Idaho energy lab tests plug-in hybrid cars in Seattle

Fill it up, plug it in, then drive. And drive. And drive.

That's the dream, anyway, of an Idaho National Laboratory program testing 13 Toyota Prius hybrid cars retrofitted with mileage-boosting batteries that can be plugged into a regular household electrical outlet when they're not in use to give them more oomph on the roads.

It's part of a yearlong, $156,000 U.S. Department of Energy demonstration project aimed at judging the performance of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in an urban area. Over the next 12 months, the converted cars owned by the city of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will drive the streets of Western Washington under the close scrutiny of INL researchers.

They'll be testing the car's performance, then sending that information to the Department of Energy as it tries to develop even more fuel efficient cars. So far, the cars' mileage per gallon has about doubled after being outfitted with lithium plug-in batteries, to 125 mpg in city driving conditions.

"We've done some testing where we've seen over 200 miles per gallon" under laboratory conditions, said Jim Francfort, who leads the INL's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity program. "Where you've got a lot of city driving, we're seeing 125 miles per gallon, plus."

Currently, there are 10 versions of hybrid cars available in North America, with versions from Toyota, Honda, Ford, Lexus, Mercury and Mazda. Hybrids generally use power from their gas-fueled engines or generated by braking to charge their batteries to propel them in rush-hour and city traffic; in higher-speed situations like highway driving, the engine kicks in.

That's why hybrids get better gas mileage in city driving than at high speeds.

Plug-in hybrids can get even better mileage, but they aren't cheap.

The Seattle agencies and the DOE are each paying half of the $12,000 cost to outfit each of their Toyotas with the new batteries, made by A123 Systems Research and Development Labs based in Watertown, Mass. Still, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said he hopes the demonstration project will expand the promise of plug-in hybrid technology, eventually helping reduce the cost.

"In King County, 52 percent of our greenhouse gas pollution comes from burning oil in our cars and trucks," Nickels said in an Oct. 29 statement. "For the sake of our economy, security and our climate, we need to use fewer cars and greener cars for getting around."

The Prius comes from the factory with a 1.3 kilowatt-hour battery pack. INL is testing vehicles that have been given 5 kwh to 10 kwh packs. Scientists hope to reduce the cost of a plug-in hybrid battery to just $3,000 per car.

Though the green aspects of the cars are nice, Francfort say it's these cold, hard economics that will likely drive whether plug-in hybrid technology becomes the standard accepted by America's driving masses. General Motors is developing a new car called the Volt - a plug-in hybrid the manufacturer says will be available in 2010.

"It's kind of a trade-off," he said. "What is it going to cost you, versus how much gas you can save?"

What You Need To Know About Alternative Fuel Sources

Using alternative fuel sources is not just a matter of environmental responsibility. It is not just about calming down the little voices screaming in your head. It makes good sense and a solid investment for the future. Although most of us are either ignorant or can’t care less, the fossil fuels which form the backbone of our world economy are dwindling quite rapidly, even as we go about our daily business in our cars. Just look at the rocketing oil prices reported all over the media and you’ll get a feel of how severe the problem actually is.

Once the big oil crash happens (like another major war in the Middle East or the OPEC just decides to sit on its oil reserved doing nothing) , it will be a huge crisis for those who are unprepared to use an alternative fuel source. There will be a run on biodiesel vehicles, and an even greater demand for electric vehicles, causing skyrocketing prices, and shortages.

Although few Americans use an alternative fuel source to commute, those who do are soon going to be at an advantage. If your alternative fuel source is your feet, whether through walking or bike riding, you are already at an advantage, paying nothing to move from one place to another and training your body at the same time. However, even if you can not get around solely on your feet, it makes sense to start planning your life around alternate fuel sources now, before it becomes too late.

In addition, many areas will probably not be adequately prepared to work with an alternative fuel source. There may be no where to even refill your biodiesel cars, and that will make things quite hard. People will have become so used to the convenience of their gas powered vehicles, that they will not be able to really get around this formidable-looking problem. But if you plan your life around an alternative fuel source, you will have no trouble adjusting.

The most fool-proof alternative fuel source is your own two feet, but since not all of us have athletic bodies or enjoy walking hours under the sun and snow, the real solution is public transport. If you live in an area where public transportation is already in place, and runs on electric vehicles, then congratulations. I bet that your local economy will suffer far less damage from the fuel crisis.

The public transit, driven by an alternative fuel source, will be able to pick up the extra passengers who have been forced to suddenly give up their cars, and there will be minimal inconvenience. If you have an electric vehicle, you will similarly be in a good position, as electricity will always be a good alternative fuel source. No matter how bad the fuel crises gets, the government will know better than letting the national power grid collapse. Therefore, electricity makes a lot of sense.

32 BMWs All Arriving This September

How many days are there in the month of September? 30.

How many new BMWs are coming and entering the market for September? 32.

So that would be like having one new BMW vehicle each day of the month and still having two new vehicles extra. This is actually according to an announcement from the company and it is going to be a milestone for the company’s market, sales, and history for the United Kingdom. So it would be important to remember that September for this year would be the month where the largest number of vehicle models would be introduced to the country.

Of the thirty two models which would be entering the European country of the United Kingdom, all of these would be sporting off the kind of design, appeal, and performance that all other previous BMW vehicles have – from the just the right kind of BMW performance parts to the engine type to the wheels to everything else in between.

The list of new BMW models includes the BMW 3 Series coupe and it would be going on sale in the UK come the 23rd of September. The company claims that the introduction of this vehicle to the market would also mark the very first time that a twin-turbo and petrol-powered engine would be used in a BMW vehicle.

Aside from the BMW 3 Series coupe, another new vehicle model entering the market is the BMW X3 and BMW says that this vehicle would be offering the market one of the latest innovations when it comes to technology used in engines. The vehicle’s overall look has also been freshened and improved.

Then, there also is the BMW M6 convertible. If you would remember, this vehicle took the spotlight for BMW’s entrants to the British International Motorshow. This one, when it goes on sale this month, would be offered for £86,400.

BMW would also be releasing new vehicle versions like the BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring editions. The auto manufacturer would also send out the BMW 7 Series SE Exclusive Editions.