Green Options » VW

Volkswagen to Produce Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars in 2010

Andrew Williams — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:40:42 +0000

Hot on the heels of the announcement that Mercedes will produce electric cars, comes the news that fellow German manufacturer Volkswagen plans to produce a test fleet of plug-in hybrid electric cars by 2010.

A few months ago, to much excitement from the automotive press, the company unveiled a diesel-electric Golf but, according to VW chief Martin Winterkorn, “the future belongs to electric cars.” To help in mapping out the road to this electric future, the company have unveiled a plug-in hybrid powertrain, called the Twin-Drive, which will make its first appearance in a Golf kitted out with a 122-horsepower diesel engine, twinned with an 82-horsepower electric motor.

A key difference between the VW approach and typical hybrids is that instead of the battery providing supplemental power to the combustion engine, the Twin-Drive will work the other way around. According to Winterkorn, “here the diesel or gasoline engine supplements the e-motor.”

The car will use lithium-ion batteries and have a range of 31 miles on purely electric power. Over the last few months, Volkswagen has invested heavily in li-ion battery technology. In addition to teaming up with Sanyo in a $769 million dollar development project, the company has also formed the Lithium-Ion Battery 2015 Alliance (LIB2015) with Bosch, BASF, Evonik and others, backed up by a €60 million investment from the German government.

Volkwagen says it will have a test-fleet of twenty Twin-Drive Golf’s on the road in 2010, but there is still no news on plans to ramp-up commercial production. Given the level of investment being ploughed into the technology, I have a hunch that such an announcement won’t be too long in coming.

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Image credits - Volkswagen

2009 VW Jetta Mileage Revised to 38/44 MPG. Price? $21,990

Clayton B. Cornell — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:14:52 +0000

2009 Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Sedan

VW announced the pricing of the 2009 Jetta and SportWagen yesterday, along with a new fuel economy certification from the third-party certifier AMCI. It seems that VW wasn’t particularly impressed with the EPA’s 29 mpg city / 40 mpg hwy estimation, and wanted a second opinion.

There has been some general confusion circulating about fuel economy estimates for the new Jetta (which will be available in August) ever since VW’s Director of Powertrain Development announced the car could get up to 60 mpg.

With the right driving style, I’m sure it could, but AMCI came up with what seems like a more reasonable estimate of fuel economy under “real world driving conditions:” 38 mpg city and 44 mpg hwy.

I can tell you after driving the new Jetta last week that it has more power than any car I’ve driven that even approaches a 30 mpg city rating. If you can afford the $21,990 sticker price you might give this car some serious consideration.

Amendment: While it probably won’t assuage all concerns over VW reliability, this is certainly a perk:

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

VW Debuts Tiguan HyMotion Fuel-Cell Vehicle and 2009 Clean Diesel Jetta

Clayton B. Cornell — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:18:31 +0000

Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept Car

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend a VW press event showing off the new hydrogen fuel cell powered Tiguan. The vehicle (above) is one of only two concept prototypes in the world, and this one was flown in from Germany for its US debut.

The event was originally intended to be a test-drive of the HyMotion Tiguan, but the vehicle was having “electrical problems” that kept it out for display only. A VW spokesperson assured us that it had nothing to do with the fuel cell, but whatever the problem was they didn’t want it to happen to us in mid-day San Francisco traffic.

But it was a good opportunity to get under the hood of a fuel cell powered vehicle. The Tiguan HyMotion has an onboard carbon-fiber tank capable of storing 3.2 kg of compressed hydrogen, which gives it a range of about 160 miles. It has a lithium-ion battery that serves as auxiliary energy storage and is re-powered by braking energy or the fuel cell. (In case you aren’t familiar with fuel cells, they can power an electric drivetrain by using electricity generated from splitting hydrogen molecules. More on how fuel cells work.)

Where does the hydrogen come from? Well, noone really knows yet. Unlike GM, who backed a new hydrogen refueling station near LA the other day, VW does not have any plans to invest in infrastructure. The Tiguan HyMotion is just a prototype that allows them to play around with the technology, and they said it was at least 7 years away from any kind of commercial production.

On the other hand, VW did let us test drive the new 2009 2.0L Jetta “clean” TDI Sedan (which will be released in the US in August) and the gas-powered 2.0L Tiguan TSI. I took the wheel of the Tiguan first, which felt like just about any other new car but was noticeably sluggish in responding to the gas pedal. I wasn’t particularly impressed by its 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway rating either.

