Drivable Chevy Volt test mule by Easter

GM’s vice chairman Bob Lutz says the feasibility of the Chevy Volt’s drivetrain will be proven by Easter. Drivable test mules with electric drive systems and lithium batteries will be being tested by then. The Volt is powered only by electric motors and is targeted to go 40 miles on a fully charged battery. When the battery is depleted, a small internal combustion engine will start and be a generator to charge the batteries. Lutz was critical of a Toyota executive that called the Volt “completely wacky”. He also pointed out that all the Japanese companies refused to bid on GM’s battery proposals and they are hoarding advanced battery technology for themselves. Lutz also called for the U.S. government to match the Japanese government’s funding of advanced battery research. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy laws were also a target and Lutz says they have failed and will never reduce oil consumption. He went on to say that the only way to get people to drive less and buy smaller cars is to raise the gas taxes. GM is putting considerable resources into the Volt. Over 600 employees are working on the project and GM is aggressively hiring battery engineers.

Source Business Week

Honda FCX Clarity

The Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car will be available for lease this summer. Consumers in Southern California will be able to lease the car for $600 a month for three years. Maintenance and collision insurance are include in the lease price. The fuel cell uses a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, which powers the car. The four seat sedan also has a lithium ion battery pack. It has a range of 270 miles on a full tank of hydrogen.

Source AutoWeek

Volkswagen pushes back U.S. Diesel Jetta re-launch

Volkswagen told its dealers that the launch of the new clean diesel Jetta TDI has been moved from April to late summer 2008. The delay is due to a technical issue that may prevent it from passing California emissions. The diesel emissions standards in California, and the states that copy California’s laws, are now as strict as gasoline emissions standards.

Source Edmunds

GM sees small market for hybrids in Europe

GM does not plan any full hybrids for Europe. They will offer mild hybrid vehicles though. Mild hybrids start and stop the engine to save fuel and also recapture energy during braking. GM will remain flexible and could offer full hybrids if demand increases in Europe.

Source AutoWeek

Ethanol subsidies go to Big Oil

You would think that a government ethanol subsidy would go to the companies that produce the ethanol. It does not. On Autoline Detroit, John McElroy reported that the subsidy goes to the fuel blenders. The blenders take gasoline and ethanol and mix them to get E85 and E10. The Big Oil companies are the ones that do the blending and are actively smearing bio-fuels. Companies that make as much profit as Exxon Mobil do not need a 51 cent per gallon ethanol subsidy. This subsidy should go to the ethanol producers, which is the way to encourage bio-fuel production.

Source Autoline Detroit

GM begins production of two mode Hybrid transmission

General Motors started production of its two mode hybrid transmission this week. It will first be available in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. Production of the Hybrid SUVs will start next week. Fuel efficiency is equivalent to that of midsize sedans in the city. GM brought in DaimlerChrysler and BMW to partner on the development of the two mode hybrid system. The vehicle can run on electricity only at low speeds and on the highway the electric motor will assist the gasoline engine. GM also has active fuel management on the V8 that will cut off fuel to four of the cylinders when there is a light load on the engine. The Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra will be available with the two mode hybrid system next year. This fall hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango will come out. BMW showed the two mode hybrid system in the X6 crossover concept.

Source Edmunds