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Cars audi wireless charging

Published on March 6th, 2012 | by Zachary Shahan

6

Clean Car News (5 Stories)

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March 6th, 2012 by Zachary Shahan 

 
Here’s some top clean car news from the past few days or so:

Intencity from Sbarro:

“Eccentric mega-builder Franco Sbarro wants to bring the experience of driving a Formula 1 racecar to public roads. Sort of. In Sbarro’s universe, the F1 “experience” does away with a screaming, high-strung V8 engine and 200-mph wind in your face aesthetics and focuses on a central driving position and terrifying your 2 favorite victims friends with your behind-the-wheel antics.”

audi wireless charging

VW & Audi Going Wireless:

“Audi’s Urban Concept tandem-2-seater first debuted last summer, amid promises of revolutionizing the ‘city car’ concept and wireless, in-road charging for its on-board electric batteries.

“A few days ago, Audi posted a new video to its YouTube channel demonstrating the wireless system’s ability to conduct large amounts of electricity through the air at high speeds. Enough electricity, according to the video, to power some pretty serious-looking floodlights. Towards the end of the video (below), Audi shows an (computer-generated) electric A3 ‘re-fueling’ by parking over one of Audi’s inductive charging pads.”

“It’s not an exciting video – but the tech looks AMAZING!”

Record Gas Prices in UK & US Driving EV & Plug-in Hybrid Purchases:

Petrol prices have hit a record high, according to new figures from the AA showing that the average price of a litre of unleaded fuel has reached 137.44p.

The motoring group said recent increases had taken prices past the previous record set in May last year. It also confirmed that diesel had set a separate price record, reaching 144.60p a litre yesterday.

…

The high prices are likely to continue to drive demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, including new electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Toyota reported this week that high pump prices in the US meant it had exceeded sales targets for its popular Prius hybrid. The company said that overall US sales were up 12 per cent last month, while Prius sales grew 52 per cent to 20,589 – the highest level in four years.

Nissan, Hyundai and Kia Motors, all of which specialise in relatively small and efficient vehicles, all reported February sales that exceeded expectations, according to news agency Bloomberg.

new toyota hybrid city

New Toyota Hybrid Concept Car:

Toyota appears to be doubling down on its hybrid bet. In addition to the world premiere of the Toyota Yaris hybrid, the auto manufacturer will show off a new affordable hybrid city car at the 2012 International Motor Show in Geneva next month. The company released a sketch of the concept before the reveal.

You may think that the pint-sized Yaris Hybrid and the Prius C should already count as city cars, but it appears that Toyota has something even smaller and lighter up its sleeve. Not much has been shared about the car in advance of the world premiere, but the manufacturer says it is a study of an ultra-lightweight vehicle that can be manufactured affordably without using exotic and expensive materials. The FT-Bh concept will demonstrate how a hybrid city car can be mass-produced using materials and processes already used in the automotive industry.

Volkswagen Cross Coupé: 157 MPG!

We first saw Volkswagen’s plug-in petrol-electric hybrid Cross Coupé concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. Now there’s a new Cross Coupé concept to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show this week that use a turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors to achieve 1.8 liters per 100 km (around 157 mpg) with CO2 emissions of just 46 g/km.

The Cross Coupé is proof that achieving 150 mpg is not just the realm of asthmatic shopping trolleys as the 225 kW Cross Coupe has a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph) and a curb weight of 1,858 kg (4,096 lb).

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About the Author

spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.


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  • Bob_Wallace

    I’m unsure about the wheel weight issue.

    Yes, if you use standard suspension then it’s desirable to keep wheel weight to a minimum.

    But if you use a system of “electric shocks” like the Michelin in hub motor wheel you’re using the weight of the wheel as it drops into the hole and as it comes back out of the hole to generate power. Not that you’re going to create more energy than you use, but you minimize the loss.

    And the ride is adjustable. In fact, with adjustable shocks and suspension along with a few sensors/CPU smarts an EV should be able to adjust to speed and terrain.

