Featured Threads Archive
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GM announces future technology
Source: GM plans electric future, to intro 20 new cars by 2023
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GM announced Monday it will introduce at least 20 new all-electric, zero-emission vehicles by 2023. That includes two new vehicles in the next 18 months that are based on the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt.
Traditional internal combustion engines are safe for now, according to Mark Reuss, GM vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain. But at a press conference at GM’s technical center he said the automaker plans for its entire line-up to be zero-emission at some point. This comes as automakers including Jaguar, Volvo and Volkswagen have said they will electrify their line-ups within the next decade.
Some European countries have said by the middle of the century they will ban the sale of gas- or diesel-powered cars and trucks. California government... -
Study: Life Cycle, Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Lithium-Ion Batteries
This may be more than you ever wanted to know about Li-ion batteries for EVs and hybrids, but it is pretty interesting reading.
http://www.ivl.se/download/18.5922281715bdaebede9559/1496046218976/C243+The+life+cycle+energy+consumption+and+CO2+emissions+from+lithium+ion+batteries+.pdf -
Pacifica ad does it right
This ad works because it addresses the technology. So many of the 'cute' ads Toyota tried in the past were about everything but the technology. The Toyota ads did not explain in elementary terms what is going on.
Sad to say, I found this article: Toyota and The & Partnership Join Forces to Educate Europe on Hybrid
Their example:
This is a travelog video, not a car ad. It does nothing to explain the technology, just pretty pictures of where anyone with a car can go to have a life. Talk about missing the boat!
Bob Wilson -
Wisconsin Hybrid Tax- is it legal?
Wisconsin has doubled the registration fee on hybrids. The rational is that hybrids, because they are more efficient, don't pay as much fuel tax as other vehicles. I cannot argue with that premise, but the legislation ignores the fact that there are scores of other vehicles using the roads with similar or even greater efficiency.
Readers of this forum are fully aware of those vehicles, I'm sure; the diesels, CNG/NGV's , motorcycles, mopeds and even the now incredibly efficient ICE- only cars like the Versa and Cruze.
How is this tax- specifically on hybrids- not discriminatory? Is it legal for a state government to tax one citizen for using roads while not paying fees, but not another doing so similarly?
I know the new Wisconsin law has been discussed on this forum pretty thoroughly up to this point, but I'm hoping someone with a legal background can tell me whether this legislation would stand up in court. -
Diy Junk yard prius into homemade generator setup
Timely find after our recent hurricanes and numerous posts here on using a Pri for home generating power.
"Junk yard 2nd generation Prius engine into a home generator set because I could and it was a challenge to myself. Removed final drive cvt belt and gears and welded power split device sun gear to lock outer motor mg2 to get 120v ac at idle. This thing will never go back into another car anyway. This engine runs on the 2001 Toyota echo ecu, not the Prius due to complexity and cost of components. The engine it self is running in limp mode mainly because I don't have an idle air control wired up and I really don't need it. I only needed the ecu for spark control and injector cycling but thinking about Arduino for injector control in the future. The engine is started on a car starter because I don't have the prius components or battery pack. I cut the transmission case on the side using a saw+zza and used an automatic flex plate and bolted the flywheel on top of it to lock the... -
Toyota partners with Luminar for LIDAR
This company's new LIDAR technology sounds pretty cool. I'd be interested in seeing more about this.
Toyota's Self-Driving Cars Get New Lasers to See the World
Posted via the PriusChat mobile app. -
It's Electric: Toyota to Bring First Hybrid Powertrain Production to U.S.
It's Electric: Toyota to Bring First Hybrid Powertrain Production to U.S. | Toyota USA Newsroom
What's interesting in here - beyond the production being brought here, which is interesting itself - is that they're talking about the 2.5 liter powertrain in the context of the Highlander Hybrid - that means a significant downsizing for when it moves to TNGA, presumably.
The current Highlander Hybrid uses the 2GR-FXS and P313 transaxle to make 306 hp, whereas the Camry Hybrid uses the A25A-FXS and P710 transaxle - I have to think that that's the powertrain - to make 208 hp. Maybe there's some headroom in the P710 for more power with a bigger battery? Alternately, AWD trims will have the rear motor, and a bigger battery could mean more system power through that motor, too. -
Report: the phase-out of gas and adoption of electric vehicles!
Bloomberg recently released reports that nearly 80 percent of the global auto market is pushing toward phase-out of petroleum cars and adoption of electric vehicles.
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi64.tinypic.com%2F2rxcebt.png&hash=1012855a2809eb08648b46c2c35cd443)
Their article suggests that EV sales will overtake internal combustion engines in just over 20 years - sooner than some governments & companies expected!
When do you think EV sales will overtake the internal combustion engine - do these estimates seem possible?
