Mercedes is reportedly working on a model range of electric vehicles able to cover up to 500 km on a single charge according to Daimler Chief Development Officer Thomas Weber.
In an interview with German publication auto motor und sport, Weber said, “We are working on an intelligent concept for a highly attractive electric vehicle with a range of 400-500 kilometers,” adding that the car would come “soon.” More importantly, the electric drivetrain will fit into the automaker’s flexible architecture, meaning it can be used in numerous models.
Mercedes might have a slight lead on the competition, however, considering that it has been developing numerous applications of all-electric vehicles for a while now, including on the A- and B-Class as well as the electric SLS AMG that set a record on the Nurburgring.
Proterra announced today that their 40-foot Catalyst XR bus drove 258 miles (412 km) on a single charge under test conditions at Michelin's esteemed Laurens Proving Grounds (LPG). The Catalyst's range demonstration marks a significant step toward Proterra's goal of providing a high-performance bus that can serve any typical transit route in the United States.
The Catalyst XR configuration included eight battery packs, with a total energy capacity of 257 kWh. Based on these test results, Proterra predicts its ten pack XR configuration (321 kWh) will achieve 300 miles (480 km) on a single charge. According to available General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data, typical urban and rural bus routes in the United States run less than 200 miles a day, bringing most routes within reach of Proterra's current technology.
"The purpose-driven Catalyst design affords the best efficiency rating ever for a 40-foot transit bus, at 22 MPG equivalent," said John Sleconich, Chief Engineer at Proterra. "Proterra buses are the only mass transit vehicle built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. With a unique aerodynamic body made from carbon fiber and advanced composite materials, we are able to reduce mass for maximum efficiency."
Beyond meeting a given route's minimum range requirements, Proterra electric vehicles are poised to make a significant impact on the transit market because of the Catalyst's low operational cost per mile compared to diesel, CNG, and diesel-hybrid buses. Over the 12-year life of a bus, Proterra customers will dramatically reduce maintenance costs, saving around $135K. The environmental benefits are also making an impressive impact. Collectively, Proterra customers have logged more than 1.3 million miles of revenue service to date, preventing more than 4.7 million pounds of emissions.
"The U.S. is quickly waking up to the economic, environmental, and performance benefits of zero-emission electric buses," said Proterra CEO, Ryan Popple. "While diesel buses pollute our communities and are increasingly more costly to own and operate, Proterra is pushing the bounds of EV technology and steadily driving down costs. Achieving this range is validation for our technology and gives us the confidence that Proterra is capable of what we initially set out to accomplish - replacing every fossil fuel bus in the United States with a fully electric one. "
Some future buyers of Tesla Motors Inc.’s Model X are configuring their vehicles this week, as details about the electric-car maker’s much-awaited SUV emerge.
Among the highlights: A Model X “Signature” edition will cost $132,000 and as much as $144,000 with upgrades such as the “ludicrous speed” mode. The car will be able to go 385 km (240 miles) between charges, 7 miles more than a Model S P85D, the sedan’s top of the line, which starts at $108,000 but can also go north of $140,000 with upgrades.
With AWD via a 190 kw (259 hp) front motor and 370 kw (503 hp) rear motor giving an 'insane' total output of 560 kw (762 hp), the Model X Signature can accelerate to 100 km/h (60 mph) in 3.8 seconds, a tad slower than the Model S P85D’s 3.1 seconds. The Model X top speed of 155 mph is the same as the Model S P85D and others.
Tesla fans have posted several screenshots of their invitation-only Model X configuration Web pages on the Tesla Motors Club blog, a forum for Tesla enthusiasts that is independent of the company.
These future Model X owners were the first to put down a deposit on the Model X, which is expected to roll out of the Fremont, Calif., factory on 29th September. People reserving their Model X now would get the car in early 2016.
Here’s what else is known about the Model X:
The car’s rear-door falcon wings, which differ from the gull wings of yesteryear as they are better at negotiating tight spaces, will have sensors so they won’t bump into ceilings.
Accessories like a hitch for bikes or skis are standard. Also standard are parking sensors and blind-spot warning.
The Signature series will offer autopilot with self parking and automatic lane steering, and flat-folding third-row seats. The series’ second-row seats — which Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk called “a sculptural work of art” — will be “independently operable,” although it is not clear what that meant.
