October, 2015

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Nissan begins testing piloted driving on both city roads and highway

Green Car Congress

Nissan has begun testing its first prototype vehicle that demonstrates piloted drive on both highway and city/urban roads. Nissan’s “Intelligent Driving” comprises features that will be introduced in stages, all toward achieving Nissan’s “Zero Fatality” goal of eliminating virtually all fatalities stemming from traffic accidents. For Stage One, Nissan will offer “Piloted Drive 1.0” by the end of 2016 in Japan.

Nissan 233
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Super Charger for Electric Motorcycles!

Electric Cars are for Girls

Oh, this is brilliant. Level 2.5 charging for electric motorcycles like the Zero, using the j-plug we're all so familiar with. You can charge your Zero in about an hour! I *want* this for my LEAF, sigh.

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Tokyo Intros, Tesla Battery Life, Four-Motor Honda EV: The Week In Reverse (Video)

Green Car Reports

Why is one family really happy that its Tesla Model S got destroyed? And, what car did we drive this week--but plan to report on next week? This is our video look back at the Week In Reverse--right here at Green Car Reports--for the week ending on Friday, October 30, 2015. Friday, we reported from Japan on what it's like to drive a new.

Honda 129
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DigiNow's fast charger for Zero DS/S/SR electric motorcycle enables long rides

National Green Transportation

A new age of electric motorcycling has dawned thanks to a product announcement on Monday from DigiNow and Electric Motor Werks. The two companies have jointly developed the DigiNow Super Charger Charge Tank, a super-high-speed charging.

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How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

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ORNL tires-to-carbon technology licensed to RJ Lee Group

Green Car Congress

RJ Lee Group has signed an agreement to license an invention developed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory that converts waste rubber into a valuable energy storage material. The technology turns rubber sources such as tires into carbon black composites through a proprietary pretreatment process invented by ORNL’s Amit Naskar, Parans Paranthaman and Zhonghe Bi. ( Earlier post.).

Carbon 214
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Volkswagen Group CEO Müller agrees on strategic partnership with leading China bank

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen AG and leading Chinese bank Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Beijing setting out a long-term strategic partnership. Under the MoU, ICBC will provide Volkswagen AG with a wide range of banking services in China and globally. In the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Dr.

China 203

More Trending

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Vaporized Foil Actuator Welding technique from OSU uses 80% less energy and delivers bonds 50% stronger; joining dissimilar materials

Green Car Congress

Engineers at The Ohio State University have developed a new welding technique—Vaporized Foil Actuator Welding (VFAW)—that consumes 80% less energy than a common welding technique, yet creates bonds that are 50% stronger. The new technique could have a significant impact on the auto industry, which is poised to offer new cars which combine traditional heavy steel parts with lighter, alternative metals to reduce vehicle weight.

Ohio 214
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UMTRI preliminary analysis of autonomous vehicle safety

Green Car Congress

Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) have performed a preliminary analysis of the cumulative on-road safety record of self-driving vehicles for three of the ten companies that are currently approved for such vehicle testing in California (Google, Delphi, and Audi). The analysis compared the safety record of these vehicles with the safety record of all conventional vehicles in the US for 2013 (adjusted for underreporting of crashes that do not involv

Vehicles 203
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VW reaffirms commitment to expand Chattanooga plant despite spending crackdown

Green Car Congress

The Volkswagen Group has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its Chattanooga facility, where it plans on producing a newly developed midsize SUV for the US market, despite a Group crackdown on spending as the company prepares to deal with the impacts of resolving the diesel emissions scandal. As previously announced, the Group plans on a total investment of approximately $900 million in the production of a newly developed, seven-passenger SUV.

Tennessee 199
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USDA: $210M to be invested in renewable fuel pump infrastructure through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

Green Car Congress

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) nearly to double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. In May 2015, USDA announced the availability of $100 million in grants through the BIP, and that to apply states and private partners match the federal funding by a 1:1 ratio.

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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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Honda opens CNG fueling station on Troy, Ohio campus; 2nd public CNG station in N America

Green Car Congress

Honda opened a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station on its property in Troy, Ohio. The CNG station, which was designed, constructed and will be operated by Trillium CNG, is the second public CNG station located on a Honda property in North America, following one opened at Honda of America Mfg. in Marysville, Ohio in August. ( Earlier post.).

Ohio 188
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Mitsubishi eX concept crossover highlights design and electric vehicle technology directions

Green Car Congress

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) unveiled the Mitsubishi eX electric crossover concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. MMC intends the eX to showcase next-generation electric vehicle technologies, as well as a new take on the Dynamic Shield front design concept. The next-generation EV system employs a 45 kWh battery pack together with compact 70 kW electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined output of 140 kW.

