Green Cars, Blue Skies

What Makes the Ford Fusion Hybrid So Good?

2010-08-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

Levi Quinn
http://www.autoinsuranceratesdirect.com

With so many hybrid vehicles suddenly popping up all over the world there is definitely a lot of competition in the market. However, deciding which make and model is the best is generally a personal opinion because it comes down on the need of each person from their vehicle. While many of the leading auto manufacturers in the world are developing and producing a variety of hybrid vehicles, many people think that the Ford Motor Company may be leading the way. If you really want to know if the Ford hybrid is the best available, it would be a good idea to do some research on the cars and test drive one as well. Reading as many reviews as you can get your hands on will also help.

On Jan. 11, 2010, the Fusion Hybrid received the 2010 North American Car of the Year award at the recent version of the auto show held in Detroit. A group of 49 automotive journalists from North America sat on a panel and selected the winners after judging the cars on a variety of factors. These include innovation, safety, design, handling, value, and driver satisfaction. These Hybrids have set a record for winning the award five times in total.

The Ford Fusion set a brand new bar by raising the hybrid technology up to a higher level. The vehicle combines a sophisticated and seamless hybrid powertrain with an exceptional Fusion platform that is entrenched firmly in the centre of the auto world's mainstream market, and it resulted in a winning venture. Most reports state that the car is exciting to drive. It is very refined all around, including its braking and handling along with its convenience and comfort. However, the Ford Fusion has sold a lot less cars than the Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid.

USA Today newspaper stated that "the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the best gasoline-electric hybrid yet." A popular website -- Cars.com -- also praised it by saying that the car "is a significant step forward for the technology, particularly for family sedans". And the popular magazine -- Car and Driver were quoted as saying - "the Ford Fusion Hybrid "wipes the floor with the Toyota Camry Hybrid."

At this point in time, the Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and Toyota Camry Hybrid are the top three hybrid vehicles when it comes to the medium-size family sedan models. The Fusion Hybrid can drive 41 city and 36 highway miles per gallon. The Camry Hybrid can get 33 and 34 miles. The Altima Hybrid can go 35 and 33 miles per gallon. According to most experts, the Fusion Hybrid also transfers from gasoline to electric very smoothly.

The Fusion and the Mercury Milan Hybrids are the first cars to utilize the company's second-generation system for hybrids. The new system reportedly supplies a tighter combination of power delivery and engine operation. These are some of the things that make Ford one of the leading companies on the planet when it comes to hybrid technology. However, there is only one way to decide if their products are for you, and that is to try one out for yourself.

----------------------------------------------------
Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit http://www.AutoInsuranceRatesDirect.com today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes from respected insurance companies for the coverage you need.

Toyota, Tesla to develop electric SUV

2010-07-22T18:54:00.002-05:00

Wikinews
July 17, 2010

Toyota Motor Company announced they have formalized an agreement to develop an electric version of the RAV4 SUV with Tesla Motors.

In May 2010, Akio Toyoda and Elon Musk, leaders of Toyota and Telsa, respectively, announced they would work together on electric vehicles. The agreement formalizes this announcement and would allow Tesla to work with Toyota at an automobile production plant in California.

The plant will open 2011, when Tesla reopens it after it bought the Fremont, California plant. The plant was previously used by Toyota and General Motors, but was shut down when Toyota said it would not produce cars in California.

Tesla currently produces only a single model, the US$109,000 Roadster, although it is currently designing a second model, the Model S, which will be produced at the Fremont factory.

Analysts supported the move; John Boesel, CEO of a green-transportation trade group, said that "Toyota's willingness to partner with Tesla to provide an electric version of one of the Japanese automaker's existing vehicles suggests the partnership between the two companies is going to be a meaningful one."

Following this announcement, Telsa's shares rose $0.75, while Toyota's fell $1.65.

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.

2010 Toyota Prius/Lexus HS Recall

2010-02-21T20:04:00.000-06:00

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/results.cfm?rcl_id=10V039&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true&refurl=email

NHTSA Campaign ID number : 10V039000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
LEXUS / HS 2010
TOYOTA / PRIUS 2010
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: FEB 09, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V039000
N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 148549
Summary:
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEXUS HS250H PASSENGER VEHICLES. CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL AFTER ABS ACTUATION DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES ON ROUGH OR SLICK ROAD SURFACES. STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED COMPARED WITH A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION FOR A GIVEN PEDAL FORCE.
Consequence:
VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REWRITE THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATE FEBRUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Ford Transit

2009-04-08T00:53:00.000-05:00

The Ford Transit van is hardly what anyone would consider a true "green vehicle." However, green comes in many shades, and in this case, a slight change in shade will make a big impact in America.

Ford announced that the Transit will be coming to the US market. The vehicle is more fuel efficient than the current Ford Econoline sold here. With it's V8 engine, heavy metal body that appears to have been borrowed from tank designs, and technology that hasn't changed since 1992, the Econoline is a beast...but also a very necessary workhorse for many businesses. Ford sold 168,722 of them in 2007, capturing 79.6% of the full size van market against competition from Chevrolet and Dodge.

Not everyone needs the heavy hauling capacity of the Econoline, and for those who simply need some mobile enclosed space, the Transit should do more than adequately. Even if Ford converts just 1/3 of its sales of Econolines to Transits, it's still potentially selling over 50,000 of the far more efficient of the two vans. While the Transit may not be green next to the Honda Clarity, it's plenty green next to the Econoline. It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction.

Green Motoring Forum

2009-04-08T00:51:00.001-05:00

Check out the Green Motoring section of The Green Forums at Ethical Directory.

Thai Pushes 'Green' Car Production

2008-03-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Thai government is giving incentives to encourage the production of “green” cars. According to experts, the incentives have yielded a raft of major investments in the territory and started to alter how Thais drive.

“Green” tax breaks were introduced in Thailand last year. This is an effort of the nation as the world’s largest manufacturer of light pickups to tuck the title in the years to come. Annually, Thailand churns out 900,000 one-tonne trucks. The figure is three-fourths of global output.

The government is threatened by escalating oil prices and global warming concerns that could result in truck sales doldrums. This scenario could put a dent to Thai economy because shoppers are expected to shift to fuel-efficient compact cars. These reasons prompted the Thai government to offer incentives for the manufacturer of “eco-cars” that meet European emission standards.

"First-time car owners, and especially motorcyclists who want to become car owners, are cost-conscious consumers," said Surapong Paisitpatnapong, spokesman for the Federation of Thai Industries' automotive club. "Investments in eco-car production will help grow this new segment of the country's domestic auto market while increasing exports.”

By far, seven automakers have proposed eco-car projects to Thailand's Board of Investment. The automakers include Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AG, and Tata Motors. Thai enthusiasts are excited to see their car lights installed in eco-cars. Surapong said four proposals have already been approved.

Also, Honda Motor Co. intends to invest $214 million to assemble eco-cars while manufacturing engines and parts in Thailand. Suzuki Motors, meanwhile, will invest $303.658 million to build a new factory in central Thailand. Approximately 80 percent of cars produces will be for export. Nissan Motors Co. also will invest $177 million to build 120,000 units annually. The output is also mainly allotted for export.

"Eco-cars are going to be hot in Thailand's auto market. The lower prices for these minicars, along with high oil prices, will drive up the demand," said Nongnapat Wilepana, a Nissan dealer in Bangkok.

AFP reported that under the scheme, the companies will not have to pay corporate income taxes on their investments for eight years, and duties on imported machinery will be waived.

“Thailand's main worry is that its auto industry depends entirely on foreign companies, since the kingdom has no national automaker,” Surapong noted. “That means the country will have to keep wooing automakers with attractive offers in the future to deter them from looking for better deals for their factories in other countries.”

Freescale Chips On Chevy, GMC Hybrids

2008-03-01T06:35:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

General Motor Corp. in partnership with Freescale Semiconductor Corp. will be promoting improved fuel efficiency by using innovative chips. Freescale chips will be used in Chevy and GMC hybrids to pave the way for a green makeover.

According to reports, Freescale chips that control the combustion and electric engines as well as the transmission in the new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids have produced a 50 percent increase in mileage over their counterparts. The hybrids are efficient for both city and highway. To note, they can tow a 6,000-pound cabin cruiser. The hybrids are now arriving at Valley Chevy and GMC dealerships.

John Hartley, Internet sales manager at Midway Pontiac GMC in Phoenix, said there is considerable interest in the vehicles. However, the production of the hybrid sport utilities is currently limited.

The increase in fuel efficiency is attributed to the automaker’s two-mode hybrid transmission that is operated by Freescale’s advanced microcontroller technology.

"The automotive industry is a very significant part of Freescale's business," said Tony Massimini, an analyst with research company Semico Research Corp. "And the hybrid market is becoming very important part of the U.S. car business."

The Austin, Texas-based supplier of microcontrollers found in American cars, is determined to improve the offers of automakers in the industry. And its cutting-edge products are expected to make it happen.

Kevin Klein, vice president of marketing for Freescale's automotive group, said that a current luxury car can contain over 100 chips that control everything from disc brakes to parking-assistance radar. He added that automotive chip sales now amount to about a third of Freescale's $5.7 billion in annual revenue.

The innovative technology offers two driving modes. Using the first driving mode, the vehicle can operate at low speed and with light loads in three ways: electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power, reported The Arizona Republic. The second mode, meanwhile, is used primarily at highway speeds. This mode provides full eight-cylinder engine power when road conditions require. It can be employed when passing other vehicles, climbing a steep grade or pulling a trailer. Additionally, a refined control unit settles which mode the vehicle should use.

"With the introduction of the world's first full-size hybrid SUVs, GM is pioneering a niche in the automotive market that's in step with today's growing concerns about the environment and global warming," said Paul Grimme, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's Microcontroller Solutions Group. "We're proud that Freescale technology is helping make these innovative, fuel-efficient SUVs a reality in the market."

2008 Hyundai Sonata Receives Green Honor

2008-02-28T17:30:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

If you were a vehicle and you needed to gain the attention of consumers, what would be the best way to do it?

Well, you could proudly market yourself and place tons of ads on television, radio, print, and billboards. But that would cost you much money. But if you just made sure that you had the right components which would work best and give consumers satisfaction, someone great may notice you and do the advertisement for you for free.

Take the 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Just recently, it was given the honor of being part of the Greener Choices 2008 list which is done by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The vehicle was given that honor and that means that consumers looking through that list would be given a heads up that the 2008 Hyundai Sonata could be a good choice, especially if a consumer is looking for a green vehicle that also performs well on the road.

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata comes with an engine that holds four cylinders which proves to help out a lot in efficiently using fuel. The ACEEE gave this vehicle a green rating of 39 out of a possible 100 points and that is a good rating. These points are not subjective but are based on other ratings and reviews made by organizations focusing on vehicles and how green they can be. These organizations include the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board among many others.

John Krafcik is the vice president for Hyundai Motor America’s Strategic Planning and Product Development and in behalf of the company as reported by Auto Spectator, he has said that they are happy with what the 2008 Hyundai Sonata has received. He added, “The award for our clean, fuel-efficient Sonata recognizes Hyundai’s commitment to the environment. Like industry leading quality and safety, environmental sensitivity is another element of the value equation that makes Hyundai such a smart choice for consumers.”

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata was given a certification that it was an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) and that is added point for the vehicle. Consumers would be more attracted to vehicles that hold such titles. Aside from having quality Hyundai parts, the company made sure that the vehicle also was efficient in the use of fuel. The company has clocked in 30 miles per gallon for the vehicle, thanks to the 2.4 liter DOHC engine which comes with four incline cylinders.

General Motors North America President Says Industry At Crossroads

2008-02-13T20:01:00.001-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

After the huge success that was the North America International Auto Show, automakers are now showing off their wares at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Among these automakers is Detroit's General Motors. The said automaker is one of the companies looking forward and looking for a solution to the increasing threat of global warming.

During his keynote address at the said event, General Motors North America President Troy Clarke pointed out that the industry is in a crossroad. He likened the situation of the auto industry to the country. Clarke likened automakers like General Motors to presidential candidates.

"When it comes to the pending election, the candidates will tell you that the nation is at a crossroads. There are important issues that must be addressed. And, then they’ll tell you that they are the right person at the right time in history. They reach out to us with their ‘vision’ of a better America… with their ‘vision’ of a better future," said Clarke. He also said that "this is exactly how automakers think as well. I am here to tell you that when it comes to personal transportation, and the auto industry, our way of life is at a crossroads."

Clarke went on to say that General Motors is addressing the solution of "energy security, climate change and the cost of transportation". These factors are known to not only affect the status of the environment but also the cost of ownership of vehicles.

The top level executive pointed out that they have three goals which are of course related to each other. Clarke said that the foremost concern is for the people, the consumers. "Starting with the people, which is first and foremost on our list for good reason. We - the industry, to include GM - have to develop cars and trucks that people will want to buy… not just what we may want to sell them," said Clarke.

The second goal for General Motors according to Clarke is concerned about the protection of the environment thus the development of so-called green cars. General Motors believes that they should offer their consumers with a wide choice of green cars.

"For GM, the solution involves developing multiple solutions to give the customer choice. Because, just like there are a variety of ways to meet customer needs, there are a variety of ways to get at fuel economy and emissions. And, I want to be clear on this: that’s the main driver for General Motors – we want to stay ahead of the game to bring our best technological solutions to market for our customers. We believe – as always – they will decide which technologies best meet their needs," explained Clarke. This means that the automaker will be manufacturing a number of green vehicles which may be equipped with auto parts as reliable as Acura CL A/C condenser.

As for the third goal, Clarke said that they are working on different technology so that they would be able to provide consumers with what they want.

GMC Sierra Goes Green For 2009

2008-02-09T15:52:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Quite obviously, vehicles are gradually shifting to an environmentally friendly nature. Cars have started the trend and the gas-guzzling vehicles are expected to follow. Wiping the gas-sipping image, General Motors Corp. will be offering a green version of the Sierra truck for the 2009 model year. The hybrid version of the GMC Sierra will be launched at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

General Motors has been working on hybrid versions of its sport utilities. Now, the technology is infecting the truck segment. According to the automaker, the 2009 hybrid version of the Sierra will offer customers the power of a hefty six-litre engine, a 25 percent slash in fuel consumption and a 6,100-pound towing capacity.

"The Sierra Hybrid represents GMC's commitment to engineering excellence, delivering a fully functional truck that offers a significant improvement in fuel economy," said Jim Bunnell, GMC general manager. "Sierra Hybrid will deliver fuel economy that is expected to be the best in the full-size pickup segment, exceeding the current mileage leader - the non-hybrid Sierra."

The Detroit-based automaker said that the Sierra Hybrid will allow owners to realize a fuel savings even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer. The hybrid truck, which features stability control system, trailering package and locking rear axle, will be sold on crew-cab bodied trucks in two and four wheel drives.

Like its famous sibling, the Chevy Silverado, the Sierra truck is now available with the automaker’s two-mode hybrid system. The 6.0-liter V8 is mated to the automaker’s Electrically Variable Transmission, which combines two electric motors into the transmission housing. The electric motors are powered by a 300-volt hybrid battery pack under the backseat.

Light modifications entertained by the Detroit automaker include a number of exterior changes. The word "hybrid" is spelled out on the rear window, windshield and on both sides of the 2009 Sierra. Also, the truck gets hybrid badges on the front fenders and tailgate.

The hybrid truck boasts of more substantial changes including the low-rolling-resistance tires that are wrapped around 18-inch aluminum GMC wheels. Additionally, the front air dam is deeper and the truck comes with a tonneau cover to enhance aerodynamics.

The 2009 Sierra Hybrid is set to go on sale during the fourth quarter of this year. It will join its siblings Chevy Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade to bolster General Motors’ full-size truck lineup. The truck is specially engineered to compete with Ford F-150, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra.

Automakers Show Off Green, Fuel Efficient Vehicles

2008-01-31T20:53:00.000-06:00

By Greg Flakus

Flakus report - Download MP3 (952K) - Download (MP3)
Flakus report - Download MP3 (952K) - Listen (MP3)

More than 6,700 reporters from 42 nations are in Detroit for the news media preview of that city's North American International Auto Show, which opens to the general public this weekend. This year's show emphasizes fuel efficiency and green technology, but, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Detroit, there are also plenty of big glitzy cars and trucks on display.

On display in Detroit's downtown Cobo Convention Center are 700 vehicles from all the major automakers, including local companies like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler and companies from China, Japan, and Europe. Around 50 new vehicles are being introduced by various manufacturers.

U.S. automakers are making a big effort this year to go green, showing off many varieties of low-emission, fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids, fuel-cell cars and vehicles that run on ethanol and bio-diesel fuels. General Motors announced that it has invested heavily in Cosaka Incorporated, an Illinois firm that claims to have developed a cost-cutting technology for producing ethanol, an alcohol fuel produced from plant material.

Most ethanol today is produced from corn, but Cosaka plans on using waste material like corn stalks and wood chips.

General Motors North America President Troy Clarke tells VOA that his company sees a need to move away from reliance on gasoline as the only fuel for its cars.

"The next 25 years, maybe even longer, looks a lot like the early part of the (20th) century in the auto industry," Clarke said. "There will be a lot of different propulsion systems. Ninety-six percent of the vehicles in the United States today are moved by gasoline. We need to diversify that."

Clarke says his industry has been wrongly criticized for being slow to innovate. He says General Motors began developing an electric car many years ago and has also developed other kinds of fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Now we have eight hybrids in the market today," he said. "We have 16 on the way between now and, I think, the end of next year, and we can compete very effectively in the hybrid area. But we really have never given up on our vision of an electric vehicle."

General Motors is still testing a new battery to power the Chevrolet Volt, an advanced electric hybrid that was first shown here last year, but which may not be ready for market for a few more years.

Veteran automotive journalist Paul Eisenstein, who writes for TheCarConnection.com, says car makers use the North American International Auto Show to introduce such innovations and get the word out to people around the world.

"This is a place that the manufacturers come, not just to talk to consumers directly, but to talk to global media," Eisenstein said. "This is a place where they can get to everyone from the small bloggers in the Czech Republic to the big networks here in North America. It is no wonder that virtually every manufacturer in the world is here, including five of the Chinese manufacturers that are trying to get into the North American market over the next couple of years."

While automakers are emphasizing fuel efficiency and reduced emissions this year, they are also showing off a lot of big cargo pick up trucks, sport utility vehicles and gas-guzzling luxury cars. Paul Eisenstein says that is simply a response to continuing demand for those vehicles.

