All Cars Electric Tag: BEV

Ford Motor Company announced today that they received a $55 million Michigan state tax incentive for work on battery and EV development. The refundable tax credit was awarded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and their new Michigan Advanced Battery Credits initiative.

Ford says the tax incentive will be used to accelerate production of next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Current production timelines have the goals of a full battery electric commercial van in 2010, full battery electric passenger car in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid by 2012.

“These promising...

Ford Motor Company announced today that they received a $55 million Michigan state tax incentive for work on battery and EV development. The refundable tax credit was awarded through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and their new Michigan Advanced Battery Credits initiative. Ford says the tax incentive will be used to accelerate production of next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Current production timelines have the goals of a full battery electric commercial van in 2010, full battery electric passenger car in 2011, and a plug-in hybrid by 2012. “These promising technologies give us the opportunity to transform our transportation and energy future,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. “Government support is essential to achieving the potential for electrified vehicles in the future. Michigan’s groundbreaking program accelerates our ability to expand and focus our engineering and research efforts here.” Read More

The Automotive News is reporting that Toyota plans to offer their new battery electric vehicle in the United States in 2012, similar in size to the FT-EV currently on display at the auto show in Detroit. The FT-EV, pictured above, is an electric vehicle based on the fossil-fuel powered iQ Toyota sells now in Europe and Japan.

According to Bill Reinert, national alternative-fuel vehicle manager for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Toyota is hoping that the small urban run-about will have a range of 50 miles on a full charge of its lithium-ion batteries, and will take between two to six hours to charge, depending on whether 110-volt or 220-volt... The Automotive News is reporting that Toyota plans to offer their new battery electric vehicle in the United States in 2012, similar in size to the FT-EV currently on display at the auto show in Detroit. The FT-EV, pictured above, is an electric vehicle based on the fossil-fuel powered iQ Toyota sells now in Europe and Japan. According to Bill Reinert, national alternative-fuel vehicle manager for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Toyota is hoping that the small urban run-about will have a range of 50 miles on a full charge of its lithium-ion batteries, and will take between two to six hours to charge, depending on whether 110-volt or 220-volt outlet is used. Whether the vehicle will be sold or leased nationally or regionally has not yet been determined, and neither have projected import volume or price points. Source: Automotive News, photo courtesy of Toyota Read More

Ford made an especially strong jump on the EV scene at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show announcing that they will begin mass production of a battery-electric vehicle, yet unnamed, in 2011.

I was invited by Ford to actually test drive a prototype. At this point the vehicle is based on the Ford Focus body, which is known as a C-class sedan.

When I arrived for my test drive out on the cold street in front of the Detroit Cobo convention center, I found the unassuming Focus was adorned with bright yellow plug graphics to let you know what was under the hood. I was given a tour of the engine compartment and could see the large electric motor, power...

Ford made an especially strong jump on the EV scene at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show announcing that they will begin mass production of a battery-electric vehicle, yet unnamed, in 2011. I was invited by Ford to actually test drive a prototype. At this point the vehicle is based on the Ford Focus body, which is known as a C-class sedan. When I arrived for my test drive out on the cold street in front of the Detroit Cobo convention center, I found the unassuming Focus was adorned with bright yellow plug graphics to let you know what was under the hood. I was given a tour of the engine compartment and could see the large electric motor, power electronic module, and 400V high voltage cables running back from the engine compartment. After getting into the driver’s seat I turned the key and heard a little clicking, but no crank of course, and then the charge indicator lit up letting me know we could drive. I pulled away and found the silent instant torque exciting and different, even though the car only does 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. There was no problem merging with traffic. There is no transmission, just a gearcase with planetary gears. The car performed flawlessly over a three or so mile city drive, and braking wasn’t harsh as a vacuum component was added to make the brakes more natural. They are of course regenerative. There were a few little rough points such as some vibratory noise and a varying reading on the charge level meter, but what does one expect for such an early mule? The battery is split into two packs, one below the cabin and the other in the trunk. Overall the pack has 23 kWh of stored energy, and uses prismatic lithium-ion cells. Ford would not say whose cells were inside. There are currently two of these early mules and the one I was in had only gone about 300 miles or so so far in its life. Ford is working with component-maker Magna who makes many of the components and is actually evaluating lithium-ion cells from up to 6 companies. I was assured by Ford VP of powertrain Barb Samardzich in an interview that Ford intends to bring this car to production. The actual unique design is being developed now and a full production program is underway with a hard goal of a 2011 launch. She expects the final vehicle to have a 100 mile range and to roll out gradually. She expects to build at least 10,000 copies the first year and pledges to build more if the market demands. Ford would not disclose what their target price was for the car but advised that Ford is a company that builds affordable cars. But don’t expect it to be too cheap, when asked if the car could be kept below $20,000 one executive said “that the batteries alone” would cost that much.   Read More

