The Energy Blog

Use of Li-ion PT Cuiser as a NYC Yellow Cab Approved

Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB:HYBT.OB - News) www.hybridtechnologies.com, developers of lithium powered products announced that after a unanimous City Council vote, Hybrid will now supply a lithium powered L-PT Cruiser, previous post, for use as a NYC Yellow Cab.

The all lithium taxi, with a top speed of 70 mph and a range of over 150 miles using Kokam batteries, will be hitting the streets of New York City within the next two months. It is anticipated that the L version taxi will also be used to highlight the Yellow Cabs 100th Anniversary in NYC which commences in 2007.

Ballard Power Systems 312V 67 MS electric drive system has been selected for the NYC lithium taxi due to its design and durability

One Sleek Beauty: the Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster, a two-seat electric vehicle being commercialized by Tesla Motors has become the poster child for electric cars. The company claims the vehicle will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in about 4 seconds and travel 250 miles per charge, at an operating cost of about 1 cent per mile.

The combination of a lithium-ion battery pack, a 248-horsepower electric motor, an aluminum chassis, and a beautiful design has gained the company plenty of media attention and led people to reserve the first 100 cars. Their initial run of 100 cars sold out in less than three weeks. Demand was so strong, Tesla Motors found itself bumping people, on the waiting list, who ordered a car but couldn't pony up the $100,000 deposit fast enough, said Mike Harrigan, Tesla's vice president of marketing.

Hybrid Technologies To Produce Lithium-Ion Powered Taxis

Pursuant to negotiations with the York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Hybrid Technologies (OTC BB: HYBT.OB) will build a taxi version of the lithium PT Cruiser. The taxi version of the L-PT Cruiser will be produced in Mooresville, NC and will be tested at the development facility.

Speed: Over 70 mph / 112 km/h
Range: Over 150 miles / 160 km
Charge Time: 1-8 hours with either a 110-120 V or 220-240 V
Batteries: Kokam (South Korea)
Battery Weight: There are approximately 600 lbs / 272 kg of lithium cells
Power System: 320 V
Cycle Life: 1500 + charges (DOD 100%) 2,500 cylcles (DOD 80%)
Vehicle weight: 3000 lbs / 1365 kg

Myers Motors' New NmG (No more Gas) Electric Vehicle

For those of you who have said that you would buy an electric car if it was available, here it is. Part car, part motorcycle, Myers Motors' (privately owned) new NmG (No more Gas) vehicle.

Manufactured entirely in Tallmadge, Ohio, the NmG is the nation's only all-electric, highway-legal vehicle that can hit 70 mph and costs less than $25,000, said Dana Myers, founder and president of Myers Motors. The NmG is a fully enclosed for all weather driving, single passenger vehicle with two front wheels and a single drive wheel in the rear. Charging takes four to six hours. It costs about 2 cents a mile for the electricity used to charge the batteries.

Most people drive fewer than 12 miles to work, so the NmG can be useful for commuters. It also can be driven in a high-occupancy-vehicle lane.

Altair Batteries to be used in EV

Has the lithium revolution arrived?

Today Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI), announced that it has received a $750,000 initial order for its fast charge, high powered batteries from Phoenix Motorcars.

The battery packs will be engineered and manufactured at Altairnano's Anderson, Indiana facility and will utilize Altairnano's proprietary nano-lithium ion battery technology.  Phoenix Motor Cars is using the engineering services of Boshart Engineering, Inc., based in Ontario, California, to develop the battery integration, validation, certification and regulatory testing.

"Altairnano's nano-lithium battery technology, when integrated with an optimized electric drive train could provide the impetus to rejuvenate and realize the promise of the electric vehicle vision" commented Daniel Riegert, Chairman of Phoenix Motorcars.  "We are preparing for the manufacture and distribution of several thousand vehicles over the next few years."

Subaru to Start Prototype Production of R1e

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has procured 10 Subaru R1e electric vehicles. The vehicle is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and has a range of 80 kilometers (50 miles).  TEPCO has plans to acquire 3000 electric vehicles over the next 6 years.

More and somewhat different details can be found here.

