Sat.Jul 07, 2012 - Fri.Jul 13, 2012

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China publishes plan to boost fuel-efficient and new energy vehicles and domestic auto industry; targeting 500K PHEVs and EVs in 2015, rising to 2M by 2020

Green Car Congress

China’s State Council has published a plan to develop the domestic energy-saving and new energy vehicle industry, which includes battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. The central government’s plan, posted on its website, is targeting the production of 500,000 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles by 2015, with output to grow to 2 million units of those types by 2020.

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Replacing A 2001 Toyota Prius Battery Pack: What It Cost

Green Car Reports

It's one of the most frequent questions asked about hybrids: What happens if I have to replace the high-voltage battery pack? While Toyota warrants its Prius batteries for 8 years/100,000 miles (or 10 years/150,000 miles in some states), cars more than a decade old won't be covered--and may still have plenty of life left in them. So what does it.

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Notes from the road: a guest post from Portland

Revenge of the Electric Car

As Portland, OR gears up for yet another screening of Revenge, local EV'er and filmmaker J Bills recounts the scene at the Portland premiere back in November: Here in Portland, we still talk about the last time Chris Paine rolled through town with a movie; an early screening of 2006’s seminal “Who Killed the Electric Car?” that rallied the local electric army and provided a slingshot of momentum as the film hit the circuit.

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Mercedes meets Euro 6 emissions well ahead of time

Green Cars News

While some carmakers have only just met the Euro 5 emission standards, Mercedes-Benz is proudly boasting that it is ready for the new, stricter Euro 6 standard a good two years before its implemented. According to the German brand, all it petrol engine A-Class and B-Class have already been confirmed as compliant with the new [.].

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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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McKinsey analysis indicates Li-ion pack prices could fall to $160/kWh by 2025; EV TCO competitive with combustion engine vehicles

Green Car Congress

The interaction of battery and fuel costs will determine the size of the market for electric vehicles. Source: McKinsey, Hensley et al. Click to enlarge. A new analysis by the consultancy McKinsey & Company indicates that the price of a complete automotive lithium-ion battery pack could fall from the current $500–$600/kWh to about $200/kWh by 2020 and to about $160/kWh by 2025 (in real dollars, indexed to 2011).

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Is $23,750 The Right Price To Get Electric Car Sales To Soar?

Green Car Reports

There are many reasons plug-in electric car sales are still just a tiny fraction of the market. The biggest hurdle may be high price, compared to gasoline cars of the same size, right now (along with range limitations). Despite a cost-per-mile that's just a fraction of what a gasoline car costs, most consumers walk away when they see a sticker.

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More Trending

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Oil sands GHG lifecycle study using operating data finds lower emitting oil sands cases outperform higher emitting conventional crude cases; a call for more sophisticated tools and reporting

Green Car Congress

Well-to-wheel (WTW) greenhouse gas emissions for in situ SAGD and surface mining pathways generated employing GHOST/TIAX/ GHGenius combination and comparison with SAGD, mining and conventional crude oil literature pathways (all results are on a HHV basis). Xs show comparative results from literature. Credit: ACS, Bergerson et al. Click to enlarge. A new well-to-wheel (WTW) lifecycle analysis (LCA) by a team from the University of Calgary and the University of Toronto of greenhouse gas (GHG) emis

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BMW ActiveHybrid 3 to carry MSRP of $50,195; intelligent energy management with proactive route analysis

Green Car Congress

2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3. Click to enlarge. BMW’s 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will arrive in US showrooms this fall at an MSRP of $50,195 including destination and handling. ( Earlier post.) The ActiveHybrid 3 blends BMW’s TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine and 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with an electric motor powered by a high-voltage Li-ion battery (cells from A123 systems, earlier post ) housed under the luggage compartment between the wheel arches.

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GE Energy partners with PayPal for EV charging payments

Green Car Congress

GE Energy’s Industrial Solutions business has entered a strategic agreement with PayPal enabling drivers to pay for electric vehicle charging fees through the WattStation Connect mobile app and PayPal. With the app, now available at the Apple iTunes Store, users can locate the nearest WattStation EV charger; check the status of the charger; get pricing details and pay with PayPal.

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Lawrence, KS gas station first to offer E15 in the US

Green Car Congress

The first E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) blend is now selling at the Zarco 66 station at 1500 E. 23rd Street in Lawrence, KS. In June, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for the sale and use of E15 ethanol blends in light duty vehicles made since 2001. ( Earlier post.) This represents nearly two-thirds of all vehicles on the road and nearly three-fourths of all miles driven.

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

Brief

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ROUSH CleanTech receives CARB retrofit LPG system certification for 2010 model year vehicles

Green Car Congress

ROUSH CleanTech has received California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval of its propane autogas (LPG) fuel system for retrofitting 2010 model year 5.4-liter Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 cargo vans and wagons. This is the first CARB certification awarded since 2000 for a liquefied petroleum gas retrofit system, and the first CARB certification for any alternative fuel system for retrofit installation on 2010 model year vehicles.

