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Ford begins production of 2012 Focus Electric at Michigan Assembly, C-MAX models on deck

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Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant is starting production of the 2012 Focus Electric ( earlier post )—a five-passenger, battery-electric car Ford expects will achieve more than a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel economy rating. 1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 Portland, Ore.;

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Former Chrysler Execs Join Board of Extended Range Electric Vehicle Conversion Company ALTe

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ALTe’a electric drive system, designed to replace a base V-8 internal combustion engine powertrain, improves fuel economy from 80% to 200%. The idea of converting existing vehicles that had very low fuel economy with Range Extended Electric Powertrains is an advanced idea especially considering the patents that come with it.

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DLR team develops demonstrator of free-piston linear generator as range extender for EVs; technology transfer to Universal Motor Corp.

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Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Institute of Vehicle Concepts in Stuttgart have developed a demonstrator multi-fuel free-piston linear generator (FPLG, or Freikolbenlineargenerator, FKLG in German) as a range extender for electric vehicles. Click to enlarge.

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GM to Debut Two-Mode Plug-in Hybrid Technology in New Buick Crossover in 2011; LG Chem to Supply the Li-ion Cells

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The 8 kWh battery pack for the new 2011 Buick PHEV crossover vehicle is prepared for testing at the General Motors Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development, made the announcement during the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan. V-6 flex-fuel engine. engine side.

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Chevrolet Volt MSRP Starts at $41,000, $33,500 Net of Full Federal Credit; 3-year Lease Program with Option to Buy

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GM will introduce the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle with a starting MSRP of $41,000; after applying the Federal income tax credit of $7,500, the price drops to $33,500. The Volt has a total driving range of about 340 miles (547 km) and is powered by electricity at all times.

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Nissan and Sumitomo to Launch Second-Life Venture for EV Battery Packs; 4R Business Model

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and Sumitomo Corporation are planning to initiate a business venture to “Reuse, Resell, Refabricate and Recycle” (4R) lithium-ion batteries previously used in electric cars, giving them a second-life as energy-storage solutions in markets worldwide. That work would be done at GM’s battery plant in Michigan.). Nissan Motor Co.,

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GM and U Mich receive patent on plug-in series hybrid/extended range electric vehicle powertrain using multiple free piston linear alternator engines

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GM Global Technology Operations LLC and the Regents of the University of Michigan recently were awarded a US patent (Nº 8,261,860) for a plug-in series hybrid or range-extended electric vehicle powertrain using multiple free piston linear alternator (FPLA) engines. Patent Drawing of an FPLA.