Hybrid Cars

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Tesla Motors, Fisker, Videos When is $20 million not equal to $20 million? When, for some, it's an interest payment and, for others, it's all they're worth. Here's how that one number means two totally d...
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Tesla Motors, Fisker, Videos When is $20 million not equal to $20 million? When, for some, it's an interest payment and, for others, it's all they're worth. Here's how that one number means two totally different things to two different green car companies. Speaking to Bloomberg Television about the early repayment of Tesla Motors' DOE loan, CEO Elon Musk said today that, "ultimately, the US taxpayer actually made a profit above $20 million on this loan. For this loan at least, people's tax bill actually went slightly down." Musk said that, now that the loan has been paid back, more people might take a look at Tesla. "We were attacked a lot in certain quarters for having some government debt," he said. "I think that actually matters to some consumers out there, whether or not a company actually does have government debt, and being able to say we fully repaid that debt with interest, I think it is helpful to some number of people out there in thinking about buying a car." So, for Tesla, which recently raised over a billion dollars, $20 million is an easy price to pay to potentially sell more EVs. Now, let's look at Fisker Automotive, which is still fending off bankruptcy. We learned this week that VL Automotive and Wanxiang made an offer to buy the troubled automaker for an undisclosed sum. Word out today is that the amount that the two companies are willing to pay for Fisker is, you guessed it, $20 million. That's about one percent of Fisker's $2 billion-plus value back when the Karma plug-in hybrid was launched, according to Reuters. It's unclear how a potential Fisker buyer will have to deal with the outstanding DOE loan amount of $171 million and other issues, but the $20-million offer a striking contrasts to Musk's statement on Bloomberg Television, which you can watch in the video below.Continue reading What $20 million means to both Tesla and FiskerWhat $20 million means to both Tesla and Fisker originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
39 minutes ago
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Asia Zero officially became many as the maker of electric motorcycles had its largest single-fleet sale to the city of Hong Kong. The company, Zero Motorcycles, is distributing its bikes in easte...
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Asia Zero officially became many as the maker of electric motorcycles had its largest single-fleet sale to the city of Hong Kong. The company, Zero Motorcycles, is distributing its bikes in eastern Asia through Yuen Ho Trading Co. (you didn't expect the Tesla Motors sales model, did you?) and sold 59 Zero S e-motorcycles to Hong Kong, most of which will be used by the police department. The Hong Kong Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department will also be using some of the really quiet two-wheelers. The model-year 2012 motorcycles, which have an 89-mile single-charge range and a top speed of 88 miles per hour, "have been up fitted with a series of components developed exclusively for traffic enforcement, "were also retrofitted especially for law-enforcement purposes" but did not disclose the details of the upgrades. We do know that, compared to MY 2012, the 2013 models are about 10 percent faster and have about a 10-percent longer single-charge range. Check out Zero Motorcycles' press release below.Continue reading Zero gets electric motorcycles ready for police duty in Hong KongZero gets electric motorcycles ready for police duty in Hong Kong originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
about 1 hour ago
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Green Culture Think of this as a rare occasion where a General Motors collaborator is providing Ford with a little cash. A GM partner, peer-to-peer car-sharing operator RelayRides, is buying competito...
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Green Culture Think of this as a rare occasion where a General Motors collaborator is providing Ford with a little cash. A GM partner, peer-to-peer car-sharing operator RelayRides, is buying competitor Wheelz for an undisclosed amount, GigaOM reports. It's a bit of a stretch, but Ford is connected to Wheelz. The draw for RelayRides is Wheelz's so-called DriveBox technology, which facilitates car entry without owner and renter having to go through the trouble of swapping keys. An additional wrinkle is that one of the investors of Wheelz, which had tried to corner the car-sharing market at universities, is Fontinalis Partners, an investment vehicle for automaker scion Bill Ford. In 2011, RelayRides reached an agreement with GM that involved GM car owners with OnStar systems being able to car-share through RelayRides. That collaboration went into effect last summer. More recently, RelayRides caught heat from New York State for what the state government says is false advertising. The issue involves whether car-owners sharing their vehicles through RelayRides are liable for expenses if their cars are wrecked or stolen, or if the cars are covered by insurance.RelayRides buys car-sharing competitor Wheelz for keyless technology originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 23 May 2013 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
about 4 hours ago
Top: illustration of the assembled G-S-CNF multi- layered coaxial nanocomposites. Bottom: Comparison of specific capacity and Coulombic efficiency as a function of cycle numbers for electrodes assembled with and without graphene wrapping...
