Built: Asan, South Korea

Volume: 10,000/ year worldwide

Price: $ 26,545, including transportation

Mid-sized car fuel-economy face-off

The power train in the new Hyundai Sonata hybrid is significantly different from the in other hybrids. One result it class-leading highway fuel economy.
The Sonata hybrid can go upto 75mph propelled by an electric motor. This velocity far surpasses the top speeds in electric-vehicle mode of competitive hybrids, including the Ford Fusion hybrids and the Nissan Altima hybrid, and cuts the Sonata’s fuel consumption. The EPA rates the Sonata’s highway fuel economy at 40mpg.
Better aerodynamics help boost fuel economy; shutters behind the grille close at highway speeds and the cars underbody is sculpted to reduce drag. But the new Sonata’s fuel economy is mainly because of its innovative power train.
Hyundai’s solution replaces a typical hybrid’s transmission-motor assembly with a standard automatic transaxle modified to work with what Hyundai calls a transmission mounted electrical device. The TMED includes two main parts: A powerful electric device motor and a solenoid activated clutch pack. These pats fit in about the same space as a traditional torque convertor.
The fine control over the wet clutch pack makes it possible to use a conventional automatic transmission without a torque convertor. The TMED enables 40mpg highway mileage and high speed EV operation. Because the torque from the motor runs through all of the transmission’s six gears, we can keep the motor running at its optimal RPM. Electric motors are more efficient running at lower speeds. The clutching system enables the gearbox to receive power from the 30kw (40.8 hp) electric motor, the 166 hp, 2.4 Atkinson cycle, 4 cylinder gasoline engine, or both.
Parallel Hybrid
The vehicle’s ability to run on any mix of engine or motor power means the Sonata is a parallel hybrid.( In a series hybrid, the driven wheels only receive power directly from the electric motor). Hyundai rates the combined horsepower of the power-train at 206hp. Hyundai Mobis Co. Of Seoul supplies the main motor. The starter motor-generator comes from S&T Daewoo Co. Remy International Inc. supplies the starter motor in the non-hybrid Sonata.
The hybrid starter-generator motor is rated at 8.5 kilowatts, significantly less than the eAssist’s 11kw, but more than the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid’s 2-kw belt alternator starter. Hyundai’s does not provide torque to the engine beyond what is required to repower the engine for stop-start.
Better Batteries
Another departure from most hybrids is the Sonata’s batteries. LG Chem partnered on the development of the 72- cell lithium polymer battery array. The new manganese-spinel cells perform better then nickel-metal hybrid batteries by holding more power in less space and at a lower weight. Compared with other battery chemistries, Hyundai notes that lithium polymer cells hold a charge 25 percent longer than nickel-metal hybrid cells, helping the Sonata start and drive away on electric power even after the sedan has been sitting for several days. This further reduces fuels consumption and emissions.
A conventional 12 Volt automotive battery is still required to help power vehicle accessories.

When you car start up and you don’t hear anything, that’s the sound of the future. And the sound of silence from Nissan’s Leaf is almost deafening.
It is deceptively easy to clip along at 60mph without even trying solely because there Is no engine growling under the hood and no telltale transmission shifts. The uninitiated electric-car driver- meaning all of us- is likely to keep pushing the pedal instinctively, waiting for that engine rumble. Instead the Leaf glides noiselessly and effortlessly around Nissan’s proving ground outside the Oppama plant, where production began in October 2010.
Engineers say it goes from 0 to 62 mph in a little under 10 seconds. The car is so quiet that Nissan feels obliged to equip it with some new bells and whistles-literally. In electric cars, pushing the ignition button normally would elicit o sound because there is no gasoline to ignite. But Nissan solves what would have been a slightly unnerving phenomenon by adding a startup chime.
And to warn pedestrians that a stealth car is coming, Nissan composed another synthesized tune reminiscent of a jet engine hum that kicks in at low speeds, when tire noise isn’t a factor. But the good part is that you can’t hear it in the cabin.
Hands-on experience unveiled a few insights:
A solar panel on the roof recharges the regular lead- acid battery that runs the car’s electric devices, such as windshield wipers and windows.
The recharging cable is stored in a backpack like bag tethered to the side of the trunk.
There is a large circuit-breaker switch on the back seat floor for emergency power shutdown.
The Leaf is Nissan Motor Co.’s gambit to leap to the front of the industry in environmentally friendly cars. The car, powered by in-house lithium ion batteries and an electric motor, can go 100 miles on a full charge. But the question is whether customers will accept a certain amount of range anxiety in exchange for a clean, peppy, futuristic car.

