Volvo Wants to Charge Up Your Car in a Different Way

Image from MotorTrend

Volvo, and nine other corporations, are looking to put the battery pack you might find in a plug-in vehicle (either electric or plug-in hybrid electric into a different place.

By using composite materials, they are examining the possibility of putting the battery into the body of the car.  The fun image they have at MotorTrend shows how much of the body would be taken up.

The composite material consists of carbon fiber and polymer resin.  The material is capable of storing great amounts of electric energy (enough to allow the car to travel up to 81 miles of all electric power (the Leaf goes 100 miles, while the upcoming Volt gets 40 miles of all electric range.  It's also supposed to recharge faster than a conventional battery.

Another advantage is by turning the battery pack into the body of the car, you can distribute the weight.  And the composite material is lighter than conventional building materials, reducing weight by as much as 15 percent.

The questions I'm left with is what if you're in an accident?  I can't imagine the body panels would be cheap to replace.  Also, what about scratches, dings, or outright dents?  Will that impact the cars ability to recharge or retain its charge?

The other partners in this project include the Imperial College London, Advanced Composites Group, Bundesanstalt Fur Material forschung undprufung, Chalmers, ETC Battery, Fuel Cells Sweden, INASCO Hella, Nanocyl, and Swerea SICOMP. The European Union jump-started the endeavor with 35 million Swedish krona ($5.2 million).Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Honda Civic Hybrid Owners Get Software Fix for Battery Pack

Honda Civic Hybrid owners are starting to be notified that their hybrid battery pack could fail sooner than warranted by Honda. Model years 2006, 2007 and 2008 are affected by a software flaw that causes the battery to drain sooner than it should.

Honda did not issue a recall since the flaw does not cause any danger to people's safety, but instead issued a technical service bulletin.

But I'm betting owners aren't too happy to hear they've been driving around with something like this for a while. I would wonder if the software glitch had shortened battery life, even after it's fixed. And will it affect resale values? People are wary enough over how long the battery pack will last when buying a used hybrid.

16,000 units were being fixed in Japan, while around 90,000 units are affected in the US. 2009-2010 hybrid civic models are not affected.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Mild Hybrids Make a Come Back in 2011

GM is working on a second generation of mild hybrids to be available in the third quarter of 2011. They have a mid-sized sedan (they won't say which) for the US and another in China. The source (via Autonews) was Larry Nitz, GM executive director of hybrid and electric powertrain engineering.

That's great news and important if GM wants to meet the upcoming guidelines on fuel efficiency for their fleet of cars in the US. Not every car can be a hybrid or a plug in the coming years. Mild hybrids give a much smaller boost in fuel efficiency, but the cost to implement it is also a lot lower. A start-stop (gas engine turns off at stop lights) system paired with regenerative braking and a much smaller battery pack and you can boost acceleration using electric power rather than more gasoline.

More than likely, the more powerful part will come from a new generation of battery pack (maybe lithium-ion?). Nitz said the benefit would be about 20% in fuel economy.

GM lost most of they mild hybrid line-up when they dropped Saturn.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Toyota Settles Lawsuit with Paice

Toyota has finally settled the lawsuit made by Paice LLC, which had a patent infringement case going for six years. The agreement was announced just before the hearing was set to begin in front of the US International Trade Commission.

The agreement says that "Toyota invented, designed and developed the Prius and Toyota's hybrid technology independent of any inventions of Dr. Severinsky and Paice as part of Toyota's long history of innovation."

But according to the news article, Toyota has agreed to license all 23 of Paice's patents.

Toyota had already lost the case, and could not argue in court they weren't impinging on the patent. So, a settlement on their part is no real surprise.

“After six years of litigation, we are pleased to reach a settlement with Toyota,” said Frances Keenan, chairman of the Paice board of directors in a statement. “Toyota has been a leader in the hybrid industry – selling more hybrid vehicles than anyone in the world – and we appreciate and applaud their achievements.”

Paice has already settled with Ford, but that lawsuit was less visible.

