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Featured Threads Archive
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It has started, 48 volt hybrids arrive.
Sounds like the 2019 Ram 1500 will have a mild hybrid system standard on all trucks.
2019 RAM 1500 Mild Hybrid | CleanMPG
On a separate note, engine coolant will be used to heat up the 4x2's rear axle to efficient temps, and also cool it while towing. -
Nissan e-power
Thanks to @Rmay635703 for this find:
This sounds to be a true, serial hybrid like our BMW i3-REx. I was going to post a comment under the source article when I realized how poorly informed they are.
Here is a better source:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20180121/OEM05/180129955/nissan-epower-us-popular-in-japan
Saikawa said that every Infiniti that appears in or after 2021 will either be a full electric vehicle or have an ePower powertrain.
The technology reached the market in Japan as a powertrain option on the Note in late 2016. But in 2017, its... -
Solar cell import tariff
Source: Trump Slaps Tariffs On Imported Solar Panels And Washing Machines : The Two-Way : NPR
In a statement, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that, after consulting with the interagency Trade Policy Committee and the bipartisan U.S. International Trade Commission, the president decided that "increased foreign imports of washers and solar cells and modules are a substantial cause of serious injury to domestic manufacturers."
. . .
A 30 percent tariff will be imposed on solar panel components, with the rate declining over four years.
The move against imported solar components splits... -
EV Models Launched in 2017
2017 was a transformative year for EV sales and EV launches.
The first affordable EVs with 200+ miles of range rolled out. Families rejoiced to get the first plug-in minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica, and several new luxurious plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) options came out, including the BMW 530e, Volvo XC60 and S90 T8 and Cadillac CT6.
MINI PHEV gave us another fun driving option, and both Honda and Hyundai began to roll out affordable cars in both all-electric and plug-in hybrid options.
Over 10 new models joined the portfolio of options available in the U.S., and EV sales consistently broke records.
We wrote a bit more about those models. Check out the 10+ EV models that made this another record-breaking year for EV sales, over on the ChargePoint blog. -
EPA Light-Duty Vehicle CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends
This one has me puzzled:
Source: Highlights of CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends | Light-Duty Vehicle CO2 and Fuel Economy Trends | US EPA
Manufacture 2015 MPG 2016 MPG 2017 MPG 1 Honda 28.5 28.2 29.5 2 Mazda 29.2 29.6 29.3 3 Hyundai 27.5 28.8 28.9 4 Subaru 28.1 28.1 28.4 5 Nissan 28.0 27.9 27.9 6 Kia 26.1 26.2 27.5 7 Toyota 25.0 25.0 26.0 8 BMW 26.1 25.5 25.6 9 Mercedes 23.4 23.7 24.2 10 GM 22.2 22.4 23.0 11 Ford 22.8 22.8 22.8
pp. 7
Except Ford and Nissan, everyone increased their new car MPG. These are new car sales values. Hyundai/Kia make the largest, 1.4 MPM improvement.
Bob Wilson -
Soon off lease BMW i3-BEVs in CA
Source: http://www.hybridcars.com/lapds-multi-million-dollar-electric-fleet-allegedly-goes-unused-unloved/
. . . Back in June of 2016, the LAPD awarded BMW with a contract to provide 100 battery-powered i3 hatchbacks as part of a plan to enhance its public image. At the time, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told the press, “We should be thinking green in everything we do,” adding that the electric BMWs would “also save money and resources.”
Fast forward to 2018 and the contract is beginning to look like a good way to waste millions of dollars. The LAPD agreed to lease the vehicles, effectively doubling its electrified fleet, for three years. The logic was that the gas savings would offset the $1.4 million it would cost the police force to apprehend them from BMW. While that sounds wonderful, there is a problem — the LAPD isn’t driving them.
. . .... -
Phantom Traffic Jams, and a new type of Adaptive Cruise Control
Clot-busting on the roads, Toyota is involved in the research:
Sick of traffic jams? Stop tailgating - Home | Spark with Nora Young | CBC Radio -
Fuel Cell Vehicles over take Battery Vehicles in 2040
Posted more for amusement, I am reminded of the old saying,"Fusion is the power source of the future and it always will be." Ever since the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles was killed in 2001, fuel cells have been advocated as the replacement, 17 years ago. So here comes this gem:
DOE analysis suggests rapid convergence of FCEV and BEV TCOs; FCEVs less expensive for majority of LDV fleet by 2040; mass compounding - Green Car Congress
In 2020, battery-electric vehicles will be a cheaper vehicle option than fuel cell electric vehicles for the majority of the light duty fleet (79-97%), according to a new study by a team at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO). However, the cost of the two powertrains will converge quickly, and by 2040, FCEVs will be less expensive than BEVs per mile in approximately 71-88% of the LDV fleet, according to the analysis.... -
Ferrari: How to do a 180° Turn
5 years ago, Ferrari said NEVER! when will Ferrari build a 100% EV? No chance - zip - zilch - nada - no way -
Ferrari Chairman Says Italian Automaker "Will Never Manufacture an Electric Car" | Inside EVs
NEVER - apparently, means 5 years
Ferrari plans to build an electric supercar after all
Note to self; remember to keep words soft & sweet ... so they're easier to to eat.
