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| The AKASOL e.V. Open Source Car (OSCAR) is a prototype commuter car that uses lithium-ion batteries. |
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| The Venturi Fetish combines lightweight and state-of-the-art electric vehicle technology to create a futuristic sports car that delivers outstanding
performance. |
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| Courreges first captured the attention of Challenge Bibendum attendees at the 2002 event with the Bulle prototype. Photo: © 2006, Michelin North America,
Inc. |
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| At Challenge Bibendum, Heuliez light-duty trucks were fitted with the CLEANOVA II electric-drive system developed by SVE. |
Often some of the most interesting vehicles at Challenge Bibendum, the worldwide symposium on sustainable road mobility, happen to be electric vehicles and their
technological advances. Specifically, progress in the development and use of lithium-ion batteries has led to both more creative and more usable electric vehicles.
The vehicles from French couturier Courreges have captured the attention of Challenge Bibendum attendees since the 2002 event, beginning with the Bulle prototype, which is often referred to as the
Egg Car or the Bubble Car because of its unique symmetrical design. The second prototype from Courreges, the EXE, uses lithium-ion batteries for better performance. According to Courreges, it has
a maximum speed of 175 km/h (109 mph) and a range of 400 to 450 kilometers (250 to 280 miles). The third electric car from Courreges is the Zooop, which uses
lithium-polymer batteries for improved charging, lighter weight and more power. All three Courreges vehicles competed in the 2006 Challenge Bibendum and received a lot of attention for their
eye-catching designs as well as their electric propulsion systems. At the other end of the spectrum, as far as design and functionality, is the CLEANOVA II
electric-drive system developed by Societe de Vehicules Electriques (SVE). The system can be fitted to a wide variety of vehicles to convert them to electric power. At Challenge Bibendum CLEANOVA
II was fitted to Heuliez light-duty trucks for use as delivery or service vehicles. CLEANOVA II uses the latest technologies for electric vehicles, including
lithium-ion batteries and a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor-generator. The system can be charged from any standard electrical outlet in Europe, and vehicles equipped with CLEANOVA II are
clean and highly efficient. In the Challenge Bibendum Rally from the test facility to Paris and back, the SVE vehicles still had a 30 percent battery charge after traveling 130 kilometers (80
miles). Another interesting electric vehicle this year at Challenge Bibendum was the prototype Open Source Car, known as OSCAR, developed by Darmstadt University in
Germany. Because research indicates that the average vehicle carries 1.3 persons, OSCAR is a 1.3 person vehicle—there is one seat for the driver and a second small seat behind the driver on top of
the battery pack and the AC induction motor. OSCAR is capable of covering 63 miles on one battery charge, with a top speed of 85 mph. The exotic Venturi Fetish is a
production electric sports car that has earned awards and recognition since it was originally unveiled as a concept car at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. The Fetish
combines lightweight and state-of-the-art electric vehicle technology to create a futuristic sports car that delivers outstanding performance. According to Venturi, the Fetish will accelerate from
zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) and a range of 350 km (218 miles). DaimlerChrysler Set to Bring Smart to US
DETROIT (AP) - DaimlerChrysler AG Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche on Wednesday will announce plans to sell the company's popular and culturally hip micro Smart car in the U.S.
starting next year, a company official told The Associated Press.
Zetsche is scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday morning to make the announcement at the Detroit Athletic Club, the company source said Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the
information had not been officially released.
Zetsche, who personally oversees the company's Mercedes Car Group, of which Smart GmbH is part of, had said repeatedly this year that a decision on whether to sell the two-seat car -- which
measures less than 9 feet long from bumper to bumper -- would come by the end of June.
The decision is a watershed moment for Smart, which has never posted a profit since it was formed in 1998, and could likely help generate new revenue for the ailing Mercedes group, which has
dragged down the company's overall earnings as it restructures and reemphasizes its focus on quality.
Company officials at the German-American automaker were mum about the details of the expected announcement, but conceded that with gas prices in the U.S. hovering above $3 a gallon in many places,
the Smart fortwo could appeal to buyers looking to save money.
According to DaimlerChrysler specs, the fortwo can get up to 46 mpg in city driving and as much as 69 mpg on the highway, but its speed is not like its Mercedes counterpart. The two-seater is
powered only by a three-cylinder gasoline engine. A diesel variant is available in Europe.
Other automakers have also begun selling small, sporty small cars, including Toyota Corp., which has the Yaris and Honda Co.'s Fit.
Smart launched the fortwo in Canada in 2004 and last year it sold about 4,000 models, or twice what it had initially forecast.
Last year worldwide, Smart sold 143,000 cars, a small increase from the 139,000 it sold in 2004. It produced a total of 124,300 cars in the same period, down from 152,100 the previous year.
In March, the German-American automaker said it would spend nearly 1 billion euros on restructuring Smart, cut 300 of the 750 jobs at the unit's Boeblingen headquarters and end production of its
larger, four-seater for four model.
