A new electric vehicle prototype weights half the average weight of a conventional electric vehicle.
Designed and built by Japanese manufacturing firm, Teijin, the new concept weighs just 437kg, much less than a smart fortwo at 750kg. The PU_PA EV (as in 'pupa electric vehicle,' a reference to metamorphosis) is designed to embody the firms [...]
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Super-light electric concept revealed
terça-feira, 6 de abril de 2010
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Report: Prius tops Japan's March sales list, wait time back up to six months
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Japan
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
Even with Toyota’s unintended acceleration issues, it really should come as no surprise that the Toyota Prius tops the sales charts once again. The perennial best-selling hybrid has kept its perch near the top of the leader-board for years. Just days ago, we reported that the Prius was the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S. for the month of March, no surprise there. Now comes word that the Prius is the best selling car in Japan for the same month.
The Prius is not only the best-selling hybrid in Japan, it’s the best-selling vehicle, period. March numbers show that the Toyota Prius has now accrued 277,485 sales in a twelve-month period. The Prius has held onto that top spot in Japan for 11 months now, no small feat. High sales of the Prius are partly attributed to large government incentives given to purchasers of fuel efficient vehicles in Japan.
Trailing behind the Prius in second place is the Honda Fit. This small-sized offering also offers up strong fuel economy and a competitive price. Still, the Fit trails the Prius by a wide margin in sales in the last twelve months only racking up 173,154 units sold. In fact, the Prius is so popular in Japan that the waiting list stands at a reported six months right now!
[Source: Detroit News]
Report: Prius tops Japan’s March sales list, wait time back up to six months originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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London library benefits from electric van
The City of London Corporation has become one of the first local authorities to benefit from the Department for Transport's (DfT) Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LVCVPP), after it took delivery of an all-electric van.
The van produced by Allied Electric, is a battery-powered adapted Peugeot Boxer, capable of travelling over 100 miles and can [...]
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Report suggests fuel tax better than higher mpg standards for heavy duty vehicles
Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Legislation and Policy
Passenger cars and light-duty trucks will be subjected to stringent new emission standards in the near future. Heavy-duty vehicles are not being left out of the mix and will have their own regulations intended to slowly lead to cleaner vehicles delivering goods across the nation. That’s a good thing.
However, there is dispute over how best to achieve the goal of cleaning up the nation’s fleet of heavy-duty vehicles. On one hand, the Environmental Protection Agency believes that regulating emissions is the best way to clean up the notoriously dirty vehicles. On the other hand, research shows that a fuel tax may be the best answer.
A report released by the National Research Council (NRC) concludes that a fuel tax is is the simplest, most efficient way to reach clean air goals. The study finds that, while regulations on future heavy-duty vehicles is certainly beneficial, the regulations will have virtually no impact on the hundreds of thousands of old, inefficient heavy-duty vehicles that are likely to remain on our roads for decades.
The NRC study shows that a fuel tax would force companies to be efficient in planning routes, delivering items and driving in a manner that conserves fuel. The fuel tax would also affect all heavy-duty vehicles, no matter how old or outdated. Another reason for the NRC to suggest a fuel tax rather than strong regulations is cost. The NRC report shows that new, efficient, high-tech diesel engines costs on average $23,000 more than gasoline engines. In an industry where profit margins are slim, footing this additional upfront cost is not easy and it’s argued that since a fuel tax is spread out through the life of the vehicle, the costs are easier to cope with. Whether it’s a fuel tax or stringent regulations, one thing is certain, the nation’s fleet of dirty, workhorses will have to clean up their act soon.
[Source: National Research Council, Green Car Advisor]
Report suggests fuel tax better than higher mpg standards for heavy duty vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Garia announces Soleil de Minuit limited edition golf cart - and you thought $17,500 was expensive
segunda-feira, 5 de abril de 2010
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Garia Soleil de Minuit - Click above for high-res image gallery
Just a few months ago (in early December 2009), the “World’s Most Exclusive Golf Cart” was the new Garia vehicle that is priced $17,499 or 13,999 Euros, plus tax and delivery. Now, though, we know that even this absurd price for an all-electric golf cart can be nearly tripled thanks to the new Garia Soleil de Minuit limited edition. The golf cart for the insane will be unveiled at the Top Marques Monaco 2010 starting April 15. How much will the new Soleil de Minuit cost? A smooth $52,000 or €39,000. Yes, that’s $52,000.
