Hybrid Cars

Investors in startup electric-car maker Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] have had quite the wild ride lately. Following its first-ever profitable quarter, with its share price soaring above $80, Tesla announced last Wednesday that it would issue new stock and warrants. Now, Tesla has quietly increased its offering, which could raise the company more than...

The Government of Canada is supporting a three-year project that will result in the construction of a $19-million, demonstration-scale facility in Alberta that will use algae to recycle industrial carbon dioxide emissions from an oil sands facility into commercial products such as biofuels. The Algal Carbon Conversion (ACC) Pilot Project is a partnership among the National Research Council of Canada (NRC); Canadian Natural Resources Limited, one of the largest independent crude oil and natural gas producers in Canada; and Pond Biofuels. The demonstration-scale algal biorefinery will be established at Canadian Natural’s Primrose South oil sands site, near Bonnyville, Alberta. The demonstration facility will be integrated into the Canadian Natural’s operations with direct access to industrial flue gas emissions, wastewater and waste heat. The biorefinery will test and evaluate the scalability and cost effectiveness of current algal cultivation technologies for potential commercial deployment. The algal biomass will then undergo further processing into products, such as biofuels, livestock feed and fertilizer. Four additional R&D streams have been designed to support the pilot project and future commercial deployment of the technology. Each stream is designed to address an economic or a technical challenge related to commercial deployment of the technology. Algae: Identification of most appropriate algae strains for industrial deployment Photobioreactors & Light: Greater productivity and reduced costs for photobioreactors Harvesting and Dewatering: Reduced energy costs for processing algal biomass Additional Value Streams: High-value, sustainable products from algal biomass The ultimate goal of the project is to test the viability and feasibility of this technology on a large scale. If proven successful, it can then be used as a model for recycling industrial emissions in the oil sands as well as in other industries across Canada and globally. Pond Biofuels’ validation facility at St Marys Cement kiln in Ontario. Click to enlarge. Pond Biofuels, founded in 2007, has designed, constructed, and is operating a large scale process validation facility, using CO2 from the raw flue gas from Votorantim St. Marys Cement’s kiln in Ontario to grow algae. The company selected its initial algae strains based on a combination of robust growth rates and reliability for use in southern Ontario environmental conditions. It says that its system can accommodate any advances in algae technology, new strains, genetically modified organisms, changes to salt-water media, or any other improvements. As a rapidly growing Canadian company, Pond Biofuels is very excited to partner with the National Research Council of Canada and Canadian Natural on this project in the Canadian Oil Sands. This partnership, along with our current work with the cement and steel industrial sectors to implement algae technology is an enormous step forward and establishes Canada as the world leader in the field of carbon capture and recycling.—Steven Martin, CEO of Pond Biofuels On 7 May, the Government of Canada announced a refocused NRC and outlined how its new structure will be more beneficial to business. The National Research Council will work with industry to bridge technology gaps, helping build a more innovative Canadian economy. The Algal Carbon Conversion project is an example of the kind of research and technology development that NRC will pursue.

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Asia, Racing The Formulec EF01 is a pretty sweet all-electric race car, but it's really been just a place holder for the vehicles that will eventually form the FIA Formula E Championship grid. Along with an announcement that Renault will be a technical partner, the budding series has just released images of what we can expect the actual cars to look like when they take to the starting line. Think less Formula 3, and more Formula 1. As it has been presented, the poetically-named Spark-Renault SRT 01E is a mix of mirror-like polished aluminum body work and carbon fiber struts and wings. Its aerodynamic package not only has the traditional elements that provide downforce and keep the wheels planted through the turns, but it also features a few touches like partially faired wheels to help keep the slipstream free of energy-robbing turbulence. The collaboration is more than skin deep, too. According to Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies Patrice Ratti, the French automaker will call on expertise derived from its experience in Formula 1 and its production of road-going EVs to keep the electrons in the drivetrain flowing properly. And we quote, "Engineers from Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies will collaborate with Spark Racing Technology team to optimize the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain." Besides the big partnership news, Formula E has also revealed that Bangkok, Thailand has been chosen as the ninth of ten cities that will host a race. Although it has a burgeoning auto-making industry, the Asian country lacks an international motorsport presence. This event should help raise that country's automotive profile and give the electric racing series one of its more interesting backdrops. You can read the two official press releases by scrolling below, as well as view a clip of Formula E Holdings CEO Alejandro Agag discussing the concept of the series in a recent interview with the Financial Times.Continue reading Formula E touts Renault relationship with new car design, adds Bangkok to calenderFormula E touts Renault relationship with new car design, adds Bangkok to calender originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 19 May 2013 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

