Companies from Volkswagen AG to Hyundai Motor Co. displayed their latest models in the cavernous exhibition space at the show, but the buzz centered on designs that eschew traditional gas engines in favor of more environmentally friendly electric motors or a hybrid blend of both.
VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn, unveiled the E-Up!, a small city car powered by an electric motor using Lithium-ion batteries that can reach a maximum speed of 84 mph (135 kph) and travel up 81 miles (130 kilometers) on a single charge.
“The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive - technically, visually and with regard to a practical size,” Winterkorn said of the car, which is expected to go into production by 2013 and reach production levels akin to the Polo or Opel Astra by 2020. The Canadian Press
The company said the front wheel drive car’s lithium ion battery will have 18 kilowatt hours energy capacity enabling a driving distance of around 130 kilometers, or about 80 miles, depending on driving style.
“One of the basic milestones on this timeline is the mass produced electric car,” Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn said in a statement.
He said only in high volumes and on all continents could one truly speak of the beginning of the electric age in automobiles and a perceptible reduction of their environmental impact.
“The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive — technically, visually and with regard to a practical size,” Winterkorn said.
The company will also unveil other models that include more of its Blue Motion technology as well as new hybrid technology. The Associated Press
The E-Up! weighs just 1,085kg, and out of that the lithium ion batteries housed in the underbody (protected by a crash-protected tray) alone takes up 240kg. The electric motor is lighter at 140kg. The E-Up! is meant to be charged at home in the owner’s garage, or on the road when a charging infrastructure has been set up.
Volkswagen predicts that quick charging infrastructure could possibly allow the E-Up! to be charged up to 80% of its battery life within an hour’s time. At home, a regular 230V outlet can do the same in 5 hours tops.
So in terms of cost according to European electricity rates, the E-Up! can go 100km for 2 Euros (actual range has not been revealed by Volkswagen). The charging port is hidden behind the Volkswagen logo at the front. The solar panel on the roof can generate a small amount of electricity, enough for some auxiliary electrical systems and to cool the interior by powering the car’s ventilation system. ASEAN Automotive News
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