AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Reevaluating the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in context, at home]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mitsubishi-i-miev-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mitsubishi-i-miev-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mitsubishi-i-miev-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

An affordable, semi-practical, entry-level EV

2012 Mitsubishi i

I've driven a fair number of electrics over the last couple decades, beginning with General Motors' bullet-shaped 1991 Impact concept car and continuing through a progression of Geo Storm-based mules, prototype and production EV1s with both lead-acid and later range-doubling Ni-MH battery packs. And since returning to this side of the business, my list has expanded to include the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, MINI E, BMW ActiveE, Tesla Roadster, Smart ED and a right-drive, Japanese-market Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

All have shared the EV blessings of strong, near-silent, shiftless acceleration, home "refueling" and no more gas station stops with fluctuating fuel prices. All have also shared the EV curses of big, heavy, expensive batteries, the resulting high purchase/lease prices and (excluding the Volt) limited range, long recharge times and occasional range anxiety.

Most recent EV encounters have been brief - a few miles around town or a parking lot. But last year I was fortunate to enjoy a working week with a Volt and a couple days with a Leaf (see past columns). And I was recently offered a three-day loan of a U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i.

Continue reading Reevaluating the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in context, at home

Reevaluating the Mitsubishi i-MiEV in context, at home originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>at witz endelectric vehiclegary witzenburgii-mievmitsubishimitsubishi imitsubishi i-mievThu, 24 May 2012 11:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244325/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244325/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/mitsubishi-i-miev-review/20244325/article-detail.xml 20244325 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2012-mitsubishi-i-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2012-mitsubishi-i-fd.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Utah State University quietly working on in-road wireless charging]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/evs-utah-state-university-quietly-working-on-in-road-wireless-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/evs-utah-state-university-quietly-working-on-in-road-wireless-c/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/evs-utah-state-university-quietly-working-on-in-road-wireless-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

utah state university wireless charging

If you had to name one of the biggest game-change moments that the electric vehicle could bring to the world, try this one:

Every prior attempt to electrify the car has assumed the vehicle would be the energy carrier. By comparison, the grid is much more efficient at moving energy from point A to point B, so if you can make dynamic charging safe and affordable, you are truly introducing something new.

That's the vision of Jeff Muhs, director of Strategy and Business Development for Utah State University's Energy Dynamics Laboratory (EDL), whom we spoke with at the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles recently. Dynamic charging is another way to say charging while a vehicle is moving by using in-road wireless charging units, something that USU has been working on for a while.

Most people believe that in-motion charging is inevitable.

For now, USU is focusing on stationary wireless charging and will launch an electric bus route later this summer in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah campus. The electric bus will travel along a mile-and-a-half route, stopping at either end for a few minutes to charge up. Using a bus at this stage makes sense as a way to test the technology because it's big, it travels along a fixed route and there is recharge time built into the schedule. An electric bus also helps reduce noise and emissions on campus, which is something the university wanted. USU's wireless charging team is also working on improving the space tolerance (making the charger work even if things are not perfectly aligned), the power levels (systems that are 20-50 kW instead of just 5-10 kW) and efficiencies.

Continue reading EVS: Utah State University quietly working on in-road wireless charging

EVS: Utah State University quietly working on in-road wireless charging originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dynamic chargingelectric buselectric vehicleevsevs26in-road chargerjeff muhsusuutah stateutah state universitywirelesswireless chargingFri, 18 May 2012 19:48:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232819/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232819/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/evs-utah-state-university-quietly-working-on-in-road-wireless-c/20232819/article-detail.xml 20232819 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/ipt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/ipt.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: After 24 million EV miles, Ecotality and Blink are ready for both CHAdeMO and SAE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/evs-after-24-million-ev-miles-ecotality-and-blink-are-ready-fo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/evs-after-24-million-ev-miles-ecotality-and-blink-are-ready-fo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/evs-after-24-million-ev-miles-ecotality-and-blink-are-ready-fo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



One can think about conspiracy theories that maybe that's the way they wanted it be.

The Nissan Leaf is the most mainstream electric vehicle in the U.S., and it has a CHAdeMO DC fast-charge option. Ecotality's Blink network offers CHAdeMO chargers. Ecotality is the managing organization behind The EV Project, which recently announced it had collected information on 24 million electric vehicle miles. So, if any group would have an opinion about the potential challenge to CHAdeMO from the SAE combo charger announcement, Ecotality would be that group.

To find out, we spoke with Donald Karner, Ecotality's chief innovation officer, who said what others in the charging business told us during the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26): the cars - and EV buyers - will dictate which standard wins.

"We're in the infrastructure business," Karner said. "We supply infrastructure to fuel advanced vehicles. We've done hydrogen, we do level 2 AC. On the DC side, if and when vehicles come to market that utilize the combo connector in sufficient numbers that justifies us making the investment in installing those connectors and developing chargers that will operate under that protocol, of course we will."

Can we accommodate two different standards? Yeah, we can do that. Is it going to cost more? Absolutely.

As you can see in the picture above, the Blink fast charger is dual port. "We did that a year and a half ago," Karner said. "The guys back here [he indicates a competitor's booth] are now saying, 'oh, what everybody should do is dual port so that you can do CHAdeMo on one side and combo on the other side. Well, that's exactly why we did that. A year and a half ago, we went to the SAE and said, 'look, you guys have a problem. You are two years behind schedule. DC fast chargers are coming, the Nissan Leaf with CHAdeMo is coming. We're sitting here as an EVSP [electric vehicle service provider] and we have to build a charger to service this. There's no U.S. standard. What are you guys going to do?' And the answer from the SAE committee was, 'Not our problem. We don't care. We're going to focus on J1772 AC and that's all we can do at one time.'

Now, there are clearly some competitive issues in there (between the automakers) so here the auto industry has shot itself in the foot again. Can we accommodate two different standards? Yeah, we can do that. Is it going to cost more than having one standard? Absolutely it's going to cost more. Fast charging is already very expensive and the auto companies, because they couldn't get along and are going to squabble, just like they did last time with inductive and conductive, are going to shoot themselves in the foot."

Continue reading EVS: After 24 million EV miles, Ecotality and Blink are ready for both CHAdeMO and SAE

EVS: After 24 million EV miles, Ecotality and Blink are ready for both CHAdeMO and SAE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blinkblnkchademodc fast chargerdon karnerecotalityelectric vehicleevsevs26plug-in hybridsaesae combo chargerThu, 17 May 2012 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239902/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239902/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/evs-after-24-million-ev-miles-ecotality-and-blink-are-ready-fo/20239902/article-detail.xml 20239902 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-blink_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-blink.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Coulomb readying San Francisco with 100 stations, finds "museum tour of electricity"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/evs-coulomb-readying-san-francisco-with-100-stations-finds-mu/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/evs-coulomb-readying-san-francisco-with-100-stations-finds-mu/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/evs-coulomb-readying-san-francisco-with-100-stations-finds-mu/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Coulomb Technologies' big news at EVS26 was a collaboration with Fuji Electric Corporation of America to add Fuji's 25-kW DC Quick Charging Stations into the ChargePoint Network. In fact, the very first such charger on the network was sitting there in the booth, and actual deployment in the U.S. is scheduled for later this year. Coulomb is already neck-deep in actual deployments of electric vehicle charging stations: more that 6,300 non-residential stations are online now and Coulomb says that about half of all EV drivers in the U.S. have a ChargePoint card. To get the latest, we spoke with Coulomb's Michael Jones about the Multicharge SF program and - yes - the SAE combo charger announcement.

It's like the museum tour of electricity. It's really kind of scary.

First, about Multicharge SF, which is a partnership with the City of San Francisco, Coulomb and PG&E and is funded by the California Energy Commission. The goal, perhaps unsurprisingly for San Francisco, where upwards of 60 percent of people live in multi-family units, is to find a way for apartment dwellers to recharge their EVs. Jones said the city government took the lead and identified places where chargers would be most useful, then reached out to the property owners to get them interested. In the end, about 70 different properties applied to be a part of the $900,000 program - and around 45-50 of them will be selected to actually get some of the total of about 100 chargers. "[The locations] represent all the different demographics: large properties and small properties, condos, co-ops, TICs [tenant in common, which means one mortgage for multiple units] and rental communities," Jones said. The variety extends to different income brackets as well as new and old properties. "One of the things we ran into early on is that there are some incredibly old power systems in San Francisco. Glass tubes in the fuse boxes. It's like the museum tour of electricity. It's really kind of scary."

The only way to get this many different groups involved was to start with a diverse set of partners. "It has to be a multi-stakeholder proposition to really work in the region," he said. "If I didn't have the city out with its resources, legal and building codes and everything else, it would be impossible for me to organize all those things. It really becomes a great template that other cities and public-private partnerships can use."

For example, Jones said, there's a rule in San Francisco that says that if you charge money for a parking space, you need to register as a parking operator. So, how does that apply to EVs? Does every building owner who installs a charger then need to go get a parking license? The city attorney is currently researching the answer to this question, he said, adding that the mayor standing by to quickly go to bat and get the rules changed if it is determined that the answer is "yes."

With its Chargepoint Network, Coulomb doesn't really care what connector people are using to get their cars on the grid. As long as the communication systems are there, Chargepoint can work with whatever kind of charging station is out there. But he did have a few things to say about the SAE combo charger. Specifically, that it doesn't encourage fast infrastructure deployment.

"Having that Level 2 standard [J1772] gives certainty to drivers," Jones said. "With fast charging, because you still have competing standards, I think that makes it a pilot proposition for a lot of communities as far as really getting behind a specific charger type. I think until the market coalesces around a technology, you're still just going to see a lot of uncertainty about what to deploy on any large scale."

As Coulomb works to solve some of the infrastructure problems, others arise. The trick is to not have partners hesitate too much, and so get as many chargers into use as makes sense.

Continue reading EVS: Coulomb readying San Francisco with 100 stations, finds "museum tour of electricity"

EVS: Coulomb readying San Francisco with 100 stations, finds "museum tour of electricity" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargepointcoulombcoulomb technologieselectric vehicleevsevs26plug-in hybridWed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232356/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232356/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/evs-coulomb-readying-san-francisco-with-100-stations-finds-mu/20232356/article-detail.xml 20232356 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-chargepoint_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-chargepoint.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Aerovironment's been around long enough to not pick sides in SAE/CHAdeMO debate]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/evs-aerovironments-been-around-long-enough-to-not-pick-sides-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/evs-aerovironments-been-around-long-enough-to-not-pick-sides-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/evs-aerovironments-been-around-long-enough-to-not-pick-sides-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

General Motors EV1 at Aeronironment

There's a good reason that Aerovironment proudly displayed the 20-year-old EV1 in its booth at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26): it's not a newcomer.

