Monday, July 30, 2007

Best UK CO2 car rankings go live

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Starting right about now, the UK's Department for Transport's 'Best on CO2' car rankings are on the air (if you're familiar with Weird Al's UHF, imagine this announcement being made by Stanley Spadowski). Actually, they're just on the 'net, but I still like that movie. Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick launched the new site today, in conjunction with What Car? magazine.

The Best on CO2 site makes buying a low-CO2 emitting vehicle easier by asking shoppers what kind of vehicle (category, transmission and fuel type) they're interested in, and then spits out a list of models with the lowest CO2 emissions. Pretty slick idea. The database uses emissions information from the DfT's Vehicle Certification Agency and the categories - supermini, small family, family, estate, MPV, compact executive, executive, coupe, open-top, hot hatch, compact 4x4, large 4x4, luxury, performance car - were developed by What Car? Perhaps soon Britain's wealthy will want to check the site out.

Related:
[Source: Department for Transport]

 

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New BMW four-cylinder diesel engine for Australian market

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Mated to the small SUV X3, the top-seller engine of the brand in Europe goes to Australia although Ozzies could buy the engine already installed in the 120d. The 4-cylinder is now made from aluminium, saving 20 kg (45 pounds) on the scale and getting 10 percent better fuel mileage and it's claimed to work as smooth as a 6-cylinder by means of two balance shafts

The 2-liter engine is good for 125 KW (165 HP) and 340 Nm of torque (250 lb. ft.). Fuel consumption (European mixed cycle) is 7.0 l/ 100 km (33 MPG) and emissions, 185 g CO2/km. These are respectful figures for such a relatively hefty car, which comes with 4-wheel drive (called x-Drive at BMW) as standard.

Prices start at 62,900 AUD.

Full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]
NEW ALL-ALUMINIUM FOUR-CYLINDER DIESEL PERFORMANCE FOR BMW X3
07/30/2007

A newly developed four-cylinder diesel engine, featuring third-generation common-rail fuel injection, will expand the successful BMW X3 model range in November.
Widely lauded for its superior agility and driving dynamics, the BMW X3 now also offers top marks in its segment for fuel efficiency.

The new BMW X3 2.0d, which is being offered for the first time in Australia, is the second BMW model, following the recently updated 120d, to benefit from the new all-aluminium four-cylinder diesel.

Developing maximum output of 125 kW and maximum torque of 340 Nm, the new BMW X3 2.0d offers a significant increase in power and pulling force compared to the previous engine.

Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is a very modest 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

The new X3 2.0d is exclusively equipped with a particularly dynamic six-speed automatic transmission.

"The new BMW X3 2.0d offers by far the best balance of driving pleasure and fuel economy in its segment, once again setting the benchmark against the competition," said BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Mr Guenther Seemann.

"The arrival of the new BMW X3 2.0d expands our diesel offering to six models and will consolidate BMW's position in Australia as the leading luxury supplier of sporty, dynamic, yet frugal diesel engines," said Mr Seemann.

Thanks to the latest innovations based on BMW EfficientDynamics and the outstanding competence of BMW in the development and production of power units, the new four-cylinder diesel is now able to offer the same standard of dynamic performance in a larger vehicle only a six-cylinder - at best - was able to provide in the past, while at the same time retaining all the advantages of a four-cylinder in terms of fuel efficiency.

Similarly, BMW's current six-cylinders rank right at the top in their segment in terms of both fuel consumption and emissions, even though they provide all the power and performance of an eight-cylinder.

The BMW X3 is fitted as standard with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive technology and with the arrival of the new four-cylinder diesel will be available with two ultra-modern petrol and diesel engines.

The absolute pinnacle in terms of efficiency is the new BMW X3 2.0d, its all-aluminium four-cylinder diesel featuring third-generation common-rail fuel injection, with fuel being dosed by piezo-injectors and injected into the combustion chambers with absolute precision under a pressure of 1,800 bar.

Compared with the former engine, which was not available with the X3 in Australia, the new four-cylinder diesel offers a 20kg weight saving, an increase in power of 10 kW and a reduction in fuel consumption by 10 per cent.

The new BMW X3 2.0d establishes a new benchmark not only in fuel economy, but also in CO2 emissions, with 185 grams per kilometre setting a new standard in this segment.

The refinement of the entry-level model leading into the BMW X3 family has also been improved. To reach this objective, the balance shafts for the four-cylinder diesel take the specific layout and the space available in an all-wheel-drive vehicle into account, the two balance shafts running in needle bearings against the engine's direction of rotation being fully integrated at the side in the crankcase. This position makes the integration of balance shafts possible also on the BMW X3 equipped with xDrive.

Thanks to its unusually agile driving characteristics, the BMW X3 was an outstanding performer in its segment right from the start - and now the superior dynamics offered by the car is being joined by exemplary efficiency as the best prerequisite for continuing a remarkable story of success.

Sales of the BMW X3 in Australia have risen seven per cent in 2007 with 552 units delivered to the end of June.

BMW's premium SAV is the world's best-selling vehicle in its class, with production of approximately 114,000 units in 2006.

In Germany the BMW X3 accounted for a market share of 10.3 per cent in the offroader segment in the overall statistics for 2006, with numerous prizes and awards likewise confirming the great popularity and success of the BMW X3.

Only recently, for example, BMW's premium SAV was lauded as the "Offroader of the Year" in the readers' choice of "OffRoad", a specialist motoring journal. And readers of "Auto Bild Alles Allrad" also awarded the BMW X3 in both 2006 and 2007 "All-Wheel-Drive Car of the Year".

Standard specification for the new BMW X3 2.0d matches the high levels of the 2.5si petrol model and includes: Parking Distance Control (PDC) front and rear; Dynamic Stability Control DSC including ABS, ASC-X, DBC, CBC, DTC, increased braking readiness, fading compensation, dry bake function, Hill Descent Control; airbag for driver and front passenger with seat occupant detector; head airbags for front and rear; side airbags for front and rear; emergency spare wheel; toolkit with warning triangle; fog lights; Brake Force Displace with brake intensity geared to brake force (two stage); rain sensor with automatic headlight activation; roof rails; 17-inch light alloy wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres; leather upholstery; automatic climate control; ski bag; multifunction leather steering wheel; cruise control; AUX connection; preparation for mobile phone with Bluetooth interface; and, diesel particulate filter.

The range of paintwork options for the BMW X3 is also being enlarged with two attractive new BMW Individual colours Moonstone Metallic and Ruby Black Metallic.

Like the rest of the BMW X3 family, the new four-cylinder diesel is also available with the optional BMW M Sport Package featuring M Aerodynamics package, M leather sports steering wheel, 18-inch M light allow wheels, sport suspension, sports seats, Anthracite roof lining, high gloss shadowline and M door sills.

The recommended retail price for the new BMW X3 2.0d Automatic is $62,900.

 

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Shamed! UK luxury car buyers opting for higher-CO2 models in 2007

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If you're in the mood to lash out at the rich, here's some argument ammunition, thanks to Clean Green Cars: CGC data shows that for the first half of 2007 luxury car buyers are buying higher CO2 vehicles when compared to the first half of 2006. CGC publisher Jay Nagley breaks it down why part of the problem lies with the British government's definitions of CO2 road-tax bands. As I'm woefully under-informed about UK road tax bands, I'll let CGC's press release clue us in:

The recent increase in Band G road tax (technically known as Vehicle Excise Duty or VED), has led to buyers trading down from models just over the threshold. That would be very good news - except the threshold is in the wrong place. Virtually all cars currently on sale (99.8%) emit somewhere between 100 g/km and 450 g/km CO2 - yet the top band is set at just 225 g/km. Therefore someone wanting a large off-roader is going to pay the same tax on a Land Rover Discovery TDV6 (244 g/km) as a Range Rover Supercharged (376 g/km). With no incentive to downsize, luxury car buyers are actually buying higher polluting cars in the first half of 2007 than they did in the equivalent period of 2006.

Nagley is suggesting a new Band H set at around 275 g/km to give luxury car buyers a reason to take CO2 emissions into account when they're shopping. As Nagley concludes, "luxury car buyers decide they may as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb." A financial incentive to opt for a car somewhat lower on the CO2 scale is good news even for the wealthy.

Read the full report here.

[Source: Clean Green Cars]

 

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Time for Another ABG Economics Lesson

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Dear ABG Readers: I have seen your comments and know some have nearly had their fill of posts about economics. I was going to lay off for a while BUT this (subs req'd) Paul Krugman NYTimes column was too good to pass up. Being green means holding onto your green, so please bear with me. It all begins with the recent stock market decline . . .

Krugman writes about three things in our current economy. One is the fear of bad credit - hedge fund problems impacting the stock market. The second is the magnitude and duration of the current housing slump. But outta the blue came the third major cause - no, it wasn't Britney Spears, Paris Hilton or even Lindsay Lohan. It is the persistent rise of oil prices - something I thought most everyone had gotten used to.

Krugman sees us as already coping with three years of high oil prices and that has happened without any big disruption in world supply to trigger it. It is just that supply is tight and that most new production makes up for the drop off in old field production. That is why oil prices are high - over $70 a barrel and staying so - despite no hurricanes, wars, terrorism or acts of God having happened. Where will prices go when those events do occur? Not down.

So keep reading ABG and trying to time what vehicle decisions you will be making in the near future. How far are you willing to drive to that new job? Should you move out to the ex-urbs? Whether you want new technologies or new fuels or both in your next vehicle purchase? The future has a knack of becoming the present pretty fast.

I live near a bus line. How about you?

[Source: New York Times]

 

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Yet another way to save some pollution with "simple" engineering

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Have you ever heard about the Pantone system? We're not speaking about the color-matching system used by graphical designers but a system that is claimed to optimize combustion in engines and reduce pollution.

The name of the system comes from Paul Pantone, an American who thought, "If 40 percent of the hydrocarbons that enter the motor are left unburnt, how can we help to achieve full combustion?".

The solution was rather simple: using the heat from the exhaust pipe to pre-heat the gas/air or diesel/air mixture before reaching the motor. Sometimes, even water vapor is added to further heat the mix. Applying some basic thermodynamics, the hotter the gas is, the more space it needs. Considering that the space available is the same, the mix that arrives is poorer in hydrocarbons and already hot, thus easier to burn.

A website offers results which look quite interesting. Follow the jump to read them. As always, take this with a little bit of precautions. It's good, however, to know that there's a way to go to improve current combustion engines until the best options arrive.

Related: [Source: Econologie (link is in French)]
No pantone testing. Base results
Idle: CO = 4,5 % CO2 = 1.7%, ppm HC = 7000, O2 = 13%.
Medium revs: CO = 5.04 % CO2 = 1.9%, ppm HC = 8200, O2 = 13.7%.
Top revs: CO = 6.4 % CO2 = 3.6%, ppm HC = 3850, O2 = 11.4%.

Pantone installed
Idle: CO = 0.7 % CO2 = 4.6%, ppm HC = 88, O2 = 13.6%.
Medium revs: CO = 0.03 % CO2 = 6.4%, ppm HC = 95, O2 = 11.9%.
Optimum revs: CO = 0.06 % CO2 = 6.2%, ppm HC = 000, O2 = 12.2%.
Top revs: CO = 0.01 % CO2 = 6.2%, ppm HC = 000, O2 = 12.1%.

 

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Japanese brewer gets into biofuel production

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Another brewery wants to get involved in biofuel production, this time in Japan. The second largest brewer in the land of the rising sun, Kirin will build a small scale experimental ethanol plant this fall. The plant will use the residual barley malt from brewing as a feedstock and should start production by the end of 2007. The plant, to be located on Hokkaido, will initially have a capacity of about 4,000 gallons a year.

Related:
[Source: The Auto Channel]

 

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2008 Prius price drop with the new standard model

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If $1,225 is all that's been holding you back from buying a new Prius, August could be your month. Toyota announced today a new expanded line-up for the 2008 Prius, and the new standard model has a low MSRP. Toyota suggests that the 2008 Prius versions sell for between $20,950 (the standard model) to $23,220 for the Touring model.

While Toyota says the total Prius average MSRP increases by $150 (0.7 percent), the low-end 2008 Prius is quite a bit cheaper ($1,225, to be exact) than the lowest-priced 2007 version.The MSRP for the 2007 Prius is $22,175 - $23,070.

You can find the 2008 Prius in dealerships in August. Toyota also announced prices for the 2008 Avalon, Yaris, RAV4, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Tacoma and Sienna.

[Source: Toyota, h/t Linton/Hugg]

 

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BART riders can earn free rides with new credit card

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Over the past decade, affinity credit cards have become increasingly popular as the groups who sign up get a cut of the healthy profits and issuing banks can encourage card holders to use the cards more often. The latest organization to jump on the bandwagon is the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system with a new MasterCard from FirstUSA.

Card holders can earn points with their purchases that can be used toward free BART tickets or even cash. Using the card to buy BART tickets earns 5 points per dollar. Spending $500 will get you a free $25 BART ticket. There's no annual fee but the interest rates are pretty steep. If you live in the Bay Area, ride the system and pay off your card every month, you might want to consider one of these.

[Source: San Jose Mercury News, thanks to Damon for the tip]

 

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Italian-made Elettrica EV makes London-to-Brighton drive "with battery capacity to spare"

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It may look like an AEV Kurrent to American eyes, but the car in the photo here is an Elettrica. It may share the look of the Kurrent, but the Elettrica is an Italian-made electric car that recently proved it has a range of at least 50 miles during a drive from London to Brighton without recharging. Indeed, it had "battery capacity to spare." Is 50 miles far? No, but it's a way to introduce this car to England.

The Elettrica will be sold in the UK by Travelelectric starting in September. Travelelectric is adapting the Elettrica "into a form more suitable" for the UK. This means the British Elettrica has a range of 60 miles per 5-hour charge and a top speed of 40mph. The batteries are made of aircraft-grade lithium-cobalt.

[Source: Green Car Guide]

 

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New Ovonic residential solar system installed on Habitat for Humanity home

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During the recent National Governors Association Conference in Traverse City, Michigan, several of the governors participated in the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home. What made this one worthy of mention here is that the construction included the installation of a new UNI-SOLAR residential solar system. The UNI-SOLAR is produced by United Solar Ovonic and is being to be low cost and easy to install. The system is designed to be integrated as both a power generation and roofing system. This could be just the thing to power your new plug-in series hybrid.

[Source: ECD Ovonics]

 

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No kiddin' - U.S.'s largest biodiesel refinery will be in Texas (Houston)

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While the Midwest is ethanol production territory, biodiesel in America is a little more mobile. Sure, there are Midwest biodiesel plants, but we also find them in Texas, Louisiana, Oregon and other places. But no one is going to have a larger biodiesel refinery than Houston, Texas, where GreenHunter BioFuels has just gotten the permits it needs to build the "Country's Largest Biodiesel Refinery" (I wish we had a carnival lights font for that).

The new refinery, capable of making 105 million gallons of the biofuel a year, will be located on the site of the old Channel Refining Corporation waste oil/chemical refinery near Galena Park at the Houston Ship Channel. GreenHunter is converting this facility and will also build a methanol distillation plant on the site. GreenHunter's permit allows it to use variable feedstocks (soy bean oil, palm oil, jatropha oil and/or animal/poultry fats) from domestic or international sources. Since the "new" plant will be converted from the old one, GreenHunter expects to be producing fuel by March 2008.

[Source: GreenHunter Energy, Inc.]

