Sat.Sep 14, 2013 - Fri.Sep 20, 2013

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Ford launches electric vehicle charging network for employees; hoping to increase number of all-electric trips

Green Car Congress

'Ford Motor Company is installing a new workplace plug-in vehicle charging network at nearly every Ford facility in the US and Canada. Ford will install charging stations at more than 50 company offices, product development campuses and manufacturing facilities. Installation will begin later this year and roll out throughout 2014. Ford employees will be able to charge the all-electric Focus Electric, as well as Ford’s two plug-in hybrids—the Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi—at the char

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Nissan Leaf Ad Crosses A Line: 'Not Why Electric; Why Gas?'

Green Car Reports

'The question isn''t, "Why electric?" It''s, "Why gas?" And with those eight words, Nissan marketers crossed a line that no other established carmaker has dared to cross. In a 20-second ad for the 2013 Nissan Leaf electric car now running on television--you may already have seen it--Nissan said it out loud, or at least hinted it: Electric cars are.

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Volkswagen named most sustainable carmaker

Green Cars News

'For the first time in its history, Volkswagen has been declared as the most sustainable carmaker in the world, as part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. As part of a 2013 review, the analysis looked at the environmental, economic and social sustainability performance of 31 automotive compani[.].

2013 84
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NIST awards $7.4M in grants for additive manufacturing research

Green Car Congress

'The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is awarding grants totaling $7.4 million to fund two research projects aimed at improving measurement and standards for the rapidly developing field of additive manufacturing (AM). Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a group of new technologies that build up objects, usually by laying down many thin layers on top of each other.

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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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EIA: E85 increasingly price-competitive with gasoline on energy content basis in parts of the Midwest; mileage per dollar

Green Car Congress

'The retail price of E85 motor fuel (a gasoline blend with up to 85% ethanol), has fallen in recent months, notes the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). While ethanol has been less expensive than regular gasoline on a per-gallon basis for several years, ethanol’s lower energy content often meant that consumers paid more per mile when using higher ethanol blends such as E85.

Gasoline 322
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Study finds HTL algal biofuels offer 50-70% lifecycle CO2 reduction compared to petroleum fuels; EROI and GHG comparable to or better than other biofuels

Green Car Congress

'The EROI ratio and GHG emissions/MJ of (a) algae-derived diesel and (b) algae-derived gasoline produced using HTL. The results are benchmarked against commercialized biodiesel or bioethanol as well as petroleum-derived versions of the drop-in fuels. Credit: Liu et al. Click to enlarge. A new life cycle analysis by a team led by researchers at the University of Virginia has concluded that biofuel produced from algae via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can reduce life cycle CO 2 emissions by 50 t

Fuel 299

More Trending

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New high energy, highly stable cathode for sodium-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

'Ragone plot for the new Na 1.5 VPO 4.8 F 0.7 cathode and other cathode materials for NIBs. Credit: ACS, Park et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers in South Korea have developed a novel high-energy cathode material, Na 1.5 VPO 4.8 F 0.7 , for sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries (NIBs). This new material provides an energy density of 600 Wh kg –1 , the highest value among Na-ion cathodes.

Sodium 292
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ClipperCreek introduces the smallest 240V plug-and-cord-connected EV charge station available

Green Car Congress

'ClipperCreek has announced the availability of the smallest cord and plug connected, 20A, Level 2 EV charging station on the market. Based on the LCS-25, this new product features a plug-in connection to make installation inexpensive and fast. With a standard 25-foot charge cable, there is no need to juggle cars to plug-in. LCS-25P. Click to enlarge.

Connect 290
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ORNL study finds aluminum-intensive vehicles can deliver up to 29% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to typical steel-bodied vehicle

Green Car Congress

'Lifecycle energy findings. Source: Sujit Das, ORNL. Click to enlarge. A lifecycle study of aluminum-intensive vehicles by Sujit Das at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) found that an aluminum-intensive vehicle can achieve up to a 32% reduction in total lifecycle energy consumption, and up to a 29% reduction in CO 2 emissions, compared to a typical vehicle on the road today which uses traditional and high-strength steel in the body construction.

Emissions 281
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BMW Group begins series production of the BMW i3 electric car in Leipzig

Green Car Congress

'The BMW Group has begun series production of the BMW i3 electric vehicle ( earlier post ) at its plant in Leipzig. The body structure of the BMW i3 consists entirely of lightweight and durable carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP); this is the first time the material has been used in automotive volume production. By industrializing the manufacturing process for CFRP, the BMW Group says it has become the first company worldwide to make its use in vehicle production economically viable. i3 body

BMW 268
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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California and China expand partnership on climate change

Green Car Congress

'California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and China’s top climate official, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua, signed an agreement on climate change—the first between the NDRC and a subnational entity. The NDRC oversees China’s efforts to address climate change and much of the government’s economic strategy.