Resource: Fuji Heavy Supplies Electric Vehicles to Tokyo Electric Power, Energy Central, June 21, 2006

A123 Unveils Hybrid Vehicle Battery Pack

A123 unveiled a new hybrid battery pack this week at the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference in Baltimore. It could be appearing in vehicles within three years, says Ric Fulop, one of the company's founders and its vice president of marketing and business development. He also said that they could make hybrid vehicles cheaper and more convenient, while maintaining or improving performance. The pack, smaller than a carton of cigarettes, weighs about as much as a small laptop computer. Ten packs would replace the 45-kilogram battery in the Prius, Fulop says; and if one failed, the consumer could continue to drive the car using the remaining batteries, then replace the faulty one as easily as changing the battery on a rechargeable tool.

Because the batteries put a lot of power into a small, light package, a much smaller battery is needed to power the car, which could reduce hybrid prices. As a result, cars could come with a hybrid option that costs about as much as the option for an automatic transmission, Fulop says.

2008 Prius Aiming for 113 mpg, to Use Lithium-ion Batteries

According to an article in Auto Express, the next Prius, to be introduced in 2008, has a target fuel economy of 113 mpg (40km/liter) and will use lighter and smaller lithium-ion batteries.  Performance will also be improved by reducing the car's 0-60 mph time by more than a second. The article stated that the motivation was to try to improve European sales, where the car has not been a sucess due to the popularity of diesel models.

The article also noted that both Subaru and Mitsubish both plan to sell electric cars by 2010.

About time!! This is the first mention, that I have seen, of a production car planning to use lithium-ion batteries.

Prius hits 113mpg, Auto Express (UK), April 4, 2006

Technorati tags: vehicles, batteries, energy, technology

Biofuels, Batteries and Power Plants

I must say that I agree with most of what U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman's said in remarks as reported in the referenced article, but they were too short, as mine are usually, to really reflect viewpoint. Our research dollars spent for biofuels and batteries may be in the right direction, but not enough is being spent soon enough and much too much is being spent on hydrogen. I believe that government spending for batteries and biofuels is a pittance and is worth it if it reduces the time until implementation by the smallest amount.  I also think we should reduce all subsidies for ethanol production as soon as possible by tying them to the price of gasoline. Corn ethanol subsidies should be phased out  as soon as cellulosic ethanol is commercial. Congress needs to appropriate the money for the cellulosic ethanol demonstration plants! I am glad to see that batteries are moving to the forefront, but they are so close to commercialization that I don't know how much government research can be justified.  We will need more power plants powered by either coal or nuclear. I prefer coal with sequestration because they can be built faster and the nuclear waste problem is reduced, but a parallel building program may be required.  No mention was made of conservation.  The greatest amount of conservation occurs with electric vehicles getting their energy from advanced power plants operating at above 60% efficiency. The government has sheparded this development much faster than industry ever would have.  Changes in lifestyle and better building insulation standards are very important also. The most immediate impact would be to raise vehicle efficiency standards immediately! But no matter how much conservation is used we will require more power plants. Renewable energy, although important, is not the subject of this discussion because there is no way it can significantly impact our power production in the next 10 years.

He was quoted that he's "surprised" that oil price increases haven't had a greater impact on the U.S. economy and that he is  "worried" that the economy will suffer if oil prices stay above current levels. He further stated that "we are going to reach a limit and we will see a real impact of increased oil prices on our economy. Whether its $95 or something north of that I don't know. I can tell you I'm worried about anything above the current levels."

He went on to say that the administrations policy to increase research dollars for bio-fuels, hybrid battery technology and hydrogen fuel has the country on the right track. "But this country has been decades in getting itself into the fix we're in now. And it'll be a significant number of years working our way out of it."

He also called for the approval of the Yucca Mountain project to dispose of our nuclear waste. "This country doesn't need four (nuclear power) plants. We need 14 or we need 24." In order to support this kind of construction "will require Yucca Mountain be built."  Bodman said demand for electricity in the U.S. will increase 50% over the next 20-25 years and "the only thing I see meeting that is nuclear power."

