Green Car Congress

MARCH 16, 2012

Environmental impacts of gasoline and E85. Error bar shows regional variations for E85. GW = global warming; Eut. = eutrophication; ET = ecological toxicity; FEC = fossil energy consumption; WU = water use; LO = land occupation; “The rest” includes acidification; smog formation; ozone layer depletion; and human health effects. Credit: ACS, Yang et al.

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Gasoline Water Emissions Pollution 357

Electric Cars are for Girls

MARCH 8, 2012

Do you have a favorite photo of your electric car? (.or whatever other electric vehicle you happen to have!) Come on over to Facebook by Mar. 31 and enter it into the cover photo contest. Photo with the most likes gets to be April's Electric Cars are for Girls FB cover photo!

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Green Car Reports

MARCH 20, 2012

Nissan’s all-electric Leaf hatchback has only been on sale in the U.S. for the past 15 months, but Nissan has already confirmed it will get some much-needed upgrades for the 2013 model. Speaking to The Detroit News yesterday, Mark Perry, director of product and advanced planning for Nissan Americas confirmed that the 2013 Leaf will get an.

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National Green Transportation

MARCH 11, 2012

Private transit company Veolia Transport has been accused of lobbying Congress over HR7, legislation currently making its way through Congress which would (among other things) weaken public transit agencies, according to a StreetsBlog post on.

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Congress Companies Transportation 100

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Green Cars News

MARCH 15, 2012

With the threat of further fuel price rises hanging over us, a leading charging infrastructure firm is predicting that the market for electric cars is about to grow. Bosses at Charging Solutions say that more motorists will look for viable alternatives as fuel prices reach record highs. James Jean-Louis is managing director of Charging Solutions, [.].

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Price Electric Cars Fuel Industry 88

Green Car Congress

MARCH 28, 2012

The Terra SC. Click to enlarge. ABB launched the Terra Smart Connect (SC), a low-cost DC fast-charger that the company says will significantly improve the business case for installing electric-vehicle (EV) fast chargers throughout Europe. The Terra SC will be available for delivery in Europe in the second quarter, starting at €9,988 (US$13,310) for small volume orders.

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DC Europe Connected Connect 354

Green Car Congress

MARCH 5, 2012

The average sales-weighted fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the US in February was 23.7 mpg US (9.93 L/100km), according to data from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI)—up 18% from the value in October 2007 (the first month of UMTRI monitoring). Click to enlarge. The Eco-Driving Index (EDI)—an index that estimates the average monthly emissions generated by an individual US driver—stood at 0.87 in December 2011 (an improvement of 13% from Oc

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 12, 2012

According to a recent report examining batteries for electric vehicles from Pike Research, as manufacturing efficiencies improve and access to lithium expands, the installed cost of Li-ion batteries will fall by more than one-third by the end of 2017. In terms of revenue, the market for Li-ion batteries for transportation will grow from $2.0 billion annually in 2011 to more than $14.6 billion by 2017, the market intelligence firm forecasts.

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Li-ion 2017 Battery Batteries 324

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2012

CAP-XX stop-start system architecture. The company says that the cost of a 14V, 6-cell supercapacitor module for stop-start would be around US$60. Source: CAP-XX. Click to enlarge. Australia-based CAP-XX Limited, a developer of thin, prismatic supercapacitors, has developed a supercapacitor module which supplies the cranking current to start the engine in Stop-Start vehicles (also known as start-stop, idle-stop, or micro-hybrid vehicles), reducing wear on the battery and eliminating the need for

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Batteries Battery Australia Volt 322

Green Car Congress

MARCH 28, 2012

E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID Click to enlarge. Mercedes-Benz is introducing the new E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID; the luxury-class diesel hybrid offers fuel consumption of 4.2 L of diesel/100 km (56 mpg US), with CO 2 emissions of 109 g/km. ( Earlier post.) The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is based on the E 250 CDI, yet has a higher output and approximately 15% lower fuel consumption.

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Hybrid Mercedes Diesel Fuel Economy 321

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 23, 2012

California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. and the California Public Utilities Commission to announced a $120-million settlement with NRG Energy Inc. (stemming from claims reaching back to Dynegy and the California energy crisis in 2000 and 2001) that will mostly be applied to fund the construction of a statewide network of plug-in vehicle charging stations, including at least 200 public fast-charging stations and another 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations across the state.

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2012

Spider9 , a cleantech company launched in 2011 at the University of Michigan, has finalized the license agreement for patented dynamic control systems and plans to launch its first commercial integration at the historic Henry Ford Valve Plant, known as the Water Wheel Center, in Northville, Michigan. The control systems boost the cost efficiency of grid-scale batteries and solar fields by constantly monitoring individual cells within a battery or solar installation, and making real-time adjustme

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Grid Solar Battery Batteries 317

Green Car Congress

MARCH 6, 2012

FT-Bh. Click to enlarge. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) unveiled the FT-Bh (Future Toyota B-segment Hybrid), a lightweight, next-generation small gasoline-electric hybrid concept car at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show. TMC, expecting hybrid vehicle use to become widespread in the second half of the 2010s, developed the FT-Bh as a B-segment, ultra fuel-efficient concept car under the theme of “ecomotion” (eco + emotion).

