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Hybrids
| Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg hybrids to use Bosch motor
In a wide ranging interview Bosch's Bernd Bohr
mentions that their first hybrid vehicles, the VW Touareg and
Porsche Cayenne, will use Bosch developed electric motors. Sanyo will
likely produce the nickel metal hydride batteries. Overall Bosch
forecasts 2.5 to 3 million hybrid vehicles in 2015, and 800,000 all
electric vehicles, compared to 80 million new vehicles overall, a
5% market share.
July 19, 2008
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| Tesla to build electric sedan in California
Tesla Motors
decided to build their next generation electric sedan in California,
due to incentives extended to in-state production of zero emission vehicles.
A video of the announcement was posted on
Office of the Governor.
Tesla's Model S will be a fully electric, five passenger,
multi-use sport sedan with a driving range of approximately 225 miles
on one charge. The projected cost of the Model S is $60,000 and it
is expected in late 2010.
A lower cost electric auto for under $30,000 was mentioned as well,
to debut in less than 4 years.
June 30, 2008
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| Daimler plans two electric autos by 2010
In addition to the electric smart fortwo
expected in 2010, Daimler plans an electric Mercedes-Benz.
In an interview with Wirtschaftswoche Mercedes chief of development Dr. Weber
revealed that one possibility is the current A-Class
or B-Class, whose sandwich floor is well suited to house alternative
drivetrains. This is similar to the arrangement in the
1998 A-Class EV shown at left
or the F-Cells.
June 28, 2008
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| Tesla Motors, Daimler in deal
Tesla Motors and Daimler agreed on
a small technology cooperation, according to Elon Musk, which may
lead to a potentially large deal. Potential areas of cooperation could
be advanced lithium ion battery technology, electric drive systems, or
Tesla's next generation electric sedan, project WhiteStar. Last September
Mercedes was thinking about a cooperation with Tesla Motors as mentioned
earlier.
June 14, 2008
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UPS Places Largest Order for Hybrid Electric Trucks
UPS ordered 200 diesel electric walk in distribution trucks.
The architecture of the van's drive system follows the familiar parallel
hybrid principle, and is based on a 900-series (US designation: MBE 900)
four-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 4.25 liters and an
output of 125 kW (170 hp) in a joint venture with an Eaton 44 kW electric
hybrid drive. Hybrids are well suited for urban delivery routes with
frequent stop-and-gos. UPS also ordered 300 compressed natural gas vans,
and 1500 turbodiesel vans, which are well suited for longer distribution
routes.
June 5, 2008
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Continental invests in ENAX
Continental invests in ENAX, which has
been developing large format lithium ion cells since 1996. ENAX partners
with EVonik as mentioned earlier. Here is an
ENAX Europe company profile.
June 3, 2008
| Researchers elucidate how lithium ion cells work
MIT researchers Kisuk Kang and Gerbrand Ceder
found
how the lithium ions inside the battery work. The ions are stored in
highly ordered octahedral sites inside the layered oxide of the cell
electrode.
When charging the cell these ions then hop via intermediate tetrahedral
sites into adjacent octahedral sites.
The intermediate elevated energy tetrahedral transition state was found
to be rate limiting, one factor limiting the cell's performance.
May 24, 2008
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Bosch set up lithium ion battery development unit
During the annual press conference Franz Fehrenbach
mentioned Bosch set up a second project unit in addition to its hybrid unit.
This project unit will develop high-performance lithium-ion batteries,
and focus the company's efforts on further developing the core competence
it needs for the increased use of electrical motors in drive systems.
Bosch already develops lithium iron phosphate cells for its power tools
with Phostech as mentioned
earlier.
May 10, 2008
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ZF Sachs to produce S-Class hybrid module
ZF Friedrichshafen officially inaugurated
a new production facility for electric drives in Schweinfurt.
The first volume production contract is for the Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID.
At the present time pilot production has started for release samples.
Volume production is to begin in the fourth quarter of 2008.
