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FCA US to deliver thousands of Chrysler Pacifica plug-in Hybrid Minivans to Waymo’s self-driving service

Green Car Congress

FCA previously delivered 100 Pacifica Hybrid minivans, adapted for self-driving, to Waymo during the second half of 2016 and an additional 500 in 2017. Waymo is set to open its autonomous ride-hailing service to the public beginning in Phoenix this year. including Atlanta, San Francisco, Metro Detroit, Phoenix and Kirkland, Washington.

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Maven deploying its first all-electric shared-use fleet in Austin; 20 Chevy Bolts

Green Car Congress

Maven is now offering its first all-electric fleet of cars for use in the gig economy; 20 Chevrolet Bolt EVs are available for freelance drivers in Austin, Texas to earn money on their own schedules. Maven is excited to offer an all-electric fleet of shared vehicles for the gig economy.

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CMU team details impact of regional and drive-cycle variations on degradation of a PHEV battery pack

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a) Capacity Fade in Phoenix, comparison of air cooling vs no cooling for two drive cycles. (b) b) Capacity Fade in Phoenix and San Francisco, using GPS data. Air cooling can increase battery life by a factor of 1.5–6, 6, depending on regional climate and driving patterns, they found. 2016.10.104.

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Maven Gig begins expanding geographically; Bolt EV the most popular

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GM’s Maven Gig ( earlier post ) launched in San Francisco in November 2016 to provide vehicles for rideshare drivers; it since expanded the offering for package, grocery and food delivery drivers. Future cities include Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Pricing starts at $189 plus taxes for a Chevrolet Cruze.

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U-M study finds current CAFE standards create profit incentive for larger vehicles

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The current vehicle footprint-based Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards create a financial incentive for automakers to increase vehicle size, except under certain limited conditions of consumer preference for vehicle size, according to a study by University of Michigan researchers Kate Whitefoot and Steven Skerlos. 10 11 –5.17×10

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Local Motors debuts first self-driving vehicle using IBM Watson Internet of Things for Automotive

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The vehicle, dubbed “Olli,” will be used on public roads locally in Washington DC, and late in 2016 in Miami-Dade County, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. Average fuel economy is 3.48 Production of additional Ollies is taking place at Local Motors headquarters near Phoenix. Maximum speed is 20 km/h (12 mph). km/kWh (2.16

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Study finds cities can reduce CO2 more easily from residential conservation than transportation

Green Car Congress

If accompanied by aggressive efforts to get drivers out of their cars, compact growth programs could reduce auto-based 2030 CO 2 emissions by as much as 25% over and above any emissions reductions attributable to higher fuel economy standards. The CPP is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.