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[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
Bright Automotive Launches Bright eSolutions; US Army Hybrid Vehicle Contract
October 26, 2009
Bright Automotive, Inc., the developer of the purpose-built, plug-in hybrid IDEA (earlier post) launched of Bright eSolutions to support automotive customers worldwide to accelerate vehicle electrification, lightweighting, and overall platform efficiency. Bright Automotive launched eSolutions with a just-announced contract from the US Army TACOM to conduct a demonstration project on a low-cost plug-in hybrid electric solution for non-tactical military vehicles.
Bright eSolutions will work with TACOM to demonstrate the feasibility of Bright Automotive’s parallel hybrid technology for military non-combat use. As part of the $1.4 million contract, eSolutions will also work with the US Army to demonstrate the ability of plug-in hybrid vehicles to deliver power to the grid (V2G).
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ALTe Developing Series Plug-in Hybrid Powertrains for Conversion and OEM Applications
| Rendering of the Gen 2 series plug-in hybrid powertrain under development. Source: ALTe. Click to enlarge. |
A Bloomfield, Michigan startup is developing light- and medium-duty series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain systems—initially as conversions, but ultimately extending to an OEM basis.
ALTe, LLC has initially targeted fleet applications—specifically, the New York Ford Crown Victoria taxi fleet—as the passenger car market does not drive enough miles per year to deliver the financial payback on the incremental cost of the conversion, said John Thomas, ALTe CEO, at the Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit last week.
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Forecast: 17M Natural Gas Vehicles Worldwide by 2015
October 19, 2009
Cleantech research firm Pike Research forecasts growth in natural gas vehicles (NGV) on the road worldwide to 17 million units by 2015, up from 9.7 million in 2008. Pike Research forecasts that the NGV market will grow globally at a CAGR of 5.5% to reach just over 3 million vehicles (including conversions) by 2015.
The top five markets for NGVs are currently Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Iran, and India. Pike Research anticipates India will be the fastest-growing NGV market with a CAGR of 18.4% between 2008 and 2015. This rapid expansion will largely be due to the availability of refueling stations and the growth of government emissions rules in large cities in India.
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Hydraulic Hybrid Systems and EMI Partner to Target Fleet Retrofit Market; First Retrofit Underway
September 12, 2009
| HHS upfit system. Click to enlarge. |
Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC (HHS), a recently-formed subsidiary of Lightning Hybrids Inc. (earlier post), is partnering with Equipment Maintenance Innovators (EMI-Global) to distribute HHS hydraulic hybrid retrofit systems for light- and medium-duty commercial fleet vehicles.
HHS’s upfit solution is a high-efficiency, light-weight parallel hydraulic hybrid propulsion system inserted within the driveline of a vehicle. This system is designed and engineered to be installed in fourteen hours, including all controls and wiring harness, by a certified installer. HHS says that its system is expected to deliver at least a 40% improvement in fuel economy made possible through regenerating braking energy that is then used during acceleration.
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Consortium Launches Britain’s First Dual Fuel Biomethane Bus; Emissions Cut in Half
September 09, 2009
| Biomethane bus. Click to enlarge. |
A consortium brought together by low carbon experts at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK launched the first bus in the UK to run on biomethane gas. The dual-fuel diesel-biomethane powered bus is expected to reduce pollutant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions by around a half. It is hoped the technology will be rolled out to bus fleets across the country and further afield.
The dual-fuel vehicle is a standard Optare Solo single-deck diesel midibus from the Anglian Bus fleet. Originally powered entirely by diesel, the Mercedes-Benz engine has been adapted by the Hardstaff Group (earlier post) to run for 60-80% of the time on low-carbon biomethane. Biomethane is chemically identical to the methane in natural gas but it is made by bacterial action on biowastes. Biomethane is extracted from landfill sites or from biogas produced in purpose-built anaerobic digestion facilities.
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Zytek Shows Electric A-Class Demonstrator with Uprated 55kW E-Drive; Developed in 10 Weeks
September 08, 2009
| The 55kW E-Drive fits neatly onto the existing engine mounting points with just three additional connections (water, high voltage electrics and low voltage electrics). Click to enlarge. |
Zytek has unveiled a fully engineered, electric version of the Mercedes A-Class that it developed in just ten weeks. Designed to demonstrate the capability of the company’s production-ready 55kW E-Drive electric powertrain, the five-seat electric family car project is a Zytek in-house activity and is entirely independent of Mercedes-Benz.
For the A-Class demonstrator, Zytek developed an uprated version of its 55kW E-Drive, using a higher current switching system to increase the maximum torque from 120N·m (89 lb-ft) to 160N·m (118 lb-ft). Zytek also increased the maximum motor speed from 12,000rpm to 13,000rpm to provide a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h) while providing sufficient torque to ensure good low speed performance and the ability to comfortably climb steep gradients.