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US and Russia sign agreement to further research and development collaboration in nuclear energy and security

Green Car Congress

'US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and Director General of the Russian Federation State Corporation “Rosatom” Sergey Kirienko signed an agreement between the governments of their two countries on cooperation in nuclear- and energy-related scientific research and development. The signing took place on the margins of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Russia 252
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New route for upgrading bio-oil to biogasoline via molecular distillation and catalytic cracking

Green Car Congress

'Bio-oil-graded upgrading route based on molecular distillation and catalytic cracking. Credit: ACS, Wang et al. Click to enlarge. A team at Zhejiang University, China, has developed a novel cracking technology for the upgrading of bio-oil, produced by the fast pyrolysis of biomass, to biogasoline. In a paper published in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels , they report that the co-cracking of the distilled fraction (DF) from bio-oil molecular distillation and ethanol produced a well-defined gasolin

Oil 247
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New hybrid plasma-catalyst aftertreatment system feasible for low-temperature combustion engines

Green Car Congress

'Schematic diagram of the plasma?catalyst reactor. Credit: ACS, Kang et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed a new hybrid reactor for automotive exhaust aftertreatment that combines plasma and a honeycomb-structured monolith catalyst resulting in an enhanced synergistic effect of low-temperature catalytic activity.

Engine 247
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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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Geely/Volvo joint R&D center begins operations; common modular architecture for next-gen C-segment cars

Green Car Congress

'The joint R&D Center of Geely Auto and Volvo Cars in Gothenburg, announced earlier this year ( earlier post ), has begun operations. The Center is embarking on a focused program to develop a modular architecture and components for the next-generation C-segment cars for both Geely Auto and Volvo Cars. In parallel, Volvo Cars’ is continuing the the development of its architecture for larger segments (SPA) within its own R&D organization.

Volvo 240
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USC researchers find car ventilation setting critical to in-cabin exposure to particulate pollutants; new model for aiding exposure assessments

Green Car Congress

'In-vehicle-to-outside (I/O) ratios for four pollutants under different ventilation settings. Credit: ACS, Hudda and Fruin (2013). Click to enlarge. Researchers at USC have found that using recirculation rather than outside air ventilation in a car can effectively reduce in-cabin exposure to on-road particle pollution. In a study published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology , they also report that in addition to the benefits of recirculation settings, exposures are lower in ne

Pollution 240
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Second hybrid in the Lexus GS lineup to be launched at the end of 2013

Green Car Congress

'At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus introduced the fourth model—and the second hybrid—in the GS range, the GS 300h hybrid, which will be launched at the end of 2013. The fourth generation Lexus GS first went on sale in Europe in 2012 as a three model range comprising the GS 250, GS 350 AWD and the high-performance flagship, the full hybrid GS 450h.

GS 450h 240
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US indicts 7 individuals and 3 companies in alleged $100M biodiesel RINs fraud in Indiana

Green Car Congress

'US Attorney Joseph H. Hogsett, along with Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, announced the return of two indictments against six individuals and three companies for offenses involving federal renewable fuel programs, allegedly creating losses to victims totaling more than $100 million.

Indiana 239
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UMTRI survey explores receptivity of drivers to on-board carbon capture technology

Green Car Congress

'Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) recently conducted an online survey of driver option to determine how receptive drivers would be to adopting—and how much they might pay for—in-vehicle technology that reduce carbon emissions. The driver survey is the team’s second study on this topic; the first, published in 2012, provided a general review of the area, with a primary focus on post-combustion technologies for light vehicles: absorpti

Carbon 239
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EPA proposes CO2 emission standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants

Green Car Congress

'The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed Clean Air Act standards to reduce CO 2 emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants (electric utility generating units, EGUs). For purposes of this rule, fossil fuel-fired EGUs include utility boilers, IGCC units and certain natural gas-fired stationary combustion turbine EGUs that generate electricity for sale and are larger than 25 megawatts (MW).

EPA 236
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Ford builds 2-millionth EcoBoost engine, with take rates growing globally; expected to exceed Ford’s global diesel production

Green Car Congress

'Ford Motor Company reported that it has built its two-millionth EcoBoost engine since the launch of the line in 2009. With customer demand exceeding its initial projections, Ford now expects EcoBoost production to exceed its global diesel engine production. More than 100,000 EcoBoost engines are now produced every month, with a target of 1.2 million for 2013, up more than 60% from 2012.

Global 230
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GM nearly triples size of Global Battery Systems Lab in Michigan

Green Car Congress

'General Motors has nearly tripled the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory. The latest addition of 50,000 square feet brings the total square footage of the lab to 85,000. The expansion enabled increasing the number of pack-level test channels from 64 to 112 and cell-level test channels from 96 to 120. In the past four years, the competitive landscape in the electrification space has grown exponentially.

Michigan 230
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KiOR produced 172K gallons of cellulosic gasoline and diesel in July and August; 357,532 gallons so far this year

Green Car Congress

'Cellulosic gasoline and diesel company KiOR reported that in July and August, its Columbus, Mississippi facility produced 172,398 gallons of fuel, bringing the 2013 production total from the facility to 357,532 gallons through 31 August. In the US EPA’s RFS targets for 2013, KiOR is projected to provide the bulk of the cellulosic fuels (see below).