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US/Indonesia agreement on sustainable air transportation and aviation alternative fuels

Green Car Congress

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently signed an agreement to promote developing and using sustainable, alternative aviation fuels and additional environmental collaboration between the two nations. FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker said that the MOU’s primary focus areas are research and development of alternative aviation fuels; energy conservation; environmental protection and sustainable aviation growth; critical

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Opinion: Stop Blaming OPEC For Low Prices

Green Car Congress

by Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com. We are a little more than a month away from OPEC’s next meeting, which will be held in Vienna on December 4, 2015. OPEC altered the course of the oil markets last year when it decided to cast aside its traditional role of maintaining balance through production cuts. Instead it pursued a strategy of fighting for market share, contributing to an immediate rout in oil prices.

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ExxonMobil announces 6th oil discovery offshore Guyana with Ranger-1; Guyana may move from non-producer to regional powerhouse

Oil

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Panda Power finances conversion of retired coal plant to natural gas; one of largest power conversion projects in US

Green Car Congress

Panda Power Funds has financed the 1,124 megawatt Panda “Hummel Station” power plant—one of the largest coal-to-natural gas power conversion projects in the United States. The plant will be located at the site of the retired Sunbury coal-fired power plant near Shamokin Dam in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. The 400 MW, 65-year old plant was shuttered in 2014 in response to low natural gas prices and the onset of strict environmental regulations promulgated by the Obama Administration.

Coal 188
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BASF and Volkswagen present 4th Science Award Electrochemistry to Dr. Bryan McCloskey at UC Berkeley for Li-O2 battery work

Green Car Congress

The fourth international “ Science Award Electrochemistry ” from BASF and Volkswagen ( earlier post ) was awarded to Dr. Bryan McCloskey, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley. The jury of representatives from BASF, Volkswagen and from academia selected Dr. McCloskey for his outstanding research results in the area of lithium-oxygen batteries.

Batteries 188
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Chairman of Volkswagen Group outlines next steps to realign the group

Green Car Congress

Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, has announced the five key steps to realign the Group following the eruption of the diesel emissions cheating scandal. Müller announced that the cornerstones of the Group’s new Strategy 2025—replacing the current Strategy 2018—will be presented next year.

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Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo concept fuel cell hybrid leverages F 015 Luxury in Motion concept

Green Car Congress

Mercedes-Benz introduced a new advanced design concept at the Tokyo Motor Show: the Vision Tokyo. The concept is powered by a fuel cell electric drive system based on the F-CELL PLUG-IN HYBRID of the self-driving F 015 Luxury in Motion concept introduced at CES in January. ( Earlier post.) The next combines the on-board generation of electricity with a particularly powerful and compact high-voltage battery that can be charged wirelessly via induction.

Concept 197
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Primus Green Energy and Jereh launch global collaboration on gas-to-liquids

Green Car Congress

Primus Green Energy Inc., a gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology and solutions company that transforms methane and other hydrocarbon gases into gasoline, methanol and diluent ( earlier post ), and Jereh, an international, integrated oil and gas company specializing in Oil and Gas EPC services, oilfield technology services and equipment manufacturing, have launched a global market collaboration.

Gas 197
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Lexus reveals all-wheel drive hydrogen fuel cell LF-FC flagship concept

Green Car Congress

Lexus revealed the LF-FC flagship concept, an all-wheel-drive hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, at the Tokyo Motor Show. This marks the Lexus brand’s first foray into fuel cell technologies. The high-output fuel cell power system energizes the rear wheels, and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front. This innovative drive system allows precise torque distribution control between the front and rear wheels, giving the full-size sedan exceptional dynamic handling and superior road stability.

Lexus 188
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Nissan IDS Concept previews future of autonomous driving and EVs

Green Car Congress

At the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan Motor unveiled a concept vehicle that embodies Nissan’s vision of the future of autonomous driving and EVs: the Nissan IDS Concept. Nissan Intelligent Driving, Nissan’s concept of autonomous drive technology, integrates advanced vehicle control and safety technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) and represents what Nissan believes next-generation vehicles should be. “ Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver’s ability to see, think and react.

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Shell to halt 80K bpd Carmon Creek oil sands project

Green Car Congress

Royal Dutch Shell plc will not continue construction of the 80,000 barrel per day Carmon Creek thermal in situ oil sands project located in Alberta, Canada. Shell originally sanctioned the project in October 2013 and announced in March 2015 that the project would be re-phased to take advantage of the market downturn to optimize design and retender certain contracts.

Oil-Sands 177
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Enevate announces ultrafast charging feature for its silicon Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

Enevate Corporation, developer of a silicon-dominant composite anode material and high energy density batteries ( earlier post ), announced ultrafast charging for their batteries with HD-Energy Technology. Enevate’s ultrafast charging feature has been demonstrated to provide a 90% charge in 15 minutes (4C charge rate) while increasing energy, capacity and performance when compared to today’s conventional Li-ion batteries.

