How clean are electric vehicles really considering they require electricity generated by powerplants, some cleaner than others? It’s an issue often brought up by those opposed to electric vehicles, and now it’s one addressed by the Union of Concerned Scientists in a new study, ‘State of Charge: Electric Vehicles’ Global Warming Emissions and Fuel Cost Savings Across the United States.’

Electricity created to power an electric vehicle varies widely by region. Still, UCS says that drivers can expect to reduce emissions compared to average gasoline powered vehicles regardless of where they live.

The analysis breaks the country into regions that are ‘good,’ ‘better,’ or ‘best’ for an EV, concluding that in every part of the country, EVs outperform most gasoline-powered vehicles when it comes to global warming emissions. According to UCS, 45 percent of Americans live in ‘best’ regions where an EV has lower global warming emissions than a 50 mpg gasoline-powered vehicle, with environmental performance in states like California and most of New York as good as an 80 mpg gasoline-powered vehicle.

UCS says that EVs are still ‘good’ when it comes to global warming emissions even in regions where coal dominates the electricity grid. For instance, in parts of the Rocky Mountains region, driving an EV produces global warming emissions equivalent to a gasoline vehicle with a fuel economy rating of 33 mpg, similar to the best non-hybrid compact gasoline vehicles available today.

 

What family wouldn’t want a plug-in hybrid minivan? Well, some may opt for more stylish crossover vehicles because they’re generally sportier, but parents who have kids and gear to haul around have often found the sheer functionality of minivans indispensible.

That’s why Chrysler’s news that plug-in hybrid electric Town & Country minivans are now being placed into fleet service with Duke Energy is a bit of interesting news. No, it doesn’t mean plug-in minivans will be at new car showrooms in the short term, but it is signaling positive movement.

The goal of the two-year demonstration program, which involves 25 plug-in minivans with Duke Energy and other partners, is to gather real-world operating data as the vehicles are subjected to a range of driving cycles. This data will help Chrysler engineers assess the viability of the technology for future applications.

The plug-in hybrid minivans are equipped with E85 ethanol-compatible 3.6-liter engines coupled to front-wheel-drive, two-mode hybrid transmissions. Power is also supplied by a liquid-cooled 12.1 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that brings a total output of 290 horsepower and helps deliver a driving range of 700 miles. Charging at 220 volts requires two to four hours while using a 110 volt charger takes up to 15 hours, depending on a battery’s state of depletion.

 

Powered by propane autogas (LPG), the Maxximus LNG 2000 has set three new world records at South Georgia Motorsports Park, according to Fisher Island, Florida-based Centaur Performance Group. These latest record attempts follow additional world records set in January with the car running on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The project, headed by financier Bruce McMahan and Indianapolis-based designer Marlon Kirby, set its latest records on LPG with the car achieving 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds, 1/4 mile ET of 10.28 seconds, and 1/4 mile speed of 134 mph. The records set in January running on LNG were 0-60 mph in 1.96 seconds, 0-150 mph in 9.21 seconds, 1/4 mile ET of 9.63 seconds, and 1/4 mile speed of 159.9 mph. The car was driven by Marlon Kirby. The company points out that these achievements make the Maxximus the fastest powered supercar ever created using both LNG and LPG.

The Maxximus LNG 2000 uses self-pressurizing fuel tanks and is capable of running on propane autogas, liquefied natural gas, or compressed natural gas with on-demand adjustments. The car features a carbon fiber body.

Massive power is provided by a 1600+ horsepower twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum 7.0-liter V-8 with gaseous fuel injectors, boost reference gaseous regulators, and cryogenic chilled intercoolers. Amazingly, Centaur says the Maxximus is also 50-state emissions legal.

Audi is fielding four LMP1 cars at the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans this coming June. Importantly, two of these will feature hybrid powerplants for the first time.

The pair of Audi R18 e-tron quattros recover  kinetic energy during braking and feed this back as electricity to a flywheel accumulator, which powers an electric motor at the front wheels to aid acceleration at speeds above 75 mph. The car’s 510 hp V-6 TDI powerplant drives the rear wheels.

Audi Motorsport head Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich points out that developing its hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as its diesel racing project was in its early stages. That said, results have been very encouraging and the motorsports team is eager to see how the R18 e-tron quattro’s hybrid systems perform in concert with their ultra-lightweight technology.

Innovating its way to wins is nothing new to Audi, which achieved the first win for a TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection) engine in 2001 and for a TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) diesel-powered car in 2006. The automaker is the most successful brand in the race’s recent history with 10 wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2000.