Aerovironment's Wahid Nawabi, the senior vice president and general manager of efficient energy systems, told AutoblogGreen the car illustrates that the company has decades of experience with plug-in vehicles.

"The cornerstone of our message in this booth is the EV1, which is a vehicle that is considered by the industry as the mother of the modern electric vehicle," he said. "We were the co-developer of that product back in the [19]89-90 time frame. We have this vehicle here to demonstrate that we understand EVs, we're involved in this and we have a deep history."

That history means Aerovironment has a variety of offerings for companies looking for a charging station supplier, he said. "We are probably the best company that has an entire, end-to-end offering, a one-stop-shop in terms of charging. So, whether you need software capabilities, network subscriptions, chargers of all types or pretty much anything else, we offer all those categories," Nawabi said.

Which means AV has a stake in the most interesting charging story at EVS26, the new SAE combo charger for DC fast charging. This plug was announced in Los Angeles but has been in the works for a while, and Nawabi said Aerovironment was involved in the standards discussion over Level One and Two chargers and has been involved with the Combo charger from day one. "We were involved in the charging standards for years," he said. "In fact, we were one of the first proponents of coming up with some sort of standard." The official news of the combo charger was great, he said. "We are very excited there is a standard," he said. "It is not a standard there are a lot of cars for, so it is something very new. Today's demand in the market is for the CHAdeMO charger, which we offer. If the market were to change, we intend to support it. We are standard agnostic."

There has been a lot of discussion about the combo charger, but it's a fight that Nawabi said is not really that important - right now. He said:

People are making a big deal about a standard that there is not a lot of market for, yet. I believe that one uniform standard that everyone can agree to is very positive for the industry. Whether that ends up being CHAdeMO or combo or something different, to me it's semantics. Today, the standard that makes the most sense for the consumer is CHAdeMO because that's out there and that's what the cars are shipping with. So, should that be the one? I think that makes a lot of sense. You can argue that one is better, I'm sure. But it's what's better for you, an apple or an orange? If you're hungry, you need food.

Since the cars on the ground from Nissan and Mitsubishi accept CHAdeMO, AeroVironment has a number of CHAdeMO chargers installed in places like Texas, Oregon and Hawaii. Nawabi said EV drivers today are happy because these stations support the cars that they bought. "The consumer is just looking for something that works and allows them to charge fast, at the end of the day," he said.

EVS: Aerovironment's been around long enough to not pick sides in SAE/CHAdeMO debate originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerovironmentaerovironment chargerchademocharging stationdc fast chargerelectric vehicleev1level 3plug-in hybridsae combo chargerwahid nawabiTue, 15 May 2012 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237838/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237838/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/evs-aerovironments-been-around-long-enough-to-not-pick-sides-i/20237838/article-detail.xml 20237838 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-aerovironment_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-booth-aerovironment.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

toyota rav4 ev

Last week, Toyota unveiled the all-new RAV4 EV and announced two important numbers: a $49,800 MSRP and a sales target of just 2,600 over the next three years. There's more to the story, though, as told to us by Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. The short version is that Toyota has taken the Prius lesson incredibly seriously.

We are the first to market with an SUV and we think that counts for quite a bit.

To wit: in creating the new Prius family, Toyota listened to the Prius rejectors about why they were not going to buy a Prius. They wanted more room (now see the Prius V) or a lower price (Prius C). Carter said that the strategy worked, and that 79 percent of Prius C buyers and 67 percent of Prius V buyers are new to hybrid technology. The Prius Plug-In went through the same process, going on the road for over two years before launch. The hybrid represents Toyota's "small battery approach to electrification" and has sold surprisingly well thus far. With the RAV4 EV, Carter said, "We've created a compelling product," with "full Toyota quality," he said. Even though the RAV4 EV went from concept to production in less than two years. A typical vehicle takes almost four years. "There was no template for this project. There were no guidelines. Just a challenge to bring to market a premium EV. Toyota and Tesla engineers both rose to that challenge," he said.

Continue reading EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600

EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob cartercindy knightcompliance carelectric vehicleevsevs26rav4rav4 evtoyotatoyota rav4toyota rav4 evzevzev mandateMon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237352/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237352/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/evs-why-toyota-set-sales-numbers-for-rav4-ev-at-just-2-600/20237352/article-detail.xml 20237352 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-toyota-rav4-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-toyota-rav4-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Ample Eo electric vehicle claims "world's first e-quadricycle" title]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/evs-ample-eo-electric-vehicle-claims-worlds-first-e-quadricyc/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/evs-ample-eo-electric-vehicle-claims-worlds-first-e-quadricyc/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/12/evs-ample-eo-electric-vehicle-claims-worlds-first-e-quadricyc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ample ev

Called the "world's first e-quadricycle," a small EV from Ample International was on display at the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles this week. Named the Eo, the one-seat (or two- or three-seat) vehicle has a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour) and has a range of 200 km (124 miles), according to a representative at the booth. Ample's Shida Zheng told the Neon Tommy website, that, "It is a four-wheeled motorcycle, completely powered by electricity."

