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Delphi Automotive has equipped several test vehicles with its Wireless Charging System, a highly efficient wireless energy transfer system featuring technology developed by WiTricity Corporation. Delphi will display the technology here at this year's IAA International Motor Show. "This system represents a significant advancement in our research and development efforts to offer automotive manufacturers a practical wireless charging solution we believe is superior to others being proposed," said Randy Sumner, director, global hybrid vehicle development, Delphi Packard Electrical/Electronic Architecture. According to Sumner, engineers have installed the Delphi Wireless Charging System on multiple test vehicles, and have confirmed that system performance meets automotive market requirements. In addition to added convenience, a wireless charging system eliminates the need for a charging cord. Drivers can simply park their electric vehicle over a wireless energy source situated...

Volkswagen AG is presenting a car for the urban world of tomorrow at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA): NILS. The single-seat electric vehicle reflects a new, fascinating form of minimalist mobility. The concept car - with its progressive aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels - exhibits a high level of dynamic performance, yet travels with zero emissions and silently towards the future. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. Technically realistic and economically feasible. "NILS is a vehicle that anticipates the future. It looks as though someone has projected it back from the year 2030 to the world of today. This study melds sustainability, design and lifestyle in a new way. A high-tech vehicle from the Volkswagen company with an electric drive, but very realistically conceptualised," says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volk...

Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its first electric vehicle with Range Extender at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show in the guise of the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. The combination of electric drive and petrol engine ensures excellent suitability for both everyday use and long journeys. The energy accumulator takes the form of a lithium-ion battery from Deutsche Accumotive, which enables local emission-free driving up to a range of 100 kilometres. Thanks to the additional three-cylinder petrol engine, the Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS has a total range of up to 600 km. The concept vehicle presented at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show provides a foretaste of the series which is to go into production in 2014. The Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS adds an all-purpose battery-powered vehicle with Range Extender to Mercedes-Benz's range of electric vehicles. A new addition to Mercedes-Benz's portfolio of electric cars is the near-series Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS – a ...

With the A2 concept technology study, Audi is offering a peek at electric driving in the megacities of the future. The purely electric powered A2 concept is a classic space concept: a premium vehicle for metropolitan areas featuring generous amounts of space and composed road manners. The technology study is packed full with attractive, intelligent technologies. An innovative body technology – a further development of Audi's ultra-lightweight construction – limits its weight to just 1,150 kilograms (2,535.32 lb). Audi connect technologies provide an Internet connection; the steering and brakes are purely electric (by-wire) systems. Exterior design The Audi A2 concept demonstrates the complete skill set of the Audi designers in a compact space. It is just 3,804 millimeters (149.76 in) long, 1,693 millimeters (66.65 in) wide and 1,494 millimeters (58.82 in) high; even so, it makes it makes and elegant, powerful and sporty impression on the road. As is typical for Audi, its clean appe...

The Renault Twizy comes two forms: the Twizy 45, a 5 hp version with top speed limited at 45 kph for those who don't yet have their license or have lost their license; and the "regular" model with 17 hp for a top speed of 80 kph.

Opel today formally introduced the RAK e experimental vehicle – an all-new battery-powered electric vehicle that can travel 100 kilometers (61 miles) for one euro ($1.36), weighs a third of a modern small car and can reach 120 km/h (75 mph) in less than 13 seconds. "We want to develop electric vehicles that everyone can afford," said Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Opel CEO, at the world premiere in Frankfurt. "The RAK e experimental vehicle aims to deliver pricing that even younger customers can afford. The RAK e has cool looks and production-potential." Opel's RAK e electric tandem two-seater "is a very serious concept," says General Motors Europe boss Nick Reilly, adding that the company is investigating production feasibility and believes the car could go on sale for around $10,000. The lightweight concept of the RAK e is based on a steel space-frame structure beneath a skin of conventional synthetic material. This allows a high level of safety as well as ...

Rimac Automobili has unveiled the world's first electric supercar - the Concept_One. The Concept_One is a supercar with a new propulsion concept. With a curb weight of 1650 kg, and 1088 HP, the Concept_One can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 2.8 seconds and continue to accelerate to the limit of 305 km/h. 92kWh of energy in the Battery Modules delivers enough juice"for up to 600 km of range. Rimac Automobili developed a unique powertrain which is divided into four sub-systems, each consisting of one motor, inverter and reduction gearbox. Each of those systems drives one wheel, working completely independent one from the other. It's called All Wheel Torque Vectoring and it allows a new approach to vehicle dynamics. Mate Rimac, the CEO of Rimac Automobili says: "I believe that the electric motor is a much better machine compared to the ICE, in almost all aspects, especially for a sports car." The carbon-fibre body is designed by Adriano Mudri: „Exploring the la...

Audi is introducing a 1+1 urban concept technology study for urban and metropolitan areas. The electric-powered show car has four wheels, combines elements of a racecar, a roadster, a fun car and a city car, and weighs just 480 kilograms (1,058.22 lb). The cabin of the Audi urban concept offers slightly offset seating for two; the roof slides back for entry, and the canopy can remain open in good weather. Audi says the technology study is targeted toward people who are interested in technology and are enthusiastic about new approaches to mobility, independent of their age and status. In particular, it addresses an urban public whose lifestyle both reflects the car’s modern concept and the driving pleasure associated with it and is a good fit for a possible innovative leasing system. The outer skin of the show car is made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP); the occupant cell is a mix of CFRP monocoque and an aluminum structure. This ultra-lightweight construction is the foundatio...