ZF is working on eight series production projects for four manufacturers,
with planned launch between 2008 to 2012. BMW's 7-series is likely
among them.
The DynaStart hybrid drive modules have from 10 to 100 kW as well as a
maximum torque of 100 to 1000 Nm, depending on the requirements.
Electric drive modules for passenger vehicles, buses and delivery vans
can be built.
ZF Sachs also built the electric drive for the Sprinter hybrid and
plug-in hybrid program as mentioned
earlier, and codeveloped with the EPRI.
May 7, 2008
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| Orion VII New Generation Hybrid Bus update
Daimler Buses North America announces
the next leap in diesel-electric hybrid bus technology with the release
of an improved driveline configuration in 2010, and the electrification
of accessories for deliveries in 2011. The picture shows an Orion VII
New Generation bus, an attractive European inspired, redefined city bus
operated by MTA New York City.
May 4, 2008
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| Mercedes unveils Vision GLK BlueTEC HYBRID
In Geneva Daimler
presented a sleek Vision GLK BlueTEC HYRBID concept in alubeam blue.
It's powered by a four cylinder turbodiesel and 15 kW electric motor
sandwiched between automatic and engine. With a combined hybrid system
power of 165 kW / 224 hp and combined torque of 560 Nm / 413 lb-ft the
GLK rockets to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds while consuming just 5.9 liters
per 100 kilometers, or 40 MPG in US numbers. Market introduction will
not be before 2011.
March 1, 2008
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S 400 BlueHYBRID lithium ion battery announced at the 2008 Motorshow in Geneva
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Continental Launches Production of Lithium-Ion Battery
Hanover/Regensburg. Continental will launch volume production of a
high-performance lithium-ion battery for hybrid vehicles at the end
of the present year. It will be used in the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID.
"This marks an important breakthrough for Continental as supplier of
battery systems. In the next few years we will be launching production
of further lithium-ion energy storage devices for mild- and full-hybrid
and electric-powered vehicles," says Continental Executive Board member
Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann (far left).
Lithium-ion technology is viewed as the key to the success of the hybrid
and electric drive systems in motor vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries have
a higher energy density, and thus a wider range, than those based on
conventional nickel metal hydride technology. The power output of the
battery determines the overall performance of the vehicle as well as the
potential for lower emissions and for possible fuel savings.
Aside from the lithium-ion battery, Continental also supplies the inverter
and the DC/DC converter for the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID. The inverter
controls the flow of energy between the electric motor and the hybrid
battery. The DC/DC converter is the link between the hybrid battery and
the vehicle's standard electric system and thus permits the
elimination of the conventional generator.
February 29, 2008
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Breakthrough in Battery Technology by Daimler
First patented integration of a lithium-ion battery into a series- produced passenger car
Available in Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID starting in 2009
25 patents for top technology 'made in Germany'
Daimler AG has achieved
a crucial breakthrough in battery technology.
The Stuttgart-based automaker is the world's first manufacturer to have
succeeded in adapting lithium-ion technology to the demanding requirements
of automotive applications. Until now, the technology has been used
primarily in consumer electronics. The new battery will be used in the
series-production S 400 BlueHYBRID beginning next year. This important
technology was possible thanks to 25 patents held by Daimler.
Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and
responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, says:
"What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to
be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry.
That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been
conducting in this area since 1992."
The engineers' success is above all a result of the Daimler-developed
integration of the lithium-ion battery into the vehicle's climate control
system. This ensures that the battery always works at optimal system
temperatures of between 15 and 35°C, which in turn makes it possible for
the battery to provide long service life and maximum performance.
The main advantages offered by the newly developed lithium-ion battery
are its very compact dimensions and its far superior performance compared
to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries. The weight/power ratio of
the entire battery is 1,900 watts per liter (W/L). What's more, the battery
stands out by virtue of its high ampere-hour efficiency, long service life,
and great reliability, even at very low temperatures. Its high level of
safety is the equal of that provided by today's auto batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles
to help reducing fuel consumption. At the same
time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology
can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel
cell-powered cars.