If things had gone really badly in court, Toyota may have been forced to stop importing all of their hybrids.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

President Obama Praises the Chevy Volt

President Obama Next to Chevy Volt

President Obama, even as BP finally cuts off the flow of oil into the Gulf (maybe!), was visiting the ground breaking of a battery plant in Holland, MI. The Compact Power (Compact Power is a subsidiary of LG Chem) battery plant will make the battery cells for the Chevy Volt. The Chevy Volt will be the first of it's kind, an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV).

The battery plant was partially built using federal funds of $151 million and matched by the company. The plant will create several hundred jobs over the next few years as construction finishes and workers are hired.

Powered by electricity, the battery pack can be recharged by a small gas engine designed only to recharge the battery. So, you can travel for up to 40 miles on electric power, then you can keep on going as gas engine kicks in.

The Volt goes on sale later this year in select states.

According to Obama, the US will have the capacity to build 40 percent of the world's batteries by 2015.

Ford will also be purchasing batteries from the Compact Power plant.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

GM Will Have a Warranty on the Lithium-Ion Battery Pack in Volt

I can't say that the warranty Toyota and Honda put on their battery and hybrid engines was the key to their successful launch of hybrid cars in the US. But I can say this, without them, they would have failed.

Even though we know now battery failure occurs at an extremely low rate, people still ask about it and worry about it a decade later.

Customers would not have lined up to make the Prius one of the top ten vehicles sold in the US if they were worried the battery, which cost thousands to replace, didn't have the warranty.

So, it's no surprise to hear GM knows this and is working on their own warranty plan for the Chevy Volt, their plug-in electric hybrid with lithium-ion batteries. Especially since lithium-ion batteries are a lot more expensive than the batteries found in Toyota, Honda and Ford hybrids.

Details of GMs plan are expected to be announced on Wednesday (DetNews).Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

LG Chem to Supply Batteries for Ford Focus Electric

Ford will be using battery packs made by Compact Power, a subsidiary of LG Chem in their Ford Focus Electric due out in 2011. The lithium-ion battery cell production will be built in Holland, MI. The Ford Electric will be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant along with a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

Press Release Follows:

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announced it has selected Compact Power, Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, to build lithium-ion battery packs for the Ford Focus Electric, which will go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

The Focus Electric battery packs will leverage CPI and parent company LG Chem's deep expertise in advanced flat format lithium-ion cells and advanced liquid-cooled modules and battery management systems.

"CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium-ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. "We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help make Michigan a center of excellence for a range of electrified vehicles."

CPI, based in Troy, Mich., will begin battery pack assembly for the Ford Focus Electric next year and is finalizing production site selection for the U.S. The lithium-ion cells for the packs will initially be sourced from Korea through LG Chem. LG Chem and CPI will be localizing cell production at their new site in Holland, Mich.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Ford on their new battery electric-powered Ford Focus," said Prabhakar Patil, CEO of CPI. "It tells us we are on track in developing high-power and high-energy lithium-ion batteries that the industry needs as it moves toward the electrification of vehicles that lessen our dependence on foreign oil."

The cells will incorporate LG Chem's proprietary chemistry and its industry-leading safety-reinforced-separator technology that provides unparalleled safety performance.

Focus Electric will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions. It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford is bringing to market in the U.S. in the next two years. These include the Transit Connect Electric, a small commercial van in 2010; Focus Electric in 2011; two new lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids; and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

Focus Electric, a full battery electric passenger car, will be produced at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., which will begin producing gasoline versions of the all-new 2011 Focus later this year.

Ford previously announced plans to invest $550 million to transform Michigan Assembly Plant from a large SUV factory to a modern car plant to build the new Focus and Focus Electric. The plant also will produce a next-generation hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in 2012. All of the vehicles will be built off the company's new global C-car platform.

This complements Ford's overall strategy to establish a center of excellence in Michigan for electrification of a broad range of vehicles, including lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids, plug-ins and pure electric vehicles. Ford is committed to delivering electrified vehicles as part of its overall vehicle portfolio designed to deliver both the fuel efficiency and the performance customers demand.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Valeo Turns Off Your Car

Valeo will be providing their stop-start system to PSA Peugeot Citroen. The second generation start-stop system, called i-StARS, will be integrated into the Peugeot and Citroen models with HDi diesel engines. Valeo says that by 2013, a million vehicles will have the system in place.

