Lexus begins sales of new IS 300h hybrid in Japan along with new IS lineup

IS 300h. Click to enlarge.

Lexus has begun sales of the new IS sports sedan lineup in Japan with the introduction of the redesigned IS 350 and IS 250, and the introduction of the IS 300h hybrid. Monthly sales target for the hybrid model in Japan is 800 units. Lexus unveiled the new 2014 IS sport sedan at the North American International Auto Show in January. (Earlier post.)

The IS 300h achieves fuel economy of 23.2 km/L (54.6 mpg US, 4.3 l/100 km) and CO₂ emissions of 100 g/km under the Japanese MLIT JC08 test cycle. This performance exceeds the 2015 fuel efficiency standards by 20% and the 2005 standards of the MLIT approval system for low-emission vehicles by 75%.

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Mercedes-Benz launches new S-Class with hybrid, diesel, gasoline models; 59 mpg PHEV model to come

New S 400 HYBRID. Click to enlarge.

Mercedes-Benz’s new generation flagship S-Class, introduced at an elaborate event at Airbus in Finkenwerder, marks a number of technology firsts in numerous areas from comfort, to driver control, to efficiency. As one example of the last, the new S-Class is the first car in the world to completely dispense with conventional electric bulbs, making exclusive use of energy-saving LED technology both inside and outside.

On a larger efficiency scale, the new S-Class in its first year will offer two hybrid versions, a gasoline model and a diesel variant: the S 400 HYBRID, S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, S 500, and S 350 BlueTEC. The models offer up to 20% lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series. These soon will be followed by the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID—the first S-Class with a fuel consumption lower than 4l/100 km (59 mpg US). All the engines already meet the requirements of the Euro-6 emissions standard.

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Winterkorn says Volkswagen developing 10-speed DCT and high-performance diesel; plug-in hybrids offer great potential

Volkswagen’s view of powertrain technologies to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Source: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research. Click to enlarge.

At the International Vienna Motor Symposium Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, gave a forecast of future drive system technologies. Areas of work being focused on by Volkswagen include the development of a high-performance diesel engine delivering 100 kW (134 hp) per liter of displacement and a new 10-speed dual clutch gearbox that reduces fuel consumption.

The high performance diesel engine features a variable valve-train assembly, a high-pressure injection system at up to 3,000 bar and combined charging with an innovative e-booster. Among alternative drive systems, plug-in hybrids in particular offer great potential, Winterkorn said. (The Volkswagen Group intends to launch at least 6 new plug-in hybrid models starting in 2014 and beyond. Earlier post.)

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Volkswagen unveiling CrossBlue Coupé concept plug-in hybrid in Shanghai

CrossBlue Coupé. Click to enlarge.

At the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen will introduce the “CrossBlue Coupé” concept plug-in hybrid SUV. The automaker introduced the “CrossBlue SUV” concept—developed specifically for the US and Canada—at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year. (Earlier post).

The CrossBlue Coupé is powered by a plug-in hybrid system comprising a V6 turbo direct gasoline injection engine (TSI) and two electric motors; maximum system power is as much as 305 kW (409 hp). The Volkswagen accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and its maximum speed is 236 km/h (147 mph). The CrossBlue Coupé has a combined fuel consumption of 3.0 l/100 km (78 mpg US) in the new European driving cycle (NEDC).

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IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely changed in last 20 years; “window of opportunity in transport”

The ESCII, along with projections for three scenarios. To meet 2DS targets, the index needs to decline by 5.7% by 2020, and 64% by 2050. Source: IEA. Click to enlarge.

In a fairly bleak assessment of global progress towards low-carbon energy, the International Energy Agency (IEA) concluded that, despite a few bright spots such as the rapid expansion of renewable technologies and the growth of hybrid and EV sales, the progress is far below that required to achieve a 2 °C pathway—i.e., to hold warming to 2 °C as outlined in the IEA Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 (ETP) 2 °C Scenario (2DS). The assessment came in an annual report to the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM).

To illustrate this inertia, the report, Tracking Clean Energy Progress, introduced the Energy Sector Carbon Intensity Index (ESCII), which shows how much carbon dioxide is emitted, on average, to provide a given unit of energy. The global energy supply became 6% cleaner from 1971 to 1990,in response to the oil shocks of the 1970s. Since 1990, however, the ESCII (2010 = 100) has remained essentially static, changing by less than 1%. In 1990 the underlying carbon intensity of supply was 57.1 tCO₂/TJ (2.39 tCO₂/toe); in 2010 it was 56.7 tCO₂/TJ (2.37 tCO₂/toe).

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Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5M, nearly 2M in US

Cumulative global sales of TMC hybrid models as of 31 March 2013. Click to enlarge.