The design is certainly interesting. There are no side mirrors, as the Eo relies instead on backward-facing cameras that pump a live feed into a screen on the left side of the wraparound dashboard. The interior is unlike any other vehicle we've seen, with a driver's seat up front and a flexible space in back that has two seats that can fold down from the sides of the vehicle, sort of like on trains. Since they're directly across from each other, we imagine knees will be touching.

EVS: Ample Eo electric vehicle claims "world's first e-quadricycle" title originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 12 May 2012 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ampleample evample internationalelectric vehicleevsevs 26evs26quadricycleSat, 12 May 2012 08:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233342/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233342/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/12/evs-ample-eo-electric-vehicle-claims-worlds-first-e-quadricyc/20233342/article-detail.xml 20233342 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs-26-ample-ev-14-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs-26-ample-ev-14-628.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-edta-president-brian-wynne-responds-to-right-wing-attacks/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-edta-president-brian-wynne-responds-to-right-wing-attacks/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-edta-president-brian-wynne-responds-to-right-wing-attacks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

evs26 logoBrian Wynne recently wrote an article for Politico with the clear title: "Stop bashing electric cars." Wynne, the president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), helmed the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles this week and sat down with AutoblogGreen to talk about why he had to defend his industry. The short version? Someone had to step up. As Wynne said:

I think what's taken me a little bit by surprise has been the extent to which the commentary has been based on completely false premises or bad information. I would go so far as to say that some of the commentary have been designed to spread bad information, which I would call not uncommon in political circles today. But certainly I would call it misguided, given that this community is growing in support around the country and questions are still begged as to how we address the challenges that are out there.

In Washington, we used to say you're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts and people are starting to stretch that now, and I think that's wrong. Somebody had to stand up and say, 'Knock it off. Stop making stuff up.' If you want to argue over whether or not this is happening fast enough, let me know when, let me know where. If you want to argue over whether or not the taxpayer is getting a return on their investment, let me know when, let me know where. We should be extremely careful about how we spend the public purse, but that's a debate that reasonable men can have, as we would say, and then can disagree.

One the article was published (you can read it here), it energized a lot of people, Wynne said, and he learned that the EV community is ready to engage the debate. Given the state of discussion around plug-ins in the U.S. today, "Obviously, we've got more work to do," on educating the public about EVs, but some hurdles are unfairly high, Wynne said:

Could we have avoided the misinformation that was put out? I don't think so. I think people who are politically motivated are going to use what they can use at this stage of the game. We've gone from 'be scared' in the political commentary to 'be pissed off' and then pointing at something that you can be pissed off about. People are already pissed off, and they're going to glom onto whatever they glom onto. I can't do anything about that. Let's face it, there are a lot of people who are disgruntled, that want to pick on something, but if you're going to point at something, at least be accurate about what you're pointing at. Let's be fair and balanced, I think that would be what we used to expect from reporters, although most of this commentary that is regrettable is coming from people you would not consider fair and balanced.

Continue reading EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding"

EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian wynneedtaelectric drive transportation associationelectric vehicleevsevs26plug-in hybridThu, 10 May 2012 19:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235843/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235843/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/evs-edta-president-brian-wynne-responds-to-right-wing-attacks/20235843/article-detail.xml 20235843 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-logo_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/evs26-logo.png <![CDATA[EVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy today]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-how-enrons-errors-led-to-more-plug-in-vehicle-chargers-fro/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-how-enrons-errors-led-to-more-plug-in-vehicle-chargers-fro/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/evs-how-enrons-errors-led-to-more-plug-in-vehicle-chargers-fro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

eVgo charger installed in Dallas, TX

Turns out, the Enron scandal will end up benefiting electric cars.

At EVS26 in Los Angeles this week, we caught up with Arun Banskota, the president of electric vehicle services for NRG Energy, and he filled us in on some of the plug-in vehicle projects that NRG is working on. Last fall, NRG launched the first commercial-scale V2G project in Delaware and has also been installing "Freedom Stations" - EV charge stations that have a DC fast charger and a Level 2 charger - in Texas. The stated plan was to have 120 installed there by the end of 2012. Banskota said that plan is still in effect, but will take longer than originally predicted.

NRG launched the Freedom Station plans in Houston in November, 2010 and Dallas in April, 2011. Currently, there are 11 Freedom stations in operation Houston in front of places like Walgreens, HEB grocery stores, Whole Foods and Cracker Barrels and five are in operation in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Several more are about to be installed in both areas. NRG has committed to installing 50 of these stations in Houston, 70 in DFW. To put this into context, the first UL-certified DC fast charger became availalbe in the U.S. in September, 2011, so we're still in the early stages of the game.

"First, we had a very expidited schedule, but now, as we talk with our consumers, I think once we get a core - probably around 25 in Houston and maybe 30-35 in Dallas-Fort Worth - we're going to be much more strategic in terms of where, exactly, we place them as EV adoption grows," Banskota told AutoblogGreen. "Our target is to have at least 25 in Houston by the end of this year and probably around the same number in Dallas-Fort Worth by the end of this year and I'm guessing we get to 50 by the end of 2013 in Houston and 70 in Dallas-Fort Worth by the middle of 2014." Banskota added that, "Not very loudly, but we've also committed to the Washington and Baltimore market and California will be next for us" (that's the Enron tie, as described below).

How much do these Freedom Stations get used? Some are visited by electron-hungry vehicles six or seven times a day, some just once every other day. NRG recognizes that most charging takes place at home, but that the public chargers have an effect even when they're not being used. "Seeing them gives [EV drivers] a certain comfort level, that they can drive their EVs even when they may not need to get a charge," Banskota said.

