Aussie researchers develop ethanol-electric plug-in hybrid prototype

July 24, 2008

In Australia, researchers at the University of Tasmania have constructed a prototype, plug-in hybrid ethanol-electric vehicle. The prototype used a Toyota Corolla body, and follow up from a successful development of a plug-in hybrid motor scooter last year. The prototype placed electric engines in each of the car’s four wheels, and would generate power during braking to recharge the car’s batteries. The ethanol engine was used for assistance on steep hills. The car generated as little 90 grams of CO2 per kilometer if using renewable electric energy, a reduction of 70 percent compared to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Australia’s CSR to increase ethanol capacity as demand increases

In Australia, CSR said that it will invest $17.8 million to increase its ethanol capacity to 15.8 Mgy at its plant in Sarina, in northern Queensland, and will convert all of its production to fuel-gra...

Land Rover biodiesel-electric hybrid LRX concept achieves 60 mpg, 1 tonne CO2 per 5,000 miles

Land Rover will debut a new version of the LRX concept car that will achieve up to 60 miles per gallon and extremely low emissions ratings of 1 tonne of CO2 per five thousand miles. the electric-dies...

Chrysler debuts diesel-electric hybrid Jeep concept car with 400 mile range at 110 miles per gallon

In Michigan, Chrysler unveiled a hybrid diesel-electric Jeep Renegade dune buggy, one of three alternative-fuel concept cars it presented at the International Auto Show. The Jeep can travel 40 miles ...

US electric grid is obsolete, say experts; will hinder Pickens Plan, expansion of plug-in biofuel-electric hybrids

The New York Times is reporting that plans for extended deployment of wind energy as well as other renewable energy sources is threatened by an obsolete power grid. The electro-mechanical grid provide...

General Motors debuts flex-fuel Hummer concept car

In Michigan, General Motors introduced a "green" Hummer HX, 6-cylinder concept car which is compatible with E85. GM is introducing 16 new hybrid or flex-fuel models over the next four years. Also ...

Hybrids are the rage at International Auto Show as GM CEO calls for more flex-fuel vehicle production

The CEO of General Motors said that the US could cut its gasoline consumption by 30 billion gallons by 2020 if every flex-fuel car made or planned by the Big Three automakers ran on E85, while the num...

Written by Jim Lane · Filed Under Consumers & Fleets