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Plug-in Hybrid Toyota MPG 317

Green Car Congress

MARCH 23, 2012

Savari, a provider of V2X solutions for connected vehicles, announced the availability of its next-generation SDK (software development kit), which can be used to implement a range of V2X (vehicle-to-X) solutions. The SDK functionality is compliant with the latest standards from 802.11p, SAE J2735, IEEE 1609.3 and IEEE 1609.2 security. The SDK is compatible with multiple processor platforms and includes the Savari On-Board Operating System (SOBOS) based on Linux, the APIs, many sample applicatio

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2012

Major hybrid system elements in the R18 e-tron quattro: front-axle MGU, flywheel accumulator and power electronics. Click to enlarge. Audi Motorsport unveiled the R18 e-tron quattro: the first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI diesel engine with a hybrid system. ( Earlier post.) The new Le Mans prototype will make its race debut on 5 May in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) on 16-17 June.

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 26, 2012

Fiesta ECOnetic Technology. Click to enlarge. Ford of Europe has begun production of the new Fiesta ECOnetic Technology, which offers fuel economy of 3.3l/100 km (71.2 mpg US) and CO 2 emissions of 87 g/km, at Ford’s Cologne Assembly plant in Germany. The preceding version of the Fiesta ECOnetic carried a 95 g/km rating. The car is powered by a 95PS (94 hp, 70 kW) 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and provides 205 N·m (151 lb-ft) of torque; it will be available in three-door and five-

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MPG Ford Fuel Economy Production 301

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2012

Nissan DeltaWing. Click to enlarge. Nissan is becoming a founding partner in DeltaWing Le Mans project ( earlier post ) and will provide an advanced and efficient Nissan 1.6-liter, turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine to power the DeltaWing car as it races at the Le Mans 24 Hours (16-17 June). The engine, badged DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline - Turbocharged), is expected to produce around 300 hp (224 kW), sufficient to give Nissan DeltaWing lap times between LMP1 and LMP2 machines at

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Green Car Congress

MARCH 15, 2012

3M is investing in the research and manufacturing of novel silicon (Si)-based anode materials for Li-ion batteries. 3M was recently granted another US patent ( 8,071,238 ) for its silicon-based anode compositions that can increase cell capacity by more than 40% when matched with high-energy battery cathodes. ( Earlier post.). The new patent, “Silicon-containing alloys useful as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries”, covers a composite electrode material with the formula Si x Sn q M y C z where q

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Li-ion Lithium Ion Manufacturer Batteries 300

Green Car Congress

MARCH 13, 2012

New medium-duty Euro VI engine. Click to enlarge. Mercedes-Benz unveiled a new generation of medium-duty engines with the series designation OM 93x. Together with the new heavy-duty OM 470 engine, Daimler is expanding its “BlueEfficiency Power” engine portfolio into a comprehensive range complying with the impending Euro VI emissions standard. The OM 471 engine, presented in 2011 and also part of the portfolio, is already in service on long-haul operations in the new Mercedes-Benz Actros.

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Engine Mercedes Commercial Exhaust 299

Green Car Congress

MARCH 7, 2012

1.6-liter i-DTEC. Click to enlarge. Honda’s new 1.6-liter i-DTEC engine in the new Civic will deliver CO 2 emissions of 95 g/km, according to Honda Motor Europe’s President, Manabu Nishimae, in his presentation at the Geneva Motor Show. This is a 15-gram drop (13.6%) from the 110 g/km emissions of the enhanced 2.2L i-DTEC introduced in September 2011 at the Frankfurt show. ( Earlier post.).

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Honda Emissions Diesel CO2 299

Green Car Congress

MARCH 19, 2012

A team from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore has used DNA to functionalize double wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) and to direct the growth of ultra-small FePO 4 nanoparticles (~5 nm) uniformly distributed on the DNA@DWNT for the development of a novel network nanostructure. The synthesized FePO 4 -DNA@DWNT nanostructure was used as a cathode in lithium-ion batteries, and demonstrated a specific capacity of 174 mAh g -1 for FePO 4 active material—nearly 100% of the theoretical stor

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Lithium Ion Li-ion Singapore Conversion 294

Green Car Congress

MARCH 5, 2012

Bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado. Click to enlarge. General Motors is introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) bi-fuel versions of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickup trucks. Fleet and retail consumers can place orders beginning this April. The vehicles feature a CNG-capable Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems.

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Sierra Silverado GMC Chevrolet 291

Green Car Congress

MARCH 9, 2012

The new Outlander with be outfitted with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain during FY2012. Click to enlarge. Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will launch a plug-in hybrid version of its new Outlander (introduced at the current Geneva Motor Show) during the course of FY2012 (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013). The new PHEV Outlander will be a permanent 4WD electric vehicle, supplemented by a gasoline engine when needed.

