Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

Daimler subsidiary ACCUMOTIVE has begun construction of a second Li-ion battery factory at its site in Kamenz. With an investment of about €500 million (US$545 million), the site in Kamenz will be one of the biggest and most modern battery factories in Europe. The new production facility is planned to start operations in the middle of 2018. The area of about 20 hectares is located in immediate proximity of the existing battery factory in Kamenz, about 50 kilometers from Dresden.

Li-ion 306

Li-ion Batteries Battery Mercedes 306

Green Car Reports

OCTOBER 28, 2016

At times, those of us who cover the auto industry fall prey to stereotypes of the German auto industry. It can seem to observers that the collective belief of BMW, Daimler, and VW Group is that nothing happens in the industry until it's been done by one of their three companies—preferably all three. A recent article on electric cars in the.

Auto Industry 159

Auto Industry BMW Auto Industrial 159

Green Cars News

OCTOBER 26, 2016

That’s right, Mercedes is really building a pick-up truck! The company revealed the X-Class concept in full, ahead of a production-ready variants hitt.

Mercedes 51

Mercedes Concept Building Production 51

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

A research team from Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and the University of Applied Sciences Bern, Laboratory for Exhaust Emission Control, reports that ethanol blending appeared to reduce genotoxic emissions from a flex-fuel Euro-5 gasoline direct injection (GDI) vehicle (a Volvo V60 with a 1.6 L engine) under transient and steady driving conditions.

Gasoline 283

Gasoline Emissions Exhaust Vehicles 283

Advertisement

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

Norway

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 22, 2016

Microturbine manufacturer Capstone Turbine Corporation announced that the US Department of Energy (DOE) will provide $335,000 in funding for one year to Argonne National Laboratory to conduct hydrogen and syngas testing on Capstone’s C65 and C200 microturbines. In October 2015, Capstone partnered with Argonne National Laboratory for participation in the DOE’s Technologist in Residence (TIR) program.

Hydrogen 267

Hydrogen Fuel 2015 Corporation 267

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

Qualcomm Incorporated will acquire NXP Semiconductors with an equity offer worth some $38 billion; including debt, the deal is worth roughly $47 billion. The boards of directors of both companies unanimously approved the definitive agreement. NXP is a leader in high-performance, mixed-signal semiconductor electronics, with innovative products and solutions and leadership positions in automotive, broad-based microcontrollers, secure identification, network processing and RF power.

Engine 237

Engine Connect Connected Financing 237

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

Hitachi Metals will invest approximately ¥18 billion (US$172 million) in innovative production lines for Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets and ferrite magnets at its Kumagaya Works in Japan with the aim of satisfying surging demand for automotive-related motors as well as various electric motors for hybrid and electric vehicles. The lines are scheduled to commence operation in FY2018.

Production 228

Production Downsizing Japan Motor 228

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 28, 2016

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) has launched a new program—Power Nitride Doping Innovation Offers Devices Enabling SWITCHES (PNDIODES) ( DE-FOA-0001691 )—to fund transformational advances and mechanistic understanding in the process of selective area doping in the III-Nitride wide band gap (WBG) semiconductor material system.

Power 224

Power Powered Solar 2005 224

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

Fine particulate matter air pollution (PM 2.5 ) may be associated with blood vessel damage and inflammation among young, healthy adults, according to new research in Circulation Research , an American Heart Association journal. Air pollution is known to contribute to cardiovascular disease and related deaths. In 2004, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement, updated in 2010, warning of the risk and recommending that people talk to their doctor about avoiding exposure to ai

Pollution 221

Pollution Louisville Utah 2004 221

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled two design variants of the Concept X-CLASS, previewing the coming X-Class pickup, in Stockholm. The introduction of the one-ton pickup with seating for up to 5 people will make Mercedes-Benz the first premium manufacturer to account for the changing customer requirements in the global segment of mid-size pickups. With the pickup, Mercedes-Benz Vans will also expand its product range with a fourth model series.

Mercedes 220

Mercedes South Africa 2017 Market 220

Advertisement

Brief

Connect

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

France-based Chronocam SA, a developer of biologically-inspired vision sensors and computer vision solutions for automotive, IoT and other applications requiring vision processing, raised $15 million in Series B financing. The funding comes from lead investor Intel Capital, along with iBionext, Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, 360 Capital, CEAi and Renault Group.