That price leaves us little choice but to believe Garia’s claim that the Soleil de Minuit is “the most expensive golf car ever made by a manufacturer.” What would possibly make someone interested in this way-overpriced monster? Well, it’s made at Valmet Automotive, which is where the Porsche Cayman, Porsche Boxster and Think City are made. Aside from the pedigree, the cart:
features carbon roof, one-of custom paint tailored to enhance all design features on The Garia, two-colored hand-stitched luxury seats, alcantara roof lining and numerous hand-made details to create a truly unique luxury golf car.
Of course, there’s also a built-in refrigerator and the ability to have the cart painted whatever color you want, you know, to match your other cars. We’d get ours in Grey Poupon yellow.
[Source: Garia]
Garia announces Soleil de Minuit limited edition golf cart - and you thought $17,500 was expensive originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Fuel economy standards established
The US Department of Transportation, along with the US Environmental Protection Agency, have announced increasingly stringent fuel economy standards as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Corporate Average Fuel Economy programme and the Clean Air Act for 2012-2016.
The standards outline the following:
- Car makers must improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas [...]
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Can plug-in vehicles make any money before they become outmoded?
domingo, 4 de abril de 2010
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
Writing on the AltEnergyStocks site, John Peterson tries to make the case that plug-in vehicles are a bad investment for automakers and are unlikely to be profitable anytime in the foreseeable future, certainly not before they are obsolete. Considering the issue purely from a business case perspective, Peterson is very likely correct, at least for the first generation or two. Cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt will almost certainly be money losers for the lifecycle of the first-generation models (for its part, Nissan says they will make a profit off of the Leaf, though it isn’t going into details). However, without the creation of money-losing first-generation models, it would be hard to get to subsequent iterations with improved technology, lower manufacturing costs and higher volumes, thus bringing the costs down.
Peterson also argues that battery makers are overvalued and at “nosebleed” levels, and specifically mentions A123 Systems and Ener1. While both companies may well be overvalued based on their current stock prices - $13.67 for A123 and $4.40 for Ener1 - from where we sit, these hardly qualify as nosebleed and are well below their peaks of the past year. Both of those companies also have new battery plants opening this year, not 2012 and beyond as Peterson says in his article.
In general, it’s certainly hard to make a viable economic case for first-generation plug-in vehicles based on fuel savings and cost of the vehicles, but if batteries are ever going to progress, this is a step that needs to be taken. It may well turn out that plug-in vehicles never turn out to be the best solution, but if no one tries, it won’t ever be known.
[Source: AltEnergyStocks]
Can plug-in vehicles make any money before they become outmoded? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid
sábado, 3 de abril de 2010
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Porsche, Green Daily, Racing
Porsche 918 Spyder at the track - Click above to watch the video after the break
No doubt about it, the Porsche 918 Sypder was both one of the biggest surprises of the Geneva Motor Show and one of its most memorable vehicles. No surprise, then, that the German automaker has signaled its desire to put the hybrid sportscar into production. Porsche is once again hinting at its production goals for the 918 Spyder with its latest advertising campaign, calling the sportscar “The future of motorsport and series production.” Doesn’t get much more straightforward than that, eh? To go along with the new round of marketing, Porsche has released a new video that offers a bit more information about its showstopper, which you can find after the break.
In addition, there’s a second video highlighting Porsche’s new 911 GT3 R Hybrid, which managed an impressive sixth-place finish in its racing debut last weekend. Wanna see for yourself? Click past the break to watch both videos from Porsche.
[Source: Porsche]
Continue reading Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid
Video: Porsche highlights Intelligent Performance of 918 Spyder, 911 GT3 R Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
New York 2010: Ford wins "Green Ad of the Year" with ka-ching hybrid ad
Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, New York Auto Show
Christopher Leaves - Click above to watch video after the jump
While the Kia hamsters won the big cheese Most Effective Automotive Ad title in Nielsen’s fourth annual Automotive Advertising Awards this year, handed out during the New York Auto Show, it was Ford’s ad for its hybrid vehicles that won for Green Ad of the Year. Nielsen asked a panel of 2.5 million television viewers to find out which ads were the most effective, especially in creating something memorable.
