Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2011

Saying that “ investment-grade climate change and clean energy policy is required to shift private sector investment from high-carbon to low-carbon assets ”, a group of 285 investors has urged governments and international policy makers to take new and meaningful steps in the fight against climate change. In a joint statement, the group, representing more than $20 trillion in assets under management, stressed the urgent need for policy action which stimulates private sector investmen

Climate Change 360

Climate Change Climate Global Energy 360

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 25, 2011

Skeleton Technologies , an energy-storage start-up located in Tartu, Estonia, was recently awarded a US patent ( #7,803,345 ) on its nanoporous carbon powder supercapacitor material. The material possesses very high surface area and a high packing of nanopores, according to Skeleton, which aims to commercialize the carbon material and supercapacitor technology.

Carbon 353

Carbon Energy Power Powered 353

Green Car Congress

JUNE 30, 2011

A general diagram of Blue Marble’s manufacturing system. A photobioreactor and algae perform the “water recycling”; the pelletized solid waste material will be used in the gasifier. Source: Blue Marble. Click to enlarge. Blue Marble Biomaterials, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Marble Energy Corp., has launched the first zero-waste chemical biorefinery in the US in Missoula, Montana.

Waste 352

Waste Saudi Arabia Montana Price 352

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 8, 2011

The new SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission features full range direct drive. Click to enlarge. In addition to the new gasoline and diesel engines ( earlier post ), Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology portfolio includes new transmissions (automatic and manual), body and chassis technology. At a media workshop last week in Vancouver, Canada, Mazda engineers stepped through the highlights of the new SKYACTIV systems.

Mazda 351

Mazda Fuel Economy Engine Convert 351

Green Car Congress

APRIL 3, 2011

Contribution of each metric to the FCI Success and VMT-FE Success scenarios. Credit: ACS, Melaina and Webster. Click to enlarge. Aggressive near-term actions are necessary in three areas—vehicle miles traveled (VMT), vehicle fuel economy (FE), and fuel carbon intensity (FCI)—in order to achieve a “fair share” reduction within the light-duty-vehicle sector toward meeting US goals of an 83% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2050, according to a new study by a t

Fuel Economy 346

Fuel Economy Fuel Economy Carbon 346

Green Car Congress

MAY 26, 2011

Scheme of the semi-solid flow cell (SSFC) system using flowing lithium-ion cathode and anode suspensions. The SSFC could enable new models such as transportation ‘fuels’ tuned for power versus range, or cold versus warm climates, with flexible refueling and recycling options. Source: Duduta et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at MIT, led by Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang (co-founder of A123 Systems), report on their development of a new energy storage concept—a semi-solid flow cell (SSFC) combining

Li-ion 345

Li-ion Recharge Grid Lithium Ion 345

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 9, 2011

The new HD National Program covers vehicle classes 2b through 8. Click to enlarge. US President Barack Obama announced fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the standards—fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, respectively—in coordination with truck and engine manufacturers, fl

Fuel Economy 344

Fuel Economy Standards Obama Economy 344

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 24, 2011

Virent’s BioForming platform can produce drop-in gasoline, diesel or jet fuels from plant sugars. Source: Virent. Click to enlarge. Virent has taken another step in the gasoline certification process, successfully completing its first road fleet test organized and executed by Virent collaborator and investor Royal Dutch Shell. Virent’s biogasoline was found to cause “no harm” to vehicles in comparison to Shell’s baseline fuel.

Fleet 343

Fleet Auto Gasoline Wisconsin 343

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

20Ah SCiB cell. Click to enlarge. Honda selected Toshiba Corporation’s SCiB rechargeable Li-ion battery to power the Fit EV. ( Earlier post.) Toshiba will supply battery modules for the new car, which Honda will launch in summer 2012 in Japan and the US. In 2010, Toshiba announced that it was working with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to bring the SCiB battery ( earlier post ) to electric vehicles (EVs). ( Earlier post.