See also: Tesla lower deliveries forecast irks Wall Street
The $10,000 “ludicrous” speed upgrade is also available for the Model X, as Musk had said. Other upgrades include a $1,000 subzero package, which comes with a heated steering wheel and a wiper-blade defroster, among other equipment, although Tesla warns that choosing that package could delay the car’s delivery by a month.
Those upgrades plus a $750 tow package push the price of the Model X Signature to $144,000.
The innovative BMW eDrive technology in the new BMW 225xe and new BMW 330e once again underlines BMW’s leading role in the premium segment when it comes to powertrain electrification.
BMW eDrive technology includes a number of cutting-edge plug-in hybrid components and makes a significant contribution to reducing fuel consumption and emissions. BMW eDrive is one of the most cutting-edge elements of the groundbreaking BMW EfficientDynamics suite of technology.
Locally emission-free driving BMW eDrive is the new drive system technology used in all the electrically powered vehicles from BMW i and the plug-in hybrid models from BMW. As well as outstanding efficiency and seamless everyday practicality, BMW eDrive also delivers the highest standards in driving dynamics and quality, in keeping with BMW tradition. Alongside BMW TwinPower Turbo technology for combustion engines, intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamics, BMW eDrive technology is therefore one of the most important elements in the EfficientDynamics strategy designed to increase power and further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In addition, BMW eDrive offers the option of driving on electric power alone and therefore with zero local emissions – yet at the same time reveals the ability to cover long distances when the two drive systems team up.
Moreover, BMW eDrive technology ensures extremely dynamic acceleration off the line thanks to the instantaneous responses of the electric motor, which generates its remarkable torque from the word go. Plus, the eBoost function, which pools the torque of both drive systems under acceleration, serves up BMW’s signature driving pleasure, whatever the conditions.
Designed for different vehicle concepts The most important components of BMW eDrive technology are the synchronous electric motor (including the power electronics developed by BMW), the lithium-ion high-voltage battery and intelligent energy management. The latter ensures the electric motor and combustion engine in plug-in hybrid models work together as effectively as possible according to the situation at hand.
Developed initially for the all-electric BMW i3 and BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car – which duly led the way in electric mobility in the premium sector – the modular structure of BMW eDrive technology sets it up perfectly for use in various vehicle concepts and segments. BMW uses its plentiful technical experience and customer feedback in the development of the latest BMW eDrive models. The fine-tuning of vehicle-specific elements, such as the battery cells, cooling management, power electronics and operating strategy, has involved the transfer of knowledge from the BMW i3 and BMW i8 to the development of new BMW eDrive models. Here, all components are adapted precisely to the vehicle at hand and optimised in terms of performance, efficiency, safety and durability. Moreover, BMW eDrive technology enables the electrified xDrive concept first featured in the BMW i8 to be executed with great efficiency.
BMW eDrive: familiar BMW character, flexible usage options BMW eDrive technology essentially spans the electric motor, the lithium-ion high-voltage battery and the power electronics. Based on a shared eBoost strategy, all BMW plug-in hybrid models offer supreme power delivery by bringing together their two drive systems, and elevate the responsiveness of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology to another new level. BMW eDrive makes all-electric driving in urban areas and over cross-country routes a marketable proposition. An important element of the operating strategy is the need-oriented use of externally sourced and recuperated electric energy to maximise the vehicle’s efficiency. The components of the BMW eDrive architecture are tailored to each particular vehicle concept and can be combined with four- and three-cylinder petrol engines as well as with classical rear-wheel drive, BMW xDrive or electrified all-wheel drive.
The eDrive components developed as part of the BMW i projects will soon be integrated into other model ranges from the core brands. This scalable architecture also provides the platform required to offer plug-in hybrid vehicles at attractive prices on a par with those of conventionally powered variants of similar output. This means customers who opt for this advanced drive concept encounter not only the environmental benefits of electric mobility, but also economic plus-points.
Plug-in hybrid: energy management at its most intelligent In plug-in hybrid vehicles, intelligent energy management ensures the combustion engine and electric motor work together to maximum effect in all driving situations. Their operating strategy is based on the vehicle starting up on electric power only. BMW’s plug-in hybrid vehicles prioritise electric mode at low and moderate speeds, which allows them to exploit the benefits of the locally emission-free electric drive system. Under greater acceleration and at higher speeds, however, the combustion engine also joins the action. The boost function pools the torque of both drive systems to maximise the car’s dynamic performance and lend it remarkable poise and assurance. BMW eDrive ensures that the combustion engine runs efficiently (electric assist) at higher speeds as well. This allows a reduction in fuel consumption on brisk cross-country or motorway runs, for example. And when the route guidance function of the car’s navigation system is activated, the proactive function initiates an anticipatory operating strategy which optimises efficiency and maximises the electric driving experience.