Continue reading EVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy today

EVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy today originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevgoevsevs26freedom stationsnrgnrg energyplug-in hybridv2gThu, 10 May 2012 15:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233900/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233900/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/evs-how-enrons-errors-led-to-more-plug-in-vehicle-chargers-fro/20233900/article-detail.xml 20233900 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/17d3293_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/17d3293.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Why LA is the right place for this year's biggest electric vehicle conference]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-why-la-is-the-right-place-for-this-years-biggest-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-why-la-is-the-right-place-for-this-years-biggest-electric/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-why-la-is-the-right-place-for-this-years-biggest-electric/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium is taking place in Los Angeles, CA this week and the biggest news items are the details on the new Toyota RAV4 EV and the SAE-approved DC fast charging combo plug. But there is much more here on the show floor, and things got off to a good start during the opening session hosted by EDTA president Brian Wynne.

Wynne claimed EVS26 is the largest EVS ever held in North America. That's not all that surprising, since it's been many years since the last time an EVS was held on this continent (EVS23 in Anaheim in 2007). Since then, EVS has traveled to Norway and China, and moves on to Barcelona, Spain next year and Seoul, Korea after that. As that Wynne made clear, electric vehicles are a global movement. Nissan has sold more than 28,000 Leafs worldwide (including 1,000 in Norway, where EVS24 was held). Other signs Wynne mentioned that EVs are making inroads into the public consciousness are China's ambitious plan to sell five million EVs by 2020, the Ford Focus Electric acting as pace car for NASCAR and BMW's huge fleet of plug-ins at the Olympics in London this summer.

EVS organizers then gave an E-Visionary award to the city of Los Angeles and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (pictured). The mayor said he was glad to receive the award, but quickly added that Angelinos still need to be encouraged to do more. "If we're the car capitol of the United States, we should be the electric vehicle capitol of the United States," he said. To that end, he talked about how BYD and Coda Automotive are located in the city, then announced that Boulder Electric Vehicle will establish a west coast manufacturing facility in a state enterprise zone in the city. From there, the company will be able to make up to 1,000 clean trucks a year, with an eye to exporting vehicles to Asia.

Then there was a wide-ranging panel on the state of the electric vehicle industry called "Electrified Transportation: A Path to Economic Prosperity and Energy Security." This was moderated by Chris Woodyard of USA Today and featured Ted Craver, the chairman, president & CEO of Edison International, Daryl Dulaney, president & CEO of Siemens Industry, Tony Posawatz, the vehicle line director for the Chevrolet Volt, and JB Straubel, the CTO of Tesla Motors. You can listen to or download the whole thing down below.

Continue reading EVS: Why LA is the right place for this year's biggest electric vehicle conference

EVS: Why LA is the right place for this year's biggest electric vehicle conference originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evsevs26jb straubeltony posawatzWed, 09 May 2012 15:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232763/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232763/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/evs-why-la-is-the-right-place-for-this-years-biggest-electric/20232763/article-detail.xml 20232763 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/la-mayor-antonio-villaraigosa-at-evs26_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/la-mayor-antonio-villaraigosa-at-evs26.jpg <![CDATA[Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chevy volt in thailand

Last fall, Thailand was hit by a devastating flood that damaged parts of 65 of Thailand's 77 provinces, killed 815 people and affected the lives and homes of more than 13 million. Some parts of Bangkok were under over two meters (6.5 feet) of water (PDF) and normal life in the city came to a halt. Those are incredible numbers, but the story of what happened since then is just as amazing. Aside from the intense work of the people, which is astonishing in its own way, we recently learned that the country - the local auto industry included - is bouncing back.

This is something that the Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) was eager to show a group of invited journalists earlier this year, and we got to see first-hand how Thailand recovered from the flood and is now ready to once again make cars for markets around the world. Thailand's auto industry was hit hard during the flood, forcing Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda had to stop production. Both have since restarted, and Honda could spend up to $650 million to re-open a 240,000-cars-a-year plant in Ayutthaya Province, 50 miles north of Bangkok, that was hit hard by the flood. Once the waters receded, it became clear that the flood did not damage the enthusiasm of outside companies to keep investing in Thailand. Toyota said in January that it would it would spend $257 million in Thailand, for example. This is good automotive news for Thailand and its neighbors.

After all, Thailand is the 12th largest automotive manufacturing country in the world, building 1.6 million vehicles in 2010 and exporting 55 percent of them to countries in the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East. We were interested in visiting Thailand for a few reasons, but the most applicable one was to get some details about the country's Eco-Car program. We ended up learning far more than we expected.

Continue reading Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking

Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boiboi fairchevroletecocarelectric vehicleplug-in hybridthailandthailand board of investmentthailand ecocarthailand floodingthailand manufacturingvoltThu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/20193684/article-detail.xml 20193684 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Applus Idiada E-Born3 electric vehicle concept model]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/sae-congress-applus-idiada-e-born3-electric-vehicle-concept-mod/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/sae-congress-applus-idiada-e-born3-electric-vehicle-concept-mod/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/sae-congress-applus-idiada-e-born3-electric-vehicle-concept-mod/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Applus Idiada e-born3 electric vehicle

Kept under a glass case like a ship in a bottle, the E-Born3 from Applus Idiada at the 2012 SAE World Congress was never meant to roam free. Instead, this clever concept exists mostly to show off the engineering and design skills that Idiada can offer to automakers. But, hidden in the protective covering lies a model that puts various electric drive technologies together in an interesting way.