S 400 BlueHYBRID -- the world's most economical luxury sedan
The S 400 BlueHYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km in
the NEDC, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making
the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world's most economical luxury sedan -- unrivaled
by any gasoline, diesel, or hybrid drive system offered by any competitor.
And S 400 BlueHYBRID drivers will still enjoy impressive performance:
combined with the hybrid module, the maximum output is 220 kW/299 hp, and
the corresponding maximum torque is 375 Nm. The S 400 BlueHYBRID
accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds on its way to an
electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Even more potential is offered by the combination of clean BlueTEC
diesel technology with a hybrid module, a duo that is featured in the S 300
BlueTEC HYBRID, for example.
February 29, 2008
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Lithium Ion Factory for Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid Opens
Johnson Controls Saft opened the new factory in Western France to
produce lithium ion cells for the Mercedes S 400 Hybrid.
Initially 5000 units are planned per year, and this can be expanded lateron,
for example to include other automakers, like BMW.
"We are the first company to produce the batteries for the
automotive industry," said Mary Ann Wright who is general manager of
Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business.
The joint venture also supplies the cells for the Sprinter Hybrid vans
mentioned earlier.
Top picture: Quality check at the end of the coating line where the positive
and negative ink are applied.
Middle upper: Cathode, separation and anode foils are wound together
in the joint ventures' new plant in Nersac.
Middle lower: This machine, part of the automatic production line, welds the
cover to the can to close the cell.
Bottom picture: The automatic assembly line inserts the coil into the can and closes the cell.
© JCI, photo credits Saft
February 2, 2008
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Continental selects Maxwell BOOSTCAPS for boardnet
Maxwell
announced that Continental selected their BOOSTCAP ultracapacitors
for a bordnet stabilisation program for a major automaker. Boardnet
stabilisation enables localised load levelling of pulse loads like
electric boosters, regenerative braking, electric heaters, door actuators
or electric transmission shifting, and thus smooths voltage fluctuations
or spikes and thus also enhances electric circuit reliability.
Series production should start late in 2009 for a 2010 model year vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz announced a BOOSTCAP development cooperation with
Maxwell as mentioned earlier.
January 8, 2008
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Li-Tec develops large format lithium ion cell production
Li-Tec in Kamenz is working on
large format manganese lithium ion cells. They use the LITARION® electrodes
produced by Evonik, described below, and the SEPARION® ceramic
separation foils for enhanced safety. Prototype cells were tested
successfully in a Honda Civic IMA as mentioned earlier.
December 12, 2007
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Updated LITARION® specs online
Evonik made data sheets for their ready to use LITARION®
lithium ion materials available. The cathodes are based on a Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide
chemistry offering enhanced safety and long-term stability. In addition,
a cathode solution based on Mn spinel oxide chemistry is also offered. The
table gives an overview of the basic characteristics of Evonik's current
product portfolio. Besides these standard types, custom-made electrode
designs are also available. Evonik partners with ENAX.
December 12, 2007
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Daimler Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles need more R&D
At the electric vehicle symposium in Anaheim California Daimler researchers
Dr. Christian Mohrdieck, Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt and
Prof. Karl E. Noreika presented a paper titled: "Plug-In Hybrids - Promise,
Hype or the Solution?". They summarised the status of Plug-In
Hybrids thusly:
The key component for the success of Plug-In Technology is the
Li-Ion battery. Lifetime, cost and safety are the main critical areas
which need substantial improvement.
Operation of a PHEV can reduce fuel consumption and hence save
costs. However these savings are outweighed by the initial costs of the
battery.
Batteries that fulfill the special requirement of high energy and
high power density for Plug-In vehicles are not yet available. Further
research and development is required and will take several years.
Daimler's Plug-In-Hybrid Sprinters are in normal operation in a
test fleet with customers and help evaluate the technical and the market
feasibility for Plug-In-Hybrid vehicles.