"The reality is Americans like big, they like power, they like performance, they like towing and cargo-hauling and people-hauling capabilities," he said. "So for anybody to say we should stop producing these big trucks and go to produce these small, high-mileage (fuel efficient) cars is ridiculous. The market is there for the big vehicles."

Eisenstein says U.S. car makers are trying to satisfy the demand for larger vehicles, while at the same time trying to meet new regulations from Washington that require them to improve fuel efficiency. That could be a real challenge for an industry that is already struggling to keep up with foreign competition.

The North American International Auto Show began in Detroit as a local event in 1907. The event went international 20 years ago, but it is still organized locally by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association.

Fears Grow Over Meeting 2020 Auto Standards

2008-01-30T17:36:00.001-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Automakers are facing a thorny requirement of meeting the 2020 standards which call for the manufacture of vehicles with an average fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon. But automakers fear consumers are not willing to pay more for the technology they are required to meet by 2020.

"Gas prices would have to be $13 a gallon in today's world for consumers to demand a fleet where half the vehicles achieved better than 35 miles per gallon," said Paul Traub, an economist at Chrysler LLC.

Traub said that while smaller models have and will become more popular, manufacturers cannot depend on consumers to choose the most fuel-efficient options. "Americans still want to go to Wally World on the weekends, and we don't want to leave our grandmas and dogs at home," he addressed the Society of Automotive Analysts.

While it is apparent that customers are shifting to fuel-efficient cars, the trend is not enough to make all vehicles compliant with the 2020 mileage standard which was mandated by the Congress in 2007. Customer choices are limited to models such as Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius and General Motors’ Chevy Aveo.

Based on an Autodata report, sales of subcompact models increased 20 percent last year to 351,161 units, but Americans still purchased more than six times as many huge pickups.

Automakers could be forced to meet standards customers do not demand and will not pay a premium for, reported the Detroit News. That means automakers are required to build vehicles that can still carry seven passengers and haul a boat, but meet more stringent fuel economy standards.

As a direct consequence, aficionados will see modified BMW parts and other auto technology which entail more expense on their part. Chrysler estimates such technology would cost $6,000 to $7,000 per vehicle, Traub said. The said view is attested by Bob Lutz, the vice chairman at General Motors Corp.

“In a highly competitive market, car companies are unlikely to be able to pass that cost on to the consumer,” said Erich Merkle, vice president of forecasting at IRN Inc., who tracks vehicle sales trends. "If the consumer isn't demanding those massive leaps forward, but automakers are forced to produce it, the automakers will have to absorb those costs.”

Absorbing the cost of fuel-saving technologies cuts into profits, which is particularly difficult for Detroit's Big Three, which are already facing higher labor and health care expenses than their foreign competition, Merkle added.

But not everyone thinks more fuel efficient vehicles will have an average of $6,000 sticker price. The premium will be closer to a $1,500 average, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Some automakers have opposing view. "Consumers are going to change, we have already seen that in recent years," said George Pipas, a sales analyst at Ford Motor Co.

X Prize Foundation Sponsors Competition to Develop Fuel Efficient Automobile

2008-01-27T08:41:00.000-06:00

By Greg Flakus

Flakus report - Download (mp3) 851k
Listen to Flakus report
watch Auto Show report / Windows broadband - download
watch Auto Show report / Windows broadband
watch Auto Show report / Windows dialup - download
watch Auto Show report / Windows dialup

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week, there are hundreds of new cars on display that achieve high fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. Also on hand are representatives of the private X Prize Foundation, which is sponsoring a competition to create a vehicle that is both super efficient and appealing to consumers. VOA's Greg Flakus has more from Detroit.

The competition aims at promoting the development of vehicles that use far less gasoline than those currently on the road. Part of the push comes from environmental concerns and part comes from the fact that petroleum is selling for close to $100 a barrel.

Automotive X Prize Executive Director Donald Foley says backers of the competition want to move the industry away from vehicles that rely on petroleum-based fuels.

"We know that oil is a finite resource and even though the reserves today are considerable, we know that they are dwindling. By having fuel efficient vehicles using less and less of that oil, we know we are going to reduce our dependence on that one form of energy," he said.

The X Prize Foundation is best known for the 2004 competition to design a human-piloted space craft that would leave the earth's atmosphere and return twice within a two-week period. The $10 million prize went to aircraft designer Burt Rutan and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who gave financial backing to the project.

The Automotive X Prize is focused on developing a vehicle that can get 100 miles per gallon, or 43 kilometers per liter. The vehicles chosen for the final competition will compete in a cross country race in 2009 and 2010 that will test speed, urban driving and overall performance. Competition rules require that a vehicle must comfortably carry four adult passengers, meet U.S. auto safety standards and be ready for a production run of at least 10,000 cars.

Donald Foley says the winning car must have real market appeal. "Our competition is not about concept cars. We want real, affordable, practical vehicles that people want to buy," he said.

Already more than 50 teams from seven nations have signed up to compete. Ulrik Poulsen from Denmark is one of the people with his eyes on the prize. His Connecticut-based company has developed a device using wheel-mounted disks that can turn any vehicle into a hybrid that uses both gasoline and electricity for power.

"They are attached externally on to the rear wheels of an existing vehicle. They can actually be installed in three to four hours, with the vehicle standing on the ground. It does not even have to be on a lift," he said.

Poulsen's team plans to select a light-weight passenger vehicle already on the market and equip it with the hybrid system for the competition. Win or lose, he hopes the competition will draw attention to his product.

That is also a motivation for another competitor, automotive entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin, who has already developed a luxury car that meets the X Prize criteria and which could be available for purchase by the time the competition gets underway next year.

"One of the things that the X Prize is looking for is cars that can get 100 miles to a gallon and can be manufactured. With a little bit of luck, when the X Prize is ready, this car will be coming off the assembly line. So it will go right from the assembly line to the race," he said.

Beyond the monetary award that comes with the X Prize and the profits he may gain from sales of his vehicle, Bricklin says the venture represents something more important. "My vision is a world in which we do not end up buying oil from people who do not like us, for starters, and at the same time have a cleaner world for my kids and my grandkids," he said.

If such a vision comes true, the streets of the future may be filled with vehicles that produce little pollution and transport people and cargo safely and inexpensively.

Bosch's Green Tech Powers Green Autos At NAIAS

2008-01-22T23:06:00.000-06:00

By Evander Klum

This year's theme of the North American International Auto Show is going green. With the threat of global warming becoming more and more a concern for the global community, the auto industry has been going in the right direction by developing and using green technologies for vehicles.

The NAIAS is one of the biggest events of its kind. Thus, it is easy to see that it is the event where most major and smaller automakers choose to unveil their newest and cleanest vehicles. According to The Auto Channel, there are more and more vehicles in the event using Bosch's green technologies. The report pointed out that the common diesel rail and gasoline direct injection technologies developed by the German company are being used in many vehicles showcased at the NAIAS.

According to The Auto Channel, the German corporation has been developing green technologies for the automotive industry to help automakers come up with fuel efficient vehicles. A powertrain technology developed by Bosch for diesel engines allowed said engines to achieve fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent compared to gasoline engines. As fuel efficiency becomes better, emission also lowered by as much as 25 percent. As for performance, Bosch's technology allows for production of 50 percent more torque.

Chris Qualters, director for marketing at North American Diesel System for Robert Bosch LLC, said that they have played a key role in the current revival of the diesel engine. "Bosch has played a vital role in the advancement of diesel in the automotive industry," said Qualters. "With the introduction of common rail technology in 1997, Bosch brought a new dimension to the diesel engine market resulting in cleaner, quieter, more efficient and responsive vehicles."

Another one of Bosch's creations is the second generation of the gasoline direct injection system dubbed DI–Motronic. It is being used on the Lincoln MKS and the 2008 Cadillac CTS. This technology developed by Bosch is certainly much more valuable than Dodge bug shields.

Using the DI-Motronic, automakers were able to improve the fuel efficiency of their gasoline powered engines. With the said technology on tap, gasoline engines produce 15 percent less greenhouse gas emission. Injecting the gasoline fuel into the combustion camber like in a diesel engine allows for a more complete burn thus there would be less unburned fuel going out the exhaust system of the engine.

Sujit Jain, the general manager of Gasoline Systems North America for Robert Bosch LLC, said in conclusion: "Although alternative propulsion systems are growing in popularity, conventional internal combustion engines will remain the dominant powertrain option among U.S. light vehicles in the near future. Today's consumers are faced with rising fuel costs and a desire to reduce their impact on the environment. Bosch is committed to developing technologies that meet driver demands while benefiting the environment."

CarsAndRacingStuff.com Forum

2008-01-12T23:17:00.000-06:00

The CarsAndRacingStuff.com Forum has been relaunched with new features!

Think "Green" When You Buy a Used Car

2008-01-12T23:10:00.000-06:00

By Terry Bolton

Are there something called green used cars? You might think that terms like "automobile" and "environmentalism" are naturally opposing. You may be right, but most of us need cars in order to subsist in our society and a suitable environment within which we can subsist. So how do we find a way to go subsist in both? Probably that old term "moderation" or in Western society terms, we go green and work together for solutions.

Cars emit things that attack the suitability of our environment for our subsistence. We know this because people hit us over the head with this fact daily. The cars have such harmful gases to emit as carbon dioxide and ozone. One car does little harm, but a billion or so cars has proven to be quite devastating. Then, just imagine what happens to landfills when those billion cars obsolesce or get in accidents.

Thanks to consumer demand for green cars, manufacturers are trying to find less toxic emission solutions. In some places, cars use fuels other than gasoline and diesel. Smaller car models have also helped cut down on how much fuel must be burned and how many materials are used. Just making the cars more durable can help on the materials front.

Go Green Car Tips

1. Don't be lame unless you've got a good excuse. Some people actually drive their car distances of only a block or two. Walking a couple of extra blocks a day could do wonders for the people of nations struggling with obesity issues. Besides, the human body burns fuel much more efficiently than cars do. Take a walk. Ride a bike. Skate. And, please don't sit in your car idling waiting for the parking spot right in front of the door when there is a perfectly good parking spot a couple hundred feet away.

2. Buy only used cars. There are plenty of used cars available that are well-built and have a lot of life left. Buying them new not only creates more use of materials that will at least in part take up landfill space at some point, but it is most often a really bad fiscal move. New cars lose 80% of their value in the first few years. Used cars hardly change in value at all if they're well-maintained. Best of all, there always seems to be a greater number of people trying to sell used cars than the number of people trying to buy used cars.

3. Buy cars that operate efficiently. You would think with skyrocketing oil prices this would be a no-brainer even for those who despise green. Go for cars that have good gas mileage. Go with a hybrid. Retrofit your old car with more efficient systems and recycle the current parts on eBay.
4. Don't buy a car that has more space and/or bulk than you need. SUVs can be great for a family of eight, achieving nice per-person energy consumption and emission rates. For a single man or woman driving around in the city, big cars and trucks rarely make any sense at all.

To learn more about how to find green or traditional cheap used cars online as well as finding used car loans with decent interest rates, in more depth and step-by-step, why not check out these links?.

KPMG Reports Auto Industry Focusing On Green Tech

2008-01-11T19:04:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

According to a study conducted by KPMG, an American audit, tax, and advisory firm, the auto industry is focusing on the development of green technology like finding alternative fuel sources. The industry is also set towards the development of low-cost cars and hybrid vehicles which consumers are asking for.

The poll conducted by KPMG included 113 senior executives of automakers and suppliers around the world. According to the survey, 86 percent of the executives believe that consumers will be looking at the quality of a vehicle that they will purchase in the next five years. Close behind, 84 percent of the polled executives said that fuel efficiency will be the main basis that consumers will be considering in their next vehicle purchase.

Seventy percent of the polled respondents believe that safety will be the main concern of auto buyers. Sixty nine percent of the executives also pointed out that affordability will be one of the main factors to be considered by auto buyers the next time that they visit their local dealerships to buy a new vehicle.

"The industry knows where it is and knows where it needs to be," said Daron Gifford, the National Automotive Leader for KPMG LLP. "It needs to produce quality vehicles that are fuel efficient, especially in this economic cycle, and it needs to invest heavily in developing alternative sources of power. We found the execs in our survey more optimistic than past years, and that's largely because the landscape before them is clearer on the direction they need to go."

As the shift in car buying trend continues, the poll asked the executives which auto class will show improvement or decline. 83 percent of the surveyed executives said that they are expecting sales of low-cost cars to increase. The same percentage also predicted that hybrid sales will still increase. Meanwhile, 67 percent of them are saying that car sales will increase in the next five years. Also, 58 percent of the questioned executives said that there will be an increase in the number of crossover that will be sold in the foreseeable future.

As consumers shy away from large vehicles due to the increasing price of petroleum fuel, 47 percent of the respondents said that they are expecting sales decrease for SUVs. 50 percent of the executives also said that sales of pickup tricks will slow down. This tough will unlikely affect the supply and demand for car accessories such as Acura bug shields.

"The auto execs expect heavy investment in new models/products and new technologies in the next two years as well as building capacity in Asia," said KPMG's Gifford. "Not investing puts manufacturers at risk in terms of market and product differentiation, resulting in market share decline."

Biodiesel Fuel

2008-01-07T23:17:00.000-06:00

By Dennis James

Many consider biodiesel as the fuel of the future. It is hard not to have heard something about it, because more and more articles discuss its use. Biodiesel is mainly diesel that is not obtained by distilling oil, but from vegetable oil as well as some other sources. The market is settled with diesel cars and the moment to change the crude oil based diesel to the one obtained from natural sources has come.

There are many advantages of using biodiesel for your car over the traditional fuel. In the first place, a notable element is that biodiesel does not harm the environment. It is a lot cleaner to operate a biodiesel based car than a normal one, because the emissions are lower, and the traditional black smoke coming from oil-diesel is gone.

Another great benefit is that you can fuel your vehicle with biodiesel without having to perform any sort of complicated modifications to the engine. There are cases of people mixing biodiesel with traditional diesel fuel, and by doing this, they benefit from the new fuel’s advantage very easily.

The price of biodiesel is a lot lower compared to other fuels. You can even make it on your own and if you have the proper things, you will not have to go to the gas station at all.

Another benefit of using biodiesel to operate your car is that it is also more efficient than traditional fuels. Its cetane cumber is in excess of 100, which will make your vehicle to easy cold start and have a lower noise at idle revs. (The cetane number represents the quality of a certain igniting fuel type and the higher the number, the more efficient that fuel is).

Biodiesel can also extend your engine’s life. Because it has fewer impurities that traditional diesel fuels, it will not clog your filters that easily and in the same its lubricating properties are greater, protecting your engine. The power output of biodiesel will not be affected if you use it as the mainly source of power.

Producing these new fuels is cheaper and cleaner than drilling, refining and transporting traditional petrol diesel. Producing the same quantity of biodiesel compared to regular diesel will require less energy, thus making the entire process cleaner to the environment.

As the sources from which biodiesel is extracted (vegetable oil mostly) can be constantly regenerated compared to the hydrocarbon reserves the planet holds, it is a more viable option for the future. It also keeps the air cleaner, as it has lower polluting emissions. That is why more and more countries in the world turn their attention to biodiesel fuels as a replacement for the ever growing prices of traditional fuels. In Europe for example there are numerous biodiesel equipped stations already and their number continues to rise. More and more car manufacturers try to convert their new models to be able to take advantage of this new fuel. Right now, biodiesel is the best substitute for traditional petrol-extracted diesel fuel. Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Ohio Car Dealers including Toledo Car Dealers.

Environmental Group Sues EPA Over California Decision

2008-01-05T21:15:00.000-06:00

By Evander Klum

The call to arms against the increasing threat of global warming has called the auto industry into action. States in the United States are also making steps forward in reducing greenhouse gas emission of vehicles. California is in the forefront of this battle. Its emission standard is the toughest so far in the country. But recently, the state was forced not to implement its own emission standard after the Environmental Protection Agency decided that it should follow the national standards.

The decision of the EPA is met with much criticism especially after the fact that California was originally cleared to implement its own emission standard as long as it is much tougher than the national standard. This criticism has taken a step forward as five environmental groups have filed a case to dismiss the decision of the EPA.

The Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Defense, International Center for Technology Assessment, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club joined hands to petition the decision. They have their suit in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco.

Jim Tripp, the general counsel of Environmental Defense, criticized the EPA saying: "While global warming marches onward, EPA continues to drag its feet. The agency's decision defies the law, the science and the will of states representing nearly half of the U.S. population."

According to The Auto Channel, California's own stringent emission standard is scheduled to take effect on 2009 model year vehicles. The standard will ensure a reduction of 30 percent in greenhouse gas production by 2016. The said program would have been the first of its kind in the United States and is considered by environmentalists to be a positive step in the battle against global warming.

The standards formulated by California is said to be very good for the environment that sixteen other states have adopted or committed to adopt the standard. Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington states would then be supporting California in its fight against the decision of the EPA.

"The Administrator's denial of California's request relies on a flawed argument that the federal courts already have rejected," said Tripp. "We've won before in the federal courts, so we expect to win again this time too."

Karen Douglas, the director of the California Climate Initiative of Environmental Defense, added: "California has long played a pioneering role in clean air efforts. We can and must reduce global warming pollution from automobiles." California's standards would have meant that vehicles to be sold in the state should have limited greenhouse gas emission along with their reliable auto parts such as the Acura clutch.

CTI Symposium Highlights Green Technologies

2008-01-02T18:03:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

With the threat of global warming steadily increasing, it can be expected that more and more consumers will look for eco-friendly vehicles. This demand leads to automakers struggling to come up with green technologies which would set them apart from their peers. Laws have been passed too, mandating that automakers should produce environment friendly vehicles.

At the 6th International CTI Symposium in Berlin with a theme Innovative Automotive Transmissions, focus was given to the development of green or eco-friendly vehicle features and the cost it entails. Apart from that, the future of transmission technology in different parts of the world was also tackled. At the said event, experts have come to an agreement that the dual-clutch transmission will be the future of transmission technology in Europe and in the United States. Meanwhile, in India, an auto market steadily growing is expected to create a market for continuously variable transmissions.

Dr. Carsten Breitfeld, the manager for transmission development at German automaker BMW, pointed out the pressure on the auto industry with regards to the development of eco-friendly features. "We cannot imagine the extent of the cost pressure on the car industry at all yet," said Breitfeld. "The development already begins to show: Add the target figures and compare them to the market data - it won't work."

