article thumbnail

California state fleet reduces petroleum consumption 13% compared to 2003

Green Car Congress

The California state fleet has reduced its petroleum consumption by 13% compared to a 2003 baseline, according to a state progress report. In 2003, the state fleet consumed 38,559,715 gallons of petroleum-based fuel (gasoline and diesel), according to the report. 281,619 gallons gasoline equivalent (gge) of CNG and propane (7%).

2003 257
article thumbnail

Draper awarded patent on electrostatic motors; family under development

Green Car Congress

However, by leveraging state-of-the-art materials, novel designs and decades of fabrication expertise, Draper is developing powerful new electrostatic motors that Draper says break the torque barrier suffered by their predecessors. Esashi (2003) “High power electrostatic motor and generator using electrets,” TRANSDUCERS '03.

Motor 220
article thumbnail

Rare Rides Icons: The Lincoln Mark Series Cars, Feeling Continental (Part XLIII)

The Truth About Cars

With an aluminum engine block, the V8 used a split port design with two intake ports per cylinder, as well as variable runner length intake manifolds.& In 2003 the InTech appeared in its only SUV usage, as the motivator of the new and doomed Lincoln Aviator. Part of Ford’s Modular engine family, the new mill shared its 4.6-liter

Parts 98
article thumbnail

New Zealand simplifies Road User Charges system, extends exemption for light electric motor vehicles from 2013 to 2020

Green Car Congress

Among the modifications to the RUC, the New Zealand government has extended the current exemption for light electric motor vehicles from the requirement to pay road user charges—enacted in 2009 and due to expire in 2013—to 2020. The financial impact is similar for a light diesel vehicle subject to road user charges.

article thumbnail

Remembering LED Pioneer Nick Holonyak

Cars That Think

holds a part of a stoplight that utilizes a newer LED designed by his students. It is now used in light bulbs and lasers. The four-layered semiconductor is now found in light dimmers and power tools. Later that year, he demonstrated the first visible LED—a semiconductor source that emits light when current flows through it.

article thumbnail

SMR company NuScale Power successfully completes helical coil steam generator testing

Green Car Congress

NuScale is currently developing and testing computer code design analysis software to support the NRC design certification of their advanced light water reactor design. The NuScale design includes a first-of-a-kind HCSG for conversion of nuclear heat into process steam. Both facilities were US SMR industry firsts.

Companies 246
article thumbnail

The Cheesy Charm of the Clapper

Cars That Think

This 1980s earworm of a jingle touted a gadget to turn your lights, your TV, or any other electrical device on or off with the clap of your hands. In 1985, Peter Liljequist and Kou Chen filed a Canadian patent for an acoustic switch for turning lights and other appliances on and off. The Clapper!” 5,493,618 ) is a chatty marvel. “In

Light 113