Fully Charged episode 29 Peugeot 3008 diesel hybrid [video]

A test drive in the new Peugeot 3008 diesel hybrid

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EV Drivers Will Prefer to Charge Their Vehicles at Home: Survey

Chartwell has conducted a study that reveals 89% of consumers would be "likely" or "extremely likely" to charge their plug-in EVs at home. In fact, the recent survey of 1,500 North American consumers shows that 81% of that group would fall into the extremely-likely category. This was a far greater percentage than consumers who foresee external charging stations as the primary means for fuel.

"We've uncovered some interesting findings," said Stacey Bailey, a Sr. Research Analyst with Chartwell. "You have the vast majority of consumers believing their home will be the primary charging site, and most of those respondents say they will plug in during off-peak, overnight hours, which would be preferable for most utilities.

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A Closer Look at the Fisker Surf Hybrid Wagon [video]

The new Fisker Surf is the world’s first electric luxury/sports automobile for an active and eco-friendly lifestyle. The Fisker Surf builds on the success of the ground-breaking Karma Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) by adding additional, flexible load-carrying capability, along with a spirited new attitude all its own.

The Surf is Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon and shows how Fisker is expanding its Karma platform rapidly with additional models that again create a new market niche.

Fisker say the Surf will be launched in 2013.

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Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in [video]

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) here today at the annual Green Drive Expo for two new hybrid vehicles, the Prius v and Prius Plug-in.

Since 1997 to present day, the Prius has been the dominant leader in hybrid technology worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the Prius has sold more than one million units since 2000. The all new Prius v and Prius Plug-in are the two newest hybrid vehicles to help make up the Prius Family. A fourth new member, the city-friendly Prius c, will launch in 2012.

Prius v

The first new member of the Prius Family, the Prius v, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA including Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. The Prius v will provide 58 percent more cargo space than the Prius Liftback, and at 34.3 cubic feet, it has more cargo room than 80 percent of the small SUVs on the road today. Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, the highest fuel efficiency of any crossover, SUV or wagon on the market.

The Prius v will have three configurations to help provide an easy ordering process, the value-driven Prius v Two, the well-equipped Three, and the premium level Five. All Prius v models come equipped with a wealth of standard comfort and convenience features including a new 6.1-inch Display Audio system with integrated backup camera, Bluetooth® and USB port, 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, single-dial climate control, EV/ECO/Power modes, driver door Smart Key System, instrument panel with driver feedback displays, Toyota's Star Safety System™ [which includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Smart Stop Technology], 60/40 split sliding and reclining rear seat, comfortable driver seating with power lumbar support and much more.

The Prius v Three adds standard Display Audio with Navigation and the Entune1™ multimedia system (includes SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription, HD Radio® with iTunes® Tagging and text-to-speech with programmed and customizable test responses).

In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door Smart Key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, fog lamps and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius v are $26,400 for the Prius v Two model, $27,165 for the Prius v Three, and $29,990 for the Prius v Five. The Prius v will arrive at Toyota dealerships in late October.

Prius Plug-in

The third member of the Prius Family, the first-ever Prius Plug-in Hybrid, combines the benefits of the third-generation Prius Liftback's Hybrid Syndergy Drive with extended electric vehicle (EV) range, in a package that is priced more competitively than any plug-in hybrid or pure EV on the market. It will feature a new Lithium-ion battery, which supplements the superior fuel economy of the Prius with an extended electric-only driving range of up to 15 miles at a maximum speed of 62 mile-per-hour. By Toyota estimates, it will deliver an estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and when operating in hybrid mode will achieve an estimated 49 MPG3, providing drivers with great fuel economy without range anxiety. The Prius Plug-in also offers convenient charging times of only 2.5-3 hours using a standard 120V outlet or 1.5 hours using 240V.

The Prius Plug-in will share many of the same exterior and interior design elements as the 2012 Prius Liftback. Design features exclusive to the Plug-in include unique chrome grille and bumper trim, chrome door handles, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, blue-accented headlamps, a distinct tail lamp design, and a new Hybrid Synergy Drive Plug-in badge.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two models, the Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid model comes equipped with an abundance of standard features including heated front seats, Remote Air Conditioning System (which can run either off the grid while the vehicle is plugged in or off the battery like the third-generation Prius Liftback), a charger timer, EV/ECO/POWER modes, three-door Smart Key, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune1 and an integrated backup camera, LED Daytime Running Lights, 15-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, enhanced Multi-information Display and much more.

The Prius Plug-in Advanced model adds additional standard features including Premium HDD Navigation with Entune2 and JBL® GreenEdge™, Plug-in Hybrid Applications through a user's smartphone (Charge Management, Remote Air Conditioning System, Charging Station Map, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard), Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, LED headlamps with auto on/off feature and integrated fog lamps, SofTex-trimmed seating, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, Safety Connect and more.

