Spain Sees 1 Mln Electric Cars in Energy Plan - 2008-07-31 Spain's government aims to have 1 million electric cars on the roads by 2014 as part of a plan to cut energy consumption and dependence on expensive imports, Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian said on Tuesday.
HEVT Showcases Converted F-150 PHEV - 2008-07-29 HEVT projects that the conversion will deliver up to 41 mpg for 30 miles/day at mixed speed driving, and up to 21 mpg as a hybrid operating in charge-sustaining mode. The conversion also has vehicle-to-grid capability, and offers on-board 120V power.
Plug-In Supply Inc. Introduces Lead-Acid PHEV Prius Conversion System for $4,995 - 2008-07-29 The PbA10 Conversion System, based on the CalCars Open Source design, turns a standard 2004-2008 model year Prius into a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) with an all-electric range of 10-15 miles and improved average mileage of up to 100 miles per gallon (plus 1 cent/mile of electricity).
GM Dedicates New $400M Global Powertrain Engineering Development Center - 2008-07-28 The center is where GM will develop and test the Chevrolet Volts electric drive unit, motors, power electronics and engine; electric motors for fuel cell and hybrid powertrains; and other advanced gasoline, biofuel and clean diesel engines and transmissions.
New Li-ion Spin-Off from U Texas Closes $5.8M Series A Financing; Google.org an Investor - 2008-07-23 ActaCell, Inc., a spin-off from the University of Texas at Austin, has secured $5.8 million in Series A financing. DFJ Mercury led the round with syndicate investment from Google.orgs RechargeIT program, Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc. and Good Energies, a global investor in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry.
PHEVs in the Spotlight - 2008-07-23 Mayor Gavin Newsom is laying the groundwork for future pilot programs that will lead to the citys early adoption of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
Andy Grove Calls for Concerted US Effort to Convert Pickups, SUVs and Vans to 40+ Mile PHEVs - 2008-07-23 In a lunchtime address at the Plug-in 2008 conference and exposition in San Jose, California, Andy Grove, former Chairman & CEO, Intel Corporation, called for an urgent inter-industry effort in the US to convert pickups, SUVs and Vans (PSVs) to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with at least a 40-mile electric range.
Nissan and Tennessee Form Zero-Emissions Vehicle Partnership - 2008-07-23 Nissan and the State of Tennessee are forming a partnership to promote zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), including electric vehicles, in Middle Tennessee with participation from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and other partners. This marks the Renault-Nissan Alliances fourth such ZEV initiative, and the first one in the US.
Concept: Through-the-Road PHEV Conversion Kit - 2008-07-21 Poulsen Hybrid is developing a conversion kit that will add through-the-road plug-in hybrid capability to conventional vehicles by externally mounting electric motors onto 2 of the wheels.
NYC Speeds Transformation of Yellow Cabs to Green - 2008-07-18 New York City's yellow taxi fleet now will go green at the rate of 300 new hybrid cars a month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Wednesday, citing an agreement with car-makers to supply the fuel-light cabs.
Chrysler Aims to Have Electric Cars in 3-5 Years - 2008-07-16 Chrysler LLC is planning to launch all-electric vehicles in the next three to five years, the latest automaker to join the race to produce cars with fuel-saving technologies.
BMW to Test Electric-Powered Minis - 2008-07-11 BMW, the world's largest premium carmaker, said it will conduct field tests on several hundred electric-powered Mini brand cars over the coming months to explore the technology.
Toyota to Build Prius in US, Slash Truck Output - 2008-07-11 Toyota Motor Corp said on Thursday it would start building its Prius hybrid in the United States in 2010 and suspend production of slow-selling big trucks for three months in a sharp reversal of strategy forced by slumping sales and high gas prices.
Japan's MMC to Sell Electric Cars Next Year - Nikkei - 2008-07-11 Mitsubishi Motors Corp will begin selling its electric car to individual customers in Japan from summer 2009, slightly ahead of schedule, banking on strong interest amid record-high fuel prices, the Nikkei business daily said.
Renault, Nissan Plan to Electrify Portugal - 2008-07-10 Automakers Renault and Nissan have entered a partnership to bring electric vehicles to Portugal and develop a nationwide vehicle-charging infrastructure.
Israel Corp. to Invest up to $100M More in Project Better Place EV Efforts; Agassi Pushing PBB for the US - 2008-07-08 Israel Corp., Israels largest holding company, will invest another $15.5 into Project Better Place (PBB) in addition to the $7.5 million already in. The company said it would invest up to $100 million in the venture designed to deploy a regional and global infrastructure to support electric vehicles on a country-by-country basis.
