Nissan Leaf

Nissan is working with AeroVironment to supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services for the LEAF later this year.The gist is that the Nissan LEAF will be able to be recharged by Nissan-branded charging stations from AeroVironment that will be available at the sale of the electric vehicle, EV.  The home-charging stations are designed to provide a safe and reliable charge when installed with a connection to a 220-volt line and will take eight hours to fully charge the Nissan LEAF from a fully discharged state.

While this is good news for AeroVironment, we wonder why the car company did not choose to go with Coulomb Technologies.  We will try to find out more about it.

Ioxus ultracapacitors

Ioxus has not been idling while the economy tries to figure out which direction it needs to take. With no less than a NY State Energy grant for new products in the pipeline, the company aims to start marketing their Made In The USA ultracapacitors to a broader area than it has in the past.The gist is that it is good to see companies that are active, not using the economic mood as an excuse to complain. Ioxus has been busy and their products have been very impressive. Matching, if not surpassing products made in Asia in terms of costs but mostly quality and power density. It is also pursuing the application of more patents and the 2010 roadmap shows how serious they are; additional products, a new generation 2 series of products that will enhance power. The company has also been active with patents and added an extra 12 patents in 6 months, now up to 21.
New ultracapacitors. The 1st new product launch is their 1000F. 2.7V prismatic ultracapacitor. The new subsystem is a smaller hybrid ultracapacitor that starts at an aggressive $62 and lower depending volume. With 24% less volume than its direct competitors, it has the same power output, same ESR than a larger product but by using better electrode, it lowers the resistance which means it loses less energy. The next product is the 3000F 2.7V prismatic ultracapacitor series which aims at bigger applications. With a starting price of $90, it has 10% less volume, 5% less leakage than its direct competitors. The product is aimed squarely at helping electric vehicles, EV with launching them and regenerative braking capacity. The last product is the 5000F 2.7V prismatic ultracapacitor which also has 10% less weight and more energy than the competition. While the applications are the same as the 3000F it makes it a perfect candidate for heavier vehicles, such as buses and rail.

In addition to these new products, Ioxus is the only U.S. manufacturer of another type of product called pseudocapacitors (also called hybrid capacitors), while matching prices of those made by only two other manufacturers in Asia. This is a commendable feast these days where offshoring has become a common sports for corporations. The company wants 2010 to increase energy storage and density, as well as power. The company is also making great strides I working with the automobile field explaining how the ultracapacitor is a great assistance to batteries, raising their lifeline by intelligently balancing the energy load. This is probably the biggest contribution Ioxus will make to EV, it will help squeeze efficiency out of current battery technology with the intelligent use of ultracapacitors. We say, well done.

Washington DC

There is much at stake for the U.S. this year as it tries to disentangle itself from a poor economy and embrace the electric drive.  What lies ahead?

The gist is that the position the U.S. once had globally economy is challenged.  With a new world busying introducing alternative energy and the electridrive, much of the political debate in the U.S. has boiled down to sterile and pointless ideological rhetoric.  What America needs now is union and a will to move on.

Alternative Energy, A Way Into The Future.  Roosevelt transformed the US during the Great Depression, Eisenhower started the interstate highway system and created the car culture.  Microsoft, Apple, Netscape and Google started the information economy and now the new administration has to transform the U.S. into a green economy leader.

However producing green goods, electric vehicle EV, and making the grid a smart one while being a battery manufacturer is no small task.  The real question is can the U.S. catch up with Germany in terms of manufactured products, now bested by China, or with Denmark, a country that derives most of its electricity from alternatives?

Look West Young Man.  The U.S. is still at a stage where it can save the game.  California is still home to automaker research on EVs.  It is home to alternative energy and green cleantech but its economy is in shambles.

The only thing that stands in America’s way is… America.  Politics has dragged debates to a standstill.  Instead of building up to face the competition, both parties fire endless rhetoric while the rest of the world is taking the advantage to move on.  The first few months of this year will probably shape the face of the U.S. for the next few decades.  If it reverts to what once made a strong country, hard work and ingenuity, it can compete again.  If it insists on squabbling, then its place on the global scale will be diminished.

For further reading; ScienceCareers, SydneyMorningHerald.

North American Auto Show

So what can expect to see as far as the electricdrive at the Detroit auto show? The gist is the North American Auto Show is the first of the year, so much rests on its shoulders to announce the test for the year.  So far, car makers are showing a little more hope.  So what can we expect as far as green and greener cars?

The Japanese Hybrids.  Nissan is going solo with the LEAF this year on the Electric Avenue section.  Asked as to why not on the main floor?  Nissan does not feel the expense are worth it.  We say congratulations, spend it on research.  Honda will show the production version of the CR-Z hybrid hatchback we have been waiting for.  Toyota will unveil its new subcompact hybrid concept that will not be based on the Yaris platform as previously thought.  The company will show again its plug-in hybrid, PHEV Prius.

Asian Varieties.  We can expect BYD to  show its electric e6 with its 205 miles range, or 330 kilometers, a top speed of 87 mph, 140 km/h, as well as its F3DM PHEV on “Electric Avenue”.   The e6 is supposed to launch in California this year.  Hyundai will present its Blue-Will concept that can travel up to 40 miles using its 100 kw electric motor until the 1.6-liter gas engine recharges the battery pack.  Partly made with bio-based or recycled plastics, a roof top solar panel provides some charge for cabin cooling.

The German Alternatives.  Volkswagen will show some hybrid concepts, as will Audi and BMW.  BMW will show its Concept ActiveE with its lithium-ion battery, 100-mile, 160 kilometer range and smartphone app that monitors battery health.

The Rest Of The World.  We can welcome the Italian for having cleaned up their acts and Fiat will display its much anticipated 500 electric concept.  This will make for a formidable competitor to BMW’s electric Mini-E.  Volvo will show its electric C30 with a range of 94 miles, 150 kilometers that charges in 8-hour with a top speed of 81 mph, 130 km/h.  It will be launched in a 50-vehicle test fleet in 2011 using a lithium-ion battery pack from Ener1.  Think is rolling out Valmet Automotive’s lines and the U.S. version built in Elkhart, Indiana should happen by 2011.

And with all of this, the U.S. fleet average is aimed at 35.5 mpg, meaning only some cars will achieve these numbers.

Chrysler EV prototype

Here is a look at what is happening with the electricdrive around the globe.

• Volvo’s C30 Battery Location.  Volvo is wondering where to put the batteries for its C30 EV, according to Just-Auto.  The tunnel shaft seems like a natural place, once you have sealed it enough away from nature.
• Geo-Thermal Mergers.  We did not have to wait too long for the results of mergers in the alternative energy field, and especially in geo-thermal.  Smaller geo-thermal companies have merged to create bigger ones and thus become more relevant, according to an interview of Steven Li, Senior VP of Technology & Cleantech at Raymond James on Seeking Alpha.
• Mercedes Plans S-class PHEV By 2012.  Mercedes is working on a plug-in hybrid, PHEV in no less than its S-class series, according to the CarConnection.  The new PHEV should be ready by 2012.
• Happy New Year Zero Motorcycles, Here Is $5.6 Million.  Not a bad way to start off the year for the electric motorcycle maker with a fresh flow of $5.56 million in funding, according to SantaCruzSentinel.  This is especially important as this year promises to be an epic battle for EV makers to once and for all establish the dominance.
• 2010 Green Energy First Week.  The first week of 2010 has been favorable for the green energy sector with $113 million into green tech companies, via Earth2Tec.  Who? The list is not exhaustive but Clean Power Finance, Innovalight, Coda Automotive and Zero Motorcycles as you have read above.

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more.

Saturn Extreme PHEV Concept

Here is a look at the happenings around the electricdrive on the planet.

• Tesla Goes To Detroit.  The epic run of Tesla Roadsters that left early last month from Los Angeles to Detroit have reached their destination on schedule, according to press release.  The 2,700-mile journey to raise awareness about electric vehicles, EV proved the Roadster is four-season and  rugged.
• Gran Turismo 5 Includes An EV.  A which EV might we be referring to?  A Tesla Roadster of course…
• Prius, Japan’s Top Selling Car 2009.  Not much of a surprise for Toyota that saw its Prius climb to the number one spot as the most sold car in Japan, according to AFP.
• Tapping Into The UK Offshore Wind Energy.  The UK is taking definitive action taping into its rich offshore wind energy with a consortium including Npower and Norway’s Statkraft that won the licence for the biggest wind farm which could produce 9 gW of energy.  All together, the turbines in the 9 zones could generate up to 32 gigawatts of power, according to the BBC.
• Sanyo’s Solar Area Density Per Car Charging.  Sanyo believes 10 to 20ft, or 3 to 6 meters is enough to charge an EV all year long, via TreeHugger.
• Polaris Defense EV LSV.  Polaris Defense is unveiling its new EV, the LSV, according to Motorcycle-USA.  The scoop? Low speed EV designed for off-roading and the military.  Yet another segment of the growing world of EVs.

That’s it for now.  Stay tuned for more.

Tesla Model S

This post fell through the crack of the Holiday rush and excitement, so without any further delay here is our 2010 electric drive predictions…

The gist is that if 2009 was the rebirth on the promise of the electric drive, 2010 is where the rubber meets the road.  2009 have seen a string of technological breakthroughs and enticing concepts that have even turned around the staunches nay sayers.

The Obvious Predictions First.  The obvious predictions we can make are the following, energy storage will continue to increase, electric vehicles, EV will become more and more mainstream, car makers will offer more and more concepts, some will be vaporware, others real and the alternative energy field will grow, as well as smart grids.

Car Makers That Get It.  There are a few car makers that stood above the crowd in 2009, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Tesla Motors, and Fisker Automotive.  We can sense the consolidation of these maker’s image as 2010 unfolds.  Fisker Automotive will unveil its Nina prototype that will directly rival GM’s Volt.  Tesla Motors will show a few working prototypes of its Model S.  Ford and Nissan will continue to prepare the respective Focus EV and Leaf, while developing their other cars.

