New study of emissions and health impacts from EVs in China, including massive e-bike fleet

A new study by researchers from the University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota, and Tsinghua University compares emissions (CO₂, PM_2.5, NO_x, HC) and environmental health impacts (primary PM_2.5) from the use of conventional vehicles (CVs) and electric vehicles (EVs)—including electric cars, bicycles and light scooters—in 34 major cities in China. The study’s findings highlight the importance of considering exposures—especially the proximity of emissions to people—when evaluating environmental health impacts for EVs, the team said.

In their paper, published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, Ji et al. note that the focus of their study was motivated in part by the unprecedented rise in popularity of electric two-wheelers in China. The massive upsurge in e-bikes in the country marks “the single largest adoption of alternative fuel vehicles in history, with over 100 million vehicles purchased in the past decade, more than all other countries combined.”

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Stanford researchers designing magnetic resonance coupling system for wireless on-road dynamic charging of EVs

Simplified schematic of the wireless energy transfer system in free space. Yu et al. Click to enlarge.

A Stanford University research team is designing a high-efficiency wireless charging system using magnetic resonance coupling (earlier post) to wirelessly transmit large electric currents between metal coils placed several feet apart. The long-term goal of the research is to develop an all-electric highway that wirelessly charges cars and trucks as they cruise down the road.

Their proposed design, as published in the journal Applied Physics Letters (APL), would transfer up to 10 kW of electrical energy to a coil 6.5 feet away with an efficiency of up to 97%.

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President’s Jobs Council recommends an “All-in” energy strategy; from fossil fuels and pipelines, to efficiency, renewables and vehicle electrification

In its 2011 year-end report, Road Map to Renewal, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council) made a number of recommendations to create jobs in the short run and improve US competitiveness over the long term.  Very broadly, the report lays out an agenda to “Invest in Our Future” through education and innovation, “Build on Our Strengths” in the critical sectors of energy and manufacturing, and “Play to Win” by making overdue tax and regulatory reforms to stay competitive.

More specifically, in the energy sector, the Jobs Council, which defined the challenge there as energy availability and security, recommended what it called an “All-in” strategy. The All-in strategy is intended to optimize all US energy resources while promoting efficiency and driving innovation and investment in new technologies such as renewables and vehicle electrification.

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Toyota introduces Prius c, reveals NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept targeted for 2015

The NS4 plug-in concept. Click to enlarge.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA introduced the Prius c (earlier post) and revealed the NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Prius c (“c” representing “city”) is targeted at young buyers as a gateway vehicle to the brand and if designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a city cycle fuel economy rating of 53 mpg US (4.4 L/100km). The NS4 concept is a mid-sized dedicated plug-in hybrid, separate from the Prius family, and is one of Toyota’s concepts designed with future mobility requirements in mind for potential global market introduction by 2015.

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GM makes modifications to Chevrolet Volt vehicle structure and battery coolant system to further protect from delayed electrical fire after severe crash

The structural enhancements more evenly distribute the load to further protect the battery and the coolant lines in the event of a severe side crash. Click to enlarge.

General Motors announced modifications to the vehicle structure and battery coolant system in the Chevrolet Volt that would further protect the battery from the possibility of an electrical fire occurring days or weeks after a severe crash. The enhancements come in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Preliminary Evaluation to examine post-severe crash battery performance. (Earlier post.)

NHTSA opened its Preliminary Evaluation on 25 November 2011 following a severe-impact lab test on a battery pack that resulted in an electrical fire six days later. The test was conducted to reproduce a coolant leak that occurred in a full-scale vehicle crash test last May that resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later.

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A123 Systems to supply Li-ion battery packs to VIA Motors for extended-range electric trucks

Li-ion developer and manufacturer A123 Systems will supply complete lithium-ion battery packs to VIA Motors, an electric vehicle company building next-generation electrified trucks, vans and SUVs. To be integrated into VIA’s Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) Powertrain (earlier post), A123’s 24 kWh battery packs combine with a 300 kW electric motor and an onboard generator to deliver an expected all-electric driving range of up to 40 miles.

At the North American International Auto Show next week, VIA Motors will showcase its full size E-REV Pickup Truck and introduce two new E-REV vehicles to its VTRUX line: a full size, four-wheel drive SUV, and a three-quarter-ton, full-size Cargo Van. All the VTRUX vehicles are equipped with the E-REV Powertrain and can drive 30 to 40 miles on lithium-ion batteries, then up to 400 miles using the onboard generator.

