March, 2017

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Germany now has 7,407 public charging points; 14,531 filling stations

Green Car Congress

A survey by Germany’s BDEW (Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft), an association of energy and water companies, found that the number of public charge points in the country has grown to 7,407 as of the end of 2016. 890 new charging points have been added to since mid-2016—an increase of almost 12%. 292 of the new points are DC fast charging.

Germany 273
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Tesla's battery farm on Kauai opens, large-scale solar energy for Hawaii

Green Car Reports

Even before Elon Musk engineered Tesla's acquisition of SolarCity, the two companies were collaborating. SolarCity was already controlled by Musk, who believes its solar-energy business can be reinforced and complemented by Tesla's energy-storage business. Last year, Tesla announced a joint project with SolarCity to install a large battery farm.

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Volkswagen pulls covers off all-new Arteon

Green Cars News

Volkswagen has officially revealed its all-new Arteon saloon at the Geneva Motor Show.

Motor 45
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CDP Technologies offering new gaseous fuels aftermarket cylinder head package for GM 6.0L engines

Green Car Congress

CDP Technologies, the OEM sales division of Crazy Diamond Performance Inc., will offer a new aftermarket gaseous fuels-prepped cylinder head package for GM 6.0L engines. The new CDP cylinder head will be available for the popular GM engines that have been, or are slated to be, converted to a gaseous alternative fuel engine. One of the components in Crazy Diamond Performance’s upcoming CDP TorqueDrive (TD) engine, CDP’s new cylinder head has been engineered to incorporate higher airflow, strength

GM 260
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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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Hybrid Kinetic H600 microturbine range-extended electric vehicle concept runs 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds

Green Car Congress

At the Geneva Auto Show, the China-based Hybrid Kinetic group unveiled the H600 microturbine range-extended electric vehicle sedan concept, produced together with its vehicle design and engineering partner, Pininfarina. The 60 kW microturbine range extender delivers 40% efficiency, low emissions, and a 10000-hour maintenance interval. The 30 kWh battery pack has a long life span (50,000 charging/discharging cycles) as well as high energy density (300 Wh/kg); it can sustain a very high charging r

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Air Products’ California fueling stations offering hydrogen below $10 per kg

Green Car Congress

Air Products, a leader in hydrogen fueling and infrastructure worldwide, has achieved a pricing milestone at several California fueling stations, which are now offering hydrogen to fuel cell electric vehicle customers at less than $10 per kilogram. Advancements in fueling technology and a greater volume of vehicles now using the stations were important factors in allowing the pricing move to less than $10 per hydrogen kilogram ($9.99/kg).

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More Trending

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Successful first test run of Alstom Coradia iLint fuel cell train; signed letters of intent for 60 trains

Green Car Congress

Alstom successfully performed the first test run at 80 km/h (50 mph) of the fuel cell passenger train Coradia iLint ( earlier post ) on its own test track in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony (Germany). An extensive test campaign will be conducted in Germany and Czech Republic in the coming months before the Coradia iLint performs its first passenger test runs on the Buxtehude–Bremervörde–Bremerhaven–Cuxhaven (Germany) route beginning of 2018.

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Magna and Ford developing prototype carbon fiber composite subframe; mass reduction of 34%

Green Car Congress

In pursuit of lower vehicle weight to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, Magna International Inc., in cooperation with Ford Motor Company, developed a prototype carbon fiber composite subframe which reduces mass by 34% compared to making a stamped steel equivalent. The subframe is a key part of a vehicle’s structure, typically providing a place to attach the engine and wheels while also contributing rigidity and crash management.

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First of 27 BYD electric trucks arriving in Southern California freight and rail yards; $19.2M project

Green Car Congress

The State of California, San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) and partners Daylight Transport and BYD Motors celebrated the arrival of the first of 27 electric yard and service trucks for freight and rail yards in three disadvantaged communities in San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Fontana. The demonstration truck project is funded by $9 million from the State’s climate change-fighting cap-and-trade program and another $10.2 million in cash and in-kind matching funds.

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California ARB receives VW’s 1st $200M, 30-month ZEV investment plan

Green Car Congress

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has received Volkswagen’s (VW) first 30-month Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Investment Plan. This Plan is The Plan, required by California’s partial settlement with VW over the use of illegal defeat devices, describes how VW is proposing to spend the first $200 million in California on ZEV fueling infrastructure (including the development and maintenance of ZEV charging stations), public awareness, increasing ZEV access, and a green city demonstration.

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

Brief

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Cambridge team demonstrates light-driven photoreforming of unprocessed biomass to H2 at room temperature

Green Car Congress

A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has reported the light-driven photoreforming of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin to H 2 using semiconducting cadmium sulfide quantum dots in alkaline aqueous solution. The system operates under visible light, is stable beyond six days and is even able to reform unprocessed lignocellulose, such as wood and paper, under solar irradiation at room temperature, presenting an inexpensive route to drive aqueous proton reduction to H 2 through waste

Light 236
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Argonne team develops new fluorinated sulfone electrolytes for high-voltage, high-energy Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have synthesized a new class of fluorinated sulfone electrolytes to enable high-voltage, high-energy Li-ion batteries. A paper on their work is published in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science. The Argonne researchers evaluated the physical and electrochemical properties of the new sulfone-based electrolytes in a high voltage LiN i0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 O 2 / graphite cell cycled at 4.6 V.

