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.

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.

The ELIICA

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

• A Review Of Different Energy Storage Solutions.  EVWind has a good post that recaps the different energy storage solution.  A good primer or recap worthwhile reading.
• National Research Council PHEV Report.  The NRC has come out with a report that was not positive towards the research and use of plug-in hybrids, PHEV.  This was unfortunately exploited for fear mongering by the media…
• China’s Green Energy Push, Leading The World? China’s push into green energy could possibly be a sustaining global power this year, according to Seeking Alpha.  Having already committed to $454B in the renewable energy sector, such as wind and solar energy, congress is forcing electricity-grid operators to purchase all the electricity generated from renewable sources even when it is more expensive and more complicated to use than electricity from coal-fired plants.  That is one way of doing it, while the West waddles in its quagmire.
• Top 10 Green Cars For 2010.  TheGreenCarWebsite has a list of what it considers to be the top 10 green cars of the upcoming year, beating us by a few days!  In the meantime, we agree with almost all.  And the list is, at least for non-gas cars; Tesla Roadster Sport, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid BMW Concept ActiveE, Toyota Hybrid, Volvo C30 electric, and number 1, the Nissan Leaf.

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more

North American Auto Show

No time to rest when we have our first and probably one of the most important auto show of the year, the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next week.  Why is it important?  Find out.The gist is that we are barely off to a new year and decade than comes the first auto show, the Detroit Auto Show.  Why is it important and what can we expect from it?

NAAS In Detroit.  The Detroit Auto Show will open its doors next week and will be, as always a good way to gauge the American market.  Why is it important?  We are obviously still reeling in from an economic melt down where car makers are scrambling to make sense form their past mistakes.  This is the first show of the year and sets the tone.

Detroit Auto Show, What Can We Expect From China? Obviously, we will be on the look out for Chinese car makers.  While many still equate Chinese products with poor quality, with a hungry home based market, the country can only improve their products, coupled with their mass manufacturing might, this should be interesting to watch.  Watch for BYD mostly.  The company will show again its all-electric e6, which can do 0 to 60 in 8 seconds, a top speed of 100 mph, with 250 miles on a single charge.  Its plug-in hybrid, PHEV F3DM can deliver 60 miles on batteries until its 1.0-liter gas engine kicks in to extend the range.

We will cover the show and give you heads up.  Next, we will look at who will be there.  So far, it will not be as flashy as in previous years, which means we will see more technology and less fanfare, something we all look forward to.

Loremo EV

This award was probably the most fun.  While many competed with fantastic ideas, it was hard to actually chose.

The gist is that each and every car maker with an electric vehicle, EV prototype is a winner of some sort.  If the real winners are consumers, some car makers, mainly startups have shown incredible ingenuity.

The Award For The Smart EV Goes To… Loremo.  Why a smart EV award?  EV face the challenge of having to be light and sturdy.  Loremo is the perfect solution to this problem with the use of intelligent light materials that are put together in a strong and sturdy way.  Makes perfect sense.

Loremo EV

Here is a video with an update of the Loremo.

The Award For The Friendliest EV Eco Solution Goes To… Lampo.  The Lampo Protostar wants to have its EV offset its carbon footstep by having its solar arrays at the factory feed electricity into the grid.

Lampo energy

The Award For The Perfect All-Around EV Goes To… Tesla Motors and their Model S.  The Model S will not stop to surprise us as more and more will come out from the EV startup with technological breakthroughs this new year.  The Model S answers many people’s concern, a big enough EV for the family with enough performance to satisfy almost everyone.  The Model S provides room for 7 and with an option for 300 miles of range.  We eagerly await its arrival.

Tesla Motors Model S

Toyota Prius

Hybrids are being challenged by the increasing more efficient turbo diesels.  Find out why.

The gist is that hybrid car, HEV technology is a step forward, it is a stepping stone until batteries become light and energy dense enough to carry regular sedans over 400 miles.  In the meantime, another contender, the diesel engine is giving hybrids a money for its run.

Diesel Or Hybrid? The newer generation of turbo diesels have become cleaner then in the past and offer a good alternative to HEVs.  They can at times rival miles per gallon, MPG as well as emission, in certain cases.

