The technology is enabled as OnStar receives a signal from PJM Interconnection that shows the percentage of available renewable energy on the grid. Data from this forecast is downloaded to the OnStar cloud, or Advanced Telematics Operating Management System (ATOMS).

OnStar uses this signal to simultaneously manage the charging of many Volts and to match the renewable energy availability. A mobile app could also be used to alert customers when renewable energy is available.

OnStar and Google are working together to demonstrate the technology on the 17 Chevrolet Volts in Google’s “Gfleet” based at the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

The demonstrations are taking place this week at the 2012 DistribuTECH Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. DistribuTECH attendees can see live demos at Booth 1543. OnStar will also be demonstrating the company’s Demand Response and Time-of-Use Rate solutions.

PJM data shows that peak time for renewable energy generation from wind is generally between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. With this in mind, it would be possible for customers to use OnStar’s Smart Grid solutions to further reduce their carbon footprint and save money by charging during these off-peak times.

If the renewable energy service goes into production, customers interested in using it would simply need to sign up. OnStar would then regulate their charging using the renewable energy signal.

The renewable energy technology is the latest addition to OnStar’s suite of Smart Grid solutions. OnStar has also developed intelligent energy management technology solutions including:

- Demand response – This solution connects utilities to companies that have intelligent energy management products. These companies can use OnStar to manage energy use for Volt customers who opt in for the service. This future service allows the customer to save money on energy costs while enabling more efficient use of the electric grid.

- Time-of-Use (TOU) rates – OnStar can receive dynamic TOU pricing from utilities and notify Volt owners of the rate plan offers via email. Owners will be able to use OnStar to load the rate plans directly into their vehicle and access them to schedule charging during lower-rate periods.

- Charging data – OnStar also sends and receives EV data that helps utility providers without having to interface with the vehicle’s electric vehicle supply equipment. This includes location-based EV data that identifies charging locations and determines potential load scenarios.

The Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in model, which is expected to come to market in late 2012, is built on the same global C-car platform as the Ford Focus and other Ford models to come.

“Designing new cars from the ground-up to accept both internal combustion and alternative powerplants is an extremely important strategy,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Engineering in everything from the same ride-and-handling characteristics, crashworthiness performance, and mounting points for diverse powerplants enables straightforward use of a common platform for a wide range of uses, buyers, and worldwide markets at manageable cost.”

Ford’s first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle, the C-MAX Energi uses the automaker’s powersplit hybrid architecture and advanced lithium-ion batteries to deliver all-electric driving plus the versatility of hybrid or internal combustion power. It offers high efficiency and a driving range greater than 500 miles.

To be considered for the Green Car Vision Award, vehicles must be on their way toward commercialization but not yet on sale, in small volume production with more than one functional prototype in existence, or operating as part of a demonstration fleet.

NHTSA opened its Preliminary Evaluation on Nov. 25 following a severe-impact lab test on a Chevrolet Volt battery packs that resulted in an electrical fire six days later. The test was conducted to reproduce a coolant leak that occurred in a full-scale vehicle crash test last May that resulted in an electrical fire three weeks later.

Over the weekend, NHTSA issued statement saying that based on the available data, the agency does not believe that Chevrolet Volt or other electric vehicles pose a greater risk of fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.

”Generally all vehicles have some risk of fire in the event of a serious crash. However, electric vehicles have specific attributes that should be made clear to consumers, the emergency response community, and tow truck operators and storage facilities.”

NHTSA also stated that there haven’t been any real-world Volt crashes that have resulted in battery-related fires.

GM said that NHTSA’s decision to close the investigation and the resulting stance that plug-ins are safe, is consistent with the results of GM’s internal testing and assessment.

GM also said that the engineering enhancements that GM announced January 5, 2012 will provide additional protection for the battery minimizing the risk of a post-crash fire in the days and weeks after a severe crash and rollover.

“VIA Motors has developed the first extended range electric powertrain capable of replacing the V8 engine. It was my great privilege to introduce the Chevy Volt, and it will be a great honor to introduce the world’s first line of eREV Trucks, Vans and SUVs by VIA Motors.”

Bob Lutz, who joined Via Motors board of directors in September, is turning his attention to mass production of more electric vehicles — first for fleets, then consumers.

VIA Motors fits its proprietary eREV extended-range electric propulsion system, dubbed VIA V-Drive, to existing General Motors vehicles in the hunt for greater efficiency. This plug-in powertrain setup is said to provide 30-40 miles per charge courtesy of a 24-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery.

When the battery is run down to its minimum state of charge, a 4.3-liter V-6 turns a 201-horsepower generator that helps move the truck, SUV, and van another 400 miles averaging up to 100 mpg. The tractive electric motor is rated for 402 horsepower and the vehicles can be configured for rear- or all-wheel drive.

