Ford Unveils Focus Electric @ CES [Video]

Ford Motor Company unveiled today its all-new Focus Electric – the company’s first-ever all-electric passenger car. The zero-CO2-emissions, gasoline-free version of Ford’s popular small car is the flagship of the company’s growing fleet of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles coming to North America and Europe by 2013.

“Focus Electric is the flagship of our new family of electrified vehicles, showcasing our commitment to offer consumers choice when it comes to fuel-efficient or fuel-free vehicles,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “Its advanced powertrain will deliver significant energy efficiency advantages and zero CO2 emissions without compromising driving enjoyment. And its suite of smart driver information technologies will transform the way customers think about energy usage and their transportation needs.”

The Focus Electric will launch in late 2011 and is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans. It will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles.

A full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station –half the charge time of the Nissan Leaf.

Focus Electric introduces new features and technologies – including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system especially for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.

The sleek and stylish five-door hatchback leverages Ford’s global C-car platform shared by the gasoline and diesel-powered Focus models, which debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show and were launched at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Both Focus gasoline and electric variants to be sold in North America will be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., with production powered in part by one of the largest solar energy generator systems in the state.

For European markets, a decision on where the Focus Electric will be built is currently being finalized.

Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles included in Ford’s electrification strategy. Initial deliveries of Transit Connect Electric began in North America at the end of last year and the vehicle will be launched in Europe later in 2011.

A real car

Not only is Focus Electric designed to provide outstanding energy efficiency and reliable operation, it also delivers real driving enjoyment. The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provide immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver pushes down the accelerator, up to a top speed of 84 mph (136 kph).

Much of Focus Electric’s steering, handling and braking feel is shared with the agile, sporty, fuel-powered Focus models upon which it’s based, making Focus Electric a dynamic driver’s car. At the same time, the absence of a gasoline or diesel engine and outstanding aerodynamics lead to a remarkably quiet, comfortable in-car experience.

“More than any other electric vehicle on the market, Focus Electric loses none of the dynamics and quality of driving a traditional car,” said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s electrification programs and engineering. “It shares many of the same premium components and features as its gasoline-powered counterpart, while delivering distinct efficiencies and a uniquely exciting driving experience.”

Focus Electric offers a host of standard safety and security features including six airbags and electronic traction control, along with hands-free SYNC® telephone connectivity and MyKey® for North America. Extensive eco-friendly materials, such as bio-foam seat cushions and recycled fabrics also are featured in the vehicle.

Other standard features on Ford Focus Electric for North American customers include a unique execution of MyFord Touch driver connect technology, 15-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, push button start, AM/FM/CD/MP3 Sony® Audio with nine speakers, Sirius® Satellite Radio with Travel Link, HD Radio™ and voice-activated Navigation System.

Plug and play

Future owners of the Focus Electric will likely recharge the car’s advanced, Ford-engineered lithium-ion battery pack at home on a daily basis, using the recommended 240-volt wall-mounted charge station that will be sold separately or the 120-volt convenience cord that comes with the vehicle.

When plugged in, the Focus Electric onboard charger converts AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the liquid-cooled/heated battery pack.

“We’re very excited about the potential of Focus Electric in the marketplace. With so many of us accustomed to recharging mobile electronics on a daily basis, we’re confident our customers will take to the vehicle recharging process just as easily, because that’s exactly what it is – easy,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global Electrification. “Not only have we made the practice of plugging in simple and straightforward, we’re working with leading technology companies and the utility industry to make the EV experience empowering and engaging.”

An empowering experience

Focus Electric owners will be provided with a suite of driver information systems – on-board and off-board – designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to optimize their driving range. This carefully engineered set of tools is designed to give Focus Electric the edge over competitive products, providing new electric vehicle owners the information they need to enjoy all the freedom gas-free driving has to offer.

