Citroen planning for the Electrical Survolt Concept Production?

The superbly designed Citroen Survolt was first unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, the concept car is powered by dual electric motors that convert electric power into a combined 300 horsepower which produces enough force i.e., 738 pound-feet, to be exact to let Survolt zap to 62 mph in less than five seconds and onward to a reported top speed of 162mph.

The concept's twin 31 kW lithium ion batteries is said to have a range of 124 miles between two hour charging cycles with a vehicle specific high-output charger (or a 10-hour charge from a 220-volt appliance outlet). The most interesting part is that you might get one if you are lucky as Citroen is reportedly considering producing the electric racecar, albeit in limited quantities.

This can be confirmed by UK publication Autocar quotes a source at Citroen stating "It's still our intention to put the Survolt into low-volume production, and we're pursuing the idea of a one-make race series."

Obama gets hands on Chevy Volt.

On Thursday,  US President Barack Obama  had a chance to check out the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle during a visit to the Compact Power battery plant in Holland, Mich. LG Chem, the parent of Compact Power, is making the battery cells for the Volt.

The Volt has claimed that it has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of gas.

The Volt battery pack will be assembled in Brownstown Township, Mich., and shipped to the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Plant for mating with the Volt. Chevrolet announced on Wednesday the Volt battery will have a standard eight-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Photo: Getty Images

First public EV charging station opens in NYC

Coulomb Technologies installed its first public electric charging station in New York on Wednesday. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended the unveiling of the ChargePoint charging station, which is located in a public parking lot near Port Authority.

It's the first installation of Coulomb Technologies' $37 million project, funded in part by a $15 million grant administered by the Department of Energy, the Associated Press reported. The company will install thousands of public charging stations in nine U.S. regions: Austin, Texas; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Sacramento, Calif.; the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area; Redmond, Wash. and Washington, D.C.

The Campbell, Calif.-based company began testing its pay-per-use charging stations in San Jose two years ago. By September 2011, Coulomb Technologies plans to install 4,600 chargers to recharge the new mass-production EVs that will join the Tesla Roadster on the streets later this year. The Chevrolet Volt, Ford Transit Connect Electric, and Smart ForTwo Electric Drive will be available at the end of 2010. The Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus Electric should debut in 2011.

Charging times will vary for each vehicle depending on the size of the battery, the amount of recharge needed, and the charging level of the station. But completely drained batteries should take approximately 4 hours to reach a full charge using ChargePoint's Level 2 chargers. Instructions for how to use these new charging stations can be found on the company's Web site.

Another perk of this new technology is that this ChargePoint station may also serve as some of the cheapest parking near Midtown: the first month will be free to customers. After that, the owner of the station will determine the rates. Users can sign up to use the station through the ChargePoint Web site.

Src: [Car Tech]

Ford Focus electric cars to be powered by Compact Power Inc. (CPI)

Ford Motor Co. has selected LG Chem's U.S. unit Compact Power Inc. to supply battery packs for an electric Focus compact car for U.S. production starting in 2011, the automaker said today.

Compact Power will begin assembling lithium-ion battery packs from cells for the Focus electric car at a site to be determined, Ford said.

General Motors Co. also chose Compact Power to supply batteries to its Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle.

The first cells for the Focus electric battery will be produced by LG Chem in South Korea, Ford said. Cells will be produced later at a new site in Holland, Mich., it said.

U.S. production of the Focus electric vehicle is scheduled for Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant where the automaker also plans to produce the next gasoline-powered Focus car. The plant is being converted from SUV production.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Ford on their new battery electric-powered Ford Focus," said Prabhakar Patil, CEO of CPI. "It tells us we are on track in developing high-power and high-energy lithium ion batteries that the industry needs as it moves toward the electrification of vehicles that lessen our dependence on foreign oil."

Ford has committed $550 million to transform the Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the new Focus and Focus Electric. The plant will also produce a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

- Reuters Inputs.

'Electrical Alliance', Tesla and Toyota join to produce Electrical Vehicles.

Toyota, the world's largest seller of hybrid autos, in May said it would invest $50 million in Tesla and jointly develop electric models with the U.S. startup. Both prototypes are modified Toyota vehicles, said JB Straubel, Tesla's chief technology officer.

Tesla Motors Inc. said it will deliver two rechargeable prototype electric cars to Toyota Motor Corp. this month as a first step in their alliance.

