Barcelona City Hall will be testing these vehicles in its municipal car fleet for an initial six-month trial period, during which SEAT will gather information and assess performance prior to mass production of electric cars.

Within the framework of this strategy, over the past few weeks SEAT has loaned one e-Altea XL to Endesa, and another to the Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN); a further two TwinDrive – one to each of the two organisations mentioned – will be made available over the forthcoming weeks. The company is immersed in the first stage of the introduction of an electric car and envisages the loan of further vehicles to different governmental departments, institutions, and private companies interested in eco-friendly fleets over the forthcoming months.

e-Altea and Leon TwinDrive, SEAT’s first electric cars
The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive and the Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive are two vehicles with different but complementary technologies. The Altea XL Electric Ecomotive can be used in wide variety of different circumstances, and for that reason is SEAT’s first all-electric car. It has a range of 135 kilometers, a power output of 115 hp (85kW), an engine torque of 270 Nm and a top speed of 135 km/h.

Of the several new features found on it, two of the most striking are battery location under the rear seats and the boot – meaning no reduction in passenger compartment space – and the photovoltaic panels on the roof, cutting energy requirements for the vehicle’s air-conditioning.

The Leon TwinDrive Ecomotive couples the advantages of emission-free driving to the range of a conventional petrol-engine car. The TwinDrive allows for all-electric or hybrid driving, meaning no change whatsoever in driving habits or life style for customers. It has a range of 52 kilometers in electric mode, with a top speed of 120 km/h. In mixed mode (electric and combustion) consumption is 1.7 liters, emissions are under 39 g/km, and top speed is 170 km/h.

SEAT’s commitment to sustainable motoring and environmental protection extends to other brand vehicles already on the market. SEAT has a long track record of producing low-emission cars – for the record, 70% of cars marketed in Spain have emissions below 130 g/km of CO2.

Voted the Car of the Year 2012, Vauxhall Ampera delivers between 25-50 miles of battery-powered electric drive with zero tailpipe emissions while driving.

Customers wanting to use the electric vehicle on longer trips can do so with the Ampera’s on-board range-extending engine which helps to sustain the battery life, allowing the car to be used on distances of up to 360 miles in a single journey. A small 1.4-litre petrol-fuelled engine/generator runs at optimum efficiency, generating enough electricity to power the electric motor (but not the wheels) and operates seamlessly as part of the Ampera’s powertrain. The car seats four adults in comfort and its hatchback design offers excellent practicality.

The Ampera will incorporate Hertz On Demand’s leading, proprietary in-car technology which provides members a safe and superior car sharing experience. In the car, a hands-free audio kit connects members to an in-house Member Care Center representative – available 24/7, 365 days a year – should they have questions, need assistance or need to extend their use of the car.

Hertz On Demand is able to “communicate” with the vehicle, enabling representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles and cars are equipped with iPod connectivity, along with Bluetooth capabilities for hands free driving.

Three plug-in hybrid-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivans went into service with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), bringing to 25 the total number of such vehicles on American roads.

The plug-in hybrids will be subjected to “temperature extremes and variations of drive cycles,” said Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project, adding resulting data will shed light on customer acceptance of the technology and its impact on the grid.

Other deployments are in Arizona, North Carolina and Michigan.

Two additional plug-in hybrid minivans will be retained by Chrysler Group engineers. One of those vehicles will be subject to a short-duration test by Argonne National Laboratory.

The two-year project stems from Chrysler Group’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Chrysler is investing $15.8 million into the project and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing $10 million.

Each plug-in hybrid Town & Country is equipped with an E85-compatible 3.6L Pentastar engine mated to a front-wheel-drive, two-mode hybrid transmission.

It also is powered by a liquid-cooled 12.1 KWhr lithium-ion battery that affords a total output of 290 horsepower and a range of 700-miles. Charge times are two-to-four hours at 220 volts with a “Level 2” charge cord unit, and eight-to-15 hours at 110 volts with a “Level 1” charge unit.

A fleet of plug-in hybrid Ram pickups also is being evaluated as part of a wider project.

Chrysler is investing $15.8 million into the project and the U.S. Department of Energy is contributing $10 million. Only 25 plug-in hybrid test vans will be created

Auburn Hills will use the Chrysler-owned vehicles for testing purposes to evaluate everyday city and highway driving. Staff selected to evaluate the vehicles will regularly report all driving and charging experiences back to Chrysler.

As part of the program, each vehicle will receive one Level II EVSE charging station, which will be installed at the Civic Center Campus on North Squirrel and the Auburn Hills Department of Public Services Building on Brown Road. Installation costs for the charging stations will be borne by the City and will remain at the City following project completion.