Li-ion 342

Li-ion Batteries Battery Lithium Titanate 342

Green Car Congress

JULY 15, 2011

Coulomb Technologies published its open protocol for communicating with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The OpenCharge Protocol is a proposed communication standard for charging station networks that defines the communications between a charging network and the charging station. The protocol definition supports applications that include billing, asset management, real-time mapping, EVSE reservations, fleet management, and energy management.

Charging 341

Charging Raleigh Standards Plug-in 341

Green Car Congress

JUNE 24, 2011

US President Barack Obama today launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), a national effort bringing together industry, universities, and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies such as information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. The President’s plan, which leverages existing programs and proposals, will invest more than $500 million to jumpstart this effort.

Obama 341

Obama Manufacturer Ford Universal 341

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Construction of the molten-salt electrolyte battery. Source: Sumitomo. Click to enlarge. Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. is considering targeting its lower-temperature molten-salt electrolyte battery, being developed in partnership with Kyoto University ( earlier post ), to makers of electric and hybrid passenger cars, according to Bloomberg. Sumitomo had earlier said that it intended to commercialize the battery around 2015 for commercial-vehicle fleet operators and stationary applications, a

Molten Salt 339

Molten Salt Sodium Batteries Battery 339

Green Car Congress

JULY 18, 2011

Dabiri suggests using optimized arrays of smaller vertical-axis wind turbines to increase the power density and reduce the cost, and visual, acoustic, radar and environmental impacts, of wind farms using giant horizontal-axis turbines. Source: Dabiri 2010. Click to enlarge. Research by Prof. John Dabiri at Caltech suggests that using counter-rotating vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) arrayed in layouts that enable them to extract energy from adjacent wakes and from above the. wind farm could p

Wind 339

Wind Power Powered Los Angeles 339

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

FHSPV flywheel CVT system layout. Click to enlarge. A research vehicle fitted with a flywheel hybrid system including stop-start has demonstrated improvements in fuel economy of up to 22.4% in the new European ARTEMIS test cycles. Developed by a consortium of British companies as part of the Government-supported Flywheel Hybrid System for Premium Vehicles (FHSPV) program, the mechanically-driven flywheel system delivers up to 80 bhp (82 PS, 60 kW) of recovered energy from a self-contained hybrid

Fuel Economy 338

Fuel Economy Economy Hybrid Fuel 338

Green Car Congress

JULY 5, 2011

Humanity is close to breaching the sustainability of Earth, and needs a technological revolution greater and faster than the industrial revolution to avoid “ a major planetary catastrophe ,” according to a new United Nations report. The reports estimates that incremental green investment of about 3% of world gross product (WGP) (about $1.9 trillion in 2010) would be required to overcome poverty; increase food production to eradicate hunger without degrading land and water resources; and avert th

Global 338

Global Energy Green Coal 338

Green Car Congress

APRIL 11, 2011

Among the R&D projects Toyota Motor is exploring to further lower fuel consumption and emissions are two concepts on a pathway to deliver gasoline engines featuring more than 45% thermal efficiency for application in its future hybrid vehicles, according to Koichi Nakata of Toyota in his presentation today at SAE 2011 High Efficiency IC Engines Symposium in Detroit.

Toyota 337

Toyota Gasoline Engine Hybrid 337

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Mercedes-Benz F 125! research vehicle. Click to enlarge. Mercedes-Benz presented the F125! research vehicle (the “125” marking 125 years of the automobile), a fuel-cell plug-in hybrid with a range of more than 1,000 km (621 miles) that anticipates more than two generations of vehicles to 2025 and beyond. The F125!, intended to demonstrate emission-free individual mobility in the luxury segment in the future, incorporates already well-proven concepts and technologies which are not yet

Mercedes 334

Mercedes Hydrogen Plug-in Plug 334

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Although the burning of natural gas emits far less carbon dioxide than coal, a new study by Tom Wigley, a senior research associate at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and an adjunct professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, concludes that a greater reliance on natural gas would fail to significantly slow down climate change.

Coal 334

Coal Climate Gas Global 334

Green Car Congress

APRIL 21, 2011

Flow diagram of the battery system, defined by the functional unit of 50 MJ stored and delivered to the powertrain. Credit: ACS, Majeau-Bettez et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have performed life cycle assessments (LCA) of three batteries for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full performance battery electric (BEV) vehicles.

