January 13, 1999

News and Events

• Honda to Sell Hybrid Vehicles in the U.S. in 1999
• Ford Shows Hybrid and Fuel-Cell Prototypes
• GM to Develop Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses
• UPS to Test Hybrid Vehicles
• DOE Encourages Federal Agencies to Use Electric Vehicles
• DOE Awards Contracts for Advanced Vehicle Power Modules

Site News

• Office of Industrial Technology
• Energy Star Windows
• Leaking Electricity Home Page

Energy Facts and Tips

• Light Truck Sales Take the Lead over Passenger Cars
• World Oil Prices Expected to Rise from December Levels
• Gas Mileage Tip: Check Your Tire Pressure

About this Newsletter

News and Events

The 1999 North American International Auto Show, now being held in Detroit, sets the theme for this week's newsletter. Honda to Sell Hybrid Vehicles in the U.S. in 1999
Honda unveiled its V V hybrid prototype vehicle at the 1999 North American International Auto Show last week, announcing plans to introduce a production version of its gas-electric hybrid later this year. Honda is the first company to announce plans to sell a hybrid vehicle in the United States.

The Honda hybrid will achieve more than 70 mpg in combined city/highway driving and will meet California's Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle standards. It employs a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder, VTEC engine in combination with an electric motor/generator and a battery pack. It also features an aluminum frame and suspension, and plastic and aluminum body panels, for a total weight of less than 2000 pounds.

For more information, visit the Honda Web site.

Ford Shows Hybrid and Fuel-Cell Prototypes
American automakers also had plenty to talk about at the auto show. Ford debuted a sedan and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) powered by hydrogen fuel cells, and exhibited the key components of a hybrid electric power system.

The SUV fuel-cell vehicle uses methanol and converts it on board into hydrogen; the sedan uses hydrogen as its fuel source. The vehicles also feature lightweight aluminum bodies. All of the Ford vehicles were developed as part of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, a collaboration among DOE, Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler AG, the Canadian government and others.

For more information, see the PR Newswire site for the auto show. See also the Technologies section of DOE's Office of Transportation Technologies Web site.

GM to Develop Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses
General Motors (GM) is entering the hybrid vehicle fray with a diesel-electric hybrid bus, according to the Wall Street Journal. In its December 28th edition, the Journal reported that GM will test a hybrid bus in New York City this year and plans to begin producing more hybrid buses in the year 2000. The hybrid bus will use 40 percent less fuel than a conventional bus.

UPS to Test Hybrid Vehicles
The United Parcel Service (UPS) announced on December 28th that it would begin testing diesel-electric hybrid trucks in three cities early this year. Developed by Navistar International Corporation and Lockheed Martin Controls Systems, the hybrid system employs a diesel engine to turn a generator, providing electrical energy for 23 batteries and an electric drive motor. The drive motor propels the vehicle.

The vehicles also feature regenerative braking, which uses the motor as a brake, recapturing the vehicle's energy by converting it to electricity and storing it in the batteries for future use.

UPS will test the vehicles in Johnson City, NY; Atlanta, GA; and Los Angeles, CA. For further information, visit the UPS Pressroom.

DOE Encourages Federal Agencies to Use Electric Vehicles
DOE is taking an active role in putting electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. Through new contracts with five electric utilities, DOE is allowing federal fleets to try out EVs as part of their fleet for 30 days at no cost. At the end of the 30 days, the federal fleets can lease additional EVs from the utilities, with DOE paying half the additional cost of leasing the EVs.

The program was started in Washington DC in fall of 1998, and so far 15 federal fleets have taken advantage of the opportunity. Through the new contracts, federal-fleet EVs will now be appearing in San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; and in the Norfolk/Richmond/ Northern Virginia area.

DOE Awards Contracts for Advanced Vehicle Power Modules
Managing the power flow in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles is a challenging feat. Electric power modules are needed to control the generation, storage, and use of electric power in these vehicles. To help advance these vehicles, DOE announced on January 5th the award of $20 million to two companies for the development of advanced electric power modules.

Silicon Power Corporation of Malvern, Pennsylvania, and SatCon Technology Corporation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, will develop smarter, smaller power modules, while aiming to reduce their unit cost from $10,000 to less than $500. Each company will contribute $10 million toward the initiative, which will support the goal of developing highly efficient, non-polluting, affordable cars by the year 2004.

See the DOE news release.

Site News

New on EREN: Office of Industrial Technology
The newly redesigned Web site for DOE's Office of Industrial Technology makes it easy to find information about Industries of the Future, solicitations, technical assistance, financial assistance, and much more. From the news page, you can find summaries of the three most recent press releases, the OIT Times and Turning Point newsletters, news archives, and links to DOE press releases.

New EREN Link: Energy Star Windows
The Energy Star Windows program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the fenestration industry to promote energy efficient windows, doors, and skylights. Visit this Web site to learn about the Windows program and partners; how Energy Star windows, doors, and skylights can save money and energy; and how to select the best Energy Star fenestration for your climate. This site is part of a series of sites developed by Energy Star, which is a partnership between the DOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, product manufacturers, local utilities, and retailers.

New EREN Link: Leaking Electricity Home Page
Leaking electricity is energy consumed by an appliance when it is switched off or not performing its primary purpose. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Leaking Electricity site provides information on leaking electricity and technologies to reduce it. The site includes techniques for measuring leaking electricity and instructions for student science projects.

For these and other recent additions visit the EREN Web site.

Energy Facts and Tips

Light Truck Sales Take the Lead over Passenger Cars
While automakers are introducing new, energy-efficient vehicles, the U.S. public continues to shift its buying preferences toward low-mileage pickup trucks, minivans, and sport utility vehicles. The Wall Street Journal reported on December 3rd that the sale of these "light trucks" had edged ahead of passenger car sales for the first time in November. The report was based on statistics gathered by Ward's Automotive Reports, a respected auto industry source. See Ward's Web site.

How low is the gas mileage for new light trucks? Find out for yourself with the Model Year 1999 Fuel Economy Guide. This Web site includes a searchable database with city and highway mileage information on all makes and models of cars and light trucks. A calculator also allows you to determine your annual fuel costs. For used car buyers, the Fuel Economy Guides for the three previous model years are also available.

World Oil Prices Expected to Rise from December Levels
Before you buy a truck, you might take heed of the latest predictions from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). EIA's "Short-Term Energy Outlook," released January 8th, projects world oil prices climbing to about $13 per barrel by the end of 1999. This represents an increase of about 40% above December's prices of $9.25 per barrel. See the report.

Gas Mileage Tip: Check Your Tire Pressure
With cold weather settling in, now is a good time to check the air inflation in your tires. Every 10 degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature reduces your tire pressure by 1 pound per square inch. Under-inflated tires can cut your car's gas mileage by up to 5 percent. Under-inflation also causes increased tread wear, cutting tread life by up to one third. You'll get the most accurate measurement by checking your tire pressure with a gauge in the morning before you drive anywhere, or after driving less than one mile.

About this Newsletter

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