    I’d like to see a qualified engineer discuss in hub wheels.
    —

    4wd is what I need. It doesn’t matter if I loose a bit of traction when I steer, what I need is as many wheels as possible grabbing the gravel when I’m going up steep inclines. I don’t want to carry around a couple of extra wheels just for those times. Those of us who live off the pavement need the ability to move when it’s muddy or snowy, not the ability to win races. The people I know with ABS and who live like I do wish they have 4wd.

    —

    I suspect there’s a role for body on frame EVs. It would allow one company to concentrate on turning out high quality sub-sleds and let other companies develop and manufacture the bodies. We could have the cost savings of high volume battery/motor/running gear manufacturing along with lots more “style” choices.

    —

    I wish people would stop inserting the EV vs. bike/bus/used car comparisons in EV discussions. Yes, it is cheaper to stay home or walk, but that’s not the issue at hand.

    The real discussion is about a new EV vs. a new gasmobile.

    • Dave2020

      “I wish people would stop inserting the EV vs. bike/bus in EV discussions. That’s not the issue at hand. The real discussion is about a new EV vs. a new gasmobile.”

      I was discussing the merits of different EVs, but the real issue is reducing total energy consumption. I’m with Amory Lovins on that one. Do what you can to improve the built environment.

      “Autos could also be used more productively.”

      “proven innovations could get Americans to their destinations with HALF the driving (or less) and $0.4 trillion less cost.”

      When it comes to energy consumption, you can’t get more efficient than zero, and many urban journeys are quite short. The difference between Copenhagen and London is cultural, but if London were more bike-friendly people would cycle. I bet the EV markets will differ quite significantly.

      50 years ago, nobody talked about climate change or peak oil, and most kids went to school by bike or public transport. Commuting wasn’t much different. The ‘school run’ by car was the exception.

      Aside from the practical considerations and health benefits, I didn’t like the stuff that came out the exhaust. This was the era of sulfurous pea-soup smog. Much of that came from coal fires, but I wasn’t going to add to it. Habits of a lifetime.

  • Tom G.

    I agree with Bob Wallace that a 1 or 2 passenger vehicle would sell quite well in the U.S. going forward.

    There are probably a few million retired individuals who no longer need a 4 or 5 passenger vehicles to get around town. Those buyers also might be more interested in function rather than style or 300 hp. I am waiting for a vehicle that looks something like the “MIT City Car”. It doesn’t need to have 4 wheel motors or 4 wheel steering – just something practical that would meet 95% of my driving needs. Just something for around town for me and mine. If I want to go pick up the grand kids I have a 4 passenger vehicle for that purpose.

  • Dave2020

    Not many small cars have mass-market appeal in the US and tandem seating is one of the downers – a bit unsociable?

    Audi’s Urban Concept has clumsy styling and makes no concessions to aerodynamics – open-wheel designs can’t give you a low CD. Conventional suspension can never eliminate the ride/handling compromise and ride-height control is an expensive extra.

    If you follow the Franco Sbarro link and click on ‘All the cars’ – on that list there’s a 1997 concept that did a better job – the Ellipsis Charbonneaux. CD 0.17

    As the site says – “automatic translation (so be indulgent!)”

    I think Sbarro has only flirted with the ‘diamond’ wheel plan on one other occasion and that was a retrograde design, both in style and content – the 2007 Assystem City Car. The potential of the earlier concept was never realised. The Ellipsis represents a better basis for tilt-steer than the wheel plan used for the Pendocar. Sadly, the dynamic behavior of the Pendocar is compromised by its orthodoxy!

    A fundamental shift in chassis dynamics and packaging would make a car fit for the 21st. century, and I figure it should be a compact four-seater to have mass appeal. Still sleek, still lightweight, and when it parks over the induction plate it would squat down low, to give optimal charging efficiency. Low ride height saves energy at freeway speeds too.

    • Bob_Wallace

      Those rare occasions when I find myself in commute traffic I see a very high percentage of single occupant vehicles. I’m betting that a two passenger, even an “in tandem”, would be marketable if the car was significantly cheaper to purchase/drive than a four-seater and “felt safe”.

