Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 24, 2009

The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC)—an organization whose members are Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company—is seeking requests for proposal information (RFPIs) for four projects related to advanced battery development for hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and electric vehicles.

Energy Storage 225

Energy Storage Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 26, 2009

Toyota Industries’ solar charging station. Toyota Industries Corp (TIC) has developed a solar charging station for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Full operation of the stations will begin in April, with 20 Prius Plug-In Hybrids. Toyota Industries recharger on a stand.

Solar 316

Solar Toyota Industrial Industry 316

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 19, 2009

The US Department of Energy (DOE), through its Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity ( AVTA ) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has completed 1 million miles of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) testing. Model Battery. Hybrids Plus Escape Hybrids Plus. Hybrids Plus Escape K2 Energy Solutions.

Plug-in 186

Plug-in Miles Plug Electric Vehicles 186

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 18, 2009

Cumulative sales of hybrid vehicles in the fleet sector will total nearly 4 million worldwide between 2009 and 2015, according to a recent report from Pike Research. Manufacturers are beginning to turn their attention beyond light duty vehicles to the efficiency opportunities for hybrid drive in heavy trucks. Clint Wheelock.

2015 225

2015 Fleet Hybrid Plug-in 225

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2009

Ford Motor Company has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that communicates directly with the electric grid. All 21 of Ford’s fleet of plug-in hybrid Escapes eventually will be equipped with the vehicle-to-grid communications technology.

Grid 284

Grid Plug-in Plug Ford 284

Green Car Congress

MAY 24, 2010

Ford Motor Company, moving to create a center of excellence in Michigan for vehicle electrification, is investing $135 million to design, engineer and produce key components for the company’s next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles. Ford’s investment also supports the necessary engineering and launch costs for the advanced battery systems.

Michigan 186

Michigan Ford North America Hybrid 186

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 6, 2010

Based on technology from the European rail industry, and leveraging the rapid charge capability of nanotechnology Lithium Titanate (nLTO) technology batteries such as those from Altair Nano, the Bůsbaar is a high power (~250 kW) opportunity charging station that rapidly charges a bus at one or both ends of its route.

Lithium Titanate 247

Lithium Titanate Charging Hybrid Batteries 247

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 27, 2009

At the China International Industry Fair held earlier in November in Shanghai, SAIC Group displayed six models of new energy vehicles, which will serve the Expo 2010. The Roewe 550, a plug-in strong hybrid car offering a 50% boost in fuel economy, will enter the market in quantities in 2012. SAIC Expo 2010 Gallery.

2010 272

2010 2012 Hybrid PHEV 272

Green Car Congress

JUNE 21, 2010

has established a new in-house company—the Battery Systems Company—to strengthen its battery business with a focus on the steadily growing lithium-ion battery market. The Battery Systems Company comprises two existing Hitachi companies: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd. Earlier post.).

Li-ion 199

Li-ion Lithium Ion Industrial Industry 199

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 22, 2010

Plug-in electric vehicles—plug-in hybrids and full battery-powered—will represent nearly 20% of the global market for light vehicles in 2030, according to findings in a study on the business case for Plugged-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) by automotive industry analysts at IHS Global Insight.

Insight 218

Insight Global Plug-in Plug 218

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2009

As one of the speakers put it to the attendees, the bulk of which came from Southeast Michigan, plug-in vehicles will a major career path for most of the people in the room. “I’m very encouraged that carmakers now see as allies the utilities, plug-in advocates, community and regional efforts like ProjectGetReady.”

Plug-in 210

Plug-in Plug Industrial Industry 210

Green Car Congress

JUNE 1, 2009

A V70 plug-in hybrid demonstrator. Swedish energy company Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market by 2012. The Volvo V70 Plug-in hybrid demonstration car fuelling up at a public charging station.

Volvo 150

Volvo Plug-in PHEV Diesel 150

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2009

the developer of the purpose-built, plug-in hybrid IDEA ( earlier post ) launched of Bright eSolutions to support automotive customers worldwide to accelerate vehicle electrification, lightweighting, and overall platform efficiency. The IDEA is a multi-purpose, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle aimed at commercial and government fleets.