First, the shape of the electric bus concept is unlike anything like we've seen on the road before, and Idiada's promotional material for the E-Born3 says that the idea was to let functionality lead the design. Thanks to in-wheel motors, the interior is spacious and flexible. The second and third row of seats could be arranged like a living-room (face-to-face) or in the standard, forward facing way. The driver's seat could be set apart, for a chauffeur, or next to a passenger seat for family outings. The back is also big enough that it could hold bikes and two seats, perfect for taxing riders to the starting point of a race. The purely theoretical all-electric powertrain would provide a range of 200 kilometers (124 miles).

If it were built, the E-Born3 would be a commanding vehicle, coming in at over 4.3 meters (14 feet) long with a stormtrooper color scheme. We'd certainly like to see it shuttle people at big events like the Olympics or festivals, or even between airports and hotels.

To be fair, the E-Born3 is an old project, dating back a few years. But did what it was supposed to. Idiada's senior homologation engineer Ian Palmer told AutoblogGreen that Applus Idiada is now working for an automaker in some capacity on a smaller EV project. We know that Idiada was involved with Optimal Energy's Joule EV, so it seems people are interested in seeing what the company can do. You can, too, in the video below.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Applus Idiada E-Born3 electric vehicle concept model

SAE Congress: Applus Idiada E-Born3 electric vehicle concept model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applusapplus idiada e-born3 electric vehiclee-borneborneborn3electric vehicleev busidiadain-wheel motorssaesae world congressThu, 03 May 2012 12:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229667/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229667/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/sae-congress-applus-idiada-e-born3-electric-vehicle-concept-mod/20229667/article-detail.xml 20229667 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-congress-2012-idiada-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-congress-2012-idiada-628.jpg <![CDATA[Aptera to phoenix as Aptera USA, plans to deliver in 2013]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/aptera-to-phoenix-as-aptera-usa-plans-to-deliver-in-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/aptera-to-phoenix-as-aptera-usa-plans-to-deliver-in-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/aptera-to-phoenix-as-aptera-usa-plans-to-deliver-in-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aptera 2e in motion.

Sometimes 1 + 1 ≠ 2. When the Aptera 2e was spotted at the Zap Jonway Beijing Motor Show display, assumptions were made (by us) that the composite-bodied craft was to be reborn as a product of that company. It will not. Oh, it will phoenix alright. And though the chassis will indeed be made by the Jonway Group in China, the vehicle is not directly affiliated with Zap Jonway.

Here's the deal. Aptera USA - they were originally going with Zaptera USA, but changed their minds after seeing the reaction to our previous post - bought up all the old Aptera assets and plan on moving swiftly to bring the three-wheeler to market, perhaps as early as the first quarter of 2013. The completed chassis will be brought to the U.S. from China, where it will have its electric drivetrain and other equipment installed. The new Aptera vehicle is said to be based on the design that participated in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize, known internally as the SO-1.

That configuration, if you'll remember, boasted a 20-kWh battery pack from A123 Systems and put out 110 horsepower (82 kW) and 232 pound-feet of torque using an electric motor from Remy. Its range is thought to be about 114 miles.

The company plans to revive the previous Aptera website and begin a new reservation system, giving former place holders first shot. The price should be in the $25,000 neighborhood and sales will not be restricted to California. Indeed, they want to eventually sell internationally.

Prospective buyers and the curious will get a chance to look over the vehicle in person later this year when the first Aptera showroom opens at the Railroad Square Village in Santa Rosa, CA. An official press release will be issued soon that should clarify the company's intent. We look forward to learning more details and wish the new Aptera every success.

Aptera to phoenix as Aptera USA, plans to deliver in 2013 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apteraaptera 2enew apterarailroad square villagesanta rosazapteraThu, 03 May 2012 07:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229514/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229514/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/aptera-to-phoenix-as-aptera-usa-plans-to-deliver-in-2013/20229514/article-detail.xml 20229514 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/aptera-2e-in-motion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/aptera-2e-in-motion-628.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

magna flex4 land rover lr2

Flex4 may sound like something sold during the 3 a.m. hour on advertorial television, but it's really Magna's part-time all-wheel drive system that offers the benefits of AWD with lower emissions than standard AWD. How? Because Flex4 can disengage the power going to the rear wheels when it determines that it isn't needed, changing the vehicle to a more-efficient two-wheel-drive ride. The AWD is also engaged every time the vehicle stops and, most of the time, when the vehicle goes above 30 miles per hour, the rear wheels disengage. Whenever the system detects a slippery road, the AWD reconnects in a few hundred milliseconds. The AWD also engages if there is a "yaw event" (i.e., a hard lane change). The benefit? A fuel economy improvement of around .8 to 1 mile per gallon compared to standard AWD systems.

Flex4 on display at the SAE World Congress was just a prototype, and is being designed to be purely automatic but it could theoretically be driver-selectable. At this stage, too, there is no estimated cost for such a system, but Magna knows that OEMs will be looking for ways to add AWD capability to vehicles even as CO2 emissions regulations get tighter and tighter. As a Tier 1 supplier, Magna says it is ready to start production of Flex4 now.

