Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota has officially announced the debut of the Prius plug-in hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This is the standard version of the prototype already presented by month and subject to several tests, ready to respond to competition in the hybrid. PHEV technology is the new flagship of the Japanese house, and proposes new lithium ion battery that allows an average consumption of just 2.2 l/100 km, with emissions of just 49 g / km.

Nissan Leaf: Its batteries can power a house

Nissan in Japan has presented a system to use lithium-ion batteries Nissan Leaf as a store of energy to power homes. The project is part of a broader strategy on the company's emission-free and opens new perspectives for the use of electric cars. Until now it has spoken grid, ie the energy network, only on the charging of the batteries and the intelligent use of time slots to optimize costs.

BMW and i3 i8 concept: new official photos

BMW has released two new official gallery i8 i3 and concept, the two prototypes that represent the entry of the German company in the field of electric cars and plug-in hybrid. Long announced, the two cars are already quite close to the standard product in the interior: the i8, in particular, has changed a lot compared to the Vision EfficientDynamics.

The two models share the extensive use of CFRP, propose two different solutions for mobility, with the vocation i3 town with 125 kW electric engine and rear and optional Range Extender i8 thought of as an uncompromising sports car, with performance sports hybrid and plug-in: the front-mounted electric is that of i3, while the rear axle is a 3-cylinder turbocharged 164 kW.

Renault Flins long delay in the production of batteries for electric cars

Difficult to assess the extent of the repercussions, especially in trade, but the halt imposed by the Strategic Investment Fund for the French government imposes a re-discussion of all previous agreements. According to the Ansa news agency writes, Renault would have accumulated a delay of 18 months in the production of batteries for future electric cars the range of zero emissions, delaying the start of the final half of 2012 to early 2014.

Project Better Place: 90,000 requests for electric cars in Israel

The project Better Place will start officially next month in Israel. Born in California and supported by the Renault Nissan group, the system provides for the sale of electric cars and the ability to change the battery pack in special automated stations, instead of the classic (and longer) with the charging cable.

Just the formula to replace the battery pack should solve the classic anxiety autonomy that inhibits the passage to the electric car, the predictions of the creators of the system. The car that will sell Better Place in Israel is derived from the Renault Fluence.

Rolls-Royce customers do not like the electric

Rolls Royce has received a very positive feebback on the 102EX, the prototype of electric Phantom unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The heads of the English house, now owned by BMW, had bound the possible mass production of a similar model only after testing the waters between its wealthy customers in some international events, including the recent Concours d'Elegance of the Villa d 'Este.

The information gathered highlighted problems already known for this type of vehicle: the root node, beyond a willingness to respect the environment, is linked to reduced autonomy, which does not exceed 200 km, thus limiting their use especially in the travel having extra-time charge of between 8 and 20 hours.

Audi Q5 Hybrid Fuel Cell

Under the name of Q5 HFC (Hybrid Fuel Cell) Audi has unveiled a prototype hybrid-powered fuel cells, exposed during the Challenge Bibendum as pure and simple feasibility study. This car shows the developments achieved in the study of fuel cell systems and uses components made in synergy with the hybrid future, except of course the two cylinders when the hydrogen is stowed at a pressure of 700 bar.

United States: by 2025 all new cars will need to consume no less than 3.8 l/100km?

For the moment it is just a proposal floated last October and already rejected by all the manufacturers with no margin for negotiation. The reason turns out to be easy to understand. The U.S. federal agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to increase to 62 miles per gallon (3.79 l/100km) the minimum consumption for all new cars (excluding trucks) registered in the United States, which currently stands to 27.5 mpg (8:55 l/100 km) and must reach 35 mpg (6.72 l/100 km) by 2015.

Land Rover Defender a power for South Africa

Land Rover South Africa has created an electric version of the long-wheelbase Defender, in collaboration with Axeon, which specializes in lithium batteries. The vehicle was created for the safari and exploration of nature reserves and is equipped with an engine from 193 hp combined with lithium ion batteries from 28.8 kWh, capable of a range of approximately 100 km off-road light.

• Rumor Mill: Land Rover Thinking of New Defender (30/04/2011)
• Fuoriserie Torino takes the Land Rover Defender on picnic (28/04/2011)
• Report: Land Rover gearing up for all-new Defender (26/04/2011)
• You'll feel safe inside a Land Rover, no matter what sort of trouble you're in (05/05/2011)
• Liar Liar Car Commercials - The Land Rover LR4 Pathological Liar Video Makes Living a Lie Funny (TrendHunter.com) (07/05/2011)

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