Car Blog

The credit crunch has hit global and European economies hard.

The lack of available finances has affected investments and has been accompanied by a drop in consumer spending, rising unemployment and a decline in industrial output. As the major market for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is in the consumer, industrial and automotive end-user segments, demand has fallen, evidenced by the drop in revenues. However, the market is poised to rebound around end-2010 and, with the electric vehicle (EV) segment projected to explode in 2012-2013, the market is set for sustained expansion.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.powersupplies.frost.com/), European Secondary Lithium Battery Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $1,618.5 million in 2008 and estimates this to reach $1,759.4 million in 2015.

“Superior performance characteristics that make Li-ion batteries the preferred choice of industry will push growth in the future,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Rajanand Rao. “Li-ion batteries have a high energy density of 120-160 Wh/kg, compared to 30-80 Wh/kg for Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries.”

Moreover, Li-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effect and have a low self-discharge rate of about 5 per cent per month, compared to 10 per cent for common NiMH batteries. These superior characteristics of high power and long runtime make them suitable for consumer, industrial and upcoming electric and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications.

The Li-ion battery is emerging as the chemistry of choice and is set to dominate the future of the battery industry, especially with EVs and HEVs poised for mass production. These segments are looking to adopt this chemistry owing to its advanced performance characteristics.

When Li-ion batteries were first introduced in the market, there were several problems connected with their safety and particularly, with their thermal runaway. The best example of these safety issues was the recall of millions of laptop batteries by Sony in 2006 that caused massive losses, both in terms of revenues and trust in Li-ion batteries.

“Li-ion batteries have a tendency to become unstable at temperatures above 140 degrees C,” explains Rao. “This needs to be overcome in order to boost customer trust in these batteries and promote their usage in the industrial as well as automotive segments.”

The need of the hour is to invest in R&D and find new materials that are safer as well as low cost. New cathode chemistries such as Li-iron phosphate and manganese spinel as well as anode and electrolyte technologies promise higher performance, while also providing improved safety.

“Continued R&D to find new and better chemistries, increasing process efficiency and curbing production costs will ensure a steady revenue flow,” advises Rao. “This, together with efforts to expand into the new space created by EVs should help increase, if not maintain, the current market share.”

European Secondary Lithium Battery Market is part of the Power Supplies Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: World Hybrid Electric and Electric Vehicle Lithium-ion Battery Market, World Hybrid Electric Vehicles/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Battery Market and, North American Starting, Lighting and Ignition (SLI) Lead Acid Battery Aftermarket. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Source: Frost & Sullivan

As a Chinese fairytale of “Eclosion to Butterfly” indicates, Geely alternative fuel vehicles have, through painstaking effort, come all the way to have their premiere on Beijing Auto Show this time. For years, Geely has been committed to R&D of alternative power systems for vehicles, and its 5 alternative fuel vehicles for mass production will be marketed in 2 years.

With eye-catching showcase in 2009 Shanghai Auto Show as a concept car only, Geely Intelligence (IG) this time is identified as a pioneering in-research model of Geely’s alternative vehicles. It is face lifted from former single door and 3+1 seat layout to double seagull-wing doors and 2+2 seat layout now, while remains its hybrid power and cost design.

Geely brings two electric vehicles this time — EK-1 and EK-2.EK-1 is lead-acid battery powered reaching 80km/h top speed and 80km range, and EK-2 is lithium iron phosphate battery powered with max. speed of 150km and range of 180km and can recharge 80% of battery capacity in 18mins.

In development of alternative power system, instead of restricting in one specific R&D direction, Geely diversified its development rating on different subjects during various time spans. According to related officer from Geely, currently, when various many factors are involved, in practical fleet, alternative fuel power is still but an option for the whole global auto industry, at least not such unified as the internal-combustion engine powered by petroleum. Considering this, on alternative fuel power solutions, Geely set its development mode of multiple propulsions ready to answer calls from both market needs and tomorrow challenges. Apart from battery electric vehicles, Geely showcase 1 vehicle model with GSC (Geely Intelligent Stop-Go System) and 2 models of GPEC (Geely Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle) .

For plug-in hybrid electric power, a relatively mature alternative energy power technology, Geely has finished its application design in serial and parallel forms and ready for mass production. Geely’s EC7 is applied with GPECs(Geely Serial Plug-in Electric) with iron phosphate battery + 1.0 L engine, 60 km range when solely by battery, launch recently; EC8 is applied GPEC (Geely Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle, parallel), good at fuel economy and dynamic performance, fitted with 2.4L engine to challenge international premium alternative energy vehicle.

A wirelessly charged electric vehicle went into service March 9 at the Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology President Suh Nam-pyo attended a ceremony unveiling the vehicle held at the Park.

