2014

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Toyota Central R&D developing free-piston engine linear generator; envisioning multi-FPEG units for electric drive vehicles

Green Car Congress

'Toyota’s FPEG features a hollow step-shaped piston, combustion chamber and gas spring chamber. Click to enlarge. A team at Toyota Central R&D Labs Inc. is developing a prototype 10 kW Free Piston Engine Linear Generator (FPEG) featuring a thin and compact build, high efficiency and high fuel flexibility. Toyota envisions that a pair of such units (20 kW) would enable B/C-segment electric drive vehicles to cruise at 120 km/h (75 mph).

Toyota 419
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2014 Tesla Model S P85D: First Drive Of All-Electric AWD Performance Sedan

Green Car Reports

'As a long-time Tesla Model S owner—almost two years now—I was naturally eager to get behind the wheel of the new dual-motor P85D. I’d had a couple of brief stints in 416-hp P85 loaners while my standard S85 was in for service. Those had been exhilarating enough, almost scary. What would it be like to drive a Model S with 691 hp.

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Tesla Battery-Swap Pilot Program To Launch Next Week In California

Green Car Reports

'Tesla Motors will shortly announce that it is launching a pilot program next week to test the long-promised battery-pack swapping technology for its Model S electric sedan. The swapping site will be located at a facility across the street from the Tesla Supercharger site in Harris Ranch, California--184 miles south of San Francisco and about 200.

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Gas Cars Parked In One Electric-Car Spot Earn Raleigh $27,000 A Year

Green Car Reports

'The problem of gasoline cars parking in spaces reserved for plug-in electric cars to recharge at is nothing new. It''s known as "ICE-ing," referring to cars with internal combustion engines parking where they shouldn''t. But the problem has proved to be lucrative for Raleigh, North Carolina. DON''T MISS: Been ICEd? Gas Cars Parking In Electric-Car.

Raleigh 167
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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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New Study Doesn't Say 'Electric Cars Aren't Green' (Headlines To The Contrary)

Green Car Reports

'Brace yourself, electric-car fans and advocates. It may be a bumpy ride for the next few days. Yesterday afternoon, the Associated Press covered a new study put out by the University of Minnesota that calculates the environmental impact of manufacturing and refueling vehicles with various powerplants. DON''T MISS: EPA''s Coal-Plant Emissions Rules.

Minnesota 167
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Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche Electric Cars To Target Tesla Model S (Plug-In Hybrids Too)

Green Car Reports

'This was the year when it became obvious that upstart electric-car maker Tesla Motors has startled and worried all of the German luxury-car companies. And now that they''re taking the Tesla Model S electric luxury sedan seriously--as well as the expected arrival next year of the much-delayed Model X crossover utility vehicle--Audi, BMW.

Audi 167

More Trending

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The Coming Solar Power Boom: Charts Tell The Story, Grid Parity In 2 Years

Green Car Reports

'Home solar power has been around for a long time, but its relatively high costs have made it unattractive for many homeowners. Over the last decade, rapidly decreasing prices for photovoltaic cells are driving down the cost of solar power, potentially to where it achieves "grid parity"-- a point where getting electricity from solar panels costs.

Grid 168
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Tesla Model S Vs BMW i3: Electric-Car Efficiency Comparison Test

Green Car Reports

'The EPA has dubbed the all-electric 2014 BMW i3 the most efficient production car sold in the U.S., with an impressive 125 MPGe rating--the best of any electric vehicle. By comparison, my 2013 Tesla Model S with an 85-kilowatt-hour battery is rated at only 89 MPGe. That''s a hefty 39-percent efficiency advantage for the i3, at least on paper. DON''T.

BMW 167
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Where Can Tesla Legally Sell Cars Directly To You? State-By-State Map

Green Car Reports

'Every month, and often more frequently, a new story appears about the state-by-state battle between Tesla Motors and auto-dealer lobbyists. In some states, Tesla is permitted to sell its electric cars online, deliver them to customers, and open as many Tesla Store showrooms as it wants. DON''T MISS: Michigan Gov Snyder Signs Anti-Tesla Bill Called.

Legal 167
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Electric Motorcycle Gangs: You'll Never Hear Them Coming

Green Car Reports

'Bikers are pack animals by nature. They like to ride in groups and enjoy the open road with a few friends. Biker gangs are well known to ride together wearing the same leathers. Group rides for charity are common in the summer and fall riding seasons. Clubs form around brand names and styles of bikes alike. Are there now groups of electric.

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

Brief

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Indiana Utility: Electric-Car Owners Recharge FREE, At Night

Green Car Reports

'Electric-car owners know that home recharging is virtually always cheaper, on a per-mile basis, than driving on gasoline. In some cases, it''s considerably cheaper. We recently reported on the sweet deal enjoyed by a Tesla Model S owner in Indianapolis, whose local utility charges just 2.3 cents per kWh for overnight EV charging. DON''T MISS: Life.

