Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid

There is some interesting work going at Waseda University in Japan. A few months ago there was news of a genetically engineered blood protein that could split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Now researchers there have developed a flexible, transparent battery. Hiroyuki Nishide, Hiroaki Konishi and Takeo Suga have created 200 namometer thick polymer film coated with Nitroxide radical groups.

The radicals hold the charge and can evidently be charged in one minute, although it's unknown how much energy that includes. They also claim it can go over 1,000 charge cycles, surpassing one of the main drawbacks of lithium ion batteries. There's no word yet on how well this scales up or what kind of energy density and power is available, but it's definitely something to watch for in the future.

[Source: Gizmag via Engadget]

 

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Filed under: Ethanol

That the 2007 IndyCar Series will be run using 100 percent ethanol is not news, so we won't repeat what we've told you before (see the links below if you missed things). What we will bring up here, late on a Friday, is that tomorrow is finally the day that the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine start using pure ethanol in competition. The race is the XM Satellite Radio Indy 300 on the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. E100 was tested in the cars earlier this year.

If you want to read what Team Ethanol driver Jeff Simmons and Tony Kanaan, the series' 2004 champion, have to say about the switch to ethanol, check out this week's announcement over at REA.

Related:

• Honda Accord Hybrid to pace Indy series for 2007
• President Bush checks out IRL car that runs on ethanol
• New Honda 100 percent ethanol engines ready for IndyCar 2007 season

[Source: Renewable Energy Access]

 

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Filed under: Diesel, Suzuki, Renault

While Suzuki no longer sells two-door versions of the Grand Vitara SUV in the North American market they are still available overseas. The UK market is now getting a new diesel engine for the two door variant supplied by Renault. The 1.9L four cylinder turbo diesel is rated at 127hp/221lb-ft of torque and has fuel efficiency of 32mpg combined. Unfortunately the CO2 emissions are an unimpressive 195 g/km and no diesel will be available in US models.



[Source: WorldCarFans, Suzuki]

 

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Filed under: Diesel, Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, AutoblogGreen Exclusive

We showed you the press release from Robert Q. Riley Enterprises announcing the impending launch of the XR3 diesel electric hybrid a few days ago. Now, we would like to share with you some technical details that we learned while we made a visit recently.

The diesel engine, mounted at the front of the vehicle, is from Kubota and is a three-cylinder 23 horsepower model. The engine is certified for B20 use, and almost certainly will run fine on B100. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transaxle, sourced from VW. Yes, the venerable Beetle shares its transmission for this application. Custom half-shafts with CV joints connect the transaxle to the front wheels using Chevy hubs, brakes and front end components.

The frame of the machine is a custom backbone, made of steel. A bank of lithium-ion batteries is contained in the center of the frame, and another set of batteries lies at the front of the vehicle on either side of the engine. An 8" electric motor sourced from ADC connects to a jackshaft and on to the rear wheel via belt drive. There is no provision for regenerative braking.

Read more after the jump.

[Source: Robert Q. Riley]

Currently, the vehicle's body is being molded using a fiberglass-reinforced-plastic arrangement. The shape of the body has been carved out of foam, and is awaiting the hand-laid fiberglass and resin to be applied over top. When finished, the body will be a sandwich construction. Inside, and under a custom windshield of safety glass are two seats, side by side. The canopy of the vehicle will tilt forward for access to the interior.

Riley plans on offering the vehicle in kit form, with the option of electric-only in addition to the diesel electric drivetrain in the prototype. Battery options will include the lithium-ion batteries and optional lead-acids from Odyssey. Being a three-wheeled vehicle, registration will make the vehicle a motorcycle in the U.S. This means that HOV lane use will be permitted, but also means that you may need a special license, and may need to wear a helmet, depending on what state you live in.

We will be sharing pictures of the completed body in a week or so. I have seen all the CAD files for the vehicle, and can say with certainty that all the details are accounted for. All suppliers have the parts readily available, so when the prototype has been completed and molds have been made, it will not take long for the vehicle to be ready for the road. I look forward to continuing our relationship with Riley, and we will be sure to bring you any new developments from the project as they become available.

 

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Filed under: Transportation Alternatives

In many parts of the world cities are filled rickshaws of multiple varieties taking passengers from one place to another. Traditionally rickshaws were pulled by young lads trying to earn a buck. But with the advent of the motor scooter, many rickshaws became motorized, with small noisy polluting two-stroke engines providing the motive force. Quieter, cleaner pedal powered units can also be found, usually hacked up from the front half of a bicycle.

The Italians of course do everything that the rest of world does, they just do it with an extra dose of style. These new pedal powered EcoTaxis were recently spotted in Rome, where the basic rickshaw concept has been given a sleek new look.