Suppliers echo the sentiments of automakers regarding the issue. Tobias Hagenmeyer, the president of Getrag Corporate Group, a known manufacturer of transmissions, said: "Competition on the car market has reached a global level." Hagenmeyer thus calls out for auto makers and auto parts manufacturers to work hand in hand to develop new green vehicle features. "We have to develop engines and transmissions in cooperation to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and to meet the economic demands."

Today, automakers are credited with about 80 percent of transmission development. Hagenmeyer pointed out that by working together, auto parts manufacturer and automakers will be reducing costs of development. "We envision a common supplier basis, common standards. This creates cost advantages," he mentioned. With companies sharing the cost of developing auto parts like transmissions, they can save a lot. That is not the only advantage as they would be paired with experts on the field which means there is a bigger chance that they will produce better transmission technologies. This approach can also be taken regarding development of other auto components such as a Subaru coupe sedan radiator. Hopefully for the auto industry, the symposium will give them the spark that they need. With the threat of global warming steadily increasing, it can be expected that more and more consumers will look for eco-friendly vehicles. This demand leads to automakers struggling to come up with green technologies which would set them apart from their peers. Laws have been passed too, mandating that automakers should produce environment friendly vehicles.

Honda taking the Hybrid Challenge

2007-12-31T23:31:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Honda Motor Co., the largest engine-maker in the world and the second largest automobile manufacturer in Japan, is taking the tough hybrid challenge against another Japanese auto giant – in fact, the second largest auto maker in the world – Toyota Motor Corp. in hybrid technology.

In 1999, Honda brought the first gas-electric hybrid – the Insight - to America. Unfortunately, it was soon overshadowed by the Toyota Prius, today’s top-selling hybrid in the world. But still, Honda is trying to catch up ever since.

After eight years playing second behind Toyota, Honda has decided to push its limit in hybrid technology.

According to Honda president Takeo Fukui, the company is investing heavily in hybrids. He claims that the race “has just begun”. He mentioned that the first phase of the technology was all about cultivating green image. The next phase will focus on making the vehicles more affordable and fuel efficient. He said that Honda, so far, has two cars in the pipeline that are likely to challenge Toyota’s eco-supremacy.

Fukui said that about 79 percent of the gas-electric vehicles that rolled out of American showrooms last month were from Toyota. Only about 10 percent were from Honda. The fact was due to the discontinuation of the Insight and Accord hybrid production.

Fukui predicted that hybrids will cover approximately 10 percent of Honda’s sales by 2010. To attain that goal, Honda will need to have 400,000 hybrids sold annually. But, it may not be enough to catch up, considering that Toyota is planning to sell 1 million hybrids a year within the first half of the next decade.

Toyota Prius is a tough player, the toughest actually. It accounted half of the hybrids sold in America last month. Toyota sold 167,000 units of them in the first 11 months of the year – compared with 32,610 units of hybrid Civics, Accords and Insights.

Fukui admits the mistake of offering hybrid versions of Honda’s best-selling cars rather than designing a new car. He said that it is because “until now, it has been an image-based competition, not a business-based competition”.

Another point of defeat for Honda is the pricing, not with the Acura CL coil springs or other individual parts, but with the entire hybrid vehicle. Toyota Prius costs $21,100, while Honda Civic hybrid costs $22,600. Thus, Fukui said, “The price needs to be reasonable and fuel efficiency higher so the (premium) the consumer pays can be returned in a short period of time.”

Honda will offer a subcompact hybrid in 2009, Fukui confirms. It will be provided with a smaller, lighter engine for improved fuel economy and lower price than the Civic hybrid. The company is also planning to launch a hybrid sports car based on the CR-Z concept, which has been unveiled earlier this year at the Tokyo Auto Show and will also be features at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is also investing $425 million for a new research center, which will focus on developing the “next generation” of automobiles, including hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles such as the FCS Clarity.

Toyota's Prius -- Is the Hybrid Technology Worth the Extra Cost?

2007-12-31T23:28:00.000-06:00

By Patrick Roberts

The Prius embodies Toyota’s motto, “Moving Forward.” They designed the Prius to be a step up in the car world, rather than a step toward awkwardness, as I would expect from any environmentally conscious car. The car looks and feels special. People notice the difference in appearance and realize that the whole motivation for the car is different.

The people have cried out for relief from rising gas prices. They have sought after something that doesn’t destroy the environment. Toyota has answered the people with their gas/electric hybrid, the Prius.

The Prius gets an average of 45 mpg in the city as well as on highways. People with lead feet complain that this car gives them no better gas mileage then a regular car, but this is because gas usage depends very much on the driver, how he or she works the gas pedal. The driver can ensure the best possible gas mileage by watching the screen mounted on the dashboard.

It is disputable whether or not additional cost for the hybrid technology is worth the money saved in gas expenditure. The car costs at least five thousand more than the average Toyota sedan to begin with. Then there is an additional seven to eight thousand dollar cost when the battery wears out. The battery’s warrantee comes to an end after one hundred thousand miles.

The car is trim and slim, easy to fit into small spaces. Unfortunately, the leg room is a bit wanting for the driver’s side in particular. I don’t understand why they didn’t allow the front seats to slide back any further. This is one of the few misgivings I have about the Prius.

So would you rather give your money to gas companies who are deliberately raising gas prices because they know there is nothing you can do about it, or would you rather support Toyota who is putting forth effort to give you a choice in the matter? Assuming I’ll break even in car payments vs. gas prices, I would rather support Toyota.

Toyota’s Prius also includes keyless entry and push button start. As long as the key is in your pocket, the car will sense this and unlock the car. Same thing goes for starting the car. As long as the key is in your pocket, just push the button and the car will start. The keyless key also makes it impossible to lock your keys in the car.

by Patrick Roberts. Find media reviews at www.KoGmedia.com. Also checkout www.BooksByPatrick.com

General Motors To Make Chevy Green

2007-11-15T17:29:00.000-06:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

At the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, General Motors Corp. will showcase a green Chevrolet by launching the gas-electric Silverado, the nation's first hybrid pickup. This is GM’s effort to make its best-selling brand, the center of an urgent attempt to cast the automaker as a progressive, environmentally friendly company to consumers around the globe.
The largest American automaker is battling with the industry’s craving for a greener image to improve mileage and at the same time respond to environmental issues.

"In the past, we haven't told our story as well as we could," said Larry Burns, GM's vice president of research and development. "And this is a competitive game." The approach will involve a massive, worldwide marketing campaign and a lineup of vehicles that uses a variety of fuel-saving technologies - including some that have yet to be created.

As part of GM’s announcement, the automaker will also introduce the iconic Silverado. The Detroit-based automaker is under pressure to beat a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to the environment, and trying to do so minus the legendary Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid. Just like Bilstein, the automaker is expected to exude efficiency with sacrificing flexibility.

Toyota's success with the Prius has boosted the brand synonymous with environmental consciousness, an image that has propelled the Japanese automaker's success worldwide, said The Detroit News. "That bought them an image every other automaker would die for," GM's Burns said.

On the contrary, the new strategy for the Chevy brand intends to take a portfolio of complex technologies, some that exist and some yet to be realized, and transform it into something marketable and digestible to American shoppers.

The marketing piece of the strategy will tout Chevrolet's five "Fuel Solutions:" more efficient internal combustion engines; biofuels such as E85 ethanol; gas-electric hybrids; electrically driven vehicles; and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The brand's new tagline is "Chevrolet, from gas-friendly to gas-free," the report continued.

Additionally, GM plans to eventually offer a green version of virtually every Chevy model. Taking the center stage is the Chevrolet Volt, GM's much-hyped, ambitious plug-in hybrid car launched at the Detroit auto show in January.

But the Volt and the fuel cell project remain veiled in uncertainty. The automaker is still working to develop a lithium-ion battery durable and affordable enough to power a Volt for the mass market, and an infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles does not yet exist, DetNews revealed. But a number of other technologies are either on the market or on the way.

"They don't have a strong history of being as environmentally focused as Toyota or even Ford (Motor Co.) with its Escape" hybrid SUV, said Michael Robinet of CSM Worldwide, an automotive forecasting firm in Northville.

Robinet said that GM has the product to become credible, even among import-loving East and West coasters who want to drive green vehicles. "It all has to do with product," he said. "There is no reason, as long as the product is right, that someone like General Motors can't do well there, too."

Saab's 9-3 BioPower delivers Renewable, Economical and Responsible power

2007-11-11T12:12:00.000-06:00

By Evander Klum

Recently, the new 9-3 BioPower series of Saab was launched in Australia to offer a wide variety of choices from renewable bioethanol, economical diesel or petrol power engines to the Australian drivers.

The unveiling of the 9-3 series is an addition to Saab’s line-up of E85 flex-fuel vehicles giving most environmental advantages. The 9-3 series includes the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and the Convertible model priced at a $1,000 premium more than its petrol model which is already on sale.

Riding with Saab’s launch of the 9-3, United Petroleum, Australia’s largest fuel retailer confirmed their plans of building two Australia’s first E85 fuel pumps in Melbourne and Sydney.

With a vehicle powered by the E85 fuel, CO2 emissions will be largely reduced by 80 percent according to Saab estimates. Saab also said that the most fuel efficient small capacity diesel engines releases between 120-130 grams of fossil CO2 per kilometer. Compared to the 9-3 BioPower, emissions are just 40 grams of fossil CO2 per kilometer and with a bonus of a more desirable performance.

Parveen Batish, Director of General Motors premium brands praised United Petroleum and said that its commitment to supplying the consumers with E85 will change the face of transport in Australia.

"With the launch of BioPower, Saab set out to break the chicken and egg cycle that prevented Australian drivers from choosing a renewable fuel alternative," Mr Batish said.

"Saab took the first leap and United Petroleum is taking the same bold leadership position with its commitment to make E85 commercially available to flex-fuel car drivers.

"This is a big investment by United Petroleum. We think with this support BioPower will be a success in Australia and will stimulate other manufacturers to bring their flex-fuel vehicles to this country as well. This is the tip of the iceberg," Mr Batish said.

"With a bioethanol model, a powerful and economical diesel and a carbon off-set through Greenfleet for every new car we sell, the Saab 9-3 (equipped with Saab radiator hose) range really does deliver on our promise of performance with responsibility."

The newly launched 9-3 BioPower is the flex-fuel ethanol version of the Saab 9-3 with just additional environment friendly features. The car will run on E85 fuel made up of 85 percent Ethanol and 15 percent petrol or petrol in any combination from just one fuel tank.

Also, Saab Australia became the first automaker to bring the Australian automotive market the first renewable, bioethanol powered car with its launching of the 9-5 Bio Power to go on sale. The 9-5 BioPower is already the leading flex-fuel segment in Europe significantly in Sweden.

Toyota Prius: Leader of the Global Hybrid Revolution

2007-10-31T22:52:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

Toyota’s gas-electric Prius started a revolution in the global automotive industry ten years ago in December. Little did consumers know that the best selling vehicle was a dream come true to one engineer and it lead him later to Toyota’s vice- presidency. Takeshi Uchiyamada’s mind caused this revolution and with his success, he is determined to further transfigure the auto industry with the first mass production of the super car, the Toyota Prius.

Quite blessed with determination, Uchiyamada with Toyota’s other engineers doubled their working hours to 16 hours per day to vigilantly test hundreds of engines. Every engineering problem is met with critical suggestions to arrive with the best solution to make the engine nothing but perfect.

The Prius was a milestone for environmental vehicles making Toyota’s foot ahead of its rivals as they struggle for the most efficient battery, plug-in hybrids and possible zero-emission fuel-cell cell hydrogen powered cars. Uchiyamada said in an interview that he and his team have grown tired of defending themselves as imitators of technologies developed by their rivals.

In December of 1997, the Prius was introduced in Japan and in the United States the next year. The Prius is already on its second generation and as the hybrid system allows electric motor and gas engine take turns to provide the car power, it gets 46 miles per gallon. Out of Toyota’s 1.2 million global hybrid sales, the Prius accounts for the 829,000 units sales thus making itself as the most successful hybrid vehicle in the global auto market.

In the beginning, Uchiyamada never thought of designing a hybrid and thought that the Prius is one project Toyoto would not approve. A hybrid would require mounds of hardwork significantly the creation of battery that must long miles and recharge itself as the car is driven. He predicted that the Prius would cause Toyota to lose millions if not billions of dollars but he was wrong.

Right now, Toyota’s rivals are all busy making hybrid versions of almost every model vehicle. Last August at the Frankfurt auto show, there was a hybrid galore. Porsche showcased a hybrid of their Cayenne turbo with Volkswagen’s help. BMW opened the box for their X6 (made with original BMW oxygen sensor), an SUV coupe crossover hybrid. General Motors have already launched several hybrids but is more preoccupied with their Chevrolet volt plug in, the vehicle the American automaker predicts to dethrone the Prius. Ford’s Escape already had its hybrid version in 2004 but is presently working on a more advanced version. Chrysler LLC is working on their first hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango set to debut next year. However, as almost all automaker are investing on hybrids, Toyota considers Honda Motor Co. as their greatest rival in the hybrid league as the Honda introduced the hybrid version of the Honda Civic.

The next generation of the Prius is expected to be better than it is. According to analysts, this blockbuster must not disappoint its fans and it is a tough challenge that Toyota is facing. "The popularity of Toyota's hybrids has been limited so far to the Prius. That means Toyota still has a lot of work to do," he said. "If a car doesn't meet consumer expectations, it won't sell. That's the fate Prius must now shoulder: It can't disappoint fans." said Yasuaki Iwamoto, an auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co. in Tokyo, Japan.

Raising the MPG

2007-10-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

When oil prices are still at the peak, raising the mpg seems like a hard thing to do. But one feature in selected vehicles can make this easier, the Cylinder deactivation system. This system had already been available in Sport Utility Vehicles, van and truck segments but with the great advantage it gives consumers, it is already common in passenger cars. General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Honda Motors Co., are among the pioneers of these fuel efficiency technology which they offer in vehicles with V6 and V8 engines.

“It’s adding that extra gas economy that everyone’s looking for right now,” said R.W. McKay, a general sales manager with Gordon Chevrolet in Tampa, Fla., who has the system on his 2007 Chevrolet Impala.

The Cylinder deactivation system boosts miles per gallon and at the same time, maintains horsepower. This phenomenon is done as the technology aids the engine impeccably operate with lesser cylinders in smooth conditions like when a car is driven on a highway. As it shut the cylinders, the engine consumes lesser fuel but can still provide more power if needed.

For Mike Omotoso, senior manager of global powertrain at J.D. Power and Associates, the cylinder deactivation is a vital element of a tool kit the automotive industry uses to give consumer better fuel economy. The collection includes gas-electric hybrids, the variable valve timing and the “start-stop” technology that shuts off the vehicle engine when the car is stuck in a traffic jam or at a stop light.

“The consumer wants to have a powerful engine but hates to pay for the fuel that comes with the V8,” said Gottfried Schiller, director of engineering for engine management systems at auto supplier Robert Bosch LLC. He said the automakers “are looking for an effective way to give them both.”

Honda calls their system the Variable Cylinder Management and the Japanese automaker first made this available in the new Honda Accord with its automatic V6 engine. The system had a predecessor, which is an earlier version installed in the Honda Odyssey for its 2005 model year and the 2006 Pilot SUV.

For General Motors Corp., the system is available in the Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Chevrolet Silverado, Buick LaCrosse, Saab 9-7x (with Saab power steering pump), Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, Pontiac G8, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, GMC Envoy Denali, GMC Sierra Chrysler LLC installed the Cylinder deactivation system in vehicles with 5.7 liter HEMI engines fixed in their, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger R/T, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum R/T, Dodge Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander.

Volkswagen's Diesels To Visit AltWheels Festival

2007-10-01T17:22:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Automakers like Toyota and Honda are focusing on the development of gas-electric hybrid vehicle as their response to the increasing call for cleaner cars. American automakers like Ford and General Motors also manufacture hybrid vehicles. But in Europe, automakers are focusing on the development of new generation diesel engines which are made to be as clean as gasoline engines. One of the automakers paving the way for the development of diesel vehicles is Volkswagen.

The biggest European automaker Volkswagen is making huge strides in the development and manufacturing of clean diesel engines. The diesel-powered Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion was found out to be the greenest vehicle in the United Kingdom. Volkswagen's Audi is also making huge steps forward especially in the promotion of diesel engines with its two straight victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel powered race car. In the United States, Volkswagen has embarked on a Dieselution Tour in an aim to educate the general public on the benefits of clean diesel engines to the environment.

The Dieselution Tour will be making a stop at the AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival on September 28 to 29 in Boston, Massachusetts. The AltWheels festival will be the Dieselution's first public stop. The people behind the Tour will be using interactive displays and exhibits to point out the growing concern for the protection of the environment. The exhibits will also feature how the automaker designed their advanced diesel engines and all its parts like the Volkswagen glow plug Duraterm, and other for-diesel engine components.

The Dieselution Tour will be going across the United States and making stops at events and displaying the company's diesel technology. They will spend four months on the road and the biggest event that they will be making a stop in is during the 2008 Super Bowl. The Dieselution Tour will also be making stops at auto shows across the country.

"Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards," said Keith Price, Public Relations Manager for Product and Technology at Volkswagen of America. He further said that this tour is aimed to change the perception of many American consumers whose view of a diesel engine is that of diesel engines in the 80s which produces a lot of soot and noise. "We want to show Americans that today's clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perceptions about diesel technology," said Price.

In the end, this tour is about bringing consumers to Volkswagen dealership. With gasoline priced higher than diesel, consumers need just a bit more persuasion to give diesels a chance. And that persuasion is what the Dieselution Tour brings to the table. "As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient," said Price. "Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we're confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships."

US Hybrid Sales Picking Up

2007-09-21T20:36:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

With the increasing price of gasoline and the awareness to the growing threat of global warming growing, more and more automakers are developing eco-friendly vehicles. Unlike in the past when green vehicles are only developed and not mass produced, automakers today are marketing hybrid vehicles. The demand for these hybrid vehicles is increasing according to a study conducted by R.L. Polk & Co. The report showed that for the first seven months of the year, new hybrid sales increased by 49 percent on the United States.

According to the study, the increase in hybrid vehicle sales in the country is fueled by the demand for fuel efficient cars in the Midwest. R.L. Polk & Co reported that of all the fifty states, Oklahoma has the largest increase in new hybrid vehicle sales. The auto information and marketing company reported further that 143 percent more hybrid vehicles were sold in the state of Oklahoma for the first seven months of 2007 compared to the same period last year. The state of Hawaii though declined to provide hybrid sales data for the study.