Top: illustration of the assembled G-S-CNF multi- layered coaxial nanocomposites. Bottom: Comparison of specific capacity and Coulombic efficiency as a function of cycle numbers for electrodes assembled with and without graphene wrapping. Credit: ACS, Lu et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel graphene–sulfur–carbon nanofibers (G-S-CNFs) multilayer and coaxial nanocomposite for use as the cathode of Li–sulfur batteries with increased capacity and significantly improved long-cycle stability. Electrodes made with the G-S-CNFs were able to deliver a reversible capacity of 694 mA h g–1 at 0.1C and 313 mA h g–1 at 2C—both substantially higher than electrodes assembled without graphene wrapping. More importantly, the long-cycle stability was significantly improved by graphene wrapping, they noted in their paper published in the ACS journal Nano Letters. The cathode made with G-S-CNFs with a initial capacity of 745 mA h g–1 was able to maintain 273 mA h g–1 even after 1500 charge–discharge cycles at a high rate of 1C, representing an extremely low decay rate (0.043% per cycle after 1500 cycles). As a comparison, the capacity of an electrode assembled without graphene wrapping decayed significantly with a 10 times high rate (0.40% per cycle after 200 cycles). They attributed the improved rate capability and cycle stability to the unique coaxial architecture of the nanocomposite, in which the contributions from graphene and CNFs enable electrodes with improved electrical conductivity, better ability to trap soluble the polysulfides intermediate and accommodate volume expansion/shrinkage of sulfur during repeated charge/discharge cycles. ...sulfur based lithium batteries are of particular promise for next-generation energy storage systems. However, despite of these promises, several challenges exist for Li?S batteries that hindered their commercial applications. Such challenges include the inherent low electrical conductivity of sulfur (5 × 10?30 S cm?1), which results in limited active material utilization efficiency and rate capability, and shuttling of high-order polysulfides between cathode and anode and high solubility of polysulfide intermediates in the electrolyte, both of which lead to limited cycle stability. Additionally, sulfur experiences severe volumetric expansion/ shrinkage during charge and discharge (?80%), which gradually decreases the mechanical integrity and hence stability of the electrode over cycles. ...Here we report an approach to assemble graphene?sulfur? carbon nanofiber (G-S-CNF) coaxial structured nanocomposite with sulfur sandwiched between graphene and CNFs that can be used as cathode for Li?S batteries with significantly improved cycle stability and capacity. In our approach, sulfur was first coated uniformly on the surface of CNFs and then graphene was used to wrap around the whole structure. In this well designed structure, both CNFs and graphene serve as good conducting fillers to improve the overall conductance of the film. More importantly, graphene over-coated on S limited the dissolution of polysulfide intermediate, while CNFs provided much needed mechanical stability of the film. —Lu et al. The work was supported in part by a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Resources Songtao Lu, Yingwen Cheng, Xiaohong Wu, and Jie Liu (2013) Significantly Improved Long-Cycle Stability in High-Rate Li–S Batteries Enabled by Coaxial Graphene Wrapping over Sulfur-Coated Carbon Nanofibers. Nano Letters doi: 10.1021/nl400543y
about 5 hours ago
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan While Nissan is expanding the single-charge range on its all-electric Leaf, the Japanese automaker is also working on shortening the distance between publicly accessible quick-charge stations. Nissan is ...
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan While Nissan is expanding the single-charge range on its all-electric Leaf, the Japanese automaker is also working on shortening the distance between publicly accessible quick-charge stations. Nissan is collaborating with CarCharging Group to deploy more quick chargers throughout the most Leaf-heavy parts of the country. Specifically, about 48 Nissan-branded quick chargers will soon be offered in California and on the East Coast. Such chargers can provide energy to fill 80 percent of the Leaf's battery capacity in about 30 minutes. CarCharging Group is also developing a mobile app that will give users real-time information on charging-station locations. Earlier this month, Nissan said it has exceeded 25,000 Leaf sale in the US. Through the first four months of the year, the company more than doubled sales (compared to 2012) to 5,476 vehicles and is coming off two of its best sales months ever for the little EV. Check out Nissan's press release below.Continue reading Nissan, CarCharging Group collaborate on quick-charger deploymentNissan, CarCharging Group collaborate on quick-charger deployment originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
about 6 hours ago
Independent testing of two versions of Andrea Rossi’s E-CAT HT device resulted in computed volumetric and gravimetric energy densities far above those of any known chemical source. “Even by the most conservative assumptions as to the err...