Cumulative global sales of Toyota Motor Corporation’s (TMC’s) hybrid vehicles—including plug-in hybrids—topped the 5 million unit mark as of 31 March 2013, reaching 5.125 million units. Of the global total, sales in the US have accounted for nearly 2 million units (1,951,243).

Last year, hybrid vehicles accounted for 14% of TMC’s global vehicle sales and 40% of its vehicle sales in Japan. As of this month, TMC sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid model in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world. Between now and the end of 2015, Toyota will introduce 18 new hybrid models and expects global sales of its hybrids to be at least 1 million units a year in the same period. TMS forecasts that about one-third of those will be sold in the United States.

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Navigant forecasts global sales of LDV electric drive motors to hit 3.7M by 2020

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue by region, world markets: 2013-2020. Source: Navigant. Click to enlarge.

Unit sales of electric drive motors for light-duty vehicles (LDVs) will reach 3.7 million by 2020, growing from 1.5 million in 2013, according to a new report from Navigant Research (formerly Pike Research). Total global market revenue will grow from just less than $1 billion in 2013 to more than $2.8 billion in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6%.

The market for electric traction motors is determined by the demand for electric and electrically assisted vehicles, which varies across the three major automotive market regions in the world (North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific), Navigant notes. While sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are increasing, the growth is slow and steady rather than exponential. Cost remains the main barrier in the short term, with the battery pack being by far the most expensive component.

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Audi introduces 2015 Audi A3 and S3 sedans; A3 Sportback e-tron PHEV confirmed for US

A3 Sedan. Click to enlarge.

Audi of America, Inc. announced that the all-new 2015 Audi A3 sedan will arrive in US showrooms in the first quarter of 2014. Audi of America also confirmed that it will offer the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV) model in the US market later in 2014. Audi recently revealed the A3 Sportback e-tron at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. (Earlier post.)

At launch, the engine line-up will consist of four four-cylinder engines: 170 hp (127 kW) 1.8 TFSI; low- and high-output versions of the 2.0 TFSI; and 150 hp (112 kW) 2.0 TDI clean diesel. Completely redesigned, the engines bring together direct fuel injection, turbocharging, innovative thermal management and the start-stop-system. The line-up of engines and transmissions will grow further, and will include two new basic engines.

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Torotrak acquires 20% of Flybrid Automotive Ltd, with option for remainder by end of year; accelerating adoption of flywheel hybrids; Allison investment

Cutaway of the Flybrid flywheel and Torotrak IVT. Click to enlarge.

UK-based toroidal drive company Torotrak has acquired a 20% stake in flywheel hybrid innovator Flybrid Automotive Ltd (formerly Flybrid Systems LLP) (earlier post) with an option to acquire the remaining shares before the end of the calendar year.

Torotrak says that the transaction strengthens its ability to provide turnkey development and manufacture of complete flywheel hybrid systems for buses, trucks, passenger cars, commercial and off-highway vehicles. The company expects the deal will accelerate the adoption of its technology, which it says will be in fleet trials with bus operators later this year through an agreement with bus constructor Wrightbus.

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Scania and Siemens to develop heavy-duty hybrid vehicles with trolley-assist; enabling the eHighway

Scania truck with a pantograph on the roof (“trolley-truck”) . Click to enlarge.

Scania and Siemens have entered into a partnership which involves the integration of Siemens’ trolley-assist technology with Scania’s expertise in the electrification of powertrains in trucks and buses.

Scania has for a long time explored the possibilities of electrifying the powertrain in buses and trucks, while Siemens has developed trolley-assist systems for heavy duty trucks and is selling its SIMINE trolley-assist system for mining trucks to that industry. At EVS26 in Los Angeles in 2012, Siemens described its ‘eHighway of the Future’ concept for the electrification of on-road commercial trucks and select highway lanes via overhead electrified wires. (Earlier post.)

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Volkswagen Group planning to launch 6 or more plug-in hybrids from 2014; the role of the MQB in the Group’s electrification plans

As part of its approach to e-mobility, the Volkswagen Group intends to launch at least 6 new plug-in hybrid models starting in 2014 and beyond, said Oliver Schmidt, General Manager Engineering and Environmental Office, Volkswagen Group of America, at the recent SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium. He was careful to note that “launch” referred to the global launch dates for global product—i.e., not the launch in a particular market.

Currently, Volkswagen has 5 hybrids in production—the VW Touareg, the Porsche Cayenne S, the Audi Q5, the Porsche Panamera S and the VW Jetta—with the hybrid versions of the Audi A6 and A8 on the way, Schmidt noted, adding:

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DOE to award more than $50M for new plug-in vehicle technology research projects

The US DOE has released the final version of a new funding opportunity announcement (DE-FOA-0000793) that will award more than $50 million in funding for new projects intended to accelerate the development of advanced plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) technologies to increase vehicle fuel economy and improve performance. DOE had earlier requested public comment on a draft of the solicitation. (Earlier post.) The FOA supports the President’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge. (Earlier post.)