The agreement between Chrysler Group and the City anticipates approximately 16,800 miles will be driven on each demonstration vehicle. Routine maintenance such as oil changes will be the responsibility of the City. Chrysler will be responsible for any repairs that may be required as part of the testing process. Auger notes that employees assigned the vehicles have been recognized for their outstanding work efforts.

The plug-in hybrid vans feature a 12.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery paired with the company’s 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine. Together, they make an SRT-worthy 290 horsepower, which could make this Town & Country the fastest factory minivan on record.

The 6.6-kilowatt onboard charger allows the van to recharge in just two to four hours at 220 volts, or eight to 15 hours on a 110-volt plug, according to Chrysler. Total electric range is an estimated 22 miles in city driving, with a total range of 700 miles.

Last year, Auburn Hills also received from Chrysler four Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid pickup trucks for testing. The PHEV Ram 1500 pickups, developed in partnership with U.S. Department of Energy, are part of a national evaluation program of 140 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that will be used for the demonstration and evaluation purposes.

The Citroen Numero 9 concept signals the styling cues of the next three DS line models: a C-segment premium sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon.

The Numero 9 has a ‘shooting brake’ body style that combines elements of coupe and estate, with hints of Citroen’s DS5 and the Metropolis concept car that was unveiled in 2010.

The Citroen Numero 9 concept is designed with plug-in full-hybrid technology; an ultra-efficient system that boasts remarkable levels of performance – 166mpg fuel economy, 50km (around 31miles) range in ZEV mode, 295hp, a ‘boost’ function and 39g/km of CO2.

NUMERO 9 IN DETAIL
Following on from Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5, concept car Numero 9 takes a fresh look at the DS line with a new take on the prestigious shooting brake design.

Subtly combining the proportions of a coupé with those of an estate, Numero 9 hints at exceptional driving sensations, with its taut lines, long bonnet and ultra-low stance (1.27m tall) on 21-inch wheels. It also promises unique onboard comfort with its generous proportions (4.93m long and 1.94m wide, with a 3m wheelbase) providing plenty of room for rear occupants. The three glass areas in the roof also create a welcoming, friendly cabin ambience.

Numero 9 evolves the design cues of the current DS line, introducing the new front-end identity of future models, along with an original light signature. The grille is sculpted in 3 dimensions and flows into the full-LED headlights, which end in daytime-running lights. Condensing the distinctive forms of the DS line, the concept also features a floating roof, underlined by chrome trim with discreet DS markings, and glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window.

A sophisticated use of body colors and materials includes deep black bodywork with subtle hints of violet. The finish, named ‘Whisper’, is a perfect match for the warmer shade of the ‘Californian’ chrome finish.

The ‘Créative Technologie’ used by Numero 9 combines comfort, safety and respect for the environment, while also delivering enjoyable driving sensations for all occupants.

Every detail was designed to contribute to Numero 9’s aerodynamic efficiency (CdA = 0.61) including:
• a rear spoiler, which reinforces the fastback effect
• windscreen pillars that contribute to efficient air flow around the car
• ‘Turbine’ wheels with integrated fins to increase the air flow around the wheel arches, reducing both turbulence and fuel consumption.

With its plug-in full-hybrid technology, concept car Numero 9 is also a perfect fit with Citroen’s environmental commitments.

The advanced drivetrain combines a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm. The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in just 3½ hours from a normal domestic socket. The model on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque.

With its plug-in hybrid technology, Numero 9 respects the environment. It has a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode and, on roads demanding successive acceleration and deceleration, the hybrid drivetrain limits consumption by using both sources of energy. On the motorway, the combustion engine takes over to deliver real performance.

Numero 9 features new-generation micro-hybrid technology designed to switch the combustion engine to stand-by whenever it is not required.

When the driver requires speed and torque, a ‘boost’ function combines the power of the combustion engine and electric motor to enable high levels of performance (up to 295hp). Numero 9 takes just 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62mph and 25.3 seconds to travel 1,000m from a standing start.

When grip is lacking, the car switches to four-wheel drive mode with the electric motor driving the rear wheels and the combustion engine powering the front wheels. In particularly difficult driving conditions, such as driving up a sloping, snow-covered road, the driver can manually select 4WD mode. The four-wheel drive system and hydraulic active suspension then deliver increased traction, making full use of the potential of Numero 9 in complete safety.