US Energy Secretary:Oil Prices Eventually Will Impact Economy, Terry Kosdrosky, Dow Jones Newswire, April 6, 2006

Technorati tags: biofuels, batteries, nuclear, electric power, ethanol, coal, energy, technology

When Will You Buy an Electric Car?

Would you buy an electric car when the price of gasoline gets to $4.00 a gallon?  $5.00?  $10.00?  A recent editorial in the Falls Church News-Press discusses the fact that, in their opinion and mine, that the day is going to come when we have insufficient liquid fuels for our cars and we will have to switch to electric cars.  They also discuss the status of battery technology, as we have here, that will be needed at that time.  They ignore the possibility of fuel cell cars, which will start becoming available, in at least small quantities, in 4-6 years; not a much different time frame than when plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles might be available.  Here are a few excerpts:

Whether peak oil arrives with a bang or just sort of sneaks up on us, it is highly unlikely that ten years from now there is going to be enough liquid fuel to power all the world's cars, trucks, buses, planes, trains, and boats. The responses of governments to this situation will vary by political temperament and circumstance. Some will mandate draconian conservation measures, some will impose rationing, and some will let rationing-by-price direct dwindling fuel supplies to those who can afford them.

Judging from the primal screams of "I-can't-afford-to-farm-at-these-energy-prices" that are appearing with increasing frequency in rural newspapers, the issue will eventually come down to eating or driving. This, of course, is not a choice; even the most free-market Congressman will soon get the message that there are priorities for our dwindling supplies of liquid fuels, and that gasoline for the privately owned vehicles ranks close to the bottom of this list.

Myers NmG Electric Vehicle Available Now

The Myers Motor NmG (No more Gas) electric vehicle is a single-passenger, three-wheeled vehicle that has outstanding acceleration, can reach speeds of 70 mph and has a range of 30 miles between charges. A unique driving experience is gained through the NmG’s low center of gravity and its power being delivered via the single rear wheel.

“The NmG fits the way Americans use their cars,” said Dana Myers, president of Myers Motors. “Research shows that 87 percent of all commutes are less than 20 miles and 93 percent of those commutes are with one person only in the vehicle.”

The company calculates that a driver charged 11 cents per kilowatt will pay about 55 cents for the “fill up” that powers the NmG about 30 miles. The pollution-free NmG can be fully recharged in 6 to 8 hours using a 110-volt outlet and less than half that time using a 220-volt outlet.

Mitsubishi Ponders Producing Plug-in MIEV?

According to the Chicago Tribune Mitsubishi may introduce a plug-in mini vehicle in the U.S. by 2009.  It would be a four-door, four-passenger car derived from a Mitsubishi Colt that's now sold in Japan.   It would be powered by a 1.1-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motors at the wheels, a MIEV--Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle.  With electric motors powering the wheels, it is always driven by the electric motors, the engine being only used to recharge the batteries. This eliminates the need for a conventional transmission and save a lot of space and weight which translates to better mileage.  The estimated recharging time for the lithium-ion batteries would be only 10 minutes.

There seems to be quite a bit of conflict between the Tribune description and what Green Car Congress has to say about developments at Mitsubishi, although the Trib got some info in a phone interview.  Neither Green Car Congress or the Mitsubishi press release have anything to say about a plug-in, only about the concept CT MIEV (shown) to be introduced at the Detroit Motor Show, which is clearly a two  door.  That leaves the questions: Is it more like the MIEV electric that GCG reported on in May with an engine added, is it the 2 door CT MIEV with a plug, is it something else or did the Trib get the facts mixed up? I'm voting for the latter.

Resource: Mitsubishi ponders joining the mini derby despite late start, Chicago Tribune, December 5, 2005

More blogs about vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, energy, technology

Subaru R1e Electric Car

EVWorldblogs had an update on the Subaru R1e electric car development, that I mentioned in my earlier post that it would have a 125 mile range.  Treehugger reported that the car was 3.3 m (11-foot) long and that the battery lifespan is greater than 150,000 km.