Bright Automotive 186

Bright Automotive Hybrid IDEA Vehicles 186

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 27, 2009

The series hybrid system in a cutaway chassis. The design includes battery pack, power inverter, power control unit, traction motor and vehicle control unit. Currently all of the world’s car makers are looking at electric or hybrid propulsion vehicles. The system includes: Battery Management System (BMS).

Hybrid 258

Hybrid Market Taiwan Vehicles 258

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 6, 2010

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), as of 2008, Japan had about 600,000 “next-generation” vehicles—including hybrids and electric vehicles—in service, representing 0.8% Besides the need to ensure a sufficiently long service life of batteries, drastically lowering the cost of battery is also important.

Japan 225

Japan Plug-in Plug 2020 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 3, 2009

PHEV/EV Models 2010-2012 by Battery Chemistry. In the near term, the Li-ion market, and the electric vehicle (EV) industry in general, will be largely fueled by government subsidies, incentives, and production goals, the report says. Source: Pike Research. Click to enlarge. —Pike senior analyst John Gartner.

Lithium Ion 218

Lithium Ion 2015 Li-ion Electric Vehicles 218

Plugs and Cars

MAY 19, 2007

Synovate Motoresearch presented some very interesting survey results at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference in Long Beach, CA last week, as reported in MIT's Technology Review. Simply put, as the first sentence of the article states, [W]hen consumers understand what plug-in hybrids are, they want them. Wonder why?

Plug-in 100

Plug-in Plug Hybrid Industrial 100

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 9, 2010

A123 Systems has been selected to develop Li-ion battery packs for a new, 2012 model year electric passenger car from Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the largest automaker in China. Tags: Batteries China. ATBS), the joint venture established between A123 and SAIC Motor Co.

Batteries 240

Batteries Battery Li-ion Eaton 240

Green Car Congress

JUNE 29, 2010

and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the joint development of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Raser first unveiled its Extended Range Series Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) drive system, developed with FEV, at the 2008 SAE World Congress in Detroit. Earlier post.).

Extended Range 240

Extended Range Renewable Electric Vehicles Hyundai 240

Green Car Congress

JUNE 23, 2010

Ford Motor Company has awarded Toshiba a major contract to supply electric drive motors for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Toshiba International Corporation (TIC), a Houston-based Toshiba Group company, manufactures and markets motors and industrial equipment, and is the base for this expansion program.

2012 231

2012 Houston Motor Motors 231

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 15, 2009

Prior to his current position, Tinskey led Ford’s product planning and product management activities for hybrids and for developing and implementing the electric vehicle strategy announced last January ( earlier post ). We as OEMs are currently on a path to design, sell and service all unique battery packs. Mike Tinskey. Mike Tinskey.

Ford 231

Ford Batteries Battery Plug-in 231

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. will present a gull-wing Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The car offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motor assist—one for the front wheels, the other for the rear—supported by a Li-ion battery pack. The Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept. Tags: Brief.

Concept 199

Concept Hybrid Li-ion Motor 199

Green Car Congress

JUNE 13, 2009

At the recent Advanced Automotive Battery Conference 2009 (AABC 2009), Korea-based EIG Ltd. described a prototype lithium-ion battery system targeted at a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) application. 96 cells were serially connected to obtain the 307V battery pack. Rendering of the pack. Click to enlarge.

Li-ion 150

Li-ion Plug-in Plug Lithium Ion 150

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 2, 2009

With today’s announcement, we are transforming the LA region into the capital of the electric car and we will prime our region to be plug-in ready by the fall of 2010. If we are to be at the forefront of tackling climate change, reducing emissions from the automobile must be front and center. Off-peak electrical charging rate of 8.5

Los Angeles 210

Los Angeles Plug-in California Plug 210

Green Car Congress

APRIL 30, 2010

SABIC Innovative Plastics used Chinaplas 2010 in Shanghai as the venue to introduce a new portfolio of advanced Noryl and Valox automotive resins targeted for use in battery packs for hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV).

Batteries 170

Batteries Battery Hybrid Polymer 170

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

The two companies are collaborating to determine how the Volt’s 16-kWh lithium-ion batteries can be used to provide stationary electric grid storage systems once the batteries have fulfilled their usefulness in customers’ vehicles. Bly announced the partnership Tuesday at the EV Battery Tech conference in Troy, Michigan.

