April, 2018

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Careful Bus deploys school buses in NYC outfitted with XL hybrid systems

Green Car Congress

XL recently completed a successful pilot deployment of school buses with Careful Bus Company in New York City outfitted with the XL hybrid system. The XLH system uses regenerative braking during deceleration and electric assist during acceleration to increase fuel economy. The system, which was installed on five of the company’s standard Ford E-Series vehicles in just a few hours, is expected to increase miles driven per gallon by 25% and improve brake life, while decreasing CO 2 emissions by 20

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Tesla Model Y production to start Nov 2019 (also, Musk doesn't have time to shower): reports

Green Car Reports

Amidst nine months of "production hell" for the Tesla Model 3 electric car, the company's next vehicle has somewhat fallen off the radar. According to a report Wednesday by Reuters, Tesla has now put out requests to suppliers for initial bids on parts for the Tesla Model Y, its high-volume crossover utility intended to be more affordable than the.

2019 144
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Orange County orders 10 New Flyer hydrogen fuel cell buses

Green Car Congress

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has awarded New Flyer a contract for 10 Xcelsior hydrogen fuel cell electric, forty-foot, heavy-duty transit buses (10 equivalent units). OCTA and New Flyer are partners in the Fuel Cell Electric Bus Commercialization Consortium ( FCEBCC ) project. This project is sponsored by a grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is supported by the California Climate Investments (CCI) program.

Hydrogen 313
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Volvo Trucks introduces its first electric truck for commercial use; sales and production start next year

Green Car Congress

Volvo Trucks introduced its first battery-electric truck for commercial use: the Volvo FL Electric for urban distribution and refuse operations, among other applications. Sales and series production of the new model will start in Europe next year. The first trucks in the Volvo FL Electric range are now entering regular operation with customers—refuse collection and recycling company Renova and haulage firm TGM—in Gothenburg, the home of Volvo Trucks.

Volvo 299
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How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

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NTN to supply in-wheel motors to EV startup FSAT in China

Green Car Congress

Japan-based NTN, a leading global supplier of hub bearings and driveshafts, will supply in-wheel motor technology to EV startup Changchun Fawsn Auto Tech (FSAT), established in October 2017 by FAW Group. FSAT will exhibit a prototype vehicle at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. NTN’s latest in-wheel motor. NTN began work on in-wheel motors in 2003, deploying and testing successive iterations on different types of compact, lightweight EVs.

Motor 292
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Impact Coatings delivering fuel cell PVD coatings to Michelin

Green Car Congress

Impact Coatings, which develops and sells technology for PVD-coatings of fuel cell plates and vehicle reflectors, recently received its first production order for Ceramic MaxPhase coatings from Michelin. PVD (physical vapor deposition) is a method of producing thin layers of metals and ceramics under vacuum for surface coatings that maximize performance and durability.

Fuel 287

More Trending

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IHS Markit: global oil demand still growing in the short term despite increasing focus on EVs

Green Car Congress

Short-term oil demand is still growing strong and will continue to do so through the end of 2020 despite the market’s increasing focus on electric vehicles and the forecasted future plateau in oil demand, according to new analysis from IHS Markit, a global business information provider. Five-year rolling aggregate global liquids demand growth. Source: IHS Markit 2018.

Oil 276
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Japanese researchers estimate 16M tonnes of rare earth deposits in deep-sea mud off Japan; hundreds of years of supply

Green Car Congress

A team of Japanese researchers from multiple institutions has calculated that an area of deep-sea mud in the western North Pacific Ocean near Minami-Torishima Island, Japan, contains more than 16 million tons of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY). In an open-access paper published in Scientific Reports , they estimate that this research area could supply yttrium (Y), europium (Eu), terbium (Tb), and dysprosium (Dy) for 780, 620, 420, and 730 years, respectively, and has the potential to suppl

Japan 265
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Tesla Q1 2018 vehicle production up 40% from Q4; Model 3 now at +2,000 units per week

Green Car Congress

Tesla reported Q1 2018 vehicle production of 34,494 vehicles—a 40% increase from Q4 and its most productive quarter. Of the total, 24,728 (72%) were Model S and Model X, and 9,766 (28%) were Model 3. The Model 3 output increased fourfold over last quarter. Tesla was able to double the weekly Model 3 production rate during the quarter by addressing production and supply chain bottlenecks, including several short factory shutdowns to upgrade equipment.

2018 262
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Engineers propose coordinated control architecture for motion management in ADAS systems

Green Car Congress

Engineers from Loughborough University in the UK and Jaguar Land Rover have proposed a coordinated control architecture for motion management in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to increase safety and comfort across all vehicles, regardless of ADAS specifics. They published their proposal in an open-access paper in the IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica , a joint publication of the IEEE and the Chinese Association of Automation.

Engine 259
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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Electrify America installing 150/350 kW fast chargers at more than 100 Walmart locations

Green Car Congress

Electrify America will install electric vehicle fast chargers at more than 100 Walmart locations across 34 states by June 2019. This initiative will more than double the number of electric vehicle charging stations at Walmart stores across the US. The announcement is expected to make Walmart one of the leading electric vehicle charging station hosts in the US retail sector.

America 258
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Researchers demonstrate high-capacity Mn-rich Li-ion cathodes; a design pathway away from cobalt and nickel

Green Car Congress

Researchers led by a team at UC Berkeley have demonstrated high-capacity manganese-rich cathodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries. The work, reported in the journal Nature , shows a possible design approach for cathode materials that move away from the current reliance on nickel and cobalt—which are limited resources and are associated with safety problems.

Li-ion 257
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Lightning Systems battery-electric heavy-duty Ford Transit showing 61 MPGe city, 66 MPGe highway

Green Car Congress

Lightning Systems, a global developer of zero-emissions solutions for commercial fleets, is taking its new Ford Transit LightningElectric model ( earlier post ) on the road, showcasing the recently released vehicle efficiency ratings of 61 MPGe on in-town routes and 66 MPGe on highway. The LightningElectric is a battery-electric drivetrain package for the heavy-duty Ford Transit, a product used extensively by commercial and government fleets.

Ford 257
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Large-scale study associates even brief exposure to PM2.5 with childhood lung infections

Green Car Congress

Even the briefest increase in airborne PM 2.5 is associated with the development of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in young children, according to a new, large-scale study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine , an American Thoracic Society journal. Increases in PM 2.5 levels also led to increased doctor visits for these lung infections.

Pollution 253
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ExxonMobil announces 6th oil discovery offshore Guyana with Ranger-1; Guyana may move from non-producer to regional powerhouse

Oil

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Dürr building smart and resource-efficient paint shop at San Luis Potosí in Mexico for BMW Group; Industry 4.0

Green Car Congress

Dürr is building a paint shop in Mexico for the BMW Group that meets the requirements for connected Industry 4.0 production. This plant, featuring the first integrated smart factory concept from Dürr, is being built at the San Luis Potosí site. San Luis Potosí will build the BMW brand’s best-selling model series, the BMW 3 Series Sedan. Start of production is scheduled for 2019, with an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 units.

BMW 253
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NUS team discovers bacterium that produces only biobutanol directly from cellulose

Green Car Congress

A team of engineers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) recently discovered that a naturally occurring bacterium, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum TG57, isolated from waste generated after harvesting mushrooms, is capable of directly converting cellulose to biobutanol. In an open-access paper in the journal Science Advances , the research team, led by Associate Professor He Jianzhong, reported that TG57 is capable of using microcrystalline cellulose directly to produce but

Singapore 247
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Volkswagen Braunschweig to build up to 500K battery systems per year for MEB EVs

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen Braunschweig has been awarded the contract to further the development and production of battery systems for the Modular Electric Drive Modular System (MEB). In the future, the plant will produce up to half a million battery systems per year for the electric vehicles of the Volkswagen brand and other Group brands. The Volkswagen brand is doing its utmost to develop and produce the electric cars of the future in Germany.