Nickel Metal Hydride 334

Nickel Metal Hydride NiMH PHEV Li-ion 334

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 25, 2011

The XL1 prototype PHEV. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen is staging the world debut of its XL1 diesel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) prototype at the Qatar Motor Show this week. The prototype, representing the third evolutionary stage of Volkswagen’s 1-liter car strategy ( earlier post ), features combined fuel consumption of 0.9 L/100 km (261 mpg US), according to VW.

Qatar 334

Qatar PHEV MPG Motor 334

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

The US Department of Energy is awarding more than $7 million to fund four 3-year projects in California, Washington and Oregon to advance hydrogen storage technologies to be used in fuel-cell-electric vehicles. The selected organizations will provide close to $2 million in cost share. The projects focus on lowering the cost of compressed hydrogen storage systems and on developing advanced materials for hydrogen storage.

Hydrogen 330

Hydrogen Carbon Fiber Oregon Alabama 330

Green Car Congress

APRIL 4, 2011

Siemens has launched a new electric-vehicle charging station on the market that can fully recharge a battery within one hour. By doubling the output to 22 kW, the charging station cuts charging times in half. The station is also protected against vandalism, with a doubly secured charging cable and the option of connecting the device to a remote surveillance system so that it can be used as part of a smart grid.

Plug-in 330

Plug-in Charging Plug Recharge 330

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 28, 2011

IBM and the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) in Mexico have created a Smarter Cities Exploration Center. Supported by technical and intellectual guidance of IBM’s global research lab experts, the Center will be the first of its kind in Latin America, tasked with the mission to design solutions to tackle infrastructure challenges faced by Guadalajara—Mexico’s second-largest city—and other cities around the world.

Universal 329

Universal Transportation Insight Water 329

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 5, 2011

Plugless Power system components. Click to enlarge. Evatran, a developer of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles ( earlier post ), has signed contracts with six commercial participants to outfit their Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF models with pre-production Plugless Power wireless charging systems. Plugless Power is a Level 2 (240V at 30A, 3.3 kW rated power output) inductive charging system, with a transfer efficiency of 90%.

2012 329

2012 Volt Commercial Power 329

Green Car Congress

JUNE 12, 2011

Former Le Mans Winner Frank Biela driving the Audi e-tron Spyder. Click to enlarge. Audi is presenting the Audi e-tron Spyder concept plug-in diesel hybrid car ( earlier post ) against the backdrop of “Le Mans vers le futur,” an event held in Le Mans as a venue for manufacturers to showcase innovative drivetrain technologies. Along with the e-tron Spyder, Audi sent an Audi Q5 hybrid quattro ( earlier post , earlier post ).

Audi 329

Audi Plug-in Hybrid Concept 329

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

New 4-cylinder, 2.5L Ecotec. Click to enlarge. Chevrolet revealed more details about the new Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder engine that will be the standard engine in the 2013 Malibu. The new 2.5L—which GM says is more efficient, refined and powerful than its 2.4L predecessor—will be available next summer, marking the debut of the all-new Ecotec engine family.

Engine 328

Engine Power Powered Oil 328

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 18, 2011

Norwegian transportation company Fjord1 launched the MF Boknafjord , the world’s largest gas ferry. The new ferry, delivered by Fiskerstrand BLRT AS, will serve the Arsvågen-Mortavika route on the Boknafjord in Rogaland County. MF Boknafjord. Click to enlarge. The new gas-operated ferry is designed by Multi Maritime AS in Førde, Western Norway and has a total length of 129.9m, a maximum width of 19.2m and a capacity of 242 passenger cars or 22 heavy goods vehicles in combination with passenger c

Gas 326

Gas Gas-Electric 2000 Norway 326

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 28, 2011

A team of MIT researchers lead by Prof. Yang Shao-Horn, in collaboration with Prof. John Goodenough from the University of Texas as Austin, has found one of the most effective catalysts yet discovered for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for use in water-splitting to produce hydrogen or in rechargeable metal-air batteries. The new compound, composed of cobalt, iron and oxygen with other metals (Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3–?

