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The hybrid drivetrain system developer based in Washington state rolled out its prototype XH-150 SUV Extreme Hybrid last year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
On Monday, the firm announced two advances that it says bring its 150 miles per gallon, full-size, plug-in hybrid electric SUVs, trucks and cars closer to commercial production.
AFS Trinity introduced two new driving modes, which are aimed at delivering fuel economy and performance, in upgraded prototypes the firm is calling XH-150S. The enhanced prototype is at the core of the company's drive to retool outmoded automaking facilities with help from Department of Energy funding.
In the first "all-electric" mode, the XH-150S burns no gas during the first 40 miles; the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles in 11.5 seconds and reach 90 MPH in highway speed, the company said. In the second mode, the vehicle automatically switches to fuel-efficient gas hybrid operation when the batteries are 80 percent depleted.
Drivers can choose at any time to operate in the second mode, which delivers better pickup time — and consumes more fuel. The company reports 0 to 60 acceleration of 6.9 seconds and 35-65 MP, depending on whether the vehicle is in charge sustaining or depleting operation.
The XH-150S, which uses off-the-shelf lithium ion batteries, is expected to have a battery life of 150,000 miles in addition to slashing fuel consumption and CO2 release.
AFS Trinity also said it is applying for $2.5 billion of the $25 billion in U.S. Department of Energy green retooling funding.
The company wants to use the money to help transform one or more traditional auto factories destined for closure into facilities to make its 150 MPG Extreme Hybrids, a move that would also help the U.S. auto industry and its workers, the firm said. The goal is to retool a plant so that it can manufacture 100,000 to 150,000 XH-150s a year, according to the company.
AFS Trinity is partnering with Ricardo Inc. of Detroit in technology development. The two companies worked together to build the early XH-150 prototypes. The Detroit firm would conduct mass production engineering in the proposed retooling initiative, AFS Trinity said.
Telecommute
I live and work at home. It would never occur to me to buy an SUV, 150 mpg. or otherwise.
The other day I saw a monster SUV at the town recycling center. I looked at the driver like they were some sort of gross maniac - then I realized the driver was a good friend of mine!
Battery cost is still an issue
Lithium batteries of this size at an affordable cost, continue to be the hurdle nobody else has managed to overcome. I wonder how this monster rig would cost. The batteries are less massive than Nickel hydride, but are they affordable?
A large lithium battery like this, plugged in, would make any hybrid platform at least this efficient.
The choice of a new very expensive vehicle, vs. relocating to a sustainable city where transit and biking to work are feasible, may be equally challenging to consider. In my case the latter option (feasible now) was totally worth it!!
I biked to work 155 days last year. Next year my son can walk to school down the street.
BIG 3 re-inventing "the wheel"
I agree what is wrong with the BIG three, they just seem to want to sit on their butts in their private jets and ask for handouts.
The BIG 3 are still trying to re-invent "the wheel"
when it's been done by AFS Trinity, in a lot less time.
SUV Need
While I do agree we have too many, uncompetitive, gas hogging, SUV's on our roads, there is still a valid need for a truly fuel efficient larger vehicle.
My husband and I have two babies who will both be in car seats for a number of years. We live in Knoxville, TN, a city which has, unfortunately, embraced college football, strip mall development and suburban sprawl over sidewalks, urban renewal and a mass transit system.
A small car would do nicely for a second car--but we, and others like us, have a valid need unless we want to leave our kids at home.
150 mpg electric hybrid
The technology is out there...why doesn't one of the big three acknowledge that it's figured out already...and stop trying to re-invent "the wheel".
The Big Three could license this or other successful technology and start production next year.
Why an SUV?
Why create a 150 mpg SUV?
If they can do that, why not a 250 mpg small car instead?
Don't we have enough SUV's on road, gas or otherwise?
150MPG including electric?
0.157 kWh per km is such a low value for end energy demand, that may be they accounted not for the electric energy from the grid?
regards Efried
http://www.recodrive.eu