Batteries 247
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Volkswagen to offer 48V mild hybrid version of eighth-generation Golf in 2019

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen will launch a 48V mild hybrid version of its globally best-selling Volkswagen Golf, offering a sustainable, efficient and powerful alternative. The introduction of new hybrid systems in the eighth generation of Golf vehicles will mark a new era for the brand with regard to drive technology. The Volkswagen brand’s 48V mild hybrid system. Volkswagen Group sibling Audi has been gradually introducing 48V mild hybrid systems as standard into its line-up since last year. ( Earlier post.).

2019 244
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Electrify America partners with >100 major retail, convenience & refueling locations in US to install ultra-fast chargers

Green Car Congress

Electrify America will be installing ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers at more than 100 retail, convenience and refueling locations across the US, increasing the convenience for consumers who drive or are considering purchasing an electric vehicle. Each location will offer multiple chargers. Initial partners include major retail companies Target Corporation, Brixmor Property Group, Kimco Realty Corporation and DDR Corporation.

America 240
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H2FUTURE building world’s largest green hydrogen pilot plant; targeting the steel industry

Green Car Congress

The European H2FUTURE project consortium, comprising voestalpine, Siemens, VERBUND, and Austrian Power Grid, together with the research partners K1-MET and ECN, officially gave the green light to the construction of a 6 MW “green” hydrogen pilot production plant—the world’s largest—at a voestalpine Linz steel plant. ( Earlier post.). The partners from industry and power generation will use this facility to research into future breakthrough technologies which are needed to meet global

Hydrogen 240
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EIA: US exported a record amount of fuel ethanol in 2017

Green Car Congress

The United States exported nearly 1.4 billion gallons of fuel ethanol in 2017, surpassing the previous record of 1.2 billion gallons set in 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). US imports of ethanol in 2017 increased compared with 2016 but remained relatively small at 77 million gallons, resulting in the United States being a net exporter of ethanol for the eighth consecutive year.

2017 236
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Study shows hybrids and EVs to drive lithium and cobalt demand by a factor of 10 to more than 20

Green Car Congress

A new study by researchers at Leiden University in The Netherlands, with colleagues at the University of Freiburg (Germany) and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, shows that climate policies can strongly increase metal demand. In an open-access paper published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology , the team explores toward 2050 for the demand of copper, tantalum, neodymium, cobalt, and lithium in electricity production, cars, and electronic appliances.

Hybrid 236
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Continental expanding automated driving tests on the autobahn

Green Car Congress

Continental is expanding its global development activities for the safe launch of automated driving. The engineers are now testing their prototype vehicles on autobahns in Lower Saxony under real traffic conditions. The prototypes are always monitored and operated by a development expert in the driver’s seat. Continental is developing sensors, vehicle computers, operating systems, and software for automated driving, particularly in Japan, China, the US, and Germany.

Taxi 231
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Team develops high-capacity Li-ion sulfur battery; no Li-metal anode

Green Car Congress

The “classic” high-energy capacity Lithium-sulfur battery is predicated on the use of a sulfur-based cathode and a Lithium-metal anode. Among the issues hampering the commercialization of this attractive technology are the safety and performance issues associated with the use of the lithium-metal anode. Accordingly, a number of different approaches have been taken to try to address these issues.

Li-ion 231
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Lawrence Livermore publishes state-by-state energy/water Sankey diagrams

Green Car Congress

For the first time, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has published state-by-state energy and water Sankey diagrams in one location so that analysts and policymakers can find all the information they need in one place. These diagrams depict energy use and water flow during the year 2010, the latest year for which comprehensive data is available.

Water 231
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Momentum Dynamics deploys 200 kW wireless charging system for electric transit buses in Wenatchee, WA

Green Car Congress

Momentum Dynamics has commissioned the US’ first 200 kW wireless charging system for a battery-electric transit bus fleet. The wireless charging system is now operational on a BYD K9S bus at Link Transit in Wenatchee, Washington. Within five minutes, the wireless charging system automatically adds enough energy to the vehicle’s battery to complete another route during its routine transfer station stop.

