Alternative Car Fuels UK

XL Hybrids has been working with conversion systems to make hybrid electric vehicles out of trucks and Class 1 thru 3 commercial vans. The company will be conducting pilot runs of their system using 2500-Series vans of General Motors which includes GMC Savana and Chevy Express. The hybrid set up will decrease the emission of carbon dioxide of urban fleets by as much as 20% and will also lower fuel consumption.

The powertrain by XL Hybrids is made up of a 53 horsepower electric motor that depends on a 2kWh lithium-ion battery which works smoothly with the V8 4.8L internal combustion powerplant and its automatic gearbox.

The hybrid setup will add some flexibility for the commercial trucks and vans, operating them using either application, although the fuel savings will also depend if the fleet will be taking urban or suburban routes. The electric motor can beef up the torque of the vehicle by as much as 240 ft-lb when accelerating, allowing the trucks and vans to improve their efficiency and performance.

XL Hybrids is collaborating with possible contractors that can install the hybrid system to old and new vehicles. The company eyes firms whose fleet of vehicles travel a minimum distance of 25,000 miles annually via suburban and urban roads.

By next year, XL Hybrids will also make the hybrid powertrain as an option for fleet leasing companies. Business owners will be able to save in operational costs without having to worry about up-front capital.

At the moment, experts estimate the savings to be at least $1,500 to about $2,500 every year on fuel expenses. Fleet customers can expect the return of investment in as early as three years. Installation of the hybrid system is also done in a few hours time.

In the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Honda Motor & Co. LTD. President and COE Takanobu Ito announced that the company will be selling the hybrid models Insight and CRZ to the public by the end of 2012. These hybrids were produced in Japan. In addition to this, Ito added that Acura will be producing its first hybrid model in the next three years.

Just last year, Honda broke the sales record in China by selling 580,000 units. This certainly puts the Japanese car manufacturer in a good light. Honda introduced its crossover premium utility vehicle, the Crosstour, during the Beijing exhibition. According to reports, the Crosstour will be produced locally by the Guangqi Honda branch. Sales for this vehicle should begin by the end of 2010.

Also in the exhibit was Honda’s concept model Li Nian. Guangqi Honda owns this brand. Late this 2010, Honda sets its eyes on presenting the mass-produced Li Nian to the public through the Guanzhou Motor Show. Li Nian is produced specifically for the Chinese market, and there’s no news about its global release just yet. In English, the term Li Nian can be translated as “idea”.

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After the LRX concept caught the eyes and got great reviews as it toured the different motor shows, we are getting a confirmation that a hybrid variant of the LRX will go into production. The standard LRX got the go for retail last March.

The government of UK disclosed in March that they will be giving a $44 million grant to Land Rover for the assembly of the new vehicle. The production version of the LRX will make use of the Land-e Concept’s engine that can run on petrol and electricity.

The Hybrid LRX can bring occupants from point A to B using different modes like the usual petrol only, electric only, and the hybrid type. The project is looking an estimated expense of about $650 million and will take about two more years to release the hybrid system for the market to use.

Land Rover confirmed that the LRX will carry the Range Rover tag. The company is also looking into producing more fuel efficient fleet and the hybrid will be an essential member of the line up.

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