Inventory of global new energy vehicle technologies in 2010

OriginOil microalgae fuel preliminary testing completed

On December 8, 2010, OriginOil announced the successful completion of the initial commercial testing phase of its groundbreaking microalgae fuel technology. OriginOil uses ultrasound and electromagnetic pulses to break down the algae cell walls, releasing natural oil components from the microalgae biomass without dehydration, saving a lot of electricity and heat. The separated algae oil and algae biomass can be used for multiple purposes.

Hitachi NEOMAX rare earth permanent magnets for automotive applications

Neodymium magnet is the general name for neodymium iron boron magnet, with the chemical formula Nd2Fe14B, which is the strongest magnetic material so far. NEOMAX first launched a series of neodymium magnet products in 1982, with magnetic strength 10 times that of ferrite magnets. In 2007, Hitachi acquired NEOMAX, and NEOMAX® became a brand of Hitachi. NEOMAX® neodymium magnet products are used to manufacture products such as built-in permanent magnet motors for EVs and HEVs, which can reduce the size of automotive electric motors, improve their working efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Delphi EV charging coupler passed UL certification

On December 9, 2010, Delphi's charging coupler for electric vehicles (with cable and charging socket) passed the certification of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) in the United States and Canada. This means that the product can now be officially used for charging stations and EV body interfaces.

Toyota exhibits new FT-EV based on iQ design

Toyota Motors has developed a pure electric vehicle, the Future Toyota Electric Vehicle, based on the iQ mini car. The company positioned the FT-EV pure electric vehicle for short-distance driving, and named it the Urban Commuter Battery-Electric Vehicle at the 2009 NAIAS exhibition. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery used is installed on the floor of the vehicle, with a total storage capacity of 11 kWh and a maximum applicable voltage of 270 volts. According to the Japanese JC08 cycle test standard, the maximum range after a full charge is 105 kilometers.

3M's lightweight sound insulation material improves hybrid vehicle performance

Thinsulate, a material developed by 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation), can effectively absorb high-frequency noise generated by hybrid electric motors and transmission systems. Thinsulate is an abbreviation of thin and insulate. It is made of only 1/25 of the fineness of human hair and is mainly composed of polypropylene fiber and polyester fiber (polyester). It has good warmth retention and insulation effects. At the same time, the material is also lightweight, compact, and easy to compress. It can be processed into any shape to adapt to various packaging and integration.

Hino's hybrid system for pickup trucks to be tested

Hino has announced that it has developed a new hybrid system for pickup trucks and will conduct field tests with some customers. The new hybrid system has a clutch between the engine and the electric motor. The system can propel the vehicle purely electrically. Because the clutch does not directly drive the engine, more regenerative energy can be collected during vehicle deceleration. In addition, Hino has improved the control system and increased the efficiency of the energy converter, improving the fuel efficiency of diesel engine trucks by nearly 50% in tests. The company plans to measure the fuel consumption of the hybrid system based on real-world usage conditions and use the collected data to improve fuel efficiency, with the goal of commercializing the system in 2011.

IBM software helps GM develop Volt powertrain

IBM said its software and simulation tools have been used to help General Motors engineers design and develop the powertrain control system for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Thanks to IBM software, the development time for the Volt's advanced powertrain control system was reduced to 29 months. GM designers used IBM products when developing certain key electronic control components such as the Volt hybrid battery, electronic drive unit and cabin electronics.

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Japan's Miluira micro electric car debuts

On December 1, 2010, Takayanagi Co., Ltd. of Japan began selling the Milira, a micro-compact electric vehicle designed in the style of a traditional car. The vehicle is a single-seat motorized four-wheel vehicle in Japan. The company uses parts produced in Japan to build the Milira micro-car, and the unit price of the vehicle is 6.3 million yen (tax included). The Milira micro-electric vehicle is equipped with a lead-acid battery with a storage capacity of 70 ampere hours, which can be fully charged in about 12 hours using a household 100-volt power supply. The vehicle has a range of 35 kilometers on a single charge, which is the result of a cumulative verification range of more than 1,000 kilometers. The vehicle specifications are 2180 mm long × 1280 mm wide × 1150 mm high, and the vehicle weighs 350 kg. The minimum turning radius is 4.0 meters and the maximum speed is 60 kilometers per hour.

2011 Chevrolet Volt gets 93 MPG

The official fuel efficiency figures for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt were recently released: the combined urban and highway conditions, the electric propulsion fuel efficiency is 93mpg, the total test range is 35 miles; the pure gasoline engine working mode fuel efficiency is 37mpg, the total test range is 379 miles. According to the comprehensive estimate of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the overall fuel efficiency is 60mpg, which is 20% higher than the Toyota Prius.

Proton Power tests fuel cell range-extended vehicle

Recently, the first round of testing of Proton Power Systems' fuel cell range extender system was successful. The company conducted tests on the Smith Edison light commercial truck (Ford truck chassis) platform. After the test, Proton Power Systems will use the range extender system on the Smith Edison 7.5-12 ton pure electric truck "Newron". So far, it has been confirmed that Proton Power's fuel cell system can provide Edison models with a very considerable additional range. The final range increase depends on the specifications of the fuel cell, the amount of hydrogen fuel on board, and the driving cycle of the vehicle.

