Green Car Congress

MAY 28, 2011

The European Electric Vehicle Congress (EEVC-2011) will be held in Brussels, 26–28 October 2011, and is organized by Frédéric Vergels, who has served as the Secretary General of AVERE , the European Association of Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell, Electric Vehicles, since 1998. EEVC 2011 will be held in Brussels with the aim to involve as many representatives of the European Commission, Committee of the Regions and Parliament as possible in the discussions.

2011 219

2011 Congress Electric Vehicles Vehicles 219

Green Car Congress

MAY 20, 2011

Fiat’s 875cc TwinAir engine ( earlier post ) was named the International Engine of the Year 2011. Cutaway of the 875cc TwinAir. Click to enlarge. Judged by a panel of 76 motoring journalists from 36 countries as disparate as the USA, Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, India, Korea, Germany, France, Romania, South Africa, Mexico and the UK, the Awards highlight and acknowledge engine engineering excellence.

2011 228

2011 International Engine Ferrari 228

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2011

Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, recently launched the 2011 GEM vehicle line of low-speed battery-electric vehicles. New for the 2011 GEM model year is the energy monitoring system, which allows drivers to determine the total amount of energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) that the GEM vehicle has removed from the grid.

2011 190

2011 Chrysler GEM e4 GEM e6 190

Green Car Congress

JUNE 30, 2011

Toyota is offering a new accessory package for the 2011 Prius. Ordering for the limited production 2011 Prius PLUS Performance Package will begin in July. First debuted at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the Prius PLUS Performance Package features components of the new PLUS hybrid performance line from Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Developed to meet the evolving demands of the growing hybrid segment, PLUS adds sporty looks plus performance handling.

2011 183

2011 Prius Kits Toyota 183

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 26, 2011

billion miles) in the first six months of 2011, according to the June 2011 Traffic Volume Trends report from the Federal Highway Administration. Total vehicle miles traveled in the US dropped 1.1% (15.5 The cumulative estimate for the year is 1,452.7 billion vehicle miles of travel. Moving 12-month total on all roads. Click to enlarge. Brief

2011 183

2011 Miles Vehicles Green Cars 183

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 4, 2011

Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in the smart grid, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) sectors during the first six months of 2011 already totaled twice those made during all of 2010, and many more cash-starved start-ups are due for the auction block, according to a new report from Lux Research. From July 2010 to June 2011, the three sectors landed only $1.54 billion in all three sectors during the first half of 2011—more than double the $1.20

2011 254

2011 Grid Energy Storage Financing 254

Green Car Congress

JUNE 3, 2011

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has earned a 5-star overall vehicle score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star safety ratings program that provide more comprehensive information about safety performance and crash-avoidance technologies.

2011 200

2011 Chevrolet Volt Connect 200

Green Car Congress

MAY 27, 2011

California gasoline consumption remained flat in February 2011, while diesel fuel consumption in California declined, according to the monthly report from the California State Board of Equalization. California’s gasoline consumption remained flat in February 2011 with 1.131 billion gallons of gasoline, compared to 1.131 billion gallons in February 2010. In February 2011, the average price of gasoline at the pump in California was up 59 cents to $3.58 in February 2011.

2011 183

2011 Gasoline California 2010 183

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

In the midst of the increase in revenue and shipments, a number of metatrends are emerging that will change the shape the industry by the end of 2011, according to a new white paper by Pike Research. The paper , which includes predictions about the fuel cell and hydrogen industry in 2011 and beyond, is available for download on Pike Research’s website. Pike Research says that it will publish a suite of reports during 2011 analyzing these trends in depth.

2011 240

2011 Industrial Industry Global 240

Green Car Congress

APRIL 8, 2011

At Hannover Messe 2011, Siemens presented a development project for inductive charging (“Contactless Charging of Battery-Electric Vehicles”), developed in cooperation with BMW. In June 2011, the capabilities of this non-contact charging system will be tested in a project funded by the German Environment Ministry and involving several vehicles in Berlin.

2011 249

2011 Plug-in Plug Charging 249

Green Car Congress

MAY 13, 2011

The US Department of Energy (DOE) released its 2011 Strategic Plan. The DOE Strategic Plan is organized into four distinct categories, representing the broad cross-cutting and collaborative efforts taking place across the Department's headquarters, site offices and national laboratories. Those include: Catalyzing the timely, material, and efficient transformation of the nation's energy system and securing US leadership in clean energy technologies.