Technologies That Makes It.  In this department alternative energy and clean tech is going to continue its upward trend.  The global financial instability has pushed investor to become a little more rational (please stop laughing, we are all hoping) and funds are moving towards cleaner technologies.  We will see more and more mergers and acquisitions as well as a few IPO, namely Tesla Motors and A123 Systems look like very probable candidates.

Anything else?  Let us know what you see for this year.

Tesla Roadster number 1

Here is a look at what is happening in the electric drive world.

• Tesla Motors Working With Panasonic.  Now that Panasonic has been cleared to merge Sanyo into its core business, it has not wasted any time to announce a partnership with Tesla Motors on the next generation battery cells, according to EarthTimes.  The gist, using Panasonic’s Nickel-based Lithium ion chemistry.  Goodbye laptop batteries, hello professional EV grade ones.
• Cleantec Energy Stocks 2010.  If 2009 is anything to gauge, 2010 should see cleantec energy stocks go up, according to RechargeNews.  It makes sense as investors look for the next big thing.  Hopefully, this around they will not kill the golden goose.
• The Case For PHEVs Incentives… In Certain Cases.  No need to beat a dead horse but incentives for the adoption of plug-in hybrids, PHEV is a hot debate.  Equally important, not every region or everyone will benefit the same by adopting it early.  A recent study by Energy Policy came to the conclusion that giving consumers who live and drive in regions where the social benefits of electric–boosted cars are strongest, and recognizing the circumstances of consumers – such as their income, life stage and family size – gives PHEVs a better shot at both sales and environmental and energy security effectiveness, via EurekaAlerts.

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more.

Pininfarina Sintesi

2009 and the last decade is dead!  Long live 2010 and to the new decade!  So what do we have to look forward to?

The gist is the last decade was chaotic and the new one points to a radical shift in the automobile industry unlike previously experienced.  Whereas the last automobile shift from electricity to gasoline power transitioned slowly, this is fast and furious.

The Rat Race.  So far, we can count on one thing, the race to be in the top spot will entertain us.  We will see casualties and some will surprise us.

Goliath Versus David.  The race between startups and mainstream car companies promises to be interesting.  If startups have seriously challenged established car makers, some car makers have reacted vigorously, while others baffle with their state of denial.  Even within the startup segment, some have gained international prestige and recognition while others with great products are barely known.

Technology.  An important race, however is the technology behind it all.  This is where small, big, research centers, individuals, etc. will play a big role.  Battery technology will become much more energy dense.  Controllers need to operate on even lower energy, as well as heaters, AC and other electronics.  Watch for ultracapacitors playing a bigger role.  Energy management and power, both for cars and for business/individuals will continue to refine effective management and create better cleaner renewable energy sources.  Hopefully, politics will not get in the way.  Regardless on where you stand, we need to develop clean energy sources, period.

HEV, PHEV And EVs.  We should see more hybrids, HEV hit the street but what we truly are on the lookout are more refined HEV designs and especially plug-in hybrids, PEHV until electric vehicle, EV can shoulder 90% of the need.

Finally, consumers will play the biggest role they have.  Companies will vie for consumer wallets, consumers will have to be careful not fall pray to over the top marketing schemes.  The upcoming IPOs, mergers and buy outs will be intense this year.  It already put us in dire straights in the past, hope investors will use caution.

All in all, if 2008 and 2009 were the years that put the electric drive back on the radar, 2010 and beyond will be the definitve foundation for the migration of vehicles to the electric drive.  Happy New Decade indeed.

mitsubishi's MMR25

Gone are the days of heavy steel, gas polluting engines and the petroleum highway robbery consortium.  That is, at least if you are to believe the newly reborn car industry promise of the electric drive.

The gist maybe the car industry has learned its lesson.  Maybe it has been stung to the point of ditching its evil counter-partner, the oil consortium.  At last this newly leased look at the future where electric vehicles, EV rule supreme is finally taking root.  And if concepts are anything to gauge, we are in for a better and healthier tomorrow.

Nissan’s V2G EVs.  If one company has stood above the crowd this year Nissan has proven an old dog can be taught new tricks.  The all encompassing vision of a future where a driver can go to a one stop shop for his EV experience would be Nissan’s.  24 hour day help centers, recyclable EVs that drive on highway feeding energy ranks pretty high on our list.

Nissan V2G EV

Rinspeed’s Short Range EV, Long Haul Trains.  If you do not believe in electric highways, then Rinspeed’s idea of offering small range EVs that hop on train for longer haul has substance to it.

Rinspeed's QC EV

Loremo, Lightweight And Sturdy.  Probably our favorite is the Loremo project that uses light material put together in a sturdy way.  It is the ideal solution for tomorrow’s EVs.

Loremo EV

While the list goes on, undeniably the electric drive has opened the door to creation, imagination and a cleaner future than the car industry has done in the past 4 decades.  We look forward to covering the news and be part of this amazing transition into the future.

Here is to you future generations.  Maybe you look back upon this time as one where people came to their sense and businesses went back to reason over profits.