Atlis Pickup Truck Battery Charges In Under 13 Minutes

Atlis battery pack ready to charge in under a quarter of an hour.

Atlis Motor Vehicles, a startup founded in 2016 to develop XT electric pickup truck and XP electric vehicle platform, achieved its first milestone.

The company’s prototype battery pack was successfully tested at one of the EVgo fast chargers in Phoenix, taking a full charge in just 12 minutes, 35 seconds (the goal was for 15 minutes). The pack is fairly small – at around 3 kWh, but Atlis says that it’s fully scalable and ultimately will need ultra-fast chargers, which the company would like to introduce.

Pickup Trucks

Atlis XT Pickup Truck at fast charging time

Atlis XT Pickup Truck

“This charge time of a vehicle battery in under 13 minutes is a first in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.“We have completed preliminary testing of our prototype battery pack with fast charging capabilities, and we’re proud to announce that we did better than expected. We beat our charge time by 2 minutes and 25 seconds by charging a 3 kWh pack to full in 12 minutes 35 seconds”, CEO Mark Hanchett stated. Atlis Motor Vehicles selected an EVgo Level 3 DC fast charging station in the Phoenix area as a test site. “This was the key to proving our technology – recharge times for batteries is still one of the largest obstacles to wider adoption of electric vehicles.”

The prototype battery is a lithium-ion cell with a unique cooling system for optimum temperature management. “Properly managing cell temperatures is still overlooked by many electric vehicle manufacturers but is one of the most critical components to battery performance and longevity. Ignoring temperature management, or just providing mild surface cooling of the cells is insufficient.” Hanchett added.

The battery pack is part of Atlis’ prototype design and is capable of scaling in size to meet their customer’s performance needs. The capacity of the test pack had to be kept low to ensure enough power was available from the Level 3 DC charging station. Next steps for the prototype pack is to integrate this design concept into Atlis Motor Vehicles’ XP platform currently in development.”

Atlis XT Pickup Truck

Atlis XT Pickup Truck

Atlis Motor Vehicles currently is trying to raise funds for development (info).

The ultimate goal is to begin production and sales of the all-electric XT pickup truck. We really like the design and hopefully, we will see some electric pickups on the roads in the near future.

The specs envision long-range and all-wheel drive powertrain:

• Battery options for: 300 miles, 400 miles, or 500 miles (unloaded truck, with no cargo or trailer weights)
• 15 minutes recharge capability
• all-wheel drive, with 4 independent traction motors at each wheel, and single speed gear box per axle
• 4-wheel independent suspension
• 0 to 60 mph unloaded: Less than 5 seconds
• 0 to 60 mph to max GCWR: Less than 18 seconds
• Top speed: 120 mph
• massive front-trunk storage space
• advanced regenerative braking with dynamic load control

Atlis XT Pickup Truck

Categories: Charging, Trucks

2016 Toyota Prius Redesign Leaked

There’s no denying that the Toyota Prius has been at the forefront of the green car revolution for over 15 years now. True, the Tesla Model S is considered by many to be the new face of alternative fuels, but the Prius remains far and away the most popular green car on the road, and it may get even more popular once the new redesign debuts.

The thing is, that redesign has been pushed back at least once, as executives try to increase the appeal of the Prius with a bolder, edgier look, or so we’re told. We’ve been given vague hints about what that new look entails, and spy pictures haven’t really shed any light on the situation, but HybridCars reports these are supposedly leaked images of what the redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius will look like. And, well…it still looks like a Prius.

Is that a bad thing? Depends on whom you ask. I will say that giving the conventional Prius hatchback and the Prius Plug-In (now with 30 miles of electric driving range) slightly different looks is a step in the right direction. But for those hoping for a more aggressive, and even conventional look, the disappointment is palpable. Toyota definitely included design elements of its Mirai FCV in the new look of the Prius, and it hasn’t done the hybrid car any favors in the looks department.

But the Prius has never been about being pretty, it’s about being efficient, and a reported 8% improvement in fuel economy on the liberal Japanese testing cycle could mean fuel economy ratings of up to 55 MPG here in the U.S. Power is also said to be up a bit, with the 2016 Prius offering as much as 145 horsepower compared to the outgoing model’s 134 horsepower rating.
For my money though, these small improvements don’t change the fact that the Prius still looks like a Prius, which means it’s still only going to appeal to Prius people.

With so many other options that look better or don’t use gasoline at all, does the Prius still stand a chance with consumers?

2016 Chevy Volt Priced At $33,995, $1,175 Less Than 2015 Model

GM has released a ton of technical information on the 2016 Chevy Volt, but it’s kept the price of the all-new plug-in hybrid (or “extended range electric car” as GM calls it) a closely-guarded secret. This led some to speculate the price might be higher than the outgoing model, especially given all the improvement. Surprisingly, the MSRP for the 2016 Chevy Volt is just $33,995, which is $1,175 less than the outgoing model.

The actual MSRP is $33,170, plus a $825 destination fee, compared to the $34,345 (plus destination) of the 2015 model. If you factor the $7,500 federal tax rebate into the equation, the 2016 Volt could be had for as little as $26,495. While you still have to lease the full purchase price, even at $33,170 the 2016 Volt has a much more competitive price than its predecessor. The 2016 model also adds a 50-mile all-electric driving range, a 41 MPG rating, and a (small) fifth seat; it’s also a much nicer looking and feeling car, especially the interior, all the way around.

How can GM do it? Lower battery costs likely play a big factor, as GM is finally making good use of the battery factory they built with partner LG Chem. The Voltec technology is also being homogenized across GM’s lineup in vehicles like the new Chevy Malibu Hybrid with a claimed 48 MPG. The Volt’s corporate cousin, the Cadillac ELR, also received a (much larger) price cut recently, along with a bevy of improvements that aimed to make it a more appealing and competitive vehicle. The 2016 Cadillac ELR is an all-around much better car than the car it replaces.