 

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Mondragon University studies two ways to reduce weight in cars

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The Mondragon Unibersitatea (University of Mondragon, Spain) is currently leading a development project focusing on reducing car weight. It's estimated that reducing by 10 percent the weight of a car saves 7 percent of fuel at the pump. This project, called Automotive Lightweighting Materials is currently financed by 17 development centres and companies from different European countries. It's not news that reducing weight reduces pollution but what are the means MU will use to achieve this?

Current findings for this project are two new techniques that reduce weight while keeping material resistance. First, by optimising the manufacturing process of so-called "advanced high-resistance" steel, they can be from 15 to 25 lighter (it wasn't explained how the process works). Secondly, carbon composites, already used in high-end vehicles, can save from 25 to 70 percent. Speaking about the latter, research is focused on finding cheap carbon fibers, by means of researching nanoparticle-reinforced polymers and smart materials able to retain all mechanic properties at at least half of the cost of current carbon composites. Other aspects in which research is focused are the own structure of vehicles, in order to improve resistance with lower weight, increase security, material fatigue as well as the road comfort.

However, MU is also taking into consideration the ways a car can be disassembled for repairs and recycling once the vehicle is no longer needed.

Related:
[Source: Diario Vasco (link is in Spanish)]

 

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Another car that is made from biomass ... wood

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This is the second vehicle that we've shown you which is made almost entirely of biomass. The first one was undoubtedly cool and used hemp materials for the bodywork. That car ran on ethanol and would be a first class ride for the right person, and it was capable of 150 miles per hour. This one, on the other hand, is made entirely of wood. The source article does not mention if it was nailed, screwed of glued together... maybe all three. I would not recommend such high speeds in it, which is alright 'cause it's probably not capable of them anyway. Well, maybe rolling down a hill with one heck of a tail wind! Anyway, the idea of actually driving a car of wood is rather scary, I don't think I'd do it. That other biomass car, the Eco One, would look absolutely perfect in my driveway!

[Source: Gizmodo via Jalopnik]

 

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Quantum to deliver 10 hydrogen-fueled vehicles to Iceland

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Since Iceland is so geographically remote and lacking in a lot of natural resources they have been looking for ways to harness the power they do have. Two things that Iceland does have in abundance are ice and geothermal energy. Iceland has been making a major push into using hydrogen as a fuel and producing it locally with the heat energy from within the earth.

Quantum Technologies will be providing hydrogen-fueled hybrid Priuses for Iceland's SMART-H2 project. The hydrogen powered vehicles will be used by local energy companies and the local Hertz agency. If things work out, the program will be expanded in 2008-9.

[Source: Talk About Cars]

 

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WTF?!? Rush Limbaugh touts GM's green efforts, loves his Escalade and Suburban

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File this under do as I say, not as I do.

Crooks and Liars has a, shall we way, interesting clip of an ad by Rush Limbaugh promoting General Motors vehicles. In the spot, the paragon of right-wing bluster praises GM's latest environmentally-friendly vehicles and technologies (hybirds, hydrogen, etc.). He starts the ad by saying how GM's vehicles have never been better. Oh, and he loooooves his Escalade and Suburban SUVs. What?!? Who makes an ad praising greener driving and then name drops those two gas-suckers?

Oh. Right.

And why is GM using a figure who thinks global warming is bogus to sell green cars? It's hard to tell, but remember there are the people who brought you the Aztek. We have a lot of good things to say about GM's work on cars like the Volt, but I'm having a hard time seeing how the decision to release this particular commercial ends up gaining GM anything.

Listen for yourself.

[Source: Crooks and Liars]

 

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Nissan halves precious metal content in catalytic converter

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As the cost of precious metals like platinum and rhodium has been rising, car makers have been working on reducing the content of those materials in their catalytic converters. Nissan has been using nano-technology to help keep the application of the catalytic materials more uniform. The new catalyst design will be going into production on a new vehicle in late 2008, early 2009 and will be shared with partner Renault.

This idea of catalyst thrifting is not unique to Nissan. It is also one of the keys to General Motors' efforts to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of their fuel cells. By creating a more uniform surface of the catalytic materials, less material can react more completely.

[Source: Reuters]

 

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Biodiesel facility reopens closed factory in Florida

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In many places in the Western world, globalisation made some factories redundant. Such was the case of Lykes Pasco plant, in Dade City, FL, 35 miles north of Tampa. Until 2003, that factory pressed 15 million oranges every day and sent the concentrate by rail. Then the factory closed and it all seemed to be left for rusting.

However, the factory is back, and now it's producing biodiesel. Agri-Source Fuels bought the 60,000 sq. ft. factory and expects to reach full production in four months. If they succeed, they will be able to produce 120 million gallons of biodiesel per year (sorry, Texas), becoming the biggest biodiesel producer in the US. 60 of these million gallons will be sent to Mclure Oil Co., in Atlanta, GA, in charge of distributing it to 120 pumps around the Sunny state.

The big containers in the factory, which used to store 180,000 gallons of orange juice will contain soya and fish oil, as well as other source materials suitable for biodiesel manufacturing. However, the first batches are currently being made with chicken fat imported from Alabama.

Related:

[Source: elnuevoherald.com (link is in Spanish)]

 

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Frankfurt preview: Mitsubishi Concept-cX, a clean diesel, Euro V-compliant CUV

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On September 11, 2007, Mitsubishi will release the details of its Concept-cX, a clean diesel, Euro V-compliant CUV at the 62nd Internationale Automobil Ausstellung (IAA; commonly known as the Frankfurt Motor Show). Today we got a little preview, in the form of a sketch (above) and a short press release (after the jump).

This is a pretty aggressive-looking CUV, but it's not too harsh on the environment. Under the hood, the Concept-cX has a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8-liter clean diesel engine, which features a variable geometry turbocharger. In the exhaust system, the Concept-cX has a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter so it's compliant with Europe's Euro 5 emission standards. Inside, Mitsubishi is using "Green Plastic" made from plants.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

MITSUBISHI Concept-cX Global unveiling of at 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

Tokyo, July 30, 2007 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and its European unit Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. will unveil The MITSUBISHI Concept-cX* at the 62nd Internationale Automobil Ausstellung (IAA; commonly known as the Frankfurt Motor Show) in September. Held at the Frankfurt Messe Complex, the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show will be open to the public from September 15 through 23, with press and media pre-viewing September 11 through 14.

The MITSUBISHI Concept-cX represents a new-generation compact SUV, realizing an ideal balance between environmental and everyday practical performance. The concept car uses a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8-liter clean diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry (VG) turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) with diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the exhaust system for compliance with Europe's Euro 5 emission standards. Mitsubishi's new Twin Clutch SST (Sport Shift Transmission) adds superior power transmission efficiency for a powertrain that delivers nimble performance alongside excellent fuel economy and low emissions. Among the number of new environmental technologies applied in the Concept-cX is the extensive use of interior trim materials made from Mitsubishi's own Green Plastic - made from bamboo and other plant-based resins - in a step to stop global warming and slow the depletion of our oil reserves.

MITSUBISHI Concept-cX offers a number of proposals for better utility and road performance. Its high seating position expands the driver's field of view, providing the drivability expected in a SUV; the 4100 mm compact body makes for easy maneuvering around town; and the split tailgate - already well received on other Mitsubishi models - makes for easy loading and unloading of luggage. In the performance department, Concept-cX uses Mitsubishi's electronically controlled 4WD system driven through large 225/45R19 tires to deliver intuitive handling and outstanding stability on all road surfaces.

* 'Compact crossover' concept vehicle

 

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Microsoft vs Google: Brute force vs finesse

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Google has always been very conscious of energy efficiency, as much for economic reasons as environmental. After all when you're operating dozens (hundreds?) of data centers filled thousands (millions?) of servers storing every conceivable bit of information about everyone, electricity costs can add up really fast. They've also been involved with running hybrid and electric vehicles on their campus and even funding plug-in conversions.

The latest battleground between Google and Microsoft is adding street level imaging to their online mapping applications. Microsoft has always thrown everything they can at the products they design whether it is needed or not. How many of the features in Office do you actually use? Google takes a more minimalist approach as evidenced by their classic plain white search page.

Generating all those street view images requires actually going out into all the cities and taking billions of images. Both Microsoft and Google have put together fleets of multi-camera vehicles and their choices reflect the same attitude they take to other products. The team from Redmond Washington have selected Chevy Tahoe SUVs to drive around take pictures while Google has gone to the opposite extreme and equipped mounted their cameras on Chevy Cobalts.

[Source: Gizmodo]

 

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Sunday, July 29, 2007

Wood burning stove - check. Wood burning... car? Check!

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I know that this is not the first example of an internal combustion engine using wood based fuel. In fact, it was quite common in World War II, when Germany realized that there were many obstacles in the way of their importing enough petroleum into their country to fuel it's fleet of tanks and other vehicles. But, I bet that this is the first Yugo to be such equipped.

As a side note, I just watched an episode of "Boneyards" on the History Channel. It turns out that many of the old railroad ties which are pulled up off the ground are being shredded down and used to generate electricity. Sounds like a pretty good use, but I wonder what happens when the wood is burned, because those railroad ties are soaked in chemicals and are sure to have been dripped on by many hazardous chemicals over the years. Anybody else out there have any input on that?

[Source: Jalopnik]

 

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New study says higher CAFE will mean big help for the Big Three

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The question of how higher fuel standards will affect domestic auto companies is being debated by governors and many others. While the govs see proposed increases in fuel mileage as kicking Detroit while it's down, a report by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) says hold that thought.

There were two headlines in the press release announcing UMTRI's study: "New Study Finds Higher Fuel Economy Standards Yield Larger Big Three Gains" and "New CAFE design increases Detroit market share and profits." That sure sounds unequivocal, and it gets better. UMTRI found that "under the highest proposed fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler stand to make $14.4 billion by 2017 -- over $6 billion more than the competition."

The study is named "The Impact of Attribute-Based Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards on the Automotive Industry" and was headed by UMTRI's director of Automotive Analysis Division, Walter McManus. The attribute-based CAFE standards under discussion in Congress, take "into account the differences between vehicles and light trucks, which will have lower targets than cars. The new system doesn't penalize the Big Three for making large cars and trucks, but it does require that they improve the fuel economy of those vehicles. In so doing, they will gain market share and boost profits," McManus said in a statement.

UMTRI released a similar study last fall that found with high gas prices, fuel-efficiency equals profits (there's a big no kidding). The new UMTRI study can be read here and I've included three main findings for you after the jump.

Related:
[Source: University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute]
From UMTRI:
  • An attribute-based CAFE would mean lower standards for Detroit's automakers. Under a size-based standard of 35 mpg, the Big Three could be required to meet a 33-mpg standard, while the rest of the industry would have to meet a 38-mpg standard.
  • An attributed-based CAFE yields greater gains in market share and profits for the Big Three than for the rest of the industry. Detroit automakers stand to receive more of the profit gains from higher CAFE because they will be making improvements that have higher market value and higher profit margins.
  • Higher CAFE standards yield higher profits. The strongest CAFE proposal currently under consideration in Congress (Markey-Platts) provides the greatest profit for Detroit automakers. GM, Ford and Chrysler have projected profits of $14.4 billion by 2017 -- more than twice as much than the weaker proposal under consideration (Hill-Terry).

 

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The Norwich Area Global Warming Action Group puts on a hybrid car race

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Besides this one example, I can't think of too many races that a Honda Insight has taken part in. Well, I know that there are some "Insights" in name only that are set up for drag racing for Import races, but they don't really count. But, if the race was all about fuel economy, then the good old Insight certainly stands a much better chance. In fact, it would win - at least it won this example of just such a race by averaging 74.9 miles per gallon over a distance of 25 miles.

"It was a pretty outstanding race," according to Bill Champagne, who organized the event. "We hope to do it bigger and better in the fall," he said. That would be pretty easy to do with the backing of Toyota, and reportedly, they are interested in sponsoring another race like this. In case you were wondering, the loser was a Volvo station wagon which only managed 20.9 miles per gallon. That car was included as a control, to represent an average sized gasoline-powered vehicle driven over the same roads under the same conditions. Sure, it may not be as exciting as racing a Tesla, but for our readers who are more interested in going far than going fast, this race may be more to their liking.

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[Source: Norwich Bulletin]

 

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Citroën's biodiesel-ready (B30) SUV now on sale in the UK

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click to see a high-resolution gallery of the C-Crosser

We've told you about the Citroën C-Crosser before, and noted back in October 2006 that you'd be able to put B30 into the tank with Citroën's blessing. Well, if you've been awaiting your chance to grab one of these off the lot, today's the day. The C-Crosser is now on sale in the UK. You'll have to keep waiting (forever) for a chance to buy the crazy six-wheeled Cruise-Crosser, though.

Prices for the C-Crosser range from £22,790 to £25,490, and the 2.2HDi common rail diesel engine (with six-speed manual gearbox) will get driver "nearly 40mpg" on the combined cycle while emitting "as little as 191g/km of CO2." So, do you think this SUV is green enough? Or is it just headed in the right direction?

More details in the release after the jump.



[Source: Citroën]
Stylish, Practical and Environmentally-Friendly - The New Citroën C-Crosser

Citroën's first ever SUV, the C-Crosser, is now available in showrooms across the country.

The four-wheel drive C-Crosser breaks new ground for the Company, combining distinctive Citroën qualities - strong styling, practicality and sound green engineering - to provide buyers with a sleek, spacious, robust and comfortable car with a flexible seating lay-out and a new, clean, fuel efficient HDi diesel engine with a Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS).

The C-Crosser will be offered in two well-specified trim levels - VTR+ and Exclusive. Both models feature automatic air conditioning, six airbags, alarm, a 5+2 seating configuration, cruise control, automatic headlamps, ABS and ESP with traction control as standard, while the Exclusive adds leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, 18" alloys and a 6 CD autochanger. Recommended retail prices are £22,790 for the VTR+ and £25,490 for the Exclusive.

And it's into a healthy marketplace that the C-Crosser arrives. Since 2000, registrations of 4x4s in the UK have increased by 55%, so that by the end of 2006 they represented 7.5% of the total car market.

The arrival of the C-Crosser represents the beginning of a new chapter in Citroën's often overlooked history of producing vehicles with off-road capability. These have included 4x4 versions of the BX, Méhari and 2CV as well as the current Berlingo XTR+ enhanced traction light commercial vehicle, not to mention the Company's dominant World Rallying credentials and futuristic four wheel drive concepts like the C-Buggy.

At the front, its style is distinctly Citroën. The design and detail, from the signature badging to the chrome trim, work together to create an image that emphasises style, class and solidity. With its expressive, chevron-embellished bonnet, sloping roofline and eye-catching headlamps, the C-Crosser presents a non-aggressive design for the SUV market. The look is complemented by the high waistline, curvaceous wings and chunky wheel arches that house the distinctive two-tone alloys.

On the inside there is a continuation of the exacting standards with high quality, robust materials used throughout. The simple yet stylish dash features smart aluminium trim and a special soft finish, whilst all occupants benefit from the ergonomically designed seats and, on Exclusive models, luxurious leather upholstery.

Perfectly highlighting Citroën's penchant for functionality and innovation, both models feature a flexible 5+2 seating configuration. Making it easy to exit the third row seats, or to reconfigure the boot lay-out, two buttons located internally next to the rear wheel arches allow the second row seats to be electronically folded forwards. The two occasional use seats in the rear can be cleverly folded away under the floor, while the second row of seating also slides and reclines for greater comfort.