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Converted Plug-In Hybrid Electric Terminal Tractor to be Tested at Port of Long Beach
August 12, 2009
A plug-in parallel hybrid electric terminal tractor used to move shipping containers and cargo within the port will be tested at a Port of Long Beach shipping terminal. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is coordinating the project among several ports and will also compile and analyze project data related to the tractor’s performance, including emissions, charging, diesel fuel reduction and other aspects.
US Hybrid Corporation performed the conversion which uses a 33 kWh Li-ion battery pack from GAIA. The truck is equipped with a 6.6 kW charger. EPRI expects the plug-in to have about 4 hours of electric operation, depending upon the duty cycle, said Andra Rogers, senior project manager of Electric Transportation at EPRI.
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Bright Automotive To Convert VW Transporters to Plug-ins
August 11, 2009
| A VW Transporter van. Click to enlarge. |
Start-up Bright Automotive, which in May unveiled its IDEA concept series plug-in hybrid light commercial van (earlier post), will convert VW Transporter vans with the series hybrid Bright powertrain as a bridge between the concept and the production version of the IDEA.
Conversions are expensive, noted Lyle Shuey, Bright VP of Marketing and Sales, and the converted Transporters will not be as efficient as the purpose-built IDEA. But “Bright-ifying” the Transporter provides fleet owners with a more immediate solution that delivers benefits compared to the conventional Transporter, and allows them to begin the learning and preparation to plug-in.
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BAF Technologies to Distribute Hardstaff Dual-Fuel Conversion Technology in US
July 31, 2009
| Basic OIGI system for CNG or LNG. Click to enlarge. |
US-based BAF Technologies, a provider of natural gas conversions for select light- and medium-duty vehicles, has entered into an exclusive distributorship agreement with UK-based T. Baden Hardstaff to retrofit existing heavy-duty on-road vehicles to dual-fuel operation. The agreement will provide BAF with exclusive territory rights for the United States.
BAF is currently converting 600 AT&T Ford E-Series vans to dedicated CNG technology in 2009. (Earlier post.) T. Baden Hardstaff is a service and technology provider for the road transport industry specializing in the development of low carbon vehicle technologies. Among its offerings is the OIGI dual-fuel system that can work with either compressed or liquefied natural gas.
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Think and Ener1 Supplying Electric Drivetrains and Battery Packs to Japan Post for EV Conversions; Potential New Line of Business
July 28, 2009
| The converted EV. Click to enlarge. |
Electric vehicle manufacturer Think Global and Ener1, one of its battery partners, are supplying a fully integrated electric drivetrain powered by a lithium-ion battery system to Japan Post for the conversion of delivery vehicles as part of a comprehensive road-testing program. Japan Post is also deploying 40 original electric vehicles this fiscal year—20 units apiece of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Subaru Plug-In Stella. (Earlier post.)
Think and Ener1 are working with Zero Sports of Japan, which has been selected by Japan Post as one of the conversion partners for delivering electric vehicles as part of the testing program in support of its goal to electrify the fleet of 22,000 delivery vehicles. With the support of strategic partner ITOCHU Corporation, which organized this project, EnerDel provided engineering support on the delivery of the first two postal service vehicles to Japan Post via Zero Sports.
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FedEx Converts 92 Delivery Trucks to Hybrids, Expanding Hybrid-Electric Fleet by 50%
July 21, 2009
FedEx Corp. has added 92 hybrid-electric trucks to its delivery fleet by converting standard FedEx delivery trucks to hybrid-electric systems. The addition of the 92 trucks increases the FedEx fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles by more than 50%, from 172 to 264.
The hybrid conversions were produced in Charlotte, N.C. over the past six months. The converted hybrids were developed with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) and Eaton Corporation, which provided the hybrid-electric systems (earlier post). The standard FedEx trucks used in the retrofit program were 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles driven.
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Third Phase of SDG&E In-Use Study Shows PHEVs Excel on Fuel Economy and GHG Emissions Reductions Compared to Gasoline ICE and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles
July 16, 2009
| One of SDG&E’s converted PHEVs. Click to enlarge. |
The third phase of a SDG&E multi-year in-use study on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles showed that plug-in hybrids offer significant improvements in gas mileage and reductions in emissions when compared with standard hybrid-electric and gasoline internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. (Earlier post.) SDG&E is a regulated public utility that services San Diego and southern Orange counties.
SDG&E tested the performance of two 2007-model Prius hybrids and then converted them into plug-in hybrids, using a Hymotion 5 kWh lithium-ion battery conversion kit. In the most recent study, the prototype battery was replaced with a production-model battery. The same pool of drivers was used during vehicle evaluation.
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BAF Technologies Begins Converting 600 AT&T Vehicles To CNG in 2009
June 30, 2009
Dallas-based BAF Technologies has begun converting 600 AT&T Ford E-Series vans to dedicated CNG technology in 2009. This is part of AT&T’s plan to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles over the next 10 years. AT&T expects to spend an estimated $350 million to purchase about 8,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and approximately $215 million to begin replacing its passenger cars with alternative-fuel models, beginning with hybrids. (Earlier post.)
The converted vehicles will utilize the BAF CalComp System, a proprietary CNG fuel system certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB). CNG vehicles are expected to emit approximately 25% less greenhouse gas emissions than those traditionally powered by gasoline.
