Audi is pricing its 2020 A8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid with a MSRP of $94,000 in the US. Joining the flagship sedan model line, the Audi A8 TFSI e serves as the first plug-in hybrid variant of the A8. (Earlier post.) By comparison, the starting MSRP for a 2020 Audi... Read more →

GKN Automotive, a leading global supplier of electric drive, all-wheel drive and driveline technology and systems, and Delta Electronics Inc., a world-class provider of power and thermal management solutions, will collaborate on the joint development of next-generation integrated 3-in-1 (inverter, motor and transmission fully integrated) eDrive systems of power classes... Read more →

A team from the Beijing Institute of Technology and Beiqi Foton Motor are proposing a performance optimization strategy for the Atkinson cycle gasoline engine, which is playing a key role in the development of hybrid electric vehicles due to its greater fuel economy than a conventional Otto cycle engine. A... Read more →

Toyota Motor Europe reported 2019 sales of 1,089,422 Toyota and Lexus vehicles, an increase of +5.2% from 2018. Total market share for the group rose to 5.3%, in a European market which was stable year on year. With more than 550,000 hybrid electric vehicles sold, representing 52% of the total... Read more →

Ford is investing €42 million (US$46.6 million) in its Valencia, Spain manufacturing plant to support the company’s electrification strategy with a state-of-the-art battery assembly facility in addition to new S-MAX Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid models. Two new assembly lines will enable the advanced lithium-ion batteries that help power all-new Kuga... Read more →

Over the last five years, Rolls-Royce has been pioneering world-first technology that will contribute to the UK’s next-generation Tempest program, which is developing a sixth-generation jet fighter for the British Royal Air Force and the Italian Aeronautica Militare (AMI). The “Team Tempest” consortium comprises the UK Ministry of Defense, BAE... Read more →

Audi of America is introducing its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of its bestselling SUV, the Audi Q5. The Audi Q5 TFSI e (earlier post) will be joined by the A8 TFSI e and the Audi A7 TFSI e in the coming months. The Audi Q5 TFSI e is equipped... Read more →

The BMW Group is introducing new plug-in hybrid models: the new BMW X1 xDrive25e and the new BMW X2 xDrive25e. The electric drive and a latest-generation lithium-ion battery enable an electrically powered range of up to 57 kilometers (35 miles) in the two new plug-in hybrid models. The new BMW... Read more →

The Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda will be the first FCA models to adopt the group’s new hybrid technology. The 500 and Panda will be available with a new gasoline mild hybrid engine that combines the latest 3-cylinder FireFly 1.0-liter engine family with a 12-volt BSG electric motor and a... Read more →

ZF has developed a new hybrid driveline for the Dakar off-road race. ZF, in cooperation with MKR Technology, has fitted the Riwald Dakar team’s Renault C640 with this new driveline developed especially for this objective. The core of this driveline is a special prototype of ZF’s central electric axle drive,... Read more →

FCA’s Jeep brand is utilizing CES to showcase three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the first step in the brand’s plan to offer electrification options on all models by 2022. All Jeep electrified vehicles will carry a new “Jeep 4xe badge.” Additional information about the Jeep Wrangler, Compass and Renegade... Read more →

Solaris will supply seven Urbino 12 series-hybrid buses to Ząbkowice Śląskie, Poland by 31 July 2020. The buses will serve on routes of the new public transport lines to be established in the municipality. The seven 12-meter buses feature a series-hybrid drive consisting of a 120 kW electric motor and... Read more →

Copper use in automotive wire harness will continue to grow according to new research commissioned by the International Copper Association (ICA). The research, conducted by Martec Group, found that the average weight of copper use per vehicle in automotive wire harnesses globally increased from 11.0 kg in 2016 to 12.6... Read more →

The BMW Group has delivered half a million electrified cars to customers worldwide so far. The company aims to have one million electrified vehicles on the road within two years, said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. Next year, the BMW X3 will become the... Read more →

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has selected BAE Systems to supply electric power and propulsion systems for its transit buses. BAE Series-ER (Electric Range) systems will operate on 68 transit buses and support designated green zone routes throughout San Francisco that are free of emissions. BAE’s series hybrid... Read more →

GKN Automotive launched the next phase in its electrification strategy. The leading supplier of all-wheel drive and electric driveline technology and systems is standardizing a range of intelligent highly integrated “3-in-1” P4 electric drive systems for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, in a move to decrease cost and increase... Read more →