Among these tools is a unique execution of MyFord Touch driver connect technology. Thoughtfully developed for electric vehicle owners, it offers innovative presentation of vehicle information, such as battery state of charge, distance to charge point, the corresponding range budget and expected range margin. The system’s MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data including the electrical demands of vehicle accessories such as air conditioning, which can impact driving range.

Just as the growing leafy vine of first-generation SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide represents fuel efficiency in the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the cluster display in Focus Electric uses blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond one’s charge point destination – the more butterflies there are, the greater the range.

Ford designers were inspired by the phenomenon known as “the butterfly effect,” in which a small change, like choosing to drive an electric vehicle, can have an enormous impact. To reinforce the message, at the end of each trip a display screen provides distance driven, miles gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric.

The cluster is also integrated with the MyFord Touch map-based Navigation System using the vehicle’s center stack 8-inch touch screen. After adding their driving destinations, including their next charge point, into the vehicle’s Navigation System, the vehicle will coach drivers on how to achieve the desired range – or if travel plans need to be adjusted. The on-board Navigation System provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient EV driving.

Remote control

Off-board, Focus Electric owners in North America will be able to maintain constant contact with the car anywhere they have mobile phone access using the Ford-developed MyFord Mobile app.

MyFord Mobile is an app that enables access via a smartphone or web-based interface to:

• Receive instant vehicle status information
• Perform key functions remotely
• Monitor the car’s state of charge and current range
• Get alerts when it requires charging or has finished charging
• Remotely program charge settings and download vehicle data for analysis

The feature also allows the owner to program the vehicle to use electricity from the grid to heat or cool the battery and cabin while plugged in – called preconditioning. For example, during hot summer months, owners can preprogram the car the evening before to be fully charged – and fully cooled to a particular temperature – by a certain time the following morning. Users can also locate the vehicle with GPS, remotely start the vehicle and remotely lock and unlock the car doors.

Working with MapQuest®, MyFord Mobile can communicate charge station and other points of interest to Focus Electric using SYNC’s Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI). Turn-by-turn guidance is provided by the in-car map-based Navigation System. Drivers can also get up-to-date charging station information in their vehicle directly through SYNC TDI simply by connecting to SYNC Services.

Value charging

The new Focus Electric offers a unique value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, to help owners in the U.S. charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates, lowering the cost of ownership.

“Value charging allows our customers to reduce their electricity costs by taking advantage of off-peak or other reduced rates from their utility without a complicated set-up process,” said Ed Pleet, manager, Ford Connected Services Organization. “This is a ‘set it and forget it’ approach for the customer to reduce energy cost.”

The tool is designed to help customers avoid unnecessary expense by providing an optimized charge. In the future, these smart charging habits will help utility companies understand and better manage the demands placed upon the electric grid because of electrified vehicles.

Getting charged up

Focus Electric owners are likely to handle one of the vehicle’s charge cord connectors two or more times each day. That’s why Ford worked with supplier Yazaki to provide an industry-standard five-point plug that is ergonomically comfortable to hold as well as durably and distinctively designed.

The plug handle uses a matte-finished black rubber that allows for a comfortable, non-slip grip. The plug head is shielded with a protective glossy white plastic.

When the cord set connector is plugged into the vehicle’s charge port, which is conveniently located between the driver’s door and front wheel well, it activates a light ring that loops around the port twice in acknowledgement of connectivity. The light ring then illuminates in quadrants as the vehicle charges. Flashing quadrants represent charge in progress and solid-lit quadrants show stages of charge completion. In the unlikely event of a fault, the entire ring will flash. When the entire ring is solidly lit, the vehicle is fully charged.

Batteries included

Focus Electric will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery system engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier LG Chem. The battery system utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and fuel-free driving range.

Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of pure electric vehicles. Focus Electric uses an advanced active liquid cooling and heating system to precondition and regulate the temperature in its larger, more complex lithium-ion battery system.

