10 Electric Car for 2010 and 2011 - (10) Ford Focus EV

PRESS RELEASE

FORD USES INNOVATIVE LIQUID-COOLED BATTERY SYSTEM TO HELP FOCUS ELECTRIC OWNERS MAXIMIZE RANGE

• The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in late 2011 in the U.S. and 2012 in Europe, will be powered by a lithium-ion battery system that utilizes cooled and heated liquid to regulate battery temperature, extend battery life and maximize driving range
• The innovative thermal management technology helps the Focus Electric operate efficiently in a range of ambient temperatures
• Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles Ford will deliver over the next three years in North America and Europe. The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 2, 2010 – The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in the U.S. late next year and in Europe in 2012, will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery that utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and gas-free driving range.

Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of all-electric vehicles because extreme temperatures can affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. Ford has chosen an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.

"All-electric vehicles do not have a conventional engine on board, so it is critical we maximize the performance of the battery under various operating temperatures," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. "Active liquid systems are more effective than air systems at regulating lithium-ion battery temperature. As a result, the active liquid system on Focus Electric will play a key role in providing our customers with the best performance possible."

The active liquid cooling and heating system also enables the Focus Electric to automatically precondition the battery pack temperature during daily recharging. When the vehicle is plugged in to the power grid, the vehicle system will be able to warm up the battery on cold days and cool it down on hot days.

The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant and will be available in late 2011. The vehicle will have an expected range of up to 100 miles and use no gasoline at all. 

Battery thermal management in action
While air-cooling methods work well for many of today's smaller car battery systems, the larger, more complex lithium-ion battery technology powering Ford's all-electric vehicles calls for an aggressive thermal management system.

An active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions.

On hot days, chilled water absorbs heat from the batteries, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On cold days, heated water warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system's temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.

"Extreme temperatures impact a battery's life and performance, making it crucial to have an effective cooling and heating system to regulate temperature for these demanding applications," said Anand Sankaran, Ford executive technical leader, Energy Storage and HV Systems.

The liquid cooling system also plays a role in charging the vehicle. When the all-electric Focus is plugged in to recharge, the vehicle control system will automatically precondition the battery, if needed, to the optimal temperature before accepting charge. If the battery is already at the optimal temperature, the system will automatically accept charge and maintain an optimal temperature.

"We are working closely with our technology partners to accelerate the development of our lithium-ion battery systems to help our future EV customers get the most out of their vehicles," Marakby said. "Our goal is to build an electric vehicle that delivers on the quality and performance customers have come to expect from Ford."

Focus Electric is one of five electrified vehicles Ford will release over the next three years. In addition to the Focus Electric, the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van arrives in late 2010, followed by two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

Electrified vehicles are one part of Ford's broader strategy to offer a wide range of environmentally friendly, advanced technology solutions to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions affordably for customers around the world.

10 Electric Car for 2010 and 2011 - (9) BYD

Brochure

10 Electric Car for 2010 and 2011 - (7) Chrysler GEM

Passenger Models

GEM e2
		The GEM e2 two-passenger vehicle is perfect for quick transportation to work, school or anywhere within your neighborhood. Its minivan-like driving height provides maximum visibility and offers the features you need most for a comfortable driving experience.
GEM e4
		The GEM e4 four-passenger vehicle is the solution for all your leisurely drives. Its exceptional get-in-and-go design provides an exciting, dependable and fun way to get around your neighborhood.
GEM e6
		The GEM e6 six-passenger vehicle is ideal for larger families or shuttling groups of people in a variety of environments. Its curved, open architecture is truly unique and its modern and sophisticated design is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Standard Features

The GEM e2, GEM e4 and GEM e6 Passenger Models With more than 40,000 vehicles on the road today, Global Electric Motorcars prides itself in manufacturing the world's best electric vehicle. From safety to design to technology, we focus on the importance of producing vehicles that enhance your driving experience. Discover the features that make the GEM line of vehicles the best in the neighborhood electric vehicle industry.

Safety Automotive-style, three point safety belts. 12-inch street-rated tires are standard on the GEM e2 and the GEM e4 and 13-inch street-rated tires are standard on the GEM e6. Quartz-halogen headlamps with a 20-second safety delay after vehicle is turned off, front and rear turn signals, high-mount rear brake and taillights. Laminated, tinted automotive safety glass with windshield wiper. Structural composite and thermoplastic body panels. Dual upper hand grips (optional) and lower seat rails. Rear and side reflectors. Rearview and dual exterior mirrors.

