As policy, Daimler managers will be driving electrified company cars—mainly its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. Furthermore, Daimler this year will invest a further €30 million (US$34 million) into extending the company’s own charging infrastructure across many of its sites. This will also benefit employees, who have access to a growing range of vehicles with alternative drive systems. The agreement applies to the company’s senior levels of management and focuses on plug-in hybrids. MORE

Tests of two of the latest electrified cars have yielded strong results; with the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV car achieving five stars while BMW’s new fully electric i3 scored a four stars. MORE

liter is the major engine in the space, Parker noted; Cummins is basically cutting the displacement requirement in half with the PHEV configuration. The PHEV range extender will be a robust solution in certain markets—we certainly see that in bus. At the SAE 2016 Range Extenders for Electric Vehicles Symposium this week in Knoxville, Gary Parker, Director of Electromobility programs for Cummins, Inc. MORE

Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV has become Britain’s most popular plug-in hybrid vehicle, just four months after going on sale. MORE

Debuting at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a compact crossover utility vehicle that likely previews a plug-in hybrid version of the next Outlander Sport buyers may still be waiting for the much-delayed Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid, but its maker is already planning a second production plug-in SUV. MORE

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales were mainly compact and midsize cars, with 42% and 40% of the market share, respectively. MORE

Called the Concept GC-PHEV, the large and angular design exercise had previously been seen at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show last fall, but its appearance in Chicago represented its North American debut. At today''s Chicago Auto Show, Mitsubishi showed off a new concept for a full-size SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. MORE

GKN Driveline is expanding its global electric axle (eAxle) drive partnership with the BMW Group, supplying eAxle technology for a plug-in hybrid version of the BMW X1 for the Chinese market. The system is part of the same scalable family of eAxles used in the plug-in hybrid BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 225xe ( earlier post ). Early adopters of GKN’s electric axle drive used the technology to create plug-in hybrid sports cars with electric all-wheel drive that enhanced performance and efficiency. MORE

Audi sales increased globally 1% in November to 147,750 deliveries. In Europe, Audi increased sales by 6% to around 62,300 units, despite the model changeover for its bestseller, the Audi A4, and in spite of the background of the Volkswagen Group emissions issue. Since the start of the year, Audi has sold more than 1.64 million units, up 3.4%. MORE

Porsche will unveil the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid with controlled all-wheel drive and an electric range of 50 kilometers (31 miles) at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The plug-in hybrid will be the fourth model in the Panamera line. MORE

The new XC60 offers Volvo’s award-winning T8 Twin Engine gasoline plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system ( earlier post ) at the top of the powertrain range, delivering 407 hp and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 Volvo Cars revealed the much-anticipated new XC60 premium SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. MORE

Increased market penetration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) across vehicle segments could present an opportunity for emerging advanced combustion regime engines, such as those using various low-temperature combustion modes, according to a number of presentations at the SAE 2016 Range Extenders for Electric Vehicles Symposium held last week in Knoxville. If PHEVs are going to play a big role, what is the fuel source for that? MORE

Toyota unveiled the new Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV) at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. Toyota expects the Prius Prime’s manufacturer-estimated 120 or above MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) to be the highest MPGe rating of any current plug-in hybrid. MORE

In FY 2016, Porsche spent €2.2 billion (US$2.4 billion) on R&D to prepare for mobility of the future with an emphasis on plug-in hybrid vehicles; the battery-electric Mission E vehicle; and overall digital transformation. Digitalization is more than an investment in the latest technologies. It opens new economic opportunities, increases customer benefits and makes processes more efficient. In the medium-term, we want to generate a double-digit percentage of sales through digital services. MORE

German drivers now consider plug-in hybrid vehicles to be more attractive and practical than conventional hybrids, according to a survey commissioned by GKN Driveline has revealed. The poll of motorists showed that 75% preferred the idea of plug-ins, with 61.2% MORE

In the coming two years, Buick also plans to introduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in China. Buick announced that it will shortly launch the Velite 5, its first extended range electric vehicle (EREV), in China. MORE

GKN Driveline has developed a new, complete electric drive system for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). GKN launched the world’s first two-speed eAxle in the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and also supplies the eAxle on the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine PHEV program. MORE

Audi is introducing two new models with plug-in hybrid drive systems to the market in China in 2016, both of which are having their world premier at Auto Shanghai 2015: the Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro and the Audi A6 L e tron. MORE

Volvo Cars will introduce a front-wheel drive (FWD), 3-cylinder engine variant of its Twin Engine plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system in 2018, followed by its first production battery-electric vehicles and a new 48V mild hybrid system in 2019, according to Mats Anderson, Senior Director of Electric Propulsion Systems. Anderson was speaking at the SAE 2017 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium in San Diego. MORE

Audi introduced the Q7 e-tron quattro plug-in hybrid ( earlier post ) at the Geneva show. The Q7 e?tron tron quattro is Audi’s second vehicle featuring a plug?in in hybrid drive system, and the first diesel plug-in hybrid with quattro drive in its segment. Powered by the 17.3 MORE

It’s called the Outlander PHEV and, essentially, it [.]. SUVs have long been the whipping boys of environmental organisations, blamed for eating the Earth’s resources and polluting its atmosphere while doing the school run. MORE

Lear will be including Qualcomm Halo WEVC technology in its product portfolio to commercialize WEVC systems for Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV) manufacturers, as well as wireless charging infrastructure companies. With the facelift of the Mercedes-Benz S550e plug-in hybrid in 2017, Daimler AG plans to launch a wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) system, manufactured by a Tier 1 power electronics supplier, which has licensed Qualcomm Halo inventions. MORE

