Porsche focusing on deployment of plug-in hybrid technology

“Porsche is focusing on the deployment of plug-in hybrid technology in production,” according to Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board - Research and Development, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Hatz made the announcement at this year’s Vienna Motor Symposium.
Porsche began taking orders for the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid drive super sports car in March 2011, even as production development proceeded; first customer cars begin arriving in the United States near the end of 2013. (Earlier post.)
In addition, Hatz underscored the expansion of electrification in hybrid models and the optimization of the conventional combustion engine will play a major role in future drive system developments.

With the Panamera and the Cayenne, Porsche has already successfully launched two hybrid models on the market. The sales figures for the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid for 2011 are more than twice as high as the figures of all our competitors combined in this market segment.

—Wolfgang Hatz

Porsche is developing more solutions to get even greater efficiency and performance from the synergy effects of combustion engine and electric motor, Hatz said. Furthermore, he added, the potential of conventional combustion engines is far from being exhausted.
That's why, for Porsche, the combustion engine will continue to play a vital role for the drive system of sports cars in the foreseeable future.

—Wolfgang Hatz

Chrysler Group launches second phase of PHEV minivan project

Three plug-in hybrid-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivans (earlier post) went into service with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), bringing to 25 the total number of such vehicles on US roads. With this completion of the demonstration fleet’s deployment, the second, data-collection phase of Chrysler Group LLC’s plug-in hybrid minivan project now begins.

Components of the flex-fuel PHEV minivan. Click to enlarge.

The focus shifts from engineering design and development to real-world testing and evaluation, said Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler Group’s advanced hybrid vehicle project. The plug-in hybrids will be subjected to temperature extremes and variations of drive cycles. 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 a Chrysler Group’s partnership with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE has invested $10 million to further the research.
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 kWh lithium-ion battery supplied by Electrovaya. Total system output is 290 hp (216 kW) and total range is 700 miles (1,127 km).
The minivans have an electric drive range in the city of 22 miles, and charge depleting fuel economy (city) of 53 mpg US (4.43 l/100 km). 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 Group dominates the minivan market, selling 13.4 million units globally since inventing the segment in 1983.



Source: Green Car Congress

PHEV conversion company HPEV shipping sub-assembles and components for Ford F-350 class 3 truck

HPEV, Inc., a plug-in hybrid conversion company, says it ia delivering sub-assemblies and components for commercializing its parallel hybrid conversion system on a Ford 350 class 3 truck. Final assembly will begin shortly with a target date for completion of the introductory unit at the end of the third calendar quarter.

The HPEV system uses lead acid batteries to power an electric motor drive which in turn powers a traction motor attached to the rear axle of a vehicle. The conversion process itself entails the change-out of the rear axle; the engine and transmission are untouched.

A traction motor containing HPEV heat pipe technology and a motor drive are attached to the frame and connected to the rear axle. Then the battery box is bolted on and filled with batteries to power the electric motor.

The cabling, sensors and controllers are connected. Two controls are mounted on the dash. One enables the driver to set the percentage of load assist from the electric motor (0-100%). A second control enables the driver to set the amount of regenerative braking required. Regenerative braking powers the heating, air conditioning and other accessories when your vehicle is running on electric power.

The estimated turnaround time for a hybrid plug in conversion is 80 person hours for cars and SUVs , longer for hybrid truck conversions and other commercial vehicles.

The conversion technology is scalable and the HPEV intends to establish vehicle platforms for Class 4 and 5 trucks concurrently.


Source: Green Car Congress

EPA Says Prius Plug-In Gets 11 Miles Electric Range

Depending on how one drives it, Toyota’s Prius Plug-In can go a few miles farther than its U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rating, but officially it can be expected to travel 11 miles with “Electricity + Gasoline,” and the sticker lists All Electric Range at 6 miles.

This falls short of the “up to 15 miles” at speeds up to 62 mph estimated after consulting with Toyota and reported in HybridCars.com’s full review.

Although not an apples-to-apples comparison, the Plug-In Prius is often weighed against the extended-range electric Chevy Volt. With its larger battery pack, the domestically produced rival from GM is intended to stay in all-electric mode at speeds of up to 100 mph for an EPA-estimated 35 miles distance – though this too can vary greatly depending on usage and ambient temperature.

