Go Go Green Cars

Audi have launched a greener Audi A4 in Europe with plans to introduce the car in the summer here in the US.

The A4 has been the flagship sedan for Audi and it makes sense for Audi to revamp this popular model and aim it at the green market. I like this idea for two reasons – first I like the car, it is a gem and exceptional in every respect which is what you’d expect from the German car maker and secondly and in keeping with the Audio motto (Vorsprung durch technik – forward with technology) it makes a commercial sense for the consumer and manufacturer to bypass all the massive R&D and retooling costs associated with developing a model from scratch.

There is a 2.0 TDI diesel with an injection pressure of 1,800 bar and capable of 1,750 to 2,500 rpm – in plain English this car will reach 62 mph in 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of just over 132 mph delivering a fuel economy of almost 37 mpg.

For those looking for more power and performance, the 3.0 liter V6 TDI diesel engine delivers 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of almost 147 mph but also delivers a little over 33 mpg.

You can avoid the messy diesel image with the 2.0 liter TFSI with a top speed of almost 143 mph, 62 mph in 6.9 seconds and 29 mpg.

The A4 also deploys energy recuperation technology which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy when the vehicle brakes – this means that during deceleration there is increased secondary voltage which is released back into the system when acceleration is applied and this reduces the load on the alternator.

While I don’t think this is a true green car, it is another example of good engineering being applied with traditional gas powered vehicles to provide a better environmental alternative. The green cost of developing a model from scratch when power technology is still in development makes a great deal of commercial and environmental sense while consumers are still looking for a car which delivers a great driving experience as well as economy.

My last post took a look at the development of lithium-ion batteries and the fight for dominance in what is set to become a $40 billion battery market by 2012 if President Obama’s commitment to a million electric cars on America’s roads is to be met.

Johnson-Saft are probably ahead of many other rivals globally with Johnson enjoying the design and management relationships with major car makers as well as understanding better the integration of the power management system with the rest of the car.  Saft on the other hand is a French company which has world leading expertise in lithium ion battery design and manufacture for aeronautical applications.

This all sounds good stuff but there is one major aspect of putting all of this together that has to be addressed or this is all pie in the sky.

How are you going to recharge/refuel your lithium ion battery on the road?

This is the really big issue because if batteries are a $40 billion market what is the value of the grid that will recharge the vehicle while you are on the road – the honest answer is we don’t know yet but it’s a very big number.

Ford and GM both believe that this part of the puzzle is crucial to unlocking who will win out in the lithium ion war and there are some vicious debates taking place in DC right now on whether the US should encourage and foster a domestic lithium ion battery manufacturing base (which will also take on developing the national grid) or whether America should simply import the batteries and expertise from low-cost Asian importers.

To me the answer is simple – we have had several decades of reliance upon foreign oil so why should we swap foreign oil for foreign batteries?

This is a no-brainer for the folks on the hill.