But the Jetta sedan was worth waiting around for. Having zero experience with newer diesels (I own a 1987 Toyota Truck, which is a heartless 2L diesel), I was surprised to find out just about everything they’ve been saying is true: the new diesels are so quiet you can hardly tell it’s a diesel, except at idle, and it handles like any other comparable sedan on the road.

It also has power. Close your ears/eyes VW, but during the downtown SF test drive I was somehow able to hit a clear straightaway onto a freeway onramp that left my passenger and I deeply imprinted in our seats. If you’re worried about acceleration and horsepower in these new diesels, well, don’t be.

It’s been several years since VW introduced a new model diesel in the US, due to the implementation of strict new emissions standards. I’ve written before (see Clean Diesel Cars Coming to US This Fall: 2008-2010 Timeline) about how the new clean diesel Jetta has cleaner emissions than your average car. My only gripe is that the EPA mileage estimate is listed as 29 mpg city / 40 mpg highway. Older Jetta’s seem relatively well-known for getting up to 55 mpg, and I’m not sure if the difference has to do with the new emissions technology or changes in horsepower.

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Clean Diesel Cars Coming to US This Fall: 2008-2010 Timeline

Clayton B. Cornell — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:32:01 +0000

New diesels will get better mileage and have cleaner emissions than your average car. Pictured above: 2009 Jetta SportWagen 2L TDI Clean Diesel.

Later this year (see the timeline below), we will finally begin to see an influx of new model diesels in the United States. While diesels make up 50% of the market share of vehicles in Europe, they’re still trying to shrug off the stigma of being dirty, noisy beasts here in the US. So what changed?

What are “clean” diesels?

In 2006, the EPA required the introduction of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which removed a major polluting component of diesel fuel. Since sulfur would damage advanced emissions control systems, ULSD paved the way for better emissions control technology.

As early as August, we will start to see a new era of diesels that employ new technology to meet the strictest emissions standards in the world—BIN5/LEV II—which are enforced by 5 US states: California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont. BIN5/LEV II standards severely cap nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (0.05 g/mile), one of the two tailpipe pollutants that have given diesels a bad rap (that and particulate matter).

Newer filters in these emissions systems trap particulate matter, while each model uses its own method to process NOx. Several models, including those from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, will require the maintenance of a six- to eight-gallon tank of urea. The ammonia-rich solution (for example: Mercedes BlueTEC) is injected into exhaust to neutralize smog-forming nitrogen oxides. Since the urea tanks only require replenishing every 12,000 miles or so, inconvenience seems minimal, and some models, like Honda and VW diesels, meet emissions requirements without them.

While you might expect most of these diesels to get exceptional mileage, some of them do surprisingly poor. For example, the Mercedes and Audi models only get around 18/25 MPG (making this a good reason to continue to avoid SUVs). I know that the new emissions technology is supposed to negatively affect mileage, but 25 MPG is unimpressive, considering that VW’s Jetta BlueTDI got a road tested 60 MPG.

While the high price of diesel fuel is eating into some of the economic advantage of buying a new diesel vehicle, the difference is offset by mileage gains of 25 to 40% over comparable gas models. You might not see too much difference in sticker prices, either. Some models could cost $1,500 to $3,500 more for this new emissions control technology, but VW says its Jetta SportWagens could cost $2,000 less. Also be on the lookout for Federal tax credits that could be as large as $3,400 per vehicle.

When can we expect to see clean diesels in the US? Here’s the timeline:

1. Volkswagen

When: August 2008
Models: 2009 Jetta BlueTDI sedans and SportWagens
Engine: 2-liter turbodiesel in-line 4
Est. Mileage: 29/40 m.p.g. Sedan road tested at 60 MPG.
Est. Base Price: $22,000 to $25,000

2. Mercedes

When: November 2008
Models: Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec, other GL-, ML- and R-Class sport crossover utilities (and someday: Vision GLK BlueTec diesel hybrid).
Engine: 3-liter turbodiesel V-6
EPA Mileage: 18/24 m.p.g.
Est. Base Price: $46,000

3. BMW

When: Fall 2008
Models: 335d sedan and X5 35d sport wagon
Engine: variable twin-turbo 6-cylinder
Est. Mileage: ?
Est. Base Price: ?

