article thumbnail

XL1 dive and drive: Volkswagen aggressively optimizes for efficiency in its sleek diesel plug-in hybrid

Green Car Congress

The XLI can be also be put into a charging mode, which runs the engine at a slightly higher point that required, using the excess power to generate electricity to recharge the battery. Power and torque curves for the XL1. two-cylinder diesel, 20 kW electric motor and 5.5 Click to enlarge. (In Earlier post.)

Plug-in 324
article thumbnail

Slow start for charge of the electric cars - Times Online

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Itsmaker, BMW, is conducting a 100-car consumer test in America and Germany to“evaluate technical and social aspects of living with an all-electricvehicle” and with some government support hopes to extend the trials toBritain. to charge overnight. The electric Mini is unlikely to go into production in its present form.