Like the BMW i8, the BMW X5 xDrive40e, BMW 330e and BMW 740e can all – at the touch of a button in MAX eDRIVE mode – run on purely electric power up to 120 km/h (75 mph), the BMW 225xe up to 125 km/h (78 mph). Here, the combustion engine only comes into play when the accelerator’s kickdown threshold is passed. In SAVE BATTERY mode the battery’s charge can be maintained to enable electric driving later on in the journey. If the charge level drops below 50 per cent, the battery is replenished. If the selector lever is moved into the S gate, the combustion engine starts up regardless of the mode engaged, ensuring sustained availability of the combined maximum output of the two drive systems. In addition, the battery’s charge is raised to 80 per cent.
With the addition of the BMW eDrive functions, the ECO PRO, COMFORT and SPORT driving experience modes are now even more clearly defined than on conventional vehicles.
Fast and convenient battery charging The high-voltage batteries of the new BMW plug-in hybrid models can be charged extremely easily, conveniently and quickly – both at home and while on the move – using BMW 360° ELECTRIC solutions. The battery can be powered up again from a domestic socket using the standard charging cable supplied or from a BMW i Wallbox (charging power: 3.7 kW). When it comes to topping up the battery during a journey, the BMW i mobility service, ChargeNow, gives customers access to the world’s largest public charging network of over 30,000 charging points run by partners in 22 countries.
Higher performance, lower fuel consumption The new BMW plug-in hybrid models with eDrive technology – such as the new BMW X5 xDrive40e, the BMW 225xe and BMW 330e currently making their debuts, and the BMW 740e due for launch in the near future – are once again setting the benchmark in the various corners of the premium segment when it comes to reducing fuel consumption, and will also meet the stipulations of international legislation in the future regarding CO2 emissions. Moreover, their all-electric and therefore locally emission-free driving mode will also allow them to drive into city centre zones where entry is regulated. And yet the BMW plug-in hybrid models also deliver the hallmark BMW attributes of dynamic excellence, sporting ability and driving pleasure while offering the best performance in their respective segments.
Toyota has confirmed that it will switch to turbocharged power for the 2016 World Endurance Championship season.
Toyota's technical director Pascal Vasselon confirmed the decision, stating: "I don't think we will retain the normally aspirated V8 configuration. It will be a turbo engine. It's a little too early to release any specific information."
The engine is highly likely to be a small-capacity turbo engine and will target the 8MJ category, something which has reaped dividends for Porsche so far in 2015.
The new technical package will also introduce battery storage, which will work with the same twin-axle retrieval system the team currently uses.
The 2016 car will be known as the Toyota TS 050 and is scheduled to test just after Christmas.
2015 development halted
Toyota is set to undergo a painful remainder of the 2015 season as it essentially calls time on significant development of the TS 040.
"Clearly, it wouldn't be very efficient for us to invest in developing this year's car," said Vasselon. "We could tweak a few things on it, but we do not think that these would make a significant difference. So, yes, we are fully focused on next year's car.
"The gap will vary, obviously, depending on the characteristics of the circuits. However, we expect a difficult end to the season, a bit like Audi experienced last year".
Third Toyota at Le Mans still possible
Toyota could run a third car at Le Mans in 2016, but it would only happen if it would not impinge on the initial development of the TS 050 program.
The decision would also depend on budget resources, which are set to be increased for 2016 onwards.
"We couldn't enter a third car previously, but now the question will arise," said Vasselon. "Now, I cannot give you that answer because we do not yet know the full budget we'll have.
"We know it will be increased, but we know that it will never be at the same level as Audi and Porsche, that's a sure thing. However, it will be increased.
"We will need to re-assess whether running a third car is acceptable without threatening our development programme."
Consumer Reports put the performance version of Tesla's all-electric Model S through its testing and found that it's fast and super-efficient, proving that car companies don't have to sacrifice to achieve superior fuel economy.
