Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., is advising the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of plans to conduct voluntary safety recalls of approximately 701,000 Model Year 2010-2014 Prius vehicles to update the motor/generator control ECU and hybrid control ECU software. This is part of a global recall for the issue. According to the information Toyota is providing Prius customers in the US, the problem resides in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM), which is inside the Hybrid Inverte

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Prius Toyota Lexus Vehicles 356

Creative Greenius

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Last night at the Hermosa Beach City Council meeting I heard an ignorant little man reference my favorite Edward Abbey book, “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” which I read the year it came out – in 1975 as a senior in high school. It’s true. I am that young. The little man cited the book to accuse a friend of mine of being an “eco terrorist” because he had used the term “monkey wrench” on his Facebook page.

Climate Change 322

Climate Change Climate Oil Renewable 322

Green Car Reports

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

'The stories abound: A car buyer walks into a dealership, educated about the electric car she wants to buy.and the salesperson tries to convince her she doesn''t want that car after all. She really wants a gasoline car, he argues. MORE: Why Some Dealers Are Inept At Selling Plug-In Electric Cars Hundreds of cases have been reported of customers.

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Dealers Electric Cars Cars Gasoline-Electric 164

Green Cars News

FEBRUARY 9, 2014

'An electric car that takes autonomous drive into a new era: that''s the vision behind the new Renault Next Two concept (pictured). The French carmaker has just revealed the prototype - which is based on a Renault ZOE - that offers an automated valet parking function permitting the car to park itself[.].

Electric Cars 58

Electric Cars Cars Electric Electrical 58

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Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

'High-density polyethylene (HDPE) grocery bags can be successfully pyrolyzed to alternative diesel fuel, according to a new study by a team from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service ARS. Pyrolysis of the waste plastic grocery bags followed by distillation resulted in a liquid hydrocarbon mixture with an average structure consisting mostly of saturated

Diesel 332

Diesel Illinois Waste Oil 332

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

'US Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Joe Manchin (W. Va.) introduced the “National Rare Earth Cooperative Act of 2014” this week, bipartisan legislation to encourage US production of rare earth metals (and thorium), relieving US dependence on China’s rare earth minerals. Noting that thorium is a mildly radioactive element commonly associated with the lanthanide elements in the most heavy rare earth deposits that are located in the United States and elsewhere, and that current regulations regulations

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United States Production Missouri Alaska 332

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

'Elio Motors has selected Comau Inc., a global leader in the development and implementation of engineering solutions for sustainable automation and production, as its automation partner to build its three-wheel, high efficiency vehicle. Comau will provide Elio with powertrain and automated assembly systems. Slated to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2014 and available in the US by the first quarter of 2015, the Elio will be built in a plant in Shreveport, LA.

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Motor Motors Motoring Vehicles 291

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will begin verification testing of its newly developed wireless battery charging system for plug-in electric vehicles—such as plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles—in late February in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The system can charge a vehicle parked in alignment over a coil on the surface of the ground, making the charging process simpler and more convenient.

Toyota 281

Toyota Charging Vehicles Plug-in 281

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has developed a prototype electric vehicle (EV) motor drive system with a built-in silicon-carbide inverter. The EV motor drive system, the smallest of its kind, will enable manufacturers to develop EVs offering more passenger space and greater energy efficiency. Prototype motor. Click to enlarge. Mitsubishi Electric plans to commercialize its new EV motor system after finalizing technologies for motor/inverter cooling, further downsizing and additional efficienc

Mitsubishi 281

Mitsubishi Motor Motors Motoring 281

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Tata 5L engine with GEMdi. Click to enlarge. Westport Innovations Inc. unveiled its newest proprietary dual-fuel technology: Westport gas enhanced methane diesel (Westport GEMDi), applied to Tata Motors’ new 5-liter dual-fuel methane-diesel engine. Westport GEMDi technology enables engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer a fully integrated, high performance engine optimized for dual fuel operation.

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Engine Gas Fuel India 278

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Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

'Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a voluntary recall of the all-new Fit Hybrid ( earlier post ) and Vezel Hybrid ( earlier post ) produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014 due to a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause non-engagement of gears, a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all.

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Honda Japan Hybrid 2013 278

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'Advance sales of the Audi A3 g-tron began at dealerships in Germany, at a base price of €25,900 (US$35,400). Its 1.4-liter TFSI engine developing 81 kW (110 hp) can be operated using either natural gas, e-gas generated by Audi ( earlier post ) or gasoline. In pure e-gas mode, using the Audi e-gas fuel card, the g-tron is CO 2 -neutral, Audi says. Audi A3 g-tron.

