March, 2015

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Achates Power awarded $14M military single-cylinder engine project; partnering with Cummins

Green Car Congress

'Achates Power, Inc., the developer of a family of two-stroke compression-ignition opposed-piston engines ( earlier post ), has been awarded a $14-million project by the National Advanced Mobility Consortium to support research and development work of the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The project is the Single Cylinder Advanced Combat Engine Technology Demonstrator, part of the Army’s 30-year strategy to modernize tactical and combat vehicles.

Engine 246
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Aston Martin To Build Electric Rapide Luxury Car Under Ex-Nissan CEO

Green Car Reports

'There are certain carmakers you just don''t hear discussed very often on Green Car Reports, and Aston Martin is one of them. The legendary British carmaker may be the favorite of James Bond, but its current lineup of V-8 and V-12 sports cars just isn''t very green. DON''T MISS: All-Electric Aston Martin DBX Crossover Concept: Geneva Surprise Yet.

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BMW X5 xDRIVE40e plug-in hybrid SUV available in US in fall 2015, expect 55 MPGe

National Green Transportation

'On Tuesday, BMW announced availability of the long-awaited BMW X5 xDRIVE40e plug-in hybrid Sports Activity Vehicle. Combining BMW's award-winning 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine, BMW's xDRIVE all-wheel-drive.

BMW 63
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Audi expects series production of zFAS central driver assistance controller within 2 years

Green Car Congress

'Audi expects to begin the series production of the central driver assistance controller (zFAS)—the core of future systems for piloted driving under development by Audi, within two years. Audi developed zFAS in collaboration with TTTech, Mobileye, nVidia and Delphi. ( Earlier post , earlier post.) Delphi has been awarded the series production contract.

Audi 183
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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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US submits target to cut GHGs by 26-28% from 2005 levels to UNFCCC; doubling the rate of reduction

Green Car Congress

'The United States submitted its target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The submission—an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)—is a formal statement of the US target, announced in China last year, to reduce emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and to make best efforts to reduce by 28%.

2005 183
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Opel introduces new Corsa 1.4 LPG ecoFLEX, Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX

Green Car Congress

'The newly introduced Opel Corsa 1.4 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) ecoFLEX develops 66 kW/90 hp and comes from the factory with a bi-fuel capability, and is specifically aimed at cost-conscious customers. LPG fuel costs are almost 50% lower compared to gasoline. The three-door model is available from €14,745 ($15,870), and the five-door model from €15,495 euros ($16,677) (RRP incl.

Gasoline 183

More Trending

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Tenneco developing new gasoline particulate filter (GPF) technology ahead of Euro 6c emissions regulation

Green Car Congress

'Tenneco is leveraging its expertise in diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology to develop gasoline particulate filters for 2017 model year light vehicles. These filters are designed for gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines to reduce particulate emissions in compliance with the Euro 6c emissions regulation (particulate number of no more than 6 x 10 11 particles/km), which takes effect on 1 September 2017.

Gasoline 220
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Hadrian South comes on-stream in US Gulf of Mexico ultra-deep waters

Green Car Congress

'Production has begun in the Hadrian South Field in the Keathley Canyon area, located some 230 miles (370 km) off the coast of Louisiana, with water depths around 2,332 meters (7,651 feet, or 1.45 miles). ExxonMobil, the operator, holds a 46.67% interest in the Hadrian South field, Eni 30% and Petrobras 23.33%. The Hadrian South development consists of two subsea natural gas wells and a 12-kilometer subsea tieback to the Lucius field FPSO.

Mexico 183
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Berkeley Lab/UC Berkeley study shows EV batteries meet daily travel needs of 85%+ of US drivers even after 20% energy capacity fade; calls for new EOL criteria

Green Car Congress

'A new study by researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley shows quantitatively that EV batteries can continue to meet daily travel needs of drivers well beyond the 80% floor for remaining energy storage capacity that is commonly assumed. An open access paper on their work, which applied detailed physics-based models of EVs with data on how drivers use their cars, is published in the Journal of Power Sources.

