NEXT-GENERATION HYBRIDS
blends. Other types of generator,
including fuel cells, could also be used.
Other REEVs on show at Detroit
included GM’s Cadillac and Saturn (the US
equivalent of Vauxhall); Chrysler in
particular turned heads with its Jeep
Renegade, a small dune buggy-type
vehicle, which is claimed to achieve
110mpg fuel economy by linking a small
diesel engine to a lithium-ion battery pack.
The batteries have always been a
sticking-point for electric cars, the major
concerns being weight, speed of charging,
power storage capability and safety — a
large number of lead-acid batteries in a
car would never be an ideal solution.
Most current hybrids use nickel-
hydrogen batteries. But the emerging
lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology seems to
provide a good platform for REEVs, being
more compact and environmentally-
friendly than nickel-hydrogen (lithium is
produced from seawater rather than
mining) and demand seems set to rise.
VW, for example, has announced
plans to join forces with Sanyo to develop
Li-ion batteries, while Nissan is working
with NEC. And in Germany, Bosch is
setting up a specific unit to develop them
for automotive applications.
Already one of the world’s largest
suppliers of automotive technologies,
Bosch sees Li-ion technology as a
part of its drive to develop low-carbon
technologies. ‘Nearly 400 Bosch engineers
are active in this field,’ said chairman
Franz Fehrenbach. He added that the new
unit will focus the company’s efforts on
the further development of the core
competence needed for the increased use
of electrical motors in drive systems.
‘Our development efforts are directed at
bringing Li-ion batteries — which we
ourselves pioneered in power tools — on
to the road,’ he said.
The TSB’s low-carbon vehicle
projects, which will receive £23m of
government funding, also include a
Li-ion component. Involving FiFe
Batteries, which operates a lithium-ion
R&D centre in Oxfordshire, and Anglo-
American firm ABSL Power Solutions,
which is providing Li-ion batteries to
NASA for powering space-suit
life support, the project aims
to develop a high-efficiency,
low-cost, ultra-safe battery
for vehicles. The project is
particularly concerned with
improving the energy
density of the batteries —
the amount of energy
Fuel cell specialist
Intelligent Energy
is working with
Lotus, TRW Conekt
and London Taxi
International to
produce an
electric hybrid cab
in time for the
2012 London
Olympics
each battery can hold.
The TSB is awarding 16 grants in
this funding round and, although not
all of them are aimed at REEV develop-
ment, this is clearly one of the goals
that has been identified. For example,
Axon Automotive — a relatively new
company that is aiming to develop fuel-
efficient cars using carbon-fibre
technology — is to work with Warwick
University, Powertrain Technologies
and composites specialist Scott Bader
to produce a plug-in hybrid of its 500kg
vehicle, powered by a 500cc engine and
performing at better than 100mpg.
Land Rover is also involved in a
project that could improve the much-
maligned ‘gas-guzzler’ image of SUVs.
Working with Ricardo, the company is
leading the project to develop a
modular electric and diesel-electric
powertrain suitable for a variety of
vehicle types. This will be tested
on a ‘large premium SUV’, in a
‘The Black Cab project is an important part of
making low-carbon transport a practical and
near-term reality’ Henri Winard, Intelligent Energy
configuration that will emit
120–130g/km of carbon, and will have a
zero-emissions range of at least 12
miles. The project is also to investigate
providing a series of recharging
facilities for a fleet of REEVs for E.On,
which is also part of the consortium.
Land Rover will not comment on the
project, although it is already working
on a hybrid concept vehicle known as
the Land-E. Based around a lightweight
aluminium chassis to reduce weight,
the vehicle will be powered by an
26 the EnGIneeR 2–15 JUNE 2008
electric system around the rear axle
that will be able to drive all the wheels
separately. The goal is to reduce
emission levels by 30 per cent,
compared with equivalent conven-
tional Land Rovers, without
compromising off-road efficiency.
Another TSB project is also aimed at
transforming an icon — the London
taxi. Fuel cell specialist Intelligent
Energy, which was responsible for the
power unit of the ENV concept scooter
in 2006, is working with Lotus, TRW
Conekt and London Taxi International
to produce an electric hybrid cab in
time for the 2012 London Olympics.
Taxis are ideal candidates, because
central depots can provide the
hydrogen needed, freeing them from
the existing fuelling infrastructure.
The new taxis — a fleet of 50–100
vehicles is the target for the project —
will run for an entire day on a single
tank of hydrogen, and will be capable of
a top speed of 75 mph. In fact, IE
claims they will be capable of better
acceleration than a conventional taxi.
‘The Black Cab is an internationally
recognised London icon, and this
partnership is an important part of
making low-carbon transport a
practical and near-term reality,’ said
Henri Winard, IE chief executive.
His company’s part in the project is
to develop a proton-exchange
membrane fuel cell capable of
producing in excess of 25kW of power.
Lotus will package the components of
the system and build a control system
to optimise the performance of
both fuel cells and motors. And
TRW Conekt is to lead the safety
analysis aspect of the project.
‘The taxi project will
provide further evidence of
our ability to put commer-
cially available hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles on the
market,’ said Winard.
‘What better stage to prove
the credentials of UK
innovation than on the way to
the 2012 Olympics?’
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