DOE will select new research projects—an anticipated minimum of 30 and maximum of 50—that focus on lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of PEV components, as well as the development of models and tools to predict these vehicles' performance and help improve fuel economy. The Department will fund projects across five major areas of research and development that cover 12 areas of interest (AOIs), including:

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Mitsubishi reveals diesel-electric hybrid and battery-electric concepts at Geneva: GR-HEV and CA-MiEV

Concept GR-HEV. Click to enlarge.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the MITSUBISHI Concept GR-HEV (Grand Runner-HEV) diesel-electric hybrid pickup truck and the MITSUBISHI Concept CA-MiEV (Compact and Advanced-MiEV) concept models at the 83^rd Geneva International Motor Show. The company also showcased the production Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which is scheduled for release starting this July.

The Concept GR-HEV is a Sport Utility Truck (SUT) concept is equipped with an FR (front-engine, rear-wheel drive)-based diesel-hybrid system comprising a 2.5-liter diesel, automatic gearbox, electric motor and battery (which is located and protected within the ladder frame). The GR-HEV delivers CO₂ emissions levels of 149 g/km or below. The drivetrain is a next-generation 4WD system that combines the Super Select 4WD (SS4) system and the S-AWC system.

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Axion Power and ePower Engine Systems enter 5-year agreement for use of PbC batteries in diesel-electric drivetrains for Class 8 trucks; tests suggest up to 35% improvement in fuel economy

Axion Power International, Inc, the developer of advanced lead-carbon PbC batteries and energy storage systems (earlier post), has entered a strategic relationship with ePower Engine Systems LLC. ePower Engine Systems specializes in the retrofit and conversion of diesel-powered Class 8 trucks into series hybrid-powered units inspired by the diesel-electric drives in locomotives—i.e., the diesel engine powers a generator that in turn provides power directly to the traction motors.

ePower Engine Systems has consented to a five-year initial term with Axion Power that includes the exclusive use of Axion’s PbC batteries, and battery management systems in all ePower retrofits and conversions.

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Audi to show the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at Geneva

A3 e-tron. Click to enlarge.

Audi will showcase the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Audi A3 e-tron delivers 150 kW (204 hp) of system power and 350 nm (258 lb-ft) of system torque; projected fuel consumption is 1.5 liters per 100 km (157 mpg US), according to the ECE standard for plug-in hybrid automobiles. This corresponds to CO₂ emissions of 35 grams per km (56 g/mile).

The A3 e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph). In electric mode, the Audi A3 e-tron reaches a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and has a maximum range of 50 km (31 miles).

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Cadillac introduces the 2014 ELR extended range electric vehicle

2014 Cadillac ELR Click to enlarge.

Cadillac unveiled the anticipated 2014 ELR extended range electric (EREV) vehicle (based on the Converj concept, earlier post) at the North American International Auto Show. (Earlier post.) ELR production begins in the US in late 2013 in limited numbers, said Bob Ferguson, Cadillac global vice president. Sales start early in 2014 in North America, expanding to global markets including China and Europe.

The EREV technology, proven in the Chevrolet Volt, is uniquely tuned for Cadillac in the ELR; the powertrain delivers 295 lb-ft of torque (400 N·m)—about 12% more than the 3.6L V-6 in the SRX. (The 2012 Chevrolet Volt produces 273 lb-ft/370 N·m.)

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Infiniti unveils Q50 sports sedan; conventional and hybrid powertrains

2014 Infiniti Q50. Click to enlarge.

Infiniti unveiled the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 luxury sports sedan at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Q50 will be available at US launch with a choice of a 3.7-liter V6 or new Q50 Hybrid featuring Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid System with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. Other powertrains will be added as part of global market launch rollout.

Two new performance technologies make their debuts in the Q50: Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering technology and Active Lane Control.

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GM and Nissan lead in US plug-in sales in December; GM and Toyota for the year

2012 US sales of plug-in vehicles by major OEMs. Click to enlarge.

GM was the US sales leader among the major OEMs for plug-in vehicles in December, and for 2012. GM sold 2,633 units of the Volt extended range electric vehicle in December, up 72.2% by volume from 1,529 units in December 2011. For the year, GM posted sales of 23,461 Volts, up 205.8% from the 7,671 units in 2011, giving it a dominant lead among the major OEMs in the nascent plug-in vehicles market for the year.

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) posted sales of 1,489 units of the LEAF in December, up 56.1% from the 954 units the year before; calendar year sales for the LEAF were 9,819 units, up 1.5% from the 2011 results. While Toyota took second place for the year, with 12,750 units of the Prius PHV plug-in hybrid, it dropped to third place in December with 1,361 units of the PHV.

