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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hyundai, Kia, Green Daily

Hyundai i10 electric - Click above for high-res image
With all of the talk about the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt, it's easy to overlook some of the other happenings in the world of battery-powered cars. Fear not, cause we've got it all covered. Turning our attention to Hyundai-Kia for just a moment, South Korea-based SK Energy Co. announced that it will provide lithium-ion batteries for upcoming electric vehicles from both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors.

SK Energy's lithium-ion batteries will first appear in Hyundai's i10 EV, scheduled for release sometime in 2011. Sporting SK cells with a claimed energy density of 140 Wh/kg, the i10 boasts a 99-mile range and a top speed of 81 miles per hour. SK Energy's advanced lithium-ion batteries utilize a unique lithium manganese oxide cathode material; a surface-modified graphite on the anode; a gel polymer electrolyte; and a ceramic-coated separator. Of course, SK Energy would like us to believe that this high-tech talk amounts to a better battery, but it just reads like your typical li-ion lingo to us. Hat tip to Dan!

[Source: SK Energy via Green Car Congress]

SK Energy to provide lithium-ion batteries for upcoming Hyundai, Kia electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Green Daily

Boeing's prediction that one percent of the commercial aviation industry will be powered by renewable fuels by 2015 may sound trivial, but converting any meaningful portion of the industry over to the plant-derived biofuels could lay the foundation for future exponential growth. Boeing is currently testing biofuels with British Airways Plc and Continental Airlines, but has worked with airlines across the globe as it tries to find suitable, plant-derived aviation fuels. Testing has demonstrated that the plant-derived fuels offer reduced emissions and could help airlines slash their greenhouse gases.

Remarking on the significance of one percent market penetration, Billy Glover, managing director of environmental strategy at Boeing's commercial airplanes unit, told Bloomberg in an interview: We need to get to 1 percent to get that foundation and then the trajectory will be significantly steeper. We're aiming for a 1 percent penetration around the middle of this decade, and we think that's quite achievable. Though no commercial airliners currently use biofuels for regular flights, testing of the plant-derived fuels has been going on for years. If Boeing's predictions hold true, our chances of boarding a plane powered by plants are about to get slightly - ever so slightly - better.

[Source: Bloomberg | Image: abdallahh - C.C License 2.0]

Boeing predicts renewable fuel to supply 1% of commercial aviation industry by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf battery. Photo: Nissan Matching the Chevy Volt As predicted here, Nissan has decided to match GM and offer a 8-year/100k miles warranty on the battery pack of its LEAF electric car. It will be great for early adopters who will have one less thing to worry about (at least for the first 8 years or 100k miles), and it will be great for the transition to electrified transportation.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Filed under: UK

According to a new report from the UK trade group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the average CO2 emissions of new cars sold there have continued a steady downward trend in the first half of this year. Thanks to increasing sales of cars specifically developed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, the average for the new vehicle fleet was down to just 145.2 grams / kilometer by June.

These low-emissions specials include the likes of Volkswagen's Bluemotion lineup, the ecoNetic models from Ford and EcoFlex from Vauxhall. Part of the increase in sales of these cars is due to the now-concluded scrappage scheme which helped offset the higher initial purchase price of most of these. The rate of improvement in the second half of the year is expected to decline as car sales in general in the UK and Europe have slowed.

Gallery: UK First half 2010 CO2 emissions

[Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders]

UK new car CO2 average down by 4.7 in first half of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Tesla Motors

Elon Musk on The Colbert Report - Click above to watch the video after the break

Imagine that, Elon Musk has a sense of humor. Proof of this can be seen in the video pasted after the break, where you'll see the co-founder of Paypal, Tesla Motors and Space X have a sit-down interview with Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report.

As always, Colbert goes into the interview with a lighthearted slant, making a few comic-relief jabs along the way. For instance, after detailing Musk's seemingly heroic take on the automotive and space exploration industries, Colbert point-blank asks Musk whether he's a super hero or a super villain. We'll let you figure that one out...

Our favorite quote, though, is this:
You have these electric cars that uses no fossil fuels, but then you've also got this rocket, this Space X that puts the rocket into space, using about as much fuel as 2,000,000 Hummers. So... are you just trying to break even as spectacularly as possible? Ha! There are plenty more gems in the video, and we don't want to spoil the whole thing for you. So just go check out the video after the break, won't you?

[Source: The Colbert Report]

Continue reading Video: Elon Musk chats it up on Colbert Report

Video: Elon Musk chats it up on Colbert Report originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coulomb Technologies announced that its CT500 Level II (208-240 volts at 30 amps) residential charging station is now available for purchase. The CT500 is a single-output, 7.2-kilowatt charging station featuring the J1772 plug-in connection and networking capabilities.

With the addition of the CT500, Coulomb's charging options now run the gamut from the basic home charging unit on up to Level III fast charging stations. While Coulomb specifically targets the home user with its CT500, the unit's advanced networking features will likely make it ideal for light commercial applications. With a slew of high-tech features, the CT500 costs more than your typical home charging unit. According to Coulomb spokeswoman Anne Smith, who spoke with Green Car Advisor, the CT500 will start at $2,500, excluding installation.