When it comes to luggage, the maximum boot capacity stands at a useful 510 litres with five seats in place, or a massive 1,686 litres with all the rear seats folded away. For added convenience, the lower section of the C-Crosser's two-piece tailgate can be dropped down to lower the sill to 600mm. Once down, it also doubles as a handy bench, supporting loads of up to 200kg.

The C-Crosser is a responsible alternative for 4x4 buyers who are also looking for a vehicle that minimises its impact on the environment. It is equipped with a fuel-efficient, low emission 2.2HDi common rail diesel engine fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Boasting nearly 40mpg on the combined cycle, the powerplant emits as little as 191g/km of CO2. Particle emissions are reduced to virtually immeasurable levels thanks to the advanced DPFS, while it can also run on 30% bio-diesel without any modification.

As for performance, this state-of-the-art engine produces an impressive 280lb.ft of torque at just 2000rpm as well as 156bhp (CEE). This powers the C-Crosser from 0 to 62mph in under 10 seconds and on to a top speed of 124mph.

With three different driving modes available, selected using a simple control next to the gear lever, the C-Crosser driving experience is as flexible as its seating lay-out. Its frugal performance is helped by its ability to travel in permanent two-wheel drive (2WD mode), keeping fuel usage and CO2 emissions to a minimum.

When the conditions become more challenging, drivers can opt to use four-wheel drive (4WD mode), giving the C-Crosser improved stability, while the full LOCK mode is designed to help in very low grip conditions like mud, snow and ice. This 4WD arrangement is managed via an electronically controlled clutch located in front of the back axle.

Produced in conjunction with leading 4x4 specialist Mitsubishi, the C-Crosser strikes an ideal balance between comfort and performance, as has come to be expected of Citroën cars. The marque's engineers refined the steering, running gear and suspension, while the fitting of additional soundproofing and special Michelin tyres further enhances the driving experience.

Safety is a high priority, hence the standard fitting of six airbags along with ABS, EBD and ESP with traction control. Combined with the rigid bodyshell, these help to provide very high levels of occupant protection. To minimise pedestrian injury, the C-Crosser has been engineered to ensure that there is suitable cushioning between the panels and the internal structure, allowing them to deform easily on impact.

Citroën UK's managing director Xavier Duchemin commented: "The C-Crosser will add a new dimension to the already diverse Citroën range and ensures that we have a vehicle to suit all our customer needs, whether it be an SUV, an executive saloon, a compact MPV or a supermini."

 

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Musician Ben Harper converting his 1964 Buick Riviera to an EV

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Ben Harper: musician, car collector, carpooler.

In a Forbes Auto article earlier this month, the sweet-voiced Harper spoke to Shira Levine about the way high fuel prices have put him on his bike more often and into friends' cars to share rides.

Harper has got enough money to have a small fleet of cars (a 1964 Buick Riviera, a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and a 2006 Lexus RX 400h) and he's considering converting the Buick to pure electricity. He said, "I am a GM man. I am a Chevy guy. I have a '64 Buick Riviera that I am having converted into an electric car. I am not driving it until it is converted. Well, I take it around the block to keep it broken in. But, it's a mission right now that is out of control."

Harper recently test drove a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG and looooved it, but it wastes too much fuel. "That isn't the car for me now," he said. "I am into being environmentally aware and focused. I want to be responsible."

[Source: ForbesAutos.com /Shira Levine via Ecorazzi]

 

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A car so green is edible (well, sort of)

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From the UK arrives the Eco One, a one-seater sports car that is almost completely made from vegetable materials. The car was built by student Ben King from a design by Dr Kerry Kirwan, a researcher at the Warwick Manufacturing Group. Kirwan's previous creations include biodegradable cell phones.

The car is 95 percent biodegradable or recyclable (save for the steering wheel, seats and electrics) because even the steel chassis can be reused. It runs on ethanol and, as you can see at the picture, all kinds of vegetable materials were used for manufacturing, including the now-famous hemp for bodywork, something even Ford is considering.

Performance is very good, which in words of its creator "helps dispel the perception that myth that 'green' cars are slow and sluggish": it tops 150 MPH and makes 35 MPG (imperial, around 29 US MPG or 8 l / 100 km)

The car, which cost 20,000 GBP to be made, will be on show at the National Science Museum in London from August 28-30.

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[Source: Daily Mail via Gizmodo]

 

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Mercedes-Benz to add start-stop capability to entire lineup

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Following on the heels of BMW's decision to add Efficient Dynamics technology to pretty much their entire model lineup, Mercedes has decided to do start doing much the same thing. Starting with the A and B Class small cars in September, Mercedes will be adding engine start-stop capabilities on all their cars. The small front wheel drive models will reportedly be using the Valeo belt drive system while the larger rear wheel drive models will use a different system. Those models will rely on an integrated flywheel starter-generator similar to what General Motors had on their now-discontinued parallel hybrid pickup trucks.

[Source: Autoweek]

 

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Newest marketing ploy: selling to someone while they're buying gas

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One thing that I just can't imagine wanting to do while I'm filling my tank with gas (which takes an ever increasing amount of money) would be to watch advertisements on more stuff to spend my money on. But, what do I know? I haven't spent hours and hours of time taking marketing classes or anything like that. I'm just an average Joe who is forced to value his money... 'cause I've only got so much of it!

Gas stations have long reported that they make the majority of their profit not by selling gas, but by selling items from their convenience stores. You know, as expensive as gas is, a soda from inside costs more when you consider how much actual product you are getting for your money. And, the profit margins can be pretty high when it comes to the items sold inside the gas station. So, it is not surprising at all that gas station owners would want to get more people inside their stores. Again, because gas is expensive these days, fewer people are probably headed in to spend more money inside, right? So, new pumps and new software by Microsoft will allow station owners to advertise right at the pump. What better place to market to someone than when they are a captive audience? You're filling your tank with nothing to focus on... ooh, that candy bar sounds good, doesn't it! I bet it'll work.

[Source: Gizmag]

 

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Only 4 of 5 stars? Euro NCAP's test of the Honda Hybrid and the Skoda Fabia

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Euro NCAP has released the results of their security tests for two small models. One is the new Honda Civic Prius hybrid and the Skoda Fabia which have been recently released in Europe. Neither of the two models got the 5-star rating for adult protection, although both got 4 stars in this field.

The Skoda Fabia got 3 stars in child protection and 2 (out of 4) in pedestrian safety, a new set of rules European cars must accomplish. Skoda is a Volkswagen brand manufactured in the Czech Republic.

The Hybrid Civic got 4 stars in child protection and 3 in pedestrian safety. Nevertheless, Euro NCAP's Secretary-General Adrian Hobbs said, "Consumers may be asking themselves whether high safety scores and a hybrid powertrain can go hand in hand. Both Honda and Toyota have shown that they are rising to the challenge in their efforts to meet concerns about safety and global warming. It is now up to other manufacturers to follow in their footsteps."

Follow the link for the additional comments on these tests.

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[Source: Euro NCAP]

UPDATE: fixed typoComments on the Skoda Fabia:

Front impact

The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact but structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger.

Side impact
Based on dummy results alone, the Fabia would have scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests. Howewer, in the side test, the rear door moved from the primary latch to the secondary latch position and the car lost one point available for tha

Child-protection
The Fabia scored maximum points for its protection of the 18 month dummy in the frontal and side impact tests. In the side impact, the 3 year old's restraint rotated so that the dummy's head was not fully contained within the child seat, making it vulner

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet scored no points.

Comments on the Honda Civic Hybrid:

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. However, there was insufficient pressure in the driver's airbag to prevent the dummy's head from making contact with the steering wheel. Structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury

Child-protection
The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The Civic Hybrid scored maximum points for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs by the bumper and the front edge of the bonnet.

 

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Another Segway alternative, this time no hands!

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An inventor named Ulrich Kahlert has created what is essentially a hands free version of the Segway. It's not clear from the site if it's actually a modified Segway or something completely new, but it seems to function similarly except that the rider controls it by squeezing the controls between the knees instead of with handle bars.

The device was originally developed for theatrical use but is also available with a camera rig for movie making. The rig allows the camera operator to move around smoothly while controlling the camera. Top speed of the hands free transporter is 12 mph and you can go about 9 miles while leaving your hands available to do other stuff.

[Source: HandsFree Transporter via Gizmodo]

 

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Five electric vehicles, with solar charging hut, just $9,800 a month

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Here's the deal, courtesy of Silicon Valley Edition: five electric vehicles, a solar charging hut, and added value items like Fat Spaniel Energy Monitoring software, user training, program management, mobile maintenance and project financing. Depending on the vehicles chosen (you can see the options above), this package will cost you between $7,000 and $9,800 a month. If you want drivers, they're available for an extra cost. This Turnkey package is available to Silicon Valley entities starting this weekend at the San Jose Grand Prix California Theatre Center.

Silicon Valley Edition figures that "corporate campuses, municipalities, universities, and parks" will be interested in the package. If that's you, contact them here.

[Source: Silicon Valley Edition]

 

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Frequent oil spills threatening the lives of Magellanic penguins in South America

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Oil spills are most definitely NOT green news. Unfortunately, they are exactly the opposite. Again, unfortunately, it seems that they are all too common off the coast of Argentina, which is causing problems for the local population of Magellanic penguins. Penguins need to be able to stay waterproof due to the fact that they enter and exit the water in frigid temperatures regularly. When the oil gets on the birds, they no longer have the protection that they need to survive the cold temperatures in which they live. Forty of the birds were rescued from the water and cleaned up. They should be back to their natural habitat "in about 15 days or so."

Hearing news like this, electric cars sound better and better all the time. Plus, if one were able to use solar or wind power, maybe the need to import and export so much oil would be decreased. The shipping and consequent occasional spilling of oil is another reason that locally grown petroleum substitutes like biodiesel are important. Just think of the penguins.

[Source: Live Science]

 

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FlexCar goes greener by offering carbon offsets from TerraPass

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Car sharing service FlexCar is teaming up with terrapass to provide their members the opportunity to be even more environmentally friendly. FlexCar members can now login on the website and buy a Green Membership for $9.95 that will offset up to 1 ton of CO2 over the next twelve months. Members who buy the green option will also be eligible for other yet-to-be-announced benefits from more partners.

[Source: FlexCar via EcoGeek]

 

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Prince Charles visits Ford research facility and checks green projects

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The Prince of Wales visited the Ford UK facility at Dunton for its 40th anniversary which showcased the marque's projects in green developments and fuel-efficient prototypes, such as a 70 MPG (Imperial, 58 US MPG) Ford Focus with emissions lower than 100 CO2 g/km that Prince Charles could test drive.

Graham Hoare, head of Ford Dunton, said: "Ford is delighted that The Prince of Wales marked Dunton's 40th anniversary year with an official visit. His Royal Highness was among the first to champion environmental issues and we shared with him Dunton's green technologies - including engines and transmissions - that are currently available or are being engineered for future applications."

Prince Charles also planted the first of 40 trees to mark the 40th anniversary of the plant, which leads the company's development of gasoline, diesel and bioethanol-enabled engines; transmissions and commercial vehicles.



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[Source: Ford]

 

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Lexus announces price for the 2008 RX 400h

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Lexus has announced the price for the 2008 RX 400h hybrid SUV, which goes on sale in September. if you're so inclined, you can buy the 2008 models for the same prices as the 2007s. Try $41,180 for the RX 400h with front-wheel-drive or $42,580 for the all-wheel-drive RX 400h.

The prices are the same, but Lexus has added some "styling enhancements" like a new front grille and exterior chrome door handles. Lexus even came up with seven new exterior colors for the RX 400h: Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica. Note the lack of anything resembling real green in that list.

Lexus also announced prices for the SC 430, the GX 470, the IS 250/350, the ES 350, and the LS 460. That info is in the press release after the jump.

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[Source: Lexus]
Lexus Announces Prices on 2008 RX 400h, SC 430, GX 470, IS 250/350, ES 350 and LS 460

TORRANCE, Calif., July 27/PRNewswire/ -- Lexus announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle, SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible, GX 470 premium luxury utility vehicle, IS 250/350 luxury sport sedans, ES 350 luxury sedan, and LS 460 premium luxury sedan. Each model will go on sale in September.

For 2008, the RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle receives several styling enhancements including a restyled front grille design, new exterior chrome door handles, a new finish on the five-spoke, 18-inch wheels, and a color-keyed rear spoiler. The world's first luxury utility hybrid also receives seven new exterior colors including Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica.

The base MSRP for the RX 400h with front-wheel-drive will remain unchanged at $41,180. The price of the all-wheel-drive RX 400h also remains unchanged from 2007 at $42,580.

The SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible carries over unchanged for the 2008 model year. The base MSRP for the 2008 SC 430 also remains unchanged at $65,455.

The 2008 GX 470 also receives additional styling upgrades including a new dark metallic finish on the front grille, chrome roof rack side rails, liquid graphite on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels, a clear rear combination lamp turn signal lens cover, and two new colors -- Salsa Red Pearl and Desert Sage metallic. Inside, the GX 470 receives a new Brown Walnut wood trim and a chrome finish on the front door speaker grilles. Additional changes were also made on the optional Sport Package where the carpeting, third-seat latch and cargo hook will now be black.

The 2008 GX 470 will carry a base MSRP of $46,815, an increase of $180, or 0.4 percent. Additionally, the price of the popular Third Row Seat with Rear Air Conditioner option significantly reduced by $1,545 and will now be offered at $485.

The 2008 IS 250 and 350 features a new finish to its standard 17-inch wheels for a sportier appearance. Additional upgrades include backlighting on the outside power mirror control, white illuminated scuff plates and an additional coin holder.

The base MSRP for the IS 250 with a manual transmission will be $30,455, an increase of $200, or 0.7 percent. The IS 250 with an automatic transmission will carry a base MSRP of $31,625, up $200, or 0.6 percent. The IS 250 with all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission will carry a base MSRP of $34,085, a price reduction of $200, or 0.6 percent. The IS 350 will be base priced at $35,905, an increase of $200, or 0.6 percent.

For 2008 the Lexus ES 350 receives restyled outside rear-view mirrors for a sleeker look. Inside, the ES adds two rear personal lamps for added passenger convenience.

The ES 350 will carry a base MSRP of $33,720, an increase of $250, or 0.7 percent.

Launched in the fall of 2006, the all-new LS 460 and LS 460 L have received overwhelming accolades and enjoyed spectacular consumer acceptance. For the 2008 model year, the LS will carry over unchanged with the exception of one new exterior color, Opaline Pearl. The long wheelbase LS 460 L offers a new Air Suspension package that includes 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 245/45R19 all-season tires, Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Adaptive Variable Air Suspension.

The 2008 LS 460 will have a base MSRP of $61,500, an increase of $500, or 0.8 percent. The base MSRP for the LS 460 L will be $71,500, an increase of $500, or 0.7 percent.

 

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Hampton Roads Transit to swap trolleys for hybrid buses

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Hampton Roads Transit provides mass transit services in the region of Virginia that includes Norfolk, Virginia Beach and several other communities. The company has decided to replace an existing fleet of trolleys in Virginia Beach and battery-powered shuttle buses that run in a loop around downtown Norfolk with hybrid buses.

The shuttle buses have a limited range and can only run for four hours at a time before returning to the garage for charging. They have also had problems with shorting out in the rain. The trolleys are getting old and are in need of major overhaul. HRT is buying 40 of the new 29ft diesel hybrid buses at $505,000 each. The first ten should enter service next spring.

[Source: PilotOnline.com]

 

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EPIC takes a bite out of Schwan's pizza price hike

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A tasty fight is starting to simmer between the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and Schwan Food Co. The source of the conflict? Pizza, ethanol and corn.