[emoji12]
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Significant Avalon advances
Source: TNGA-based 2019 Toyota Avalon features new hybrid system - Green Car Congress
Avalon Hybrid. A new TNGA 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force Engine is more fuel efficient, runs cleaner, and is more powerful than previous iterations, and features enhanced thermal management. Technologies required include: Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing intelligent system by Electric motor); D-4S (Direct injection 4-stroke gasoline engine Superior version) direct injection and laser-clad valve seats; longer stroke (4.07 inches; bore remains at 3.44 inches) and high compression ratio (14:1); multi-hole direct fuel injectors; a variable cooling system; cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system; and a full variable oil pump.
Instead of oil pressure, its Dual VVT-i with VVT-iE variable valve system employs an electric motor to control variable valve timing, which aids fuel efficiency... -
Tesla: Wth is going on
So, I've been a fan of Tesla since the Roadster. I remember drooling while reading about it on Digg.
Tesla is far from perfect and always has been. I test drove a 40kwh Model S -- one from the first year of its production -- and... it wasn't great. The turn signal and wiper controls were on the wrong side. There's a distinct lack of buttons for climate and audio controls. No AUX connection. They burn through 12v batteries. The big display is distracting. These are little kinks that needed hammering out, nothing insurmountable, but certainly noteworthy and substandard on a $50k+ car.
But it seems like in the last 6-9 months they've gone off the deep end. Burning crazy amounts of cash, a trend that seems to be increasing rather than decreasing. Burning bridges with suppliers left and right, first Mobileye now Grohmann Engineering and Alcantara. CEO and CFO saying ridiculous and contradictory things on official SEC filings and investor calls, like that the robots are both being... -
Cali Public Utility Deals a Blow to Natural Gas' Electricity
Seems the biggest bang for the Natural Gas buck, comes via peak usage times. So now, the public utility commission is hitting the fossil fuel industry right between the eyes, despite natural gas's 'clean' verbiage;
CPUC's latest order backing batteries spells more trouble for fossil-fuel power plants - LA Times
also, according to the... -
Apple’s CarPlay is finally coming to Toyota
It has finally happened! Apple CarPlay has made it to a Toyota vehicle. The 2019 Avalon will be the first Toyota with Apple CarPlay. I hope this means that 2019 might be the model year the Prius and other Toyota vehicle finally get CarPlay. Unfortunately for android users, Android Auto is not available at this time.
Here is the posting from Toyota about he new Avalon. “Meet the all-new 2019 #Avalon…with captivating design, dynamics and an elevated level of luxury. Now with Apple CarPlay. #NAIAS” -
The Destroyers (EVs)
G'day,
And you thought you knew it couldn't get any sillier....
Electric cars are breaking our roads, here's how - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
So it's not trucks, buses and SUVs.
David S. -
Honda Gets EVs Right......
in my opinion. After seeing these, I believe Honda gets the look EVs should have, clean, not Batmobiles.
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Barriers to EV adoption
Here is a screen shot of one take away:
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fhiwaay.net%2F%7Ebzwilson%2Fprime%2FEV_ranges_020.jpg&hash=9d04cb3f4ffa31aa48ee700dcae65f52)
About a month ago, I surveyed EVs in the USA and generated this chart:
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fhiwaay.net%2F%7Ebzwilson%2Fprime%2FEV_ranges_010.jpg&hash=7384d81cb004387c938fa4f49b43cff4)
That 200 mi threshold makes sense. If combined with a 'cat nap' cubby:
![[IMG]](proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.kinja-img.com%2Fgawker-media%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fs--XkWrYnkz--%2Fc_scale%2Cf_auto%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_80%2Cw_800%2F1409624959127245965.jpg&hash=b0cd32a26615eb4fa199b9a2b3bc9a18)
Put the car on a charger and catch 20 zees and it would work. Of course the logical solution is make car seats, including driver's, that can stretch out for a cat nap.
Bob Wilson
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