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Ford introduces Lightweight Concept vehicle to showcase ongoing light-weighting and advanced materials work; nearly 25% weight reduction

Green Car Congress

Ford Lightweight Concept. Ford Motor Company unveiled its Lightweight Concept vehicle, which uses advanced materials to explore future weight-reduction solutions that could improve performance and fuel efficiency while reducing CO 2 emissions. 19” by 5” carbon fiber wheels. 19” by 5” carbon fiber wheels.

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Shell/AirFlow Starship hyper-fuel efficient Class 8 truck to make cross-country run

Green Car Congress

Shell has partnered with the Airflow Truck Company to collaborate on a hyper-aerodynamic, fuel-efficient Class 8 concept truck: Starship. This next-generation concept truck features a custom, aerodynamic design and aims to demonstrate improvements in fuel economy for Class 8 trucks. and ending in Jacksonville, Fla.

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BMW unveils third i concept model: i8 Concept Spyder plug-in hybrid

Green Car Congress

BMW i8 Concept Spyder. Following on the presentation of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept coupé at the Frankfurt show in 2011 ( earlier post ), the BMW Group has introduced a third i Model: the BMW i8 Concept Spyder. Like the i8 coupé concept, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is a plug-in hybrid.

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Audi presents A6 L e-tron PHEV concept at Auto China in Beijing

Green Car Congress

The A6 L e-tron PHEV concept. Audi is presenting the Audi A6 L e-tron concept at Auto China 2012 in Beijing. In electric mode, the Audi A6 L e-tron concept can travel up to 80 km at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 The Audi A6 L e-tron concept delivers sporty performance. Click to enlarge. miles) on electric power.

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Kawasaki, Subaru, Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha partner on producing, transporting, and using carbon-neutral fuels, including hydrogen

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MAZDA SPIRIT RACING Bio concept DEMIO. It also plans to enter the ST-Q class of the Super Taikyu Race in Okayama in its MAZDA SPIRIT RACING Bio concept DEMIO vehicle, which is equipped with a 1.5-liter Meanwhile, fuel economy has been kept the same. (If

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Faurecia using flax-based composite in Urban Liftgate demonstrator

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Among the innovations is the use of a new type of composite made of natural flax fibers instead of carbon. The flax-fiber composite provides a weight savings of around 45% Gillard said—in the ballpark of the estimated 50% weight savings from carbon fiber.

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DOE issues FOA for up to $4M for development of advanced H2 storage systems and materials

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This includes, but is not limited to, novel tank designs and cost reduction concepts; carbon fiber reduction or elimination; Type III and Type IV tanks with alternative liner materials; conformable tank designs; alternative operating conditions (e.g., kWh per kilogram H 2 ) to meet a 300-mile driving range goal.