AUDI AG plans a total investment of approximately €35 billion, in spite of a difficult business environment, to 2025. Some €17 billion of that, amounting to half of the investment sum, is allocated to future technologies alone. Audi has earmarked approximately €15 billion for electromobility and hybridization, thus underlining the... Read more →

SEAT continues to expand its range of electrified vehicles, as the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID enters production this week. The plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s flagship delivers a maximum power of 245PS (180kW), making it the most powerful Tarraco produced to date. With a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery back, it... Read more →

Audi will be competing in the famous Dakar Rally for the first time in 2022 with an innovative prototype. The alternative drive concept combines an electric drivetrain with a high-voltage battery and a highly efficient energy converter for the first time. Cross-country rallying will be the spearhead of the factory... Read more →

SEAT has invested more than €30 million in recent years to create the most advanced powertrain test center in southern Europe. The facilities are equipped with nine multi-energy test benches, which enable different types of tests to be carried out on internal combustion, electric, hybrid and CNG engines, with the... Read more →

Volkswagen’s new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake are available in Europe as plug-in hybrid models. Prices in Germany start from €51,064.37 (US$60,800) for the Arteon eHybrid with a hatchback and from €51,927.06 (US$61,900) for the Arteon Shooting Brake eHybrid. Volkswagen now offers the Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Passat Estate, Arteon, Arteon... Read more →

Nissan launched the all-new Note compact car in Japan, with sales planned to begin 23 December. The new Note will come exclusively with Nissan’s e-POWER electrified powertrain (earlier post). As the company’s best-selling model in its home market, the car continues to play a key role in the Nissan NEXT... Read more →

Buick’s vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology made its debut at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition. Later this year, Buick will become the first brand in China officially to roll out the market-ready technology on a production vehicle, a Buick GL8. V2X technology has a crucial role to play in improving safety and... Read more →

Three of the most popular plug-in hybrids in 2020 all emitted more CO2 than advertised when tested in the real world, according to tests commissioned by European environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). T&E said governments should therefore end the purchase subsidies and tax breaks for plug-in hybrids. T&E has... Read more →

XL Fleet announced that Farmbro Inc., an Ontario-based upfitting solutions service provider specializing in commercial and work vehicles, expects to double its sales volume from approximately 1,000 XL unit installations in 2020 to more than 2,000 in 2021 to meet the increasing demand for fleet electrification in Canada. As part... Read more →

Daimler AG and Geely Holding, the respective parent companies of Mercedes-Benz AG and Volvo Cars, plan to collaborate on developing highly efficient powertrain systems for next-generation hybrid vehicle applications. The companies expect to work together on hybrid powertrain solutions to enhance their global competitiveness and create economies of scale. Areas... Read more →

XL Fleet announced that the Company’s XLP plug-in hybrid electric drive technology is being expanded for use across a range of fleet vehicles from General Motors. The platform is expected to begin shipping on select configurations of the Chevrolet and GMC Silverado / Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD pickup... Read more →

BYD launched its DM-i hybrid technology alongside the official announcement of the high efficiency version of the 1.5L Xiaoyun engine, which is dedicated for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). After defining new performance standards for PHEVs with its DM-p technology, BYD is prioritizing ultra-efficient fuel consumption with the DM-i technology. The... Read more →

Buick will introduce the 2021 GL6 to strengthen its lineup in China’s midsize MPV segment. It will officially go on sale on 19 November. The refreshed family-size GL6 is equipped with a standard 48V mild hybrid propulsion system. It also has a refined interior and offers an elevated connected experience... Read more →

Audi has introduced the latest version of the SQ5 TDI diesel. The SQ5 TDI was first introduced in the fall of 2012 as the first Audi S model powered by a diesel engine. In its latest version, the three-liter V6 delivers 251 kW (341 PS) and 700 N·m (516.3 lb-ft)... Read more →

Hyundai committed to offer ten electrified vehicles by the end of 2022, including seven SUVs and three car models. This product blitz includes eco solutions for many of Hyundai’s current products as well as all-new models, such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Product details for these Hyundai models... Read more →

Infinitum Electric, developer of the printed circuit board (PCB) motor (earlier post), announced an agreement with a leading US automotive supplier to support the development of a hybrid vehicle. Under the agreement, Infinitum Electric will validate performance of its IEm Series motor using oil cooling techniques before building a purposefully... Read more →

