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GM CEO outlines highlights of fuel economy plan through MY2016: lightweighting; more efficient gasoline and clean diesel engines, electrification

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The company is also aggressively investing in advanced materials, including nano steels, carbon fiber and resistance spot welding for aluminum structures. Clean diesel. GM is deploying clean diesel engines where they make business sense, Akerson said, noting the new B20-ready Chevrolet Cruze diesel. Earlier post.).

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Proterra Catalyst electric bus sets records at Altoona in efficiency, gradeability, weight and acceleration

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While conventional diesel buses average 3.86 Nearly six times more efficient than a diesel or CNG bus, the Catalyst is also ~15% more energy efficient per mile than its closest competitor’s electric bus on the same test (BYD, which averaged 1.988 kWh/mile), which translates to a lower lifetime energy consumption of 15%.

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GM to double models with 40 mpg highway or better by 2017; ongoing manufacturing efficiency improvements

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GM’s electrified vehicles today include the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt, Spark EV and Buick LaCrosse, Regal, Chevrolet Malibu and Impala with eAssist. On the 40 mpg+ highway side, in addition to the Volt and Spark EV (with the Cadillac ELR coming), GM also currently has the Sonic and the Cruze Eco and Cruze Diesel.

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Jaguar Introduces C-X75 Gas Micro-turbine Extended Range Electric Vehicle Concept

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Jaguar has unveiled the C-X75 concept, an extended range electric vehicle that uses twin gas micro-turbines from Bladon Jets to power two switched reluctance generators from SR Drives. Turbines offer a number of advantages over a reciprocating piston engine when powering range-extending generators, Jaguar says.

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China R&D company introduces micro-turbine range extender technology at Geneva

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TREV is a range extender system that uses a micro-turbine (fueled either by liquid or gaseous fuels) to generate electricity that charges a battery pack. The TREV system’s turbine has been tested in various guises, with alternative versions running natural gas, biogas, diesel, gasoline and aviation kerosene. Earlier post.).

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Using the PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to Transition Society Seamlessly and Profitably From Fossil Fuel to 100% Renewable Energy

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The PHEV does not require the heavy, costly batteries required by other electric cars, nor does it suffer from a limited range or poor freeway performance. Though the PHEV combines the two types of energy and power, it is not merely a temporary “transition” between gasoline and diesel cars to pure electric cars.

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