Energy 228
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Honda to unveil new China market SUV concept at Auto Shanghai

Green Car Congress

'Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary in China, plans to stage the world premiere of an all-new concept model as well as other new Honda models at Auto Shanghai 2015 (The 16th International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition, press days: April 20-21, 2015, public days: April 22-29, 2015). Jointly with Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., Honda will unveil a concept model for a new SUV exclusively developed

Honda 190
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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Fraunhofer IAO patent analysis finds China leading in Industry 4.0

Green Car Congress

'Part of Fraunhofer IAO’s China TechWatch research project involves analyzing developments in Chinese technology. The project’s first white paper reveals that China is way out in front when it comes to patent applications for the basic technologies needed for Industry 4.0. Purely in terms of the number of patents filed, China has now far outstripped the United States and Germany.

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Bridgestone launches new tire in Ecopia fuel-efficient line-up

Green Car Congress

'Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) launched the latest tire in its fuel-efficient Ecopia tire line, the Ecopia EP422 Plus tire. The Ecopia EP422 Plus tire is engineered with a combination of light and strong materials for greater fuel efficiency, giving consumers an extra 20 miles per tank. The range projection is based on rolling resistance in lab testing comparing Ecopia EP422 Plus (215/60R16) to Firestone FR710 (215/60R16) when new, with the extra 20 miles based on 400 miles per tank.

Fuel 195
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IBM to invest $3B in new Internet of Things unit; acting on Big Data

Green Car Congress

'IBM will invest $3 billion over the next four years to establish a new Internet of Things (IoT) unit, and that it is building a cloud-based open platform designed to help clients and ecosystem partners build IoT solutions. IBM’s pioneering work in Smarter Planet and Smarter Cities was based on practical applications of IoT in the enterprise and led to a broad set of solutions, ranging from water management to optimizing retail and customer loyalty to alleviating traffic congestion.

Connect 195
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Report: VW e-Golf takes top EV sales spot from LEAF in W. Europe in Jan-Feb

Green Car Congress

'The AID Newsletter reports that the Volkswagen e-Golf was the top-selling EV in the 17 West European markets during the first two months of 2015, ousting the Nissan LEAF from first place. According to AID’s data, the-Golf posted 2,150 regional registration during the opening two months of this year, as compared to 1,750 units for the Nissan LEAF. AID attributed the performance of the e-Golf to “a highly charged sales blitz in Norway”, where the e-Golf posted 1,716 units (80% of sales).

Sale 217
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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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ITM Power awarded US$4.3M for hydrogen refueling stations in London

Green Car Congress

'ITM Power has been awarded a total of £2.89 million (US$4.3 million) by the UK Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) Infrastructure Grants Scheme, run by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). The award is to build two new HRS in London, sited with strategic partners and for the upgrading of four existing ITM Power refueling stations. £1.89 million ($2.8 million) has been awarded to ITM Power and its partners to invest in two new HRS in London at strategic locations suitable for Fuel Cell Elec

London 200
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Toyota and Lexus roll-out low-cost automated braking safety packages on RAV4 Hybrid and RX crossover

Green Car Congress

'At separate press conferences Wednesday and Thursday at the New York Auto Show, Toyota will reveal the RAV4 Hybrid SUV, while Lexus unveils its all-new fourth-generation RX luxury crossover SUV. Both debuts will mark the arrival of new, multi-feature, integrated safety packages, each anchored by automated pre-collision braking and offered at a price below comparable systems across the auto industry.

Lexus 183
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KIT and Schaeffler working on new energy-efficient assisted steering system for EVs

Green Car Congress

'Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) and Schaeffler are developing a new energy-efficient assisted steering system for EVs under the project “Intelligent Assisted Steering System with Optimum Energy Efficiency for Electric Vehicles (e²-Lenk)” subsidized by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). In conventional vehicles, the internal combustion engine supplies on-board systems such as assisted steering, with the requisite energy.