Earlier this week, Schwan issued a statement saying the company will be raising prices about five percent on pizza and snack products, starting August 26. This change affects brands like Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony's, and Wolfgang Puck All Natural pizzas, Asian Sensations snacks and appetizers, and Larry's potatoes. The reason for the hike is more crops diverted to ethanol production, as well as increased health care and transportation costs, Schwan said.

So EPIC grabbed a fresh press release form and responded with these words:

Numerous studies have shown that rising energy costs have a significantly greater impact on food prices than a rise in corn prices. A 33 percent rise in crude oil prices which translates into a $1.00 per gallon increase in the price of regular unleaded gasoline, results in a 0.6 to 0.9 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index for food. An increase of $1.00 for a bushel of corn would cause the CPI for food to increase by only 0.3 percent.

Increased labor, packaging and transportation costs all play a role in rising food prices. In 2007, growers expect to plant over 90 million corn acres. This is expected to be the largest crop in over 60 years. And once again, U.S. farmers will meet the challenge of a diversified market: food, exports and energy.


EPIC's executive director, Tom Slunecka, said "The ethanol industry has become a convenient scapegoat for corporate America to justify price increases to maintain profits. The debate over rising food prices has bordered on the ludicrous; the facts are conveniently omitted from this argument."

Maybe ethanol is pretty responsible for this increase. Maybe not. But note that Schwan also cites higher transportation costs as a reason. Somehow or other, pretty much everything is affected by greener driving.

[Source: EPIC, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal]

 

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MIT grad students propose crowd farming to generate electricity

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A pair of MIT graduate architecture students are proposing a novel, almost carbon-free way to generate electricity. In crowded buildings and malls when thousands of people are walking around, every step they take puts mechanical energy into the floor. They want to harness that energy by building in a generating system tied to the vibrations of the floor. As people move around the individual energy is small but when aggregated it could potentially produce a significant amount of power.

A system like this wouldn't be practical to retro-fit but if built into new buildings it could reduce the amount of outside power required. Perhaps if they had parking spaces with plugs tied the system, shoppers could recharge their vehicles while they shop.

[Source: MIT]

 

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No, it is not a just a car. It is an experience!

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Most auto buffs know that BMW is considered the near-ultimate driver's car and experience. Those smooth 6-cyl engines, the generally understated design, the well-balanced handling, the good build quality. Well, BMW is adding a new feature to its line up - the experience of picking up your car in Munich at the BMW Welt (World) headquarters.

Since cars are becoming more and more like commodities - they all have to meet the same emissions standards, crash standards, safety standards, etc., they buy the same components from the same second tier suppliers - auto firms with highly developed vehicle technology and brand images like Mercedes, Audi, VW, and the upcoming Asian brands want to build on their brand image - an intangible feature. For BMW, the expectation is that about 45,000 new car buyers will come to Munich each year to pick up their car at the center. For the experience they will pay an extra 457 Euros (about $630) to get the car, a tour, and meals while they are there. Germans are expected to make up about 80 percent of the visitors followed by other Europeans and some Americans. Think about it: How many Americans would travel to Detroit or Tennessee or Windsor, Ontario or Mexico to pick up their cars at the factory? Instead, they are trucked to your dealer for a cost that starts at about $600 and goes upward from there. BMW has its share of diesels and even a few hydrogen vehicles on the roads. When they become available for sale in the US, ABG readers will be able to make their pilgrimage to Munich and return with a very nice piece of motoring iron.

Personally, it reminds me of the European Delivery programs that were offered in the 1960s and 1970s. Order a car here. Arrange a vacation in Europe beginning at the factory. Pick up the car and then enjoy your travels thru Europe with it. When you are ready to return home, drop it at a pre-selected port city and the car will be shipped to your US dealer. You have saved the cost of renting a car whilst in Europe and you would pay lower taxes and duties because, after all, you are importing a used car.

[Source: New York Times]

 

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Maxwell Technologies' Ultracapacitors Receive Chinese Government Certification for Energy Storage Applications in Vehicles

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Maxwell Technologies' latest press release brings us news of ultracapacitors in China. The good news: Maxwel's ultracaps have been certified by the official testing agency of the People's Republic of China for use in energy storage applications in vehicles. The bad news: the Chinese government is not always known for making the best automotive decisions.

The real news is that Maxwell can now start selling its BOOSTCAP products to manufacturers of Chinese vehicles: cars, trucks, buses or rail. How and exactly where they'll be implemented is to be determined, but this announcement might herald, at the very least, some unusual EVs or hybrids in the next few years. It'll be interesting to see if Miles or ZENN or Zap show an interest in this development.

Related:
[Source: Maxwell Technologies Inc.]

 

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Penn State researchers combining two bacteria in a cellulose fuel cell

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Cellulose is everywhere in the plant world and contains tremendous amounts of untapped energy. The problem is the long chains of sugars that make up cellulose is tough to break apart, something well known to ethanol researchers. Fuel cells are able to harness chemical reactions to release electrons that can be used as a power source. While hydrogen is the best known input for fuel cells it is by no means the only one.

Researchers at Penn State University are developing a microbial fuel cell that consumes cellulose and generates electricity. They are doing this by combining two types of bacteria, one that can break down the cellulose into simpler sugars and ferment it and another that takes the fermented product and generates electricity. Unfortunately the two chamber design that is required to make this work results in very low power density currently at 150 mW per square meter. The team is looking for ways to improve on this.

[Source: Penn State University]

 

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

VW Touareg TDI wins Pikes Peak high performance showroom stock

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Click the Touareg for high-res images of the Pikes Peak trucks

A trio of Volkswagen Touareg TDIs dominated the High Performance Showroom Stock division at the 2007 Pikes Peak Hill Climb taking the top three spots in their division. They also happened to be the only three vehicles in that division, something VW neglected to mention in their press release but let's not quibble over details. The Touaregs still set respectable times with Ryan Arciero setting a division record for diesel vehicles.

Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller were both running the now discontinued V10 TDI and recorded times of 13:17:703 and 13:25:247 over the 12.4 mile long 14,110 ft climb. Motorcycle racer Chris Blais was over two minutes behind in a V-6 TDI

[Source: Volkswagen]26 July 2007
TOUAREG TDI SETS BENCHMARK IN HIGH PERFORMANCE SHOWROOM STOCK DIVISION

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Volkswagen of America, Inc. scored the top spots in the High Performance Showroom Stock division at the 85th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) on Saturday, July 21, 2007.

Volkswagen entered two V10 TDI Touaregs and a V6 TDI Touareg, driven by professional drivers Ryan Arciero, Mike Miller and Chris Blais. Arciero put on a strong performance on his way to winning the division with a time of 13:17:703, setting a new division record for the fastest time with a diesel powered vehicle. Mark Miller finished closely behind with a time of 13:25:247, and Chris Blais took third with a time of 15:48:312.

"The Volkswagen team put in a lot of hard work during practice and qualifying and it paid off in this historic race." said Arciero. "The V10 TDI is an amazing motor, and the Touareg chassis is so well balanced that it performs more like a true race car than a premium SUV. Shaving nearly a minute off last year's record time is a true testament to this vehicle's capability"

Miller posted a very competitive time as well, just 7.544 seconds off the pace set by Arciero. Throughout practice and qualifying, the drivers were rarely separated by more than 0.5 seconds.

"I lost some time when I got off-line and scrubbed an embankment towards the top of the mountain," said Miller. "But the Touareg kept pulling strong and I was still able to put together a great time."

Touareg number three, driven by motorcycle racer, Chris Blais, suffered a mechanical set back early in the first practice session. The team rallied to help get Chris back on the mountain in a V6 TDI, and he was able to compete in his first ever four-wheeled vehicle race.

"Working with Ryan, Mark and the entire Volkswagen Team to compete at Pikes Peak was an incredible experience," said Blais. "The Touareg is an impressive vehicle, and no doubt the all-wheel drive system helped me with the transition from two to four wheels. I was really pleased that my times improved with each run up the mountain."

Video footage of the race from the Touaregs can be seen at www.vwvodcast.com, providing a first-hand perspective of the race to the summit of Pikes Peak, an elevation of over 14,100 feet.

Volkswagen raced the Touaregs at Pikes Peak with support from Red Bull, Castrol, Nitto Tires, Oakley and Arciero Miller Racing.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

 

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What role to women play in getting all of use to drive smarter/greener

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Back in February, I wrote a post about the long history between women and electric cars. I'm thinking now that my focus was too narrow; women and green cars in general deserve a closer look.

The Des Moines Register, for example, had an article earlier this year about a Meredith Corp. survey that showed that fourteen percent of women buy ethanol. The takeaway point was that ethanol producers can increase their sales by educating "women about ethanol's benefits, particularly its environmental impact," according to Isobel Osius, director of Meredith's consumer insights unit.

Meredith Corp.'s Osius said that about half of the women in the survey were unsure if ethanol was safe for their cars, a percentage that Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, said EPIC has also found. And here's a kicker: only ten percent of women "said they were dedicated to improving the environment."

"That was a surprise to me," Osius told the Register. "The language has got to be clear and concrete that ethanol use will be better for their children and grandchildren."

Ok, so that was a small selection of women in one study. I think the finding that just one in ten women is "dedicated" to helping the environment flies in the face of a lot of history of women who worked to protect the environment. The linked article, courtesy of the EPA, mentions Margaret Mead and Rachel Carson as just two very prominent examples. The article also says, "Women traditionally have been responsible for the care and welfare of families, which makes them especially sensitive to the importance of clean air and safe water. As mothers they know that their bodies provide the first environment for a child, and that they will be primarily responsible for the nourishment, safety and well-being of their children." And Meredith Corp. thinks only 10 percent of women care? Unlikely.

Let's take a moment to remind ourselves of some of the women making a difference in the green car movement today, by naming some of them. One of the country's biggest (non-celebrity) biodiesel advocates is Maria "Girl Mark" Alovert, who teaches homebrew classes across America, and has written a tremendously detailed guide to making your own biodiesel. Biodiesel seems to have a strong female force behind it, as we can see in the 2007 Women of Biodiesel calendar. Two friends of AutoblogGreen are plug-in hybrid advocates Chelsea Sexton and Sherry Boschert. The big automakers have women like Beth Lowery and Denise Gray (both at GM) in their green car departments. Celebrities like Darryl Hannah and Laurie David often make their pro-green voices heard, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other women politicians play an important role in this debate, too. This is just a small sample, if you want to add more, feel free to do so in the comments.

So, what about women driving greener today? Is Lynne Mason onto something with her Electric Cars Are For Girls website? What if you need something more than a NEV or can't afford a full-fledged EV (when they're available)? Julie Houston, writing at Bankrate, describes the treatment that she got when she went car shopping with a male co-worked (they were trying to see how the salesman treated the man vs. the woman. This is a key passage:

He then took us into his office and spouted technical information about the warranties, engine and gas mileage -- all the while looking right at John. When I said, "I really like it, I'm surprised how affordable it is." And he responded "Yeah, it's real neat isn't it?" Then he was back to specifics with John while I stewed in silence. Where's a laser beam when you really need one?

How will women be able to buy cars that are better for the environment if this is how they're treated? Admittedly, this is anecdotal, but doesn't it just sound like a pretty common occurrence to you. Houston has come up with a female car buyer's bill of rights to settle things down.

Cars.com has a list of ten tips for women car buyers. Number eight on the list is "Filling Up Can Add Up," and recommends that women keep a record of how many miles they drive each week before they step onto the car lot. Then, they should use that number to figure out how much the differences in the EPA miles per gallon estimates will affect the purse. Cars.com also tells women, "Don't discount a diesel-powered vehicle. Even though diesel fuel is more expensive, diesel-powered cars are far more fuel-efficient than their comparable gasoline counterparts" (this is good advice for anyone, I think).

Let me wrap up by pointing you to a woman's view of the Santa Monica Alt Car Expo. I attended the event last December and wrote a lot about it here on AutoblogGreen. Mary Hunt of In Women We Trust was also there, and came away suitably impressed. I think that her write up shows the potential profits green car makers and alternative fuel producers can make if they can capitalize on women's desire to help the environment, whether it's ten percent or lots, lots more.

[Source: In Women We Trust, Bankrate, Cars.com, Des Moines Register]

 

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Understanding the Chevy Volt's place in today's world

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The GM Volt is what I call an technology-enabled concept. We have a certain group of technologies that can fit together but we need mature, safe, and economical components ready at the same time to put the vehicle on the road in hundreds of thousands and then millions.

The Volt essentially removes petroleum or biofuels as the primary source of energy. They are demoted to a back-up source that is on call when needed. This is what we and the whole developed world need. It is a cure for petroleum depletion, emissions creation and greenhouse gas production. True, the missing energy would come from a mix of sources from solar and wind (most preferred), to coal and gas and nuclear, but still at levels that are basically more efficient.

I know Prof. Andy Burke of University of California, Davis, an early advocate of Plug In Hybrids like the Volt. He is a mild mannered researcher who kept coming to technical conferences reporting on the pluses and minuses (pardon the pun) of the different battery technologies and their use in plug in hybrids. It took a few years for the technology to catch on. Those technical and economic enablers are still needed. What if the perfected lithium ion batteries need a certain mysterious element known as "unobtainium" that is available only from the far side of the moon, or near where Osama bin Laden lives?

Remember also, that if battery storage is good enough, the Volt can be used without the engine at all. Keep the engine in storage for when you need it. You can take it out of the garage and plug it into the car for that trip to Aunt Ruthie's next weekend. During most weeks, keep it out, save the weight and do the "electric ride." Now, that is living large, 21st century style!

[Source: Mother Earth News]

 

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A MINI running over water?

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Yes, a MINI can walk run over water. In a campaign to showcase the new MINI, the BMW-owned marque is making some MINIs with a (I guess not factory-installed) sailing option and they will be showcased at beaches around Spain this summer.

The cars, which will run over sand and then float on the sea will be the main attraction for MINI's advertising efforts in Spain, one of countries with the most tourist visitors. The aim of the campaign is "creating tendencies and, of course, amuse everybody", says the press release. The car exhibition will include activities for children and adults.

There are some more pics after the jump

[Source: MINI]

 

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Piaggio still working on hybrid scooters, tests hybrid engine in MP3

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When the Moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of... the hybrid scooter? Maybe. Piaggio has been stringing us along with this idea for too long. Now, they go and install the system in their ultra-cool new leaning three-wheeled scooter, the MP3. I wonder how the hybrid MP3 would compete with the rumored all-electric Vectrix version of the MP3.

While we are dreaming, let me remind you of the BMW C1 scooter, which I've never actually seen close-up. That scooter featured a roof with a real windshield and was supposed to be found safe in crash testing. I would love to see that idea picked back up by a major manufacturer, like Piaggio. Combine the windshield and a sliding canvas roof with the MP3 front end... and power it with the Vectrix electric system. Am I asking for too much here? Is there anybody else out there that would jump on that if it were priced around $10,000 or so? Count me in!

[Source: 2 Stroke Buzz]

 

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Can the power grid really hold up to widespread EV use?

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Widespread adoption of plug-in cars always raises questions about the reliability of the electrical grid and an incident earlier this week in San Francisco does nothing to quell those concerns. A power outage in the area caused a major data center that hosted sites such as Technorati, Facebook and Six Apart to go down for several hours.