Overall, the study reported that from January to July this year, 215,997 new hybrid vehicles were sold in the United States auto market. For the same period, the number of these green vehicles sold totaled 144,721. This increase is surely good news to environmentalists who are lobbying for automakers to revamp their lineup to include more environment friendly vehicles such as hybrids.

This study will also be additional ammo for groups calling for more models of green vehicles. The fact that the demand for green vehicles is sharply increasing means they can lobby automakers to create more green cars. On the part of automakers, this will show them that the demand for hybrid is increasing and if they want to capitalize on this trend, they should develop more hybrid vehicles. The increase in hybrid sales also means that wholesale auto parts for such vehicles will also increase.

In the Midwest region, R.L. Polk & Co. reported that sales for the first seven months of 2007 is 57 percent higher than hybrid sales figure for the same period last year. The iconic Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry Hybrid are the best selling hybrid vehicles in the region according to the report. In the Western region of the United States, new hybrid sales increased by 52 percent from January to July this year. In the Northeast, sales increased by 49 percent. And in the South, sales jumped by 42 percent.

Lonnie Miller, the director of industry analysis for R.L. Polk said that hybrid vehicle sales are one bright spot in the United States auto industry. While demand for new vehicles is down as a whole, hybrid sales are still going up. In fact, Miller expects that more than 300,000 units of hybrid vehicles will be sold this year in the country to compose more than 2 percent of the total vehicle sales in the country. Last year, R.L. Polk reported that 254,545 hybrid vehicles were sold.

Jay Leno To Drive Hydrogen Powered Car

2007-09-19T18:19:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Automakers are coming up with more and more green vehicles. Toyota started it all with the hybrid Prius and other automakers are quick to follow. According to experts, while hybrid vehicles definitely have its advantages, it is not the ideal car for the future when it comes to the reduction of carbon footprint. The use of hydrogen as fuel is considered by many as the perfect solution to reduce the damage done by vehicles to the environment.

Honda came up with the FCX. The said vehicle runs on hydrogen and is now being tested in the United States by select fleet and individuals. Honda though is not the only automaker which has developed a vehicle that is fueled by hydrogen. German automaker BMW has also developed the Hydrogen 7 - a hydrogen-powered luxury sedan. Several units of this vehicle are already being tested in the country. The German automaker gave keys of the Hydrogen 7 to several celebrities including Will Ferrell. The newest celebrity to be given a key to the Hydrogen 7 is The Tonight Show host Jay Leno.

The comedian has been known to be an automotive enthusiast who knows how to work on cars. Giving him a key to the Hydrogen 7 will give BMW a boost if the comedian/auto enthusiast came up with favorable review of the hydrogen powered car.

"As an avid car enthusiast I'm always interested in the future of automotive technology," says Leno. "With the BMW Hydrogen 7 I can experience all the fun and great features of a performance car, yet know that I'm being environmentally friendly at the same time! I look forward to driving the Hydrogen 7 and learning more about hydrogen as a fuel for our future."

Leno owns a garage which can be considered a green one. That is because the celebrity uses a giant steam engine to provide energy for the consumption of his garage. He said that just because his garage is full of old cars, it cannot be an eco-friendly one. Although he owns vehicles which have been designed decades ago when the threat of global warming was unheard of, Leno uses technologies which can offset the emissions of such classic cars.

The BMW Hydrogen 7, contrary to what others think, is not a concept car like the Chevy Volt, Opel Flextreme, or the Volvo ReCharge. It is a production model and has undergone through the entire Production Development Process. Although it is a production model, the car is not yet for sale. Even with that fact, the development of a production version of a car that produces water vapor as its only emission is a milestone in the current drive to come up with solutions geared towards reducing the threat of global warming.

As far as reliability of the Hydrogen 7 is concerned, it is said to be as reliable as an Isuzu Trooper radiator. With BMW's expertise in engineering and resources, the Hydrogen 7 is not surprisingly a clean car with the performance to boot. And since it is a luxury car, it is filled with technological amenities that one can usually find in any BMW car.

VW, German Society For Nature Conservation NABU Join Frankfurt Auto Show

2007-09-19T18:16:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Volkswagen AG and the German Society for Nature Conservation NABU joined up for the first time at the International Auto Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. This is an effort to protect both the climate and the environment.

This year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, the world’s largest, is putting emphasis on the protection of the environment due to the alarming global warming issues. Moreover, it is only coherent to present the long-standing successful partnership between Europe’s biggest auto manufacturer and Germany’s largest environmental organization to a public interested in vehicles and the environment.

“Protecting the environment has become a global challenge. Wherever we look - design, climate technology or packaging, sensor technology and architecture, material development, micro- and nano-technology – researchers and developers take their lead from nature, just as we do in the automotive industry. In this sense, biodiversity also has an economic value. That is one reason why our cooperation with NABU is so important for Volkswagen,” said Stephan Grühsem, the Head of Group Communications, commenting on the automaker’s commitment.

The Wolfsburg, Germany-based automaker and NABU were already organizing free fuel saving training sessions throughout their territory. This is done well before the present climate protection debate got underway. During sessions, a team of professional trainers teach driving license holders how to drive their vehicles the modern and efficient way. It is possible to save up to 25 percent fuel without slowing down drive times, good news for the climate and the household budget, Auto Racing Daily reported. Furthermore, the mobility dialog discussion platform has become a firm feature of the political events calendar.

“Not all that glitters at auto shows is worth its weight in environmental gold, but we believe that Volkswagen’s high-efficiency models are a big step in the right direction,” Miller said. “They demonstrate that climate-friendly cars can be found in almost every vehicle class without considerable additional cost."

For quite a while now, it is not only wolves that are crossing borders to re-migrate to Germany – the NABU “Willkommen Wolf!” information campaign is also drawing global awareness. “Our aim is to rectify the stereotype image of the big bad wolf, and to show that wolves and humans can coexist peacefully. Volkswagen has given valuable support to this information initiative,” said Leif Miller, NABU director.

The BlueMotion series, which now includes nine models, is one focus of Volkswagen’s presence at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Polo BlueMotion with carbon dioxide emissions of a mere 99 grams per kilometer introduced the series a year ago.

The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion is Europe's most economical five-seat product line that offers the equivalent of 60 miles per gallon. The key to its fuel efficiency is the optimization of an already economical package. Also, incorporation of longer ratio gears in the standard five-speed manual transmission, lower rolling resistance 165/70 R14 tires, and application-specific light weight alloy wheels, all contribute to an enhanced mileage.

The lightweight body structure has improved aerodynamics at the same time boost its efficiency. The vehicle also uses refined auto parts like the Volkswagen tie rod end, radiator, filter, engine, brakes, and more. The Polo BlueMotion provides consumers the "fun to drive" element inherent in the DNA of Volkswagen without compromising safety and functionality.

The Polo BlueMotion is the first model to be introduced under the automaker’s BlueMotion sustainability initiative aimed at producing low-emissions and fuel efficient vehicles at reasonable prices.

Automakers Focus On Mileage, Increased Profits

2007-09-12T19:03:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

At this year’s International Auto Show, auto giants unveiled vehicles that mirror the industry’s color – GREEN. Green for environment-friendly vehicles. Also, green for profitability.

Automakers introduced improved fuel efficiency and engines that run on hydrogen or batteries. The goal is to enhance mileage and respond to the increasing global warming concerns. At present, improving gas mileage is one of the hot issues tackled by the lawmakers. Moreover, it is expected that the industry should comply with the stricter standards after the passage of such legislation.

Another focus of the automakers is to return to profitability. After the debilitating sales doldrums, who would not strive to be back into the black? Amid the strong European and global economies, most of the auto giants have posted sales declines. This is why they are making the most of every effort to push their company into profitability.

Whether it's the threat of government regulation on both sides of the Atlantic or growing consumer interest, auto companies have given the show an environmentally conscious flavor, even when it comes to larger vehicles such as BMW's X6 SUV-car crossover, reported International Herald Tribune.

"We're not just talking about cutting CO2 emissions, we're doing it," said BMW Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer, after the Bavarian automaker unveiled the X6, a ‘sport activity’ vehicle with a hybrid engine that will be on sale in 2009. "This isn't just a quick, halfhearted effort. We've been leading the way for years. We got an early start and it's not at all the case that we're being pushed into this by politicians."

For other auto giants, the notion is taking root deeper into future planning and execution. General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that the American automaker aims to develop an entire line of electric cars that could share parts used by gasoline-powered counterparts.

GM head honcho said that the Detroit-based automaker would likely have its E-Flex platform serve as a base for future development. The system, used in its just-debuted Flextreme concept car, has a small diesel engine generator to charge a lithium-ion battery pack.

GM hybrids such as the Saturn Vue, Saturn Aura and the Chevrolet Malibu are expected to reach 10,000 sales by the end of the year and will continue to play a crucial function in the automaker’s growth. The Saturn window motors could be pulling some positive shopping energy.
Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, said that it will have three models with lower CO2 emissions available in Europe by the end of 2008. The Dearborn-based automaker is working on diesel versions of the Focus, Mondeo and a new subcompact with innovative technology to lessen emissions. All three vehicles will carry the ECOnetic badge of the automaker.

Renault SA Vice President Michel Gornet, however, said that consumers have a limited appetite for paying extra for environmentally friendly technology. "The consciousness is there," he said. "Renault is focusing on designing more environmentally efficient engines across all its models.”
Nissan Vice President Carlos Tavares said that the automaker is not concentrating on any specific environmental system. "We won't bet the future of the company on a single technology," he said.

In the midst of the environmental drive, automakers also touted improved sales. According to the report, DaimlerChrysler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche said that the chance of a fatter shareholder dividend was better than before. Audi AG, on the other hand, said that it hopes to sell a record 950,000 cars this year and also hopes to beat last year's net profit. Additionally, Porsche AG said that its sales increased 3.4 percent during its recently ended fiscal year, pushed up by rising demand for its luxury cars.

Why Choose a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid?

2007-09-11T19:05:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

In response to the current call for ecological awareness, Honda the producer of quality Honda seat belt has introduced in Canada its 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. Despite of the slight change in performance and looks the Civic Hybrid has gained a solid market in Canada and this is due to the new body design as well as the much improve safety features added to the hybrid badge.

The Honda City in Victoria is the country’s largest seller of Honda Civic Hybrids and Tim Dakin, General Manager has cited a couple of factors. He said, “Honda has built the Civic Hybrid for our North American roads so certainly it can operate anywhere and in difficult conditions. Yet our type of climate encourages more people to try it. Also, living on the West Coast, we are apt to understand a hybrid better based on our ecological awareness.”

The Honda Civic Hybrid runs on a well balanced equation of power delivered by a CVT 1.3 liter, four-cylinder engine and battery pack with a self-sufficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.

The Civic Hybrid makes use of a system of collecting and then redirecting power to charge its battery like for instance when braking, friction is created and then the energy derived from such operation is transferred and as the vehicle slows down, it then utilizes the valves to reduce speed of the vehicle. The tech filters in turn close off to trap all energy.

At the heart of the Civic Hybrid are bright orange cables, which serve as the veins keeps the engine running. The sealed off trunk space at the back of the car that contains the battery pack confirms that the Civic is a hybrid. Same with the one-of-a-kind, light-weight, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels that are designed to improve aerodynamics. To differentiate the Hybrid Civic from the regular Civic, the aerial is centered on the roof above the rear window.

And since the Civic Hybrid makes use of a battery there is no need to rev the engine since the battery already acts as the starter. There are two readouts on the instrumentation panel, one side indicates the battery charge level while the other side is a split gauge that highlights Assist and Charge.

During acceleration the battery assists the gas motor for extra power and then after sustained momentum is established or when the vehicle slows down the battery pack is then regenerated.
In addition, for temporary stops at traffic lights the Honda Civic Hybrid automatically shuts off to enhance fuel and emission conservation. The sensors found on the brake, triggers the shut down that why it is advised that once you lift your foot off the brake, immediately restart the car.

For more information on the Honda Civic Hybrid here is a list of its specifications sourced from www.honda.com:

Engineering Engine Type: In-Line 4-Cylinder Engine Block/Cylinder Head: Aluminum-Alloy Displacement (cc): 1339 Horsepower @ rpm: 110 @ 6000 Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm): 123 @ 1000-2500 Redline (rpm): 6300 Bore and Stroke (mm): 73 x 80 Compression Ratio: 10.8:1 Valve Train: 8-Valve SOHC i-VTEC® Multi-Point Fuel Injection: Standard Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System: Standard Front-Wheel Drive: Standard CARB Emissions Rating: AT-PZEV Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer: Standard 100,000-Miles-or-More Tune-Up Interval*: Standard

Electric Motor / Generator Permanent Magnet Motor: Standard Power Output: 20 hp / 76 lb.-ft. Motor Width (mm): 70

Electric Power Storage Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery: Standard Output (Volts): 158 Rated Capacity: 5.5 Ah

Transmissions Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): Standard

Green Buses To Hit Montreal

2007-09-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Montreal will go green as it paved the way for new hybrid buses en route for next year. Canada’s second most-visited city will introduce first hybrid electric-diesel transit buses in early 2008. The project will be backed by higher levels of government.

The Montreal Transit Corp.'s board of directors recently approved a financing deal with the federal and Quebec governments that will launch a $5.6 million-worth project.

The province will foot half the cost of the eight hybrid buses that are to be road-tested throughout 2008, using some of the money it receives on Montreal's behalf from a cut of the federal gasoline tax, MTC treasurer Luc Tremblay said.

The buses, made by Nova Bus of St. Eustache, will emit far less greenhouse gases because they are powered by a blend of electric power and a diesel engine, MTC executive director Yves Devin said.

“The MTC will pump biodiesel - fuel made with some organic material - into the hybrids to further curb pollution emissions,” Devin added. “The agency wants to see how they work this winter before buying more.”

The hybrid buses will be equipped with a diesel engine and an electric transmission box, which acts as transmission, generator and electric motor. Batteries, which are stored on the bus's roof, recharge when the vehicle brakes.

Although the price tag on a hybrid bus is $700,000 - $200,000 more than on a standard, low-floor MTC bus - there will be savings on gasoline and parts because the hybrids' engines and brakes will get less wear, Devin said. Their start date is being negotiated with Nova Bus, he added.

According to Autos Canada, the MTC will test hybrids on 66 The Boulevard, 80 Park Ave., 103 Monkland Ave., 105 Sherbrooke St., 162 Westminster Ave., 165 Cte des Neiges Rd., 166 Queen Mary Rd., and 535 Park Ave./Cte des Neiges Rd.

The routes are on busy thoroughfares and have frequent stops - ideal for the hybrid bus, Nova Bus spokesperson Nadine Bernard said. "The more stop-and-go you do, the more energy gets stored in the batteries," Bernard added.

As the bus accelerates when leaving a stop, electric power predominates, she said. At high speeds, the diesel engine takes over. In between, the bus is powered by a blend of both.
Hybrid buses use 19 to 28 per cent less fuel than a regular bus, said Serge Carignan, the MTC's director of studies and development. The MTC's 1,600 buses burn 45 million litres of fuel a year.
MTC vice-chairperson Marvin Rotrand, a city councillor, said that he is so convinced of the benefits of hybrid vehicles, he wants the city to oblige the taxi industry to switch, too. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered his city's 13,000 taxis to operate on hybrid engines by 2012, the report added.

"We'd love that," said Daniel Di Massimo, the director of development for Montreal-based Diamond Taxi, the largest cab company in the province. “But unlike New York and elsewhere, taxi firms in Quebec don't supply cars,” he said. “Drivers here own their vehicles, and requiring all of them to buy hybrids "would cause a revolt."

But Di Massimo predicted cabbies will come around to hybrids with time as they realize the potential cost savings.

According to watchers in the industry, with the rise of green vehicles in Canada, it is not impossible that the territories roads will be filled with green machines in the near future. Auto parts such as the brake booster Canada, engines tailpipes, and the like are now being enhanced to cater to the mileage regulations and respond to environment concerns.

Hybrid Tax Credit To Expire Soon

2007-08-27T20:51:00.001-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

The popularity of hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid is due to the eco-friendliness and fuel economy of such vehicles. Aside from that, consumers are choosing hybrids over conventional gasoline-powered vehicles because of the tax credits given by the government.

The strong selling point of a hybrid is its fuel economy. With the price of gasoline skyrocketing, consumers would surely prefer hybrid vehicles which consume less fuel. But the drawback is that hybrid vehicles are priced thousands more than their conventional counterparts. The reason for this is the higher cost of production since hybrid vehicles use advanced powertrain technologies. The government, in an effort to popularize the use of hybrid vehicles, gave tax credits for consumers who buy hybrids.

But this tax credit offered by the government is not unlimited. There are already a set number of hybrid vehicles from a particular automaker which will be qualified for the tax credits. And now, those tax credits are diminishing and will soon expire completely.

Toyota is the leader in hybrid sales and tax credits for the Prius, the Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and the upscale Lexus RX400h are now diminishing. By the end of October, tax credits offered with these hybrids will be gone. This means that if you are planning to buy a Camry Hybrid later this year, or after October, you will have to pay thousands more than what you would pay for a Camry. This expiration of the tax credit may push consumers away from buying hybrid cars. This might be the case unless Congress steps in and extends the tax credits offered to hybrid car buyers.

Honda already sold 60,000 hybrids in the United States auto market. That means that the $2,100 tax credit for their hybrids will be halved by January next year. Even with the Accord Hybrid discontinued, the tax credit will still diminish as the Civic Hybrid gains popularity. Honda is planning to release a new hybrid car for 2009 and it is not clear whether that hybrid will still be qualified for the tax incentives that are currently being offered.

Not all automakers though have already reached the threshold where their hybrid cars are no longer qualified for the federal tax credits. Mazda has the Tribute Hybrid and the hybrid vehicle recently qualified for tax credits. For the 2WD variant of the Tribute Hybrid with its Mazda air filter is qualified for a $3,000 credit while the 4WD version qualifies for a $2,200 tax incentive. The Tribute is essentially the same as the Escape Hybrid which means that if you are looking to buy a Ford Escape Hybrid and is now thinking twice of doing so because of the tax credit expiration, the Tribute Hybrid is a logical alternative.

Although Ford has shares in Mazda, the Japanese automaker is considered as a separate manufacturer. This means that the tax credit for the Tribute Hybrid will be around for a long time. And if Congress steps in and extends the tax credit scheme, auto buyers will be given more reasons to buy hybrid cars over conventional gasoline or diesel powered vehicles.

Cleanest Volvo To Be Unveiled

2007-08-23T19:15:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Swedish automaker Volvo recently announced that they will be unveiling their cleanest car model ever at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The automaker announced that they will be calling the new unit as the Volvo C30 Efficiency - a variant of the automakers’ newest car model. This variant of the smallest Volvo car will have less greenhouse gas emissions and will have a better fuel economy.