4. Audi

When: January 2009
Models: Q7 3.0 TDI utility wagon
Engine: 3-liter turbodiesel V-6
Est. Mileage: 18/25 m.p.g.
Est. Base Price: $53,000

5. Honda (yes it’s true)

When: 2009
Models: Acura TSX sedan, other models could follow
Engine: 2.2-liter i-DTEC
Est. Mileage: 34/53 MPG
Est. Base Price: ?

6. Jeep

When: 2009
Models: Jeep Grand Cherokee

7. General Motors/Ford/Dodge

When: 2009 or 2010
Models: Light-duty pickup trucks

8. Nissan

When: 2010
Models: Maxima sedan

9. Subaru

When: 2010
Models: Legacy sedan or Outback wagon
Engine: 2-liter turbodiesel flat 4
Est. Mileage: 33/47 m.p.g. (Outback)
Est. Base Price: $28,000 (Outback)

Header Photo Credit: VW

For more, see: Diesel Engines Clean Up for an Encore (New York Times)

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Sorry Folks, VW Diesel Electric Hybrid Not Coming to US

Clayton B. Cornell — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:00:47 +0000

Diesel Hybrid Electric Golf Doesn’t Make it out of the Showroom

It looks like VW won’t be sending a diesel hybrid to the US after all. VW announced the 70 MPG diesel-hybrid electric Golf at the Geneva Motor Show, but turned around in the March 27 edition of Auto, Motor und Sport to say they wouldn’t be building the car because it would be “too expensive.”

I’m not sure how this story slipped under the radar (except that the magazine is written in German), but the VW hybrid Golf’s demise is unfortunate. Pairing a clean diesel engine with hybrid system seems like the best of both worlds (especially for biodiesel users), but we might just have to rely on Mercedes and their diesel-hybrid SUV for now.

For more on what the car would have been, see A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid.

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2009 Jetta BlueTDI Comes to US This Summer, Sports 60 MPG and Cleaner Emissions

Clayton B. Cornell — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:20:44 +0000

VW’s Jetta BlueTDI: 60 MPG, 90% Emissions Reduction for NOx

VW’s ultra-low emission Jetta BlueTDI will be coming to the US mid-summer, according to an announcement made late last month at the Vienna Motor Symposium.

This newer version of the Jetta will meet the strictest emissions standards in the world—BIN5/LEV2—which are enforced by 5 US states: California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont. BIN5/LEV2 standards severely cap nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (0.05 g/mile), one of the two tailpipe pollutants that have given diesels a bad rap (that and particulate matter).

As it happens, Bin5/LEV2 standards are tougher than their European counterpart, the Euro-5, and VW had to custom modify the Jetta BlueTDI for the North American market. NOx reductions were met with internal engine modifications—some of which are “unique worldwide”—and a maintenance-free NOx exhaust trap. Altogether, this system reduces NOx emissions by 90%.

Combining clean emissions with a road-tested fuel economy of up to 60 MPG highway could make this a winner in the US. Dr. Ing. Jens Hadler, Director of Volkswagen Powertrain Development commented:

[H]igh fuel prices and a dramatic change in environmental consciousness means that diesel is becoming more and more attractive for American drivers every day. This is why many customers, especially in California, have been waiting for a super-clean diesel like our BlueTDI. I think this motor will help the diesel get its big break in America because it consumes so little and yet can go such long distances on a single fill-up. And in a country as big as the United States, this is a priceless advantage. On the highway, for example, this engine can reach up to 60 miles per gallon. This is an improvement of 12 percent over its predecessor, which had a lower capacity and higher emissions.

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Photo Credit: VW

VW Confirms 1L Concept Will Become Reality in 2010

Benjamin Jones — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:21:02 +0000

Image source: Wikipedia

There’s been talk about the VW 1L concept for years. Since VW built the original, fuel economy, safety, price, and release date has been speculated upon and argued about, and I’d finally stopped thinking it was ever going to happen. However, according to VW’s CEO, it should hit the market in 2010.

The VW 1L is so named because, in theory, it only consumes one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers traveled. For those of us in the US, this translates into about 235 MPG. Definitely far and above anything on the market currently. The concept, developed in 2002, actually got better fuel economy, scoring a sweet .89L/100km in VW testing. It’s likely to use more fuel in real world use, but with that kind of mileage in testing it’s unlikely that anyone would complain about an “unsatisfactory 200 MPG.”

The thing is, that kinda of fuel economy comes at the price of riding in an extremely small two seater, with the two seats being one in front of the other, a la jet plane, rather than a standard side by side. The 1L also looks frighteningly close to the ground, which is part of how it pulls off a drag coefficient of .159, much better than any current production vehicle. While the final design isn’t done, VW will probably power the car with a 1 cyclinder diesel engine of displacement lower the .5 L, meaning the car’s speed will top out at 120 km/h.