Auto 219

Auto France Asia Financing 219

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 22, 2016

A new analysis from Argonne National Laboratory, funded by the US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), shows the potential of an algae fractionation process to produce renewable diesel fuel with 63%–68% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional diesel. The study is published in the journal Algal Research. In some algal biofuel production methods, lipids are extracted from algae and converted to renewable diesel, while the non-lipid components of the algae are

Diesel 217

Diesel Renewable 2016 Convert 217

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

Tesla Motors reported Q3 GAAP net income of $22 million on total Q3 GAAP revenue of $2.30 billion, which was up 145% from Q3 2015. Total Q3 automotive revenue was $2.15 billion on a GAAP basis, up 152% from Q3 2015. The quarterly profit is the company’s first in more than three years. In Q3, combined net orders for new Model S and Model X. vehicles grew 68%, compared with the same period last year.

Tesla 216

Tesla 2015 Tesla Motors Price 216

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell sedan ( earlier post ), launching later this year, received an EPA driving range rating of 366 miles (589 km) and fuel economy rating of 68 mpg of gasoline-equivalent combined, giving it the best range rating of any electric vehicle without a combustion engine, including fuel cell and all-electric vehicles, in the United States.

Honda 216

Honda EPA Miles Fuel 216

Advertisement

Oil

Guyana

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

A team at Columbia University, with colleagues from Institute Recherche d’Hydro-Québec (IREQ), has developed a new pre-lithiation method to increase the energy density of lithium (Li-ion) batteries by utilizing a trilayer structure that is stable even in ambient air. This makes the battery both longer lasting and cheaper to manufacture. The work, which may improve the energy density of lithium batteries by 10-30%, is published in the ACS journal Nano Letters.

Li-ion 215

Li-ion Energy Polymer Batteries 215

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

A new report produced by the American Lung Association concludes that over-reliance on petroleum-based fuels for transportation costs the 10 ZEV states in the US (California and nine other states that have adopted the California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program) an estimated $37 billion in health expenses and climate costs every year—with California costs alone hitting $15 billion.

Climate 214

Climate Cost Of Rhode Island Transportation 214

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

Audi of America is piloting the new service “Audi shared fleet” at a technology incubator in Durham, North Carolina ahead of a national rollout of the corporate car-sharing service in 2017. The test fleet will be housed at American Underground, a 115,000 square-foot technology incubator created on the former American Tobacco Co. complex. Three fully accessorized, 2017 Audi A4 sedans will be available on demand and ready for use.

North Carolina 212

North Carolina Audi 2017 Fleet 212

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang told the WSJD Live conference that he envisions cars using artificial intelligence to customize the driving experience, so vehicles automatically adjust themselves to each individual’s preferences. Huang said that AI will become a co-pilot that can also effectively see around corners and warn drivers of risks ahead. As well as making cars safer by eliminating scope for human error, AI capabilities will enable cars to anticipate the needs of their drivers.

Cars 212

Cars Range Power Powered 212

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

V2X company Savari Inc. signed an agreement with SAIC USA, a fully owned subsidiary of Chinese automaker SAIC Motors, to manufacture and distribute the Savari V2X communications solutions in the Greater China and selected ASEAN countries. The companies are already working to fulfil a substantial order from two customers (Shanghai International Automobile City and Tongji University).

China 212

China Motor Motors Motoring 212

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global manufacturer of liquid and powder coatings, has developed a new one-component self-bonding electrical steel varnish called Voltatex 1175W-1K. Self-bonding characteristics have become increasingly important in the production of high-quality magnetic cores for stators and rotors. The new varnish offers longer shelf life and significantly improved handling with the same technical performance as standard two-component systems.

Motor 212

Motor Motors Motoring Wind 212

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 22, 2016

Total petroleum deliveries in September increased 1.0% from September 2015, but were down 2.6% from August to average 19.6 million barrels per day, according to figures from the American Petroleum Institute (API). These September deliveries were the highest deliveries for the month in nine years, since 2007. For the third quarter of 2016, total petroleum deliveries, a measure of US petroleum demand, decreased by 0.1% from the same period last year.

Gasoline 210

Gasoline Oil 2015 2016 210

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

Mercedes-Benz will build the first production model of the new electric EQ product brand ( earlier post ) in Bremen by the end of this decade. The production model will be based on the EQ show car—an 500-km (311-mile) range electric vehicle in the look of a sporty SUV Coupé—that was presented at the Mondial de l’Automobile 2016 in Paris in September.

Mercedes 209

Mercedes Electric Vehicles Building Vehicles 209

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

True Zero , which operates the world’s largest network of hydrogen charging stations, has powered two-million miles of zero-emission driving on California roads 60 days after reaching its first million miles. By comparison, it took nine months for the company to reach the first million miles, reflecting the ramp up of fuel cell cars in California. ( Earlier post.).

