Plug-in hybrid

How does the relative size of the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV markets affect lithium ion battery technology? The hybrid market is likely to be the ... Research and Markets: Significant Reductions in Battery Cost Are Seen As A ...Earthtimes (press release) all 10 news articles »

Thunes studied engineering at UC Davis with Andy Frank, considered the godfather of the plug-in hybrid, and worked on the Nissan Altima Hybrid. ... and more »

One avenue is switching to plug-in hybrid and electric cars as soon as possible. To push in that direction, the Obama Administration awarded $2.4 billion in ... and more »

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Last month, GM engineers took the pre-production Chevy Volt on a test drive along I-80 near Toledo, Ohio. The Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, and the Nissan ... and more »

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Why? Certainly, such a credit would hurt US automakers in the short term, but nothing breeds change like necessity. Besides, if plug-in hybrids are going anywhere, a lot more conventional hybrids are going to get there first, and both hybrid types can share battery technology.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how one utility executive claimed that 3 - 5 plug-ins in one neighborhood could "overwhelm" the grid. Well, that's California. In other areas the situation is not so dire for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The Model T of the plug-in hybrid? Or, perhaps these luxury plug-in automakers are simply using luxury plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to bridge to $50,000 'economic' versions that can compete with a Chevy Volt, a plug-in Toyota Prius, or a Nissan Leaf, etc in 2015?

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Consequently, the reports suggests that, "major initiatives to further reduce other emissions, improve energy efficiency, or shift to a cleaner electricity-generating mix (e.g., renewables, natural gas, nuclear) could substantially reduce external effects’ damages, including...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) However, that will have to change if Toyota is to achieve its 30 percent hybrid sales goal by 2020. And, if they can achieve this goal, imagine how many potential plug-in hybrid consumers Toyota will have in its pipeline just as plug-ins start achieving scalability.

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The future of American transportation? Yesterday, at the Business of Plugging in Conference in Detroit, the CEO of PG&E warned that even a small number of plug-in hybrid vehicles could overwhelm the electric grid if overly localized in one area and charged during peak hours.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) By upgrading from traditional steel to an advanced aluminum body structure, the vehicle's stored energy requirements can be cut by about 10 percent, which could save up to US$3,000 per vehicle since less power and energy is required to move the lighter vehicle," Michael Bull, director...

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The Toyota Prius is hot in California. So, as they become available, it isn't hard to imagine some wealthier California neighborhoods sporting multiple plug-in vehicles. You're going to overwhelm the circuits," claims Peter Darbee, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. in California...

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) On Friday, Congress passed a bill that allows "any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon" to be eligible for some $50 billion on Energy loans for fuel efficiency improving projects.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Transportation program director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Roland Hwang, told the NYTimes, "From an environmental perspective, the more [electric] range the better." Is Toyota being too conservative with its plug-in hybrid technology?

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Sure, the Toyota FT-EV II electric car is odd, but is it practical? Is it cost-effective compared to other electric vehicles or even gasoline vehicles? One the other hand, one week luxury vehicle maker Audi is slamming the Chevy Volt, the next week they are announcing plans for the Audi E-...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) So, the government has pumped tens of billions into GM. Likewise, GM has requested at least an additional $10 billion in loans from the Energy Department. Maybe if GM focused more on innovation rather than lobbying Congress, they could have pulled a Ford and stood strong during this recess...

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Another series hybrid Suzuki is bringing the Swift plug-in hybrid to the Tokyo Auto Show. Not a lot of details have been released so far, other than the fact that the Swift plug-in hybrid is a lithium-powered series hybrid.

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Check out the BMW M1 hybrid. Not only are you rich, but green. All joking aside, a BMW plug-in hybrid is a great idea, as is an all electric Audi E-tron, for instance. Luxury hybrids and EVs are ALWAYS better than their gas-bonging relatives.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) According to Silicon Valley, Detroit is already dead, they just don't know it yet. Eventually, some of the world's biggest venture capitalists believe companies like Fisker Automotive will replace iconic names like GM and Chrysler.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Certainly, it will take time for BYD to appeal to US consumers, however, when this does happen - and it will happen - China could become a killer of American hybrid cars and electric vehicles. Not only will BYD have access to cheaper battery and auto manufacturing capabilites, but also bett...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) A plug-in Prius at HybridFest Since 2006, in the US, Japan, and Europe, Toyota has been quietly testing 126 lithium-powered Prius hybrid cars. In fact, there was a time when a few top Toyota executives announced that lithium would power the third generation Toyota Prius.

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) A Prius before plug-in conversion Just build plug-in hybrids and they will come? I guess Bob Lutz knows exactly what he's talking about when he claims that only 5 percent of US auto consumers are willing to buy plug-in hybrids such as the Chevy Volt.

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Vue plug-in hybrid killed twice Earlier this year I was invited to test drive the dual mode Saturn Vue hybrid, and I was excited. This was the first GM full hybrid that I could at least consider buying. Moreover, the Vue hybrid was destined to become a plug-in hybrid.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid lives We've known for some time that GM was going to build a plug-in hybrid SUV. Originally, the Saturn Vue was going to be the platform for GM's dual mode plug-in hybrid powertrain, but then GM killed Saturn. Have GM's hybrids and plug-ins become a joke?

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The final touches are being added to the Aptera 2e electric vehicle, which is scheduled to begin production this year. Aptera has released this sketch of the latest interior design. In 2010, Aptera will also roll out the plug-in hybrid version of the Aptera.

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By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Today, automakers, such as Ford, are producing some great hybrids, but Ford's limited investment into NiMH technology means that Ford simply isn't going to produce many hybrid vehicles until lithium is a fully baked and cost-effective technology. In fact, Toyota stands alone as the so...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) I read a few stories this morning on how GM has again confirmed that the technology that was to power the Saturn Vue hybrid, including the plug-in version, will live. Whoohoo! In the last several years GM has gone from slamming hybrids like the Toyota Prius to claiming that their hybrid tech...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) And analysis by Bosch Automotive Group suggests the same. "The electric car will come, but in small numbers at first. It will occupy a niche and will not make a noticeable mark on the roads until after 2020." Ultimately, "dominance of the internal-combustion engine will remain unchallenge...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) Ultimately, however, there are still some key questions. First, can an updated BAS System with lithium really make GM's mild hybrids that much more compelling? Second, will the dual mode hybrid powertrain ever be cost-effective, especially in smaller SUVs and crossovers that might no...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) America's most notable future product, in terms of fuel efficiency, is the Chevy Volt. Yet, the Volt's most important piece of technology, the lithium battery, is based on South Korea's LG Chem chemistry. Interestingly, LG Chem is also developing the cells to power Hyundai hybrids, anot...

The two-mode plug-in hybrid system is designed to maximize efficiency while providing solid on- and off-road performance. It utilizes a lithium ion battery that can be recharged by plugging into a household outlet. GM killed plans for the Saturn Vue ...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) The Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid Now that Saturn is dead, at least as far as GM in concerned, the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid concept is also dead. Not long ago, however, GM announced that the dual mode plug-in hybrid technology powering the Vue hybrid would find its way into another GM brand.

Before sliding into bankruptcy, the old Chrysler had announced it was rapidly moving rapidly into the plug-in vehicle market and showed off three vehicles to make its case—a Dodge EV sports car (now dubbed the Dodge Circuit), a plug-in hybrid minivan ...

By Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) By 2050, decades from now, there will still be many internal combustion-powered vehicles on the road. In fact, in 2050 the road might be equally filled with ICE, fuel cell and plug-in vehicles. If true, that would mean 2/3's of all autos are going to need some kind of battery, as the smartest f...