VIA Motors, which grew out of Raser Technologies, has begun taking orders for 2012 for its extended range electric pickup truck from many of America’s largest fleets.

Production of VIA’s eREV pickup is scheduled to begin in 2012, with plans to ramp up production to 20,000 units per year over the next few years including the eREV SUV, Van and other large eREV vehicles.

David Vieau, chief executive of the Massachusetts-based battery maker A123 Systems, issued a memo, saying many of the lithium-ion battery packs have faulty cooling systems that create safety concerns. Misaligned hose clamps could cause coolant leaks and, potentially, and electronic short circuit, Vieau wote.

The nature of the flaw is similar to the one GM says was behind the battery pack fire in a crash tested Chevy Volt.

A123 said it had developed a fix and expected the glitch to have “minimal financial impact” on the company.

Fisker is ramping up U.S. deliveries of $102,000 Karma plug-in hybrid sedans. Shipments have begun with 225 sent to dealers and 1,200 units “in the pipeline,” Chief Executive Officer Henrik Fisker said in a Dec. 21 interview.

Karma production is now 25 units a day and may rise to 60 a day next year, said Fisker.

The company is raising the price of the base Eco Standard model from $95,900 originally to $102,000, not including a $950 destination and handling charge.

The Eco Sport goes up from $103,900 to $110,000, while the top-of-the-line EcoChic price would rise from $108,900 to $116,000.

The increase will not impact those who have already put down a $5,000 deposit on a Fisker Karma. Deposit holders have until January 15 to finalize their order at the slightly lower price.

When the Karma Plug-in Hybrid was announced in 2008, its projected price was $80,000. Then came numerous delays and a price hike to $87,900. By the time the Karma reached production this year, the base sticker had climbed to $95,900, including shipping.

[Source: Fox News]

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014.

Volvo expects that about 30 percent of total volume will go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK will have a share of between 5 and 15 percent each.

The production version of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one color – Electric Silver. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler. The chromed “Plug-in Hybrid” emblem is found both on the lower part of the tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid features a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel, which produces 215 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 Nm. The turbodiesel drives the front axle, while the rear axle has ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) in the form of an electric motor producing 70 horsepower, which receives its power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car features a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid promises a fuel economy of 1.9 L/100 km (123.8 mpg US or 149 mpg Imperial) with carbon dioxide emissions below 50 g/km.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be driven on diesel power alone, as a diesel-electric hybrid, or as an electric-only car – technology that no other manufacturer can currently offer. The driver chooses the preferred driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel: Pure, Hybrid and Power.

In Pure the car runs only on its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery has been recharged using electricity from a renewable source, the driving range is up to 50 km (32 miles) with zero emissions of carbon dioxide. Battery range varies with terrain, climate and driving style.

Hybrid is the default mode whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor interact to provide the optimal balance between driving pleasure and low environmental impact. Emissions of CO2 (EU Combined) are 49 g/km, corresponding to diesel fuel consumption of 1.9 l/100 km (123.8 mpg US or 149 mpg Imperial). The car’s total range is up to 1200 km (750 miles). The driver has the possibility to key in the planned route’s distance (short, medium or long) in the car setup menu. The control system calculates the balance between diesel and electric power to obtain the lowest possible CO2 emissions for the given distance.

In Power the technology is optimized to give the car the best possible performance. The diesel engine and electric motor have a combined power output 215 + 70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm. The electric motor’s lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car’s 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds.

Volvo claims the car has an overall range of up to 1200 km (750 miles), a top speed of 200 km/h or 125mph (100 km/h or 62mph in all-electric mode) and will cover the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) dash in 6.9 seconds.

Save battery power for later
The V60 Plug-in Hybrid offers the driver the option to save battery capacity in order to have enough charge for driving on clean electricity later, for instance in an urban low emission zone.

When Save For Later is activated, the car makes sure that the battery has a sufficient charge level for another pure drive. If necessary, the High Voltage Generator recharges the battery in order to maintain a sufficient charge level for another “Pure” drive.

The aim is that the Save For Later mode should secure enough battery capacity for approximately 20 kilometers drive on pure electricity.

The two-step braking system is another intelligent feature in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. When the driver pushes the brake pedal, the system initially brakes the car by controlling the rear axle motor. This braking energy is used to regenerate the car’s battery pack.

The mechanical brakes are only activated when the situation requires more braking power than the rear axle can handle.

Recharging at home
The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is recharged via a regular power socket (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a parking lot. The charging time depends on the level of the current. A full 10A charge takes 4.5 hours. The time is shortened to 3,5 hours with 16A, while a charge in a 6A socket takes 7.5 hours.