GM’s second (third?) generation of electrified vehicles is ready to hit the mainstream, and the 2016 Chevy Volt is leading the way with a greater emphasis on value and efficiency. If GM can keep its promise about pricing the all-electric Chevy Bolt at around $37,500 before the tax rebate, it could have the one-two punch needed to compete with Nissan and Tesla as the electrification leader.

Volt named KBB Electric/Hybrid Car Best Buy for 2015

The first-generation Chevy Volt may be on its way out, but adding to a long list of awards since the beginning of the four-year-old car, it just nabbed Kelly Blue Books’s 2015 Electric/Hybrid Car Best Buy Award.

In doing so it edged out the Nissan Leaf which was also launched 2011, as well as the also-aging Toyota Prius regular hybrid, and the relatively new BMW i3.

 

That the Chevy Volt stands atop our list of Electric/Hybrid Best Buy contenders after four years in the marketplace is a testament to its virtues. The Volt might not be the newest entry in a group that includes the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and Toyota Prius, but a clever powertrain and exceptional value helped Chevrolet’s gasoline/electric wondercar secure the win.

 
Helping it along is the full $7,500 federal tax credit, and fact that the Volt’s 38 miles EPA-rated range spans the gap between a pure battery electric car and hybrid better than any plug-in hybrid on the market.

The i3 may be trendy, but it’s about $11,000 pricier, says KBB, and if you want the range-extended car with small, short-range gas engine, add $4,000.

The Volt also comes in $1,600 less than the plug-in Prius when factoring a ZEV credit in California, its largest market, says KBB. The plug-in Prius is only rated for 11 miles range, and its top electric speed is less, and a firm accelerator push will kick the gas on. Not so with the Chevy which despite the haters still saying so, it is an extended-range electric vehicle.

Adding onto all the rest is KBB appreciates the driving dynamics of the Volt.

Mash the rightmost pedal, and the wonders of electric propulsion become clear. The Volt accelerates with silky effortlessness. Carry some of that speed through an unclogged onramp, and you might be surprised by the Volt’s willingness to play. No, this electrified Chevy isn’t a sports car, but there’s more fun here than the green veneer might suggest.

And as icing on the cake, the looks and style also got points.

Ok, we’ll admit it. Style counts. Especially among electric and hybrid cars, a compelling design tends to correlate with acceptance from the buying public. On that count the Volt strikes a smart balance between futurism and familiarity. Techy-looking energy usage readouts and sci-fi startup/shutdown sound effects co-exist with comfortable seats, a usable capacitive touch instrument panel, and a surprisingly accommodating cargo area. Provided you don’t need more than four seats, the Chevy Volt delivers a good mix of style and substance.

 
All told, not bad for the grandfather of thi type of vehicle that’s still teaching the whippersnappers a lesson.

And they’re going to retire it soon, and we’ll be seeing a new version believed to be better.

KBB

Odyne Systems introduces new plug-in hybrid system for medium- and heavy-duty work trucks

Odyne’s plug-in hybrid system. Click to enlarge.

Waukesha based Odyne Systems, LLC, a manufacturer of hybrid systems for medium- and heavy-duty work trucks, introduced its new advanced hybrid propulsion system at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) in Williamsburg. The new parallel plug-in hybrid system features a Remy HVH250 electric motor—80 hp continuous, 110 hp peak—and a choice of 14 kWh or 28 kWh lithium-ion battery packs.

Odyne was formed in 2001 for the sole purpose of developing and producing electric and hybrid electric propulsion systems for Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 vehicles. In January 2009, Odyne’s assets were acquired by the parent company of DUECO, Inc. and Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation (UELC), and relocated to a production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin. (Earlier post.)

Odyne’s system is targeted to medium- and heavy-duty work trucks with extended stationary PTO job site functions. It is also the only plug-in hybrid system to power a gas compressor truck. The Odyne system provides launch assist and regenerative braking. Once stationary at the job site, work trucks are able to operate worksite equipment applications for up to several hours without using engine power, depending upon the application.

Examples of continuous minutes of all-electric operation
Equipment	Power (hp)	14 kWh Time (min)†	29 kWh Time (min)†
Digger Derrick	54	–	39
60' Bucket truck	25	38	85
Articulating Telescopic Crane	14	66	147
40' Bucket Truck	9	106	325
†Time may vary depending on application

The 300V parallel plug-in hybrid system can be applied to most new chassis or applied as a retrofit, and is compatible with most chassis over 14,000-lb GVW. No drive train modifications are required; the OEM chassis components can be serviced through the chassis manufacturer’s service network. The hybrid system propulsion components are placed within chassis frame rails for ease of body installation; battery packs are situated in a variety of locations to suit application. The electric motor can drive both a PTO and hydraulic pump.

This new system delivers improved performance for medium and large work vehicles. Odyne’s unique system helps reduce operating costs through higher efficiency, and depending on duty cycle, enables large trucks to obtain fuel economy improvements of up to 50%, compared to traditional diesel or gasoline engines. Odyne has developed proprietary and patent pending hybrid technology combining reliable electric power conversion, power control with advanced electric propulsion motors and modular lithium ion battery systems.

—Joe Dalum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Odyne Systems

Source: Green Car Congress

A Closer Look At the Dodge Ram Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Electrovaya today announced that Chrysler's Ram truck plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, packing Electrovaya's 12-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, is being showcased in public for the first time at the Washington D.C. Auto Show that started today.

You'll recall that with the help of a $48-million grant from the Energy Department early last year, Chrysler announced plans to build and test a fleet of 140 half-ton Ram pickups with plug-in hybrid drive systems sometime this year.

Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said at the time that the commercial market lends itself to hybrid truck applications more than anything else. A half-ton pickup is much better at carrying a battery pack than a car and trucks really work much better as hybrid vehicle platforms, he said.

Since then, Chrysler has developed a Ram PHEV featuring the automaker's 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 mated to a two-mode hybrid transmission and the Electrovaya battery pack. The vehicle is said to be capable of up to 20 miles of zero-emissions, pure-electric range and offer an overall fuel economy improvement of more than 65% for average drive cycles.

Delivery of the Ram PHEVs to fleet operators "is expected to begin this summer," Electrovaya said, without elaborating. We hope so, and more importantly we hope Chrysler will be able to eventually commercialize the Ram hybrid.

