Volkswagen and SAIC to make EV in China

Volkswagen AG's car venture with SAIC Motor Corp plans to make an electric car, joining Nissan, Daimler and other automakers planning green car projects in the world's biggest auto market.

Tantus, which will be produced by Shanghai Volkswagen, is already on a list of approved new vehicles, according to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

A Shanghai Volkswagen spokesperson declined to comment.

Beijing has declared the electric vehicle industry a top priority, earmarking $1.5 billion a year for the next 10 years to transform the country into one of the leading producers of clean vehicles.

Daimler AG, Nissan Motor and General Motors have all committed to make and sell electric cars in partnership with their local partners.

Renault scoops prime EV contract in France-report

French carmaker Renault was awarded a prestigious contract with the French state for the supply of 15,600 electric vehicles, Le Figaro reported on Friday.

Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan are jointly investing 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) in electric vehicle technology as they scramble to take the lead on a technology that Carlos Ghosn, who heads both companies, has said could account for 10 percent of new car sales by 2020.

Renault won the largest part of a 25,000 electric vehicles public contract, Le Figaro said without citing sources.

It will supply 10,000 vehicles to France's postal service La Poste and 5,600 additional units to other public administrations, the newspaper said, adding the contract had to undergo further legal hurdles before being officially announced.

GE may lease vehicle batteries for electric cars

General Electric Co. and Nissan Motor Co. said they signed a two-year research and development agreement to speed infrastructure improvements and spur electric car sales.

GE may lease vehicle batteries to electric-car buyers, joining other companies looking to get more people to buy alternative-energy automobiles. GE makes batteries and is one of the biggest investors in Massachusetts-based battery maker A123 Systems Inc.

A battery leasing program is a venture that could allow GE to show off its range of businesses, from its industrial core which could be influential in manufacturing the batteries, to its GE Capital finance arm which could support the leasing.

GE did not comment on how far along GE is in its consideration of leasing, and did not provide a timetable for entering the business.

GE has a 6 percent stake in A123, a 10-year-old lithium-ion battery maker that went public in 2009, as a position GE can use as it digs deeper into the electric-vehicle market.

Talk about electric-vehicle battery leasing has come up in the auto industry in recent years as top automakers unveiled plans to launch vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and General Motors Co's Chevrolet Volt. A variety of companies, including Palo Alto, California-based Better Place and Nissan, have proposed battery leasing programs as a way to ease anxiety about electric cars.

Mexico City gets Nissan Leaf electric taxis [video]

A fleet of electric taxi cabs cruises into Mexico City. The cars are the first wave of a green initiative unveiled by the capital this week, in hopes of easing pollution in the city of 20 million.

The Nissan Leaf taxis run entirely on electric engines and can travel up to 160 kilometers per charge. Mexico Nissan Presdient, Jesus Munoz. Mexico Nissan President Jesus Munoz saying "We have delivered the first three vehicles of this program which consists of 100 vehicles as part of a pilot program. It will have a later phase where we'll deliver 500 units so that they can be used as taxis in the middle of Mexico City.

Nissan has provided equipment for a charging station in the city center, where solar energy can charge batteries in 30 minutes. The company estimates that 100 of the eco-friendly taxis will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by five tonnes per day.

Nissan start road trials of Twizy EV Concept from October [video]

Nissan is looking to expand its EV line-up beyond the Leaf. Having received permission from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Nissan announced on September 29th that it would be starting trials of its New Mobility Concept EV on public roads starting in the area around Nissan’s HQ in Yokohama.

The Yokohama trial will be divided into two phases. The first will be from October 15th to 28th and be centered around people connected with Yokohama’s Motomachi shopping district. The second phase will be open to local residents and tourists and will be run from November 17th to 30th. Participants must be 21 and above and have had a regular passenger car license for 3 years or more.

Nissan’s 2-seater is based on it’s sister company Renault’s Twizy. It is 2.34 meters in length and 1.19 meters wide. With a height of 1.45 meters, it will be big enough to carry two adults. It will have a top speed of 80 km/h and be able to travel 100 km between recharges.

Nissan will be providing 7 vehicles at no cost to the city of Yokohama and is hoping to get usage data from a range of drivers, including older people and tourists, as well as researching the social needs for very small vehicles like these.

GM insists will sell 10,000 Volts by the end of this year

General Motors insists it will sell 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in the U.S. by the end of this year, but as of now, the numbers don't look good.

By the end of August, the last time GM publicly announced its sales, about 3,500 Volts had been sold. To reach 10,000, GM will need to average about 1,700 Volts per month for the last four months of the year.

In August, GM sold 300 gasoline/electric Volts. Meanwhile, Nissan sold over 1,300 of its all-electric Nissan Leaf that month. In fact, the Leaf was the fourth best-selling of all alternative fuel vehicle that month, including hybrids and diesel cars, according to Intellichoice.com.

September Volt sales will be revealed Monday when GM reports its monthly sales tally.

Not to worry, GM spokesman Rob Peterson said.

"I don't see any problem with reaching our goal," he said.

The reason he gives is that GM's Detroit factory is still just clearing its throat. The real show starts now.

Up to now, the Volt has been available for sale in only seven test markets including New York, California and GM's home state of Michigan. Even so, Volts have found homes in all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, said Peterson. Some people can't wait for them to be available in their own states. They want the cars so badly they're buying them and shipping them across oceans and continents.

Now, GM is getting ready to sell the Volt at 2,600 Chevrolet dealers across all 50 states and getting geared up for that has meant drawing Volt sales down to a trickle, he said.

First, GM closed the Detroit factory where the Volt is built for four weeks to upgrade it so it can turn out Volts faster.

That extra production capacity was needed because, in addition to selling across the U.S., the Volt will also go on sale in Europe and Asia. In all, GM expects to sell 16,000 Volts by the end of this year, a figure that includes a Europe-only version called the Opel Ampera.

Every one of them will be built in Detroit.

Once production started again in mid-August, the first priority was getting so-called demo units to dealerships so they could demonstrate the products and give test drives. That left only about 300 cars to sell to customers in August, Peterson said.

Bottom line, he said, GM is still selling every Volt it can build. It just needs to build more.

The plant is capable of producing 600 Volts a week, Peterson said, or roughly 2,400 cars a month.

The Volt is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings its effective base price down to about $32,500. Also, it's available at a relatively low lease rate of about $350 a month.

Phil Gott, an industry analyst with IHS Global Insight, agrees with Peterson that the Volt's current lagging sales status is no indication that demand for the car is flagging.

Regardless of sales numbers, the Volt is already doing solid work for GM, Peterson said.

"Of the initial batch of Volt owners, about half hadn't stepped into a Chevy dealership in eight years," he said. "A third never had."

That means the Volt is drawing new customers into Chevrolet showrooms.

"I've heard that some Chevy dealers are using the Volt to get people into showrooms and using it to sell the Cruze," said Omotoso. "It's almost half the price of the Volt and it gets great fuel economy."

The Chevrolet Cruze also happens to be the best-selling compact car in America. So even if the Volt doesn't turn out to be a great seller, it seems to be a good salesman.

Fully Charged episode 30 Ford Transit Connect Electric [video]

In this weeks episode of Fullycharged Robert Llewellyn takes the Ford Transit Connect Electric for a spin and a waffle.

Toyota breaks speed record with a compressed air car [video]

The Toyota Ku:Rin three-wheeler just took the speed record for a car running on only compressed air, clocking in at 80.3mph.

The KU:RIN was designed and built by a 40 member team at Toyota group company Toyota Industries Corporation that was started in December 2006. It is no coincidence that Toyota Industries Corp happens to be the biggest supplier of car air conditioner compressors in the world - to the tune of 20 million every year. So these guys know something about compressed air.