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How Oil Companies Fight CA's Clean Energy: Playbook Leaked Accidentally

Green Car Reports

'When it comes to curtailing carbon emissions, California leads the way. Its policies promoting clean energy and zero-emission vehicles are the most comprehensive of any state, and have strong public support. Of course, there''s one group that''s not very happy about these developments: the oil industry. A leaked Powerpoint deck now circulating among.

Clean 167
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BMW To Phase Out Combustion Engines When? 10 Years, Analyst Claims

Green Car Reports

'It''s a vision that seems like something from a future century: a carmaker preparing to phase out combustion engines altogether. The notion that an entire brand could walk away from the hydrocarbon-fueled engines that power more than 1 billion vehicles on our roads--and have done since 1885--is inconceivable. And yet that''s what one industry.

Engine 167
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Imagine Electric-Car Charging Stations Every 25 Miles; France Will Have Them

Green Car Reports

'How abundant would electric-car charging stations have to be in order to dispel range anxiety entirely? A network of roads with charging stations every 25 miles would seem adequate, wouldn''t it? That could soon be the case in France, thanks to a massive network expansion by Bollore--the company behind the Autolib electric-car sharing.

France 167
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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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The Netherlands: Well-Suited To Electric Cars, And Eager To Have More

Green Car Reports

'When it comes to electric-car adoption, a supportive government willing to offer significant incentives is often one of the most effective ways to get these cars in driveways. The Netherlands appears to be joining the cadre of electric-car-friendly countries, with a goal of having 200,000 plug-in electric cars on its roads by 2020, and has.

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How Audi, BMW & Mercedes Plan To Compete With Tesla--And Why

Green Car Reports

'We already know that in the next few years, we''ll see a slew of mid-size SUVs offered with plug-in hybrid powertrains--most from luxury brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Range Rover. But the German luxury marques are making plans to compete more directly with Tesla Motors and its Model S all-electric long-range luxury sedan. All have.

Audi 167
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Michigan Gov Snyder Signs Anti-Tesla Bill Called 'Corrupt Politics At Its Worst'

Green Car Reports

'As expected, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder yesterday signed a bill that bans Tesla Motors from selling its electric cars directly to buyers online in the state. The bill removes one word--"its"--from existing state franchise law, which had originally been enacted to prevent franchised dealers from competition by the automakers whose cars they.

Michigan 167
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Volkswagen: Plug-In Hybrids A 'Bridge' To Pure Electric Cars In Future

Green Car Reports

'It''s often said that plug-in hybrids are the "gateway drug" to pure battery-electric vehicles, exposing drivers to the electric-car experience without looming range anxiety. Now it appears that a member of the powerful board of global automaker Volkswagen Group agrees. DON''T MISS: 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf: Drive Report, First U.S. Sale Details In an.

Plug-in 167
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Tesla, BMW Chat Over Possible Partnership, Elon Musk Says

Green Car Reports

'BMW and Tesla Motors are both committed to offering mass-market luxury electric cars, which would seem to make them natural rivals. Yet there''s also the possibility that they could become allies. RELATED: Tesla And BMW: Natural Competitors In Electric Cars, One Day In an interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel published on Sunday (via.

BMW 167
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How To Quit Smoking: Buy An Electric Car?

Green Car Reports

'Electric cars are good for the environment, but could they also benefit the health of the people who drive them? There''s now a small amount of anecdotal evidence that buying an electric car may help you quit smoking. CHECK OUT: Raw Diesel Fumes Worse Than Second-Hand Smoke, Says W.H.O. It comes from a newsletter issued by advocacy group Plug-In.

Buy 167
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Nissan Leaf-To-Home Electric-Car Power Tests: More Practical For U.S. With Longer-Range Cars?

Green Car Reports

'Nissan and other makers are beginning to view electric cars not as just as transportation, but as mobile energy-storage units that can provide emergency power and take stress off electrical grids. This month the carmaker will begin testing its Leaf-To-Home energy station in Japan, testing the ability of electric cars to provide temporary.

Nissan 167
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First Tesla Model S Convertible Built By Newport Engineering (Video)

Green Car Reports

'Electric-car buyers who want to feel the wind in their hair don''t have many choices. Aside from the 2014 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive--and the now-discontinued Tesla Roadster--electric convertibles haven''t been a segment in which carmakers have expressed much interest. However, a California firm has decided this could be a niche worth filling. ALSO.