As mentioned, plug-in Prius test drivers have routinely seen over 11 miles electric range, especially when driving in a gingerly manner.

And where the Prius Plug-In’s EPA efficiency ratings begin to outdo the Volt is in other drive modes. In “EV Mode,” it’s rated at 95 mile per gallon equivalent, which a tad above a fully charged 2012 Volt’s estimated 94 MPGe. In hybrid mode, the EPA says the Prius Plug-In returns 50 mpg combined. This compares very well to the Volt’s 37 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode and means – in the absence of on-the-way recharging facilities – for longer trips the Toyota starts to pay back more.

While the two vehicles are often compared and contrasted based on more metrics than the scope of this brief can consider, in short it is a qualified decision to determine between the two.

###

Note - As an extra bit of PIP news, the plug-in Toyota is also eligible for $1,500 California Clean Vehicle Rebate and application for a solo HOV sticker under certain conditions. It’s available in 14 states this year and Toyota is no longer taking online reservations. It says in 2013 it will offer nationwide availability. It’s eligible for a $2,500 federal tax credit, and aside from California, other states or localities may have subsidies available. MSRP for the base Prius Plug-In is $32,000 and price for the Advanced model is $39,525. This latter version comes standard with features including Premium HDD Navigation with Entune, Plug-In Hybrid Applications through a smartphone, Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and more.

Source: GM-Volt.com

First Prius Plug-In production models arrive in U.S., ready for up to $4,000 off in California

The brand-new Toyota Prius Plug-In has arrived in California, and Toyota wants to make sure that potential buyers know that the plug-in hybrid can be up to $4,000 dollars lower than the sticker price might make it seem, plus other benefits.

The new Prius qualifies for the State of California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP) worth $1,500. The corded Prius can also get California's HOV lane access sticker and qualifies for a $2,500 federal income tax credit. This is the same program that gives Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt buyers up to $7,500, but the Prius Plug-in has a smaller battery and thus only gets a third as much money back.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid is expected to get 95 miles per gallon equivalent, can go up to 11 miles in pure electric mode and, once the battery is emptied out, gets an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg. The car will have two trim lines, the standard for $32,000 and the Advanced for $39,525



Source: Autoblog Green

California’s new ZEV rule introduces the BEVx; ARB staff expects these vehicles to play a longer-term role than plug-in hybrids

On Friday 27 January, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted the new Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) package that sets out the regulatory emissions and technology requirements for light-duty automobiles through model year 2025. (Earlier post.) The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation—one of the three main regulatory packages that constitute ACC—introduces a new regulatory vehicle category: the BEVx, or a battery-electric vehicle with a small “limp-home” range extending engine or APU (auxiliary power unit)—i.e., not a series-hybrid type vehicle such as the Chevrolet Volt equipped with a full-capability engine.

Under the ACC, ARB will award BEVx credits on the same basis as BEVs—i.e., on zero-emission miles (the simplified ZEV credit scheme under the ACC is a linear one based on those zero-emission miles). BEVx vehicles can provide up to 50% of the pure ZEV requirement for manufacturers, and so they may emerge as a significant vehicle type.

In the Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR) published prior to the Board meeting, ARB staff noted that “some manufacturers” proposed this new class of advanced vehicles for separate treatment as part of the ZEV program. (During the public hearing on the ACC rule package, comments from ARB staff and the Board indicated that BMW was particularly interested in this classification.)

The basic rationale, according to ARB staff, is that such a vehicle has the potential to expand the BEV market beyond current market estimates by giving interested customers an extra measure of confidence about range, and if successful, would add substantial zero-emission vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to the overall California fleet.

It was suggested during the hearing that such a vehicle might even deliver more all-electric miles than a battery-only electric vehicle, as the availability of the range-extending engine could preclude drivers reserving battery charge to ensure they actually make it home.

The BEVx would have reduced performance while operating in APU (auxiliary power unit) mode—i.e., while using the range extender to find a charging location. Most of these vehicles are expected to have a zero-emission range of 80 miles or greater.

This vehicle has substantially more range than currently announced PHEVs, ARB staff noted, with electric range comparable to full function BEVs and will probably require ground-up BEV design.

Manufacturers believe that the APU will be a relatively high-cost option on top of an existing, full function (100+ mile), BEV. BEVs are expected to play an important role in ARB’s long-term emissions reduction strategy, but the market for current technology BEVs might be limited.

