EVMeme.com

Nissan LEAF passes 25,000 sales volume in U.S.

Meme — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:33:40 +0000

After the all-electric Nissan LEAF’s best sales month ever in March and a 423.5 percent year-over-year sales increase in April, Nissan LEAF continues to make history by crossing the 25,000 sales threshold, reinforcing LEAF’s position as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle.

“From the beginning our goal with LEAF has been to bring affordable, zero-emission transportation to the mass market in a practical, fun-to-drive package,” said Erik Gottfried, Nissan director of electric vehicle (EV) marketing and sales strategy. “With more than 25,000 LEAFs in the U.S. and 62,000 around the world, we’re seeing the adoption curve for EVs accelerate, and there is tremendous interest not only on the West Coast but in a number of new strongholds like Atlanta, Raleigh, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis and many more.”

Nissan LEAF sales have risen steadily since the vehicle’s launch and have grown tremendously compared to the previous year with sales jumping several-fold in LEAF’s traditionally high-performing markets such as San Francisco—where LEAF was the top-selling vehicle for the Nissan brand in April—Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and San Diego.

“Pioneering the EV trail with LEAF, we’ve had the opportunity to evaluate the purchase process of EV buyers. We have maintained an ongoing dialogue with our customers, and through that we’ve learned just how different the process is for buying a LEAF versus a traditional gas-powered car,” said Gottfried. “We’ve found that customers interested in LEAF come to the showroom exceptionally well educated about the product. Then post-purchase, they stay engaged with us, connect with the LEAF owner community and share their experience broadly, which drives greater interest in LEAF.”

“We’ve also learned how infrastructure plays a role in a consumer’s decision to go all-electric,” added Brendan Jones, Nissan’s director of EV infrastructure strategy and deployment. “We already knew that areas with a higher concentration of EVs would require more charging stations, but trends show that the reverse is also true—a more robust charging infrastructure generates greater interest in EVs and stimulates more EV driving among EV owners.”

Nissan continues to make progress with its commitment to enhance the charging infrastructure in the United States and since announcing plans earlier this year to triple the number of quick chargers from 200 to 600, Nissan and its charging partners already have installed about 50 additional units where interest in LEAF and EVs is highest.

“Nissan is taking a three-prong approach to bolster infrastructure by working with commercial charging partners to bring a variety of charging options to our customers, collaborating with businesses to encourage workplace charging on their campuses and engaging in pilots with our dealers to determine how to optimize the role they can play in EV infrastructure,” said Jones. “This enhanced infrastructure—particularly with more businesses offering workplace charging as an employee benefit—builds range confidence and gives EV drivers better end-to-end charging ability, meaning they can leave home fully charged, plug in at work and be charged when they leave.”

About Alternative Cars » All Electric Car

EnerDel introduces Li-ion pack for upgrading Allison NiMH-based hybrid buses

Meme — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:14:37 +0000

Li-ion battery maker EnerDel, Inc. has introduced the new PPA 300-689 Vigor+ Energy Storage System (ESS) as part of its aftermarket and service business strategy. The ESS is designed as a retrofit to replace the nickel metal hydride (NiMH)-based energy storage system currently used in Allison hybrid buses. The system is also suited for those interested in designing in lithium-ion technology from the onset, the company said.

The EnerDel system features 19 kWh rated energy (16.9 kWh usable)—more than three times the rated (>5x usable) energy of the original battery. The elevated energy rating provides longer life and more available power. These attributes, coupled with lower mass, delivers better fuel efficiency and longer range.

“This new solution offers an easy retrofit to the current system that is used in more than 6,000 hybrid buses across North America,” says EnerDel CEO Dave Roberts. “With many of those batteries past their warranty and in need of replacement, the PPA300-689 Vigor+ Energy Storage System gives metropolitan transit authorities a choice in how to keep their clean-emission fleets operational at a fraction of the cost of total replacement.”

The new air-cooled Li-ion energy storage system offers the same voltage, CAN interface and mounting points, making it an easy drop-in replacement for the original NiMH battery.

EnerDel’s new ESS is in the midst of field testing, having accomplished several thousand miles of on-the-road, in-service operation with metropolitan transit authorities.

