The foundation of the TS030 Le Mans Hybrid is a carbon-fiber body intended for competitive racing. Toyota worked with Nisshinbo to incorporate sufficient power storage with a V8 gas engine and electric motors. The THS-R drive uses a front-axle motor by Aisin AW and rear-axle motor by Denso calibrated within the limitations set by event organizers. The TS030’s batteries collect energy from the brakes for limited periods of all-electric operation. Engineers at Toyota Motorsports worked with event organizers to stay within hybrid vehicle rules including a 50kJ upper limit collected from the brakes.

Toyota’s racing team first ran the TS030 Le Mans Hybrid on January 11-13 at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. Team drivers Hiroaki Ishiura, Nicolas Lapierre and Alex Wurz tested the TS030 on the track in various conditions including nighttime driving. Toyota Motorsports noted that the TS030 Le Mans Hybrid withstood high speeds over hundreds of miles during the three-day test. This initial round of testing allows Toyota to generate buzz while determining performance levels in realistic conditions. The early word is that the TS030 could hold up against predecessor models like the TS010 and the TS020.

The history of Toyota’s participation at the FIA World Endurance Championship could be defined more by the TS030 than previous victories and front-row positions. Toyota Motorsports has finished nine times in the top six with three runner-up finishes. The TS030 Le Mans Hybrid might vault past the 36 preceding models that have brought Toyota to the forefront of this annual race. Toyota hopes that the hybrid approach used in passenger vehicles translates to the race track. The Toyota Motorsports team stands in position to revolutionize auto racing if the TS030 performs well against traditional models.

Generation Y consumers purchased 25% of automobiles in the U.S. in 2011 and could purchase up to 40% of automobiles in the next decade. A general preference (59%) among Generation Y drivers for green vehicles includes an overwhelming desire for hybrid vehicles. Deloitte determined that 57% of these consumers prefer hybrids, 37% traditional vehicles and 2% all-electric vehicles. This conclusion shows that Generation Y wants to keep one foot in the traditional auto market while venturing a bit into the future. Giffi stated that 49% of Generation Y drivers would pay $300 for each mile-per-gallon gain in an automobile. This increment aligns closely with $350 mile-per-gallon gain that currently exists in the hybrid vehicle market.

Deloitte found Generation Y respondents willing to pay premium prices for connectivity options rather than all-electric drive systems. The typical participant stated a willingness to spend more than $3,000 for connectivity equipment offered by automakers. This desire for connectivity starts with touch screen interfaces desired by 73% of respondents. Generation Y drivers could use these interfaces to access maps, directions, vehicle performance statistics and entertainment. Automakers could benefit from software updates and aftermarket purchases with 77% of respondents willing to spend money to upgrade basic interfaces.

The report issued at the Shifting Gears conference in Detroit affirms existing progress made by automakers. American, Japanese and European automakers have focused on hybrid vehicles as gateway models until electric and hydrogen vehicles are available. These models are also designed to balance traditional views of transportation with the desire to push the technological envelope. Generation Y plays exactly into this balance, which means that hybrid vehicles should persist for the next two decades while alt-fuel vehicle development is stunted. The tendency toward hybrids improves on the previous generation’s fuel consumption and emissions but holds back demand for plug-ins and alt-fuel models.

Akerson appeared before the House Oversight Government Reform Committee on January 25th to testify about GM’s response to failed NHTSA tests by the Volt. A trio of Volt batteries started on fire following June 2011 crash tests. The NHTSA did not open their investigation into the matter until November 2011. This committee issued a report that questioned the relationship between the Obama administration and GM given the federal government’s 26% stake in the automaker. Akerson responded by noting that the NHTSA tests for the Volts in question did not reflect realistic driving conditions. He also stated that Volt researchers and drivers have traveled more than 25 million miles in real-world conditions without incident.