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Mitsubishi Plug-in Plug Hybrid 290

Green Car Congress

MARCH 6, 2012

Elements in achieving the Envia 400 Wh/kg cell. Click to enlarge. Envia Systems’ recent announcement of achieving Li-ion pouch cells with a specific energy density of 400 Wh/kg ( earlier post ) may be the market opener for a number of similar systems developed with US Department of Energy (DOE) support using different silicon-carbon anode materials, combined with an advanced cathode material and an appropriate electrolyte.

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Li-ion Ni-Li Commercial Energy 286

Green Car Congress

MARCH 17, 2012

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff has posted a preliminary draft version of the Oil Production Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimator (OPGEE) for the 19 March 2012 Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) public workshop to discuss lifecycle assessment of crude oil production, including high carbon-intensity crude oil (HCICO). The model was authored by Hassan M.

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Oil California Gas Emissions 285

Green Car Congress

MARCH 12, 2012

In an open access paper published in the International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials , researchers from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences review significant developments and remaining challenges of practical Li–air batteries and the current understanding of their chemistry. The energy density of the lithium–air battery with respect to the anode could reach 13,000 Wh kg ?

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Li-ion Future Batteries Battery 285

Green Car Congress

MARCH 29, 2012

Electric Vehicles International is launching a new initiative to deploy 500 fully electric return-to-base medium-duty delivery trucks in California. ( Earlier post.). With the partnership and support of agencies such as the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, EVI and UPS will jumpstart implementation of California Govern

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California Sacramento Pollution Fully Electric 281

Green Car Congress

MARCH 24, 2012

A glimpse under the hood of an E-Golf prototype at the power electronics. Traction motor is partially seen at bottom. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen intends to bring the production version of the battery-electric E-Golf to market in the US in 2014 (first market introduction will be in 2013). The production version of the E-Golf will be based on a new MQB platform (the “A7” Golf), rather than the current version (“A6” Golf) used for the prototypes currently in fleet testing, according to Mark Gilli

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2014 Production Li-ion Fleet 281

Green Car Congress

MARCH 4, 2012

Hyundai is staging the world premiers of the “All New i20” at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Among the four powertrain options available to buyers of the All New i20 will be the new 1.1-liter, 3-cylinder U-II diesel engine. When mated to Hyundai’s Blue Drive technologies, this derivative, which generates 74 hp (55 kW), emits 84 g/km of CO 2 —a figure lower than any other car with a conventional powertrain.

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Diesel Hyundai CO2 Germany 278

Green Car Congress

MARCH 2, 2012

The Energy dCi 110 diesel offers fuel consumption of 3.5 L/100km, equivalent to 67 mpg US. Click to enlarge. Renault is introducing three new Energy engines ( earlier post ) in its Mégane Collection 2012: the new turbocharged, gasoline direct-injection Energy TCE 115 di; the Energy dCi 130; and the Energy dCi 110, with NEDC fuel consumption of 3.5 liters/100 km (67 mpg US) with CO 2 emissions of 90 g/km.

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Fuel Economy MPG 2012 Engine 278

Green Car Congress

MARCH 22, 2012

The US Department of Energy will provide up to $450 million to advance the development of American-made small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The funding is targeted to support first-of-its-kind engineering, design certification and licensing for up to two SMR designs over five years, subject to congressional appropriations. Small modular reactors, which are approximately one-third the size of current nuclear plants (about 350 MWe or less), have compact, scalable designs that are expected to of

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Design Commercial Obama Georgia 275

Green Car Congress

MARCH 21, 2012

The Bio-DME project aims to assess whether there is a market for Bio-DME (Di-Methyl-Ether) for commercial vehicles. ( Earlier post.) Halfway through the two-year project the preliminary results show that Bio-DME already functions in daily commercial operations. If diesel fuel were to be replaced by Bio-DME, CO 2 emissions could be reduced by 95%, according to Volvo Trucks.

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Volvo Commercial Alternative Fuels Fuel 275

Green Car Congress

MARCH 30, 2012

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green LLC and 7-Eleven, Inc. announced the availability of the US’ largest network of fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations to date. Through the Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project, 26 fast-chargers have been installed, with 73 total fast-chargers planned. Eight of these are currently in place at Tollway Oases along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at the Des Plaines Oasis and on the Tri-State Tollway

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Illinois Chicago Charging Installation 274

Green Car Congress

MARCH 15, 2012

Advanced Traction Battery Systems (ATBS), A123 Systems’ Shanghai-based joint-venture company with SAIC Motor ( earlier post ), has been selected to develop battery packs for a new plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) sedan from Geely, one of the fastest-growing automakers in China and the parent company of Volvo Car Corporation. Under the terms of the development agreement, A123 Systems will supply 20Ah prismatic cells to ATBS for the production of complete lithium-ion battery packs for Geely’s new PH

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PHEV Li-ion 2014 China 274