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Hyundai Ioniq model lineup shown ahead of Geneva debut

Hyundai released information on all three versions of the Ioniq ahead of their debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. We've already taken a close look at the Toyota Prius-fighting hybrid model but now we have new information on the electric and plug-in hybrid variants. While the two hybrid models are nearly identical, the battery-electric Ioniq has an enclosed nose for better aerodynamics. The plug-in comes with an upgraded electric motor making 60 hp, compared to 43 in the hybrid. It uses the same 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, but Hyundai has to yet to divulge if the total system power in the plug-in is higher than the 139 horsepower figure for the hybrid. Using an 8.9 kWh battery, the plug-in is said to offer 31 miles of electric range. The larger, heavier Ford Fusion Energi plug-in uses as 7.6 kWh battery and is rated at 20 miles of electric range. On a loose estimate we'd guess the Ioniq plug-in will be rated around 25 miles of electric driving. As for the electric Ioniq, Hyundai is only giving us the numbers: 28 kWh battery, 118 horsepower, 103-mph top speed. Range is a quoted 155 miles, but again we're not sure what cycle that's on. The 110-hp, 30 kWh Nissan leaf manages 107 miles on the EPA sticker, so we expect similar (possibly lower) numbers from the Hyundai. We still don't know when any version of the Ioniq will go on sale in the United States, but with confirmation that the related Kia Niro is still 11 months away we don't expect the Hyundai to be in showrooms before the end of the year. View 7 Photos Green Geneva Motor Show Hyundai Electric Hybrid hyundai ioniq

Recharge Wrap-up: meet the '66 ZelectricBug, DOE announces home-scale H2 refueling competition

The US Department of Energy has launched the $1 million H2 Refuel H-Prize competition to create small- to medium-scale hydrogen refueling systems. The systems could be home-scale systems that produce hydrogen using utilities at home for refueling, or medium-scale systems to supply locations such as retail centers, apartment complexes or small fleets. The DOE sees hydrogen fueling infrastructure as the biggest obstacle to fuel-cell vehicle adoption and putting the production and refueling in the hands of the consumer could be a way around that obstacle. Read more at Energy.gov and at Green Car Congress. Hyundai has announced a new six-speed automatic transmission with integrated electric motor for new hybrid models. The new configuration puts most of the hybrid powertrain components within the transmission, and the torque converter has been eliminated. The new engine clutch reduces drag with fewer clutch discs, and the mechanical oil pump has been replaced with an electric one. The result is fewer energy losses, improved efficiency and greater mileage. Read more at Hybrid Cars in Reuters or in the press release from Hyundai below. Zelectric Motors has completed its electric 1966 Volkswagen Beetle rebuild, and has put it up for sale. The '66 ZelectricBug, as it's called, is powered by a 50-kW electric motor and 20-kWh battery pack, and offers 120 pound-feet of torque. It has a range of 80 miles, and is capable of at least 100 mph. The stock transmission has been rebuilt. It also has some new goodies like high-performance sway bars, custom shocks, and LED lighting. The '66 ZelectricBug is priced at $45,000. Check it out in the video below and read more at Hybrid Cars. A startup called Alevo says it will build a billion-dollar factory in North Carolina to make longer-lasting lithium iron phosphate batteries. Alevo has purchased an old cigarette factory in Concord for $68.5 million, but it's unclear whether or not the company has secured the $1 billion investment to begin producing batteries. The company plans to create 2,500 to 6,000 jobs and produce several gigawatts worth of batteries per year, which is a tall order for a relatively unknown company. Read more at Gigaom, or in Alevo's press release below. Tesla owners in Shanghai will be exempt from the city's $12,000 registration fee. About 400 people have already received the free license plates in Shanghai, where the government wants to encourage alternative fuel vehicles.

China sticking to its guns on EVs for the future

Automakers are obviously free to develop whatever next-gen, zero-emissions tech that they want. However, if a company wants to get on the good side of the Chinese government, that strategy better include some plug-in vehicles. The authorities there are lending major support to plug-ins at the moment, and its forcing the auto industry to play along. According to Bloomberg, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and BMW are all launching dedicated EV brands with their joint venture partners, and as many as 40 electric models could hit the Chinese market this year alone. However, analysts don't think the vehicles are going to sell well. Instead, the launches are essentially a way for companies to play nice with the government and help get the approval to build factories in the country. Take Toyota as an example. The company is pushing the future of hydrogen hard with promotional films for the Mirai and engineers talking down fast-charging EVs. Still, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch two EV brands in China with its joint venture partners, according to Bloomberg. China's push for alternative fuels has been happening for a while, but it really kicked into high gear last year. The government has set a goal to improve fleet-wide economy by 40 percent by the end of the decade in order to spend less importing oil and for the population's health. The plan has shown some success so far with hybrid and EV sales growing early in 2015. Related Video: News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Kin Cheung / AP Photo Government/Legal Green BMW Hyundai Toyota Volkswagen Green Culture Technology Electric tax incentives chinese government