Featured Threads Archive
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Wards on Honda Accord hybrid drive
Source: http://m.wardsauto.com/engines/honda-s-best-yet-hybrid-powertrain
. . . Honda’s eco-friendly HEVs never have enjoyed the popularity of Toyota’s iconic Prius models.
Even so, Honda has developed noteworthy HEV powertrains over the years, and its best to date was named to the 2017 Wards 10 Best Engines list last year.
Propelled by Honda’s advanced second-generation Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) 2-motor hybrid powertrain, the ’17 Accord Hybrid touts impressive fuel-economy of 49/47 mpg (4.8-5.0 L/100 km) city/highway. Not bad for a spacious, upscale 5-passenger sedan that’s closer to large than midsize.
The all-aluminum, 16-valve DOHC 2.0L i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle I-4 generates 143 hp and 129 lb.-ft. (175 Nm) of torque (on regular fuel),... -
Wards Auto Cradle-to-Grave nonsense
Source: http://wardsauto.com/ideaxchange/environmental-downside-bevs#comment-66561
It takes so much energy to make batteries the Union of Concerned Scientists says BEVs with a 250-mile (402-km) range start out life with a carbon footprint 68% higher than a piston-engine car.
There’s a growing global movement to ban the internal combustion engine. Several cities and countries have boldly announced plans to ban piston engines in favor of electric cars. They want a shortcut to stop global warming and save the planet. And while this is a noble goal, they’re in for a nasty surprise.
Battery-electric cars are not as environmentally clean as they’re made out to be. And piston engines are not as dirty.
Regulators and legislators are making a fundamental mistake in mandating the technology they want, rather than the results they want. Unfortunately they’re focusing on tailpipe... -
eMotorWerks bought
Source: Green Car Congress: Enel acquires eMotorWerks to provide grid balancing solutions and tap into US e-mobility market
Enel S.p.A., through its US subsidiary EnerNOC, has acquired California-based eMotorWerks, a North American supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, called JuiceBox, and owner and operator of JuiceNet, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for the smart management of EV charging and other distributed energy storage facilities.
Through the JuiceNet platform, these facilities can be remotely controlled and aggregated for grid balancing purposes relying on unidirectional and bidirectional (vehicle-to-grid, V2G) electricity flows. The acquisition of eMotorWerks marks Enel’s entrance into the US electric mobility... -
Fuso announces electric truck at Tokyo Motor Show
The E-Fuso Vision One is a heavy-duty truck promising a range of 217 miles and a payload similar to a conventional diesel truck. Making this possible is a massive battery array with 300 kilowatt-hours of capacity.
Fuso says the electrification of long-haul trucks will still need considerable time due to insufficient battery technology, so the brand sees something like the E-Fuso Vision One being used to transport goods between regional cities until more range is possible.
Fuso’s long-term goal is to electrify its entire lineup. This initiative will be backed by access to parent company Daimler’s know-how in the fields of battery and charging technology, Fuso says.
E-Fuso Vision One heavy-duty electric truck concept with 217-mile range debuts in Tokyo
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app. -
Japanese automakers warm up to EVs
“As far as green cars go, vehicle powertrain electrification is a must,” said Soichiro Okudaira, president of Daihatsu Motor Co, a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp, which showed its concept of the “Pro Cargo” multi-use mini electric van at the show’s first media day on Wednesday .
“EV (technology) is a great match with small cars people use everyday to commute, go shopping, because it’s easy to charge and maintain.”
As advances in lithium ion battery technology improve charging times and lower production costs, some automakers and suppliers expect increased demand will boost EV sales within the next decade, lowering their price towards gasoline vehicles.
“We see this tipping point happening around 2025. By then for the customer to buy petrol or EV it will be practically same cost,” Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci said.
“And then ... if you have the same price for EVs and petrol why would you buy traditional technology?”... -
Tesla Autopilot lacking updates
Switch from MobilEye to Nvidia the issue?
"Perks such as rain-sensing wipers have yet to be added, but more operational tasks, such as the ability to read speed limit signs and differentiate between vehicle types on the road, are also absent. Other features, like automated lane changes on the highway, better steering on tight roads, and auto-summon, were promised by the end of 2016, but have yet to be rolled out. Tesla has since removed the date from its website.
But “Enhanced Autopilot,” as it was called, wasn’t complete. As a result, Tesla vehicles built since October 2016 have many fewer safety and convenience features enabled than in older models. Musk acknowledged as much during his announcement, noting that “it will probably sometime next year” when Tesla cars with the newer hardware suite caught up to the previous versions in functionality. In early 2017, Musk tweeted that most of those features would be rolling out soon, but months later, many are still missing.... -
Toyota committed to hydrogen cars despite solid state battery
“We believe our solid-state battery technology can be a game changer with the potential to dramatically improve driving range,” Executive Vice President Didier Leroy said at the Tokyo Motor Show, which opened to media on Wednesday.
Toyota plans to roll out a new electric vehicle in the early 2020s powered by solid-state batteries, which also promise to reduce the long charging times currently required.
Toyota: Committed to hydrogen cars despite potential 'game changer' EV battery | Reuters
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app. -
Nissan 173 mile range EV van
Source: http://wardsauto.com/engines/nissan-stretches-e-nv200-electric-van-s-range-60?NL=WAW-04&Issue=WAW-04_20171023_WAW-04_251&cl=article_6&utm_rid=CPENT000000095975&utm_campaign=14997&utm_medium=email&elq2=6272b816060a4c61a8f44750463653ae
OSLO, Norway – Nissan unveils its new battery-electric compact light-commercial vehicle with a range extended by nearly two-thirds to 173 miles (279 km) on a single charge.
