BMW’s MINI E Scheduled to Debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show in November will feature a number of hybrid and all-electric cars at early levels of development. BMW’s MINI E two-seater is ready for testing by a small number of customers as it gets ready for its debut in Los Angeles. The MINI E will be distributed to 500 corporate clients after assembly in BMW’s Munich and Oxford plants at the end of 2008. The time line for the pilot program starts in early 2009 with a lease program giving drivers the option to keep their vehicles for years.

The MINI E looks great on paper in terms of speed, range and battery capacity. BMW has limited the MINI E’s maximum speed at 95 miles per hour to extend battery range. The MINI E has a 35 kWh lithium ion battery that can last up to 150 miles on a full charge. This coupe also has a regenerative braking system that can extend battery range up to 20% in heavy city traffic. BMW’s all-electric vehicle will be able to recharge within three hours using standard household outlets.

European Automakers Increase Fuel Efficiency, Fail to Meet Proposed EU Emissions Standards

Transport and Environment (T&E) reported recently that European automakers like BMW have increased fuel efficiency but failed to meet the European Union’s carbon emissions standard for the 2008 model year. T&E noted that 2008 cars sold within the European Union used 1.7% less fuel than 2007 models. BMW was the leader in T&E’s fuel efficiency study by cutting fuel usage by 7.3% over last year’s models.



While this news is promising for European motorists concerned about fuel costs, T&E’s report is disconcerting for people concerned about emissions. The European Commission has been debating a fuel emissions standard of 130g/KM of carbon dioxide for every car by the year 2012. Auto industry lobbyists who feel that emission standards need to be added in gradually to avoid undue costs for manufacturers have criticized this proposal. T&E indicates that the European auto market has average emissions of 158g/KM and wants the proposed standard to be set at 120g/KM.

General Motors, BMW Looking to Convert Vehicle Exhaust into Energy

The Department of Energy laid down a challenge to motor companies to improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent by converting wasted heat and exhaust. General Motors, BMW and other motor companies are using their own resources as well as DOE funding to meet this goal. The Associated Press reported recently on advancements in thermoelectric devices that are capable of converting lost heat into electrical currents.



General Motors has already developed an attachment for exhaust pipes that will be tested on a Suburban SUV throughout 2009. GM’s researchers state that the device prototype may increase fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon in the Suburban with greater results in smaller models. BMW has collaborated with scientists at Ohio State University to create exhaust systems within the next three years that meet DOE goals. Both companies are using prototypes throughout the 2009 calendar year in hopes of getting thermoelectric devices on streets in the next five years.

Audi, Other German Manufacturers Promise Onslaught of Electric Cars

The head of Audi continues the trend among German automakers in recent months toward developing marketable electric cars. Rupert Stadler from Audi has said that the venerable German company will create electric cars in Europe by 2018. The rationale given by Stadler for Audi’s new commitment to electric-powered vehicles is the accelerated affordability of electrical components. Audi is following competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW toward the lucrative global market for zero-emission vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz dazzled hybrid car fans during the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show with a series of diesel-electric concept cars. The centerpiece of this collection was the Mercedes-Benz F700 that featured the innovative Diesolto engine. This engine impressed auto journalists and attendees with its rapid fuel injections, high compression ratio and turbo charging. These elements lead to improved fuel mileage during acceleration while the electric powertrain builds energy during deceleration. The F700 and other diesel-electric hybrids by Mercedes-Benz have been promised for the 2010 model year though the process could be accelerated to take advantage of anxious consumers.