Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 10, 2011

Urban density is one of the most important determinants of car use and transport-related energy consumption in cities. Source: WHO report. Click to enlarge. Among strategies to reduce CO 2 emissions in the transport sector, a shift to active transport (walking and cycling) and rapid transit/public transport combined with improved land use can yield much greater immediate health “co-benefits” than improving fuel and vehicle efficiencies, according to a new WHO (World Health Organization) report.

Climate Change 365

Climate Change Transportation Emissions Climate 365

Green Car Reports

DECEMBER 12, 2011

After what feels like forever, the 2012 Fisker Karma electric car is finally about to go on sale. Last month, we showed you how to order a Fisker Karma. Now, we've been able to slide behind the wheel of a new 2012 Fisker Karma EcoSport to bring you some quick first-drive impressions of the car's performance, ride, interior, and controls. Our ride.

Karma 155

Karma Fisker 2012 Electric Cars 155

Electric Cars are for Girls

DECEMBER 14, 2011

New lithium polymer batteries for electric cars - cheaper, lighter, and.400 miles on a charge??

Polymer 174

Polymer Batteries Battery Miles 174

Green Cars News

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Energy firm E.ON is the latest to launch a electric car tariff designed for those with their own electric car to recharge. A trial two year plan called ‘E.ON EV Miles’ will cover the cost of charging an electric car for as little as £236 a year, compared to the typical annual refuelling cost of [.].

Electric Cars 57

Electric Cars Recharge Cars Miles 57

Advertisement

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

Norway

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant is starting production of the 2012 Focus Electric ( earlier post )—a five-passenger, battery-electric car Ford expects will achieve more than a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel economy rating. By comparison, the Nissan LEAF carries a 99 MPGe (combined) EPA rating, while the smaller i-MiEV carries a 112 MPGe (combined) rating. (1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 kWh).

Michigan 363

Michigan 2012 Ford Lithium Ion 363

Green Car Reports

DECEMBER 12, 2011

It's not the best photo, but it means a lot to the 19 people in it. Posed in front of a mirrored glass office building under a colorful logo, they are the final employees of the now-defunct Aptera Motors on the last day of its existence: Friday, December 2. Now we can bring you the inside chronology of the events that led to the end of Aptera.

Aptera 150

Aptera Building Motor Motors 150

Green Cars News

DECEMBER 14, 2011

EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is launching a new car sharing service which will see customers able to rent out their cars for an agreed rate. The new service simply called ‘Car Club’ will be run as a subsidiary of Stelio’s easyCar online car rental firm and will launch in London in 2012. Under the scheme [.].

London 54

London Cars 2012 Green 54

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 Reports

DECEMBER 15, 2011

One year ago today, the very first 2011 Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car was delivered to a retail buyer, in Denville, New Jersey. The Volt was intended not only to be the first production plug-in electric car from General Motors--erasing memories of the ill-fated EV1--but to serve as a technology halo car for the just-bailed-out.

Volt 123

Volt EV1 New Jersey Electric Cars 123

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), working with EIDAIKAKO Co., Ltd., MRC Pylen Co., Ltd. and Toyota Tsusho Corporation, has developed a new floor mat made using plant-based bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) fiber to add to its lineup of proprietary plant-based “Green Plastic” products. The company plans to start production of the new floor mats in the summer of 2012.

Mitsubishi 304

Mitsubishi Motor Motors Motoring 304

Advertisement

Brief

Connect

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

Marangoni Tire, the Italian tire specialist, presented its latest show car, the Marangoni Evoque HFI-R, at the Bologna Motor Show earlier this month.Evoque HFI-R. Click to enlarge. The Marangoni Evoque HFI-R, based on a Si4 2.0 Turbo gasoline engine model, has been tuned to deliver 300 bhp, but still manages to significantly reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions by exploiting combined hydrogen and natural gas technology.

International 299

International Hydrogen Fuel Cars 299

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

The NH 2 hydrogen fuel cell tractor. Click to enlarge. New Holland previewed the farm-ready version of the hydrogen fuel cell NH 2 tractor ( earlier post ) at the Agritechnica international agricultural machinery show in Hannover in November. Derived from the New Holland T6.140 production model, the new tractor will operate all the implements required for different seasonal operations: soil preparation, seeding, baling, transport, and front loader applications.