According to the automaker, the C30 Efficiency will consume a gallon of fuel for every 62.8 miles covered. And since it has less greenhouse gas emissions, it will have less tax and will be exempted from London’s Congestion Charge which will be enforced next February.

Four areas of the C30 have been improved to come up with the Efficiency variant. According to the automaker, these are aerodynamics, rolling resistance, gearing and engine efficiency.

In terms of aerodynamics, the C30 Efficiency is equipped with a roof spoiler, a new bumper and a blanked off front grille. All these modifications increased the ease of which wind flows against the vehicle. Other changes to its aerodynamics includes the 16-inch wheels and underbody panels which similar to skid plates deflect not only stones or gravel but also facilitate the smooth flow of air underneath the car. The C30 Efficiency’s ride height is also lower compared to its siblings.

Rolling resistance is reduced by the use of the new tires which are special compound low friction tires. Other improvement made to the C30 is the re-engineering of the car’s five-speed manual transmission. The third, fourth, and fifth gear ratios have been adjusted to provide more fuel efficiency during cruising speeds. A new transmission fluid is also being used on the revised five-speed manual transmission. The use of this keeps the transmission in its most efficient operating temperature just what like a Volvo S70 radiator does for a Volvo engine.

The power steering mechanism for the C30 Efficiency was also redesigned to make it more energy efficient. An engine management system which involves the use of advanced electronics is also part of the automaker’s revisions on the C30 to come up with the Efficiency variant.
Volvo announced that the improvements that they have made to the C30 resulted to the reduction of power output. The Efficiency’s powerplant produces 104 bhp, 4 less than the conventional C30. But this reduction in power output is not a setback since the improvements made to the C30 were done to make it more fuel efficient and eco-friendly and not to be a more powerful car.

According to experts, the C30 Efficiency may be the answer of the Swedish automaker to Volkswagen’s BlueMotion models. According to Magnus Jonsson, the chief of Volvo’s R&D team in an interview with Autocar, Volvo is “firmly committed to lowering the fuel consumption of its conventional petrol and diesel engines, and continuously reducing the overall CO2 emission level for its whole model range.”

Thus, it is possible that just like BlueMotion, the efficiency badge will be carried by Volvo vehicles and not only the C30.

Green Activists Get Tough On 4x4 Users

2007-08-18T15:31:00.000-05:00

By Andrew Regan

German activists operating under the banner of the green lobby have taken to slashing tyres on high performance vehicles in Berlin in order to 'educate' the drivers of such vehicles. Each owner of the 80-plus vehicles that were subject to an attack in the last week of July found a hand-written note under the windscreen wiper detailing the dangers of carbon emissions, in particular from their type of preferred vehicle.

Police investigating the incidents believe that they are the work of organised groups allied to international activists in France and Belgium who prefer to smear the vehicles with manure, rather than slash the tyres. In what effectively amounts to war being declared on sports and utility vehicle drivers by self-styled environmentalists, the 4 x 4 wheel vandalism highlights the frustration felt by the activists in the difference in the speed of progress on green issues between the majority of German society and the German motor industry. While the population has readily adopted renewable policies, the car industry appears to be dragging its heels. Porsche recently came under attack from Greenpeace, being labelled a “climate pig” by the environmentalists for concentrating on power and performance over green issues in its product range.

However, despite recently introducing a hybrid engine which promises to cut carbon emissions by 20%, the German auto giant's own research shows that demand for the green cars will be limited. Their V6 sports utility vehicle is highly sought after by consumers, who obviously still remain to be convinced of the benefits of buying a green hybrid car. So, despite targeting the manufacturer, it looks like they are not to blame as they are only responding to consumer demand, and the market in Germany is currently demanding high performance, high carbon emitting vehicles.

And it's not only Porsche who are the targets of the car terrorists; Daimler and BMW are also accused of putting performance ahead of green issues. The fact that a lobby of all three German manufacturers have been successful in getting the EU to change their minds on carbon emission targets for vehicles doesn't help their cause in the eyes of the green lobby. In a co-ordinated drive, the trio have managed to effect a change in the EU draft legislation resulting in carbon emissions being categorised by vehicle size as opposed to the original absolute target for all vehicles. This means that the future for high performance vehicles in Germany and the rest of the EU looks bright, despite the best efforts of the green lobby to effect change.

However, whether wholesale slashing of 4x4 tyres will really persuade car-loving Germans to abandon their prized performance assets, or make them even more determined to not be brow-beaten by a minority of vandals remains to be seen.

2008 VW Golf BlueMotion To Debut At Frankfurt

2007-08-16T19:31:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Volkswagen will officially launch its newest economical diesel offering at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt this September. Fresh from its collaboration with Mercedes-Benz diesel technology dubbed as Bluetec, the German automaker will unleash the Golf BlueMotion, a line of ultra fuel-efficient cars that qualifies by achieving 52.26 mpg.

The world's fourth-largest automaker’s diesel salvo boasts its 4.5 liter fuel consumption and 119 g/km CO2 tapping the environment-friendly benchmarks in the compact segment. After the Polo, Passat and Passat Variant, the Golf is now the fourth product line from VW to flaunt the new BlueMotion environmental badge on its radiator grille and rear hatch that identifies it as the most economical model of the car series. According to the automaker, the Golf BlueMotion is run by a TDI with 77 kW or 105 PS and a hefty 250 Newton-meter of torque that has already achieved recognition as an efficient engine.

As revealed by Jalopnik, a software intervention in engine management reduces the idling speed of this diesel combined with a particulate filter and simultaneously improves its emission behavior. With longer gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears, engine speed levels are also lower while driving. These actions alone reduce consumption by about 0.2 liter. Enthusiast can now expect a different ambiance and performance from Golf. The Volkswagen Side Marker Lens and other auto parts are enhanced to meet the most stringent standards in emissions and mileage.

Aside from the Golf, the German automaker will be presenting five other BlueMotion models. Overall, six new models with technology that is as economical as it is environmentally friendly, will debut at the world's largest car show. The new Golf BlueMotion. At just 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, its fuel consumption has been reduced by a full 0.6 liters as compared to the original model.

Likewise, carbon dioxide emissions have been dramatically slashed from 135 g/km to 119 g/km. Actions taken on the BlueMotion make it so efficient that now distances of more than 1,200 kilometers are possible on just one Golf tank of fuel (55 liter), the report added. Market launch of the Golf BlueMotion in Germany is set for the end of this year.

In the chase for every gram of CO2 VW is also relying on light-running tires, size 195 / 65 R 15, optimized for low rolling resistance; they are driven at higher air pressure, raised by a 0.3 bar. When all of the modifications come together, the top speed of the Golf increases from 187 km/h to an electronically limited 190 km/h.

The Golf BlueMotion features effective dual fan to supply enough cooling air and cutting-edge aerodynamic design measures such as lowering of the chassis, the cW value of 0.32, which in itself is a fine value, was further improved to 0.30.

When it comes to equipment, the car offers a range from Trendline and Comfortline. In addition to basic equipment, special Blue Motion specification is also on board. Besides the aerodynamic modifications, standard equipment includes the Multifunctional Display Plus (MFA Plus) with gear recommendation arrow and a sports chassis.

Separately, the German automaker reported a 10.5 percent increase in July vehicle sales at its core brand, its strongest month in terms of sales growth in 2007. The 310,000 units delivered to customers brought the year-to-date figure to 2.11 million vehicles, a gain of 7.9 percent, Reuters reported. Of the brand's ten largest individual markets world-wide, Brazil showed the biggest improvement with sales rising nearly 31 percent in January through July, followed by the 25 percent gain in China and a 21 percent increase in Argentina.

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line in Detail

2007-08-13T21:19:00.000-05:00

By Noah Scott

General Motor's Saturn division has released the details and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid. The car is now beginning to arrive in Saturn dealerships straight from General Motor's assembly plant in Kansas City.

Jill Lajdziak, Saturn General Manager commented: "The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment. With a starting sticker price over $2,000 less than any mid-sized hybrid sedan and a $1,300 tax credit, it makes true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than ever before."

Because the Aura Green Line is a hybrid model, consumers expect that the vehicle will have a clean and lower exhaust emissions and low fuel consumption. The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid received an official fuel economy rating of 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to GM's Saturn division, "The Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE model."

With a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $22,695 USD, Saturn said the 2007 Aura Green Line Hybrid has the lowest price in the hybrid vehicle segment for 2007.

As a hybrid vehicle, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line is equipped with a powertrain package that combines a precise electric motor or generator with a 2.4-liter petrol engine. Overall powertrain output is 164 hp (122 kW) at 6400 rpm and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5000 rpm, mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, and GM thermostats. With this powertrain feature, the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line provides better fuel economy, thanks to the electric motor that assists the engine to produce power output during acceleration. The electric motor can obtain and replenish its electrical energy by regenerative breaking.

Key standard features found on the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid include 16-inch alloy wheels, SBRP215/60R16 BSW touring tires, daytime running lights automatic headlights with automatic on/off, rear window defroster, front dual sunvisors, front and rear body color bumpers, front air dam, and halogen headlights.

Interior and safety features include body color folding power adjustable exterior rearview mirrors, power windows with driver one-touch up and one-touch down, dual-stage front air bags, side head-curtain and front-seat thorax protection air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control (ESC), four-wheel disc brakes with anti lock braking system (ABS), and GM's OnStar safety and security system.

Meanwhile, Saturn has announced that it will launch the Vue Green Line SUV featuring front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform and GM's new 2-mode hybrid powertrain system by 2008.

Audi To Launch The Cleanest Diesel Technology

2007-08-11T23:10:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Audi AG will be launching the cleanest diesel technology in the industry. The Ingolstadt, Bavaria-based automaker will be putting the technology into series production from mid-2008.

The new TDI engines boast of ultra-low emission system that harmonizes superior pulling power and spontaneous performance of the current power units. As a result, unbeatably low emissions and superb fuel consumption figures are reached. The engines are designed to undercut the most stringent emissions standards that are to be enforced in Europe at some future time.

The latest TDI engines sees Audi reaffirm its headship claim in the arena of ultra-sophisticated diesel technology. As a fact, when the automaker started up a series of productions of the first passenger-car TDI engine in 1989, it etched a pivotal milestone in auto advancement.

The German auto manufacturer is determined to congeal its role in the industry as the pioneer of cutting-edge technology. To stress, Audi complied with the Euro 4 standard and the upcoming Euro 5 emissions limits years in advance. Eventually, Audi car parts have established a reputation for quality, performance, and style.

As for the automaker, the trendsetting TDI engine is a core element of its integrated technology strategy. “We intend to consolidate the status of the TDI as a highly efficient form of propulsion on a sustained basis. And in future we will be launching ‘e’ model variants designed for optimized fuel consumption in the high-volume model series – either in TDI guise or as petrol models with state-of-the-art TFSI technology,” said Rupert Stadler, the chairman of the Audi board of management.

“Audi is a trailblazer when it comes to diesel power. Since 1989, over 4.5 million cars have rolled off the production line with the highly efficient TDI technology under the bonnet. By equipping the R10 TDI sports prototype with this technology, we have just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel-powered car for the second time,” noted Michael Dick, a board member for technical development at Audi.

“The Audi R8 racing cars with TFSI petrol direct injection took victory on five occasions at Le Mans. We have been incorporating the key findings from the world of motorsport directly into series-production development,” he added. “By so doing, we are demonstrating how TDI and TFSI represent the ultimate in efficiency, driving pleasure and economy both on the road and on the racetrack.”

Currently, diesel fuel is the most commended in motoring. This is because the fuel delivers better driveability and mileage with less emission. It packs around 15 percent more energy per liter than petrol but it also comes at a cost of 15 percent more greenhouse emissions, reported Bangkok Post. However, with a 20 to 40 percent better mileage in a modern diesel engine offsetting the emission, you get less CO2 per distance traveled, the report continued.

In motorsport, diesel application has already come a long way. But the most remarkable success came in 1998 when BMW won the 24 Hours of Nurburgring with a 320d. More recently in WTCC, diesel-powered Seat Leon landed eighth place outright on its launch in Sweden. But the most famed success is the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI last year. The notable success was repeated this year.

Experts say diesel may find its niche in future WRC. According to them, the new generation Subaru Impreza with its first in-house diesel boxer unit may become one of the first contenders. In this weekend's WRC Rally Germany, four entries are diesel-powered BMW, Seat and Volkswagen. But before it reaches stardom in the auto industry, diesel has to overcome some hurdles.

Volvo Cars to Offer Flexifuel Models

2007-08-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

Catalytic converters like the International catalytic converter have played major roles in reducing carbon dioxide emission. However automakers did not stop there they continued developing new technologies that will further eliminate, if not reduce the emission of harmful gas.
And speaking of new technologies, Volvo Cars will introduce in the first half of 2008 its five-cylinder 2.5 liter turbocharged Flexifuel engine that produces 200hp. The new Flexifuel engine particularly a 2-liter variant is to be equipped on the V70 and the S80.

Five Volvo models namely C30, S40, V50, V70, and S80 are to be equipped with one or two Flexifuel engines. According to Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars, "Flexifuel has considerable potential in larger models too. That is why we plan to continuously expand the implementation of this technology over the coming years. It's a move that is being driven by the extended availability of biofuels throughout Europe. Biofuel standardisation and guidelines for sustainable production within the EU would make the fuel's development even smoother."

The Felxifuel variants for the V70 and S80 will be made available by the end of 2007 equipped with a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. The 2.0F has been altered to run on E85 and to produce 145hp and 185 Nm of torque.

For the S40, V50, and C30 Flexifuel variants, they will be given a four-cylinder 1.8 liter naturally aspirated engine. The 1.8F will produce 125hp and 165 Nm of torque.

There were modifications made on the five Volvo models in order to make them E85 capable. Like for instance, their fuel hoses together with the valves and gaskets have been altered to withstand ethanol’s corrosive properties. The injection valves have been toughened and designed for E85. Likewise, the on-board software was also calibrated for E85. The engine management system also automatically senses the current mixture of fuel in the tank and basing on that will employ the necessary combustion process.

The fuel consumption when running on E85 is 10.31/100km (for the C30 1.8F), 10..41/100km (for the S40 1.8F and V50 1.8F), 11.61/100km (for V70 2.0F beginning figure), 11.31/100km (S80 2.0F beginning figure).

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel that comes from biomass sources such as wheat, corn, sugar-beet, and cellulose. The usage of E85 orthe combination of bioethanol with 15 percent petrol doesn’t mean that there won’t be anymore carbon dioxide emission. There would still be CO2 emission but the type that is regarded as part of nature’s own carbon cycle.

Volvo Cars is planning to launch its Flexifuel cars in a number of markets including Sweden, France, Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Ireland, Belgium, and Switzerland. The Swedish automaker is also planning to make its Flexifuel cars available to countries across Europe.

Volvo is hoping to sell around 10,000 of its Flexfuel cars for this year.

Dust To Dust Study Refuted

2007-08-02T21:56:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

It can be remembered that last week, a study conducted by CNW Marketing Research reported that hybrid cars are not as green as they appear to be. The study focused on the amount of energy a vehicle would need in its lifetime. The result of the study conducted over two years shows that hybrid cars uses up more energy than conventional gasoline engined vehicles.

In fact, the study claims that compact and midsized SUVs consume less energy than hybrid vehicles. More interestingly, the Hummer is considered ‘greener’ than hybrid cars. When the eco-friendliness of cars is concerned, environmentalists and points to the gas-guzzling capability of the Hummer. But with the result of the study conducted by CNW gives Hummer lovers an argument in the ongoing battle of words.

Environmentalists though have found an ally in Dr. Peter H. Gleick of the Pacific Institute. Dr. Gleick recently published his study entitled “Hummer versus Prius: ‘Dust to Dust’ Report Misleads the Media and Public with Bad Science”. The said paper refuted the study published by CNW Marketing Research.

According to the result of Dr. Gleick’s study, the ‘Dust to Dust: The Energy Cost of New Vehicles From Concept to Disposal’ uses poor assumptions. The data pointed out by Dr. Gleick, which shows that the study conducted by CNW Marketing is erroneous, is the usable life of a Prius and the Hummer.

According to the expert, the original study put the usable lifespan of a Prius at only 11 years while the Hummer’s lifespan was placed at 35 years. This disparity in lifespan is also being argued by Prius owners. With the reliability that Japanese automakers are known for, it is indeed surprising that the Toyota Prius was given an expectancy of only 11 years while the Hummer H1 was given an expectancy as high as 35 years.

Another figure being questioned by Dr. Gleick’s study reflects the seemingly erroneous lifespan of the vehicles in question. The original study released by CNW Marketing shows that in its lifetime, the Prius covers about 109,000 miles while for the Hummer H1, it was placed at 379,000 miles.

The disparity is being questioned especially by Prius owners who have already covered more than the 109,000 miles assumed by CNW Marketing. The paper released recently by Dr. Gleick does not necessarily show that the Prius uses less energy than conventional vehicles but it points out that the public should be aware of the fact that the study conducted by CNW Marketing may have some erroneous data.

According to CNW, the reason why hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius use more energy in their lifetime is that they are more complex than conventional vehicles. A hybrid uses a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery pack. The presence of the electric motor alone means that it has more parts thus more energy is being used up in the production of these auto parts.

Another concern is the material used in the manufacturing of hybrid car batteries. Nickel, a major component of the Prius’ battery pack, is mined in Canada and shipped to China than to Japan. During the transportation of the said material, petroleum fuels are used by cargo ships and trucks. The study conducted by CNW took this into consideration.

Meanwhile, Hummer H1s even with Hummer car covers uses considerably fewer auto parts than advanced hybrids. This debate though is far from being over even with the ‘dust to dust’ study being refuted.

Lexus GS 450h

2007-07-30T08:37:00.000-05:00

By Joe Ratzkin

Environmental care for most people means driving a Toyota Prius.

But now, at the forefront of hybrid technology, Lexus brings the GS 450h – the world’s first high performance hybrid saloon. Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, which brought the car industry saying “oh!” into the 21st Century with the noble Prius.

The Lexus GS 450h is a big car that has a conventional 3.5-litre, V6 petrol engine delivering 292bhp which is supplemented by an electric motor powered by a battery pack in the boot, which adds another 197bhp.

The GS 450h can run for just 2km in electric mode only. But the petrol engine gives the car a chance to recharge its batteries through regenerative braking. Other neat touches include the engine shutting off and then restarting when it is time to pull away at traffic lights. This is a car full of creative tricks.