Magna has been working on Flex4 for at least two years, but not a lot of information about the system is available online. We did find one video about Flex4, which we've pasted down below, but it happens to be in German. Still, you can see Flex4 at work in all it's animated glory.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]

SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-wheel driveawdflex4four-wheel driveland roverlr2magnamagna flex4magna powertrainWed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229160/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229160/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/20229160/article-detail.xml 20229160 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-world-congress-magna-flex4-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-world-congress-magna-flex4-628.jpg <![CDATA[Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All are looking good for now... but it depends



As you probably know, Chrysler has reported its best quarterly profits in 13 years, has just introduced a very nice new Dodge Dart compact sedan and continues to gain sales and market share. GM has also been highly profitable with a string of solid product hits, though it has not gained share working with just half of its former eight U.S. brands.

As you also know, both of these iconic American car companies were upside down four years ago and likely would have been dissolved - along with millions of good U.S. jobs - had both the Bush and Obama administrations not decided to invest taxpayer money in saving them.

Now, with election season heating up, we'll be hearing much from both sides on the GM and Chrysler "bailouts." Democrats will rightly claim credit (though it began under Bush) for saving the U.S. auto industry and millions of jobs. Republicans will correctly counter that they did it all wrong (stiffing private investors, destroying thousands of dealer businesses for no good reason and handing Chrysler to Italy's Fiat) and for the wrong reason (to save the UAW).

"Let them fail," conservatives crowed then, and still. "That's how capitalism works."

"Let them fail," conservatives crowed then, and still. "That's how capitalism works." But there was no private capital in late 2008 for business loans or bankruptcies, so federal support was the last resort. Ford had sufficient capital to weather the crisis only because it had run out of money two years earlier, when it still could (and did) mortgage itself for working capital.

There has been no end to political rhetoric about creating new jobs, but little knowledgeable discussion around saving those millions of auto (and industry-dependent) jobs that we already had. What very few outside the industry - including financial gurus and media pundits - understand is how this industry is a huge, fragile, interdependent house of cards.

Continue reading Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive?

Will Detroit Three Survive and Thrive? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bailoutbankruptcybig threechryslerdetroit threefordgary witzenburggmMon, 30 Apr 2012 12:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226847/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226847/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/will-detroit-three-survive-and-thrive/20226847/article-detail.xml 20226847 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/first-aid-kit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/first-aid-kit.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Honda CR-Z Racer asks to move]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/sae-congress-honda-cr-z-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/sae-congress-honda-cr-z-racer/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/sae-congress-honda-cr-z-racer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SAE World Congress 2012: Honda CR-Z Racer

The Honda CR-Z Racer is not a new car - a version of it took to Le Mans last summer - but we got to see it for the first time at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit and realized this thing is indeed ready for the track.

Compared to the street version of the CR-Z, the Racer has an improved powertrain that pairs an in-line, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine - 6,300 rpm redline - with an electric powertrain that uses nickel-cobalt magnesium batteries. The engine and the electric motor put out 200 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Oh, and the Racer also needs to burn high-octane unleaded racing fuel.

Inside, the Racer has only one seat (which leads to reduced mass, of course) and it has 17-inch racing tires at the corners. Thanks to an overall lower center of gravity and that spoiler, when we see this sporty hybrid, we just want to see what the car can do when it's moving.

SAE Congress: Honda CR-Z Racer asks to move originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cr-zcr-z hybridcr-z racercrzcrz hybridhonda cr-zhonda crzhonda racersaesae congress 2012sae world congressFri, 27 Apr 2012 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224338/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224338/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/sae-congress-honda-cr-z-racer/20224338/article-detail.xml 20224338 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-honda-crz-racer-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-honda-crz-racer-628.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Protean Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class hybrid previews the future *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-protean-brabus-mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-protean-brabus-mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-protean-brabus-mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Protean Brabus Hybrid

Protean is back at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress at Cobo Hall this year with a new car showcasing the company's in-wheel motors: a modified Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The car was first seen in Frankfurt last year, and is making its North American debut this week in Detroit.

Protean's principal applications engineer, Tom Prucha, told AutoblogGreen the hybrid uses two in-wheel motors - one in each of the rear wheels - in what Prucha calls a through-the-axle hybrid setup. Both the 2.2-liter diesel engine under the hood and the in-wheel motors power the rear wheels, with the system deciding which powertrain to use at any given moment. The two in-wheel motors add over 200 horsepower and give the car an 0-62 acceleration time of 7.4 seconds while boosting fuel economy by up to 30 percent thanks in part to a 15-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Each in-wheel motor contains more than just the motors: brakes for regen and, unlike some competitors' in-wheel motors, an inverter. Now, putting all of that extra stuff into a wheel adds a lot of unsprung mass, which is usually considered a bad thing. As Ken Stewart, vice president of business development at Protean Electric, says in the video below, the amount of weight that the in-wheel motors add can be tuned out by adjusting other dynamic elements, like mounts, springs and struts. Prucha, too, said that dealing with unsprung mass has a lot to do with the overall weight ratio, not just that it exists. Plus, putting the unsprung mass into the wheels that aren't driving the vehicle helps. Companies that used to scoff at the idea of in-wheel motors are now coming around, Prucha said, adding that in-wheel motors are a question of when, not if.

