http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=13635

Lithium Technology Corp. Powers Smart Diesel Plug-in Hybrid

Source: Lithium Technology Corp.
[Dec 07, 2006]

SYNOPSIS: The vehicle utilizes a hybrid power train based on a 1500cc, 3-cylinder turbo charged diesel engine coupled with two high-efficiency permanent-magnet electric motors.
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LTC subsidiary GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke (GAIA) developed the battery for the vehicle based on the smart forfour (manufactured by DaimlerChrysler), which has an output of 288 V, a capacity of 7.5 Ah (or about 2.2 kWh of energy) and a capability to deliver 25 kW of power. The battery can be charged by either the internal combustion engine (ICE) and by regenerative braking or by household mains (plug-in hybrid). The vehicle has a fuel economy of over 84 mpg and an all-electric range of 20 miles which compares very favorably to the range of HEVs currently on the market.

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http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=148126

Three things set Mr Ovshinsky apart from the hydrogen hypesters. First of all, he is no newcomer. He first outlined his vision for what he calls a "hydrogen loop" some five decades ago as an alternative to fossil fuels. (The loop goes from water to stored hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis, and from hydrogen back to water, generating electricity in the process, via a fuel cell.) Unlike others, he can hardly be accused of opportunistically seizing upon this obscure techno-fix for political reasons.

The second difference is that Mr Ovshinsky's green credentials are impeccable. He and his wife Iris, who died recently, founded ECD in 1960 with the explicitly stated goal of "using creative science to solve societal problems". Astonishingly, they had the foresight to predict--long before the oil shocks of the 1970s--that the world's addiction to oil would have unacceptable side effects, from resource wars to climate change. Spend time with Mr Ovshinsky and his employees, and it becomes plain that his social values permeate his organisation.

But what lifts Mr Ovshinsky into the league of genius inventors is something rather less common: success. He is the inventor of the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, which is used to power everything from portable electronics to hybrid cars; around 1 billion such batteries are sold every year. He has also made advances in information technology (he calls information "encoded energy") and holds critical patents relating to thin-film solar cells, rewriteable optical discs, a new form of non-volatile memory and flat-panel displays. These technologies are being commercialised through deals with Intel, Samsung, STMicroelectronics, General Electric, Chevron, United Solar Ovonic, and others.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6211076.stm

Electric car rechargers go live

What are thought to be the first street recharging points for electric cars in the UK have been unveiled in London.

The two points, supplied by Westminster City Council, are in Wellington Street and Southampton Street near Covent Garden in the West End.

They will join 48 free charging stations to be found in 13 of the council's car parks.