VOLKSWAGEN / GOLF TWIN DRIVE
VW has revealed further development of electric hybrids with several indications that the fully electric vehicle will continue to elude us for some time to come
- Twin Drive... I think I've already heard that...
Don't confuse Twin Drive with Twin Power in which the latter moniker stands for Volkswagen's development of the TSI engine that combines both a turbocharger and supercharger for its mainstream petrol engines already on sale in Europe. Neither is Twin Drive the Hybrid model VW showcased in a Golf concept earlier this year (see sidebar).
- So tell me, what exactly is Twin Drive?
It's the latest nickname for the Golf experimental car which VW will use in fleet tests in conjunction with the German government and the eight companies involved in battery and energy development and research. Twin Drive is a further development of electric hybrid technology.
- But that is already being done by other brands...
Be patient, we are getting to it. In regular hybrids like those seen in Honda, Toyota and future models from BMW, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz, the internal combustion engine - either diesel or petrol - supplements the electric motor(s). In Twin Drive, it's exactly the other way around.
Engine can do 40kpl. |
Battery info for driver. |
Readings for electric power. |
Plug to charge battery. |
Lithium-ion batteries are packed in the rear. |
- So, it must be truly efficient...
In theory, yes. VW claims that this Golf can achieve 40kpl on the average, 25% better than the Golf TDi Hybrid. Like in TDi Hybrid, Twin Drive can run solely on electricity at low to medium speed in normal driving conditions but it does it better and has a longer range.
- And what kind of batteries is it hooked up with?
Lithium-ion which, according to VW, have higher energy density and longevity than the nickel metal hydride type. They can be charged at home via a plug, and VW has pledged to source electricity from wind, water or solar energy - unlike the norm today - to minimise and possibly eliminate carbon footprint.
- But Honda and Toyota are still sticking to the nickel-metal hydride version...
Correct, as you may have learned from last week's scoop of the next-generation hybrids from Honda and Toyota. These two car companies are still concerned about the reliability and safety of lithium ion batteries - which should be noteworthy as the Japanese take great pride in making cars that don't break down easily.
- But lithium-ion still has its advantages...
Certainly. That's why carmakers are pursuing this path - including Toyota and Honda until they are convinced enough - but with the help of outside companies. That's why you see this or that carmaker joining hands with battery specialists. Mitsubishi, for one, intends to put its i-based MIEV electric car on sale in 2010.
- Will it come to Thailand?
Despite a vaguely defined 10% excise tax levied on electric vehicles by the Thai government, it shouldn't be coming any soon. Perhaps, only on a experimental basis like fleet cars for special purposes and events. Even hybrids are yet to be born with that same tax privilege.
- But Toyota is already coming out with the Camry Hybrid...
True, as it announced last month. It's just the beginning, though. The Thai-made Camry will use a "light hybrid" with single electric motor, unlike the Lexus RX400h that uses a more sophisticated set-up with two electric motors. In fact, official sales have stopped after engineers located some glitches in the RX400h on Thai roads.
- So there's still much to do?
Yes, and that could be why Toyota Motor Thailand decided to start with a simpler hybrid with nickel-metal hydride batteries rather than do a Prius which is equally as complex as in the RX400h.
- And considering those arguments what kind of battery should be used...
Even if the issue of battery type to be used is settled, you can still expect a lengthy debate on source of electricity and how clean is that source. That's why the concept of Twin Drive has its limitations, indicating the days of manufacturing pure plug-in electric vehicles on a commercial basis is not anywhere near and it will probably still take some time to get there.
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TDi Hybrid gives 29kpl. |
The more realistic option
Vehicles powered purely by electricity are still far-fetched options. And despite Volkswagen putting the Golf Twin Power (main story) to tests on the road, the more probable variation to reach the showroom is the Golf Hybrid TDi.
The diesel/electric hybrid from VW's popular C-segment hatchback made its debut in concept form in Geneva earlier this year and could be hitting the market after the decade in next-generation form as the current Mk5 is about to expire.
The TDi Hybrid runs on a hi-tech diesel mated to an electric motor, which can operate purely on its own in city-driving.
The 29kpl average fuel economy VW claims is also made possible by automatic stop-and-go system and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG).
The latest diesels in Europe are designed with NOx traps in the exhaust system and can only cope with Euro 5 diesel. In Thailand, only few oil brands are starting to offer Euro 4 diesel.
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