiffness of the low volume VVA chassis can be modified cost effectively by varying the wall thickness of the extrusions, without altering the exterior dimensions. The ability to lengthen or shorten extrusions with the option to tailor the chassis stiffness vastly increases the number of vehicles that can be developed from this vehicle architecture.

Driving Dynamics
The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid offers exhilarating, all-round dynamic performance and takes advantage of Lotus developed torque vectoring dynamics. Torque vectoring, which is the capacity to generate different torques at each of the driving wheels, is particularly suited to electric vehicles and significantly reduces the conflict between stability and response.

A key benefit of separate motors to drive each rear wheel individually is that this facilitates a much higher level of vehicle dynamics control. Driving the wheels with different levels of torque can not only generate all the capabilities of a conventional ESP system using energy regeneration as opposed to brake application, but it can also actively drive each wheel forward at different rates, producing a turning moment at the rear of the vehicle in addition to the steering input.

This can be used to enhance low speed manoeuvrability and ease of parking but can also be used to produce a much greater level of straight line high speed stability. Incorporating lateral sensors the system also provides stability control capabilities and levels of steering response normally only associated with heavy and expensive rear steer systems. This can provide automatic correction of both understeer and oversteer characteristics. In addition, the standard method to provide high speed stability of designing the rear wheels to toe-in is not required as the torque vectoring system automatically provides this stability control, with toe-in increasing rolling resistance, lowering fuel economy and increasing tyre wear. Lotus‘ long history of active suspension control provides the core capability to develop this technology and provides extraordinary driving pleasure on the Evora 414E Hybrid.

Driver Interaction
The Evora 414E Hybrid provides less of a psychological step change for people familiar with high performance cars compared to other electric and hybrid sports cars. The car has a simulated paddle shift gear change offering ultra quick gear changes reminiscent of a dual clutch transmission, while actually single speed. This enhances the driver interaction with the vehicle and provides a driving experience similar to current internal combustion engine high performance sports cars. The Evora 414E Hybrid uses a column mounted paddle shift to simulate the gear change and a synthesised engine sound changes frequency with virtual gear selection. The drive torque is also modulated to simulate a physical feeling of a gearshift jolt.

The virtual gearshift simulation, like a conventional gearbox, is used to change the driving characteristics and response of the vehicle. The most significant aspect that this offers the driver is the ability to control the vehicle deceleration by simulating engine braking through a virtual downshift in gears. Unlike true engine braking, the Lotus system does not dissipate the energy of the moving vehicle through internal engine friction but uses the electric motors to regenerate the energy back into the battery. While many electric and hybrid vehicles provide engine braking, this is generally at a fixed rate or preselected rate. In some driving situations this can either be too aggressive, slowing the vehicle unnecessarily, or too light, requiring additional braking application. The Lotus system effectively allows the driver to select the appropriate level of regeneration by simulating stepping down by one, two or even three gears. The simulation of engine braking through both the gear noise change and the retardation of the vehicle is fully intuitive to a driver familiar with a conventional gearbox. The simulated gearchange capability can be selected for greater driving involvement or switched off for more relaxed driving.

The Evora 414E Hybrid uses the Lotus Engineering and Harman International developed HALOsonic suite of noise solutions. The first of which is Electronic Sound Synthesis. This generates engine sounds inside the vehicle through the audio system where it provides an exciting sports sound in line with the brand and nature of the vehicle together with a high level of driver feedback in an intuitive manner. In addition, it also generates sound on the outside of the vehicle through speakers mounted at the front and rear to provide a warning to increase pedestrian safety, which is especially important for electric and hybrid vehicles which can be difficult to hear at slower speeds.

There are four driver selectable engine sounds currently on the vehicle, two of which have been designed to have characteristics of a multi-cylinder conventional V6 and V12 engine. There is also a futuristic sound and a combination of a conventional engine and a futuristic sound, enhancing the brand identity of the vehicle as a step forward in electric vehicle design.

The addition of this Lotus patented simulated gearshift concept not only provides for an exciting and involving driving experience that customers would expect from a Lotus, but also enhances the driver’s control of the vehicle while providing the capability for more efficient operation through a greater use of energy regeneration.

The Design
The distinctive colour scheme and ‘floating’ roof have been carefully designed to accent the cars electric vehicle technology whilst complementing the iconic lines of the Evora.

Copper, a colour often associated with electrical systems, has been chosen for the car’s exterior and interior. A contemporary satin finish paint is complemented by electrical circuit inspired graphics that highlight the car’s key feature lines and the unique glazed roof panel. The newly extended glazed zone integrates seamlessly with the existing forms of the Evora whilst showcasing the key components behind the hybrid and electric vehicle technology.