But given Chrysler's recent track record with bringing hybrids and electric vehicles to market, we're not betting the farm on it.

As Edmunds Sr. Editor Bill Visnic noted in a chat with us earlier today, to date individual truck buyers have demonstrated scant interest in hybrids, "and I think for reasonable points: pickup duty cycles don't align well with hybrid attributes."

But, he said, if there's more pressure on businesses to run more fuel-efficient fleets, the commercial side of the pickup business could drive an increasing "need" for hybridized pickups - whether or not they make sense based on how "work" pickups are used.

There's also the chance that Chrysler is showing off the Ram PHEV as a response to General Motors' announcement that it was withdrawing an application for $14.4 billion in direct loans from the Energy Department to develop advanced-technology vehicles.

GM's move could be seen at Chrysler as boosting its own chances for more DOE dollars, which it needs much more than General Motors.

Source: Green Car Advisor

A Chevrolet Volt Takes on the Snow, Ice and Hills

Here is a short video clip of Lyle Dennis' Volt tackling a hill in the snow. Lyle claims that handling is exceptional in the recent east coast snow storms.

The Volts Are Coming, The Volts Are Coming!

Semi Load of Volts Heading to Customers

PRESS RELEASE:

DETROIT – The first Chevrolet Volts left the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on Monday destined for initial retail launch markets. Customers in California, Texas, Washington D.C. and New York could receive the world’s first-and-only electric vehicle with extended-range capability in the next few days.

These are the first of an expected 160 vehicles to be shipped this week.

“Today is a historic milestone for Chevrolet,” said Tony DiSalle, Volt marketing director. “We have redefined automotive transportation with the Volt, and soon the first customers will be able to experience gas-free commuting with the freedom to take an extended trip whenever or wherever they want.”

The heart of the Volt is its Voltec electric propulsion system, which combines battery-only electric driving with an efficient, gas-powered engine giving the Volt up to 379 total miles of driving before having to recharge the battery or fill up the small gas tank. The Volt is the only mass produced U.S.-built electric vehicle.

Earlier this year, Chevrolet shipped 15 pre-production Volts to technology enthusiasts and electric vehicle advocates whom were the first consumers to experience the Volt every day under real-world conditions during a 90-day vehicle and charging evaluation program.

MotorTrend, Automobile and Green Car Journal each recently selected the Volt as their Car of the Year.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as Chevrolet Cruze Eco with an EPA-estimated 42 miles per gallon highway, and the Chevrolet Volt offering 35 miles of electric driving and an additional 344 miles of extended gasoline range, according to EPA estimates. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com

Making of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt - VIDEO

A Quick look at the 2011 Chevrolet Volt rolling down the production line.

More than 600 Chevrolet Dealers Prepare for Volt Customers

Press Release:

Detroit – More than 600 Chevrolet dealers in launch markets have begun preparing for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability.

“About 90 percent of our Chevrolet dealers in launch markets to date have requested to become participating Volt dealers,” said Tony DiSalle, Chevrolet Volt product marketing director. “The response exceeded expectations given the extensive training requirements. There’s obviously a lot of enthusiasm for the Volt’s arrival later this year.”

Chevrolet dealers in California, Texas, Michigan, the Washington, D.C. area, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were invited to join the Volt program earlier this month. The dealers are required to take part in an extensive training program focused on the sales and service elements of the vehicle. Participating dealers also are required to have a Chevrolet Volt on their lot for potential customers to test drive

“As soon as we got the final word, we signed on,” said Steve Waersch, general manager of Pohanka Chevrolet in Chantilly, Va., near the nation’s capital. “Our waiting list compiled over the last year and a half to two years has no less than 50 names on it. In the last month and a half, we’ve been getting four or five inquiries a week.”

The Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions. It has a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of gas.

The Volt will be on display next week at Plug-In 2010 in San Jose, Calif.

Honda Announces battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be introduced in the U.S. in 2012; Demonstration program of the technologies will be

Press Release:

07/20/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

Honda will introduce new advanced environmental technology vehicles, including a battery-electric vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, to the U.S. market in 2012, the company announced today in the mid-year address by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., President & CEO Takanobu Ito, in Tokyo, Japan. Ito also announced application of a lithium-ion battery in the next-generation Civic Hybrid in 2011.

The announcement outlined Honda's commitment to developing advanced environmental technologies for application across all of Honda's global operations. Highlights specifically related to the U.S. market include:

• By the end of 2010 and continuing through 2011, Honda will roll out a battery-electric vehicle demonstration program in the U.S. with participants, including: Stanford University, Google Inc. and the City of Torrance, Calif.
• The City of Torrance will receive a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for evaluation by the end of 2010.
• A battery-electric commuter vehicle will be introduced in the U.S. market in 2012.
• A new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to larger vehicles will be introduced in the U.S. market in 2012.
• Honda's first hybrid application of a lithium-ion battery will debut in the next- generation Civic Hybrid to be introduced in 2011. The lithium-ion battery was developed through the Honda and GS Yuasa joint-venture company, Blue Energy Co., Ltd.

GM Announces Initial Volt Markets And Volume Production

PRESS RELEASE:

Chevrolet announced additional details regarding the retail plans for the Chevrolet Volt, including initial annual production volumes, timing of the national rollout, dealer training, customer-service capabilities and more. Chevrolet Volt Marketing Director Tony DiSalle made the announcements during a live video webcast on www.chevroletvoltage.com.

DiSalle confirmed plans to produce 10,000 Volts by the end of the 2011 calendar year, and an additional 30,000 Volts during the 2012 calendar year.

DiSalle also confirmed that the first Volts available for retail sales will be sold in California, Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas and the New York City metropolitan area later this year. Volts are expected to arrive at dealerships in Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, as well as the balance of Texas and New York in the first quarter of 2011. Additional markets will be added as production volume increases during the second model year, with Volt available in all 50 states 12 to 18 months after the initial launch.

