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http://www.buya123batteries.com/ALM_12V35s_p/alm12v35s.htm
NEC introduces 12V Li-ion battery line for stationary applications
NEC Energy Solutions, along with NEC Corporation, has announced production availability of the Li-ion ALM 12V35 product line of 12-Volt batteries utilizing Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology from A123 Systems. With its EverSafe battery protection technology, the ALM 12V...
BYD wants to be the chinese BMW.
BYD Tang SUV PHEV available for pre-orders starting at $48.3K before incentives; twice that for performance model
Tang. Click to enlarge. BYD has begun taking pre-orders for the Tang plug-in hybrid SUV (earlier post) in China with a starting price of 300,000 RMB (US$48,306) before EV incentives. (The higher-performance top end model goes for twice that.) BYD said that demand for the BYD Tang, originally...
At almost $900 per battery it will be for niche markets only.
NEC introduces 12V Li-ion battery line for stationary applications
NEC Energy Solutions, along with NEC Corporation, has announced production availability of the Li-ion ALM 12V35 product line of 12-Volt batteries utilizing Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology from A123 Systems. With its EverSafe battery protection technology, the ALM 12V...
I am not too sure it has anything to do with marketing consideration and/or conspiracies by the car companies. If there would be a significant performance increase in battery power available, the computer companies for one would jump right in, since it would give them a competitive edge. Same logic would be valid for smartphones and other mobile technologies. The fact that it hasn't happened is probably that none of these promising battery technologies are really ready for prime time. Even now Li-on batteries, after years on the market, still give trouble, witness the recent issues with the Boeing Dreamliner.
Li-ion sulfur polymer battery shows high energy density as well as safety
A team from the University of Rome Sapienza has developed a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery based on the combination of a high capacity sulfur-carbon cathode, nanostructured LixSn-C anode and polysulfide-added PEO-based gel membrane. The cell shows very good electrochemical performance...
The plugin market in Europe is small, because most people drive small cars, diesel often, that already run very economical . A plugin will never pay back the sizeable incremental costs, on average Euro 10,000 in different brands and models, unless there are serious government incentives.
Opel will drop the Ampera; new EV in 2014-2018 time frame
Taking a page out of Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk’s Twitter-based announcement style, Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann (@KT_Neumann) tweeted today (in both English and German) that after the run-out of the current generation Ampera plug-in hybrid, Opel will introduce a successor product in the EV segm...
What I think is interesting, is that the model presented will likely be very much the style of the next Prius.
Toyota continues to prepare the market for fuel cell vehicle in 2015
Toyota Motor continues to lay the foundation for the introduction of its production fuel cell hybrid vehicle in 2015; the company began work on fuel cell technology in 1992. Showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas (earlier post), the FCV Concept, which presages the in...
Goodbye A123 systems and Fisker. They never delivered on their promises and thus got punished by the marketplace.
Wanxiang America wins auction for Fisker with bid valued at $149.2M; Bankruptcy Court approval expected on Tuesday
After 19 rounds of bidding, Wanxiang America Corporation (Wanxiang) has been selected as the highest and best bidder in a competitive auction for Fisker Automotive, completed on Friday. Wanxiang’s winning bid is valued at approximately $149.2 million, representing $126.2 million of cash, $8 mil...
Well, that price includes the 19% value added tax. For people who have a business, this can be taken off. In addition there might be tax incentives, like quicker write-offs. Net price for this car in these countries might be 15,000 or less.
Volkswagen launches the battery-electric e-Golf in Germany; “Das e-Auto”
The e-Golf shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen has launched the battery-electric version of the Golf, the e-Golf, in Germany with immediate availability. (Earlier post.) In launching the new e-Golf, Volkswagen is bringing the ...
To me, a PHEV must have a minimum battery driven range of 50 km or 35 miles. this is a realistic number for a daily commute, without the need to recharge at the workplace, which may not be possible. Volt has this and this Audi as well (the Volvo V60 PHEV also but this car is positioned as a performance car and more expensive). The range of the Prius is too limited and, given its price, in comparison with these 2 cars, it is too expensive. I think the Audi (and VW equivalent) will be selling well.
Audi of America officially introduces the new A3 family; plug-in hybrid version coming in 2015
The A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid. Click to enlarge. Audi of America officially announced plans today for the arrival in the US of the new A3 family of premium compact cars, with three body styles, five new engines and seven variants including its plug-in hybrid model. Audi first revealed the A3...
Knowing the US tendency for lawsuits, I expect that the US version of the car will have a sign on the rear doors saying " Caution, this door only opens with front door open".
BMW i3 on sale in US 2Q 2014, base MSRP $41,350 for BEV; $45,300 with range extender
BMW i3. Click to enlarge. The BMW i3 (earlier post, earlier post) will go on sale in the US market in the second quarter of 2014. The battery electric model will have a base MSRP of $41,350, before any federal or state incentives, and before destination and handling fee (currently $925). Th...
This is a good development. What we need is more and more cars using PHEV to get the production of batteries up to volume levels, just like it happened before in other areas, such as laptops, mobile phones, cameras, etc. I am looking forward to 2014 when VW will be entering the market, with Audi A3 E-tron and Volvo with V60. Too bad Lexus seems to be ignoring the PHEV market.
Ford doubles electric drive market share in US from 2012 to 2013; surging with plug-in hybrids
Ford’s changing share of the hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery-electric vehicle segments and total ED market in the US in 2012 and YTD 2013. Data: EDTA, Ford Motor. Click to enlarge. Ford Motor Company’s C-platform electric drive strategy has driven an increase in Ford’s ove...
I don't think that improved battery technology will be ready so soon. It has taken years, if not decades, for the current technology to evolve. Improvements will be incremental.
Toyota Chairman sees long run for hybrids; calls on automakers for 5M hybrid sales in US in 2016
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada predicted in remarks before the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., that hybrid vehicles will play a larger role in the future development of automotive propulsion systems than widely recognized. Uchiyamada became chairman earlier this year, s...
The car may have its followers, like semi-government, or for PR use for companies willing to enhance their green image, but for the ordinary driver, this is not going to be making any sense. For someone who wants a BMW - and that is the audience that BMW may be after, the alternative for that price is a well-equipped 3 series with a range exceeding 700 km.
More details on BMW’s i3; electric and connected
Cutaway of the BMW i3. Click to enlarge. With the launch of the production BMW i3 battery-electric vehicle (also available with a range extender) looming, the BMW Group provided more details about the first series-produced model from its new i brand, offering customers electric mobility in ...
Don't count on getting this kind of economy if you use this car mainly to drive to the supermarket and the kids to school.
Volkswagen’s 3rd-gen Golf TDI BlueMotion rated at 73.5 mpg US; 15% better than predecessor
New Golf TDI BlueMotion. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen’s third-generation Golf TDI BlueMotion, introduced as a concept at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris last September(earlier post), is rated with fuel consumption of 3.2 l/100 km (73.5 mpg US) on the NEDC—equivalent to 85 g/km CO2. Thi...
Sounds like a ideal replacement for diesel generators like those used for instance in pleasure crafts.
PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity
PowerCell, a Swedish energy technology company with roots in the Volvo Group, unveiled a functioning full-scale prototype of its PowerPac fuel cell system, which combines an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity. (Earlier post.) The main target g...
At least a useful upgrade for the $2100 monthly lease that Volvo charges for this car.
Volvo upgrades C30 Electric with more powerful motor and 22 kW fast charger
The new 22 kW fast charger supports a full pack charge in 1.5 hours. Click to enlarge. Beginning this summer, European leasing customers will drive and evaluate an upgraded demo fleet of 100 Volvo C30 battery electric cars that feature a new, more powerful motor from Siemens and a new 22 kW...
I liked the Cmax PhEV until I saw the huge bump in the trunk, where the battery is stored, an unsightly view.
Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid sedan EPA-rated at 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined; Ford projects best hybrid sales quarter ever
2013 Fusion Energi. Click to enlarge. The US Environmental Protection Agency has rated the new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid (earlier post) at up to 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined (2.2, 2.6 and 2.4 l/100km-equivalent, respectively). Fusion Energi is the Ford brand’s f...