Convert 167
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Which Electric-Car Makers Are Serious? U.S. Sales Show Top Three

Green Car Reports

'Two years ago, we pointed out that several electric cars now on sale were purely "compliance cars," built in minimal numbers purely to comply with California rules that require sales of zero-emission vehicles. But almost four years after the first Nissan Leaf went on sale in December 2010, it''s become pretty clear which carmakers are serious about.

Sale 167
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2016 Toyota Mirai Fuel-Cell Car Will Alter Industry As Prius Did, Says Exec

Green Car Reports

'When it launched in the U.S. in 2000, the first-generation Toyota Prius hybrid was met with more than a little skepticism by the automotive establishment and the buying public. As with any new application of technology, it was unclear whether the Prius--and hybrid cars in general--would have a lasting impact or simply fizzle out. MORE: How Much.

Prius 167
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Tesla Roadster 3.0: 70-kWh Battery, Aero Kit, New Tires, For 400-Mile Range

Green Car Reports

'Tesla Motors announced today that it has prototyped a "Roadster 3.0" package, which Roadster owners will be able to purchase in the future to update the battery pack, aerodynamics, and tires of their 2008-2012 Tesla Roadster electric sports cars. Taken together, the updates are expected to boost the Roadster''s rated range 40 to 50 percent, from.

Kits 167
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Self-Contained Solar Carport With Battery: Electric-Car Charging For The Future?

Green Car Reports

'Some home owners use home solar-power systems to charge their cars, cutting their transportation-related emissions to negligible levels. However, home solar charging really hasn''t entered the mainstream yet, with photovoltaic solar installations costing as much as $25,000 and local incentives inconsistent to nonexistent. DON''T MISS: In 10 Years.

Solar 167
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Can New Titanium-Dioxide Battery Last 20 Years, Recharge In 5 Minutes?

Green Car Reports

'Lithium-ion batteries help make modern electric cars possible, but they''re also responsible for those vehicles'' limitations. That''s why so much attention is given to improving lithium-ion chemistry, which can help electric cars overcome current limits of range, charging times, and battery lifespan. ALSO SEE: Nissan Leaf New Battery Cost: $5,500.

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New Guinness World Record: 507 Electric Cars In One Place

Green Car Reports

'Start those patriotic cheers, because the U.S. can now claim the record for most electric cars in one place. A judge from the Guinness Book of World Records certified on Saturday that 507 electric cars were gathered at an event in Cupertino, California, beating the total set at an event in Germany earlier this year. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Drive.

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CA To Require New Buildings To Be Wired For Electric-Car Charging Stations

Green Car Reports

'With extensive electrical infrastructure already in place in built-up areas, plug-in electric cars are never too far from a potential recharging source. But retrofitting existing structures with the necessary wiring to install 240-Volt Level 2 charging stations can be complicated. Now, California has ensured that new buildings at least will have.

Building 167
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Tesla Taxis In Holland Follow Norway In All-Electric Green Cabs

Green Car Reports

'The Tesla Model S electric car has garnered plenty of praise from individual owners, but a handful of operators are finding that it works pretty well as a taxi, too. Model S taxis are already operating Norway--where generous electric-car incentives make the Tesla one of the country''s best-selling vehicles--and now Holland is following Norway''s.

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Tesla's Battery Gigafactory Will Achieve Nirvana: $100 Per Kilowatt-Hour, Report Says

Green Car Reports

'Many within the electric car industry believe that $100 per kilowatt-hour will be the tipping point for electric-car batteries. It is the point at which electric vehicles will be able to compete directly with internal combustion vehicles on price, and therefore a major step in boosting sales. According to investment pundits at The Motley Fool (via.

Batteries 167
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Iowa Dealers Shut Down Tesla Test Drives As Rep Humiliates Them

Green Car Reports

'Sometimes you almost have to feel sorry for car dealers--or, more specifically, their ineptness at the public-relations end of their fight against electric-car maker Tesla Motors and its direct Internet sales to car buyers. Consider Bruce Anderson, president of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association--which successfully shut down the last of three.

Iowa 167
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2015 Tesla Model X Electric SUV To 'Devour' Premium Segment: Report

Green Car Reports

'The 2015 Tesla Model X electric crossover is already attracting enthusiasm from, among others, the analysts at Morgan Stanley. Apparently, the Model X won''t just match the premium-crossover competition, it will "devour" it. The Model X won''t launch until mid-2015--and no one outside Tesla has yet driven it--but Morgan Stanley is confident the.

2015 167
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What's The Best Electric Car To Buy For The Average Consumer?

Green Car Reports

'Automotive journalists often use each other as information sources, or to get reality checks on new material. Recently, a colleague asked, "If auto journalists had the choice of only driving electric, which production electric car would you purchase--and why?" Which seemed like an excellent topic for an article on choosing battery-electric cars.