Toyota begins testing wireless recharging for electric cars

Toyota has announced that it will begin actual verification testing of its new wireless battery charging system for electric vehicles, one which charges the battery of a plug-in hybrid or a pure-electric car by having the car park over it. Toyota's charging system uses magnetic-resonance technology, which operates by transmitting electricity by using the magnetic resonance resulting from changes in magnentic field intensity between a coil positioned under the car, and a receiving coil built into the underside of the vehicle. This system eliminates the need for physically plugging in an electric car or a hybrid to an actual plug, and also has the potential to solve the problem of multiple types of actual plugs.

Renault Alpine A110-50

As we reported earlier this week, the Renault Alpine A110-50 prototype will be shown at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. Designed by Yann Jarsalle and Concept and Show Car Director Axel Breun the A110-50 effectively relaunches the historic Alpine brand despite being essentially a reworked version of the Renault-branded DeZir concept unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. As well as the addition of various Alpine design cues – the stylized yellow spot lamp pods, central hood flute and blue and orange colorway – the car is built on the platform of the RenaultSport Megane Trophy racecar and so therefore requires cooling provisions for its mid-mounted engine.

Volvo Flywheel KERS hybrid on the way

Volvo Flywheel KERS - more power, less fuesl, low cost Volvo looks like it’s making a big jump ahead in the ongoing battle to make cars more economical, with plans to roll out a Hybrid Flywheel KERS system to boost performance and cut fuel consumption in the process The innovative system Volvo are trialing is similar in principle to the push-button boost used in Formula 1 cars. Volvo say that their efficient and lightweight system will give a four pot the feel of a six-pot and cut fuel consumption by up to 201% Which are claims we’ve head before when it comes to hybrid technology. And, as long as the car is driven in a very gentle fashion, many of the hybrid claims are true.