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Recharge Wrap-up: Toyota battery breakthrough, PSA's millionth BlueHDi diesel

Scientists at Toyota have developed battery technology that allows for higher energy density. Using material from hydrogen storage, researchers at the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan have created an electrolyte that works well with a magnesium metal anode. Besides improving energy density for smaller, more powerful batteries, magnesium is also more stable than lithium, making it a safer alternative. Rather than guarding their secret, Toyota is sharing details of this breakthrough in order to advance the technology in hopes of an earlier mass deployment of magnesium batteries. See the video above, and read more in the press release below. Farmdrop – a sort of online farmer's market in the UK – is looking for help naming its electric delivery "vanimals." The Nissan e-NV200 vans are painted and decorated to look like cows, pigs, and chickens. While three of the vans have already been named, fans can suggest their own clever ideas for the rest of the fleet on social media. Those whose names are selected will win a month's worth of shopping on Farmdrop. Cary McCarface, anyone? Read more at the company's website. PSA has built its millionth Euro 6 BlueHDi diesel engine. The automaker builds two diesel engines – a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter – at its plant in Tremery, France at a rate of 7,000 engines a day. BlueHDi technology uses three different emissions control mechanisms to filter pollutants out of diesel exhaust, including an oxygen catalyst, an additive filter to remove particulate matter, and a Selective Catalytic Reduction system to reduce NOx. BlueHDi is used in all new Peugeot, Citroen, and DS Euro 6 diesel vehicles. Read more at Green Car Congress. Charging Ahead Toyota Scientists Make Breakthrough on Safer, Smarter Batteries May 04, 2016 ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 4, 2016) -- For anyone (i.e. everyone) who's ever panicked when their mobile device chirped, "low battery," the future could be far less stressful, thanks to the advanced battery research of scientists at the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA). A new breakthrough involving magnesium batteries may soon open the doors for smaller, longer-lasting batteries for everything from cars to cell phones. What's the Big Deal with Magnesium? Magnesium metal has long been theorized as a much safer and more energy-dense alternative to current lithium battery technology.

Toyota bringing refreshed Auris to Geneva

Americans got a chance to see the Toyota Auris dressed up as the Scion iM concept at the LA Auto Show a few months ago, but the Japanese automaker isn't about to leave its European customers who call the Auris their own out of the action. Toyota will be showcasing a revised version for the local market at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. For those unfamiliar, the Auris is essentially a Corolla with a liftgate at the back – or put another way, the European counterpart to what we once knew as the Matrix. It's available in hatchback and Touring Sports wagon body styles, and with gasoline, diesel or hybrid powertrain options. Though the hybrid (which accounted for half of the model line's sales last year) carries over unchanged, the updated Auris will get new gasoline and diesel engines. Along with them, the refreshed Auris also benefits from revised sheetmetal, a remodeled cabin and some upgraded equipment. Full details will be announced closer to its debut alongside the larger new Avensis at the Swiss auto expo. NEW TOYOTA AURIS TO JOIN NEW AVENSIS ON STAGE AT GENEVA Motor show debut for British-built Auris hatchback and wagon Toyota will reveal its new Auris at the Geneva motor show (3 – 15 March), the British-built hatchback and Touring Sports wagon versions making their debut alongside new Avensis. New Auris enjoys a refreshed design that adds presence and prestige, together with an upgraded cabin and new comfort and safety equipment features. The hybrid remains at the heart of the range, having established itself as the leading powertrain in the line-up, accounting for around half of all Auris sales in Europe in 2014. Nonetheless, the new model heralds the arrival of new and improved petrol and diesel engines, developed with a focus on efficiency and performance. The simultaneous reveal of new Auris and Avensis follows on from last year's introduction of Aygo and Yaris to complete a full rejuvenation of Toyota's core European model range. Both Auris and Avensis will continue to be built side by side at Toyota Manufacturing UK's car plant at Burnaston, near Derby. Toyota will host its Geneva motor show press conference on its stand in Hall 4 at Palexpo, at 12.15pm on 3 March. Featured Gallery 2016 Toyota Auris News Source: Toyota Geneva Motor Show Toyota Hatchback Wagon Economy Cars 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Toyota says fuel cells could cost no more than diesels soon

Toyota wants to bring the cost of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles down to something along the lines of a diesel vehicle's price tag. It just might take until the alliterative year of 2022 to hit that target. Such is the challenge of modern engineering. Fuel-cell vehicle costs may eventually approach diesel vehicle costs because of the relatively expensive process of both making a diesel engine and including it with particulate filters and other treatments required to reduce the soot once associated with such engines, Automotive News says, citing comments from Toyota executive Katsuhiko Hirose. And, while engineers initially estimated that fuel cells and diesels would reach price parity in about 15 years, Hirose said Toyota higher ups weren't satisfied with that answer and think the timeframe could be cut in half. The Japanese automaker in January said it would ramp up the manufacturing rate of its first production fuel-cell vehicle, the Mirai, to about 700 units this year and to 2,000 vehicles for 2016. Later this year, Toyota will start selling the Mirai in the US for either $57,500 as a purchase or $499-a-month lease, and both options come with free hydrogen. Who can say that about diesel fuel? Related Videos: