Sat.Oct 01, 2011 - Fri.Oct 07, 2011

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Lux Research: smart grid, energy storage, and EV M&A hits $2.4B in 1H 2011; start-ups selling at bargain prices

Green Car Congress

Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in the smart grid, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) sectors during the first six months of 2011 already totaled twice those made during all of 2010, and many more cash-starved start-ups are due for the auction block, according to a new report from Lux Research. After reaching an all-time six-month high of $1.79 billion in H1 2010, venture funding for these start-ups had all but dried up in the subsequent twelve months.

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BREAKING: Tesla Making Faster 2012 Model S, 0-60 In Under 4.5 Seconds

Green Car Reports

We already know a lot about the all-electric 2012 Tesla Model S sedan -- but at a press event ahead of tonight’s exclusive VIP event at the former Toyota NUMMI facility in Fremont, California, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced Tesla was making a faster Model S for those with a sporty side. Cutting the brisk 0-60 time of the standard Model S from.

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AC Electric Motors for Conversions

Electric Cars are for Girls

There's a new breed of AC electric motors for cars, this time for lower voltage systems. Takes a curvy fiberglass Speedster replica, it really flies!

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GE and Nissan to work on integrating electric vehicles and smart grid

National Green Transportation

There are some among the powers-that-be who are salivating over the thought of vast parking lots full of electric vehicles, each plugged into the smart grid. Every so often this salivation bubbles up with articles glowing with.

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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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Alan Taub: GM pushing on split-cycle engine technology in the lab; looking for low-load efficiency and packaging

Green Car Congress

Noting that split-cycle engine technology “ really looks promising ”, GM Vice President of Global Research and Development Dr. Alan Taub said that the company is putting on a “ major thrust ” in its R&D laboratory to see if it can get split-cycle technology “ moving ” He made the remarks during the introductory plenary session today at the DOE’s 17 th Directions in Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference in Detroit.

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2012 Tesla Model S: First Ride Report

Green Car Reports

On Saturday, exactly one year after it took ownership of the former Toyota NUMMI facility in Fremont, California, Tesla Motors [NASDAQ:TSLA] held a series of test-drives aimed to show off the latest Model S Betas to the press and Model S reservation holders. We’ve already told you about some of the surprises CEO Elon Musk had in store for.

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More Trending

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Will your next Ford vehicle be made with coconut plastics?

National Green Transportation

Ford and the Scotts Miracle-Gro company announced today they are researching the use of coconut fibers to reinforce plastic parts. This follows a recent project between Ford and BASF to use Castor Oil based foams in the 2012.

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EMBARQ report points to need to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled per capita in the US to meet emission and oil consumption targets; sustainable VMT

Green Car Congress

Summary of Sustainable VMT per Capita in 2050, compared to 2010 levels, under the eight scenarios analyzed in the report. Data: EMBARQ. Click to enlarge. A report released earlier this summer by released by EMBARQ—the World Resources Institute’s Center for Sustainable Transport—found that the US must achieve significant improvements in vehicle technology and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita to meet targeted reductions in oil consumption and greenhouse gases.

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BMW Executives Detail More About 2014 i3 Electric Car

Green Car Reports

BMW might be working hard to encourage drivers to become electronauts in its Active E electric car trials due to start in the next few months, but the German automaker has already started to drip-feed details of its 2014 i3 electric car to the press. Just last month, BMW unveiled its latest concept i3 at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, confirming.

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Little Chef launches own electric car charging network

Green Cars News

A familiar site across the UK’s road network, Little Chef, the chain of restaurants, is to begin rolling out a network of electric car charging points across its outlets. Plans to install the charging points marks the biggest deployment of charging stations by any restaurant chain worldwide. Supported by energy company SSE and charging point [.].

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

Brief

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Six universities recognized as Bicycle Friendly by League of American Bicyclists

National Green Transportation

The League of American Bicyclists announced six Universities have been newly designated as Bicycle Friendly University's. The announcement was made at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) conference.

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EPA official: the future of the internal combustion engine is bright and clear

Green Car Congress

“ The future of the IC engine is bright and clear; I don’t think that could be any more obvious to all of us ,” said Byron Bunker, Director, Heavy Duty Engine Center, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, US Environmental Protection Agency during his remarks in a panel discussion on the role for internal combustion engines in the energy future at the US Department of Energy’s 2011 Directions in Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research Conference (DEER) in Detroit.

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Forget Spark Plugs: Plasma-Based Ignition Makes Engines More Efficient

Green Car Reports

As long as the internal combustion engine has existed, engineers have been trying to find better ways of igniting the highly combustable mixture of air and gasoline that powers cars. Everything from higher voltage coils through to electronically-timed ignition and making spark plug tips from metals like Iridium and platinum have helped spark plug.

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Carmakers get behind EV Ready charging standard

Green Cars News

Electric car giants, the Renault Nissan Alliance, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors have teamed up in support of the ‘EV Ready’ conformity scheme. Originally developed by Renault and Schneider Electric, EV Ready is designed to promote harmonisation of public recharging infrastructure; to make it possible for all makes of electric cars to use charging [.].

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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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Green Flight Challenge brings electric airplanes to NASA's Moffett Field

National Green Transportation

The dream of freeing airplanes from dependence on fossil fuel has been a long time coming. Advanced lithium battery systems have begun to make electric airplanes possible. The Green Flight Challenge is a new NASA competition to inspire.

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National Research Council report finds it unlikely the US will meet cellulosic biofuel mandates absent major innovation or a change in policies

Green Car Congress

In the absence of major technological innovations or policy changes, the United States is unlikely to meet cellulosic biofuel mandates under the current Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) by 2022, according to a new report from the National Research Council. Further, the report found, only in an economic environment characterized by high oil prices, technological breakthroughs, and a high implicit or actual carbon price would biofuels be cost-competitive with petroleum-based fuels.The report also su

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National Plug-In Car Day: Promoting Electric Cars, Educating Future Buyers

Green Car Reports

Next Sunday, October 16--nine days from today--cities around the U.S. will host special events to promote and educate the public and potential buyers about new zero-emission plug-in vehicles, and how they actually work in real-life daily driving. "National Plug-In Car Day," as it's called, is staged by the Sierra Club, which teamed up with Plug-In.

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Future of internal combustion engine is bright

Green Cars News

The era of electrification may be rapidly approaching, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), internal combustion engines have a bright future. Byron Bunker, the director of the Heavy Duty Engine Centre at the Office of Transportation and Air Quality for the EPA, commented that the future of the internal combustion engine is “bright [.].

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Green Flight Challenge brings electric airplanes to NASA's Moffett Field

National Green Transportation

The dream of freeing airplanes from dependence on fossil fuel has been a long time coming. Advanced lithium battery systems have begun to make electric airplanes possible. The Green Flight Challenge is a new NASA competition to inspire.

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Nissan to put New Mobility Concept EV on Yokohama streets from October

Green Car Congress

Integrity Exports. Nissan will begin trials of its New Mobility Concept EV on public roads starting in the area around Nissan’s HQ in Yokohama, Japan. The trial will also be extended to Aomori Prefecture (in the North) and Fukuoka Prefecture (in the South). Nissan New Mobility Concept. Click to enlarge. Nissan’s 2-seater, based on Renault’s Twizy, is 2.34 meters in length and 1.19 meters wide.

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Electric-Car Sales: Does GM Have A Chevy Volt Sales Problem?

Green Car Reports

It's that time of month again. Car sales reports spewed forth from the High Gear Media teletypes yesterday (September sales were up), and analysis stories followed. On the electric-car front, Nissan sold 1,031 Leaf battery-electric vehicles and Chevy shifted 723 Volts. While that's an improvement over last month's 302, it brings the Volt's 2011.

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Manufacturer Spotlight: Toyota

Green Cars News

Where we stand: October, 2011 It is arguably the most successful name in the field of green cars – Japanese carmaker Toyota is not only an innovator, but also an industry leader (see article). Toyota was one of the first and largest companies to commercially mass produce and sell hybrid cars with the Toyota Prius [.].

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Mazda RX-8 production to end summer 2012; company says rotary engine development will continue

Green Car Congress

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R, a special edition version of its four-door, four-seat rotary-engined sports car. Mazda will cease RX-8 production will end in June 2012 and SPIRIT R will be the final special edition model. The RX-8 SPIRIT R will go on sale from 24 November 2011 at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

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Graphene-supported nanocomposite shows high capacity and strong cycling as Li-ion anode

Green Car Congress

A team from Shanghai University (China) synthesized graphene nanosheet (GNS)-supported Fe 2 O 3 nanorice and nanoparticles for use as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. As reported in ACS’s Journal of Physical Chemistry C , the material exhibits a very large reversible capacity of 1,184 mAh/g at a small current of 100 mA/g as well as good cycling performances.

