When Protean Electric begins production of its Protean Drive in-wheel electric drive system later this year, it could mark the stirring comeback of the wheel hub motor, a concept that’s been more than a century in the making. Electric wheel-hub motors date all the way back to 1884, and none other than Ferdinand Porsche used… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "US Hybrid"
Kentucky firm to market diesel hybrid conversion kits for Class 8 trucks
Kentucky-based ePower Engine Systems has placed an order with Axion Power International (OTC QB: AXPW) for Axion’s leadcarbon (PbC) batteries and management systems, which will be used to convert ten Class 8 trucks (the largest category of over-the-road trucks) to series diesel hybrids, using ePower’s proprietary technology. Each conversion kit would require 56 PbC batteries… Read more »
Italian firm displays family of hybrid and electric transmission systems at German trade show
Torino, Italy-based transmission specialist Oerlikon Graziano is presenting its family of hybrid and electric transmission systems at this week’s VDI Wissenforum show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Oerlikon Graziano has been building electric and hybrid driveline assemblies for 20 years. Its products are used in vehicles ranging from golf carts to city cars to light commercial EVs… Read more »
Ford is building the Focus Electric in Europe, but does it care about selling it?
Ford Focus Electrics are now rolling down the assembly line in Saarlouis, Germany, where the company invested 16 million euros to add the electric version to its existing Focus production line. The Focus Electric will go on sale in Europe in August, and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will join it next year. “Focus Electric… Read more »
Johnson Controls to supply batteries for 120 hybrid work trucks in DOE program
About 120 work trucks, to be used by various utilities and electric companies, will use plug-in hybrid power systems by Odyne Systems, using Johnson Controls’ batteries.
ABB announces flash charging electric bus pilot in Geneva
ABB has developed a new flash charging system for city buses, and is working with the city of Geneva’s public transport company and electric power utility SIG on a pilot project. The TOSA (Trolleybus Optimisation Système Alimentation) will be deployed for the first time on a 135-passenger electric bus. The system enables onboard batteries to… Read more »
Porsche to offer hybrid option on all future models
All future Porsche models will be available in hybrid versions, Daniel Semmer said at the company’s Panamera Hybrid Technology Workshop. The British magazine Autocar reported that the move is part of a new strategy to reduce fuel consumption at everyday speeds. Porsche has designed a new hybrid module, which combines an electric motor and clutches… Read more »
A new LEAF, localized manufacturing, and a focus on infrastructure
With a longer range and a lower price, the 2013 Nissan LEAF screams upgrade, but it’s only one small aspect of the company’s aggressive EV strategy. Proprietary, localized manufacturing and improved infrastructure also play key roles in Nissan’s plan for world domination electrification. Sometime back in the 60s, Mr or Mrs Ghosn must have put… Read more »
Supercars, hybrids and EVs take the stage in Geneva
At Geneva’s enormous Palexpo convention center, it’s obvious we’re not in Detroit – there’s hardly a pickup truck in sight, and the wine and coffee are flowing freely. Reflecting Europe’s colorful collage of cultures, a vast variety of vehicles from hybrids to EVs to seven-figure super-sports cars are spinning on the turntables. Europe is just… Read more »
Erik Spek on battery abuse testing, improving safety, and developing standards
(This article originally appeared in Charged Issue 7 – MAR/APR 2013) Q&A with Erik Spek: The Chief Engineer at TÜV SÜD Canada on battery abuse testing, improving safety, and developing standards. When analyzing the current state of lithium-ion technology, it helps to look back at the development of the nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH). Some argued that hybrid automotive… Read more »