Archive for Alt. Energy Vehicles
Reserve Your Nissan Leaf Tomorrow May 15th – A 100% Pure Electric Vehicle
Posted by: | CommentsNissan will open up reservations for the Leaf, their flagship pure electric vehicle (Read the News Release) tomorrow May 15th. The Leaf will be delivered to select markets in December with an increasing distribution in the Spring of 2011 and a full rollout in 2012. The specifications for the Leaf include: Zero tailpipe emissions, 100% electric motor (this is not a hybrid), an 80kW AC Motor with speeds up to 90 mph and a range of 100 miles. This is not a concept car. It seats 5 passengers and has 5 doors. To learn more about the Leaf, go to NissanUSA.com.
Innovation through Competition: The 100 mpg X Prize
Posted by: | CommentsWant to win $10 million? That’s exactly what those competing in the Progressive Insurance are aiming to do. The competition is designed to help inspire innovative thinkers to create 100 MPG (miles per gallon) super-efficient vehicles. Think it is just automakers participating…think again. The competition includes not only automakers but also automotive start-ups, university teams, inventors, and a team with high school students. The vehicles are using a wide variety of technologies: E85, Hydrogen, Electric, Biodiesel, steam, and even good old fashion gasoline. To learn more about the Progressive X PRIZE, go to ProgressiveAutoXPrize.org and check out the video below.
Pretty Cool (and Practical): OnStar Mobile Application for the Chevrolet Volt
Posted by: | CommentsGeneral Motors is looking ahead…to its anticipated launch of the Chevrolet Volt later this year. To appease the tech junkie, OnStar has created an app for the Volt so the owner can access real time data. Most importantly, owners will be able to manage their car charging controls remotely. Want to start charging the Volt during off-peak hours? No problem, this app is for that. Want to warm the interior in the morning using your home’s electricity? No problem, this app is for that. Are you sitting in your cubical and want to make sure you have enough battery life to get home? Sure, this app is for that. Did you forget to plug in your Volt? No problem, the app will send you an email or text message to remind you. Did you go to the mall and forget to lock your Volt? No problem, use the app to lock your doors from anywhere. This app currently works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, Droid by Motorola, and BlackBerry. To learn more, check out the video below.
GM: Electric Motors Might Become as Important to GM as Engines are Now
Posted by: | CommentsGeneral Motors (GM) announced today that it will become the first major U.S. automaker to design and manufacture electric motors. In a press release, a GM vice chairman said that “In the future, electric motors might become as important to GM as engines are now”.
I am surprised the VP said “might”. Isn’t it evident that electric motors will be the propulsion system for vehicles in the future? I guess it isn’t for the company that killed the EV1 program. (See the video “Who Killed the Electric Car”.) I am glad GM is getting this now. At least they are investing in facilities in the United States at a tune of $246 million. But is this enough investment to stay ahead of start-ups Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive?
It was announced yesterday that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) approved a $465 million loan to Tesla Motors – the electric California based automaker currently producing the Tesla Roadster. This loan is to help bring to market (in larger volumes) the Model S electric sedan. The Model S is more practical than the Roadster, with about half the sticker price at $57,400 ($49,900 after the $7500 tax credit). The S will have a 300 mile range, a 45-minute QuickCharge, and will be able to carry five adults and two children.
General Motors (GM) finally released wind tunnel test results for its highly anticipated Chevy Volt. A wind tunnel is used to test the coefficient of drag. Learn how aerodynamics works from HowStuffWorks.com.
The GM wind tunnel yielded the following results:
Honda Insight = 0.32
Toyota Prius = 0.30
Chevy Volt = 0.28
Chevy Volt's Coefficient of Drag
The lower the drag coefficient the better. The lower the number the more aerodynamic the vehicle is cutting through the air which helps in increasing fuel economy.
GM engineers concede that Toyota achieved 0.25 for the Prius on their wind tunnel, but as they point out “its really all relative to what tunnel it was tested on”. See GM’s statement.
Just for fun, check out this Wikipedia article listing the coefficient of drag for many vehicles. A 2003 Hummer H2 had a rating of 0.57, whereas a 1996 GM EV1 0.195.