2011 183

2011 Energy Clean Cleaning 183

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 17, 2011

For the second time, General Motors has sold more than 2 million vehicles in China in a calendar year, reaching the milestone today. On 4 November 2010, GM became the first global automaker in China to sell 2 million vehicles in one year. Demand in China this year for the Buick brand has risen 24%, Chevrolet 18% and Cadillac 73%. In addition, GM’s SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture sold its 1 millionth vehicle in China this year on 14 Oct.

2011 190

2011 Buick Cadillac GM 190

Green Car Congress

APRIL 24, 2011

liters per 100km (32 mpg US) in 2011. Iran-Khodro Company (IKCO) plans to reduce the fuel consumption of its products to 7.4 By 2014, the company plans to reduce average fuel consumption to 6.5 L/100km (36 mpg US). IKCO’s Director for standardization Kayvan Vaziri said that the fuel consumption of its cars had been improved by about one 1 L/100km 2010 in comparison to the previous year. In 2009, the average fuel consumption of IKCO cars was about 8.86 L/100km (26.6

2011 183

2011 Iran Fuel Economy Economy 183

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 27, 2011

Chevrolet is stepping up the national rollout of the Volt, and plans to have Volts in all participating dealerships in every state by the end of this year. Chevrolet Volts have been delivered to customers in the Washington DC area, as well as California, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas. Customer deliveries in Michigan begin this spring. Customers nationwide will be able to order Volts with participating dealers beginning in the second quarter.

2011 204

2011 Available Chevrolet Volt 204

Green Car Congress

MAY 19, 2011

At Challenge Bibendum 2011, organized by Michelin and held in Berlin from 18–22 May, Fiat Group company Iveco is featuring its concept Iveco Glider truck.

2011 183

2011 Concept Exhaust Diesel 183

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 25, 2011

billion (US$2 billion) in 2011 and 2012 in its main Mercedes-Benz powertrain plant in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim for the extension and conversion of various parts of the plant and in the launch of new products and production technologies. Daimler is investing more than a combined €1.5

2011 207

2011 2012 Germany Mercedes 207

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

revised revenue guidance range for the full year 2011 downward to the range of $165–$180 million, which would represent 70–85% revenue growth from 2010. A123’s previous 2011 revenue guidance range was $210–$225 million. A123 will release its third quarter 2011 financial results for the period ended 30 September 2011 on 9 November 2011. A123 Systems, Inc.

2011 174

2011 Fisker Karma 2010 174

Green Car Congress

JUNE 24, 2011

SAE International will hold the 2011 Vehicle Battery Summit in Shanghai, 14-15 November 2011. Designed to integrate the most recent battery innovations with lessons learned in recent EV/PHEV commercialization efforts, this year’s Summit will build significantly on the knowledge presented at last year’s highly successful (2010) Summit.

2011 200

2011 Li-ion PHEV Energy Storage 200

Green Car Congress

APRIL 19, 2011

The BMW ActiveE ( earlier post ) will be available for lease in the metropolitan markets of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York and Boston as well as the state of Connecticut beginning in Fall 2011 for $499 per month for 24 months with a down payment $2,250. Beginning in 2011 in the US, Europe and China, a test fleet of more than 1,000 BMW ActiveE vehicles, produced at BMW’s Leipzig plant, will provide further insights into the everyday use of the vehicle.

2011 174

2011 Available BMW Mini E 174

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 2, 2011

The General Motors China Science Lab hosted the 2011 GM Global R&D Symposium in Shanghai. The one-day event focused on automotive lightweight material and battery research and technology development. Sixteen experts from global academic institutions, industry and government organizations shared their perspectives on future technology trends and their cutting-edge research findings.

2011 190

2011 GM Global China 190

Green Car Reports

JUNE 18, 2011

After several months of using a 2011 Chevy Volt and a 2011 Nissan Leaf as our sole family transport, we have a better understanding of both cars than we did in March, when I first wrote about how they compared. First to arrive at our West Sacramento home was a beautiful crystal red 2011 Volt.

