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 →

OptiFuel Systems, a system integrator of Cummins and BAE Systems hybrid power products for decarbonizing the rail, marine, and microgrid power market, is in the process of finalizing a $2.6 million US Department of Energy (DOE) grant to demonstrate a pre-production Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) hybrid 4,300 hp line-haul locomotive.... Read more →

Jeep is taking orders in Europe for the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe plug-in hybrids (earlier post)—the first electrified Jeep models in the EMEA Region. The Jeep 4xe models will debut in Jeep showrooms across Europe in September with three trim levels: ‘Limited’, ‘S’ and ‘Trailhawk’, two power levels—190 or... Read more →

BAE Systems has been awarded a $32-million prototype agreement by the US Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) to integrate a Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) system onto a Bradley Fighting Vehicle—a tracked vehicle. The development program is part of the Army’s effort to increase vehicle efficiency and boost... Read more →

With the refresh for 2021 Camry models, Toyota is introducing the first XSE Hybrid grade, combining the Camry’s most fuel-efficient powertrain with its highest expression of the sport and luxury blend. All 2021 Camry models debut Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, the automaker’s newest version of the groundbreaking driver assist technology... Read more →

LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) is launching the VN5, its new electric light commercial van. Available to order now, first VN5 deliveries will commence in RHD form in Q4, with LHD models available from March 2021. Based on the same architecture and proven eCity range-extender technology as LEVC’s TX electric... Read more →

Rheinmetall Automotive AG, part of technology group Rheinmetall AG, has received a major order from an international OEM for electrical vacuum pumps. The order extends to a lifetime volume of €250 million. The components will be manufactured by Pierburg Huayu Pump Technology (PHP), a Shanghai-based joint venture company of Rheinmetall... Read more →

Buick is adding the VELITE 6 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to its new energy vehicle (NEV) portfolio in China. The model is expected to be launched this month. The VELITE 6 PHEV will be powered by Buick eMotion electric drive technology that leverages GM’s global electrification expertise. It will... Read more →

Volkswagen has premiered the new Tiguan, now available with a plug-in hybrid drive option for select markets (not including the US), the Tiguan eHybrid. (Earlier post.) Tiguan eHybrid The Volkswagen Tiguan is Europe’s most successful Sports Utility Vehicle and one of the top-selling SUVs in the world. More than six... Read more →

Ford has revealed its all-new F-150 pickup. The new F-150 targets the most towing, payload, torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup, introduces all-new features to increase customer productivity, has new connected vehicle innovations such as over-the-air updates, and offers an available all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid powertrain with Pro... Read more →

Hyliion Inc., a developer of electrified powertrain solutions for Class 8 commercial vehicles, launched its Hypertruck Electric Range Extender (ERX), a long-haul, natural-gas series-hybrid electric powertrain. The launch of the Hypertruck ERX is anchored by Agility, one of the world’s leading logistics companies with $5.2 billion in revenue and offices... Read more →

New York City Transit Authority has selected BAE Systems to supply 435 electric hybrid power and propulsion systems for its new fleet of transit buses, reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The Series-E systems will be produced at BAE’s manufacturing facilities in Endicott, New York, which provide more than 1,300... Read more →

Volkswagen will offer a plug-in hybrid drive generating 160 kW (218 PS) for the updated Arteon product line for the first time, in addition to offering TSI (gasoline) and (in some markets) TDI (diesel) options. The Arteon has been the Volkswagen Gran Turismo since 2017. Volkswagen is now unveiling a... Read more →

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery Co., Ltd. will begin studying joint development of next-generation vehicle batteries for Nissan’s e-POWER vehicles. (Earlier post.) The two companies will also discuss the development of an efficient production system to ensure stable supply capacity for jointly developed batteries. Nissan and... Read more →

Danfoss Editron has been selected by Danish shipbuilder and operator MHO-Co to deliver the drivetrain systems that will power the UK’s first two hybrid crew transfer vessels (CTV). The CTVs will serve Ørsted’s Hornsea Two offshore wind farm, which will be located approximately 55 miles off the Yorkshire coast in... Read more →

Australian startup H2X has launched with the mission of producing a range of hydrogen-powered hybrid vehicles targeting different applications and markets. The company was founded by a well-experienced team from the automotive and new energy field, which has been working together over more than 5 years. The core of the... Read more →

Chevrolet launched five new Orlando variants in China featuring 48V mild hybrid technology. The additions include a choice of five- and seven-seat models as well as sporty Redline variants, with a selection of six exterior colors. They are priced between RMB 136,900 and RMB 159,900 (US$19,350 to $22,600). The Orlando... Read more →