The actual total output from the two power plants is 335bhp when working in combination, which is enough to propel the GS 450h to 62mph in 5.9s and on to an electronically limited top end speed of 155mph.

For a more customized car, Lexus aftermarket parts can be added to this big one.

Acceleration is completely gives you less effort for the engine is so quiet and smooth, even under hard acceleration and with a seamless CVT automatic gearbox. This car assures no rough noises, or squirming torque-steer, or roars to the red line.

The car runs quick and everything is finger light, thereby giving relaxed ride and relatively few sporting pretensions.

The adaptive variable suspension has a Sport setting, which also minimizes the steering ratio. The gearbox have a sequential-shift mode, with six pre-set gears; but somehow, using these, given the beyond adequate response in the normal settings, is hardly necessary.

The GS 450h claims that it is a mighty impressive car when judged against the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi’s A6. That is a tough competition, but there is no other place for the elegant Lexus and the pure petrol-powered 460 that won the World Car of the Year Award.

As regards styling, the Japanese brand has combined the huge interior space of a big Mercedes with a sloping, near coupe-style roofline to come up with a shape that belies the car’s iconic five-meter length. Lexus might not quite compete with what the finest cars Europe has to offer when it comes to looks, but the pay-off comes with their legendary build quality and reliability, as well as the ever so gentle sense of smugness.

Chrysler Finally Going Green

2007-07-26T23:08:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

Despite the strong belief that Chrysler have that its North American consumers will continuously seek for large SUVs, it seems that its time for the automaker to think otherwise. This must be the mindset that Chrysler have, which is evident by its continuous production of gas-guzzlers vehicles despite the increasing fuel prices and the not-so good reputation that such vehicles have on the environment.

Surprisingly Chrysler the producer of Jeep hard top has decided to try its hand on hybrid vehicles which it will present in a sneak preview for media people at its Chelsea proving grounds. Chrysler will be introducing two of its new hybrid vehicles namely the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid. These two hybrid vehicles are powered by a two-mode hybrid system which Chrysler develops in partnership with General Motors and BMW.

Journalists at the event were given the chance to test drive the two vehicles. The said event is also the first time that Chrysler has exposed a future product to media scrutiny which simply shows the immense confidence that the automaker have on its two new vehicles.

According to Frank Klegon, Executive Vice-President of Chrysler Group’s product development, "This two-mode hybrid system leapfrogs the competition."

Chrysler has also said that their hybrid system is far better than the one used by Toyota basically because the Japanese automaker utilized a single mode system which according to Chrysler affects performance and even fuel efficiency. On the other hand Chrysler for its two new hybrid vehicles will employ a two-mode system which fixes the flaws on found on Toyota’s hybrid system.

The whole hybrid thing is rather complicated to understand for people such as ourselves without any engineering background but fortunately there is the net where we can find easy to understand information on hybrids.

How does a hybrid system works? Basically hybrid technology involves the splitting of power sources which usually is in the form of mechanical and electrical. The output is then channeled through a continuously variable transmission or CVT which is programmed to keep the mechanical or the gas-powered engine operating at its most efficient speed.

The single-mode system which is employed for Toyota hybrids are highly efficient at lower speeds especially ideal for city driving since it’s the electric motor that generates most of the power resulting to lesser fuel consumption.

Meanwhile a two mode system which Chrysler will employ for its two new hybrids functions like a conventional hybrid powertrain for city driving and then shifts to CVT to switch to a second set of gears that increase the vehicle’s efficient speed range while allowing the engine to operate efficiently.

The Durango and Aspen operates in five drive modes namely electric only, electric plus four-cylinder gas, four-or eight cylinder gas only, or eight cylinder gas plus electric. The reverse gear is exclusively electric power.

The two mode system of the Durango and Aspen will improve its overall efficiency by 25 percent and fuel efficiency by 40 percent. Chrysler’s new hybrids will go on sale next year.

GM Takes Chevy Volt To Capitol Hill

2007-07-24T22:12:00.001-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

The auto industry’s glaring truths make people fret. Gasoline prices continue to rise. Global warming issues continue to worry automakers. What is more, the unending debates on fuel mandates leave both the manufacturers and consumers floating in the air.

Automakers say that the fuel mandate is not feasible hence they are lobbying lawmakers to be more considerate in making their proposals. To convince Congress to pass a more feasible and palatable fuel mandate, General Motors Corp. takes its Chevrolet Volt to Capitol Hill Friday. Making the Volt appear on Capitol Hill is an effort to tout plug-in hybrids at the same time to persuade Congress to legislate less stringent fuel mandates.

The Volt is a plug-in concept vehicle introduced by GM introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January. The updated version of the vehicle was launched in China at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.

The concept vehicle lacks Chevrolet pickup hitches but in the GM lineup, it has more to offer. The Volt is designed to run purely on electricity from on-board batteries for up to 40 miles. The distance is enough to cover the average daily commutes of most Americans. However, using a small internal engine connected to a generator can resupply energy to the vehicle’s batteries. As such, the distance is raised to 640 miles on the highway.

Plug-in hybrids will be on center stage in Washington today as the Chevy Volt makes an appearance on Capitol Hill as part of General Motors Corp.'s effort to convince Congress to pass a more palatable fuel efficiency increase.

Troy Clarke, the GM head of North American operations, returned to the Hill yesterday to meet with about a dozen mostly undecided lawmakers. He brought the Volt with him. By flaunting the concept car, Clarke explained why the Detroit-based company believes the long-term answer to energy independence is through biofuels and the electrification of the automobile, rather than spending tens of billions of dollars to meet four percent annual corporate average fuel efficiency.
Clarke's arrival comes two days after about 100 auto dealers from the Big Three and the Toyota Motor Corp. visited the Hill to back a less stringent fuel economy measure. The “Hill-Terry” bill requires automakers to raise efficiency to at least 32 miles per gallon by 2022. The bill has about 75 cosponsors.

According to the Detroit News, the new push comes as it is still not clear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring up fuel economy legislation before the end of the month, although it seems more likely she will wait until after the August recess, U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and others say.

In June, the Senate approved a bill that would require automakers to increase fuel efficiency by 40 percent to a combined 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2020. Rep. Ed Markey, the chairman of the House select global warming committee, has proposed an even tougher fuel bill.

Separately, the Volt was on display at the National Press Club for an event sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute and Natural Resources Defense Council on the future of plug-in hybrids. The council released yesterday a report billed as “a comprehensive assessment that finds that widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the United States could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potential for improve ambient air quality.”

“NRDC believes that a combination of more efficient vehicles, improved battery technology, and a lower-emitting electric power plant fleet can produce substantial reduction in global warming pollution from both the electric power and the transportation sectors,” said David Hawkins, the director of the company’s climate center.

Auto Dealers, Congress Meet for Sound Fuel Economy Hike

2007-07-21T17:06:00.000-05:00

By Ally Wahlberg

In July 17, new car and truck dealers from across the country discussed with Members of the House of Representatives their efforts to perform sound hike in the national Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. Dealers were urging their Representatives to support a bill, H.R. 2927 -- the Hill-Terry CAFE alternative, which would increase fuel economy 30 to 40 percent over the next 15 years.

The talk highlighted that consumers will ultimately determine the success or failure of any efforts of the government to modify fuel economy standards.

NADA Chairman Dale Willey said that there is a very thin line between directing more fuel economy and meeting consumer needs. According to him, it does not mean that consumers will buy these vehicles just because Congress sets a ridiculous CAFE standard. He added that if the consumers cannot get the vehicle that meets their needs, they will keep the ones they have, and that would defeat the intention of increasing fuel economy.

As regards House action on fuel economy expected as soon as next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other lawmakers have stated publicly that they are supporting the more severe CAFE jump approved by the Senate in June, wherein a 35 mpg is minimum standard for combined car/truck. Automakers would be forced to dramatically trim down the sizes of their vehicles to those that carry less cargo, fewer people, and compromise safety. This would be the coarse just to meet the harsh Senate standard and other more radical proposals. These idealistic standards would greatly increase vehicle prices as new fuel saving technologies, such as hybrids or diesels, would add from $2,000-$5,000 to the cost of a vehicle; or simply totally eliminate certain models.

Willey said that a harder push on an arbitrary CAFE standard and an arbitrary starting date would result to a bigger risk of manufacturing vehicles that conflict with consumer demand rather than complementing or attaching consumer demand.

The Hill-Terry CAFE alternative increases current standards by Model Year 2022 form 32 to 35 mpg. Not like the Senate package, the Hill-Terry bill allows separate attribute standards for different classes of vehicles, such as cars, trucks and SUVs. These separate attribute standards protect the heterogeneity in vehicles that American consumers demand. The measure provides automakers ample lead-time to develop the technology needed in order to meet the new standards, and also balances fuel-economy hikes with vehicle diversity, safety concerns and affordability.

We will see how Honda oil pan maker, will react to the results of the talk, since Honda is one of the makers of fuel efficient cars in the market.

Beware Of Gas Aid Gadgets

2007-07-19T21:37:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

As gasoline prices rise above $3 per gallon, the sound of gas aid gadgets that promise improved fuel economy by 20 percent, as auto parts stores are claiming on their web sites, is so enticing. But federal regulators caution shoppers not to act too quickly.

A consumer warning from the Federal Trade Commission showed that gas gadgets such as mixture enhancers, air bleed devices, and fuel additives rarely pay off. In fact, the federal regulator said that they are zero for 93.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Ann Arbor laboratory tested 93 additives, modifications and other products that claim to enhance fuel economy however none received its seal of approval. The lab's analysis, spanning three decades, found ten devices that showed a small improvement in fuel economy, and four of those increased emissions.

“Generally as gas prices go up, consumers are more concerned about saving on fuel cost, and companies or marketers take advantage by selling questionable gas saving devices,” FTC spokesman Hampton Newsome said. “These products often are found to have little or no savings in terms of fuel economy and can damage your engine or increase emissions.”

Products flagged as scams include: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed, Electro-Dyne Superchoke mixture enhancer and Fuelon Power additive. Regulators said that finding those brands is unlikely. This is because faulty products tend to change swiftly but identical devices abound.

Punitive action is often resorted to by regulators. That is what the FTC did last year when it claimed a $4 million settlement from the makers of FuelMax, a product that claimed to increase gas mileage 27 percent but did not come anywhere close to that.

Statistics says over 41 million Americans travel at least 50 miles from their homes, a record for Independence Day. According to AAA Michigan, on Monday, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Metro Detroit stood at $3.06, down three cents over the past week, but up 12 cents from last year over the same period.

Instead of trying questionable devices, auto experts say that maintaining a vehicle is a smarter choice. Nothing compares to properly inflated tires, maintained filters and tuned auto parts. Ensuring the good condition of the Mercedes Benz expansion tank or the Toyota engine, for that matter, can make a big difference. It will more likely increase gas mileage than using a specialty item.

But not all fuel-improving products should be painted as worthless, said Bill Ponkowski, a manager at Glendale Auto Supply in Farmington. He said, he does recommend fuel injector cleaners, but says drivers should be cautious with other products.

“Don't expect a miracle, but some additives can be very good at cleaning a dirty fuel system out,” Ponkowski said. “A lot of people do ask how to get better gas mileage. First we ask when they last had a tune-up, and then we'll look at fuel additives to make sure they're getting the best mileage they can.”

Most additives come via the FTC, when it is investigating false advertising claims, EPA spokesman John Millet said. “Most of these additives don't have more energy in them than gasoline, there's no way they can improve fuel economy,” he said. He added that one product had the same active ingredients as moth balls. “That might work in the closet, but not the tank.”
One reason these gas gadgets do not often work, Millet said, is automotive engineers tend to be smarter than over-promising marketers. “If there was a device that drastically improved gas mileage or a different formulation of fuel, we'd already be using it,” Millet said. “The best fuel-saving equipment is controlling your right foot.”

Lowe Joins Hybrid Plug-Ins Hype

2007-07-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

By Mike Bartley

Actor Rob Lowe went to Capitol Hill last week to tout plug-in hybrids and a bill sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The said bill would vest drivers tax breaks for converting their hybrids into plug-in models that can be recharged using a regular wall outlet.

Automakers were annoyed by the decision to include Lowe, while none of them was invited. In his testimony, Lowe twice quoted his Sam Seaborn character from TV's “The West Wing” and said that the car has improved his driving skills since he tries to get better mileage. “I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do, it's made me a better driver,” Lowe added.

Markey's occasion got lots of hype and pulled plenty of environmentalists who back the event with noteworthy speed and reliability likened to ACT performance. One man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that his group had recently raised money to send copies of the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car?” to all 535 members of Congress and all 50 governors. The initiative would cost around $9,000 at current prices. The film suggests a host of scoundrels were behind General Motors Corp.'s decision to end its EV1 electric car program after investing more than $1 billion.

How did the Congress react? Did lawmakers enjoy the show? And the media thought United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger was not a devotee. A throng of quote-thirsty reporters, grabbing the out of the usual run of things chance, swooped on the notoriously reticent labor chief after his speech to the NAACP at its national convention last week in Detroit.

While auto company chief executives regularly make themselves available to the press, a Gettelfinger interview is a rarity. That fact is especially irritating to reporters in the weeks leading up to this summer's national contract talks.

One journalist asked the labor chief to explain why he does not like talking to reporters. A look of surprise crossed Gettelfinger's face and his jaw dropped. “What do you mean? I have no problem with the media,” he said. Apparently the question stuck with him, because after answering questions, he returned to the topic. “I love the media,” he said. “What makes you think I don't?”
Afterward, to drive the point home, Gettelfinger reminded the group that, while he might not talk to them, at least one journalist in town is on his A list. “Call Paul W. Smith if you think I have a problem with the media,” he noted, referring to WJR's NewsTalk-760 host to whom he habitually grants interviews.

You can go home again. The Cerberus Capital Management LP sees value in Detroit automakers, or at least in the Chrysler Group, the American luxury unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the New York-based private equity firm's chairman, John Snow, has an appreciation for the barrel-aged, exquisite tang of Vernors ginger ale.

The former U.S. treasury secretary was in town last week for an appearance before the Detroit Economic Club. He could not stop gushing when he spotted the green can so familiar to Midwesterners on a table outside a conference room at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. “Vernors!” exclaimed the Toledo native Snow to his private equity associates, who gazed on with bewilderment. “This stuff is so good. I used to drink this all the time,” Snow chattered. “This is what I was telling you about. You have to try this.”

Cerberus is expected to close its deal to acquire Chrysler this quarter.

'Highway to the Future'

2007-07-14T22:00:00.000-05:00

By Kaye Leery

Toyota, maker of the once famous Toyota Matrix parts, is bringing the "Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience," to Livingston, Montana for the Northern Rockies Sustainability Fair. It is a nationwide tour that is designed to provide consumers with a firsthand opportunity to experience automotive hybrid technology.

In January 11, 2007, the tour debuted at the San Jose International Auto Show. It is now traveling to more than 150 events across the country during the next 18 months. Through a number of interactive educational exhibits and test drives, consumers will have an opportunity to test Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and learn about hybrid technology.

Celeste Migliore, Toyota's National Manager for Advanced Technology Vehicles, said that most people have heard of hybrid technology and probably have a shallow idea of how it works, but only a few have actually driven a hybrid and or taken an up-close look at its operation. According to Migliore, the tour allows consumers to learn more on the technology behind this system and the benefits derived from hybrid vehicles.

Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience functions like a mobile museum to the environment as well as to alternative fuels. The exhibit will be situated at Sacajawea Park from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 14.

Within the exhibit, there are four distinct interactive learning areas. One is the "Alternative Fuels: Fueling the Future”. It identifies the differences in the different types of alternative fuels and how they are produced. Next is the "Environment and Resources: Small Steps, Big Difference”, which shows attendees what they can do to make a difference to the environment. The third one is "The Prius Driving Experience", which feigns the current Hybrid Synergy Drive technology allowing visitors to interact with system while on-screen instructions offer driving tips, and the last one is the "Hybrid Technology: Not All Hybrids are Created Equal" exhibit which gives visitors a better understanding of the different hybrid technology options on the market and how hybrids benefit the consumer and the environment as well.

Other than those, the exhibit provides attendees the chance to get behind the wheel of the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid for them to experience Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system.

Not only interesting educational activities are offered by the hybrid experience. It is also designed to eliminate its own environmental impact. As a matter of fact, Toyota will plant more than 50,000 trees in honor of those visiting the experience in lieu of the National Arbor Day Foundation. These trees will help repay the "carbon footprint" of the trucks which are transporting the tour across the country and will continue to have a positive impact on the environment as years pass by.

Please visit http://www.toyota.com/highway for more information or the schedule of events. Experience hybrid!

Freedom From Oil Campaign Applauds Ford, Edison Promise To Build Plug-in Hybrids

2007-07-13T18:55:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly and Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Hudema recently commended Ford Motor Company’s announcement that it would team with Southern California Edison to build as many as 20 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle prototypes by 2009.

Earlier, Southern California Edison Co. and Ford Motor Co. announced a partnership that included a multimillion-dollar test of plug-in hybrids. Plug-ins are said to be the next-generation development of the current crop of gasoline-electric hybrids.

In addition to saving gas, Ford and Edison said, increased use of plug-in vehicles would lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce American dependence on imported oil. The partnership will explore how plug-in hybrids would operate on a day-to-day basis and how they would fit into the state's electricity grid.

“We applaud Ford’s bold commitment to build the first ever road-ready, consumer-class plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Consumers have been waiting a long time for an automaker to offer the next generation of ultra-fuel-efficient, gasoline-optional cars. Plug-in hybrids could very well be the key to breaking America’s destructive oil addiction by giving consumers a viable alternative to the gas-guzzling cars and trucks currently clogging our roads and polluting our atmosphere,” noted Connolly.

She added, “Plug-in vehicles, which use proven technology that is capable of achieving over 100 miles per gallon, make the U.S. Senate’s goal of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 seem painfully conservative. We are encouraged by what appears to be a sincere effort by Ford and Southern California Edison to chip away at the auto industry’s longstanding relationship with Big Oil. By being the first automaker to put a plug-in hybrid on the road, Ford is leaving its competitors in the dust.”

The Dearborn automaker wants to investigate ways to bring down the cost of the vehicles, including by using an innovative technology that allows plug-in vehicles to return unused power to the grid during periods of peak demand. "They understand the grid, we understand the vehicles and together we can figure out how to optimize the system," said Susan M. Cischke, Ford's senior vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering.