Tech writer Om Malik has a post on his blog about the sorry state of infrastructure investment in the United States. Apparently electric utilities have reduced capital expenditures by fifty percent over the past fifteen years, all in the name of increasing profits. I went through the big North-East blackout of 2003 and I have little confidence that utilities have done anything to address the root causes of that event. Some analysts think plug-in vehicles and particularly vehicle to grid technology will actually help stabilize the grid by providing a buffer to absorb and release excess power. We definitely need to do more research to find out.

[Source: GigaOm]

 

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HybridFest 2007 - We came, we saw, we conquered

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From the onset of the MPG Challenge on Friday to the conversion of Wisconsin Power's stock Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid on Sunday, HybridFest 2007 was the most rockin' party for treehuggers, hypermilers and other greenfolk this side of the Atlantic. If you feel bad that you didn't make it, you should. But to take the edge off, I'm here to tell you about it - as long as you promise to make it next year.

First of all, keep your eyes peeled here at AutoblogGreen, because we'll have interviews from happy hybrid owners, hypermilers (including those that competed in the MPG Challenge), and other attendees of various shades of green. You'll also find out how to get much better fuel economy that the EPA estimates, as long as you're okay with being tailgated. We'll also have a video of my sample attempt of the MPG Challenge in a Toyota Highlander Hybrid - it wasn't pretty.

Last year, HybridFest visitors endured the heat outside, but this year the event was in the air-conditioned comfort of the Exhibition Hall of the Dane County Fairgrounds, and was reportedly bigger and better than last year. Count on that being the theme of next year's Fest as well. Attendees were able to view exhibits from major automakers and their green offerings, alternative fuel promoters, green product manufacturers, and even a vintage Aston Martin V8 Vantage running on E85 (see gallery). I don't agree with the fuzzy seat covers, but to each their own. I'll see you there again next year!

 

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Toyota gets Japanese approval for PHEV Prius road tests

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Even though Toyota has been unenthusiastic about efforts by American owners to convert Priuses to plug-in capability, they have been working on PHEVs internally. They've now received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to road test their plug-in hybrid (previous post). The new vehicle has an on-board charging system that allows drivers to plug-in to a standard household outlet to charge the battery.

Interestingly, unlike the conversions being done by companies like HyMotion, Toyota has chosen not to use a lithium ion battery pack. Instead they are sticking with NiMH but with a higher capacity than than the standard units used in other hybrids. On the Japanese 10-15 test cycle the PHEV Prius has an electric range of about 8 miles. Toyota will be testing eight examples of the PHEV Prius and providing data back to the government that can be used to update test methods for efficiency and emissions tests. Two of the plug-in hybrids will also be coming to the US for use at the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine and the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

[Source: Toyota]
Toyota Advances Plug-In Hybrid Development With Partnership Program Involving UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, California Energy Commission And Air Resources Board
07/25/2007

July 25, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., (TMS) today announced that it will provide Toyota plug-in (PHEV) hybrid prototypes to the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), as part of its on-going sustainable mobility development program with the two UC campuses. Also, today, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced that the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has certified prototype plug-in hybrid vehicles for use of similar testing on Japan public roads.

Toyota has a long history of working collaboratively with both universities on the development of advanced technology and alternative-fuel vehicles, including demonstration and research programs involving fuel cell vehicles, gas-electric hybrids and pure electric vehicles. This next phase of its sustainable mobility partnership involving plug-in hybrid vehicles will be conducted in conjunction with the Alternative Fuel Incentive Program jointly developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC). The goal of this program, which was authorized under California Assembly Bill 1811, is to incentivize the use and production of alternative fuels and vehicles.

"Our goal with this program is to evaluate various advanced vehicle technologies, as well as key factors such as infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and urban design," says Dave Illingworth, senior vice president and chief planning officer for TMS. "The Toyota Prius convinced mainstream consumers on the merits of hybrids. Although there is much work to be done with plug-ins, we see this pilot program as a significant step in the advancement of the technology."

A conventional gas-electric full hybrid system, such as that found in the Toyota Prius, is powered by both an electric motor and a gas engine. The system operates in pure-electric mode, pure-gas mode, or a combined gas-electric mode. The electric motor is powered by a dedicated battery pack that is kept charged by electricity generated by the gas engine and the vehicle's re-generative braking system. The fact that the hybrid battery never needs to be plugged-in to a recharging station has been one of the primary selling points with mainstream consumers.

Based on the current-generation Prius, the PHEV prototypes will be powered by oversized packs of nickel-metal hydride batteries that effectively simulate the level of performance Toyota expects to achieve when it eventually develops its own more advanced, compact and powerful battery systems.

The prototype PHEV system is designed to operate in a similar manner to the current Prius, switching from pure-electric mode, to gas-engine mode to a combined gas-electric mode. The big advantage is that the PHEV's prototype battery pack is capable of storing significantly higher levels of electricity, supplied by "plugging into the grid" for periodic recharging sessions. With significantly more electric power in reserve, the vehicle will be capable of operating in pure-electric mode for longer periods of time and at much higher speeds than the current Prius. This will result in substantial gains in fuel economy and a major reduction in total tailpipe emissions of smog-forming gases, over current conventional hybrid systems.

Given its commercial success, it's no surprise that the further advancement of hybrid technology is a top priority for Toyota. As of the end of May 2007, cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles worldwide topped the one million mark, a global sales number the company hopes to hit annually in the early 2010s.

The U.S. market accounts for more than half of Toyota's first million hybrid sales-604,693 vehicles from the first Prius sold in 2000 through June 2007. And despite decreasing tax credits, demand continues to climb.

An analysis by The Detroit News showed Toyota accounted for 80 percent of the U.S. hybrid market in May, a month that saw TMS' hybrid sales jump more than 100 percent over the previous May. The company's hybrid sales for the first six months of 2007 are up 69 percent over the same period last year.

"The cost-benefit of hybrids is becoming more apparent with climbing gas prices," says Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We anticipate combined sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids in the United States to reach a quarter million units this year."

The price of gas isn't the only reason people purchase hybrids; many are concerned about reducing dependence on foreign oil and tailpipe emissions. A recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory says hybrids have saved close to 215 million gallons of fuel in the United States since their introduction in 1999.

Additionally, Toyota estimates that over the past decade, hybrids worldwide have emitted approximately 3.5 million fewer tons of CO2 than gas-powered vehicles of the same class.

 

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Startech will make methanol from trash in Puerto Rico

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The Startech Environmental Corporation is going to make methanol and other fuels from waste processed in the Startech Plasma Converter Systems in the EnviroSafe Recycling Facility in Puerto Rico. Startech has got a cool phrase: "Startech regards all wastes, hazardous and non-hazardous, as valuable renewable resources" and seems to be making good on the promise inherent in that statement.

While readers might be most familiar with methanol as something you need to make biodiesel, Startech would like to remind you that, "Recognizing certain limitations, diesel engines in trucks, railroad locomotives, and ships can use methanol for at least 85% of their total fuel. Likewise, methanol can even be used in automobiles such as racing cars where performance and safety are the most important fuel considerations. In an accident at sea, there is no fire or oil slick because the methanol dissolves in water. It is easy and safe to transport and distribute."

The Startech Plasma Converter System can take all kinds of waste ("municipal solid waste, organics and inorganics, solids, liquids and gases, hazardous and non- hazardous waste, industrial by-products and also items such as 'e-waste,' medical waste, chemical industry waste and other specialty wastes") and turn it into products like metals and Plasma Converted Gas, which can then be made into GTL, methanol or hydrogen.

Read more in our earlier posts:
[Source: Startech Environmental Corporation]

 

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Diesel Prices: Not Higher, Just High

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Let's face it, almost everything material that we have came to us on a truck. And most trucks, especially large trucks, run on diesel fuel. Diesel in 2007 is "greener" because it is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. That means it has 97 percent less sulfur in it by law then the fuel used in prior years. Less sulfur, less particulate emissions. It is just not renewable unless you think on the multi-million year scale. So, though we may never personally drive a diesel vehicle, we need diesel fuel to keep going. Otherwise, supermarkets run out of milk or meat and the pharmacy runs out of drugs.

Diesel fuel is not the same as gasoline. Different set of hydrocarbons. Different physical properties. They are specialized fuels for the engines they are used in. Not interchangeable. A big difference: gasoline evaporates quickly; diesel fuel does not. Another difference: diesel has about 11 percent more heat energy (BTUs) in every gallon.

So here's a graph showing the latest news on diesel fuel prices: Looks like a cross-section of the Grand canyon, doesn't it? At this time 2 years ago, diesel prices were $2.40 a gallon and then they peaked at about $3.20. Zoomed further after Hurricane Katrina. Last year, prices were already high and then they rapidly dropped off, partly due to the fact that the hurricanes we prepared for did not come. This year we are not quite as high but US refineries are struggling to keep production up. Even today, there is word of explosions at a TX liquified natural gas (LNG) facility. And the hurricane season approaches . . .

[Source: US DOE EIA]

 

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Travel by an eco-friendly flying saucer?

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Earlier today we mentioned that Dr. Paul Moller might finally be offering a vehicle to the public. His vehicle is sort of a hovercraft, although much different in execution to the standard hovercraft, and looks very much like a small flying saucer. Well, how about we upsize that flying saucer design and put lots of people on it? There is a team from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands which is working on just such a machine. Well, not really working on it yet, but theorizing on it anyway. They are calling it the "Cleanera Project". They should be starting to post information about their plans on their new blog. To quote their blog site, "The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology has embarked on a four-year project to develop 'the ultra-eco-friendly plane'. The Team members will post here regularly."

Nothing is actually posted yet about the project, but Treehugger has some information about the team and their thoughts on the design of eco-friendly aircraft. They mention that "propellers, composite materials, ergonomics and biofuels" are all under consideration for this project. We'll all have to take a wait and see attitude on this one since there is nothing but theories which will need extensive research and testing before anything materializes.

[Source: Delft University via Treehugger]

 

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Audi releases first sketches of the the new A1

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The boffins at CAR magazine over in the UK have managed to procure the first official images of the upcoming Audi A1. The A1 will be Audi's new entry level model that will be built in the plant in Belgium that they recently took over from Volkswagen. As a premium brand within the VW group, Audi's new small car will take on BMW's MINI rather than going for cheaper models like the VW Polo and Opel Corsa.

Base models will be front wheel drive and use VW's direct injected TFSI engines ranging from 65 to 170hp. Diesels will also play a prominent role with 75 to 130hp. As with other Audi models Quattro all-wheel drive will be optional and three and five door hatches along with a two door coupe and convertible are expected. Head over to CAR for more images and details.

[Source: CAR]

 

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Tesla Roadster gets Gold International Design Excellence Award

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The Industrial Designer's Society of America (ISDA) and BusinessWeek have chosen the Tesla Roadster to receive a Gold IDEA award. ISDA gives the awards annually in a variety of categories and the Roadster won in the EcoDesign category. A jury made up of members of the society judge the entries based on characteristics such as innovation, aesthetics, environment and others. If all goes well, we will be seeing the first production examples of this groundbreaking electric sports car in just over two months.

[Source: Tesla]The 2008 Tesla Roadster Wins Gold International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) Sponsored Jointly by BusinessWeek Magazine and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)

WHAT'S NEWS
- The Industrial Designer's Society of America and BusinessWeek Magazine jointly recognized The 2008 Tesla Roadster with a Gold IDEA award.
- With more than 3,300 members and 28 chapters IDSA is the voice of the industrial design profession, advancing the quality and positive impact of design.
- In the same issue, BusinessWeek offers a comprehensive overview of Tesla Motors in the competitive landscape in an article entitled, "A Carmaker with Silicon Valley Spark"

BACKGROUND: TESLA MOTORS

- Tesla Motors develops and manufactures vehicles that exemplify "Design, Performance, and Efficiency" while conforming to all U.S. safety, environmental, and durability standards.
The Tesla Roadster, a stylish, high-performance, 100% electric sports car, accelerates to 60 mph in about 4 seconds and has a range of more than 200 miles on a single charge.
- Tesla Motors expects to start shipping Roadsters to customers this Fall.
- Tesla Motors was founded in July 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning to create efficient electric cars for people who love to drive.
- Tesla Motors currently employs more than 250 people, including teams in California, Michigan, the U.K. and Taiwan. For more information, visit www.teslamotors.com


QUOTES

Attributable to Franco Lodato, Director Head, R&D Division, North American Region, Pininfarina Extra USA:
- "A high octane experience with low voltage rush. The Tesla Roadster represents the best mix of innovation, environmental care and style. Definitely the kind of products new consumers are willing to try."

Attributable to Darryl Siry, Tesla Motors VP of Marketing, Sales and Service:
- Tesla Motors is anchored on three brand attributes: Design, Performance, Efficiency. The design of the 2008 Roadster is a critical component of its success, and this recognition by the Industrial Designers Society of America represents a validation of our strategy in building the kind of car that allows consumers to indulge in their passion for motoring and while enjoying the image of a beautiful, highly efficient, emissions-free sports car."

 

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Frankfurt preview: first picture of Kia's new "Longer, lower and lighter" Pro-cee'd

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The Frankfurt International Motor Show, coming in September, is starting to reveal its secrets. Kia Motors Corporation, for example, just released the first preview image of the new Kia three-door hatchback model, scheduled to make its World Premiere in Frankfurt. The green aspect? This new car, called the Pro-cee'd, will be "longer, lower and lighter" than its five-door cousin. OK, that's not much, but the current version is already pretty light in the fuel consumption arena (diesel versions get 60.1 mpg in the European cycle, and the petrols have CO2 emissions of just 125 g/km) and it makes sense to expect a lighter version to beat those numbers. Want one? the Pro-cee'd should be ready for you early in 2008.

Kia's short press release is after the jump.

[Source: Kia]
KIA cee'd THREE-DOOR REVEALED

Kia Motors Corporation has released the first preview image of its exciting new Kia three-door hatchback model which will make its World Premiere at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September. The new model will be named Pro-cee'd.

Based closely on the earlier 'pro_cee'd' concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model has been developed by Kia's design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

"Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee'd is going to be a great drive," enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. "Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee'd is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand."

Manufactured in Slovakia, Pro-cee'd will be the third member of the Kia cee'd family, joining the popular cee'd five-door and the soon to be released cee'd SW models to make Kia an especially strong challenger for C-segment sales in Europe.

Production of the Pro-cee'd model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.

 

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Altairnano and AES collaborating on home energy storage

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One of the biggest concerns with a large-scale move toward electric vehicles is the ability of the electrical grid to cope with the extra load. The grid is designed to have balanced loads across all points. If the loads in any area get too high or too low, the grid can collapse. Altairnano Technologies, creators of the NanoSafe batteries used the Phoenix SUT, are collaborating with AES on home energy storage systems.

Back in March power company AES invested $3 million in Altairnano. The home energy storage units could act as buffers to absorb power when there is an excess and release it when there isn't enough. The system could be used to store energy from solar panels or wind turbines for use when it's needed. If enough of these types of systems are installed in peoples houses it could allow power companies to put off building additional generating capacity.

[Source: CNET via Engadget]

 

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Müller will produce ethanol the milky way

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Müllermilch is a famous German producer of absolutely decadent dairy desserts. However, milk production is not one of the cleanest industries in the world and we have found out today that one of the side products is lactose-based molasses, which were traditionally used to feed animals. Hey, but molasses are sugars, aren't they? So Müller decided to try converting them into ethanol.

The principle is simple: Ferment the sugars to obtain ethanol. To do so, Müller has invested 20 million EUR in a factory that will convert this former by-product into ethanol. If you think that chemo-dairy is weird, I once read that EU butter excedents are used to make paint. The EU produces more milk than Europeans drink.