Before receiving Volts for retail sales, dealers will be required to complete specialized sales and service training, and install 240-volt charging stations at their dealership. Chevrolet expects to have nationwide service coverage available through Chevrolet Authorized Volt Service Dealers during the 12 to 18 month national rollout.

DiSalle encouraged consumers interested in purchasing a Volt to visit www.chevrolet.com/volt. There, they can register to receive news updates as Volt approaches the national launch and can request to be contacted when dealers have available Volts in their area.

Finally, DiSalle also confirmed that the Volt will embark on a 1,776-mile “Freedom Drive” leaving Austin today. The Drive will stop in Little Rock, Ark., Nashville, Tenn., Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia before arriving in New York City on July 4.

ALTe Conversion For The F150 - A True Plug-In Hybrid Pickup

Schematic Of ALTe F-150 Drivetrain Conversion








ALTe has the solution. Question is, "Will anyone ever have the guts to use it?" We're talking about their drivetrain overhaul that can take a pickup which only gets 20-some mpg on the highway to a hybrid that can run for more than 50 miles in EV mode. The time for this automobile option has come and we would like to see the manufacturer's offer this as part of their line-up.

From Gas2.0:

I’ve had my fair share of trucks. I know they need to put up with a lot of abuse and neglect. These things are built to be used. Electric cars are coming, and soon, but it might take trucks a bit longer to catch on. Ford is taking a stab at it with its electric Transit Connect van, and Nissan is talking about an electric NV200. But neither is a pickup, and I haven’t seen too many electric trucks demonstrated. There aren’t even any truly viable hybrid pickups.

ALTe has a clever solution that sounds promising. At the World Truck Show, they unveiled an F-150 plug-in hybrid demonstration pickup with a 4-cylinder engine and a 25 kWh battery pack that they make some impressive claims about. For starters, a 52-mile all-electric range, and better gas mileage than most diesels.

I’m hopefully skeptical of this claim, as there are obvious complications when it comes to hybrid trucks. Pickups are tough, and heavy, and a hybrid system has to put up with a lot of abuse. I’m not saying it can’t, but nobody has really made one yet that justifies the extra cost. The Chevy Volt has the same basic setup as the ALTe pickup with a different name for the system (extended-range electric vehicle versus range-extended electric-powertrain).

The v8 engine is replaced by a 2.0 liter Ford four-cylinder engine that powers two electric Remy DC motors that crank out 295 ft-lbs of torque. They are hoping a 25 kWh battery pack will get the F-150 52 miles on an electric charge, at which point the 4-cylinder engine starts powering the motors. ALTe is aiming for 32 mpg with the four-cylinder engine running. The Tesla battery pack has 53 Kwh of power and can go 200 miles on a charge. But it is also a lot lighter and more aerodynamic than a truck as it is basically a Lotus Elise. It certainly sounds feasible, and the truck is supposed to be just 200 lbs heavier than stock. This would give the truck a range of 469 miles, better than the V8 trucks, while using less fuel. Sounds amazing… if they can do it.

According to Green Car Congress, ALTe says they are already in talks with several large car manufacturers. They do happen to have a former President and CEO of Chrysler (Tom LaSorda) and Executive Vice President of North American Sales and Marketing and Global Service and Parts. And Chrysler is, by outward claims, still looking to be a leader in electric cars at some point (although when/if is largely a mystery). This could be a real game changer, as most trucks with gas engines are stuck in the low-20’s still, even on the highway. With a better range and better gas mileage than the equivalent conventional petrol truck, Detroit better be paying attention.

Introducing The BMW Vision Concept Plug-In Vehicle

Here is a rather lengthy press release from BMW announcing their interest in plug-in alternate energy vehicles. As we have said in the past, the more the merrier as concerns the production of alternate energy vehicles. Bring 'em on.

PRESS RELEASE BELOW:

THE BMW VISION EFFICIENTDYNAMICS CONCEPT

The latest BMW Concept Car for the EfficientDynamics philosophy.

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, 29 August 2009, 6pm Eastern… For decades, BMW has made the reduction of emissions and fuel consumption a key part of its product development strategy, just as enhancements to the dynamic ability of each BMW have been a lasting, sustained brand value. BMW’s EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy – the pursuit of an enhanced, athletic driving experience while simultaneously lowering the consumption and emissions of each vehicle – resulted in the most dramatic drop in fleet consumption of any automaker from 1990 through 2005, according to an Environmental Defense study.

Now, the BMW Vision concept car clearly demonstrates that the EfficientDynamics objectives are fully compatible when applied to a sports car. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this unique car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This outstanding result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an extremely economical combustion engine, and outstanding aerodynamic qualities.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is the result of a “clean-sheet” development process to ensure that the correct achievements were made in the areas of efficiency, driving pleasure, technology, and emotional design. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is the most comprehensive implementation of the EfficientDynamics philosophy seen so far. The powertrain provides a top speed limited electronically to 155 mph, with acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers, equal to 62.6 mpg, and the CO2 emission rating is 99 grams per kilometer. CO2 emission management is even more outstanding when driving in the all-electric mode after charging the battery from a plug-in source: Taking all emissions in the generation of electricity into account, as prescribed by the EU formula, the car’s emission rating is just 50 grams per kilometer.

Through this unique balance of driving pleasure and fuel efficiency, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car clearly demonstrates the potential of BMW ActiveHybrid technology, which makes its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and BMW ActiveHybrid 7 production models.

The power and performance are made possible by combining a fuel-efficient 3-cylinder turbodiesel with one electric motor on each axle. The intelligent combination of these units, together with precisely controlled energy management, simultaneously enhances the dynamic performance and the efficiency of the car. Overall system output is 356 horsepower, and peak torque is 590 lb-ft. The special arrangement of the two motors and diesel engine allows all-wheel drive when driving in all-electric mode. The result is minimum power loss and a harmonious transmission of the power available under all conditions.

In its design, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics for the first time conveys the dynamic look of a BMW sports car to a hybrid vehicle. Developed with decades of experience in Motorsport, the body of this unique sports car is a result of intelligent lightweight technology and aerodynamic efficiency. In the design of the interior, the focus was likewise on both the fascinating driving experience and, in particular, on transparent, hands-on technology and maximum reduction of weight.

Turbodiesel engine with unprecedented specific output.

The combustion engine is a cutting-edge turbodiesel featured for the first time in the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. Displacing 1.5 liters on three cylinders, the engine consistently follows the downsizing principle of using a relatively small engine combined with a turbocharger to reduce fuel consumption.

Through its compact dimensions, the 3-cylinder fits conveniently in front of the rear axle like in an agile mid-engine sports car, despite the two seats at the rear. Fuel is injected by the latest generation of High Precision Direct Injection, and the turbocharger features variable intake geometry for maximum efficiency. Engine output is 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb-ft.

The specific output of 109 hp per liter sets a new benchmark in diesel technology. The power delivered by the turbodiesel is conveyed to the rear axle by means of a double-clutch transmission (DCT). This advanced transmission technology, which already offers a particularly dynamic driving experience in BMW’s M3 and Z4 Roadster, allows the driver to shift gears without the slightest interruption of power. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics features a newly-developed version of BMW’s DCT with six speeds for maximum efficiency and flexibility.

Two electric motors for full-hybrid drive.

The combustion engine is supplemented by two electric motors. Consistently applying the BMW ActiveHybrid philosophy, development engineers followed the principle of “Best of Hybrid,” choosing the optimum combination of a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle and a full-hybrid system at the rear.

In this concept, the driver benefits from the efficiency of the electric motors over a far wider speed range than with a conventional hybrid car. The rear axle comes with a second-generation full-hybrid system corresponding to the technology in the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 production model. The compact electric motor positioned between the diesel engine and the DCT outputs a consistent 33 horsepower and is able to reach a peak of up to 51 hp. Maximum torque for the rear electric motor is 214 lb-ft, the power, either supporting the diesel engine or in all-electric motoring. When coasting or applying the brakes, the electric motor acts as a generator and feeds electric power to the lithium-polymer battery in the car. The electric energy developed in this way is therefore captured without any additional consumption of fuel through the principle of Brake Energy Regeneration. Energy wasted on the brakes of a conventional car is thus saved within the new power system for subsequent use in driving the car.

A second electric motor acts on the front axle. This engine, a hybrid synchronous motor, offers continuous output of 80 horsepower and peak torque of 162 lb-ft. Extra power of 112 horsepower is available for a period of up to 30 seconds, and, for a 10-second “burst,” the electric motor is able to develop 139 horsepower. The power is transmitted through a 2-stage, single-speed reduction gearbox.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to run completely under electric power, with the power of the turbodiesel engine alone, or through an infinite combination of the three power sources. Depending on driving conditions, the two electric motors may be used both for accelerating and for regenerating energy when applying the brakes and while coasting. This principle ensures efficient energy management, with the charge status of the lithium-polymer battery constantly remaining within the optimum range. When accelerating, the electric motors help to boost the car for even greater performance, ensuring immediate response and a significant reduction in fuel consumption. For a short time, such as in passing maneuvers, the cumulative maximum output of all three engines increases to 356 hp, with maximum torque generated by the three engines reaching 590 lb-ft.

Lithium-polymer battery for electrical energy.

The energy cells featured in BMW Vision EfficientDynamics are housed in a chassis element running from front to rear through the middle of the car. The front unit is the lithium-polymer complex, an ongoing development of the lithium-ion battery. Overall, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with a total of 98 lithium-polymer cells, each offering a capacity of 30 amp/hours and developing continuous output of 600 Amps at a voltage of 3.7 V. For a period of 30 seconds, each cell is even able to develop maximum output of 1,200 Amps.

Serial arrangement of the lithium-polymer cells serves to generate nominal voltage of 364 volts, the gross storage capacity of the battery is 10.8 kW/h. With an unusually high discharge capacity of 80 percent, the battery delivers 8.6 kW/h for driving the car. This superior performance comes on overall weight of the entire energy storage system of just 187 lb. A further advantage is that through their optimum dimensions tailored to the specific qualities and features of the car, the lithium-polymer cells, together with the operating strategy chosen with a concept of “forward looking” energy management, reduces the thermal load acting on the battery to such an extent that there is no need for active cooling.

Plug-in solution: convenient charging of the electric power system from a conventional power socket.

Brake Energy Regeneration captures electric power generated while driving without additional fuel consumption, which is subsequently used to supply power to the electric motors and on-board network. A further option is to connect the lithium-polymer cells to a conventional power socket for a simple and efficient charge process, using a plug-in connector in the front-right wing of the car. Connected to a standard EU power outlet (220 V, 16 Amps), the system requires a maximum of 2 ½ hours to fully charge the lithium-polymer cells. And wherever a power source with higher voltage and amperage (380 V, 32 Amps) is available, the charge time is an even shorter 44 minutes.

In addition to electrical energy storage, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with a conventional fuel tank at the rear end of the central chassis tunnel, offering a capacity of 6.6 gallons. Running on diesel fuel alone, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to cover a distance of approximately 400 miles with its combustion engine. Benefitting from an extra range of up to 31 miles in the all-electric mode, the car offers an overall range of approximately 431 miles. As a result, this unique concept car offers all the requirements for using energy with maximum efficiency and at the same time experiencing the dynamic performance typical of BMW without any restriction of everyday driving qualities.

Performance, fuel efficiency and emission management opening new dimensions in hybrid technology.

The power delivered by the two electric motors and single diesel 3-cylinder engine gives the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept a level of performance superior to anything provided so far by a hybrid vehicle. Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h, for example, comes in just 4.8 seconds and the car could exceed its electronically-limited 155 mph top speed.

At the same time fuel efficiency and emission management now reach a standard only achieved, if at all, by far less powerful small cars conceived for city traffic and short distances. Applying the criteria of the EU test cycle, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics offers average fuel consumption equal to 62.6 mpg. CO2 emissions, in turn, are 99 grams per kilometer. These consumption and emission figures are measured on a consistent internal power balance, meaning that the batteries and storage media for electrical energy maintain the same charge level throughout the entire test cycle (with the same level at the beginning and end) and are charged while driving only by the car’s on-board systems.