The partnership is entitled to grab hold of the Ford door handle to open more opportunities environment- and profit-wise. Under the partnership, Ford will supply a batch of its Escape SUV hybrids for Edison to use. At a later date, it will provide plug-in versions of the vehicle to the utility for testing.

"We're taking this beyond laboratory-scale work to a systematic evaluation of its impact" on the grid, said John Bryson, chief executive of Edison's parent company, Edison International. Edison serves almost five million residential and business customers in the Los Angeles Basin and parts of the coast and Central Valley.

Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said earlier this year that he wanted his company to embrace "green" technologies. Ford was the first U.S. automaker to add a hybrid to its lineup when it introduced the hybrid version of the Escape.

“Powering America’s cars by electricity rather than oil will help America kick its oil addiction once and for all. Yet, despite the hope raised by today’s announcement, plenty of work remains. Utilities must earnestly begin the shift away from dirty coal and toward renewable energy sources. A green grid powered by wind and sun can cleanly recharge car batteries and help tackle our twin crises of oil addiction and global warming,” Hudema concluded.

The Freedom from Oil campaign is working to end America’s dependence on foreign oil and end global warming issues by convincing the auto industry to radically improve fuel efficiency and eradicate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

Ford Plug-ins Expected Within Ten Years

2007-07-12T19:13:00.001-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Dearborn-based automaker FoMoCo will be producing plug-in hybrid vehicles in 5 to ten years according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. The announcement came at a press conference where Ford and Southern California Edison formally announced their partnership towards the future of PHEVs.

“Within five to ten years we will start to see this technology in our hands,” said Mulally. When asked whether Ford plug-in vehicles will be available on their dealerships, the Ford CEO answered “Yes. Sure.”

According to Mulally, the production of practical plug-in hybrid vehicles depends on how long it takes for them to produce a practical lithium-ion battery pack for automotive application. Lithium-ion battery packs are seen as focal point of plug-in hybrid vehicles of the future.

PHEVs are essentially hybrid vehicles, having a powertrain composed of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. What drives the electric motor is the battery pack. A PHEV is a hybrid with a plug-in capability. This means that its battery pack can be recharged by plugging it into an electrical socket.

Lithium-ion batteries are powerful energy storage devices which mean they can store power which can power a vehicle over long distances. This means that for car owners driving around the city everyday, the need to refill their tanks with petroleum fuel will be virtually eliminated.

This advantage of PHEVs is what Ford and Edison are looking to exploit. The working relationship between the two companies is expected to find solutions to problems posed on the mass production of PHEVs. But with complete dedication on the part of the two companies, we may soon see numerous Ford fender-equipped Ford PHEVs in our roads.

The partnership between the second largest American automaker and the second largest American electric utility company has already received praises from different groups. One of the groups which have commended this joint venture of Ford and Edison is the Freedom from Oil Campaign. According to Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly and Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Huderna:

The environmental group also stressed that the partnership encourages their effort to take steps to further protect the environment. “Plug-in vehicles, which use proven technology that is capable of achieving over 100 miles per gallon, make the U.S. Senate’s goal of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 seem painfully conservative. We are encouraged by what appears to be a sincere effort by Ford and Southern California Edison to chip away at the auto industry’s longstanding relationship with Big Oil. By being the first automaker to put a plug-in hybrid on the road, Ford is leaving its competitors in the dust.”

The Freedom from Oil campaign concluded its support of Ford and Edison’s initiative by saying: “Powering America’s cars by electricity rather than oil will help America kick its oil addiction once and for all. Yet, despite the hope raised by today’s announcement, plenty of work remains. Utilities must earnestly begin the shift away from dirty coal and toward renewable energy sources. A green grid powered by wind and sun can cleanly recharge car batteries and help tackle our twin crises of oil addiction and global warming.”

Nigerian Expert: Biofuels as Alternative Fuel May Not Be Best Choice

2007-07-10T21:12:00.000-05:00

By Isiyaku Ahmed

Kano, Nigeria

July 4, 2007

Report on Biofuels in mp3

Biofuels are gaining credibility as a supplement to petroleum fuel in some developed as well as developing countries. Biofuels are made from plant waste, including sugarcane and cassava. But some say prospects of using biofuel in large quantities in Nigeria is limited by some constraints regarding resources and costs.

VOA English to Africa’s Isiyaku Ahmed filed this report, first reminding us that crude oil is fuel for engines that run automobiles and planes. But with global competition for shrinking petroleum resources and the ensuing increase in fuel prices, the relatively inexpensive biofuels are beginning to look attractive.

Scientists say biofuels from maize could help run cars, sugar could produce electricity and palm oil could help generate power. Among the food crops that can be made into fuels are: maize, palm trees, sugarcane, beetroot, wheat, groundnuts, pumpkin, sesame and cotton seeds, and the woody shrub called jatropha.

The South African Mail and Guardian newspaper says Nigeria last year awarded two oil concessions to INC Resources after it committed $4-billion to an ethanol project in the northern state of Jigawa. Some say cassava would be a prime candidate for fuel in Nigeria. Africa is a leading producer of the starchy cassava tuber, a staple food for over 200 million Africans.

Dr. Hakeem Ajeigbe is crop-livestock Project manager at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Kano Station. He supervises improved seedlings and grains at the research institute. He is not optimistic about the use of biofuel in Nigeria. He says Nigeria is rich in mineral resources, and there’s a lucrative business built around petroleum extraction. He also offers other reasons for doubting the viability of using plant-based fuels, “Biofuel is the process of getting fuel from biological materials and these days mostly they are concentrating on plants, sugarcane for example. Biofuel in its use is environmentally friendly because it will [emit] water vapour instead of carbon dioxide; but in getting the fuel I’m not too sure if it is environmentally friendly.”

Hakeem says the crops grown as biofuels are some of the same crops needed to feed the hungry; also, he says biofuel crops would be competing with other crops for water, “For example, most of the countries that are using it now say Brazil, China and to a large extent also India they are using sugarcane. Here we can produce a lot of sugarcane in northern Nigeria but the amount of water that is needed to produce sugarcane is a lot.”

Hakeem also says plants are needed for sustainable biofuel but the planting might be insufficient to serve an increasing population which increases demand for food. Therefore crop production will be competitive between demand for food and demand for biofuels. He says he’d prefer to see food crops grown rather than sugarcane for biofuel.

The doctor says he prefers an alternative to biofuels -- biogas made from animal waste: “We have a lot of materials for this, poultry droppings, cow manure, ruminant manure could be used for biogas. In several communities in India, especially in the rural communities, you find the farmers generating cooking gas from buffalo droppings and whatever is remaining is taken to the farm as manure. We can do that here, we can use all these ruminant droppings, poultry droppings. Human waste could be used as biogas and that will be sustainable and good for us.”
Biogas is principally used to supply household energy for cooking and lighting without the threat of competition for food resources generated from using biofuels.

Rotten Apples Could Be Good For Your Car

2007-07-09T18:27:00.000-05:00

By Rain Stockton

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or so the saying goes, for us humans at least.

But how about cars?

If you think that fruits are good for humans (and living things in general) only, think again. Turns out that our adage for the benefits of the good apple – the rotting apple that is, can now also apply to cars – to keep it running and in shape.

For a time it was only gasoline and diesel when it came to powering cars. Then came hybrids, which powered cars via a combination of a small fuel-efficient gas engine and an electric motor for a more fuel-efficient and earth-friendly ride. There’s also ethanol fuel, another popular alternative against the “environmentally evil” gasoline and petroleum fuels. And then there are the weirder alternatives: burger grease, orange juice, hemp – even something called Jatropha Curcas seeds. We’ve all seen or heard about these things.

So what about rotting apples?

Let’s take a look at Somerset farmer Henry Hobson’s story: The man converted his Jaguar XJ6 to run off methane produced from the decomposing fruit in his orchard.

Methane you see, is a good thing. A combustible gas, it can be obtained in two ways -- extracted from the earth’s crust in the form of natural gas, or from waste sludge and biological waste as biogas. The great thing about it is that compared to carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to the greenhouse effect, methane is about 25% lower than when running on petrol. Biogas forms part of the natural ecocycle and therefore makes a zero net contribution to the greenhouse effect.

So you see exactly what a bright idea this one really is.

According to a report from Topgear, the science is simple enough: Hobson fills two underground tanks with apples from his 10,000-tree orchard, and adds a soupcon of bacteria from cows' intestines (yes, you did not read that wrong) to help the rotting along.

The gas emitted from the decomposition is then filtered through water to remove the sulphur and carbon dioxide, leaving Hobson with lots of pure methane, which also means lots of cheap fuel.

Hobson, discounting the £3,000 it cost to convert his Jag and its Jaguar XJ6 parts– says that the shift saves him more than two grand every year on fuel costs. As an added bonus, his XJ6 is putting out about 10 per cent more power at very similar fuel economy compared to before.
So are we going to see good ol’ apples powering our future cars anytime soon?

According to Hobson, methane is 10 times more efficient to produce than bio-diesel. And, as well as presumably filling the air with the sweet smell of home-brew, his fuel has the advantage of keeping the doctor well away.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? If only all of us had orchards in our backyards like Mr. Hobson.

Why Is Prius The Much-Loved Toyota?

2007-07-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Why is the Toyota Prius much-loved? One answer may be that Prius shoppers want everyone to know that they are driving a hybrid. But there are numerous reasons to add to the list.

Only a third of Prius owners cited that reason just three years ago, according to CNW, which tracks auto shopping trends. “I really want people to know that I care about the environment,” said Joy Feasley of Philadelphia, the owner of a green 2006 Prius. “I like that people stop and ask me how I like my car.” Dan Becker, the head of the global warming program at the Sierra Club added, “The Prius allowed you to make a green statement with a car for the first time ever.”

This spring, over half of the Prius owners surveyed by CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore., said that the main reason they bought their car was that it makes a statement about them.

Mary Gatch of Charleston, S.C., picked the car over a hybrid version of the Toyota Camry after trading in a Lexus sedan. “I felt like the Camry Hybrid was too subtle for the message I wanted to put out there,” Gatch said. “I wanted to have the biggest impact that I could, and the Prius puts out a clearer message.”

Unlike the original Prius buyers, who wanted to be first with its innovative technology, the latest owners are far more conscious of foreign oil dependence and global warming, said Doug Coleman, Toyota’s product manager for Prius. “Consumer knowledge and consumer awareness is changing,” Coleman said.

Prius sales for the first six months of the year increased 93.7 percent from last year, to 94,503, and the Japanese automaker has already sold close to as many Prius cars as it did in all of 2006.
The Toyota Prius was first embraced by famous celebrities and remains in trend long after most cars have lost their hum. Owners have included Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Billy Joel, and Larry David. David has bought three, including one for his role in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Now Prius drivers are typically found in cities on the East and West Coasts, and in college towns like Ann Arbor, Mich., and State College, Pa. “You can’t drive across town without seeing half a dozen of them,” said Peter Darnell, a software engineer and Prius owner in Westford, Mass., north of Boston. Darnell admits to feeling smug this year when gasoline prices spiked above $3 a gallon. But that was not the main reason he purchased a Prius. “I have to admit that I’m a granola-crunching liberal, and I really liked the idea of minimizing the impact on the environment,” Darnell said.

Corey Confer, the general sales manager at Joel Confer Toyota in State College, said that he had received calls from as far away as Key West, Fla., from buyers looking for a Prius. His dealership advertises an $800 discount on each vehicle. A number of dealers in the West are adding $2,000 premiums.

Nationwide, Prius sales increased dramatically in May, when gasoline prices rose over $3 a gallon. Worldwide, Toyota has sold over one million Prius cars. Toyota was alarmed to see Prius sales even out last year. But before gas prices hit record levels, Prius sales were climbing again.

Toyota executives have said that they plan to offer a hybrid version of everything the company sells worldwide, perhaps as soon as 2010. That fact could make a fanatic forget about the most fascinating Volkswagen Touareg part. Japanese press reports said that the Japanese automaker may even build Prius into a separate brand, with basic and sporty Prius models.

General Motors Reports Progress Toward New All-Electric Car

2007-07-04T05:53:00.000-05:00

By John Birchard/Voice of America

In January of 2007, General Motors (GM) unveiled a concept car powered solely by electricity. The Chevrolet Volt is a big step beyond today's hybrid, that uses both a gasoline engine and electric motor. VOA's John Birchard reports on the progress GM is making toward turning the Volt from an attractive idea into a production vehicle.

As vice president of research and development and strategic planning for General Motors, Larry Burns is responsible for the company's efforts to reinvent the automobile, so to speak - to move beyond conventional gasoline-powered vehicles to environmentally sound "green" cars of tomorrow.

The seemingly routine news of GM's recent award of two contracts to suppliers who will conduct advanced battery development for the Chevrolet Volt is, according to Burns, really a milestone for the company. Because the battery that powers the Volt is the key to its existence.

"Specifically, what you can do is plug your car into a regular 110-volt outlet at night and, over a four to six-hour period, recharge the battery so that the next day you can drive this car 40 miles [64 kilometers] on pure electric drive with no emissions."

At the suggestion that forty miles, 64 kilometers, doesn't sound like a long distance, Larry Burns cited research that indicates the projected range of the Volt would meet most Americans' requirements.

"Because 70 percent of the people in the U.S. travel less than 40 miles a day. For a lot of people this kind of vehicle could meet most all of their travel needs on pure battery electric driving," he said.

Americans are accustomed to hearing automakers talk about the car of tomorrow... about hydrogen power and fuel cells being the wave of the future. But it always seems to be the next decade, or beyond, before these marvelous pollution-free vehicles will arrive. So, we asked the GM executive when will the all-electric Chevrolet Volt be in a dealer's showroom, ready for sale to the public? His answer?

"Since we started our production engineering in January of this year and, typically, the lead times in the auto industry are three to four years, that would suggest we ought to have it out in that time frame. But we haven't formally announced that date, just because there's still a lot of work to be done on the battery and we want to make sure we get that work done properly," he said.

Storage of electricity has long been a vexing problem for automakers. The battery that is big enough to store sufficient power to not only move the car, but operate all the electrical devices that modern cars require is currently too big to carry in the car and still have room for people and cargo. So, the contracts General Motors awarded to those suppliers recently amount to a crucial component for GM's non-polluting future fleet.

GM Europe launches Environment Initiative

2007-07-03T17:35:00.000-05:00

By Iver Penn

General Motors Corp.'s European division announced an affirmation on Friday regarding making its model line more environmentally friendly. The division said that it would put cleaner engines in conventional cars, offer more cars that can use ethanol and move ahead with fuel cell technology.

Company officials said at a news conference in Berlin that the company dubbed the program ecoFLEX and it would offer an ecoFLEX version with lower emissions in each model line, starting with the 2008 Corsa 1.3 CDTI compact from its European Opel brand.

The car will emit only 119 grams per kilogram of carbon dioxide, a figure that is below the proposed EU average standard of 130 grams per kilogram. According to the officials, one key to the new models was that the company aimed to have them driven the same and cost the same as the more conventional vehicles they are based on.

Saab, a Swedish brand, would also expand its range of biofuel engines. Even luxury brand Cadillac will offer a model with an E85 biofuel engine by fall 2007. E85 is a term used for motor fuel blends of up to 85 percent ethanol — an alcohol that can be derived from plants — and just 15 percent gasoline.

Vice Chairman Bob Lutz of General Motors said that the program offers ways to trim down CO2 emissions quickly. He said that E85 has a very strong potential to significantly minimize CO2 from passenger cars in the near term. He added that a pan-European policy is required to make the necessary fuels widely available and reflect the lower CO2 emissions in vehicle taxation.

GM officials said that they would tackle environmental concerns with several technologies instead of just focusing on just one. They continued that they were moving ahead "flat-out" on developing vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells, while other technologies could simply enhance the environmental performance of existing internal combustion engines.

One example was the Eco-Turbo engines that make use of smaller cylinder displacements but yield equivalent power and efficiency through turbo charging.

The company claimed that it would develop 16 new GM Europe engine families and 10 new transmission families by 2012.

About General Motors Corporation

The world's largest automaker, General Motors Corp., has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today has almost 284,000 employees around the world. GM manufactures its cars, auto part like GMC brake drum and trucks in 33 countries. With global headquarters in Detroit, the company in 2006 globally sold 9.1 million GM cars and trucks under Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall brands.

Hybrids: No.1 Item On Many Consumers' List

2007-07-02T19:33:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

The automotive industry is bombarded with financial crises. One of which is the rising gasoline prices. And in times like this, one would think purchasing cars would be the last thing consumers would do. But that is exactly what they are doing. As a fact, most consumers’ list has hybrids as the first item.

Kevin Volk, the general manager at Bob Moore Saturn, said that hybrid sales have increased in the past week. "People are really trying to come in and get out of their gas guzzlers,” he said. "During Memorial Day, we were in a position where we had to go out of our market in search of hybrids.”

Volk said that sales for the fuel-friendlier vehicles have grown 25 percent in the last month, an increase he attributes to the fact that people have been paying as much as 41 cents more for a gallon of gasoline than they were a month ago.

Paul Taylor, the spokesman for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), said that hybrid car sales are up 86 percent nationally as compared to this time last year. "People do take a greater interest in hybrids when the gas prices increase,” Taylor said.

Mike Fowler attributes hybrid sales increase to the number three. "Three dollars a gallon seems to be that magical number,” said Fowler, the chief executive officer of Fowler Toyota in Norman. "Once you hit $3, people start really getting concerned; it seems like people start paying closer attention.”

Astra’s Saturn washer pump may not be the deciding factor. Although driving a hybrid may save consumers money in the long-run, getting into one quickly may be more expensive than anticipated. Taylor said that it takes about four years for consumers to recoup the price of a hybrid in fuel savings.

Mike Wicker, the general manager of Joe Cooper Ford, said that most customers have done the math and know when a hybrid is the right investment for them. The increase of hybrid sales has increased the number of hybrid cars Joe Cooper Ford receives from the factory. Its inventory of hybrids is larger, doubled over the last year, Wicker said. The days of selling one or two hybrids a month are over, Wicker added. "Now they are sold before we even get them.”

Megan Vance Ochs, the general manger of John Vance Auto Group, said that consumers are opting for General Motors vehicles with active fuel management, which allows the engine to turn off half the cylinders under light-load conditions.

"These are really better solutions for this part of the country,” Vance Ochs said. She said that hybrids, while they are capable of saving on fuel, are better suited for stop and go driving under 25 miles per hour. "We are too spread out for that,” she said of the region's layout. Cars that can take either gas or ethanol also have become popular buys during the recent gas price increases, Vance Ochs said. "The manufacturers are coming out with some good solutions,” she said.

Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet

2007-07-01T08:45:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Three federal agencies in Kansas recently added hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehicles included in the fleet of the federal agencies are the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles. Two units of the hybrid car were already delivered to different federal agencies in Kansas.

Two units of the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line were delivered by the General Services Administration (GSA) to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 in Kansas City, Kansas. One of these will be used by the EPA while the other is for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) office in Kansas City, Missouri. The third vehicle will be delivered to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.

Romell Cooks, the regional administrator for the NHTSA’s Central Region, was given the keys to the hybrid Aura. “While safety of the motoring public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we are equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks,” said Cooks. “These types of vehicles will make a difference.”

Aside from the three hybrid vehicles, the GSA has ordered 50 units in all of the Saturn Aura Green Line. The vehicles will be delivered by GSA to different federal agencies across the country. The Aura Green Line became an obvious choice for the federal agencies in Kansas City Kansas due to the fact that these vehicles were built in General Motors’ assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas.

The deliveries of the hybrid vehicles is in connection with the Executive Order 13423 signed by President George Bush which mandates federal agencies to increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles on their fleet by ten percent every year. To date, GSA’s fleet management division has already delivered 3,581 units of alternative fuel vehicles and 20 biodiesel vehicles to federal agencies.

Administrator John Askew accepted the keys to the Saturn center shoulder seatbelt-equipped Aura Green Line for EPA Region 7. Askew has this to say after receiving the hybrid car: “Using fuel efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we’re receiving today just makes sense. Not only does it protect the environment by reducing emissions, but using less fuel strengthens our energy security.”

Meanwhile, GSA’s Heartland Region Administrator Bradley M. Scott has this to say: “GSA is proud to join EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as government leaders in using and supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we look forward to providing energy efficient vehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more federal agencies in the future.”

Aside from mandating a ten percent increase in alternative fuel vehicle use, the Executive Order also directs federal agencies across the country with more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce petroleum fuel consumption by as much as two percent every year. The directive will stand until the year 2015.

The Aura Green Line is the hybrid version of the current North American Car of the Year. The Saturn Auras delivered by GSA to the three federal agencies are seen as a good step for the government to take in the present situation. Environmentalists have been lobbying for the widespread use of alternative fuel vehicles because these vehicles are more environment friendly than conventional vehicles which run on petroleum fuels. The Saturn Aura Green Line, according to General Motors, has a fuel mileage of 35 miles per gallon. That figure means that federal agencies will be consuming less fuel as compared to none-hybrid vehicles.

Ford Hybrid Plan Beyond 2008 Still Unclear

2007-06-27T18:16:00.000-05:00

By Lauren Woods

Ford Canada recently insisted that they are still in the process of preparing the Oakville plant for the production of hybrid versions of two crossover SUVs. The announcement came after Ford indicated that they have already abandoned the plan for producing hybrid versions of the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX.

The Canadian arm of the Dearborn-based car manufacturer also announced that the production of the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX Hybrids will commence by 2010. Ford Canada also denied that its parent company has scrapped the plan entirely.

“Nothing has changed on Edge and MKX, which we announced a while ago to be hybrid versions,” says Lauren More, Ford Canada’s vice president for public affairs. “Those plans remain in place and on track,” More pointed out.

FoMoCo, on the other hand, kept mum about the announcement from Ford Canada. “We're not going to confirm anything beyond that,” said Jennifer Moore, a spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company.

It can be remembered that Ford announced in early 2006 that they are planning to produce hybrid versions of the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX at the Oakville assembly facility. During the announcement though, Ford declined to set a date when the production of the hybrid crossovers will commence.

The production of hybrid vehicles for Ford is part of its turnaround plan to bring the company back to profitability. The demand for fuel efficient and environment friendly vehicles has been increasing and by providing car buyers with what they want, Ford hopes to generate substantial profit. Last year, the company posted a loss of $12.7 billion - the most that it has lost in its lengthy history.

Talks about the cancellation of the production of the crossover hybrids surfaced after a source commented that Bill Ford backpedaled on his pledge to produce 250,000 hybrid vehicles before the turn of the decade. The company chairman was quoted to have saying that the goal is “too narrow” for the company to achieve its ultimate goal of protecting the environment. Hybrid vehicles consume less fuel and produce less greenhouse gas.

According to the source, it is Ford’s decision that the company focus instead on the development of engines that will run on alternative fuels. Common alternative fuels being developed today as substitute to petroleum fuels are ethanol, hydrogen and biodiesel. These alternative fuels are cleaner than petroleum fuels and came from renewable resources. “Our strategy going forward is not to wed ourselves to a single technology,” said Ford.

While the production of the hybrid Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX are still in question, Ford announced that they will be pushing through with the production of the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan Hybrids. The hybrid versions of the sedans will be produced starting this fall. The company previously introduced the Ford Escape Hybrid in 2004.

Ford shifting its focus on the development of vehicles with alternative fuel capability means that the vehicles they have planned with a hybrid version will be put on hold. This development if it is indeed true would mean that a version of the MKX with better fuel efficiency than a Lincoln cold air intake-equipped gasoline MKX would be put off indefinitely.

But if Ford is shifting its focus on the development of alternative fuel-powered vehicle means that they are still committed to the production of environment friendly vehicles.

Senate Fuel Bill Would ‘Kill' Michigan

2007-06-26T21:58:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Automakers and Michigan lawmakers were regrouping Friday in the wake of the approval of a Senate bill that increases corporate average fuel economy mandates by 40 percent by 2025.
The passage of the Senate bill would gravely injure Detroit automakers. This is why the automakers had lobbied hard against the new fuel mandates. They had supported a compromise proposed by Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and Christopher Bond, R-Mo., among others, that would have raised CAFE rules, but less onerously than the Senate bill.

Nearly the whole Michigan congressional delegation earlier met to tackle how to continue with the struggle. "The bill would mean the death of Michigan," said U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, D-Brighton. "We owe it to a lot of families who rely on the auto industry to get this right." Added Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee: "You think things are bad now in Michigan? You haven't seen anything yet if that bill became law." Rogers and Stupak said that automakers need to emphasize their advanced technology efforts and push for more assistance to make vehicles like the Chevy Volt a reality.

But Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, fuming like Eagle spark plugs, said that senators did not find automakers credible for they have "misrepresented the facts" at time. "We don't believe you anymore,'" Reid said. "The answer is we've had enough. It's time the American automobile manufacturers join with the rest of the world in recognizing that people want to buy more fuel efficient cars."

Reid said that he had spoken to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who told him fuel economy legislation would be passed "in the near future." Automakers now are anxious that the fuel bill may be on a much faster track than previously thought. But Pelosi meant September by the words "near future," said spokesman Brendan Daley.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, led by U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, was not expected to take up the fuel economy provisions until September. Dingell said that he was against accelerating consideration. I am not sympathetic to that, he added. Dingell met with Pelosi on the house floor Friday and had a "good conversation," said Daly. “Pelosi and Dingell are to meet again on Monday.”

Senate Democrats held a press conference yesterday to "take a bow" in the wake of the conquest. The mandate, which requires automakers to raise fuel economy to a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon for passenger cars and light trucks combined, was added to a broad energy bill the Senate approved. Senators have turned down a less stringent fuel proposal by Levin and others that would have required 36 miles per gallon for passenger cars by 2022 and 30 miles per gallon for light trucks by 2025.

Dave McCurdy, the president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the trade group that represents the Detroit Three, Toyota and BMW among nine automakers, offered an assuaging statement. "Automakers support improving national fuel economy standards," McCurdy said. "This is a long process, and we are continuing to work constructively to develop reasonable fuel economy standards that are affordable and preserve the cars and light trucks that farmers, tradesmen, business owners, outdoor enthusiasts and families need every day."

General Motors Corp. spokesman Greg Martin expressed the automaker's disappointment. "In their rush to do something, Congress should take the same oath as doctors: 'First, do no harm,'" Martin said. "We'll continue to press our case hard that we can work with them to get improved fuel economy levels without the unintended costs to the industry and consumers." Ford and Chrysler as well as other Japanese automakers expressed the same views.

Google Turns Green, Launches RechargeIT

2007-06-25T16:40:00.000-05:00

By Evander Klum

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global dependence on oil, internet giant Google has launched its new RechargeIT initiative to promote the development of plug-in hybrid electric cars. Under the guidance of Google’s own philanthropic Google.org team, the new initiative will award $1 million in grants and a further $10 million to fund the development and eventual commercialization of plug-in hybrids.

According to the company’s press release, this is how the first million will be spent: * Brookings Institution: $200,000 to support a spring 2008 conference on federal policy to promote plug-ins * CalCars: $200,000 to support its work to educate the public about plug-ins * Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI): $200,000 to support its plug-in research and development program; * Plug-In America: $100,000 to raise public awareness and advocate for plug-in transportation; * Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): $200,000 to enable RMI to launch the design of a practical plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, with additional support and collaboration by Alcoa, Johnson Controls, and the Turner Foundation; * Dr. Willett Kempton, University of Delaware: $150,000 for megawatt scale vehicle-to-grid research and implementation planning.
Too Not only is Google interested in creating a reliable plug-in hybrid, its new initiative will also support the development of a sustainable electricity grid. Under the proposal, owners would be able to sell back unused energy when power across the grid is running low.

Partnering with A123Systems-Hymotion, Google has already tested a fleet of Toyota Prius vehicles that were converted into plug-in hybrids. In the initial tests, the fleet’s fuel efficiency averaged 74mpg, stark contrast to the 41mpg for the test fleet of non-plug-in Prius cars.
Google also announced the start-up of the solar panel installation at Google HQ to power the plug-in vehicles it already has. The new solar panel installation at its Mountain View headquarters in California should develop up to 1.6 megawatts of power – enough to power roughly 1,000 homes.

Google employees will also be able to get free car sharing through Google Fleet. This fleet will get 100 PHEVs when they're available.

Too bad Honda (maker of quality Honda car bra) has decided to discontinue its Honda Accord hybrids.

Auto Lobby Hits The Senate

2007-06-25T05:39:00.000-05:00

By Mike Bartley

Auto executives and dealers aggressively lobbied undecided senators last Tuesday with a significant vote on increasing fuel economy regulations expected as early as today. The act is expected to bolster support for a compromise proposal that would mitigate legislation moving through the Senate that calls for noteworthy increases in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy or CAFÉ.

A vote on the compromise mileage bill sponsored by a half-dozen lawmakers spearheaded by Sens. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and Kit Bond, R-Mo., is expected today, despite the fact that some supporters were pushing for more time to round up votes or strike a compromise.

The Legislature appears determined to produce a more stringent fuel economy mandate because of the growing concerns about global warming and dependence on foreign oil. The current Senate fuel economy proposal, part of an intensive energy bill, calls for increasing standards 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks combined by 2020, followed by four percent annual raises through 2030 to 52 mpg. Detroit's automakers said that the bill would cripple the industry. But this stand is dismissed by supporters of the bill and environmentalists as alarmist.

The Levin-Pryor-Bond compromise bill supported by automakers would set minimum CAFE requirements at 36 mpg for passenger cars by 2022 and 30 mpg for light trucks by 2025. Compared to the Senate bill, the compromise proposal is far more lenient. While automakers, including the Toyota Motor Corp., said that it would be difficult and costly to meet that standard, they are reluctantly backing it.

Tom LaSorda, the CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, made a surprise visit last Tuesday to Capitol Hill. LaSorda joined Ford Motor Co.'s president of the Americas Mark Fields; General Motors Corp. sales chief Mark LaNeve; GM environmental executive Beth Lowery; and dozens of auto dealers. "The bottom line is we are counting votes," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, also a sponsor of the compromise bill. "It is very, very close."

Even Steve Feinberg, the head of the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, met with Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. last week to solicit timely support for the compromise bill. "They talked about CAFE," said Matt McKenna, Tester's spokesman. Feinberg was joined by a Cerberus lobbyist, former Louisiana Sen. John Breaux.

Chrysler may have the most to lose from a stringent mandate because its lineup is 70 percent trucks. In a letter to employees last week, LaSorda said that the alternative legislation "will cost our company $11.2 billion over the first five years," but that would be "far less than the tougher bill." The current energy bill "puts us out of business," LaSorda wrote. "For the first five years alone, it's estimated to add up to a staggering $6,700, almost a 40 percent increase, to the cost of every Chrysler vehicle."

Auto executives zeroed in on undecided senators such as Tester, Mary Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La. "Frankly, if the head of GM wanted a meeting this week he probably wouldn't have gotten it," said McKenna, a spokesman for Tester. "But since they were with Montana GM dealers, they got in the door."

LaNeve said that his meetings with senators, including Tester, Landrieu and Vitter, went well. "We need to be better on CAFE," he said. "We need it done in a reasonable way that still provides customer choice. You can't provide towing capability, people-hauling capability, off-road capability off a vehicle built on a car chassis."

The compromise bill got solid support among Republicans. They said that the compromise bill has gained support, but were not confident. The events unfold like Lebra and more are expected to be unraveled in the coming weeks.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? And Isuzu Truck Partners To Test Biodiesel Fuel

2007-06-24T19:37:00.000-05:00

By Lauren Woods

The largest junk removal company in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, partnered with Japanese commercial vehicle and heavy truck manufacturer Isuzu to test vehicles on the use of biodiesel. The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America recently announced that 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will be the first fleet in the country to test biodiesel in its fleet.

The biodiesel test program will run for six months, after which, the two companies will study the effect of using biodiesel on 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s truck fleet. Ten junk removal trucks were selected to use biodiesel for six months on different climate areas across the United States and Canada.

As early as today though, both companies expect that the outcome will be positive and the junk removal company will permanently switch to using biodiesel on their trucks instead of petroleum diesel. According to the junk removal company, they have over 1,000 Isuzu N Series and GMC W Series trucks in their fleet.

1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Scudamore, pointed out that their effort to test biodiesel on their trucks is an indication of their dedication to help protect the environment. “This test will launch our new Green Emissions Program,” says Scudamore. “We have always had a strong environmental conscience and have prided ourselves on cutting-edge recycling efforts. The growth of our business means it's time to take environmental initiatives to the next level,” he added.

Biodiesel is an equivalent to petroleum diesel but is made from biological sources such as vegetable oils. One clear advantage of using biodiesel is that it comes from a renewable source of energy. The widespread use of biodiesel can also reduces the energy dependence of the United States and Canada on foreign oil.

Due to the fact that it comes from virgin oil feedstock like rapeseed and soybean, it can be produced domestically. Another advantage of using biodiesel is that it is priced lower than petroleum diesel while providing the same amount of power output which can be enhanced further with the use of the Isuzu cold air intake system for the Isuzu trucks operated by the junk removal company.

The first of the ten biodiesel powered junk removal trucks was unveiled last month at the Pacific Economic Summit. During the unveiling of the vehicle, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pointed out in his keynote address that the use of biodiesel by the truck “would cut greenhouse gas emission by thirty to forty percent”.

By using exhaust filtration technologies, the truck produces less carbon dioxide than trucks running on petroleum fuel. The use of diesel fuel in the United States has not been popular in decades due to its reputation of producing too much noise and too much black soot. New technologies though has made new diesel engines as smooth operating as gasoline engines. With the use of filtration devices and biodiesel, the production of greenhouse gas is significantly reduced compared to previous generations of diesel engines.

Isuzu is confident that the testing will promote the use of biodiesel not only on fleets but also on passenger diesel vehicles. “Isuzu is excited to participate with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? in this important test,” says Todd Bloom, the vice president for marketing at General Motors Isuzu Commercial Trucks. “We feel that biodiesel fuel has the potential to play an important role in lowering emissions, as well as reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

Senators Offer New Fuel Economy Proposal

2007-06-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

By Anthony Fontanelle

Senators backing the automakers drafted a new compromise fuel economy proposal late last Wednesday in an effort to avoid a massive fuel economy raise from being approved.
Michigan Democrats Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow said that they offered a new proposal to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. - a key supporter of a Senate energy bill that calls for notable increases in corporate average fuel economy (CAFÉ). Levin and Stabenow declined to tackle the details of their new plan. But they said that they would vote to block the full energy bill if a compromise was not reached. "We're going to run the numbers on it tonight," Feinstein said.

Earlier, supporters backing the energy bill agreed to scale back CAFE increases after 2020 - a move automakers called inadequate. The current Senate fuel bill requires automakers to average 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks combined by 2020 and then face annual four percent increases through 2030, ending up with a 52 mpg standard. Automakers have called the proposed standards "wildly extreme," adding that it would cost them tens of billions of dollars to comply.

A bunch of senators, including Levin and Stabenow, had proposed the "Pryor-Bond-Levin" amendment for its sponsors, which would increase passenger car CAFE mandates to 36 mpg by 2022 and trucks to 30 mpg by 2025. Lawmakers are now trying to come up with an alternative that would mend the Senate fuel bill and the Pryor-Bond-Levin proposal, which had won the support of automakers.

"Any fuel economy increase has to be responsible, and it's got to comprehend the fundamental differences between cars and light trucks," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents Detroit's Big Three, the Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW among others.

In addition to Levin's revised compromise, a group of senators led by Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, filed a 38-page amendment to the energy bill that includes slashing the four percent increases after 2020. The said amendment also would get rid of a requirement that automakers make 80 percent of their fleet capable of running on flexible fuels like E85 ethanol by 2015. The Nissan Motor Co. wanted that provision. The same would also benefit the Saturn fuel filter and auto parts in case GM pushes its plan to produce flex-fuel vehicles.

The Pryor-Bond-Levin proposal requires 50 percent of vehicles to run on alternative fuels and allows automakers to count hybrids as alternative vehicles. But the Pryor-Bond-Levin bill appears in grave trouble and Nissan's opposition to key aspects of it may be one reason it fails, officials from other automakers said. Both Tennessee senators intended to vote against the alternative and both Mississippi senators were leaning against it. Nissan has a plant in Canton, Miss., where it builds the Altima and the Quest.

On Wednesday, Levin met with Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. to try to strike a further compromise. "We're putting all the options on the table and talking about them as they come up to see if we find something that people can live with," Pryor said in an interview late Wednesday. "It's very close, and both sides agree the outcome is uncertain."

Automakers were not pacified by the Stevens amendment. "This is a ploy to show, 'Look how generous we are.' The bill is still unattainable," said one senior domestic auto official. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., referring to Detroit automakers, has this to say: "The time has come to speak for the American people, not three car manufacturers that are closing plants and laying off people."

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said talks were under way to "meld the two approaches" to produce efficient fuel mandate.