Daimler Takes Aim at Fuel Efficiency Across Entire Fleet - 2008-06-23 The companys BlueEFFICIENCY program will begin with 20 models this year to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and improve fuel economy by 12 percent, Reuters reported.
Mazda Targeting Average 30% Cut in Fuel Consumption of All its Cars by 2015 - 2008-06-23 Mazda Motor Corporation is targeting an average 30% reduction in the fuel consumption of its new vehicles worldwide by 2015. To achieve the reduction, Mazda will apply lightweight technologies, upgrade almost all of its gasoline engines, introduce the Smart Idle Stop System worldwide, and introduce a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide.
Race for Hybrid Heavy Machines Heats Up as Oil Rises - 2008-06-18 Bulldozers, front-end loaders and excavators used in building and mining projects are going hybrid amid surging fuel costs, and Japan again seems to be in the lead.
M'bishi, Peugeot Strike Electric Car Alliance - Report - 2008-06-17 Mitsubishi Motors Corp will tie up with France's PSA Peugeot Citroen in the production of electric vehicles, supplying technology and next-generation batteries, a newspaper reported on Monday.
GM, GE and Ford Join DOE to Advance PHEVs - 2008-06-16 The Department of Energy will dedicate $30 million toward advancing plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV) through a partnership with General Motors, Ford and General Electric.
Bosch and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. Establish JV for Automotive Li-Ion Batteries - 2008-06-16 Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. are establishing a joint venture to develop, manufacture, and sell lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications. The joint ventureSB LiMotive Co. Ltd.will be headquartered in Korea, and will start operations in September 2008, with production beginning in 2010.
Ford Delivers FlexFuel PHEV to DOE - 2008-06-12 Ford Motor Company delivered its first flexible-fuel capable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV to the US Department of Energy (DOE).
Toyota to Start Lithium-Ion Battery Output in 2009 - 2008-06-12 Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday its battery joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co will start full-scale production of lithium-ion batteries in 2010 as it aims to roll out more electricity-driven cars over the next few years.
Toyota to Start Lithium-Ion Battery Output in 2009 - 2008-06-11 Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday its battery joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co will start full-scale production of lithium-ion batteries in 2010 as it aims to roll out more electricity-driven cars over the next few years.
Solartaxi World Tour Coming to US and Canada - 2008-06-05 The Solartaxi is an electric trike (two wheels up front, one in the rear) with a five-meter solar trailer covered with 6 m2 of solar cells generating 850W.
Honda To Roll Out Cheap New Hybrid Model In Early '09 - 2008-05-22 Honda Motor Co said on Wednesday it would launch a new, low-cost hybrid car in Japan, North America and Europe in early 2009 as it seeks to cut the lead of Toyota Motor Corp in the green car race.
AT&T to Introduce 105 Alternative Fuel Vehicles in its Fleet - 2008-05-22 The 105 alternative fuel vehicles include 25 compressed natural gas vans, 65 hybrid electric Ford Escapes and Toyota Priuses, and 15 hybrid electric conversion work trucks.
Electric Car Hits The Road In Fuel-Starved Gaza - 2008-05-21 A Palestinian-designed electric car drew admiring stares on Tuesday from Gazans forced to use cooking oil to power their cars because of a fuel shortage.
GE and C-MAR to Develop Hybrid Tugboat Technology - 2008-05-20 GE and the C-MAR Group are partnering to develop and to demonstrate new hybrid technology for tugboats. The two announced their alliance during the International Tug & Salvage Convention in Singapore.
TNT to Swap 100 Diesel Trucks for Electric Models - 2008-05-19 TNT, a transportation and delivery company, will replace more than 100 diesel truck with all-electric trucks over the next year and a half.
Renault seen investing up to $1 bln in electric car - 2008-05-12 The head of an Israeli-backed electric car project estimated on Sunday that its partner, the Renault-Nissan alliance, would likely invest $500 million to $1 billion in the swappable-battery electric cars.
Reported US Sales of Hybrids in April Pass 3% Market Share of New Vehicles Sold - 2008-05-06 Reported US sales of hybrids in April climbed 46% to 39,898 units from April 2007. While April is the second-highest reported monthly total of hybrid sales, the increase in hybrid volume combined with the general decrease in light-duty vehicle sales (earlier post) pushed the new vehicle market share for hybrids past the 3% mark for the first time, to 3.2%.
Israeli President Sees Eco-Fuel Fighting "Terror" - 2008-05-06 Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday hailed his country's new weapon against the threat of "terrorism" from its Middle East neighbours -- the electric car.
TNT Launches Australias First Hybrid Truck Fleet - 2008-05-01 TNT Express Australia has put 10 Hino Hybrid trucks into service, becoming the first business in Australia to start operating a fleet of diesel-electric hybrid as replacements for conventionally powered vehicles.
