April, 2017

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Finland’s oldest ferry goes all electric with Visedo

Green Car Congress

The oldest operating ferry in Finland will on Saturday become the nation’s first all-electric passenger vessel after being fitted with Visedo power. The City of Turku will officially re-launch the historic Föri ferry tomorrow, complete with a new zero-emission electric drivetrain that will deliver greater efficiency, less noise and reduced operating costs.

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Tesla Model S battery life: what the data show so far

Green Car Reports

Perhaps the biggest question in buyers' minds over electric cars is how long the batteries will last. Most new-car buyers have mobile phones whose batteries have only lasted a couple of years, perhaps less. Even as electric-car battery packs are warranted against outright failure for eight or 10 years, how much degradation should owners.

Battery 155
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Traffic Safety Initiative Reduces Police Officer Vehicle Crashes

Green Fleet Magazine

To combat injuries and fatalities from auto collisions, Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California set out to change its safety culture through a traffic safety initiative.

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You can now learn to drive in the BMW i8 supercar

Green Cars News

Small, easy to park and not enough power to get you in any trouble. That’s what most people get when they step into their driving instructor’s car.

BMW 41
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How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

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A123: Increasing 48V battery power up to ~25 kW enables advanced mild hybrid capabilities with greater fuel savings

Green Car Congress

In a paper presented at SAE WCX 2017 this week in Detroit, engineers at Li-ion battery maker A123 Systems conclude that 48V battery packs with strong power (up to ~25 kW) and HEV-level energy capabilities (<200Wh for most scenarios) are needed to enable advanced mild hybird (MHEV) capabilities, with optimal power-to-energy ratios between 30 and 160.

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DOT to award up to $60M for advanced transportation and congestion management projects; V2X, ITS and mobility services

Green Car Congress

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration will award ( 693JJ317NF0001 ) up to $60 million to projects to develop model deployment sites for large scale installation and operation of advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, efficiency, system performance, and infrastructure return on investment. DOT is requiring a minimum cost share of 50%; i.e., the maximum Federal share is 50%.

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New study shows that inhaled nanoparticles can travel into the blood and accumulate

Green Car Congress

A study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands has found that nanoparticles, such as those found in air pollution, can travel into the blood and accumulate in diseased blood vessels. The study, published in the journal ACS Nano , suggests that air pollution nanoparticles are able to get into the bloodstream to cause heart disease.

Pollution 253
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Opinion: There Is No Such Thing As Peak Oil Demand

Green Car Congress

by Dwayne Purvis for Oilprice.com. Notwithstanding that oil demand has increased for over 150 years, it will eventually stop increasing. If oil demand were to reach an actual peak, then the top might be easier to predict. As it stands, the forecast models of demand are likely predicting peak demand far later than it will be. The so-called balance of supply and demand has always been a moving target, a race to the top in which the two run neck and neck.

Oil 250
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Bollinger Motors shows chassis for its battery-electric sport utility truck

Green Car Congress

Bollinger Motors, a 2014 startup developing a battery-electric sport utility truck, revealed the first images of the chassis structure which will underpin its upcoming vehicle. The truck will make its global debut at a media event this summer in Bollinger Motors’ home state of New York. The all-aluminum chassis with a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel rollover structure is designed for optimal off-road vehicle proportions.

Motoring 244
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New prototype rechargeable lithium-nitrogen battery

Green Car Congress

As the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere, nitrogen has been an attractive option as a source of renewable energy. But nitrogen gas—which consists of two nitrogen atoms held together by a strong, triple covalent bond—doesn’t break apart under normal conditions, presenting a challenge to scientists who want to transfer the chemical energy of the bond into electricity.

Recharge 225
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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California ARB petitions US EPA for “Tier 5” stricter locomotive emissions standards

Green Car Congress

In an effort to accelerate the movement to zero- or near-zero emission locomotives, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has petitioned the US EPA take action to adopt more stringent emission standards for locomotives. These new standards are to include standards for newly manufactured locomotives (which ARB refers to as “Tier 5”), and a new standard for Tier 4 locomotives upon remanufacture.

EPA 225
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KAUST team alters atomic composition of MoS2 to boost performance as water-splitting catalyst for H2 production

Green Car Congress

Researchers at KAUST have developed and used a novel way of increasing the chemical reactivity of a two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide material to produce a cheap and effective catalyst for water splitting to produce hydrogen. This technique may also have potential benefits for other manufacturing industries. One route to hydrogen generation is by electrolysis: passing an electrical current through water via two electrodes to cause a chemical reaction that breaks the water molecule into its co

Water 225
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New bio-inspired macro-meso-microporous material offers significant improvement in battery performance

Green Car Congress

A international team of researchers has emulated biological systems and designed multi-scale macro–meso–microporous materials which offer a unique performance boost for applications benefitting from highly enhanced mass transfer and exchange. Examples include photocatalysis, gas sensing and as Li-ion battery electrodes. An open access paper on their work is published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Siemens to acquire a leading software provider for public transportation, mobility and logistics

Green Car Congress

Siemens is planning to acquire HaCon , a leading international provider of planning, scheduling and information systems for public transportation, mobility and logistics.The two parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. Pending the approval of antitrust authorities, the deal is expected to be concluded in the first half of calendar year 2017.