To get a comfortable start of the journey, the car driver has the possibility to preheat or cool the passenger compartment during the recharging process. This also means that more battery capacity can be used for powering the car.

The pre-conditioning also includes the possibility to cool the batteries. The battery pack has an ideal working temperature of 20-30°C. This means that the pre-cooling is highly important for maximizing the charging capacity and thereby the driving range on each charge. The timing is programmed via the car’s setup menu or remotely via a smart phone application.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has two heating possibilities. When running on electricity a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) air heater is used. The car also has a Fuel Operated Diesel heater.

Smart mobile applications
On the outside the car has several additional features that emphasise its CO2-lean profile, such as lightweight wheels with exceptionally low air drag and tyres designed for low rolling resistance.

The instrument panel in the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid has been modified to give the driver a full range of important information about diesel and electricity consumption, battery charge level, remaining range and so on.

It will also be possible to communicate with the car via a mobile application. This gives the owner access to a number of smart features, such as climate conditioning, both pre cooling and pre heating, a reminder to plug in the charging cable if this hasn’t been done at a certain and pre-set time for charging.

British Gas will be offering Toyota customers – both private and fleet/business buyers – a range of products and services for safe, convenient and efficient vehicle recharging, designed to suit individual needs and preferences.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will cost under £31,000 when it goes on sale in the first half of 2012. The price of the new Prius Plug-In Hybrid does include the £5,000 government funding through the Plug-In Car Grant.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid is set to deliver significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency and low emissions. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery, it will have an EV driving range of about 14 miles, with zero tailpipe emissions. Beyond the electric driving range, it can be used as a conventional full hybrid with all the efficiency of a standard Prius, and can be fully recharged from a standard 240V electricity supply in just an hour-and-a-half.

Thanks to its EV driving range, Prius Plug-in is expected to achieve fuel efficiency of 134.5mpg and unprecedented CO2 figures of 49g/km (target figures).

British Gas will support those customers wanting to take advantage of the low carbon benefits offered by Prius Plug-in with, as a first step, a full free of charge site survey, giving advice on the best way to equip their home for electric vehicle charging. The installation options include a dedicated circuit with a three-pin socket, costing from £275, and a purpose-designed charging unit for safe, easy, fast and future-proof charging, priced from £799.

For peace of mind, the charging unit can be protected by British Gas’s Home Electrical Care™ three-year protection package, which includes unlimited call-outs per contract year for home electrical repairs, including parts and labour.

Help with budgeting is available, too, with finance options to spread the cost if required, and the availability of cheaper off-peak charging so cars can be charged more cheaply at night.

British Gas will also meet the requirements of business customers, with a range that includes both post and wall-mounted charging points with double sockets. These can be engineered to deliver charging from 3kW to 43kW. In the future this will allow certain electric vehicles to be charged in less than an hour.

Infiniti said that the car will use an extended-range powertrain, mating some type of internal-combustion engine with electric power to find the balance between environmental friendliness and driving joy.

In addition, Infiniti says the new concept will look to shape the future designs of the Infiniti brand.

Infiniti will provide regular teasers between now and the Geneva Motor Show next March when Executive Vice President Andy Palmer will present the high performance, low emission vehicle.

SEAT plans the launch of its first electric plug-in hybrid car in 2015, to be followed a year later by an all-electric car.

The announcement of the launch of the first electric cars coincides with the start of the biggest new product offensive SEAT has known.

The company will launch four new models over the next 12 months, the first being SEAT’s smart new urban vehicle – the Mii.

The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive electric car
The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive blazes the trail for electromobility in Spain.  As with all its vehicles, SEAT guarantees driving pleasure with an engine producing 115 hp (85 kW) and 270 Nm of torque.  This translates into a limited top speed of 135 kph.  With its roomy passenger compartment and generous boot, the electric Altea XL is equally suitable for family transport or company use.

By intelligent location of the batteries under the rear seats and the boot, there is no intrusion into the passenger compartment.  A sophisticated regeneration system with adjustable braking torque optimises energy use.  And when the electric Altea XL is parked in the sun, rooftop photovoltaic cells recirculate fresh air inside the passenger compartment, reducing the energy needed afterwards by the climate control system.

The Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive plug-in hybrid
The new SEAT Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive is a concept in the field of plug-in hybrids, combining the advantage of emission-free driving with the range of a traditional internal combustion engine-equipped vehicle.

In full electric mode the TwinDrive has a range of 52 kilometers (32 miles), with a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).  In combined mode (electrical plus combustion) the consumption forecast is only 1.7 liters of fuel and 18.5 kWh per 100 kilometers (138 mpg US), the equivalent of a rock-bottom 39 g/km of CO2, with a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).