Green Big Truck » Electric Vehicles

BMW and Toyota could debut a hybrid sports car later this year

Meme — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:55:57 +0000

BMW and Toyota announced in late 2011 that the two massive automakers had entered into an agreement to jointly develop new technology including fuel cell, diesel and hybrid drivetrains but rumors indicate that the first co-designed vehicle from Toyota and BMW could be a sports car – and it could debut as soon as late this year.
Pinboard (MacAaron)

The Peugeot Onyx diesel-electric supercar will blast through Goodwood

Meme — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:52:41 +0000

Leading the lineup of performance Peugeot vehicles at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year will be the uber-awesome Onyx in its first public demonstration dynamic.
Pinboard (MacAaron)

Volvo Car Group boosts production of V60 PHEV by 90%

Meme — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:18:45 +0000

Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars) is ramping up production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid by 90% to meet demand, especially in Holland, Belgium and Italy. Production at the Torslanda plant in Sweden will be increased continuously from 150 to 282 units per week. All in all, Volvo Cars will produce 7,600 plug-in hybrids in 2013, with a 2014 target of 10,000 units.

The driver of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid selects the required driving mode via three buttons in the dashboard: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

In the default hybrid mode, the carbon dioxide emissions are 48 g/km. This corresponds to fuel consumption of 1.8 l/100 km (131 mpg US) in the NEDC certification driving cycle for hybrids.

The driver can also choose to cover up to 50 km (31 miles) on battery power, or use the combined capacity of the diesel engine and electric motor to deliver 215+70 horsepower and 440+200 N·m of torque.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the synthesis of close cooperation between Volvo Car Group and the Swedish electricity supplier Vattenfall. The two companies have financed the development project jointly.

Gasoline-Electric Cars

Volvo plug-in hybrid bus with B?sbaar rapid charging to begin field testing in Gothenburg

Meme — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:18:44 +0000

Volvo Buses’ new plug-in hybrid buses will begin field tests in Gothenburg, Sweden this month. Volvo Buses has already sold more than 1,000 of its conventional hybrid units; the plug-in version will facilitate the reduction of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by 75 to 80%, compared with current diesel buses, the company said.

The plug-in hybrids are based on the Volvo 7900 Hybrid, Volvo Buses’ second series-produced hybrid bus model. The plug-in hybrids have been further developed, and enable rapid recharging from electricity grids via the Opbrid B?sbaar pantograph on the roof.

An electronic control module regulates engagement and disengagement of electric and diesel power, as well as gear-changing modes and recharging of the Li-ion battery. The close-ratio Volvo I-Shift automated transmission has software that is optimized for city and commuter traffic.

The 4-cylinder, 5-liter Volvo D5F diesel engine produces 215 bhp and is installed vertically in the left rear corner. The conventional hybrid offers up to 37% fuel savings compared to a diesel version and 40-50% lower exhaust emissions.

The plug-in versions have a larger battery pack, making it possible to drive up to 7 km using electricity only—about 70% of the route distance. The batteries are charged at the bus terminus via the B?sbaar for between six and ten minutes.

The purpose of the field test is to study and verify the anticipated reductions in energy consumption and emissions, as well as to compile information from drivers, passengers and surrounding residents about their views on the properties of the bus.

Volvo Buses expect to be able to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 90% by using biodiesel instead of standard, fossil diesel oil in the combustion engine.

Volvo Buses expects to commence commercial manufacturing of plug-in hybrids in a couple of years, and the technology is now to be tested in the three buses that will be put into service in Gothenburg. A demonstration project has also been planned for 2014 involving eight plug-in hybrids in Stockholm.

“In recent years, sales of Volvo Buses’ hybrid buses have tripled for each year and we believe the market for electromobility will continue to expand rapidly,” says Håkan Karlsson, President of Volvo Bus Corporation. “Accordingly, the Volvo Group is investing in this area, making it possible for cities to realize their visions of more eco-friendly and attractive transportation.”

Green Big Truck » Hybrids

Is the Formula E being extravagent with two electric race cars per driver?

Meme — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:17:44 +0000

Is Formula E’s plan to have two cars per driver a super-extravagence? This is a question raised in comments on a posting on another site (see link below) reporting on the Formula E 2014 season calendar.

Because the Formula E cars have battery packs that support only 15-20 minutes of racing, and the Formula E race is supposed to last much longer (90 minutes?), each driver will race until the
Green Transportation News

Bosch Power Max to be first sub-$450 EV charging station

Meme — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:30:51 +0000

Bosch Automotive Service Solutions introduces Power Max, the automotive industry’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station with a price point of less than $ 450. The Power Max will retail for roughly half the cost of current EV charging stations, offering 240V charging, and reducing charging time by half while helping customers reduce their need for fossil fuels.