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California Air Resources Board releases proposed Advanced Clean Car package: LEV III, GHG and ZEV rules to transform the California fleet; ZEVs and TZEVs to be 15+% of new vehicle sales by 2025

Annual sales of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and Transitionary ZEVs (TZEVs) under the new ACC proposal are projected to reach 15.4% by 2025, compared to 4% under the current ZEV regulation. Source: ARB ZEV ISOR. Click to enlarge.

The staff of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has posted the proposed Advanced Clean Car (ACC) package of regulations in advance of the Board’s meeting on 26 January 2012 to consider adopting the new rules. ARB staff had posted a summary of the rules package in November. (Earlier post.)

The Advanced Clean Cars program combines the control of soot, smog-causing pollutants (LEV III) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into a single coordinated package of requirements for model years 2017 through 2025. ACC also incorporates the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation as the “technology-forcing piece” of the package. The ZEV regulation—along with new LEV III criteria pollutant and GHG standards—can be the catalyst to the process of transforming the California light-duty fleet, ARB staff suggests. More specifically, the proposed Advanced Clean Cars package of regulations is designed to deliver:

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Honda outlines technology for fuel efficiency push; engines, transmissions, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains

Newly developed 2.4L-class gasoline engine. Click to enlarge.

In Tokyo, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. outlined its plans for next-generation automotive technology—which it is labeling “Earth Dreams Technology”—comprising a series of measures to improve the efficiency of gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems and electric powertrains.

Through applications of the new technology first in the mini-vehicle N BOX—the first model of the new mini-vehicle N Series—and gradually in other vehicle models, Honda is targeting top-of-industry fuel efficiency for every category within three years, while simultaneously setting a timeline of 2020 to reduce by 30% CO₂ emissions for all products sold worldwide, relative to emission figures for 2000.

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SEAT unveils first all-electric car and PHEV

the Altea XL Electric and the Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive vehicles. Click to enlarge.

SEAT, a member of the Volkswagen Group, is unveiling the prototype Altea XL Electric Ecomotive as well as the prototype Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive, a plug-in hybrid. SEAT envisages the launch of its first electric plug-in hybrid car in 2015, to be followed a year later by an all-electric vehicle.

The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive features an 85 kW motor with 270 N·m of torque and a limited top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). The batteries are located under the rear seats and in the trunk; there is no intrusion into the passenger compartment. When the electric Altea XL is parked in the sun, rooftop photovoltaic cells recirculate fresh air inside the passenger compartment, reducing the energy needed afterwards by the climate control system.

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Qualcomm announces first EV wireless charging trial for London

Qualcomm Incorporated, which just recently acquired the team and technology of wireless charging company HaloIPT (earlier post), announced the first Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London in what is a UK and industry-leading initiative. Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK Government, as well as the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the trial.

Addison Lee, the UK’s largest minicab company, and Chargemaster plc, a European operator of advanced EV charging infrastructure, have also agreed to participate in the WEVC London trial. The pre-commercial trial is expected to start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles (EVs). The trial will use Qualcomm wireless inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer across a large air gap.

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Mitsubishi Motors premiering new fuel-efficient Mirage and Concept PX-MiEV II plug-in hybrid; smart house

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will be showing a total of 15 vehicles at the upcoming 42^nd Tokyo Motor Show, 30 November through 11 December. Two MMC cars will make their world premiere at the show: the fuel-efficient Mirage and the Concept PX-MiEV II plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Mirage. The Mirage’s design focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO₂ emissions. In addition, the Mirage features good maneuverability and easy drivability inherent to a compact car while also providing a comfortable interior space for five adults

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Nissan announces Green Program 2016; targeting cumulative sales of 1.5M zero-emission vehicles across Alliance; new fuel cell electric vehicle with Daimler, new Nissan PHEV

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced its new six-year environmental plan, Nissan Green Program 2016 (NGP 2016). This new plan will focus on three areas: reduction of carbon footprint; shift to renewable energy; and an increase in the diversity of resources used by Nissan. The company said it will spend 70% of its annual research and advanced engineering budget on environmental technologies.

Nissan Green Program 2016, the company’s third environmental mid-term plan, aims to deliver the following by the end of fiscal year 2016:

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CMU study finds that HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs offer more emissions and oil displacement benefits per dollar spent than large pack PHEVs and BEVs; policy implications

Value of life-cycle emissions externality damages and oil premium costs from vehicles in 2010 $. Michalek et al. Click to enlarge.