To power the KU:RIN, these developers reversed an air conditioning compressor so that instead of using mechanical power to compress air, it generates mechanical energy from the expansion of the compressed air. The compressed air is not fuel as such, but acts as energy storage fulfilling much the same role as a battery pack in an electric car.

Mitsubishi & IHI join forces with WiTricity for wireless charging

WiTricity Corporation (WiTricity), IHI Corporation (IHI) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) have agreed to join forces to research and develop easily deployable electric vehicle (EV) wireless charging systems readily compatible with electric grids which will make life easier for EV users in the future. The partnership structure of three major players in the wireless charging, electric infrastructure, and EV areas coming together will accelerate the popularization of wireless charging systems for EVs by developing systems that are usable "right out of the box" for individuals, governments, and other entities including power companies in order to make it easier and quicker for them to roll out such systems.

The aim of the collaboration is to make EVs remarkably more convenient for owners by accelerating the popularization (and thus availability) of wireless charging at homes and shopping center parking lots, etc.

Wireless charging systems allow transfer of energy from a source placed on or under the ground, to a vehicle equipped with an energy capture device. Charging occurs automatically when the vehicle is parked, with no physical contact between the vehicle and the charging source. WiTricity has already developed and brought to market its patented magnetic resonance wireless charging system*1. The system that WiTricity has developed can transfer energy further and more efficiently in comparison to conventional systems such as electromagnetic induction and microwave transmission, pushing the possibilities of wireless charging by being able to deliver up to 3.3 kW of charging power over distance of 20cm (almost 8 inches) at an efficiency rate of more than 90%, in manner that is safe and very user friendly. Systems based on WiTricity technology offer smaller size and lighter weight as compared to conventional systems, and operate with no moving parts.

The three companies will combine state-of-the-art wireless charging technology, electric power infrastructure know-how and over four decades of EV research, development, and technology to make easily deployable wireless charging systems for EVs over three steps: research and development, real-world testing, and commercialization.

The first step will include:

Finding the most appropriate and easiest ways of incorporating wireless charging systems into EV charging infrastructure

Clarifying legal matters regarding the new technology and create proposals for rules governing the use of such systems

Testing of wireless charging systems with EVs fitted with power charging receptors internally


WiTricity CEO, Eric Giler noted about the new collaboration: "Electric vehicles offer great potential for reducing CO2 emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. However, they must be user friendly, and wireless charging is an important feature that greatly improves the user experience. We are excited to work with industry leaders MMC and IHI on this important program."

Mr. Kazuaki Kama, IHI's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated "Wireless charging is strategic to IHI. As a supplier of public infrastructure, IHI is deeply motivated to develop systems that are environmentally sound. We believe that user friendly wireless charging will contribute to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles -- an important step forward for 21st century society. Working together with Mitsubishi Motors and WiTricity, leaders in electric vehicles and wireless technology, we aim to become a leading world-wide supplier of wireless charging stations for public, commercial, and residential parking environments."

Mr. Osamu Masuko, President of MMC added "Like we have done with promotion and education of electric vehicle infrastructure such as quick-chargers and being involved with "smart grid" technology, we are happy to enter into a new phase of electric vehicle infrastructure development. I am confident we can be a major contributor along with WiTricity and IHI to quickly make widespread wireless charging for electric vehicles a reality."

*1: Magnetic Resonance Wireless Charging System

A type of wireless charging system, that plants coil and condenser both the transmitter and receptor, and transmits power when the transmitter's magnetic resonance is synchronized with the receptor. The process is similar to when a singer projects just the right sound to shatter a wine glass. It has a distinct advantage in offering freedom when considering charging structure, as the transmitter and receptor can function at various angles, instead of just top and bottom.

Chief Minister won over by electric vehicle

Katy Gallagher's legs may have been trembling as she alighted from an impromptu spin in a two-door electric sports car, but she admitted she could get used to driving it.

The ACT Chief Minister was launching the Canberra International Electric Vehicle Festival yesterday, an event that has grown steadily in the three years since its inception, and now includes about 20 examples of the types of electronic cars that will soon be available in Australia.

The owner of the Tesla sports car she climbed out of, Jay McCormack, who is also the company's national sales and marketing manager, said many people would be driving electric cars within 10 years.

And, like mobile phones and flat-screen televisions, the market would simply adjust and the cars would become more affordable as the technology improved.

''The next generation car will be half the price - it's all based on battery technology,'' he said.

The Tesla Roadster Sport ran on 6831 lithium-ion batteries - the same as those used in laptops - and took about three hours to recharge.

But thanks to a deal struck between ActewAGL and electric car network Better Place Australia, Canberra will soon be the first place in Australia to have battery switch stations, where drivers can pull in, have the depleted battery removed, and replaced automatically and be back on the road within four minutes.

Better Place spokeswoman Felicity Glennie-Holmes said Canberra was the obvious entry point for the scheme.

''Canberra is designed for driving and many households have more than one vehicle,'' Ms Glennie-Holmes said.

The full commercial roll-out of the scheme was expected by the middle of next year, with a progressive national roll-out to continue in 2013.

Ms Gallagher said Canberra was also the only place in Australia that gave stamp duty exemption for electric vehicles, and that she expected to see more and more of them on the roads, especially once family-vehicles became available.

ACT Electric Vehicle Council chairman Ivan Slavich said it was only a matter of time before most car manufacturers had produced affordable electric models, as the continued use of fossil fuels became unfeasible.

''If they don't do it, they won't survive,'' he said.

Electric RaceAbout Nurburgring Lap Record [video]

Electric RaceAbout driven by Ralf Kelleners lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 8:42.72. That is faster than the Peugeot EX1 Concept @ 9:01.338 but slower than Toyota Motorsports with a 7:47.794.

The average speed for the lap was 142 km/h and the top speed at Döttinger Höhe 238 km/h. Later on during testing Kelleners reached even more impressive 244 km/h. For the complete record lap E-RA consumed 25,6 kWh, measured as energy taken from grid to recharge the battery. This results to energy consumption of 1230 Wh/km or 123 kWh/100km for the lap.

Even if E-RA powertrain produced approximately 300 kW peak power throughout the lap, there was no sign of overheating problems in motors or batteries typical to electric vehicles. The weather was close to perfect with dry and sunny but still not too warm conditions at around 15 degrees C ambient temperature. E-RA was equipped with Nokian Z G2 high performance road tyres - 225/40 ZR 18 in front and 245/40 ZR 18 in rear.

Electric RaceAbout is built by Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Approximately 25 engineering students and 2 faculty members have designed and buit the vehicle starting from a clean desk. Exterior and interior styling was created by students from Institute of Design at Lahti University of Applied Sciences.

E-RA has four motors - one per each wheel - designed jointly with Lappeenranta University of Technology and produced by AXCO Motors. The motor controllers come from Vacon a leading Finnish electric drive manufacturer. E-RA has full carbon fibre composite body to save weight for the powerful and efficient 33kWh lithium-titanate battery pack.

On Nordschleife and in various events like Michelin Challenge Bibendum, Automotive X-Prize and e-miglia, Metropolia team has demonstrated with the road legal and registered prototype vehicle E-RA, that using electric powertrain it is possible to construct both efficient and high performance car which can also be used in regular traffic. On normal roads the average energy consumption for E-RA is only 145 Wh/km and on racetrack it can achieve 244 km top speed still with modest consumption and minimal losses.

Ford May Make Electric Cars in China: Mulally

Ford Motor Co. (F) may make electric cars with its partner in China as the auto industry moves toward producing more fuel-efficient vehicles, Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said.
“Our plan is to make the vehicles people want and value, in China and around the world,” Mulally, 66, said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Sept. 24 in Chongqing, China. “As we move to more electrification you’re going to see more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric.”

