Toyota Recalls Prius, Plug-in Prius, Sai and HS250h in Japan Over Braking Issues
9 February 2010
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced a recall related to the software program that controls the antilock braking system (ABS) in current-model Prius, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Sai and HS250h sold in Japan. (Earlier post.) The recall, for which TMC submitted notifications on Tuesday to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, pertains to approximately 223,000 vehicles.
Worldwide, Toyota has sold about 400,000 of the hybrid vehicles subject to the recall announced in Japan. The company says it will take “remedial measures” as soon as possible in the United States, Europe and in other regions.
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Protoscar to Unveil LAMPO2 Electric Sports Car at Geneva Show
9 February 2010
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| LAMPO2 components. Click to enlarge. |
Protoscar, a Swiss company which has been developing CleanCar
projects for 23 years, will introduce the LAMPO2 electric sports car prototype at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. LAMPO2 is a more energy-efficient successor to the LAMPO demonstration vehicle
presented in 2009. (Earlier post.)
LAMPO2 has two BRUSA electric motors (allowing it to operate as a four-wheel drive with variable
torque between front and rear axle for optimal handling, safety and efficiency) with a total
output of 300 kW (408 hp), 640 N·m (472 lb-ft) of torque (more than 50% more than its predecessor) and 32 kWh of Lithium-Ion battery capacity.
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ORNL Researchers Modify Plug-in Hybrid Electric Traction Drive Power Electronics to Function as On-Board Charger; Mobile Power Generation and V2G Support as Well
8 February 2010
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| The approach for hybrids using multiple inverters and motors (left) and a single inverter and motor (right). Additional components are shown in red. Each INV/CONV functions as a switch leg while splitting the current among the 6 switches. Source: Su. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed, fabricated and demonstrated a PHEV traction drive power electronics system that functions as the on-board charger, and that also provides significant mobile power generation and vehicle-to-grid support capabilities.
The system comprises a 55 kW motor inverter and a 30 kW generator inverter that is capable of Level 1 and Level 2 charging rates (1.8 ~ 19.2 kW), mobile power generation of up to 20 kW, and vehicle-to-grid support. The system, if applied in a vehicle, could represent up to a 90% reduction in cost and volume compared to on-board standalone battery chargers.
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Mercedes Vito All-Electric Taxi Prototype Launches in London
8 February 2010
Eco City Vehicles PLC (ECV), a developer and supplier of eco-friendly commercial vehicles and the London licensed taxi, launched an all-electric prototype of the London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi, developed by a consortium of companies including ECV’s manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes Benz UK and Zytek Automotive.
The eVito Taxi is powered by a 70 kW Zytek electric drive system, driving the front wheels through a custom designed Vocis/Graziano transmission. A 38 kWh Valence Li-Ion battery power pack installed in a weatherproof enclosure beneath the floor allows the internal space of the taxi to remain unaffected by the electric conversion. The vehicle has a top speed of up to 75 mph.
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Recent Hybrid Braking Complaints Highlight Regenerative Braking Design Issues
8 February 2010
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| Comparison of regenerative/hydraulic (friction) braking ratios under normal braking. Left: 2001-2003 Toyota Prius (THS). Right: 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (THS-II). Source: Toyota Motor Company. Click to enlarge. |
by Jack Rosebro
Recent brake feel and application issues in Ford and Toyota hybrids (earlier post) have drawn attention to the inherent complexity of hybrid and electric vehicle braking systems, which typically combine regenerative braking with conventional friction braking, antilock braking and vehicle stability control functions. Such issues are often addressed through software upgrades, either by reflashing a control module’s read-only memory or replacing the module altogether. Both Ford and Toyota have indicated that they intend to resolve their respective issues via changes in software.
Regenerative Braking. Regenerative braking is accomplished by allowing a vehicle’s electric motor-generator to spin freely, generating an alternating current which is rectified to direct current to charge the vehicle’s battery pack. The motor-generator must be connected in some manner to the vehicle’s final drive such that the vehicle’s coasting motion will cause it to rotate.
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Smith Electric Vehicles and Proton Power Sign MoU for Developing Commercial Electric Vehicle With Fuel Cell Range Extender; First Prototype at Hannover Fair 2010
7 February 2010
Proton Power Systems recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smith Electric Vehicles, the commercial electric vehicle division of The Tanfield Group Plc. Under the MoU both parties will collaborate to build and market a battery-powered commercial vehicle, equipped with a Proton Power PM200 fuel cell system as a range extender. The collaboration will aim to supply systems to local authorities and other fleet operators across Germany initially, and will also address projects in the UK and North America.
Proton Power Systems is the parent company of Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, an independent fuel cell system developer, based in Germany. Prior to its acquisition by the company, Proton Motor had historically secured external funding from Volvo Technology Transfer AB and other German institutional and private investors.