While the APU within the vehicle may evolve during this transition, from gasoline to advanced biofuels to hydrogen, it is reasonable to believe that this proposed vehicle may help meet ARB’s long-term GHG and criteria pollutant emissions reduction goals.

Staff expects BEVxs to play a longer-term role than TZEVs [ transitional zero emission vehicle; most commonly a plug-in hybrid PHEV] because of their improved zero emission mileage potential. These vehicles would be particularly well suited to use of low upstream GHG fuels that might be more expensive, since the predominant operating cost would be offset by relatively low-cost electricity. In addition to potential for emerging alternative fuel use, there is an opportunity to explore engine technologies that are advantageous but otherwise unsuitable for application in conventional vehicles.

Engine technology applied to existing PHEVs is derived from small conventional production gasoline engines, but highly specialized APUs for BEVxs may eventually spin off and evolve in completely different directions. Future BEVxs with highly specialized engine and fuel technologies could be optimized to drive cost, weight, size, and emissions down and make these specialized BEVx APUs suitable for more affordable and therefore more widespread application. Lotus Engineering and other automotive design firms have been developing hybrid-specific APUs and have several unique concepts under development already.

—ZEV ISOR

ARB staff suggested that the BEVx market may appeal to drivers who would not otherwise consider a BEV with the same range. Since staff considers these vehicles full function BEVs with short range APUs, it stressed the importance of having the minimum range for eligibility be equivalent to full function BEVs in the marketplace.

Basic criteria for these vehicle include:

1. the APU range is equal to or less than the all-electric range;

2. engine operation cannot occur until the battery charge has been depleted to the charge-sustaining lower limit;

3. a minimum 80 miles electric range; and

4. super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) and zero evaporative emissions compliant and TZEV warranty requirements on the battery system.

ARB expects—but is not at this point requiring— manufacturers to incorporate further performance limits on charge-sustaining APU mode operation, including speed restrictions.

For the 2012 through 2017 model years, BEVxs will be referred to as Type I.5x and Type IIx vehicles, to fit in with the pre-2018 nomenclature for ZEVs. Type I.5x and Type IIx vehicles will receive the same credits as Type I.5 and Type II ZEVs: 2.5 and 3 credits, respectively. Up to 50% of the portion of the ZEV requirement that must be met with pure ZEVs may be met with these Type I.5x and Type IIx vehicles.

ARB staff has committed to studying PHEV and BEVx user-behavior to find a more refined attribute-based methodology that can better correlate with desirable zero-emission VMT (vehicle miles traveled) and emissions reductions.

Source: Green Car Congress

UK government extends Plug-In Car Grant to vans for up to $12,300

Van buyers in the UK will be able to receive 20%—up to £8,000 (US$12,300)—off the cost of a plug-in van, UK Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Minister Mark Prisk announced. This is an extension of the Plug-In Car Grant which offers 25%—up to £5,000 (US$7,700)—to motorists buying a new plug-in car. Ministers have also re-confirmed there is funding secured for this grant until 2015.

There are currently 10 cars eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant—5 of which came onto the market in 2011, with the other half expected to be available to purchase this year. During the first year of the scheme, 1,052 eligible vehicles were registered and, up to 31 December 2011, 892 applications were made for the Plug-In Car Grant (Quarter 1; 465; Quarter 2 215; Quarter 3 106; Quarter 4 106). Manufacturers apply for the grant following the purchase of the car hence the lag between registrations and grant applications.

The purpose of the consumer grant is to enable the purchase of ultra-low carbon vehicles which could otherwise have been unaffordable. The consumer will also benefit from lower running costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Electric vehicles are the arrowhead for a low carbon revolution in motoring and as more models come to market we’ll begin to see sales gather pace. Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric. This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles—fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factor influencing their decision on what to buy.

—Transport Minister Norman Baker

Only vans which meet strict performance criteria for range, tail-pipe emissions and safety will be eligible for the Plug-In Van Grant. The application process opens today and van manufacturers are invited to apply for their vehicles to become part of the scheme. Applications can be received at any time. The Department expects to confirm shortly the first vans to join the scheme, for which applications will need to be received by 31 January.