December 5, 2007
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| Daimler Trucks and Buses Update
Daimler Trucks and Buses issued
an extensive update on their commercial trucks and buses.
Their focus is on BlueTEC Hybrids.
From left to right: Canter BlueTEC Hybrid, Atego BlueTEC Hybrid,
Econic NGT, Freightliner M2 hybrid and Mercedes Citaro G BlueTEC Hybrid Bus
November 12, 2007
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Industry consortium to research and develop high performance batteries
BASF, Bosch, Evonik, Li-Tec and VW formed a research and
development partnership for high performance batteries. Evonik (formerly
Degussa) makes the ceramic SEPARION separation foils mentioned
earlier. In addition Evonik produces
electrodes under the trademark LITARION. Its 50-50 joint venture with ENAX
of Japan has produced customized electrodes since 2005 as mentioned
earlier.
November 6, 2007
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Mercedes-Benz may cooperate with Tesla Motors
Wirtschaftswoche. Mercedes head of development Dr. Thomas
Weber is thinking about a cooperation with Tesla Motors.
Mercedes-Benz is planning to bring a hybrid with Lithium Ion batteries
to market and is working with Continental and A123 Systems.
Tesla's pioneering lithium ion battery pack has a high energy density,
about 55 kWh and 450 kg, using 6831 cells.
In the picture Tesla chief engineer Martin Eberhard chats with customer
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
September 22, 2007
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Saft confirms Lithium Ion batteries for S 400 Hybrid
Johnson Controls Saft in Paris confirmed that it has been selected
to supply lithium ion batteries for the Mercedes S 400 HYBRID.
The batteries are to be supplied from a new plant in Nersac, France
as mentioned earlier. "I am very
pleased that
the combining of Saft's and Johnson Controls' know-how has led
to a first programme of this importance" said John Searle, Chairman
of Saft's Management Board.
September 12, 2007
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Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Fleet @ IAA 2007
Top row: S 400 BLUETEC HYBRID, E 300 BLUETEC HYBRID
Middle: F 700 DiesOtto HYBRID, S 400 HYBRID, ML 450 HYBRID
Bottom: C 300 BLUETEC HYBRID, S 300 BLUETEC HYBRID
September 11, 2007
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| | when | combustion
engine | combined hybrid system
power + torque | consumption | |
| ML450 BlueHYBRID | 2009 | M272 (V6) | 250 kW/340 hp 480 Nm | 7.7 l/100 km | NiMH, two-mode |
| S400 BlueHYBRID | 2009 | M272 (V6) | 220 kW/299 hp 375 Nm | 7.9 l/100 km | Li-Ion |
| E300 BlueTEC HYBRID | 2010 | OM651 (I4) | 165 kW/224 hp 560 Nm | 5.1 l/100 km | new E-Class (W212) |
| S300 BlueTEC HYBRID | 2010 | OM651 (I4) | 165 kW/224 hp 560 Nm | 5.4 l/100 km | AdBlue SCR |
| C300 BlueTEC HYBRID | 2011 | OM651 (I4) | 165 kW/224 hp 560 Nm | 4.6 l/100 km | NSK Advanced |
| S400 BlueTEC HYBRID | after 2010 | OM642 (V6) | 195 kW/265 hp 630 Nm | 5.8 l/100 km | AdBlue SCR |
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BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid unveiled
BMW unveils their first hybrid, the Concept X6 ActiveHybrid. In electric
mode it automatically closes the exhaust pipes with a flap integrated into
the rear bumper.
September 11, 2007
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Maxwell to design ULTRACAPS for Mercedes-Benz Cars
David Schramm, Maxwell's CEO,
said
the new contract provides for funding from Mercedes to develop a new
BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor cell specifically designed to meet the energy
storage and power delivery requirements of one of Mercedes' torque assist
and recuperative braking systems. BMW has been researching an X5
with ultracap powered active transmission as mentioned
earlier.