Li-ion 188
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Mercedes-Benz fuel cell vehicles drive from LA to Northern California using only public hydrogen stations

Green Car Congress

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL customers ventured beyond Southern California last week for the first time, while only filling up at existing public hydrogen stations along the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The opening of a new hydrogen station in Coalinga along the I-5 corridor made this opportunity possible. A team driving five B-Class F-CELL refilled at four permanent hydrogen fueling stations located in Burbank, Coalinga, West Sacramento and Emeryville, accumulating nearly 1,000 mile

Mercedes 188
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Rotary redux: Mazda unveils rotary-powered RX-VISION concept

Green Car Congress

Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled the rotary-powered Mazda RX-VISION sports car concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. Although Mazda earlier put production of rotaries on hold, it continued R&D efforts in that area. The next rotary engine has been named SKYACTIV-R, expressing the company's determination to take on challenges with convention-defying aspirations and the latest technology, just as it did when developing SKAYCTIV TECHNOLOGY. ( Earlier post.).

Mazda 203
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Honda leverages older name for new FCV: Clarity Fuel Cell makes its debut at Tokyo; 435-mile range on JC08

Green Car Congress

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the planned production model of its all-new fuel cell vehicle (FCV), called Clarity Fuel Cell, at the 44 th Tokyo Motor Show 2015. This model will be on display at the Honda booth during the show. The name honors its predecessor, the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, introduced at the LA Auto Show in 2007. ( Earlier post.).

Honda 220
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Ballard announces $5M strategic investment from Nisshinbo

Green Car Congress

Ballard Power Systems announced that Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. will make a $5-million strategic equity investment in Ballard. The investment will be made through a subscription and purchase of 3,322,479 common shares issued from treasury at a price per share of US$1.5049 (based on a 10-day volume weighted average price calculation). Ballard intends to use the proceeds from the financing for general corporate purposes, including potentially funding of future acquisitions or investments in complemen

Hydrogen 188
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Aeristech developing turbomachine-type electric air compressors for fuel cells; claims potential doubling of output

Green Car Congress

UK-based Aeristech, a provider of electrically driven pressure charging solutions ( earlier post ), is developing electric air compressor technology that the company says could double the output from a hydrogen fuel cell. The electric compressor would enable vehicle manufacturers to increase performance or to specify a considerably more compact fuel cell, improving packaging and weight.

Fuel 228
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EV charging companies form new trade association

Green Car Congress

Leaders from the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, technology and services industry have formed the Electric Vehicle Charging Association ( EVCA ), a not-for-profit trade association created to advance the EV charging industry. EVCA concurrently released The State of the Charge , a report documenting the charging industry’s rapid growth in California and the significant economic opportunity it presents for the state.

Charging 232
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Novozymes introduces new enzyme for ethanol production

Green Car Congress

Novozymes has introduced Avantec Amp, an advanced enzyme product that improves yield and throughput in corn ethanol production, while increasing corn oil extraction and reducing the need for several harsh chemicals used in ethanol production. By switching from standard enzyme technology to Avantec Amp, a typical ethanol plant with a capacity of 110 million gallons can make up to $2.5 million a year in additional net profits, the company said.

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U Waterloo, GM R&D team develops new very high-performance silicon-sulfur-graphene electrode for Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

Researchers from the University of Waterloo and General Motors Global Research and Development Center have developed a new electrode material for Li-ion batteries that leverages the strong covalent interactions that occur between silicon, sulfur, defects and nitrogen. In an open-access paper in the journal Nature Communications , they report that. the new electrode material shows superior reversible capacity of ~1,033 mAh g −1 for 2,275 cycles at 2 A g −1.

Li-ion 197
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New flexible MOF for enhanced adsorbed natural gas storage on vehicles

Green Car Congress

An international team of researchers led by a group at the University of California, Berkeley has developed a flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) material for enhanced adsorption and desorption of natural gas (CH 4 ). The material, described in a paper in the journal Nature , could bolster the development of on-board adsorbed natural gas (ANG) systems that don’t require the high pressures or cold temperatures of today’s compressed or liquefied natural gas vehicles.

Gas 188
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DuPont opening 30M gpy cellulosic ethanol facility in Iowa; largest in world

Green Car Congress

DuPont will officially open its cellulosic ethanol facility in Nevada, Iowa, on 30 October; the plant will be the largest cellulosic ethanol plant in the world. The US Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Director, Jonathan Male, alongside senior government officials, DuPont leaders and staff, and local farmers will attend the grand opening ceremony and plant tour.

Iowa 284
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UQM Technologies in 10-year electric propulsion systems agreement with ITL in China; 3K units ordered; potential for >$400M in revenue

Green Car Congress

UQM Technologies Inc. has signed a 10-year supply agreement with ITL Efficiency Corporation in China, a subsidiary of Eastlake New Energy, to provide electric propulsion systems for three market segments: 6-8 meter shuttle buses; light- to medium-duty delivery trucks; and 10-12 meter transit buses. Over the term of the Agreement, revenues could exceed $400 million based on projected volume shipments.

China 188