The signature copper theme is consistently carried throughout the car from the dramatic seat stripes and instrument panel inserts to the copper callipers that nestle behind the carbon grey forged wheels. Inside the cabin a sense of quality and richness has been created by carefully juxtaposing the different tactile qualities intrinsic to leather, Alcantara and metal

Smith Celebrates 90 Years in Electric Vehicle Business

To celebrate nine decades of producing low carbon commercial vehicles, Smith Electric Vehicles has taken one of the largest stands at the Commercial Vehicle Operator Show – some 400sq m – to exhibit its full range of Smith Edison electric vans and minibuses, based on the Ford Transit chassis.

2010 marks the 90th anniversary of Smith Electric Vehicles, which can trace its roots back to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1920.

It is also the third birthday of the Smith Edison electric van. Launched at the CV Show in 2007, in collaboration with Ford of Europe, the Smith Edison has a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of 50mph. Designed for return-to-base, urban operations, the lithium-ion batteries can now be fast-charged from flat to full in as little as three hours.

Smith supplies the Edison on a range of Transit chassis, including 3.5t and 4.6t medium and high roof panel van; and a 3.5t and 4.6t chassis cab, which can be fitted with a variety of bodies such as box, refrigerated, tipper and dropside. Additionally, Smith produces an electric minibus, with various seat configurations.

Sainsbury’s Online is expanding its EV fleet with an additional 51 Smith Edison vehicles for its online shopping delivery service. This will take Sainsbury’s total to 71 EVs, creating the world’s largest fleet of electric vans. Furthermore, Edison is in use with a wide range of public and private sector fleets, including Royal Mail, TNT, Western Power, Sita, Serco and the Government Car & Despatch Agency.

At the CV Operator Show, the Tyne & Wear-based company will also exhibit a Smith Newton, the world’s largest road-going electric truck. Newton has a range of up to 120 miles on a full charge and a top speed of 50mph. A full battery recharge takes 6-8 hours. Newton is available in GVW configurations of 7.5t, 10t and 12t and is in use with fleets including TNT, DHL, Balfour Beatty and TK Maxx.

Smith is the largest single supplier of EVs into the UK Government’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme; this year the company will deliver nearly 60 Smith Edison vans to public sector fleets across Britain, for Phase One of the initiative.

Smith is involved in three extensive R&D programmes to improve electric vans, part-funded by the Technology Strategy Board and is also supplying 10 Edison vans for a major evaluation project funded by the German Government. Smith is also working with Proton Power Systems Plc on the development of a hydrogen fuel cell range extender, which could double the operational range of its Edison van.

BMW to build electric cars in Leipzig

BMW AG will produce its electric-car range at its plant in Leipzig, Germany, the automaker said Monday. In addition, BMW factories in Wackersdorf and Landshut, Germany, will produce parts for the so-called Megacity Vehicle.

“The BMW Group will build the car of the future in Leipzig with high-tech innovations from Bavaria,” BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said in a statement. “The main reasons behind this decision are the qualities that Germany has to offer: we have a tried-and-tested production network here and high levels of education and outstanding competencies at our disposal.”

The first, so-called Megacity cars are due to come off the line in mid-2013.

BMW plans to launch an entire family of electric vehicles from the Megacity subcompact, which is designed for major metropolitan areas. BMW hasn't decided on a production name for the car.

Future Electric Cars Could Earn Money for Owners While Sitting Still

Cars could shed their image as energy hogs and become mobile storage points for the electric grid, if engineers backed by the National Science Foundation get their way. Hybrid electric vehicles might even feed unused electricity back into the grid and earn money for their owners, not unlike how some homeowners who create renewable energy can sell back electricity to utility companies.

The concept of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration would do away with simply considering hybrid electric cars as energy consumers that require stations or places to plug into the electric grid and recharge their batteries.

"Cars sit most of the time," said Jeff Stein, a mechanical engineer at the University of Michigan who leads the NSF-funded effort. "What if it could work for you while it sits there?"

Such future vehicles would essentially double as mobile holding tanks for electricity while sitting unused in their garages. That could prove especially useful if the electric grid begins to rely more on renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind power, which provide intermittent energy that requires storage.

But major challenges lie ahead for this vision. Stein's team has made some progress in understanding how battery health and life is affected by constant charging and recharging, because "what's good for the battery isn't necessarily good for the grid," and vice versa.

The engineers also want to understand how future ownership of hybrid electric vehicles affects the electric grid, and specifically the reliability and stability of the grid. Our advice -- take a look at Google's project to create "smart charging" software for electric cars.

[via ScienceDaily]

Valmet to introduce Eva electric vehicle @ Geneva

Finland's Valmet Automotive has announced plans to introduce the Eva electric vehicle concept at the Geneva Motor Show.