Mulally, who was in China to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of an engine transmission plant at its venture with Changan Automobile Group, didn’t provide a schedule for building electric cars. Rivals Daimler AG (DAI) and General Motors Co. (GM) have announced plans to add alternative-energy vehicles in China as the country, the world’s largest polluter, seeks to reduce emissions. The government aims to have 1 million electric- powered vehicles on the road by 2015, according to the Ministry of Science.

GM on Sept. 20 signed an agreement to develop electric cars in China with its partner SAIC Motor Corp. GM, which plans to introduce the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt in China in the fourth quarter, will not give SAIC or the Chinese government intellectual property for the Volt as part of the agreement, GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky said.

Ford E-Bike packs a Galaxy S II on the bars, motor in the wheel

Designed to show how the company's design language can translate to a bicycle, the Ford E-Bike Concept also demonstrates the spectrum of Ford's electric mobility competence. Ford has no plans to produce the E-Bike but will continue studying the concept along with other future mobility solutions.

“The E-Bike market is growing very, very rapidly, with some 30 million units sold globally last year,” said Axel Wilke, director, vehicle personalisation, Ford Customer Service Division Europe. “We see E-Bikes as an important element of urban electric mobility. More and more people are using E‑Bikes for short distance commuting and they are becoming comfortable with the concept of electric mobility."

Cross-Gender Design

Developed by a Ford Design team led by Executive Design Director Martin Smith, in partnership with cyber-Wear, the German brand behind Ford's popular Lifestyle Collection products, the Ford E-Bike Concept has been created from the ground up to appeal to both men and women.

At the heart of the design is a trapezoidal frame profile. Constructed from aluminium and carbon, the frame combines outstanding strength with a weight of just 2.5kg. The wheels, with a six-spoke V-design, appear to float around the frame, while the drive system is hidden from view, creating a clean, minimalist appearance.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Providing the power is a drive system consisting of a motor in the front wheel hub, a lithium-ion battery concealed in the frame, promising a range of up to 85km on a full charge, an integrated controller and patented magnetostriction sensor technology from the world of Formula One.

Magnetostriction materials are used to convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy, and vice versa. In Formula One, these sensors help handle high engine revolutions in combination with intense thermal strains. They need no physical contact with other parts of the engine, are temperature-independent and are completely maintenance-free.

In the Ford E-Bike, the first application of this technology in the bicycle industry, the sensors read the revolutions in the inner bearing and relay this information to the control unit within a hundredth of a second. The control unit then instantly activates or deactivates the electric motor, providing a seamless integration of the power of the legs with the power of the motor.

A handlebar-mounted display provides trip information and allows the rider to select from three support modes – Economy, Comfort and Sport.

Range-Topping Bicycle Components

The drive system is complemented by top-of-the-range bicycle components, including a Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal gear hub and a 2012 Shimano Rapidfire shifter. In place of a traditional chain is a Carbon Belt Drive System, making for a cleaner, lighter and more immediate transfer of energy.

"With its cutting edge design, cross-gender appeal, robust build quality and high performance drive package, we believe the Ford E-Bike Concept would be the perfect addition to the e‑mobility solutions we will offer," added Wilke.

Technical Specifications

Drive Unit:
Front wheel hub motor
Max. nominal power: 350W
Electricity: 36V – 250W
Supports up to 25km/h (to EN 15194)
Clutch with freewheel function
Gearbox: Planet gears
Integral sensor technology

Battery:
Cell type: Lithium-ion accumulator
Electricity: 340Wh, 36V, 9.3Ah
Charging cycles: 1000 cycles at 80% residual capacity
BMS (Battery Management System): protects against deep discharge and self-discharge Charge times: 80% after 2 hours, 100% after 3-4 hours (at room temperature)
Range: Up to 85km (depending on drive power and support mode selected)
Temperature range: -20°C to +60°C

Extremely small unit to connect battery (remains on bike) to normal mains network.
Intelligent electronics to prevent overcharging, undervolting, overheating and shortcircuit; in particular, sleep function prevents deep charging and necessity for recalibration with charger connected

Controller display functions:
Background lighting with light sensor system
Energy-saving automatic sleep mode
Diagnosis function with fault code display
Support modes: Economy, Comfort, Sport
Displays: Range, Battery capacity, Speed, Time, Distance, Maximum speed, Average speed, Total distance, Service reminder, System diagnosis, Support modes
iPhone Smartphone app control function planned

Bicycle Components:
Wheels: Mavic Elipse Aluminum black (modified with Ford Design crossing)
Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport black
Pedals: Wellgo LU-C27G, silver/black
Handlebars: Downhill Aluminum black, custom made
Stem: Giant SLR Carbon 110mm
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XC
Brakes: Avid Elixir 5, full hydraulic, 185mm, white

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Expand OEM Business in Japan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have announced that the two companies have agreed to expand the scope of their OEM supply agreements in the Japanese market as follows:

Nissan will provide the Fuga luxury sedan to Mitsubishi Motors starting from summer 2012.
The two companies have started deliberations on the provision of Mitsubishi Motors' MINICAB-MiEV commercial mini EV to Nissan in fiscal year 2012.

The two new OEM project agreements are part of the core agreement signed in December 2010 to expand cooperation between the two companies. These new projects follow on a prior agreement for Nissan to provide the NV200 Vanette compact van to Mitsubishi Motors starting from October 2011, together with the establishment of the joint venture NMKV Co., Ltd., in June 2011. These initiatives are intended to strengthen the competitiveness of both companies in Japan.

Fully Charged episode 29 Peugeot 3008 diesel hybrid [video]

A test drive in the new Peugeot 3008 diesel hybrid

Car firms want standard EV plugs

The standardisation of charging plugs for electric vehicles could become commonplace by 2017 after European car firms agreed on a set of recommendations to use the same charging equipment in all countries.

The joint industry proposal put forward by the automobile manufacturers' trade association, ACEA, would enable the use of one type of plug independent of car make, electricity provider or country.

ACEA – of which most major European car manufacturers are members – is keen for its recommendations to be accepted by the European Commission, as well as by standardisation bodies and infrastructure providers across the continent. Standardisation is regarded as one of the prerequisites to help electric vehicles gain a viable market share. At present, a variety of solutions is used by different manufacturers, leading to a fragmentation of the market.

The industry recommendations cover the whole link between the public charging infrastructure and the vehicle inlet, and they address both slow and fast-charging with direct or alternate current. Vehicle manufacturers have pledged to start integrating the uniform technology into their production cars as soon as it has been approved by the relevant standardisation bodies. ACEA members want to move to full implementation for new vehicles by 2017.

“This is a major step towards the broader introduction of electrically-chargeable vehicles in Europe and paves the way for a harmonised solution around the globe,” said Ivan Hodac, secretary general of ACEA. “Standardisation provides predictability to investors; it enables economy of scale and reduces costs. We have also ensured a solution that meets the highest safety standards and is easy to use.”

ACEA predicts that electrically chargeable vehicles could account for between 3-10 per cent of new car sales by 2025.

EV Drivers Will Prefer to Charge Their Vehicles at Home: Survey

Chartwell has conducted a study that reveals 89% of consumers would be "likely" or "extremely likely" to charge their plug-in EVs at home. In fact, the recent survey of 1,500 North American consumers shows that 81% of that group would fall into the extremely-likely category. This was a far greater percentage than consumers who foresee external charging stations as the primary means for fuel.

"We've uncovered some interesting findings," said Stacey Bailey, a Sr. Research Analyst with Chartwell. "You have the vast majority of consumers believing their home will be the primary charging site, and most of those respondents say they will plug in during off-peak, overnight hours, which would be preferable for most utilities.