That's good news. A start-stop system can increase fuel efficiency by up to 15% in congested urban areas according to their estimates. The system turns off the engine when the car comes to a stop, say at red lights or in congestion.

An average decrease of 5g/km in CO2 emissions can be expected.

The Start-Stop system cuts power to the engine as the car slows down, at 8 km/h in an automatic and at 20 km/h in a manual.  Re-start takes 500 msec, is noiseless and with no vibrations.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Toyota Denied Again in Patent Case by Paice

Toyota was once again denied a reprieve in their patent case with Paice LLC. The US International Trade Commission judge Theodore Essex denied Toyota's request to dismiss the case.

Also, it was once again re-iterated that Toyota could not argue the patent was invalid, since Toyota has already lost that case.

Toyota Loses in Appeal
Toyota loses to Paice
Toyota Sued Again by Paice
Paice vs Toyota summary

Source: BusinessWeek.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Rotary, Battery Price and Possible Price Drop for the Chevy Volt

Photo from flickr

Inside Line has the latest and greatest info for those interested in the Chevy Volt.  First, they let us know GM is looking at replacing the ICE in the first generation Volt with a rotary engine.  Second, they say GM is hoping the price tag on the battery pack would drop in half (from $10,000 to $5,000) by the time the second generation Volt is ready.

And third, GM is contemplating launching the Volt at around $35,000 to compete with the Nissan Leaf price.  There's been some contemplation on how the Leaf's price would affect other electric vehicles, but this is the first I've seen that GM was looking at dropping their probably price from $40K down to $35K in response.

That's really good news for those who have 'range anxiety' but are still interested in full electric driving.  The Volt will travel about 40 miles on all electric power before having the small gas engine recharge the battery pack.  And you can plug it in to recharge the car overnight, getting the full 40 miles again tomorrow.

But at $35,000, GM is basically subsidizing the sale.  Add in the possible $7,500 credit from the federal government, plus any local credits and the Volt is suddenly costing just about what a Toyota Prius costs.  That could move the early adopters and Prius converts into GM's corner.

BTW, Inside Line says GM is contemplating the rotary engine because of its size.  The rotary is actually less fuel efficient, and produces more vibrations which would require more dampening, but GM may consider those a small price to pay.  Other options include diesel or a two-cylinder motor.

Any of the three make the Volt more of a one-of-a-kind proposition, rather than something they can use in other models.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Ford Adding to Hybrid Electric Production in Michigan

Ford will be creating a new 'center of excellence' in Michigan to assemble battery packs and electric-drive transaxles. The parts are being designed for the next generation of hybrids from Ford which will be based on Ford’s global C- and CD-car platforms. The next generation of hybrids is expected to begin production in 2012.

Ford will be investing $135 million in the new center. In a statement, Ford's president of the America's Mark Fields said "Electrified vehicles are a key part of our plan to offer a full lineup of green vehicles, and we are building a center of excellence in the U.S., here in Michigan, to keep Ford on the cutting edge."

The Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti will assemble the battery packs beginning in 2012 The Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights will build the H35 electric drive transaxles beginning in 2012 from a supplier facility in Japan. Ford is adding a combined 170 jobs at the Rawsonville and Van Dyke facilities to build these key components.

More from the statement on the Center of Excellence
Ford’s creation of a center of excellence for vehicle electrification in Michigan now includes the design and manufacture of electrified key components as well as total vehicle manufacturing for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. Ford is adding more than 50 engineers to work on electrification as we bring these technologies in-house. By physically bringing research, engineering and manufacturing closer together, Ford, its suppliers, universities and related industries can drive both innovation and job growth in this evolving form of transportation.

Ford’s in-house team will design and engineer the advanced lithium-ion battery systems powering its next-generation hybrid vehicles. These battery systems will be designed specifically for the company’s next-generation hybrids, including the new global CD-car platform hybrid and the new global C-car platform hybrid, which will be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in 2012.