BMW has launched the second-generation plug-in hybrid X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, the X5 xDrive45e, in the US. (Earlier post.) The US X5 xDrive45e arrives with a SULEV Super ultra-low emissions vehicle rating which can bring additional benefits in states which offer special consideration to drivers of electrified vehicles, such as... Read more →

After more than two years of preparation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV) produced Toyota’s first hybrid transaxle in North America this previous week. An initial $113-million investment was announced in late 2017 for TMMWV to yearly produce 120,000 hybrid transaxles, which replaces the conventional transmission in hybrid vehicles. The... Read more →

Toyota has launched the new model RAV4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) (earlier post) through dealerships in Japan. Since its debut in 1994, RAV4 has pioneered the crossover SUV market, and remains the market leader. The fifth generation RAV4 was released in April 2019. It has been popular with many... Read more →

The new Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid, with a fourth-generation technology system, offers a best-in-class EPA-estimated economy rating of 100 MPGe combined and an EPA-estimated 37 miles of all-electric driving range. The original Ford Escape was the world’s first hybrid SUV and the all-new Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid represents how far... Read more →

Exelon Corporation today announced that its six electric and gas utilities will continue advancing transportation electrification to benefit customers and communities by taking major steps to electrify its fleet of vehicles. Exelon’s utilities, which serve approximately 10 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and... Read more →

American shipbuilding company Vigor Fab LLC has selected ABB as the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage system provider for the newest additions to the Washington State Ferry fleet—the largest US ferry system. The new Olympic Class ferries, which will have the capacity to carry 144 cars and 1,500 passengers each,... Read more →

Using telematics, NYC Fleet, part of New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), recently analyzed actual fuel economy in its hybrid and non-hybrid vehicles and compared it to the EPA ratings for each make and model. The results showed that hybrids performed better against their EPA ratings than... Read more →

As expected, new car registrations in Europe faced a steady decline in April. Volume fell from 1.34 million units in April 2019 to 292,600 vehicles in April 2020, according to JATO Dynamics. This represents the lowest monthly level since the 1970s, and the worst result among the big three markets:... Read more →

Groupe PSA and Punch Powertrain have signed an agreement to establish a second Joint Venture and to expand their strategic partnership in the field of electrification. Punch Powertrain holds majority control in the new Joint 61/39 Venture, which will design, manufacture, and supply Punch Powertrain’s DT2 dual clutch transmission for... Read more →

Clayton Equipment, the only British independent locomotive manufacturer in the UK capable of designing and manufacturing locomotives up to 150 tonnes, has agreed a contract with Beacon Rail Leasing for the supply of 15 Hybrid CBD90 shunting locomotives along with options for a period of three years. The exclusive agreement... Read more →

BMW will launch the new X2 xDrive25e SAC (“Sport Activity Coupé”) PHEV, announced in January (earlier post), in Europe in July 2020 with pricing from €47,250 (US$51,800). The new BMW X2 xDrive25e features the fourth and latest generation of BMW eDrive technology developed for the plug-in hybrid models. An electric... Read more →

BMW announced the updated, 2021 7th generation 5 Series Sedan. The MY2021 models feature improvements in exterior and interior design, aerodynamics and technology, plus the introduction of a new 48-volt mild hybrid system and a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The 2021 BMW 5 Series lineup includes the: 248 hp 530i... Read more →

Toyota unveiled the 2021 Venza midsize two-row crossover utility vehicle (CUV). The all-new 2021 Venza comes equipped exclusively with the Toyota Hybrid System II powertrain and advanced Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive. The Venza brings the number of Toyota Hybrids available to 10—Mirai makes it 11 electrified vehicles—for 2021, more than... Read more →

Karma Automotive announced its newest flexible and modular E-Flex platform with two motor all-wheel drive (AWD) and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) architecture (e.g., earlier post). The new platform is the final of five demonstration projects designed to illustrate Karma’s technical direction and capabilities using highly versatile EREV and battery... Read more →

Volta Power Systems has partnered with Stellar Industries to provide lithium-ion power systems that reduce idling from fleet utility and work trucks. The auxiliary system stores enough energy to provide all-day power to operate hydraulics, power tools, and multiphase worksite power without idling. Available as an accessory to replace a... Read more →

In the first quarter of 2020, the electrically-chargeable vehicle segment in Europe significantly increased its market share, rising to 6.8% (from 2.5% in Q1 2019) against the backdrop of the overall decline in passenger car registrations due to the COVID-19 outbreak. By contrast, demand for diesel and gasoline vehicles tumbled... Read more →

In China, Wuling launched its first electric minivan, the Rong Guang EV, and Chevrolet launched four new Monza variants featuring 48V mild hybrid technology. In China, General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Holden, Baojun and Wuling brands. Rong Guang... Read more →