Looking beyond on-road performance and environmental benefits, the full-hybrid plug-in technology offers a third advantage: the cabin can be prepared before the car is used. For example, it can be pre-heated to ensure the comfort of all the occupants as soon as they climb onboard.

Under the contract, Johnson Controls will complete previously begun development work on lithium-ion batteries technology for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle applications to meet USABC goals for low-cost, long-life, high-power and high energy vehicle systems.

The focus of this 24-month program is to further increase the volumetric energy density of a hard-cased prismatic cell technology developed in a preceding USABC-Johnson Controls program through a combination of innovative material and processing advances.

The improved energy density is aimed at reducing cost, volume and mass. All cells will be built either in Johnson Controls Battery Technology Center in Milwaukee or its Li-ion manufacturing facility in Holland, Mich.

The U.S. Department of Energy is helping fund the contract, which includes a 50% cost share by Johnson Controls.

USABC is a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR). Enabled by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, USABC’s mission is to develop electrochemical energy storage technologies that support commercialization of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles.  As such, USABC has developed mid- and long-term goals to guide its projects and measure its progress.

The new contract is USABC’s third with Johnson Controls, whose previous research with USABC included competitively bid contracts for the development of battery cell, module and pack technology for PHEV applications and lithium-ion battery systems development for hybrid electric vehicles.

Over the last five years Ford has doubled the size of its development teams focusing on fuel saving technologies like EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles globally, with plans to expand further this year.

The new jobs are part of Ford’s plans to add more than 12,000 hourly and salaried jobs by 2015 in the United States. The company also has announced it is tripling production capacity of its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in the U.S. next year compared with 2011.

From EcoBoost to hybrids and from plug-in hybrids to full electric vehicles, this year Ford will offer nine vehicles reaching an anticipated 40 mpg or more. This includes its first all-electric passenger car, the 2012 Focus Electric, and the 2013 Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid sedan.

A123 Systems expects to start shipping replacement battery packs and modules to affected customers this week. The company said the cost of replacing the equipment will be about $55 million, and will be paid for over the next several quarters.

A flaw in the manufacturing process led to the creation of defective packs that could cause them to fail. An incorrect calibration of one welding machine caused a misalignment of certain components in a battery cell. That misalignment can cause a break in the electrical insulation and a potential short.

The defects were not found in prismatic cells manufactured outside the Livonia factory, the company said.

There are five auto companies affected by the defect, including Fisker Automotive which purchases large battery packs for its Karma plug-in hybrid luxury car. In the case of the Karma, the defect can prevent the car from starting after the driver parks the car but not a sudden loss of power, A123 said.

The Panamera Plug-In Hybrid will be powered by a 380-hp direct-injected 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 and eight-speed automatic with a separating clutch that facilitates the gas engine to be stopped while the car is in motion.

Motor Trend reports that between the transmission and engine on the Panamera Plug-in Hybrid will be an electric motor that will be able to move the rear tires on full-electric for about 19 miles (30 kilometers).

In addition, a similar plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to be fitted to Audi’s Q7 SUV, and a plug-in hybrid version for the Cayenne S Hybrid is then also likely.

The range of the normal Panamera S Hybrid is just two kilometers (1.24 miles), the speed in electric mode is up to 85 km/h (53 mph) depending on the driving situation.

The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid offers a fuel-economy of about 22/30 mpg and is priced at $96,000.

Under the terms of the development agreement, Advanced Traction Battery Systems (ATBS), A123′s co-owned Shanghai-based joint venture company, will supply 20Ah prismatic cells to ATBS for the production of complete lithium ion battery packs for Geely’s new PHEV, which is expected to launch in China in 2014.

A123′s 20Ah prismatic cells are designed to deliver high power, increased safety, extended life and a higher usable energy over a wider state-of-charge, enabling Geely to optimize the efficiency of its design and maximize vehicle range.

Geely is a global automaker with more than 30 different models in its portfolio. In 2011, it produced more than 430,000 vehicles, and there are currently more than 2.2 million Geely vehicles on the road worldwide.

“We believe that China, the largest and fastest growing auto market in the world, represents a significant opportunity for our technology, especially to help automakers leverage the government’s ambitious requirements and lucrative incentives for the production of new energy vehicles,” said Jason Forcier, vice president of the Automotive Solutions Group at A123. “Since forming our ATBS joint venture in 2009, we have made significant progress in delivering complete solutions to the passenger and commercial vehicle markets in China. Geely is at the forefront of electric vehicle development, and we believe that this agreement validates A123′s battery technology as well as the systems engineering expertise we have helped cultivate at ATBS.”