To launch the new transaxle, Ford will add engineering and production jobs in Southeast Michigan, including about 130 manufacturing jobs at its Van Dyke facility, while investing about $125 million. The investment includes a grant received from the Department of Energy to help create green technology jobs in the U.S. This investment includes manufacturing capital equipment, launch and engineering costs and supplier tooling upgrades, all required to support the production launch of the HF35 transaxle.

Ford's global electrification strategy includes plans to launch five new full electric or hybrid vehicles in the compact, midsize and light commercial segments for the North American market by 2012 and European markets by 2013. This lineup includes:


• The Transit Connect Electric light commercial vehicle in North America later this year and in Europe in 2011
• The Focus Electric in North America in 2011 and in Europe in 2012
• A Lincoln MKZ hybrid, available this fall in North America
• A next-generation hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle based on Ford's global C-car platform in North America in 2012
• A C-MAX hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric model for Europe in 2013
Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Calcars Lists 20 Companies Making Plug-ins

The Companies Who are Making Plug-in Vehicles - Calcars

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the reason you keep hearing about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) lately is because everyone is doing it.  Calcars put together a list of 20 car makers who are working on their plug-in hybrid technology, and the list just keeps on getting longer.


I love the image they put together (I hope they don't mind my posting it here with attribution to them!).  It really brings home how cars are moving towards electrification.

By merging the best of gas engines and electric cars (in other words, getting rid of range anxiety from electric cars while reducing gasoline usage), car makers are betting that PHEV technology will bring more consumers to the table than all electric vehicles will.  And with more stringent laws about emissions coming, car makers have to increase their fuel efficiency now.


Some car makers are more serious about their efforts than others, with Fisker basing their whole business model on electric options, GM building the Volt, Toyota plugging in the Prius and so on.  Others are just talking about it or building concepts that may or may not become production models.


The good news for you is, the more car makers who opt in, the more choices you have.  The better news is, with more companies working on and building cars with bigger batteries, the sooner the cost on those batteries will come down.


The Nissan Leaf, an electric vehicle with 100 miles range, is going to sell at for over $32,000 here in the US.  And at that price, Nissan is talking about taking a loss.  Over half of that price tag comes from the battery pack alone. The Chevy Volt, with 40 miles of all electric range, plus several hundred more miles of range using the gas engine, is predicted to cost $40,000.  Those price tags put the electric and plug-in electric cars out of the range of most buyers, even with the tax credits from the federal government (up to $7,500).


But with more companies jumping in, the more quickly the prices on the batteries and the technology will drop.  Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Toyota Limited in Fight Against Paice LLC Lawsuit

Toyota is facing a patent lawsuit from Paice LLC. It's a case they've already lost, but one in which the number of cars was expanded upon. Word has just been released that Toyota will be limited in their ability to defend themselves further against Paice.

Toyota won’t be able to challenge the validity or infringement of patents owned by Paice LLC during an April hearing on the dispute, U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Theodore Essex said in an order dated March 3 and made public today.
In other words, since the courts already decided the patent has been infringed upon, Toyota can't use this trial to once again fight against it.  Toyota can make the argument that Paice cannot keep them from importing their hybrid vehicles.

That's kind of a big deal, since that's the big stick Paice is using to force the issue.  Just take a moment and think about what it would mean if a judge decided to order Toyota to stop importing any of their hybrids.

The case been around for years now. For more information, you can follow the links below:
Toyota Loses in Appeal
Toyota loses to Paice
Toyota Sued Again by Paice
Paice vs Toyota summarySource URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Hybrid ATS in Cadillac Future

GM is looking into migrating their two-mode hybrid powertrain into rear-wheel drive sedans in the next generation of hybrids from GM (Source: Tom Stephens, GM Vice-Chairman: Autonews).

In other words, GM is looking to build more hybrid Cadillacs. Possibly the ATS followed by the CTS.

In order to fit into a sedan size car, GM is working on building an electric motor that is 25 percent smaller and 20 percent more powerful than the one in GM's full sized truck and SUV hybrids.

The question becomes, should they? The Volt may be a better way to go for GM. Their full hybrids SUV and truck line have not had stellar results so far. Would a full size sedan do any better?Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

GM Putting $246 Million into Baltimore

GM will invest $246 million in a new production facility at the Baltimore Transmission plant. It will be used to manufacture the electric motors used in GM's Two-mode Hybrid system for 2013.

