Detroit International Auto Show Spotlights Hybrids, EVs
Argonne Lab Licenses Advanced Battery Cell for Volt
9th Commercial Solar Project on Public Lands Approved
Final Permits Granted for Cape Wind Project
$74M for Fuel Cell Research and Development
Asia Economic Recovery Drives Up Global Oil Demand
Detroit International Auto Show Spotlights Hybrids
The 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which opens to the public January 15-23 after industry previews, will put hybrids in the spotlight.
Ford is displaying two next-generation hybrid vehicles: its C-MAX Hybrid and its first production plug-in hybrid, the C-MAX Energi. Both are based on the new Ford C-MAX five-passenger multi-activity vehicle. The models will be built alongside the 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Ford, which revealed its Focus Electric last week, announced at NAIAS that it would add 7,000 U.S. jobs over the next two years to support this growth, and that it's specifically seeking engineers who specialize in electrification. See the Ford press releases on new hybrids and job expansion.
Ford's Focus Electric goes on sale in late 2011, competing with the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, which went on sale in December 2010. The Focus Electric is powered by an advanced Li battery system engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier LG Chem, Ltd. Heated and cooled liquid help maximize battery life and fuel-free driving range. Ford plans to deliver five electric vehicles by 2013 in North America and Europe.
The Focus can be charged in three to four hours at home using a wall-mounted, 240-volt charge station. It will also offer value charging, powered by Microsoft, to help owners in the US charge vehicles at the lowest utility rates. The five-door hatchback leverages Ford's global C-car platform shared by gasoline and diesel-powered Focus models. See the Ford press release and the Ford Focus Electric Web site.
Meanwhile, General Motor Co.'s Chevy Volt continued to receive accolades - it was named 2011 North American Car of the Year on January 10 after receiving the Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year.
Toyota unveiled its new Prius v hybrid midsize station wagon along with a small, urban-style Prius C concept vehicle. See the Volt press release, the Toyota press release and the NAIAS Web site.
Argonne Lab Licenses Advanced Battery Cell for Volt
DOE's Argonne National Lab announced a licensing agreement with LG Chem, Ltd. to make and use Argonne's patented cathode material technology in lithium-ion (Li) battery cells. The lab also announced an agreement with General Motors to use its composite cathode material to make advanced Li batteries for GM's Chevy Volt.
The Li battery technology, part of a suite funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, offers a 50-100% increase in energy storage capacity over conventional cathode material, Argonne says. In addition, its lithium- and manganese-rich mixed-metal oxide combination extends operating time between charges, increases cell longevity, and improves the safety of Li cells. Funding for the earlier stages of research and development of this technology was provided by DOE's Office of Science. See the Argonne National Laboratory press release and the GM press release.
