2012

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Hitachi develops 11 kW permanent magnet motor without rare earth materials

Green Car Congress

Conventional industrial 11 kW induction motor (left) and Hitachi’s new 11kW motor (right). Source: Hitachi. Click to enlarge. Hitachi has developed a high-efficiency 11 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor without using rare earth (neodymium, dysprosium) materials; the work follows on its 2008 announcement of a prototype 150 W motor that used cores made of amorphous metal coupled with ferrite magnet rotors. ( Earlier post.).

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EV Fest 2012 Electric Vehicle Show in Toronto

Electric Cars are for Girls

Sunday, Sept. 9 2012 at The Pavilions in Toronto. "Fall 2012 marks the fourth EV Fest, a show devoted to showing OEM and Personally converted Electric Vehicles, Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids, eBikes, Electric Scooters, Trikes, EV components and supplies.

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2013 Tesla Model S: Green Car Reports' Best Car To Buy 2013

Green Car Reports

Two years ago, our first-ever Green Car Reports Best Car To Buy award went to the first modern battery-electric car sold in the U.S. How far we've come. This year, our third annual winner is the 2013 Tesla Model S, a car that takes the all-electric vehicle to a new and far more elevated level. But that's far from the only reason it won. The Tesla.

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2014 Chevy Spark EV to be fast driving fast charging electric car

National Green Transportation

On Tuesday, ahead of the 2012 LA Auto Show, GM unveiled specifications and other details about the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, GM's first all electric car since the now-crushed GM EV1. The Spark EV, first shown.

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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 Hybrid to beat Toyota Prius V for fuel economy

Green Cars News

The hybrid car market is becoming increasingly competitive – as is emphasised by Ford openly boasting that it’s new C-MAX Hybrid (pictured) will topple the Toyota Prius V in terms of fuel economy and will come with a lower price. The Ford C-MAX Hybrid is set to return 47mpg highway, compared to the Toyota Prius [.].

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Applied Nanotech awarded DOE contract to develop ultra-lightweight hydrogen fuel tanks; seeking 20% weight reduction

Green Car Congress

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. recently was awarded $999,990 for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) from the US Department of Energy to develop ultra-lightweight hydrogen fuel tanks using carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement. This 24-month program has the overall objective significantly to improve the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber/epoxy material used to construct hydrogen fuel tanks with CNT reinforcement.

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More Trending

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Panasonic develops highly efficient artificial photosynthesis system with gallium nitride semiconductor for conversion of CO2 to formic acid

Green Car Congress

Schematic view of artificial photosynthesis system. Click to enlarge. Panasonic has developed an artificial photosynthesis system using a gallium nitride photoelectrode and a metal catalyst which uses sunlight to convert CO 2 mainly to formic acid (an important intermediate in chemical synthesis) at an efficiency (solar energy to chemical energy) of 0.2%—a comparable level to that of plants.

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Progress toward commercializing the GTI IH2 thermochemical process for drop-in hydrocarbon fuels

Green Car Congress

Automated, continuous IH 2 pilot plant, 50 kg/day biomass feed. Source: GTI. Click to enlarge. At the 244 th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Gas Technology Institute (GTI) scientist Dr. Martin Linck provided an update on the progress toward commercializing the GTI Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion (IH 2 ) process, with a presentation of new data on IH 2 developed from a continuous 50 kg/day pilot plant. ( Earlier post.).

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Bosch increases commercial vehicle diesel injection pressure to 2,500 bar

Green Car Congress

Bosch’s CRSN3-25 offers injection pressure of up to 2,500 bar. Click to enlarge. As it outlined in 2010, Bosch has increased the maximum injection pressure of its CRSN3-25 injection system for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles to 2,500 bar. The aim is to help meet more stringent emissions standards such as US 10 and Euro VI; higher injection pressures help lower fuel consumption and emissions.

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

Brief

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CPT launching water-cooled electric supercharger for commercial diesel engines

Green Car Congress

Cobra electric supercharger. Click to enlarge. At the 17 th Supercharging conference this week in Dresden, Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) will launch what it says is the first water-cooled electric supercharger developed for “quasi-continuous” boosting of commercial diesel engines, including those developed for off highway applications. The fully integrated electric supercharger includes all control and power electronics.

