Google - they of the all-knowing search and the more apropros RechargeIT plug-in hybrid project - wants to see your video. The Google.org project will be hosting a conference in Washington, D.C. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in mid-June and is looking for homebrew videos that either a.) make a strong case for buying a plug-in electric vehicle or b.) explain why your own plug-in car or truck is the best ride. Don't get too preachy or wordy, as all the videos in the "Why I Want to Drive a Plug-In" contest need to max out at 90 seconds.

The videos must be uploaded to YouTube by June 4 and the "most informative, original and funniest videos" will be shown at the conference and will be featured on an interactive map on Google.org's RechargeIT website. If you can't make it to D.C., the conference will be webcast here on the 11th and the 12th.

[Source: Google]

Since last year, Saab and Volvo have been working together to develop a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Volvo officially announced the project in March 2008, and showed us pictures of the ReCharge concept on the road. Those were nice to see. The Invest In Sweden Agency will be updating visitors to the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference and Symposia in Tampa, Florida (which starts May 12) on the status of plug-in and electric vehicles in Sweden. The focus will be on Swedish hybrid technology projects, including what's happening with the Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Centre (SHC). This is where the Volvo-Saab - along with the Vattenfall energy company, ETC Battery, FuelCells Sweden and some parts of the Swedish government - project is taking place. The SHC will be funded with $40 million over five years. More details after the break.

In an interview, Ichiro Sugioka, project leader of Volvo's Recharge electric car concept, says PML FlightLink is "currently working exclusively for us." If that was not clear enough, Ichiro adds "all their efforts is going into our projects." The interviewer presses for more information, even mentioning PML's relationship with Lotus, but Ichiro is very clear. You can see this exchange three minutes into the video below the fold.

Why is this notable? Green car fans will recall the PML's in-wheel motors were going to be a key part of the Zap-X. I guess we should have noticed the relationship was probably over because Zap said it had some exclusive rights with PML and then PML started to work with Volvo. Companies don't write press release saying relationships have fallen apart. So, what does this mean for the release date for the Zap-X, the Lotus-designed, affordable, electric car?

Zap never made an exact release date for the Zap-X public, so it's hard to say the date has slipped. I would assume the internal date must have slipped a little bit. While Zap makes great products, they are probably one of the more out-sourced electric vehicle companies. I always imagined Zap, Miles or Tesla would be bought out sooner or later by a large automaker trying to catch up.

This little soap opera makes me think the top automakers just might bypass the middle man and work with the smaller technology companies instead.

Related:

• Volvo could develop a robot that plugs in your car
• Frankfurt Preview: Volvo ReCharge - The Swedes go series hybrid
• Zap! does deal for wheel motors
• Video: 900 miles without a fill up

[Source: Google Video]

Click the photo for a high-res gallery

While Toyota is clearly not enamored with the concept of series hybrids (at least publicly) plenty of other companies are jumping on the idea. The latest to join the party is Volvo with a new concept that they will unveil next week in Frankfurt. The ReCharge is a plug-in series hybrid based on the compact C30 hatchback. The all-wheel drive propulsion will be provided courtesy of wheel motors at all four corners.

Juice for the motors will come from a lithium polymer battery pack mounted in the trunk with sufficient capacity for 62 miles of electric driving. Once the battery state of charge dips to thirty percent, a 1.6L four cylinder flex-fuel engine bolted to a generator starts up to re-charge the battery. The ReCharge can also be plugged in to replenish the battery energy. The wheel motors and generator were developed with PML Flightlink of England (creators of the 640hp electric Mini).

The engine-generator has enough power to provide juice to a house in the event of power-failure. Thanks to the range of battery and the fact that the engine can operate at its most efficient speed, the ReCharge can do a 93 mile drive on 2.8L of gas for 124mpg (US). A full charge (presumably on a 220V circuit as used in Europe) comes in three hours while one hour at the plug will provide enough power for a thirty mile jaunt. There's a video after the jump in addition to the press release.

[Source: Volvo]

As discussed in URGE² theory, utilising the grid to overcome the supply intermittency of renewable energy sources is a critical step in moving forward towards a green energy future. Californian utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is looking to do just that by combining the overnight charging of EVs via renewable energy with the opportunity for consumers to sell some of the power stored in their vehicles' battery packs back to the grid during the day.

The plan is designed to both drive the uptake of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and give the utility more capacity flexibility in dealing with peak load situations. Essentially the battery packs in the plug-in cars would be recharged over night and then would recharge the grid during the day.

Wind energy is California's major renewable energy contributor, with more than 2,500 megawatts of capacity. But with aggressive renewable energy goals, around 4,600 megawatts is projected to be added to meet the targets. Xcel Energy is also looking at smart-grid technologies to help it meet Minnesota's Renewable Energy Standard legislation.

Analysis: Expect to see a lot more on smart grid technologies such as high-tech meters over the coming few years. Estimated to be just 5-6 years away, power grid-to-car-batteries technology should reduce both emissions and energy bills.

Related:

• A call to URGE² - Use Renewably Generated Electricity, Efficiently
• How about a garage covered in wind turbines with solar windows?
• GridWise sets aside four days in April to work on U.S. smart grid

[Source: EcoFriend]