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Audi Germany Gas CO2 275

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

'The California Air Resources Board released the draft proposed first update to the AB 32 Scoping Plan, which guides development and implementation of California’s greenhouse gas emission reduction programs. The Air Resources Board is required to update the Scoping Plan every five years. Among the actions proposed or considered in the transportation sector include aggressive implementation of the light-duty Zero Emission Vehicle standard; LEV IV emissions regulations for the light-duty fleet pos

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Transportation Emissions California Ozone 273

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'MAGSPLIT is intended to replace mechanical eCVTs with a combination motor/magnetic gear. Source: Magnomatics. Click to enlarge. At the SAE 2014 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium in San Diego, Chris Kirby, founder and Managing Director of UK-based Magnomatics , presented an overview of the company’s second-generation MAGSPLIT ( Mag netic Power Split ) eCVT system, a compact magnetic transmission designed to replace both the mechanical planetary gearset and motor/generator that for

Fuel Economy 270

Fuel Economy Hybrid Economy San Diego 270

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Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

'Researchers led by chemist Joseph DeSimone at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in collaboration with Nitash P. Balsara at UC Berkeley, have identified a new class of nonflammable electrolytes based on functionalized perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) for lithium-ion batteries. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the team reports that these electrolytes exhibit thermal stability beyond 200 °C and a very high transference number of at least

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Li-ion Dominica Lithium Ion Batteries 261

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

'Following a US Department of Transportation decision to move ahead with require vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology for all cars and light trucks on the nation’s highways ( earlier post ), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) a $1-million follow-on to a $3 million project managed by the transportation institute.

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Virginia Transportation Connect Connected 257

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

'Cenovus Energy Inc. increased its oil sands production 14% in 2013, from 89,736 barrels per day in 2013 to 102,500 bbls/day in 2013. The increase in production from the company’s oil sands operations in 2013 was largely driven by its Christina Lake project. Christina Lake volumes increased 55% as phase D reached full production capacity and phase E, the company’s 10 th oil sands phase, began production in July.

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Oil-Sands 2013 Oil Transportation 252

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

'Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), its production and sales subsidiary in Australia, will end Toyota vehicle and engine production in Australia by the end of 2017. The announcement marks the coming end of vehicle and engine manufacturing by all of the majors present in the country: Ford, GM and Toyota.

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Australia 2017 Toyota Manufacturer 252

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

'Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the 2014 Optima Hybrid mid-size sedan at the Chicago Auto Show last week. The 2014 Optima Hybrid builds upon the advancements of its gasoline-powered sibling, which went on sale in late-fall of last year. Debuting with its own exclusive enhancements, including front and rear fascia updates designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency, new wheel designs, and unique grille and lighting elements, the 2014 Optima Hybrid improves upon its predecessor, which was named

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2014 Kia Hybrid MPG 252

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 9, 2014

'Mahindra Racing, the motor sports division of the India-based Mahindra Group, unveiled India’s first Formula E battery-electric race car, capable of reaching speeds of up to 225 km/h (140 mph), at Auto Expo 2014 in Delhi. Mahindra is the only Indian team in the Formula E. The Formula E car produces 200 kw of power. The chassis of the car is built from a super lightweight all carbon fiber and aluminium monocoque and weighs 800 kg (1,764 lbs), contributing to its acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 2

2014 252

2014 Los Angeles Auto Carbon Fiber 252

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

'SsangYong will unveil its new XLV concept (eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle) at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show in March. The XLV is a multi-role B-segment SUV concept featuring a mild hybrid system which combines a 1.6 liter diesel engine with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. XLV is 290 mm longer than the XIV-1 concept that preceded it (unveiled in 2011), and provides accommodation for seven passengers in an innovative 2+2+2+1 arrangement, where the seventh seat

Concept 252

Concept SUV South Korea Diesel 252

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

'Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. recently received approximately $2.0 million in additional orders for its Q-Lite CNG storage tanks. The orders are from a combination of new and existing customers widely distributed around the US and Canada. These orders reflect the continued strong growth of natural gas and set the stage for continued growth in 2014, the company said.

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Tax Credit 2014 Alternative Fuels Gas 246

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Chevrolet is investing in clean energy efficiency initiatives of US colleges and universities through its voluntary carbon-reduction initiative. The funding opportunity is open to all US universities and colleges; a campus determines whether its performance in reducing carbon emissions will qualify based on new methodologies that Chevrolet developed through the Verified Carbon Standard.