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NOAA predicts a near-normal 2012 Atlantic and Eastern Pacific hurricane season, below-normal in Central Pacific

Green Car Congress

Conditions in the atmosphere and the ocean favor a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this season, NOAA forecasts. NOAA’s outlook for the Eastern Pacific basin is for a near-normal hurricane season and the Central Pacific basin is expected to have a below-normal season. For the entire six-month season, which begins 1 June, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center says there’s a 70% chance of 9 to 15 named storms (with top winds of 39 mph or higher), of which four to eight will strengthen

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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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Volt drivers collectively log more than 100M all-electric miles since sales launch

Green Car Congress

Chevrolet announced that Volt owners collectively have driven more than 100 million all-electric miles since the vehicle went on sale two years ago this month. The average Volt owner travels more than 65% of the time in pure electric mode as the car was designed, only using the gasoline-powered generator for longer trips. By charging regularly, Volt owners drive approximately 900 miles, or a month and a half, between fill-ups.

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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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Audi introduces sport e-bike concept at Wörthersee

Green Car Congress

Audi e-bike Wörthersee. Click to enlarge. One of the highlights on the Audi stand at the 2012 Wörthersee Tour in Austria (an annual gathering of Audi VW, Seat and Skoda enthusiasts) is an electric bicycle technology concept: the Audi e-bike Wörthersee. The prototype cycle—described by Audi as a high-end pedelec made for sport, fun and tricks—combines an electric drive and muscle power.

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OECD paper presents and analyzes policies and programs to foster market growth of green cars

Green Car Congress

Timing and sequencing of energy technology policy. Source: OECD. Click to enlarge. While alternative fuel vehicles can potentially provide an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and threats to air quality and human health; enhancing the energy security of countries; and providing governments with new sources of economic growth and competitiveness, there are a number of specific barriers retarding the development of the market, according to a detailed policy paper ne

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US DOE launches Vehicles Data Challenge

Green Car Congress

As part of the Energy Datapalooza event in Washington, DC, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a challenge to to foster new technologies that can. increase fuel efficiency while also addressing distracted driving concerns. The challenge will seek to recognize the best innovative technology solutions that vehicle owners can choose to use with their own private vehicle data.

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Sundrop Fuels finalizes ExxonMobil MTG technology license for “green gasoline” production facility

Green Car Congress

The ExxonMobil MTG process flow diagram. Source: EMRE. Click to enlarge. Sundrop Fuels, Inc., a gasification-based drop-in advanced biofuels company, finalized a licensing agreement to use ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company’s methanol-to-gasoline ( MTG ) technology to be incorporated into a “green gasoline” production facility. Located near Alexandria, Louisiana, Sundrop Fuels plans to break ground late this year on its inaugural commercial plant, which will produce up to 50 million gal

Gasoline 360
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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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A123 Systems introduces new Nanophosphate EXT Li-ion battery technology with optimized performance in extreme temperatures; OEM micro-hybrid program due next year

Green Car Congress

Cold cranking performance of EXT battery systems, 80 Ah and 60 Ah. 10 sec. crank, 7.0V minimum, 100% SOC. The dots represent the capability of Johnson Control’s current AGM battery at that temperature point. Click to enlarge. A123 Systems introduced Nanophosphate EXT ( EX treme T emperature), a new lithium-ion battery technology capable of operating at extreme temperatures without requiring thermal management.

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Sapphire Energy’s commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility now operational; 81 million tons of algal biomass harvested

Green Car Congress

Aerial photo of Green Crude Farm in November 2011. Click to enlarge. Sapphire Energy, Inc. announced that the first phase of its Green Crude Farm, a commercial demonstration algae-to-energy facility, is now operational. Construction of this first phase, which began on 1 June 2011, was completed on time and on budget. When completed, the facility will produce 1.5 million gallons per year of crude oil and consist of approximately 300 acres of algae cultivation ponds and processing facilities.

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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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Getrag introduces new 7-speed dual clutch and derivative hybrid transmissions; applications from mild- to plug-in hybrids

Green Car Congress

Getrag PowerShift Transmission 7DCT300. Click to enlarge. At its fifth biennial Drivetrain Forum in Cologne, Getrag presented the seven-speed dual clutch transmission Getrag Powershift 7DCT300 and a hybrid derivative, the Getrag Hybrid Drive 7HDT300. The company said that the new transmissions complete its product portfolio to provide total coverage in terms of torque output and application size.