Another phase of Akerson’s efforts to boost the Volt is a media blitz that heads off criticism by traditionalists and small-government advocates. GM published a letter from Mr. Akerson in newspapers throughout the United States including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. This letter indicated that the Chevy Volt is not only safe but represents an economic boost to Detroit that makes America competitive in the auto industry. The automaker also plans a series of commercials to change the narrative created by the House investigation.

GM’s efforts to protect its signature hybrid collide with an immovable partisan force during a highly contentious election season. The House Oversight Government Reform Committee called their January 25th hearing “Volt Vehicle Fire: What Did NHSA Know and When Did They Know It?” This title alone shows the bile heaped on GM and advancements in vehicle technology by House Republicans. Mr. Akerson and GM have become a symbol for government excess as well as hyped-up technology by conservatives. Americans must look beyond these simplistic conclusions and see that the Chevy Volt has performed well on the road in the past year. An ignorance of the Volt’s on-the-road record would snuff out homegrown green vehicles that can create jobs, reduce emissions and wean America off fossil fuels.

The Plug-in Car Grant currently offers discounts on 10 vehicle models including the Nissan LEAF, Tata Vista and Citroen CZero. The Department for Transport notes that 1,052 qualifying vehicles were purchased in the United Kingdom though only 892 grant applications had been approved. This disparity comes from the delay between a manufacturer’s application for reimbursement and government approval.  The first round of qualifying vans should be approved by the end of January after a month-long application process. The addition of vans to the Plug-in Car Grant should help families, small businesses and government agencies save significantly on their green vehicle investments.

Manufacturers of plug-in vans must meet rigorous criteria for their models to qualify for the Plug-in Car Grant. Current standards require qualifying vehicles to travel up to 70 miles per charge with a top speed of 60 miles per hour. The Department for Transport requires manufacturers to provide at least a 60,000-mile warranty as well as a five-year battery warranty to protect consumers. Qualifying vans must also meet British and international vehicle safety standards including whole-vehicle crash tests. These criteria not only save consumers from lemons but protect the government’s substantial investment in this market.

The British government has invested $614 million in advancing low-emissions vehicles throughout the country. This investment includes $460 million for incentives like the Plug-in Car Grant, $123 million on advanced vehicle research and development and $46 million for EV charger installation. The Department for Transport notes that the United Kingdom features more than 2,500 plug-in stations including 765 funded during the recent Plugged-in Places project. These stations should be joined by 4,000 charging stations purchased by businesses through the end of this year. The Plug-in Car Grant is a worthwhile program that could become unique as European, American and Asian governments begin to cut back on national budgets.

The Acura ILX Concept is the opening salvo for the entire ILX lineup slated for production by the end of the upcoming spring. This lineup ranges from a 2.0-liter entry model and a high-powered 2.4-liter version to a gas-electric hybrid that is unique to the brand. Acura announced that ILX models will be produced in Greensburg, Indiana with help from Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. The ILX Concept allows Acura to test the waters of a hybrid car while reaching out to young professionals and brand loyalists.

The cornerstone of the NSX Concept is the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The NSX Concept features a two-motor drive system as well as a VTEC V6 engine that provide sufficient power for traditional consumers. Acura couples the powerful engine with a continuously variable transmission and electric motor that extend vehicle range. This hybrid drive system ensures smooth turns no matter the weather with precise torque control on the front wheels.

Acura’s announcements about the 2013 RDX SUV and the production version of the NSX show an automaker at the crossroads. The 2013 RDX SUV has an estimated fuel economy rating of 20 MPG city and 28 MPG highway, which is slightly better than the current slate of SUVs. This minor advancement in fuel economy shows that Acura is still catering to traditionalists rather than eco-conscious consumers. The upcoming NSX sedan offers a glimpse of hope for Acura as a forward-thinking brand. The NSX will use the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD by 2015 with production slated for an Ohio facility owned by parent company Honda. The future of Acura depends largely on whether the automaker follows the traditional path of the RDX SUV or the fuel-efficient path of the ILX and NSX Concepts.

The Accord Coupe Concept uses a two-motor hybrid system cycling automatically through three modes. The hybrid drive system uses a 2.4-liter direct injection engine, 6 kWh lithium-ion battery and 120kW electric motor to boost range. Honda cites an all-electric mode where the Accord Coupe Concept travels up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 miles per hour. Drivers can recharge their batteries in less than for hours with 120-volt outlets and 90 minutes with 240-volt outlets. The gasoline-electric mode balances engine and battery power to meet the needs of commuters. The Accord Coupe Concept and the 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid feature a direct-drive mode that boosts the RPMs significantly.

Safety features like the Lane Departure Warning and Forward Crash Warning ease the minds of potential Accord Coupe owners. These components are located within the windshield base to anticipate the causes of common traffic accidents. The LaneWatch dashboard display uses a camera within the passenger mirror to keep drivers informed of potential obstacles. Standard safety features on the Accord Coupe and Accord Plug-in Hybrid include a rearview camera as well as a broader rearview mirror.

Honda’s presentation at the 2012 NAIAS skewed toward shoring support from loyal consumers rather than wowing the automotive press. The Accord Coupe Concept doesn’t advance the Accord styling much from the 2008 remodel. Representatives from Honda focused attention on core concerns of families and couples interested in high safety standards as well as improved fuel economy. Honda allowed competitors to dazzle audiences with futuristic concepts and prototypes, which could have been the right strategy given current economic conditions. The Accord Coupe as well as the 2013 Accord Plug-in Hybrid hit the spot for consumers more interested than substance than flash.

The Jetta Hybrid combines components from the Touareg Hybrid SUV with advancements that increase fuel efficiency. The hybrid drive system features an 110kW diesel engine, a 20kW electric motor along with a seven-speed transmission. Volkswagen noted that the Jetta Hybrid can travel up to 43 miles per hour for a distance of 1.2 miles using only electric power. This all-electric mode leverages brake energy stored in the 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery. Performance metrics include a fuel economy rating of 45 miles per gallon and a 0-60 MPH time of less than nine seconds. These metrics should appease traditional Volkswagen fans while nudging the automaker further into the green vehicle market.

The E-Bugster uses an 85kW electric motor and a 28.3 kWh lithium-ion battery to achieve a range of 110 miles per charge. Volkswagen kept the Blue-e-Motion drive system under 80 kilograms to balance curb weight with fuel economy. This all-electric concept can hit 60 MPH from a dead stop in 10.9 seconds. Drivers can use 120-volt home outlets for standard charging and quick chargers for full recharges in about 35 minutes. The Combined Charging System developed with Audi, BMW, Daimler and Porsche allows a motorist to recharge at almost any station on the market today.

Volkswagen generated plenty of buzz in Detroit for the Jetta Hybrid and the E-Bugster. The Jetta Hybrid represents a short-term measure to attract Volkswagen enthusiasts concerned about rising fuel prices. This model maintains the popular styling of the traditional version while reducing fuel consumption significantly. Industry experts and casual observers alike were impressed by the E-Bugster’s potential as a rival to the Nissan LEAF. Volkswagen threw down the gauntlet to fellow automakers by focusing on smaller details like compatibility between plug-in units and charging stations.

Industry observers and consumers alike are optimistic about green vehicle technology based on this report. The report shows that 81% of respondents use high fuel economy as an important criterion in vehicle purchases. A significant portion (40%) of consumers was very interested in all-electric models that could travel up to 100 miles per charge with an equivalent price of $0.75 per gallon. Pike Research also concluded that 80% would be interested in fast chargers in their homes with an average stated price of $408.

The wide net cast by Pike Research found that respondents across all demographics were concerned with brand as well as upfront costs. Respondents selected Toyota (51%) and Ford (46%) as their desired brands when asked to consider potential EV purchases. These manufacturers do not offer plug-in vehicles in North America while Chevy (42%) and Nissan (33%) currently offer electrified models. Consumers balked at high prices for fast-charging units in their homes with 28% refusing to pay more than $500 for the technology. Pike Research also determined that 25% of respondents would not select from five theoretical models posited by callers.