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Toyota Prius hybrid at Eiffel Tower in Paris. Photo: © 2006, Michelin North America, Inc. |
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| The eighth edition of Michelin's event for sustainable road mobility showcases the latest in emerging environmentally positive
technologies for motor vehicles. |
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| Mercedes-Benz bionic car prototype with BLUETEC diesel system. |
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| Venturi Fetish electric sports car. |
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| Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell hydrogen fuel-cell passenger car. |
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| Courreges Zooop prototype electric vehicle. . |
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| Volvo V70 Multi-Fuel demonstration car runs on five different fuels. . |
This year the eighth edition of Michelin Challenge Bibendum, a worldwide program promoting sustainable road mobility, returned to France where the
original event took place in 1998. Held in different countries around the globe, the Challenge came home to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Bibendum, the mascot of the
tire manufacturer, who is better known as the Michelin Man. "In 1998 Challenge Bibendum started as a friendly rally from Claremont-Ferrand,
where our headquarters are located, all the way to Paris," explained Patrick Oliva, executive vice president of the Michelin Group. "The intent was to show that these new
technologies actually are real technologies that work and that can lead to real cars." Today the Michelin Challenge Bibendum is recognized as
the premier event of its kind, bringing together vehicles featuring hydrogen fuel cells, electric motors, a number of alternative fuels and plenty of other advanced
environmentally positive technologies. The five-day event was held June 8-12 in and around Paris, and included vehicle technical tests,
roundtable discussions, demonstrations, ride-and-drive opportunities, the Challenge Bibendum Forum, and a road rally. As a real-world test
for the vehicles, the road rally covered approximately 120 miles from the CERAM test facility in Montefontaine, north of Paris, to the foot of the Eiffel Tower in the center
of Paris, and back to the test facility. After arriving at the Eiffel Tower, the vehicles were displayed for several hours on Sunday to give the general public a view of the
emerging technologies. Rollier defined what is meant by sustainable mobility: "When I say sustainable mobility, I'm talking about mobility
that is cleaner, safer and more fuel-efficient, capable of making continuous progress even in a post-oil world." Since 1998 the Challenge
Bibendum has focused on providing private and public sector opinion leaders and decision makers with objective information about the latest technological developments in
automobiles and traffic management infrastructure. This year Challenge Bibendum welcomed more than 2,500 participants representing about 100
manufacturers, organizations and institutions. Events were held at three locations: CERAM, the automotive test track and research facility in Mortefontaine; in the heart of
Paris; and at the CNIT, France's industries and technologies center. Challenge Bibendum was also attended by 500 journalists from 40 countries.
Hybrid vehicles that combine an electric motor with an internal combustion engine have become very popular in the U.S. market as a solution for
improved fuel economy. New hybrid technologies and vehicles were well represented at Challenge Bibendum, including micro hybrids, mild hybrids and full hybrids. The internal
combustion engines in those hybrids were running on not only gasoline but also diesel, liquid propane and natural gas. |
MITSUBISHI MOTORS has chosen to center its development of next-generation electric vehicle technology on in-wheel motors and on lithium-ion batteries that the company has
been developing for several years
The Colt EV
will employ Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle (MIEV) technology in the all electric concept car which the company has
plans for releasing in 2010. Mitsubishi officials say the mini-electric car, which will be available for test fleets next year, has a cruising range of 150 kilometers (93
miles) on a single charge and can be recharged in a regular home.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is targeting housewives who drive to pick up children from school, go grocery shopping and
anyone who would enjoy owning a green car that never needs to fill up at a gas station. Current statistics suggest that on average, most people drive less than 12 miles per
day, so the idea of a peppy little EV for running around town is the perfect economical plus environmentally sound choice for doing local errands and short commutes.
Officials say the electric car will cost slightly more than a comparable gas-engine vehicle but they hope to keep
prices down through government aid available for buyers of ecological cars. Although the price isn't decided, it may sell for under 2 million yen ($19,000), according to
Mitsubishi Motors. The in-wheel motor makes it possible to regulate drive torque and braking force
independently at each wheel without the need for any transmission, drive shaft or other complex mechanical components. |
LATEST NEWS
smart goes electric
Fri, 14 Jul 2006
 The
smart fortwo will be available as an electric version, with the UK selected to run a market trial for the introduction of a fully electric version of the
popular two-seater car.
The smart ev (electric vehicle) will make its UK debut at the British Motorshow on July 18.
The smart ev has 30kW output and a top speed of 112km/h. It offers better in-town performance than its petrol-powered stablemate, with a 0-50km/h time of 6.5
seconds. Its range is up to 115km.
The drive train for the smart ev is produced in the UK by technology partner Zytek Group who undertake final assembly of the smart ev in Fradley, near
Litchfield. "A market trial of the smart ev is a significant step for the Mercedes Car Group as it is an important part of our commitment to sustainable
mobility," said Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes Car Group.
"We expect to deliver up to 200 units in this market trial phase and will work with corporate partners, to find suitable applications for the ev, and with
green energy suppliers to deliver zero emissions from well to wheel," added Kelly.
The car will be made available on a lease arrangement to selected UK corporate customers with deliveries starting in November.
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Electric bikes are human-powered vehicles with an added battery-powered electric motor.
Although capable of pushing you along without your help, electric bikes perform noticeably better when you pedal. Electric bikes typically travel at speeds of 15 to 20 miles
per hour and go up to 20 miles per charge. Charging an electric bike for four to six hours uses 5 cents worth of electricity from common 110 VAC wall outlets. An e-bike's
power can give you a break from pedaling or supply more power when you're pulling a child-carrying cart or going up hills. Best of all these emission-free vehicles are easy
on the environment. You save real money in gas when you substitute use your electric motorized bike in place of your
car for local errands, and the freedom from the gas pump.
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enjoy
the ride
www.smart-bike.net |
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The National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration has defined a new category "low-speed vehicles" or "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles." These are small, 4-wheeled motor vehicles with top speeds of 20 to 25
miles per hour. NEVs must comply with safety standards that require them to have automotive grade headlights, seatbelts, windshields, brakes and other safety equipment. These vehicles can only be
used on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.