The new 40-kWh battery for the e-NV200 offers 60% extended range without compromising either load space or payload, Nissan says. The EV was introduced at the third Nissan... -
Used cars that sell the fastest
Source: Quickest-selling used cars in America
- Fiat 500e
- BMW i3
- Lexus IS 200t
- Toyota Prius Plug-In
- Hyundai Veloster Turbo
- Nissan Leaf
- Scion FR-S
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Ford Fusion Energi
- Tesla Model S
Bob Wilson -
Toyota Rolls Out New Model for "JPN Taxi"
Toyota Rolls Out New Model for "JPN Taxi" | TOYOTA Global Newsroom
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsroom.toyota.co.jp%2Fpages%2Fnews%2Fimages%2F2017%2F10%2F23%2F1400_taxi%2F001.jpg&hash=0f0eba9e1aeea5a7cbbc220ecf86d20c)
Looks like it's a new propane variant of the 1NZ-FXE, the 1NZ-FXP. -
Tesla building factory in Shanghai
Wall Street Journal sources claim that Tesla has a deal to build a factory in Shanghai's free trade zone. Tesla would still have to pay the 25 percent import duty, but it would retain full control and could likely offset the tariff with lower production and shipping costs.
Tesla reportedly lands deal to build an EV factory in Shanghai
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app. -
Bought a un-smogable prius under false terms
I bought a 2010 prius for $6200 Salvaged title from a 20 year old girl. She said the salvage was from a rear collision, the car looked & felt great driving it. everything seemed normal could'nt even tell it was salvaged. everything seems to be great on the car but 2 days after buying it the check engine light went on.. I personally asked if that would happen when negotiating the price of the car, they said it wouldn't. when I saw the light I got upset & asked if they disconnected the battery & cleared the code to sell us the car under false terms. The smog certificate they gave us was older then 90 days from the sale of purchase of the car, CA law is very explicit in the laws that the seller of the car is required to have & provide a certificate 90 in the time line of selling the car or responsible for the repairs I think.
the father got involved & basically told me bad luck & its not their problem
I can't smog the car.. the check engine light was a P0420 cadilatic converter its... -
Solving the last mile problem
Source: Huger Blitzes Indiegogo to Bring Electric Skateboards to Production
As of Sept. 15, Huger raised $212,265 from 460 backers on its Indiegogo page, 701 percent of its original requested amount to fund its e-skateboards into production. Currently, all orders are on track to be shipped this month, with the brand accepting pre-orders. At the moment, its Indiegogo page allows budding technology backers to pre-order three models: the “Classic,” the “Racer,” and the Travel.” Each model offers savings between 10 percent to 25 percent off its market price, a perk popularized by Indiegogo. Extra accessories for sale including a quick-swap wheel and battery for $89 and $189, respectively.
. . .
Huger’s three e-skateboard configurations vary regarding top speeds (15 to... -
"First mass-produced electric truck"
Mitsubishi has unveiled what they call the world's first mass-produced electric truck.
3 tons of cargo and 100 Km (62 miles) on a single charge.
I did not realize 7-Eleven was so big in Japan.
First mass-produced electric truck unveiled - News - NHK WORLD - English -
Tesla production shortcomings compared with Toyota excellence (sort of)
https://mondaynote.com/teslas-new-car-smell-315c72c955d3
It's an interesting read, fairly long but worth the effort IMHO. Here is the the brief reference to Toyota.
"I couldn’t help check off the sins against the “Toyota Bible”, prescriptions for car manufacturers that are lucidly detailed in The Machine That Changed The World (a great and, in parts, sad read)."
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app. -
Bosch 48V battery
Source: Bosch Announces New 48-Volt Battery Pack
Bosch expects 15 million 48V hybrids on the road by 2025.
Audi was the first automaker to change a vehicle completely to a 48V electrical system, starting with the 2017 SQ7 SUV. Most other automakers currently use a 48-volt system for their micro hybrid components but still use a conventional 12-volt battery to power vehicle systems. Even full EVs like the Tesla Model S or Chevrolet Bolt EV still keep a 12-volt battery to operate systems like the infotainment system and lights.
If 48V batteries become more mainstream, then 48-volt infotainment systems, lighting, and even high-demand comforts like heated seats that warm up faster could become more commonplace. The higher voltage means that thinner wires can be used to connect the vehicle’s systems and that saves weight and cost to automakers.
On a recent Autoline After Hours... -
Wankle range extender
Source: Mazda Seems Serious About Turning The Rotary Engine Into A ‘Range Extender’
We’ve heard this might be a new application of the rotary for a while, but here’s some more concrete news. It won’t be powering a sports car for now, so hold off on your dreams of seeing a new Mazda Cosmo anytime soon. Mazda plans on having an electric vehicle sometime around 2019 with a pure electric model in the Asian and European markets while North America will get the rotary range extender.
Small size, light weight, it looks like a good solution to me.
Bob Wilson -
Toyota to study Mirai-derived fuel-cell tech for heavy-duty trucks
Toyota to study Mirai-derived fuel-cell tech for heavy-duty trucks
Well in my mind, it's better than diesel and has the torque that these trucks need.
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