It’s Here, It’s Finally Here – The 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Makes North American Debut
Posted by: | CommentsThe world leader in hybrid technology, Toyota, announced today that it will debut its highly anticipated 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Read the Press Release.)
What enables the Plug-In Prius to outperform in all-electric mode as compared to the conventional Prius? A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery allows the Plug-In Prius to achieve 13 miles on electric only mode at a speed of 60 mph. A conventional Prius Hybrid uses a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery. Need to go farther (or faster)? To accomplish this, the Plug-In Prius converts to hybrid mode and acts like a conventional Prius.
Don’t expect to go to your local Toyota dealer and pick one up today. Unfortunately it will still be some time for the average U.S. consumer can purchase one. Toyota will be working with businesses, government, and select partners for further testing and evaluation. To assist potential customers with learning about Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs), Toyota launched PriusPHV.com.
PriusPHV.com - Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Nissan LEAF Electric Car Debuts in Los Angeles
Posted by: | CommentsNissan is debuting its all electric car, the LEAF, in North America today in Los Angeles. (See the tour schedule.) The LEAF, which will be available in some states in 2010, will be mass produced in 2012. With a driving range of 100 miles, the all-electric LEAF will meet the needs of most commuters. Nissan has partnered with some states and municipalities on the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure: Tennessee, Oregon, Sonoma County (CA), San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, and Vancouver. To make electric cars work, you need quality cars, advanced battery technology, and an accessible charging network – Nissan is working on all three.
Watch the video on Nissan’s vision for the Zero Emission’s future.
Nissan Zero Emissions Video
Fisker Automotive – A Two Year Old Company Takes Over an Idle GM Plant
Posted by: | CommentsOnly in America…can a two year old company, a company with its roots in California and not in Michigan, take over a plant that once the largest automaker in the world (GM) had to shut down.
Here is the press release from Fisker:
Fisker Automotive has selected the Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington Delaware to build affordable plug-in hybrid cars. Fisker executives made the announcement inside the dormant facility today, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials. The plant will support Fisker Automotive’s Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2012 and create 2000 factory jobs and more than 3000 vendor/supplier jobs when production reaches full capacity in 2014.
According to this USA Today report, Fisker will receive a zero interest 12.5 million dollar loan from Delaware, that if played right, may never have to be paid back. In addition, no property taxes and utility costs for a few years may help make the company get the assembling line moving to profitability. This plant will focus on a more affordable family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan as compared to their $87,900 current luxury sedan, the Karma.
2010 Fisker Karma
Fisker Automotive, a company started just two years ago in 2007, has received a low cost loan to create “affordable, fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid electric cars”. Where will most of the 500 million+ dollars go? Most of the money is slated for “Project NINA” – Fisker Automotive’s next-generation plug-in hybrids. Fisker, currently taking pre-orders for the Karma – a high end, high dollar plug-in hybrid with a MSRP of $87,900.00 – plans to create a more affordable plug-in starting at about $40,000 after tax credits. Why call the project “Nina”? This project was named after Christopher Columbus’s ship – symbolizing the automobile industry’s transition from “old world to new”.
Fisker Karma - The World's First Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
See the full press release at FiskerAutomotive.com.
Jay Leno’s “Green Car Challenge”
Posted by: | CommentsJay Leno’s new show, The Jay Leno Show, will feature a segment called the “Green Car Challenge”. It is not surprising that the prime time show, which premieres on Monday September 14th at 9 pm central time, will have a regular segment about cars.
The Jay Leno Show
Jay Leno is an avid car guy that collects everything from Stanley Steamers to new alternative fueled vehicles (check out Jay Leno’s Garage). According to Edmunds.com, the “Green Car Challenge” will take place on a track next to where the show is filmed. Ford Motor Company, the only big three automaker that didn’t take government bailout money and managed to stay out of bankruptcy, is working with Jay. Ford put together an all-new battery electric Ford Focus for celebrities to drive.