Toyota announces plans to develop eco-friendly cars and batteries

On November 18, 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced the details of its environmentally friendly "Eco-car" development and production project and released the progress of the next-generation battery research. Both projects are part of environmental technology research and development, focusing on limiting fuel consumption and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by adopting electric propulsion and other alternative energy sources. The main contents include: hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and new batteries.

Buick LaCrosse mild hybrid system has a highway fuel efficiency of 37mpg

Buick's recently announced 2012 LaCrosse model uses the eAssist hybrid system, which improves fuel economy by 25% compared to the 2011 LaCrosse's four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission powertrain system, while maintaining the luxury, comfort and driving performance of Buick's flagship model.

Toyota launches four-layer all-solid-state laminated lithium cobalt oxide battery

On November 18, 2010, Toyota Motors unveiled a new four-layer all-solid-state laminated cobalt oxide lithium battery sample. The size of the trial sample is about 10cm×10cm. The battery has been equipped with the Prius plug-in hybrid car. The new cobalt oxide lithium battery structure consists of four layers: positive electrode layer, solid electrolyte layer, negative electrode layer and substrate. The average voltage of the battery cell is 3.6 volts×4=14.4 volts. Since the battery sample was just charged when Toyota showed it, it reached a voltage value of 4.065 volts×4=16.26 volts, which exceeded the average voltage value.

Nissan introduces new infotainment system for LEAF

Nissan Motor announced in Yokohama that it will launch a new ICT information and communication technology system for electric vehicles. The system will be used in the new Nissan LEAF electric vehicle. Thanks to the ICT system, Nissan LEAF owners can get the information they need around the clock to optimize their vehicle schedule. Nissan CARWINGS Data Center - an information control center - is connected to the in-vehicle navigation system through the information exchange device TCU (Telematics Communication Unit).

Volvo develops fuel cell to increase electric vehicle range

With the support of the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Cars is launching a fuel cell system research and development project to extend the practical range of electric vehicles. Volvo plans to build two prototypes based on the C30 DRIVe Electric electric vehicle for daily traffic testing in 2012. Volvo Cars and Sweden's PowerCell AB jointly developed fuel cells. The current system has a power output of 7 kilowatts, and the next generation of fuel cell systems under development can reach 30 kilowatts. Volvo believes that in the next 30-40 years, the efficiency of fuel cell systems can be greatly improved and widely used in heavy-duty vehicles.

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Cyclone engine performance characteristics

Cyclone has launched a new external combustion engine that has the advantages of adapting to a variety of gas, liquid and solid fuels, being environmentally friendly and low-cost, changing the characteristics of traditional external combustion engines such as weak torque performance and low power. Taking the Cyclone 330 horsepower full-fuel engine MK VI as an example, its starting torque is as high as 2,800 lb.-ft. Compared with electric motors of similar size, the Cyclone engine can provide greater starting torque and also has the advantage of not requiring a speed change device. It only needs to install a neutral return lever handle for operation, and can be used in automobiles. This may have an impact on the situation where the internal combustion engine has dominated the power of automobiles for more than a hundred years.

Toyota is optimistic about the prospects of nickel-metal hydride batteries and develops nickel recycling technology

Lithium-ion batteries have attracted widespread attention from the automotive industry for their advantages of light weight and high energy density. However, Toyota Motor is optimistic about the prospects of nickel-metal-hydride batteries (NiMH) and is developing nickel recycling technology. Toyota believes that although the current nickel-metal-hydride battery technology is mature, there is still room for cost reduction. Toyota is also developing more efficient motors and battery management systems, and the cost of its HEV products may be close to that of small diesel-powered vehicles. In addition, Japanese automobile companies including Toyota are launching projects to recycle nickel elements in HEV nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Toyota Motor has established a recycling production plant and cooperated with Toyota Chemical to produce metal materials in large quantities with high precision.

Delphi and WiTricity jointly research wireless charging

Delphi Automotive Electronics reached an agreement with wireless energy transmission technology supplier WiTricity at the end of September this year to jointly develop wireless charging equipment for hybrid and electric vehicles. WiTricity chose electromagnetic oscillation as its research direction. The wireless charging system can eliminate the plug and charging coil, thus providing significant convenience for drivers. Since 2007, WiTricity has gradually increased the charging efficiency of electromagnetic resonance from 40% to more than 90%.

Mitsubishi Fuso unveils all-electric truck concept

Daimler subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) launched the all-electric truck concept Canter E-CELL in the second half of this year and exhibited it at the Hannover Commercial Vehicle Show in Germany in September. Canter E-CELL replaces the original internal combustion engine with an electric motor. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery inherited from the Vito E-Cell has an advanced design and can stably provide 40 kWh of power capacity. It can be fully charged in 6 hours with a 380-volt power supply. The battery is installed on the Canter 3S13 chassis frame and drives the electric motor located between the battery and the rear drive shaft, in the center of the left and right wheels. The motor has a maximum power of 70 kW (95.2 hp) and a maximum torque of 300 Nm (221 lb-ft).

