Monday, January 31, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Daimler Says Fuel Cells as Affordable as Diesel Hybrids by 2015

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:17 PM PST

Fuel cell vehicles face many of the same challenges as electric cars, chief among them the high cost and lack of infrastructure. However, Daimler thinks fuel cells will be as affordable as diesels by 2015. So how 'bout the infrastructure?

It can't be argued that this technology isn't expensive. Both electric and fuel cell vehicles employ some pretty cutting edge gadgets to do what they're supposed to. Electric cars and fuel cell vehicles both employ batteries, but Daimler thinks the cost of batteries, as well as fuel cell technology, will continue to come down. Makes sense, right?

Herbert Kohler, head of Daimler's e-drive and future mobility division, told Automotive News that "By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard." That will make such vehicles much more affordable for the common man (right now a B-Class fuel cell vehicle leases for between $600 and $849 a month) and there's no reason to doubt the truth of his words.

When horseless carriages first appeared, they were dismissed as a fad for rich people; then the Model T came along and made mobility affordable for the masses. The same can and will happen with technology like electric cars and fuel cell vehicles, so long as the major automakers stick to it. Daimler seems committed, and they’re even sending a B-Class F-cell (above) vehicle on a world tour, demonstrating how awesome their fuel cell technology is along the way. They’ve got competition though; Toyota plans to sell a $50,000 fuel cell vehicle by 2015 as well.

I could be wrong, but I don't think at any point in the history of the world have some many different automakers been aligned with the same basic goal in common; make clean, energy efficient transportation affordable for the masses. Gives ya the warm 'n fuzzies, don't it?

Source: Automotive News

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

Baltimore Grand Prix to be the “Most Sustainable” Race in U.S.

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 11:08 AM PST

The American Le Mans Series has been working for five years to make racing greener. The ALMS announced that Baltimore would be a new racing venue, and it aimed to be the "most sustainable" race in the U.S.

Baltimore has been talking about having a Grand Prix for years now, and those dreams seem to have finally come to fruition. I've covered the work ALMS has done before, from engine oil made mostly from cows to biobutonal-powered race cars to diesels and even flywheel hybrids. It is one of my favorite racing series, combining high-octane action with an air of sustainability and an eye towards efficiency.

American Le Mans holds races in some of the premier venues in the U.S., from Sebring to Lime Rock, and they are adding Baltimore to that list. Baltimore and the ALMS have signed a five-year contract to bring races within the city limits, through the heart of downtown, and the race aims to be the most sustainable race in the U.S. These improvements aren't just for the benefit of the racing series, as many of the initiatives will have long-lasting effects.

For example, solar panels will be placed on the convention center roof, and LED lights will replace incandescent bulbs on street lights. Charging stations will be added to city streets, hybrid vehicles will transport fans to and from the race track, and an interesting take on parking that will see individuals organized by zip code. While racetracks across the country are already exploring and applying green initiatives, the Baltimore Grand Prix aims to be the greenest of the green.

Sounds like they're off to a good start, and with the ever-expanding lineup of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles duking it out on the streets of Baltimore, there's sure to be something there for the racing fan in all of us. Are you excited as I am to see racing getting even greener? Any Baltimore locals want to chime in?

Source: American Le Mans Series

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.

VW Will Build 100 Formula XL-1 261 MPG Vehicles

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 08:21 AM PST

Volkswagen recently tore the veil off of its 261 MPG concept vehicle, the Formula XL-1, in Qatar. It's the third in a line of high-mileage concepts, and apparently is product ready as VW plans to sell 100 of these vehicles.

When I first posted about the XL-1, many of you were skeptical that such a vehicle could ever come to market, or even be roadworthy. But it is coming to market, and it is roadworthy. It is also probably going to be very, very expensive. Big automakers like VW don't have a habit of producing small quantities of cars like this unless they cost big bucks. Seeing as how the XL-1 is build using high-strength, low weight materials and features and an advanced engine and hybrid transmission system, most of us probably won't be able to afford the few VW will build.

That doesn't mean the XL-1 won't one day come down in price or be made en masse. Perhaps a cheaper version, made with aluminum rather than carbon fiber, could be made and sold for cheaper (cheaper being relative, of course). There's a lot of interest in these high-mileage cars from a lot of people, so if VW can't figure out a way to bring this concept to life and make it affordable for the masses, then they can't be serious about becoming the world's largest automaker either.