GM expects the investment in the Baltimore plant will create 200 jobs. That will double the number of people employed at the plant.

"By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house, we can more efficiently use energy from batteries as they evolve, potentially reducing cost and weight," GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens said.

GM is taking advantage of local and state incentives, plus the Recovery Act funding available from the Dept of Energy. GM expects the incentives to help retain or create 1700 jobs. The grant money from the DOE is about $105 million.

"Electric motors are the engines of the future," Stephens said. "By designing and manufacturing electric motors in-house at Baltimore Transmission, we can more efficiently control the design, materials and production processes. It will also enable us to lower costs and improve performance, quality, reliability, and manufacturability of the electric motors we use in our vehicles."

Although GM is considering building electric motors in house for a range of electric vehicles, Stevens said GM will buy some motors from others.

GM said it would consider building motors in-house for a broader range of electric vehicles.

GM is also investing some of the money elsewhere:

• In Pontiac, Michigan, $2 million for and electromagnetic computational facility and $26 million for development and validation dynamometer facilities;
• In Indianapolis, $10 million for development and validation dynamometer facilities;
• In Torrance, California, $6 million for characterization and development dynamometer facilities.
Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Why Not Start and Stop?

A Mazda executive is blaming the EPA's testing for the lack of stop-start technology spreading here in the US. Despite it's popularity overseas and the ability to save 7% in fuel for a very small price tag, the start-stop technology has not made a significant dent in the market. (Source: AutoNews).

According to the Mazda exec, Robert Davis, the EPA testing which creates the figures shown on the MPG sticker will show very little change in the car's fuel economy.

And so, car makers are very reluctant to put the start-stop into cars when the EPA is going to say it doesn't really do anything. Customers just aren't going to believe dealers when they say, "No, really, this does something" when the sticker doesn't show it.

In case you're wondering, start-stop technology turns the engine off when the car is stopped or decelerating. It then restarts the engine when you step on the gas pedal. It's found in full and mild hybrids, but hasn't made a dent in more conventional cars.

The EPA testing includes only one complete vehicle stop, which results in a 0.1 or 0.2 mpg improvement according to Davis. Customers aren't going to want to spend $500 more for a technology that's just going to give them back so little. But Davis points out in real world driving, you could see a 7-9% increase in fuel economy.

The article points out that Mercedes, Audi, Mazda, Volkswagen and others all offer start-stop technology elsewhere. And if the EPA changes its rule development, we could see it here in the US.
Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Plug-in Hybrid Truck Development - Ram Crew 1500

Chrysler sent $3.1 million to a University of Michigan researcher to help develop a plug-in hybrid pickup truck.

Associate Professor Chris Mi is one of a dozen UofM faculty members working on a $5 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles. The research grant involves DTE Energy, General Motors Corporation, and the University of Michigan.

Mi is working on the best way to charge PHEV batteries, in terms of safety and efficiency. The research team is working to develop a battery management system that will ensure all battery cells are charged and discharged evenly to protect the cells from damage, prolong the battery life, and maximize the battery capacity.

At the same time, they are also working to develop fast charging centers, that can recharge a PHEV battery in 10-20 minutes.

The new grant from Chrysler is part of the $48 million grant Chrysler received as part of the stimulus funds. (via chicagotribune.com) Mi's work would help develop a Ram Crew 1500 plug-in hybrid truck, which would make it the only full size plug-in hybrid truck.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Mercedes-Benz Opening Hybrid R&D Center

Mercedes-Benz, according to Daimler, will be opening a R&D center for hybrid and other alternative powertrain technology in Redford Township in Michigan. The township offered a $2.3 million tax exemption to Mercedes-Benz, in addition to the $7.5 million tax incentives from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.

Source: Mercedes to do hybrid R&D in Redford Twp. | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com

“We’re very excited about the possibility of launching the center in Southeast Michigan,” said Judy Brunson, MBH operations officer.

Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

LoJack Announces LoJack for Hybrids

LoJack is introducing a next generation Stolen Vehicle Recovery System with a 'proprietary power management protocol' allowing the system to be self-powered.