Columbus 225
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Ricardo and Clean Air Power to partner on dual-fuel engines

Green Car Congress

'Ricardo and dual-fuel engine specialist Clean Air Power (CAP) entered into an agreement for the development of the dual-fuel engine business. This agreement will combine Ricardo’s system integration expertise with CAP’s dual-fuel technology of compression ignited diesel engines that use natural gas with diesel pilot ignition. CAP’s dual-fuel system enables heavy duty vehicles to operate primarily on natural gas, with diesel fuel acting as a “liquid spark plug”.

Clean 225
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ECOtality files for Chapter 11; seeking approval to sell all assets

Green Car Congress

'EV charging solutions company ECOtality, Inc. and its US subsidiaries yesterday filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona, according to the company’s latest 8K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ECOtality and its subsidiaries intend to seek approval of the Bankruptcy Court of an auction and sale of substantially all of their assets under section 363 of the Bankru

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New DARPA XS-1 program to develop reusable unmanned hypersonic spaceplane

Green Car Congress

'The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has established a new program, the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program, to develop a fully reusable hypersonic unmanned vehicle that would provide aircraft-like access to space. The new program seeks to lower satellite launch costs by developing a vehicle with costs, operation and reliability similar to traditional aircraft.

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MHI achieves 4,000-hour continuous operation of pressurized SOFC-MGT hybrid power system; joint development with Toyota

Green Car Congress

'Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has achieved 4,000 hours of uninterrupted operation—a first—of a 200 kW-class pressurized hybrid (combined-cycle) power generation system incorporating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and a micro gas turbine (MGT). MHI has been conducting joint development of the hybrid system with Toyota Motor Corporation since 2008.

Toyota 218
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MIT team discovers new family of materials with best performance yet for oxygen evolution reaction; implications for fuel cells and Li-air batteries

Green Car Congress

'A diagram of the molecular structure of double perovskite shows how atoms of barium (green) and a lanthanide (purple) are arranged within a crystalline structure of cobalt (pink) and oxygen (red). Grimaud et al. Click to enlarge. MIT researchers have found a new family of highly active catalyst materials that provides the best performance yet in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in electrochemical water-splitting—a key requirement for energy storage and delivery systems such as advanced

MIT 218
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UT Austin team and partners report on extensive measurements of methane emissions during natural gas production

Green Car Congress

'Estimated inventories of methane emissions from the natural gas production sector, excluding processing and transmission. The findings of the new study are represented in the yellow bar at right, and are similar overall to EPA’s latest inventory. The relative contributions of different production components differ, however. Source: UT Austin. Click to enlarge.

Austin 218
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Correction: Johnson Controls 48V Micro Hybrid battery fuel consumption benefit

Green Car Congress

'In the 11 September story on Johnson Control’s 48V Micro Hybrid Battery, we incorrectly published the fuel economy benefit as up to “1%”; rather, it is up to 15%. Our apologies for the un-spotted typo.

Hybrid 218
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BIT and Argonne researchers develop new 3D sandwich material for Li-S cathodes showing high capacity and cycling stability

Green Car Congress

'( Left ) Cycling performance and ( Right ) rate capabilities of MWCNT@S, GS@S, and GS-MWCNT@S composite cathodes. Credit: ACS, Chen et al. Click to enlarge. A team from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and the US Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new cathode material for Lithium-sulfur batteries: a multi-walled carbon nanotube/sulfur (MWCNT@S) composite with core–shell structure embedded into the interlay galleries of graphene sheets (GS).

Li-ion 218
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Cadillac Twin-Turbo V-6 equipped with sensors to monitor air pressure, humidity and temperature to maximize efficiency

Green Car Congress

'Cadillac’s new Twin-Turbo V-6 engine, available on the 2014 CTS Vsport midsize luxury sedan and XTS Vsport full-size luxury sedan in the US this fall, is equipped with a set of sensors that monitor air pressure, intake humidity and throttle intake temperature. The sensors continuously send data to the engine’s wastegate and compressor bypass control system to make the most of engine efficiency.

Las Vegas 210
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Petrobras will invest US$1.8B in information technology and security in 2013, $9.7B between 2013-2017; concerns over spying

Green Car Congress

'Brazilian oil and gas major Petrobras will invest R$4 billion (US$1.8 billion) in 2013 and R$21.2 billion (US$9.7 billion) between 2013-2017 in Information Technology and Telecommunications, according to Petrobras president Maria das Graças Silva Foster in testimony at a public hearing at Brazil’s Senate. For the president, the huge investment demonstrates the importance Petrobras attaches to protecting its strategic information.

2013 210
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EcoDual introduces version 2 of MAX/SR dual fuel system for Class 8 trucks

Green Car Congress

'EcoDual, Inc., a provider of dual fuel systems for Class 8 trucks, introduced version 2.0 of its flagship platform, the MAX/SR Dual Fuel System, as well as a new two-year unlimited mileage warranty. EcoDual dual fuel systems enable existing heavy duty diesel trucks to operate on a combination of diesel and natural gas. In dual fuel operation, the trucks maintain full torque and power with no loss of fuel economy, according to the company.

Fuel 210