Designed to be a technological showpiece, the Eva features a lightweight body, a 2+2 seating arrangement, and an advanced propulsion system. The latter will allow the Eva to travel up to 160 km (99 miles) on a single charge.

Inside, the concept will boast a Nokia-sourced 'Human Machine Interface' with mobile handset connectivity. While we have no clue what that means, it'll probably be more compelling than your typical Bluetooth setup.

Look for more information to be released next month.

Mitsubishi develop UltraBattery Combining Capacitor and Li-Ion Battery

Mitsubishi Electric Corp prototyped a storage battery device by combining a lithium-ion (Li-ion) capacitor and a Li-ion secondary battery in a cell.

The device features the high-speed charge-discharge characteristics of a capacitor and the long charge-discharge time of a Li-ion battery. It is expected to be used for regenerating power from a large-size motor and leveling the output of a photovoltaic system.

Though Mitsubishi Electric plans to commercialize the device, it does not have a specific schedule for it.

This time, the company prototyped two types of the device. One is for the verification of principles and has a cell size of 3 x 3cm while the other is for the verification of practicality and has a cell size of about 9 x 6cm.

As for the cycle life of the 3 x 3cm type, its decay rate reaches 20%, which is the indicator of cycle life, at about 2,000 cycles.

The 9 x 6cm type is called "flat winding type" and has an output of 14Wh. Its output density and energy density are approximately 3kW/kg and 60Wh/kg, respectively. The average voltage, lower limit voltage and upper limit voltage are 3.2V, 2V and 4V.

Both of the two types have a negative electrode shared by the capacitor and the battery. A positive electrode and a separator are prepared for each of the capacitor and the battery.

The shared negative electrode of the 3 x 3cm type is sandwiched between the "first positive electrode" of the capacitor part and the "second positive electrode" of the battery part. As for the 9 x 6cm type, the first and second positive electrodes formed on the front and back of a collector foil, the separator and the shared negative electrode are flatly wrapped.

The key to realize the new device is the structure of the shared negative electrode, Mitsubishi Electric said.

The shared electrodes of the prototypes were made with carbon material. The first positive electrode of the capacitor part and the second positive electrode of the battery part were made with activated carbon and material including iron phosphate (LiFePO4), respectively.

Fuso to Make Its Largest Delivery Ever of Hybrid Trucks Outside Japan

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, announced today that it will make its largest delivery of hybrid trucks outside Japan. The customer is Star Track Express, an express freight company that has its headquarters in Gordon near Sydney. The 25 vehicles are already scheduled to be delivered to Australia by the end of March.

“Building on the success of the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid in Japan, we are now expanding into the international markets,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, President and CEO of MFTBC. “We are delighted to deliver our Canter Eco Hybrid trucks to one of the leading transport companies in Australia. This order proves that our customers appreciate high quality and cost-efficient vehicles that are also environmentally friendly.”

The first order for Fuso Hybrid trucks from a customer outside of Japan was received by MFTBC in October 2009. The ten Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid trucks have since been delivered to the Electricity Supply Board, which is Ireland’s biggest electrical utility.

Since the launch of the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid in July 2006, MFTBC has sold more than 800 of the vehicles in its home market of Japan. Already one of the top hybrid trucks in Japan, the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid is now rolling to success worldwide. The light truck’s parallel hybrid system significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
Star Track Express has a large network of branches and agents in Australia and provides its customers with a range of fast and efficient express freight and logistics solutions, including road freight, airfreight, and warehousing, as well as other special logistics services. Star Track Express has a long history of investment in technologies that deliver not only greater efficiency for its customers, but also beneficial effects for the environment.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. Daimler AG owns 85 percent of MFTBC shares. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.

Toyota Auris HSD Hybrid to Debut Next Month

Toyota's UK-made, production-ready Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show early next month.

The Auris HSD is a key part of Toyota's plan to introduce its full-hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain technology across its entire model range by the early 2020s, the company said in a statement.

In July, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said the carmaker would shift its focus in the diesel-heavy European market to hybrid vehicles as part of a new effort to use its resources more selectively. Toyota has a goal of selling at least 1 million hybrid vehicles a year within the next few years.



Built in Toyota's plant in Burnaston, England, which is about 120 miles north of London, the Auris HSD is the first Europe-made hybrid for the world's largest automaker.

Toyota Europe CEO Tadashi Arashima said making hybrids in Europe would help ensure that full hybrids "become more accessible to a wider range of customers."

The compact car will go on sale across Europe this summer. When Toyota showed the Auris Hybrid Concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show last September, the automaker said it uses 19 percent less fuel and emits 17 percent less carbon dioxide than the standard Auris.

