IT'S ALL ABOUT CARS. Announcements, news and a peek into the green automotive future...

-- Drivers of 1999 models of GM's EV-1 with nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries installed are reporting 120 to 145 mile range per charge. Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) which produces the Ovonic NiMH batteries is preparing to introduce its Generation II design with a lower cost and even better performance. General Motors second generation electric vehicle drive train has one third fewer parts than the first and one-half the cost. Visit ECD at http://ovonic.com .

-- The U.S. Department of Energy has selected two companies to receive $10 million each over three years for the development of power modules to manage the generation, storage, and use of electricity in hybrid gas-electric, diesel electric, and fuel cell vehicles. Silicon Power Corporation of Malvern, Pennsylvania and SatCon Technology of Cambridge, Massachusetts will attempt to reduce the cost and size from $10,000 to $500 and suitcase to shoe-box size respectively. Visit DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website at http://www.eren.doe.gov/ .

-- Ford has entered into an agreement to obtain the majority interest of Norwegian-based Pivco Industries, maker of the TH!NK two passenger electric city car. Ford will help Pivco introduce the plastic bodied TH!NK to markets in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden before the end of 1999. The two companies have plans to sell the EV in North America and elsewhere.

-- Ford has also introduced new technology and concepts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

The P2000 is a fuel cell powered, Ford Taurus-sized concept sedan. A Ballard Power Systems fuel cell stack and electric motor churn out the equivalent of 90 horsepower and should give the car the same performance as the gasoline version of the popular mid-sized sedan.

The P2000 SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) concept is also fuel cell powered and weighs about half of a current SUV, thanks to an aluminum body and frame. The sport-ute has better aerodynamics than the truck-like versions now sold.

LSR hybrid vehicle technology is a Low Storage Requirement system that includes Ford's all-aluminum DIATA 1.2 liter compression-ignition, direct-injection engine - a four-cylinder producing 74 horsepower or 55 kilowatts at 4100 rpm. For optimum efficiency, fuel to the engine can be shut off when none is needed, the electronically-shifted manual transmission can be shifted by hand, and electric propulsion can be used with the DIATA engine off. Visit Ford at http://www.ford.com , Ballard at http://www.ballard.com /

-- As previously noted, Honda has introduced its 70 miles per gallon, less-than-2000-pound VV gasoline electric hybrid at the NAIAS. Honda expects to sell 5000 cars in the U.S. as a year 2000 model. Visit Honda at http://www.honda.com .

-- Toyota will begin selling its ECHO, a 2000 pound compact car in the Fall of this year - 45 miles per gallon. Visit Toyota at http://www.toyota.com .

Back Issues ENERGIES...the free weekly e-letter of products, innovation, issues and education in clean, renewable and efficient energy. Visit Green Energy News on the Web at http://www.nrglink.com for past issues. For free subscription contact bmulliken@nrglink.com. Copyright Green Energy News Inc. 1/9/99 vol.3 no.40.