The issue over the truth behind global warming, climate change and the impact of greenhouse gases just won't subside in America where US House Members have issued a joint resolution to nullify the Environmental Protection Agency's finding in December 2009 that greenhouse gases are a threat to human health and could be regulated under the [...]
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US House members attempt to block greenhouse gas regulation
domingo, 28 de fevereiro de 2010
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Will there soon be "significant overcapacity" in global lithium-ion battery market?
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery
There are a lot of unknowns concerning the upcoming plug-in vehicle market expansion, but we don’t often hear that we might have too many lithium-ion batteries in the coming decade. Nonetheless, that’s what a new report from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants called “Powertrain 2020: Li-ion batteries - The next bubble ahead?” suggests. Specifically, RBSC believes that the U.S. and Japan are building so much li-ion battery making capacity that, between 2014 and 2017, we’ll see “significant overcapacity” relative to the demand. RBSC writes:
Given the announced investments, capacity in 2015 will already reach 200% of the demand projected for 2016. In addition, not all investments have been announced; as-yet unknown investments by key players will lead to further overcapacity, and national subsidies will stimulate even more investments.
Who’da thunk it?
All of this overcapacity, RBSC says, will severely decrease the number of battery manufacturers that will be able to survive. In fact, RBSC predicts that just six to eight “global battery manufacturers” will survive through that timeframe, out of about 60 today.
[Source: Roland Berger Strategy Consultants via Green Car Congress]
Will there soon be “significant overcapacity” in global lithium-ion battery market? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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UK to give up to £5000 for ultra low carbon vehicles
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mitsubishi, Tesla Motors, Legislation and Policy, UK
Would-be buyers, both individuals and businesses, of certain low emission vehicles in the UK will be offered a sweet incentive starting in 2011. How does 25 percent off the purchase price, up to £5,000 ($7,618 at today’s rates), sound to you? The fiscal inducement will be available for purchases of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), hydrogen-fueled vehicles and battery-powered electrics (BEVs) that meet emissions, performance and safety criteria. The barriers to the bounty include a CO2 output of no more than 75 grams per kilometer. As well, BEVs must have a range of 70 miles (113 kilometers) while PHEVs need to be capable of at least 10 miles (16 km) before the petrol starts burning. All vehicles must be capable of reaching 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour), come with at least a three-year warranty and meet crash standards.
With £230 million ($350.4 million) in the program that runs until 2014, the line-up of people ready to take advantage of extra cash at purchase time may find themselves facing a small choice of vehicles. When things kick off next January, the menu will consist of Mitsubishi i MiEVs and Tesla Roadsters (if there are even Roadsters still available). As the year progresses, the number of choices is expected to expand with the Nissan Leaf becoming available in March and market entrances may be made by the Reva NXR and the Opel Ampera. The program will be reviewed one year after its implementation and any changes deemed necessary will go into effect by April of 2012. Hit the jump for bonus videos of Britain’s ITV News’ take on electric cars featuring (mostly) Mitsubishi’s Japanese jellybean.
[Source: Guardian / Department for Transport]
Continue reading UK to give up to £5000 for ultra low carbon vehicles
UK to give up to £5000 for ultra low carbon vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Honda CR-Z now on sale
sábado, 27 de fevereiro de 2010
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One of the most sought-after hybrid cars in the world is now on sale in Japan.
The all-new Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) went on sale on Friday with Honda targeting monthly sales of 1,000 units for the new car. It is the company's third hybrid in the market, following on from the Civic Hybrid and [...]
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eBay find of the day: 2001 Chrysler Sebring EV conversion
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler
As this is written, there are still five day left to bid on this Sebring and the price tag is at $4,276. While this may seem like quite a deal, potential bidders might want to read the whole description before proceeding. The car was converted by ATC of Texas just a few months ago. The current owner has only put 100 miles on the car and blames tough economic times for selling. We can’t help but suspect a bit of buyer’s remorse as well.
The engine compartment and trunk are stuffed with 24 6-volt flooded lead acid batteries. That is enough to yield about 20-30 miles of realistic range. You can apparently push it 45 miles in some circumstances, but that’s not recommended since it shortens the battery life. No trunk space is left and the back end of the car rides pretty low as a result of all that weight. Since it looks like the suspension has not been upgraded to cope with the mass, this thing will probably ride pretty rough. Also, you’ll probably want to charge it outdoors since the batteries give off hydrogen gas as they are being stuffed with electrons. If all of those warnings haven’t already made you turn away, you can check out the auction here. Thanks to Joe for the tip!