Independent testing of two versions of Andrea Rossi’s E-CAT HT device resulted in computed volumetric and gravimetric energy densities far above those of any known chemical source. “Even by the most conservative assumptions as to the errors in the measurements, the result is still one order of magnitude greater than conventional energy sources,” the reviewers said in their open access paper, which is posted on arXiv.org. The reviewers were Giuseppe Levi, Bologna University; Evelyn Foschi, Bologna; Torbjörn Hartman, Bo Höistad, Roland Pettersson and Lars Tegnér, Uppsala University; and Hanno Essén, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. Andrea Rossi claims to have invented an apparatus that can produce much more energy per unit weight of fuel than can be obtained from known chemical processes. His invention is referred to as an energy catalyzer named E-Cat HT, where HT stands for high temperature. The original idea behind Rossi’s invention goes back to experiments done in the nineties by S. Focardi at Bologna University and collaborators, in which they claimed to have observed an anomalous heat production in a hydrogen-loaded nickel rod. Later, an experiment was carried out by S. Focardi and A. Rossi using an apparatus with a sealed container holding nickel powder plus unknown additives pressurized with hydrogen gas. When the container was heated, substantial heat was produced in excess of the input heat. They speculated that a “low energy nuclear reaction” had taken place in order to explain the large amount of excess heat. The E-Cat HT—a further, high temperature development of the original apparatus which has also undergone many construction changes in the last two years—is the latest product manufactured by Leonardo Corporation: it is a device allegedly capable of producing heat from some type of reaction the origin of which is unknown. As in the original E-Cat, the reaction is fueled by a mixture of nickel, hydrogen, and a catalyst, which is kept as an industrial trade secret. The charge sets off the production of thermal energy after having been activated by heat produced by a set of resistor coils located inside the reactor. Once operating temperature is reached, it is possible to control the reaction by regulating the power to the coils. The scope of the present work is to make an independent test of the E-Cat HT reactor under controlled conditions and with high precision instrumentation. It should be emphasized that the measurement must be performed with high accuracy and reliability, so that any possible excess heat production can be established beyond any doubt, as no known processes exist which can explain any abundant heat production in the E-Cat reactor.—Levi et al. The review team conducted test measurements with the same methodology on two different devices, both built by Leonardo: a first prototype, termed E-Cat HT, and a second one, resulting from technological improvements on the first, termed E-Cat HT2. Both have indicated heat production from an unknown reaction primed by heat from resistor coils. The E-Cat HT was a cylinder having a silicon nitride ceramic outer shell, 33 cm in length, and 10 cm in diameter. A second cylinder made of a different ceramic material (corundum) was located within the shell, and housed three delta-connected spiral-wire resistor coils. Resistors were laid out horizontally, parallel to and equidistant from the cylinder axis, and were as long as the cylinder itself. They were fed by a TRIAC power regulator device which interrupted each phase periodically, in order to modulate power input with an industrial trade secret waveform. This procedure, needed to properly activate the E-Cat HT charge, had no bearing on the power consumption of the device, which remained constant throughout the test. Inside the structure was an AISI 310 steel cylinder, 3 mm thick and 33 mm in diameter, housing the powder charges. Two AISI 316 steel co
about 6 hours ago
VG Energy, an agricultural biotech company, entered a strategic alliance with DAK Renewable Research to conduct field trials using LipidMax to increase corn oil yield. LipidMax selectively inhibits certain metabolic pathways (Metabolic D...
VG Energy, an agricultural biotech company, entered a strategic alliance with DAK Renewable Research to conduct field trials using LipidMax to increase corn oil yield. LipidMax selectively inhibits certain metabolic pathways (Metabolic Disruption Technology, earlier post) to increase the oil yield in plants, with potential applications for biofuels production. DAK Renewable Research, headquartered in Brandon, South Dakota, brings agricultural innovations together with investors. It is primarily focused on developing viable and cost-effective green energy solutions. DAK is providing twelve 2,000 ft2 plots in South Dakota to measure the effect of LipidMax in corn oil production and test the robustness of LipidMax in field conditions. The compound will be applied at multiple stages in the growth cycle of the corn. The crop will reach maturity in mid-October and results will be announced shortly thereafter. All data from the results will be exclusively owned by VG Energy. The inventor of Metabolic Disruption Technology (MDT) is Dr. Karen Newell at Texas A&M University School of Medicine and Chief Scientist at VG Life Sciences. Dr. Marty Dickman, Texas A&M University, is the Chief Scientific Advisor for VG Life Sciences on the agricultural side of the business. Together Dr. Newell and Dr. Dickman are testing and developing MDT agricultural applications including LipidMax. VG Energy, Inc. is an agricultural biotech company that is a majority-owned subsidiary of VG Life Sciences Inc., a biotech company researching treatments for drug-resistant cancer, Lyme disease, Strep, Staph and Sepsis, and HIV/AIDS. VG Energy holds the exclusive worldwide license to MDT patent rights for use in the increase of production of various oils from algae, plants and seeds.
about 7 hours ago
Ricardo-TARDEC FED. Click to enlarge. Ricardo released an analysis of two years of on-the-ground testing of the Ricardo-engineered Fuel-Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) showing that, when compared to the US military’s reg...