Miles 209

Miles California Hydrogen San Diego 209

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Recently appointed by The Volkswagen Group’s Sustainability Council, recently appointed and comprising nine members from several nations—including Margo Oge, former director of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Transportation Air Quality—set the agenda for its work at its inaugural meeting on Monday. The Council elected Georg Kell, Founding Director UN Global Compact, as its chair.

Available 209

Available Climate Belgium EPA 209

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

General Motors and IBM are partnering to bring the power of OnStar and IBM Watson together to create OnStar Go, the auto industry’s first cognitive mobility platform. Starting in early 2017, OnStar is expected to give millions of GM drivers the ability to connect and interact with their favorite brands. The platform will deliver personalized content through the dashboard and other digital channels supported by the OnStar Go ecosystem to make the most of time spent in the car.

GM 207

GM Connect Connected Personal 207

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2016

FuelCell Energy, Inc. is developing a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) system to convert excess electricity during periods of low power demand into hydrogen efficiently. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting this development with a $3.0 million cost-share contract to advance SOEC system design that will be added to the Advanced Technology backlog for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Convert 207

Convert Energy Storage Energy Hydrogen 207

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

Electric bus manufacturer Proterra and professional services firm JLL announced the first commercial agreement to provide commuter shuttle services via a fleet of 10 electric buses. The service will operate between Chicago’s commuter train stations and two of the city’s tallest buildings, the iconic Prudential Plaza and Aon Center, both of which are managed by JLL.

Chicago 204

Chicago Fully Electric Fleet Clean 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 27, 2016

MAHLE Engine Components has developed an innovative lead-free bearing system combining highly engineered polymeric coatings with robust lead-free bearing linings for heavy-duty truck engines. The new system delivers improved performance compared to existing bearing linings that include lead. Our new bearing system provides a great combination of proven cast-bronze bearing technology with a polymer overlay that features high load capabilities, as well as seizure and wear resistance.

Engine 204

Engine Polymer Diesel Iowa 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 26, 2016

Audi is realigning its motorsport strategy. The brand will terminate its FIA WEC commitment, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the end of the 2016 season. Instead, Audi is taking up a factory-backed commitment ( earlier post ) in the all-electric Formula E racing series. Speaking to 300 employees of the motorsport department on Wednesday morning, Chairman of the Board of Management Rupert Stadler put this strategic decision in the context of the current burdens on the brand, asserting that i

Audi 204

Audi 2016 2017 2001 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

On November 8, Washington will vote on the US’ first revenue-neutral carbon tax. If approved, Initiative 732 would establish a tax on carbon emissions at $15 per metric ton of emissions in July 2017; $25 in July 2018, and then 3.5% plus inflation each year until the tax reaches $100 per metric ton. The tax would be phased in more slowly for farmers and nonprofit transportation providers.

Washington 204

Washington Tax Carbon Tax Credit 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

The 2017 Audi A3 Sedan and Cabriolet models in the US are now available with Audi’s more efficient Millerized 2.0-liter TFSI engine ( earlier post ) and seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The A3 sedan with 2.0-liter engine replaces the 1.8-liter engine previously offered on A3 front-wheel drive models. This new 2.0-liter engine offers an increase of 16 hp and 21 lb-ft of torque compared to the previous generation A3 1.8T, along with EPA-estimated combined cycle fuel economy of 29 mpg

Fuel Economy 204

Fuel Economy Audi 2017 Economy 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 24, 2016

Morphic Technologies’ subsidiary, Cell Impact, signed a collaboration agreement with PVD surface coating company Impact Coatings AB concerning new types of surface treatment material for fuel cell flow plates. The arrangement will add coatings from Impact Coatings to the products on offer. Cell Impact’s main operation involves the cost-effective production of flow plates, one of the key components in a fuel cell system.

Fuel 204

Fuel Sweden Environment Universal 204

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked to a greater incidence of high blood pressure, according to the largest study to investigate the effects of both air pollution and traffic noise by following more than 41,000 people in five different countries for five to nine years. The study, published in the European Heart Journal , found that among adults up to one extra person per 100 people of the same age group living in the most polluted areas of cities would develop high blood pressure (hype

Pollution 203

Pollution Spain Sweden Denmark 203

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 28, 2016

Qualcomm Incorporated and Lumen Australia, a leading global supplier and integrator of electrical and electronic systems, entered into a Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) license agreement. Lumen will include Qualcomm Halo WEVC technology in its product portfolio and will commercialize WEVC systems for Plug in Hybrid (PHEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV) manufacturers, as well as wireless charging infrastructure companies.

Australia 200

Australia Charging Asia PHEV 200