As a plug-in hybrid, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to cover the entire drive cycle for measuring fuel consumption also with its combustion engine completely switched off. Then, to subsequently charge the lithium-polymer cells to the same status as when setting off, all the driver has to do is connect the car to an external power grid. To determine the consumption of electric power, the only requirement is to compare the charge level of the battery before and after the test cycle. Applying this measurement process, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car consumes 17.5 kW/h per 100 kilometers, equal to a CO2 emission rating of just 50 grams per kilometer in the EU test cycle.

To determine the total volume of CO2 emissions when driving in the all-electric mode, new legal standards for measuring the level of fuel consumption are currently being prepared for hybrid and electric cars with a plug-in power supply. Applying this calculation method, the CO2 emission ratings generated by BMW Vision EfficientDynamics are reduced further to just one-third of the original figure of 99 grams per kilometer. Clearly, this significant reduction of emissions opens up a new dimension in BMW’s EfficientDynamics development strategy in this unique concept car.

Aerodynamic qualities reflecting BMW’s Motorsport experience.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics also takes a new approach in its design and streamlining, the body and the interior clearly expressing the unique combination of supreme efficiency and the sporting performance of the brand. Following BMW’s design language, this concept car visualizes both highly efficient aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight construction.

In its design, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics differs from the usual low-emission car concepts. The principle of “form follows function” is not just for the overall look of the car, but embraces each and every detail. Measuring 48.8″ in height and boasting a sweeping, arch-like roofline, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics offers the slender silhouette of a classic Gran Turismo. With the combustion engine fitted in front of the rear axle, the designers have succeeded in giving the car a very low front end, with the flow of air being further smoothened by active louvers in front of the radiator, which close completely when the need for cooling air is low. This efficient function follows in the footsteps of the active air flap control already used as a feature of BMW EfficientDynamics in some of BMW’s current production models. As a further highlight, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics guides air smoothly and exactly as required into the car through an active air intake at the front.

Numerous details in the design of the body are based on the know-how BMW has gained in Motorsport, a number of body elements serving as air deflectors and guide vanes. Designed as ducts, for example, the A-pillars serve to channel the flow of air in the same way as the rear lights with their wing profile. The floor of the car is fully covered from front to rear and from one side to the other, thus maintaining a smooth surface to avoid any air swirl liable to increase fuel consumption. Slender openings around the front air dam guide the air flowing specifically into two closed ducts leading inside the front air dam to the wheel arches where the air comes out again through a very slim aperture at high speed, flowing just next to the outer wheel flanks. This air jet rests on the front wheels like a curtain and is therefore referred to most appropriately as the “air curtain.” It provides a highly stabilizing effect.

Overall vehicle concept for a drag coefficient of just 0.22.

To further optimize the aerodynamic qualities of the entire vehicle and keep rolling resistance to a minimum, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics comes with tires and wheels of quite unusual size on a sports car. The tires measure 195/55, while large 21-inch wheels provide a contact surface on the road otherwise offered only by a much wider tire. In combination with the sophisticated axle geometry, this ensures agile driving behavior.

The extra-large wheel covers extending over part of the tire flanks add to the unique, very different look of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics from the side. The blade profile integrated in the wheels serves furthermore to reduce the negative effect of the turning wheels on the overall aerodynamics of the car. In all, these features optimizing the aerodynamic qualities of the car give the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car a very low drag factor (CX) of just 0.22.

Technological look as a strong impression of intelligent lightweight construction.

In both exterior and interior design, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics stands out clearly as a strong spearhead in technology. Many components of the vehicle are presented in full view expressing the “transparent” character of the car as a powerful visual feature of lightweight technology. The chassis and suspension of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics are made completely of aluminum; the roof and the outer skin on the doors are made almost completely of a special polycarbonate glass automatically darkening as a function of the light shining on the car.

Measuring 181.1″ in length, 74.8″ in width and 48.8″ in height, this unique concept car offers ample space for up to four passengers and their luggage. Thanks to the consistent lightweight construction strategy applied on the car, curb weight is 3,076 lb, with the center of gravity remaining very low. In its power-to-weight ratio, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is far superior to all other hybrid cars, achieving the same standard as extremely dynamic sports cars with a conventional combustion engine.

Carrying a maximum payload of 981 lb, this unique 2+2-seater is fully suited for everyday traffic. Luggage capacity of 5.3 cu ft, in turn, allows the driver and passengers to conveniently take along two golf bags. And to meet additional loading requirements the backrests of the two rear seats may be tilted down individually to provide extra storage space.

Emotional design through sculptural shapes and layering technology.

Reflecting the innovative drive concept of this unique car, the design of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics likewise takes a new approach in combining functional progress with a most powerful emotional impact.

This has been achieved through the close cooperation of BMW’s Design and Technical Development Divisions starting at an early point and continuing consistently throughout the entire development process. The result is a brand-new vehicle architecture with the drive components as well as the body and interior elements perfectly coordinated and matched to one another with maximum flexibility and individual style.

A fully integrated design philosophy also provided new options in using harmonized design principles connecting the exterior and the interior and providing an interacting effect between the two areas.

Sculptural design language giving BMW Vision EfficientDynamics a fully harmonized, complete look ensures the proportions typical of a BMW sports car. The front, side, rear and roof areas, for example, flow smoothly into one another. Dynamically contoured surfaces and shapes, in turn, create highly attractive light and shade effects accentuating the light and sporting character of the car in an emotional manner.

Layering technology developed by the BMW Group Design Division acts as the fundamental guideline in designing the exterior and interior. Applied for the first time in exterior design, this technology layers one surface on top of the other, creating very smooth seams and joints to reduce the number of components and, accordingly, the weight of the car. As a result, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics meets the most demanding aerodynamic requirements without using any additional body elements, simply through the structure of the surfaces optimized for a smooth flow of air.

Interior: innovative lightweight construction and unprecedented orientation to the driver.