Müller's target is producing 10 million liters of ethanol for next year.

Related:
[Source: Moteurnature (link is in French)]

 

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Sales of low-polluting cars in China going down

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The sales of lower emission cars are down in China. During the first half of this year, sales of these cars are down 11.67 percent, according to an article published by the Chinese official news agency, Xinhua. The data is important because car sales in China were up a 30 percent in 2006.

Experts blame this on several factors such as the lack of social status smaller cars have or the lower awareness of some premium ecological models. "If a low-emission car made in China could match the New Beetle or the Mini's performance, it would be warmly welcome", said Lang Xuehong, chief of the automotive department at Sinotrust. Lang affirms that local manufacturers get a very small profit from less-polluting cars (around 100 USD) which reflects in the lower quality of these models.

According to a recent study by Sinotrust Marketing Research & Consulting, less than 20 percent of 15,000 interviewed potential car buyers would consider a low-emission vehicle as their first purchase option. So far, not a single low-emission vehicle was in the top-20 sales ranking, whereas last year, a few models (from QQ and Xiali) were in the list.

Related:

[Source: Xinhua via Cadenaser.com]

 

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Just Gotta Scoot tests the Piaggo MP3, averages 73 mpg

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The Piaggio MP3 scooter is no stranger to our website, and we have brought you a few reviews of the machine since it first hit our shores earlier this year. Just Gotta Scoot has just gotten their mitts on one, too, and here is their take. The machine differs from your standard scooter by offering two wheels up front, and maintains the ability to lean into turns. This makes the scooter more stable when cornering, especially when the ground is wet or unstable.

One aspect which is sure to please is the fuel mileage of the scooter. The version JGS tested had the larger 250cc engine and delivered a stellar 73 miles per gallon. This figure would likely be higher if the same engine were installed in a smaller and lighter scooter, which it is. Piaggio's 250cc engine is also used in the Vespa GTS (which was just recalled) and more. The reported top speed was over 70 miles per hour, so the machine is freeway capable, if barely. The main problem as noted by David, the reviewer was a lack of power from the engine. This is understandable with so much weight to carry around. Rumor has it that a 400cc version of the scooter will be available in the U.S. not too long from now. Of course, with a larger engine, the fuel mileage would take a hit. Compromises, as always!

[Source: Just Gotta Scoot]

 

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From two-stroke to electric, the eSolex, the electric retro moped

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Almost unknown outside France, the VéloSoleX was a creation of Solex, the same company that produced carburettors fitted in many cars until the '80s, and it was basically a bicycle with a small two-stroke motor that powered the front wheel with friction. The motor was a 49cc 0.5 HP unit that could be detached in order to use the bike with exclusive human power.

The VéloSoleX is back but now it's called eSolex and instead of a combustion engine, the eSolex arrives in all-electric mode, still allowing you to use the pedals anytime. The new design is made by Pininfarina and all the details are set to remember the old model. Even the motor bulk on the front wheel is kept, but now for storage purposes instead of the two-stroke engine, the prominent carburettor and the side-placed gasoline reservoir.

Continue reading for full specs about this little jewel. There's a small surprise about the price.

Gallery: eSolex


[Source: eSolex]
Maximum speed is not really going to destroy your coiffage (hairdo, although you must wear a helmet in Europe to ride this), being 35 km/h (22 mph) or 22 km/h (17 mpg) in ECO mode, which uses less electricity and allows riding further. The motor is placed inside the rear wheel (brushless) and has 0.4 kW of power efficient up to a 85 percent.

The battery is lithium-ion (36V x 15 Ah) and weighs only 5 kg (11 pounds), which allows you to remove it from the eSolex frame and carry it with you for recharging. Since it's lithium, it has no "memory -effect" and can be fully recharged in 6 hours (70 percent in 3 hours) up to 700 cycles. Total weight is only 40 kg (89 pounds). Range? Good for 45 km in normal mode and 60 in ECO mode.

Inconvenient? Maybe not the most suitable option for long commutes due to the moped limitations, but the price is great: 1,150 EUR (taxes not included), cheaper than most of the gasoline mopeds available in Europe.

A pity it's only currently on sale in France, but they are expanding in Europe in the near future.

If you feel like learning a little bit about the old Velosolex, a jewel of classic motorbiking, visit this link.

 

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Will Maryland be the first to have a smart grid up and running?

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It no secret the California and Austin, TX are two places where engineers and legislators are moving forward on getting a smart grid up and running (see links below). It's time to put another location on the list: Maryland. Maryland's Governor O'Malley and energy experts today met yesterday at the Maryland Energy Summit and one of the topics was smart metering technology.

Kurt Yeager, executive director of the Galvin Electricity Initiative, which is working on smart grid technology, says Maryland is starting to make the right moves for installing a smart grid.

"For too long, customers have been shut out of the dialogue, when instead they should be treated as active participants and partners in the electricity enterprise. Rewarding utilities for efficiency and customer service facilitates that relationship, and smart metering technology gives consumers the tools they need to benefit from it, from reducing their bills to helping protect the environment. Maryland's decoupling efforts are steps in the right direction, paving the way for a future electric system that is affordable, efficient and reliable," Yeager said in a release.

Related:
[Source: Galvin Electricity Initiative]

 

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Zap claims 100 mile range in lab test with lithium battery pack

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Zap has been talking for some time now about offering optional lithium ion batteries on their three-wheeled Xebra vehicles. The Xebra currently uses a lead acid pack the that offers a claimed range of 25 miles. The company has announced that they have lab tested a Xebra truck with a lithium ion pack and achieved a range of 100 miles.

Danish technology company Lithium Balance has two Xebras that they are using for battery and management software development. Zap CEO Steve Schneider recently cut a deal with Chinese company Advanced Battery Technologies to lithium batteries for Zap vehicles.

[Source: Zap]

 

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Sneaky Simpsons creator Matt Groening drives a Prius

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So, according to this article, his reasons are not completely eco-friendly, but at least Matt Groening's driving a Prius. Groening, creator of the Simpsons cartoon among others, likes the fact that he can sneak up on people in parking lots without them hearing his car. Sounds like there's a little bit of Bart in him, huh? As a matter of fact, he nearly named Bart's character after himself.

I also noted in the article that the Simpsons movie is going to have a green theme. What exactly that means is still unknown, other than the fact that Homer nearly causes his entire town of Springfield to be evacuated due to toxic pollution of its' river. Oh well, whatever his reasons, maybe by driving a Prius, fans of the show will be motivated to go green themselves.

[Source: Times Online]

 

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First carbon capture facility in Florida

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Seminole Electric Cooperative, based in Tampa, FL, announced plans to solicit proposals for a CO2 capture demonstration project at its proposed Seminole Generating Station (SGS) Unit 3 facility. The power plant will be the first in the state to have a carbon capture device attached to it, and it's planned to generate 750 MW of power and will be built along two other plants SGS has that generate 650 MW each.

The project includes a $300 million project to lower the emissions of the two older plants, along with the distribution of 100,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (which use much less energy than regular incandescent bulbs). If you wondered what devices Seminole wants to use in this new plant, here's the list:
  • Scrubbers to remove sulfur dioxide and produce commercial grade gypsum that will be sold for use in the manufacture of wallboard;
  • A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, similar to the catalytic converter on your car, to remove nitrogen oxide;
  • An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to collect fine particles, using static electricity, before they exit the stack; and
  • Controls for removing acid gas.
  • Some of this equipment concurrently will remove mercury from stack gases.
[Source: Seminole Electric]

 

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Chrysler produces the ultimate green racer

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Arguments could be made about the green credentials of any alternative fuel vehicles such as the chemical content and energy required to produce batteries, the problem of producing and storing hydrogen and more. But here is a racer produced by a group of Chrysler employees that is completely green. OK, not including any energy required for the computers used to design it and the machines used to build it, so no one is completely green.

A team from Chrysler's Pacifica Design Center in California designed and built an Extreme Gravity Racing car relies entirely on gravity for propulsion. Extreme Gravity Racing is form of soap box derby that includes steep hills and sharp turns with speeds up to 60mph. The Chrysler team has come out on top in the elapsed time category two years running. Now if only we could make all roads face downhill so that we could just use gravity propelled cars we would never produce carbon emissions or run out of fuel.

[Source: Chrysler]Somewhere between a Soap Box Derby and NASCAR...
When competitors from the world's top automotive design studios meet this September for the Extreme Gravity Racing (XGR) Series event in Los Angeles, the Chrysler Group's winning team from the PacificaAdvancedProductCenter will be the one to beat.



For the past two years, a group of employees at Pacifica design center have parlayed their time and passion for cars into a winning formula that competing teams envy. The Chrysler Group's team has taken first place two years in a row in one category and has placed in the top three in two others.

Nine PacificaAdvancedProductCenter employees gathered with the Extreme Gravity Racing car they helped build and race.

Extreme gravity racing is a fairly new sport-soapbox-style racing with a 21st century spin. The idea is to put drivers into aerodynamically optimized, but engineless race cars. The vehicles are similar in appearance to missiles on wheels that hurtle down steep hills and around hairpin curves at speeds in excess of 60 mph.

There are three categories of awards in extreme gravity racing: top speed, shortest elapsed time and best design. "Elapsed time is the one everybody shoots for," Jordan Stockham, a modeler/fabricator at the Carlsbad, Calif.-based studio, said.

"The races have become progressively more challenging, with corkscrew turns on steep grades," Alan Barrington, driver and designer of the 2005 racer, said. "This type of racing is just as intense and competitive as any motorized racing, but it's completely green."

First time out, the Chrysler team took first place for best elapsed time and achieved a top speed of 53 mph.

"We were the underdog with the smallest budget, and we wanted to win," Larry Nelson, a modeling/fabrication supervisor, said. "Our original budget was minuscule, and the team volunteered their time to build the car. The camaraderie among team members was one of the best parts of the project."

Last year, the team competed in two races, taking third and first places, and reaching top speeds of 60 mph. They plan to exceed these speeds in 2007 with a car designed to handle the speed safely.

"We should mention how important the driver is," Tony Newman, a modeler/fabricator, said. "He gets into the car and goes as fast as he can with no fear. Alan (Barrington) doesn't get enough credit. The driver has to be fearless."

This fall, 20 teams or more, including two from Europe, will race in Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe and Mammoth, Calif.

"It has been said that most of them just want a chance to try to beat the Chrysler team," Stockham said. "We're proud of the Chrysler Group racers and our overall first-place -position for two years in a row."

Besides Barrington, Stockham, Nelson and Newman, the team includes Ivo Milosavievski, John Sodano, Kevin Verduyn, Rob Pitt, Michael Newman, Lennart Gustafsson and Ken Cook.

 

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Paris Hilton gives up her Range Rover for an Escape Hybrid, is scared for the environment

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Today we have a report that puts one more hybrid in the not so capable hands of a celebrity. The celebrity: our favorite hotel heriess, Paris Hilton. The car: the Ford Escape hybrid. She apparently was given the car, which is nice, and will be replacing her Range Rover. The good news is that this gets one more gas guzzler off the roadways in Hollywood, the bad news is that Paris does not exactly have a shining driving record. AutoblogGreen is certainly no TMZ or anything, so I won't go into depth regarding her frequent run-ins with the law. Suffice it to say, though, that the law won.

Here are some of Paris' other revelations from BPM's green party at Los Angeles' Avalon nightclub:

"I'm getting a car from Ford, a hybrid one. They gave me one. So, I think driving hybrid cars is the new way to go, and recycling." She followed with, "I just want this world to be a better place for my grandchildren. I'm scared with what's going on in the environment, so I hope people will help and make a difference. Everyone can."

She is absolutely right about everyone being able to make a difference. By driving an Escape hybrid, Paris is making a statement that her fans hopefully will appreciate.

[Source: Tonight - tip from Linton, and The Evil Beet]

 

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Two more cities offering public bike rental services: Sevilla and Cordoba

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Due to the success of the Bicing service in Barcelona and similar services in Lyon and Paris, two more cities have decided to support public bike rental services, Sevilla and Córdoba, in the region of Andalusia (Spain).

The plans for Córdoba are very modest, due to the relative small size of the city: 35 bikes in 4 stations, linking the historic center with spots such as the City Hall and the High Speed Train (AVE) station. The service, called Ciclocity, is free for everybody but requires registering personally at the council offices.

Sevilla has more ambitious plans. First of all, the model will be copied from Lyon's bike, (I'm sure they took note of the strong criticisms that the Barcelona model has) with a beefed up service, named Sevici, with 2,500 bikes available and 250 parking stations distributed in all city districts, managed by JCDecaux. The cost is only 10 EUR/year or 5 EUR/week, with the 30 first minutes of rental for free (1/2 EUR for each additional half-hour). Currently, only two stations are working for free demonstrations in the city center but the complete deployment is expected for mid-2008.

I just couldn't resist mentally comparing this to the Cadillac Seville models and the Chrysler Cordoba...

Related:

[Source: Sevilla and Córdoba City Halls]

 

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The Ford Lohan? The Honda Nicole Richie? Paul Mecurio gets his mean green on

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Need a laugh at global warming's expense? Or how about at a young starlet's? Comedian Paul Mecurio is here to give it a whirl. Mecurio was recently on the radio with the Bob & Tom Show and suggested a few ways car companies can make inroads with today's young 'uns (listen here):

"In our society being cool is everything. To get more people on board with the green movement, we need to re-package it ... to make it less crunchy and more hip.

Like ethanol-nothing sexy about that. But Ethanol is alcohol and like other alcohol it should be marketed to teenagers.

Create cars for today's young, hip ethanol consumer. Like the Ford Lohan, a car that runs on as much alcohol as she does. Or the Toyota Nicole Richie. If you fill it with the wrong fuel, you stick two fingers down the tank and it comes right back up."

Comedy. How tasteful. We'll see what Mecurio tells the American Coalition for Ethanol when he performs for their corporate event on Aug. 8 in St. Paul, Minnesota

[Source: Paul Mecurio via Ecorazzi]

 

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

New capacitor material could make them practical for EVs

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One of the means that electrically powered vehicles used to maximize their range is regenerative braking where the kinetic energy of the vehicle is recaptured during deceleration and than released during acceleration. The problem is that most batteries can't absorb energy quickly enough to capture all the available energy. This is where capacitors have an advantage since they can absorb energy a lot faster than batteries and do it a lot more times. Unfortunately the total energy capacity is limited, which also limits their usefulness. While a lithium ion battery pack could contain enough energy to drive a vehicle a couple of hundred miles, an ultra-capacitor pack would be lucky to get a few miles.

Now a team of physicists at North Carolina State University have developed a new capacitor material that can contain up to seven times as much energy as existing capacitors. Vivek Ranjan, Liping Yu, Marco Buongiorno Nardelli and Jerry Bernholc figured adding a polymer called CTFE as an impurity to another polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) make for a much better capacitor dielectric greatly enhanced the latter's energy absorption. Perhaps if the cost of this material can be reduced a capacitor of this type could be combined with a battery to produce an energy system that can absorb and release energy quickly and still provide decent range.

[Source: PhysOrg]

 

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The myth of the "tortilla effect". Ethanol prices don't affect food prices

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Some voices claimed that the widespread use of ethanol had made the price of corn so expensive that Mexicans had to pay more for it. Whereas corn is really basic in Mexican kitchens and the price was raised a few months ago, it yet has to be proven that it was because of corn-based ethanol.

