Car built by high school students achieves 444 mpg

This story will challenge your beliefs about what high school students, especially

those who live below the poverty line and face alcohol and drug problems, are

capable of. Autopia, a blog at Wired.com, reported on the story of a class

project at the Automotive Design Studio at the DaLeSalle

Education Center which serves as an alternative high school. The project was to

design and build an electric car that weighed less than 1500 pounds,

half the weight of 98% of most electric vehicles today.

The car the students had to work with was a damaged 2000 Lola

Champ Car which was purchased for $2500 and repaired by students who had

collision repair courses. One of the eye-catching traits of the car is its

transparent body, which is made of a material by 3M which is the same that is used

to shrink wrap windows. The student’s attached the film to the bottom wire of

the body and then stretched it using a heat gun across the rest of a wire frame

in a process that takes an hour. To date, the skin has shown no fatigue or

damage after trial runs.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/256#256

Want to take an electric vehicle for a test drive? You are not alone.

When, exactly, did cars become considered consumer electronics? I suppose when the market for the gadgets inside them became one that that the likes of Microsoft cannot ignore. In any case, electric vehicles will be featured for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Association’s 2011 International CES. The rationale? CEA has just released a new survey indicating that 40 percent of American adult consumers would like to test-drive an electric vehicle.

According to the online study, called “Electric Vehicles: The Future of Driving,” about one-third of consumers are aware of hybrid vehicle options while only a quarter know much about electric vehicles. The three biggest perceived disadvantages of electric vehicles:

1. Running out of battery power on the road
2. Lack of charging stations or places to recharge
3. Limited mileage potential

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/251#251

Chief Mentor: Reinventing the Wheel for India

The transportation sector in India is witnessing rapid
growth as India urbanizes and the economy continues to expand. Car sales for
July recorded a jump of 38% from a year earlier, rising to an all-time
high. Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata are all building up mass-transit
systems. The national capital has just opened a swanky new airport
terminal and the civil aviation industry has never been more competitive.

Consumers today have lots of choices in how they choose to
get around. This is a far cry from the earlier times when government carriers
dominated the skies and entry into the automotive industry was heavily
regulated and just a handful of players allowed to manufacture cars. With the
exception of railways, which continue to be a government monopoly, every sector
of transportation is witnessing a vibrancy never seen before in India.

The upward shift in the standard and quality of
transportation in India is one of the most visible and tangible benefits
bestowed by economic growth. The problem - and investment opportunity - is that
we have only scratched the surface.

India currently has just one automotive company, Tata
Motors, in the global top 20, while China has three in the top 20 and ten in
the top 30. Interestingly, many of China’s large automotive firms are
home-grown, while international auto companies like Suzuki, Honda and Hyundai
dominate the Indian market.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/255#255

Toyota to sell 5mn hybrids by 2015

Toyota Motor Corp says it wants to nearly double sales of its gasoline-electric vehicles to reach cumulative sales of 5 million units by the middle of this decade.

The Japanese company, already the biggest player in the hybrid market, has a goal to sell one million hybrids annually in the first half of this decade, Reuters reported.

The world's largest automaker announced earlier this month it had sold more than 2.68 million hybrid vehicles globally since it launched the first model in 1997.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/254#254

Electric cars to be in the spotlight

After taking a hiatus last year because of the struggling economy, the Inland Empire Auto Show returns this weekend charged with electricity.

Appearances by electric vehicles soon to be on the market, including the long-touted hybrid Chevrolet Volt and fully electric Nissan Leaf, are planned. Toyota is sending two electric concept cars for display.

The emphasis on electric and other energy-efficient cars signals the advances manufacturers are making in the market, event organizers said.

"As green products become more available, the technology's changing, and that's what manufacturers will be showcasing," said Bob Brown, general manager of the Ontario Convention Center, where the event is set to take place Friday through Sunday.

Last year, organizers canceled the show after manufacturers suggested pushing it back, Brown said. The show is in its third year.

"The economy and state of the auto industry last year was really prohibitive for manufacturers to come in," Brown said.

At least 20 manufacturers are scheduled to display vehicles this year. Missing from the lineup is Honda.

