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The buzz about electric aircraft Emissions limits force the aviation industry to study hybrid and battery-electric propulsion systems. Car-to-X marks the secure beamforming spot Intelligent networking of cars and infrastructure promises a future of enhanced active safety and traffic efficiency, though as an open and decentralized system, car-to-X is exposed to various attacks against security and driver's privacy. Talking big A look at factors that should be considered by OEMs when implementing a telematics solution in the heavy-duty on- and off-highway mobile equipment markets.

Bang for the buck The best technology solutions for electrified vehicles are the ones that deliver ∼80% of the performance of 'ideal' systems, at ∼60% of their cost. Rise of the P2 machines Newcomers to hybrid-vehicle development are bypassing the Prius-proven powersplit system for lower-cost and moderately less capable single-motor solutions. Rethinking battery and e-motor materials Experts reveal efforts to find lower cost, more strategically stable solutions that can match or improve system performance.

Putting electrification to work For fleets, going green is a high priority-but making green is an even higher one. A move to 'more electric' engines Researchers detail a motor control design for the fuel system of a more electric aero engine, focusing on the necessary safety and reliability aspects. 2012-13 Hybrid Vehicles Guide A quick reference to the latest production HEVs and their key specifications.

Argonne heats up Li-ion battery research The U.S. Department of Energy lab near Chicago is using federal stimulus money to dive deeper into lithium battery research. Lithium-ion battery industry moves forward From technology advances to manufacturing capacity expansions, the foundation of the lithium-ion battery industry is becoming stronger and more viable.

RAV4 EV races to market After just a 22-month development program, engineers from Toyota and Tesla produce an all-electric version of the popular SUV. Integrating in-wheel motors Four publicly disclosed vehicles are examined for which Protean Electric has taken a leading role in converting into electric or hybrid prototypes.

When fuel cells fly Emerging hydrogen and fuel-cell-based technologies are being developed for the future replacement of onboard electrical systems in more-electric or all-electric aircraft. Motor controls spin forward Improved power handling and software advances make electrified powertrains more competitive. Multiple controllers adds to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

No more molecules! Companies continue to invest in new chemistries for EV batteries, but at least one company in the battery industry thinks it's time to halt the unending search for new chemical formulations and focus on driving down processing costs.

A new Formula for racing The new Formula E series' electric racecars are intended to pioneer new technology for broader use in production, encouraging fans to think differently about the technologies they use. Production of satellite with first all-electric propulsion system advances Electric propulsion has been limited so far to small movements of the satellites once it is in its geostationary orbit. The Boeing 702SP innovation is its use of electric propulsion to raise the satellite from its launch-vehicle drop-off point to geostationary orbit. Using CAE to assess whining noise of electric powertrains To develop an electric powertrain with a minimum noise level and minimized whining it is necessary to have accurate CAE simulation and precise criteria to assess whining noise.

Inside the cell walls The high cost of lithium-ion batteries is a prison that has largely kept electric vehicles off the street; the keys to their release are more effective—but not more expensive—cell chemistries.

Into the DEAP The Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion project looks toward a future optimized integrated propulsion system that will allow cleaner, quieter, and more efficient performance incorporated into a radically innovative airframe that will feature enclosed electrically powered fans.

Harley-Davidson's e-bike shocker (video) Is the motorcycle market ready for a Harley-Davidson EV? Project LiveWire was designed to provide answers, said Chief Engineer Jeff Richlen. Airbus has its eye on the future of cleaner flight CleanSky 2 targets are to increase aircraft fuel efficiency enough to reduce CO2 emissions by 20-30% and reduce aircraft NOx and noise emissions by 20-30% compared to newly designed aircraft entering into service in 2014-or essentially halve 2005 CO2 emissions levels by 2050. Soul EV extends the range frontier (video) Specially formulated NCM battery cells are key in giving the vehicle class-leading EV range while enabling engineers to fit a high-energy-density battery pack underfloor with little sacrifice of passenger cabin space.

Spotlight on Sanjay Ravi Mark Fletcher discovers how The Cloud can help the automotive industry Powering Aspirations Ian Adcock reviews technologies at this year's Frankfurt motor show Stop-Start Breakthrough Kami Buchholz reports on an innovative Schaeffler stop-start for automatics

Walking the torque A system that fills in the torque gap of a turbocharged diesel engine, allowing a smaller power unit to punch well above its size, without the dreaded 'lag'-that has to be a winner, surely. So a decade later, why has it yet to come to market? Ian Adcock ponders the reasons Tipping the scales The original Range Rover revolutionised the automotive industry when it was launched. Some 42 years later, the latest version looks very much set to do the same as Ian Adcock reports Can computers take control safely? In the name of improved safety, some favour a future where automation takes charge of a fast-moving vehicle. The more cautious support advanced systems that simply warn drivers of potential problems. Who will win out? Chris Edwards reports

Exhausting Possibilities A novel herringbone design of exhaust catalyst could be the 'Eureka' moment for emissions reductions, says ACAT Global's CEO Joseph W Moch. Ian Adcock tries to unravel the story behind it A right royal performance An interior influenced by the Jubilee celebrations? James Brewer finds out more Virtually, the real deal OEMs want faster time to market, reduced development costs and ever more sophisticated testing. Ian Adcock reports

Spotlight on Karl Stracke General Motor's vice president global vehicle engineering talks to Ian Adcock about how GM is revolutionising its engineering strategy Re-engineering the future Ian Adcock goes behind the scenes of Ford's new global platform that will underpin 2.5 million models The connected car Keith Howard investigates the latest trends in internet-enabled infotainment systems