The CT500 may not place high on the list of available charging options for home users, but if networking capabilities matter to you, then the CT500 is one of but a few reasonably-priced chargers available for residential and light commercial applications. People looking for a charger without networking capability can find several cheaper options out there. Follow the jump to learn more about the CT500 charging unit.

[Source: Coulomb Technologies]

Continue reading Coulomb CT500 Level II home charging station now available

Coulomb CT500 Level II home charging station now available originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How fast, how far, and how long? These are the three most important questions asked of any electric car coming to market. Just like their gasoline counterparts, drivers want to know their first electric car won't leave them foundering at the lights, stranded on the freeway, or taking forever to recharge. For the number of small electric cars...

The Supervisory Board at Porsche this week gave the green light for series development of the 918 Spyder, the 718-horsepower all-wheel-drive hybrid sports car with outstanding fuel economy and claimed 3.2-seconds 0-62 mph quickness.

Taken from drawing to 2010 Geneva Auto Show in less than five months, the 918 Spyder mixes a 500-hp, 9,200-rpm, 3.4-liter gasoline V8 with two electric motors for a combined 718 hp. Porsche has calculated that it could be quicker than the old Carrera GT around the Nordschleife.

The 918 Spyder, one of three hybrid models Porsche presented in Geneva, can go up to 25 kilometers (15 miles) on electric power. The two-seater reportedly limits gasoline consumption to three liters per 100 kilometers (78.4 miles per gallon) and emits just 70 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

No time line has been given for when the car  will be ready for the road, but Green Car Advisor doesn't expect the first production models before the spring of 2012. Pricing has not been announced, but Bloomberg news service has reported it could cost $630,000. Porsche said more details will be disclosed in coming weeks.

Pavemart.com John previously wrote about how rural roads are going back to the stone age because of the cost of asphalt. The sticky black liquid was the bottom of the barrel in the oil industry, often sold at a loss, to be mixed with aggregates and used for paving. (5% asphalt to 95% aggregate, the asphalt is the glue that holds it together). ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

General Motors told Green Car Advisor this morning that the 1.4-liter gasoline engine aboard the Chevy Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid will require premium gas, which currently costs consumers 10 percent more than regular.

"Premium gasoline ensures that the customer gets maximum fuel economy when driving in extended-range mode," Dave Barthmuss, group manager for GM Western Region Communications, said in an email exchange.

"We don't anticipate that Volt drivers will use a lot of gas, but when it's needed using premium fuel increases fuel efficiency by five percent or greater over the use of regular fuel. Simply put, premium fuel optimizes this engine's characteristics."

The Volt hybrid uses a 111-kilowatt electric motor as its primary propulsion system. When the lithium-ion battery pack is depleted - typically after about 40 miles - the 80-horsepower gasoline engine kicks to generate electricity to the motor and battery pack, extending the vehicle's effective range about 300 miles.
 
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline today in the U.S. is $2.74, according to the national AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. The current average price for a gallon of premium gasoline is $3.01, or 10 percent higher than the price of regular.
 
Still unknown: The Volt's fuel economy. GM is no longer giving estimated mileage numbers, nor is it disclosing the size of the Volt's gas tank, which would allow us to deduce how many miles per gallon the vehicle achieves.

Premium manufacturer's suggested retail price. Very attractive leasing terms. Now, the premium-gas requirement. When it comes to the Chevy Volt, which goes on sale later this year, GM's been full of surprises this week.

Scott Doggett, Contributing Editor

The Porsche Panamera caused quite an uproar when the German auto manufacturer first unveiled it a few years ago. A four door Porsche? Madness! Worse than a Porsche SUV! Still, after the car was a hit with many reviewers, and pitchfork-armed Porsche mobs settled done and enjoyed the car for what it is; an overpriced, fast, four-door sedan.

Now word has come down that Porsche is planning to make the Panamera into a hybrid. Grab your pitchforks!

(more…)

When President Obama came into office, he brought with him promises for new alternative energy vehicles including EV’s. He wants 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015, a goal easily achievable. Additionally, the Obama administration threw billions of dollars at electric vehicle and other alternative energy startups. But has the spigot been turned off?

Not quite. A new energy bill making the rounds in Congress would allocate $4 billion for natural gas vehicles… and just $400 million for EV’s. Has the tide turned against electric cars yet again?

(more…)

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, Green Daily

BMW ActiveE concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
BMW's latest advertisement for the its ActiveE electric concept vehicle appears to have crossed the fine line between acceptable and misleading. Why? The ad states, "The BMW Concept ActiveE is the first BMW to be powered purely by electricity." The tagline of the ad reads "100% joy, 0% emissions." As soon the ad made its way to print, an astute reader pointed out some problems and filed a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of the UK.

