Sat.Nov 03, 2012 - Fri.Nov 09, 2012

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SAIC introducing Roewe E50 electric vehicle in China

Green Car Congress

SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor) is launching the battery-electric Roewe E50 on the market in China. The company expects to sell 1,000 of them within the first year. The E50 is based on a newly developed electric vehicle platform. Roewe E50. Click to enlarge. With a 47 kW motor and a battery pack from A123 Systems ( earlier post ), the E50 has a range of 180 km (112 miles) and a top speed of up to 120 km/h (75 mph).

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Assessing Sandy: Are Electric Cars A Better Bet In Emergencies?

Green Car Reports

For many of us, lines at gas stations and homes without power are no more than news, but millions on the U.S. East Coast are still coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Many areas are still without power, and gasoline is a worryingly rare commodity for a transport system utterly dependent on it. But for many with electric cars, the latter.

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UK’s largest hybrid bus fleet now in Sheffield

Green Cars News

Sheffield City Council has begun operating the largest fleet of hybrid buses for an English local authority in a bid to cut fuel costs and improve air quality in the steel city. There are only six but hey, it’s progress. The 17-seat minibuses, converted and supplied by Ashwoods Automotive, are set to reduce fuel costs [.].

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Ford’s EV+ feature learns frequent destinations and adjusts hybrid powertrain to deliver more electric-only driving

Green Car Congress

Ford has developed EV+, a patent-pending feature that helps hybrids and plug-in hybrids learn frequent destinations, and then deliver more driving time in electric-only mode. EV+ is part of SmartGauge and is a standard feature on the Ford plug-in hybrids, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi, along with the hybrid versions of Fusion and C-MAX. EV+ combines the built-in GPS of Ford SYNC with proprietary software algorithms developed by Ford engineers to learn frequent destinations.

Hybrid 334
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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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Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid heading to select US showrooms

Green Car Congress

Overview of the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. Click to enlarge. Ford began production of the 2013 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicle ( earlier post ) at Michigan Assembly in October, and the vehicles are heading for showrooms. Ford has tripled to more than 200 the number of dealers certified to sell its lineup of plug-in electrified vehicles, including the C-MAX Energi that is on sale now. ( Earlier post.).

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New fast hydrothermal process converts 65% of wet algae feedstock sample to biocrude in one minute

Green Car Congress

Biocrude from Nannochloropsis. Credit: Savage Lab. Click to enlarge. A team led by Prof. Phillip Savage at the University of Michigan has found that with appropriate parameters, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can convert 65% of wet algae (a Nannochloropsis species) into biocrude in one minute. The team, which has been investigating HTL processing of algae to biocrude—along with techniques for dexoygenating the product for subsequent refining—for several years, presented its latest r

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Researchers significantly boost yield of isobutanol from engineered yeast using new synthesis pathway located in the cytosol

Green Car Congress

A team at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt led by Prof. Dr. Eckhard Boles, has developed a new synthesis pathway for engineering the industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to improve the production of isobutanol via fermentation. The work, noted Boles, is being done for the Swiss biofuels and biochemical company Butalco, of which he is a co-founder. ( Earlier post.).

Engine 294
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High Performance Computing key enabler for accelerating development of high efficiency engines

Green Car Congress

Increasing complexity of vehicle design is driving the need for better simulation and more powerful computers. Wagner and Pannala. Click to enlarge. The complexity of new and future vehicles—driven by the need for increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing emissions with ever-changing drive-cycle demands and environmental conditions—is adding unprecedented flexibility in design and driving the need for better simulation and more powerful computers, observed Dr.

Engine 291
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BorgWarner three-stage turbocharging system for BMW M diesel

Green Car Congress

BorgWarner is supplying the three-stage turbocharging technology for BMW’s M Performance diesel engine. ( Earlier post.) Exclusively developed for BMW M Performance automobiles, the engine powers the M550d xDrive Sedan and Touring, X5 M50d Touring, and X6 M50d models. The diesel delivers maximum output of 280 kW (381 hp) and a maximum torque of 740 N·m (546 lb-ft).

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Ford, UMTRI launch student contest for vehicle-to-vehicle communications innovation

Green Car Congress

Ford and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) are partnering on a competition for undergraduate students to develop innovative applications that enhance vehicle safety and sustainability by using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications. The competition is hosted by UMTRI. Multidisciplinary teams of students will be encouraged to develop new and innovative applications that benefit all road users and all forms of transit; cars, commercial vehicles, transit buses, m

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

Brief

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GM, Toyota continue to lead plug-in market in US

Green Car Congress

The Volt remained the top-selling plug-in vehicle in the US in October. GM delivered a record 2,961 Volts—a 167% increase by volume from October 2011. From January through October 2012, GM has delivered 19,309 Volts—an increase of 286% from the same period in 2011. Overall, GM reported its highest October sales in the US since 2007, with deliveries up 5% versus a year ago to 195,764 vehicles.