For the 2014 model year, BMW is adding a new inline-6 Advanced Diesel engine for the 5 Series sedan. The enhanced, 2014 BMW 5 Series Sedan and 5 Series Gran Turismo go on sale at Authorized BMW Centers in the US in August, 2013, including the ActiveHybrid 5 model as well as gasoline-engined variants. The 2014 BMW 535d is BMW’s latest diesel variant in North America. Its inline-6 BMW Advanced Diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology makes 255 horsepower (190 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 413 lb-ft (560 N·m) of torque from 1,500 – 3,000 rpm (preliminary figures). Simultaneously, the new BMW 535d Sedan is expected to show substantial fuel efficiency gains over its gasoline-fueled counterpart. US EPA figures will be available closer to the on-sale date. BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system is also available on the new 535d Sedan. In the new diesel for the BMW 535d Sedan, the TwinPower Turbo technology consists of a variable-geometry turbocharger and high precision direct fuel injection with solenoid valve injectors. Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start-Stop functionality, and ECO PRO mode, the suite of standard-fitted BMW EfficientDynamics technologies now also includes a coasting mode (which disengages the powertrain while coasting), and the ECO PRO Route function, which can be selected via the Navigation system. Additionally, updated aerodynamics is a key factor in the latest advances made by the engineers in the area of fuel efficiency. The entry-level 528i sedan starts at $50,425, including destination and handling. The 535i gasoline-engined sedan starts at $56,025. The 535d diesel sedan has an MSRP of $57,525; the ActiveHybrid 5 model has an MSRP of $62,325.

A vehicle journey of just over 22 miles hasn't really been cause for celebration since the dawn of the motor car itself, when low speeds and unpaved roads made it more arduous than it would have been on the equine alternative. But transpose that figure to another planet and well, it starts to look a bit more impressive. That 22 miles is how far...

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) 2013 research plan includes a project that will comprehensively characterize the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) market, with the ultimate goal of increasing consumer purchases of ZEVs. The proposed project will investigate the factors that influence sales of ZEVs in California (e.g., price, vehicle range, infrastructure). The project is intended to support the planned upcoming mid-term review of California’s Advanced Clean Cars program (earlier post), coordinated with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To support that mid-term review and Executive Order B-16-2012, which establishes goals to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by improving Californians’ access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, ARB has already initiated research that will quantify the electricity-powered miles driven by advanced technology vehicles; analyze the charging behavior of electric vehicle drivers; explore how new car buyers’ perceptions of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) influence their vehicle purchase decisions; develop methods for measurement of low levels of particulate matter emissions so that compliance can be reliably determined; and quantify the potential emission benefits of vehicle load reduction. Research in these areas will also be coordinated with US EPA and NHTSA. “Although the ZEV-owning population is currently relatively small, evaluating recent ZEV purchases will help us understand the future market.” —ARB FY2013-2014 Research Plan ARB notes that while the California Energy Commission has conducted several studies in the past on consumer response to alternatively fueled vehicles and incentives, these have relied on stated preference responses to hypothetical future vehicles. Additionally, research from the EV Project and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (administrator of the State’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program) has been able to evaluate real-world consumer response. However, these studies have been limited in geographic scope, vehicle types, and/or sample size. ARB’s existing research project on consumer valuation of ZEVs focuses on the general new car buyer’s perception, not only owners of ZEVs. This project would complement these existing efforts by evaluating the ZEV market in detail from a more holistic perspective and provide a measure of the representativeness of survey and interview respondents to the overall ZEV buying population.—ARB FY 2013-2014 Research Plan In the proposed project, researchers will merge monthly ZEV registration data with census tract data in order to correlate the factors that influence ZEV sales across California using econometric methods. The study will consider: Policy-driven factors such as purchase rebate levels and access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes; Market conditions, such as gasoline and electricity prices and the attributes and diversity of vehicle offerings; Geographic factors, such as proximity and availability of electric chargers, local built environments, and neighbors purchasing similar vehicles, and demographic characteristics; and The attributes and diversity of vehicle offerings. ARB will use the results to describe the current ZEV market and to refine future estimates of ZEV market potential in California.Proposed funding for the project is $265,000. Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The research plan also proposes two projects to address several key research issues related to low carbon fuels: The future of drop-in fuels: life cycle, costs and environmental impacts of bio-based hydrocarbon fuel pathways. Feasibility of renewable natural gas as a large scale, low-carbon substitute.