According to Marketing magazine, the complaint focused on BMW's use of the unsubstantiated claim of "zero CO2 when driving." As the offended reader notes, BMW's claim can not be substantiated because charging the vehicle, which allows it to be driven, would undoubtedbly produce a significant amount of emissions. While BMW argues that the words "when driving" limit the zero-emissions claim solely to the act of driving, the ASA ruled to ban the ad instead. An ASA spokesman issued this statement:
We considered that [BMW's] inclusion of the phrase 'when driving' was contradictory to the overall zero emission claim, and the impression that the car's use would not result in the production of emissions. With the ad pulled, the ASA warned BMW to avoid repeating any claims implying that electric vehicles generate zero-emissions while in use. Other manufacturers, take notice.

Gallery: BMW Concept ActiveE

[Source: Marketing Magazine]

BMW reportedly banned from claiming zero-emissions in ads originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After teasing us for weeks, Ford has finally unveiled the 2011 Ford Explorer. The vanguard of the gas-guzzling SUV movement has been reimagined and redesigned as a vehicle that promotes fuel economy and the ability to handle a veritable boatload of passengers. It comes with two engines, a standard V6 and the pricier 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a new “terrain management system”, and a host of high-tech features on the interior.

I’ve had a few days to let the deluge of information on the new Explorer sink in, but there is still one nagging question in my mind; is this a crossover, or an SUV?

(more…)

Gevo’s production process. Click to enlarge. Gevo, a privately held renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company (earlier post), has successfully produced isobutanol from fermentable sugars derived from cellulosic biomass. The company also successfully converted the cellulosic isobutanol into isobutylene and... Mike Millikin

Here at AllCarsElectric.com we've covered a lot of news featuring the 2011 Nissan Leaf. So much, in fact, that it may be difficult keeping track of them all. What we thought may help is an index page of all of our favorite articles featuring the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Bookmark it in your browser or rss reader, as we'll be updating it every time a new...

Filed under: Hybrid

Ann Arbor hydraulic hybrid recycling truck - Click above for high-res image gallery
This week, the city of Ann Arbor, MI began deploying four of the first 25 trucks equipped with an Eaton Corporation hydraulic launch assist system. Ann Arbor mayor John Hieftje and Clean Energy Coalition executive director Sean Reed presented one of the new recycling trucks at the city's Wheeler service center.

The hydraulic launch assist (HLA) system operates on a principal similar to other hydraulic hybrid systems we've seen. A pair of accumulators store energy captured during braking and release it during acceleration. The HLA is a parallel hybrid with a hydraulic pump motor connected to the drive-shaft through an electronically controlled transfer case clutch.

The system was actually originally developed at the EPA national laboratory in Ann Arbor. Engineers employed there are encouraged to come up with new ideas and patent them. The technology is then shared with privately owned companies for commercialization. Eaton is one of several companies developing hydraulic hybrid technology variants, including series hybrids. The Eaton HLA was first seen on the 2002 Ford F350 Tonka concept and Ford has been evaluating it for use in big pickups and vans, although no production variants have been announced yet.

HLA cuts fuel consumption of the trucks by about 15-20 percent in this type of application that includes frequent starts and stops. The four trucks are expected to save $73,000 in fuel costs over their 10 year useful life, along with $26,500 in reduced maintenance costs. These trucks make an average of about 1,000 stops a day and conventional versions require new brakes every three months or so. The HLA-equipped versions recapture about 75 percent of the kinetic energy of braking and only require brake maintenance once a year. The payback time for the extra initial cost is estimated at two to three years. Future versions could reduce operating and acquisition costs further through the use downsized engines and transmissions.

Gallery: Ann Arbor hydraulic hybrid recycling truck

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Ann Arbor, MI gets first four hydraulic hybrid recycling trucks

Ann Arbor, MI gets first four hydraulic hybrid recycling trucks originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The first vehicle converted to propane Autogas under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is on the road, with thirty more program vehicles slated to be running on Autogas by the end of August. Administered by Virginia Clean Cities at... Mike Millikin

By Larry E. Hall

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

Volkswagen, along with other European auto companies, has long proclaimed diesels as a better green strategy than hybridization. True, diesels are efficient and practical, but in the U.S., they have a reputation of being noisy and smelly. VW has worked hard to overcome that image with cars like the Jetta TDI but now are apparently changing direction (although they still like diesels).

During a press conference last week at its Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto, California, Volkswagen chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn repeated the company's electrified slogan: “In the future, the heart of Volkswagen will also beat with electricity.” And in an opaque reference to the original Beetle, Winterkorn told the gathered media that “Volkswagen is working on the electric car for everyone.” (We'll report on VW's electric car strategy on PluginCars.com later today.) He added that hybrid and electric vehicles will account for three percent of the German carmaker's global sales by 2018.

The Roadmap

Winterkorn concluded his remarks by laying out the company's roadmap for hybrid and electric vehicle introductions into the United States. First up is the 2011 Touareg Hybrid, which launches later this year.

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Ford anticipates that electrified vehicles—hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and battery-electric vehicles (BEV)—will represent 2-5% of its global fleet by 2015, and then increase rapidly to 10-25% of its global fleet by 2020, said Nancy Gioia, Ford’s Director of Global... Mike Millikin