Design The GEM e2 seats two occupants with bench-style seating using molded-foam cushions covered by marine grade UV-stable vinyl coverings. The GEM e4 seats four occupants with front bucket seats and a rear bench seat. The GEM e6 seats six occupants with front and middle-row bucket seats and a rear bench seat. Four-wheel automotive-style hydraulic brakes and parking brake. Dual A-arm front independent suspension with coil over shock. Automotive rack-and-pinion steering. Welded aluminum space-frame using custom aluminum-alloy extrusions.

Technology The GEM e2 and GEM e4 feature a heavy-duty DC motor with continuous 5 horsepower rating and 12 horsepower peak during acceleration and hill climbing. The GEM e6 features a heavy-duty DC motor with continuous 7 horsepower rating and 15 horsepower peak during acceleration and hill climbing. Front-wheel drive with speed reducer and integral differential. Solid-state custom motor controller with under and over voltage detector, regenerative braking, motor thermal protection and top speed regulation. Six 12-volt flooded electrolyte batteries are standard on the GEM e2 and the GEM e4. Six 12-volt maintenance-free gel batteries are standard on the GEM e6 and nine 8-volt maintenance-free gel batteries are standard on the GEM e6 with the "S" Package. On-board 72-volt DC charger that plugs into a standard 110-volt AC 15-amp outlet.

10 Electric Car for 2010 and 2011 - (8) Think

Highlights

The THINK City is an electric car that demands very little of you. In fact, not much more than a mobile phone. Just an overnight power top-up, and it’s ready to go in the morning.

THINK City is a modern urban car. With zero local emissions and an energy efficiency three times that of a traditional combustion engine car, it is a car for the environment. And it is a fun car for you. A choice ofsodium or lithium batteries allows you to accommodate your car to your driving style, travelling up to 160 kilometers in one charge, with a top speed of 110km/h. Driving a silent car will give you a totally new experience.

Environment

Concern for the environment has been at the heart of the development of THINK City. It is not only environmentally sound to drive, but the car itself is designed to be recycled.

• Engineers, developers, buyers and designers have focused on the same thing: clean recyclable materials, non-polluting production processes, and the best possible use of materials.
• The dashboard can be completely recycled.
• The fabric, body, supports, air ducts, adhesives and fixings are designed using the same recyclable materials.
• The plastic bodywork and other plastic panels are unpainted, reducing both energy consumption and toxins, while also making the panels easier to recycle.
• The batteries are returned to the supplier at the end of their useable life.

Safety

The THINK City is a safe vehicle to drive both in cities and on highways, as proven by its conformance with the CE-marking criteria and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate) – in fact, it is the first EV ever to be awarded a pan-European homologation certificate.

To become the first EV ever to achieve these exacting standards, the THINK City has been put through extensive testing and validation, including hundreds of computer simulations and correlations, over 50 sled tests and more than 20 real crash tests.

Comprehensive electrical testing and validation has also been conducted over extended periods, including 30cm deep water wading and total submergence in salt water with all electrical systems activated.

THINK City structural design safety attributes:

Main space-frame:

• Energy absorbing front crash rail
• High tensile steel throughout
• Robotically welded

Interior:

• State of the art seatbelt system
• Seat belt pretensioners
• Seat belt load limiters
• Dual airbags
• Energy absorbing foam surrounding occupants
• IsoFix child restrains system
• Passenger Airbag OFF switch
• Intertia OFF switch that cuts off all power in event of an accident

Upper space-frame:

• High performance aluminium profiles
• Roof crush / rollover protection

Door frame:

• Ultra high tensile side impact beam
  

The key to a safe car is a structure that ensures good crash performance. The backbone of the THINK City is a strong lower frame made of high tensile steel, this frame carries all the suspension and crash loads and is designed with a stiff passenger compartment and deformable zones in the front and rear.

An extended aluminium space frame is mounted to the lower frame, with thermoplastic body panels and all other components attached to it in turn for maximum cockpit robustness.

Internally, the City boasts dual airbags and a state-of-the-art seatbelt system, and carefully selected high density expanded polypropylene materials are used for the dashboard, knee bolster, door panel trims as well as inlays for head protection in the headlining and the pillar trims to provide maximum passenger safety in the event of a collision.