[Source: eBay]
eBay find of the day: 2001 Chrysler Sebring EV conversion originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Audi to unveil A1 based e-tron concept in Geneva
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Audi, Geneva Motor Show
2011 Audi A1 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi will finally show off the new A1 mini-car this week at the Geneva Motor Show. As usual, it will be available in Europe with an array of gas and diesel engines. In an interesting twist, though, a French web-site is reporting that Audi will also show a third e-tron concept based on the A1. If Audi sticks with the pattern it started at Detroit, this one will be dubbed the e-tron Geneva Concept car. Reports that Audi plans to build a electric version of the A1 for the road have circulated for some time.
While Audi plans to build a limited run of the R8 based e-tron that debuted at Frankfurt, an electric car based on the new A1 is most likely to be the brand’s first volume plug-in vehicle. Small, limited-range, urban commuter vehicles like the A1 will probably dominate the electric car arena for the foreseeable future until battery costs come down. A tip of the hat to quattroholic!
[Source: Le Buzz Auto via quattroholic.com]
Report: Audi to unveil A1 based e-tron concept in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BMW to present new hybrid car in Geneva
sexta-feira, 26 de fevereiro de 2010
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While planning to debut its new BMW 5 Series saloon car at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next week, the German car manufacturer has also revealed plans for a Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.
The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid will be the first combination of a straight-six with electric drive. It integrates the ActiveHybrid technology into [...]
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Autocar tries to lay out Toyota's future Prius hybrid path, new models coming spring of 2011?
Toyota Hybrid X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to a report from Autocar, Toyota will launch its next couple of hybrid vehicles under the Prius banner in the spring of 2011. The two new bodystyles will include a Prius-based wagon and an MPV, or minivan. After that, the Japanese automaker, which is currently embroiled in a number of safety and recall campaigns, will turn its attention to a sporty coupe model that would theoretically go up against the new Honda CR-Z.
Expect that coupe to have a similar look and feel to the FT-CH concept that was shown at the Detroit Auto Show. Finally, Toyota is said to be developing a hybrid powertrain for its RAV4 compact SUV. None of this news should come as a surprise, considering Toyota’s stated goal of hybridizing its entire model line and the revelation in Detroit that future hybrids would likely fall under a Prius sub-family within Toyota.
[Source: Autocar]
Autocar tries to lay out Toyota’s future Prius hybrid path, new models coming spring of 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun
Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, In The AutoblogGreen Garage
Lexus GS450h - Click above for high-res image gallery
The love affair with batteries begins as a child. By the time your fifth Christmas rolls around, the moment you unwrap an electronic gadget your mind is already processing the thought, “Santa better have brought batteries…” Not only does that relationship continue as an adult, but what was once a simple tryst - “Mom, I need batteries for my Coleco Football” - has turned into a full-on romance (with every associated frustration) of our beloved battery-powered gizmos.
Like, for instance, the Lexus GS450h. One of the sleepiest of sleeper sedans, its batteries aren’t responsible for keeping it running, only for supplementing the power of its 3.5-liter V6. And while hybrids have generally left us tepid, after a week with the Lexus, we’re almost ready to ask automakers for another Christmas gift: Put batteries in everything, and do it just like this.
Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun
Review: Lexus GS450h uses electrons for fun originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
European average car emissions fall in 2009
Average emission level of cars sold in Europe fell by 7.9 g/km CO2 last year, as the industry witnessed an increased market for small cars.
According to a leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics, over half the cars in Europe in 2009 emitted less than 140g/km CO2.
Last year saw an acceleration [...]
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Porsche to introduce new Cayenne Hybrid
quinta-feira, 25 de fevereiro de 2010
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The brand new generation of the Porsche Cayenne Sports Utility Vehicle will make its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.
The vehicle cuts fuel consumption compared to the former model by 23 per cent thanks to a host of green features including the new Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission with auto start [...]
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Officially Official: Lexus drops the curtain on CT 200h
2011 Lexus CT 200h - Click above for high-res image gallery
Earlier this week, we got a sneak peek at the new Lexus CT 200h from a brochure that somehow leaked out onto the Interwebs. Now, Lexus has seen fit to pull the curtain back all the way on its new premium hybrid hatchback ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. A worldwide launch is promised later this year, but we can’t confirm whether that includes the United States.
From what we can tell, the car retains some of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy as seen on the LF-Ch concept that debuted in Frankfurt last year, except in a somewhat more production-ready (read: toned-down) state. Inside, Lexus employs an asymmetrical dash design that’s split into what Lexus refers to as an upper Display Zone that includes an eight-inch LCD multi-display screen and a lower Operation Zone, which includes the shift lever and other controls such as Lexus’s Remote Touch multi-function controller.
As expected, the baby Lexus is equipped with a 1.8-liter VVT-i gasoline-fed engine that’s mated up with an electric motor using Toyota’s proprietary Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and a continuously variable transmission. Sadly, we have no official power figure, but we imagine it should be somewhat close to the 134 combined ponies of the latest Toyota Prius.
According to Lexus, its hybrid hatchback can run in EV mode for up to 1.2 miles at speeds up to 28 miles per hour. In addition to pure EV mode, the driver can also select from Eco, Normal and Sport modes. Setting the CT 200h apart from other Toyota offerings is its dedicated double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system. Want more? Find all the details in the official press release after the break, and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery below.
[Source: Lexus]
Continue reading Officially Official: Lexus drops the curtain on CT 200h
Officially Official: Lexus drops the curtain on CT 200h originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Geneva Leakage: BMW to reveal ActiveHybrid 5 concept
Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Geneva Motor Show
It looks like the next hybrid model coming to BMW dealers will be the just-introduced 5 series sedan. Photos have leaked out showing an ActiveHybrid 5 concept that is expected to debut next week in Geneva. Like the already-available ActiveHybrid 7, the 5 will likely use the mild hybrid system, but it appears that the 5 will get a more powerful motor. The 7 has a 15 kilowatt motor that doesn’t allow electric-only drive. The hybrid 5 will probably have a 40 kW motor that would yield substantially better fuel efficiency in combination with an inline-six cylinder engine. The ActiveHybrid 5 should hit the streets in 2011.
[Source: 4WheelsNews]
Geneva Leakage: BMW to reveal ActiveHybrid 5 concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mercedes launches UK exhibition of green cars
Mercedes-Benz has opened a new display of its green technology at its brand experience centre in Surrey.
The special BlueEFFICIENCY display opened at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, brings together the carmaker's the latest cutting-edge technology aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating CO2 emissions.
The new display means that for the first time the carmaker's most recent [...]
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Is the UK losing belief in climate change?
quarta-feira, 24 de fevereiro de 2010
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How much faith do you have that climate change is a reality? According to a new poll by Ipsos Mori, belief in global warming is falling in the UK.
The proportion of adults describing climate change as "definitely" a reality fell from 44 per cent to 31 per cent over the last 12 months. Even though [...]
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Video: MT pits Porsche Boxster Spyder against Tesla Roadster Sport
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Porsche, Tesla Motors
Tesla Roadster vs. Porsche Boxster on the track - Click above to watch the video after the jump
We’ve been fortunate to drive a number of different Tesla Roadsters over the years including, most recently, a keeping one long enough for a week-long review. Owners of high performance sports cars sometimes like to take their cars to the track for some of the kind of fun you can’t really have when you are constantly on the lookout for hidden constables. One of the favorite cars for such activities is the Porsche Boxster.
Motor Trend’s Kim Reynolds and Art St. Antoine took the latest edition of the Boxster, the new Spyder, to Willow Springs recently, along with a Roadster Sport. It makes for very interesting comparison since the Boxster Spyder is the most minimalist version of the Porsche and the Tesla has a slightly more upscale interior than its Lotus Elise progenitor.
At nearly twice the price of the German, the Tesla offers tremendous performance but requires a bit more effort to learn its limits, in part because of the reduced feedback. St. Antoine in particular was surprised at how well the “science experiment” works. Even with the Roadster’s abilities, the car makes no sense compared to the Porsche when considered purely in a bang-for-your-buck perspective. The main reason people have bought them is to help finance the future, a fun future. Check out the video after the jump.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Continue reading Video: MT pits Porsche Boxster Spyder against Tesla Roadster Sport
Video: MT pits Porsche Boxster Spyder against Tesla Roadster Sport originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Air pollution may cause 35,000 premature deaths a year
Air pollution may be responsible for more than 35,000 premature deaths a year, a government minister admitted, more than 50 per cent more than the official estimate.
Environment Minister Jim Fitzpatrick quoted the figure when giving evidence to the Commons environment audit committee (EAC), the Guardian reports.
Government estimates of premature deaths from long-term exposure [...]
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Getrag wants to get into the range extender business
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid
Getrag Range Extender - Click above for high-res image gallery
When most people think of Getrag, visions of transmissions commonly pop into mind. However, with vehicle electrification increasingly becoming a reality, the transmission business will inevitably change and Getrag wants to be prepared. Thus, the German company is starting to promote a range extender system comprising a small engine, electric motor and a two-speed gearbox.
The full package is designed to run mostly as a series hybrid with primary electric drive and the engine starting only when the battery gets low. If needed, the engine can also drive the wheels directly in a parallel hybrid mode. The specs call for a motor of 30-45 kilowatts. No specifications are given for the engine but, from the illustrations, it is clearly a two cylinder of unknown origin. A 10-20 kW belt driven alternator on the engine is used to charge the battery. Overall, this system would be suitable for a small urban commuter car. No automaker has yet given an indication that it plans to use the Getrag system. The press release is after the jump.
Gallery: Getrag Range Extender
[Source: Getrag]
Continue reading Getrag wants to get into the range extender business
Getrag wants to get into the range extender business originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
U.S. team wants steam record back, will use Cyclone Power engine
terça-feira, 23 de fevereiro de 2010
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Filed under: Etc., Green Daily, USA, Racing
Last summer, a British team traveled to the United States with a giant green steam-powered streamliner in an effort to break the longstanding top speed record for a steam car, which had previously been set at 127 miles per hour way back in 1906 by Fred Marriot in a Stanley Steamer. Long story short, the team set a new record with an official two-way average of 139.843 miles per hour.
Apparently, at least one person here in the United States wants that record back. According to Wired, steam car aficionado Chuk Williams has secured a powerplant from Cyclone Power Technologies that he hopes will propel a 21-foot long, 1,600-pound streamlined vehicle to a higher top speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August of 2011.
That Cyclone engine is a unique piece of engineering. An external combustion engine that weighs just 200 pounds, this custom-built engine reportedly puts out 180 horsepower and has a maximum starting torque of 850 foot-pounds and 262 foot-pounds at 3,600 RPM. Sounds impressive, and we wish Williams the best in his endeavor.
[Source: Wired]
U.S. team wants steam record back, will use Cyclone Power engine originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Lithium-ion battery market faces overcapacity
Turn the clock back a couple of years and few of us even knew of the potential of lithium-ion batteries as power sources for electric vehicles – yet now the market is heading towards overcapacity.
A new report from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants outlines that investments in lithium-ion manufacturing will result in overcapacity between 2014 and [...]
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HumanCar Imagine_PS is here, almost - preorders accepted [w/video]
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Green Culture, Green Daily, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)
HumanCar Imagine_PS in action - Click above to watch video after the jump
HumanCar’s Imagine_PS was supposed to arrive in time for Earth Day 2008 and cost $15,000. That didn’t happen. But, the HumanCar website is now promising that “The wait is over.” Indeed, a video of the LMV (low mass vehicle) Imagine_PS cruising down some sunny streets is now available (watch it after the jump) and the company behind the part-human-powered vehicle, HumanCar Inc., will now take your $50 reservation fee (fully refundable, no questions asked, it says). Once 800 pre-orders have been placed, the car may go into production. Wait, may? Hmm. That’s weird.
What is the Imagine_PS? It is an low-speed electric vehicle that draws power from the grid and, as you can see in the video, the riders/driver also generate energy by performing rowing motions as the car moves along. With a top speed of 30 miles per hour, the car is street-legal on some streets and it can carry up to four people. Roof? Not quite yet, but we have seen a rendering that show a model with a tiny bit of protection from the elements. $15,000 is a lot for a car that appears this minimalistic, but we must say the idea is pretty darn cool.
[Source: HumanCar]
Continue reading HumanCar Imagine_PS is here, almost - preorders accepted [w/video]
HumanCar Imagine_PS is here, almost - preorders accepted [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Valmet debuts own electric car concept
You may not have heard of this next company but you will be familiar with its work, Valmet Automotive is set to step into the spotlight at the Geneva Motor Show when it unveils its own electric car concept.
An engineering specialist from Finland known for its work producing electric cars in partnership with the likes [...]
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China outlines plans to boost auto industry
segunda-feira, 22 de fevereiro de 2010
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China has been the 'one to watch' in the automotive industry for some time, having already established itself as the largest car market in the world ahead of the USA. However, now the central government plans to implement a new policy to encourage consolidation and to push Chinese-brand passenger vehicles into the mainstream.
According to an [...]
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Report: Florida man rigs truck with fake WMD after growing tired of gas thieves
Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, USA
Florida bomb threat pickup truck - Click above for high-res image gallery
It could be argued that our nation’s highways are teaming with weapons of mass destruction. After all, there are millions of two-plus ton objects hurtling around all over the place with questionable guidance from the men and women behind the wheel. Not dangerous enough for you?
Chris Bronaugh of Walton County, Florida, decided to make his own personal WMD a bit more fear inspiring than the rest by wiring up an old answering machine to the firewall and fuel lines of his truck along with some kind of circuit board and a silver tube. Police were notified after Bronaugh was heard “screaming at the top of his lungs, threatening to kill women and children, or anyone who came on his property.”
The good news is that the bomb rig was just for show. Said Mike Gurspan, spokesperson for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, “The 52-year-old suspect stated he rigged his truck because he was tired of people stealing his gas.” The bad news is that Bronaugh was also brandishing a homemade zip gun, making him rather dangerous indeed - four years earlier, he accidentally shot himself in the leg with just such an improvised firearm.
[Source: Northwest Florida Daily News]
Report: Florida man rigs truck with fake WMD after growing tired of gas thieves originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Forbes: Nissan Leaf likely to be a flop
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Forbes‘ Jerry Flint, “the [Nissan] Leaf is more likely to be a sales failure than a sales success.” Why is Flint so willing to ’stick his neck out,’ as he puts it? There’s an entire column of information that you can find by clicking here, but we’ll list a few of the bullet points:
- It doesn’t have the range of a gasoline-powered car
- It doesn’t have the top speed of a gasoline-powered car
- It costs more than a gasoline-powered car
- It takes “forever” to refuel
Well now, that does sound pretty damning, doesn’t it? But let’s analyze a few of these complains right quick. We’ll grant the range issue right off the bat - all electric cars that lack a range extender are limited in range by the available capacity of the battery pack. Nissan says to expect about 100 miles, some will get less. No surprise there, and a deal-breaker for some. Moving on then… to top speed. Who really needs to go faster than 90 miles per hour? Certainly not us, at least not on a day-to-day basis.
Next is cost. Nissan has yet to announce an expected price for the Leaf, but most expect it to come in somewhere under $30,000 after federal tax credits are factored in, plus its running costs should be far lower than a typical gasoline-powered car. Finally, refueling time. It certainly doesn’t take “forever,” but eight hours on a standard wall plug is indeed a long time. For those that travel less than the car’s actual range, though, that won’t be a problem. Plug the car in at night and unplug it in the morning. Simple.
For those that travel further than the Leaf’s available range, Nissan and the U.S. government are rolling out rapid charging stations in selected markets, which you can read about here on these very pages. Will that be enough to make the Leaf practical for U.S. consumers? Certainly not everyone, but Nissan doesn’t care because it isn’t targeting everyone.
So, will the Nissan Leaf be a flop? We have no idea. Neither does Flint. But we do know that the car’s limitations are well known and shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone willing to plunk down $30,000 (or so) on one. We’ll see.
Gallery: 2010 Nissan LEAF
[Source: Forbes]
Forbes: Nissan Leaf likely to be a flop originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mercedes mix it up with new multi-drive green concept
Mercedes-Benz is to unveil a 'research concept' that can be run on fuel cell or plug-in hybrid technology.
The new luxury sedan vehicle will be displayed as two separate vehicles at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show, one version of the F 800 Style fitted with a hybrid engine capable of a range of 30 kilometres [...]
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV production set to surge
domingo, 21 de fevereiro de 2010
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After a successful introduction, production of large lithium-ion batteries for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car are expected to leap by 50 per cent compared to the original plans.
Reports in The Nikkei suggest that GS Yuasa Corporation and others will boost production of the batteries as part of Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture with Mitsubishi [...]
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Houston, with lots of single-occupant commuters, wants to go big with electric cars
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, USA
The infographic we found the other day showed pretty clearly that Houston has a lot of lonely drivers commuting to and from work each day. Instead of looking for a multi-faceted approach that would see more public transportation options built, the city has decided to make a big push for electric vehicles (EVs). It’s a new direction for the city known as the Petro Metro.
The city went big for biodiesel a few years back but more recently signed up to be a part of the C40 Electric Vehicle Network and has partnered with Nissan to get EV infrastructure in place. In fact, Reuters says that the city wants to beat out places like San Francisco for the title of the nation’s electric car capital. A new mayor Annise Parker said earlier this month:
We are the Petro Metro but we are also a car city. To have an electric vehicle that appeals to a car culture will make the real difference for market penetration.
Any Houston residents want to chime in on this? What does it look like on the ground there?
[Source: Reuters | Image: eflon - C.C. License 2.0]
Houston, with lots of single-occupant commuters, wants to go big with electric cars originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fisker hires Lambesis as ad agency of record; we expect the sex will sell
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Fisker
Fisker Karma - Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve already seen at least one TV ad from Fisker Automotive, a minute-long spot that aired in the Los Angeles area almost a year ago (watch it here). Fisker recently consolidated its operations in California (sorry, Michigan), a move the company said would allow “greater efficiency and speeds up development of our new plug-in hybrids.” The latest sign that development is indeed moving forward is the news that the plug-in vehicle start-up has hired the independent advertising agency Lambesis as its agency of record.
As you might know (we didn’t), Lambesis is the force behind recent campaigns for SKYY vodka, Grand Marnier and Dasani. If the company’s clips are a sign of things to come, we expect we’ll see leggy models draped over the Karma’s already sexy curves in no time. Apart from advertisements, Lambesis will also redesign Fisker’s corporate Web site, a project that should be done by this fall.
Gallery: Fisker Karma
[Source: Green Car Advisor, Automotive News - sub. req.]
Fisker hires Lambesis as ad agency of record; we expect the sex will sell originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
CO2 emissions down from 2008 to 2009
sábado, 20 de fevereiro de 2010
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According to a recent analysis of US Environmental Protection Agency carbon dioxide (CO2) data for 2008-2009, there has been an overall CO2 improvement of 2.8 per cent across all US cars and trucks.
The analysis, by JATO Dynamics, summarised volume-weighted average CO2 by make, model and segment with David Mitchell, president of JATO Dynamics Americas, suggesting [...]
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Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Mercedes Benz, Geneva Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz F800 Style - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style concept car that’ll debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month is highly-touted by Mercedes-benz’s press release scribes for its green-car tech, but what’s probably of greater interest to most of you is its styling, which is everyone’s first peek at what the next-generation CLS-Class sedan is going to look like. To that end, get ready for a nose section whose grille apes that of the SLS AMG, plus enough flame-surfaced bodywork to make one envision Chris Bangle, sporting a set of Groucho glasses to mask his true identity, clandestinely moonlighting at Benz. The rear doors are sliders, because it’s a concept, and you need to give the people a clear view into the swoopy, sci-fi passenger cabin. Props to Mercedes PR for gamely making it sound as if there’s an actual practical application for those doors, though (see the attached press release).
Mercedes-Benz also touts the concept’s flexible powertrain platform. The realistic option is a plug-in hybrid system that’s basically an offshoot of the V6 light-hybrid setup found in the S400 sedan. Mercedes says this new plug-in gas-electric system, which is good for over 400 combined horsepower, gives the car an EV-only driving range of 18 miles. The automaker has announced that a new plug-in system is headed to the next-gen S-Class, so don’t dismiss the F800’s hybrid setup as trendy green pandering. Save that cynicism for the concept’s other powertrain option: a compact fuel cell/electric setup evolved from the one used in the current F-Cell cars. We have no doubt that the technology itself is genuinely impressive, and we’re sure news of its development will be a hit with all the jet-setters at the next snowbound climate change conference. From a mass-production, real-person’s-car standpoint, expect to see the fuel cell system in Benz showrooms right after Mercedes intros a 700-horsepower inline 3-cylinder that runs on unicorn milk. Alas, we digress.
The F800 concept also introduces two new technologies that will doubtless appear in upcoming models. Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant is an enhanced version of Mercedes’ active cruise control system, which can now steer the car through curves as long as it’s traveling under 25 mph. Neat. Also new is the Pre-Safe 360-degree system, which expands the existing Pre-Safe collision detection/mitigation system to the rear of the car. Now, if Pre-Safe senses that a rear-end impact is imminent, it’ll apply the brakes in a bid to keep the car from getting into an additional chain-reaction accident involving other cars or pedestrians.
We’ll be in Geneva to see the sheet come off the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style in person, and will have plenty of firsthand observations and live photos then. For now, feast your eyes on the gallery below, and check out the Mercedes PR included after the jump.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Continue reading Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class
Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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