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Stratasys and Oak Ridge National Laboratory partner to advance additive manufacturing for production use

Green Car Congress

Stratasys, a maker of additive manufacturing machines for prototyping and producing plastic parts, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are partnering to develop fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing for production use. The project, which builds upon a collaboration that leverages ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) to foster energy-efficient production using additive manufacturing materials and processes, aims to develop FDM additive manufacturing technology t

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TomTom launches Congestion Index based on traffic database; congestion levels in 57 cities in North America and Europe

Green Car Congress

TomTom, the leading supplier of in-car location and navigation products and services, launched its first quarterly Congestion Index. The Index accurately identifies and analyzes traffic congestion in 57 major cities across North America and Europe. The Index is uniquely based on real time travel data captured by vehicles driving along the entire road network within the select cities.

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New inventory of black carbon emissions from China finds 2007 levels higher than previously reported

Green Car Congress

BC emission map of China at 0.1° × 0.1° for year 2007. East and West China are separated by a dashed line from Qiqihar, Yinchuan, to Kunming. Major emission areas are marked. Credit: ACS, Wang et al. Click to enlarge. A new black carbon (BC) emissions inventory from China found BC emissions levels in 2007 of 1,957 Gg BC—higher than reported in earlier studies.

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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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EC proposes 95 grams CO2/km target for new cars by 2020, 147 grams for light vans; super credits for cars below 35g

Green Car Congress

The European Commission today proposed targets for the further reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) by 2020. The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO 2 per km (g CO 2 /km) in 2020 from 135.7 grams in 2011 and a mandatory target of 130 grams in 2015. Emissions from vans will be reduced to 147g CO 2 /km in 2020 from 181.4 grams in 2010 (the latest year for which figures are available) and a mandatory target

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Volvo Car Corporation developing new safety systems with autonomous driving support

Green Car Congress

Autonomous Driving Support helps the driver to comfortably stay in the lane and follow the traffic flow in slow-moving queues. Radar sensors and a camera give input to the system, which automatically controls the speed, the brakes and the steering in order to follow the vehicle in front. Click to enlarge. Volvo Car Corp. is developing several new safety systems—factoring in driver behavior in the modern traffic environment—towards achieving its 2020 goal that nobody should be killed

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BMW to invest €125M in Dingolfing and Landshut plants for components for BMW i electric-drive models

Green Car Congress

BMW will invest €125 million (US$154 million) in its plants in Dingolfing and Landshut (Germany) to produce components for the BMW i model electric-drive vehicles. ( Earlier post.) The new BMW i models are the first pure electric drive cars from the BMW Group. The new BMW i3 will enter production in Leipzig at the end of 2013, followed by the BMW i8 in 2014.

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Nikkei: popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles lowering demand for gasoline in Japan

Green Car Congress

The Nikkei reports that the nationwide average price in Japan for regular gasoline was ¥139.8 per liter ($6.65 per gallon US) as of Monday, dropping for the 13 th straight week to a 16-month low, according to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. Prices at the pump are falling in Japan not only due to lower crude oil prices, but also because the widespread popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles has lowered demand for gasoline.A shakeout in the gas station industry is expected as next-gener

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Li-ion battery maker Valence Technology files Chapter 11

Green Car Congress

Lithium-ion battery manufacturer Valence Technology, Inc. today filed a voluntary petition for a chapter 11 business reorganization in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas. The business reorganization is intended to bolster the Company’s liquidity in the US and abroad and enable it to focus on its core lithium phosphate markets.

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Enova Systems receives NYSE notice of de-listing

Green Car Congress

Struggling electric drive systems company Enova Systems Inc. received notice on 5 July from the NYSE MKT indicating that the company no longer complies with the Exchange’s continued listing standards, and that its securities are subject to being delisted. By a series of letters, the Exchange previously notified Enova that it was not in compliance with the following sections of the Company Guide: (a) Section 1003(a)(iii) insofar as the Company reported stockholders’ equity of less than $6,000,000

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GE to expand sodium-halide battery plant with $70M investment

Green Car Congress

GE will invest an additional $70 million to expand its sodium-halide battery manufacturing plant in New York, which is part of the company’s new Energy Storage business. The new Durathon battery products ( earlier post )—half the size of conventional lead acid batteries but which last ten times longer—are targeted for cost-effective energy storage options for a range of applications, including telecom and utility operators.

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Electric motorcycle maker Brammo closes first $13M tranche of $45M Series C

Green Car Congress

Brammo Inc., a developer of electric vehicle technology and manufacturer of two-wheel electric vehicles, has closed the first $13-million tranche of a $45 million Series C funding round designed to accelerate the company’s development plans. The first tranche of the financing was led by Polaris Industries and included contributions from other undisclosed investors.

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New lightweight aluminum piston from Federal-Mogul enables further downsizing of gasoline engines

Green Car Congress

The new Advanced Elastoval II piston. Click to enlarge. Federal-Mogul Corporation has developed a lightweight, high-strength aluminium piston that enables engine manufacturers to increase the power density and efficiency of boosted, direct injected gasoline engines. The Advanced Elastoval II piston enters series production later this year in a new European passenger car, where it contributes to gains in fuel economy and reductions in CO 2. emissions.