In the design of the interior, innovative layering technology provides an unprecedented symbiosis of function and stylish shapes intentionally reduced to a minimum, consistently implementing and visualizing the lightweight principle also inside the car.

Specific components such as the central air vent not only serving to enhance motoring comfort but also acting as part of the cockpit, perform several functions in one. This multi-functionality is then presented visibly within the car, the use of particularly sophisticated materials providing a highly attractive combination of innovation in technology and quality clear to the eye and the touch of the surface.

This interaction of lightweight construction and individual well-being also comes out clearly in the design of the controls and switches, with a leather band, for example, running round the aluminum gear selector lever on the center console. Materials combining lightweight technology and all the qualities required are also to be admired all round the cockpit of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, giving the car an unusually generous feeling of space for a 2+2-seater. The body-contoured seats, for example, are made up of a kevlar shell, a backbone structure, and seat padding with personalized fillings. Clearly, this combination alone ensures comfort at a minimum weight. The driver’s and front passenger’s seats are connected firmly to the center console to form a joint interior “landscape”, while the rear seats anchored on the floor would appear to be hovering in space. Natural materials and light colors on the seat upholstery and all interior linings underline the light, sophisticated and sustainability-oriented atmosphere within the passenger compartment.

The instrument panel is deliberately padded only where technical components have to be appropriately covered, thus making an important contribution to passenger safety in the event of a collision. The instrument cluster played a fundamental role right from the start in the design process, serving as the starting point for all surfaces within the interior and thus creating a particularly powerful rendition of that driver orientation typical of BMW.

Innovative light technology: providing clear signals to the outside and offering soothing ambient illumination inside in a unique symbiosis.

LED lights at both the front and rear end of BMW Vision EfficientDynamics provide an innovative combination of the symbols typical of the brand and clear design language oriented towards trendsetting technology. The distinctive look of the dual round headlights characteristic of a BMW is emphasized in particular by the use of LED technology. The rear lights are integrated also in their function into the design of the entire rear section, forming part of the rear air deflector and thus merging completely into the rear contour.

Extremely flat and compact, the rear lights are made up of innovative LED units forming a smooth and consistent red surface when not in use. Only when used do the respective light chambers take on the appropriate color such as yellow on the direction indicators. This innovative light technology also provides an intense symbiosis of the exterior and interior, again promoting and further refining the driving experience.

This is also why the ambient illumination of the interior comes with new features and qualities, the light sources within the passenger compartment being fed from the positioning lights at the side, the rear lights and the brake lights, thus changing the atmosphere created by the lights within the car as a function of driving conditions.

The optical impression conveyed by BMW Vision EfficientDynamics also results in other areas from the symbiosis of the exterior and interior, eliminating the conventional barriers between the two. The lines within the interior, for example, continue on to the innovative design of the engine compartment lid, while in its shape the third brake light positioned higher up on the car follows the structure of the glass roof and tapers to the outside where the roofline moves down gently to the rear.

Overhead doors for convenient access to all seats.

The doors on BMW Vision EfficientDynamics open up like bird’s wings, turning on pivots in the front roof column at the level of the side direction indicators. Since the car has no B-pillars, the large door cutouts ensure convenient entry also to the rear seats. The pivots on the doors also provide the base for the exterior mirrors, thus forming an ideal combination of function and aesthetic design. The structure of the doors is also characterized by several layers of materials on top of one another and the optical and functional symbiosis of the interior and exterior this technology is able to offer. Made up of three layers, the overall structure comprises the outer glass surface, an interim load-bearing layer, and the interior cover with its particularly smooth shapes and fl owing forms clearly visible to the passengers, layering technology again, therefore, opening up new perspectives.

The large glass surfaces extending far down on the body also provide a strong optical impression of the low seating position close to the road. And at the same time a stable sidebar ensures the body stiffness and crash safety naturally required on every vehicle. Flowing to the inside at its central point, this safety element also serves as an armrest. This interplay of the three layers also helping to minimize the weight of the car continues on the trim bar running along the door and extending out of the armrest, finally flowing into the outer door opener on its path from inside to outside.

Clear focus on the essential: 3-dimensional Head-Up Display.

Layering technology is also used on the displays in the instrument cluster and in the Head-Up Display developed to an even higher standard on BMW’s new concept car. The Display now creates a powerful impression of three dimensions, at the same time providing the option to present various signals more in the front or more in the background, depending on their relevance and current driving conditions.

The Head-Up Display projects information important to the driver on to the windscreen. Indeed, innovative presentation technology even allows the superimposed presentation of several views in three dimensions, keeping, the gauge graphics visible in the background while the latest information on route guidance or warning signals from BMW Night Vision, for example, are shown in the foreground.

The sequence in which such signals appear depends on the driving mode chosen by the driver, the display technology, again depending on the driver’s personal preference, enhancing a particularly sporting, a more comfort oriented, or an efficiency-based style of motoring. Through its design alone, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car clearly shows that highly efficient individual mobility may by all means be presented in emotional style. BMW already offers models in all vehicle segments which, compared with the competition, ensure the lowest level of fuel consumption and emissions combined with superior power and performance.

And now BMW Vision EfficientDynamics confirms BMW’s commitment to offer a perfect combination in future of unique driving pleasure and optimum qualities in the responsible use of natural resources.

In the design process the need for sustainable management is borne out most clearly by the GINA (Geometry and Functions in N-fold Augmentation) concept developed by the BMW Group. In this case maximum creative freedom sets the foundation for innovative solutions challenging the conventional and meeting the requirements of the future. This makes the GINA principle particularly well-suited for developing visions for the future reflecting both the wish for emotional style and individual character as well as the quest for sustainable management and efficiency. From the dimensions of its wheels through the design of the rear lights and all the way to the configuration of the cockpit, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics therefore boasts a number of details both outside and inside which, going far beyond conventional solutions, open up a new approach to maximum efficiency and that Dynamic ability typical of BMW.

Forward-looking energy management adjusting to individual requirements.

