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A new survey by Capital One Auto Finance found that more than half of respondents (53%) say that their next car will be more fuel efficient than their current vehicle and 55% would be very likely or somewhat likely to give up a larger vehicle for a more fuel-efficient model when they buy their next car. While the overwhelming majority of those surveyed (96%) do not currently own an alternative motor vehicle and two-thirds (76%) have never driven or test-driven one of these types of cars, nearly
Renown environmental author and activist, Bill McKibben , is in Los Angeles today where we met him at the L.A. Times Festival of Books. Bill is the founder of 350.org and we’ve only previously talked together on the radio, so it was a great joy for me to meet Bill in person and exchange hugs and fist bumps. Bill’s newest book, Eaarth was the topic of of his wide ranging discussion with L.A.
Ford Motor Company is the first automaker and one of several companies taking a leadership position in joining the Water Disclosure Project , which will establish a water disclosure protocol for companies around the world and promote conservation and stewardship. The initiative is sponsored by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which established the disclosure and reporting framework used by 2,500 of the world’s largest companies to report carbon emissions.
EU countries with CO 2 -based taxation policies by year since 2006. Data: ACEA. Click to enlarge. At present, 17 of the 27 EU Member States levy CO 2 -related taxes on passenger cars, and 15 governments provide tax incentives for electrically chargeable vehicles, according to the newly published European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Tax Guide 2010.
In a paper to be presented at next week’s 2010 SAE World Congress in Detroit, LiquidPiston, Inc. will publicly reveal the architecture of its High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC) engine. ( Earlier post.) The paper describes LiquidPiston’s third-generation engine prototype, which was first test-fired in January 2010. It provides an air-standard analysis of efficiency, including a comparison to conventional engine technologies.
Deepwater Horizon trajectory map 30 April. Click to enlarge. The Obama Administration has declared the Deepwater Horizon incident a Spill of National Significance (SONS). A SONS is defined as “ a spill that, due to its severity, size, location, actual or potential impact on the public health and welfare or the environment, or the necessary response effort, is so complex that it requires extraordinary coordination of federal, state, local, and responsible party resources to contain and clean up t
Electric taxi driving through Ginza in Tokyo. Source: Better Place. Click to enlarge. Better Place launched a 90-day switchable-battery electric taxi in Tokyo in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi operator. The project marks the next major milestone leading up to a complete system test of all components of the company’s electric vehicle solution in Israel before year-end.
Electric taxi driving through Ginza in Tokyo. Source: Better Place. Click to enlarge. Better Place launched a 90-day switchable-battery electric taxi in Tokyo in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi operator. The project marks the next major milestone leading up to a complete system test of all components of the company’s electric vehicle solution in Israel before year-end.
A rendering of the HB-SIA prototype above a commercial A340 to show comparison of wingspan and scale. Click to enlarge. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype electric aircraft made its first flight on 7 April. The goal of the Solar Impulse Project is to develop a solar airplane that can take off and fly, day and night, powered by solar energy alone around the world.
Researchers from BASF, Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), Heidelberg University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are seeking to develop a process for the photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 into methanol for use in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. The Verbund project “ Solar2fuel ” belongs to the “Forum Organic Electronics” excellence cluster and is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with more than €1 million (US$1.3 million) over
GE and Nissan have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore new technologies that are needed to build a reliable, dynamic smart-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. GE and Nissan have outlined two key areas for potential collaborations. The first relates to the integration of electric vehicles with homes and buildings.
The US Department of Energy is awarding $106 million in funding for 37 research projects selected in the second round by the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). ( Earlier post.). ARPA-E’s first solicitation awarded $151 million to 37 projects aimed at transformational innovations in energy storage, biofuels, carbon capture, renewable power, building efficiency, vehicles, and other areas. ( Earlier post.
The Audi Q7. Click to enlarge. Audi has revised the engine lineup for the Q7 full-size SUV, offering two new gasoline engines and the second-generation 3.0L V6 TDI diesel. V8 and V12 diesels completes the range. All the engines for the Q7 combine forced induction and direct fuel injection. A high-performance recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is also a standard item with all six- and eight-cylinder engines.