The base MSRP for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is $32,000. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced will have an MSRP of $39,525. Both Prius Plug-in models are expected to qualify for a federal tax credit of approximately $2,500.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be on sale in 14 launch states beginning this October through Toyota's Online Order System at www.toyota.com. Vehicle deliveries begin in Spring 2012. The launch states include California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. A national rollout is planned for 2013.

The MSRP for the 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $760. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Leviton Level 2 (240V) Home Charging Stations

Leviton, an approved provider of Level 2 (240V) home charging stations, has developed a residential program exclusively tailored for Prius Plug-in customers. The program will include the following:

A one-stop solution for home charging stations, installation services for 120V and 240V applications, and dedicated support for Toyota customers;
Level 2 (240V) 16-amp and 30-amp home charging stations designed exclusively for the Prius Plug-in (UL-certified, compact design, easy-to-use, and made in the U.S.A.);
Industry-leading pricing for Level 2 (240V) with basic packages starting as low as $999;
Toyota-dedicated e-commerce web portal (leviton.com/Toyota) with product information, order tracking, and other features.

Prius Plug-in customers will be able to take advantage of Leviton's special pricing beginning in early October.

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Delphi / WiTricity Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging [video]

Delphi Automotive has equipped several test vehicles with its Wireless Charging System, a highly efficient wireless energy transfer system featuring technology developed by WiTricity Corporation. Delphi will display the technology here at this year's IAA International Motor Show.

"This system represents a significant advancement in our research and development efforts to offer automotive manufacturers a practical wireless charging solution we believe is superior to others being proposed," said Randy Sumner, director, global hybrid vehicle development, Delphi Packard Electrical/Electronic Architecture. According to Sumner, engineers have installed the Delphi Wireless Charging System on multiple test vehicles, and have confirmed that system performance meets automotive market requirements.

In addition to added convenience, a wireless charging system eliminates the need for a charging cord. Drivers can simply park their electric vehicle over a wireless energy source situated on the garage floor or embedded in a paved parking spot. Other wireless charging systems under development make use of traditional inductive charging, the same technology used in electric toothbrushes, which is based on principles first proposed in the mid-nineteenth century. These systems only work over a limited distance range, require precise accurate parking alignment and can be very large and heavy, making them impractical for widespread use on electric vehicles.

“The Delphi Wireless Charging System offers more practical and flexible installation than traditional inductive systems because it uses highly resonant magnetic coupling, a modern technology that safely and efficiently transfers power over significantly larger distances and can adapt to natural misalignment often associated with vehicle positioning during parking,” Sumner said. As a result, Delphi charging sources can be buried in pavement, are unaffected by environmental factors such as snow, ice or rain, can accommodate a wide range of vehicle shapes and sizes and accommodate differing ground clearances. The Delphi system is also more forgiving to vehicle parking positions on top of the charger without requiring any moving parts to accommodate. The system transfers energy using an oscillating magnetic field, which is intrinsically safe for humans and animals.

According to Sumner, the system will automatically transfer power to the electric vehicle’s battery pack at a rate of 3,300 watts - the same rate as most residential plug-in chargers -- and is able to do so with the smallest and lightest modules possible. These components are important to minimizing overall vehicle weight and cost while maximizing the driving range of EVs, a critical selling point for automakers.

“We are excited by our testing and validation of the system and believe we have a valuable and unique wireless charging solution that offers the most potential for widespread use in the automotive market. With the support of automotive manufacturers, this technology can be integrated into the next generation of electric vehicles,” Sumner said.

Wireless charging technology will need to co-exist with plug-in charging solutions, he added, so that electric vehicle drivers have the ability to charge their vehicle when they are away from their wireless charging source.

Delphi also makes a Portable Electric Vehicle Charger that fits conveniently in the trunk of an electric vehicle. The user-friendly, UL-listed charging system plugs into any standard 120-volt outlet to enable safe electric vehicle battery charging at home or away. The charging unit can also be integrated into stationary charging applications.

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Mercedes unveil B-Class E-Cell Plus extended-range EV concept [video]

Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its first electric vehicle with Range Extender at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show in the guise of the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. The combination of electric drive and petrol engine ensures excellent suitability for both everyday use and long journeys. The energy accumulator takes the form of a lithium-ion battery from Deutsche Accumotive, which enables local emission-free driving up to a range of 100 kilometres. Thanks to the additional three-cylinder petrol engine, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS has a total range of up to 600 km. The concept vehicle presented at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show provides a foretaste of the series which is to go into production in 2014. The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS adds an all-purpose battery-powered vehicle with Range Extender to Mercedes-Benz's range of electric vehicles.