The active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions. On hot days, chilled liquid absorbs heat from the batteries, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On cold days, heated liquid warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system’s temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.

“Focus Electric is the culmination of years of research and development,” said Kuzak. “More importantly, it’s the start of an exciting new era for Ford and our customers.”

GM Licenses Technology to Double Battery Performance

General Motors Co. is licensing technology from the U.S. Energy Department that promises to cut in half the size of batteries, potentially reducing the cost of electric vehicles or extending their range.

A new plant being constructed in Holland, Mich., by LG Chem Ltd. will begin using elements of the advanced lithium-ion battery technology when it opens in 2012. The intent is to have it fully ready for the next generation of Chevrolet Volt electric car that GM began selling last month.

None of the parties would disclose the terms of the licensing agreement.

The Volt goes 25 to 50 miles on battery power before a gasoline generator kicks on and sends electricity through the electric motor, extending the range to more than 300 miles.

The Argonne National Laboratory technology that GM has licensed "improves the energy density of lithium-ion cells and that moves us closer to what we need to be competitive" with gasoline as a fuel, said Jon Lauckner, the president of GM Ventures, which licensed the technology.

"This improved energy density can be used to either offer vehicles with the same number of cells and offer greater range or reduce the number of cells to reduce cost or some combination of both," he said.

Argonne developed a new cathode—the part of a battery through which electricity flows into the cell—that it says allows for the performance improvement. The other elements in a battery are the anode and the electrolyte, other areas that could be improved to produce better performance.

Argonne says the makeup of the new cathode also makes lithium-ion batteries safer. There have been incidents of batteries in laptop computers igniting and causing fires. Argonne said it has licensed the technology to other companies.

The chief roadblocks to electric vehicles are their limited range and high cost of batteries. The battery technology developed by Argonne could address both issues because the batteries might hold twice as much energy by weight compared to the current state of the art, said Eric Isaacs, Argonne's director and president.

Battery costs are usually reported in terms cost per kilowatt hour and experts estimate the current range is $500 to $1,000 per kilowatt hour. The battery in the Volt holds 16.5 kilowatt hours.

GM has never said what its battery costs, but the Volt starts at $41,000 and the vehicle is roughly the same size as a $16,300 Chevrolet Cruze.

Wirelessly charges your phone and Tesla Roadster

The future is definitely going to be wireless, and not just when it comes to data. eCoupled has been figuring out ways to power and charge all of your stuff without wires, from cell phones to laptops to Tesla Roadsters.

eCoupled uses what are called induction coils to transfer power between two surfaces without wires. The coils are thin enough that they can be built directly into cases and batteries, and if you've seen wireless chargers from Energizer, they've got eCoupled tech inside.

At CES, Fulton Innovation is displaying a bunch of different ways that their eCoupled inductive technology will make our lives tangle-free in the near future. Laptops and cell phones that power and charge wirelessly using built-in coils are just one aspect of what's possible. eCoupled also has tables and counter tops that provide power directly to things like blenders, and the coils are cheap enough that you can build them into cereal boxes and soup cans to get them to light up and heat themselves.

They've also managed to build an inductive receiver into a Tesla Roadster, which was happily charging in the middle of their booth. Their wireless system is about 90% as efficient as charging with a plug, and is luckily smart enough to shut itself off if your cat crawls under the car, although eCoupled promises that the magnetic fields aren't dangerous. The whole thing is controlled with an iPhone app.

Since the costs of installing a wireless power transmitter are comparable to a standard charging station, eCoupled is hoping that cities and businesses will start installing chargers in parking spots to entice all those electric cars out there to stop in for a quick charge.

Aussie Solar car breaks world speed record

An Australian car is officially the world's fastest solar-powered vehicle, racing almost 10km/h above the previous record.

The solar racer Sunswift IV - known as IVy - was designed and built at the University of NSW.