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ExxonMobil announces 6th oil discovery offshore Guyana with Ranger-1; Guyana may move from non-producer to regional powerhouse

Oil

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Report: Hyundai developing solid-state EV batteries itself

Green Car Congress

Citing “ sources close to the matter ,” the Korea Herald reports that Hyundai Motor is developing solid-state batteries for its electric vehicles, and has established pilot-scale production facilities. “Hyundai is developing solid-state batteries through its Namyang R&D Center’s battery precedence development team and it has secured a certain level of technology,” the source told The Korea Herald.

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Government of Canada awarding $1.625 million for two public hydrogen stations in Toronto

Green Car Congress

The Government of Canada is awarding $1,625,000 in funding for the construction of two public hydrogen stations in the Greater Toronto Area to support a new Canadian market for fuel-cell vehicles. The project proponent, Hydrogenics Corporation, is a Canadian company that has been involved since 2000 in more than 50 hydrogen refueling station projects around the world.

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Siemens-powered electric plane sets two new speed records; first aerotow

Green Car Congress

The Extra 330LE aerobatic plane, powered by a propulsion system from Siemens ( earlier post ), set two new speed records. At the Dinslaken Schwarze Heide airfield in Germany, the electric aircraft reached a top speed of around 337.50 km/h (209.7 mph) over a distance of three kilometers. The speed achieved by pilot Walter Extra was 13.48 km/h faster than the previous record, which had been set by US pilot William M.

Power 210
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Oita team develops new process for producing hydrogen from ammonia without external heat source

Green Car Congress

Researchers at Oita University in Japan have developed an innovative process for the production of hydrogen from ammonia without the need for an external heat source to initiate or maintain the reaction. An open access paper on their work is published in the journal Science Advances. Liquid ammonia (NH 3 ) has been considered as a carrier (storage medium) for hydrogen that could alleviate the challenges of transporting, handling and storing hydrogen for commercial applications.

Hydrogen 207
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PNNL, GM team develops design principle for stable silicon anodes for Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

A team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), with colleagues from General Motors R&D, has developed a design principle for stable high-capacity Li-ion battery silicon (Si) anodes of controlled thickness swelling, and synthesized a porous Si/C-graphite electrode as an example. Experimental data from the porous Si/C-graphite electrode showed excellent agreement with the theoretical design.

Li-ion 207
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Volkswagen introduces new Coasting 2.0 micro hybrid system and new natural gas engine at Vienna Motor Symposium

Green Car Congress

At the 38 th Vienna Motor Symposium Volkswagen is introducing a new, more fuel-efficient “Coasting - Engine off” micro hybrid system—which shuts off the engine completely—as well as a new, compact three-cylinder natural gas engine for the Polo. Volkswagen is also highlighting its spectrum of efficiency and electrification solutions all the way to further optimized battery-powered propulsion as in the new e-Golf and the coming new MEB-based electric vehicles exemplified by its series

Gas 207
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Neste to use May Day doughnut fat for renewable diesel feedstock

Green Car Congress

In the spirit of circular economics, Neste and Fazer Bakery in Finland are joining forces with the “Doughnut Trick” campaign. The oil used to fry Fazer Bakery’s May Day doughnuts will be recycled by refining it to produce Neste MY renewable diesel. The value of the fuel will be donated to the Finnish chapter of the charity SOS Children’s Village International.

Renewable 207
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NREL sets new world efficiency record for solar hydrogen production: 16.2%

Green Car Congress

Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recaptured the record for highest efficiency in solar hydrogen production via a photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting process. The new solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency record is 16.2%, topping a reported 14% efficiency in 2015 by an international team made up of researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, TU Ilmenau, Fraunhofer ISE and the California Institute of Technology.

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Ford introduces new Intelligent Speed Limiter in Europe

Green Car Congress

Ford’s Intelligent Speed Limiter technology, being introduced in Europe, can automatically help prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits—both when driving in their own country, and while driving abroad. Intelligent Speed Limiter combines the functionality of two Ford technologies: Adjustable Speed Limiter – enables drivers to manually set a maximum vehicle speed; and.