2011 102

2011 Sacramento Chevrolet Volt 102

Green Car Congress

JULY 17, 2011

An exceptional accumulation of very severe natural catastrophes makes 2011 the highest-ever loss year on record, even after the first half-year, according to Munich Re. The total number of loss-relevant natural events in the first six months of 2011 was 355, somewhat below the average for the previous ten years (390). The Japanese quake was also the biggest catastrophe to occur in the first half of 2011 in human terms.

2011 209

2011 Japan Pakistan 2010 209

Green Car Congress

APRIL 5, 2011

Lexus announced that the LF-Gh hybrid concept will make its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The new concept will be on display in the Lexus exhibit at the New York International Auto Show from 20 April – 1 May 2011. Lexus says that the LF-Gh, which stands for L exus F uture G rand Touring H ybrid, sets out to redefine the premium grand touring sedan.

2011 183

2011 New York International Lexus 183

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

UK-based market analyst visiongain projects that global spending in 2011 on advanced oil & gas exploration technologies will total $10.17 billion.

2011 183

2011 Global Oil Gas 183

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

With the applications we presented at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early 2011, we will contribute significantly to shaping the networked world of the future. Additional milestones are due to follow in Europe during summer 2011, with Audi online traffic information and expanded voice command controls, which can be used to find special destinations via Google. Audi has named its vehicle networking strategy “Audi connect.”

2011 200

2011 Audi Connect Connected 200

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 21, 2011

Each forestry expert estimated the percentage of trees in their region that have died as a result of the 2011 drought. In 2011, Texas experienced an exceptional drought, prolonged high winds and record-setting temperatures. As many as 500 million trees scattered across Texas have died this year as a result of the unrelenting drought, according to preliminary estimates from Texas Forest Service.

2011 195

2011 Texas Wind Green Cars 195

Green Car Congress

APRIL 25, 2011

in 1Q 2011 compared to 1Q 2010; diesel grew 42.9%; and small cars such as the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit grew 23.3%. These results led to a hybrid new vehicle marketshare in 1Q 2011 of 2.3%; a diesel marketshare of 0.6%; and a small car marketshare of 3.4%. For March 2011, hybrid sales grew 46.4% March 2011 new vehicle marketshares were 2.7% in 1Q 2011, for a marketshare of 7.8%, while sales of small crossovers grew 43.7% in 1Q 2011, for a marketshare of 9.3%.

2011 195

2011 Diesel Sale SUV 195

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 16, 2011

The new Toyota EV will undergo trials in Europe during 2011 and a fully engineered production vehicle will be launched in Europe in 2012, as part of a lease program. Toyota will showcase three World and one European premieres at the 2011 Geneva motor show: the Yaris HSD concept, Prius +, FT-86 II concept and EV Prototype. Toyota’s EV prototype—a Toyota iQ package equipped with an all-electric powertrain—will make its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

2011 183

2011 Prius Motor Motors 183

Green Car Congress

JUNE 2, 2011

The Figo ( earlier post ) helped Ford India increase sales for the first five months of 2011 by 71%, compared to the same period last year, with 51,420 wholesale units sold, including exports, from January to May 2011. In May, Ford India sold more than 9,000 wholesale units—7,046 domestically, and more than 2,000 exported. Based on continued high demand, the company began exporting the Figo to Bahrain and Kenya this month.

2011 174

2011 Bahrain Kenya India 174

Green Car Congress

APRIL 5, 2011

will exhibit its High Efficiency Combustion System (HECS) diesel engine at the 2011 SAE World Congress, 12-14 April at Cobo Center in Detroit. FEV, Inc., The HECS engine incorporates novel and conventional technologies to achieve low CO 2 emissions and a 17% reduction in fuel consumption, while also meeting Euro 6 emission standards without aftertreatment.

2011 195

2011 Congress Diesel Downsizing 195

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 19, 2011

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) recently acquired an extended range electric vehicle to include its batteries in the Energy Storage System Evaluation and Safety (EssEs) Consortium. Earlier post.) The acquired vehicle is powered by an electric motor with electricity stored in a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

2011 190

2011 Plug-in Plug Energy Storage 190

Green Car Congress

APRIL 18, 2011

For the first time at the event, Evonik Industries will demonstrate a wide range of applications for cars at the 14 th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2011) from April 21 to 28 in Shanghai, China. The theme of Auto Shanghai 2011, “Innovation for Tomorrow”, reflects that low-carbon, green economy and sustainable development will become trends of the Chinese automotive industry.

2011 190

2011 Auto Carbon 2004 190

Green Car Reports

JULY 16, 2011

The 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid has the highest gas mileage of any car sold in the U.S. this year: 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway, for a combined EPA fuel efficiency rating of 50 mpg. It's a practical five-door hatchback with enough interior room to qualify as a mid-size car. Outside times when gas prices spike--when Prius sales go through the roof--you

2011 90

2011 Prius MPG Toyota 90

Green Car Reports

JULY 18, 2011

The 2011 Nissan Leaf is the first battery electric car from a major carmaker built in high volumes for almost a century. Its distinctive five-door design makes it as recognizable and iconic on the road as the Toyota Prius hybrid, yet distinctively a Nissan. As the sole all-electric car sold in volume this year, it’s hands-down the greenest

2011 88

2011 Prius Nissan Toyota 88

Green Car Reports

APRIL 15, 2011

Two of the newest compact cars on the road today are the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. In the case of the Chevy, we drove the 2011 Cruze Eco model, which gets the highest EPA gas mileage rating: 28 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, for a combined Now we've driven both of them, testing each car with a six-speed manual transmission.

2011 96

2011 MPG Chevrolet EPA 96

Green Car Reports

JUNE 30, 2011

The 2011 Tesla Roadster is the latest The Tesla Roadster will always occupy a prominent place in history, as the first modern electric car in mass production. Sure, it's expensive, and sure, there will only ever be 2,500 made. But it was the first credible alternative to a century of fast cars gasoline powered cars, and it made electric cars sexy.

2011 88

2011 Gasoline Electric Cars Cars 88

Green Car Congress

JULY 6, 2011

Daimler AG is competing in the second Silvretta electric car rally (7 to 9 July) with a total of seven electric cars from the Mercedes-Benz and smart brands. Models include: smart fortwo electric drive. B-Class F-CELL (hydrogen fuel cell). Battery-electric A-Class E-CELL (first time). SLS AMG E-CELL (scheduled for launch in 2013). Covering a total distance of almost 300 kilometers (186 miles) and a total difference in altitude of 5500 meters (3.42

2011 190

2011 2013 Mercedes 2010 190

Green Car Reports

JULY 13, 2011

The 2011 Lexus RX 450h may be the star attraction of the most popular model in the entire Lexus line. Now in its third generation, the RX mid-size crossover utility vehicle has become the de facto standard for upscale suburban families. Its hybrid model adds a suitably green conscience to this otherwise tall, heavy luxury family vehicle.

2011 87

2011 Lexus Green Standards 87

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2011

FEV) a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, will exhibit a lean burn engine concept at the SAE 2011 World Congress that has been modified to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). FEV Inc., (FEV) The engine is designed for use in light-duty vehicles, and demonstrates the potential of modifying passenger vehicle engines to achieve diesel-like fuel efficiency and power using CNG as an alternative fuel.

2011 204

2011 Congress Concept Engine Gas 204

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2011

The taskforce, which launched in October 2010 and began meeting in November 2010, has a goal of delivering the first SAE guideline by end of 2011 for publishing in 2012. VDE is planning to publish their whitepaper on wireless charging for Germany in the first quarter of 2011 and ISO & IEC are planning to standardize in the coming years. Closed loop wireless charging diagram. Source: Jesse Schneider. Click to enlarge.

2011 203

2011 Standards Plug-in Plug 203

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 2, 2011

Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the world premiere of the new Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (13–25 September). The CX-5 is the first of a new generation of Mazda products that will adopt the full range of Mazda’s Skyactiv Technology and new design theme.

2011 183

2011 Mazda Gasoline 2012 183

Green Car Reports

MARCH 8, 2011

Many comments are appearing on the internet taking enthusiastic positions for either the new 2011 Chevy Volt or the 2011 Nissan Leaf. It seems most readers are in one "camp" or the other. In our household, after studying the technical strengths and features of both cars as they moved from concept to production, I ended up ordering.one of each

2011 117

2011 Volt Concept Nissan 117

Green Car Congress

JULY 6, 2011

The other CCTF-endorsed projects for 2011: A $1,205,596 award to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, matched by the US Department of Energy (DOE) for a total of $2,411,192, to address gasification gas clean-up, carbon capture and coal-to-natural gas technologies.

2011 174

2011 Wyoming Coal Clean 174