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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

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Slow start for charge of the electric cars - Times Online

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

In developing its E-Flex technology for the Chevrolet Volt (which will come toBritain as the Vauxhall Ampera) General Motors addressed this problem byadding a small petrol engine to start automatically and recharge thebatteries when they are running low and thereby extend the car’s range sothat it can reach a convenient power point.