Europe 199
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Toyota North America unveils hydrogen-fuel-cell heavy-duty truck proof-of-concept; twin Mirai fuel cell stacks

Green Car Congress

Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) revealed “Project Portal”—a hydrogen fuel cell system designed for heavy-duty trucks applied in a Class 8 truck for use at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). Announced at a press conference with Port officials and representatives from California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), the zero-emission truck proof-of-concept will take part in a feasibility study examining the potential of fuel cell technology in heavy duty

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Toyota R&D study finds drivers show significantly more gray matter in brain regions than non-drivers

Green Car Congress

A brain study by researchers from Toyota Central R&D Laboratories, along with a colleague from Japan’s National Institute of Physiological Sciences, has found that drivers show significantly greater gray matter (GM) volume in the left cerebellar hemisphere—which has been associated with cognitive rather than motor functioning—than non-drivers.

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Honda introduces Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric at New York show; targeting 75K Clarity vehicles in 4 years

Green Car Congress

Honda revealed its all-new Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and Clarity Electric ( earlier post ) alongside the already available Clarity Fuel Cell ( earlier post ), saying it will target US sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the first four model years. Honda expects the Clarity series will contribute to an anticipated five-fold increase in Honda’s US sales of electrified vehicles over the next four years as the company works toward its target that two-thirds of its global automobile sales will come from

Plug-in 199
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Suzuki, Toshiba and Denso to form JV to produce automotive Li-ion battery packs in India

Green Car Congress

Suzuki Motor Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and Denso Corporation have reached basic agreement on establishing a joint venture company for production of automotive lithium-ion battery packs in India, and signed the agreement. The initial capital expenditure will be ¥20 billion (US$184 million). The joint venture company will be capitalized at ¥2 billion (US$18.4 million), with the planned participation ratio of Suzuki 50%, Toshiba 40% and Denso 10% respectively.

Suzuki 191
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Schaeffler highlights latest version of UniAir electrohydraulic valve control at Vienna

Green Car Congress

At the Vienna Motor Symposium, Schaeffler is highlighting the latest generation of its UniAir fully-variable electrohydraulic valve control system, first introduced in volume production in 2009. The latest generation of UniAir also now allows vehicles in the upper-class automobile market to operate more economically and with lower emissions. UniAir controls the engine valves based on cycles and offers an extended range of strategic options for matching engine operation to specific situations and

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Hyundai Mobis develops compact, integrated 48V mild hybrid system

Green Car Congress

Automotive supplier Hyundai Mobis has developed the core technologies of a compact, integrated 48V mild hybrid system. Hyundai Mobis developed the “converter integrated 48V battery system” on its own and it is making the final preparations for mass-production scheduled for next year. Hyundai Mobis integrated the converter and the battery system—formerly applied separately—into one system.

Hyundai 186
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Wind-powered offshore enhanced oil recovery concept moves closer to implementation

Green Car Congress

The DNV GL-led joint industry project, WIN WIN (WINd powered Water INjection), has completed its first phase and determined that wind power could be used to power offshore water injection. The project is currently moving into its second phase, which includes refining and testing the electrical systems, and investigating possibilities for broader applications.

Wind 186
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Ford exploring use of bamboo in cars

Green Car Congress

Over the past several years, has Ford worked with suppliers to evaluate the viability of using bamboo in vehicle interiors and to make extra strong parts by combining it with plastic. The team has found that bamboo performs comprehensively better than other tested synthetic and natural fibers in a range of materials tests, from tensile strength tests to impact strength tests.

Ford 186
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Ford announces China electrification push with new Mondeo PHEV and long-range electric SUV; 70% electrified line-up by 2025

Green Car Congress

In Shanghai, Ford Motor Company outlined an ambitious vehicle electrification strategy for the China market, confirming two new electrified vehicles for China and a broad range of electrified vehicles by 2025. The Mondeo Energi, to be launched in early 2018, will be the first plug-in hybrid to be manufactured by the Changan Ford JV. Ford also confirmed plans to bring an all-new fully electric small SUV to China within five years; the electric SUV will feature a range of up to 450 km (279 miles)

China 186
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Next-gen Audi A8 introduces new four-material space frame; light weight and rigid

Green Car Congress

For the next generation of the Audi A8, an intelligent mix of four materials—aluminum, steel, magnesium and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)—is being used for the first time in the weight-bearing body structure—more materials than in any of the brand’s previous production models. The resulting low weight and impressive rigidity—the upcoming flagship’s torsional rigidity surpasses the predecessor model’s rigidity value by up to 24%—from the multi-material const

Audi 186
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Saab Gripen fighter completes first test flights with 100% biofuel; CHCJ-5

Green Car Congress

A Saab Gripen fighter has for the first time undergone a series of test flights with 100% biofuel. This demonstrates that the aircraft can be flown entirely with an alternative fuel and gives valuable knowledge for future possible use of alternative fuel. The tested fuel—Catalytic Hydrothermal Conversion Jet fuel (CHCJ-5)—was made from rapeseed oil.