We got a chance to sort of check out the Raser Technologies series hybrid/extended range EV powertrain at the SAE Congress in Detroit this week. I say sort of because what is on display are some bits and pieces that display the layout of the components in the system. Raser is currently working with an un-named vehicle manufacturer and FEV to implement the system into a full-size SUV. I spoke with Dr. Jochem Wolschendorf, CTO of FEV, about the program. According to Dr. Wolschendorf, Raser is producing the electric motors and generators for the system while FEV is handling the systems integration in the vehicle as well as the control algorithm and software development.

Raser and FEV plan to have the first prototype vehicle ready to demonstrate in the third quarter of this year installed in a full-size SUV. The standard V-8 engine in the SUV will be replaced with a smaller four cylinder engine whose sole purpose will be to drive a 100kW generator. The engine/generator will be used to charge a 27kWh Electrovaya lithium polymer battery pack when its state of charge gets too low. As with GM's E-Flex system, there is to be no mechanical connection between the internal combustion engine and the wheels. When fully charged off the grid, that pack is expected to provide up to forty miles of electric only driving range for the SUV and FEV's simulations indicate that on a mix of driving cycles, such a vehicle should be able to average somewhere around 100mpg. We'll have to wait until sometime in the second half of this year to find out what company Raser and FEV are working with and how well this thing really works. Raser does have a contract to supply two such SUVs to PG&E for their test fleet sometime toward the end of 2008.


[Source: FEV]

Man, what's up with Raser and FEV? Right at the end of October, Raser put out a press release that talked about how the two companies would work together on a 100 mpg plug-in hybrid. Then, at the end of November, Raser put out another release (after the jump), that just says the same thing. Raser and FEV will "integrate Raser Technology's Symetron(TM) electric motor and power electronic drive powertrain technology into a traditional internal combustion gasoline engine."

Wait, hold up. There might be a bit more to the most recent release. Raser is also saying that the PHEV concept is being developed "with an undisclosed global automotive manufacturer." As one of our readers commented on the initial announcement, Chrysler doesn't have an announced PHEV concept. Anyone else want to speculate while we wait for Raser to tell us something substantial?

[Source: FEV]

Two companies we don't much notice here on AutoblogGreen, Raser Technologies and FEV Engine Technology, have announced a plan to develop a plug-in hybrid demonstration vehicle. While the key "100 mpg" target is highlighted in the press release, the type of vehicle (make, model, or even broad vehicle category) is left unmemtioned. Perhaps they haven't decided on whether this is going to be an SUV or a modified Prius, but a little more detail would be nice. What we do know is that the vehicle will use a Raser Symetron electric motor. That's about all we know, and explains why we need to use the Raser logo as the image for this post instead something more illustrative.

[Source: Raser Technologies]

In all the progress and developments we've seen on with hybrids, electric cars and fuel cells, it's a bit strange how little we've reported on the advancement of electric motors. That's something that Raser is definitely looking to change. At the 22nd Electric Vehicle Symposium (October 22 to 28) in Yokohama, Japan, the electric motor specialists will unveil a new 100 kW AC induction-based electric motor design called the Symetron P-100.

Raser's AC induction-based technology was recently awarded the Drive System Technology Innovation of the Year Award by Frost & Sullivan, so you can imagine they're pretty proud of it. Its key feature is the absence of expensive permanent magnets which the company hopes will bring the cost of next-generation of hybrids and electric vehicles down within the reach of more customers.

In terms of performance, consider the electric power plant at the core of the world's most popular hybrid, the Prius, as a point of reference. At 50 kW it delivers 67 horses and 297 lb-ft of torque. The 2006 Civic Hybrid? While still very economical, it only offers a 15 kW motor which is good for 20 hp and 76 lb-ft. Raser's press release, doesn't actually state horsepower or torque figures, but you get the idea. If all goes well, it seems like the next generation of electric-powered vehicles are going to be a thrill to drive.

[Source: Raser]