Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 10, 2010

Among its new developments in fuel injection and engine control systems presented last week at the Aachen Colloquium, Delphi Automotive highlighted a new supervisory controller that coordinates the individual propulsion sources and energy storage devices in a hybrid electric vehicle.

2012 218

2012 Hybrid Energy Storage Production 218

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 11, 2009

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited (TMCA) has begun production of the Camry Hybrid in Australia; the line-off ceremony was attended by Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Toyota Australia will be only the fifth country in the world that produces hybrid vehicles and that makes me proud of Australia.

Camry Hybrid 170

Camry Hybrid Australia Toyota Hybrid 170

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 18, 2010

plans to double its global production of hybrid vehicles from the 2009 level to 1 million units in 2011. The automaker recently notified parts suppliers that it intends to roll out about 800,000 hybrids domestically in 2010, with the figure to be raised to around 900,000 in 2011 and roughly 1.1 Tags: Brief.

HS 250h 231

HS 250h 2009 2011 Toyota 231

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 30, 2009

Guangzhou Toyota will begin production of the Camry Hybrid in China in 2010. Toyota introduced the Camry Hybrid to the China market at the 2009 Shanghai auto show earlier this year. Tags: Brief. increase over 2009 sales. Guangzhou Toyota will expand its in-country sales outlets to 300 from 210. class of cars.

2010 186

2010 Camry Hybrid Toyota Hybrid 186

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2010

will introduce a start-to-finish manufacturing system for midsize hybrid vehicles at a Kyushu subsidiary. But for the SAI and HS250h hybrids, it currently uses engines made and shipped from its parent’s Kamigo plant.Toyota will invest some 1 billion yen [US$11.7 liter engines for hybrid cars currently handled at the Kamigo facility.

Toyota 186

Toyota Hybrid North America Production 186

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 28, 2009

billion)—about 80% of its total investment in fixed assets—will be devoted to new product development, further optimization of conventional drivelines and the development of electric and hybrid models. By 2015, the Audi brand will have enlarged its product portfolio from its current 34 to 42 models. Tags: Brief.

Audi 210

Audi 2012 Hybrid Production 210

Green Car Congress

JUNE 11, 2009

Shanghai-GM will end production of its mild hybrid Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid, introduced in 2008. The Buick hybrid shares the same first-generation mild hybrid system used in the Malibu hybrid (now also suspended, earlier post ). The second generation mild hybrid system is slated to debut in 2011.

Buick 150

Buick GM Malibu Hybrid Hybrid 150

Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2010

Volkswagen is planning an ambitious electric and hybrid drive vehicle strategy. Starting in 2013, the electric E-UP ( earlier post ) goes into production, followed by the E-Golf and the E-Jetta at the end of the year. At the Geneva Motor Show beginning this week, Volkswagen is showing the Touareg hybrid. Earlier post.)

2018 231

2018 Hybrid Electric Vehicles Market 231

Green Car Congress

MAY 17, 2010

The new catalyst is applied in a hybrid photocatalytic-electrolysis system that uses the photocatalytic reaction converting solar energy to lower the electrolysis voltage required for the hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Potential diagram of various reaction mechanisms for hydrogen production via water decomposition. (a)

Hydrogen 259

Hydrogen Hybrid Production Solar 259

Green Car Congress

JUNE 22, 2010

A collaboration between Lotus Engineering and Fagor Ederlan will develop the 3-cylinder Lotus Range Extender Engine ( earlier post ) for series production. The study has culminated with an agreement for Lotus Engineering to develop the engine for series production and sale by Fagor Ederlan for the global automotive market.

Engine 199

Engine Range Production Hybrid 199

Green Car Congress

JUNE 30, 2010

announced the successful production of ethanol at a capacity that can be scaled to commercial production. ZeaChem currently uses harvested hybrid poplar trees as the feedstock of choice in its combined biochemical and thermochemical process for the production of ethanol. Other products. ZeaChem’s process.

Production 199

Production Commercial Hydrogen Convert 199

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 7, 2009

Under the terms of the agreement, Delphi will supply Allison Transmission with key hybrid drive system components and energy storage systems. This grant will further increase US capacity to manufacture hybrid propulsion systems for the commercial truck market. Tags: Brief.

Commercial 199

Commercial Hybrid Production Grant 199

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 19, 2010

million production release for the first production series of solar roofs for the Fisker Karma. Under the release, Quantum, with affiliate Asola of Germany, will initiate volume production of the solar roofs for the Fisker Karma in early 2011. Tags: Brief. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.

