The Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept made its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show,  and marked Lexus’s first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment.

As demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO₂ efficient, the compact segment is expected to claim the largest share of the European premium car market.

The LF-Ch concept features full hybrid technology, take a look at the video below:

Allied to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO₂ and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

The door may barely have closed on the Frankfurt Motor Show, but it would appear that manufacturers have already set their sights on the next major date in the motoring calendar – the Tokyo Motor Show, which runs from October 24-November 4.

At the event, Mazda, which has just announced that it has achieved its best ever sales month in the UK in September, will showcase the world premier of its next generation engine line-up and automatic transmissions. It will also take the opportunity to give a debut to the Kiyora concept car.

Let’s take a look at each of the debutants:

-         The direct injection Mazda Sky-G petrol engine: With a newly designed engine block that is meant to reduce mechanical friction and achieve an optimal air-fuel mix, the Mazda Sky-G significantly improves fuel economy and output performance with enhanced thermal efficiency. Specifically, fuel economy and torque are boosted by approximately 15 per cent compared to Mazda’s current 2.0 litre engine.

-         Advanced diesel Mazda Sky-D engine: By optimising the pressure and temperature in the cylinders, as well as the fuel injection rate, the Sky-D engine begins combustion at the best timing in terms of thermal efficiency. It employs piezo injectors, a two-stage turbocharger and other technologies to offer fuel economy improvements of approximately 20 per cent compared to the current 2.2litre diesel engine.

-         Mazda Sky-Drive automatic transmission: Highly efficient and contributing to substantially improved fuel economy, the next generation Mazda Sky-Drive has enjoyed a complete redesign that significantly cuts mechanical friction. Fuel economy is improved by around five per cent.

-         Mazda Kiyora Concept: The Kiyora uses the Sky-G 1.3 engine and the six-speed Mazda Sky-Drive automatic transmission. It is aided by the i-stop idling stop system, regenerative braking and advanced aerodynamics to help it achieve fuel economy of 32km/litre under Japan’s 10-15 mode test cycle – that’s the equivalent of 75mpg US.

Volvo Trucks has been running a series of ‘Fuelwatch’ seminars around the UK, with customers turning out in droves anxious to get a grip on their motoring finances.

The programme, which began in May, was originally scheduled to end in November. However, with around 100 customers attending the eight sessions to date it has now been extended until December with a further 10 sessions planned by the end of the year.

The importance of saving fuel is not lost on the attendees as Phil Loughney, transport manager of Tyneside-based demolition operator G O’Brien and Sons explains.

“Saving diesel is a big factor these days,” he says, “in terms not just of cost, but of carbon footprint. The seminar was very good, very interesting, and we’re setting up a more in-depth meeting.”

The subject matter has taken on added relevance as motorists become more conscious about the environment and, perhaps more significantly, the current economic environment. Chris Evans, Volvo’s TIS and sector manager, is keen that customers examine every aspect of fuel use.

“We cover everything from fuel types to aerodynamics to vehicle specification,” he said. “We run through the principles involved and then we ask questions and get into a lot of specific detail.

“We challenge the customers and their assumptions quite seriously and we try to make it as interactive as possible, getting customers up to do presentations – which give the material the credibility it deserves.”

Toyota may be questioning the viability of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (see our latest Green Piece column) but in the US there is keen support for the technology.

Now, researchers from the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, along with researchers from both the Idaho National Laboratory and the Argonne National Laboratory, are developing and testing a method that will predict the real-world fuel and electricity consumption of these vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids need different rules to conventional vehicles because they run on both petrol and electricity. Earlier this year there was controversy when General Motors declared that its Chevrolet Volt would attain 230mpg in the city cycle given single charges per day. What’s more is that plug-in hybrid testing is further complicated by the fact that these vehicles operate in two different modes based on the distances they are driven. The question remains as to how to adjust raw certification cycle test results to best predict a plug-in hybrid’s average real-world energy use.

So, in an effort to predict on-road energy use, the researchers are proposing a method that will adjust the standard test cycle results from each mode – charge depleting and charge sustaining – of plug-in hybrid operation. The adjusted values are then combined into a single fuel economy prediction.

This method has been applied to the Hymotion Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with estimated fuel consumption of 55mpg and electricity consumption of 89Wh/mi. This represents a decrease in the fuel consumption rate of approximately 20 per cent compared to the window sticker value.