Strategies to promote adoption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with small battery packs offer more social benefits (i.e., air emissions and oil displacement benefits) in the near term per dollar spent than PHEVs and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) with large battery packs providing longer electric range, according to a new study by Carnegie Mellon University’s Jeremy J. Michalek and colleagues.

A paper presenting the results of the group’s latest year-long study on the lifecycle air emissions and oil displacement benefits of plug-in vehicles was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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GE and GM to partner on deploying EV infrastructure in China; focus on Shanghai

General Electric and General Motors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate jointly the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in China. The MOU was announced at the 2011 China International Electric Power and Electric Engineering Technology Exhibition in Shanghai.

The main piece of the co-operation centers on Shanghai, which was selected by the Chinese government as the country’s first EV pilot city earlier this year and home to both GE’s and GM’s China headquarters. The two companies agreed to install GE’s WattStation and DuraStation charging systems at a government-assigned international EV demonstration zone in Shanghai’s Jiading District and at the GM Headquarters office in the city.

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Delphi showcases wireless charging for EVs at Frankfurt show

Delphi Automotive has equipped several test vehicles with its Wireless Charging System, a wireless energy transfer system featuring technology developed by WiTricity Corporation. (Earlier post.) Delphi is displaying the technology at this year’s IAA International Motor Show.

Engineers have installed the Delphi Wireless Charging System on multiple test vehicles, and have confirmed that system performance meets automotive market requirements, according to Randy Sumner, director, global hybrid vehicle development, Delphi Packard Electrical/Electronic Architecture.

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Mercedes-Benz presenting Concept B-Class E-CELL Plus extended-range electric vehicle

The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. Click to enlarge.

Mercedes-Benz is presenting its first electric vehicle with Range Extender at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show: the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. Equipped with a Li-ion battery pack from Deutsche Accumotive (a joint venture of Daimler and Evonik), the E-CELL PLUS has a battery-only range of up to 100 km (62 miles). A 50 kW (67 hp), 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine range extender delivers a total range of up to 600 km (373 miles).

The electric drive generates a peak power output of 100 kW and a continuous output of 70 kW. At low speeds, the engine charges the battery via a generator. At higher speeds—e.g., on prolonged highway stretches—it additionally serves as a driving engine, acting on the front wheels together with the electric motor via a newly developed automatic transmission. In combined driving mode the vehicle emits 32 grams of CO₂ per kilometer.

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Nissan develops new quick charger for electric vehicles

New quick charger, standard specification. Click to enlarge.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. revealed its new quick charger and plans to begin sales of the technology in November 2011 at Nissan parts companies throughout Japan. The newly-developed quick charging unit retains the high performance of the current quick charger manufactured by Nissan (earlier post), which is now on sale with a suggested retail price of ¥1.47 million yen including tax (US$19,000), but is nearly half the size (by volume).

The new charger unit’s smaller size will take up less space and enable easier installation. The unit will cost “significantly” less than ¥1 million (US$13,000), according to Nissan, while the base specification unit will cost only below one half the price of the current unit.

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OKI develops Japan’s first 920MHz band wireless multi-hop communication system for smart communities, smart houses and smart meters

920MHz wireless multi-hop communication technology application domain. Click to enlarge.

OKI has succeeded in the development of Japan’s first wireless multi-hop communication system for the new 920 MHz frequency band which is scheduled to open by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in July 2012. The 920 MHz band offers high signal propagation and considerable promise for wireless multi-hop communication technologies suited for use in smart communities, smart houses and smart meters.

Wireless multi-hop communication refers to data transmission involving other wireless devices by a “bucket brigade” process. It is widely used in sensor networks due to its capacity to function without communications infrastructure elements such as base stations. OKI has developed an IEEE 802.15.43-compliant wireless multi-hop communications system to accommodate conditions of use for the new 920 MHz frequency band currently being deliberated on by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

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Hitachi Cable develops smallest compact connectors yet for use in power harnesses for hybrid and electric vehicles; some 40% reduction in connector volume

Comparison of the volume of a newly developed connector to that of a traditional connector. Source: Hitachi Cable. Click to enlarge.

Hitachi Cable, Ltd. has developed what it says are the world’s smallest compact connectors (as of 28 June, based on its research) for use in power harnesses for hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.

