Calcars.org founder Felix Kramer describes the cornucopia of plug-in hybrids in this re-post. For background, see “Plug-in hybrids and electric cars “” a core climate solution.”
2011 starts with many more announcements of plug-in cars, and an industry that’s beginning a major transition globally. It’s still too slow to have an impact soon enough on global climate and energy security crises, but it’s what we need. Here’s a rundown of the new PHEVs, a listing of top auto industry leaders supporting plug-ins, and a link to a new California organization and report.
Here are the new plug-in hybrids, most announced at the Detroit Auto Show:
- Ford’s first PHEV using its C-Max “microvan” platform: the Energi, seating five adults and two children, with a total 500-mile range, to be built in Michigan in 2012.
- As the Chevy Volt was voted 2011 “North American Car of the Year” by 49 automotive journalists at the Detroit auto show, GM says it will more than double its first year production of the Volt from 10,000 to 25,000.
- GM announced 2012-2013 plans for a PHEV version of the Cadillac SRX crossover and a new multi-purpose vehicle — something between a hatchback and a minivan.
- Toyota extended its Prius line to multiple vehicles; its Plug-In Prius coming in the first half of 2012 will be based on the current design.
- Honda, which says it will sell PHEVs in the U.S. and Japan in 2012, will be testing in Japan a PHEV based on its Inspire mid-sized sedan.
- Bright Automotive finally has the resources to move forward, hiring 200 engineers for its IDEA PHEV fleet vehicle.
- BYD says it will sell its S6DM PHEV crossover in the U.S. in 2012.
And we enjoyed Automotive News‘ observation that “We couldn’t help but notice that electric drive is now pretty much synonymous with being at the forefront. The auto industry seems to agree on this one thing, at least.” This accompanied its listing of the top 10 auto industry leaders supporting advanced technology vehicles [via aubobloggreen]:
- Akio Toyoda: Toyota’s CEO shows an affinity for all types of electric-drive vehicles.
- Carlos Ghosn: Nissan-Renault CEO is devoted to dominating the battery-powered vehicle segment.
- Chung Mong-Koo: Hyundai’s chairman is determined to make the automaker a technological leader.
- Elon Musk: Tesla’s CEO has reached out to automakers to expand the use of its electric-drive components.
- Sergio Marchionne: Chrysler-Fiat CEO looks to revamp vehicles, improve fuel efficiency and launch electric autos.
- Ferdinand Piech: Volkswagen‘s chairman strives to turn VW into the world’s largest automaker. VW-Audi have numerous plug-in vehicles in the works.
- Joel Ewanick: GM’s CMO aims to expand the market for the automaker’s plug-vehicles, which include the Volt and Opel Ampera.
- Ed Whitacre: GM’s former CEO played an influential role in launching the Volt.
- Frank Stronach: Former head of Magna who is credited with creating the supplier’s E-Car Systems division.
- Jeffrey Immelt: General Electric’s CEO who recently announced the company’s intent to purchase 25,000 plug-in vehicles.
We recommend for your reading the Strategic Plan of California’s Plug-In Collaborative, “TAKING CHARGE: Establishing California Leadership in the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Marketplace” http://www.evcollaborative.org/strategic-plan
– Felix Kramer
Related Posts:
- Motor Trend slams Limbaugh for attacking the Chevy Volt: “Driving and Oxycontin don’t mix”: Car reviewers rave about GM’s PHEV while Rush fumes.
- Media reports of Chevy Volt’s death have been greatly exaggerated
- World’s top energy economist warns peak oil threatens recovery, urges immediate action: “We have to leave oil before oil leaves us.”
- Why electricity is the only alternative fuel that can lead to energy independence
- So what is it like to actually drive the Chevy Volt plug in hybrid electric car?
- Plug-in hybrids: Peter Sinclair’s clean energy solution of the month
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The technology is great but if nobody buys them they will go away…we need to support this.
I’m thrilled to see some competition in this market! Hopefully this will bring costs down significantly. I’d love to own a Chevy Volt, but the price tag makes me a bit weary. Hopefully one of these manufacturers will take Joe’s advice and come out with a PHEV-20. That is exactly what I need for my commuting and it would cut costs on those expensive batteries.
Hyundai hybrid uses new lithium polymer batteries.
http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/wip/1110wip01.html
G’day,
I know Renault is releasing an EV in the UK with a swappable battery. I for one am highly convinced that the Better Place model of swappable batteries will be one of the keys to adoptoin of PHEVs and EVs in the USA.
Also a point I don’t see talked about often in auto reports is the idea of separating the ownership of the car and the ownership of the battery. If you can swap your battery out for a new one at a swapping and recharge station in under 2 minutes, owning it doesn’t make sense. The cost of the battery is up to 1/2 the price of these cars.
Owning a personal car
1. Safe vehical frame with an electric motor and a battery slot, estimated costs I’ve seen have been as low as $15,000 for an sedan.
Renting the newest battery technology and paying for usage
2. Easily swappable batteries that attach to the undercarriage. Instead of paying or financing a $20,000 battery at the begining when you buy the car, you instead pay a fee for monthly renting the battery and incur another charge whenever you swap your battery…and the best part is you could just plug it in at home overnight too, you’d rarely need to swap a battery; especially as they improve.
Better Place is working with several automanufacturers to get them to adopt standards in design where the battery could be easily swappable. Once that is done small business owners who own gas stations might open a battery swapping station instead at 1/2 the cost.
I think the solution is in the design first, the power stations second where you pay for use and combine that with battery rental plans. It would dramatically reduce the upfront costs of EVs and rapidly increase their adoption rate.
Three points on batteries:
1. Design batteries that are meant to be taken apart and recycles and reused! Why would you design one any other way?
2. Design batteries to fit on the undercarriage of cars with standard sizes in order to access swapping stations. It doesn’t cost more and it makes sense, why would you design it any differetly?
3. Design battiers that easily and intentionally interface with the power grid, why design it any other way if that is the future anyhow?
I think by designing and releasing EVs without these features is designing for the past and not innovatively looking towards the future and what, how, and in what matter we’ll be using our cars.
Cheers,
spiritkas
Plug in hybrids will give most of the emission reduction benefits of EV’s with a battery that is big enough to cover the daily commute. They should also be compatible with existing infrastructure. For example, be able to be charged up at home using a normal power plug and off-peak power. Unlike pure EV’s they also provide a car that can be used over long distances using.
Over time, the presence of plug in hybrids will drive the development of better, lower cost, faster charge power storage systems that may make pure power storage vehicles more practical. (Not necessarily electrical storage.)
It would be good to see people offering modification kits to allow existing cars to be converted to plug in hybrid. It will take a long for fleet fuel consumption to drop if it all depends on the gradual replacement of the fleet with more fuel efficient models.
Gasoline is heading for $4 this summer and $5 by 2012 or 2014 at the latest. Electric cars are going to be very popular. Until you have had one for a couple months, and suddenly realize that you haven’t stopped at a gas station and no longer need to anymore, you have no idea what it is like. Then you hear your friends and coworkers complain about the cost of gas and you have to stifle the urge to say – Suckers!
After decades of buying gasoline at least once a week the feeling is still incredible even though it’s been a couple years now. Sure, there will be a few diehards who will never give up their dino-burners, but most people are going to absolutely love it.
Why do you think the automakers fought the California EV mandate so hard? Because they were scared to death that it would spread to the other states. The Tesla Roadster was the epiphany for them. Bob Lutz admitted that. They suddenly realized that the electric revolution was coming anyway, it was almost here and they can’t stop it. So their only choices are to get on board or be left behind.