Researchers have described the initial comparison as “promising” but state that further evaluation of the proposed adjustment method is needed on other vehicles and plug-in hybrid platforms.

Brighton is set to become the UK’s most electric vehicle (EV)-friendly city outside London, with a little help from Elektromotive, the electric car recharging point maker. Plans to install 20 Elektrobay roadside charging stations over the coming year are part of a concerted effort to encourage zero-emissions motoring in the city. Councillors in Brighton have already given the go ahead to install an initial 10 Elektrobays in Brighton by the end of 2009, with a further 10 planned for installation early next year.

Brighton-based Elektromotive developed and manufacturers the innovative Elektrobay charging station, and will be responsible for the implementation of the project. Since 2006, the company has successfully established a network of more than 100 roadside charging stations in London, many of which are used around-the-clock by EV users.

Elektromotive has already completed installation of four Elektrobays at pilot sites – with two located at Bartholomews in the city centre, and another two in Ditchling Road near The Level. The units will be in full working order in preparation for the official launch at 12:00 noon on Friday 2nd October outside the Town Hall.

The remaining Elektrobays will be installed in two phases. Funded by Civitas, the clean transportation specialists, the first 10 Elektrobays will be sited in central Brighton. A further 10 charging stations will be subsidised by another organisation and will be located in other, yet-to-be-confirmed, parts of Brighton and Hove city.

“We have installed the Elektrobay in locations across the country, as well as in Europe and even Saudi Arabia, but this project is especially exciting for us as it is taking place in our home town,” commented Managing Director of Elektromotive, Calvey Taylor-Haw.

“By encouraging drivers to switch to electric, Brighton will benefit hugely. There will be less air pollution and local residents will appreciate the quiet of EVs. The installation of the Elektrobays will take place over a short period of time, providing EV users with rapid access to charging facilities.”

Compatible with all pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the Elektrobay’s simple-to-operate functionality makes it the ideal solution for public EV charging. The single socket unit has a power supply of 13 amps – the same as a household plug – and is fully safety-compliant for consumers and pedestrians. Consumers access the Elektrobay’s power supply using a personalised wireless key fob that opens the door at the front of the unit. To prevent interference from a third party, the door locks shut when charging is in progress.

To prevent a trip hazard for pedestrians, including the blind and partially sighted, a highly visible yellow coiled cable is provided to all Elektrobay consumers, which extends to 3.5 metres, sitting at waist height when charging is in progress. For the design of the Elektrobay, Elektromotive worked in close consultation with local authorities and opted for a single socket in each unit to allow pedestrians to safely access the pavement when the charging lead is plugged in to an EV. Elektromotive points out that a charging station with cables running to two EVs creates a cordon that obstructs pedestrian access to and from the pavement.

Pay-as-you-go car company City Car Club has finalised the purchase of key competitor WhizzGo for an undisclosed sum to create the UK’s largest national network of hourly rental cars.

With the acquisition completed, City Car Club has now extended its reach to 15 UK cities with 500 cars and over 16,000 members. The purchase of WhizzGo marks the first major consolidation within the UK car club market and the new combined company now has operations in London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, York, Edinburgh, Brighton, Bristol, Bath, Huddersfield, Norwich, Birmingham, and Southampton with more in the pipeline.

The acquisition secures City Car Club’s leading position in the car club market in this country and the combined entity will command a dominant market share across the UK. As well as growing their already extensive London operation, the combined business creates an unrivalled national network, providing more cars in more cities than any other car club operator in the UK.

Commenting on the deal City Car Club CEO James Finlayson said: “We are delighted to have made this strategic acquisition. Both businesses complement each other extremely well and will allow our current and future members to have access to our cars in most major UK cities”. And he added: “The acquisition of WhizzGo was a key move to make and one that we have been looking to make for some time. The annualised turnover of the combined business will now be approaching £5m and the acquisition significantly accelerates our profitability. We were keen to acquire WhizzGo’s locations in key cities in the north of England which will now enlarge our base for future expansion and this dovetails perfectly with our strategy of growing our network both outside, as well as inside, of London. Our enlarged network will be able to deliver new member benefits and accelerated growth to the burgeoning car-sharing industry”

The deal also allows City Car Club to expand their corporate membership base, a key growth area identified by the business. Finlayson added: “WhizzGo has been very successful at achieving a richer mix of corporate members, allowing them to maximise utilisation of cars. This is an area we are keen to develop further across the combined business and this acquisition allows us to kick-start that process.”