A Closer Look at the Fisker Surf Hybrid Wagon [video]

The new Fisker Surf is the world’s first electric luxury/sports automobile for an active and eco-friendly lifestyle. The Fisker Surf builds on the success of the ground-breaking Karma Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) by adding additional, flexible load-carrying capability, along with a spirited new attitude all its own.

The Surf is Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon and shows how Fisker is expanding its Karma platform rapidly with additional models that again create a new market niche.

Fisker say the Surf will be launched in 2013.

GM, SAIC to develop electric vehicles in China

General Motors Co and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor Corp signed an agreement on Tuesday to develop and build electric vehicles in the world's largest auto market.

The deal will allow GM and SAIC to eventually offer electric vehicles (EVs) that qualify for expected Chinese "green" subsidies, something GM's Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid electric car does not qualify for since it is not built in China, GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky said.

The subsidies would provide buyers with a discount, either before or after purchase.

The Volt will go on sale in China later this year, but without the subsidies that can cut prices roughly 30 percent. Girsky said GM hopes China eventually extends the green subsidies to all vehicles.

Industry observers and U.S. lawmakers have said that by limiting the subsidies to locally built models, the Chinese government is pressuring companies like GM to share advanced technology with its Chinese partners.

"The basic, unpublished rules look like this: If you want approvals to build more Buicks and Chevys in China ... you should first agree to transfer EV technology," said independent China auto analyst Michael Dunne.

"The price of access to the world's No. 1 car market just went up a few notches," added Dunne, who wrote "American Wheels Chinese Roads: the Story of General Motors in China."

GM officials deny facing any pressure.

"We've had no requests for intellectual property around Volt from our partner, SAIC, or the Chinese government," Girsky said on a conference call. GM currently has no plans to build Volt in China. "This is not a political decision. This is a business decision."

China has set an ambitious target to have 1 million green vehicles on the road by 2020, up from a few thousand at best currently. J.D. Power and Associates estimates the EV market in China will not reach 200,000 sales until 2015 at the earliest.

"We're making guesses here, but we do not want to be left out," Girsky said, when asked how big China's EV market could get.

Girsky compared the SAIC deal to one announced last month with South Korea's LG Corp to design a range of EVs to be sold around the world. He said the SAIC deal would make EVs for China, and the LG deal would serve the rest of the world.

Last year, the Chinese government unveiled a pilot program to hand out subsidies to buyers of fuel-efficient cars in five Chinese cities as it moves to cut emissions in the world's most populous country, which is also the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases. It is still finalizing those regulations.

But those subsidies, which favor electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, may only cover locally made green models, reflecting Beijing's resolve to promote domestic brands and locally built products.

That potentially could put GM's Volt and Nissan Motor Co Ltd's Leaf at a significant disadvantage by making the vehicles too expensive for many Chinese buyers.

Nissan, which will begin selling the Leaf in China later this year, previously said it would build an electric vehicle with its Chinese partner in that market by 2015.

GM and SAIC said their Chinese joint venture's engineering and design operations will develop the new architecture as well as key parts. Girsky said it will be a dedicated electric vehicle platform and not based on current models.

The companies, which are making equal, undisclosed investments in the project, said product details and timing will be announced at a later date. J.D. Power analyst Mike Omotoso said the SAIC venture could develop its EV within two three years.

The Shanghai GM joint venture introduced the Chevy Sail electric concept vehicle late last year. Vehicles developed under the partnership will be sold in China under Shanghai GM and SAIC brands, and GM will use the platform to build electric vehicles globally.

The agreement finalizes a nonbinding memorandum on cooperation for green-vehicle development SAIC and GM signed last November. At the time, SAIC agreed to buy a 1 percent stake in GM through an initial public offering held to make GM a public company again and cut the U.S. Treasury's holding in the company.

The Shanghai GM joint venture builds Chevy, Buick and Cadillac vehicles in China, and dates back almost 15 years.

GM's board of directors met China this week -- the first time ever outside the United States.

Audi EV and Hybrid Showcase @ IAA Frankfurt [video]

e-tron, hybrid, concept cars: Audi concepts for sustainable mobility are as diverse as the challenges.

NASA Announces Two 'Game-Changing' Space Technology Projects

In an effort to develop next generation electric space propulsion systems, NASA has selected what is says are two "game-changing" space technology projects for development. The selections are part of the agency's efforts to pursue revolutionary technology required for future missions, while proving the capabilities and lowering the cost of government and commercial space activities.

"NASA's Game Changing Technology Development program uses a rolling selection process to mature new, potentially transformative technologies from low to moderate technology readiness levels -- from the edge of reality to a test article ready for the rigors of the lab," said Space Technology Director Michael Gazarik at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "These two new projects are just the beginning. Space Technology is making investments in critical technology areas that will enable NASA's future missions, while benefiting the American aerospace community."

The "Ride the Light" concept seeks to provide external power on demand for aerospace vehicles and other applications. The concept uses beamed power and propulsion produced by commercially available power sources such as lasers and microwave energy. The project will attempt to develop a low-cost, modular power beaming capability and explore multiple technologies to function as receiving elements of the beamed power.

This combination of technologies could be applied to space propulsion, performance and endurance of unpiloted aerial vehicles or ground-to-ground power beaming applications. Development of such capabilities fulfills NASA's strategic goal of developing high payoff technology and enabling missions otherwise unachievable with today's technology.

NASA has awarded approximately $3 million for concept studies to multiple companies during this first phase of the Ride the Light project. Systems engineering and analysis during this first phase of the Ride the Light project will be done by Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville, AL, Aerojet in Redmond, WA, ATK in Ronkonkoma, NY, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, and Teledyne Scientific, Boeing, and the Aerospace Corp., all located in Los Angeles, CA. Following these studies, NASA expects to make an implementation decision in 2013.

NASA also has selected Amprius Inc. of Menlo Park, CA, to pursue development of a prototype battery that could be used for future agency missions. Amprius is teaming with JPL and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland on the project, with an estimated value of $710,000 for one year of development.

The Amprius project will focus on the material optimization of silicon anodes and electrolyte formulation to meet the agency's low-temperature energy requirements. Amprius developed a unique ultra-high capacity silicon anode for lithium ion batteries that will enable NASA to dramatically improve the specific energy of mission critical rechargeable batteries. NASA requirements are unique because of the extremely low temperatures encountered in space.

British Gas say EV Drivers can cover 1,000 miles for £5.00

British motorists with fully-electric cars can drive 1,000 miles for just over five pounds by using solar energy, according to new figures released today from British Gas.

With high petrol prices, households with fully electric cars such as the 100% electric Nissan LEAF can install solar panels and use the energy produced to offset the costs of running their car.

Actor Robert Llewellyn, best known for playing Kryten in cult British comedy Red Dwarf, is one of the first motorists to run his car with the help of solar panels.

Since having his panels installed by British Gas three months ago, Robert has clocked up 2680 miles in his Nissan LEAF.  Thanks to his solar panels, he has generated enough energy to provide 85% of the charge required to cover this distance¹.  As a result, his journeys have cost him a fraction of the amount the same mileage would set him back if he had used a petrol powered car.

Cost comparisons per 1,000 miles⁽²⁾.

Vehicle type	Cost
Petrol car	£150
Electric car	£37.10
Solar powered electric car	£5.38

As well as providing the home with free renewable electricity, solar panels also provide an annual income thanks to the Government's Feed-in Tariff (FiT). The scheme rewards solar owners for all the renewable electricity their panels generate, earning a yearly income.  The payments are tax-free, index-linked and guaranteed for 25 years⁽³⁾.

The cost for a 2.52kWp solar panel installation like Robert's is £11,500 from British Gas.  With the average driver travelling 12,000 miles a year⁽⁴⁾, an electric car owner with a solar array of this size can expect to save over £1,736 on petrol costs with an estimated annual FiT payment of £1,055⁽⁵⁾.  These benefits add up to a total of £2,791 annually.  This means the solar panels will pay for themselves in just over 4.5 years.