Here is a quote from Ford:
“Having our Focus battery electric vehicle on the show is a great way to demonstrate how fun to drive these cars really can be,” said Lisa Drake, chief engineer, Ford Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicle Programs. “Beyond the immediate excitement of driving, it demonstrates that Ford is investing in this technology and that we’re committed to electric vehicles.”
To learn more about the Focus, go to TheFordStory.com.
The World’s First Production Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle is…
Posted by: | CommentsThe Chevrolet Volt…no. The Toyota Prius PHEV…no. The Honda Civic…no. The Ford Escape…no. According to Fisker Automotive, a green American premium sports car company, they will be the first to have a production PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – the Karma.
Fisker Karma
Here are some specifications:
* Plug-in hybrid technology Q DRIVE
* 0-60 in less than 6 seconds (0-100 km/h 6 seconds)
* Top speed 125 mph (200 km/h)
* Two Driving Modes: The driver will be able to select between two modes of driving. The first mode is Stealth Drive, which is the quiet economy mode for optimal relaxed and efficient driving. By flipping the second paddle behind the steering wheel, the car will switch to Sport Drive, which will access the full power of the vehicle.
* Regenerative brakes featured to recapture braking energy
* Low center of gravity provides optimal sport vehicle driving dynamics
According to Fisker, fueling the Karma could cost just $0.03 per mile. They concede that a real-world annual average would be closer to $0.07 per mile based on a mix of Sport (gasoline) and Stealth mode use…still pretty good. One downfall, the price – $87,900.
To learn more about the Karma, go to FiskerAutomotive.com.
Is the Future “Plugged-In”?
Posted by: | CommentsThe plug-in vehicle movement is in high gear. This week in Long Beach, CA the Plug-In 2009 Convention is attracting attention.
Workshops include:
Making Your Community Plug-In Ready – The Automaker Perspective; Community and City Infrastructure Planning; Electrical Codes and Regulations for EV Charging Equipment; Design of Charging Infrastructure for Fleet and Public Installations; Fast Charging Technology; Cost Estimation for Residential, Commercial and Public Charging Installations; Installation of Residential Charging Equipment; EV and PHEV Consumer Behavior and Charging Habits; Battery Manufacturing and Cost; just to name a few. By looking at these titles, it sure seems we are getting serious about Plug-In Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrids.
Plug-In 2009
Nissan Going Electric with the Leaf
Posted by: | CommentsNissan’s first zero emissions vehicle is called the “Leaf”. It is not a hybrid, it is 100% electric. With a claimed 100 mile range this will surely complete against the upcoming Chevy Volt. There are differences though. The Volt actually has an on-board internal combustion engine to recharge the batteries after its all-electric range of 40 miles. The Leaf (which seats 5) is 100% electric. After electric range, the Leaf is dead without a recharge. According to Nissan, you will be able to have multiple charging options – at home, at work, and along the way. The Leaf will be available in select states with a charging infrastructure (Arizona, California, North Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington) first…in 2010.
For more information, visit Nissan’s site dedicated to the Leaf.
Nissan Leaf - 100% Electric
What do you think? Will the Leaf be a competitor in the electric car market?
From the Hybrid Leader Toyota – “Not all Hybrids are Created Equal”
Posted by: | CommentsAren’t all hybrids the same? NO! The general definition of a hybrid is true – using two sources of power (in currently available hybrids that is a gasoline engine and an electric motor) to propel the vehicle down the road. The two types are full hybrids and mild hybrids (commonly used names for mild hybrids: power assist hybrids, integrated starter/generator hybrids, belt-alternator-starter hybrids, start/stop hybrids). Toyota’s recent news release markets the advantages of the full hybrid system which it has over 1000 patents to its name.
View this video from the United States Department of Energy on the differences between a full hybrid and a mild (start/stop) hybrid – Full Hybrid vs. Start/Stop Hybrid – FuelEconomy.gov
Full Hybrids vs. Start/Stop Hybrids from FuelEconomy.gov
Toyota’s campaign is needed. There is a big difference in hybrid technologies. When researching hybrid vehicles, determine what hybrid technology is used and the fuel efficiency benefits of each. To learn more, go to Energy.gov.