Controversy over expanding the use of ethanol fuel in older models

At a recent press conference, the Renewable Fuels Association announced that the latest research by Ricardo (the company that sets the gasoline octane standard) found that increasing the ethanol content in fuel from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15) would benefit both new and old models. The Environment Agency may soon open the use of E15 fuel in 2001 models and newer models. However, the opposing Follow the Science organization pointed out that a 50% increase in ethanol use could damage the engines of ships, motorcycles, ATV all-terrain vehicles (All-Terrain Vehicles), snowmobiles, chainsaws, lawn mowers and other gasoline-powered devices.

Mitsubishi Motors to test electric pickup truck

Mitsubishi Motors Group and Yamato Transport Co Ltd will conduct field tests on a prototype of Mitsubishi's new electric pickup truck. The vehicle is based on the design of Mitsubishi Motors' Minicab Van (minivan) gasoline engine light commercial truck. The company equipped the prototype with lithium-ion batteries used in the i-MiEV electric vehicle. The battery is produced by Japan's LITCEL Corporation, with a total voltage of 330V, a power capacity of 16kWh, and a positive electrode made of Mn-based materials.

Dual-fuel vehicle engine achieves high efficiency and low consumption in laboratory

A research and development team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Engine Research Center has recently demonstrated in experiments that an improved version of the engine can effectively improve operating performance by using two fuels instead of a single fuel. Adding another fuel will provide greater flexibility to the system. In essence, this will give you another "control knob" to control the combustion process. Because the combustion temperature is lower, the heat energy loss in the cylinder wall and exhaust gas is lower.

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Liquid propane engines reduce greenhouse effect

Liquid propane (LPG) is currently used as an alternative fuel to reduce the dependence of oil-importing countries on foreign oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, the cost of this fuel is competitive with gasoline.

Jaguar Flybrid Flywheel Hybrid Technology

The Jaguar Flybrid flywheel is made of composite materials and is driven by a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) supplied by Torotrak and Xtrac. It can reach a maximum speed of 60,000 rpm and store a peak energy of 60 kW (80 bhp). An intelligent computer regulates the energy flow in and out of the flywheel.

Peugeot hybrid uses GKN electric drive clutch

Peugeot-Citroën recently launched the 2011 3008 HYbrid4 crossover hybrid vehicle, which uses a two-speed transmission with an integral differential and electromagnetic disconnect clutch provided by GKN Driveline. GKN's electric drive module/propulsion system can provide an additional 36 horsepower (27 kilowatts) and 147 pound-feet (200 Newton-meters) of torque to the rear wheels. There is no mechanical connection between the internal combustion engine at the front of the vehicle and the electric propulsion system at the rear. Through the combination (parallel hybrid) and separation between the internal combustion engine and the electric propulsion system, the driver can choose from four driving modes: FWD front-wheel drive, AWD all-wheel drive, RWD rear-wheel drive, and full power propulsion drive mode.

Volvo develops battery for body panels

Royal College of London and Volvo and other companies and academic institutions jointly developed body panel batteries. The new material uses nanotechnology and its basic structure is two layers of ultra-fine carbon fiber sandwiched with a layer of resin/glass fiber. The body panels can be used in the roof, doors, car speakers and floors, providing high support strength while playing the role of batteries, which is expected to increase the range of electric vehicles.

SB LiMotive's EV battery development

SB LiMotive exhibited a lithium-ion battery pack at the eCarTec conference, which is suitable for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The new battery pack adopts a modular design, and its structure is a battery cell-battery module-battery pack system. Usually, 4-12 square battery cells are a module, and multiple modules constitute a battery pack system. The battery module exhibited at the eCarTec conference contains 6 battery cells, and the entire battery pack is composed of 12 battery modules with a total capacity of 7 kWh. According to SB LiMotive, the battery pack can support electric vehicles to travel 30 kilometers.

Ford's new liquid-cooled battery boosts Focus range

The new Ford Focus model will use a new advanced liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery system to extend battery pack life and increase range in non-fuel power mode.

Japanese buses equipped with photovoltaic panels, air filters and bird's-eye view system

The new Solarve bus of Ryobei ​​Group is equipped with photovoltaic panels, air filters and bird's-eye view system. The solar photovoltaic panels are provided by Sanyo Electric Company, using crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells to harvest sunlight energy for lighting applications of LED lights in the car and to power the air filter. The air filter is driven by Sanyo Electric's new nickel metal hydride battery Eneloop. The bird's-eye view surrounding monitoring system can display stereoscopic bird's-eye view images from multiple perspectives.

Lithium batteries to adopt graphite cooling technology

AllCell, a spin-off of the Illinois Institute of Technology, has developed PCM (phase change material), which is made of paraffin particles encapsulated in a graphite matrix and can be used to prevent electric vehicle lithium batteries from overheating.