General Motors Corp.: General Motors prepara el Chevrolet Volt, una gama extensa de vehículos híbridos enchufables (plug-in), para finales de 2010, en un número limitado. El Volt es la pieza central de GM en su intento de tomar la delantera en los vehículos eléctricos y tendrá una batería de iones de litio y un motor eléctrico con una autonomía de 66 kilómetros con una sola recarga. Un motor de gasolina permite ampliar la autonomía para los desplazamientos largos. GM todavía no ha anunciado el precio del coche, pero el costo se espera que sea de 30.000 a 40.000 dólares.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP: Toyota iniciará la entrega de 500 Toyota Prius enchufables (plug-in) alimentados por baterías de iones de litio a finales de este año. De esos, 150 se destinarán a EE UU para el arrendamiento a empresas. El plug-in se espera que funcione en forma similar al actual modelo Prius, utilizando tanto la gasolina y la electricidad para propulsar el vehículo. Toyota también está desarrollando el FT-EV, un vehículo eléctrico-que se espera que disponga de una autonomía de 80 kilómetros y esté en las carreteras de EE UU en 2012.
CHRYSLER LLC: Chrysler ha mostrado cinco modelos de vehículos eléctricos desarrollados por su unidad de alta tecnología ENVI y planea empezar a vender uno de los cinco modelos el próximo año. Los coches eléctricos prototipos incluyen un deportivo de Dodge, un Jeep Wrangler y el Patriot, una furgoneta Chrysler y una versión eléctrica de un sedán. El fabricante de automóviles prueba los vehículos de manera simultánea y anunció recientemente un acuerdo con A123Systems, que le suministrará las baterías de iones de litio para sus coches eléctricos.
FORD MOTOR CO: Ford prevé producir un vehículo eléctrico híbrido enchufable a partir de 2012 y ha estado probando una flota de vehículos eléctricos a través de alianzas con varias empresas eléctricas de todo el país. Ford presentará una pequeña furgoneta eléctrica en 2010 para uso comercial, un sedán eléctrico desarrollado con Magna Internacional en 2011 y un coche eléctrico enchufable en 2012. Ford ha llegado a un acuerdo con Johnson Controls-Saft para que le suministre el sistema de baterías para la producción de su primer híbrido eléctrico enchufable.
NISSAN MOTOR CO: Nissan prevé comercializar vehículos eléctricos a gran escala en 2012, que llegarán primero a Israel y Dinamarca en 2011. Nissan venderá vehículos eléctricos a finales de 2010, con una autonomía de 160 kilómetros. Nissan ha llegado a acuerdos con varios estados y empresas eléctricas para crear la necesaria red de recarga de los vehículos eléctricos.
TESLA MOTORS INC: ya vende el Tesla Roadster, un coche deportivo eléctrico que se vende a partir de 109.000 dólares y puede recorrer 390 kilómetros con una carga de 3,5 horas. El fabricante de automóviles de California también está desarrollando un sedán eléctrico, que espera vender a 60.000 dólares a mediados de 2011.
FISKER AUTOMOTIVE: El fabricante de automóviles de California comercializará su sedán deportivo de lujo enchufable Karma por 87.900 dólares a partir de octubre de este año. El Karma cuenta con cuatro plazas y paneles solares. El plug-in puede conducirse sin gasolina durante los primeros 80 kilómetros. Fisker también desarrolla el Karma S, que se venderá en 2011.
La pregunta es ¿puede Estados Unidos construir un negocio competitivo de baterías lo suficientemente rápido como para combatir contra los asiáticos? Las posibilidades son escasas. Estados Unidos dependen de unas cuantas pequeñas compañías como Ener1 y A123 Systems para la investigación y desarrollo de baterías. Por su parte, los gigantes asiáticos como Sanyo, NEC y LG han estado produciendo las baterías en masa durante años. A menos que EE UU cambie sus procedimientos de manera dramática, es probable que sea arrasado en la Gran Carrera de las Baterías -lo que haría incluso más difícil la recuperación de la industria automotriz de Detroit.