GM is hosting a webchat with Chelsea Sexton tomorrow, 29 April, at 2 p.m. EDT to discuss the Chevy Volt, Who Killed the Electric Car? and what she thinks has been learned from the whole GM EV1 experience. Sexton is the Founder of the non-profit Lightning Rod Foundation, and a former General Motors EV1 Specialist. She is one of the key individuals featured in the 2006 film, “ Who Killed the Electric Car?
Kudos for the brilliant work on this new Greenpeace production to my good friend, Jenny Binstock, and the great cast and crew of volunteers from Greenpeace Southern California. This would be even funnier if it weren’t so truly sad and sadly true. Too bad Meg Whitman wasn’t available because she would have been a contender! Tags: campaign carbon producers citizen volunteer climate change environment greenwashing Greenpeace Jenny Binstock.
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. will introduce a new Prius minivan equipped with Li-ion batteries early next year—the first of a coming rollout of hybrids equipped with Li-ion packs. The new Prius minivan, slated for release in early 2011, will offer a spacious interior and improved fuel economy by taking advantage of the lithium ion battery’s compact size and light weight.
Researchers in Spain have demonstrated the direct transformation of biomass consisting of the fungus M. circinelloides into biodiesel compliant with ASTM D6751 and EN14213 and 14214 standards. A paper on their work was published online 2 April in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels. Oils from oleaginous microorganisms, such as yeasts, fungi, bacteria, and microalgae, are under investigation as alternatives to plant—and especially food crop—oils as feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals.
[(PY5Me 2 )Mo(CF 3 SO 3 )] 1+ reacts with water to form. [(PY5Me 2 )MoO] 2+ and H 2. Credit: Nature, Karunadasa et al. Click to enlarge. A team of researchers with the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California, Berkeley has discovered an inexpensive metal catalyst that can effectively generate hydrogen gas from water at neutral pH or from sea water.
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the University of Houston have tuned the catalytic activity of dealloyed bimetallic nanoparticles to produce a more reactive form of platinum that could be used to make less expensive, more efficient fuel cells. Their work is described in a paper published online 25 April in the journal Nature Chemistry.
The Nikkei reports that the Japanese government is planning to offer comprehensive economic aid to countries that produce rare-earth metals or lithium in exchange for supplies of the resources to be used in hybrid and electric vehicles. In what would be the first such deal, the government is considering extending tens of billions of yen in loans by May or June to help build a 100-megawatt geothermal power plant planned by Bolivia, which in turn would allow Japan to secure supplies of lithium.Jap
The footprint-based standard CO 2 curves for cars (left) and trucks (right). Source: EPA. Click to enlarge. Yesterday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly established increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles and fuel economy standards under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program, respectively.
Alternative Fuel Technologies, Inc. has built and delivered 12 dimethyl ether (DME) feed pumps to Shanghai Diesel Engine Company. These pumps will be used on DME fueled buses that will operate in Shanghai. The value of this order is confidential. The company developed this first generation feed pump several years ago and has sold units into Korea, to the Korean Institute for Energy Research, and to a European engine manufacturer.
CO 2 reduction potential vs. OEM On-cost for turbocharged GDi and turbo-Diesel technologies to meet Euro 6 standards. Source: Kirwan et al. Click to enlarge. For the most cost-sensitive vehicle segments—e.g., compacts under 1,400 kg in weight—a stoichiometric 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine offers an optimal combination of cost, lower emissions and reductions in fuel consumption, according to an analysis by Delphi Powertrain presented at the recent SAE 2010 World C
The X PRIZE Foundation (XPF) is expanding its vision to address worldwide challenges in the areas of Energy & Environment; Exploration of the Oceans and Space; Life Sciences; and Education & Global Development with $100 million in prizes over the next 10 years. X PRIZE is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs, inspiring the formation of new industries, jobs and the revitalization of markets that are currently stalled.