The business model of the car club is to offer a cost effective and greener alternative to car ownership. Members can hire cars for as little as £3.96 per hour and each booking comes with 50 miles free petrol per day. Membership costs £50 per year for residential members and £30 for business members. The number of new members joining has shot up at a phenomenal rate during the recession as motorists opt to rent rather than buy. As a result, City Car Club saw an 80% expansion in its membership base in 2008 and a further 55 per cent growth in the first half of 2009 and continues to trade strongly through the latest quarter.

WhizzGo’s fleet will now be re-branded as City Car Club and current WhizzGo members will immediately transfer to City Car Club’s technology platform.

Members can book the cars at a moment’s notice on the internet at www.citycarclub.co.uk, over the telephone on 0845 330 1234 or even at the car itself. Cars are parked in designated parking bays and, once a booking is made, members gain access with their smart enabled, personal membership card (totally keyless access). Once in the car, members enter their PIN into the on-board computer. Journeys are itemised and sent out on a monthly statement.

It’s been an interesting week for followers of plug-in hybrid technology.

Those who think they are the natural successor for full hybrids as we continue the movement towards lower emission driving will be thrilled with Volvo’s plans to unveil a plug-in hybrid car by 2012 (see article). However, not so encouraging was a statement from Toyota which openly questioned the market viability of the technology (see article).

Michael O’Brien, the company’s US corporate manager, believes there are “serious challenges” towards making plug-ins and electric vehicles viable and has expressed concern about range, cost and charging times.

Why is Toyota questioning plug-in technology?

It seems bizarre that Toyota, champion of hybrids with its Prius model, would express concerns with what appears to be a natural progression from their existing technology. So let’s look at the points they highlight.

Speaking at the California Air Resources Board’s ZEV Technology Symposium, O’Brien stated that “creating consumer demand for mandated advanced technology vehicles will require substantial government engagement at all levels.” He went on to state that it is “not enough to build niche vehicles that only a few can afford to buy or fulfil only a small subset of customer needs.”

The primary concerns with plug-in hybrid technology appear to be the fuelling infrastructure and lowering costs. O’Brien highlighted the case of the RAV4 EV, on which Toyota pitched a huge marketing and sales effort equivalent to $9,000 per unit including an attractive lease payment. However, sales did not exceed several hundred units in total. He believes this is because the technology was unsuitable, with many electric vehicles limited to shorter, urban use.

Does Toyota have a point?

A recent Synovate study found the average additional amount customers would pay for 15-20 miles of electric range is just $1,700 – that’s far below the cost of the batteries that deliver that kind of range. In fact, Toyota is carrying out its own study in January to determine the ideal balance between all-electric range and additional cost.

Toyota isn’t alone in its criticism of plug-in technology. In October 2007, Honda Motor Company Chief Executive Takeo Fukui said plug-in technology offered too few environmental benefits to be worth pursuing by the Japanese manufacturer. He stated that improved batteries would be better used for full electric vehicles.

Perhaps then we are witnessing something of an East/West divide in advocacy for the technology with US automakers strongly pursuing plug-ins. GM plans to introduce the Chevrolet Volt (to be known in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera) by 2010 with a 40mile all-electric range.

In the West it appears that plug-in hybrids are an attractive solution. Since the majority of drivers travel less than 40 miles a day, there would be little or no use of petroleum. With the cost of recharging batteries much less than petrol, and electricity, even when taken from non-renewable sources, having far less impact on the environment, plug-ins could present a more immediate solution to global warming concerns.

So are plug-in hybrids worth pursuing?

Interestingly, Michael O’Brien highlighted Toyota’s work on fuel cell technology, stating it has advanced rapidly over the last few years. He appeared to be offering an alternative to plug-in technology stating that Toyota sees a “clear path to the commercial introduction of fuel cell vehicles by 2015” and that they have the “potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the automobile.”

The argument against plug-in technology appears to be that pumping money into it is diverting resources away from more long-terms solutions such as full electric vehicles and fuel cells. However, if goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent are to be reached, there is a need for extremely low carbon emitting vehicles sooner than later.

Perhaps Tom Cackette, the Air Resources Board’s Chief Deputy Executive Officer said it best at the ZEV Symposium when he stated that “we need to have multiple technologies in the future and not be tied to one like we are to gasoline now…Some of them may not be successful in the commercial marketplace, but it is unlikely that we will just have one.”