The Auris HSD will share the stand with Toyota's growing lineup of low- or zero-CO2 models. The automaker will show the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the all-electric FT-EV II Concept for the first time in Europe. Toyota's next-generation fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the FCHV-adv, also will be on display

Kia to introduce hybrid to US market in 2010

Kia plans to introduce its first hybrid vehicle to the United States by the end of the year, officials for the South Korean automaker said on Wednesday.

"It will be here before the end of the year and will be available to consumers not just fleets," said Alex Fedorak, Kia's director of communications.

Fedorak was unable to say how closely the upcoming hybrid sedan would resemble a concept vehicle called the Ray which is currently being displayed at the Chicago auto show.

"I haven't been briefed on all the details," he told AFP during a press preview.

The small but growing US market for vehicles with alternative powertrains has until now been dominated by Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda and domestic latecomers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

Kia officials said they were pushing to polish the automaker's green credentials with the sleek, aerodynamic Ray concept car that features a plug-in hybrid powertrain developed with fellow South Korean automaker Hyundai.

"Being green doesn't have to be an obvious statement anymore," said Peter Schreyer, the chief design officer for Kia's US-unit.

"The Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today's environmentally-conscious consumers."

The Ray was designed for maximum efficiency, using clean, flush surfaces which end in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag.

Touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, "cool-glazing" solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery hint at the technology in Kia's future.

Ray's electric motor is designed to reach driving distances of more than 80 kilometres with a single charge. The sedan has a fuel economy rating of more than 1.16 litres per 100 kilometres and a total range of 746 miles.

Bosch Say Electrified Powertrains will Dominate Automotive Future

Robert Bosch's business development manager for powertrain electrification, Joe Slenzak, told an audience at the Society of Automotive Engineers Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium this week that while internal combustion engine will be around for a long time, it will slowly be pushed into a minority role by electric-drive systems.

The auto industry, he said supplier, is on a steep and complex electrification learning curve - a situation relevant to consumers because the change will affect vehicle costs.

Unlike the mature technologies of conventional gas and diesel powertrains, the myriad hybrids, pure electrics and fuel cell vehicles use new technology that is quickly evolving, making it tough for suppliers to anticipate and to amortize their solutions through long-term supply contracts for parts that don't have to be continually changed, he said.

Each automaker has particular needs that often mean unique "build-to-print" components, where off-the-shelf parts might have served well before, Sleznak said.

Numerous current and emerging electric powertrain technologies further complicate the picture, and will mean high component costs until the parts and technologies can be more widely used and production costs minimized.

"It's not just hardware," Slenzak noted. On-board computers control electric-drive and safety systems and software plays a major role, complicated by the sheer number of different powertrain architectures and individual applications within each architecture.

Obviously, the cars won't be cheap in the near term.

That bodes well for the internal combustion engine, at least for now - Slenzak sees gas and diesel engines as major players for another 20 years.

He doesn't envision "quantum leaps" with internal combustion technology, but says evolutionary changes should keep it in the game while electric technologies mature.

The numerous new architectures will evolve, he predicts, bringing down weight, complexity and cost. As they do, the field will likely narrow to a few variations on an electric theme - most likely battery and fuel-cell varieties.

There's more than a little irony here.

During the infancy of the automobile in the early 20th century, more than 100 electric car companies existed, says Slenzak. By the 1920s they were all but gone as roads improved and consumers wanted to drive longer distances than the electric cars' batteries would allow. For the rest of the century - and so far for the 21`st as well, internal combustion engines dominated.

In today's world - where environmental and energy security issues are becoming increasing critical, it may not be long before the auto industry comes full circle, even though the primary challenge for battery electrics - driving range - remains.

Nissan Electric Car To Go On Sale In April

Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday that it will start signing up customers in April who want to buy its new Leaf electric car, with shipments starting by the end of the year.

Nissan has shown the five-passenger sedan, which can go 100 miles on a single charge, at cities around the country over the last three months in a push to market zero-emission technology.

The Japanese automaker has received $1.4 billion in loans from the federal government to help it build the Leaf, and the battery packs to power it, at a factory in Tennessee.

Nissan Americas Chairman Carlos Tavares said he expects about 20,000 people to sign up to purchase the vehicle.

The Japanese automaker will announce pricing in April, but a spokesman says the price will be similar to that of a base-level Toyota Prius hybrid, which starts at $22,800.

That would make the Leaf more accessible to the general public than other electric cars on sale today, like the Tesla Roadster, the battery-powered sports car that retails for $109,000. Tavares says the goal with the Leaf is to make electric cars available to a wider group of consumers.

"It's not a car just for early adopters or green addicts," Tavares said in an interview.

