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This is starting to remind me of a certain alleged professor in Davis calfornia who has been touting the benefits of rotary engines, but 30 years later does not have one that a person can buy. His annual appeal for money usually comes in the form of "just another million dollars and we can build one."
LiquidPiston unveils 70cc rotary gasoline engine prototype embodying HEHC; power dense, low-vibration
LiquidPiston X1 engine features three separate combustion chambers creating 3 power strokes per revolution for high power density. Source: LPI. Click to enlarge. LiquidPiston, Inc. (LPI) the developer of engines based on its High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC) (earlier post), has unveiled t...
I'm a bit skeptical, but yet hopeful. Once a 20kw unit is produced, it can be a gm volt style range extender that charges the batteries while the vehicle is running. This will decrease by about half the kWh of battery storage required in a vehicle, and answer the range anxiety problem.
LiquidPiston unveils 70cc rotary gasoline engine prototype embodying HEHC; power dense, low-vibration
LiquidPiston X1 engine features three separate combustion chambers creating 3 power strokes per revolution for high power density. Source: LPI. Click to enlarge. LiquidPiston, Inc. (LPI) the developer of engines based on its High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC) (earlier post), has unveiled t...
It always intrigues me, and irritates me, and makes me skeptical when these articles are written without any specifics. I wonder even why greencarcongress congress accepts articles with so little information. For this group to spend $30 million dollars and not have the awareness to tell us some specifics is insulting. I want to know the weight of the engine, how much horsepower it produces, what fuel efficiency it produces, etc, etc. if anyone out there agrees, let's try to make the world a bit better by requiring more specifics, instead of more mores. Thanks.
Researchers in POWERFUL develop new two-stroke diesel featuring low consumption and low criteria emissions
Two-stroke diesel in test car. Click to enlarge. A European project led by Renault, in collaboration with the Czech Technical University in Prague, IFP Energies Nouvelles, Delphi, Le Moteur Moderne (LMM) and Universitat Politècnica de València have developed an advanced two-cylinder, two-st...
I agree with Patrick regarding the range extender. Including one reduces the amount of batteries required, gets rid of range anxiety, and gets rid of the need for all those charging stations.
The other piece of the puzzle that needs solving is wireless charging. The general public will soon tire of having to unplug the car before every trip, then plug it back in at the end of the day.
Lux: Tesla likely to miss 2020 vehicle target by >50%; Gigafactory to bring only modest reduction in costs, >50% overcapacity
Lux Research forecasts that Tesla Motors’ Gigafactory—the announced new 35 GWh lithium-ion cell production facility that is the target of hot competition between five states (earlier post)—will bring about only a modest reduction in Li-ion battery costs and create significant overcapacity, give...
This report makes sense. It would also be interesting to know the particulate levels and areas affected by truck traffic and also train traffic. I lived in Vancouver washington for about 20 years, near the interstate and also near the 20+ trains that passed daily.
Study finds airplane traffic a major contributor to particle pollution in Los Angeles
Spatial pattern of PN concentration. Inset shows wind direction. Credit: ACS, Hudda et al. Click to enlarge. Results of a new study suggest that emissions particle emissions from airplane traffic at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are a major source of particle number (PN) concentrat...
The other use for the batteries and capstone is to provide power for heating & cooling when the driver is resting.
Walmart showcases WAVE tractor-trailer at MATS; micro-turbine range extended electric vehicle with 45.5 kWh Li-ion pack
Walmart showcased its Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE) at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. WAVE is a tractor-trailer combination that features leading edge aerodynamics; an advanced turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain; electrified auxiliary ...
The capsules also need to be large enough for a person to stand, to decrease the feeling of claustrophobia. They could be engineered so the aisle is lower than the floor under the seats.
Elon Musk unveils Hyperloop preliminary design study
Linear accelerator concept for capsule acceleration and deceleration between 300 and 760 mph (480 and 1,220 km/h). Click to enlarge. Tesla Motors and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk released the preliminary design study for what he calls “The Hyperloop”—a new high-speed electric transportation system ...
My comments are about the commenters.
My hat is off to Chevrolet for coming out with a second electric vehicle. Five years ago we were all wishing for an affordable electric vehicle. Now that we have several from which to choose, I am intrigued by the whining.
So I wonder aloud to the very frequent commenters: Do you not realize how difficult it is to create new technology? Do you expect things to be perfect the first time? Are you actually creating something or just complaining and commenting on other people's efforts?
Chevrolet Spark EV: speedy, smooth and quiet; the importance of motor control
The Spark EV. Click to enlarge. Chevrolet is hosting a series of media drives this week for the production version of its new Spark EV (earlier post). Featuring a GM-developed 105 kW electric motor that pushes out 400 lb-ft (542 N·m) of torque and a 21 kWh pack that supports an estimated 82...
Too bad about the selection of the name...
Mitsubishi Motors to launch next-generation global compact sedan in July
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will launch its next-generation global compact sedan, to be named Attrage, in the Thai market this July. Powered by a 1.2L MIVEC engine, the Attrage is projected to deliver fuel economy of 22 km/liter (51.8 mpg US, 4.5 L/100km) on the NEDC. Attrage. Click to e...
I wonder how much each of those 30kw microturbines cost.
Capstone Receives order for 34 microturbines for Denver RTD electric bus fleet
Capstone Turbine Corporation has received an order for thirty-four liquid fuel C30 microturbines for use in DesignLine’s Eco Saver IV range extended electric buses. The buses are expected to be delivered to Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) later this year. The new Denver RTD buse...
I wonder how much each of those 30kw microturbines cost.
Capstone Receives order for 34 microturbines for Denver RTD electric bus fleet
Capstone Turbine Corporation has received an order for thirty-four liquid fuel C30 microturbines for use in DesignLine’s Eco Saver IV range extended electric buses. The buses are expected to be delivered to Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) later this year. The new Denver RTD buse...
I'm surprised they are not just improving and working on their V4. For the 1 liter range that seems to be adequate.
GM investing $332M in 4 sites to produce new Ecotec small gasoline engine, 8-speed, V6
General Motors Co. will invest nearly $332 million in four manufacturing sites to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmissions. The investments at GM plants in Flint and Bay City, Mich.; Toledo, Ohio; and Bedford, Ind. will support production of a new Ecotec small gasoline engine, a ne...
48 volts will be inadequate - use at least 96 volts. Higher voltages allow for lower current and thinner wires. They also allow for higher RPM's in most motors.
SK Continental E-motion launches automotive Li-ion battery business; 48V mild hybrid program
At the beginning of this year, SK Continental E-motion—the joint venture between SK Innovation, and Continental—closed the transaction and officially started operations following the approval of the relevant authorities. (Earlier post.) SK Continental E-motion will jointly develop, produce and ...
I think it will be a mistake to criticize Boeing to harshly. The 787 makes many giant leaps in technology and it is reasonable that there will be problems to solve. Hopefully the problems that arise will be fixed without fatalities. Certainly many problems have already been addressed and solved. Remember the fatal problems and subsequent learning experienced by the DC-10, B737, B727, Airbus 300 (American flight 587).
FAA grounds US Boeing 787 Dreamliners after second incident with Li-ion battery; GS Yuasa Lithium Power the manufacturer
As a result of an in-flight battery incident on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner yesterday in Japan, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and to require operators to temporarily cease operations ...
If we compare 15,000 miles at 50 mpg (costs $900 in gasoline) with the electric results the electric version saves $400 per year. I wonder how much extra the batteries cost.
EPA rates Fiat 500e at 122 MPGe city, 108 MPGe highway, 116 MPGe combined, 87-mile range
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the battery-electric Fiat 500e’s (earlier post) highway-cycle performance at 108 MPGe (equivalent to 2.18 l/100km)—the highest highway cycle efficiency of any EV currently on the US market. The city-cycle rating is 122 MPGe (1.92 l/100km-eq...
It would be more helpful and useful if the study had also taken into account the cost of the larger or smaller genset and the larger or smaller battery capability. Anyone would have guessed that a 110kW genset would require less fuel, and it is fairly obvious that adding a genset allows for smaller batteries.
ORNL researcher explores impact of motor/generator and battery pack sizing on medium-duty PHEV; optimization framework
GHG emissions in PHEV post-transmission configuration as an example of the optimization study output. Source: A.A. Malikopoulos. Click to enlarge. Using a new optimization framework, Dr. Andreas Malikopoulos of the Energy & Transportation Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (OR...
Probably better than the Leaf, but not as workable as the Volt.
Chevrolet Spark EV priced below $25,000 with tax incentives; Oregon and Canada added to markets
The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV (earlier post), introduced today ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives. GM expects the Spark EV to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo ...