Such a thing is announced by Ethanol Across America, a campaign of the Clean Fuels Foundation (which is paid by ethanol producers, among others). They affirm that the impact of corn ethanol of food prices is minimal, if any. "America's farmers are the most efficient and productive in the world" said Senator Nelson (D-NE), Chairman of this campaign. "With this new demand will come increased yields and a likely leveling of prices ... We are also working hard to diversify our biofuel production by utilizing new feedstocks that range from specialty energy crops to waste materials."

The brief of the campaign also affirms that although corn prices have doubled, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Consumer Price Index (CPI), food costs have increased just 2 percent, which is less than their historical average of 2.9 percent per year.

Pump prices are also a key argument in this campaign and uses Nebraska (where E10 to E85 pumps offer lower prices) as a good example. A final argument is that ethanol is one of the paths the US must follow to lower dependence on foreign oil.

Related:

[Source: Ethanol Across America]

 

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VIDEO: The solar-powered Volts Wagen classic Beetle

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When you've got (the name), flaunt it. The video above is of the Volts Wagen, a homemade EV that should turn a few heads.The car isn't a new EV miracle - it's got basic converted stats (40 miles on a charge, 65 mph top speed) - but it's got plenty of style.

"My question is simple: Why aren't we all driving on electricity? Actually, I'll do you one better than that," the host says, and proceeds to explain his home solar set up. With it, he can drive his yellow bug in a totally green way.

I want this car, or one like it. Also, the host in the video makes a great ambassador for battery-powered electric cars.

[Source: YouTube, thanks to Domenick for the tip]

 

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Cheap paintable solar cells

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Prof. Somenath Mitra at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and his research team have created a new type of photovoltaic cell that can be applied to flexible plastic sheets by either painting or printing processes. The hope is to eventually allow people to print sheets of the cells at home to be applied to any surface to generate power. The new cells are substantially cheaper to produce than traditional types and because of the flexibility they can be applied to many different surfaces like the roof of a car. The new cell structure is based on carbon nanotubes combined with tiny carbon Buckyballs. The combined structure allows the electrons to flow with greater conductivity than copper. There is no information right now about the efficiency of the new cells although Mitra says the new organic solar cell can enhance the efficiency of future cells which indicates the current ones have less efficiency.

[Source: Science Daily via instapundit, thanks to Alex for the tip!]

 

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Changing taxes to reduce pollution: Spain finally adopting CO2-dependant tax system

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Finally, the Spanish government has announced the tax scheme for the immatriculation tax, a tax paid when a vehicle is purchased. This new scheme, to be started in January 2008, depends on the CO2 emissions of the vehicles and it has lowered significantly the price for some vehicles.

Until now, the immatriculation tax was a 7 percent of the base price for cars under 1.6 liters (gasoline) or 2.0 liters (diesel). From January, the tax will be called "Green tax" and will be distributed like this:

  • No tax for cars with emissions under 120 CO2 g/km (like the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic IMA and small mini cars such as Peugeot 107, Opel Agila, Toyota Aygo and base versions of superminis like the Renault Clio, Seat Ibiza...)
  • Between 121 and 161 CO2 g/km: 4.75 percent (this new tax benefit "clean" bread-and-butter vehicles like Ford Mondeos, Renault Mégane...)
  • Between 161 and 200 CO2 g/km: 9.75 percent (which benefits "clean" big cars such as diesel MPVs)
  • Over 201CO2 CO2 g/km: 14.75 percent (bad for SUVs).

Additionally, Spanish drivers must pay a Council "Road tax" which is very different depending on the place of the country they live in. This tax will be changed and adapted to the "Green tax" in the near future.

Continue reading on how the prices of some popular European models will be affected by this new tax (thanks to our colleagues at Autoblog Spanish).

Related:

[Source: Autoblog en Español, Legislation]

  • Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 85 HP 117 CO2 g/km. Current price, 13.900 €. New price, 12.927 €.
  • VW Golf GT Sport 105 HP 3p, 132 CO2 g/km. Current price, 22.190 €. New price, 21.468 €.
  • Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6i 106 HP. 210 CO2 g/km. Current price, 16.995 €. New price, 18.312 €.
  • Peugeot 407 2.0i Sport 143 HP. 192 CO2 g/km. Current price, 23.230 €. New price, 22.707 €.
  • Chevrolet Epica 2.0 VCDi 150 HP. 169 CO2 g/km. Current price, 21.000 €. New price, 21.577 €.
  • Lexus IS250 Aut. 208 HP. 214 CO2 g/km. Current price 42.535 €. New price, 43.492 €
  • As you can see, the scheme benefits cleaner cars regardless of engine size. The most affected vehicles are SUVs, big Minivans and gas-guzzlers.

     

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    29 clean buses coming to North Carolina State University in August

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    North Carolina State University's transit fleet will be upgraded with a new "clean" fleet of 29 buses on August 9. The buses will use clean diesel technology - not a hybrid system - to reduce pollutants. The school will also switch transit providers for the Wolfline bus system, but the routes will remain the same. The new buses cost $350,000 each and the new service provider is offering NCSU the chance to not pay for service that is late too often or if there are many complaints.

    Related:
    [Source: N.C. State Student Media, h/t to greatslack]

     

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    More details on the California state flex-fuel vehicles not using any E85

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    As we mentioned, last year the state of California spent $13 million on flex-fuel vehicles for state officials to use. Most of the 1,500 vehicles were Chevy Impalas. The state Department of General Services has revealed that not one ounce of ethanol has been used in any of these vehicles to date. When they bought the vehicles there were no E85 stations in California and the investment in the fleet did not include any money for such facilities.

    Even now the only state-operated E85 pump is in San Diego making it of little use to most of the vehicles. The flex-fuel vehicles have accumulated over ten million miles using nothing but gasoline. The main reason behind the purchase was because new federal guidelines required three-quarters of state vehicle purchases to be alternative fuel models and flex-fuel vehicles were the most available and practical even though the alternative fuel itself was unavailable in the state.

    [Source: KGO-TV]

     

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    H-Racer - the hydrogen toy - named Consumer Silver Award Winner

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    The toy we've featured more than any other on AutoblogGreen (as far as I can remember) is the H-Racer, a hydrogen-powered car. Looks like we're not the only ones paying attention. The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and BusinessWeek have named the H-Racer and the compatible Hydrogen Station Set, made by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, the Consumer Silver Award Winner in the 2007 International Design Excellence Awards. There were 81 winners out of 1691 entries.

    The H-Racer won because of "its environmentally sustainable, renewable energy hydrogen fuel cell design- providing consumers with a glimpse into the future of clean hydrogen power transportation." And because it's cool. Expensive, but cool.

    Related:
    [Source: IDSA]

     

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    Ladies and Gentlemen: Let's Get Ready to Rummmble!

    Filed under: , ,

    In this corner, we have the current champion, weighing in at a pretty and firm (classified), the Speaker of the House Nancy "Leader of the Pack" Pelosiiiii! And, in the far corner, we have the challenger, a battler with a long, long record of victories, that Congressman from the great state of Michigan and current chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, none other than Rep. John (The Dingellsaurus) Dingell! This battle will decide the House version of the 2007 Energy bill which recently passed in the Senate.

    John wants to protect the jobs of his constituents in his district - Big 3 auto jobs - and so he opposes the 35 mpg average fuel economy goal already in the Senate version of the bill. He is also a latecomer to accepting the idea of global warming and doesn't want it solved on the backs of his supporters. With his experience in the House - he has been there since 1955 (52 years!) - he knows every trick in the book to delay, to revise, and to fashion a bill that will exclude the 35 mpg by 2020 car and SUV requirement in the Senate bill. If so, the Speaker has a plan to add it back in during an early round with an amendment from the House. But she better make sure she has the strength (votes) to land that punch before she tries it.

    Pelosi is liable to be the overall favorite as she is fighting against global warming and wants to show that her party can move ahead on that issue on automobiles. Dingell, of the same Democratic party, has strong support from Detroit and hopes he can maneuver in the match up to reduce some of the health care costs his friends have to carry.

    All in all, this is match not to be missed. Watch what happens when these opponents get in the clinch. Between global warming, health benefits, carbon taxes and efficiency, something is bound to happen. The winner will not take all but will take most. After all, this politics, not boxing.

    [Source: New York Times]

     

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    Check out this green fuel ... gasoline

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    When I got to interview Jory Squibb, the inventor of the Moonbeam late last year, one thing he said really stuck with me: "A gallon of gas is a miracle." With the Moonbeam, he wanted to build a vehicle that got the most oomph out of each gallon. The website NADAguides.com is making a similar point this summer with the statement that "You Can Be 'Green' with Gasoline."

    In a recent press release, NADAguides is showing new and used car buyers the vehicles that give a lot for what they burn and finds that "car buyers have plenty of options when it comes to saving fuel (and ultimately, the environment) and those options aren't necessarily limited to only buying Hybrids." These are the top ten, according to NADAguides.

    New Cars with Best Fuel Mileage (EPA Estimates and Base MSRP)
    1. 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid - 51 Highway/60 City - $22,175
    2. 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid - 51 Highway/40 City - $22,600
    3. 2007 Toyota Corolla - 41 Highway/32 City - $14,305
    4. 2007 Toyota Yaris - 40 Highway/34 City - $11,150
    5. 2007 MINI Cooper - 40 Highway/32 City - $18,050
    6. 2007 Honda Civic Sedan - 40 Highway/30 City - $15,010
    7. 2007 Honda Civic Coupe - 40 Highway/30 City - $14,810
    8. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid - 38 Highway/40 City - $26,200
    9. 2007 Honda Fit - 38 Highway/33 City - $13,850
    10. 2007 Kia Rio - 38 Highway/32 City - $10,770
    Used Cars with Best Fuel Mileage (EPA Estimates and Clean Retail Value, Base Models)
    1. 2000 Honda Insight Hybrid - 70 Highway/61 City - $8,025
    2. 2006 Toyota Prius Hybrid - 51 Highway/60 City - $21,775
    3. 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid - 51 Highway/49 City - $17,310
    4. 2004 Honda Civic - 51 Highway/48 City - $11,600
    5. 2002 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon - 50 Highway/42 City - $9,000
    6. 1998 Volkswagen Passat - 50 Highway/39 City - $5,400
    7. 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle - 49 Highway/42 City - $6,025
    8. 1999 Volkswagen New Golf - 49 Highway/42 City - $4,875
    9. 1998 Chevrolet Metro - 49 Highway/41 City - $2,175
    10. 1999 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan - 49 Highway/40 City - $4,275
    I don't take issue with NADAguides for trying to point out that non-hybrids can be pretty fuel efficient, but let's not deny that the top two cars in each category are hybrids. I think the most astounding numbers are when you do a comparison between #3 and #4 in the Used list. Look at it, and tell me why you'd want to pay $6,000 for the hybrid version.

    There's more information in the release after the jump.

    [Source: NADAguides.com]You Can Be 'Green' with Gasoline, Says NADAguides.com

    COSTA MESA, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Everybody is going green these days, especially in the automotive world. Hybrid Cars (or Green Cars as they're commonly known) are typically powered by a combination of gasoline engines and electric motors. At certain times, the electric motor "takes over", reducing the energy the gasoline engine requires. Because of this, gas-electric Hybrids use less fuel - and emit less harmful pollutants - than standard, gasoline-powered vehicles.

    Everybody's talking about Hybrids too, including Ford Motor Company (http://www.ford.com/) and Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison. The automaker and the electric company recently announced they're combining resources to make plug-in Hybrid vehicles more accessible to consumers. And actor Rob Lowe is talking about Hybrids, appearing before Congress last week to promote tax credits for people who add a plug-in feature to Hybrid cars and trucks.

    The experts at NADAguides.com are also talking "Green". After a recent analysis of fuel economy information in the New and Used car sections of the company's website http://www.nadaguides.com/, they say car buyers have plenty of options when it comes to saving fuel (and ultimately, the environment) and those options aren't necessarily limited to only buying Hybrids.

    For example, the analysis revealed that seven of the 10 most economical New Cars and seven of the 10 most economical Used Cars at the NADAguides.com website were standard gasoline-powered vehicles. Of the seven most economical gas-powered New Cars, the average EPA Highway estimate was close to 40 MPG (just seven miles less than the top three Hybrids) and the average EPA City Estimate was almost 32 MPG (about 18 miles less).

    Of the seven most economical gas-powered vehicles in the Used Car category, the average EPA Highway estimate was about 50 MPG (roughly seven miles less than the top three Hybrids) and the average EPA City Estimate was 42 MPG (about 14 miles less).

    "Even though there are less Hybrids produced on the market today than standard gas-powered cars, these numbers are still extremely significant," said Don Christy, Jr., president and CEO, NADAguides.com. "This analysis demonstrates that car buyers have options when it comes to buying an economical car, whether it's a Hybrid or a standard gas-powered vehicle."

    Results of the recent fuel efficiency analysis at NADAguides.com follow, with EPA estimates and applicable pricing information included (duplicate models and trims excluded). Christy says it's important to note that sometimes Hybrids perform better in City driving situations (a common confusion among car buyers) due to the transfer of power from the gasoline engine to the electric motor while the vehicle is stopped and idling.

    New Cars with Best Fuel Mileage (EPA Estimates and Base MSRP)

    1. 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid - 51 Highway/60 City - $22,175
    2. 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid - 51 Highway/40 City - $22,600
    3. 2007 Toyota Corolla - 41 Highway/32 City - $14,305
    4. 2007 Toyota Yaris - 40 Highway/34 City - $11,150
    5. 2007 MINI Cooper - 40 Highway/32 City - $18,050
    6. 2007 Honda Civic Sedan - 40 Highway/30 City - $15,010
    7. 2007 Honda Civic Coupe - 40 Highway/30 City - $14,810
    8. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid - 38 Highway/40 City - $26,200
    9. 2007 Honda Fit - 38 Highway/33 City - $13,850
    10. 2007 Kia Rio - 38 Highway/32 City - $10,770



    Used Cars with Best Fuel Mileage (EPA Estimates and Clean Retail Value, Base Models)

    1. 2000 Honda Insight Hybrid - 70 Highway/61 City - $8,025
    2. 2006 Toyota Prius Hybrid - 51 Highway/60 City - $21,775
    3. 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid - 51 Highway/49 City - $17,310
    4. 2004 Honda Civic - 51 Highway/48 City - $11,600
    5. 2002 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon - 50 Highway/42 City - $9,000
    6. 1998 Volkswagen Passat - 50 Highway/39 City - $5,400
    7. 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle - 49 Highway/42 City - $6,025
    8. 1999 Volkswagen New Golf - 49 Highway/42 City - $4,875
    9. 1998 Chevrolet Metro - 49 Highway/41 City - $2,175
    10. 1999 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan - 49 Highway/40 City - $4,275



    According to NADAguides.com, there are other things consumers can do - in addition to buying an economical car - that can significantly improve their vehicle's overall fuel efficiency for both Hybrids and gas-powered cars alike.

    1. Reduce your Speed

    Industry tests prove car buyers can significantly reduce the amount of fuel their vehicles consume simply by reducing their overall driving speeds. Wind drag on a vehicle plays a key role in the amount of gasoline a car uses, so by simply reducing overall driving speeds - even by 10 to 20 MPH on the highway, for example - the amount of wind drag is significantly reduced (which ultimately improves a car's gas mileage).

    2. Drive Consistently

    If you drive by frequently speeding up or slowing down, your vehicle's engine works overtime. By maintaining a consistent speed - especially during highway driving - your car's engine operates more easily, hence reducing its overall fuel usage.

