article thumbnail

New study finds GHG emissions from palm oil production significantly underestimated; palm oil biofuels could be more climate-damaging than oil sands fuels

Green Car Congress

The majority (62%) of the plantations were located on the island of Sumatra, and more than two-thirds (69%) of all industrial plantations were developed for oil palm cultivation, with the remainder mostly being Acacia plantations for paper pulp production. Earlier post.).

Oil-Sands 314
article thumbnail

Opinion: Global Oil Supply More Fragile Than You Think

Green Car Congress

Many oil companies had trimmed their budgets heading into 2015 to deal with lower oil prices. Now a prevailing sense that oil prices may stay lower for longer has hit the markets. In other words, oil traders are now feeling much gloomier about oil prices several years out than they were at the beginning of 2015.

Oil 150
article thumbnail

PSI team develops web tool for consumers to compare environmental impact of passenger cars in detail

Green Car Congress

Depletion of fossil energy resources [kg oil-eq.]. Human toxicity [kg 1,4-DC-eq.]. Terrestrial toxicity [kg 1,4-DC.-eq.]. Toxicity of marine aquatic environments [kg 1,4-DC-eq.]. Toxicity of non-marine aquatic environments [kg 1,4-DC-eq.]. Depletion of fresh water reserves [m 3 ]. Smog formation [kg NMVOC-eq.].

Mariner 435
article thumbnail

SwRI develops device to test friction, wear associated with EV fluids

Green Car Congress

The electrification of the automotive industry has accelerated over recent years, with future projections showing an exponential growth in market share for both light and heavy-duty applications. An inverter takes the direct current (DC) voltage input from the batteries and converts it to the AC power required to operate the vehicle’s motor.

DC 284
article thumbnail

X PRIZE Foundation Announces Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X CHALLENGE

Green Car Congress

Million Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X CHALLENGE. The new prize was announced in Washington, DC by X PRIZE Chairman Peter H. The Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X CHALLENGE has two phases: Phase I. Exxon Valdez), land drainage, waste disposal, or oil platform spill (e.g. million prize purse. Dave Gallo, Ph.D., Deepwater Horizon ).

Oil 210
article thumbnail

Hyundai introducing 48V mild hybrid system with 1.6L diesel in Europe

Green Car Congress

The technology comprises a 48-volt battery, a Mild Hybrid Starter Generator (MHSG) and LDC converter (Low Voltage DC/DC). In addition to the 48V electrical system, the vehicle is equipped with the conventional 12V electrical system, which is connected via the DC/DC converter to the 48V system.

Hyundai 291
article thumbnail

Porsche presents Mission R concept electric competition car

Green Car Congress

The power output remains constant over the duration of the race, so there is no thermally induced de-rating—a major advantage of the electric motors with direct oil cooling developed by Porsche. Highly efficient motors with direct oil cooling. The Mission R is on a par with the performance level of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Porsche 417