The Government of Victoria (Australia) is inviting more Victorian car fleets to participate in the Victorian Government’s Electric Vehicle Trial. (Earlier post.)This is the final expression of interest for fleets to take part. The Government is seeking expressions of interest from companies, not-for-profit organisations and government bodies. Applications are accepted until 31 May. A key component of the Electric Vehicle Trial is providing Victorian organizations with the opportunity to trial an electric vehicle within their car fleets, including as part of car-sharing schemes. The Government said that in this round, it is particularly interested in seeing proposals that offer something different from the 35 fleets already in the trial. In particular, it seeks ideas that could see electric vehicles help deliver ‘mobility solutions’ as alternatives to traditional models of car ownership.

Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, Transportation Alternatives, USA The automotive industry is getting more evidence that it's time to expand product offerings or switch over to another business. A new study by the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) says the "driving boom" is over. While Baby Boomers loved their cars, their kids - aka Gen Y or Millennials - have different idea. From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year. The numbers tell the story, and the total miles driven, per capita, in the US has been declining. While gasoline price spikes and the Great Recession play a role, the numbers have been dropping gradually since 2004. That marks the end of a 40-year driving boom that started up in 1964, according to the PIRG report. The number of miles driven by Americans increased each year an average of 2.5 percent per capita and 3.8 percent total during that time. From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year. Urbanization appears to be causing some of the trend, and use of mass transit and carsharing has been increasing. On top of that, boomers are aging and will be driving less and Millenials don't like to drive as much. Automaker executives have been voicing concern that young people are much less interested in driving and owning cars then their predecessors. The PIRG report's authors are concerned that highway system authorities have been too focused on expanding the nation's roads rather than accurately gauging the landscape.Another study shows young people not so keen on driving originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

At PCIM Europe 2013 in Nuremberg, Infineon Technologies AG launched its new EconoDUAL 3 IGBT modules, which are fully qualified according to automotive standards. The new offering addresses demanding applications in commercial, construction or agricultural vehicles where extended reliability is a key. Automotive qualification means that the modules provide significantly increased thermal cycling and thermal shock capability, while a new soft diode improves the EMI behavior. Infineon’s new EconoDUAL 3 Power Module. Click to enlarge. The optimized design and assembly technology of the new automotive-qualified EconoDUAL 3 modules enables a more than three times higher thermal cycling capability, while the thermal shock capability is increased by a factor of ten compared to the industry standard. The modules of the EconoDUAL 3 series offer the highest power density (up to 600A/1200V) available within this module footprint. The modules provide superior switching performance while copper wire bonding leads to a reduced internal lead resistance, the company says. With the use of copper bonding technology as well as an improved DCB the output power can be increased by up to 30% when compared to the related 450A version.

In April, sales of new passenger cars in Europe grew for the first time (+1.7%) since September 2011, according to figures from the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). The region counted on average two more working days compared to the same month last year, which would account for the increase, ACEA said. In absolute figures, April 2013 was the third lowest level of new registrations for a month of April, with the historic low for April reached in 2012 (1,021,358 units). A total of 1,038,343 units was recorded in the EU in April this year, or 1.7% more compared to the low level of April last year. Four months into the year, new car registrations amounted to 4,026,946 units, or 7.1% less than in the same period a year ago. In April, results were varied across markets. Germany (+3.8%), Spain (+10.8%) and the UK (+14.8%) expanded, while France (-5.3%) and Italy (-10.8%) faced a downturn. From January to April, the UK remained the only major market to post growth (+8.9%). Spain (-6.7%), Germany (-8.5%), France (-12.3%) and Italy (-12.3%) all saw their demand decline, leading to an overall 7.1% decrease in the EU.