"We've beaten the record by 10kms (per hour) - it reached a speed of 88kms - and we think we can get it over 90kms," a UNSW spokesman told AAP on Friday.

Powered by silicon solar cells trapping energy from the sun, the IVy broke the official Guinness World Record in a time trial on Friday.

The previous record was 79km/h.

In a race in 2009 from Darwin to Adelaide, IVy hit a top speed of 103km/h and on Friday morning it unofficially broke the record several times in trial runs.

The official speed trial took place at the HMAS Albatross naval base at Nowra on the NSW south coast, with professional drivers Barton Mawer and Craig Davis at IVy's controls.

Vehicles attempting to break the speed record in the category are required to be powered only by solar cells.

IVy normally uses its cells to charge a 25kg battery, but this was removed for the record attempt.

At speed the car produces about 1,200 watts, roughly the same power as a household toaster.

Renault says espionage threatens its 'strategic assets'

French carmaker Renault has said that suspected industrial espionage against its business poses a serious threat to its "strategic assets".

The statement comes a day after Renault suspended three senior managers after an investigation into the possible leaking of electric vehicle secrets.

Commenting on the matter, French Industry Minister Eric Besson warned the country was facing "economic war".

Mr Besson said the situation at Renault "appears serious".

"The expression 'economic war', while sometimes outrageous, for once is appropriate," he told France's RTL radio station.

"It appears to concern the electric car, but I do not want to go further."

Mr Besson said he was calling for French companies which received public funds to improve their security.The French government was particularly concerned because of the important role carmaking plays in the French economy.

"Hundreds of thousands of French jobs depend on the motor trade," he said.

"The biggest advantage Western car makers have against rivals with lower labour costs elsewhere is their advanced technology. Hence the talk in France of an economic war."

Renault senior vice president Christian Husson told the AFP news agency that the people concerned were in a "particularly strategic position" in the company.

An investigation had uncovered a "body of evidence which shows that the actions of these three colleagues were contrary to the ethics of Renault and knowingly and deliberately placed at risk the company's assets", Mr Husson said.

One of the three suspended senior managers is a member of the carmaker's management committee.

The three have been given the opportunity to respond to the charges made against them, before the carmaker's human resources department decides on any sanctions.

Renault's investigation into alleged industrial espionage followed an "ethics alert" sent to its compliance committee.

According to newspaper Le Monde, the suspected espionage relates to the batteries and propulsion system of Renault's electric vehicles. The company and its partner Nissan have spent about €4bn (£3.4bn) on electric cars and intend to launch several models in the coming three years to meet a rising demand for eco-friendly transport.

Electric vehicles will be one of the key issues in Detroit next week at the launch of the North American International Auto Show. A report by KPMG found that more than 90pc of automotive executives believe investment in hybrid, battery and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies will be the key priority over the next five years.

CODA Raises $76 Million in Series D Initial Closing

CODA Holdings today announced the initial closing of a Series D preferred investment round totaling $76 million, bringing the company's total invested capital to more than $200 million.

The funding will be used to prepare for start of production of the company's flagship all-electric vehicle, the CODA Sedan, and to support the company's 2011 sales and marketing efforts. The investment will also fund additional equity investment in the company's joint venture battery production facility where CODA will manufacture its multi-purpose Lithium-ion power battery systems for automotive and utility applications.

New investors Harbinger Capital Partners and Riverstone Holdings LLC both led the round, and Morgan Stanley acted as CODA's exclusive investment advisor and placement agent for this round. Existing investors participating in the offering include: Miles Rubin, CODA's Founder and Co-Chairman; Steven "Mac" Heller, CODA's Interim CEO and Co-Chairman, former Goldman Sachs Worldwide Head of Mergers & Acquisitions and Co-Head of the Investment Banking Division; AERIS Capital, the lead investor in CODA's Series C Round; and Angeleno Group, CODA's founding venture backers. Harbinger and Riverstone will each have a seat on CODA's Board of Directors.