    3. Stop "Stopping" and "Starting"

    Abrupt stops and starts cause your engine to work harder too. Being gentle on the pedals, however, reduces the energy your vehicle's engine expends, thus reducing the amount of fuel it requires. Avoiding abrupt stops and starts by being "ginger" on the pedals helps improve your car's overall gas mileage.

    4. Resist Tire Resistance

    Believe it or not, drivers can significantly improve gas mileage simply by maintaining adequate tire pressure. When tires are under-inflated, they create unnecessary "drag" on a vehicle, causing the engine to work harder which negatively impacts the vehicle's ability to operate efficiently, hence using more fuel. People should refer to their vehicle's Owner's Manual for information about proper tire inflation.

    5. Lighten your Load

    According to industry reports, an extra 100 pounds of "stuff" in your car can reduce your gas mileage by an average of two percent. By lightening your load and removing unnecessary items you haul around in your car, the greater your gas mileage will ultimately be.

    While proper driving and maintenance are important things to consider when owning a car, Christy says there are certain issues to take into consideration when actually buying one - especially when it comes to Hybrids.

    For starters, Hybrid cars typically cost more due to the advanced technologies required in developing them. Additionally, people say that when it comes to driving a Hybrid vehicle, it takes some getting used to, particularly when power is transferred from the gas-engine to the electric motor. Finally, experts argue automakers aren't "there" yet when it comes to developing Hybrids, noting the limited choices currently available to car buyers as well as the lackluster performance of some of the most popular models.

    "Buying and owning a Hybrid takes consideration," said Christy. "It's important for car buyers to do their homework ahead of time, including online research and physical test drives, to determine which car best fits their overall needs."

    About NADAguides.com

    N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 74-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.

    Source: NADAguides.com

    CONTACT: Jennifer Lange of NADAguides.com, +1-949-916-4820, cell,
    +1-949-375-2350, jlange@nadaguides.com

    Web site: http://www.nadaguides.com/

     

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    Sometimes the Good Guys - US - Win

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    Back in 1999 and 2000, the EPA issued the requirement that all US diesel fuel sulfur content be reduced 97 percent from 500 part per million (ppm) to only 15 ppm by 2007. The purpose was to a) reduce emissions in all existing diesels moderately with no harm to them and b) to allow the installation of NOx reducing components in 2007 that would otherwise be poisoned by the higher sulfur content. The petroleum refiners and the engine makers resisted strongly but the EPA held its ground and the regulation stayed.

    Now, 6 months into 2007, the results reported in Diesel Progress are all pretty good. The fuel change has been essentially seamless. If you pull up to a diesel pump most anywhere in the US, you have only one choice - ULSD - Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel. Now, about the engines: Most truckers avoided having to buy 2007 engines by buying as many 2006 engines as possible. However, those that have bought 2007 engines have been finding little/no problems with them. No drop in fuel economy as happened in 2002 under 2002 EPA requirements. No extra service problems or drops on reliability. Nope, everything is just fine. Confidence in the technology is building. Trust is increasing that the federal government, the engine and after treatment makers, the fuel providers, and the truckers can all get along even with those tree-hugging environmentalists. Don't forget truckers and their families have noses and lungs, too. They don't want to pollute. They just want to make a living and breathe clean air like the rest of us.

    By the way, one fleet manager reported fuel economy at 6.4 mpg on diesel fuel pulling trucks weighing up to 80,000 lbs., the national limit. Think about that if your light duty vehicle weighing less that one-tenth of that is getting about 12 - 15 mpg. Has to due with driving cycle and with the fuel. Imagine, they haul 10 times the weight but only use twice the amount of fuel.

    [Source: Diesel Progress]

     

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    Th!nk could be back in the US as soon as 2008

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    Electric carmaker Th!nk Global could be on the road to returning to the US market as soon as 2008. The second-generation Th!nk will begin production this fall at a plant in Norway and sales will begin at home. Once they ramp up, they will spread to the rest of Scandinavia followed by England, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US. If demand warrants, the former Ford-owned company is looking to expand production to other countries, possibly the UK, US or others.

    [Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

     

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    Australian diesels: not so squeaky clean...

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    Before the low sulfur diesel fuel that has become common here in the United States, it was impossible for automakers to install filters which would allow diesel engines to meet the requirements which were being imposed upon them. Fortunately, everything is coming together here in the States to allow for new clean diesel technology. Particulate filters, urea based injection systems and other technologies, combined with the low sulfur content in modern diesel fuel available here, have come together all at the same time.

    Unfortunately, this article states that these technologies have not been adopted as of yet in Australia as they have been in Europe and in the U.S. The sulfur content in Australian diesel fuel also is of concern. Until the government there mandates changes in the emissions requirements from diesel engines, manufacturers are not as likely to install the expensive after-treatment devices and filters that they already use in Europe and America. As the article states, some manufacturers have stepped up the the plate, so the speak, but not all. Never having been in Australia, I can't really add any personal experience here, maybe a reader can give some insight into what is happening in Australia at the present to change the current state of diesel affairs.

    [Source: Drive]

     

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    How Good Are You . . . at Squandering?

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    Squandering is roughly defined as . . extravagantly or wastefully using resources (money, time, etc.)

    Yesterday's NYTimes editorial states that the Bush Administration, especially VP Cheney, have been especially good at wasting time - six years time - regarding energy policy. While most of us did not know about the Global Warming issue back in 1999 and 2000, we know that Al Gore did because he wrote about it - as did the scientific community. No matter. The Energy Policy Cheney came up with after getting input from many in the energy sector emphasized more oil drilling, more coal power plants, more coal mining, etc., with little emphasis on efficiency which he viewed as a "personal virtue."

    To be fair, Mr. Cheney's Energy Plan is nothing more than an extension of the energy policies of the 19th and 20th centuries, the policies of John D. Rockefeller and others. "You want more?" "WE do." "OK, we'll give you more. The sky is the limit." That is how the US got to where it is today. But we misunderstood. With pollution and global warming, the sky actually IS the limit.

    ABG readers and writers know now about these limits and are trying not to hit them. But others still think like Cheney. That is why gasoline demand has not decreased. Why our refineries can hardly keep up with demand. Why we have troops defending pipelines and oil fields in countries most of us haven't heard of in central Asia. Why the world's temperature and atmospheric CO2 is rising. As a nation, we own about 25 percent of that rise. The Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain but we have been energy use leaders for a long time.

    So I ask, "How good are we at not squandering?"

    [Source: New York Times]

     

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    Frankfurt Preview: Kuga CUV to be Ford's first Euro hybrid

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    Ford will be unveiling a new mid-sized crossover for the European market with styling based on last year's Iosis-X concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Kuga gets the full kinetic design treatment that debuted on the current Mondeo. While the US has had the Escape hybrid for a couple of years now, Automotive News is reporting that the Kuga will be Ford's first hybrid for the European market when it debuts next spring.

    [Source: Automotive News: Sub. req'd]

     

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    Stop-start Minis coming in to Europe in September

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    Click the photo for a high-res gallery of the new Mini Cooper D


    There has been talk of making Minis more green with a diesel option in the US recently. In unrelated news, we told you about the Smart ForTwo (among other cars) with a stop-start "micro-hybrid." In the fine tradition of unrelated things becoming related (Luke and Leia, how ya doing?), we now bring you news of upcoming Minis with stop-start technology, courtesy of Bosch. Automotive News Europe's Luca Ciferri says (subs req'd) these Minis, which will also have regenerative breaking, will go on sale in September and, for the diesel version at least, will have CO2 emissions that match a Prius.

    Look for more information on the baby hybrid Minis at the Frankfurt auto show in September. BMW will also bring start-stop to the 3-series range

    [Source: Automotive News Europe / Luca Ciferri (subs req'd)]

     

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    Detroit job market versus fuel economy: does it have to be this way?

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    The topic of the Michigan job market and economy is certainly a hot one right now. With the Big 3 going to the bargaining table with the UAW, plant closings and Detroit's declining market share, some insiders might view the proposed increases in fuel mileage as kicking Detroit while it's down. This is the stance that Michigan's governors are taking in talks going on as we speak at the National Governors Association convention. As you may be aware, thirteen states are planning on adopting the toughest emissions and mileage regulations that California is pressing for. While the governors of those thirteen states say that they can understand the problems that are facing Michigan, and Detroit in particular, that they are not going to be backing down from their beliefs that the climate and the environment is more important to them and their voters. This being politics, one might wonder if the tables might turn if their home industries were the ones that would be the most affected by the legislation, but that is a topic for another time.

    We have brought you some articles which discuss the possible jobs that could result from tough mileage requirements. As readers of our site, we like to think of you as intelligent, open minded people. So, why not share your own thoughts with us. Do you think that the Michigan industrial job market or the auto industry in general is being unfairly targeted by these new mileage and emissions regulations?

    [Source: Detroit News]

     

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    While we're talking - Wal-mart Is working

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    You may have heard of a firm called Wal-Mart? They have quite a few stores and they have . . . 7,200 trucks! That is a lotta trucks! If they were lined up end to end they would stretch 109 miles (175 kilometers long). In other words they would fill one lane of the New Jersey Turnpike from Philadelphia to somewhere north of the George Washington Bridge!

    Anyway, about 18 months ago their CEO, Lee Scott, said Wal-mart would do something about fuel economy. They did. They have raised their fuel efficiency about 15 percent - that is almost one percent a month! You may remember a recent post of mine quoting another fleet operator who said they were doing 6.4 MPG. Wal-Mart claims they have gone from 6 MPG to 7 and they want to go further, up another 10 percent in the next year.

    How are they able to do this and do it so quickly? They didn't buy 7,200 new trucks. No, they went for the LHF - the low hanging fruit. What do I mean? Those items like: tire pressure, aerodynamic drag (Great Dane Trailers is working with Walmart to reduce trailer drag), idling at truck stops, tires, other driver practices like how long to idle the engine or what gears to choose.

    The fuel saving alone is estimated to be worth $35 to $50 million dollars. Plus there is the reduced wear and tear on the engines, reduced emissions and greenhouse gases and the free positive press - like this post - that Walmart has generated.

    You give credit where credit is due. Wal-Mart does a lot of importing but it is doing a little less importing now - of petroleum. That is Autoblog Green.

    Related:

    [Source: Wal-Mart]

     

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    Popular Science makes ethanol at home

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    Ethanol is all the rage these days especially among politicians from corn states. The relationship between ethanol and cars is hardly new as any old-time NASCAR fan can tell you. Many of the original NASCAR stars like Junior Johnson got their start in fast driving by transporting home-made ethanol-based beverages.

    It's still possible to produce your own ethanol and it's not even that hard. Fermenting some cornmeal to create a mash and then distilling it are both pretty straightforward processes. If you're not careful though it can be very dangerous and without a distillers license it's also very illegal. Popular Science did a demonstration of how to distill some corn mash that you can check out at the read link.

    [Source: Popular Science]

     

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    UHaul enters the car-sharing system with U Car Share

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    Car sharing services like Zipcar and FlexCar have some new competition. U-Haul, best know for renting movers clunky but practical vans and trailers, has started a car sharing service. Like the others, U Car Share allows you to rent a car just as long as you need one. U Car Share's rates are a $25 application fee, a $50 annual membership fee and then $10 per hour or $65 a day. The fees include 125 miles per day, with more miles charged at 40 cents a mile. There is also an overnight rate.

    One extra feature of U Car Share is that U-Haul has partnered with The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program to plant trees to help cancel out a trip's emissions. That's fine, but I think that U-Haul has made it slightly less user-friendly to use their cars. Unlike services where you don't interact with anyone to get your car (it's all online and you have a device that opens the car to get the key), U Car Share relies on U Haul offices to conduct the transactions. The company website says, "simply stop by your office location and get the keys to your car. Your trip will be insured and your car complete with a gas card in the glove box" (emphasis added). I'm sure it will be simple for some people, but the anytime ease of an automated system will appeal to many, I'm sure.

    The U Car Share service is available in ten cities, including Ann Arbor, Portland, Washington D.C. and Seattle. (See the full list here) and U-Haul is promising "More Locations Coming Soon!" Stay tuned.

    [Source: U-Haul, h/t to Matthew]

     

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    Monday, July 23, 2007

    Temps Over 100! But What Units?

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    While here in the US, we know that we are speaking of Temperature in terms of degrees Fahrenheit. 100 degrees F is about 40 degrees C (Celcius). 100 degrees C is the Boiling point of water! None of us would live in that temperature. We certainly won't live very comfortably at 100 degrees F either.

    Why do I mention this on ABG? Because just about every vehicle we buy/use, every drop of fuel they consume is measured in two units - the International System of Units ("metric" or SI units) and inch/foot/pound/gallon units. Dimensions have to be quoted in both unit systems. Technicians have to maintain two sets of tools. In the Bosch Automotive Handbook, 5th Edition, 10 pages are devoted just to the conversion of units! Why is this still happening in the 21st century? Because we in the US don't want to change our traditional ways and, since we are big and powerful, the rest of the nations have to put up with it. It wastes time and money, causes confusion. It certainly builds in an extra cost making things we buy - including our autos - more expensive and prone to errors of conversion. About 95 percent of the world uses metric units. We are the holdouts!

    NASA suffered the lost of a space probe to Mars. It slammed into the surface instead of gently landing. Why? Because some calculations were done in US units while all the rest were in SI units. Nobody caught it.

    Are we going to carry a set of obsolescent/archaic units of measure into the new vehicles of the 21st century? If we are part of a globalized economy, do we want to rest of the world to build vehicles for us by our units of measures or theirs? Which is the "way forward"? As an engineer, though I am most comfortable with miles, foot-pounds, PSI and MPG, etc., it is past time when we make the switch and new green vehicles should lead the way.

    I guess it depends on how smart and adaptable the American public is. If all the world can work and measure in metric units, can't we? Is it just because of our pride that we resist? Is it an issue of nationalism? Will it hurt so bad if we buy liters of fuel instead of gallons? Give our weight in units of kilograms? (I weigh 51 kg.) We want to succeed in a globalized economy, don't we?

    Oh, 100 degrees F is 37.9 C. Either way, its hot!

     

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    BusinessWeek profiles Tesla Motors

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    BusinessWeek has just published a profile of one of our favorite car companies Tesla Motors. The article doesn't really have much in the way of new information aside from the code name to the WhiteStar follow up. If all goes according to plan we should see the BlueStar in about five years with a targeted price of around $30,000. If you haven't been following the tale of Tesla Motors, the new article is a pretty decent primer that wraps up the story so far.

    San Carlos, CA Tesla is being set up in much the same way as most Silicon Valley companies, with venture capital funding and the internal staff handling product design and development while manufacturing is outsourced. Employees also get stock options in the company. Even a different kind of car company needs some engineers with experience and they've hired a bunch of Detroit veterans at their facility in Rochester Hills, MI.

    [Source: BusinessWeek, thanks to Darryl for the tip!]

     

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    Honda plans hybrid sales in Indonesia

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    Most of the green car news we post about Indonesia has to do with biofuels. But now we learn that Honda is getting ready to sell hybrids in that country. The Xinhua General News Service is reporting that Honda's Indonesian subsidiary, PT Honda Prospect Motor, will test the local hybrid market bring by bringing in three Honda Civic hybrid sedans in September. The idea is to introduce the technology to Indonesians rather than for pure commercial reasons, a Honda executive said.

    According to Xinhua, the hybrid premium is huuuuge in Indonesia. The hybrid Civic will cost 470 million rupiah ($51,619 US). Compare that to the most luxurious convention Civic, which is 320 million rupiah ($35,145). Almost $17,000 to get a hybrid version? Yikes.

    [Source: Xinhua General News Service]

     

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