Ricardo-TARDEC FED. Click to enlarge. Ricardo released an analysis of two years of on-the-ground testing of the Ricardo-engineered Fuel-Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) showing that, when compared to the US military’s regularly outfitted M1151 HMMWV (“Humvee”), the FED experienced a 72% improvement in fuel economy. (Earlier post.) The FED’s performance was assessed using a number of realistic duty cycles including highway, off-road and idle conditions. The FED powertrain features include a supercharged Cummins I4 diesel engine; a high efficiency 28V permanent magnet integrated starter-generator from Kollmorgen that enables electric accessories and 20 kW of power for on-board equipment; a 6-speed automatic transmission from Aisin; and an accelerator feedback pedal and fuel economy display to inform drivers how to operate the vehicle to produce the best fuel economy. Other fuel-saving features include: an improved driveline that utilizes a unique carrier and differential assembly from Ricardo and AxleTech International, including non-geared hubs and REM Chemicals Isotropic Superfinished gears to reduce friction and increase fuel efficiency; an Alcoa Defense lightweight aluminium structure, armoring, and underbody blast shield which support and protect the vehicle while reducing weight; and specially designed low-rolling resistance Goodyear tires. The project was developed as a clean sheet with a Ricardo-led team that included personnel from the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) working alongside top industry suppliers. We implemented a relatively conservative approach using near or in-market technology to reach our fuel economy objectives, and we have proven they are achievable. This kept costs down and increased the production feasibility of the end product.—Wesley Scharmen, Ricardo chief engineer on the project The FED was built at Ricardo’s Detroit facility in 2011 and later displayed at the Pentagon. For the last 19 months, it has been undergoing testing at the US Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland and other locations. Not only does the FED deliver outstanding fuel economy numbers, but the vehicle boasts better performance, as well. Driving tests prove significantly improved acceleration over the current vehicle, even when loaded to nearly seven tons. Fuel is the second-most delivered commodity to ground troops, right behind water. Reducing fuel consumption, along with improving military vehicle technology and lowering the nation’s oil dependence, is the FED program’s goal. In addition to boosting fuel economy and performance, the FED helped validate Ricardo’s simulation capabilities. Ricardo’s forecasting technology projected precisely what we experienced in our real-world capability studies. The data was right on the money. Moreover, the Ricardo–led team has helped us to develop a FED capable of becoming a credible military vehicle.—Carl Johnson, TARDEC’s team lead for FED
about 7 hours ago
It might not be going on sale to U.S. consumers, but the BYD e6 will eventually appear in the U.S. in commercial fleets--perhaps to a taxi stand near you. Taxi duties seem to be the e6's true calling, and it's already operating in China ...
It might not be going on sale to U.S. consumers, but the BYD e6 will eventually appear in the U.S. in commercial fleets--perhaps to a taxi stand near you. Taxi duties seem to be the e6's true calling, and it's already operating in China in just such a role. Now it's going on duty in Hong Kong too, where pollution dogs the city's streets and the...
about 8 hours ago
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Volvo You can sign us up for this one. Volvo is testing a prototype S60 sedan equipped with a Formula One-type Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) at its Sweden headquarters and recently took some f...
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Volvo You can sign us up for this one. Volvo is testing a prototype S60 sedan equipped with a Formula One-type Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) at its Sweden headquarters and recently took some folks from Green Car Reports for a test drive. While noting that the KERS' rear-axle mounted flywheel that stores braking energy and transfers it to the drivetrain could be loud, Green Car Reports unmistakably enjoyed the experience of the extra kick the system provided to the car's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. In short, the S60's KERS system adds 80 horsepower to the car's 254 and, as a result, cut about a second and a half off of the car's usual 0-100 km (62 miles per hour) acceleration time of about seven seconds. Three years ago, Volvo was awarded a $1 million Swedish government grant to develop such a system and, early on, said KERS could cut fuel use by as much as 20 percent. Volvo said last month that it had a prototype in the works.Volvo S60 F-1 KERS system adds some noise, increases efficiency up to 20% originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
about 9 hours ago