Subaru is one of the first car makers to take advantage of the promising new developments in lithium ion batteries.  They are teaming with NEC to use their fast charge batteries, for which there is very little technical information, except that they can be charged in five minutes to 90% of capacity and have a high energy density - sounds very similar to the A123 technology.  All Bill More of EVWorldblog could say was that they could be as small as a briefcase, depending on the requirements of the vehicle.

The R1e is front wheel drive and has an AC permanent magnet motor with a maximum output of 40 kW. Subaru says that if they can develop a high efficiency, high performance and low cost battery, they believe the potential for the electric vehicle will grow since EV's have a simple structure and design.  The battery can also be used in both the ICE and fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles.  So they are focusing on the development of the battery technology. They have recently decided to develop 10 units as test vehicles for the Tokyo Electric Power Company for delivery by the end of March 2006.  Timing for the U.S. market launch has not been determined.

After Gutenberg also has a post about this car.

I have come to believe that if a low cost EV with a range of 60-100 miles can be developed it will have a good niche market.  As our concerns about energy use become greater a personal car like this could have a place, as a second or third car, in the suburbs for commuting and local trips.  With a five minute charge the versatility is increased greatly.  The primary car would then be a plug-in hybrid for longer trips.

Subaru Electric Car Q&A,  EVWorldblogs, November 29, 2005

More blogs about vehicles, batteries, consumer products, energy

Lithium Ion Powered Car Has Range of 230 Miles

Electova, Mississauga Ontario, Canada, producer of lithium ion batteries and mobile products using their batteries, has introduced a zero pollution electric vehicle that sets new standards in range. The car was launched in Norway by Miljobil Grenland AS at the "China, Environment and Energy Conference".   Miljobil has a memorandum of understanding and initial purchase order with Electova to market the Maya100 and promote the business of zero-emission electric vehicle technologies in Norway and neighboring countries.  Green Car Congress reports that the car launched is not the Maya100, but a new prototype.  None the less, the car must be derived from the Maya100 which is described on Electrova's website as follows:

Electrovaya’s Breakthrough Zero-Emission Transportation

• Powered by the award-winning lithium ion SuperPolymer® battery
• Up to 230 mile / 360 km range
• Lightweight, with excellent handling and acceleration
• Proprietary lithium battery,-five times the energy density of lead acid batteries at less than one-third of the weight.
• Unique battery design allows for hill climbing, and cold weather operation.
• Top speed (regulated) of 140 kph / 80 mph
• The pure battery ZEV features very low maintenance costs and operating costs at less than a cent per kilometer.

An earlier post in Green Car Congress gives more details on the Maya100 and its battery system.

Resource:  Electrova, Mississauga, Ontario Canada

More blogs about electric vehicles, batteries, alternative energy, energy

REVA Electric Car

India's REVA Electric Car Co. has experienced a sales growth of 25% in the past four months due to higher fuel prices and greater awareness and acceptance among consumers for electric cars.  The company was founded in 1994 and started selling its cars in May 2001.  According to its website "REVA is all set to become the largest manufacturer of EVs in the world."

REVA, a two door hatchback, seating two adults and two children, is designed to be a city car.  It has an onboard charger, requiring 7 hours for a full charge and 2.5 hours for an 80% charge.  The full charge has a range of 80 km (48 miles) and the 80 % charge has a range of 65 km (39 miles).  Top speed is 65 km/hr (39 mph).  The cars are 2.6 m (8.6 ft) long and 1.3 m (4.3 ft) wide.

All three models are equipped with a 13 kw (peak) motor.  Eight 6-Volt EV tubular type lead acid batteries are located under the front seat.  Regenerative braking extends the range.  The standard model has only basic features including tubeless tires. The REVA AC adds air conditioning  and a AM/FM radio.  The Classe has a remote controlled air conditioner/heater that can pre-cool the car while being charged or parked. It also is equipped with a high performance AM/FM cassette stereo, central locking, body colored bumpers, and two-tone leather seats.