Kits 200
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2016 Camaro sheds 200 lbs (90.7 kg); new architecture

Green Car Congress

'The new 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, which will make its debut in May during a special public event at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park, shed more than 200 lbs (90.7 kg) Camaro compared with the fifth-generation model. A new architecture, one of the most mass-efficient ever from General Motors, is responsible for much of the weight savings. Additionally, dozens of small changes cumulatively contributed to shedding pounds.

2016 197
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Volvo Cars to build new $500M factory in US

Green Car Congress

'Volvo Cars will build a manufacturing facility in the US, fulfilling its ambition to be a truly global car maker, investing around US$500 million in the plant and underscoring its long term commitment to the US market. The company has drawn up a shortlist of potential locations; full details of the location of the new factory and the size of the investment will be announced at a later date.

Volvo 197
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LG Chem to supply EV batteries to Daimler for new smart EV

Green Car Congress

'Daimler AG has selected LG Chem as the supplier of lithium-ion batteries for the smart EV that will be newly launched in 2016. Under the contract, LG Chem will provide battery cells to smart EV; Daimler will assemble the cells into the vehicle packs. By signing a supply contract with Daimler, LG Chem has become the world’s biggest automotive battery supplier, having at least 13 global automakers among the top 20 global brands.

Li-ion 212
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Maverick expands synfuels plant line-up with bio- and landfill-gas-to-methanol offerings

Green Car Congress

'Maverick Synfuels announced the availability of the Maverick Oasis BG Gas-to-Liquid methanol plant product line. These plants convert biogas from sources such as anaerobic digesters and landfills into higher value methanol, one of the world’s most widely used industrial chemicals. In September 2014, Maverick had introduced its Oasis GTL plants, small-scale, modular methane-to-methanol production plants that can be co-located at the methane source. ( Earlier post.).

Gas 200
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Dalhousie team reports ternary blends of electrolyte additives greatly enhance performance of NMC Li-ion cells

Green Car Congress

'Batteries for electrified vehicles require much longer calendar and cycle lifetimes, as well as improved high temperature tolerance, than their portable consumer electronics counterparts. Electrolyte additives can be used to extend cell lifetime by suppressing parasitic reactions between charged electrodes and electrolyte by modifying the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) at the negative electrode or the passivation layer formed on the positive electrode.

Li-ion 200
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Total natural gas vehicle sales in US down 6.5% in 2014 due to 34% drop in light-duty sales; medium- and heavy-duty up

Green Car Congress

'In 2014, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty natural gas vehicle (NGV) production/sales in the US totaled just over 18,000 vehicles, down 6.5% from 2013, according to NGVAmerica’s 2014 NGV Production/Sales Report. The report is based on the organization’s annual survey of OEMs and approved aftermarket suppliers. The heavy-duty market segment grew at a healthy pace, up 30% over 2013.

2014 190
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MTU America fined $1.5M for selling uncertified engines

Green Car Congress

'The California Air Resources Board (ARB), US Department of Justice (DOJ) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined forces to prosecute. MTU America Inc. for selling uncertified large engines used in mining operations, resulting in a $1.5-million settlement which includes $300K to ARB to be used to fund school bus upgrades and air quality research.

America 203
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HondaJet receives provisional type certification from FAA

Green Car Congress

'Honda Aircraft Company announced that the HondaJet has received provisional type certification (PTC) from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ( Earlier post.) This achievement indicates the FAA’s approval of the HondaJet design based on certification testing, design reviews, and analyses completed to date. A provisional type certificate is a design approval by the FAA and is common for business jets when final certification is near.