Source: Bloomberg -
National Drive Electric Week was bigger, broader, better than ever this year
National Drive Electric Week was bigger, broader, better than ever this year
Glad to see that plug-in cars are making their presence a little bit more known to the general public. Can't wait to see what the coming years will do as people see more plug-in hybrids and more EV... -
BMW Develops Pad to Wirelessly Charge Electric Cars
Just another gimmick or game changing?
BMW Develops Pad to Wirelessly Charge Electric Cars | News & Opinion | PCMag.com -
Autotrader: Prius Prime Long Term
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Long-Term Introduction - Autotrader
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: MPG and Techies - Autotrader
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Using Very Little Gasoline - Autotrader
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Airport Charging - Autotrader
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Style and Design - Autotrader
2018 Toyota Prius Prime: More Impressions - Autotrader... -
Electric motor efficiency introduction
Source: Check out the details inside an electric car motor
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While the improvements in the automobile internal combustion engine are well documented, the state of the electric motor is less well known -- at least among those of us who focus on the auto industry. At Automotive News, we've rarely written about the internal workings of the electric motor and the engineering challenges it poses as it moves into high volume production and use. That seems likely to change.
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That will soon change, says John Tintinalli, director of the global product group for ground vehicles at SAE International. He said SAE is developing a standard way to measure efficiency of electric motors, as well as torque and horsepower.
The Chevrolet Volt has two electric motors -- one is 96 percent efficient, while the other is 94 percent efficient. Nitz says electric motor efficiency at GM is... -
Camry Hybrid LE metrics
Source: 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE Matches Toyota Prius' 52 MPG Fuel Economy | Torque News
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In the case of the new 2018 Camry Hybrid, the LE uses a lithium-ion battery instead of the nickel metal hydride batteries the SE and XLE Hybrid trims use. It also has steel wheels and slightly different dimensions and a lower weight than the other two trims.
I have long suspected steel vs alloy wheels have a measurable impact on the City driving protocol results because the polar moment of inertia effect. I would love to see the results of an alloy wheel version of the new, Camry hybrid.
Bob Wilson -
Rotary returns
Source: Mazda Bringing New Rotary Concept to Tokyo | TheDetroitBureau.com
Earlier this year, several senior Mazda sources revealed that the Wankel will make its return under the hood of the Japanese automaker’s first battery-electric vehicle. If that has you scratching your head, the explanation is simple: the rotary will serve as a range-extender for the EV Mazda is expected to launch sometime in 2019.
It’s the same approach that BMW is using for a range-extender for its little city car, the i3 REx, albeit with a rotary, rather than conventional piston engine. Once the batteries are drained, the Wankel will fire up to keep the car rolling until the driver can stop for a recharge.
The range-extender approach is somewhat different from a plug-in hybrid in several ways. First, the vehicle is expected to run solely in electric mode unless and until the batteries are drained.... -
Hybrid / EV / Plugin Insurance Costs
The mods will decide of course, but this might be sticky-worthy, since it could save some owners a ton of cash. We'll see if this has any legs.
Incentives for Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Cars | PluginCars.com
Automotive Insurance is one of those costs of ownership elements we all need. Don't know why it didn't dawn on me decades before, but it might be advantageous to know what kind of deals are available for all of us. Maybe even nationwide as rates vary so much - but now that membership is in the 6 figures? Over the decades, Danny has worked some nice deals for extended... -
What the ?
ATTS
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ERV (Electric Recreational Vehicle)
I've long thought this could make a lot of sense. Lots of high powered plugs at most camp grounds. But a little more range would be good. And ditch the solar panels on the side. Not worth the additional prime bump.
Electric motorhomes are coming: a new RV powered by solar panels and 91 kWh battery pack | Electrek -
When 10 MPG wins a contest
Source: http://m.fleetowner.com/ideaxchange/fleets-still-improving-mpg-study-shows#
We asked fleets about their use of 85 different technologies and practices that improve fuel economy. Based on their adoption of some of these technologies — each fleet selects its own combination of technologies and no fleet can use all 85 — they saw a 1% increase in fuel economy in 2016 compared to 2015.
Combined these fleets reached an average fuel economy of 7.11 mpg compared to the average U.S. fleet. Keep in mind that 7.11 is an average fuel economy number; 2017 model trucks operated by those fleets achieved 7.8 to 9.2 mpg and some even approached 10 mpg.
What reaching 7.11 MPG means in dollars and cents is a combined savings of nearly $500,000,000 or $3,874 per year per truck with fuel at $2.34 a gallon.
Think about that. $3,874 per truck per year. That’s a significant savings for those... -
Is Tesla revisiting Battery Swaps?
Tesla just got a patent on battery swap technology. That could provide a quick "fill-up" for a self-driving car.
Tesla Secures Patent For Battery Swap Technology | CleanTechnica
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