A research team from Stanford University has designed a highly efficient wireless charging system that uses magnetic fields to transmit large electric currents between metal coils placed several feet apart. The long-term goal of the research project is to develop the technology in to an “all-electric highway” that could wirelessly EV’s as they drive.

This new technology could mean the end of “range anxiety” which has been seen as a major drawback of electronic vehicles since they hit the main stream. According to researchers this technology could “revolutionise” highway systems and pave the way for other applications beyond transportation.

“Our vision is that you’ll be able to drive onto any highway and charge your car,” said Shanhui Fan, an associate professor of electrical engineering. “Large-scale deployment would involve revamping the entire highway system and could even have applications beyond transportation.”

This technology is based on whats called magnetic resonance coupling. Two copper coils are tuned to resonate at the same natural frequency. The coils are placed a few feet apart. One coil is connected to an electric current, which generates a magnetic field that causes the second coil to resonate. This magnetic resonance results in the invisible transfer of electric energy through the air from the first coil to the receiving coil.

The Stanford team has recently filed a patent application for their wireless system. Next they plan to continue testing in the laboratory and continue on to apply the technology to the open road.

Honda set to unveil its latest green car invocations at this year’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Its “Earth Dreams Technology” will focus on expanding its already hugely efficient hybrid range to encompass other ways of saving fuel and money for its customers while still keeping the “joy” in motoring.

They will reveal its long-awaited small capacity 1.6 turbo diesel engine. The new power plant will produce and impressive 118bhp while keeping CO2 emissions in the sub 100 mark. Honda claims will be the lightest engine in its class while giving class-leading performance and economy.

These technologies are to be incorporated into its entire car line up as Honda strive to be the world’s number on in fuel economy (FE) in three years.

Together with technologies already gracing its current hybrid models, Honda will be introducing an array of measures to help up the Hypermiling ante. These include lightweight frames, CVT transmissions, two-motor hybrid system and direct-injection technology.

Honda also be using the show for the European debut the NSX Concept. Like the previous version of the now cult car, the concept will showcase a V6 mid-mounted engine however the concept with feature the innovative Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel DriveTM) hybrid system. The NSX Concept is expected to go on sale within the next three years.

Motorists have been urged not to panic buy fuel as the news of  the Coryton fuel refinery closure spreads. 

The refinery, which supplies over 20% of the fuel to London and the South East stopped supplies when its Swiss-owned parent company Petroplus went into administration.

News of the closure has already sparked panic buying around the UK, with news coverage of the closure further prompting motorists to “stock up”. 

Oil Minister, Charles Hendry said  “We don’t want everybody to go out and get it [fuel] tonight, because that clearly wouldn’t be helpful. People need to be completely confident that if they go about their business as normal then there is completely enough fuel available and that BP and Shell have been going to great lengths to make sure that is the case.

The Government announced yesterday that the UK Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) has been extended until 2015. 

The PiCG or UK Electric car grant is worth up to £5,000 toward the cost of eligible cars. The grant has been under review for some time amid fears from manufacturers and dealers alike that scheme would be pulled.

The announcement went further to confirm that electric vans would now be included in the scheme with a whopping £8000 grant available for eligible vans.  

The Minister for Transport, Norman Baker said: “Electric vehicles are the arrowhead for a low carbon revolution in motoring and as more models come to market we’ll begin to see sales gather pace. Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric. This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles – fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factors influencing their decision on what to buy.”

To qualify for the grant, the van must emit less than 75g/km CO2, have a range of at least 60 miles on a charge, be capable of more than 50mph and conform to European Vehicle Type Approval. Only new vehicles are eligible, or vehicles converted to battery or hybrid power by specialist convertors before the car’s first registration. The Ford Transit Connect EV (as pictured) will retail for nearly £40,000 – a hard nut to swallow even with £8000 off the sticker prices.

The uptake of the scheme has been less than orginally hoped for by the goverment. This extended period together with the new ruling for plugin vans is targeted at drawing more motorists over to electric and also tempt the commercial sector into running on batteries.

2011 has witnessed a significant slump in petrol sales in the UK with the very nice men at the AA predicting further falls in to 2012.

Petrol sales between January and September 2011 totalled 13.9 billion litres showing a fall of over over 6%. The economic downturn together with the rising price of fuel is forcing motorists think twice about making journeys unless they are absolutely necessary.

Results of an AA survey of more than 20,000 members has shown that 40% will resort to hypermiling either make less journeys or try to drive more economically in 2012.

Head of AA public affairs; Paul Watters commented, “Drivers are clearly being forced into cutting their motoring by the high price of fuel and, for many, this will impose difficult constraints on their lives. We have reached the stage where motoring is once again only easily affordable for the better off and, with the car still the mainstay means of travel for the majority, that is depressing news at the start of 2012.”