6) ENVISION

EnVisison Motor Co. of Ames, Iowa, has begun assembling FVs. It installs electric power trains and other equipment in partially assembled vehicles bought from Renault/Dacia. EnVisison plans to sell a seven passenger wagon, pickup and cargo van.

7) FIAT/CHRYSLER

The Fiat 500 EV, an electric version of the Fiat 500, is scheduled to arrive n the U.S next year.

FISKER

The Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sedan was launched in March at the Valmet plant in Finland. The Karma is the first of 6 models Fisker plans through 2016.The others; Karma Convertible, based on the sunset prototype shown in 2009.

Second Karma based derivative.

Small sedan to be built in Delaware starting in 2012; now known as the Nina, built the name could change

Possible coupe and crossover, based on the Nina sedan; Fisker executives have not confirmed these.

9) FORD

Ford Motor Co. expects to deliver the first electric Focus compact car in the United States late this year. An electric version of the Transit Connect van is in production. Other planned EVs include a plug-in hybrid version of the C-Max small minivan for the 2013 model year.

10) GM

CEO Dan Akerson has said he wants “several different variants” of plug-in hybrid Volt-technology vehicles in the next few years. In January, Akerson said a plug-in hybrid multipurpose vehicle is in the works, likely by the 2013 model year. Also planned; a plug-in hybrid version of the Cadillac SRX crossover by 2013.

This year GM’s German subsidiary, Opel, launched the Ampoera plug-in using Volt technology. Opel showed the EV mini-car at the Geneva show. Last fall GM began testing a fleet of electric-powered Chevrolet Cruzes in South Korea, but there is no word on production plans. Also, GM has continued fuel cell EV research; limited retail sales in California in 2015 would not be a surprise.

11) HONDA

The fit EV will enter demonstration fleets this year. Honda Motor Co., CEO Takanobu Ito has said the vehicle would go on sale in 2012. The EV Concept was shown in Geneva. Honda is developing a plug-in two motor hybrid power train, which will debut in 2012. It will allow for driving in electric, gasoline-electric and gasoline only modes. The technology will debut on the 2013 Accord.

Honda is leasing its FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car to select Honda customers in Southern California, with hopes of a retail launch in 2018, if not sooner.

12) KIA

Kia has shown the Pop concept, a three seat electric city car, but has not announced a production plan.

13) MERCEDES BENZ

They plan to bring an A-Class EV to the United States within three years. Parent company Daimler is working with China’s BYD. Daimler plans to build more than 500 A-Class EV’s this year.

Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive ad future mobility at Daimler, recently said automaker will launch the SLS AMG in 2013 as an EV, followed by an S-Class plug-in will launch in 2014. Limited numbers of the Mercedes B-Class fuel cell EV are available for lease in California. Mercedes is expected to launch retail sales in California in 2015.

14) MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi plans to launch its I small EV, formerly called the iMiEV, here late this year.