Source: Green Car Advisor via Automobilwoche

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Chevy Volt for Sale Nationwide by End of 2011

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 05:45 PM PST

GM rolled out the Chevy Volt in California, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. But by the end of 2011, GM says you should be able to buy a Volt in all 50 U.S. states.

This could be a case of lowered expectations, or a real surge in demand from American consumers for this kind of car. GM says that due higher-than-expected demand, they will accelerate their roll-out plan for the Volt by a whole six months. If all goes according to schedule, the roll out should look something like this:

  • Sales in Michigan begin this spring
  • By the end of the 3rd quarter, the entire East and West coasts will able to buy the Volt, as well as Hawaii.
  • Before 2012, GM expects to have the Chevy Volt in showrooms nationwide.

This is a good sign for the Volt, which still has many naysayers and detractors. GM has also whispered that it wants to bump production up in 2012 to as much 120,000 Volts. Perhaps GM has created more demand by extremely limiting supply? Or maybe the management really didn't think the American people were ready for it.

Whatever the case, I'm sure GM is pleasantly surprised, and I am too. It's still too early to call it a home run, but the Volt is definitely a hit…so far.

Source: GM

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.
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Friday, January 28, 2011

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

Nanocomposite Magnets May Reduce Dependency on Rare Earth Elements

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 12:18 PM PST

A new breed of magnets may help the resolve the industry’s dependency upon rare-earth metals while improving the magnetic performance.  These new magnets are being developed using nanocomposites, and are supposedly much stronger than conventional magnets with similar weights.

This could be important for the development of electric cars, which rely on rare earth elements for their powerful electric motors. China has been messing with exports of rare earth elements, making supplies harder to come by and thus more costly. But nanocomposite magnets use nanoparticiles of elements like neodymium, using fewer rare earth elements but also creating a more powerful magnetic field, basically making less out of more.

Since nanocomposites boast better magnetic force to weight ratios, new devices, such as electric motors and turbines, can be equipped with lighter magnets, thus reducing their size and weight. This could increase the device’s performance while also reducing manufacturing costs, making mass production much easier. Toyota is working on new types of electric motors to reduce their dependency on rare earth elements, but they aren't the only ones.

Currently researchers for GE working on a Department of Energy-funded project are trying to reduce the amounts of rare-earth metals that conventional magnets require, due to the fear of the demand of these rare-earth metals exceeding current supply. The main exporter of such metals, China, has been reducing exports, limiting the global supply of the rare materials at a time when need is on the rise. This is where the nanocomposite technology comes into play.

Researchers are using a technique called “coupling” to create these materials, which reduces the amount of rare-earth metals in the magnets while implementing other composite materials to improve magnetic properties.  The question is though, will these new magnets get here in time, or will China's stranglehold on rare earth elements let it take the lead in the electric vehicle race?

Source: Technology Review

20% of Buyers Consider Electric Cars, Home Charging Cost an Issue

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:21 AM PST

More drivers are considering an electric vehicle to replace their gas guzzlers as oil prices rise again. Many are even willing to pay premium over a comparable gas car but not, it seems, the 240 volt home charger.

According to a study by IBM, 20% of drivers are willing to consider a new electric car next time they're in the market for an automobile. 30% of drivers said that they are willing to switch to EV’s that got 100 miles or less per charge, as many currently do.  Yet some drivers are still hesitant on choosing to go electric.  Why?  Apparently the buck stops at home charging.  While EV’s save drivers on gasoline expenses, choosing to go electric also means having to equip one’s home with the appropriate charging outlet.  The cost to install such a system generally runs from $1,000 to $2,000, on top of the extra cost of an electric car. When faced with this reality, only 13% of the interviewees said they would spend more than $1,000 to have a home charging station. Also, if lots of electric cars start plugging in over night, the lower electricity rates for night use may disappear as utilities reconsider their options.

Home charging is important to the acceptance of EV's, but there are ways to get around this sticking pint. There isn't a gas station in your house, is there? But you still drive a car. So we should build charging stations for these vehicles where drivers leave their vehicles for extended periods of time, such as train stations. Malls, offices, and shopping centers can also provide easily accessible places to charge one’s EV, though the premium cost of electricity during business hours may give people a second thought about installing that home charging station.

These vehicles will evolve over time — just like everything else – and as buyers we just can’t expect the technology to mature over night. Sometimes it can be hard to look at the big picture, financially and environmentally, but in the long run we will find out way.

Source:  AutoBlogGreen via IBM
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