The Case For MPG.  When it comes to pure mileage efficiency, HEVs and turbo diesels are delivering a tight duel.  VW’s .8L 3 cylinder diesel offers a remarkable 80 mpg, while Toyota’s Prius gives 50 mpg.  If Audi’s and VW’s TDIs offer 30/40mpg.  If German car makers continue increasing performance of the turbo diesel engines, TDI, the extra expense of designing a hybrid platform might work against it.  In essence, it is easier and sometimes cheaper (depending on which options you chose) to develop a turbo and diesel.  Another fact that evens out the balance is that today’s TDI emissions are getting closer to those of HEVs.  Considering the premium for both HEVs and turbo diesels, there is not a clear winner.

That is… until EVs step it up.  In the end, it should be kept in mind that HEVs are a stepping stone to the pure electric drive and that in the meantime, old technologies, such as TDI can bridge that gap.  What will convince people in the end is the following.  A TDI is more fun to drive than a Prius.  While in Europe, Diesels make sense since it is cheaper than regular, in the U.S. it has a negative image German car manufacturers are working to win the hearts of many.  It is a tight race these two technologies are delivering but ultimately face the inevitable pure electric drive.

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept, picture Nick Zart

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

• U.S. West Coast EV Friendly.  The West coast of the U.S. is working hard on making electric vehicles, EV a reality now.  According to Paul Scott on EVsAndEnergy, from Seattle to Los Angeles, every Mayor is boasting some infrastructure, project or otherwise related.
• Coppenhagen, CO2 reduction.  In a nutshell, CO2 need to be reduced anywhere from 25% to 50 according to the 1990 numbers and it does not look like the industrialized nations will commit to it but we cannot discount a last minute come back.
• Paper Thin Batteries Made Of Paper? Using plain old fashion copier paper, carbon nanotubes can be used to store energy, according to the BBC.  Why?  Paper is cheap(er) than metal, currently metals accounts for 20% of batteries and opens up a road to fabric.  Here is a video.
• Opel Announces A Small EV.  GM is pushing hard to make Opel relevant again and nothing catches the attention better then a mini EV.  Not much is known yet on the Trixx mini concept but GM is apparently using Opel to work on its second generation true EVs.  Source, AutoNews.
  

  Opel Trixxx mini EV

That’s it for now, stay tuned for more as we resume our normal schedule.

Yokohama DB Super E-spec

When it comes to green products, performance is usually not included.  However, Yokohama has decided to remedy to problem with the introduction of its Orange oil derivative tires this past summer the Yokohama DB Super E-spec., this time with performance in mind.

The gist is wanting to be greener usually means putting performance on the back burner.  Not anymore.

Being Green With Performance.  Yokohama’s DB series is a low resistance roll tire made with an orange oil that makes the tire an 80% petroleum free one.  The inside liner also uses an orange oil derivative liner that makes the tire more air sealed, which means less air leaks and better overall performance.  The best part of the news is that the tire is high performance.  The more you corner, the hotter it gets and the better it grips.  It is now being used in races.

The Yokohama DB series lets you have “green” tires with performance, something most of us want.  Yet, Yokohama does not just stop here.  Its 8 plants already exceed the Kyoto Climate target.  It will be interesting to see what the competition will have to answer this.

Finally, the world of hybrids, HEVs and electric vehicles, EV can have a tire that can handle the higher torque from the electric motor while still being green.  We look forward to a more in depth talk with the company soon.

Hype Cycle of Emerging Technology

Here is a look at electric cars and related topics around the world.

• Capston Turbine At The LA Auto Show.  Here is a company we look forward to seeing more from, Capstone Turbine.  Remember them with their Ford S-MAX MPV?  They will be at the LA Auto Show later this week.
• John Petersen Sheds His Light.  The controversial John Petersen over at Seeking Alpha rarely ceases to push buttons and probe away from the moral majority.  In this article, he reviews the pros and cons on the emerging car technologies and their hype.  One thing we do take away from is a graph called: “Hype Cycle of Emerging Technology” from a Gartner Group pictured above.
• EnerDel, Th!nk And The Smart Grid.  Here is a smart manufacturer positioning its products intelligently.  EnerDel has announced a partnership with Smart Grid Leader and the U.S. Department of Energy, DoE to use their batteries in five 1 mW power systems near Portland, Oregon, U.S. to supply up to 400 homes worth of energy for an hour during peak load times, according to AllCarsElectric.
• Another Volt Drive, Another Journalist Won.  There is no denying that people who have driven the Volt have all been enthusiastic.  Steve Parker at HuffingtonPost concurs.
• The Secret Green Sauce.  If you do not know what to get for the holiday season, or if you want to get us something how about the Secret Green Sauce?  Check out the Earth2017 review.

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