HYDRAULIC HYBRID
RECENT NEWS concerning Peugeot S.A. and Robert Bosch GmbH makes for technical confusion. The key words are “hydraulic hybrid”—whereas, a better term is “pneumatic hybrid.” Even its developers call the technology Hybrid … Continue reading
48 VOLTS
JOHNSON CONTROLS, a major automaker supplier, has announced it’s developing a 48-volt lithium-ion battery for automobile applications. According to Automotive News, January 21, 2013, an unnamed European automaker (spelled Mercedes-Benz?) … Continue reading
JV CARS
THE “JV” I have in mind is “Joint Venture,” wherein two or more companies share their talents in research, development or production. We’ve seen this big time with Subaru/Toyota and their BRZ/Scion … Continue reading
FUEL CELLS, PEM & SOLID OXIDE
TWO DISTINCT types of fuel cells have been in the news lately. In a sense, both types are known for performing electrolysis in reverse: They take in hydrogen and oxygen … Continue reading
TOYOTA SEMINAR NUGGETS
THIS LAST of five mini-essays on the 2012 Toyota Future Mobility Seminar, held Oct. 16-17 in Denver, collects technological nuggets gleaned there. The price of motor fuels was a recurring … Continue reading
NREL HAPPENINGS
THE NATIONAL Renewable Energy Laboratory hosted attendees of Toyota’s 2012 Future Mobility Seminar at its Golden, Colorado, facilities on Oct. 17. Here are some technical take-aways from a most interesting … Continue reading
ZEV AND US
THOSE OF us residing in California—and in 14 other states more or less following its lead—will soon be into ZEV 3, the third phase of this state’s Zero Emissions Vehicle … Continue reading
HYDROGEN I.C., PART 2: MAZDA
MY FIRST hydrogen internal-combustion drive came in 1994 when Mazda invited me to Vancouver, B.C., to experience a special Miata. This one had an RX-7 rotary engine fueled by H2. … Continue reading
HYDROGEN I.C., PART 1: BILLINGS
HYDROGEN IS extremely flammable (“Oh, the humanity!”). However, this is one reason why it’s a much better energy carrier than, say, potatoes, which are not flammable. And while hydrogen fuel … Continue reading
PARIS TECH 2012
THERE WERE several cars of particular technical interest exhibited at 2012 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile. Here’s why I believe they’re significant. Honda’s EV-Ster could be the kind of battery electric … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 