[Source: TreeHugger]

 

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors

Yes, we've all seen the pictures of the Tesla Roadster (if not, check out the photo gallery below). But all we've really seen are the first drafts, the engineering prototypes (EPs). Now, version 2.0 (or 1.1 or whatever) of the Roadster - the first validation prototype (VP) - has made it from the company's Hethel (UK) production facility to San Carlos, California.

Malcolm Powell, vice president of vehicle integration at Tesla Motors, wrote a detailed blog entry yesterday about these VPs and how they differ from the EPs, cosmetically and otherwise. Powell says that pretty much everything has changed, either the look or the way it is/will be produced. The VPs - there will be nine more - will be put through lots of tests in California and four of them will be sent to the crash test graveyard. Others will be used for test drives by media outlets. Oh, we're gonna get our name on that list.

If you live in or around San Carlos, keep your camera phone ready while you're out and about. We'd gladly accept your photo submissions. Until then, check out Powell's blog entry here.



[Source: Tesla Motors]

 

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, ZENN

The benefits and drawbacks of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, or NEVs, are pretty widely know debated. The ease of use, lack of gasoline consumption and low environmental impact spur their purchase by drivers who need to get around large complexes and communities, but their lack of speed, range and safety equipment limit their use to low speed use only.

ZENN, which stands for zero emissions no noise, has released a video of their newest NEV model, the 2.22. I found the video fairly informative, and I think it is worth a watch. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the tip, Linton!

[Source: Youtube via Hugg]

 

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives

It's being reported that a Chinese company is planning to bring a line of battery powered electric vehicles to the US market. Interestingly, the top model in the range bears a striking resemblance to a first generation Smart ForTwo. The new venture is going by the name FlyBo-EV and has three vehicles in the lineup. All three are being classed as neighborhood electric vehicles, meaning they only have to meet minimal crash requirements and are generally limited to 25mph in most locations.

At this time it's unclear if the Smart clone is the same one that appeared last fall and ignited the ire of DaimlerChrysler. The company involved in that program was Shandong Huoyun Electromobile Co. and it's unknown if they are involved in this effort. The front end styling is slightly different from the previous vehicle which may be an effort to placate DaimlerChrylser. If and when this machine shows up on US shores we'll be sure to try and track one down for evaluation.

Related:

• Electric Smart coming from China without DCX?
• Chinese Smart cloner backs down
• I'm not dead yet! The Chinese Smart clone is set for a comeback

[Source: China Car Times, thanks to Ash for the tip]

 

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Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Carbon Offset, Legislation and Policy

With auto industry stalwart John Dingell in charge of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Democrats wanted to ensure that lawmakers and the rest of the country got an earful of global warming issues. So House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged the House to create a new committee to address energy issues, including global warming and fuel economy. Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts is the chairman. The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming sets up a confrontation, at least in drawing attention to the issue and helping set the political agenda, with Dingell's committee. Pelosi says Markey's committee won't have any legislative power but the intent is clear: get moving on climate and energy issues.

In an interview with David Roberts of Grist, Markey extols the virtues of boosting CAFE standards. He noted that the country's dependence on foreign oil dropped dramatically after President Ford signed the law mandating that automakers double their fuel economy. But he also noted the loopholes left for SUVs and trucks.

"So now, over the last 20 years, we've climbed from 27 percent dependence to 60 percent dependence on imported oil," said Markey.

Markey once introduced legislation that mandated 10mpg improvement over 10 years but Republication leadership kept it under wraps. Markey says his bill mandates fuel economy improvements while President Bush's plan allows the Department of Transportation to have full discretion over imposing fuel economy increases.

"From my perspective, the Bush administration imposes a mandate on American troops -- it says they have to be over in the Middle East. We need a similar mandate on the auto companies, so the costs of reducing our dependence on oil from the Middle East are placed back here, in the United States -- so that we all help fight this war, not just the Army and the Marines," says Markey.

Markey also has comments on cap-and-trade bills, carbon tax, coal and Al Gore. Interesting reading.

[Source: David Roberts / Grist]

 

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Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol

Elementary school students learning about methanol and glycerin. Lots of new Masters degrees for bioenergy. These are two possibilities that can be taken away from Renewable Energy Access expert Jetta Wong's response to REA's latest "Ask The Expert" question, "What type of human infrastructure will be required to support increased use of biofuels?"

Wong sees different areas of America needing different things to cope with the obvious growth in the biofuel industry in the coming years. State and regional organizations will play a big role in assessing what is best for each locality, she says. Education - building both a broad basic understanding of biofuels for many and lots of highly-educated young researchers - will be key to the new biofuel world. New jobs in biorefineries (construction, regulation, etc.) and biomass production are likely. You can read the entire answer here.

Related:

• "Amazing" - the year that was, in biomass terms
• Ask the experts: is hydrogen economical?

[Source: REA]

 

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