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Henrik - "However, why can't Toyota drop the outdated and polluting Nickel-Metal battery? "
Probably because there are advantages to the NiMH for a Hybrid vehicle - the primary one being that it doesn't loose capacity over time like a Li one does. If I was buying a hybrid to keep for 10 years and had a choice on the Prius between a NiMH and a Li, I'd take the NiMH as I wouldn't have to worry about its capacity later on and its (and the associated car's) value.
My guess would be the normal hybrid has the NiMH and the plug-in has the Li like before (course if Toyota wants to go anywhere saleswise with the plug-in they need to drastically increase the range offered).
Toyota details powertrain advances in Gen4 Prius; available E-Four system for all-wheel drive (not for US)
Toyota made significant improvements in its new generation full hybrid powertrain applied in the fourth generation Prius (earlier post), reducing losses, redesigning and relocating key components and reducing weight. Extensive changes to the transaxle, engine and combined hybrid system, generat...
As a former Gen 2 and current Gen 3 owner, I can safely say that the super aggressive looking front end is too ugly for me to buy (looking at it the front is styled like its a raging Celica GTS / Supra which is a joke on a Prius) - did Toyota hire the guy that did the front ends for the past generation of Mazda vehicles, killing their sales in the U.S.? The rest of it is quirky (the back-end belongs on a Celica GTS / Supra again), but I could live with it...but that front end, forget it...somehow I doubt I'm the only one that will feel that way.
Sounds like some models will have NiMH packs and others the ever capacity losing Li, curious about details on that (NiMH that doesn't loose capacity is why I got the Gen 3, probably not interested in Li). Other than the styling it seems like a good update...but Toyota is missing the bus on Plug Ins (with real range) as that is probably what I'll replace my Gen 3 with.
Toyota unveils new 2016 Prius; first global vehicle based on TNGA
Toyota fully unveiled its fourth-generation Prius in an outdoor event Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The new Prius is lower, longer, and wider. The vehicle features smaller, lighter hybrid system components; higher energy density in the batteries; and an internal combustion engine with a thermal e...
Great post & experiences Herman - this is the one reason I'd consider a Volt over a Leaf at this point, I live in the same area - just to be able to run the engine for the heat in the winter.
Definitely seems like we need a better more efficient electric heating device - makes me wonder how efficient those mini microwave water heaters are (used now for individual faucets etc. - since a full on microwave warms water prodiciously off 110 volts), would seem to be an ideal solution.
CMU team finds regional temperature differences have significant impact on EV efficiency, range and emissions
Energy consumption per mile averaged across the LEAF fleet over a full year (Wh/mi). Credit: ACS, Yuksel and Michalek. Click to enlarge. An adage about batteries is that they are like humans in performing best at moderate (e.g., room) temperatures; extremes in either direction impact perform...
"Most applicants and manufacturers also noted that public problems with the Solyndra default and other DOE programs have tarnished the ATVM loan program. They believed the negative publicity makes DOE more risk-averse or makes companies wary of being associated with government support."
Mission Accomplished - courtesy of the Republican Party media frenzy regarding Solyndra, paid and guided by the Fossil Fuel Manufacturers of America.
"What requirements, if any, are there for the oil companies to get this money? Do they meet them, do we get our money's worth, could we get a better return on something else?"
Well, since the oil companies aren't trying to manufacture advanced technology vehicles they probably aren't able to qualify (that's what the loan program was for - building cars).
But don't worry in 2012 with oil at record high prices (and profits right up in the stratosphere) the top 5 oil Companies in the U.S. got $2.4 Billion in tax breaks according to a CNN/Money article.
GAO report finds DOE not actively considering any applications for Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program
A new review of the status of US Department of Energy (DOE) loan programs by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that, as of 29 January 2013, DOE was not actively considering any applications for using the remaining $16.6 billion in loan authority or $4.2 billion in credit subsi...
Yeah the Republican & Oil industry controlled House will go for that.
President Obama calls on Congress to establish $2B Energy Security Trust for advanced transportation research, funded by oil and gas royalty revenues
Click to enlarge. In an speech at Argonne National Laboratory today, President Obama called on Congress to establish a new Energy Security Trust (EST) to invest in critical, breakthrough research focused on developing cost-effective transportation alternatives. The President had referenced ...
The folks that made this awful PR base decision (we go with 47mpg even though normal drivers will have trouble touching 40mpg) should be fired (and then that news spread around the executive ranks liberally to prevent a recurrence - Ford has a history of shortsighted Executive decision making....thinking of the exploding Pinto days).