You can count the number of electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid models being sold to consumers’ today on two hands and still have several fingers left over. But that’s about to change. Competitors are lining up to take on the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Roadster, Chevrolet Volt and other pioneering vehicles.
Most major automakers will bring out at least one battery powered EV or plug-in hybrid in the next three years. A few start-ups also plan retail sales. That probably won’t translate to big sales during this decade. Experts feel that plug-ins and EVs will account for just 1 to 2 percent of North America sales through 2015.
The main reason: For the average driver, the payback period for the added cost of such vehicles will be about 15 years. Also the recharging infrastructure is lacking. Rising petroleum prices and declining cost of EV technology should make the vehicles les pricey by 2020. Add tougher fuel economy and emissions rules, and automakers have little choice. They have to get in the electrified-propulsion game, if only to be prepared in case consumer tastes shift quickly. Following are what industry sources are saying on the upcoming EVs, plug-ins:
1) APTERA
This Oceanside, California startup seeks a federal loan to start production of the 2e, a three-wheel EV; Aptera wants to follow that with more mainstream vehicles. Timing is uncertain.
2) AUDI
Audi plans a range of high-priced electric cars starting with the limited edition battery powered e-tron version of the R8 in 2012. A plug-in hybrid is scheduled to follow in 2014. Audi will test electric variants of the A1 mini-car this summer in Germany.
3) BMW
BMW’s Megacity vehicle project is scheduled to produce an electric city cat, the i3, in 2013. To cut weight, BMW will make extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum. The first stage of the project was the Mini E test fleet. BMW moves into stage 2 this year with a U.S test fleet of the BMW activeE, an EV based on the 1-series sub compnact.BMW unveiled the active E at the Geneva Auto show.
4) BYD
Chinese automaker BYD Co., which had planned to launch U.S. retail sales of the E6 electric and the F3DM plug-in hybrid to spring 2012. BYD has leased 10 F3DMs to the city of Los Angeles. It also plans to lease the e6 to governmental fleets.
5) CODA
Coda Automotive, a Santa Monica, Calif., startup, plans to launch its battery powered sedan in the second half of this year, delayed from last December.

Fast charging is beginning a slow rollout for electric vehicles in the United States.
Although fast charging; also called Level 3 charging, faces obstacles such as high prices and uncertain standards, it could make EV charging much more convenient. And that could help pave the way to broader use of EV’s.
Level 3 chargers provide 480volts and recharge a battery to 80 percent of full charge within 30 minutes, although charger companies are targeting shorter times. Other EV charging options are less expensive but take longer. Despite high prices, the convenience of Level 3 charging intrigues automakers.
The ideal scenario would be: An EV driver with a low battery pulls into a filling station, plugs into a Level 3 charger, and while waiting the 15-20 minutes for a charge, goes into the station to spend a little cash on snacks.
A few Level 3 chargers are to appear around the U.S this year, largely subsidized by automakers and government programs. Chargers can cost $50,000 or more, compared with the roughly $2,000 to install a 240-volt Level 2 charger in a home. Low initial volumes make Level 3 prices steep, says the President of Aker Wade Power Technologies, a charger make in Charlottesville Va..
Many people feel that the Level 3 technology is not a earth-shattering technology and has been earlier used to recharge machinery such as forklifts for years. Innovation and scale will lower the price. However, the two major questions that arise; one marketing and one technical, must be resolved before Level 3 chargers are used widely.
1. Marketing Question: Who will buy them?
Level 3 can go into existing service stations, where operators will make money from selling electricity, perhaps along with food and other products to motorists. But people are not sure if that’s viable at least until many more EV’s are in use. At least the likely initial buying of Level 3 could be businesses trying to attract customers or promote a green image, as well as employers providing charging for employees.
2. Technical Question: Which plug will be used?
SAE International is developing a national standard for Level 3 connector, the plug and the receptacle, but probably won’t decide until next year. Mike Muller, SPX product manager for EV’s and a member of the SAE panel working on the standard, says that SAE is testing equipment and plans to propose a standard in the first half of 2012.

