October, 2012

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DOE to award up to $1M to evaluate technology pathways for cost-competitive hydrogen fuel

Green Car Congress

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award up to $1 million for up to two projects for 3–4 years to evaluate the most promising technology paths toward achieving $2 to $4 per gallon gasoline equivalent (gge) of hydrogen fuel or less by 2020. The projects selected through this funding opportunity ( DE-FOA-0000748 ) will help identify cost-effective and efficient materials and processes to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources and natural gas.

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Kenguru NEV for Wheelchairs

Electric Cars are for Girls

The Kenguru NEV is pretty much the PERFECT around-town vehicle for wheelchair users. It's more convenient and easier to use than its gas-guzzling counterpart, and it's a quarter of the price.

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Saudi Arabia Uses Your Gas Dollars To Fund.Solar Energy

Green Car Reports

Renewable energy, especially solar, is making inroads into the U.S. power grid, but it's a very slow process. And especially in the wake of the Solyndra collapse, it's one fraught with political wrangling. But there's another country that plans to invest heavily in solar power, hoping to provide fully 30 percent of its energy needs from the sun in.

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Review of the Ford Focus Electric - Electric drive train

National Green Transportation

In this part of the Ford Focus Electric review, we will go over the electric drive train systems. This is part of a multi-part review of Ford's all-electric Focus, for an overview of the car.

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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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Drivers positively charged about electric cars

Green Cars News

Consumer range anxiety about electric cars is a myth and motorists are largely positive about electric cars, new research suggests. Given the chance, drivers quickly get over any anxiety or concerns they have about battery-power cars, with many motorists who have driven them found to prefer them to conventional models, according to a study by [.].

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New 450hp Small Block V8 for 2014 Corvette features direct injection, cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing

Green Car Congress

Power density. The 6.2L LT1 is almost 40 lbs lighter (and more compact) than the 4.4L BMW Twin Turbo V8, and is expected to deliver more power and comparable torque. Click to enlarge. When the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, it will be powered by a new 6.2L V-8 delivering an estimated 450 hp (335 kW) and 450 lb-ft (610 N·m ) of torque (610 Nm) and helping to produce 0-60 times of less than four seconds.

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More Trending

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Cool Planet projects production of carbon-negative high-octane biogasoline for $1.50 per gallon

Green Car Congress

Cool Planet’s process relies on three core elements: novel biomass fractionation, advanced catalysis, and a char-to-soil enhancer. Source: Cool Planet. Click to enlarge. Cool Planet Energy Systems projects that using its patented mechanical process and novel scaling approach ( earlier post ), it will be able to produce high-octane carbon-negative (with the use of its bio-char byproduct) renewable gasoline at a cost of $1.50 per gallon, without the need for government subsidies.

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Opel presents new midsize gasoline engine at Aachen Colloquium; fuel consumption down 13%, torque and power up 33%

Green Car Congress

New 1.6L SIDI engine. Click to enlarge. Opel revealed more details about its new mid-size gasoline engine family at the Aachen Colloquium in Germany. ( Earlier post.) The all-new 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC Turbo engines, which begin Opel’s renewal of its powertrain portfolio, deliver improved fuel consumption, performance and refinement.

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ABB launches 22 kW AC & DC fast charging station

Green Car Congress

ABB launched the Terra Smart Connect Duo , the first 22 kW AC & DC fast charging station tested and proven to successfully support the Daimler smart electric drive and Renault Zoe using AC charging, as well as with CHAdeMO cars such as the publicly announced Nissan EV200, Mitsubishi Outlander, Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner. Terra SC Duo Charge Station.

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Furtive eGT electric sports car hits 240 km/h on the Nordschleife; small production series for 2013

Green Car Congress

On the Nordschleife. Click to enlarge. The racing driver Sabine Schmitz has tested the battery-electric Furtive eGT sports car from Exagon Motors ( earlier post ) on the Nordschleife (north loop) of the Nürburgring, achieving a top speed of nearly 240 km/h (149 mph) on the 20 kilometer long Nordschleife. The Furtive eGT, introduced earlier this year at the Paris Motor Show, features motors from Siemens and batteries from Saft.

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

Brief

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Toyota powers up 1.1 MW PEM fuel cell generator at Torrance headquarters campus; direct H2 pipeline feed

Green Car Congress

Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) activated a new 1.1-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell generator on the Torrance headquarters campus. The fuel cell will supply approximately half of the electricity for six headquarters buildings during peak demand. Designed and built by Ballard Power Systems, the proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) stationary fuel cell is the largest PEM fuel cell of its kind.

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PSA Peugeot Citroën and GM confirm key steps in global strategic alliance; four vehicle projects, joint purchasing

Green Car Congress

PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors confirmed important steps toward the execution of their Global Strategic Alliance. ( earlier post ) This alliance is structured around two main pillars: the sharing of vehicle platforms, components and modules; and the creation of a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities, components and other goods and services from suppliers with combined annual purchasing volumes of approximately $125 billion.