About the only way I could see how they got these numbers is when they did the estimates, Ford let the vehicle accelerate totally on its battery (probably accelerating ridiculously slowly to achieve that) preventing ICE startup for as long as possible (and making sure the battery was topped off before each section of the test was started).
OpinionAn open letter to Ford from a customer
I thought my 2013 C-MAX would be a Prius Killer? NOT! As a returning Ford buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US jobs. What was Ford thinking when they published 47/47/47 estimates? Based on the advertised EPA estimates, I would have been OK with low 40’s...but 28-33 mpg i...
Very, very good news...now we just need to see them do the easy part (haha) and take it from research to production...but man this would be a step up (especially the cycle capacity issue) take me here ASAP.
New aqueous rechargeable lithium battery shows good safety, high reliability, high energy density and low cost; another post Li-ion alternative
Schematic illustration of the aqueous rechargeable lithium battery (ARLB) using the coated lithium metal as anode, LiMn2O4 as cathode and 0.5 mol l-1 Li2SO4 aqueous solution as electrolyte. Wang et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers from Fudan University in China and Technische Universität C...
I was thinking of how outrageous that cost for L2 chargers was too. You can buy one as a consumer for less than $1k and the City of Yucaipa is paying $12k for them, even considering it being a weatherized version it seems a ripoff....they should be getting L3 chargers for that price.
California Energy Commission awards more than $17M to support alternative fuel and infrastructure projects
The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved $17,223,593 for eight projects including alternative fuel production, plug-in truck demonstrations, EV charging station deployment, and infrastructure planning. The awards were made through the Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehic...
Nice to see Nissan doing this, with the limited range of the Leaf - long suburban trips are often out of the question - but an L3 charger along the way would make it much more feasible when needed.
I think the Tesla superchargers are 90kW chargers - and I often wonder when looking to the future (i.e. 2020 and beyond where we have 250-300 mile range packs for alot more cars) if the 50kW L3 chargers we're setting ourselves up with will be too slow.
Nissan plans to add at least 500 quick-charging stations to US in next 18 months, tripling the quick-charging infrastructure
Nissan plans to triple the current electric vehicle quick-charging infrastructure in the United States with the addition of at least 500 quick-charging stations in the next 18 months, including the greater Washington DC area’s first fast-charge network. Nissan outlined the strategy at the Washi...
Its nice to see Ford finally getting this vehicle out, much better looking than the Leaf IMHO.
Ford isn't going to sell nearly the number that Nissan sells Leaf's, but Ford isn't trying to (slow rollout, low production numbers and high price). Come Focus Electric v2 (years and years from now) and we'll see a Ford designed EV setup (no Magna located inverter in the trunk) and larger volume sales targets.
Nissan has bet a huge chunk of the farm on plug-in sales and is building massive manufacturing capacity to make that happen (half-a-decade ahead of anyone else) - they know they'll need to drop prices significantly to do that, I hope they can.
Will people still buy some Ford Focus Electrics even if Leaf prices go down, sure and Ford isn't interested in making alot of them - it covers their ZEV requirement in CA and dips their toe in the water of the EV market in preparation for the future.
Ford begins roll-out of Focus Electric; electrifying the platform efficiently
The Ford Focus Electric. Click to enlarge. Ford has begun the consumer roll-out of the Focus Electric, the battery-electric version of its new Focus; production of the vehicles began in December 2011 at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. (Earlier post.) The Focus Electric is Ford’s first elect...
"it's just so ironic since Toyota is the only company to build a decent EV (Rav4EV). "
Very true - wish they had those available now with Li...
Toyota has delayed and delayed things ever since they were forced into announcing the program.
Personally, with ~80% of the profitable (for them) hybrid market - I think Toyota wants to keep things as they are for as long as possible. From a business standpoint it makes total sense.
Toyota, EDF and Strasbourg Launch Large-Scale, 3-Year Plug-in Hybrid Demonstration Project
Powertrain components of the Prius PHV. Click to enlarge. Toyota, French energy provider EDF, and the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg launched a large-scale, 3-year Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle demonstration in Strasbourg. The project involves about 100 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Veh...
I was getting the impression they'd be setting miles of the ocean on fire, but its actually just whats inside of a 500 ft long boom? Doesn't even sound like its worth the trouble when taken into the context of the size of the spill.
Every little bit helps I guess - good luck to them on this.
Controlled Burn of Deepwater Horizon Oil Slick Scheduled for Today
The extent of the sheen as of 27 April. Click to enlarge. Responders to the BP/Transocean Deepwater Horizon incident have scheduled a controlled, on-location burn of oil from the spill to begin at approximately 11 a.m. Central Time today. The explosion and fire on, and subsequent sinking of,...
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