The drive systems of these vehicles consist of electric motors, inverters, batteries, and AC and DC harnesses connecting these electrical devices. Given the limited space for wiring and high-temperature conditions inside engine compartments, these harnesses must provide outstanding high-temperature resistance and flexibility.

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ALTe working with PG&E to validate retrofitted range-extended electric powertrain for fleets

The ALTe system converts conventional light-duty trucks into a range-extended electric vehicle. Click to enlarge.

ALTe, the developer of a range-extended electric powertrain used to repower light commercial vehicles, is collaborating with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to help validate the ALTe powertrain for the fleet industry.

Under the agreement, ALTe will retrofit one of PG&E’s 2007 Ford F-150 trucks with a version of its plug-in series electric hybrid powertrain. (Earlier post.) PG&E will evaluate the performance of the initial ALTe powered truck and provide data and feedback to ALTe.

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PJM/Better Place study finds unmanaged charging of 1M electric cars could add $750M in annual wholesale energy costs; need for CNO-managed smart charging

Simply plugging in one million electric cars (unmanaged or ad hoc charging) could add $750 million in annual wholesale energy costs unless smart charging is adopted, according to a joint study conducted by PJM Interconnection and Better Place, released by Better Place. PJM Interconnection is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Consumers who choose to leverage time-of-use (TOU) pricing can see some price relief—less than 10% annually—but the wholesale energy business would still feel the impact of ad hoc charging. Conversely, smart charging one million electric cars via a central network operator can cut in half the increase in wholesale energy costs compared to ad hoc charging or time-of-use pricing while reducing driving costs by one-fifth.

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AECOM study finds EV adoption in Victoria can offer significant economic benefits by late 2020s; PHEVs initially lead uptake

Modelled vehicle sales per year in Scenario 3. Source: AECOM. Click to enlarge.

According to a recently published report commissioned by the Victoria (Australia) Department of Transport from AECOM, electric vehicle (EV) technology offers the state of Victoria potentially significant economic benefits by the late 2020s. Such economic benefits could be realized earlier through effective policies which reduce first mover costs in the short term and promote rapid take-up once non-ICE vehicle price premiums reduce to levels that make them affordable to most consumers, according to the report.

For the report, Forecast Uptake and Economic Evaluation of Electric Vehicles in Victoria, AECOM modelled the likely penetration of electric vehicles (including hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles) under various scenarios, in the absence of significant government policy interventions.

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Volvo developing extended-range electric vehicle concepts with three different technology combinations

Volvo is taking the next step in its electrification strategy by producing test electric vehicles with range extenders. (Earlier post.) Supported by the Swedish Energy Agency and the EU, the project comprises three potential technology combinations: one a series-hybrid range extender configuration; and two parallel-hybrid range extender configurations. Tests of the concepts will get under way in the first quarter of 2012.

The concepts all use three-cylinder flex fuel (gasoline and E85) engines to complement the front-wheel electric drive. Two of the solutions are based on the Volvo C30 Electric. In both cases, the standard battery pack has been somewhat reduced in size to make room for the combustion engine and its fuel tank.

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Nissan and 4R Energy develop new EV charging system combining solar and Li-ion batteries

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and 4R Energy Corporation, a joint venture established by Nissan and Sumitomo Corporation in September 2010 to explore second-life applications for automotive battery packs (earlier post), have developed a charging system for electric vehicles that combines a solar power generation system with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Testing of this new charging system began Monday at Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama.

With the new charging system, electricity is generated through solar cells installed at Nissan’s Global Headquarters, and is stored in lithium-ion batteries which are equivalent to four units of Nissan LEAFs. With seven charging stations (three quick charge, four normal charge) located in the headquarter grounds, the total electricity that can be generated and stored is the equivalent to fully charging approximately 1,800 Nissan LEAFs annually.

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EC awards Better Place and partners €4.95M for EV infrastructure project, including battery switch stations

The European Commission selected an eMobility project, “Greening European Transportation Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles” proposed by a coalition of eight partners led by Better Place as the first and only project to be funded to date under the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport’s (DG MOVE) new de-carbonization infrastructure category. The €4.95-million (US$7.1-million) award toward the €9.9-million (US$14.2-million) project comes under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) program.

The project envisions the analysis, testing and deployment of a multi-transport mode network using the current road infrastructure and railways coupled with an electric car charging network of battery switch stations and charge spots powered by renewable energy along with intelligent transport systems.

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