Analysts used the Van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Meter to locate the retail price where consumers would be willing to purchase green vehicles. Pike Research determined that a traditional sedan priced at $20,000 could be priced up to $23,750 as a hybrid model without a significant dip in sales. The $3,750 premium demonstrates public awareness of the realities of the green vehicle market. This price differential does not reflect the realities of vehicle pricing for models like the Nissan LEAF. Automakers must accelerate R&D efforts to produce hybrids and EVs that are affordable, reliable and widely available in the United States. These efforts seem expensive given the current economic environment but dividends could be enormous within the next decade.

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept uses a drive system that produces a total output of 209kW. This system includes a 52kW electric motor and 12kWh lithium-ion battery. Volvo notes that the battery can be recharged from a 110-volt outlet in less than eight hours. This rate can be cut in half when a 220-volt outlet is available. American and Chinese consumers should be thrilled with a four-wheel drive that combines traditional power in the front wheels and electric power in the rear wheels. The Integrated Starter and Generator (ISG) replaces the starter motor and alternator while boosting acceleration power by 34kW.

Volvo included a three-mode drive system as they designed the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. The Pure Mode allows the XC60 to travel up to 35 miles per charge on all-electric power. This mode eliminates all emissions created by the vehicle while showing the future of Volvo’s VEA technology. Drivers interested in extended range and fuel economy opt for Hybrid mode. The XC60 achieves 50 miles per gallon with a total range of 600 miles during Hybrid mode. The Power mode boosts torque in the XC60, allowing the vehicle to reach 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in 5.8 seconds.

The VEA incorporated into Volvo’s next generation of vehicles attempts to achieve four goals. Designers sought to eliminate the number of unique components in the drive system, thus increasing efficiency while decreasing lifetime costs. Volvo also significantly reduced the overall weight of drive systems by incorporating composites and reducing parts. The VEA technology reduces fuel consumption up to 35% compared to current Volvo models on the market. This design template can be adapted easily for all-electric power thanks to simplified components and layout. The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept could be Volvo’s Trojan horse into the nascent American EV market.

Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot sit at the head of the class within the EEA report. Toyota Motor Europe has achieved the 2012 emissions goal based on 2010 vehicle sales. These vehicles also fall within one g/km on average of reaching the 2015 standard. Citroen and Peugeot have already hit 2012 standards with their latest models. Both automakers need only cut 5 g/km on average to reach the EU’s 2015 goal. A trio of smaller automakers has produced all-electric vehicles that slightly reduce the industry’s aggregate emissions. The European Commission established incentives for automakers that achieve these goals on time including emissions credits and tax incentives. The EEA lauds these automakers while noting that they are rare breeds in the European auto industry.

The EEA report concludes that a small number of automakers must cut their average emissions by at least 50% to meet 2015 standards. This estimate amounts to an average emissions reduction of 14 g/km for each model. These automakers include European branches of Asian automakers like Mazda, Nissan and Honda. Daimler and General Motors are joined by Romanian automaker Dacia in their failure to reduce emissions in a timely manner. The European Commission coupled incentives for successful automakers with penalties for manufacturers that cannot decrease their emissions. The EEA estimates that failure to comply with 2015 standards could lead to fines and penalties up to 10 billion Euros.

Industry observers can parse the report’s details to find optimistic notes regarding 2015 EU emissions standards. Automakers like Maruti Suzuki India have achieved average vehicle emissions of 104 g/km through lightweight frames and highly efficient engines. Fiat Group has achieved average vehicle emissions of 125 g/km, showing the potential for major automakers to drastically cut emissions. Economic circumstances have challenged the structure of the European Union but progress toward carbon cuts shows one of the virtues of regional cooperation.