Volt 240

Volt GM Batteries Battery 240

Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2012

The European automotive industry risks losing the present technological leadership if this doesn’t happen. In the long-term, this jeopardizes our industry’s competitiveness and European jobs. In 2011 fewer than 50,000 battery electric vehicles were sold in in the world, equivalent to a market share of about 0.1%.

Volvo 225

Volvo Corporation 2020 Market 225

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 22, 2012

Wireless Charging enables the customer the ability to have “transparent” recharging of plug-in electric vehicle—EV, combustion engine (IC) PHEV, fuel cell (FC) PHEV—through a seamless connection to the EVSE charger and automated charging process. —Jesse Schneider, Chair SAE J2954.

Industrial 240

Industrial Industry Standards Charging 240

Plug In Partners

JUNE 11, 2008

Here's the story from the LA Times: Toyota promises plug-in hybrid vehicle in U.S., Japan and Europe by 2010 By Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press June 11, 2008 TOKYO -- Toyota is introducing a plug-in hybrid with next-generation lithium-ion batteries in the U.S., Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.); If so, how?

Plug-in 100

Plug-in Toyota Plug Nickel Metal Hydride 100

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

recently entered into a five-year agreement with Western Michigan University (WMU) to invest in and jointly staff a 1,000-square-foot testing lab to focus on hybrid drive systems for commercial and military vehicles. That hybrid hydraulic drive work also involves collaboration with WMU’s CAViDS. Eaton Corp.

Eaton 199

Eaton Michigan Universal Commercial 199

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 24, 2010

PGE is partnering with state and local government, higher education, the automobile industry, and businesses to expand the electric vehicle infrastructure in Oregon. Ford will introduce its first pure battery electric vehicle, the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, this year. Tags: Brief.

Portland 320

Portland Ford Lithium Ion Transit Connect 320

Revenge of the Electric Car

JANUARY 27, 2009

This new company, Bright Automotive , is founded by ex-GM EV1 people, and the super efficient Rocky Mountain Institute to make plug-in hybrids in Indiana. Andy Frank makes the observation that parallel hybrids (Toyota Prius) are cheaper than series hybrids (Chevy Volt). At the end of this article, Prof. January 21, 2009.

Plug-in 124

Plug-in Bright Automotive Plug Cars 124

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 18, 2010

kW power output, Model 1 has the highest power output in the methanol fuel cell industry, according to Oorja. The target market for the OorjaPac is the materials handling industry, for use in electric forklifts, pallet trucks, and automated guided vehicles. FEDMFC and Hybrids. With a 4.5 assembly plant. Earlier post.).

Golf Cart 218

Golf Cart Fuel Batteries Battery 218

Green Car Congress

MAY 26, 2010

European industry ministers in an EU Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels yesterday voiced their support for the European Commission’s strategy for clean and energy-efficient vehicles, which was published last month ( earlier post ).

2011 210

2011 Standards Industrial Industry 210

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 19, 2010

million in private equity funding to develop plug-in hybrid cars. million US Department of Energy conditional loan that will, in part, help speed completion of the Fisker Karma, the company’s first plug-in hybrid. Tags: Brief. Fisker Automotive last week secured access to an additional $115.3 Earlier post.).

Fisker 199

Fisker Karma Delaware Lithium Ion 199

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 17, 2010

NASA has selected selected Boston-Power’s Swing battery system ( earlier post ) as a part of Project M—a proposed project to land an operational humanoid robot on the moon in 1,000 days. Boston-Power is delivering a 2.5kWh energy storage system which includes its Swing cells as well as an integrated battery management system.

Boston 230

Boston Lithium Ion Batteries Battery 230

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

Progress Energy is one of 10 utilities that have partnered with Ford to test 20 plug-in hybrid Ford Escapes to obtain data on durability, reliability and safety of the new battery technology. Tags: Brief. This will include installing about 600 stations across the company’s territory in the Carolinas and Florida.

North Carolina 199

North Carolina Ford Energy Escape 199