Hydrogen 297

Hydrogen 2012 Fuel Energy 297

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Countries meeting in Durban, South Africa, managed to deliver an agreement after an extension to negotiations. Governments at the COP17 meeting decided to adopt some form of a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon. as possible, but not later than 2015. Work on this is to begin immediately under a new group called the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action.

Climate 294

Climate Climate Change 2012 South Africa 294

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Süd-Chemie AG and LG Chem, Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture for high-volume production of superior quality Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP); LFP is a cost-effective, safe and eco-friendly cathode material for use in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Süd-Chemie, a member of the LFP licensing alliance established earlier this year with Hydro-Québec, Université de Montréal and CNRS ( earlier post ) and with several years of experience in manufacturing

Li-ion 281

Li-ion Lithium Ion Manufacturer Batteries 281

Advertisement

Oil

Guyana

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2011

The direct injected 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with an estimated 270 horsepower (201 kW), will be among the powertrain options available in the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury sedan. Click to enlarge. GM will debut a new high-performance 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury sedan, which will be revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in January.

Cadillac 273

Cadillac GM Engine Audi 273

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Johnson Electric introduced a new cooling fan product line for hybrid and electric vehicles. The cooling fan module (CFM EV) is designed to have extremely long life to continuously manage the battery temperature during the operating and recharge cycles of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The CFM EV is launched under the GATE brand and designed to maximize airflow with compact size, low weight and quiet operation.

Electric Vehicles 252

Electric Vehicles Hybrid Batteries Battery 252

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Fiat is introducing the third generation of its Panda city car. About 6 million first and second-generation Pandas were produced. The new Panda. Click to enlarge. The new Panda will offer new two-cylinder engines equipped with the Start&Stop system as standard: the 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, named “International Engine of the Year 2011”, and the new 65 HP 0.9 aspirated TwinAir, adopted for the first time.

2011 247

2011 Gasoline Standards Renewable 247

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 16, 2011

Québec Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand, announced the adoption of the Regulation respecting the cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances, which is based on the rules established by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). Québec is the first Canadian partner to adopt its regulation, officially placing it on the starting line on 1 January 2012 next to California, which adopted its regulation on 20 October 2011.

Climate Change 244

Climate Change Climate California 2012 244

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

A new study published in the journal Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board estimates total automobile air emission costs in 86 US metropolitan areas to be US$145 million/day, with Los Angeles, California, and New York City (each US$23 million per day) having the highest totals. These external costs average US$0.64 per day per person and US$0.03 per vehicle mile traveled.

Automobile 240

Automobile Emissions Los Angeles New York City 240

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

Acura will unveil three new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show including a new compact sports sedan, a redesigned RDX crossover sport utility vehicle, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car. The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of a new luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three powertrains including Acura’s first gasoline-electric hybrid.

Acura 236

Acura Gasoline-Electric 2012 Gasoline 236

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Alliance AutoGas, through conversion equipment provider and co-founding partner American Alternative Fuel, is now EPA-certified to convert more than 200 vehicle types to propane autogas utilizing the Prins System. American Alternative Fuel privately funded these Environmental Protection Agency certifications to ensure fleet owners and managers nationwide can choose from a wide variety of vehicle makes and models when converting to clean-burning autogas.

Convert 236

Convert EPA Alternative Fuels Vehicles 236

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Exide Technologies has expanded its product offering to include NorthStar Ultra High Performance AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries made with Pure Lead Technology for the automotive, marine/RV, heavy duty trucking and equipment, and first responder market segments. These products represent an expanded line that is a result of the strategic partnership between Exide Technologies and NorthStar Battery Company. ( Earlier post.).

Batteries 236

Batteries Battery Lead Acid Mariner 236

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 16, 2011

Renewable biofuels and chemicals company Coskata, Inc. has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of shares of its common stock. Proposed maximum in the filing is $100 million. The number of shares to be sold in the proposed offering and the offering price have not yet been determined.

Pennsylvania 231

Pennsylvania Low Cost Cost Of Renewable 231

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2011

Liotech , a joint venture between RUSNANO and Chinese holding company Thunder Sky, has launched the world’s largest high-capacity lithium-ion battery factory near Novosibirsk. The Liotech plant will produce batteries of various capacities (200 Ah, 300 Ah, and 700 Ah) using nanostructured cathode material of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ). The new factory has design capacity of more than 1 GWh or approximately one million batteries per year.

