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Ask AutoblogGreen: What's up (and down) with electric vehicle performance in hilly terrain

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We recently got the following query from reader Felipe about electric vehicles (EVs) and we thought the answer would be of interest to many readers who are considering purchasing or leasing one of the upcoming crop of plug-in vehicles:

Hi, do you have any info for EV performance in hill terrain (paved roads). I believe all MPG testing is done on flat roads, and where i live most of the roads are high slope streets, so an underpowered engine is less efficient than a big one.

Felipe's assumption about mileage testing on flat ground is essentially correct. The standard drive cycles used in various countries all simulate acceleration, braking and steady-state driving on a flat surface. It's also true that running a smaller engine at its upper limit can result in lower efficiency than using a larger engine working at the sweet spot of its operating range. Read on after the jump to learn about the effects on EVs.

Continue reading Ask AutoblogGreen: What's up (and down) with electric vehicle performance in hilly terrain

Ask AutoblogGreen: What's up (and down) with electric vehicle performance in hilly terrain originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foton Motors, Freescale Semiconductor to create joint lab for hybrid, EV development

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China-based Foton Motors and Texas-based Freescale Semiconductor will combine their collective knowledge to open the Foton-Freescale Automotive Joint Lab. The lab will focus on developing software and system-level solutions for use in upcoming Foton vehicles. Both companies will collaboratively work towards developing relevant electronic control technology for applications that included hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs). By focusing on electronics and, more specifically, on software development, the Joint Lab hopes to introduce technology that can reduce vehicle emissions while also increasing the "economic performance and comfort of vehicles."

Speaking on behalf of Foton Motors, Wu Xeubin, the company's vice president and director of engineering research said:
Foton Motor has been committed to promoting energy and environmental technology in the automotive industry, and has proved continuous breakthroughs in new energy-driven vehicles over the past years. The opening of the joint lab will provide wings for Foton Motor products to fly into a promising future.
Wings and flying? We're not exactly sure what this statement implies, but it seems that the Joint Lab will be trying to help Foton Motors reach new heights.

[Source: Freescale Semiconductor]

Continue reading Foton Motors, Freescale Semiconductor to create joint lab for hybrid, EV development

Foton Motors, Freescale Semiconductor to create joint lab for hybrid, EV development originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Los Alamos County takes delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck

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Just days ago, Los Alamos County took delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid refuse truck. Like the four hydraulic hybrid recycling vehicles that recently started work on the streets of Ann Arbor, MI, the Los Alamos refuse truck is powered by Eaton Corporation's hydraulic launch assist system (HLA). The refuse truck, a Peterbilt Model 320 equipped with the HLA system and a Wayne Curbtender side loader, will be used for residential garbage pickup and is designed to withstand the rigorous collection routes that require up to 1,200 stops per day.

The hydraulic launch assist (HLA) system utilizes a pair of accumulators to store energy captured while braking and releases it during acceleration. The Model 320 with Eaton's HLA is said to save more than 1,000 gallons of fuel per year while also reducing emissions by 20 percent and extending brake life by 300 percent compared to its conventional (non-hybrid) counterparts. This lone refuse truck is expected to save Los Alamos County $18,250 in fuel costs over its 10 year useful life. Hit the jump for more info on New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck.

[Source: Los Alamos County]

Continue reading Los Alamos County takes delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck

Los Alamos County takes delivery of New Mexico's first hydraulic hybrid garbage truck originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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via All Cars Electric

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via Google News

Nissan Leaf - Independent

Nissan Leaf
Independent
... road tax and the minuscule cost of charging it up, any electric car is viable only if it can travel a sensible distance before it needs to be recharged. ...