The “Christopher Leaves” ad features the driver, we’re assuming named Christopher, suggesting the green leaves in the hybrid dash should really show something a little more representative of what the fuel efficiency means to the owner. Interested in idea? The ad is only 17 seconds long, and you can watch it after the jump.
[Source: Nielsen]
Continue reading New York 2010: Ford wins “Green Ad of the Year” with ka-ching hybrid ad
New York 2010: Ford wins “Green Ad of the Year” with ka-ching hybrid ad originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Daimler working on new transmission-integrated electric motor for hybrid vehicles
sexta-feira, 2 de abril de 2010
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Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes Benz, Green Daily, Daimler
Daimler is currently working on a new hybrid vehicle engine that the company calls a transmission-integrated electric engine. As the name suggests, the setup puts the electric engine (motor) into the automatic transmission.
According to Daimler, the setup is good to power levels of more than 15 kilowatts and the integrated setup could boost performance of the company’s hybrid vehicles while also reducing fuel consumption. By containing the vast majority of the hybrid powertrain components within the transmission, the system could be utilized across vehicle platforms with relative ease.
The automaker will invest $56 million into its Berlin factory to convert a portion of the plant to work on development and production of the transmission-integrated electric engine for future Mercedes-Benz hybrid vehicles. Follow the jump for more information.
[Source: Daimler]
Continue reading Daimler working on new transmission-integrated electric motor for hybrid vehicles
Daimler working on new transmission-integrated electric motor for hybrid vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Plug-in vehicle industry responds to Nissan Leaf's low price
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
There was a lot of justified excitement on these pages when Nissan announced the $32,780 price for the Leaf ($25,280 after federal tax credits). Considering the impact this price will have on the plug-in vehicle industry as a whole, we wanted to go around the virtual horn and see what other plug-in vehicle automakers and advocates think about this price. Here are the responses, and we’ll add more as people get back to us.
First, Kim Adelman, of Plug-In Conversions Corporation, who told AutoblogGreen that:
Nissan has done a great thing. This will make it much easier for more people to experience all electric driving. Same feeling and excitement as when I first ordered my Toyota Rav4-EV in 2001. It’s only a decade later! I hope this puts productive pressure on the other car companies.
Plug In America members are also wildly excited about the price, with Paul Scott writing that, Nissan’s announcement:
No doubt sent shivers down the spines of Toyota and Honda, not to mention GM execs. They now have to compete at a much lower price point if they want to play the game in which Nissan is writing the rules.
Mitsubishi North America’s product communications manager, Maurice “Moe” Durand, told AutoblogGreen that the i-MiEV is not launching until the end of 2011 in the U.S. and the price has not yet been set, but that Mitsubishi “is very much aware of Nissan’s pricing.” Over on the Mini E team, Richard Steinberg, BMW’s manager of electric vehicle operations and strategy, told us that:
To be honest, the MSRP was quite reasonable. I thought that was appropriate for the technology. What is really going to draw the headlines, of course, was the $369 per month lease with two grand down. That is really an attractive payment. What I don’t really understand is what happens when the federal tax credit runs down.
The Mini E, which customers are leasing now, is not eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit; the Leaf is. For the record, those credits phase out for each manufacturer:
once cumulative sales of qualified vehicles reach 200,000 vehicles. The phase-out period begins two calendar quarters after the first date in which a manufacturer’s sales reach the cumulative sales maximum after December 31, 2009. The credit is reduced to 50 percent of the total value for the first two calendar quarters of the phase-out period and then to 25 percent for the third and forth calendar quarters before being phased out entirely thereafter.
Read the details here.
Gallery: New York 2010: Nissan Leaf
Plug-in vehicle industry responds to Nissan Leaf’s low price originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Kia D-Segment Hybrid set for 2011
quinta-feira, 1 de abril de 2010
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Take a look at the all-new Kia Optima – it is the Korean car maker's replacement for the Magentis.
Built on an entirely new platform, the car will be launched across several markets, with the UK expected to see the Optima during 2011.
Designed at Kia's studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, the all-new Optima [...]
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Cadillac not concerned with Lincoln MKZ hybrid launch, Converj status unchanged
Filed under: Hybrid, Cadillac, Lincoln, Green Daily
2009 Cadillac Converj concept - Click above for high-res gallery
Ford Motor Company recently unveiled its Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at the New York Auto Show. The vehicle will become the brand’s first entry into the luxury hybrid vehicle segment, a segment dominated by Lexus products. For Ford, the move to enter the segment may be risky and sales volume could be quite low. With Ford entering the segment, how will General Motors respond? According to Don Butler, a Cadillac marketer, the brand is not concerned with the MKZ Hybrid’s introduction and the vehicle’s unveiling will have no impact on Cadillac’s current alternative powertrain plans. As Butler said in an interview with Ward’s Auto:
We don’t want to do a hybrid just to do a hybrid. And we don’t want to just take something and put another badge on it and say, ‘There’s our hybrid.’ It needs to be purpose-driven. We need to do what makes sense for Cadillac and its brand. You can expect alternative powertrains in Cadillac’s not-so-distant future. It’s not like we are moving away.
Of course, if Cadillac did want to respond to the MKZ Hybrid, they could simply put the green light back on for the Cadillac Converj concept. The Converj, using powertrain components from the Chevrolet Volt, could come to market quickly and be ready to take on the MKZ. The Converj would utilize the advanced extended range setup as opposed to the Lincoln’s more traditional hybrid powertrain and would likely cost significantly more, but the added benefits of the Voltec system could lure potential MKZ buyers to the Cadillac brand. Hint to Cadillac, build the Converj!
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Cadillac not concerned with Lincoln MKZ hybrid launch, Converj status unchanged originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ford to introduce Lincoln hybrid
The Ford Lincoln brand will reveal its first ever hybrid car as part of the New York International Auto Show.
The 2011 MKZ Hybrid is expected to deliver at least 41mpg in the city and tops its nearest competitor – the 2010 Lexus HS250h – by 6mpg, while still providing room for one more passenger and [...]
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New York 2010: The inside story of the Nissan Leaf price
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, New York Auto Show
Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery
With all of the reveals and partnership announcements here at the New York Auto Show the most important thing we’ve heard is a number: $25,280. That’s the price that Nissan said yesterday it will sell the Leaf for when it goes on sale later this year (full production starts in 2011), and it’s much lower than rumors we’ve heard from competitors in the plug-in vehicle space. We sat down with Mark Perry, Nissan’s director of product planning, to talk about this price - how it came to be, what the reaction has been, etc. - because we’re pretty sure readers would like to know more details about Nissan’s strategy.
Perry was all smiles when he talked about how Nissan got to the $32,780 price - of course, the headline is that this turns into $25,280 after $7,500 worth of federal tax credits - and we understand why. He told us that this price is the result, in part, of 17 years of work Nissan has done on lithium-ion batteries. By doing everything in-house for so many years, Nissan doesn’t need to charge the customer for battery research like other companies that are freshly bursting into the electric vehicle (EV) market and are just now figuring out how to make EVs that work. Plus, by spreading the R&D over many years, selling the Leaf for just under $33,000 allows the company to make a profit off the car.
Of course, the Leaf does not exist in a vacuum, and Perry said that the $33k was most definitely based on market factors. Government incentives played a role in setting the price, Perry said, as did estimating what other companies will price their plug-in vehicles at. Considering we don’t know for sure yet what cars like the Chevrolet Volt or the Ford Focus Electric will be, we can’t say yet how Nissan’s announcement will impact those MSRPs. Still, we assume there was a lot of hand-wringing in offices that didn’t belong to Nissan. There was a lot more to our talk, so go ahead and take a listen after the jump.
Gallery: New York 2010: Nissan Leaf
Continue reading New York 2010: The inside story of the Nissan Leaf price
New York 2010: The inside story of the Nissan Leaf price originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Chinese urbanisation rising rapidly
quarta-feira, 31 de março de 2010
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Already established as the leading automotive market in the world, China shows no signs of slowing down with its urbanisation rate predicted to reach or exceed 50 per cent within five-six years.
According to the Chinese Government, the urban population had reached 622million by the end of 2009 with an urbanisation rate at nearly 47 per [...]
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New York 2010: 2011 Scion iQ is a little intriguing
Filed under: MPG, Scion, New York Auto Show
2011 Scion iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery
Well, well, well - it looks like Toyota’s iQ is coming to the U.S. after all, only it will be (as reported) sporting a Scion badge. Makes sense. Especially as according to Scion, the world’s smallest four-seater is aimed squarely at a very young demographic. Not just young, but hip and urban, too. In fact, we were told that the iQ represents a “new urbanism,” and is a vehicle for a “progressive buyer.” We can hear Glenn Beck’s aneurysm from here.
As for details, the “mini-er, smart-er” iQ sports a 1.3-liter engine delivering its not-yet-divulged power through a CVT. Mileage should be in the high 30s, which is reasonable but far from overwhelming for such a small package. The iQ will also ship with stability control, traction control and ABS, as well as ten - count ‘em - ten airbags, as well as the industry’s first-ever rear window bag. As for now, that’s the whole story. We’ll update you on price, performance specs, and on-sale date when we know more. Press release after the jump.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading New York 2010: 2011 Scion iQ is a little intriguing
New York 2010: 2011 Scion iQ is a little intriguing originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
New York 2010: Lincoln unveils its first hybrid - the MKZ - which could get 41 mpg
Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln, New York Auto Show
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Rumors of a new Lincoln hybrid debuting at the New York Auto Show this week are true, as the new MKZ Hybrid officially debuts on the Ford stand later today. Ford’s president of The Americas, Mark Fields, said the MKZ Hybrid “delivers the best fuel efficiency of any luxury sedan in America.” Official numbers are not yet available, but the estimate is that the MKZ Hybrid will be 41 miles per gallon (city). More interestingly, the new Lincoln hybrid can reach speeds of 47 miles per hour while being powered only by the battery. Ford would like everyone to compare these specs to the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, which gets 35 mpg in the city and can only get up to 25 mph in all-EV mode.
When burning gasoline, the MKZ Hybrid will use a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 hybrid engine that, when combined with the powerplant’s electric motor, offers 191 horsepower. The car goes on sale in the fall. We’ll learn more from the show floor later today. For now, you can find Ford’s official press release after the jump..
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading New York 2010: Lincoln unveils its first hybrid - the MKZ - which could get 41 mpg
New York 2010: Lincoln unveils its first hybrid - the MKZ - which could get 41 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Updates on Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV in Japan
There are two pieces of exciting news for green car enthusiasts in Japan after Nissan and Mitsubishi both made announcements regarding their eagerly anticipated electric cars – the Nissan LEAF and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Nissan, which is aiming to sell 6,000 units of the battery-electric LEAF in the fiscal year 2010, has announced a starting price [...]
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FedEx adds 4 more BEVs to its already green delivery fleet
terça-feira, 30 de março de 2010
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Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Two of the largest parcel delivery fleets in the U.S. have been competing neck and neck in a race to become the greenest in the land. Both Federal Express (FedEx) and United Parcel Service (UPS) have delved into alternative energy vehicles for daily delivery use.
In the latest skirmish to become the greenest fleet, FedEx has trumped its competitor by adding four battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The BEVs will go into service this June in the Los Angeles area and will add to the company’s fleet of 1,800 alternative energy vehicles.
Two of the BEVs will be built by Navistar, an Indiana-based company that has built several similar vehicles for FedEx and that currently see use in London. The other two BEVs are coming from an undisclosed supplier.
Though range and performance specs for the new BEVs were not revealed by the company, they did note that each of the new delivery vehicles would be capable of completing a full day shift on a single charge. The addition of the new electric delivery vehicles to the largest hybrid delivery fleet in the world will help bring FedEx one step closer to its goal of increasing its overall fuel efficiency by 20 percent. Follow after the jump for video of the FedEx BEV in action and the full press release. Click here to follow the vehicles’ inaugural run from Chicago to L.A. along the historic Route 66.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Continue reading FedEx adds 4 more BEVs to its already green delivery fleet
FedEx adds 4 more BEVs to its already green delivery fleet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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CHAdeMO to take ‘crucial steps’ for electric cars concludes industry analyst
Efforts to standardise electric-car technology will remove a major potential stumbling block to take up as the first mass-produced zero-emissions car is launched, a leading car industry analyst firm concludes.
The debut of the Nissan Leaf at the EVER Monaco electric vehicle show (March 25-28) followed the recent formation of the CHAdeMO association by Japanese [...]
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Gasoline-powered alarm clock catches Energy Star off guard
Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, Green Daily, USA
You know that familiar Energy Star label that seems to show up on everything from your computer to your washing machine and dryer? It’s the little blue square with the star inside, and it’s become a rather ubiquitous sight over the last decade or so as the desire to save energy and be environmentally conscious has firmly entrenched itself into the hearts and minds of the American populace.
But what exactly does a product need to prove to earn the coveted Energy Star label? That very question was put to the test last June by Congressional auditors posing as four separate companies submitting products to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department, which jointly run the Energy Star program. The results were enlightening.
For instance, a gasoline-powered alarm clock sailed through the program without objection after purposely fraudulent documents were submitted saying it was 20-percent more efficient than competing models. How’d that happen? Apparently, there is an automated system in place that granted an auto-approval to the gas-swilling wake-up machine.
According to The New York Times, the Energy Department has promised to make sure all products that wear the Energy Star label are properly tested by an independent group. In the meantime, we’re gonna take a quick little nap in our super-efficient gasoline-powered alarm clocks cars… just five more minutes!
[Source: The New York Times via Engadget]
Gasoline-powered alarm clock catches Energy Star off guard originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Green cars: a social status symbol suggests study
People buy environmental goods to improve their social status new research suggests.
Anything from greener cars, to domestic products and fair trade food are bought as a status symbol, the new study, co-authored by Dr. Bram Van den Bergh, Assistant-Professor at Rotterdam School of Management concludes.
According to the research published in the Journal of [...]
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Talking cars trialled for the first time
segunda-feira, 29 de março de 2010
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So-called 'talking cars' took to the roads for the first time in Europe on Wednesday(March 24), after a trial of the technology took place in Amsterdam.
A fleet of cars able to communicate with each other and with road infrastructure (traffic signs, lights, management centres) drove alongside everyday traffic around Amsterdam Airport last week.
The [...]
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Report: Mahindra dealers still waiting, pickups still not EPA approved
Filed under: Diesel, Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, India, USA
Mahindra Pik-Up - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Pawan Goenka, Mahindra’s president for global automotive, vehicle testing that would provide EPA approval for the Indian automaker’s upcoming diesel-powered, 30-mile-per-gallon pickup truck “is taking a bit longer than what we anticipated.” That, it would seem, is an understatement. Mahindra first announced an expected mid-2009 sale date for the truck, which was later revised to end-of-2009, then February of 2010 and then finally March of 2010. You’ll notice starting Thursday that the calendar date now says April, meaning Mahindra will miss yet another target date.
At this point, Mahindra does not yet have official approval from the EPA to sell its wares in the United States. The Indian automaker says it should take about a month for the paperwork to be completed (a timeframe not acknowledged by the EPA, naturally) and then dealers can finally place orders for the trucks. Considering that Mahindra’s vehicles will ship from India, it’s clear that there will still be some time before you’ll be able to stroll down to you nearest dealer and drive off in a new oil-burning bundle of joy.
That fact is not lost on Mahindra’s 300-plus dealers, some of whom have paid up to $200,000 in franchise fees and, in some cases, have been waiting for years to see their investment pay off. That said, nobody ever said that launching a completely new brand of vehicles in the U.S. was going to be easy, inexpensive or fast.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Report: Mahindra dealers still waiting, pickups still not EPA approved originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ford starts production of 6-speed dual clutch PowerShift transmission
Filed under: Manufacturing/Plants, MPG, Ford
Ford PowerShift transmissions on the line - Click above for high-res image gallery
The new Ford Fiesta will be the first product from any of the Detroit automakers to have a dual clutch transmission - and production is starting today. The Ford PowerShift gearboxes are being built at the Getrag Americas joint venture factory in Irapuato, Mexico. At launch, the plant is employing 200 people, a number that will double later this year when the plant also starts building the same transmissions for the 2012 Focus.
A dual clutch transmission can almost be thought of as two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch operating in parallel and alternating shifts. The Ford unit is a six-speed with one clutch acting on gears 1,3 and 5 and the other used for 2, 4 and 6. As first gear is engaged, the 2-4-6 clutch is disengaged and the second gear cogs are engaged. At the appropriate time, the 1-3-5 clutch is disengaged the other is engaged. While in second gear, the other side moves from first to third. The process is repeated with quick smooth shifts and none of the of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque converters. The Ford gearbox uses dry clutches which are more efficient than the wet clutches previously used in some earlier Volkswagen DSG gearboxes.
The 1.6-liter Fiesta with PowerShift transmission is expected to get an EPA highway rating of at least 40 miles per gallon. The new Focus will use a 2.0-liter direct injected four with the PowerShift and may also approach 40 mpg.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Ford starts production of 6-speed dual clutch PowerShift transmission
Ford starts production of 6-speed dual clutch PowerShift transmission originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
World observes Earth Hour
Millions of people around the world joined forces on Saturday (March 26) to mark WWF's Earth Hour- an annual global event that highlights public support for action on climate change.
In the event's biggest ever switch-off, 125 countries across seven continents including more than 4,000 cities and towns, took part in the event, which asked [...]
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No fair! Porsche seeks partial exemption from upcoming emissions standards
domingo, 28 de março de 2010
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Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S - Click above for high-res image gallery
With U.S. emission standards continually becoming ever more stringent, Porsche has decided to take a stand. According to the company, new regulations forthcoming “would perversely require Porsche to become the fuel efficiency leader in the United States.” As you can imagine, making sports cars that achieve the industry standard of 42 miles per gallon by 2016 is not on the easy to do list and Porsche would like to avoid the situation if at all possible.
The company has taken the first steps of petitioning both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation and requesting a partial exemption for low-volume sports cars. The company cites two problems with the future regulations. First, sports cars are not as efficient as everyday vehicles. Low-volume makers such as Ferrari and Lamborghini focus solely on sports cars, which can’t possibly meet the lofty mpg goals set. Second, while many other automakers must meet a fleet average of 35 mpg, Porsche will be required to be closer to 42 mpg. Why? Fleet averages combine trucks (with a regulatory goal of 26.6 mpg by 2016) and cars (42 mpg by 2016). If an automaker sells a significant amount of trucks that beat the 26.6 number, it can offset some cars that fall below the listed goals. Needless to say, Porsche doesn’t specialize in trucks and will be required to have a fleet average close to 42 mpg, which the company believes is unfair.
Porsche vehicles are widely regarded as some of the most efficient offerings in its class, but pushing for 42 mpg without crushing the heritage of the brand will be a daunting task.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
No fair! Porsche seeks partial exemption from upcoming emissions standards originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Cruze Comes To Town: Chevy unveils 40-mpg Eco model and RS package
Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, New York Auto Show, USA
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Click above for high-res image gallery
Chevrolet will use the 2010 New York Auto Show to reveal a few more details about the production Cruze sedan going on sale this fall. Specifically, the Big Apple is where Chevy will formally unveil the high-mileage Cruze Eco model and RS trim package (inset). The Chevrolet Cruze Eco is propelled by the new turbocharged 1.4-liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder. This engine, combined with a six-speed manual transmission, is not only the most powerful unit available, it’s also expected to yield a hybrid-like 40 miles per gallon on the highway. In order to help achieve that lofty number, the Cruze Eco gets drag-reducing shutters that close off the lower grille at higher speeds. Also contributing to the car’s elevated fuel efficiency are a deep front air dam and under-body panels. The 1.4 turbo is rated at 138 horsepower and a healthy 148 pound-feet of torque.
Like other Chevy models, the Cruze will also be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. The LS gets a 136-horsepower naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter four, while the two higher trims get the turbo. Drivers wishing for a sportier appearance can opt for the RS package, which adds foglamps, rocker panel extensions and a rear spoiler. The RS pack also brings an upgraded interior featuring chrome trim and backlit instrument cluster bezels.
Pricing and official EPA fuel economy numbers won’t be available until later this year when the Cruze actually goes on sale. Check out the Cruze Eco and Cruze RS in the high-res image galleries below. We’ll have lots more on these cars next week once we look them over in person at the Javits Center.
Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco
[Source: General Motors]
Continue reading Cruze Comes To Town: Chevy unveils 40-mpg Eco model and RS package
Cruze Comes To Town: Chevy unveils 40-mpg Eco model and RS package originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Canada expands support for bioenergy
The government of Alberta, in Canada, has thrown is weight behind bioenergy products by expanding and extending an incentive programme for its producers.
The Bioenergy Producer Credit Program has been extended for five years until 2016 and will provide incentives to a variety of bioenergy products including power, heat and fuel. It will support the Renewable [...]
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