"The caliber of our investors speaks volumes about our business model and the opportunity that exists within the electric vehicle and battery industry," said Heller. "I strongly believe that when one thinks about the opportunities presented by the global power battery industry, the global electric vehicle industry and CODA's proven ability to partner with leading companies in both China and the United States, one has to believe that what we are doing today at CODA is one of the most exciting businesses in the world. The consummation of this Series D funding and the backing of Harbinger and Riverstone represents a strong validation of this view."

In addition to producing electric vehicles, CODA is a global manufacturer of transportation and utility power storage battery systems through its joint-venture with Lishen Power Battery, LIO Energy Systems. Lishen, the largest shareholder of which is China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of Lithium-ion cells. CODA is considering several sites in Ohio for the construction of a power battery manufacturing facility that would also be built in a joint venture with Lishen. Construction of a facility is contingent upon the approval and receipt of a Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan.

CODA's debut vehicle, the CODA Sedan, is a four-door, five-passenger all-electric car. The vehicle is powered by a breakthrough Lithium-ion battery system with more energy capacity and all-electric range than other electric vehicles in its class. The vehicle is fully-equipped for comfort, convenience and safety. Factory standard equipment includes a telematics package, navigation with turn-by-turn directions, roadside assistance with an emergency button, a Bluetooth system with an embedded microphone, AM/FM/XM radio with satellite capability, iPod dock, MP3/USB connectivity and other features.

Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes with electronic stability control and advanced airbags with an occupant detection system. The vehicle is backed by a three-year/36,000 mile limited warranty and the battery system is backed by an eight-year/100,000 mile limited warranty. The car will be marketed initially to public and private fleet customers, as well as consumers in California with an expansion planned soon thereafter.

Team Lotus team principal backs FIA’s greener F1 goals

The sport’s governing body is set to bring in a host of changes in 2013, including the current V8 engines being replaced by four-cylinder 1.6 litre units, with a reduction in fuel consumption and increased use of systems to help recycle a car’s power.

And Fernandes, chief at Hingham-based Team Lotus who were known as Lotus Racing in 2010, expects the changes to have a profound effect on the F1’s image.

“I am so happy about it; we’ve now got F1 being very relevant to the car industry but, most importantly, very relevant to the environment,” Fernandes told autosport.com

“I always said we have got some of the best brains in the sport in terms of engineers and technical people, and wouldn’t it be great if they could use their brains to make the world a better place. The fact we can reduce fuel consumption by 35pc is phenomenal.

“Imagine if we could transfer that to every car out there; it would be ‘wow’. That is a massive number. Imagine also with the usage of Kers (kinetic energy recovery system), we are recovering 1pc at the moment but we could be up to 50pc in years to come.

“F1 becomes so relevant because everybody has a 1.6 engine. And costs go down and money goes into better uses than just making a car as fast as possible so I think it is fantastic, it is a really, really great step forward.”

Not that Fernandes thinks F1 should stop at what has been announced.

“I hope the next step is to make the wheels and tyres the same size as (road) cars so tyre manufacturers benefit from the safety that is learned, and engineering that can be put onto a 1.6 litre Toyota, or Hyundai or Renault,” added the Malaysian.

The Hingham outfit is in the middle of a bitter legal dispute with Hethel car manufacturer Group Lotus over who can use the iconic Norfolk marque in F1.

Team Lotus also gained its entry last season expecting all teams to adhere to austerity measures that, in the end, were greatly watered down once the 2010 campaign started – leaving Lotus Racing, Hispania and Virgin with fewer staff and a smaller budget compared to their nine established rivals.

However, Team Lotus technical chief Mike Gascoyne still expects F1 to also bring in its cost-cutting measures – to his team’s benefit.

He said: “With the resource restriction agreed within F1, the teams with 600 people are going to have to come down to 300 people, so they’ll be coming down to our size rather than us having to grow up to them.”