Even if the negative issues are dealt with, the fact remains that in-wheel motors are not cheap. Prucha said the two in-wheel motors add around $50,000 to the $100,000 cost of a Brabus E-Class. Protean also made an all-electric E-Class, using four in-wheel motors, which would cost over $200,000. Still, that's the model that Brabus is potentially interested in selling, since some customers have expressed interest in buying such a car.

You can watch a video about Protean's motors right below. We rode in the prototype Ford F-150 fitted with in-wheel motors at last year's SAE World Congress and gotta admit, the E-Class looks like a lot more fun.

UPDATE: Prucha clarified to AutoblogGreen that the target price for the in-wheel motors, once production is ramped up in 18 months or two years, is $1,500 to $1,800 apiece. The prices quoted above are speculation about possible prices if Brabus would use the prototype motors.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Protean Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class hybrid previews the future *UPDATE

SAE Congress: Protean Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class hybrid previews the future *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brabusbrabus hybridin-wheel motormercedes-benz e-classplug-in hybridproteanprotean brabusprotean electricsaesae world congresssae world congress 2012Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225067/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225067/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/sae-congress-protean-brabus-mercedes-benz-e-class-hybrid/20225067/article-detail.xml 20225067 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-brabus-protean-hybrid-b-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-brabus-protean-hybrid-b-628.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-fuel-efficient-ground-vehicle-demonstrator-fed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-fuel-efficient-ground-vehicle-demonstrator-fed/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/sae-congress-fuel-efficient-ground-vehicle-demonstrator-fed/#commentsFiled under: ,

SAE World Congress 2012: Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) front three-quarter

The biggest vehicle on the floor of the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit this week is the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) Bravo. As that name might suggest, yes, this is a military project. Also, the term "fuel-efficient" is relative: the FED only gets around 10 miles per gallon, depending on terrain. At the Aberdeen Proving Ground, it gets between an estimated 11.2 and 12.5 mpg. Going cross country, it's more like 7.3. Oh, and that's using JP-8 fuel. This is an 18-feet-long, 16,760-pound (GVW) military vehicle after all. If you were curious how, according to the Army, today's soldier uses an average of 22 gallons of gasoline a day, now you have an idea.

Still, the Army is proud of the FED Bravo, which made its public debut here in Cobo Hall. Engineers from the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) worked with 18 students from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) on the design of the vehicle, including the "road-coupled parallel hybrid drive system" (aka, through-the-road hybrid). An electric motor drives the front wheels while the rear axle is connected to the hybrid powertrain that uses a Ford 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged, V8 diesel engine. A 22.5-kWh lithium-ion battery provides some zero-emission capability and the FED Bravo can provide power when needed. When in "tactical idle," the FED Bravo burns 0.49 gallons an hour.

The Army recently opened up a high-tech energy lab in Warren, MI.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED)

SAE Congress: Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fedfed bravofuel efficient demonstratorFuel Efficient ground vehicle Demonstrator Bravoplug-in hybridsaesae world congressTank Automotive Research Development and Engineering CentertardecThu, 26 Apr 2012 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224271/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20224271/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/sae-congress-fuel-efficient-ground-vehicle-demonstrator-fed/20224271/article-detail.xml 20224271 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-tardec-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sae-world-congress-2012-tardec-628.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Ford Focus Electric]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/2012-ford-focus-electric-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/2012-ford-focus-electric-quick-spin-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/24/2012-ford-focus-electric-quick-spin-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The EV Incognito



You know those "spot the difference" side-by-side photos that are commonly reserved for Highlights magazines in a dentist's waiting room? "Can you find seven differences between these two pictures?" Park a 2012 Ford Focus Electric next to its gasoline-powered kin and you'll essentially be playing a three-dimensional version.

But that's exactly why we like this zero-emission, battery-powered compact. It doesn't have a funky name, it isn't all bubbly shaped, and it's still as functional as any new Focus we've sampled to date.

So, does this whole package of anonymous electrification work? It looks like a Focus, but does it drive like one and offer the same refinement, too? We headed to the southern California coast to find out.

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus Electric

2012 Ford Focus Electric originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford focus electricelectric vehiclefeaturedfocusfocus electricfordquick spinquickspinTue, 24 Apr 2012 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222958/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20222958/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/24/2012-ford-focus-electric-quick-spin-review/20222958/article-detail.xml 20222958 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-ford-focus-electric-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Happy Earth Day, Happy Birthday]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's the 42nd Earth Day today, and we hope as many of you as possible were able to enjoy something natural, something earthy, something outside today. We certainly did, and we just wanted to stop in and make note of the Earth in some way before the day ends. Sure, nature and natural resources are a subtext to a lot of the posts we write - national security folks, this would be your cue to chime in that burning less gas protects more than just the environment - but once a year we like to make it explicit. Plus, we get to celebrate twice today.

When we started AutoblogGreen six years ago, on Earth Day 2006, we had no idea what it would turn into, and we're happy to say that the future has never looked brighter, both for the site and - more importantly - for cars that offer reasonable, reliable, rocking alternatives to pure gasoline. Granted, we're not all the way to where we want to be quite yet and it's clear that the way forward will continue to be fraught with political disagreements about how to get off oil as well as immense technological challenges. But for now, we're just happy to be here - and that we can head on outside once again.

Happy Earth Day, Happy Birthday originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earth dayearth day 2012Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221405/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221405/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/20221405/article-detail.xml 20221405 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/small-earth-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/small-earth-628.jpg -1 2