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More hybrid and battery electric powered cars are being built and the need for the batteries that power those automobiles is growing.

Lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel announced today it will invest $237 million in a new manufacturing plant near its Indianapolis headquarters in order to meet anticipated demand for advanced battery systems used in both automotive and stationary smart grid applications. Backed by a mix of private funds and public incentives, the new facilities will more than double EnerDel’s U.S. production capacity and create 1,400 new jobs.

Whether it is the desire to be environmentally responsible or just to save on gas more consumers are looking for alternative fuel vehicles.   In 2008 both Ford and Toyota underestimated the demand for hybrid vehicles and the battery shortage caused a bottleneck in production.  A  new battery supply company is certainly welcome and as the market recovers they will be poised to fulfill the demand that will take place.

Auto manufacturers are trying to win the battle of gasoline and driving vehicles by introducing alternative fuel vehicles. Chryslers unveiled a few electric cars and hope to sell one by 2010 to the general public.

Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles utilize just three primary components. These include an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.

The three vehicles introduced by Chrysler were the Chrysler EV, Jeep EV, and Dodge EV. The Chrysler EV is the electric automobile version of the Chrysler Town & Country; the Jeep EV is the electric version of the Jeep Wrangler, and the Dodge EV is a 4-passenger sports vehicle.

More information on Chrysler Electric Vehicles

Toyota hybrids are in high demand, but many consumers will have to wait because there is a short supply of its batteries. Toyota will be increasing its supply of batteries next year. The demand for hybrids really is no surprise when we look at the huge increase in gas prices. People are looking for relief where ever they can find it and having a hybrid is more fuel efficient that having a standard gasoline car.

The purchase price of a hybrid is usually thousands of dollars more than buying the non-hybrid gasoline version, but consumers are now considering how much they will save in the purchase of gasoline over the lifetime of the vehicle. As the cost of gasoline continues to rise, the savings in using a hybrid will continue to grow.

Toyota, seeing how many are frustrated with the price of gas, expects to see continual increase in its sale of hybrid vehicles. Over 1 million Toyota Prius vehicles have been sold since its release in 1997. Toyota hopes to be selling 1 million of its hybrids annually by 2010.

Source: Toyota.com and Toyota hybrid battery outpaced by demand

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid has been named the 2008 Green Car of the year by greencar.com. This is a huge accomplishment in the area of automobiles. We all know that SUV are huge consumers of gas. The less fuel that an automobile will use during it its’ lifetime is good for the environment and for the wallet.

According to the EPA’s 2008 estimated fuel economy ratings, Chevrolet’s achievement is even more apparent during city driving where a large percentage of SUVs spend their time every day. In this environment, the 6.0-liter two-mode hybrid Tahoe achieves 50 percent better fuel economy than a Tahoe powered by a standard 5.3-liter V-8. What’s equally eye-opening is that the Tahoe’s 21 mpg city fuel efficiency rating is the same as that of the city EPA rating for the four-cylinder Toyota Camry sedan.

 

Soure: prnewswire

Automakers are ramping up plans for more gas-electric vehicles, just as consumer interest appears to be waning. Demand for hybrids has fallen as fuel prices have eased off historic highs.

CNW Marketing Research says that a year ago about 30 percent of car shoppers considered buying a hybrid, and they were willing to pay a premium of nearly $2,500 more than they would have for a conventional vehicle.

This month, however, hybrid consideration is at 12 percent, and shoppers are willing to fork out only an additional $1,152.

Source:Clarion Ledger