The UK Government has made provision of more than £400 million (US$614 million) to promote the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicle technologies. This includes approximately £80 million (US$123 million) supporting research and development activities; £30 million (US$46 million) for the installation of infrastructure; and, £300 million (US$460 million) to support consumer incentives for the life of the Parliament.

The Government’s assessment is that the number of installed chargepoints in the UK is more than 2,500, of which 765 have been delivered (to 14 October 2011) through the Government’s Plugged-In Places trials and the remainder through private sector organisations’ investment. The private sector organisations have commitments to deliver approximately a further 4,000 points across the UK by the end of 2012.

Source: Green Car Congress

U.S. plug-in vehicle interest driven down by high pricetags

Americans showing interest in buying an electric-drive vehicle has fallen about 17 percent during the past two years, as car buyers say the continued premium charged for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles doesn't offset the effect of lower refueling costs, according to green-technology research firm Pike Research.

Of the more than 1,000 people surveyed by Pike Research late last year, 40 percent said they were either "extremely" or "very" interested in purchasing a plug-in vehicle, down from 44 percent a year earlier and down from 48 percent in 2009. While respondents, on average, were willing to pay about 19 percent more for an electric-drive vehicle than for a conventional car with similar amenities, that difference is less than the premium automakers typically charge.

"Price is the most significant barrier to consumer interest in electric vehicles," said John Gartner, research director at Pike Research, in a statement. "About two-thirds of our survey respondents who stated they would not be interested in purchasing a PEV said that they felt such a vehicle would be too expensive. Others said that they would want to wait a few years until the technology is more proven, and almost half said that a PEV would not have sufficient driving range for their needs."

Last year, Pike Research predicted Americans will buy about 300,000 BEVs and PHEVs in 2015, while Michigan's Center for Automotive Research has projected that U.S. electric-drive vehicle sales will increase to about 140,000 units in 2014. Earlier this week, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu estimated that plug-in vehicle battery costs will have dropped 70 percent between 2008 and 2015 and will fall another 58 percent between 2015 and 2020, giving hope to electric-drive vehicle advocates that the price premium for plug-ins relative to conventional vehicles will narrow during the next few years.

Still, electric vehicles are largely falling short of expectations. Last year, about 80 percent of Americans surveyed by Deloitte's Australia-based Motor Industry Services group expected an electric car to have a single-charge range greater than the approximately 100-mile range currently offered by the Mitsubishi and Nissan. As for price, 78 percent of Americans polled expected an electric vehicle's purchase price after government incentives to be less than $30,000, with more than 90 percent expecting less than a $40,000 pricetag.

Source: Autoblog Green

Energy Secretary Chu estimates 70% drop in EV battery costs between 2008 and 2015

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu estimates that plug-in vehicle battery costs will have dropped 70 percent between 2008 and 2015 and will fall another 58 percent between 2015 and 2020, giving hope to electric-drive vehicle advocates that the price premium for plug-ins relative to conventional vehicles will narrow during the next few years. Chu also said that the U.S. Energy Department is opening a research center dedicated to improve battery and energy-storage technologies for the transportation industry.

The advanced battery competition is a race the United States can and should win - Stephen Chu

Chu, in a speech at the Detroit Economic Club during the Detroit Auto Show (he's pictured above, right, speaking with Nissan's Mark Perry while checking out the Leaf), said that a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle battery that can provide 40 miles of all-electric range will cost $3,600 in 2015, down from $12,000 in 2008. That battery's cost will fall to just $1,500 by the end of the decade, Chu added. "The advanced battery competition is a race the United States can and should win," Chu said.

Greater adoption of electric-drive technologies will likely be necessary for the U.S. to meet proposed CAFE standards for light-duty vehicles of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, which is equivalent to about 40 miles per gallon measured by EPA standards. That would still be almost an 80 percent jump from 2010 model-year fleetwide fuel economy in the U.S.

Last year, Colorado-based Pike Research said Americans will buy about 300,000 BEVs and PHEVs in 2015, up from about 50,000 in 2011, while Michigan's Center for Automotive Research projected in early 2011 that U.S. electric-drive vehicle sales will increase to about 140,000 units in 2014 from about 30,000 last year.

This is not the first time Chu has strongly supported the idea of a plug-in vehicle, not by a long shot. As he said at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun in late 2010, battery-electric vehicles could be competitive with gas-powered cars within five years as technological advancements and greater BEV adoption helps push down battery costs and increase single-charge ranges.