Hyundai announced a sustained product blitz of 12 new and enhanced SUVs continuing through the 2021 calendar year. The fresh pipeline of new SUV products will include new and refined internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in, BEV and N performance models. These models include the Tucson, Santa Fe, Kona, Santa Cruz and... Read more →

Ulstein has introduced its second hydrogen hybrid vessel design for the offshore industry. The ULSTEIN J102 zero emission wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), can operate 75% of the time in zero emission mode. Using readily available technology, the additional cost is limited to less than 5% of the total CAPEX.... Read more →

In the third quarter of 2020, 9.9% of passenger cars sold in the EU were electrically-chargeable vehicles, compared to 3.0% during the same period last year, according to data from the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). The support measures introduced by various countries to stimulate car demand amid the... Read more →

Global automotive semiconductor revenue for 2020 will exceed initial expectations, primarily due to an increase in the average semiconductor value per car sold this year, according to a new forecast by IHS Markit. IHS Markit now expects semiconductor revenue to contract in 2020 by -9.6% to just over $38 billion,... Read more →

As part of its newly announced 30-year environmental plan, Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) says that it will raise the proportion of electrified vehicles in its total sales—with a focus on its plug-in hybrids) to 50% by 2030. The plan, which represents a medium- to long-term perspective, comprises three parts: MMC’s Environmental... Read more →

JATO Dynamic’s data for 27 markets in Europe shows that the total number of electrified cars registered in September (encompassing pure electric, plug-in hybrids, full hybrids and mild hybrids) was higher than the number of registrations for diesel cars. For the first time in the modern era, alternative-fuelled-vehicles outsold one... Read more →

The Nikkei reports that Nissan will switch all models sold in China to either electric or hybrid vehicles by 2025. The move follows an announcement that China will require all new vehicles sold in 2035 to be “eco-friendly.” Nissan will introduce nine models in China by 2025 that will either... Read more →

Mercedes-Benz AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc announced a new strategic technology agreement and an enhanced partnership. The new agreement will see Mercedes-Benz AG grant access to a range of advanced Mercedes-Benz technologies, including next generation hybrid and electric powertrains, as well as other vehicle components and systems.... Read more →

Porsche has increased the electric range of all its Cayenne plug-in hybrid models. The gross capacity of the high-voltage battery is now 17.9 kWh rather than 14.1 kWh, which boosts the electric range by up to 30%. Measured in line with the WLTP EAER City cycle, the Cayenne E-Hybrid can... Read more →

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its advanced Energy Storage System (ESS) to be retrofitted on four Harvey Energy class LNG-fueled Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs). A fifth vessel in this class was earlier fitted with a Wärtsilä ESS. Louisiana-based Harvey Gulf placed this latest order with Wärtsilä in October. Harvey... Read more →

Volkswagen is ramping up its hybrid offensive. The Touareg is now available to order in two different plug-in hybrid versions: the Touareg eHybrid and the Touareg R. Both variants are characterized by an electric range of up to 47 kilometers (WLTP) and low average consumptions. Touareg eHybrid (left) and Touareg... Read more →

Now on sale nationwide in the US, the 2021 Audi Q5 TFSI e, A7 TFSI e and A8 TFSI e plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) combine Audi’s premium appointments and driving dynamics with integrated hybrid technology and smartphone app functionality. The 2021 Audi Q5 TFSI e, updated with sharpened design and... Read more →

Swiss shipbuilding company Shiptec AG, based in Lucerne, and Siemens Energy SRL, Milan, have selected Leclanché to supply energy storage systems for two new hybrid-powered vessels that will operate on Lake Geneva. The two ships, each with a capacity of 700 passengers, will replace existing diesel-powered vessels and will be... Read more →

East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Hitachi, Ltd., and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into an agreement to collaborate on development of test railway vehicles equipped with hybrid systems that use hydrogen powered fuel cells and storage batteries as their source of electricity. The partners will combine their railway and... Read more →

Honda supports INDYCAR’s announcement of a new hybrid power unit formula, to take effect with the start of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Honda Performance Development (HPD) is readying a 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid power unit capable of producing more than 900 horsepower. Honda welcomes this step to the... Read more →

XL Fleet and Pivotal Investment Corporation II, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), have recently entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon closing, the combined company will be named XL Fleet and is expected to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange under a new ticker symbol,... Read more →

A new analysis of the real-world usage of more than 100,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles shows a large deviation between on-road CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency and the official vehicle type-approval values. The results of the joint study, released by German Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI and... Read more →