Fisker 210

Fisker Solar Karma Production 210

Green Car Congress

MARCH 5, 2010

Drivetrain of the Audi A8 parallel hybrid. Audi presented the A8 parallel hybrid as a technology concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The technology architecture of the A8 hybrid previews that of the production Q5 hybrid, due to reach the market in late 2010/early 2011, Audi said. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.)

Audi 199

Audi Hybrid Production 2011 199

Green Car Congress

JUNE 11, 2009

General Motors has announced that there will be no retail production of the Chevrolet Malibu hybrid for model year (MY) 2010 due to “elevated inventory levels of the 2009 model.” A limited amount of 2010 Malibu hybrids may be produced to fulfill fleet sales requests. 2008 Malibu hybrid. Tags: Brief. Jack Rosebro.

Malibu Hybrid 150

Malibu Hybrid 2010 VUE Saturn 150

Green Car Congress

JUNE 14, 2009

wants to expand the production capacity for the NiMH battery packs it uses in hybrids by 10%. million hybrid cars in 2010, or 10% more than was initially called for in its existing expansion plans. Tags: Brief. Toyota Motor Corp. The automaker is now seeking access to enough NiMH batteries to equip 1.1

NiMH 218

NiMH Toyota Production Batteries 218

Green Car Congress

MAY 3, 2010

Continental has begun production of the first prototypes for electric motors that will soon be going into volume production at its plant in Gifhorn, Lower Saxony. Continental has produced lithium ion batteries since 2008 for the production Mercedes S 400 HYBRID. Tags: Brief.

Motor 186

Motor Motors Motoring Production 186

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 11, 2010

Ford Motor Company will invest an additional $450 million in its electric vehicle plan, paving the way to build its next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle vehicles in Michigan beginning in 2012. The production site will be announced at a later date. Next-generation hybrid based on C-car platform in 2012.

Michigan 252

Michigan Plug-in Ford Plug 252

Green Car Congress

JULY 4, 2009

plans to begin commercial production in 2012 of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). PEVE provides the NiMH packs for current Toyota hybrids. The report suggests that the 2012 plug-in hybrids will have an all-electric range of 20-30km (12-18 miles). Tags: Brief. The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp.

Plug-in 150

Plug-in 2012 Toyota Plug 150

Green Car Congress

MAY 7, 2010

Under the terms of the licensing and supply arrangement, Quantum will be the exclusive supplier of the Q-Drive hybrid control systems and the solar roof module. Tags: Brief. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. Quantum will also receive a royalty payment on each Karma sold that incorporates Quantum’s Q-Drive.

Karma 170

Karma Fisker Supplies Plug-in 170

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2009

will nearly triple the production of the Lexus HS 250h hybrid ( earlier post ) by October. The HS250h is Lexus’s first hybrid-only offering. Remaining orders for the Lexus hybrid have reached 8,600 units—17 times the monthly domestic sales target of 500. Tags: Brief. Sales of the HS 250h began in Japan in July.

HS 250h 150

HS 250h Lexus Toyota Hybrid 150

Green Car Congress

MARCH 5, 2010

Ferrari presented a hybrid experimental vehicle, the HY-KERS, based on the 599 GTB Fiorano at the Geneva Motor Show. The HY-KERS features a lightweight hybrid drivetrain, with all system components positioned below the center of gravity, and without impact to the interior and luggage space. Tags: Hybrids.

Ferrari 199

Ferrari California Hybrid Concept 199

Green Car Congress

MAY 3, 2010

The Nikkei reports that Sanyo Electric plans to launch mass production of lithium ion batteries for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles by fiscal 2012 as part of a ¥200-billion investment (US$2.126 billion) over the next three years in rechargeable batteries and solar cells. Tags: Brief.

Lithium Ion 210

Lithium Ion 2012 Plug-in 2020 210

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Mitsubishi Chemical will increase its production capacity of anode materials for rechargable lithium-ion batteries to 7,000 tons annually by next May from its current output level of 3,000 tons. The company said it is responding to growing demand for lithium ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Tags: Brief.

Mitsubishi 199

Mitsubishi Li-ion Lithium Ion Production 199

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 22, 2013

Low-cost 14V micro hybrid systems and full (strong) hybrid (i.e., The 170-page report also finds that while the combined global EV and plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) market share is expected to grow to about 1.5% Li-Ion batteries for strong hybrids are in short supply. billion in 2015 and $9.2 billion in 2020.