      An enclosed four wheel “motorcycle”.

      However, if we look at what Amory has to say about cars, it’s aerodynamics and weight, not length, that determine efficiency. A longer car that seats four is likely to not be much more to build than a two-seater and manufacturing volume would likely make them about the same price.

      —

      Charge plate. The car doesn’t need to squat. A small hinged panel containing the pickup coil can swing down an sit on the charge point. Self-parking (which we already have) can put the EV in the correct position.

      —

      My ideal EV, because I’ve got 3.5 miles of steep, unpaved road, would be 4WD with hub motors and the ability to change its road height like some old Citroens would let it rise for good road clearance when needed and then settle back down for better aerodynamics on the highway.

      That’s such a niche machine that I doubt that I’ll ever own one.
      —

      An EV with German styling. I think the Prius and Leaf are hurt by their exterior skins. The prototype of the Volt was danged nice, but it changed in production.

      Going to be interesting to see what Damlier/BYD produce….

      • Dave2020

        There has been a lot of work on narrow cars, but I guess Audi felt they should keep a wider track. Gordon Murray (Designs) had observed all those empty seats too, but I think his idea – that you can get two little cars in one lane – is stretching it a bit.

        For a family that can get by with one car, I don’t suppose buying another just for the daily commute would make any sense. First, it would be nice to see better lifestyle choices. If it’s practical, use a bike. My first car, up to my mid twenties, sat in the garage all week, so it hardly mattered that it only did 15 mpg! (1959 4,000cc Armstrong – 100 mph)

        I paid £100 for it in ’66. First thing I did, despite opposition from family ‘elders’, was to fit seatbelts all round. A teenager blessed with a little common sense? They thought it was ‘safe’, because it weighed 1,778kg – rather a woolly grasp of the physics. The springs got tired carrying all that weight, but I was a DIY mechanic in those days.

        I had a Citroen BX in the ‘90s – good suspension, but it cost £1k to repair when it got old.

        There’s an amusing item in the 50th. edition of Audi Magazine – “Reinventing the wheel”. In short, it says that in 1927 a wheel weighed 18kg and now it weighs 12. Wow!

        It pictures a huge disc brake. So guys, if minimizing unsuspended weight is good (I agree); better to mount your brakes inboard then, if you can.

        It continues: “Lighter wheels are an advantage because they allow the suspension to react faster.” True in theory, but if you design the suspension too stiff (sporty), which Audi do, it means sod all in practice. My old A2 is all-aluminium, nearly 200kg lighter than the new A1. (taking out the back seats saves a further 35kg) But it had to have an anti-roll bar and a broken coil spring replaced.

        Smart design doesn’t use the suspension medium for chassis levelling, so compliant, lightly-damped springs do not unleash roll and pitch – simple really. Ralph Nader would never have written “Unsafe at Any Speed”, if auto makers had got it right in the first place.

        New Citroens can still adjust ride height, but the high and low settings are speed restricted. The way I do it, compliance remains the same. I’m sure sports car drivers would love to negotiate speed bumps without grounding.

        I think a 6×4 would suit you Bob. That’s not as niche as it might sound, nor as heavy. The two motors and brakes should be inboard, for the reasons given above, so you have half the kit driving the 4 wheels. The steered wheels aren’t powered, because they lose grip if you do that. This is essentially the same configuration I would use to design any all-terrain or emergency services vehicle, any rally or race car.

        Vehicle dynamics become so stable, ABS alone is sufficient. ESC would probably never be activated during the life of the car. Sure, this stuff may not become mainstream. Who can say? There’s always huge resistance to radical change in mature industries and the public may take some persuading, even over the desirability of the rear seats facing back!

        Gordon Murray advocates separate frame and body. I agree and I’d take standardization of a modular chassis, powertrain and running gear as far as it could go. He likes carbon fibre, as does Amory, but I’m not so sure about that. BMW say their “2013 electric car will pay for its carbon fiber by needing fewer batteries.” Maybe so, but that could equally apply to aluminium components, and they would be more readily recycled, as I understand it.

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