The Electric Car's Not Dead

Electric cars with a range of 125, 155, and 250 miles have been announced by three Asian car makers.  The longer ranges than previous models make them more practical and they should appeal to a larger market.  They are also good news for The Energy Revolution as electric cars, to the extent that they are used, reduce the consumption of liquid transportation fuels, switching it to electrical energy, which does not rely on these fuels that are becoming in short supply.

Subaru plans a car, the R1e, to be released in Japan as early as 2009, with 125 mile range, using lithium-ion batteries, that can be recharged to 90% of capacity in 5 minutes.

Mitsubishi Motors has plans to release a mini-vehicle in 2008.  The car, called the Mieve, has a 155 mile range, a 90 mph top speed, powered by lithium-ion batteries, will have a recharge time of 4 hours and be priced under $18,300.  This appears to be a smaller car, with a earlier delivery date than the car I described in a previous post, although their quite a few similarities or they may have modified their plans.

Chinese battery maker Byd, worlds second largest manufacturer of  rechargeable batteries for cell phones, bought out a Chinese automaker and claims it has developed an EV with a range of 250 miles on lithium-ion batteries, and a top speed of 75mph.  It is building a 200,000 unit plant in western China and is planning to export world-wide.

These cars have enough range for most commuters and all use lithium-ion batteries, indicating that this battery is catching on and should be the standard for hybrids and electrics within five years.  The quick charging Subaru makes it as easy as filling up for gas. Because all of these cars are quite small they may have a hard time in American markets, but who knows what $3.00 or higher gas prices will do to consumer tastes. 

Resources:

"The Electric Car's Not Dead; Asian Companies Strive for Breakthrough", Edmunds/Inside Line, 8/19/05
"Subaru Joins Electric Car Race with R1e", treehugger, 8/21/05
"Mitsubishi, TEPCO To Team Up On Electric Car", Terra Daily, 8/18/05
"Battery firm bids for leading role in auto Industry", People's Daily Online, 2/4/04

Technocrati tag: electric vehicles

New Mitsubishi Electric Car

An electric car with a range of 93 miles, using Lithium-ion batteries and having a top speed of 90 mph has been announced by Motors. The car, which is scheduled for sale in 2010, is driven by two motors on the rear wheels and will cost under $19,000.  Plans for sales overseas have not been decided.

Previous electric cars did not receive much popularity.  This one has considerably more range than former models, thanks to its Lithium-ion batteries which are just becoming available in mass production.  They are lighter and can store more energy per unit weight than NiMh batteries that are commonly used in hybrids.  With high prices of gasoline, a car like this makes sense for people that commute a relatively short distance or need a car that is primarily used to run around town.  It can be charged overnight by simply plugging it into an outlet at home at considerable savings over a gas powered car.

Read the full story "Mitsubishi unveils electric car for 2010", MSNBC

Technocrati tag: electric cars

Proven Technology for the Next 20 Years

With oil probably peaking in less than 20 years, if not five years, the more I think we need an alternative to the emphasis being placed on the hydrogen economy.  Demonstrated and emerging technology as listed below likely to be the dominant technologies in the next thirty years.  None of these technologies alone can get us there but together but in some combination they make sense.

• The hybrid is here and can be ramped up as fast as anything.
• Diesel technology can be used now, and should be, as lower sulfur fuels are brought to market in 2005-2006. They will reduce the environmental impact of diesels significantly.  What we need is more models to choose from as there are very few.
• Electric cars and plug-in hybrids for commuting and shopping will be more attractive, with greater range, as gasoline prices go up and battery technology gets better as it is starting to.
• Unconventional oil is already starting to ramp up and will continue as oil companies cannot meet the demand.
• Ethanol production is already significant with 3.4 billion gallons produced in the US in 2004.
• Production costs for biodiesel can be reduced by using newer technologies.
• The Fischer-Tropsh process can be used to produce both ethanol and diesel in larger quantities, at lower cost, than current biofuel producers.  It can handle a much wider variety of feedstocks, like switchgrass, corn stover, wood chips, willows and poplars which are less costly.
• Coal liquefaction is a proven technology and could supply all of our needs, but not in the required time period.
• We can increase our electrical production from renewables like wind and solar systems.
• More rapid development of unconventional oil in Canada and Venezula.