Leveraging expertise gained in household appliances and automotive solutions, the Bosch Power Max is UL-certified in both the United States and Canada, and is designed to safely and efficiently charge electric vehicles. Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, formerly SPX Service Solutions, has provided more than 16,000 EV charging stations and performed more than 6,000 installations, including the SPX Power Xpress™, tested by a national laboratory as the most efficient charging station on the market.

“We believe that for the foreseeable future most EV drivers will primarily charge at home,” said Tanvir Arfi, President, Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. “Because many of the incentives available to offset the costs of purchasing and installing residential Level 2 charging stations are expiring, we believe it’s critical to maintain the momentum towards Level 2 by offering high quality, but lower cost charging solutions to our customers. We are excited to offer the Power Max, as it accomplishes this objective: a superior product at nearly half the price of the current products on the market.”

Bosch will begin taking advance orders today; customers can call 877.805.3873 to place an order. The Power Max will begin shipping in early June, with initial customers receiving their charging station in late June to early July.

Bosch also offers professional guidance for customers purchasing a Power Max or other EV charging station. Trained Vehicle Charging Advisors walk customers through a free on-site estimate, installation, inspection and ongoing support, including finding money-saving rebates offered by utility companies, government or vehicle manufacturers. Bosch installation services include a 3-year limited product warranty, all permitting and many times filing rebate paperwork.

About Alternative Cars » EV Cars

Green Car Congress: Nissan LEAF passes 25,000 sales mark in US

Meme — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:23 +0000

The Nissan LEAF has sold more than 25,000 units in the US. The battery-electric car posted its best US sales month yet in March, and a 423.5% year-over-year sales increase in April.
Pinboard (MacAaron)

Food Distribution Company Daylight Foods Transitions to Hybrid Delivery Trucks

Meme — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:16:23 +0000

Sourcing from local growers when possible and maximizing delivery routes, kept food distribution company Daylight Foods’ carbon foot print down. Yet drivers still face traffic and frequent stopping while on route and although Daylight’s base may be in the Bay Area, their distribution spans California from Eureka to Bakersfield. The company knew it could do more in reducing their fossil fuel use and this year have added 8 Kenworth T370 diesel-electric trucks to their fleet.

When asked about the initial move towards hybrid trucks, Tim Kouretas, Operations Manager, explained it was brought on by wanting to, “Be environmentally friendly and follow the most environmentally friendly practices possible.” The decision to switch the entire fleet was easy to make after seeing the initial investment in the trucks would easily pay for itself in reduced fuel costs and tax break incentives. Sustainability is important to Daylight Foods and is a focus throughout the company, not just in their transportation choices.

California’s Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) provided a $ 160,000.00 cash credit towards the 8 trucks. The focus of the HVIP program according to their website is to, “offset about half of the incremental additional cost of eligible hybrid and battery-electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles using a simplified purchase voucher.” HVIP makes it possible for businesses, like Daylight Foods, to afford the switch to “green” transportation.

“The older conventional diesel trucks averaged about 4-5 miles per gallon, with the hybrid trucks we are seeing on average 7-10 miles per gallon,” explained Tim Ault, Daylight Foods’ Transportation Manager. This is a huge savings for the company and the environment. Ault explained they plan on adding to their fleet in the near future and phasing out the older conventional models.

The Kenworth T370 trucks are perfect for Daylight Foods. This Class 6 vehicle has not only impressive fuel savings, but boasts a PACCAR PX-6 engine, “the highest power to weight ratio in the industry.” Advanced power train in the vehicle automatically monitors and switches between power modes depending on driving conditions.

The T370 was made for businesses making frequent stops and consistent braking in high traffic areas, such as cities and busy freeways. Electricity produced when braking assists the diesel engine and is reused in acceleration. This quiet running truck boasts a hybrid dash display for real-time driver feedback, an aid in “encouraging maximum fuel economy.”

In addition to hybrid trucks, Daylight has outfitted their sales team with Toyota Priuses. “When our team looked at using conventional vehicles for our sales team and our outbound delivery trucks and then compared them with hybrid vehicles, the decision was clear; it was in our best interest to use the hybrid vehicles. We would be reducing our carbon footprint and therefore be helping the environment, as well as offsetting our gas expenditures,” explained President Chris Vlahopouliotis.

Daylight Foods is confident they are making the right business and environmental decisions transitioning to hybrid transportation. They see this step as being one of many green choices the company can make.

Green Big Truck » Hybrids