AC Propulsion with Yokohama

Yokohama’s 2010 motorsports program is continuing its “eco-racing’ with orange oil-infused tires races.
Yokohama Tire Corporation had many major motorsports successes last year and is eager to continue in 2010 with its orange oil -infused ADVAN® ENV-R1™.

According to Mark Chung, director, corporate strategy and planning, the historic introduction of the orange oil compound ENV-R1 race tires has yielded success in 2009 and the company looks to introduce an even more eco-friendly tire for the Patrón GT3 Challenge at Sebring in March.  This new tire will further reduce the use of petroleum which increases recyclability while performing at the same level as previous compounds.

Check out the 12 Hours of Sebring, on March 18-20.

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.

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.

Tesla Motors Roadster

Here is a list of the 2010 alternative energy and electric drive cars of the years.

The gist is the automobile industry is always eager to show next year’s cars with yesterday’s technology.  As such, in the beginning of this year 2010, 2011 models are coming out.  Funny enough, these models were designed a few years ago.  Go figure!  Another funny quirk is mentioning cars of the year as the year kicks off, something we will honor right now.

2010 EV Car Of The Year.  Tesla Motors Roadster Sport.  Yes, it is a tad out of most people’s budget but what a wow factor.  The Sports shaves another .2 seconds for a sensational 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds.  Hold on to anything you can.

2010 Electric Drive Company.  Nissan for its Leaf.  Since we should see it in fleet by year end, this car company has leaped frogged the competition by intelligently not only focusing on the electric vehicle, EV itself but the whole driver experience.  Very well thought out comprehensive experience.

2010 Electricdrive CEO Of The Year.  Alan Mullaly.  Surprised?  You should not.  Mullaly came into to the car industry with a pair of fresh eyes.  Instead of rushing into the electricdrive, Mullaly scoped out the condition of Ford and decided to take an even approach.  The results speak for themselves today, 33% sales increase in Europe and the only U.S. car maker that does well at home.

2010 New Technology Of The Year.  Smart Grid.  The promise of smart grid means effective management of energy use, saving and distribution.  The smart grid should grow this year.

That’s it.  Stay tuned for a list of the 10 most notable EV, HEV and PHEV for 2010.

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.

Voltec

So what is happening worldwide with the electric drive?  Glad you asked.  Read on…

• EV Ads Are Coming.  With all the talk around electric vehicles, EV, not too many ads have appeared on TVs and the media in general.  But wait no more, Renault has launched its first wave, according to EVAndEnergy.  While technically completely about EVs, it does point to a new direction for this decade.
• U.S. Congress e-Drive Bill, Aimed At The Postal Service System.  Meanwhile, the U.S. is also pushing an e-Drive bill aimed at electrifying the postal service.  You can read more at Congressman Jose Serrano’s site.
• Chinese Electric Taxis.  Chinese Wonder Electric Vehicle Ltd, WEV is working with Wonder Auto Technology, WAT with a 100 license to use its technology on the government mandated electric taxis, via TDAmeritrade.
• NREL Feels Diesel Hybrid Is The Way To Go.  A recent U.S. Department of Energy, DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL report shows that diesel hybrids make a ot of sense, according to NREL’s website.  The gist, after collecting and analyzing fuel economy and maintenance, UPS’s first generation hybrid diesel delivery vans powered by an Eaton Corp. electric hybrid propulsion system improved on-road fuel economy by 28.9% for a total of 15% improvement in total cost per mile, via the GreenCarMagazine.
• Facebook Group Dedicated To Electric, Hybrid And Hydrogen.  A Facebook group has been formed to discuss pure EV, hybrid and hydrogen powertrain.

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.

Fisker Karma dash, picture Nick Zart

Here is a look at what is happening with the electric drive worldwide and related topics.

• Solar Charging Station In NY, U.S..  Beautiful Earth Group, BE has solar-powered charging station in the state of New York, as well as its the first in New York City, according to AutomotiveNews.  Subscription required.
• Coaxing The U.S. Government For Smart Fleet Management.  An interesting piece has surfaced on TheNewsTribune that interestingly enough asks Washington Gov., Chris Gregoire to enact a moratorium on the purchase of new fleet vehicles.  Instead of spending money now for OK fuel efficient  vehicles, just wait and keep the three-year-old cars a bit longer. This would save several million dollars and when the Leaf and Volt are available, states would buy as many as possible for their fleets with the saved funds, ensuring a strong demand from the start.  In other words, this would be an amazing boost for the first mass produced electric vehicles, EV and plug-in hybrids, PHEVs.  Source, EV&Energies.
• Electric Volvo C30.  After much rumors, it is official, Volvo is working on an electric C30 and plans for a fleet of 50 to be delivered by 2011, according to the Telegraph.  The numbers?  0-60 mph below 11 seconds, 90 mile range with a top speed of 81 mph.
• GM Advertising Quirks.  This one is so… particular, we are almost at loss for comment.  Yes, GM is making better cars than it has in the past decades and yes, the Volt is good piece of engineering but Oh, My!  Those advertising!!!  This one takes the prize as the… well, the worse?  The worstest?  The most awkward?  It will make you cringe and definitely feel GM just does not know how to relate at all.

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