Cars are not just getting charged – they are also getting smarter and more perceptive, and these technological trends reinforce each other in many ways. Increasingly, vehicles use real-time data about their surroundings to maximize the efficiency of their electrified powertrains. A prime example is Mercedes-Benz’s Intelligent HYBRID system, an energy management system for hybrid… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "US Hybrid"
GM execs discuss the challenges of marketing the Volt
After a little over three years on the market, is the Chevy Volt a hit or a miss? With 58,000 units sold, it’s one of the world’s top-selling plug-ins to date. However, its sales are still minuscule compared to its legacy gas-powered cousins. CNET’s Brooke Crothers recently spoke with Volt Marketing Manager Dora Norwicki and… Read more »
Ultracapacitor firm Ioxus raises $21 million in series C funding
Ioxus, a manufacturer of ultracapacitor technology, has raised $21 million in a series C funding round from investors that include IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and venture capital firm the Westly Group (this follows $15 million that Ioxus raised last July). Supercapacitors (aka ultracapacitors or ultracaps), with their superior charge/discharge rates and… Read more »
DOE awards $17 million to small businesses for renewable energy and electromobility projects
The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has awarded $17 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects to help small businesses develop prototype technologies in a wide range of renewable energy and transportation-related fields. These awards are for Phase II SBIR projects to further develop Phase I projects and produce a… Read more »
Walmart develops tractor-trailer with turbine-powered series hybrid powertrain
Walmart has developed a super-efficient tractor-trailer rig that features a turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain. The prototype truck, which is on display at this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is the result of collaboration between Walmart and many vendors, including Peterbilt, Roush Engineering, Great Dane Trailers, Parker Hannifin, and Capstone Turbine. The truck… Read more »
A123 sheds its grid storage business
Battery maker A123 Systems has agreed to sell its grid storage business and other assets related to energy storage for telecom and IT data storage applications to NEC for approximately $100 million. NEC will incorporate the former A123 Energy Solutions Business into its Smart Energy Business Unit. A123 facilities in Westborough, Massachusetts and Chesterfield, Missouri… Read more »
Remy to supply motors for EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system
Echo Automotive (OTCQB: ECAU) has announced an agreement with Remy International to supply electric motors for Echo’s EchoDrive plug-in hybrid system, which is scheduled for production later this year. “Remy has over 100,000 electric motors on the road with over 2 billion miles and over 10 years of electric traction motor production,” said Echo President… Read more »
BMW X5 plug-in hybrid prototype highlights eDrive strategy
Members of the press took BMW’s X5 eDrive PHEV for a test drive at an event in Germany this week. BMW also presented several elements of its EfficientDynamics strategy, which depends on a combination of ever-more-efficient gasoline and diesel engines with eDrive electrified drive technology developed by the BMW i sub-brand. BMW plans to develop… Read more »
Golf GTE plug-in hybrid to debut in Geneva
Volkswagen will present its new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. This is a significant milestone for the European automotive market, as the Continent’s most popular model line will now be available with a range of powertrains (gas, diesel, CNG, PHEV and fully electric). The Golf GTE has a 1.4-liter,… Read more »
Volkswagen Group France arranges for recycling of hybrid and EV batteries
Volkswagen Group France has signed a partnership agreement with the Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux (SNAM) that covers recycling of hybrid and EV batteries from the group’s brands – VW, Audi, SEAT and Škoda. SNAM (a subsidiary of the Floridienne Group) will be responsible for collecting both NiMH and Li-ion batteries from electric and hybrid… Read more »