The Volt, the plug-in hybrid electric car that General Motors has marketed as its commitment to green vehicles, is set to debut in California, five other states and Washington, D.C., in November. Sales for the Leaf, Nissan's first all-electric vehicle, which can run for 100 miles on pure electricity, will also begin in coming months.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/253#253

DF Cast: Getting Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles

With the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf being rolled out this fall across the country … and the more pricey Tesla Roadster already making its electric vehicle debut … the next concern is where to charge these electric vehicles. While most folks will have or will be getting the capability to do it at home, the lack of infrastructure for these new cars could be problematic.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast President of Car Charging Group Andy Kinard says his company will be able to provide these away-from-home chargers at a variety of locations, including shopping centers, parking garages and movie theaters. He explains his company’s system is put in for free at these types of locations, and then the revenues generated are shared. There’s even an application for smart phones that will help electric vehicle owners find the charging locations, generating traffic for that business that has a charger put in.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/252#252

NEAH and India's EKO Vehicles to Explore Merger and Acquisition Opportunities to Facilitate Global Growth

NEAH Power Systems, the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, announced today it has signed a letter of intent to explore acquisition or merger plans with EKO Vehicles of Bangalore, Private Limited, India's leading technology producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles. This combined venture is expected to provide additional opportunities for the
expansion of product lines and global growth. Both companies are undertaking due diligence efforts in order to determine the viability and the structure of the combination.

NEAH had previously announced a customer relationship with EKO to build fuel cells for EKO's electric scooter product line. The third generation of EKO product is currently being sold in Asia and will shortly be available in the United States and Europe. "We intend to take the synergistic relationship between Neah and EKO to new levels. In addition to the fuel cells for electric two wheelers, we see high demand for Neah's fuel cells for a variety of military and industrial applications in India and Asia, and this relationship could enable us to meet this demand. Our micro fuel cells may eventually replace batteries for most uses," said Dr. Chris D'Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power.

"We welcome NEAH's technology and we share the common goal of reducing the levels of air and noise pollution, provide cost effective power solutions for two wheeler and four wheeler applications, and enable global growth for our products," said Mr. Anil Ananthakrishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EKOVEHICLES Pvt. Ltd.

Read this news completely @ http://www.evhub.in/news/245#245

U.S. Anticipates Major Drops in Costs of Solar Power, Electric Vehicles by 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy says that Recovery Act funding programs are on track to help cut the cost of solar electricity in half by 2015, and the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent in the same time.

Energy generation from renewable sources is expected to double by 2015, along with manufacturing capacity for U.S. renewable energy industries, the government said.

The announcement Tuesday, led by Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, along with numerous private industry representatives, has the unintended effect of suggesting that solar and plug-in vehicles are too expensive now.

In fact, non-subsidized solar is already cost-competitive with peak retail electricity prices in some places, and with incentives may offer significant bargains to attentive consumers. The same will be true as plug-in vehicles are rolled out in 2011. What the report means is that if such cost reductions are achieved, solar and plug-in vehicles will not only be the cleanest but among the cheapest ways to obtain electricity and to travel just five years from now.

The report is called "The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy Through Innovation."  It mentions that with more than $787 billion in funding, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is one of the largest investments in the U.S. economy in the nation’s history. More than $100 billion has been invested in programs aimed at innovations in technology and science, including alternative energy and transportation research and development.

The jury is still out, of course, on whether the goals will be achieved. But officials in the solar and electric vehicle industries are at least as confident as the government officials.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/246#246

Electric Vehicles for US TARDEC

With the rapid expansion of the electric vehicles engulfing most of today's world, it was only a matter of time until the military began contemplating the idea of operating environmentally friendly vehicles while going out to conquer the world.

Although this is not the first time the EV world merge with the military one (remember the hybrid tanks to be tested in the Army's new Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory), it is the first time a pure electric vehicle will begin testing in the service.

The vehicle is being manufactured by Canadian company Rapid Electric Vehicles (REV, a Honeywell Aerospace subcontractor) and is meant as an Ancillary Power Vehicles (APV). It is powered by a 125 kW permanent magnet AC motor paired with a gearbox drive system that delivers 300 Nm of torque. The REVs will be using Ford Escape and Ford F150 platforms.




Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/247#247

Charging Guides for Electric Cars to Be Issued

China will issue three standards in October to regulate charging facilities for electric cars, the Shanghai Securities News reported Monday, citing an unnamed source from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

China will issue three standards in October to regulate charging facilities for electric cars, the Shanghai Securities News reported Monday, citing an unnamed source from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Related readings: China's 1st electric car sold to individual Electric car purchase to be subsidized in 5 cities Shanghai to build 400 E-car charging stations Electric car recharging station opens in E ChinaFive more standards are being drafted and will be released before the year's end, the newspaper said. 

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/248#248

Toyota Prius available with Approaching Vehicle Audible System in Japan

In the face of concerns that new hybrid and electric vehicles are dangerously silent, Toyota Japan has added a noisy new option to its third-generation Prius range.

The Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) is an optional speaker setup in the front of the car that makes a humming sound equivalent to the volume of a standard petrol-powered vehicle.

Despite not yet being required by law in Japan, sales of AVAS will begin on August 30 for 12,600 yen ($170, excluding installation) for those who want their Prius to be heard.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/249#249

Ford, PGE team up on electric vehicles

Ford Motor Co. and Portland General Electric Co. are teaming up to share information about vehicle charging needs, as both companies prepare for higher numbers of electric cars in the coming years.