“Since our announcement in May, Toyota and Tesla engineering teams have made a lot of progress in a short amount of time, and it is exciting to start seeing some initial results,” Straubel said in an e-mail message. Tesla has signed an agreement to deliver two prototypes to Toyota by the end of July, he said.

Toyota's partnership with Tesla, maker of the $109,000 electric Roadster sports car, is the first of more such alliances the Japanese company wants to pursue in advanced auto technologies, President Akio Toyoda told reporters Friday in Nagoya, Japan. Carmakers including Toyota are under pressure in the United States and other markets to develop models that consume little or no petroleum and emit fewer gasses linked to global warming.


The project with Tesla, of Palo Alto, Calif., is separate from a previously announced electric car Toyota plans to sell by 2012, Toyoda said. Toyota has said it's working on a two-passenger “urban commuter” electric car that will likely have range of 50 miles or less per charge.

The prototypes Tesla is preparing are based on two current Toyota vehicles that are being fitted with Tesla battery packs and motors, Straubel said, without elaborating.

Ricardo Reyes, a Tesla spokesman, declined to provide details of the two models.

Toyota is pursuing a multidirectional strategy for future vehicles that includes autos powered by hydrogen, batteries and other alternative fuels, Toyoda told reporters yesterday.

“We're building a prototype which is equipped with an electric vehicle unit,” Toyoda said. Toyota will provide updates “at each stage of development,” he said, without elaborating.

Tesla raised $260 million in an initial public offering last month. Unlike Toyota, Nissan Motor Co. and other companies planning battery models, Tesla vehicles use thousands of the same type of small lithium-ion battery cells that power laptop computers.

Toyota wants to study that approach to see if it offers advantages over using larger types of battery cells, Toyota Executive Vice President Shinichi Sasaki said.

The development program with Tesla will be led by Toyota's U.S. engineering group, said Masami Doi.

Tesla is also working with Germany's Daimler AG on electric vehicles and has supplied battery packs for use in Daimler's Smart minicars. Daimler has also invested at least $50 million in Tesla.

Src: Bloomberg News

Electric Cars in US might cause Electricity Shortage.

Temperatures reached a record 103 degrees in New York City on Tuesday. The heat also strained the electric grid all over the country, with utilities reporting scattered outages.

Some observers see possible trouble ahead. “In a situation like New York is in right now, charging electric vehicles could add to the burden pretty significantly,” said Jack Nerad, an executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. He said the load would be considerably less if electric cars are charged overnight, “but there’s no guarantee of that.”

Phil Gott, managing director of automotive consulting for IHS Automotive and the author of reports on E.V. adoption, said it’s likely that utilities will “see the added load coming and will add capacity where necessary.” But, he added, “If they elect not to take it seriously, then yes, we’ll have issues.”

A January 2010 report for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s PlaNYC estimates that New York could have tens of thousands of electric vehicles (including plug-in hybrids) by 2015. These include the electric drive Smart and the Chevrolet Volt, both of which have recently announced that New York will be among their early markets.

The PlaNYC report concludes that the expected adoption rate “should not threaten the stability of the electric grid as long as most chargers are ‘smart,” allowing charging to take place during off-peak hours.” That’s by no means assured, however, because high-tech smart grids are still embryonic in many areas.

One solution, proposed by energy companies, such as DTE Energy in southeastern Michigan, is to encourage electric car owners to charge at night. Scott Simons, a spokesman for DTE Energy, said the utility was developing an incentive to offer one-third price reduction during off-peak hours.

Branko Terzic, a former commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission who is regulatory policy leader in energy and resources at Deloitte, said that such time-of-day rates can be put into effect even with “a dumb grid.” He said that some utilities had delayed making smart grid improvements because they were a capital cost with benefits in the future.

Jeff Seidel, chief strategy officer at Ener1, which supplies batteries to Think and Volvo electric cars, said that mobile electricity storage could provide a partial solution to the summer overload problem. His company is working with the utility Portland General Electric on one-megawatt battery storage units that could be moved from trouble spot to trouble spot on a tractor trailer and provide emergency power for periods of up to a few hours.

Src: [nytimes]

Nissan aims to double mileage for its First Hybrid.

Nissan Motor Co. said it aims to significantly improve and nearly double the mileage on its first hybrid car developed compared with the gasoline-engine version, while keeping costs down with a simple, single-motor system.

Japan's No. 3 automaker is due to launch a gasoline-electric Infiniti M sedan, called Fuga in Japan, late this year.