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Boeing awarded $3.1M Greener Skies contract from FAA

Green Car Congress

Boeing has received a $3.1-million research task order award for “Greener Skies Initiative 2” from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to maximize performance-based navigation (PBN) capabilities across the United States. The Boeing team will evaluate current precision navigation procedures and analyze new procedures to advance the use of flight deck and air traffic control capabilities in the national airspace system for an improved air traffic management system.

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Proterra to deliver 3 electric transit buses and charging station to StarMetro in Florida

Green Car Congress

Proterra has signed an agreement with StarMetro, the transit provider in Tallahassee, Fla., to deliver three new EcoRide zero-emission transit buses and a charging station. ( Earlier post.) The contract stems from a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant received by StarMetro to pursue fast-charge, electric transit buses and charging stations. Six other urban transit agencies received similar FTA grants.

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SunEdison developing home solar charging systems for Chevrolet Volt

Green Car Congress

SunEdison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., has joined the Pecan Street Inc. smart grid project. As part of its role, SunEdison will be leading development of the advanced home solar photovoltaic (PV) charging systems for the Chevrolet Volt. Pecan Street Inc. is creating a consumer-focused smart-grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas, built around home applications, and consumer electronics.

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Hybrids and EVs represented about 1% of new car market in France in September

Green Car Congress

Sales of hybrid vehicles in France rose 46% last month to account for 0.8% of the market. The Honda Jazz was the best selling model in this category (455 units), followed by the Toyota Auris (380 units) and Prius (139 units). Electric vehicles represented less than 0.2% of the market (300 sales in September), but the offer expanded with the arrival of the Fluence ZE (marketing begins next week, but Renault has 109 registered last month).

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Nissan introduces new 1.2 GPa ultra high tensile strength steel with high formability; reduction in body weight of up to 15 kg

Green Car Congress

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Nippon Steel Corporation and Kobe Steel, Ltd., has developed Ultra High Tensile Strength Steel rated at 1.2 gigapascals (GPa). From 2013, this new, highly formable steel will be produced as steel plates for use in cold pressing structural body parts. To be deployed globally in models across the Nissan lineup, it will reduce vehicle body weight by up to 15 kilograms (33 pounds).

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First Reserve puts 300M into Abengoa

Green Car Congress

First Reserve Corporation will invest €300 million (US$400 million) in Abengoa’s Class B shares in a deal that endorses the company’s plans and management. First Reserve will be a strategic partner that will also strengthen Abengoa’s financial capacity. First Reserve is a leading private investment firms in the energy sector, with more than 28 years of experience and more than $23 billion of raised capital and investments in more than 100 energy companies.

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Toyota to launch global cloud-platform-based next-generation telematics services in emerging markets

Green Car Congress

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) plans to launch next-generation telematics services in emerging markets around the world, starting with Thailand in March 2012. The services will use a global cloud platform, scheduled for rollout in 2012, under co-development by TMC and Microsoft Corporation. ( Earlier post.). The new platform will function as information infrastructure for next-generation telematics services designed for use in TMC-produced electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles scheduled

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IR introduces family of 600V automotive-qualified IGBTs optimized for electric and hybrid vehicle applications

Green Car Congress

International Rectifier (IR) introduced a family of automotive-qualified 600 V IGBTs optimized for variable speed motor control and power supply applications used in electric and hybrid vehicles. The new devices cover a broad current range and offer a short circuit rating of ? 5?s, low Vce(on) and positive Vce(on) temperature coefficient for various motor drive systems from electric air conditioning to main traction inverters requiring high power density from 24 to 160A.

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BAE Systems introduces HybriDrive series hybrid system for articulated buses

Green Car Congress

HybriDrive traction motor. Click to enlarge. BAE Systems launched its HybriDrive series propulsion system for articulated buses at the American Public Transportation Association Annual Meeting & Expo in New Orleans, La. The HDS 300 system—the latest member of BAE Systems’ HybriDrive family—will support higher capacity buses with gross vehicle weight ratings of up to 63,000 lbs (28,576 kg).

Hybrid 210
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Toyota Motor Corp exhibits biotechnology and greening technologies; new xylose-fermenting yeast for cellulosic ethanol

Green Car Congress

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) held an event at its Toyota Biotechnology and Afforestation Laboratory in Aichi prefecture to showcase technologies developed there as part of its biotechnology and afforestation businesses. Technology on display included a newly developed yeast that increases the production yield of cellulosic ethanol, new technologies for the greening of parking lots and walls, and a new “cool-spot creation technology” for simulating and analyzing the effects of green

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