Deliveries of the Leaf will start in December. It will go on sale in Nissan showrooms in the U.S., Japan and Europe at around the same time.

Nissan does not have a target for how many Leafs it expects to sell, though 20,000 for the first year is a reasonable estimate based on the number of people who have expressed interest in the car, Tavares said.

Nissan will build the Leaf in Japan until 2012. Then production of the vehicle and its lithium-ion battery packs are scheduled to start at Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tenn., outside Nashville.

Although the powertrains are different, the Leaf could compete with General Motors Co.'s much-touted Chevrolet Volt, also slated for sale late this year. Unlike the Leaf, which operates on electric power alone, the Volt is powered by electricity but has an internal-combustion engine that kicks in after 40 miles to propel it longer distances.

The Volt is expected to retail for $40,000. Both the Volt and the Leaf will be eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credits.

In recent months, Nissan has been promoting partnerships with municipalities to help develop electric-charging networks. The company, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, has more than a dozen partnerships in the U.S. in markets that include Tennessee, Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., and with Houston-based Reliant Energy.

Hertz to include Nissan electric cars in rental fleet

Hertz will add Nissan's electric vehicle to its lineup next year in the U.S. and Europe, the rental car company said Friday.

Hertz Corp., the world's largest car rental agency, plans to use the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle with a rechargeable battery.

The Leaf can seat five adults and is designed to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. It will be available at select Hertz rental sites, though the company did not specify where.

Nissan expects to begin selling the Leaf in the United States later this year. The Japanese company also plans to use its partnership with French automakers Renault to mass market electric vehicles worldwide in 2012.

Japan Plans $1.1 Billion Nuclear, Electric-Car Loans

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s cabinet endorsed planned legislation to offer 100 billion ($1.1 billion) in low-interest loans to developers of electric cars and solar and nuclear power.

The government will offer financing at rates about 0.2 to 0.3 percentage point lower than ordinary commercial loans to developers of photovoltaic cells, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and nuclear reactors, Tetsuya Hamabe, the director of the trade ministry’s industrial finance division, told reporters in Tokyo today.

Japan wants to speed the development of next-generation clean energy technology amid an intensifying global race to capture the biggest share of the market for less-polluting power generators and vehicles. The move comes after U.S. President Barack Obama proposed tripling federal loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants to $54 billion.

One hundred billion yen will be offered in the fiscal year starting April 1, and that figure should expand to several hundred billion in coming years, Hamabe said. The loans will help create jobs and achieve sustainable economic growth, he said.

The bill will be submitted to the regular Diet session running through the middle of June. The ministries of trade, agriculture and transportation will decide who is eligible if the legislation is passed, Hamabe said.

Porsche 911 GT3 Hybrid for 24 Hours of the Nurburgring (w/VIDEO)

The new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be reveled at the 2010 Geneva motor show. The hybrid Porsche will race at the Nurburgring 24hrs in May 2010 as an experimental green race car.

Porsche calls it 'Porsche Intelligent Performance' – a marketing phrase we're bound to hear more of, as Zuffenhausen develops its hybrid technology to dispel fears of the long-term future of sports cars.

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid: the tech story

The hybrid 911 takes a conventional GT3 R race car and adds an electrically powered front axle. Two electric motors each developing 60kW turn the front wheels, complementing the flat six's 473 hp slingshotting the rear axle for a grand total of 635 horsepower combined. Four-wheel drive adds the usual traction gains for a race car, points out Porsche.

The system used is sometimes referered to as a 'through-the-road' hybrid, as there is no direct conection between the ICE in the rear and the front mounted electric motors. Porsche have also eliminated a bank of heavy batteries to upset the balance of a racer and used an electric flywheel power generator to create short bursts of electricity to drive the front axle.



The energy storage system was originally developed for use in Formula One by the AT&T
Williams team but Williams will not race the KERS system so their Hybrid team is now focused on applications in road vehicles. The flywheel is made from a Magnetically Loaded Composite material.

The flywheel generator acts as an electric motor – its rotor spins at up to 40,000rpm and stores energy mechanically as kinetic energy. It's charged during braking when the individual front electric motors double up as generators, and then releases up to 120kW of electricity for short bursts of around 6-8 seconds. Ideal for overtaking on track. The hybrid system reduces the number of fuel stops required which in a 24 hour race car can ad up to several laps advantage by the end of a race.

This system is essentially like the Flybrid concept that's been kicking around for a while. Energy that would otherwise have been wasted as heat during braking into turns is converted is temporarily stored then used to help power the car out of the turn again.

Porsche points to its long racing pedigree: the 911 has notched up more than 20,000 victories in 45 years of competing in motorsport around the globe. And it's not the first Porsche hybrid sports car – the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus was developed by founder Ferdinand Porsche 110 years ago.