Source: Autoblog Green

Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept teaser video for 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Toyota NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept teaser video for 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Volvo XC 60 Plug-In hybrid Concept to Appear At Detroit Show

Volvo might have already started production on its first plug-in hybrid wagon -- the 2012 V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid -- but as we’ve told you before, the Swedish automaker doesn’t think the U.S. is ready for a diesel plug-in hybrid yet.

But at next week’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo will unveil the XC60 Crossover Plug-in Hybrid concept car: a vehicle built to illustrate Volvo’s plans to bring a plug-in hybrid car to the U.S.

A few weeks ago, we were given an exclusive presentation about the XC60 when we visited Volvo’s Gothenburg headquarters. Now we can tell you more about this exciting plug-in concept, designed with the U.S. in mind.

Same Technology, With One Difference

Just like the 2012 Volvo V60 Diesel Plug-in Hybrid, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept is a through-the-road hybrid, where the front wheels are driven by a conventional gasoline engine and small electric motor, while the rear wheels are solely driven by an electric motor.

In fact, the XC60 shares almost every part of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid’s drivetrain, from its 12 kilowatt-hour (8 kilowatt-hour used) lithium-ion battery pack and 50 kilowatt peak rear-wheel drive motor. But instead of a 2.4 liter Diesel engine, the XC60 plug-in concept is the first Volvo car to make use of its new range of Turbocharged, four cylinder VEA engines. Smaller and lighter than previous generation engines, the 2.0 liter gasoline engine will produce 280 horsepower and around 280 pound-feet of torque.

The extra horsepower over the D5 diesel engine found in the 2012 Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid means the XC60 plug-in concept is a little faster, taking just 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. Where permitted, it will go on to a top speed of 130 mph.

Yes, It Tows Too

Volvo executives are keen to point out that the XC60 concept doesn’t loose any of the capabilities of its gasoline sibling because it uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. In fact, it outperforms a traditional gasoline-engined XC60.

That even includes towing, with the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid just as happy to tow 3,300 pounds as the current 2012 XC60 gasoline lineup. In fact, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid benefits from the best torque figures of any XC60 yet. With 427 pound feet of combined electric and gasoline grunt, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid is the prefect towing green machine.

New York to Detroit On A Single Tank

Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 600 miles on a tank of gasoline and a fully-charged battery. That’s on a useable 8 kilowatt-hours of electricity and a 14 gallon tank of gasoline.

That equates to a hybrid fuel economy of around 50 mpg.

When used in all-electric mode, Volvo claims the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel up to 35 miles on a single charge, resulting in a fuel economy equivalence of 105 MPGe.

Source: Green Car Reports

Chrysler Group LLC Providing DTE Energy with Test Fleet of 10 PHEV Ram 1500 Pickup Trucks

PRESS RELEASE

• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will be supplied to DTE Energy as part of a demonstration project by Chrysler Group LLC
• Real world city miles to be accumulated on demonstration vehicles over the next three years
• Fleet of vehicles developed in partnership with U.S. Department of Energy
• Ram 1500 plug-in electric hybrid test trucks will be used to evaluate city drive cycles, charging performance, fuel economy and real-world performance

December 15, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC, working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will deliver 10 demonstration fleet Ram 1500 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) pickup trucks to DTE Energy of Detroit.

The PHEV Ram 1500 pickups, delivered by Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of the Chrysler Group's advanced hybrid vehicle project, are part of a national demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years to evaluate customer usage, drive cycles, charging, thermal management, fuel economy, emissions and impact on the region's electric grid. In addition to DTE Energy of Detroit, more than 100 vehicles have been delivered to 16 different cities in the past six months.

"Cities have been carefully selected to help the Chrysler Group LLC collect a wide range of data," explained Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler's advanced hybrid vehicle project. "Working with a local energy partner like DTE that is in our backyard offers a great combination of suburban and rural driving, as well as ever-changing Michigan weather, is ideal as a test cycle for these vehicles. The constant charging will allow us to measure the impact on battery life and charging efficiency."

Chrysler Group LLC began delivering Ram 1500 PHEV trucks to the city of Yuma, Ariz., in May, 2011 to take full advantage of hot weather and conduct thermal testing in the desert southwest. Other cities that have received the demonstration Ram 1500 pickups include San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Boston, Mass., and Albany, N.Y. Just recently, the New York Police Department also took delivery of five PHEV Ram 1500 PHEV trucks.