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Danish Parker project developing universal definition for EV integration with electric grid for V2G services

Green Car Congress

Nissan, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, PSA Groupe, NUVVE, Frederiksberg Forsyning, Enel, Insero and DTU (Technical University of Denmark) Electrical Engineering (PowerLabDK) are partnering in the Danish project Parker to develop a universal definition for grid integration for electric vehicles. Parker’s objective is to validate that series-produced electric vehicles—as part of an operational vehicle fleet—can support the power grid by becoming a vertically int

Grid 231
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ICCT: incremental technology can cut vehicle CO2 by half and increase fuel economy >60% through 2030 with ~5% increase in price

Green Car Congress

With the EPA re-opening its Mid-Term Review of GHG standards for 2022-2025 for light-duty vehicles ( earlier post ), and with NHTSA yet to weigh in on its Mid-Term evaluation of fuel economy standards for the same period, a team from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has published a report analyzing emerging vehicle efficiency technologies; their ability to achieve lower emission levels; and their costs in the 2025–2030 timeframe.

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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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NASA-led study finds 50 vol% biofuel blend reduces soot particle emissions during aircraft cruising; reduced climatic impact of contrails

Green Car Congress

A 50:50 by volume blend of conventional Jet A aviation fuel and an aviation biofuel made from Camelina reduces soot particle number and mass emissions from the aircraft by 50 to 70% compared to conventional fuel, YYYY according to a new study published in the scientific journal Nature. The findings are based on an international flight experiment between NASA, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada.

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DOE: new vehicle fuel economy improved 33% from 1980-2016

Green Car Congress

According to data gathered by the US Department of Energy (DOE) from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), new vehicle fuel economy in the US has improved 33% from 1980-2016, despite a 120% increase in horsepower and 47% improvement in acceleration (measured by time to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph). The data are based on sales-weighted averages.

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Volvo Cars expanding connected services; refreshed Sensus interface in the new XC60

Green Car Congress

Volvo Cars announced a range of updates to its global connected services program and its Sensus in-car user interface, starting with the new XC60 and the company’s existing and new 90 Series cars. First, Volvo Cars is expanding its In-car Delivery service, a part of the Volvo On Call smartphone app, which launched in 2015 and allows one-time digital access for deliveries to a car, to five additional countries during 2017.

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California ARB moves forward with climate and air quality actions

Green Car Congress

On the first day of a two-day board meeting—the second day of which (Friday 24 March) will consider the Advanced Clean Cars Midterm Review—the California Air Resources Board (ARB) took a number of climate and air quality actions. CARB approved the State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan ( State SIP Strategy ), which describes CARB’s commitment for further reducing vehicle emissions needed to meet federal air quality standards over the next 15 years.

Climate 199
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IRENA, IEA study concludes meeting 2?C scenario possible with net positive economics

Green Car Congress

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by 70% by 2050 and completely phased-out by 2060 with a net positive economic outlook, according to new findings released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Perspectives for the Energy Transition: Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon Energy Transition —a joint study by IRENA and the IEA—launched on the occasion of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, presents the

Climate 199
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IEA finds CO2 emissions flat for third straight year even as global economy grew in 2016

Green Car Congress

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions were flat for a third straight year in 2016 even as the global economy grew, according to the International Energy Agency. The data signal a continuing decoupling of emissions and economic activity. This was the result of growing renewable power generation, switches from coal to natural gas, improvements in energy efficiency, as well as structural changes in the global economy.

Economy 199
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Lucid Motors pricing base Lucid Air luxury EV at $52,500 after Fed tax credits; fully loaded above $100K

Green Car Congress

Lucid Motors, a Silicon Valley-based electric vehicle company, announced that the base version of its first vehicle, the Lucid Air luxury sedan ( earlier post ), will have a starting price of $52,500 after federal tax credits. Customers can place a $2,500 deposit to reserve a car at lucidmotors.com/car/reserve. Above the base Lucid Air, a number of upgrades will be available.

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2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid on sale in April; 3-motor sport hybrid system

Green Car Congress

Acura’s first hybrid SUV, the 2017 MDX Sport Hybrid ( earlier post ), will arrive at showrooms in early April with more than 30 additional horsepower and a 45 percent higher EPA city fuel economy rating as compared to the conventionally-powered MDX SH-AWD. With a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $51,9601, a premium of $1,500 over the conventional MDX SH-AWD, the MDX Sport Hybrid applies Acura’s innovative three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) syst

Acura 199
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V2V safety technology now standard on Cadillac CTS sedans in US

Green Car Congress

Cadillac introduces Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communications this month in the CTS performance sedan, which is in production now. V2V-equipped vehicles share information that can be used to alert drivers to upcoming potential hazards, laying the groundwork for a connected, safer future. Cadillac’s V2V solution uses Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and GPS and can handle 1,000 messages per second from vehicles up to nearly 1,000 feet away.