The other obvious issue is the one I’m sure you’re all wondering about too. How safe is this thing? While I’m not usually one to complain about small cars, the 1L is extremely light and low to the ground. If it were released in the US I could easily see it being run over by any old F150 or Hummer. Nothing is out right now about safety, but as the production date nears, I’m sure VW will be doing lots of testing to reassure the public.

2010 isn’t that far off, in fact, it’s about the same time the Volt is supposed to be hitting the streets, so you’ll likely hear a lot more good and bad about this car in the coming months.

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Source: Motorauthority

The World’s Most Fuel Efficient Car: 285 MPG, Not A Hybrid

Clayton B. Cornell — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:17:45 +0000

This is what a team of engineers can do when challenged to push the limits of fuel efficiency and technology. You may have already heard of VW’s 1-liter car, but take a closer look. It’s a sports-economy concept car produced a few years ago by VW engineers, to answer one big question: could they build a car that consumes less than 3 liters of fuel for every 100 km traveled?

It turns out they could, but they didn’t stop there. Instead, VW blew by that goal to create a car that uses only 1 liter of fuel for every 100 km. That’s 285 MPG.

To accomplish such a feat, VW’s engineers had to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch. They knew that fuel efficiency depends on aerodynamics and weight, so they created a bullet-shaped, ultra-lightweight (640 lbs) carbon-fiber car powered by a new, completely redesigned diesel engine. To save more weight, they didn’t even paint it:

Proper aerodynamics were key to the low fuel consumption. VW engineers knew they needed a small frontal area. This led to its unusually narrow, bullet-shaped body where the passenger sits behind the driver. As well, the car features an aircraft-like canopy, enclosed rear wheels, special flat carbon-fibre front wheel covers, and an aerodynamic underpan. Even the side cooling air inlets only open when the engine needs cooling, and otherwise stay closed. . .the 1-Litre-Car has an amazingly low coefficient of drag of 0.16 (a typical car has a drag coefficient of approximately 0.30 ).

Everything in the car was made out of lightweight carbon-fiber or magnesium, gears were hollowed, and bolts were made from titanium. Like the electric Aptera Typ1 that I wrote about earlier, the VW 1L was designed without side mirrors (too much drag), instead relying on internal video screens to guide the driver. And also like the Aptera, safety was of particular concern:

Despite its small size and light weight, Volkswagen says the 1-Litre-Car is as safe as a GT sports car registered for racing. With the aid of computer crash simulations, the car was designed with built-in crash tubes, pressure sensors for airbag control, and front crumple zones. Its aluminum fuel tank is located in a protected area behind the passengers. As well, the 1-Litre-Car includes ABS and ESP (electronic stability program).

The existence of the VW 1-Liter car suggests the possibility of drastically reducing our vehicle fuel consumption without any major advances in technology. You probably won’t ever see the VW 1-Liter on the road, but don’t think something like this will never come to the market. You’ll see Aptera’s electric and plug-in hybrids within the next year, and they look like spaceships too.

Addendum: VW’s 1L car will be released in 2010!

The Car That Will Kill The Toyota Prius

Clayton B. Cornell — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:20:08 +0000

Yes my friends, this could be the one: VW will release a new Golf Diesel Hybrid that gets 69.9 MPG and can run on biodiesel.

See the story at Gas 2.0: A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid.

A Biodiesel Prius? VW To Release 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid (We Thought)

Clayton B. Cornell — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:36:25 +0000

Update: VW announced this car will not be built because it was deemed “too expensive.” Sorry Folks, VW Diesel Electric Hybrid Not Coming to US.

Toyota may lose its high-mileage stranglehold on the U.S. auto industry, thanks to Volkswagen’s new Golf hybrid-electric diesel. At 69.9 MPG, the new model is a serious contender for high-mileage biodiesel usage with a ridiculously low-emissions profile, especially since it will meet the strictest emissions standards in the world: Europe’s Euro V and America’s Tier II Bin 5.

This makes it likely to be released in California, since the major impediment to U.S. diesel vehicle sales has been emissions technology. But VW doesn’t plan on releasing the vehicle in until Europe late next year, which means we’d optimistically see a U.S. version sometime in 2010.

