Conclusion of interview with representatives of the new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Consortium.
Open Access Article Originally Published: September 16, 2005
To Part 1
Raser Technologies' David West was the original driving force behind the consortium, approaching ultracapacitor-maker Maxwell Technologies with the idea to work cooperatively to develop both individual components and systems that could work together in future hybrid vehicles, thereby making it easier to get the larger OEMs to adapt the resulting products.
Maxwell's Robert Tressler explained that from his company's perspective, the consortium, "enables technology to get into the mainstream and out of laboratories and on the road.. Allowing people the opportunity to benefit from the vision that David (West) is… establishing as he forms the consortium".
As West explained, the catalyst for forming the core group began at the EDTA's summer legislative conference in Washington, D.C., when West, Stokes, and Maxwell's Richard Smith got together and discovered they shared common goals, as well as common problems. They agreed that component suppliers needed to work together more closely, "so that our technologies could be designed correctly to work together, and also to reduce development costs and development time". They also thought that by forming a united effort, they could also reduce some of the frustrations carmakers were experiencing in developing state-of-the-art electric-drive systems that weren't prohibitively expensive.
"I think all of us have been looking for this opportunity for a long time to see how we can solve these problems, and this became the sensible way to do it", West commented.
Pacific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) Brian Stokes explained it's his wish that within a year the consortium will have a prototype system ready to show to carmakers, using it as a means of opening dialog into the needs and concerns of the OEMs. The approach certainly has logic to it. Carmakers, historically, have been highly skeptical of the grid-connected hybrid-electric car concept, questioning everything from its engineering feasibility to marketability. They have often dismissed it as just a ploy by power companies to sell more American-made electricity, as if that were worse than oil companies selling drivers more imported petroleum.
Assuming in a year's time the consortium is able to begin serious discussions with OEMs, it typically takes at least three years for an idea to find its finally expression on the production line. So, a true plug-in hybrid with an initial 20 miles of electric-only driving range, after which the internal combustion engine would start running and burning liquid fuel, wouldn't makes it debut until at least 2009.
West added that the consortium's first goal is to increase its membership beyond the original core companies: Raser, Maxwell, Electrovaya, and PG&E. Companies interested in joining the consortium should have compatible technologies that can help the program reach its stated objectives.
The consortium's second goal is to develop a feasible design that has been jointly developed with OEM input.
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Reader Comments
5 comments so far...
23-Sep-2005
9726
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Why do you have to have a lot of extra batteries in a hybrid car? The extra weight and the limited life of the batteries and their replacment cost are impractical. Why not just use an 'off the shelf' contractor grade generator to power the vehicle? Trains have been doing this for years. A 20HP motor in a small light weight car powered by a gas generator would get a person anywhere they want to go at over 50 miles per gallon of fuel used. I am currently trying to convert a 1986 Ford Festiva to such a vehicle. I'm also converting it as a pick up truck so it will be more usefull in running errands and hauling small loads. As I get the money up to finish the project I'll let you know how it all works out.
Posted by: Sherman Todd
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27-Apr-2006
19587
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A Frenchman has developed an engine that runs off of compressed air and uses no fossil fuels at all. Imagine, nothing to buy but the car? It seems too good to be true. It reportedly will run at least 200 miles before an onboard air compressor has to be pluged into standard house current for four hours. It seems like a 'quick boost' charger could lessen that. One website gave the price of one of the models offered at about $12,000. That was several months ago and I can't find the same web page. Its called the MDI Air Car. I definitely want one of these!
Posted by: John Solomon
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18-Sep-2005
9616
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Of the 250 million vehicles in the "fleet" (which will take 17 years to "turn over") perhaps 100 million are new enough and fuel inefficient enough to consider the following: Over 5 years, convert them to (long range, fast recharge) electric vehicles. Perhaps the cost is $15,000 per vehicle. At an average of 10,000 miles per year and combined (city/highway) mileage of 15 mpg, each vehicle uses about 700 gallons per year. At $3/gallon that's $2100 per year. With an electric vehicle "fuel" cost being about 20%, the saving is about $1700/year. In six years the owner saves $10,000. If the government grants $5,000 to encourate the conversion, the cost is covered. The $5,000 grant represents a budget of $100B/year (for five years). During that five years close to another 100 million vehicles in the "fleet" "turn over" (to new technology vehicles). Voila, no more imported oil. Numbers I have seen in recent articles: Over $100B per year to buy offshore oil, over $400B per year budget deficit, similar annual value for the current wars. These items puts $100B/year into perspective. Thankyou for participating in my dream state.
Posted by: Kevin Hill
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19-Sep-2005
9630
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Good point, Kevin. But by "long range, fast recharge" ie. fuel up, you actually mean PHEV (plugged-in hybrid),don't you? Because few people care to buy BEV (battery-only electric vehicle), event though it may serve their needs just fine. PHEV can be produced for about the same cost as a BEV or even less, but will be far more versatile, and that is what this consortium is all about. Your point about converting existing cars to become a PHEV is excellent, and the economics seems plausible, even though 15 mpg is a bit too low, try 20 mpg at least, since the CAFE is about 25-27 mpg, so the saving in gas might be a bit less than your value of $10,000, but definitely within the ball park. I hope that the consortium will consider making kits to retrofit existing cars such as Camry, Civic, Focus, Taurus etc into PHEV, because that will make the biggest impact in the short term. I'm less optimistic about converting gas-guzzling SUV's, because the cost of motors and batteries will not be to the liking of the owner.
Posted by: Roger Pham
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14-Nov-2009
108070
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Posted by: Anymn Anymn
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