Hybrid Electric Vehicle Archives – The Green Optimistic

California Sold 100,000 Plug-In Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in just Four Years

Benji Jerew — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:13:30 +0000

To date, the United States is home to some 7.5 million hybrid vehicles, and California leads the way. According to research compiling data from a number of sources, such as CARB (California Air Resources Board) and hybridcars.com, some 40% of those plug-in vehicles are in the State of California. In fact, over the last four […]

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CARB Asks, “Why buy electric vehicles?” – Survey Results

Benji Jerew — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:37:10 +0000

We all know what’s so great about electric vehicles, because they’re so clean and fun to drive, right? As the undisputed home of the electrified vehicle, including plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery (BEV) electric vehicles, California seems like it would be the best place to ask why people buy them. CARB (California Air Resources Board) […]

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Electric Vehicles and the Future of Paying for the National Highway System

Benji Jerew — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 02:30:22 +0000

For decades, it seems that the best way to unobtrusively pay for, at least the maintenance of, the national highway system has been to tax fuel, but what about electric vehicles that burn no fuel? This seems logical, as the more miles you travel, the more fuel you burn. Similarly, the heavier your vehicle, the […]

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Volvo Polestar Focuses on Turbodiesel Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Benji Jerew — Wed, 14 May 2014 14:49:31 +0000

With the release of the Volvo V60 PHEV, new ground was broken in the automobile market, becoming the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and that was just the beginning. It should come as no surprise that, with stricter emissions and fuel economy regulations, engines are getting smaller. Smaller engines, of course, have better […]

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Lexus Hybrids Muddying Electric Vehicle Waters

Benji Jerew — Tue, 06 May 2014 16:31:31 +0000

Look anywhere, at politicians, journalists, ignorantes, even in some of the comments here on The Green Optimistic, and you’ll find electric vehicle opponents. One place I wouldn’t expect have expected to see an opponent, however, comes from a recent ad campaign touting Lexus’ and, by extension, Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota Synergy Drive and Lexus […]

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Profiling Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drivers

Benji Jerew — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:40:12 +0000

Statistically-speaking, what separates the buyer of an electric vehicle from the buyer of a hybrid electric vehicle? A number of things, as a matter of fact. In previous studies, we learned, for example, that Tesla Model S enthusiasts are more likely to be interested in SpaceX, digital technology, and automobiles, while Toyota Prius drivers are […]

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Can New Nissan Engine Make for Better Fuel Economy?

Benji Jerew — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 15:50:02 +0000

A lot of racing technology trickles down to mainstream vehicles, including everything from tires to aerodynamics and even seatbelts and fuel economy tweaks. A new Nissan engine, developed for the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, could change everything we know about conventional vehicles and fuel economy. The Nissan ZEOD (Zero Emissions On Demand) […]

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Adjusting Highway Maintenance Taxes for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Benji Jerew — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 15:02:25 +0000

The Highway Trust Fund, among other funds of its type, depends on fuel taxes, but what happens when the funds dry up, thanks to more fuel-efficient vehicles on the roads? For decades, it seemed that the best way to fund the maintenance and repair of the Nation’s highway and road system was to tax fuel. […]

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Supercapacitor Hybrid Electric Vehicles Even More Efficient

Benji Jerew — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 12:30:12 +0000

Researchers at the Electric Vehicle Symposium have presented some pretty compelling data that may change the way we see hybrid electric vehicles in the future. In their paper, “An Evaluation Study of Current and Future Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles Powertrains,” eight researchers from Belgium presented the results of their studies. They compared the fuel […]

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Mitsubishi’s Electric Vehicle False-Start, And Now We Wait

Benji Jerew — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:15:18 +0000

The i-MiEV, Mitsubishi’s first plug-in electric vehicle, seemed like a good opener for Mitsubishi, but we haven’t heard much from them regarding any new plug-in models. True, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle hasn’t been a huge hit with consumers, selling just 149 units in 2012. The technology is promising, but it does have us wondering […]

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Toyota Finally Venturing Into Lithium-Ion Batteries, In a Big Way!

Benji Jerew — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:24:23 +0000

Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicles look like their going to get a boost in power and efficiency in the next few years as they make the switch to lithium-ion battery technology. Nickel-Metal Hydride [NiMH] rechargeable battery technology has been around for years, is exceptionally reliable, and has been the mainstay of Toyota’s hybrid electric vehicle program […]

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Qoros Jumps Right In With a Crossover Hybrid Electric Vehicle, but Only in the EU

Benji Jerew — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:58:44 +0000

Qoros only just showed up on the market at the Geneva Motor Show, and jumping right into the market with three models, including a crossover hybrid electric vehicle. Startup companies are often difficult affairs, and even the best idea can fail. Chinese automakers have been trying to break into the lucrative European automotive market, but […]

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Peugeot 508 RXH Announced Before The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:56:48 +0000

It's been a while since Peugeot announced its 3008 Hybrid4, which we've also seen at The Paris Motor Show last year. Now, in a competition with Audi's A4 Allroad, the French car manufacturer announces the launch of Pegeot 508 RXH diesel electric hybrid.

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Prius V Wagon Demand Higher Than Expected, Toyota Ramps Up Production

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:50:24 +0000

I know it may sound strange, but Priuses have been from the beginning designed for family guys, and the fact that now Toyota is about to release the Prius V wagon is no wonder.

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Ford Undecided Where to Place Charging Sockets in Future EVs and Plug-In Hybrids

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:40:45 +0000

Well... when the only remaining issue before producing electric cars isn't what battery they should use or what the charging technology will be, then for Ford it's where will they put the charging socket to satisfy most of the customers in Europe and the U.S.

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Remarkable Lifetime Results for EV Batteries

Cristi — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:30:05 +0000

Scientists from Southern California Edison (SCE) have developed an tested for two and a half years a lithium-ion battery sub-pack with very encouraging results. The battery tested survived 180,000miles with no significant deterioration.

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