Robert Llewellyn said:   "I'm a massive fan of electric cars, and have been for years. With solar-generated electricity, I don't have to worry about the price at the petrol pump.

"Using solar energy is a fantastically efficient way of getting around and I've been amazed at how much energy has been generated even in our typically English, cloudy weather."

Dean Keeling, Managing Director of British Gas Smart Homes, said: "Through solar-generated energy, our customers can significantly cut their fuel costs and help reduce Britain's carbon footprint.  Solar-charged vehicles have real potential on our roads, and from the moment the panels are installed customers can begin to reap benefits."

British Gas is the also the preferred supplier of home charging units for the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, the new Zero Emissions range of Renault EVs, as well as Hitachi Capital's EV lease offering.  The preferred partnership deals mean British Gas is on track to be the largest supplier of car charging points in Britain's homes, supporting 70% of the domestic market by 2012⁽⁶⁾.

Home owners can also benefit from British Gas' Rent Your Roof Scheme. It is an option open to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers that allows people to generate their own electricity and save on their fuel bills without the capital outlay of a solar PV system.  If your property is suitable, British Gas will pay for the system and installation of PV panels on your roof.  Home owners in this scheme will benefit from renewable electricity but will not receive the feed-in tariff. 

Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in [video]

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) here today at the annual Green Drive Expo for two new hybrid vehicles, the Prius v and Prius Plug-in.

Since 1997 to present day, the Prius has been the dominant leader in hybrid technology worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the Prius has sold more than one million units since 2000. The all new Prius v and Prius Plug-in are the two newest hybrid vehicles to help make up the Prius Family. A fourth new member, the city-friendly Prius c, will launch in 2012.

Prius v

The first new member of the Prius Family, the Prius v, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA including Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. The Prius v will provide 58 percent more cargo space than the Prius Liftback, and at 34.3 cubic feet, it has more cargo room than 80 percent of the small SUVs on the road today. Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, the highest fuel efficiency of any crossover, SUV or wagon on the market.

The Prius v will have three configurations to help provide an easy ordering process, the value-driven Prius v Two, the well-equipped Three, and the premium level Five. All Prius v models come equipped with a wealth of standard comfort and convenience features including a new 6.1-inch Display Audio system with integrated backup camera, Bluetooth® and USB port, 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, single-dial climate control, EV/ECO/Power modes, driver door Smart Key System, instrument panel with driver feedback displays, Toyota's Star Safety System™ [which includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Smart Stop Technology], 60/40 split sliding and reclining rear seat, comfortable driver seating with power lumbar support and much more.

The Prius v Three adds standard Display Audio with Navigation and the Entune1™ multimedia system (includes SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription, HD Radio® with iTunes® Tagging and text-to-speech with programmed and customizable test responses).

In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door Smart Key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, fog lamps and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius v are $26,400 for the Prius v Two model, $27,165 for the Prius v Three, and $29,990 for the Prius v Five. The Prius v will arrive at Toyota dealerships in late October.

Prius Plug-in

The third member of the Prius Family, the first-ever Prius Plug-in Hybrid, combines the benefits of the third-generation Prius Liftback's Hybrid Syndergy Drive with extended electric vehicle (EV) range, in a package that is priced more competitively than any plug-in hybrid or pure EV on the market. It will feature a new Lithium-ion battery, which supplements the superior fuel economy of the Prius with an extended electric-only driving range of up to 15 miles at a maximum speed of 62 mile-per-hour. By Toyota estimates, it will deliver an estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and when operating in hybrid mode will achieve an estimated 49 MPG3, providing drivers with great fuel economy without range anxiety. The Prius Plug-in also offers convenient charging times of only 2.5-3 hours using a standard 120V outlet or 1.5 hours using 240V.

The Prius Plug-in will share many of the same exterior and interior design elements as the 2012 Prius Liftback. Design features exclusive to the Plug-in include unique chrome grille and bumper trim, chrome door handles, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, blue-accented headlamps, a distinct tail lamp design, and a new Hybrid Synergy Drive Plug-in badge.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two models, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid model comes equipped with an abundance of standard features including heated front seats, Remote Air Conditioning System (which can run either off the grid while the vehicle is plugged in or off the battery like the third-generation Prius Liftback), a charger timer, EV/ECO/POWER modes, three-door Smart Key, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune1 and an integrated backup camera, LED Daytime Running Lights, 15-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, enhanced Multi-information Display and much more.

The Prius Plug-in Advanced model adds additional standard features including Premium HDD Navigation with Entune2 and JBL® GreenEdge™, Plug-in Hybrid Applications through a user's smartphone (Charge Management, Remote Air Conditioning System, Charging Station Map, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard), Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, LED headlamps with auto on/off feature and integrated fog lamps, SofTex-trimmed seating, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, Safety Connect and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is $32,000. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced will have an MSRP of $39,525. Both Prius Plug-in models are expected to qualify for a federal tax credit of approximately $2,500.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be on sale in 14 launch states beginning this October through Toyota's Online Order System at www.toyota.com. Vehicle deliveries begin in Spring 2012. The launch states include California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. A national rollout is planned for 2013.

The MSRP for the 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $760. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Leviton Level 2 (240V) Home Charging Stations

Leviton, an approved provider of Level 2 (240V) home charging stations, has developed a residential program exclusively tailored for Prius Plug-in customers. The program will include the following:

A one-stop solution for home charging stations, installation services for 120V and 240V applications, and dedicated support for Toyota customers;
Level 2 (240V) 16-amp and 30-amp home charging stations designed exclusively for the Prius Plug-in (UL-certified, compact design, easy-to-use, and made in the U.S.A.);
Industry-leading pricing for Level 2 (240V) with basic packages starting as low as $999;
Toyota-dedicated e-commerce web portal (leviton.com/Toyota) with product information, order tracking, and other features.

Prius Plug-in customers will be able to take advantage of Leviton's special pricing beginning in early October.

AMG Lightweight Performance: SLS AMG E-CELL gets carbon-fibre spine

The SLS AMG E-CELL body shell being shown by Mercedes-Benz AMG at the IAA 2011 is one trailblazing outcome of its ambitious "AMG Lightweight Performance" design strategy. Its key element is a transmission tunnel made out of lightweight carbon-fibre composite material (CFRP), which is structurally integrated into the aluminium body shell and firmly bonded with it. The high-strength and stiff CFRP component helps to reduce weight, while also serving as a monocoque housing for the battery modules.

The carbon-fibre battery monocoque in the SLS AMG E-CELL forms an integral part of the body shell and acts as the vehicle's "spine". The advantages of carbon composite materials were specifically exploited by the AMG engineers in its design. These include their high strength, which makes it possible to create extremely rigid structures in terms of torsion and bending, excellent crash performance and low weight. CFRP components are up to 50 percent lighter than comparable steel ones, yet retain the same level of stability.

Compared with aluminium, the weight saving is still around 30 percent, while the material is considerably thinner. The advantages in terms of weight achieved through the carbon-fibre battery monocoque are reflected in the agility of the SLS AMG E-CELL and, in conjunction with the highly innovative wheel-selective four-wheel drive system, ensure true driving enjoyment.

The carbon-fibre battery monocoque is, in addition, conceived as a "zero intrusion cell" in order to meet the very highest expectations in terms of crash safety. It protects the battery modules inside the vehicle from deformation or damage in the event of a crash.

Tobias Moers, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, responsible for overall vehicle development: "AMG Lightweight Performance is the term we use at AMG to encompass all the different technologies involved in lightweight construction. The use of carbon makes vehicles not only lighter, but even more efficient and agile – in motorsports and on the streets. This is especially important for sports cars."