Known as on-line electric vehicle (OLEV), the vehicle powered by electricity from an electrical charging strip planted about 5cm under the road surface, is in pilot operation at the theme park. The Seoul Grand Park has replaced the shuttle trains (called “elephant train”) that run on diesel with the eco-friendly OLEV.

The OLEV developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is charged wirelessly over a 400-meter long stretch of electrical strip and runs an additional 400 meters on the charged battery. The special electrical strip creates a magnetic field that generates magnetic force. The magnetic force is sent wirelessly to the vehicle and converted into electricity, which is then used to power the vehicle. At the Seoul Grand Park, the OLEV will service a 2.2 kilometer-long circular route.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government made the decision to deploy OLEV at the Seoul Grand Park last August even as KAIST was developing the prototype of the electric vehicle. The first OLEV was built and the electrical strips were laid in January. Numerous safety evaluations and test runs to improve efficiency have been conducted since then.

Tests have shown that the magnetic field used in the system poses no health risks. By using segmentation technology that provides electricity in sections, the amount of magnetic field generated is minimized. During a month- long test run in February the magnetic field generated was measured at below the international standard of 62.5mG, the city said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce OLEVs as part of its public bus transportation system. With buses responsible for meeting about 30 percent of the transportation demand and median bus lanes in place in 25 areas totaling 90.2 kilometers, wirelessly charged electric buses are an attractive green alternative for Seoul.

The KAIST-developed OLEV is commercially viable because of the lighter battery required and because it does not require an extended standby time for charging. One of the achievements of the KAIST team is the highly efficient charging system despite the 13cm gap between the road surface and the vehicle. In fact, many countries have shown interest in the OLEV development as commercialization of similar vehicles failed in the United States and elsewhere.

The city, which is pioneering the use of green cars in the country, believes the OLEV is a solution to Seoul’s traffic problems. The city government plans to lay the foundation for the introduction of OLEV this year. Projects for this year include deciding the routes and building charging stations. In an effort to improve air pollution and curb greenhouse gas emissions, the city plans to deploy green cars in all its public transportation systems, including taxis and buses, by 2020. The city government’s fleet of official cars will also be replaced by green cars.

Last year, Seoul led the way in introducing green cars by becoming the first city in the country to operate hybrid taxis.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government

Winner to be Announced at the 2010 Washington Auto Show

The auto enthusiast magazine Green Car Journal has announced five finalists for its 2010 Green Car Vision Award(TM), which will be presented at The Washington Auto Show®, “Change Happens Here” on January 26. The 2010 finalists include the Nissan Leaf, Coda Sedan, Ford Focus BEV, Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, and Toyota Prius PHV. They represent the most promising and forward-looking approaches today including battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

“It’s clear that the industry’s long-term vision is now focused beyond internal combustion and even ‘conventional’ hybrids, with increasing emphasis on electric drive and the diverse energy sources to power it,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “In the early years of commercialization, that requires innovative thinking and often some risk taking to achieve the goal, whether it’s high efficiency, petroleum displacement, emissions reduction, or a combination of the three. These five vehicles epitomize the can-do spirit that will bring a new and more environmentally positive generation of vehicles to our highways.”

The 2010 Washington Auto Show Public Policy Days are January 25-26, and the public days are Jan. 27-31 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

FIVE DISTINCT APPROACHES
The Leaf battery electric car represents a significant commitment and investment on the part of Nissan. Destined for showrooms in 2010, Nissan says this all-new lithium-ion powered car will be offered at a cost comparable to competitive models powered by conventional internal combustion power plants.

Coda Automotive, an all-new car company, has embraced an international effort and quite a bit of ingenuity to bring its electric Coda sedan to consumers. Due out in 2010, the Coda is powered by a UQM PowerPhase motor energized with Lishen-Coda lithium-ion batteries. It will carry an MSRP of $45,000.

Ford’s Focus BEV, a joint development with Canadian-based Magna, uses demonstration prototypes based on the current European Ford Focus. Production versions in 2011 will come in the form of the next-generation Focus model based on Ford’s global C-car platform. A price has not yet been announced.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, the latest in this automaker’s series of F-Cell vehicles, is a hydrogen fuel cell car based on the compact B-Class, a four-door hatchback. It will enter small-scale series production and initially be leased at an undisclosed cost to consumers in select U.S. markets beginning in 2010.

Toyota’s Prius PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) combines the usual functionality of a Prius with the ability to drive up to 12 miles on electric power only. This Toyota plug-in uses lithium-ion batteries in the completely redesigned 2010 Prius. Toyota will begin fielding 500 Prius PHVs in demonstration programs in late 2009.