A drag race between a Ferrari 360 Spider and a Volvo big rig sounds pretty one sided, but this isn't just any big rig. The "Mean Green" was built by Volvo and features a twin turbo 16 liter engine good for 1900hp as well as a 200hp electric motor. The company created the truck to be the world's fastest hybrid truck and from the looks of this video they are well on their way to claiming that title.

After the inaugural race at Eastern Creek the electric motorcycle teams are back for round two of the eFXC / TTXGP Australian electric motorcycle grand prix. This time the bikes were more evenly matched and the riders were only seconds apart. This nuts and bolts report shows the ingenuity and determination of the enthusiasts that make this event possible.

Croatian company, Rimac Automobile, will be unveiling an all-new 800kW electric supercar concept called the Rimac One Concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Rimac has released a video to build anticipation. Although the body and design of the Rimac One Concept is concealed under a cover, we know that the Rimac will use four separate liquid cooled permanent magnet electric motors each with it's own reduction gearbox and inverter. Overall output is said to be 800kW, or 1088 hp with 3800 Nm of instant torque. Other claimed figures include a 0-100km/h time of just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 305km/h. Rimac says it all weighs 1650kg and has a 92kWh battery giving a range of 600km on a single charge. If these details are accurate, it would make the Rimac one of the fastest electric cars ever made. We look forward to providing full details of the car upon its unveiling. The show starts on September 13. Rimac

A promotional video has now been released of the Daimler and BASF developed Smart Forvision EV concept vehicle that we reported earlier this week.

Jaguar have released details of a compact, rear-wheel drive, two-seater, hybrid ahead of a full launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday September 13. Powered by an supercharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 380 PS (280 kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque with a 70 kW and 235 Nm 'Push to Pass' electric Hybrid system. Top speed of 186 mph, 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds and 50-75 mph acceleration in 2.1 seconds with CO2 emissions of 165 g/km Under the clamshell bonnet is a next-generation supercharged V6 petrol engine producing 380 PS (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450 Nm) of torque. Already boasting a power output of 126 PS-per-litre, the performance of the C-X16 is further supplemented by a Formula 1-inspired hybrid boost system with a steering-wheel mounted button for on-demand acceleration. Integrated into the eight-speed gearbox is a motor generator which draws power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the seats for ideal 50:50 weight distribution. Charged through a brake energy rege...

Another TMG video giving a behind-the-scenes look at the Nürburgring Toyota EV lap record effort.

The final production version of the new Citroën DS5 will star at the Frankfurt motor show next month, and will usher in the HYbrid4 technology the French firm shares with sister marque Peugeot. The five-door hatchback is the third model in Citroën's 'premium' DS line, following on from the DS3 and the recently launched DS4. DS5 is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, providing enhanced performance and class leading environmental credentials. The advanced HYbrid4 system delivers 200bhp; four-wheel drive capability; emission-free electric power for the city; and an acceleration boost function for the open road - with total CO2 emissions of just 99g/km. The DS5 is Citroën’s first car to feature a full-hybrid drivetrain combining a two-litre HDi diesel engine with electric power. HYbrid4 technology offers 200bhp, four-wheel drive, electric power and will come with an automatic six-speed gearbox with optimised shift function and a stop/start syst...

German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Wednesday it has agreed with Sweden's Volvo Car Corp. on a strategic cooperation agreement on electric cars. The focus will be on the joint development of electrical-drive technology, power electronics and charging technology as well as the integration of those systems into Volvo C 30 Electric cars, Munich-based Siemens said in a statement. It added that the first vehicles will be on the test tracks at the end of this year. Beginning in late 2012, Volvo will be delivering a test series of up to 200 vehicles to Siemens, which will then be tested as part of an internal Siemens test fleet, the German company said. Volvo Car Corp. was last year acquired by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. from Ford Motor Co. For Siemens, the partnership is another step toward a greener image. Siemens touts itself as a pioneer in electric vehicles, and developed electric trams as early as the end of the 19th century. Cooperations between compani...

Old Top Gear from 1997 Quentin Willson roadtests the EV1 Electric This clip was extracted from the episode that was first broadcast on the 24th April 1997

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) has set a new lap record for an electric vehicle (EV) at the legendary 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. The TMG EV P001, with 100% electric powertrain and Jochen Krumbach at the wheel, set a new lap record of 7mins 47.794secs to beat the previous lap record, which stood at 9mins 1.338secs , by a very substantial margin. Using two electric motors, the TMG electric powertrain has a top speed of 260km/h which combined with 800Nm of torque to achieve impressive speeds on the extremely challenging Nordschleife track, which includes significant elevation changes and lengthy flat-out sections. TMG's target prior to the 29 August record run was to become the first electric vehicle break the eight-minute barrier and this was achieved comfortably on a day when the notoriously changeable Nürburgring weather stayed fine, although track temperatures were relatively low. Such performance shows TMG's electric powertrain is ideal to power any fut...

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world's leading motoring organisations. It is a non‐profit making association and brings together 228 national motoring and sporting organisations from 132 countries on five continents. Its member clubs represent millions of motorists and their families. In the context of an increasing environmental pressure on human activities, motorsport occupies a particular position of responsibility and has a long tradition of pioneering technological progress. The FIA holds a unique position to offer a perfect showcase for the development and the promotion of innovative solutions to ensure that mobility remains environmentally friendly. One of the federation's main objectives is to work on the creation of a new high profile championship, designed to be the flagship of the FIA's sustainable strategy: the FIA Formula E Championship ("Championship"). The FIA h...

Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time champ Jeff Gordon are both proud owners of Chevrolet Volts. They talk about what they like about their newest cars and how other people respond when they see them driving the extended-range electric vehicle.