The basis for CFRP construction is provided by fine carbon fibres, ten times thinner than a human hair. A length of this innovative fibre reaching from here to the moon would weigh a mere 25 grams. Between 1000 and 24,000 of these fibres are used to form individual strands. Machines then weave and sew them into fibre mats several layers thick, which can be moulded into three-dimensional shapes. When injected with liquid synthetic resin, this hardens to give the desired structure its final shape and stability.

Through their experience with the SLR, the vehicles in the AMG Black Series and in motorsport, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have accumulated more than 10 years of expertise in working with carbon-fibre materials. AMG currently makes the propshaft for the SLS AMG, for example, in carbon-fibre. On the SLS Roadster, the supporting structure for the draught-stop is made as standard as a carbon sandwich structure. This component, with extremely short cycle times in an industrially oriented manufacturing process, already demonstrates what will be possible in the future.

CFRP components also play an important role in Mercedes-Benz and AMG's lightweight design strategy for the future. In conformity with the motto "the right material, in the right place, the proportion of high-strength steels, aluminium and fibre-reinforced plastics is set to increase significantly in the future. The body shell weight of all Mercedes-Benz vehicles should fall by ten percent compared with their predecessors.

Just how seriously Mercedes-Benz and its high-performance arm AMG are treating the issue of lightweight design as an important factor along the road to sustainable mobility, is demonstrated by the full-aluminium body shell of the SLS AMG. With it, the super sports model shows the way for future model ranges.

News Source: Mercedes-Benz

Delphi / WiTricity Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging [video]

Delphi Automotive has equipped several test vehicles with its Wireless Charging System, a highly efficient wireless energy transfer system featuring technology developed by WiTricity Corporation. Delphi will display the technology here at this year's IAA International Motor Show.

"This system represents a significant advancement in our research and development efforts to offer automotive manufacturers a practical wireless charging solution we believe is superior to others being proposed," said Randy Sumner, director, global hybrid vehicle development, Delphi Packard Electrical/Electronic Architecture. According to Sumner, engineers have installed the Delphi Wireless Charging System on multiple test vehicles, and have confirmed that system performance meets automotive market requirements.

In addition to added convenience, a wireless charging system eliminates the need for a charging cord. Drivers can simply park their electric vehicle over a wireless energy source situated on the garage floor or embedded in a paved parking spot. Other wireless charging systems under development make use of traditional inductive charging, the same technology used in electric toothbrushes, which is based on principles first proposed in the mid-nineteenth century. These systems only work over a limited distance range, require precise accurate parking alignment and can be very large and heavy, making them impractical for widespread use on electric vehicles.

“The Delphi Wireless Charging System offers more practical and flexible installation than traditional inductive systems because it uses highly resonant magnetic coupling, a modern technology that safely and efficiently transfers power over significantly larger distances and can adapt to natural misalignment often associated with vehicle positioning during parking,” Sumner said. As a result, Delphi charging sources can be buried in pavement, are unaffected by environmental factors such as snow, ice or rain, can accommodate a wide range of vehicle shapes and sizes and accommodate differing ground clearances. The Delphi system is also more forgiving to vehicle parking positions on top of the charger without requiring any moving parts to accommodate. The system transfers energy using an oscillating magnetic field, which is intrinsically safe for humans and animals.

According to Sumner, the system will automatically transfer power to the electric vehicle’s battery pack at a rate of 3,300 watts - the same rate as most residential plug-in chargers -- and is able to do so with the smallest and lightest modules possible. These components are important to minimizing overall vehicle weight and cost while maximizing the driving range of EVs, a critical selling point for automakers.

“We are excited by our testing and validation of the system and believe we have a valuable and unique wireless charging solution that offers the most potential for widespread use in the automotive market. With the support of automotive manufacturers, this technology can be integrated into the next generation of electric vehicles,” Sumner said.

Wireless charging technology will need to co-exist with plug-in charging solutions, he added, so that electric vehicle drivers have the ability to charge their vehicle when they are away from their wireless charging source.

Delphi also makes a Portable Electric Vehicle Charger that fits conveniently in the trunk of an electric vehicle. The user-friendly, UL-listed charging system plugs into any standard 120-volt outlet to enable safe electric vehicle battery charging at home or away. The charging unit can also be integrated into stationary charging applications.

Volkswagen NILS Single Seater EV launched in Frankfurt [video]

Volkswagen AG is presenting a car for the urban world of tomorrow at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA): NILS. The single-seat electric vehicle reflects a new, fascinating form of minimalist mobility. The concept car - with its progressive aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels - exhibits a high level of dynamic performance, yet travels with zero emissions and silently towards the future. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.

Technically realistic and economically feasible. "NILS is a vehicle that anticipates the future. It looks as though someone has projected it back from the year 2030 to the world of today. This study melds sustainability, design and lifestyle in a new way. A high-tech vehicle from the Volkswagen company with an electric drive, but very realistically conceptualised," says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research explains the project from the research perspective: "In the context of the growing influence of electric mobility, cutting edge vehicle concepts like these - which are based on intensive analyses of future and vehicle research and on strong networking ties to Marketing - will play an increasingly important role. That is because new, very target group specific requirements will be placed on cars with the advent of electric mobility.

These new vehicle concepts - together with the electrification of existing models - will help to advance electric mobility to a breakthrough." In this context, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg explains further: "The goal of the NILS project is to work out a technically concrete and economically feasible vehicle concept for micro-mobility, which restructures individual transportation to make it more efficient and environmentally compatible based on electric drive technology." Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold adds: "Therefore, Group Research intensively analysed all facets of commuter transportation with the goal of making it sustainable for the future. The results of these analyses were made available to individual vehicle development departments. And so, all of the company's brands - from A for Audi to V for Volkswagen - are benefiting from the think tank of Group Research."

Networked know-how. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg comments: "The close cooperation with Group Research has meant that we at Volkswagen are really able to put cutting-edge vehicle projects in motion. We benefit from the networked know-how of the company here. This also includes the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam. There, under the leadership of Thomas Ingenlath, an entirely new interpretation of Volkswagen design was accomplished in NILS. Those viewing this concept car can look far into the future of our brand and of the automobile itself. NILS is anything but a dry-run exercise; it is very realistic. Despite its compact dimensions, the concept fulfils all safety requirements for contemporary vehicles, for example. Commuters would not only drive in an eco-friendly way, but would also be very safe in this car."

With a range of 65 kilometres, the 130 km/h NILS would certainly be the ideal vehicle for the majority of commuters in Germany. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, 73.9 per cent of all commuters residing between Berlin and Munich cover less than 25 kilometres on their way to work. So, NILS is designed to be a reflection of a new era.

NILS defines new segment

Electric traction changes mobility. Automobiles have always been mirrors of the times with their design styles and technological standards reflecting the status quo of a particular era. Consider Volkswagen: at the turn of the century, the age of downsizing gained momentum in the powertrain area. At the same time, a new quality of styling took hold, which today is still marked by maximum clarity and precision. Currently, we are experiencing yet another developmental thrust: the long-term breakthrough of electric traction. Many Group models in the higher vehicle classes are already available with hybrid drives, where the electric motor supports the conventional drive system. This emissions-reducing drive technology is now breaking into high-volume segments.

Golf with E-drive debuts in 2013. The first high-volume models with a pure electric drive will soon reach production readiness; the Golf, the best-selling car in the world, will debut with an electric drive (Blue-e-Motion) in 2013. In addition, electric traction will lead to entirely new concepts; they will result in vehicles that fulfil specific needs profiles more than ever. One of these needs profiles is that of commuters who commute to their jobs in their millions every day in the world's urban areas. For a long time now, public transportation has not always been the first choice of commuters for various reasons. In Germany, for example, about 60 per cent of all commuters travel by car according to the Federal Statistical Office; of these, over 90 per cent travel alone. Zero emissions vehicles like NILS will offer these frequent drivers a new eco-friendly mobility solution.