Carbon 246

Carbon Energy Buy Chevrolet 246

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'Fraunhofer ESK is developing underlying communication methods for a uniform energy management system for power grids and electric vehicles. At the Hannover Trade Fair in April, ESK researchers will demonstrate how the charging station serves as an interoperable node between the e-vehicle and the network control center using the ISO/IEC 15118 and IEC 61850 standards.

Grid 240

Grid Standards Power Grid Vehicles 240

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 8, 2014

'The American Petroleum Institute has released its January 2014 update report and maps on gasoline and diesel taxes for all 50 states in the US along with a national average; the information is updated quarterly. API’s chart reflects a weighted average for each state—i.e., any taxes which can vary across a state’s jurisdiction are averaged according to the population of the local areas subject to each particular tax rate.

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Tax Fuel Tax Connecticut Alaska 240

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

'While traditional safety telematics services such as eCall, bCall, stolen vehicle tracking, and diagnostics aimed at the physical protection of vehicles, drivers and passengers are becoming main stream, awareness is growing about the threat of cyber-attacks and their impact on the physical integrity of persons, especially with Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication and autonomous vehicles.

Connect 239

Connect Connected 2020 Global 239

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

'Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has developed an “Ultra-simple HMI” (human-machine interface) that predicts a car driver’s needs for the safe and easy operation of vehicle equipment in one or two steps and no more than 15 seconds. Mitsubishi electric has filed for 25 patents on the technology in Japan and 42 abroad; pending design patent applications number five in Japan.

Mitsubishi 239

Mitsubishi Cars Japan Store 239

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

'Airbus and key Malaysian partners recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assess local solutions for sustainable bio-mass production in Malaysia. The aim is to determine the most suitable feedstocks to ensure that any future jet fuel production in the region is based only on sustainable solutions. The first assessment is expected to be completed by December 2014.

Malaysia 236

Malaysia Fuel Alternative Fuels Australia 236

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 9, 2014

'The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) has launched a project (MANU-601) entitled Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Aerospace Components. This project—CRIAQ’s 100 th —aims to generate knowledge about design, transformation and high-strength aluminium alloy properties for additive manufacturing of aerospace components.

Manufacturer 236

Manufacturer 2002 Industrial Industry 236

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'Oorja, developer of methanol fuel cells in the power range from 1 kW to 20 kW, announced the close of a Series E investment round. ( Earlier post.) New investor Mingxin China Growth Fund joined previous backers including DAG Ventures in the oversubscribed round. The global fuel cell industry surpassed $1 billion in revenue in 2012, growing from $847.5 million in 2011 to $1.3 billion in 2012, according to a 2013 report by Navigant Research.

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Companies South Africa Fuel Africa 231

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Nissan announced that it sold 11,120 LEAFs in Europe in 2013, more than twice the 2012 results and 25% more than the next best selling EV in Europe. The LEAF now holds 33% of the EV passenger car market in Europe. The success of the Nissan LEAF in Europe has been propelled by consistently strong sales in Norway where the Nissan LEAF, the third-most sold passenger car last year, became the country’s best-selling car at the end of January 2014 with 650 units.

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2013 Nissan Europe United Kingdom 231

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2014

'McPhy Energy, a specialist in solid-state hydrogen storage using metal hydrides at low pressure, has signed a contract with one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, Italy-based Fincantieri , for the design of a storage system for vessels powered by hydrogen that will lead to the manufacturing of the first prototype. McPhy has selected magnesium hydrides (MgH 2 ) for mass storage because they offer a large range of benefits.

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Hydrogen Design Energy Italy 231

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

'Ford China posted record January sales of 94,466 wholesale vehicles, up 53% compared to 61,567 in January 2013. Ford China passenger car sales—which include imported car—accounted for 72,598 vehicles, a year-on-year sales increase of 63% compared to 44,439 sold in January 2013. In January, sales of the Ford Focus nameplate reached 36,385 cars, growing 8% compared to 33,632 sold during the same period last year.

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Ford China Sale 2013 230

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

'The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue , on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0000974) entitled “Bioenergy Technologies Incubator”. BETO’s mission is to engage in R&D and demonstration at increasing scale activities to transform renewable biomass resources into commercially viable, high-performance biofuels, and bioproducts and biopower that enable biofuel production.

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IDEA Polymer 2013 Renewable 225