The door panel energy absorbing foam includes a pusher block function, where occupants are pushed out of a possible crash zone. Lower pillar trim is specially designed to protect lower ribs in event of a side impact.

All of our testing and development has been conducted in close conjunction with a number of specialist safety partners, including Autoliv, Bosch Germany, British Steel Automotive Engineering Group UK, Lotus Engineering UK, Ford Motor Company UK, TNO / TASS Netherlands and Tecosim UK.

Exterior and Interior

The combination of a smart choice of materials, clever details, and clean lines and surfaces have made the THINK City a prize-winning Norwegian design.

The powerful shoulder line and well-defined wheel arches give the car a stance that clearly highlights its superior road handling and excellent driving features. The side indicator lights prominently placed on the wheel arches add innovative looks to exemplary functionality. THINK City's body is made of recyclable ABS plastic, designed for city driving, ideal for anyone who would like to avoid visible scratches and irritating little dents.

Interior

The car’s interior is designed to give the driver a pleasant environment, where the emphasis is on providing a clear view of the traffic. The interior is spacious, with instruments that are easy to read. Form, quite simply, follows function. The glass rear hatch allows you to see right down to the bumper of the car behind you when reversing. Parallel parking could not be easier.

Specifications

Description	Colours
Number of seats: 2 (2 rear seats including 3-point seat belts as an optional extra) Number of doors: 3 including rear hatch Front wheel drive system Plug-in electric powertrain Homologated for the European market McPherson front axle and trailing arm rear axle	Black Jungle Blue Sky Red Energy City Citrus
Standard equipment	Extra equipment
2 front airbags Disable key for passenger airbag ABS brakes Regenerative brakes Power steering Central locking 4kW electric heater Electric windows and mirrors 2 loudspeakers and aerial Mind Box (to be introduced) Technical data Performance Top speed 110 km/h Acceleration 0-50km/h 6.5 seconds Acceleration 0-80km/h 16.0 seconds Typical charge time: Lithium battery; 0-100% 8 hours. Zebra battery; 0-80% 7 hours, 80-100% 4 hours. Range 160* km Dimensions Length: 3143 mm Width: 1658 mm Height: 1596 mm Wheel base: 1970mm Track: 1374mm front/1424mm rear Tires: 165/65 x 14 Turning diameter: 9m (turning radius 4.5m) Weight Battery weight: 245 - 260 kg Kerb weight: 1038 kg Payload 2 seater: 165 kg Batteries MES DEA – Zebra Sodium, 23 kWh EnerDel, Lithium-ion, 22 kWh Powertrain Motor: 3 phase asyncron electric motor Peak power, normal: 30kW * According to ECE-R101 Charging Charging your THINK City is just as easy as charging your mobile phone. Plug it in a conventional socket, charge over night, and wake up to a fully charged car the next morning. Where can I charge? You can plug in to a conventional 10A or 16A socket, 230V. Plugging into a 16A socket will enable faster charging. How far can I drive on one charge? You can drive up to 160km on a fully charged car. How long does it take to charge the THINK City? THINK City with Lithium battery; 0-100% 8 hours THINK City with Zebra battery; 0-80% 7 hours, 80-100% 4 hours Batteries THINK City has been designed to cope with a variety of battery systems and technologies. Battery systems The traction battery module is located underneath the seats. Here, the module is well protected and ideally placed from a safety point of view. This gives a good distribution of weights between the front and rear axel, and provides the vehicle with a very low centre of gravity. The battery compartment can accommodate different types of battery systems. Currently, THINK Cityfeatures the Zebra sodium battery and Lithium-Ion battery from EnerDel. Sodium batteries: Zebra The Zebra (Mes-Dea) battery has high energy density, and provides long range performance, independent of ambient temperature. It is a “hot” battery, which means that the operating temperature is between 260 and 360 degrees. The battery is also made from environmentally friendly materials. This option is perfect for users who have a regular and frequent usage pattern. Active materials in the Zebra battery are sodium and nickel. The hot materials are contained in a vacuum insulated and sealed container. Thus, these batteries operate very efficiently in areas with very hot and very cold climate. Lithium-based systems: Enerdel The lithium battery operate at ambient temperatures. This means that the car does not have to be plugged in when not in use. THINK is co-operating with Enerdel.	Electrically heated windscreen Full length sunroof Radio MP3 Radio CD with MP3 Radio CD with MP3, USB, Bluetooth Winter tires Alloy wheels - set of 4 Steel wheels - set of 4