While admitting to the late start, Nissan said its one-motor, two-clutch system would achieve far better fuel economy, at a much lower technical cost compared with hybrid leader Toyota's complex, two-motor system.

"Typically, carmakers say the fuel economy improvement on their cars using a 'strong' or 'full' hybrid system is roughly 30 percent, while for 'mild' hybrids (like Honda's), it's 15 percent," said Koichi Hayasaki, chief engineer of Nissan's rear-wheel-drive hybrid system.

"We're aiming for an improvement of 60 to 90 percent," he said, adding that the hybrid Infiniti M would have mileage comparable to that of a compact car.

Nissan's hybrid system has a structure similar to that of Volkswagen AG's, mounting an extra clutch that separates the electric motor from the engine to allow for driving using only electric power when the battery is charged.


By having fewer components, Hayasaki said, Nissan's hybrid system was roughly 30 kg (66 lb) lighter than Toyota's series parallel system, which mounts two electric motors and two inverters, which make up the bulk of a hybrid system's cost.

As part of its drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its cars, Nissan is planning to also launch fuel-efficient three- and four-cylinder gasoline engines and stop-and-start technology this business year.

The new March, due for launch in Japan this month, will be the first to use the stop-start feature, which automatically shuts down the engine when the car comes to a brief stop. Nissan, held 43 percent by France's Renault SA, is due to start selling the Leaf full-electric car in Europe starting in December. Its sole hybrid model now is the Altima sedan, which uses Toyota's hybrid system.

Former F1 engineer unveils new Efficient City Car

The former Formula One engineer who created the iconic McLaren F1 supercar has officially unveiled the T.25 -- his idea for a new class of city car.

Murray and his team based in Shalford, south east England, have been working on the design for the past three years and, until now, have kept the exact details of the car firmly under wraps.

The car made its first public appearance on Monday at the UK's Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford.

At less than eight feet long and a little over four feet wide, the T.25 is smaller than Daimler AG's popular Smart car, and a petrol engine model will retail for around $9,000.

The centralized driving position -- also a feature of Murray's McLaren F1 -- and central instrumentation and controls are perhaps its most obvious traits borrowed from Formula One.


Others might not be so easy to spot, but they are no less important to the overall design.

The T.25 is light, weighing in at just 550 kilograms, helping it achieve a fuel efficiency of around 74 miles per gallon.

A chassis design based on "Formula One derived materials, philosophy and technology" provides an "immensely strong structure," says Murray and body panels are also easier to replace in the event of damage.

A flat under-floor design also improves overall aerodynamics.

One thing the car most definitely does not share with an F1 car is its turning circle, which at six-meters a Smart car's is nearly nine meters, a BMW Mini's over ten makes it highly maneuverable in an urban setting.

The T.25's also has an electric cousin, the T.27, which Murray says will have a range of 80-100 miles and cost around $18,000.

Chevrolet Volt owners could get free home charging stations but only for the first 4400 owners.

U.S. Department of Energy will help out by providing free 240-volt home chargers for 4,400 early buyers.

The chargers are made either by ECOtality (which will install 2,600 Volt chargers) or Coulomb Technologies (1,800 chargers). In all, the DOE is helping to fit around 15,000 plug-in vehicle chargers across America. Of course, 'free' might be a relative term here. That's what the headline says, but Tony DiSalle, product and marketing director for the Chevrolet Volt, said in a statement that,

"For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000."

These chargers might cost around $2,000.

PRESS RELEASE

4,400 Chevrolet Volt Owners to be Eligible for Free Home Charging Stations

2010-06-17

* When the Volt goes on sale later this year, buyers will be eligible for a 240-volt charge station, and home installation in some cases
* Part of Department of Energy project to install approximately 15,000 240-volt home charge stations across the U.S.
* Data collected from the charge stations will be analyzed by the Department of Energy to understand what is required for widespread electric vehicle use

DETROIT – The first buyers of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability will be eligible for one of 4,400 free home charging stations. The program will provide Volt owners with a 240-volt charge station from either ECOtality, Inc. or Coulomb Technologies. In many cases, it will include the cost of home installation. The projects are made possible with a grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

"Many owners will plug their Volt into a normal 120-volt electrical outlet, charge overnight and drive to work in the morning using only battery power," said Tony DiSalle, Product and Marketing Director for the Chevrolet Volt. "For Volt owners who want to install a faster 240-volt charge station, we expect the Department of Energy project to save $1,000 and $2,000."