September 10, 2007
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ML 450 HYBRID: Mercedes two-mode hybrid introduced
As one of the seven hybrid models at the IAA 2007 Mercedes-Benz
is presenting the ML 450 HYBRID, due to be launched on the market in 2009.
Its innovative two-mode hybrid system (earlier mention)
enables electric driving and satisfies the highest comfort demands.
With a combined system output of 250 kW (340 hp) and a combined maximum
torque of 480 Nm, the ML 450 HYBRID consumes just 7.7 litres per 100
kilometres, or 31 MPG.
September 6, 2007
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Behr develops storage evaporator for stop-start hybrids
From Behr's recent annual press conference: For air conditioning in
the stop-start mode of mild hybrids, we are working on so-called storage
air conditioning. This involves a cooling battery filled with a latent
medium, which is cooled by the refrigerant from the evaporator. For example,
if the vehicle is stationary at a red light, the air conditioning compressor
is also inactive. The latent medium melts and thus cools the vehicle
interior for up to 50 seconds - long enough for an average red-light phase.
Behr and BHTC make the PHYSIO CONTROL® shown at left.
August 1, 2007
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IAV paper: Dieselhybrid compelling for large vehicles
At the Motor Symposium in Vienna IAV
said
full hybrids are compelling for large diesel offroaders. The additional
costs are justified by a 15% efficiency gain and enhanced agility. The
hybrid levels the load on the diesel.
As an example a typical 3 liter SUV diesel engine would be
replaced by a 2 liter 4 cylinder in combination with a 50 kW
electric motor. With changed engine control, phlegmatising the diesel,
not only the consumption can be reduced but nitrogen oxide emissions
as well, by 40%, facilitating exhaust cleanup. While electric boosting
handles quick dynamic torque requests.
July 31, 2007
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Porsche/Audi announce Hybrid SUVs with 9.8 liters/100 km
The new Porsche Cayenne hybrid is a parallel hybrid
consisting of a high-strength clutch and a electric disc motor
sandwiched between the engine's flywheel and the automatic transmission,
similar to the Mercedes M-Class HYPER concept built in 2002
as mentioned earlier and the Sprinter
hybrid introduced in 2004 mentioned earlier.
In electric mode the Cayenne hybrid can drive up to 50 km/h, and
'sail' without combustion engine up to 120 km/h.
It uses a 34 kW electric motor, a 69 kg NiMH battery in the spare
wheel well and an advanced "Hybrid Manager" power controller. A month
later Audi unveiled the Q7 hybrid with similar technology.
July 30, 2007 (Cayenne)
August 30, 2007 (Q7)
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BMW extends Efficient Dynamics to 3-, 6-, X3 and X5
Starting this fall 40% of BMW models sold in Europe in the 2008
model year are to attain a CO2 emission of under 140 g/km as BMW
introduces more powerfull and efficient gasoline and diesel engines
across a range of vehicles, also utilising automatic stop-start (1-, 3-)
and brake energy regeneration (3-, 5-, 6-, X3, X5) thus enhancing
efficiency and agility. For example the BMW 318d diesel sedan
pictured on the left burns only 4.7 liter per 100 kilometers in the
EU test cycle which translates to 50 MPG in US numbers.
June 26, 2007
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smart fortwo to introduce automatic stop-start
The Hightech Report 2007/1 mentions an automatic stop-start
system will first launch on the new smart fortwo by the end of the
year and is to be spread to Mercedes models lateron starting with
the A- and B-Class.
Mercedes studied a belt driven stop-start generator in
cooperation with Valeo on the previous generation smart fortwo cdi.
The automatic stop start is planned for the gasoline powered smart
fortwo models and stops the engine when waiting at a red light to
reduce emissions and to enhance efficiency. The system restarts the
engine automatically once the foot is taken off the brake pedal.
The Citroėn C3 uses a similar system since 2004.
smart fortwo info page
June 21, 2007
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