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Software Upgrade to Prius PHEV NiMH Conversion Kit Enables All-Electric Driving At Up to 70mph
June 10, 2009
Poway, California-based Plug In Conversions Corp. (PICC) has completed a software upgrade to its 6.1 kWh NiMH plug-in hybrid (PHEV) conversion kit that enables all-electric mode driving at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (until the battery pack is depleted) in a converted Prius. The software upgrade is based upon patented technology developed by Chicago-based Ewert Energy Systems, which has granted PICC exclusive rights for its use in Prius conversion kits.
Previous Prius PHEV conversion kits—including PICC’s earlier generations (earlier post)—have been limited by Toyota programming to a top speed of 34 mph in all-electric mode.
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UK Collaboration Develops Plug-in Hybrid Retrofit for Conventional Vehicles
April 30, 2009
| Battery pack state of charge vs. distance for the ADDZEV vehicle under all-electric power on the UDDC cycle. Source: Cranfield. Click to enlarge. |
A collaboration led by the UK’s Cranfield University has developed a retrofit plug-in hybrid conversion system for a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. The Affordable Add-on Zero Emissions Vehicle (ADDZEV) technology demonstrates how it may be possible to convert segment of the existing the UK vehicle fleet into plug-in hybrid vehicles using a through-the-road approach. (Earlier post.)
Developed to reduce the carbon emissions of inner-city driving, the ADDZEV system was developed using a standard Vauxhall Combo van. The development team retained the existing conventional front-wheel-drive system of the Combo but added an electric drive, powered via low-cost valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, to the rear wheels.
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ARB Approves Modifications for Test Procedures for Plug-in Hybrids and Fuel Cell Vehicles, Defers Decision on Certification of PHEV Conversions
January 23, 2009
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today approved amendments to exhaust and evaporative emissions test procedures for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as a new method for determining the range of fuel cell vehicles.
The Board deferred a decision on ARB Staff’s proposal for certification and warranty requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Concerned that the rule as proposed would have been too onerous for conversion start-ups, the Board directed staff to work more with the industry to develop a ruling that will do more to address the need to maintain a viable conversion industry.
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China-based Battery Maker Takes Stake in US PHEV Conversion Company
December 22, 2008
Gold Peak Industries North America, a subsidiary of China-based GP Batteries International, has acquired an equity stake in Plug In Conversions Corp. (PICC), a designer, developer and marketer of kits that allow hybrid owners to convert their cars to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Founded in May 2007 with an initial target of Prius conversions, PICC currently offers a 6.1 kWh NiMH replacement pack kit—using GP batteries—for the Toyota OEM 1.3 kWh NiMH pack. The PHEV kit sells for $12,500, including installation.
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Blade Electric Vehicles Conversion of the Hyundai Getz Picks Up Momentum
December 14, 2008
Australia-based Blade Electric Vehicles (BEV), a small start-up that converts the Hyundai Getz into a lithium-ion powered electric vehicle with a range of 120 km (75 miles), recently won a contract to supply 200 of the converted Getz (called the Electron) vehicles to New Zealand. BEV expects to have 18 of its Electrons on the road in Australia by the end of the year. (Blade Electric Vehicles was founded by Ross Blade, and has no relationship with the Blade bolt-on tailpipe filter marketed by Sabertec as an aftermarket system to improve fuel economy.)
BEV is targeting the four-seat Electron at government and corporate fleets that travel short commuter distances. The City of Melbourne, one of the original purchasers of an Electron, found that its fuel cost was A$1.00/100km—or A$0.01/km (approximately $US0.01 per mile at current exchange rates), according to Blade.
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REV Introduces AC Direct Drive System for Ford Ranger and Escape EV Conversions
December 04, 2008
British Columbia-based REV Technologies (formerly Envia, earlier post) has introduced its REV AC Direct Drive system for the conversion of the Ford Ranger and Ford Escape to battery-electric vehicles. The system features a 92% efficient, 90 kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. In October, REV announced a supplier relationship with Valence Technology, a provider of lithium iron phosphate cells.
The REV pure battery Ford conversions offer up to 34kwh of power for an all-electric range of up to 200 km (124 miles). The electric version offers faster acceleration, increased horsepower and torque, a lower center of gravity and improved weight distribution, according to REV.
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NaturalDrive CNG Retrofit for 2008 Chevrolet Impala Receives EPA Certification
November 25, 2008
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified NaturalDrive Partners, LLC’s dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) retrofit of 2008 Chevrolet Impala sedans powered by 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter V6 engines in models LS, LT, LTZ, as well as law enforcement packages 9C1 and 9C3.
The retrofitted CNG Impala reduces NOx and CO emissions more than 50% compared to gasoline the gasoline versions, and offers about a 15% reduction in CO2 compared to gasoline. With the 3.5L engine, fuel economy is 19 mpgge city and 30 mpgge highway. The retrofit on the LTZ model also leverages GM’s Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) for superior fuel economy.