Charging 231
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DOE to award up to $39M for innovative hydrogen and fuel cell technologies R&D

Green Car Congress

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) announced up to $39 million in available funding to support early stage research and development (R&D) of innovative hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. ( DE-FOA-0001874 ) The work supported through this investment will address key early-stage technical challenges for fuel cells and for hydrogen fuel production, delivery, and storage related to hydrogen infrastructure.

Hydrogen 231
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Indian ride-sharing company Ola to put 10,000 EVs on the road in 12 months, 1M by 2021

Green Car Congress

India-based Ola, one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies, launched “ Mission: Electric ”, with a commitment to place 10,000 E-rickshaws and Electric auto-rickshaws in its service in the next 12 months. The company will develop “Mission: Electric” as a platform to bring one million electric vehicles on the road by 2021. From cycle rickshaws to shuttles and last-mile transport, three-wheelers continue to be a dominant form of daily transit for many people across India.

Companies 231
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Nikola Motor Company hires Jesse Schneider from BMW as hydrogen and fuel cell technologies VP

Green Car Congress

Nikola Motors, the startup developing a Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell range-extended electric truck ( earlier post ) has hired Jesse Schneider as vice president of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A noted hydrogen and fuel cell expert, Schneider is an automotive industry veteran who spent most of his career working for BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Schneider has spent nearly 20 years in vehicle electrification, fuel cells, electric and hydrogen infrastructure and storage tanks at automakers in Germany

Hydrogen 231
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Ceres Power unveils 5 kW SteelCell SOFC stack, V5 SteelCell technology

Green Car Congress

Ceres Power, a UK-based spin-out from Imperial College, recently unveiled a new 5kW stack platform and the latest advancements of its SteelCell V5 solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology. ( Earlier post.). In less than two years, five global OEMs have signed joint development agreements to work with the SteelCell including Cummins ( earlier post ), Honda ( earlier post ) and Nissan ( earlier post ).

Power 231
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Study projects future EVs to have 30-70% lower environmental impacts that current EVs when changes to electricity generation are considered

Green Car Congress

Numerous studies have tackled the future environmental impact of battery-electric vehicles; the resulting assessments are highly uncertain. Now, a team of researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland, with colleagues at Leiden University (Netherlands) and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency have used Monte Carlo and global sensitivity analysis to quantify parametric uncertainty of the impacts.

Future 231
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Toyota and partners launch low-carbon hydrogen supply-chain project in Japan

Green Car Congress

In Japan, Aichi Prefecture, Chita City, Toyota City, Chubu Electric Power, Toho Gas, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Toyota Industries have launched the Chita City and Toyota City Renewable Energy-use Low-carbon Hydrogen Project. The project is a first step toward realizing the 2030 vision of a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain formulated by the Aichi Low-carbon Hydrogen Supply Chain Promotion Association, a body which includes the Aichi prefectural government, companies operating within the prefec

Hydrogen 230
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In addition to 48V hybrid, VW presents new EA 288 Evo diesel 12V mild hybrid & TGI Evo natural gas engines

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen showcased three new drive systems at the Vienna Motor Symposium: the new 48 V mild hybrid system that will debut on the eighth-generation Golf in 2019 ( earlier post ); new high-tech diesel engines that will also be available as hybrid variants; and an advanced natural gas engine. The technologies showcased in Vienna as world premieres form a key part of the progressively aligned Volkswagen drive strategy combining state-of-the-art gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines, new hybrid

Hybrid 225
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City of Gdynia orders 30 Solaris Trollino trolleybuses with Li-ion battery packs for off-wire driving

Green Car Congress

The city of Gdynia in Poland has signed a contract with Solaris for the delivery of 30 trolleybuses worth more than 95 million PLN (US$28 million) in total. The order includes 16 articulated Trollino 18s, and 14 Trollino 12s, which are already well-established in Gdynia. Apart from featuring traditional trolleybus drivelines—i.e., an electric drive powered by overhead wires—the Solaris vehicles commissioned by Gdynia will be fitted with additional batteries which enable driving off t

Li-ion 225