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Study finds that environmental impact of corn-ethanol E85 is 23% to 33% higher than that of gasoline; environmental problem-shifting

Green Car Congress

Environmental impacts of gasoline and E85. Error bar shows regional variations for E85. GW = global warming; Eut. = eutrophication; ET = ecological toxicity; FEC = fossil energy consumption; WU = water use; LO = land occupation; “The rest” includes acidification; smog formation; ozone layer depletion; and human health effects. Credit: ACS, Yang et al.

Gasoline 357
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ABB introducing new DC fast-charger in Europe for €9,988

Green Car Congress

The Terra SC. Click to enlarge. ABB launched the Terra Smart Connect (SC), a low-cost DC fast-charger that the company says will significantly improve the business case for installing electric-vehicle (EV) fast chargers throughout Europe. The Terra SC will be available for delivery in Europe in the second quarter, starting at €9,988 (US$13,310) for small volume orders.

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Copper-coated silicon particles as an anode material for Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

Long-term stability of specific discharge capacity for: (A) Cu-coated a-Si:H and (B) pristine a-Si:H.The theoretical charge storage capacity of graphite is given for comparison. Credit: ACS, Murugesan et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a scalable, chemical approach for synthesizing copper-coated hydrogenated amorphous silicon particles (Cu-coated a-Si:H) through a polyol reduction method for use as anode material in Li-ion batteries.

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Study finds automobile tires are a potential source of carcinogenic dibenzopyrenes to the environment

Green Car Congress

A new study by researchers from Stockholm University concludes that automobile tires may be a potential previously unknown source of carcinogenic dibenzopyrenes—a type of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)—to the environment. Their findings are published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. Automobile tire rubber in general consists of approximately 40?

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Direct injection of both fuels in RCCI may offer a way to decrease HC and CO emissions without sacrificing efficiency and NOx/PM benefits

Green Car Congress

Diagram of direct injector placement used in the study; future work will use a more parallel alignment of the injectors. Wissink et al. Click to enlarge. By using a new strategy entailing the direct, separate injection of both low- and high-reactivity fuels, researchers at the University of Wisconsin have found another method for combustion phasing control of RCCI (reactivity controlled compression ignition) that offers the potential of decreasing the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) and

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How To Brick An Electric Car

Electric Cars are for Girls

From the Understatement: "A Tesla Roadster that is simply parked without being plugged in will eventually become a "brick". The parasitic load from the car's always-on subsystems continually drains the battery and if the battery's charge is ever totally depleted, it is essentially destroyed." And how has Tesla been responding to customers with accidentally "bricked" cars?

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Electric Cars Facebook Photo Contest!

Electric Cars are for Girls

Do you have a favorite photo of your electric car? (.or whatever other electric vehicle you happen to have!) Come on over to Facebook by Mar. 31 and enter it into the cover photo contest. Photo with the most likes gets to be April's Electric Cars are for Girls FB cover photo!

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Electric Cars Facebook Photo Contest!

Electric Cars are for Girls

Do you have a favorite photo of your electric car? (.or whatever other electric vehicle you happen to have!) Come on over to Facebook by Mar. 31 and enter it into the cover photo contest. Photo with the most likes gets to be April's Electric Cars are for Girls FB cover photo!

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Bring your Green Vehicle to Brookline, MA - October 21!

Electric Cars are for Girls

The Larz Anderson Auto Museum on Sunday October 21, 2012 will be hosting our second annual Green Day: Bringing Technology and People Together through Green Innovations - a family friendly event to promote green driving and living in Massachusetts. We welcome those with any green modes of transportation; grease cars, electric cars, hybrid cars, solar cars, motorized and regular bicycles, Segways, scooters, etc.

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Bring your Green Vehicle to Brookline, MA - October 21!

Electric Cars are for Girls

The Larz Anderson Auto Museum on Sunday October 21, 2012 will be hosting our second annual Green Day: Bringing Technology and People Together through Green Innovations - a family friendly event to promote green driving and living in Massachusetts. We welcome those with any green modes of transportation; grease cars, electric cars, hybrid cars, solar cars, motorized and regular bicycles, Segways, scooters, etc.

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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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