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Polk expects 2013 US new vehicle registrations to grow 6.6% to 15.3M; only slight improvement in hybrid category

Polk light vehicle forecast through 2016. Data: Polk. Click to enlarge.

New light vehicle registrations in the US in 2013 are expected to rise 6.6% over 2012 levels to 15.3 million vehicles, according to Polk, a global automotive market intelligence firm. At the same time, Polk analysts forecast North American production volumes to increase to the 15.9 million unit range (an anticipated 2.4% increase from 2012), driven by an improving economy and capacity expansion in the region.

According to Polk’s analysis, new vehicle introductions in 2013 will escalate significantly, with 43 new vehicle introductions in the US planned for the year, up nearly 50% over 2012 levels, along with 60 vehicle redesigns. While the number of available hybrid models in the US will also increase this year, Polk anticipates only a slight improvement in this category from its current level of approximately 2.9% of the overall market.

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Pike Research updates xEV forecasts; projects Ford to lead US PEV market, followed by GM

Pike Research has published an update to its earlier forecasts on xEVs: hybrid (HEVs); plug-in hybrid (PHEVs); and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). As a result of new assumptions, Pike Research has slightly reduced its forecasts for plug-in vehicles (PEVs: PHEVs and BEVs combined) from past forecasts.

This reduction was driven largely by the slow growth of BEVs in the United States (the largest market for PEVs) in 2012 and the postponement of some vehicle launches, the research firm noted. However, Pike still anticipates 39% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) between 2012 and 2020. In contrast, the CAGRs for HEVs and the total vehicle market are estimated at 6% and 2%, respectively. Highlights of the forecast include:

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Xtrac developing hybridized AMT for luxury vehicles; up to 1,000 N·m torque

The Xtrac 1010 hybridized AMT features a 60kW electric motor. Click to enlarge.

Xtrac has designed a hybridized automated manual transmission (H-AMT), designated 1010, targeted at enabling future premium luxury road vehicles (supercars and limos) to meet the 95 g/km CO₂ emission requirement being introduced by European legislators for 2020.

The 1010 H-AMT fits the same compact transmission envelope as the company’s 1007 gearbox with its high torque carrying capability and transverse gear cluster orientation, as supplied to Pagani for the mid-engine Huayra supercar. Xtrac believes its distinctive transverse transmission configuration lends itself particularly well to hybridization and offers a solution to the supercar sector’s preference for retaining high power, multi-cylinder engines while meeting 2020 emission targets. The transmission can handle engine torque capacities ranging from 800 to 1,000 N·m (590 to 738 lb-ft) dependent on vehicle gross weight and the particular application.

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Cumulative sales of Toyota Motor hybrids top 2M units in Japan, 4.6M worldwide; 1.02M from Jan to Oct. (corrected)

Global annual sales of TMC hybrids. Data: TMC. Click to enlarge.

Cumulative sales in Japan of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) hybrid vehicles—including plug-in hybrids—reached 2.04 million units as of 31 October. Globally, cumulative sales of TMC-produced hybrid vehicles since the first was launched in 1997 have now topped 4.60 million units, with 1.02 million selling from January 1 through October 31 this year.

Of the global 4.6 million units, the Prius family accounts for 3.3 million (71.5%): 2,804.9 million Prius; 224,000 Prius α (Prius v); 259,700 Aqua (Prius c). The hybrid model with the next highest cumulative sales is the Camry (317,200)—6.9% of the global total—followed by the RX 400h/RX 450h with 256,600 units (5.6%).

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CMU study finds small battery PHEVs and gasoline hybrids the least-cost policy solution to reducing gasoline consumption

Comparison of current federal subsidy to base case assumptions showing lifetime fuel savings (HomeEve charging scenario). An EPA estimate based on the Chevy Volt’s reported efficiency is also included for comparison. The federal subsidy significantly favors larger battery packs to a stronger degree than their potential for additional gasoline savings. Peterson and Michalek 2012. Click to enlarge.

In an new study analyzing the cost-effectiveness of policies subsidizing electric-drive vehicle battery capacity and charging infrastructure installation to reduce gasoline consumption in the US, Scott Peterson and Jeremy Michalek of Carnegie Mellon University found that, under a wide range of scenarios, the least-cost solution is for more drivers to switch to low-capacity plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) or gasoline-powered hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Comparing the subsidy necessary to achieve lifetime cost parity with the least-cost option for each vehicle class in the base case, they found that the maximum cost per gallon saved for increased all electric range (AER) is 5%–40% less than the minimum cost per gallon saved when installing charging infrastructure, depending on vehicle class. Looking forward as battery prices decrease and the AER resulting in maximum life-time cost savings increases, the relative value of plugging in multiple times throughout the day will also decline, they suggest. Their paper is available online in the journal Energy Policy.

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