"The trucks will provide us with a glimpse of what kind of fuel savings cans be afforded with PHEV technologies so we can, at some point, make our truck fleet more environmentally friendly," said Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president Marketing and Renewables. "We'll be using the trucks at our service centers and in the field at our renewable energy facilities."

Strictly a demonstration program, there are no plans for a production version of the PHEV Ram 1500 trucks at this time.
Cities and states were selected to evaluate temperature extremes, urban traffic cycles and diverse climates and geographies.
The Ram 1500 PHEV includes a liquid-cooled 12.9kWhr lithium ion battery pack and a 6.6 kilowatt (kW) on-board charger. Additional features include AC power generation of up to 6.6kW; directional charging; reverse power flow and full regenerative braking used to capture more energy. For fuel economy improvements, the front axle of the four-wheel-drive automatic transmission can be disconnected when not needed. The powertrain also includes a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine and a two-mode hybrid transmission. The 5.7-liter Hemi is equipped with a Fuel Saver technology that improves fuel efficiency at highway speeds by shutting down fuel delivery to up to four cylinders.

The battery pack is located under the second-row seat of the pickup and is liquid cooled to help maintain a consistent battery temperature. For on-the-job electrical power tools, a 240 volt/30 amp four-prong outlet and 120volt/20amp duplex outlet power strip is located in the rear box.

Urban use will be tracked to measure battery performance and overall hybrid efficiency with the demonstration fleet of pickups. Other uses include military bases where vehicles will be able to provide power back to the electric grid in what is termed "reverse power flow" of up to 6.6kW.

Funding for the program in part is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Transportation Electrification Initiative sponsored by the DOE. The grant, totaling $48 million from DOE and $49.4 million from Chrysler Group LLC, was designed to develop vehicles that will be cost efficient for consumers, satisfy safety concerns of daily travel without recharging and help reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The Chrysler Group LLC also is developing a similar fleet of 25 Town & Country minivans with plug-in hybrid technology for demonstration and evaluation that will be allocated to select cities next year.

THE VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN HYBRID - THE MOST TECHNICALLY-ADVANCED VOLVO MODEL EVER

PRESS RELEASE

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid and is Volvo Car Corporation's most technically advanced model ever - an electric car, hybrid car and muscle-car all rolled into one. At the touch of a button, the driver can choose which of the three cars they want to drive at any given moment.

The indicative price of the world's first plug-in hybrid with diesel engine is starting at between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK, minus any government subsidy for electric cars (Plug-in Car Grant).

Sales get under way at the start of 2012 with a limited model year production run of 1,000 cars starting in November 2012. They will be offered with Pure Limited specification, which includes the highest SE Lux trim level.

"Our plug-in hybrid has received considerable attention since it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011. Now we're taking the next step by presenting the production model, which is graced with a distinctive profile featuring a spectacular silver colour, an exclusive interior and generous standard equipment," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The production version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched in just one colour - Electric Silver. The car is also distinguished by aero-designed 17-inch wheels, integrated exhaust tailpipes and a number of bodywork features in glossy black, such as the grille and the aerodynamic front spoiler. The chromed "Plug-in Hybrid" emblem is found both on the lower part of the tailgate and in a smaller version on the front wings.

Nordic region the biggest market

After the initial batch of 1,000 cars for model year 2013, production of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014.

About 30 per cent of total volume will go to Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK will have a share of between 5 and 15 per cent each.

"We expect the order books to fill very quickly. The most discerning customers have many exclusive cars to choose between. But for anyone who truly wants to be in a league of their own behind the wheel of the most ingenious car in the world, there's only our V60 Plug-in Hybrid," concludes Stefan Jacoby.

Electrifying temporary presence

In addition to other venues, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will be launched through "electrifying" temporary presence in high profile venues. They will appear in places such as Stockholm, Berlin and London. The idea is that customers should meet the car where they feel most at home.

Surveys reveal that the main target group for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid includes customers that are eager to adopt unique new technology. The car is ideal for customers who want superior environmental performance without compromising any of the established qualities in a contemporary luxury car.

Volvo Car Corporation expects that 80 per cent of total sales will be in the form of company cars.

