Hi Volks, I'm not sure th engines they will be using will apply to Vanagons, but this does bring up a topic on the Hybrid idea. What one might do on a Vanagon is consider setting up a system that is not pure electric, but instead hybrid. I heard of volks using the front diff on a syncro to run an electric motor for starts and regenerative braking. The rear engine would take over once some speed is accomplished. Another way to set up a hybrid is called a "series" hybrid. In this system, you have an engine running a generator that kicks in when the batteries get low. If you did a veg oil diesel generator and ran the van pure electric, i wonder whatyou would come up with for mileage. Still, better to start with a smaller lighter vehicle for commuting. Kim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven P Smith" <kewsps@HOTMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 8:07 AM Subject: Volkswagen, Sanyo to Develop Hybrid Car Batteries
For those wanting to electrify their Vanagon. Could be viable hybrid upgrade on the horizon.. . By Naoko Fujimura and Tetsuya Komatsu May 28 (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest carmaker, will jointly develop a lithium-ion battery system with Sanyo Electric Co. for use in hybrid cars as record oil prices spur demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Sanyo will spend a total of 80 billion yen ($767 million) by 2015 to make the batteries, including opening a new factory in 2010, the company said in a statement today. Volkswagen plans to introduce its first vehicle using the technology by 2010, the Wolfsburg, Germany-based company said separately. Global automakers are working with Japanese electronics manufacturers to develop lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars, as they are lighter and more powerful than the nickel-hydride batteries currently used. The price of crude oil has doubled in the past year and reached a record $135.09 a barrel on May 22. ``There will be constant growth in the hybrid-car market,'' Mitsuru Honma, Sanyo senior vice president, said at a press conference in Japan's Osaka prefecture today. A location for the factory has not been decided, he said. Worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles powered with lithium-ion batteries may total between 4 million and 4.5 million units in 2015, according to Sanyo. The company aims to have a 40 percent share of the market for the batteries in 2015, Honma said. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5sRdxv2D878 |
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