NILS leaves a small footprint in traffic

Narrower, lower, shorter, different. The concept is a very compact car that requires extremely little space in traffic. NILS is only 3.04 metres long, making it about 50 cm shorter than the new Volkswagen up! model. The width of the NILS, from wheel to wheel, is 1.39 metres; the body itself measures only 0.86 metres wide. The concept car is 1.2 metres tall. By means of comparison: a Porsche 911 is taller at 1.31 metres.

Design was created in Potsdam. More important than its dimensions is the layout of its body. NILS shares the same basic body layout as a Formula-1 race car: driver in the middle, engine in back, aluminium wheels outboard and free-standing. The 17-inch alloy wheels are equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance. The clean, distinctive styling of the NILS car has its origins at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam. Designer Thomas Ingenlath, the centre's director, comments on the research vehicle: "NILS was designed to make a visual statement and transport a vision of the automotive future to the present. The car had to visually highlight the theme of sustainability, while showing a future-oriented look and simply being fun. I think that we have successfully integrated both of these aspects. Although our mission here was to come up with an entirely new body concept for the brand, NILS matches the Volkswagen design DNA 1:1." Consider the bumpers: it is no coincidence that they remind one of the bumpers on the new up! with their black borders around the impact surfaces. Thomas Ingenlath continues: "I am especially pleased that we managed to implement the concept of the 2 glass wing doors. This allowed us to create large transparent surfaces and simultaneously make entering and exiting the vehicle very comfortable, even in the most cramped of parking spaces."

NILS is tailored to commuting distances

65 km and 130 km/h. Although, or even because, NILS is so compact and lightweight (460 kg), it is a lot of fun to drive. It is an agile car with a top speed of 130 km/h, and it can accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds. This is accomplished by an electric motor with a reasonably small 15 kW nominal power and short-term peak power of 25 kW. A lithium-ion battery supplies the electric motor with energy. The battery capacity (5.3 kWh) enables driving ranges of up to 65 km, depending on the style of driving. A battery of this size is relatively inexpensive, and its capacity is sufficient for this type of car. The research vehicle can be charged either via a conventional 230 Volt electrical outlet (maximum charging time 2 hours) or at an electric vehicle charging station. The plug port is located at the back underneath the rear lighting module.

Electric motor is a lightweight 19 kg. In setting up the electric drive system, engineers made use of the great wealth of experience Volkswagen has acquired in developing other concept cars such as the L1 and XL1 as well as future production vehicles like the Golf Blue-e-Motion or up! Blue-e-Motion. The centrepiece of the drive unit is the lightweight 19 kg electric motor together with its transmission and battery. Energy management is via a high-voltage pulse inverter, which - together with the 12 Volt DC/DC converter for the vehicle electrical system and the charger - forms an integral drive unit. It is the rear axle that is driven. All drive unit components are located compactly in an aluminium housing. The unit, including the drive shafts, is integrated at the rear of NILS.

Space for shopping. The motor, battery and all other components are so compact in their construction that there is still space for a small but practical bootspace above the drive unit. As on the Golf, for example, the bootlid is unlocked via the VW logo; in this case, the body-coloured area above the rear lighting module swings upwards. The space is laid out so that users can conveniently stow items from a classic shopping trip - a case of drinks and a bag, for example.

NILS is sporty and agile

Optimal weight distribution. With a vehicle like NILS, the customer target group would not only commute to work with zero emissions, but as described would also have a lot of fun doing it. That is because the lightweight NILS drives like a sports car with its pure mechanical steering and centrally positioned shell seat; from a standstill, the electric motor produces a maximum torque of 130 Nm, which is transferred to the rear axle via a one-speed transmission. For wheel control and suspension, there are double-wishbone suspensions front and rear; the ESP electronic stabilisation programme ensures that with all of its agile performance, NILS will still stay on course. The car's very good weight distribution between the front and rear axles contributes towards the ESP having to do as little as possible.

NILS brakes and accelerates automatically upon request

Innovative City Emergency Braking. Another important electronic assistant in NILS is City Emergency Braking. The continually active system uses a laser sensor (in the front VW logo) to detect the risk of an imminent collision, and at that moment it automatically brakes the car. Depending on the car's speed and the driving situation, City Emergency Braking can reduce the speed at impact and might even prevent an accident.

Automatic Distance Control. City Emergency Braking is a software extension of the automatic distance control system (ACC). Its full range of functionality is available in NILS. The ACC system also uses a laser sensor to measure the distance and relative speed to the vehicle ahead in traffic - parameters to which NILS automatically adjusts its speed. Beforehand, the driver preselects the desired following distance and vehicle speed, similar to a cruise control system. The automatic distance control system has intuitive controls with 3 new multifunction keys in the steering wheel. Two arrow keys are used to vary the vehicle speed (in open driving) and the distance to the vehicle in front. Another key between the 2 arrow keys is used to activate or deactivate the ACC system. The system itself can be used over the entire speed range of NILS; in addition, the system can even automatically brake the car to a stop, depending on the situation. Not only are the four disc brakes used to brake; electric traction by electric motor and battery regeneration can be used to brake as well, depending on the driving situation. Last but not least, Front Assist is integrated in the ACC system. This continually active system warns the driver of a potential collision; at speeds below 30 km/h, automatic braking can avoid a collision under some circumstances.

Digital instruments

TFT display as instrument cluster. The instrument cluster was tailored to the electric vehicle. The main feature here is a 7-inch TFT display. The vehicle's speed is shown digitally in the middle. Energy flow is visually represented by bar elements. Another graphic display offers information on the driving range.

Clever touchscreen. The second central instrument is a mobile multifunctional system like the one used in a similar form in the new up!: the Portable Infotainment Device (PID). It is snapped onto the A-pillar to the right of the instrument cluster. Via touchscreen, the driver controls functions related to "Navigation", "Radio", "Media", "Telephone", "Trip computer" and - to preconfigure the driving range - "Eco". At the start of the drive, the PID computes the expected driving range, then it not only displays the route on the map display, but also the radius and thereby the destinations that can be reached using the current battery charge.

Simple where it makes sense. To save on weight and costs, certain functional elements and controls are operated without electrical assistance. The side mirrors, for example, are adjusted manually, which is not really an inconvenience in an interior that is only 0.61 metre wide. There is no power assistance for steering either; however, this is no problem on a vehicle weighing less than 500 kg. Meanwhile, the heating and ventilation system has fully electronic control. The driver sets the temperature and blower setting via 2 controls in the form of electronic sliders; 2 additional sliders are used for the ventilation flap position (air flow direction) and seat heating. Located to the right of the steering column is the motor start-stop switch; this round, handy switch is also used to select the position of the single-speed transmission (D, N or R).

NILS relies on aluminium space frame body

Safe like a big car. The aluminium space frame body was designed to be a highly effective safety cell. The body-in-white - i.e. the basic structure without add-on parts or glass - is produced from extruded aluminium parts, cast aluminium and sheet aluminium. The roof frame, together with the wing door mounts, a sturdy roll bar behind the driver, the bootspace and the front bulkhead consist of high-strength sheet aluminium. Also extremely sturdy are the extruded aluminium parts; they are used in the area of the side sills, the transverse profiles and the crash-optimised longitudinal profiles (front and rear car sections). The housings for the drive unit and other elements consist of cast aluminium parts. All add-on body parts are made of plastic and aluminium. The front and rear side body parts are manufactured in aluminium. Parts made of high-strength plastic include the bumpers and the trim panels on the side sills.