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Airbus starts production for the more fuel-efficient A320neo

Green Car Congress

Marking the start of manufacturing of the more fuel-efficient A320neo airplane, Airbus has begun machining of the first engine pylon component at the Saint-Eloi dedicated pylon and nacelle factory in Toulouse. Pylons are structures which hold the engine to the wing. The new pylon for the A320neo retains high commonality with the existing A320’s pylon design, while also incorporating more titanium as well as some advanced architectures developed for the A380 pylon.

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Two-step process for converting light olefins into diesel-range hydrocarbons

Green Car Congress

Researchers from Institut Charles Gerhardt (France) report the development of an original two-step process for converting light olefins into long-chain hydrocarbons in the distillate range. Their paper is published in the journal ChemSusChem. In the first step, ethylene is selectively transformed into C 4 –C 10 olefins with an even number of carbon atoms, over nickel-exchanged AlMCM-41, at 150?

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EQT launches pilot program to convert Marcellus drilling rigs to LNG

Green Car Congress

Appalachian area natural gas producer EQT Corporation launched a pilot program to begin converting drilling rigs to liquefied natural gas (LNG), displacing the diesel used to power equipment at the well site. This program marks the first LNG rig conversion in the Marcellus Shale and will provide a cleaner burning alternative fuel for the region’s drilling operations.

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New phase change material battery coolant absorbs 3x as much heat as water

Green Car Congress

CryoSolplus is a dispersion that can absorb three times as much heat as water, and can prevent batteries from overheating. Click to enlarge. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen have developed a new phase-change material (PCM) coolant that conducts heat away from a traction battery for electric vehicles three times more effectively than water, keeping the battery temperature within an acceptable range even in extreme drivin

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California Energy Commission awards $500K to advance green transportation-

Green Car Congress

The California Energy Commission approved funding of $505,329 for alternative-fuel vehicles and the installation of fueling stations that dispense alternative and renewable fuels. The awards are provided through the Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, created by Assembly Bill 118. The program provides approximately $100 million annually to encourage the development and use of alternative and renewable fuels and new vehicle technologies.

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Texas to grant $18M for natural gas vehicle purchases or repowers

Green Car Congress

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced that $18 million in grants are available to eligible businesses, governmental entities, school districts, and individuals to replace older medium-duty or heavy-duty gasoline or diesel vehicles with natural gas vehicles or repower the vehicles with natural gas engines. The predetermined grant amounts are to reimburse between 60% to 90% of the incremental cost of the natural gas vehicles and engines and are based on the fuel capacity,

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Cella Energy partners with NASA Kennedy Space Center to develop its solid-state micro-bead hydrogen storage technology

Green Car Congress

Hydrogen storage start-up Cella Energy’s US subsidiary has signed a contract with NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for the further research, development and potential production of its micro-bead, polymer-encapsulated chemical hydride technology. ( Earlier post.) Cella already has offices in the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at Kennedy and is expected to become an early tenant at Exploration Park, a research center now under construction at the space center.

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GE progressing on next generation engine for Boeing 777X Aircraft; 10% fuel improvement

Green Car Congress

At the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, GE Aviation said it continues its studies into advanced technologies for the next-generation engine to power Boeing next-generation 777 aircraft. The GE9X engine is focused on improvements in fuel burn, noise and emission over the current GE90-115B engine while maintaining comparable reliability and maintenance cost, said Bill Millhaem, general manager of the GE90 program at GE Aviation.

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GE Capital to provide financing for electric motorcycle maker Brammo

Green Car Congress

GE Capital’s Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) business has agreed to provide Brammo Inc. with inventory financing to support the expansion of its dealer network in the US. The Ashland, OR-based manufacturer designs and develops electric motorcycles. We’ve proven that we can successfully marry technology with performance and now we’re ramping up our efforts to deliver our unique products to the marketplace.

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Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class gasoline engines meet 2014 EURO 6 standards, undercut particulate number limits planned for 2017

Green Car Congress

The direct-injection gasoline engines in the Mercedes-Benz A 180, A 200 and A 250—as well as in the corresponding models in the B-Class—have been confirmed as meeting the required emission limits for the EURO 6 standards for gasoline-engined vehicles, which come into effect in 2014. The engines also undercut the particle number limits (6 x 10 11 per km) which are being introduced for the first time for gasoline engines in 2017 as part of the second stage of EURO 6 from 2017.

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Alberta CCEMC providing $46M for carbon capture and storage and cleaner energy projects in oil sands region

Green Car Congress

Alberta, Canada’s Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation is providing C$46 million (US$45 million) in funding to support six new carbon capture and storage and cleaner technology projects in the Canadian oil sands region. The projects have a combined value of more than $327 million (US$321 million). The organizations receiving funding from CCEMC are: Cenovus Energy Inc.: $10 million for a Chemical Looping Steam Generator - 10 MW Pilot at Christina Lake near Fort McMurray.

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