Three years ago, when the price of gasoline shot past $4 a gallon, Detroit’s automakers were trapped.
They could not sell trucks that had long been the bread and butter and profit generators of the Big three. With rising gasoline prices and scant offerings in the small-vehicle segment, Detroit’s sales plunged even before the financial crises invaded in September 2008.
Last week oil passed $100 a barrel, and gasoline prices rose to $3.5 a gallon in some markets. However, this time the big three are in a better position to make money.
From the Chevrolet Cruze to the Ford Fiesta to the upcoming Fiat 500 and recent coming hybrids, there are plenty of fuel-efficient alternatives in multiple segments from many automakers. Everybody is emphasizing on fuel economy and “40 mpg on the highway” has become a new industrial catchphrase.
A big winner in the new strategy is Ford, which made a decision to downsize its engines and shrink its lineup with fun-to-drive cars. Ford’s position has been ratified by CEO Mullaly’s strategy to offer a fuel- efficient vehicle in nearly every segment. Some questioned his vision to transform the Michigan factory that once produced profit-rich Expeditions into a factory that produces multiple versions of the Focus small-car platform. The industry on a whole is on the right track and the oil price is no longer an inverse indicator of Detroit’s future.

To start with the facts, General Motors reported mere 1210 units of Chevy Volt sold for the first quarter of 2011. This includes 608 units in March. Nissan sold only 452 Leafs through their U.S dealers during the same period, which includes 298 units in March. Tough critics are saying that there is no market for plug-in cars, that fact of the matter is that the sales of these cars have been severely limited due to lack of supply and not demand, as thought.
While Nissan and GM have been slow to increase the pace of production and distribution, to ensure prime quality; these EV’s have plenty of potential buyers on the waiting lists just itching to get their hands on to these vehicles. Having said this, there are plenty of new EV’s expected to make an entry into the U.S. and others markets in the next couple of years and it will be interesting to see, how many of them will actually survive.

With increasing fuel costs many people are looking for alternatives. Electric vehicle kits are one such alternative that is gaining popularity, especially the Do it yourself types. It has become so simple that anyone with the elementary knowledge of cars can convert the conventional gas powered vehicle to the one powered by electric current.
But the idea of converting a regular gas powered vehicle to electric vehicle can be a daunting task. One should have an interest in such tasks. For conversion extensive modifications of parts have to be done. All components, from engine, radiator, heater and air-conditioning to the gauges in the panel. Additionally, electric vehicles must be manually charged, meaning you must have the services of a filling station nearby as well. A good potential source of powering electric vehicles is solar power.
Can any ordinary vehicle be converted to electric car?
The answer is, unfortunately NO. All cars cannot be converted to electric vehicles. However, the most common kits seem to be that of the Chevy S-10 pick-up kit. Another good vehicle for conversion is the Chevy Geo, especially the models 1989-1999 ones. Such cars are good for converting to electric vehicles. Vehicles that are similar to Chevrolet Geo Metro like Chevy Sprint, Suzuki Swift and Pontiac Firefly are also good vehicles for conversions.
Disadvantages of using electric vehicle kit
Earlier many people thought that electric powered cars generate lesser power and are slow on roads. But over the years, significant developments have been made in this field and all the old perceptions are slowly changing. With the current technology being used I electric cars, they can reach top speeds of 70-75 mph. But this technology still has got certain drawbacks.
The biggest disadvantage is the regular recharge of the battery. For instance, the Chevy Metro kit needs to be recharged every 25-45 miles, based on the battery quality and driving habits of the individual. This would be ideal for city driving. But for any long traffic jams it may nit be an ideal choice.
Another model, the Chevy S-10 that is installed with an electric kit can run for upto 40-60 miles. This again depends on the battery size and the driving habits of the individual. Few S-10 models are also equipped with solar panels, which helps reduce the need for charging, atlest while driving in daylight.
It must be kept in mind that converting a vehicle is not a cheap affair. Most kits cost anywhere between $8,500- $10,500. The cost of labor in installation is extra and also the battery costs. Close access to recharging stations must also be kept in mind.