article thumbnail

Consumer Reports survey shows high fuel costs cause downsizing, less driving; 73% would consider alt fuel vehicle

Green Car Congress

The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, found that car owners were open to different ways of saving at the pump, from downsizing to looking at hybrids, electric cars, or models with diesel engines.

article thumbnail

Chrysler Disbands ENVI Electric Vehicle Group; Function Absorbed into Traditional Line Organization

Green Car Congress

In April 2009, Chrysler unveiled four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivan concepts to the US Postal Service (USPS) in Washington, DC. In August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the US Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Chrysler 210
article thumbnail

DOE to Award $187M to 9 Projects to Improve Vehicle Efficiency for Heavy-Duty Trucks and Passenger Vehicles

Green Car Congress

These projects will receive more than $115 million in funding to develop and demonstrate systems-level fuel efficiency technologies by 2015, including improved aerodynamics, reducing engine idling technologies, waste heat recovery to increase engine efficiency, advanced combustion techniques, and powertrain hybridization. 39,559,868.

article thumbnail

National Research Council Study Finds That Available Technologies Can Result in Significant Fuel Savings for Passenger Vehicles Over the Next 15 Years, But at Higher Purchase Prices for Consumers

Green Car Congress

Various combinations of commercially available technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and other light-duty vehicles over the next 15 years without compromising vehicle performance or safety, according to a new report by the National Research Council.

Purchase 210
article thumbnail

Achates OPGCI project targeting 50% fuel efficiency gains over downsized GDI engine at reduced cost

Green Car Congress

The engine should yield fuel efficiency gains of more than 50% compared to a downsized, turbo-charged gasoline direct injection engine, while reducing the overall cost of the powertrain system, said Fabien Redon, Vice President, Technology Development at Achates Power. Earlier post.) displacements, said Redon. Earlier post.). Fabien Redon.

article thumbnail

NRC report finds significant number of near-term technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars

Green Car Congress

Replacing spark-ignition engines with diesel engines and components would yield fuel savings of about 37% at an added cost of approximately $5,900 per vehicle, and replacing spark-ignition engines with hybrid engines and components would reduce fuel consumption by 43% at an increase of $6,000 per vehicle.

Fuel 210
article thumbnail

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

About CalCars Plug-In Hybrids FAQ How to Get a PHEV Where PHEVs are Carmakers Say. Our PRIUS+ Project Photos PHEV Resources Global Warming Take Action News and Events Contact Us How Carmakers are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity If you ask, "have major auto-makers come around on PHEVs?", No announced plans.

Plug-in 45