With the individual system components on board BMW Vision EfficientDynamics being networked with one another, conditions are perfect for implementing a forward-looking system of energy management using information gathered by the sensors of the driver assistance units fitted in the car. Data provided, for example, by the rain sensor or Active Cruise Control with its Stop & Go function as well as by the navigation system, and subsequently evaluated by the central control unit, offers an overview of current and upcoming driving conditions. Then, evaluating such data, the on-board computer is able to forecast driving conditions on the stretch of road immediately ahead, such calculations serving to prepare the car for upcoming requirements and make efficient use of the energy available through optimum operation of all systems.

Should the high-performance central computer establish, for example, that the driver is about to take the motorway, the power used for running the cooling system is reduced for a certain period in advance, on the assumption that the short increase in coolant temperature resulting from such an energy-saving measure will quickly be set off by the higher speed of the car on the motorway. Another example of such pre-conditioning is the regeneration of energy from the air conditioning, from Electronic Power Steering and the Brake Assistant.

Study Validates Li Ion Battery Endurance in PHEV Application

Thus study is great news for the upcoming OEM PHEV auto offerings. One of the biggest concerns in using the Li Ion battery technology in electric vehicles is their endurance and longevity. Testimony of this concern is the Chevy Volt itself, which utilizes a battery pack twice the size needed in order to guarantee long life, in the form of 10 years and 100,000 miles. Unfortunately, this causes the cost of the battery pack to be twice that which is needed and will make car buyers reticent when purchasing the vehicle.

This is a great read for you technophiles out there.

From Green Car Congress:

Degradation as a function of (a) capacity (Ah) processed by cell or (b) energy (Wh) at different DoD. Different DoD did not have a large impact on capacity fade. Source: Peterson et al. (CEIC-09-02) Click to enlarge.

A new draft working paper published by the Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center concluded that a PHEV pack comprising lithium iron phosphate cells would incur little capacity loss from combining vehicle-to-grid (V2G) activities with regular driving. Statistical analyses indicated that rapid battery cycling incurred when driving degraded the cells more than slower, vehicle-to-grid galvanostatic cycling.

Scott Peterson, Jay Apt, and Jay Whitacre found that the percent capacity lost in the cells (they used A123Systems 26650 M1 cells, which are used in the Hymotion PHEV conversion packs) per normalized Wh or Ah processed is quite low: -6.0x10^-3 % for driving support and -2.70x10^-3 % for V2G support. These values show that several thousand driving/V2G driving days incur substantially less than 10% capacity loss regardless of the amount of V2G support used, they concluded.

However, in a companion draft working paper assessing the economics of V2G for consumers, they also concluded that, if the measured battery degradation is applied, the maximum annual profit for a PHEV owner to engage in V2G (~$10-$120) would likely prove insufficient to encourage use of the battery pack for grid electricity storage and later off-vehicle use.

Test current profile used to simulate driving day for cells showing all trips. The times after trips 3 and 4 when V2G discharge was simulated are indicated. Source: Peterson et al. (CEIC-09-02) Click to enlarge.

Performance. The quantify the capacity degradation of the pack, the authors derived a nominal urban driving/V2G power profile and correlated battery test regime by combing several common data sets. To determine the quantity and rate of energy transferred to and from a battery during driving conditions, they used a simple physics model that computed the energy needed to propel a typical vehicle through the trip profile.

To calculate the power vs. time battery duty cycle needed to achieve this velocity/acceleration profile, the vehicle was assumed to have the physical characteristics of a 2008 Toyota Camry. The efficiency of power transfer from regenerative braking to batteries was assumed to be 40%, the efficiency from battery to wheels was assumed to be 80%. The battery pack energy capacity was assumed to be 16 kWh. An 800 watt constant load was added to account for the power needed for all activities unrelated to movement such as heater, air conditioner, radio, lights and other accessories.

Among their findings were that the cell depth of discharge (DoD) does not does not have nearly as great an effect on lifetime as previously reported values for other battery chemistries.

This result implies that a LiFePO₄/graphite–based PHEV battery pack with properly matched cells can be cycled though a very broad state of charge range without incurring any significant increase in capacity loss as a function of Ah or Wh processed. In principle, a PHEV can utilize a smaller battery and use a greater proportion of the battery, however doing so might make discharge rate and associated ohmic heating more of an issue.

...the cycle DoD and relative fraction of low-rate galvanostatic cycling vs. acceleration/regenerative braking current pulses are not important even over thousands of driving days. Rather, it is the integrated number of lithium ions that have been intercalated/de-intercalated into the electrodes, regardless of the DoD at which these events occur.

—Peterson et al. (CEIC-09-02)

Economic model. In the companion working paper, the authors examined the potential economic implications of using plug-in vehicle batteries to store grid electricity generated at off-peak hours for off-vehicle use during peak hours. They used hourly electricity prices in three US cities to arrive at daily profit values, while the economic losses associated with battery degradation were calculated based on data from the first study.

For a 16 kWh vehicle battery pack, the maximum annual profit with perfect market information and no battery degradation cost ranged from ~$140 to $250 in the three cities. If the measured battery degradation is applied, however, the maximum annual profit (if battery pack replacement costs fall to $5,000 for a 16 kWh battery) decreases to ~$10-$120. It appears unlikely that these profits alone will provide sufficient incentive to the vehicle owner to use the battery pack for electricity storage and later off-vehicle use.

—Peterson et al. (CEIC-09-03)

They also estimated grid net social welfare benefits from avoiding the construction and use of peaking generators that may accrue to the owner, and found that these are similar in magnitude to the energy arbitrage profit.

...the vehicle owner might be able to avoid ~$200 of peaking costs. In states with traditional regulated electricity, the public utility commission might elect to avoid paying the utility to install and run a peaker, instead giving some of the avoided cost to V2G owners. In restructured states, the ISO/RTO may pay an aggregator to provide V2G power instead of paying a generator a capacity payment; the aggregator would then pay some of their revenue to the vehicle owner. In the absence of such incentives, it is unlikely that large-scale grid energy storage in PHEVs will be attractive to a large number of vehicle owners.

—Peterson et al. (CEIC-09-03)