During the Techno-Frontier 2011, Nobukazu’s team showcased their motor invention also with the electric car they also built.

According to Nobukazu’s statement, the university is currently building an electric vehicle that can run without the using rare Earth elements. He said that the electric car they’re building is as big as the 2nd gen Prius and runs on with a motor that is called the Switched Reluctance type The electric car has 50kW of output power of over95% efficiency.

The so-called Switched Reluctance makes use of the difference that exist in the magnetic fields to power the vehicle mechanically. Nobukazu’s team said that the electric car is resistant to heat and mechanical shocks as well. While that sounds might potential, the downside here is that it doesn’t have much torque power compared to the traditional electric vehicles. But hey, this one is definitely cheaper because it makes use of cheaper materials.

This is just the first unveiling. Further modifications and test runs have to be made to improve and asses this electric motor’s performance and practicality.

Recently, General Motors in tandem with The Gas Company plan to setup twenty four H2 stations around O’ahu thru 2015. This plan was first revealed last May as part of the hydrogen initiative in Hawaii. There are new partners pushing for the use of hydrogen including the US Department of Energy; DBEDT or Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Aloha Petroleum; US Marines; US Air Force; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; University of Hawaii; US Pacific Fleet; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; University of California Irvine; and County of Hawaii.

The move will help a lot in terms of energy and environmental concerns since Hawaii imports oil for its uses. The small size of the island means the planned number of hydrogen stations will be able to supply all the fuel cell cars of around 10,000 users. The small size of the island though makes it perfect for electric vehicles.

Although there is a big push for hydrogen dependent vehicles in the island, the EV supporters are not backing off. Coda and Better Place are still planning to market their electric cars in Hawaii. Before the end of this month, EV fans will host a car rally and they are hoping to get the support of President Obama who visits the island as part of the family’s winter vacation.

The first round of investments amounting to $12 million comes from Quercus Trust based in California and 21 Ventures LLC headquartered in New York. The funding allows ETVM to engage in multi-year R&D in partnership with some organizations and universities.

ETVM believes that the future of transportation will heavily rely on the development of electric vehicles which are highly efficient, environment friendly, and cost effective. The new generation of range extended EVs can be optimally developed using their lithium ion battery technology and the on board charger using the micro turbines.

The micro-turbine that will be used by ETVM will be using the principles of Rich, Quench, and Lean. The dual mode will allow excellent efficiency by operating at two points.

The micro-turbine will also have advanced designs in terms of its ducts, valves, heat exchangers, and sealings. These features will give the technology more freedom in terms of matching the micro-turbine with vehicle categories in need of different drive cycles.

The company also conducted a study which shows the cost effectiveness of using on board chargers in REEVs. The EVTM development team foresees their P1 prototype turbine by Q2 of 2010.

On the development of the battery, EVTM is in collaboration with the Bar Ilan University to produce a 4.7V LMNO or Lithium Manganese Nickel Oxide cathode. They are exploring the possibilities of coming up with an LMNO/Graphite for a 4.7V battery and a LMNO/LitiO for a cell with 3.2V.

Ford is working with Smith Electric Vehicles to make the US release of the electric car series possible by next year. In the UK, on the other hand, the Ford collaboration is with Tanfield.

Presently, the conventional Ford Transit Connect is built for small business entrepreneurs and owners. First released n Europe in 2003, Transit Connect is a front-wheel-drive commercial vehicle that has a spacious cargo. Ford recently powered up its engine to a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder gasoline. The vehicle also has an automatic four-speed transaxle.

Since its introduction six years ago, the Transit Connect has been sold to at least 600,000 costumers in 58 countries around the globe. It’s initial sticker price begins at $21,475.

What’s in the Battery-electric Transit Connect?

The battery-electric Transit Connect is pegged to set forth new generations of hybrid-electric and plug-in electric vehicles in 2010. The prices of the battery-electric Ford Transit Connect vehicles are projected to be more affordable with more developments in the coming four years.

A new small electric car by Ford will be introduced in 2011, while the hybrid vehicles and the plug in vehicles will be commercial available in North America in 2012 and 2013 respectively. This was announce in Ford’s electric vehicle plan last January.

The electric motor is more than 90% more energy efficient than the combustion engines used by vehicles today. The ordinary combustion engine car today outputs 25 to 30% of the energy from its fuel in the tank. The electric propulsion makes vehicles more efficient and friendlier to the environment.

In 2007, only 2.2% of the market comprised hybrid cars. The automotive sector forecasts a 15% coverage by 2015. Major car manufacturers are gearing towards the development of EVs and the market is responding well with these green cars.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. is a Tier 1 provider of propulsion systems, alternative fuel cars, energy storage, and equipment supplier.

Quantum has developed an EREV or extended range electric vehicle which makes use of a hybrid plug in system. The Q Drive allows operation of vehicles in pure electric mode. This translates to around 50 miles of coverage in 1 charging. In the US this covers most of the daily trips and may lead to lower emissions in the future.

The Q Drive will be first used in the Fisker Automotive’s Karma. Fisker is a company co-founded by Quantum with auto design genius Henrik Fisker aiming to produce premium American cars. The company is looking at 15000 units of Fisker Karma to be produced starting 2011.

The Fisker Karma has a peak output of 200 kW consistent through out the battery charge. It also combines the EV technology with photovoltaic cells installed on its roof.

This Lithium-Ion battery-powered Johnson Controls RE3 Concept will most likely never see the road as it’s a concept born to die as a concept — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a quick entry on Green Car Tips!

Why? Well, it’s pretty, it’s high-tech, and it’s zero-emission!