Exclusive interior

The interior of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid has black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and inlays of blue-grey wood. Other distinctive interior details include a leather-covered steering wheel, specially designed floor mats and a gear lever knob with integrated indicator.

The list of standard equipment includes features such as speed-dependent power steering, electrically adjustable driver's seat, parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo on Call.

Standard specification includes the High Performance Multimedia DVD audio system with its 4x40W amplifier, eight loudspeakers and seven-inch screen.

The first Volvo with the D6 badge

On the car's tailgate there is a D6 badge. The reason is that the combined performance of the five-cylinder turbo diesel and electric motor puts the car firmly within the same horsepower range as the petrol powered T6.

The front wheels of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid are powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo diesel producing 215 hp and maximum torque is 440 Nm. The car has a six-speed automatic transmission.

The rear axle is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. The electric motor is supplied with power from an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment.

The sophisticated and exceptionally compact battery pack consists of 10 modules each containing 20 cells. An integrated computer monitors the system and compares temperature and charge level in each of the 200 cells. The battery pack also has an integrated water-cooling system driven by the car's climate unit.

Three driving modes - three cars in one

The driver selects the required driving mode via three buttons that give the car three entirely different temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. If the battery pack has been recharged with electricity from renewable sources, its range is up to 32 miles with no carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe. The electric range varies with terrain, climate and driving style.

Hybrid is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The diesel engine and electric motor cooperate to ensure optimal balance between driving pleasure and environmental footprint. CO2 emission (NEDC, mixed driving cycle for certification) is just 49g/km and it has a total range of up to 621 miles.

In Power mode the technology is optimised to give the car the maximum possible power. The diesel engine and electric motor have a total power output of 215+70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440+200Nm. The electric motor's lightning-quick torque delivery contributes to the car's acceleration from 0 to 62mph in 6.2 seconds.

Save battery power for later

The driver can choose to save battery power in order to drive on pure electricity later on, for instance in an urban green zone or in the heart of a city.

When Save is activated, the on-board system ensures that there is always sufficient charge for driving later in Pure mode. If necessary, the high-tension alternator will charge the battery pack so there is sufficient capacity for driving in Pure mode.

The aim is that the Save mode should ensure there is sufficient battery power for about 12.5 miles of driving on electricity alone.

Charge at home - cooling or heating in advance

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid can be recharged from a regular power outlet (230V/6A, 10A or 16A) at home or in a car park. Recharging time varies with amperage. A full charge with 10A takes 4.5 hours. This is cut to 3.5 hours with 16A, while a 6A charge takes 7.5 hours.

It is also possible while recharging the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment to provide a more comfortable start of your journey. This also means that more battery power is used for actually propelling the car.

The pre-conditioning function can also cool the batteries. The ideal operating temperature for the battery pack is 20-30°C. This means that cooling prior to driving is very important in order to maximise battery charge and thus also range.

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has two heating systems. In electric mode the car uses a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) air heater. The car also has a diesel-powered heater.

Better pulling power with four-wheel drive (AWD)

Pressing the AWD button activates the electrical four-wheel drive. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes power between the diesel-driven front wheels and the electrically-driven rear axle. The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to provide better grip when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in snow or mud.

However, owing to the electric motor's lower power, torque to the rear wheels is limited and four-wheel drive is active up to 75mph.

When four-wheel drive is activated, the diesel engine operates continuously and the generator ensures that the charge level in the battery pack is sufficient to supply the rear axle with the necessary power.

Since electric four-wheel drive is only activated by the driver when necessary, it is more economical than conventional permanent four-wheel drive.

Two-stage braking system

A two-stage braking system is yet another smart feature of the Volvo Plug-in Hybrid. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the system starts braking the rear axle's electric motor. This braking energy is then used to recharge the car's battery pack.

The mechanical brakes are activated only when the situation requires more braking power than the rear axle can provide.

Smartphone app

The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is the first Volvo to be launched with an entirely digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM). The conventional analogue gauges have been replaced by a one-piece LED screen offering a large number of display options. The driver can choose which information to show via the car's menu setup.

It is also possible to communicate with the car via a mobile app. This gives the owner access to a number of smart functions such as air conditioning, pre-cooling and after-cooling, and a reminder to connect the charge cable if this has not been done by a predetermined time.