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Recharge Wrap-up: Hyundai visually explains fuel cells, BYD T5 electric truck

Are you still unclear about how exactly a hydrogen fuel cell works to power a car? Hyundai is offering a great visual on how its fuel cells operate in cars like the Tucson fuel Cell. Basically, the anode splits the hydrogen molecule into a positive and negative ion. The negative ions are used for electricity, while the positive ions are pushed through a membrane to the cathode, where both ions are combined with oxygen to create the byproduct of water. There's a little more to it than that to make it work in a vehicle, so see for yourself in the infographic below. BYD is launching its T5 electric light truck in China. The truck has a maximum speed of 31 miles per hour, making it mostly suitable for in-city and campus duty. It has a range of almost 250 miles, though, and with its size, the T5 could make a pretty adept delivery truck. The battery is situated under the load bay between the axles, keeping the center of gravity low. Price could be an issue, but government subsidies might help convince some companies to make the switch to BYD's electric truck. See more over at Car News China. The Mahindra Reva e2o electric vehicle will offer a fast charging feature, called Quick2Charge. Normally, the e2o takes five hours to fully charge, but that time gets cut to just one hour with the new option. Choosing the Quick2Charge option adds 45,000 rupees (about $735) to the price of the e2o. The new e2o is supposed to get electric power steering, and, later, a four-door variant. Mahindra Reva is also making an export-only version with Quick2Charge, longer range, electric steering, airbags, and ABS. Read more over at Indian Cars Bikes. The Quebec-Vermont Electric Charging Corridor is set to expand with 14 new charging stations. Melanie Dufresne of the area's tourism board announced that the 240-volt chargers would be installed in Le Haut-Richelieu Regional County Municipality. Drivers will use a special access card to charge at the stations in the region for $2.50. The stations will be installed by the end of the year. To see all the locations and learn more about the announcement, head over to Hybrid Cars.

Hyundai Sonata PHEV on sale for $34,600, in some states, at least

Hyundai's first plug-in hybrid vehicle is now available in ten US states, and the even better news is that the car can go the equivalent of a marathon, plus a little change, without using a drop of gas. The South Korean automaker says the vehicle will have a 600-mile driving range and will be able to go 27 miles on electric power alone. Other goodies on the safety front include a blind-spot detection system and rear cross-traffic alerts. The sedan pairs a 2.0-liter gas-powered engine and electric motor that combine for 202 horsepower. The car also delivers an estimated 99 miles per gallon equivalent fuel-economy rating. The model's 9.8-kWh battery is five times the size as the one in the Sonata Hybrid. Exactly how well these cars will sell could be a mystery for a little while, as Hyundai and its sister company Kia have steadfastly refused to disclose hybrid-sales figures and this policy might continue with the PHEV. The Sonata PHEV starts at $34,600 before a potential federal-government incentive worth up to $4,919 kicks in. A "limited" trim runs for $4,000 more. The car, whose specifications were largely detailed last month, will be available for sale in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. The reason for this limited roll-out, Hyundai executives have said, is that those states have the best charging infrastructure network for PHEVs. No word on when the rest of the country will be able to easily buy the sedan, though folks in the other 40 states can at least put in special orders for the car. Take a look at Hyundai's press release below, and read our First Drive impressions here. Related Video: 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA PLUG-IN HYBRID DELIVERS CLASS-LEADING 27-MILE ALL-ELECTRIC RANGE Exclusive Blue Link Smartphone App Controls Charging Schedule Remotely 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Rear Exterior 3/4 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. November 13, 2015 – This week the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) arrives in select dealerships with a competitively priced and compelling product that boasts a class-leading 27-mile All-Electric Range (AER). The 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid offers the efficiency of an alternative powertrain with a unique aerodynamic exterior design, best-in-class total interior volume, premium features and advanced safety technology all at an excellent value.

2015 Hyundai Sonata gets a shadowy preview

It's only been on the market since 2010, but such is the hectic pace of the family sedan world that the Hyundai Sonata finds itself as the elder statesmen of the midsize segment. The current, sixth-generation sedan put the Korean automaker in the hunt with its audacious Fluidic Sculpture styling and bold powertrain choices (it was the first to eschew a six-cylinder option), but time has brought with it tough new competitors from the likes of Ford, Honda, Mazda and others, so it's time for a new model.
Previewed here in this official teaser rendering is an all-new, seventh-generation model, and at first blush, it looks markedly more conservative and refined than its predecessor, with more restrained surfacing and a more traditional six-sided grille. Scheduled for a world premiere in Korea later this month, the Sonata is expected to make its first show circuit appearance at the New York Auto Show in April.
Built atop a platform with significantly more advanced high-strength steel (51 percent vs. 21 percent) and increased use of structural adhesives, the Sonata's bones promise to be both more rigid (by 40 percent) and lighter. Cloaked in Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 bodywork, so far Hyundai isn't saying much about powertrain updates, but it is trumpeting a redesigned interior with a new infotainment interface and redesigned seats.