A new addition to Mercedes-Benz's portfolio of electric cars is the near-series Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS – a compact model that meets all the needs of daily motoring with a total range of up to 600 kilometres. As such, this electric vehicle is also ideally suited to long journeys and offers its driver unrestricted mobility. This is made possible by the combination of a powerful electric drive generating a peak power output of 100 kW and a continuous output of 70 KW with a 50 kW petrol engine. The latter performs a dual role: at low vehicle speeds it charges the battery via a generator. At higher speeds – on prolonged motorway stretches, for example – it additionally serves as a driving engine, acting on the front wheels together with the electric motor via a newly developed automatic transmission.

In all-electric, local emission-free mode the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS has a range of up to 100 kilometres. This covers over 80 percent of daily driving needs. The total range of up to 600 kilometres allows the vehicle to be used for long journeys, too. This means that the electric vehicle with Range Extender is fully suitable for everyday use and can be relied upon to reach its destination, even with a fully discharged battery. In combined driving mode the vehicle emits 32 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

"The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS shows that our new range of compact cars is all set for the future. The variant involving a battery-electric vehicle with Range Extender further broadens the range of alternative drive concepts from Mercedes-Benz," notes Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. "This innovative and highly flexible concept meets our customers' wish for emission-free driving coupled with a large range."

The vehicle concept – the best of two worlds

The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS is an electric vehicle meeting all daily motoring needs which combines the best of two worlds: all-electric driving and driving with a tried and tested high-tech combustion engine. This combination allows long journeys which to date have been the reserve of vehicles powered by a combustion engine alone or electric cars fitted with a fuel cell. The two drive units are extremely compact and are accommodated in the engine compartment at the front together with the transmission and the generator. The powerful lithium-ion battery and the fuel tank are located in a false floor at the rear – the so-called "Energy Space" – which has been developed specially for alternative drives. For other drive variants it is also possible to install gas or hydrogen tanks here, for example.

Intelligent control of the drive system for unrestricted mobility

The intelligent electronic control system of the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS ensures perfect handling in every driving situation. Activation and deactivation of the combustion engine take place fully automatically and go unnoticed by the driver. Electric motor and combustion engine work so intelligently together that the drive unit is able to select the most fuel-efficient mode in every driving situation in a fraction of a second – from stop and go in the city to speedy driving on the open road. With the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS there are basically two operating modes, depending on the battery charge status:

When the battery possesses sufficient energy, the vehicle runs locally emission-free on electric power alone. The energy accumulator can be recharged by means of a conventional domestic power socket. Rapid charging is also possible with this vehicle. This enables a charging time in the order of one hour.

When the battery charge status drops below a certain limit, the combustion engine is activated ("Range Extender mode"). The large range which is available in "Range Extender mode" ensures that the vehicle will always reach its destination, even if the battery is flat. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in approx. 11 seconds and the top speed of 150 km/h are both attainable in either operating mode. In order to ensure the most efficient possible motoring, two variants are possible, depending on the vehicle's speed:

Below a speed of around 60 km/h, the combustion engine and generator attend to on-board power generation ("serial mode"). In this case, the combustion engine is run in the most fuel-efficient mode.

At speeds of over 60 km/h the combustion engine acts as a driving engine together with the electric motor ("parallel mode"), transmitting the generated power to the front axle. Any excess power generated by the combustion engine is used to charge the battery and to run the ancillary units.

Highly efficient lithium-ion battery with long service life

The energy accumulator is accommodated in a false floor system at the rear of the vehicle – the so-called "Energy Space" – which has been developed by Mercedes-Benz specifically for alternative drives. The energy accumulator employed here is a particularly powerful state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive applications. It is produced by Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture of Daimler and Evonik.

The battery can be charged using any standard domestic power outlet or at a public charging station, by means of the charge socket integrated in the rear bumper and the 3.3 kW on-board charger.

When the car goes into production, convenient remote checking and remote configuration of the vehicle will be possible by means of the so-called Vehicle Homepage. The driver will be able to access his vehicle via the internet, using his PC or smartphone. In this way, it will be possible to check the current charge status of the lithium-ion battery or to verify the vehicle's current range on a map. A further feature is smart charging. This involves the customer selecting a desired time for the beginning of his journey. The system then ensures that the battery is fully charged and, if desired, that the vehicle is air‑conditioned at this point in time. The facilities offered by the Vehicle Homepage are rounded off by further convenience functions, such as a route planner designed specifically for electric vehicles.

Comfort and safety to the highest standard

In terms of safety and comfort, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS meets Mercedes-Benz's high standards in every respect. The vehicle combines compact exterior dimensions with a spacious and variable interior and luggage compartment. Five full-size seats make it an all-round electric car for the family, leisure and general motoring. The new electromechanical steering and enhanced driving dynamics provide for refined sportiness in the field
of electric mobility. A striking feature of the Concept B-Class is the copper-coloured linear graphic design which accentuates the vehicle and lends it a dynamic appearance. High-quality black nappa leather and copper-coloured double lap seams have been used in the interior.
The concept vehicle is a match for its siblings when it comes to active and passive safety features, too. Like all models of the new compact car generation, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS also comes with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a new assistance system which will help to avoid rear-end collisions in future. In keeping with the ongoing democratisation of safety, the B-Class E‑CELL PLUS will also feature a number of additional assistance systems adopted from the larger model series.

These include:

Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist
Attention Assist (standard)
Speed Limit Assist (speed limit sign recognition)
Active Parking Assist
Brake HOLD function (standard with 7G-DCT)
Hill Hold function
LINGUATRONIC
Reversing camera
PRE-SAFE® (featuring for the first time in this class of vehicle)

As such, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS sets new standards in the areas of compact electric vehicles with regard to comfort, safety and agility.
Technical data
VEHICLE DATA

Seats
5

Electric motor (machine type)

Permanently excited synchronous machine
Maximum output (kW/hp)

100/136**
Continuous output (kW/hp)

70/95**
Top speed (km/h)

150**
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (s)

11,0**
CO2 emissions (g/km)

32**
Range (km) (NEDC)

100 in all-electric mode**
up to 600 on combined power**
Range Extender


Combustion engine

3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
Displacement (l)

1.0 turbo
Rated output (kW)

50 at 3500 rpm**
Battery


Battery technology

Lithium-ion
** Provisional values

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World's Fastest Hybrid Truck Vs a Ferrari [video]

A drag race between a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Volvo big rig sounds pretty one sided, but this isn't just any big rig. The "Mean Green" was built by Volvo and features a twin turbo 16 liter engine good for 1900hp as well as a 200hp electric motor.

The company created the truck to be the world's fastest hybrid truck and from the looks of this video they are well on their way to claiming that title.

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Jaguar C-X16 Hybrid EV Concept [video]

Jaguar have released details of a compact, rear-wheel drive, two-seater, hybrid ahead of a full launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday September 13.

Powered by an supercharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 380 PS (280 kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque with a 70 kW and 235 Nm 'Push to Pass' electric Hybrid system.

Top speed of 186 mph, 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds and 50-75 mph acceleration in 2.1 seconds with CO2 emissions of 165 g/km

Under the clamshell bonnet is a next-generation supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 380 PS (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque. Already boasting a power output of 126 PS-per-litre, the performance of the C-X16 is further supplemented by a Formula 1-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button for on-demand acceleration.

Integrated into the eight-speed gearbox is a motor generator which draws power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the seats for ideal 50:50 weight distribution. Charged through a brake energy regeneration system, the batteries allow the motor to provide an additional 95 PS (70 kW) and173 lb ft (235 Nm).

Mounted in an aluminium chassis structure, the result is 0-62 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds, a top speed of 186 mph and acceleration from 50-75 mph of 2.1 seconds. The C-X16 is also able to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph under electric power alone and has CO2 emissions of 165 g/km.

The C-X16 measures 4,445 mm in length, 2,048 mm in width and 1,297 mm in height and has a wheelbase measuring 2,622 mm. In terms of overall length, the C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar created since 1954 and the XK120.

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MARUSSIA B2 AND B1 HYBRID

This is new MARUSSIA B2 AND B1 HYBRID,  that was show up  in motorshows. If you're activity to accomplish it in the alien supercar business, it helps to accept two things: a abundant calendar and an F1 team. The Ferrari case, aboriginal of all, goes after saying. McLaren has the closing covered,
and is in the action of blame the above into aerial gear. Spyker bought its own F1 team, and admitting it after awash it, attending at the Dutch automaker now: they own Saab. Lotus is afterward the aforementioned aisle with not one, but two F1 teams, and an advancing archetypal rollout plan. Now Marussia looks assertive to chase the aforementioned path.

The alien Russian automaker afresh bought into the Virgin Racing team, so they've got one aspect covered. All they'll charge now is a big aggressive archetypal lineup. Cue the most recent news.

According to the rumormill, Marussia Motors is planning on rolling out seven fresh articles at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall. Included in the appear affairs are a coupe, SUV, auto and a burghal car. If this is all aural familiar, attending no added than Lotus, which set a fresh antecedent with bristles fresh concepts at the Paris Motor Show this accomplished autumn.

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