A123Systems Launches Hymotion PHEV Conversion Module for Prius - 2008-04-28 A123Systems has fully launched the Hymotion L5 plug-in hybrid module designed to convert a Toyota Prius, model years 2004 2008, into a plug-in hybrid capable of achieving up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles within the electrically assisted driving range.
MIRA Introduces Plug-in Hybrid Retrofit System with Removable Li-ion Pack - 2008-04-28 MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association), a UK-based automotive design, development and certification consultancy, has unveiled a plug-in hybrid retrofit system with the potential to reduce fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions by 39%, and applied it in a demonstrator vehicle.
Green future in sight for London's black cabs - 2008-04-25 The capitals black cab drivers, who are famous for their opinions on all aspects of life, may begin next year helping to reduce pollution in the city with the introduction of plug-in electric taxis.
Kleiner Perkins Venture To Sell Electric Car In US - 2008-04-22 Kleiner Perkins is joining hands with another clean technology-focused venture capital firm and a Norwegian company to bring electric cars to the United States, signalling a Silicon Valley push to make American driving greener.
R. L. Polk & Co. Analysis of Hybrid Sales Suggests Segment Affinity Among Hybrid Buyers - 2008-04-21 Nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles rose to 350,289 registrations in 2007a 38% increase from 2006, according to R. L. Polk & Co. The Toyota Prius continued to lead the segment with 179,178 total new registrations51.2% of hybrid market share.
BYD Introduces Electric E6 Crossover at Beijing Auto Show - 2008-04-21 BYD Auto introduced its E6 electric vehicle (earlier post) at the Beijing International Auto Show. The battery-electric crossoverbased on BYDs F6 platformwill be produced commercially within the next one to two years.
SAE Panel: Global Auto Industry Entering Period of Prolonged and Fundamental Change - 2008-04-16 A panel comprising leaders from government, academia and the auto industry at the SAE 2008 World Congress yesterday said that the auto industry, while a growth industry globally, is being forced by the challenges of energy availability and climate change into a period of fundamental transformation that will likely endure for decades.
Smith Electric Vehicles and Ford Introduce the Smith Ampere EV; Will Collaborate on Future EV Projects - 2008-04-16 The Tanfield Groups Smith Electric Vehicles has launched the Smith Ampere, a new electric vehicle product aimed at the light van sector. Ampere, which utilizes the Ford Transit Connect chassis and will be jointly branded Smith and Ford, was designed and developed by Tanfield in collaboration with Ford.
Raser to Unveil Plug-in Series Hybrid Drive System for Full-Size SUVs and Pickups at SAE World Congress - 2008-04-10 Raser Technologies, Inc., in conjunction with its systems integration partner FEV, will unveil components of a new extended-range plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and integrated drive system designed for full-size SUVs and pickup trucks at the SAE World Congress, 14-17 April, in Detroit, Michigan.
Volvo Puts Two Hybrid Refuse Trucks Into Final Trials; Production May Begin in 2009 - 2008-04-07 Volvo has launched two hybrid refuse trucks into trials in regular daily operations in Sweden with refuse collection firms Renova and Ragn-Sells. (Earlier post.) Although both trucks use a charge-sustaining hybrid system for motive power, one of the trucks is equipped with a second, grid-charged battery that powers the refuse compactor.
Hyundai to enter hybrid market - 2008-03-27 The South Korean car maker and India's third-largest producer of passenger cars said it is planning to launch its first liquid petroleum gas and electric hybrid car by 2010, the Hindustan Times reported.
Ricardo Establishing Center for Development of Battery Systems for HEVs, PHEVs and EVs - 2008-03-19 Engineering firm Ricardo, Inc., is establishing a Battery Systems Development Center at its Van Buren Twp., Michigan headquarters to offer turnkey engineering and development of complete high-voltage battery-pack systems for hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV).
Big-Rig Hybrids - 2008-03-19 The dirty little secret of the cleaner diesel engines: they burn more fuel--a big problem for fleet operators facing a 44% rise in diesel fuel costs over the last year.
MPSC Initiates Pilot Program to Integrate PHEVs into the Electric Grid - 2008-03-12 The Commission notes that achieving a high penetration of PHEVs that retains the stability of the electric grid is dependent on smart grid infrastructure research and development. Therefore, the MPSC is requiring all regulated electric distribution companies to participate in the smart grid collaborative, expanded by the order to include PHEV pilot projects.