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Nissan boosts fuel economy of 2013 Pathfinder SUV by 30%, drops weight by 500 lbs

Green Car Congress

2013 Pathfinder. Click to enlarge. Nissan’s new 2013 Pathfinder SUV—the 4 th generation of the vehicle introduced more than 25 years ago— utilizes a new drivetrain featuring a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine mated to a next-generation Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) to help provide up to a 30% increase in combined city/highway fuel economy over the previous V6-equipped model while maintaining comparable power.

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Simulation study suggests ORC waste heat recovery system could deliver potential 7% improvement in fuel consumption in a PHEV on highway

Green Car Congress

A simple Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) waste heat recovery system could recover up to 10% of engine waste heat under highway driving conditions, corresponding to a potential 7% improvement in fuel consumption in a light-duty plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), with low penalization of the added weight to the vehicle electric range, according to a simulation study by researchers from the University of Stuttgart and the Ohio State University.

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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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New full LCA highlights complexity of environmental advantages and disadvantages of EVs relative to ICE vehicles; the importance of life cycle thinking

Green Car Congress

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have compared the emissions resulting from the production, use, and end-of-life of electric and internal combustion engine vehicles (EVs and ICEVs) in a full life-cycle analysis (LCA). They found that electric vehicles (EVs) powered by the present European electricity mix offer a 10% to 24% decrease in global warming potential (GWP) relative to conventional diesel or gasoline vehicles assuming lifetimes of 150,000 km (93,20

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CMU study finds small battery PHEVs and gasoline hybrids the least-cost policy solution to reducing gasoline consumption

Green Car Congress

Comparison of current federal subsidy to base case assumptions showing lifetime fuel savings (HomeEve charging scenario). An EPA estimate based on the Chevy Volt’s reported efficiency is also included for comparison. The federal subsidy significantly favors larger battery packs to a stronger degree than their potential for additional gasoline savings.

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Volvo Car Corp. demonstrates autonomous driving in traffic jams; traffic jam assistance system ready for production in 2014

Green Car Congress

As another step toward autonomous driving systems, Volvo Car Corporation is demonstrating a new traffic jam assistance system. The new system, whereby the car automatically follows the vehicle in front in slow-moving queues up to 50 km/h (31 mph), will be ready for production in 2014. The traffic jam assistance function is an evolution of the current Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Aid technology, which was introduced in the all-new Volvo V40 earlier in 2012.

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Johnson Controls to acquire automotive assets of Li-ion maker A123 Systems for $125M; A123 and US subsidiaries file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Green Car Congress

A123 Systems, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems, has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Johnson Controls, Inc. in a transaction valued at $125 million. Under the agreement, Johnson Controls plans to acquire A123’s automotive business assets, including all of its automotive technology, products and customer contracts; its facilities in Livonia and Romulus, Michigan; its cathode powder manufacturing facilities in Ch

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SAE International releases new fast-charging combo coupler standard (SAE J1772) for plug-in electric and electric vehicles

Green Car Congress

SAE International’s anticipated new revised technical standard for the combo coupler for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV) has been approved and published. ( Earlier post.). Developed in a consensus environment by more than 190 global experts representing automotive, charging equipment, utilities industries and national labs, “J1772: SAE Electric Vehicle and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Couple” enables charging time to be reduced from as long

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GM testing industry-first thermal-forming process for lightweight magnesium sheet metal

Green Car Congress

Trunk lid inner panel is the first use of GM process for magnesium sheet metal. Click to enlarge. General Motors is testing an industry-first thermal-forming process and proprietary corrosion resistance treatment for lightweight magnesium sheet metal that will allow increased use of the high-strength alternative to steel and aluminum. Magnesium weighs 33% less than aluminum, 60% less than titanium, and 75% less than steel.

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Ford displays prototype Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic hood

Green Car Congress

Prototype CFRP hood. Click to enlarge. At the Composites Europe event in Dusseldorf, Ford Motor Company displayed a prototype carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood. The prototype hood weighs more than 50% less than a standard steel version. As a result of progress made during an on-going Hightech.NRW research project involving engineers from the Ford European Research Centre, production time for an individual carbon fiber hood is fast enough to be employed on a production line—a sign

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Volkswagen Group of America launches technology startup accelerator at Plug and Play Tech Center

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen Group of America Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) and Plug and Play Tech Center have launched the Volkswagen ERL Technology Accelerator Powered by Plug and Play. The new Silicon Valley-based program is designed to accelerate 10 select startups from various industries to help develop next-generation technologies that can be applied in the automotive domain.

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Study finds households manage charging of PHEVs without help from online tools

Green Car Congress

Households with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and smart meters actively managed how, when and where they charged their cars based on electricity rates but rarely took advantage of online feedback, according to a two-year study by a team at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute ( RASEI ). The study, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales USA with the integral partnership of Xcel Energy, is one of the only of its kind, combining both household and vehicle data

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Concept: modular EV-hybrid features battery and engine swapping

Green Car Congress

A diagram of the powertrain components of the proposed hyMod. The front-wheel drive traction motor (blue) and in-floor 5 kWh battery pack (green) are always present. The car can change between a rear engine-pack (red) and a larger battery-pack (green) to enable hybrid or full EV operation. Click to enlarge. A Romanian team—Dan Scarlat (automotive journalist), Marian Cilibeanu (designer) and Cristian Ionescu (engineer)—are proposing the SCI hyMod modular concept car.