Wing doors from 3 parts. The 2 wing doors are a work of art in their manufacture. Their frames consist of 3 main elements: an inner section, a crash reinforcement section and an exterior part. When they are closed, they offer optimal crash safety. The door windows are made of lightweight, scratch-resistant, layered polycarbonate. The front window is made of laminated safety glass.

See and be seen. Xenon and LED elements are used for the headlights, rear lights and indicators. In front, 2 bi-xenon modules handle the job of the dipped and main beam headlights. The indicator lights and daytime running lights are implemented as white and yellow LEDs. The daytime running lights are mounted on the front wheel trim panels, and these lights also serve as position lights for parking. In the acrylic glass of the rear lights - which are integrated in the rear section like small wings - the light generated by LEDs is routed via transparent semiconductors. Their electrical power consumption? Minimal. Which is just what you need with an electric vehicle.

Mercedes unveil B-Class E-Cell Plus extended-range EV concept [video]

Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its first electric vehicle with Range Extender at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show in the guise of the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. The combination of electric drive and petrol engine ensures excellent suitability for both everyday use and long journeys. The energy accumulator takes the form of a lithium-ion battery from Deutsche Accumotive, which enables local emission-free driving up to a range of 100 kilometres. Thanks to the additional three-cylinder petrol engine, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS has a total range of up to 600 km. The concept vehicle presented at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show provides a foretaste of the series which is to go into production in 2014. The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS adds an all-purpose battery-powered vehicle with Range Extender to Mercedes-Benz's range of electric vehicles.

A new addition to Mercedes-Benz's portfolio of electric cars is the near-series Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS – a compact model that meets all the needs of daily motoring with a total range of up to 600 kilometres. As such, this electric vehicle is also ideally suited to long journeys and offers its driver unrestricted mobility. This is made possible by the combination of a powerful electric drive generating a peak power output of 100 kW and a continuous output of 70 KW with a 50 kW petrol engine. The latter performs a dual role: at low vehicle speeds it charges the battery via a generator. At higher speeds – on prolonged motorway stretches, for example – it additionally serves as a driving engine, acting on the front wheels together with the electric motor via a newly developed automatic transmission.

In all-electric, local emission-free mode the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS has a range of up to 100 kilometres. This covers over 80 percent of daily driving needs. The total range of up to 600 kilometres allows the vehicle to be used for long journeys, too. This means that the electric vehicle with Range Extender is fully suitable for everyday use and can be relied upon to reach its destination, even with a fully discharged battery. In combined driving mode the vehicle emits 32 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

"The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS shows that our new range of compact cars is all set for the future. The variant involving a battery-electric vehicle with Range Extender further broadens the range of alternative drive concepts from Mercedes-Benz," notes Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "This innovative and highly flexible concept meets our customers' wish for emission-free driving coupled with a large range."

The vehicle concept – the best of two worlds

The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS is an electric vehicle meeting all daily motoring needs which combines the best of two worlds: all-electric driving and driving with a tried and tested high-tech combustion engine. This combination allows long journeys which to date have been the reserve of vehicles powered by a combustion engine alone or electric cars fitted with a fuel cell. The two drive units are extremely compact and are accommodated in the engine compartment at the front together with the transmission and the generator. The powerful lithium-ion battery and the fuel tank are located in a false floor at the rear – the so-called "Energy Space" – which has been developed specially for alternative drives. For other drive variants it is also possible to install gas or hydrogen tanks here, for example.

Intelligent control of the drive system for unrestricted mobility

The intelligent electronic control system of the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS ensures perfect handling in every driving situation. Activation and deactivation of the combustion engine take place fully automatically and go unnoticed by the driver. Electric motor and combustion engine work so intelligently together that the drive unit is able to select the most fuel-efficient mode in every driving situation in a fraction of a second – from stop and go in the city to speedy driving on the open road. With the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS there are basically two operating modes, depending on the battery charge status:

When the battery possesses sufficient energy, the vehicle runs locally emission-free on electric power alone. The energy accumulator can be recharged by means of a conventional domestic power socket. Rapid charging is also possible with this vehicle. This enables a charging time in the order of one hour.

When the battery charge status drops below a certain limit, the combustion engine is activated ("Range Extender mode"). The large range which is available in "Range Extender mode" ensures that the vehicle will always reach its destination, even if the battery is flat. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in approx. 11 seconds and the top speed of 150 km/h are both attainable in either operating mode. In order to ensure the most efficient possible motoring, two variants are possible, depending on the vehicle's speed:

Below a speed of around 60 km/h, the combustion engine and generator attend to on-board power generation ("serial mode"). In this case, the combustion engine is run in the most fuel-efficient mode.

At speeds of over 60 km/h the combustion engine acts as a driving engine together with the electric motor ("parallel mode"), transmitting the generated power to the front axle. Any excess power generated by the combustion engine is used to charge the battery and to run the ancillary units.

Highly efficient lithium-ion battery with long service life

The energy accumulator is accommodated in a false floor system at the rear of the vehicle – the so-called "Energy Space" – which has been developed by Mercedes-Benz specifically for alternative drives. The energy accumulator employed here is a particularly powerful state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive applications. It is produced by Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture of Daimler and Evonik.

The battery can be charged using any standard domestic power outlet or at a public charging station, by means of the charge socket integrated in the rear bumper and the 3.3 kW on-board charger.

When the car goes into production, convenient remote checking and remote configuration of the vehicle will be possible by means of the so-called Vehicle Homepage. The driver will be able to access his vehicle via the internet, using his PC or smartphone. In this way, it will be possible to check the current charge status of the lithium-ion battery or to verify the vehicle's current range on a map. A further feature is smart charging. This involves the customer selecting a desired time for the beginning of his journey. The system then ensures that the battery is fully charged and, if desired, that the vehicle is air‑conditioned at this point in time. The facilities offered by the Vehicle Homepage are rounded off by further convenience functions, such as a route planner designed specifically for electric vehicles.

Comfort and safety to the highest standard

In terms of safety and comfort, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS meets Mercedes-Benz's high standards in every respect. The vehicle combines compact exterior dimensions with a spacious and variable interior and luggage compartment. Five full-size seats make it an all-round electric car for the family, leisure and general motoring. The new electromechanical steering and enhanced driving dynamics provide for refined sportiness in the field
of electric mobility. A striking feature of the Concept B-Class is the copper-coloured linear graphic design which accentuates the vehicle and lends it a dynamic appearance. High-quality black nappa leather and copper-coloured double lap seams have been used in the interior.
The concept vehicle is a match for its siblings when it comes to active and passive safety features, too. Like all models of the new compact car generation, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS also comes with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a new assistance system which will help to avoid rear-end collisions in future. In keeping with the ongoing democratisation of safety, the B-Class E‑CELL PLUS will also feature a number of additional assistance systems adopted from the larger model series.

These include:

Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist
Attention Assist (standard)
Speed Limit Assist (speed limit sign recognition)
Active Parking Assist
Brake HOLD function (standard with 7G-DCT)
Hill Hold function
LINGUATRONIC
Reversing camera
PRE-SAFE® (featuring for the first time in this class of vehicle)

As such, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS sets new standards in the areas of compact electric vehicles with regard to comfort, safety and agility.
Technical data
VEHICLE DATA

Seats
5

Electric motor (machine type)

Permanently excited synchronous machine
Maximum output (kW/hp)

100/136**
Continuous output (kW/hp)

70/95**
Top speed (km/h)

150**
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (s)

11,0**
CO2 emissions (g/km)

32**
Range (km) (NEDC)

100 in all-electric mode**
up to 600 on combined power**
Range Extender


Combustion engine

3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
Displacement (l)

1.0 turbo
Rated output (kW)

50 at 3500 rpm**
Battery


Battery technology

Lithium-ion
** Provisional values