By Randal Beattie, President, SAKOR Technologies Inc. Over the past decade, most transportation markets, from automotive, to military, aircraft, and even space systems have seen a tremendous surge of interest in hybrid and electric vehicle technology. To gain the promised efficiency benefits and green profile of these vehicles, it is... Read more →

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) released a first look at the redesigned Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the next step in the company’s commitment to delivering a showroom full of new and extensively redesigned vehicles in the United States by the second quarter of 2021. The new Eclipse Cross will offer a plug-in... Read more →

LiquidPiston, Inc., a developer of advanced rotary internal combustion engines for diesel and jet fuels (earlier post), received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the US Army for the development of its X-Engine as a hybrid-electric propulsion platform for UAVs. The company showcased its X-Engine powered... Read more →

Hyundai Motor Company launched the all-new Hyundai Tucson. The fourth-generation compact SUV (C-SUV) is a global model, with a long-wheelbase variantand a short-wheelbase variant for meeting various customer needs. It offers roominess, state-of-the-art digital experiences and an array of powertrains, including internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. 2022 Tucson The... Read more →

Verkehr und Wasser GmbH (VWG) in Oldenburg, Germany has acquired 15 new MAN Lion’s City 12 G EfficientHybrid natural gas buses. The new buses have a crankshaft starter generator on board that converts braking recuperation energy into electrical energy. When the new MAN buses brake, then that is a real... Read more →

Solaris is introducing the Solaris Urbino mild hybrid. The first Urbino hybrid was displayed in 2006. Back then, Solaris was the first European producer offering a serially produced bus with a hybrid (diesel-electric) drive. New generations of hybrid buses have been part of Solaris’ offer ever since. However, the mild... Read more →

In the second quarter of 2020, the market share of electrically-chargeable vehicles increased to 7.2% of total EU car sales, compared to a 2.4% share during the same period last year, according to figures from ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association). Source: ACEA The overall decline in passenger car registrations as... Read more →

Jeep unveiled an all-new Grand Wagoneer Concept, including an electrified powertrain and 4x4 off-road systems. The original Jeep Wagoneer was an SUV marque of Jeep, and sold from the 1963-1993 model years. The Grand Wagoneer made its debut in 1984 and marked the beginning of the premium SUV. The Grand... Read more →

The Jeep brand has introduced its new Wrangler 4xe plug-oin hybrid. Jeep Wrangler 4xe models will be available in Europe, China and the United States by early 2021. The Jeep Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe models—introduced last year in Geneva—began arriving in Europe this summer. The new Jeep 4xe models... Read more →

Toyota Motor Corporation has released the Yaris Cross, a new-model compact SUV. The Yaris Cross will be available through Toyota dealers nationwide from 31 August. As with the Yaris, the all-new Yaris Cross adopts the TNGA platform (GA-B). As a package that can make full use of this performance, in... Read more →

Allison Transmission, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions and a supplier of commercial vehicle propulsion solutions, including electric hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, launched its new zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV)-capable electric hybrid system, the eGen Flex, as the initial product offering under its new Allison eGen... Read more →

The US Department of Energy announced $33 million in funding for 17 projects as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Aviation-class Synergistically Cooled Electric-motors with iNtegrated Drives (ASCEND) and Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency (REEACH) programs. ASCEND projects work to develop innovative,... Read more →

Hyliion Inc., a provider of electrified powertrain solutions for Class 8 commercial vehicles, and Dana Incorporated, a leader in commercial vehicle drivetrains known for its Spicer Electrified technologies, have launched a national program with Idealease to demonstrate Hyliion’s Hybrid Diesel Powertrain to Idealease customers. Idealease is a North American full-service... Read more →

With almost 50,000 units, BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid models were the most successful electrified models in the BMW Group’s portfolio worldwide in 2019. With an increase from two to five models featuring innovative plug-in hybrid drive by November 2020, the new BMW 5 Series offers the largest range of... Read more →

New Flyer and Allison Transmission, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions and a supplier of commercial vehicle propulsion solutions, including electric hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, will deliver 50 Allison electric hybrid equipped buses to the largest transit authority in the US, New York... Read more →

Volvo Car Group, including its strategic affiliates Lynk & Co and Polestar, produce vehicles based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, introduced in 2017. To the end of July more than 600,000 group vehicles based on the platform have been sold. The CMA platform, co-developed by Volvo Cars and... Read more →

Buick has strengthened its commitment to electrification in China with the launch of the VELITE 7 electric vehicle and VELITE 6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The VELITE 7 is the first all-electric SUV in Buick’s new energy vehicle portfolio, offering 500 kilometers (311 miles) of range on a single... Read more →