Ford said Tuesday it plans to bring five new electric vehicles to market over the next two years, including an electric version of the Transit Connect commercial van.

"To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles it is important to work with local utilities to make sure the necessary infrastructure and grid capability are ready," said Mike Tinskey, Ford manager of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, in a statement.

Ford and Portland General will share information about charging needs, with the goal of making sure the electrical grid can support the higher demand resulting from more electric cars on the road.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/250#250

Avail 15% concession attending EV charging, Infrastructure 2010 conference. Register with EVHUB.

EVHUB.IN is Media partner to the Event. 

All EVHUB.IN subscribers can avail 15% concession to attend this conference and hence register with EVHUB @ http://www.evhub.in/register-your-company/ and email us with your username to mail@evhub.biz

Media partner to 

EV Charging and Infrastructure

Event page @ EV-Charging-Infrastructure  

Nov 30th & Dec 1st 2010, London, UK

EVHUB subscribers can avail 15% concession- Grab it!

Virtual Online showroom for BSA motors

Visit BSA Motor's Virtual Online Showrooms

Have a look at BSA Electric bike models 

Get your own virtual showroom 

M&M inks SsangYong pact

Mumbai, Aug. 23: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to acquire a majority stake in troubled South Korean automobile maker SsangYong Motor Company.

SsangYong had picked the $7.1-billion Anand Mahindra-controlled M&M as the preferred bidder on August 12.

M&M president (automobile and farm sector) Pawan Goenka said, “We are committed to leveraging SsangYong’s strong competencies in R&D and technology by investing in a new SsangYong product portfolio which will help us to gain momentum in global markets.”

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/244#244

China Aims to Leapfrog Gasoline Cars with Electric Models

The Chinese government announced last week that it plans to invest up to $14.8 billion (100 billion yuan) over the next ten years to stimulate the production of plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars. The country intends to have 5 million of these vehicles on the road by 2020. That kind of commitment makes the $5 billion that the U.S. government plans to spend in this direction appear as a paltry sum.

How will China disperse those funds and why is China moving so aggressively in the electric vehicle space?

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/243#243

Can an electric car handle a Montreal winter?

BOUCHERVILLE - The upcoming three-year trial of 50 electric Mitsubishi cars in this South Shore city is “at the heart” of Hydro-Québec’s move toward the electrification of ground transport, a senior director of the utility said Monday.

Although Hydro-Québec is involved in tests with four different manufacturers of electric or hybrid vehicles, the $4.5-million Mitsubishi project is the largest test in Canada, said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, head of strategic planning and government affairs.

“We will have real-life experience with real people driving those cars, so the data provided will be very” significant, he said.

Desgagné made his remarks as the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV made its debut in Boucherville. That emissions-free car, right off the assembly line in Japan, is on a 7,500-kilometre cross-Canada promotional tour.

The first five i-MiEV test cars are to arrive in Boucherville in December – in time to taste a real winter – followed by another 10 in the spring. The rest of the cars will follow in several batches.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/242#242

Consumers ready to test electric vehicles

How well-received will electric vehicles be? Well, according to a new study, American adults are ready to get behind the wheel.

An online survey by the Consumer Electronics Association has found that 40 per cent of consumers are likely to test drive an electric vehicle. Known asElectric Vehicles: The Future of Driving, the study suggests consumers are enticed by improved environmental quality and potential cost savings.

Despite this apparent enthusiasm, overall awareness of the various types of alternative vehicles appears to be low. Around one third reports they are familiar or very familiar with hybrid vehicles; yet only a quarter are familiar with electric powered cars.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/241#241

Perks eyed for hybrid, electric vehicles

THE BOARD of Investments is mulling incentives for hybrid/electric car importation and assembly as several automotive firms have noted weak demand for the pricey but environment-friendly vehicles, a ranking official said late last week.

Businesses behind these cars could be included in next year’s Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), said BoI Managing Head Cristino L. Panlilio, while a bill similarly proposing incentives remains pending in Congress.

"We will look into that for next year’s IPP," Mr. Panlilio said in a telephone interview.

This, he added, will come on top of BoI support for House Bill 1 which proposes that hybrid cars be exempt from import duties and excise, value-added and ad valorem taxes since these consume less fuel and have lower emissions than traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/240#240

General Motors working on electric Chevrolet Sail

Thanks to Tycho, we’re able to bring you a development on the India-bound Chevrolet Sail.

Tycho reports that General Motors is developing an electric variant of the Chevrolet Sail hatchback in China. While there are no technical details to share, we can safely expect a powertrain meant for maximum range and modest power.

That brings us to the question – Will GM India use the e-Sail as a replacement for the defunct e-Spark project?

Read this news @ http://www.evhub.in/news/239#239