MIT 326

MIT Recharge Hydrogen Batteries 326

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 6, 2011

As part of its strategy of developing solutions to reduce CO 2 emissions, Valeo has acquired the Variable Torque Enhancement System (VTES) ( earlier post ) business of UK automotive technology development company Controlled Power Technologies (CPT). VTES will be integrated into Valeo’s Powertrain Systems Business Group with immediate effect. With this move, Valeo becomes the first automotive supplier to offer its customers a range of electric superchargers.

Power 326

Power Powered Downsizing Electric 326

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Cylinder deactivation (Zylinderabschaltung, ZAS) relies upon two different profiles on the cam pieces: a conventional full profile and a zero-lift cam that is activated (right) under cylinder shut-off. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen will debut cylinder deactivation (cylinder shut-off) technology in the new 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged, direct-injection engine beginning in 2012.

Engine 325

Engine 2012 Exhaust Fuel Economy 325

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 14, 2011

Researchers at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton, led by Stanley Whittingham, have developed a Si/MgO/graphite composite for use as a high-performance durable anode for lithium-ion batteries. They presented their work at the 219 th ECS Meeting in May 2011, and report on it in a paper in press in Electrochemistry Communications. Silicon-based anode materials have received much interest due to their high capacity and suitable working potential.

Li-ion 325

Li-ion Lithium Ion Downsizing New York 325

Green Car Congress

JULY 14, 2011

Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH have signed agreements on the establishment of a 50:50 joint venture for electric motors. These agreements are still subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities. The new company, which is to be set up under the name EM-motive GmbH, will develop and produce innovative traction motors for electric vehicles. Daimler and Bosch intend to accelerate the development of premium traction motors for electric vehicles powered by battery, fuel cell, or range extende

Motor 325

Motor Motors Motoring 2012 325

Green Car Congress

MARCH 12, 2011

The Arctic region, in this report, is defined as the area north of the Arctic Circle (highlighted on this map in red). Click to enlarge. In response to the measured and projected effects of climate change, US naval forces—i.e., the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard—should begin now to strengthen operational capabilities in the Arctic, prepare for more frequent humanitarian missions, and analyze potential vulnerabilities of seaside bases and facilities, says a new report by the Na

Climate Change 324

Climate Change Climate Mariner Future 324

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

The photos show wild type algae and magnetic algae placed in a test tube next to a permanent magnet. The wild type (left) settles to the bottom of the tube under the influence of gravity. The genetically transformed algae (right) stick to the wall due to magnetic attractions. Source: LANL. Click to enlarge. Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have genetically [link] “magnetic” algae to investigate alternative, more efficient harvesting and lipid extraction methods for biofuels.

Engine 323

Engine Low Cost Cost Of Green 323

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 4, 2011

Mazda’s roadmap to the ideal internal combustion engine. Click to enlarge. Mazda Motor Corporation’s SKYACTIV next-generation technologies—including engines, transmissions, vehicle bodies and chassis, launched in 2010 ( earlier post )—represent the first key building blocks for the company in achieving its “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” strategy, which initially calls for a 30% increase in fuel efficiency (compared to 2008 levels) for all Mazda vehicles offered worldwide by 2015

Mazda 322

Mazda Engine Gasoline Diesel 322

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 29, 2011

The 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid goes on sale in Spring 2012. Click to enlarge. Peugeot will introduce the 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid, the third model in the 508 range and the second deployment of the HYbrid4 diesel-electric drivetrain following its release on the 3008 HYbrid4 ( earlier post ), at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September.

Diesel 322

Diesel Plug-in Hybrid Plug 322

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 29, 2011

The Nikkei reported that Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has started developing an electric light truck—its third electric vehicle—with a fiscal 2012 launch in mind. The new EV reportedly will be targeted at farmers, contractors and others who use light trucks for their work—applications in which limited range is less of an issue. The electric light truck will allow users to recharge its battery off normal household power outlets.

Mitsubishi 320

Mitsubishi Light Motor Motors 320