Breakthroughs with lithium-ion batteries have come at a faster pace than those with hydrogen, and appear implementable in the more immediate future. Though government rebates may be needed to get the technology off the ground and to supplement the added cost of lithium-ion batteries, they represent a more immediate weapon in the fight against global warming and oil dependence. They may not be, as Toyota points out, the ‘promised land’ for zero emission motoring – but sometimes a bridge is needed to reach your destination and plug-ins may be that connection.

Faye Sunderland

Since the announcement that the car scrappage scheme in the UK will be extended (see article) a host of important industry names have been having their say on the plans, with a cautious but generally positive welcome for the proposals.

The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) welcomed the news and expressed the need for Lord Mandelson to ‘get a good result’ in his talks with Brussels for additional support for the motor finance sector. According to the FLA’s head of motor finance Paul Harrison, this is the key for long-term demand for new cars when the economy recovers.

The Government has decided to extend the number of £2,000 grants for people who trade in an old car and buy a new one to 400,000, which Paul Williams, the chairman of the National Franchised Dealers Association, described as a “victory for common sense over dogma”. He believes the development will safeguard a number of jobs in both the retail and manufacturing sectors.

Indeed there has been wide support from the majority of vehicle manufacturers, including Volvo, which has taken 4,200 scrappage orders to date, over 2,000 of which have been for its Volvo C30 Sports Coupe.

There is more caution however, among various environmental spokesmen. Our own Faye Sunderland maintained her scepticism over the green credentials of the scrappage scheme and stated that she hopes the profits earned by carmakers will be invested back into research and development on the next generation of low emission cars. Failure to invest, she believes, would be a “missed opportunity”.

More damning in their criticism of the scheme is the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), which has described the concept as “environmentally short sighted”.

Director at the ETA Andrew Davis hit out at the plans stating: “This is little more than a panicked way of propping up the industry as, given time, those cashing in the grants would most likely have bought the new car anyway.

“Car scrapping initiatives are often mistakenly labelled as green because they subsidise the purchase of cars that are usually, more fuel-efficient than those they replace, but the schemes are by their nature wasteful and routinely fail to take into consideration the amount of energy required to build a vehicle in the first place.”

Here at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk we want to know what you think of the decision to extend the scrappage scheme. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Those who thought that US auto manufacturers would turn their back on fuel cell developments after Steven Chu limited their funding earlier this year, should take a look at General Motors, which has just unveiled its second generation hydrogen fuel cell system.

The production intent system contains the company’s fifth generation fuel cell stack, which, at 200lbs is half the size, lighter and uses less platinum than the current generation which is found in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle.

According to Charles Freese, executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities, the new system includes a radical change in the architecture, takes 100kg of the mass out and is “pretty tightly packaged and integrated”.

GM first brought fuel cell development out of research and development and moved it over to GM Powertrain in 2007, with 500 scientists and engineers committed to the programme. Since then work has been focused not only on the stack, but also on its mass production at a low cost.

It has not yet announced the vehicle that will be used when the second generation design goes in for its first tests but Freese noted that it works very well in family size vehicles. The system is being developed with a 2015 timeframe and the company is currently in the pre-development phase with little over a year to go before it makes a development commitment.

Would you consider yourself selfish for putting the economy ahead of the fight against global warming? Well a new Rassumen Reports poll found that 47 per cent of Americans reject the idea that they are selfish for taking that stance with a national telephone survey finding that just 29 per cent take the opposing view and believe Americans are selfish for putting the economy first.

Among the findings in the survey, 42 per cent of Democrats say Americans are being selfish while 68 per cent of Republicans and 45 per cent of adults not affiliated with any party disagree.

Around 52 per cent of all Americans agree with President Obama’s comments that the “danger posed by climate change cannot be denied and out responsibility to meet it must not be deferred”. By contrast, 30 per cent rejected the statement and 18 per cent said they were not sure.

Meanwhile, when asked if the world is headed towards an irreversible catastrophe if the members of the United Nations fail to deal with global warming; 38 per cent said ‘yes’ and 36 per cent said ‘no’ – 26 per cent said they are not sure. Around 62 per cent of adults say they have followed news reports about the pending UN treaty with 27 per cent saying they have followed reports very closely.