Toyota has released more details about its electric city car concept that will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show tomorrow.

They will displaying a concept car called the FT-EV that is based on the 4-seat IQ urban vehicle already on sale in Japan.

The automaker stated they intend to produce a 50 mile all electric car, that the concept illustrates, by 2012.

In a statement the automaker said "Toyota's FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation."

Toyota still insists gas-electric hybrid architecture will make up the majority of their future drivetrains and have... Toyota has released more details about its electric city car concept that will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show tomorrow. They will displaying a concept car called the FT-EV that is based on the 4-seat IQ urban vehicle already on sale in Japan. The automaker stated they intend to produce a 50 mile all electric car, that the concept illustrates, by 2012. In a statement the automaker said "Toyota's FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation." Toyota still insists gas-electric hybrid architecture will make up the majority of their future drivetrains and have not stated whether the future EV would use lithium-ion batteries or be based on the IQ. Source (Toyota) Read More

Could it be that Ford has kept an EV up their sleeve until the eve of the auto show?  Perhaps.

MotorAuthority.com reported earlier this week that "While there are no plans to show-off a new concept vehicle per se," Ford may be preparing to "reveal plans for a new electric sedan that is scheduled to go on sale in 2011 and is likely to be based on the next-generation global Focus sedan."

After our initial fit of back flips and cartwheels at the news, we decided to check in with Alan Hall at Ford for the official company line. "We are aggressively pursuing electrification as part of our product development strategy" Hall said. "We were one of... Could it be that Ford has kept an EV up their sleeve until the eve of the auto show?  Perhaps. MotorAuthority.com reported earlier this week that "While there are no plans to show-off a new concept vehicle per se," Ford may be preparing to "reveal plans for a new electric sedan that is scheduled to go on sale in 2011 and is likely to be based on the next-generation global Focus sedan." After our initial fit of back flips and cartwheels at the news, we decided to check in with Alan Hall at Ford for the official company line. "We are aggressively pursuing electrification as part of our product development strategy" Hall said. "We were one of the first to have PHEVs, as well as being the first to have a drivable EREV (the Edge with HySeries Drive), on the road testing." When pressed for specifics in regard to the 2009 NAIAS, Hall said "We will have the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids as well as the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids available to drive at the event." So either the rumor of a Ford EV release is just a rumor, or Ford is trying to keep this one secret until the event. Read More

Toyota although the leader in green cars, due to the success of its Prius, has been cautious in moving to lithium-ion plugin cars.

They have expanded on the superiority of the parallel hybrid drivetrain over a series or pure electric design.

They do have a few plug-in Priuses in field trials and may plan on eventually mass marketing such cars. And indeed are involved in a joint venture to produce lithium-ion cells.

Today however we received word from Toyota that they plan to demonstrate a new electric car at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The release:

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 22 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery...

Toyota although the leader in green cars, due to the success of its Prius, has been cautious in moving to lithium-ion plugin cars. They have expanded on the superiority of the parallel hybrid drivetrain over a series or pure electric design. They do have a few plug-in Priuses in field trials and may plan on eventually mass marketing such cars. And indeed are involved in a joint venture to produce lithium-ion cells. Today however we received word from Toyota that they plan to demonstrate a new electric car at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The release: TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 22 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery electric vehicle concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. This display marks the world debut of this concept vehicle. The Wall Street Journal has found out the car will be a small subcompact "town" car not suited for long driving ranges, and be priced below $20,000. Source (Toyota) Read More