I'm quite surprised that this merits patent protection. There has been information on the web for about 5 years relating to GPS awareness and its ability to decrease the use of range-assist or other electrical energy. (www.milnermotors.com/phevbrochure.htm)
What's next? Patenting the idea of extending range by driving slower?
Ford’s EV+ feature learns frequent destinations and adjusts hybrid powertrain to deliver more electric-only driving
Ford has developed EV+, a patent-pending feature that helps hybrids and plug-in hybrids learn frequent destinations, and then deliver more driving time in electric-only mode. EV+ is part of SmartGauge and is a standard feature on the Ford plug-in hybrids, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi, along w...
Kudo's to someone willing to take the lead in this. Inductive charging and on-board range extenders are the two big pieces of the puzzle that will aid in customer acceptance. Of course, the price needs to come down, but that will happen with volume.
SPX Service Solutions to distribute and install Plugless Power wireless electric vehicle charging systems
Evatran has signed an agreement with SPX Service Solutions to distribute and install Plugless Power wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. (Earlier post.) These systems, available to individual Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt owners starting in April 2013, require station installation ...
Or we could save a billion dollars of mostly taxpayer money by encouraging electric vehicles to have a small range-assist engine. It is always so easy to spend other people's money.
Lux: charging stations for electric vehicles will be $1.2B market in 2020
With government policy and investment driving automotive companies toward plug-in vehicles, the technology for delivering electricity to these vehicles will rise to a $1.2 billion market in 2020, according to a Lux Research report. Lux Research developed a forecast using vehicle sales to proj...
This is a great opportunity for them to also fix that most glaring problem with automobiles - the side mirror blind spot.
Nissan to deploy “Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication” driver aid
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has developed an “Emergency assist for pedal misapplication (with Carpark Detection Function)” to help reduce accidents caused by pedal misapplication by drivers. This new technology will debut on the new Nissan Elgrand MPV by the end of the year. The Emergency assist f...
I forgot to mention that the last remaining piece of the "ease of use" puzzle is that GM needs to add a wireless inductive charging unit. This will be placed on your garage floor so you can park over it, and at your specified time in the night, the charger will turn on and recharge the batteries. This will get rid of the plugging and unplugging that we will all soon start complaining about.
Pike report ranks Chevrolet as current leader in the plug-in vehicle market
Pike Pulse grid of the PEV market. Click to enlarge. A new report by Pike Research assessing the plug-in vehicle (PEV) strategy and execution of 16 leading vendors ranks Chevrolet as the current leader in the PEV market, due to its high ratings in both strategy and execution, closely follow...
I have not driven the Volt, but feel they have done the best job of answering all the questions & needs that owners have. The range assist is paramount to owners not having range anxiety. I am not surprised that GM priced the vehicle a bit higher than we all would like. Presumably when they have a longer track record and the risk of problems decreases, they will be able to price the car a bit more competitively. It is easy to criticize them, but I feel they have produced a winning combination.
Pike report ranks Chevrolet as current leader in the plug-in vehicle market
Pike Pulse grid of the PEV market. Click to enlarge. A new report by Pike Research assessing the plug-in vehicle (PEV) strategy and execution of 16 leading vendors ranks Chevrolet as the current leader in the PEV market, due to its high ratings in both strategy and execution, closely follow...
Plus, it sounds like it would make an excellent range-assist engine for electric vehicles!
Small-displacement two-stroke H2 engine could address performance and emissions cost-effectively for recreational market; potential for Asian motor vehicle fleet
Comparison of brake thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption at rated power (ICOMIA Mode 5), hydrogen vs. gasoline engines. Oh and Plante. Click to enlarge. A team at the Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada has developed a prototype small-displacement (<250 cc), two-stroke, inli...
I think they can do better by incrasing the taper on the rear of the trailer - a very large amount of drag is caused by the still fairly blunt rear end.
Mercedes-Benz Aerodynamics trailer cuts air resistance by 18%, fuel consumption between 4–5%; new Aerodynamics rig truck
Model of the Aerodynamics trailer in the wind tunnel. Click to enlarge. At the 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, Daimler is unveiling the latest result of its “Aerodynamics Truck & Trailer” initiative, the new Mercedes-Benz Aerodynamics trailer and separate Aerodynamics rigid truck. Trail...
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