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A look at the auto industry’s work on plug-in hybrid and electric cars
Several automakers are developing plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars that could help meet President Barack Obama’s goal of putting 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015. Many industry officials say the goal is a worthy one but will be difficult to meet. A look at the work by some auto manufacturers:
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.: General Motors is set to produce the Chevrolet Volt, an extended range electric plug-in, in late 2010 in limited numbers. The Volt is the centerpiece of GM’s attempt to take the lead in electric vehicles and will have a lithium-ion battery and electric motor that can take the car 40 miles on a single charge. A gasoline engine will kick in to power a generator to extend the Volt’s range beyond the 40 miles. GM has not yet announced the price of the car, but the cost is expected to be $30,000 to $40,000.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP.: Toyota will start global delivery of 500 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids powered by lithium-ion batteries later this year. Of those, 150 will go to U.S. lease and fleet customers. The plug-in is expected to operate in a similar fashion to the current Prius model by using both gasoline and electricity to propel the vehicle. Toyota is also developing the FT-EV, an all-electric vehicle that is expected to have a range of 50 miles and be on U.S. roads by 2012.
CHRYSLER LLC: Chrysler has shown off five different electric-drive vehicles developed by its high-tech ENVI unit and said it plans to start selling one of the five models next year. The electric car prototypes include a Dodge sports car, a Jeep Wrangler and Patriot, a Chrysler minivan, and a concept version of an electric-powered sedan. The automaker is testing the vehicles simultaneously and recently announced that Massachusetts-based A123Systems will supply the lithium-ion batteries for the company’s extended range gas-electric cars and its all-electric cars.
FORD MOTOR CO.: Ford is planning to produce a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle beginning in 2012 and has been testing a fleet of vehicles through partnerships with several utilities around the nation. Ford has said it intends to bring a battery-electric van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small battery-electric sedan developed with Magna International by 2011 and a plug-in electric car by 2012. Ford has said Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the battery system for their first production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
NISSAN MOTOR CO.: Nissan has outlined plans to mass-market electric vehicles by 2012, and to make the cars available on a wide scale in Israel and Denmark in 2011. Nissan’s all-electric car will be sold in late 2010 and have 100 miles of pure battery range. Nissan has developed partnerships with states and utilities to promote and develop electric vehicle charging networks.
TESLA MOTORS INC.: Tesla is selling the Roadster, an electric sports car which starts at $109,000 and can travel 244 miles on a 3.5-hour charge. The California automaker is developing the all-electric Model S sedan, which is expected to sell for $60,000 by mid-2011.
FISKER AUTOMOTIVE: The California automaker is releasing its $87,900 Karma plug-in luxury sports sedan, a four-seater with solar panels, in October. The plug-in can drive gas-free for 50 miles. Fisker is also developing the Karma S, a convertible expected in 2011.
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US drive to close electric car gap-Push to produce electric car batteries
Four makers of electric car batteries and related equipment announced plans yesterday to set up facilities in the US state of Michigan at a combined cost of almost $1.7bn.
The projects are part of a belated drive by the US public and private sectors to close the competitive gap with Asian electric-car technology amid predictions that electric vehicles are set to play a growing role in mass transportation.
Three of the projects involve construction of lithium-ion battery cell plants, the first in North America.
In one case, a US-French joint venture comprising Johnson Controls, based in Wisconsin, and France’s Saft, will convert a former Johnson car-parts plant at a cost of $220m.
South Korea’s LG Chem and Boston-based A123Systems also unveiled plans for lithium-ion cell plants.
The state of Michigan will cover about two-thirds of the projects through tax credits and other incentives.
Japanese companies currently dominate the market for hybrid-vehicle batteries. Panasonic supplies the nickel-metal-hydride battery used in Toyota’s popular Prius hatchback.
Alex Molinaroli, head of Johnson’s power solutions division, said battery development in the US was being pulled ahead by government support for General Motors and Chrysler, as well as provisions in the Obama administration’s $787bn stimulus package.
LG Chem was chosen earlier this year to provide batteries for GM’s Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. A123 signed a contract last week to supply batteries for hybrid-electric vehicles being developed by Chrysler.
The Johnson-Saft plant, with a capacity of 15m lithium-ion cells a year, will initially supply batteries for, among others, Ford Motor’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, to be launched in 2012, and for commercial-vehicle systems developed by Michigan-based Azure Dynamics. Separately, an alliance of battery manufacturers set up late last year is joining forces with the US energy department to set up a research and development centre in Kentucky.
According to SupplierBusiness, a trade publication, the alliance is seeking $1bn-2bn in government aid to build a foundry for lithium-ion batteries.
Mr Molinaroli described the Johnson-Saft plant as "a piece of an overall plan", with more announcements to follow. He said Johnson, which is world’s biggest maker of traditional car batteries, plans to apply for a grant from the stimulus to help fund other investments.
www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/overview/
www.nissan-global.com/EN/index.html
www.smithelectricvehicles.com/