Li-ion 231

Li-ion Chinese Lithium Ion Batteries 231

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Photo from the scene of the 2010 Gray Summit accident, the investigation of which prompted NTSB to call for the ban on PEDs. Wedged between the chassis of the bus and the bobtail is the remains of a GMC pickup, the driver of which apparently had been texting. Source: NTSB presentation. Click to enlarge. Following a Board meeting on a 2010 multi-vehicle highway accident in Gray Summit, Missouri, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for the first-ever nationwide ban on driver

Personal 231

Personal Missouri District of Columbia 2010 231

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Thai Airways International will fly its first passenger biofuels flight—the first such in Asia—on 22 December. Flight TG 104 will fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, some 700 km north. MCOT reported that Piyasavasti Amranand, president of Thai Airways International Public Company, said the airline had concerns over the environmental issues and wanted to be a part of mechanism which can help reduce the greenhouse gas mission by using of biojet fuels.

Thailand 231

Thailand Asia International Gas 231

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 16, 2011

Six research institutions and seven industrial partners from Europe will participate in the new BioBoost project, aimed at converting residual biomass into energy carriers for the production of high-quality and engine-compatible fuels and chemicals as well as for the generation of electricity and heat. The project, coordinated by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), will start in early 2012.

Conversion 225

Conversion Energy Kits Fuel 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2011

Lola Group and Drayson Racing Technologies (DRT) will launch their Lola-Drayson B12/69EV all-electric prototype racing car as part of International Motorsport Business Week on 11 January 2012 at the MIA International Low Carbon Conference in the UK. The conference takes place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and will be headlined by Lola-Drayson B12/69EV project pioneer Lord Drayson, former Minister of Science and Innovation, alongside current Minister for Trade and Investment, L

All-Electric 225

All-Electric 2012 Carbon Electric Cars 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

The Dow Chemical Company announced that its 50-50 joint venture with Ube Industries, Ltd., Advanced Electrolyte Technologies LLC, has secured all necessary regulatory approvals. ( Earlier post.) The joint venture company will manufacture formulated electrolytes for lithium-ion battery cell manufacturers in the energy storage market. Functional electrolytes use small amounts of chemical additives mixed in a highly-purified electrolyte base to introduce a specific high-performance functionality, o

Lithium Ion 225

Lithium Ion Michigan Batteries Battery 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Australia-based Licella , a wholly owned subsidiary of Ignite Energy , has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand to examine the development and commercialization of a process to convert woody biomass into sustainable aviation biofuel. Licella has developed a process using a continuous flow catalytic hydro-thermal reactor (Cat-HTR) with supercritical water which converts woody materials and other biomass into a high quality bio-crude oil.

New Zealand 225

New Zealand Australia Renewable Fuel 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 12, 2011

Malibu Eco with eAssist. Click to enlarge. The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco with eAssit ( earlier post ) will be the first model of the new 2013 Malibu lineup to reach dealer showrooms in North America, starting in the first quarter of 2012. The 2013 Malibu Eco is the first Chevrolet vehicle to feature eAssist, GM’s light electrification system already introduced in the Buick lineup.

Chevrolet 225

Chevrolet MPG 2012 Sale 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 11, 2011

Gateshead College, UK, has established a new company—Zero Carbon Futures—to deliver a range of local and national programs to advance the region as a European leader in the production of low-carbon vehicles. This follows the college’s £6.2-million (US$9.7-million) Regional Growth Fund bid to create 5,000 jobs over the next decade, including 1,500 apprenticeships in the low-carbon vehicle sector.

Carbon 225

Carbon Companies Vehicles Nissan 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 10, 2011

WirtschaftsWoche (WiWo) reports that BMW and GM will announce a cooperation agreement on hydrogen fuel cell technology in mid-January. According to the report, BMW will receive fuel cell technology from GM in return for investment in the research. GM had no comment on the report, while BMW only confirmed there are unspecified negotiations are in process.

BMW 225

BMW GM Hydrogen Fuel 225

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2011

New research from the University at Buffalo (UB) suggests that drivers can cut their tailpipe emissions without significantly slowing travel time. In detailed, computer simulations of traffic in Upstate New York’s Buffalo Niagara region, UB researchers Adel Sadek and Liya Guo found that green routing could reduce overall emissions of carbon monoxide by 27% for area drivers, while increasing the length of trips by an average of 11%.

Green 218

Green Emissions Cars Transportation 218