Plug-in 274
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Cumulative sales of Toyota Motor hybrids top 2M units in Japan, 4.6M worldwide; 1.02M from Jan to Oct.

Green Car Congress

Global annual sales of TMC hybrids. Data: TMC. Click to enlarge. Cumulative sales in Japan of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) hybrid vehicles—including plug-in hybrids— reached 2.04 million units as of 31 October. Globally, cumulative sales of TMC-produced hybrid vehicles since the first was launched in 1997 have now topped 4.60 million units, with 1.02 million selling from January 1 through October 31 this year.

Japan 268
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Researchers uncover “molecular trapdoor” for molecular separations

Green Car Congress

Researchers at the University of Melbourne (Australia) have uncovered a new mechanism for molecular separation by a particular family of zeolites that use a “molecular trapdoor”. The new mechanism, reported in an open access paper in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , could pave a new route to design materials for high performance adsorption, membrane, and catalysis processes.

Australia 268
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Fuji Electric introduces public 25 kW DC quick charger on Chargepoint network at Residence Inn in San Juan Capistrano

Green Car Congress

Fuji Electric Corporation of America unveiled the first publicly available DC Quick Charger on the ChargePoint network at the Residence Inn by Marriott in San Juan Capistrano, California. Owned and operated by EV-integrator Evoasis, the 25 kW charging station is open to the public and conveniently located along the Interstate-5, offering electric vehicle drivers a quick and easy charging experience.

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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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A123 Systems receives bankruptcy court approval of stalking horse bidding procedures

Green Car Congress

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has granted A123 Systems approval of the bidding procedures and stalking horse bid protections in connection with the previously announced stalking horse asset purchase agreement, under which Johnson Controls intends to acquire A123’s automotive business assets in a court-supervised process under Section 363 of the U.S.

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Two connected vehicle test beds running in Virginia

Green Car Congress

Vehicles are testing connected vehicle systems on two instrumented test beds in Virginia—one in Northern Virginia and one in Southwestern Virginia. The test beds are being operated by the Connected Vehicle/Infrastructure University Transportation Center, a Tier 1 University Transportation Center operated by a consortium made up of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), the University of Virginia’s Center for Transportation Studies (CTS), and Morgan State University.

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BorgWarner expects $2.3B of net new powertrain business 2013–2015; 80% engine-related; 32% in China

Green Car Congress

BorgWarner Inc. expects $2.3 billion of net new powertrain business for 2013 through 2015. Demand for the company's advanced powertrain technologies, including gasoline and diesel turbochargers; dual-clutch transmission technology; engine timing systems; and emissions products, is expected to continue to drive strong growth. Of the total new business, approximately 80% is anticipated from engine-related products such as turbochargers, ignition systems, emissions products, engine timing systems,

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Gasoline rationing takes effect in 12 New Jersey counties

Green Car Congress

Last night, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel and implemented odd-even rationing for gasoline purchases in 12 New Jersey counties. Odd-even fuel sales took effect at noon today in the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

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Mazda to produce sub-compact Toyota vehicle for NA market at new plant in Mexico

Green Car Congress

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) announced that Mazda’s new plant in Mexico, currently under construction, will produce a Toyota-brand vehicle for sale mainly in North America. The sub-compact Toyota-brand vehicle, to be based on the Mazda2, is to start. production around the summer of 2015 at a pace of 50,000 units per year and will be sold through Toyota dealerships.

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Faurecia and Mitsubishi Chemical to co-develop and produce bioplastics for the automotive industry; BioAmber supplying bio-based succinic acid

Green Car Congress

Faurecia signed an exclusive industrial partnership agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation to co-develop bioplastics designed for mass-production for use in automotive interior parts. The joint development will start by modifying. Mitsubishi Chemical’s patented biomass-derived poly-butylene succinate (PBS) and ultimately target to be produced from 100% bio sources.

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UPA installs 500 kWh containerized Li-ion system from BYD for grid storage

Green Car Congress

BYD Ltd and Utility Partners of America (UPA) have put into service a 500 kWh containerized energy storage system (ESS) for one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in North America. The 40-foot unit is located in south Charlotte and has several BYD-vertically integrated components including a 200 kW bi-directional, UL-compliant BYD inverter with BYD’s 500 kWh Iron Phosphate battery.

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Gasoline rationing takes effect in 12 New Jersey counties

Green Car Congress

Last night, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a limited state of energy emergency with regard to the supply of motor fuel and implemented odd-even rationing for gasoline purchases in 12 New Jersey counties. Odd-even fuel sales took effect at noon today in the following counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

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Transonic Combustion closes $32M Series D round

Green Car Congress

Transonic Combustion Inc., a company focused on developing a supercritical fuel injection system for internal combustion engines ( earlier post ), closed a $32-million Series D Round of funding. This $32-million round of financing puts Transonic Combustion on strong footing to continue to execute, deliver and expand development of our product and meet customer commitments.