Cadillac 199
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Detroit Electric signs joint venture with China’s Far East Smarter Energy Group; $1.8B investment

Green Car Congress

Detroit Electric has signed a joint venture deal with Far East Smarter Energy Group of China, which has helped secure a total investment of $1.8 billion dollars for the development and production of a range of electric vehicles over the next three years. The joint venture will invest US$370 million into Detroit Electric’s European operations over the next four years.

Detroit 199
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Mitsubishi Electric develops world’s smallest SiC inverter for HEVs; reduced losses, improved fuel efficiency

Green Car Congress

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has developed a working model of an ultra-compact silicon carbide (SiC) inverter for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that is believed to be the world’s smallest SiC device of its type at just five liters volume. It also is believed to offer the world’s highest power density of 86 kVA / L for two-motor HEVs, thanks to incorporation of full-SiC power semiconductor modules that achieve superior heat dissipation.

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New MQB-based Volkswagen Arteon fastback debuts in Geneva; 1.5L TSI Evo with cylinder deactivation

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen introduced the new Arteon five-door fastback at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Based on the Sport Coupe Concept GTE plug-in hybrid shown in 2015 at the Geneva show ( earlier post ), the new Arteon will sit above the Passat in the Volkswagen line-up, and will replace the CC. The newly developed MQB-based fastback model initially offers a choice of three gasoline and three diesel engines.

Engine 191
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New Buick, BMW PHEVs for China

Green Car Congress

Buick announced that it will shortly launch the Velite 5, its first extended range electric vehicle (EREV), in China. Leveraging GM’s proven EREV technology as shown in the Chevy Volt and the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In, the Velite 5 also offers advanced connectivity and safety technologies. The Velite 5 is equipped with GM’s latest electric drive system that features the company’s patented EVT electronic controlled intelligent variable transmission.

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Citroën introduces E-Berlingo Multispace

Green Car Congress

The Citroën Berlingo leisure activity vehicle is now available with an electric drivetrain. Supplementing the range of 3-cylinder PureTech gasoline engines and BlueHDi diesel engines, the new E-Berlingo Multispace model targets motorists looking to combine all the versatility of the Berlingo for their day-to-day use, leisure pursuits and professional activities with the advantages of an electric drivetrain.

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Year-long field testing finds electric buses with Toshiba wireless charger cut CO2 up to 60% compared to diesel

Green Car Congress

Toshiba Corporation announced the results of year-long field tests of electric buses charged with its wireless rapid rechargeable battery system. ( Earlier post.) The tests, carried out with the cooperation of Waseda University, showed that using the buses to replace standard diesel buses could cut CO 2 emissions from daily operation by up to 60% for a medium-sized bus and by up to 42% for a small bus.

Diesel 186
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California ARB staff considering including alternative jet fuel in Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Green Car Congress

The staff of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff is considering including alternative jet fuel (AJF) in the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). ARB staff is hosting a public working meeting today to consider the matter. In 2009, the ARB approved the LCFS regulation to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of transportation fuel used in California by at least 10% by 2020 from a 2010 baseline.

Standards 186
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Volkswagen partners with D-Wave on quantum computing; CeBIT premiere of research project for traffic flow optimization

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen partners with D-Wave on quantum computing; CeBIT premiere of research project for traffic flow optimization. Volkswagen Group IT is cooperating with leading quantum computing company D-Wave Systems on a research project for traffic flow optimization. At CeBIT 2017 in Hanover, Volkswagen and D-Wave will be announcing their strategic cooperation and, as a world premiere, demonstrating a software program that optimizes traffic flow on a quantum computer.

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Goodyear shows two concept tires targeting autonomous and shared vehicles; smart tires

Green Car Congress

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company showcased several new and emerging technologies in its latest concept tires at the Geneva International Motor Show. In the evolving mobility ecosystem, defined by the transition to driverless vehicles and shared mobility in urban centers, Goodyear aims to revolutionize the interaction between tires, vehicles and their surroundings.

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ORNL, HTS International to collaborate on manufacturing research; conformal cooling

Green Car Congress

HTS International Corporation and the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have signed an agreement to explore potential collaborations in advanced manufacturing research such as in conformal cooling. (Conformal cooling refers to the use of a cooling passageway which conforms to the shape or profile of a mold core or cavity to perform rapid, uniform cooling in injection molding or blow moulding.).

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New MAN Diesel & Turbo ME-GIE two-stroke engine can use VOCs as fuel

Green Car Congress

The world’s first ME-GIE ethane-combusting two-stroke engine has been delivered from MAN Diesel & Turbo licensee Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) in Japan. The Mitsui-MAN B&W 7G50ME-C9.5-GIE is the first engine in a series of three. Further research has led to new possibilities for this engine leading to new prospects for multi-fuel combustion including the combustion of waste gas.

Diesel 186