And the Kia Ray, a plug-in hybrid four-door sedan can run for over 50 miles solely on electric power, or 746 miles on a single tank of fuel. Kia also premiered the all-electric Kia Venga EV concept car, and Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Nano EV, both of which have a range of about 100 miles. See the press releases from GM, Audi, Lotus, Kia, and Tata.
Ferrari displayed a hybrid, the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio (experimental vehicle). Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, it has flat lithium-ion batteries below its floor and adds an electric motor to the back of its F1 transmission, cutting its CO2 emissions 35%. Ferrari now offers a hybrid-like "Stop & Start" system on its Ferrari California.
Infiniti showcased its first production hybrid, the M35, which combines a V6 engine with a 50 kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The vehicle goes on sale in Europe in spring 2011. Volkswagen unveiled the Toureg Hybrid and used it to introduce the company's electrification plan, which includes a hybrid Jetta for the U.S. market in 2012. Other hybrids unveiled at the show include the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid; the Toyota Auris Hybrid, slated for a European release this year; and the Lexus CT200h, a premium compact hybrid slated for release in Japan in 2011.
The Geneva Auto Show is open to the public through March 14. See the press releases from Ferrari, Audi, Infiniti, Volkswagen, and BMW; the Toyota announcements of the Auris Hybrid and the Lexus CT200h; and the Web site for the Geneva International Motor Show.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
