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ISU study finds large potential for biobased materials in auto industry, but with challenges

Green Car Congress

A study by researchers at Iowa State University has determined that the automotive industry has a very large potential to utilize biobased materials. Their report, “Biobased Automobile Parts Investigation”, was developed for the USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Cost to manufacture is one of the main considerations.

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BrightDrop: GM’s silent push into electric commercial vehicles

Charged EVs

BrightDrop offers a fascinating window into the breadth of GM’s EV plans, though even many people in the auto industry know little about it. Thus, the restructured GM was composed of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, while the Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn brands died. The BrightDrop Zevo 600. Photo courtesy of BrightDrop.

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How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

General Motors Chevy Volt series PHEV, which it calls "extended range electric vehicle" (EREV), part of "E-Flex" multi-fuel platform. Plans Saturn Vue PHEV-10. Aims to get Saturn Vue on road in 2010; no production goal. Lutz said GM is pushing to have Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid on the road by 2009. -- ( Autoweek ). "I

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Electric-Car Fans Rally Around the Volt - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

’s expertise on the auto industry in general, we are concerned that in its understanding of future pathways, it offers a flawed analysis and predictions based on business-as-usual,&# notes a posting on the California Car Initiative’s Web site. That… may take some doing on GMs part. and Chrysler.

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GM Says Chevrolet Volt Won't 'Pay the Rent' | Autopia from Wired.com

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

They only have that many models because they use the same chassis and drivetrain to build 3 different cars, one branded as a Chevy, the next a Pontiac, then a Saturn, etc. So my Saturn SC1 does the job great I am getting 35-38 miles on the Hwy and with over 232,000 miles and runs like a champ. The first VCRs were well over a $1000.00

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