Hybrid rules will be introduced at Le Mans this year with companies like Toyota and Peugeot believed to be more than a little interested in becoming involved. Porsche is in fact the most successful manufacturer, with a record 16 overall victories, including a record seven in a row, at Le Mans so it's no surprise they are testing a hybrid at a lower profile 24 hour race as Toyota have successfully done.

Mercedes All Electric Taxi Launched

Eco City Vehicles PLC, a developer and supplier of eco-friendly commercial vehicles and the London licensed taxi, is pleased to announce the launch today of an all electric prototype of the London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi (Vito), which was co-developed and is distributed exclusively by the Group.

Called the Mercedes Electric eVito Taxi (eVito), the zero-emissions, lithium-ion battery vehicle was developed by a consortium of high-technology engineering companies including ECV's manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes Benz UK and Zytec Automotive.

One80 Ltd, an associate company of the Group, provides its patented rear-wheel steering technology for the eVito as well as the Vito taxi, enabling the vehicle to meet the Public Carriage Office requirement for a minimum turning circle of 25 feet.

Later this year, the consortium plans to conduct controlled trials to confirm eVito's suitability for road usage as a London licensed taxi.

The electric taxi is powered by Zytek's 70kW electric powertrain and expected to exceed a total range of 120 miles in a typical mixed drive cycle on a single charge. The vehicle's performance is predicted to be similar to the internal combustion engine taxi, making it an ideal choice for inner city transportation and London cabbies. With zero emissions, it is also expected to be fully compliant with the Mayor of London's proposed new clean air standards for London taxis, due to be introduced in time for the London Olympics.

The Group believes that the advanced technologies used in the eVito also offers considerable potential for developing other types of eco-friendly commercial vehicles targeted at urban areas.

Peter DaCosta, Chief Executive Officer of Eco City Vehicles, commented: "The eVito is the first all-electric wheelchair accessible taxi with a 25-foot turning circle to be launched in the world and a major step towards our goal to become a leading supplier of niche eco-friendly vehicles. Subject to successful trials, the eVito together with the already popular Vito taxi, provides London with a great opportunity to reduce air pollution with modern vehicles. We have taken on board Mayor Boris Johnson's wish for a cleaner London and I'm confident this will contribute to meeting his goal."

Electric Cars Powered by their Composite Bodywork

Researchers from Imperial College London and their European partners, including Volvo Car Corporation, are developing a prototype material which can store and discharge electrical energy and which is also strong and lightweight enough to be used for car parts.

Ultimately, they expect that this material could be used in hybrid petrol/electric vehicles to make them lighter, more compact and more energy efficient, enabling drivers to travel for longer distances before needing to recharge their cars.

In addition, the researchers believe the material, which has been patented by Imperial, could potentially be used for the casings of many everyday objects such as mobile phones and computers, so that they would not need a separate battery. This would make such devices smaller, more lightweight and more portable.

The project co-ordinator, Dr Emile Greenhalgh, from the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London, says:

"We are really excited about the potential of this new technology. We think the car of the future could be drawing power from its roof, its bonnet or even the door, thanks to our new composite material. Even the Sat Nav could be powered by its own casing. The future applications for this material don't stop there -- you might have a mobile phone that is as thin as a credit card because it no longer needs a bulky battery, or a laptop that can draw energy from its casing so it can run for a longer time without recharging. We're at the first stage of this project and there is a long way to go, but we think our composite material shows real promise."

In the new project, the scientists are planning to develop the composite material so that it can be used to replace the metal flooring in the car boot, called the wheel well, which holds the spare wheel. Volvo is investigating the possibility of fitting this wheel well component into prototype cars for testing purposes.

The team says replacing a metal wheel well with a composite one could enable Volvo to reduce the number of batteries needed to power the electric motor. They believe this could lead to a 15 per cent reduction in the car's overall weight, which should significantly improve the range of future hybrid cars.

Current hybrid cars consist of an internal combustion engine, which is used when the driver accelerates the car, and an electric motor powered by batteries, which turns on when the car is cruising. The cars need a large number of batteries to power the electric motor, which makes the vehicle heavier, meaning that the car uses up more energy and the batteries need regular recharging at short intervals.

The researchers say that the composite material that they are developing, which is made of carbon fibres and a polymer resin, will store and discharge large amounts of energy much more quickly than conventional batteries. In addition, the material does not use chemical processes, making it quicker to recharge than conventional batteries. Furthermore, this recharging process causes little degradation in the composite material, because it does not involve a chemical reaction, whereas conventional batteries degrade over time.

The material could be charged by plugging a hybrid car into household power supply. The researchers are also exploring other alternatives for charging it such as recycling energy created when a car brakes.