Li-ion 265

Li-ion Hybrid NiMH Batteries 265

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 6, 2009

Cartoon representation of a hybrid (enzyme-TiO 2 ) nanoparticle system showing aspects that are desirable for efficient and practical H 2 production from sunlight. Armstrong (2009) Visible Light-Driven H 2 Production by Hydrogenases Attached to Dye-Sensitized TiO 2 Nanoparticles. Source: Reisner et al./ Click to enlarge.

Hydrogen 246

Hydrogen Production France Light 246

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2009

The diesel-electric full-hybrid vehicle, weighing just 380 kilograms (838 lbs), offers an initial glimpse at how a future production version might appear. In 2007, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed that VW was resurrecting the 1-liter car project and would place it in production. Earlier post.). Click to enlarge.

Diesel 296

Diesel Concept Design Hybrid 296

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 16, 2010

and Advanced Mechanical Products, Inc. ( The end product is an all-electric vehicle with a range of up to 150 miles per charge. By comparison, a full hybrid application yielded only a 5 °C difference between the two motor technologies over the same drive cycle. Tags: Conversions Electric (Battery) Motors. An HVH250 motor.

Conversion 218

Conversion Motor Motors Motoring 218

Green Car Congress

MAY 4, 2010

Upon successful negotiation of an agreement, Air Products’ hydrogen and fueling technology will be used to power 20 Class I forklifts. The work at DDJC marks the fourth warehouse materials handling project Air Products has participated in with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Naval Surface Warfare Center. Tags: Brief.

Hydrogen 218

Hydrogen Production Atlanta Pennsylvania 218

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

Lotus has earmarked £20 million (US$33 million) for product investment in 2009/10, in addition to the £28 million (US$46 million) already invested in 2008/09. Investment for Lotus Cars will be in future variants of all Lotus products including an automatic gearbox version the Evora for the 2011 model year. Tags: Brief.

2009 186

2009 Production 2008 Sale 186

Green Car Congress

APRIL 13, 2010

Recent calibration drives of pre-production Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles have achieved up to 39.9 The Volt remains on schedule for start of regular production in the fourth quarter. Tags: Brief. miles (64.2 Farah said engineers at GM’s Warren, Mich., Farah said engineers at GM’s Warren, Mich., battery plant. Earlier post.).

Volt 186

Volt Production Range Canada 186

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 28, 2009

Fisker Automotive has selected the GM Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware for production for Project NINA, the development and build of a family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits. Tags: Brief. Earlier post.). MLC), formerly known as General Motors Corp.

Fisker 186

Fisker GM Tax Credit Production 186

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 5, 2010

has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Productive Concepts International LLC—a vehicle modification and systems integrator for a variety of alternative fuel applications including hybrid, CNG, propane and dual-fuel diesel—for $11.1 Tags: Brief. Fuel Systems Solutions , Inc.

International 170

International Concept Fuel Production 170

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

has developed two new lithium-ion battery systems and will begin mass production of the new products in March 2010. Initial monthly production for each system will be 500 units. The voltage and capacity of the products can be customized, as multiple units are connected in parallel and series, according to the application.

Li-ion 268

Li-ion Power Storage Light Electric Vehicles 268

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Volvo Cars confirmed that it will introduce a series-produced plug-in hybrid diesel as early as 2012. Based on the NEDC cycle, CO 2 emissions from Volvo’s plug-in hybrid will average out at 49 grams per kilometer, with fuel consumption of 1.9 Tags: Brief. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Volvo 170

Volvo 2012 PHEV 2011 170

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 22, 2009

Kenworth Truck Company is expanding its product line with the introduction of the Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas engine for the Kenworth T800 short hood and W900S models. Kenworth also offers T800 liquefied natural gas vehicles with the Westport GX engine and medium duty diesel-electric hybrids. Tags: Brief. Earlier post.)

Kenworth 186

Kenworth Gas Engine Production 186

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

Among the lineup of concept and production-intent vehicles Kia is showcasing at the SEMA show in Las vegas this week is the Kia Forte Hybrid Concept. Forte Hybrid Concept. Created by Kinetic Motorsports, the Hybrid Concept combines a 1.6-liter Created by Kinetic Motorsports, the Hybrid Concept combines a 1.6-liter

Kia 210

Kia Las Vegas Concept Hybrid 210