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EPA pegs Ford C-MAX Energi PHEV range at 620 miles

Green Car Congress

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the overall range for Ford’s plug-in hybrid C-MAX Energi at 620 miles (998 km). The Toyota Prius plug-in trails the C-MAX Energi by 80 miles at 540 miles of overall range, and the Chevrolet Volt comes in third at 380 miles. — C-MAX Energi achieves up to 21 miles in all-electric mode, meaning at least one leg of the average work commute of 20 miles each way could be completed each day on electric battery charge only, allowing customers

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GM in China sets new September sales record

Green Car Congress

General Motors and its joint ventures sold a September record 244,266 vehicles in China, up 1.7% from September 2011 and 10.5% from August. During the first nine months of 2012, sales by GM and its joint ventures in China increased 10.0% on an annual basis to a record 2,081,812 units. Shanghai GM’s domestic sales were up 3.7% year on year to an all-time September high of 120,010 units.

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Cadillac extended range electric vehicle ELR to be built at Detroit-Hamtramck

Green Car Congress

GM will build the Cadillac ELR, a luxury coupe featuring extended-range electric technology, at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss said Tuesday. The ELR is the production version of Cadillac’s Converj, a concept vehicle revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2009. ( Earlier post.). Production is scheduled to begin in late 2013.

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AllCell granted US patent to prevent thermal runaway propagation in Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

AllCell Technologies received a new US patent (Nº 8,273,474 ) covering the use of phase change materials (PCM) to prevent thermal runaway propagation in electrochemical devices such as lithium-ion batteries, ultra capacitors, and fuel cells. The new patent is an extension of AllCell’s intellectual property, which already includes US and international patents covering the use of PCM for thermal management of electrochemical devices.

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Honda demonstrating car and motorcycle V2X communication at ITS World Congress 2012

Green Car Congress

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will participate in the 19 th World ITS Congress from 22–26 October 2012 with a demonstration of automobile and motorcycle V2X communication—how its vehicles can communicate both with each other and with road-side infrastructure to benefit road safety, the environment, driver comfort and convenience. Congress participants can also experience for themselves Honda’s ITS equipped Insight hybrid and an ITS Honda motorcycle (NC700X) by participating in the joint Car2Car an

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GIREVE project to establish common framework for roaming services for recharging plug-in vehicles

Green Car Congress

The Caisse des Dépôts investor group; Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), the manager of electricity distribution to 95% of the metropolitan area in France; PSA Peugeot-Citroën; and Renault have signed a memorandum of understanding on the creation of a common framework to develop roaming services for recharging plug-in vehicles in France.

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LCA study finds Alcoa forged aluminum wheels cut carbon footprint of commercial vehicles

Green Car Congress

Alcoa aluminum truck wheels vs. steel wheels (average use case). Source: Alcoa. Click to enlarge. Alcoa last week released the findings of a peer-reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) which concluded that Alcoa aluminum wheels substantially cut the carbon footprint of commercial vehicles. This analysis, performed by PE International and Five Winds Strategic Consulting, is the most comprehensive and transparent comparative LCA ever conducted on aluminum and steel truck wheels, according to Alcoa.

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Fujitsu Ten developing compact 3D electronic scan mm-wave radar for automotive applications; delivery in 2014

Green Car Congress

2D vs. 3D scanning. Click to enlarge. Fujitsu Ten Ltd. has developed a compact 77 GHz three-dimensional electronic scan millimeter-wave radar for automotive applications that is capable of detecting an object in three dimensions, including the elevation range in addition to distance and azimuth range. While making further improvements, the company intends to deliver this product to automobile manufacturers from 2014.

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Researchers show oil palm plantation expansion a significant source of CO2; projected to contribute more than all of Canada’s current fossil fuel emissions by 2020

Green Car Congress

Oil palm supplies more than 30% of world vegetable oil production. Its expanding production is driving rainforest destruction and massive carbon dioxide emissions, according to a new study led by researchers at Stanford and Yale universities. The study, published as an open access paper in the journal Nature Climate Change , shows that deforestation for the development of oil palm plantations in Indonesian Borneo is becoming a globally significant source of carbon dioxide emissions.

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Dresser-Rand licenses Expansion Energy VX Cycle technology for small-scale production of LNG

Green Car Congress

VX Cycle block diagram. Source: Expansion Energy. Click to enlarge. Dresser-Rand—among the largest suppliers of rotating equipment solutions to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries—has entered into a definitive agreement with Expansion Energy LLC under which Dresser-Rand is granted a worldwide exclusive (for capacities up to 100,000 gallons per day) license to Expansion Energy’s proprietary VX Cycle technology for the small-scale production of Liquefied Natur

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