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Engine Could Provide Energy for Hybrid Vehicles

September 30, 2008 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Engineers are looking at an alternative to hydrogen fuel cells or conventional engines in hybrid vehicles, an efficient design called a free-piston engine. As Technology Review explains, a free-piston engine has no mechanical connection between the piston and the crankshaft, which reduces friction and makes for a more efficient engine. In fact, researchers believe it could be far more efficient in producing electricity than either conventional generators or newer fuel-cell technology.

Web pick posted by Neil Savage, Xconomy.com

Tags: hybrid

House Paves the Way for Hybrid Trucks

September 25, 2008 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff

The House passed a bill Wednesday designed to spur the development of plug-in hybrid utility and delivery trucks.

The measure , which passed by voice vote, would create a competitive grant program at the Energy Department to help businesses research, develop and ultimately sell these vehicles.

Tags: Energy Department, House of Representatives, hybrid, Kathryn A. Wolfe, trucks

Continue reading House Paves the Way for Hybrid Trucks.

Technique Would Make E-Cars ... Noisier

August 7, 2008 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you had any thoughts of sneaking up on your enemies and running them over with a nearly silent hybrid car, forget about it. Lotus Engineering, which makes active noise management systems to keep it quiet inside the car, has developed a system to produce artificial engine noises and make the cars safer for pedestrians. Edmund.com says the company has made a demo model of its "Safe and Sound Hybrid" using a standard Toyota Prius.

Web pick posted by Neil Savage, Xconomy.com

Tags: Edmunc.com, hybrid, Lotus Engineering, Prius

Japan vs Detroit on Green Cars

July 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

General Motors is working hard at putting its electric car, the Volt, on the streets by 2010. But Business Week wonders if Detroit will be able to catch up to Japan's lead on green cars. Toyota, for instance, is planning to more than double its sale of hybrids by the early part of the next decade.

Business Week says that, to meet its targets, "Next year, Toyota is expected to add two new cars that it will sell only as hybrids, one badged as a Toyota, the other a Lexus."

Web pick posted by Neil Savage, Xconomy.com

Tags: Business Week, cars, General Motors, hybrid, Toyota