The U.S. Department of Energy projects were established with two objectives: installing charging stations in residential, workplace and public areas to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles; and studying electric vehicle usage to optimize future electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

To encourage consumer purchases of electric vehicles, federal grants and other funds have been awarded to install more than 15,000 home charge stations. That total includes 4,400 home charge stations for Volt owners; 2,600 as part of The EV Project from ECOtality, and 1,800 as part of the ChargePoint America project from Coulomb Technologies.

To study electric vehicle usage, the programs will collect data such as average charge time, energy usage and the starting and ending time of the charging process. This data will be analyzed by the U.S. Department of Energy to understand how electric vehicles are driven, how and when they are charged, and ultimately what is required for widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

"In addition to saving money, these projects offer Volt owners an opportunity to play a role in developing our collective understating of electric vehicles in the market," DiSalle said.

At the time of purchase, Volt buyers will receive a portable 120-volt charge cord, and will have the option of installing a 240-volt charge station available from Chevrolet. Volt buyers that live within the program cities may apply for a free 240-volt home charging station through the Coulomb or ECOtality programs if they are willing to share their charging information. Additional consumer information on eligibility requirements and the application process will be available when the Volt goes on sale later this year.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range capability, designed to drive up to 350 miles without stopping to recharge or refuel. For the first 40 miles, Volt is powered by pure electricity, without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery is depleted, a gasoline-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles.

# # #

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver up to an estimated 40 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer up to 40 miles of electric driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing). Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About ECOtality, Inc.

ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, is a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. Through innovation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, ECOtality accelerates the market applicability of advanced electric technologies to replace carbon-based fuels. For more information about ECOtality, Inc., please visit www.ecotality.com. For more information about The EV Project, the world's largest electriv vehicle infrastructure deployment program, please visit www.theevproject.com.

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.

Coulomb Technologies is the leader in electric vehicle charging station infrastructure with networked charging stations installed in municipalities and organizations worldwide. Coulomb provides a vehicle-charging infrastructure, with an open system driver network: the ChargePoint Network (www.mychargepoint.net) provides multiple web-based portals for Hosts, Fleet managers, Drivers, and Utilities, and ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations ranging in capability from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC charging and up to 500 Volt DC charging. For more information, follow Coulomb on Twitter at twitter.com/coulombevi. To request a charging station in your area, visit http://www.mychargepoint.net/request-station.php. To download the ChargePoint iPhone App, click here.

[Source: General Motors]

NISSAN LEAF (ELECTRIC POWERED)

Nissan LEAF is an electric car announced by Nissan in 2009. It is expected to be marketed in North America, Europe, and Japan, beginning in late 2010. Time magazine called it one of the 50 best inventions of 2009.

The EV-11 prototype electric car was based on the Nissan Tiida (Versa in US) platform, but uses an all-electric drive train including an 80 kW (110 hp)/280 N·m (210 lb·ft) electric motor, 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack rated to have a range of 100 miles (160 km) on the EPA LA-4 or "city" driving cycle, navigation system, and remote control & monitoring using a cellphone connection through Nissan's secure data center to the car.The prototype was on display July 26, 2009.A week later, on August 2, 2009, the production version was unveiled at Nissan's Yokohama headquarters and is set to begin selling in both the North American market and Japan in 2010.
HOMEPAGE: Nissan Leaf

The Leaf uses a front-mounted electric motor driving the wheels, powered by a 24kW·h/90 kW lithium ion battery pack. The expected cruising range is the same as the EV-11 prototype, as is the engine.The battery pack is made of air-cooled stacked modules.Nissan Leaf has a top speed of over 140 km/h (87 mph).
The battery can be charged to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes with a special quick charger[9] that sends 440/480 volt direct current to the battery. It can also be charged from a conventional 110- or 220-volt alternating current outlet.

NISSAN LEAF SPECIFICATIONS:

Zero-emissions vehicle
Body style(s): 5-door hatchback
Layout: FF layout
Engine(s): synchronous motor
Wheelbase: 106.3 in (2700 mm)
Length: 175.0 in (4445 mm)
Width: 69.7 in (1770 mm)
Height: 61.0 in (1549.4 mm)
Fuel capacity: 24 kW·h (Li-ion battery)
Electric range: 100 mi (160 km) on the US LA-4