For the first stage of the project, the scientists are planning to further develop their composite material so that it can store more energy. The team will improve the material's mechanical properties by growing carbon nanotubes on the surface of the carbon fibres, which should also increase the surface area of the material, which would improve its capacity to store more energy.

They are also planning to investigate the most effective method for manufacturing the composite material at an industrial level.

The 3-year European Union funded project includes researchers from the Departments of Chemistry, Aeronautics and Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology at Imperial College London. European academic and industrial partners include Swerea SICOMP, INASCO Hella, Chalmers, Advanced Composites Group, Nanocyl, Volvo Car Corporation, Bundesanstalt Fur Materialforschung undprufung, ETC Battery and Fuel Cells Sweden.

Andros Trophy goes Electric

The annual ice racing championships held in the French Alps during the off season this year introduced a class for EV race cars. In what is a first for professional motorsport, the "Trophée Andros Électrique" featured 8 identical space frame EVs built by Exagon engineering .

Each Andros Car 03 - Evo 2 is rear wheel drive, weighs just 800 kg and is powered by a 90 Kw (122 hp) Siemens 3 phase AC electric motor with 200 Nm of torque. The battery pack is Lithium Ion although no size is specified.

The popular rallycross format French series ran a single seater demonstration EV last year that bore a striking resemblance to a buggy. This year they EVs were more conventional 2 seaters.





Here's a link to the official Andro Trophy site video page

Ford Launch 2011 Transit Connect Electric Van

Ford Motor Company today unveiled the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect – the 2010 North American Truck of the Year – at the Chicago Auto Show and confirmed the zero-emissions small van will be in fleet operators’ hands later this year.

The 2011 Transit Connect Electric will use a Force Drive electric powertrain manufactured and integrated by specialty upfitter Azure Dynamics.

“Transit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the laboratory to the street,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Not only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an important part of Ford’s future.”

In addition to the Transit Connect Electric, Ford plans to bring three more electrified vehicles to market by 2012 – the Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and a next-generation hybrid in 2012.

Getting charged up and moving



Transit Connect Electric is well-suited for commercial fleets that travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop-and-go driving in urban and suburban environments and a central location for daily recharging. The vehicle, which will accelerate at a similar rate as the gas-powered Transit Connect and will have a top speed of 75 mph, has a targeted range of up to 80 miles on a full charge.

Owners will have the option of recharging the Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120V outlet or preferably a 240V charge station installed at the user’s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. A transportable cord that works with both types of outlets will be available for recharging at both kinds of locations.

The vehicle’s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well. The onboard liquid-cooled 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is charged by connecting the charge port to a power outlet. Inside the vehicle, an onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the battery pack.

“We’re excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles,” said Praveen Cherian, program manager for the Transit Connect Electric, who added that today’s electric vehicle buyers are similar to early adopters of hybrid vehicles. “People were a little hesitant about hybrid technology at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles.”

Driving on electric power



When the vehicle is operating, battery power is provided to the drive motor through the electric powertrain’s motor controller. The motor controller uses throttle input from the driver to convert DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor.

The onboard DC/DC converter allows the vehicle’s main battery pack to charge the onboard 12V battery, which powers the vehicle’s various accessories, such as headlights, power steering and coolant pumps.

In the Transit Connect Electric, the battery pack has been efficiently integrated without compromising interior passenger room and cargo space. The battery pack is expected to last the life of the vehicle.

Collaborations are key
Transit Connect Electric builds on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure Dynamics, as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.

“There is an increasing interest in electrified vehicles, and we are committed to bringing these vehicles to the marketplace,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global Electrification. “Ford’s work with Azure and Johnson Controls-Saft to create a purely electric Transit Connect will allow us to offer fleet customers an additional option for eco-friendly transportation.”

Oak Park, Mich.-based Azure Dynamics develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance™ Hybrid Electric, which is built on the Ford E-450 cutaway and strip chassis for the medium-duty commercial vehicle segment.

“The opportunity to work with Ford on the Transit Connect Electric is a breakthrough advancement for us at Azure and for the light-commercial vehicle market,” said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. “For us, it’s an important evolution of our existing relationship with Ford. From an industry standpoint, we are seeing delivery fleet and utility vehicle operators move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.”

Azure Dynamics’ proprietary Force Drive battery electric powertrain will be the driving force in the Transit Connect Electric. Force Drive components have previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle integrations and have more than 25 million miles of on-the-road experience.

Johnson Controls-Saft was selected by Azure Dynamics as the supplier for lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs for the Transit Connect Electric. Azure Dynamics and Ford both currently use Johnson Controls-Saft battery technology for other products.

An ideal platform
With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operation costs, the Transit Connect is an ideal choice for electrification.

The Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation, because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling with gasoline. Users may also benefit from much lower maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. Consider the following:

* The number of components typical in an internal combustion engine and transmission are dramatically reduced in an electric vehicle to just a few moving parts in the electric motor and transaxle, which results in much fewer parts to wear out or maintain
* Electric powertrains operate with solid state electronics, which have demonstrated low or no maintenance over the life of the product
* Electric vehicles have completely sealed cooling systems that do not require refilling, replacement or flushing
* Electric vehicles require no oil changes or tune-ups
* There are no belts to wear out or break and no spark plugs or injectors to clean or adjust
* There is no exhaust system to replace and no liquid fuel system to freeze or clog
* The use of regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brake pads

Common strengths
Although there are significant differences between the Transit Connect Electric and its gas-powered twin, there are many things in common as well. Both models offer:

* 135 cubic feet of cargo volume with 59.1 inches of floor-to-ceiling load height and 47.8 inches of load width between the wheel arches
* Load length a generous 72.6 inches, or more than six feet of cargo floor space
* Split rear cargo doors that open at a standard 180 degrees, or an optionally available 255 degrees
* Lift-over height less than two feet when the vehicle is unloaded
* Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering allows a 39-foot curb-to-curb turning circle for maneuverability in tight urban spaces
* Bulkheads, racks, bins and other upfits can be mixed, matched and configured to suit many specific commercial applications and needs

“With interest in eco-friendly vehicles stronger than ever among commercial and government fleet operators, the Transit Connect Electric promises to offer another unique solution for their needs,” said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager.

Toyota recalls 437,000 Prius hybrids globally

Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems — the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world's largest automaker.

"I apologize for causing trouble and worries for many customers over the quality and safety of Toyota," President Akio Toyoda said at a press conference Tuesday in Tokyo.

"We sincerely acknowledge safety concerns from our customers," he said. "We have decided to recall as we regard safety for our customers as our foremost priority."

The recall is the latest blow to Toyota Motor Corp., which is in the midst of recalling more than 7 million vehicles worldwide because of problems with floor mats, which can trap gas pedals, and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position. The 2010 Prius wasn't part of those recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads. The delay doesn't indicate a brake failure. The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Toyota officials went to Japan's Transport Ministry earlier Tuesday to formally notify officials the company is recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid — the world's top-selling hybrid car. The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the U.S. and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

The 223,000 cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200,000 Priuses sold from April last year through Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry. The Prius is Japan's top-selling car.

In the U.S., Toyota will recall 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles. Nearly 53,000 Priuses are also being recalled in Europe.

Owners in Japan of the 2010 Prius can get their cars fixed starting Wednesday, said Ryusuke Itazaki, chief of the recall department at the Transport Ministry.

He said Toyota would suspend production of the Sai and Lexus HS250h in Japan as the company doesn't have the updated software for those models yet.

If drivers experience any delayed reaction when depressing the brakes in any of these models, they should keep pressing, he said.

Itazaki said complaints about the brakes started coming in as the weather got colder, particularly from northern Japan.

He also said Toyota should have taken action sooner. "If the company had paid more attention to consumers' viewpoint, it could have realized that there was a safety problem."

Toyoda, the president, has been criticized for being largely invisible during the two weeks after the company announced Jan. 21 the gas pedal recall in the U.S., Europe and China. He apologized at his first public press conference last Friday, but was criticized by the Japanese media for failing to outline concrete steps to tackle the safety crisis and reassure customers around the world.

In contrast to his halting English in response to questions from foreign reporters at last week's news conference, Toyoda seemed much better prepared Tuesday, reading from an English statement after doing so in Japanese.

"We will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company," he said in English. "We will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers."

U.S. safety officials have launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.

The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating the matter. Toyota says it's cooperating with NHTSA's investigation.

Problems with hybrid braking systems haven't been limited to Toyota.

Ford Motor Co. said last week it plans to fix 17,600 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrids because of a software problem that can give drivers the impression that the brakes have failed. The automaker says the problem occurs in transition between two braking systems and at no time are drivers without brakes.

Toyota's plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan — a largely experimental model for rental and government use, with 159 sold.

The Prius holds a cherished spot in Toyota's vehicle lineup and is symbolic of its leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota was one of the first companies to mass-market a hybrid that combines an electric motor with a gas engine, introducing the Prius in Japan in 1997. Its high gas mileage made it popular among environmentally conscious drivers, especially when gas prices spiked two years ago.

But the complexity of the Prius, a highly computerized car, has led to problems in the past. In 2005, the company repaired 75,000 of them to fix software glitches that caused the engine to stall. It has also had trouble with headlights going out.