Now, I don’t know if VW has been keeping track of its competitors, but 2010 could be the year for green auto manufacturing, and the Golf may face some serious competition. 2010 is the year slated for the Chevy Volt’s release (along with a plug-in from Toyota). It may all depend on sticker price, since plug-in hybrids will get unbeatable mileage within the city limits (40-50 miles on pure electricity).

The Golf should have all electric capability at slow speeds, regenerative breaking, and a 7-speed transmission.

VW will release the Golf at the Geneva Motor Show, and they may be considering other hybrid models in the future. Check out the only other diesel-hybrid I’ve heard of: Mercedes 40-MPG Diesel Hybrid: Cleanest SUV on the Planet.

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Autopia (Feb. 28, 2008): Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid

Autopia (Mar. 3, 2008): Revealed: Volkswagen’s 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid

Photo Credit: Volkswagon

To Consume, or Not to Consume?

Paul Smith — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:58:51 +0000

Unless you’re hidden deep in a cave in Afghanistan, you’re probably aware just how popular and prevalent green businesses are, as well as the greening of existing ones. And in many ways, this is to be applauded. Companies seem to be falling over themselves to find ways to be more efficient, as in the VW Polo Bluemotion car, a Prius beater without the hybrid geewhizery. And then there’s Walmart, which seems to have turned over a green leaf in convincing ways, albeit with plenty of room to improve.

However, the question seems to be, is it possible to consume our way to a greener planet? Is buying more things the solution to the current and impending resource shortages? The newly released Smart Seed, an engineered grass seed that purports to require less watering, via much more efficient root systems, would seem to be of this camp. Yet is the answer a greener lawn, or to not have a lawn at all? Will it take drastic change in the way we (we being the developed world, and those emulating us) go about living our lives? Doing business? Raising our families?

Or is there a middle ground between gluttony and martyr-like abstaining from participation in modern consumer culture in order to “save the planet?”

Car sharing services are one example I see of this middle ground. By reducing the number of individuals owning one car each, and the constellation of resources needed to support them, you are doing your part to decrease your personal impact. You’re also freeing up your money to be used in other ways, increasing the quality of your life.

And at the same time, with increased competition between car sharing services in many areas, you will get closer to the instant gratification of being able to get in a car whenever you need, on a moment’s notice. Additionally, as the vehicle you drive is an asset to the company, it’s in their interest to keep it optimally tuned, extracting maximum value from it, and in the process, making in a consistently cleaner running vehicle.

I could go on, but I’d rather hear your opinions on this matter. What is the way or ways you see us, on a personal level, making an impact on the health of the planet and ourselves? Can we shop our way to a better future, or does the whole system need scrapping and retooling?

How to Get 76 MPG

Clayton B. Cornell — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:57:51 +0000

We don’t need new technology to save us, just a little ingenuity.

After a few minor tweaks, Ernie Rogers can get up to 76 mpg in his 2003 VW diesel Beetle:

He drove 1375 miles…[on] just 18 gallons of fuel– 1200 miles of which was accomplished on just one tankfull (15.5 gallons). His trip fuel economy was 76 miles per gallon. Rogers’ car included several small refinements that added up to the exceptional mileage: a drag reducing device he designed and built himself (pictures [here]), lower-rolling-resistance tires, low-friction engine oil, and use of a B5 biodiesel blend fuel to increase efficiency and improve emissions.

That’s right, it’s a non-hybrid that puts the Prius to shame. Granted, this test was at 55 mph, but the VW still gets between 57-65 mpg at normal freeway speeds.

What’s Ernie’s great innovation? His VW might not win a beauty pageant, but it gets the job done, and it’s based on a simple concept: reducing drag.

As explained on Ernie’s website, automobile drag occurs mostly at the rear, where the course of smooth-flowing air is disrupted. Think about an airplane wing, which reduces air resistance by by guiding it along the wing’s surface to a thin edge. Although the VW beetle might seem somewhat aerodynamic to the untrained eye, drag is produced as air follows the curve of the frame. To solve this problem and create smoother air flow, Ernie installed a homemade spoiler, improving fuel economy by 5-8%.

Add low-resistance tires, low-friction engine oil, and a lubricious fuel additive (biodiesel), and you’ve got major increases in gas mileage.

If a back-yard mechanic can do this, imagine what auto-manufacturing’s best and brightest (backed by $$$) could do.

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For more information, see the links:

Drive55.org: VW Beetle wins fuel economy prize: 76 mpg
Max MPG: Aerodynamic Modifications for Maximum Mileage

Photo Credit