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Toyota progress report on TNGA; half of vehicles sold in 2020 to feature new platforms

Green Car Congress

'In 2012, Toyota Motor introduced its new development framework, the Toyota New Global Architecture. ( Earlier post.) Designed to balance product advances with cost reductions, TNGA supports the grouping of the development of new vehicles to promote strategic sharing of parts and powertrain components. One goal is the reduction of resources required for development by 20% or more.

Toyota 200
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Mercedes-Benz Vans to launch midsize pickup by end of decade

Green Car Congress

'Before the end of the decade, Mercedes-Benz will launch the first pickup from a premium manufacturer. The new Mercedes-Benz midsize pickup will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe, all of which are posting sustained growth in this segment. The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets.

Mercedes 190
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Daimler Trucks NA SuperTruck achieves 115% freight efficiency improvement over 2009 baseline; 50.2% engine BTE

Green Car Congress

'DTNA’s SuperTruck was unveiled at the 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show. Click to enlarge. Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) SuperTruck program has achieved 115% freight efficiency improvement (gallons of fuel consumed per ton of goods moved per mile traveled)—surpassing the Department of Energy (DOE) program’s goal of 50% improvement and exhibiting the best results of all reporting OEMs. ( Earlier post.

2009 294
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Volvo Cars demos self-driving cars in Beijing

Green Car Congress

'Volvo Car Group demonstrated its autonomous driving technology ( earlier post ) to media and decision makers in Beijing today; Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven joined the event. Volvo Cars’ Drive Me project, which will feature 100 autonomous cars, will start rolling on selected roads around Gothenburg by 2017. The Swedish government is a partner in the Drive Me project through the Swedish Traffic Administration and the Swedish Transport Agency.

Volvo 183
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Munich Re America joins U-M research partnership on connected and automated vehicles

Green Car Congress

'Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. has joined the University of Michigan’s Mobility Transformation Center (MTC) Affiliates Program—part of a major research partnership of industry, government, and academia that is laying the foundation for a commercially viable system of connected and automated vehicles. The Affiliates Program has 27 initial members from a wide range of industries.

Connect 183
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Peterbilt increases its natural gas offerings; medium-duty CNG, heavy-duty LNG

Green Car Congress

'Peterbilt Motors introduced two new medium-duty vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) during the Mid-America Trucking Show: the Model 337 and the Model 348. Both vehicles are now in production and can be configured as trucks or tractors. The company also announced that heavy-duty models 579 and 567 are now available with liquefied natural gas (LNG); Peterbilt had begun production of CNG configurations of the 579 and 567 last year.

Peterbilt 183
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Toyota updates hybrid LMP1 racer for 2015

Green Car Congress

'Toyota has updated its championship-winning LMP1 racer for 2015 with new aerodynamics, revised front end including crash structure and new suspension kinematics to optimize tire usage, plus additional weight saving. During the 2014 season, the TS040 Hybrid took five wins from eight races. TS040 for 2015. Click to enlarge. The TS040 Hybrid will again benefit from the proven Toyota Hybrid System - Racing powertrain, which boasts excellent thermal efficiency and delivers a total maximum power of m

2015 183
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Ceres accelerates sugarcane trait development following positive field results in Latin America

Green Car Congress

'Ceres has advanced the testing of its biotech sugarcane traits to the next stage ahead of schedule due to positive data from initial field evaluations under tropical conditions in Latin America. Leading product candidates are currently being multiplied for wider-scale field evaluations which are scheduled to begin in May and June 2015. Ceres reported that its yield traits accelerated growth and increased biomass in elite tropical sugarcane varieties.

America 183
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Cummins ATLAS light-duty diesel surpasses fuel economy targets, with criteria emissions lower than Tier 2/Bin 2

Green Car Congress

'Cummins Inc. is showcasing the results of a four-year joint program with the US Department of Energy (DOE) at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The Advanced Technology Light Automotive Systems (ATLAS) program ( earlier post ) was initiated to develop a commercially viable diesel engine for the half-ton pickup truck market that is capable of meeting future Tier 2 Bin 2 emissions regulations and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements out to the year 202