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering have demonstrated that a new, data-driven, reinforcement-learning-based, real-time energy management system (EMS) can improve the efficiency of current plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by almost 12% compared to the standard, binary mode control strategy. A PHEV’s energy management system (EMS) controls the switch from all-electric mode (charge depleting mode) to hybrid mode (charge sustaining). MORE

market share for all electrified vehicles (hybrid, PHEV and BEV). Hyundai will later (Q4 2017) introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the Ioniq (and Kia a PHEV version of Niro). A post on driving impressions of the Hybrid, PHEV and BEV Ioniqs will be published next Monday. ). MORE

At a press event in Tokyo to lay out his future vision and direction for the company, Honda Motor President & CEO Takahiro Hachigo said that the company will strive to make two-thirds of its overall unit sales from plug-in hybrid/hybrid vehicles and zero-emissions vehicles such as fuel cell vehicles and battery EVs by around 2030. MORE

Supported by a $3-million California Energy Commission grant, the companies are working to convert a fleet of six, Class-6 International armored trucks into “Zero Emission with Range Extension” vehicles—PHEV trucks that operate with electricity and renewable natural gas (RNG). MORE

Mercedes-Benz has released the lifecycle analysis for its first plug-in hybrid SUV, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC (GLE 550e in the US). Earlier post.). The GLE 500 e 4MATIC burns 3.7–3.3 liters of fuel for every 100 km (63.5 to 71.2 MORE

Mitsubishi says its new Outlander plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV for short) is without any rivals. Normally, that kind of statement from a car manufacturer is more hype that reality, but in the case of the hybrid Outlander, it''s true. MORE

Borgward Group AG, the reincarnation of the German automaker that ceased operations in 1961, has formed a long-term strategic partnership with the SAP, LG Electronics and Robert Bosch GmbH to support its plan to launch sales in Europe with plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. MORE

Mercedes-Benz is making a strategic push on plug-in hybrids: the Stuttgart-based automaker will introduce 10 new plug-in hybrid models by 2017. The company said that the main emphasis as regards alternative drives in years to come will be on plug-in hybrids. The announcement follows the market introduction of the C 350 e ( earlier post , earlier post ), the company’s second plug-in hybrid model following the S 500 Plug-In Hybrid ( earlier post ). MORE

The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV concept is a large and fairly luxurious plug-in hybrid utility vehicle. Mitsubishi unveiled the latest in a series of plug-in electric SUV concepts at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. As with other recent concept from the Japanese automaker, though, it is unclear whether this one will translate into a future production model. Paris Auto Show Plug-In Hybrids plug-in cars Paris Motor Show MORE

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV—the plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander now on sale—has been promised for several years, and it’s already a sales success in Europe. Plug-In Hybrids PHEV Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In HybridAmericans who want an SUV combined with a plug-in hybrid powertrain have had a very long wait. MORE

The objective of the projects is to develop cells that provide more than 200 Wh/kg energy density, along with long cycle life and excellent abuse tolerance to enable 40-mile-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EVs). Envia’s anode material will be paired with LBNL’s conductive binder to enable the long cycle and calendar life meeting ABR PHEV goals. Advanced High Energy Li-Ion Cell for PHEV and EV Applications,” Jagat Singh, DOE AMR 2014 Project ES210 3M Company. MORE

The PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a subset of the electric car, combines a primary electric motor with a much smaller back-up engine fueled with a hydrocarbon/biofuel mix. (In In this paper PHEV refers solely to the long-range PHEV of 60 miles (100 km) electric-only range.) MORE

On 23 September 2014, Ivan Viaux, Research Engineer at ArcelorMittal Global R&D, will explain at the Aachen Body Engineering Days 2014 conference how ArcelorMittal steels can help carmakers to reduce the weight of their plugged-in hybrid electrical vehicles (PHEV) without additional cost through the PHEV S-in motion project. MORE

Volvo showcased the XC60, its plug-in hybrid crossover of the future, at the recent Detroit Auto Show. The vehicle got a mixed review from the automotive press. Some dubbed it a “me, too” entry into the market. MORE

Mitsubishi Motors’ Outlander PHEV is now also able to supply electrical power to the home in Japan using the SMART V2H (vehicle-to-home) system made by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, the EVPower Station made by Nichicon Corporation and the Tsubaki eLINK made by Tsubakimoto Chain Co. However, it has recently been approved that the Outlander PHEV will be treated as an all-electric as its engine does not run while the vehicle is connected to a V2H system. MORE

Sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have topped the 25,000 mark in the UK, accounting for approximately half of the total number of plug-in hybrids registered in the UK since the very first of such vehicles were registered in 2010. By the end of 2015 a total of 13 plug-in hybrid models had entered the market, bringing total segment registrations to 19,000 vehicles, yet despite the increased competition the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continued to resonate with customers. MORE

Mitsubishi’s Outlander SUV PHEV was the best selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in Europe in 2014, posting 19,980 units, or 52% of all 38,617 Outlander models sold into that market. Top selling national markets for the Outlander PHEV in 2014 were: The Netherlands: 7,666 units. MORE

For MY 2017, Audi has updated its A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the US with improved technology offerings such as the available Audi virtual cockpit and standard driver assistance systems including Audi pre sense front. MORE

Mitsubishi has announced the launch of its long-awaited Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid in the UK. The Japanese manufacturer claims the 4x4 is a no-compromise SUV with added fuel economy and lower emissions, and with 12,000 orders already placed in Europe, it seems the consumers agree. MORE

Tiguan GTE PHEV. MORE

Planning for agency fleet composition such that by 31 December 2020, zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) account for 20% of all new agency passenger vehicle acquisitions. By 31 December 2025, ZEVs and PHEVs should account for 50% of all new agency passenger vehicles. President Obama today signed a wide-ranging executive order mandating cuts in greenhouse gas emissions for Federal agencies. MORE