article thumbnail

Software Upgrade to Prius PHEV NiMH Conversion Kit Enables All-Electric Driving At Up to 70mph

Green Car Congress

kWh NiMH plug-in hybrid (PHEV) conversion kit that enables all-electric mode driving at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (until the battery pack is depleted) in a converted Prius. What we’re essentially offering is all-electric performance for about 25 miles at highway speeds. Poway, California-based Plug In Conversions Corp.

NiMH 207
article thumbnail

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Fleet Passes 1M-Mile Mark In Project Driveway

Green Car Congress

On Friday, the fleet of Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles involved in GM’s Project Driveway—the largest consumer fuel cell vehicle demonstration project to date ( earlier post )—passed the 1-million mile mark. A 35 kW NiMH battery pack (about 1.8 kWh) provides energy storage for regenerative braking.

Chevrolet 246
article thumbnail

Lutz Chats Volt with "Fellow Bloggers"

Plugs and Cars

Lutz responds to the sense that GM might be pulling back from its commitment to the Volt that resulted from Sharon Terlep's Detroit News article a month or so ago. (My While the goal is still a 2010 release, everything hinges on the Lithium battery thought to be the essential heart of the Volt. What's so sacrosanct about 40 miles?

Volt 100
article thumbnail

What up with GM's Plug-in hybrid Volt?

Plugs and Cars

"GM tries to unplug Volt hype" is not the headline I've been hoping to see out of Motor City this spring. The Volt grabbed headlines, lit up online chat boards and dominated the buzz at the auto show in Detroit. The Volt grabbed headlines, lit up online chat boards and dominated the buzz at the auto show in Detroit.

Volt 100
article thumbnail

121K Mile RAV4 EV Featured in Electric Car Story

Plugs and Cars

Praising his Toyota RAV4 EV, Avi Hershkovitz says, "I've put more than 121,000 miles (195,000 km) on this vehicle, and it's definitely the best, most reliable thing I've ever driven." Let's not forget, as GM hypes the Volt , 1000 140-range NiMH EV1 electric cars rot in the Arizona sun.

EV1 100
article thumbnail

Wired blogger takes on Nissan LEAF

Plugs and Cars

The 100 mile range cited by Nissan uses "a number tied to the most optimistic benchmark, the LA4 cycle." But I do know, interestingly and perhaps relevantly, that the electric car that has probably driven more miles than any other model, the Toyota RAV4 EV, does not have batteries with an active system. Neither of certain significance.

Nissan 124
article thumbnail

Lexus Will Bring CT 200h Premium Compact Hybrid To US Market in Early 2011

Green Car Congress

The NiMH battery pack is located under the rear cargo area within the wheelbase for optimized balance. Normal mode has an essentially linear throttle response that gives naturally progressive power while the Power Control Unit (PCU) limits drive voltage to a maximum of 500 volts.

Lexus 223