The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Events News

This year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) the trends are going in the right direction, namely up, as key manufacturers announce big strides towards electric mobility. The Electric Avenue and the EcoXperience set the right tone, highlighting to visitors the diversity available for electric vehicles. (+Image Gallery)

The NAIAS got underway with a glamorous start yesterday as car producers both big and small make major announcements that will increase the availability and variability of PHEVs and EVs on the roads in the years to come. The Electric Avenue, a 3,200 m² (37,000 square feet) feature on the main floor made its debut at the 2010 show. The avenue showcases electric vehicles and technology of both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs.

Toyota announces smaller hybrid

Toyota US operations executive, Jim Lentz, announced it would begin producing a smaller version of its Prius hybrid vehicle. The vehicle would be aimed at younger and ‘less affluent’ buyers the Financial times said. Maintaining its lead over other hybrid producers Mr. Lentz announced Toyota “fully intends to raise the stakes in the year to come” announcing that by the end of this year Toyota will have the capacity to supply more than 1 million plug-in Prius from three facilities world-wide.

Ford announces heavy investment in E-mobility

The 4,800m² (52,000 square feet) Ford exhibit, its biggest ever, was the adequate areal to announce the heavy investment in e-mobility. Executive chairman Bill Ford Jr., announced an additional €310 million ($450 million) investment into electric vehicle programme at the Detroit autoshow. Within this programme, it announced that production of its Focus electric would start by 2011. It further announced that it would stop its outsourcing of battery pack production and resume in house production. Ford also won the North American Car of the year award for its Fusion electric hybrid.

BMW concept Active E

BMW unveiled its vision of sustainable e-mobility. The Concept ActiveE, a converted BMW 1 series coup, will become the “second trial fleet for electric vehicles” Dr. Klaus Draeger, head of BMW Research and development, stated. Available as of 2011, the ActiveE will be the “perfect successor of the Mini E”. Draeger continued that BMW will be testing the pre-series version of the MCV electric power train in the concept Active E.

Cadillac Announces Converj EV

Cadillac vice chairman Lutz announces plans to commence with the production of its Converj EV. Erring on the side of caution by not committing to a production date Lutz announced “The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production... [though] You’ll see it when you see it. It won’t be next year or the year after that”.

Volvo finally presents is C30

Although C30 BEV was presented in Frankfurt earlier this year “the C30 [presented] in Detroit is a much more complete product” as it features a complete interior, full instrumentation, and enhanced battery packaging. The car features a 40/82KW engine with a battery power of 24kWh which gives the C30 a range of 150km (94 miles), which Volvo states “covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe”.

Green Vehicles announces full Triac production

The niche car manufacturer Green Vehicles Inc stated its 2010 Triac “pure electric, full speed commuter vehicle” designed for urban mobility is now in full production. However the first models will not reach consumers until autumn of this year, with a slated price (including lithium-ion battery pack) of around €16,000 ($25,000). The Triac will get a real world range, depending upon the various conditions, of over 120 kilometres per charge. The onboard charger can be plugged into any 110v or 220v standard outlet, with a typical complete charge taking six hours at 220v. The top speed is128km/h (80 mph).

New charging station concept

Ricardo, Inc and PEP Stations LLC revealed its new charging station concept. The PEP Station is designed to allow future EV drivers to access electricity via an access card or credit card. When a vehicle connects to the PEP Station's 220V power supply, the PEP Station recognises a connection and prompts the user to select his/her options through and interactive interface. When the vehicle's battery has been fully charged, or the time selected elapses, the station automatically discontinues the electricity.

At the 2010 NAIAS the PEP Station is the exclusive recharging station provided for EcoXperience, a high profile showcase of electric vehicles and green technologies presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation which features a quarter-mile indoor ride-and-drive test track surrounded by landscaped and forested terrain. Two PEP Stations have been installed at the test track and are being used as charging points for the many electric vehicles being actively demonstrated, and a further three units will be available for display and demonstration purposes.