“While ‘green’ models available today are crucial to reducing emissions and a growing dependence on petroleum, so too are environmentally positive vehicles offering leapfrog technologies that are not quite here yet,” says Cogan. “Taking the long view and acknowledging vehicles that will lead to a better transportation future is an important part of Green Car Journal’s mission. The Washington Auto Show, with its strategic location and inherent ability to draw the attention of the nation’s leadership, is the ideal venue to announce the winner of this important award.”

Source: Green Car Journal

Chevrolet, General Motors and the National Federation of the Blind are cooperating to identify a safe level of sound to alert the blind and other pedestrians to the presence of near silent-running electric and hybrid vehicles.

“We are confident electric vehicles can produce a safe and acceptable level of sound to alert blind pedestrians to their presence,” said John Pare, NFB executive director of strategic initiatives. “We look forward to working with Chevrolet and GM to identify an appropriate sound that will alert pedestrians in the most effective and least disruptive way possible.”

Members of the National Federation of the Blind and engineers from GM began meeting earlier this year to understand the safety needs of pedestrians with respect to quiet vehicles, and to work on solutions for the benefit of pedestrians, cyclists, runners, children and other members of the public.

Several NFB members recently experienced a demonstration of the pedestrian warning alert on a pre-production Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle driven at various speeds by chief engineer Andrew Farah. While visiting GM’s Milford Proving Ground, they also evaluated the alert from the front, sides and rear of the car.

“We have significant background in the area of pedestrian alerts dating to our work on our first electric car, the EV1,” Farah said, “The most important thing is to listen to the people who will interact with these vehicles in everyday life.”

Deborah Kent Stein, who chairs the NFB’s Committee on Automobile and Pedestrian Safety, said, “A recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demonstrated that the silent operation of hybrid vehicles is an issue for all pedestrians, not just the blind. In certain situations, electric or hybrid vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in collisions with pedestrians. The NFB looks forward to working with the safety agency in the crafting of appropriate standards establishing an acceptable level of minimum vehicle sound.”

“The National Federation of the Blind appreciates the opportunity to work with General Motors on this problem,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind. “We urge all automobile manufacturers to work with the blind in designing vehicle sounds to alert us to the approach, speed and direction of vehicles so that both drivers and pedestrians can safely use America’s roadways.”

Source: General Motors

Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour kicks off in Los Angeles

The Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced that Nissan and Reliant Energy of Houston, Texas, one of the major competitive electricity providers in the nation, have forged an agreement to advance zero-emission mobility in the United States. The announcement helps pave the way for the 2010 introduction of Nissan LEAF, the industry’s first all-electric, zero-emission car designed for the mass market. The company expects to begin sales in late 2010. Reliant is a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. , one of the largest electricity generators in the United States.

Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced the agreement today at the kickoff of the Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, marking the first North American appearance of Nissan LEAF.

The vehicle debut was followed by a panel discussion representing the key interests of the environmental, energy and air-quality communities. Participants included Ghosn, Mary D. Nichols, Chairman, California Air Resources Board; David Crane, President & CEO, NRG Energy, of which Reliant is a subsidiary; and Patricia Monahan, Deputy Director, Clean Vehicles Program and Director of the California Office, Union of Concerned Scientists.

“The Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to becoming a global leader in zero emissions,” said Ghosn, who also is chairman and CEO of Renault. “Together, Nissan and Reliant Energy share the vision that electric vehicles offer the best solution to reducing CO2 emissions. The Nissan LEAF is the only all-electric, zero-emission vehicle that will be available to drivers on a mass-market scale and at an affordable price.”

As part of the agreement, Nissan and Reliant Energy will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for electric cars that encourages home and workplace charging, as well as a public charging infrastructure. The companies will work to coordinate the establishment of policies and help streamline charging infrastructure deployment. Nissan also has agreed to make available a supply of electric vehicles to Reliant and in its areas of operation.

“This agreement with Nissan is another part of our comprehensive effort to speed up the adoption of broad-based electric-powered transportation ecosystem,” said David Crane, CEO of NRG.

“We can now see a clear path to having thousands – even hundreds of thousands – of zero-emission vehicles on Texas roads in the next several years,” said Jason Few, President of Reliant Energy.

The Los Angeles debut marked the first stop on a nationwide tour of LEAF. The Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour will make stops in 22 cities, in 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Vancouver, Canada, offering the opportunity for interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about Nissan LEAF and the benefits of zero-emission driving. Los Angeles-area stops also include Santa Monica, Glendale and the University of Southern California campus. Details can be found at www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car.

Nissan, along with alliance partner Renault, is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. Through the Nissan LEAF Zero-Emission Tour, Nissan will be showcasing the electric vehicle and battery technology as well as the company’s zero-emission mobility objectives. Nissan is also furthering the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through agreements with the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, Vancouver, and Mexico City.

Source: Nissan North America