DailyTech - N.C. Gov. Easley Announces NCSU Advanced Transportation Energy Center

Submit News

Auto N.C. Gov. Easley Announces NCSU Advanced Transportation Energy Center
Brandon Hill (Blog) - February 14, 2008 11:09 AM

10 comment(s) - last by UNCjigga.. on Feb 18 at 2:18 PM

Toyota Plug-in HV Prius

2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2 Mode Hybrid

Chevrolet Volt

NC State University will work to develop advanced batteries, tech for plug-in hybrids

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley is taking steps to spur the development of vehicles with advanced powertrains while at the same time bring new jobs to the region. Easley announced the creation of the North Carolina State University's (NCSU) Advanced Transportation Energy Center (ATEC).

The ATEC will be operated in conjunction with energy companies Progress Energy and Duke Energy. The primary focus of the center will be to develop advanced battery technology and develop an infrastructure for widespread electric charging stations.

"It is our patriotic duty to free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil and become leaders in developing the technology to make our nation energy independent," said Easley. "Just as we have done in the biotech field, we can position our state to be a hub of activity, expertise and a magnet for the new jobs that will emerge as this sector of the economy grows."

The ATEC will be stationed on NCSU's burgeoning Centennial Campus. NCSU Chancellor James L. Oblinger states, “Growth in the use of plug-in hybrid technology and infrastructure opens the door for North Carolina and N.C. State to be leaders in creating a workforce for advanced transportation. “

“N.C. State was selected to house the Advanced Transportation Energy Center because of our proven research capacity and expertise in battery and photovoltaic research as well as our ability to build the partnerships needed to make the center a success,” Oblinger continued.

Plug-ins hybrids are the next phase in the whole hybrid automobile craze. Toyota is currently testing its own prototype plug-in Prius and 100 Californian households will receive plug-in Priuses this spring.

General Motors is also on the plug-in bandwagon with its Saturn Vue Green Line. The Vue Green Line will get a two-mode hybrid powertrain later this year and a plug-in variant will be introduced in 2009.

GM's much-hyped Chevrolet Volt will also feature plug-in capabilities. The Volt will be able to charge its batteries via the charging port or via the onboard 1.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

Mr. Fusion

By Fnoob on 2/14/2008 11:56:57 AM , Rating: 2

Where is my flying car? According to the Jetsons, it's only a few decades overdue.

RE: Mr. Fusion

By VBCWIZARD on 2/14/2008 1:16:10 PM , Rating: 2

I got your flying car right here:
http://www.stangbangers.com/04_FocusRS-WRC_Jump_Wa...

Parent

RE: Mr. Fusion

By Fnoob on 2/14/2008 2:40:20 PM , Rating: 3

I think someone paid off judges #1 and #3 (lower right).

Also, I'm fairly sure this will void the Ford factory warranty.

Parent

Centennial Campus?

By UNCjigga on 2/14/2008 1:51:40 PM , Rating: 2

Doesn't the NCSU Centennial Campus also house an advanced Materials Science department/faculty and R&D center? Maybe US auto engineers visiting ATEC can stop by and do some research on soft-touch plastics so they can upgrade their crappy interiors.

RE: Centennial Campus?

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 2/14/2008 2:11:04 PM , Rating: 2

Yes, it does.

Parent

RE: Centennial Campus?

By UNCjigga on 2/18/2008 2:18:14 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah I thought so. My uncle's part of that faculty :)

Parent

About time!

By MadMaster on 2/14/2008 1:05:43 PM , Rating: 2

Hybrids really aren't worth it unless they are plug in. The charging stations really is the needed advancement.

Of course, I personally think these companies should have had plug ins and full electrics 5 years ago. The technology was there 5 years ago...

RE: About time!

By Samus on 2/15/2008 6:41:41 AM , Rating: 2

i love my focus, except when i get tickets for speeding or leaving the ground in it.

Parent

Question

By clovell on 2/14/2008 12:05:28 PM , Rating: 2

I couldn't follow the ATEC link in the beginning to a full article, but I'm interested to know more about ATEC's projected role in infrastructure is. I've always thought that serial PHEVs were more reasonable than developing a widespread charging infrastructure.