Vitesco Technologies, the Powertrain business area of Continental, presented at the CTI Symposium in Berlin (9-12 December 2019) a cost-effective and compact dedicated hybrid transmission solution with integrated electric machines, designed for use in applications such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). At the heart of Vitesco Technologies’ solution is... Read more →

Presales of the Audi Q7 TFSI e quattro (combined fuel consumption 3.0–2.8 l/100km; combined electric power consumption 22.9–21.9 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 69–64 g/km) have just started in Germany and other European countries. The SUV, the plug-in hybrid drive of which combines a three-liter V6 gasoline engine with a... Read more →

Americans are much less likely than consumers in other major industrialized countries to purchase an electric vehicle or hybrid, largely because of concerns over access to charging stations away from home, according to a survey by global consulting firm OC&C Strategy Consultants. The survey, which included 10,000 respondents across five... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz Cars has opened a factory for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) batteries in the Bangkok region in Thailand. The new battery factory was built on a 50,000 m² site located at the vehicle manufacturing plant in the Bangkok region. The new plant is the third production facility in the company’s global... Read more →

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota introduced its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RAV4 performance model with an estimated 302-horsepower, advanced all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension and exclusive design features. In addition to an ability to do 0-60 mph in a projected 5.8 seconds—the second quickest acceleration time in the Toyota... Read more →

The technology group Wärtsilä and Singapore-based PSA Marine will collaborate in the co-creation of smart technologies for the marine sector. The focus will be on solutions that are human-centric and deployable. Specific collaboration areas envisioned include the use of electric or hybrid technologies that further the use of low-emissions energy... Read more →

Planned investments and development costs for future areas such as hybridization, electric mobility and digitalization will total roughly EUR 60 billion between 2020 and 2024 Share of planned spend for future topics increased in Planning Round 68 to approximately 40 percent from approximately 30 percent in the previous Planning Round... Read more →

ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Danfoss Silicon Power GmbH have extended their existing cooperation with a new strategic partnership for silicon- and silicon-carbide power modules. The partners plan to improve the efficiency of electric drivelines by leveraging engineering and cost benefits at the interface between power modules and inverters. The partnership... Read more →

Hyundai said it will introduce 13 alternatively fueled vehicles by 2022, including six sedans and seven SUVs. Upcoming highlights from this eco-friendly commitment include a refreshed 2020 Ioniq Electric, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid to be revealed later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition, the all-new Sonata... Read more →

MAHLE Powertrain is presenting a new, prototype 48-volt battery with optimized battery cooling and cell chemistry to enable increased charge and discharge rates. Mild-hybrid vehicles need to recover energy efficiently and at a relatively high power during deceleration events. High storage capacity is not required for these applications as the... Read more →

Automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is supplying its modular hybrid transmission to the 2020 Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility, as well as the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. One of Schaeffler’s latest E-Mobility technologies, the modular hybrid transmission enables hybridization for the SUV, truck and off-road vehicle segments, while providing more... Read more →

INFINITI’s future models will offer drivers a choice of electrified powertrains as the brand embraces new technology to propel its vehicles. (Earlier post.) These include fully-electric systems, as well as a gasoline-generated EV system (known as e-POWER at Nissan, earlier post) in which a gasoline engine generates electrical power stored... Read more →

ABB officially opened a new plant for energy storage systems for mobility applications today in Baden, Switzerland. The energy storage systems will be used in railways, e-buses/trolleybuses and e-trucks. The facility represents an important investment in Switzerland as a production location. ABB has already received orders for energy storage systems... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has put the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) on hold after receiving voucher requests for its entire $142-million budget. More than 100 truck and bus fleets requested funding for vehicles produced by more than 20 manufacturers. CARB, in partnership... Read more →

Ford is extending its European plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) trial to Cologne. The study, which is also testing Ford PHEVs on the streets of London and Valencia, Spain, aims to better analyse and show the real-world benefits of such vehicles for the environment and for commercial vehicle owners and... Read more →

Volkswagen has unveiled the eighth generation of the Golf—the most successful Volkswagen model, having sold more than 35 million units. The newest Golf is digitalized, networked, predictive, intuitively operated and electrified, with five hybrid versions from mild to plug-in. Its digital interior architecture opens up a new dimension of intuitive... Read more →

Honda is further accelerating its electrification plans for Europe by moving forward its goal for all of its European mainstream models to feature electrified powertrains by 2022. Announced during an Electric Vision event in Amsterdam, the new target is three years ahead of the previously announced 2025 goal. This acceleration... Read more →

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the MI-TECH CONCEPT electrified small SUV concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. The company is also showcasing the twin-motor, 4WD Engelberg Tourer, unveiled in March in Geneva (earlier post). We are dedicated to electrification technology, particularly plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). We will be expanding... Read more →

Toyota Motor Europe reported strong performance continuing into the third quarter 2019 driven by new model introductions and increased demand for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). The company announced Jan-Sep total vehicle sales of 838,691 units across the region in a declining market, reporting 3.1% growth year-on-year, showing an increase of... Read more →

In Japan, Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) unveiled the new model Yaris. Scheduled to go on sale in Japan starting in mid-February 2020, the new Yaris will be exhibited at VenusFort in Odaiba, Tokyo during the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. The new Yaris will also be displayed in showrooms throughout Japan... Read more →

Volvo Buses is launching a new electrically-powered articulated bus that can carry up to 150 passengers and with 80% lower energy consumption compared to a corresponding diesel bus. With the Volvo 7900 Electric Articulated, Volvo Buses is making it attractive to electrify even high-frequency bus routes with large numbers of... Read more →

Audi is introducing a plug-in hybrid version of its A8 L luxury sedan. The combination of plug-in hybrid drive and intelligent drive management allows distances of up to 46 kilometers (28.6 mi) (measured in accordance with WLTP) to be covered with electric drive alone. System power of 330 kW (449... Read more →

New Flyer of America Inc. has successfully met and supported the launch of the San Francisco Green Zone requirement, using New Flyer Connect to execute GPS-triggered (geofencing) functionality with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and BAE Systems PLC (BAE). Green Zones support San Francisco’s approach to greenhouse gas... Read more →

XL, a growing provider of vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, made two significant announcements designed to capitalize on the company’s current momentum and position the business for rapid, sustainable growth in 2020 and beyond. First, on 4 October, XL acquired the electrification division of Quantum Fuel Systems,... Read more →

The Audi A6 allroad is making its US return in 2020 with a specially tuned adaptive air suspension and quattro with ultra technology. The 2020 A6 allroad is standard equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI engine and Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology that work in tandem to efficiently produce... Read more →

The technology group Wärtsilä will engineer, supply, and install complete battery hybrid packages in two offshore supply vessels owned by the Norway-based operator Atlantic Offshore. The upgrading project will be carried out at the Fitjar shipyard in Norway. By converting the vessels to hybrid propulsion, the owners will benefit through... Read more →

Global sales of BMW Group electrified models (fully-electric and plug-in hybrid) increased by 10.1% in September year-on-year to 16,035 units—due in part to the new BMW 330e. Sales of electrified vehicles for the first nine months have dropped by 1% at 96,570 units, compared to the same period last year.... Read more →

In the US, Toyota announced it will extend its hybrid battery warranty from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 10 years from date of first use/150,000 miles, whichever comes first. This extension is valid for all new model year 2020 Toyota hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles. All... Read more →

Dana Incorporated and Valeo announced a global collaboration to develop and to supply 48-volt electric-vehicle systems for new-mobility applications, including low-speed electric and hybrid e-AWD vehicles. The first system is scheduled to launch in early 2020 with a major European automaker on series-produced cars. The joint development will provide customers... Read more →

Volvo Cars and Geely intend to merge their existing combustion engine operations into a stand-alone business in order to establish a new global supplier that will seek to develop next generation combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. The proposed new business would clear the way for Volvo Cars to focus on... Read more →

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a competitive grant solicitation for an administrator to implement the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20. This solicitation includes an option for new Grant Agreements for fiscal years FY 2020-21 and FY 2021‑22, if... Read more →

At the Tokyo Motor Show lather this month, Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will unveil the MI-TECH CONCEPT—a small plug-in hybrid SUV featuring a 4-motor 4WD system called Quad Motor with Dual Motor AYC (active yaw control) with 2-motors for both front and rear axle. The light and compact PHEV drive system... Read more →

At the Aachen Colloquium next week, Ricardo and Geely will present research work into the application of the Ricardo Magma xEV gasoline engine concept into a commercial vehicle series hybrid powertrain, delivering 45% brake thermal efficiency. The Ricardo Magma concept was developed as a deep Miller cycle engine (earlier post)... Read more →

p>MAHLE Powertrain will showcase its new MMHP (MAHLE Modular Hybrid Powertrain) fully integrated and modular hybrid drive (earlier post), which can be tailored to suit a wide range of vehicle applications, at Aachen Colloquium 7-9 October. The MMHP is a fully integrated, plug-in hybrid drive that incorporates a highly efficient... Read more →