In addition to the purchase price, you also pay $90 a month for the lease of the battery. So essentially this car cost over $25,000 without a battery. Frightfully expensive for such a size car.
Renault delivers first ZOE EV
Renault has presented the keys of the first ZOE electric vehicle to Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Industrial Recovery. The first delivery of ZOE comes ahead of further deliveries set for between now and the end of 2012 and mass launch in the Renault network in first-quarter 2013. ZOE,...
This deal would never have been approved if it was a strategically important technology. Probably the DOE believes that there are sufficient alternative technologies that are equal or possibly better.
Johnson Controls files appeal of A123 sale, seeking payment of break-up fee and expenses; says still “open” to buying parts if Wanxiang sale not completed
Johnson Controls filed an appeal in bankruptcy court of the 11 December 2012 sale order approving Wanxiang’s purchase of most of the assets of A123 Systems for $256.6 million. (Earlier post.) As part of the sale order, the court had ordered the escrow of the break-up fee and expense reimburse...
Ford this time seems to have done everything right.
Ford C-MAX Hybrid posts 3,182 units in first full month of sales, outpacing Prius v
Ford’s new C-MAX Hybrid (earlier post) sold 3,182 units in October in its first full month of sales, outselling the Prius v’s 2,769 units. (Sales of the entire Prius family were 16,774 units, with the sedan accounting for 8,788 of those.) The C-MAX Hybrid also led Ford in achieving its best Oct...
In my country (holland), ebikes getting more and more popular. My wife got one this year which has the Bosch system, and she finds it fantastic. A strong head wind, which , like sailing, always seems to the direction where the winds come from, is no longer a problem. And, this summer we took the bike to the UK, where we could increase the range of our trips, and did not have to walk the sometimes steep hills.
Bosch eBike Systems at Intermot
Bosch eBike Systems is exhibiting at Intermot for the first time this year. The International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bicycle Fair, which takes place 3–7 October in Cologne, is focused this year on the trend toward eMobility. Bosch is displaying its eBike System’s motor, battery, and on-board c...
This is the Audi marketing machine working in overdrive. My bet is that won't be any Audi in 2014 driving as EV or PhEV, maybe a few hundred Q hybrids.
Audi crosslane coupé dual-mode plug-in hybrid concept makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show; 214 mpg US
Audi crosslane coupé plug-in hybrid concept car. Click to enlarge. Audi introduced its crosslane coupé plug-in hybrid concept at the Paris Motor Show, saying that the vehicle provides a glimpse of the future shape of design, and automotive and drive concepts. The vehicle is based on a lightw...
Too bad not much more specific news on plugin. My hopes were on a plugin Lexus RX, CT or stationwagen (Avensis. It seems no real competition then for GM Volt/Ampera for the next few years.
Toyota provides update on status of green car technology, future plans; 21 new hybrid models, new gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, EV and fuel cell stack
The new EQ EV offers power consumption of 104 Wh/km. Li-ion batteries are from Panasonic. Click to enlarge. In Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) outlined the progress of development of its green technologies as well as its vehicle deployment plans through 2015. Overall, the company says...
I am also puzzled why there is no Lexus PHEV. There was some talk of a CT 200H PHEV, back in 2010 for 2012, but since then no further news.
Lexus introducing new mid-size hybrid coupe concept at Paris Motor Show; new 2.5L full-hybrid powertrain to enter model range soon
Rendering of the Lexus LF-CC Click to enlarge. Lexus will introduce the LF-CC, a new, mid-sized coupe concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Earlier this year, Lexus unveiled the LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show. (Earlier post.) The more compact, rear-wheel dri...
That's more that a 30% percent reduction. Last year the EU parliament voted overwhelmingly against a proposal by the EU commission to reduce CO2 by 30% by 2020. Now the Commission tries again, this time on one segment of the market.
EC proposes 95 grams CO2/km target for new cars by 2020, 147 grams for light vans; super credits for cars below 35g
The European Commission today proposed targets for the further reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) by 2020. The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km (g CO2/km) in 2020 from 135.7 grams in 2011 and...
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