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Improving Life Cycle Assessment of US Grid Electricity
6 February 2010
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| Results of GIS statistical analysis for CO2: (a) eGrid subregion
emissions factors (kg CO2/kWh), (b) average emissions factor for each district (kg CO2/kWh), (c) coefficient of variation of CO2
emissions factor by district, and (d) difference between eGrid subregion emissions factor and US average emissions factor, 0.65 kg
CO2/kWh (kg CO2/kWh). Credit: ACS, Weber et al. Click to enlarge. |
Electricity generation and distribution in the US represents nearly 40% of US CO2 emissions, as well as large shares of the other pollutants. Assessing the limits of current knowledge about US grid electricity in life cycle assessment and carbon footprinting, however, a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh have shown that differences in standards, protocols, and reporting organizations—and the use of arbitrary political borders—can lead to important differences in estimates of CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions factors, with a corresponding effect on policies.
In a paper published online 4 February in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, Weber et al. discuss the implications of this “considerable divergence” and list recommendations for a standardized approach to accounting for air pollution emissions in life cycle assessment and policy analyses.
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ORNL Researchers Find Thermochemical Exhaust Heat Recuperation In Internal Combustion Engines Could Provide Substantial Boosts in Second-Law Efficiency
5 February 2010
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| Schematic of the conceptual ideal piston engine used for
the TCR study. The outer control volume (CV0) encloses the entire
system. The upper inner control volume (CV1) contains the combustion
chamber and piston. The lower inner control volume (CV2)
contains the reformer and intercooler. When reforming is not used,
the fuel and exhaust pass through CV2 unchanged. Credit: ACS, Chakravarthy et al. Click to enlarge. |
Thermochemical exhaust heat recuperation (TCR) in an internal combustion engine could result in substantial boosts in second-law efficiency (as measured in terms of single-stage work output from an ideal IC engine) for a range of fuels, according to a new study by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). A paper on their work was published online 5 February in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
The basic concept of TCR involves using exhaust heat to promote on-board reforming of hydrocarbon fuels into syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen). The syngas is then burned in the engine in place of some or all of the original fuel. Because the reforming reactions are endothermic, the researchers note, they provide a means for recycling exhaust energy in a chemical form.
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Ford Chennai Plant Begins Production of Ford Figo and New 1.2L Engine; New Flexible Engine Manufacturing Facility
5 February 2010
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| The first production Ford Figo was driven off the line Friday, 5 Feb. at Ford’s expanded Chennai Integrated Manufacturing Plant by Tom Chackalackal, vice president of manufacturing, Ford India. Click to enlarge. |
Ford has begun production of its the new Ford Figo (earlier post) and its new 1.2-liter gasoline-fueled Duratec engine—to be dedicated solely for the Indian Figo—at its Chennai, India engine plant. The 1.4L diesel Duratorq will be built alongside the 1.2-liter engine. Both engines, along with locally-sourced Ford IB5 transmissions, will be fitted in the new Ford Figo that will be produced at the plant starting in the first quarter of 2010.
Export engines will be produced for either the manual or Ford’s new six-speed automatic transmission. Export of the engines to additional markets within the Asia Pacific and Africa region is expected to begin in 2011.
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European Researchers Developing Multifunctional Structural Composite Material That Can Double as Energy Storage
5 February 2010
Researchers from Imperial College London and their European partners, including Volvo Car Corporation, are developing a prototype multifunctional structural composite material composed of carbon fibers and a polymer resin which can store and discharge electrical energy and which is also strong and lightweight enough to be used for car parts. Ultimately, they expect that this material could be used in hybrid and electric vehicles to make them lighter, more compact and more energy efficient, enabling drivers to travel for longer distances before needing to recharge their cars.
In the new €3.4-million (US$4.7-million) project, the scientists are planning to develop the composite material so that it can be used to replace the metal flooring in wheel well, which holds the spare wheel. Volvo is investigating the possibility of fitting this wheel well component into prototype cars for testing purposes.
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Mercedes-Benz Introducing More BlueTec EEV trucks
5 February 2010
In extending its truck range, Mercedes-Benz will be gradually introducing EEV versions in certain output classes of the Mercedes-Benz Actros, Axor and Atego up to July 2010. BlueTec EEV is already part of the extended specification for the Mercedes-Benz Econic from January 2010.
EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) is a European classification used for engines which comply with a more stringent exhaust emission standard that reduces particulate emissions by roughly a further one-third compared to Euro 5 limits. Incentives are offered for this technology in some European countries. The engines in the OM 920 and OM 501 series have been developed even further for this purpose. Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles equipped with this feature can be recognized by the additional “BlueTec EEV” model plate.
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