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Saft to provide Li-ion energy storage system for wind project in Saskatchewan

Green Car Congress

Saft has been selected by Cowessess First Nation (CFN) to design, produce and install a battery energy storage system (ESS) including two Intensium Max 20E lithium-ion battery containers as part of the High Wind and Storage Project near the City of Regina, Saskatchewan. The Regina project is the first wind power application for Saft in North America.

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Ford triples number of US dealers certified to sell plug-in vehicles

Green Car Congress

Ford has tripled to more than 200 the number of US dealers certified to sell its lineup of plug-in electrified vehicles, including the new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid that is on sale now and delivers the equivalent of 105 mpg combined in electric mode. Ford recently began production of the C-MAX Energi at its Michigan Assembly Plant. Ford’s plug-in electrified vehicle dealer growth comes as the number of new vehicle shoppers considering plug-in hybrids has grown to 25%.

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EC rolls out CARS 2020 action plan for European auto industry

Green Car Congress

Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship, introduced the EC’s CARS 2020 Action Plan aimed at reinforcing the European automotive industry’s competitiveness and sustainability heading towards 2020. The anticipated action plan comes at a time when the automotive industry is facing particular pressure due to a strong decline of the EU market and structural overcapacities.

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GM sells more than 250,000 vehicles in China in October; new record for month

Green Car Congress

General Motors and its joint ventures sold an October-record 251,812 vehicles in China. Sales were up 14.3% on an annual basis, as GM’s major brands in China reached new highs for the month. During the first 10 months of 2012, GM and its joint ventures sold 2,333,624 vehicles in China, an increase of 10.5% year-on-year and a new record for the period.

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Honeywell’s UOP wins third license for methanol-to-olefins technology to convert coal into high-value petrochemicals

Green Car Congress

UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, has landed its third technology license for its methanol-to-olefins (MTO) technology, which converts methanol from coal into key plastics building blocks. China’s Shandong Yangmei Hengtong Chemicals Co. Ltd. will use the advanced MTO process, which combines Honeywell’s UOP/Hydro MTO process and the Total Petrochemicals/UOP Olefin Cracking process to convert methanol from gasified coal into ethylene and propylene, building block materials used in the production of fi

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EPA temporarily allows use of home heating oil in emergency response vehicles in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York

Green Car Congress

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is temporarily waiving federal clean diesel fuel requirements in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and in and around New York City to allow the use of home heating oil—if ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel is not available—in highway vehicles, non-road vehicles, and non-road equipment designated by those states for emergency response.

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Ford launches new Transit Custom ECOnetic 1-tonne van in Europe

Green Car Congress

Ford has launched the new Transit Custom ECOnetic, a 1-tonne van that achieves fuel consumption from 6.0 l/100 km (39 mpg US) (when fitted with the optional 100 km/h (62 mph) speed limiter)—a reduction of 8% against its predecessor, and CO 2 emissions from 159 g/km—placing it on a par with a family passenger car such as the Ford S-MAX. Transit Custom ECOnetic.

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€3.9M European project to develop automotive fuel cell MEAs with ultra-low platinum loadings

Green Car Congress

ITM Power announced it received confirmation of a €3.9 million (US$4.96 million) grant award to a consortium to develop Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) with ultra-low platinum loadings for automotive applications. ITM Power’s share of this award is €0.59 million (US$.75 million), recognized over the three years of the program.

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Rochester researchers demonstrate robust photogeneration of hydrogen in water using semiconductor nanocrystals and a nickel catalyst

Green Car Congress

Researchers at the University of Rochester (New York) have developed a robust and highly active system for solar hydrogen generation in water using semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) and a nickel catalyst. The system uses no precious metals, and is based on light absorption and photoinduced electron transfer from the semiconductor nanocrystals that are photochemically. stable.

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A123 Systems receives interim court approval of $50M DIP financing from Wanxiang; responds to objections from Wanxiang, Fisker and others on asset sales process

Green Car Congress

Li-ion maker A123 Systems, Inc. announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Court") has granted A123 interim approval to use $50 million of Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing, which is being provided by Wanxiang Group Corporation (Wanxiang). ( Earlier post.). The financing supplements the pre-petition $22.5 million of liquidity and letter of credit support that Wanxiang provided to A123, which will remain in place.

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American Suzuki restructures under Chapter 11; exiting auto market in US

Green Car Congress

American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), the sole distributor in the continental United States of Suzuki Motor Corporation automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine outboard engines, will restructure under chapter 11. The company plans to wind down and discontinue new automobile sales in the continental US. The case will be filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California in Santa Ana.

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