For those reading this that are considering driving more economically in 2012 see our Hypermiling Techniques page.

“The sales force said 50 miles per gallon, but they didn’t say if you run your air conditioning and you remain in stop-and-go traffic, you’re going to get 29 to 30 miles per gallon,” she said. “If they did, I would have gotten the regular Civic.”

If the case goes her way then she could be eligible for a whopping $10,000 from Honda, a small figure in American lawsuits, however with help from her website she is urging other Honda owners to the same action with the manufacturer. “If I prevail and get $10,000, they have 200,000 of these cars out there,”.

From our point of view, “expecting” any type of Eco car to return huge MPG figures depends purely on the way you drive it. Sure, having a Hybrid might help you push the Hypermiling envelope but its the nut behind the wheel that will make all the difference.

We’ll keep you posted when the ruling announced.

There really is no excuse for this lack approach to maintenance. 99% of petrol stations have the facilities to check and correct tyre pressures (when they are not out of order) so why not check them each time you fill up. Failing that, a tyre pressure gauge is only a few quid on ebay, a worthwhile investment.

From a Hypermilers perspective, tyre pressures are a big deal. Many of us choose to run slightly over inflated pressures but all withing the tyre manufactures guidelines. This decreases rolling resistance and tyre wall flex as well as improves MPG, however this is NOT at the expense of safety or uneven tyre wear.

Check out our Hypermiling videos page for the Mythbusters tyre pressure findings.

Toyota Motor Corp has officially opened the order books for its Aqua Hybrid in Japan. Toyota is currently the leading hybrid-vehicle manufacturer and is looking to build upon the success of the Prius with a smaller, more efficient variant of the celebrity endorsed ride.

Official figures show that the  mini prius Aqua should return in excess of 83MPG on the Japanese cycle test. However as with the Prius, expect Hypermilers to be achieving triple figures from the mini hyrbid before too long.

Much like its big brother, the Aqua features a slightly smaller 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery.  This delivers a combined 98BHP with a  0-62 time of just over 10 seconds.

The Aqua, which is about the size of a Toyota Yaris, has a base price of 1.69 million yen or £14,000, we expect that figure to be much more in the UK if it arrives on our shores.

Read more for the full press release

Hot from the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda has confirmed that its EV-STER Concept will spawn a full production version of the 2 seater.

This mid engine rear wheel drive could be the firms replacement for its discontinues S2000 which proved to be hugely popular. From the image above its hard to imagine that the EV-STER is actually a very small car indeed, measuring just over 3 1/2 meters long, only marginally bigger than the Honda Beat.

Honda  have also revealed that its micro EV roadster could arrive in the market as early as 2012,  and may also give options of an fossil fueled and hybrid versions for those with range anxiety. In EV form the range has been rated at around 100miles with charging taking 2 hours from a 200v plug.

Theres no news regarding availabily is Europe but we’ll keep you posted. Read More for the press release from Honda.

TOKYO, Japan, November 30, 2011 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will exhibit the world premiere of the EV-STER, the next-generation electric small sports concept model, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Featuring a dynamic and innovative styling design and excellent environmental performance, the EV-STER, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car, will propose a new way to enjoy a sports type model which is unique to the electromotive mobility. The adoption of carbon materials made it possible to reduce the vehicle weight contributing to the vehicle’s high driving performance and range of approximately 160km. The easy-to-operate twin-lever steering was adopted for the thorough pursuit of the joy of driving. Moreover, the new concept model enables the driver to make his/her own adjustments to some vehicle characteristics such as motor output and suspension settings, to embody the joy of maneuvering to the fullest extent.

Furthermore, the instrument panel features not only meters, but also the vehicle information display which enables the driver to enjoy driving as well as the network display used for the audio and navigation systems and also for the internet access. The well-designed layout of the meters and displays enables the driver to concentrate on driving and enjoy the comfortable space.

Honda remains committed to developing sports models beyond the expectations of its customers and offering exciting and thrilling mobility products.

The production of the all new Ford Focus EV has has begun, hot on the media trail Ford is already stating that it expects the Focus to be rated at the equivalent 100 mpg (MPGe).  

Like the Nissan Leaf, Ford claims that the Focus will be able to achieved up to 100 miles on a charge. The difference being that the Focus EV will charge in half the time it takes the Leaf. They claim it will only require 3 hours juicing from a 240V charging point for a charge, less than half of that of the Leaf.

The Focus EV will sell for around $39,995 in the US, making it about the same price as the Volt and over $5,000 more expensive than the Nissan Leaf . Dealers in the US are already taking orders from our early adopting cousins over the Atlantic.

The Ford Focus EV is expected to arrive in Europe by late 2012.