With hybrids and plug-in hybrids relying so heavily on their battery packs (now and especially into the future), LoJack figures this new system is great for hybrid electric cars.

Autoblog is guessing this system is a re-worked version of the system used in trailers, which can work for up to five years.

Press Release Follows (found via autoblog)

Westwood, MA -- October 26, 2009 -- LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ: LOJN), the company that invented and leads the Stolen Vehicle Recovery category, today introduced its next generation Stolen Vehicle Recovery System based on a newly developed proprietary power management protocol. This self-powered Stolen Vehicle Recovery System does not draw any power from a vehicle's battery or electrical system, which makes it ideally suited for the vehicles of today and the future, including hybrid and electric cars.

The next generation Stolen Vehicle Recovery System answers the needs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that are seeking to implement intelligent power management systems in new cars. With the growing number of features and devices installed and utilized in today's vehicles, there is an increasing need to reduce the draw on a vehicle's battery to enable maximum vehicle performance and efficiency.

President Barack Obama has called for a million plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to be on United States roadways by 2015 and this system delivers an energy efficient and proven theft recovery solution for these types of vehicles.

"As we looked to the future of the automotive market and held discussions with OEMs and our international licensees, it was clear that there was a need for a new generation of aftermarket products that are self-powered and optimized for newer vehicles," said Ronald V. Waters, LoJack Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This new Stolen Vehicle Recovery System directly answers that market demand and places LoJack in a strong position moving forward for the automotive market. As we continue to diversify our business, the new power management protocol will have beneficial applications in future versions of all LoJack products."

Provides Benefits for All Vehicles Including Hybrids, Electric and Collector Cars
More than one third of all vehicle breakdowns are due to electrical failures caused by too much dependence on the battery. Unlike GPS-based aftermarket products that draw power from a vehicle's electrical system, the self powered LoJack solution helps retain battery power. It is especially ideal for hybrids and electric vehicles where maintaining battery power is so essential. And, by eliminating the draw on the vehicle battery, it is optimized for collector cars as well because there is no need to connect to the electrical system, which can be a complicated and disruptive process in customized collector vehicles.

System Increases Installation Flexibility and Enhances Covertness
Since the new system does not have to be connected to the vehicle's electrical system, it provides efficiencies in the installation process and increases the number of locations inside the vehicle where the unit may be hiddenâ€"which is especially critical for the company's licensees in markets where the theft problem is particularly severe. Being even more covert also will help ensure that LoJack's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System "with its national recovery rate of 90 percent" remains the industry leader moving forward.

Availability
The next generation Stolen Vehicle Recovery System will be available for distribution through the company's international licensees in the fourth quarter of this year and rolled out in the United States beginning in the first quarter of 2010.Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Tweaking Software to Increase MPG

Ford and the University of Michigan are working together to tweak software in Ford hybrids to increase fuel efficiency. The team is taking data from 2,5000 road trips. Using the data, they have run nearly 1 million design simulations so far - nearly 50,000 a week.

“The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan available, and its performance is second to none. Our work with U of M is helping us develop the next generation of Ford hybrids and bring them to market even faster,” said Ryan McGee, supervisor of Vehicle Controls Architecture and Algorithm Design in Ford’s Research and Advanced Engineering.

By working through the simulations, Ford is hoping to build up hybrid controls in which they can increase fuel efficiency, 'drivability', or both.

The research is still in its early research stages, but initial results are promising.

"Working together with the University of Michigan research team, we are testing the boundaries of hybrid vehicle technology, exploring innovative ways to raise the bar on fuel economy and drivability," said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, chief technical officer, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "This joint work on hybrid software development shows great promise in helping us lead the development of more efficient hybrid systems for the future."

As a reuters article based on the press release points out, hypermilers have been doing this for a long time now. By driving differently, maximizing fuel efficiency in all driving situations, testing, and re-testing, hypermilers work to exceed the EPA fuel ratings every day.

In some hybrids now, you're going to see 'econ' buttons that do just this, tweak the software controls to emphasize either fuel efficiency or 'drivability.'Source URL: https://ashesgarrett.blogspot.com/search/label/Battery%20and%20Engines
Visit ashes garrett for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection