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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Chinese urbanisation rising rapidly
quarta-feira, 31 de março de 2010
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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.
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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Reva delaying production of NXR electric car?
sábado, 27 de março de 2010
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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, India
Reva NXR - Click above for high-res image gallery
The NXR - Reva’s low-cost, 65 mile-per-hour electric car (9,995 euros for the lead acid version with leased batteries) - was supposed to be available soon. The official Reva website still sends out that message, with the words, “Production of the REVA NXR is scheduled to commence early 2010,” but we have a hint that this will not happen. Somebody posted on the G-Wiz owner’s club forum an email purportedly from Reva:
I am writing to inform you that the start of production of the REVA NXR will be delayed by a few months to early 2011. As a result of this delay we have decided to refund customer deposits for this model.
Your bank account / credit card (as appropriate) will be credited with the sum of 500 euro within 30 days under the name of Reva Electric Car Company. Kindly contact your respective bank for the same. If for any reason you do not receive this credit you may write to our Customer Care department at exports@reva-ev.com.
We will contact you by email to confirm the new date for the start of production as soon as it is confirmed.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact us at any point in time.
We’ve asked Reva for a comment, and will let you know when we hear something official. At the very least, we want to know how “a few months” after the end of early 2010 becomes early 2011. Thanks to Jeff T. for the tip!
Gallery: Reva NXR and NXG
[Source: Reva Car Club]
Reva delaying production of NXR electric car? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Mazda to introduce Toyota-based hybrid
There have been contrasting reports that the Mazda Motor Corporation will introduce a mid-size hybrid vehicle based on core components supplied by Toyota.
According to reports in the Nikkei, the vehicle could be introduced as early as 2013 after the two manufacturers reached a final agreement for Toyota to supply the Hybrid System II, which comprises [...]
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Report: Top Gear blamed for motorsports' environmentally unfriendly image
Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Green Daily, UK, Racing
We realize that Americans have a bit of a reputation for blaming things on others and letting lawyers sort it out. But when it comes to the UK government, we’re starting to think that any negative car related finding will be blamed on Top Gear. A governmental report called “Full Speed Ahead: Maintaining UK Excellence in Motorsport and Aerospace” was drafted to show that two of Britain’s most lucrative industries are being sidelined by those in charge. Within that report was the assertion that Top Gear has left the public with a bad taste concerning the environmental record of motorcars.
As reported by the Telegraph, “the committee blamed the ”Top Gear effect” for associating high-performance cars and planes with irresponsible drivers.” That means that not only is Top Gear at fault, but it now has a sickness named after it. Somewhere in the report, we’re guessing, since we haven’t read it, the dubious correlation is made between irresponsible drivers and a hatred of Earth.
We’re sure that Top Gear is the most watched auto show around the world. It’s a little more difficult to be sure that Clarkson, Hammond and May are keeping the non-petrolhead public (do non-petrolheads even watch Top Gear?) in the dark about the eco-mindedness of motorsports. Maybe auto racing just needs better PR…
[Source: Telegraph]
Report: Top Gear blamed for motorsports’ environmentally unfriendly image originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Artificial Leaf could generate clean source of hydrogen
sexta-feira, 26 de março de 2010
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An artificial leaf that mimics the process of photosynthesis could be key to developing a clean and renewable source of hydrogen fuel.
Scientists at Jiaotong University in Shanghai have presented a design strategy they hope will enable them to produce an artificial leaf that can replicate the process seen in nature; where sunlight is used [...]
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Rendered Speculation: Hyundai's Tata Nano competitor cometh
Filed under: MPG, Hyundai, Lightweight, India
Indian Autos Blog quotes unnamed sources within Hyundai’s India operations saying that the Korean automaker is working on a Nano-sized microcar that could carry a two lakh rupees ($4,400 in U.S. dollars) price tag. IAB says the low-cost, sub-I10 ride, reportedly called the H800 project, is powered by an 800cc petrol engine and priced to compete withe the SAIC microcar, the Suzuki Alto and the Nano. Further, the site claims that Hyundai will have a working prototype ready for real-world testing by the middle of 2010.
Since Hyundai hasn’t officially announced the existence of the H800, we don’t know how realistic looking IAB’s rendering really is. But we can tell you that the ice-blue rendering is a whole lot more attractive to our eyes than just about anything else in the sub-$5,000 price range. Head over to the Indian Autos Blog to see the rendering for yourself.
[Source: Indian Autos Blog]
Rendered Speculation: Hyundai’s Tata Nano competitor cometh originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
BMW to tackle emissions with two new concepts
As it marks its 25th birthday, BMW Forschung und Technik (Research and Technology) GmbH has premiered two projects that could both slash fuel consumption and emissions in the future.
The first, is a prototype fuel cell hybrid vehicle (pictured below) that has been designed to offer emission-free mobility in city traffic. The second is an on-board [...]
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Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video]
Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives, HUMMER, Green Daily
Horse-drawn Hummer H2 - Click above to watch the video after the break
When the internal combustion engine finally helped the automobile officially pass the horse-drawn carriage as the chosen method of transportation for a majority of citizens in the United States, was that a step in the right direction? Moving forward about a hundred years… when the behemoth Sport Utility Vehicle that never actually seems to venture off the beaten path passed the minivan in the hearts and minds of families all across this country as the people mover of choice, was that a step in the right direction?
If you answered no to either of the above questions, perhaps you’ll enjoy the video pasted after the break. Created by artist Jeremy Dean (read about our initial post on the project here), the converted Hummer H2 is called Futurama and is pulled by two white horses named, appropriately enough, Duke and Diesel. Hummers are for horses? See for yourself.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video]
Hummers are for Horses: Artist reimagines the monsterous SUV [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Buses and biogas get £30 million low carbon fund
quinta-feira, 25 de março de 2010
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Low carbon buses and fuel generated from everyday waste are at the centre of a £30 million Government fund to help reduce emissions from transport.
As part of the funding, local authorities and bus operators will have the opportunity to bid for an additional £10 million to buy new low carbon buses. This is an [...]
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Arnold Goes Electric: Governator endorses Zero Motorcycles, announces $1,500 CA rebate [w/video]
Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses Zero Motorcycles - Click above for high-res image gallery
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican) has a well-known fondness for motorcycles. Plus, he’s also a big fan of the electrification of the automobile. As such, it would seem that Arnold and Zero Motorcycles, California-based manufacturer of some of the best electric bikes available, are a natural fit for one another.
It’s not surprising, then, that Governor Schwarzenegger was on hand to promote Zero Motorcycles when he recently announced that his state would be offering a $1,500 rebate off the purchase price of qualifying electric motorcycles. For those keeping track, that means the Zero DS dual sport motorcycle and the Zero S supermoto will now be available to California residents at the price of $7,495 after the $1,500 California Clean Vehicle Program rebate and ten percent federal tax credit.
Said Governor Schwarzenegger:
Zero electric motorcycles are very important technology and this is great for California because this is an ideal place to ride motorcycles… I love the financial side of these motorcycles because they cost less then one cent per mile to operate and you get a 10% federal tax credit plus a California rebate of $1,500. That equates to a 25 percent price reduction making these electric motorcycles affordable for anybody. It’s part of our overall strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020.
See the official press release and a video from Zero after the break, and be sure to check out our image gallery below.
[Source: Zero Motorcycles]
Arnold Goes Electric: Governator endorses Zero Motorcycles, announces $1,500 CA rebate [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Saab launches all-new 9-5 in the UK
quarta-feira, 24 de março de 2010
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After a tumultuous few months which saw its future in doubt, the Saab brand has now launched its brand new 9-5 in the UK as one of the greenest alternatives in the premium saloon sector.
Described by Saab as its most technically advanced vehicle ever produced, it includes features such as an aircraft-inspired head-up information display; [...]
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Survey shows buyers have unrealistic expectations for hybrid and electric vehicles
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Etc., EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily
Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery
What do future buyers of hybrid and electric vehicles expect? Surprisingly, according to a recent survey, a reduction in fuel usage or elimination of fuel is not a primary concern. What buyers want is simple: all of the benefits of a traditional gasoline vehicle with better reliability, performance and affordability. Okay, maybe that’s not simple. Theses expectations are lofty and perhaps even unreachable.
A recent survey conducted by Accenture, a consulting group, shows that 65 percent of respondents are likely to consider a hybrid or EV if it sacrifices none of the benefits of gasoline vehicles. As if this target is not difficult enough to reach, respondents also expect improvements in the three categories listed above. Let’s look at this a little more closely. Respondents want better performance, a car that lasts forever and offers all of the virtues of a gasoline vehicle at a lower price? Don’t we all.
The high expectations don’t end there. Fifty-one percent of responders want a vehicle capable of recharging in 20 minutes, more than 50 percent will not pay more for a hybrid or EV than a traditional vehicle, and more than half want recharging stations every 11 to 50 miles apart, assuming the vehicle’s range is 200 miles, another expectation. While automakers race to meet these expectations with their collective hands full building an impossible vehicle, is there anything else to add to the list?
Gallery: 2010 Nissan LEAF
[Source: Accenture]
Survey shows buyers have unrealistic expectations for hybrid and electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rendered Speculation: Might Bentley consider an Aston Martin Cygnet competitor?
Filed under: MPG, Bentley, Lightweight
In reality, there isn’t any real indication that Bentley will ape the Cygnet idea and offer a city car. But if it did, might it look anything like this rendered bit of speculation from the boys at Autoblog.nl (no relation)? We sure hope not. Besides looking vaguely Citroen-ish, this so-called Bentley Barnato looks even less congruous with the automaker’s overall lineup than the aforementioned Aston Martin Cygnet.
That said, we certainly wouldn’t be shocked to see automakers like Bentley follow Aston Martin’s lead in producing small, luxury city cars. After all, looming carbon emissions and fuel economy requirements will take drastic measures to meet, and offering a new line of small cars may be preferable to making wholesale design philosophy changes to the tried-and-true (and profitable) luxury saloon formula. We’ll see.
[Source: Autoblog.nl]
Rendered Speculation: Might Bentley consider an Aston Martin Cygnet competitor? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LEAF heads to Monaco
The Nissan LEAF will be a star attraction at the EVER Monaco 2010 event, which opens to the public tomorrow.
The expo, sponsored by the Japanese carmaker, runs until Sunday, March 28. Dedicated to showcasing the latest developments in ecological vehicles and renewable energies, the event will display the 'world's first affordable electric car' during [...]
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BYD F3DM on-sale date revealed
terça-feira, 23 de março de 2010
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After months of false starts, BYD Auto will finally put its eagerly anticipated F3DM dual-mode plug-in electric vehicle on sale to individual buyers – in less than a week.
The vehicle will initially be sold in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on March 29 after the company sold more than 100 units to governments, banks and other institutions [...]
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First look at the KTM Freeride: Electric motorcycle photos leak from Germany
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels
KTM Freeride electric motorcycle concept - Click above for image gallery
We first brought you news of KTM’s planned debut of two new electric motorcycle only days ago. It appeared as if the world would have to wait for the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and the official March 26th release date to get its eyes on fully exposed photos.
If you were holding your breath for the unveiling, you can thank German mag Motorrad for breaking the photos early. As we can see now, the supermoto and enduro versions differ quite extensively, despite sharing a frame and power-train. The unique single crown fork protruding from a BMX-like handlebar and headtube combination holding a single headlight certainly set the slick-tired version apart from its knobby clad counterpart. We can’t help but notice the rather dainty tubular steel frame on each model, despite plastic covers that give the illusion of a much beefier unit.
How much will it cost for your very own stick of 30-horsepower, 200-pound, orange-blooded electric dynamite? A proposed price of €10,000, which at current exchange rates is just over $13,500, seems in no way competitive amongst stiff competition from Zero and others already in the market. But it is still way too early to take much of an educated stand regarding KTM’s charge into the electric cycle niche. We won’t know anything concrete until we can put power to the ground aboard a Freeride ourselves.
[Source: Motorradonline.de, 1000ps.at via Hell For Leather]
First look at the KTM Freeride: Electric motorcycle photos leak from Germany originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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