The Lotus Engineering 2020 lightweight Toyota Venza. Click to enlarge. Lotus Engineering has conducted a detailed study to develop a commercially viable mass reduction strategy for mainstream passenger vehicles. This study, released by the International Council on Clean Transportation ( ICCT ), focused on the use of lightweight materials and efficient design and demonstrated substantial mass savings.
General Motors will invest $893 million to produce a new generation of small block truck and car engines which will offer improved fuel efficiency through direct injection and an all-new advanced combustion system design. The new engine family will rely exclusively on aluminum engine blocks, which are lighter and contribute to the improved fuel efficiency.
The 50-year linear surface salinity trend (pss/50-years). Contours every 0.2 pss are plotted in white. Regions where the resolved linear trend is not significant at the 99% confidence level are stippled in grey. Source: Durack and Wijffels. Click to enlarge. A new study co-authored by CSIRO (Australia) scientists Paul Durack and Dr. Susan Wijffels finds evidence that the world’s water cycle has already intensified.
Enova Systems, which recently extended its electric Zero Emissions (Ze) drive system offerings to include a Ford F-150 utility truck and Chevrolet Express cargo van ( earlier post ), is working on a next-generation electric drive system that will be 50% more efficient and less expensive than its current offerings, and plans to be delivering it early in 2011, according to Jarett Fenton, Enova’s Chief Financial Officer.
Cereplast, Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, sustainable plastics, expects to offer the first grade of Cereplast Algae Plastics for commercial use by the end of the year. ( Earlier post.). Cereplast algae-based resins have the potential to replace 50% or more of the petroleum content used in traditional plastic resins. Currently, Cereplast is using renewable material such as starches from corn, tapioca, wheat and potatoes in the manufacture of bio-based resins.
The Volt MPV5. Click to enlarge. GM’s Chevrolet unveiled the Volt MPV5 extended range electric vehicle concept at Auto China 2010. The five-passenger multi-purpose crossover concept demonstrates the potential of the Voltec propulsion system by utilizing the same extended range electric drive foundation as the Volt. The Volt MPV5 is one of 37 production and concept vehicles being shown by GM and its joint venture partners at Auto China 2010, including the Cadillac Converj extended range electric
The electric Milano Taxi concept. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen unveiled the Milano Taxi, an electric MPV concept tailored to the needs of taxi drivers and their passengers. Volkswagen has announced that it will launch its first production electric vehicles in 2013. The Milano Taxi, with a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) is driven by an electric motor with a peak power of 85 kW (continuous power: 50 kW).
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2.38 million to 34 small businesses to develop innovative, sustainable technologies to protect human health and the environment. The awards to businesses in 16 states focus on ten key environmental research areas: increasing the efficiency of green building materials and systems; manufacturing innovation; prevention, monitoring, and control using nanotechnology; reducing greenhouse gases; new treatment technologies for drinking water; imp
The California Air Resources Board began the formal process to revise its strategy for the clean-up of on- and off-road diesel engines by directing staff to return in September with specific proposals to provide additional flexibility. We fully recognize that the economy has had an effect on the owners and operators of big rigs, buses and construction equipment, and has also resulted in emissions from these vehicles being lower than we expected.
Ford is previewing its smallest-yet EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine—and confirming it for production—at Auto China 2010 in Beijing. The 3-cylinder, 1.0L engine is applied in the Ford Start Concept, an exploration into a small, sporty car for first-time buyers and urban drivers in future growth markets. At the show in Beijing, Ford is also showcasing the next-generation Ford Focus, debuting the Ford Edge for the China market with MyFord and SYNC technologies, and announcing
Basic operation of the Opcon Powerbox ORC waste heat recovery system. Click to enlarge. Opcon, the Sweden-based energy and environmental technology Group, will install an Opcon Powerbox—an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) waste heat recovery system—on one of Wallenius’ ships. The initial installation, which aims to utilize waste heat for production of electricity onboard, is expected to achieve a fuel saving of between 4-6%; it will be the first installation of the Opcon Powerbox onboard a ship.
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