The Golf TDI Diesel-Electric Hybrid Concept: 69 MPG US - 2008-03-05 The Golf TDI Hybrid concept (earlier post) introduced by Volkswagen at the Geneva Motor Show combines an advanced diesel engine with an electric motor and the latest generation of VWs seven-speed DSG gearbox. The hybrid concept vehicle is capable of achieving 3.4 L/100km (69 mpg US) of fuel consumption.
New Yorks 10,000 Black Cars to Go Hybrid - 2008-03-03 New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) will require black carsthe large sedans (often Lincoln Town Cars) that primarily service corporate clientsto increase fuel efficiency standards to a level currently achievable only by using hybrid technology.
New UK EV Vendor Launches; Stevens Vehicles Ze Line - 2008-03-03 Top speed for the Ze vehicles is 56 mph (90 kph), with a range of 56 miles (90 km). Acceleration from 0-40 mph takes 15 seconds. For drivers requiring greater range, Stevens offers a larger battery pack with 50% more range.
Raser and Tecstar Sign Agreement for Plug-In Series Hybrid Conversions - 2008-02-28 Raser Technologies, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tecstar, LP and Wheel to Wheel, LLC, outlining their intent to work together with Raser to manufacture plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) for utility, government, and other fleets.
Transit Agency Finds Total Operating Cost of Its Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses 32X That of Diesel - 2008-02-26 A memo prepared by the Santa Clara Valley (California) Transportation Authority (VTA) for the Transportation and Planning Committee of its Board of Directors reports that the average total operating cost per mile of the agencys three hydrogen fuel cell buses is $51.6632 times the average total cost per mile for the conventional diesel fleet.
Gov. Easley Creates New Hybrid Center - 2008-02-15 At the Emerging Issues forum at NC State University this week, Governor Mike Easley announced the creation of a new Advanced Transportation Energy Center to help develop "plug-in" hybrid vehicles.
German Car Buyers Turning to Low Emission Cars - 2008-02-07 German car buyers have become sensitised to climate change and are increasingly turning to cars with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the president of the German automotive industry association said on Wednesday.
Traction Technology Opts for Enova Hybrid Drive in Bus Project with Supercaps - 2008-02-04 UK-based Traction Technology Plc. is using the Enova 120kW hybrid drive system in combination with an supercapacitor energy storage system in four series hybrid Optare Solo Buses contracted by Merseytravel. The award follows competitive trial evaluation by Merseytravel.
Freightliner Begins Production of Diesel Hybrid Class 6 Beverage Truck - 2008-01-25 The medium-duty hybrid system uses a parallel, pre-transmission design with Eatons Fuller UltraShift automated transmission. Primary components are the Hybrid Drive Unit (HDU), which combines a clutch, a 44 kW/420 Nm motor/generator and automatically controlled manual transmission; the motor inverter/controller; the DC/DC converter; and a 2 kWh li-ion battery pack.
French Billionaire Joins Charge on Car Batteries - 2008-01-25 Billionaire corporate raider turned ecology activist Vincent Bollore on Thursday opened a factory to produce batteries for electric cars that could be flooding cities from Tokyo to Turin.
Electrovaya Launches Maya-300 Low-Speed Electric Vehicle - 2008-01-23 It will have an extended range of up to 120 miles on a single charge, powered by Electrovayas Lithium-Ion SuperPolymer battery technology with integrated iBMS (intelligent battery management system).
Orders for Up To 1,700 Hybrid Buses Will More Than Double Existing GM-Allison Fleet - 2008-01-23 These new deliveries will more than double the current fleet of nearly 1,000 GM-Allison hybrid buses, and potentially include the largest single hybrid bus fleet acquisition yetan order for 952 by the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Coca-Cola Rolls Out New Distribution Model With ZAP - 2008-01-23 The Coca-Cola Company and alternative transportation pioneer ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP) announced a project to use 30 of its compact trucks for a new beverage distribution system in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Union Pacific Reaches for More Fuel Efficient Locomotives - 2008-01-21 Union Pacific saved more than 20 million gallons of diesel fuel last year through a series of programs and locomotive acquisitions designed to improve its fleet's fuel efficiency.
Renault-Nissan and Project Better Place Sign MoU for Mass Marketed EVs in Israel - 2008-01-21 As part of the solution framework, the Israeli government will provide tax incentives to customers, Renault will supply the electric vehicles, and Project Better Place will construct and operate an Electric Recharge Grid across the entire country. Electric vehicles will be available for customers in 2011.
Portugal, Spain Sign Green Car Partnership - 2008-01-21 Portugal and Spain want to create the first green car in Iberia, hoping to generate 150 million euros worth of investment and 800 new jobs in the region's struggling motor industry.
Google's Philanthropy Funds Renewable Energy, Electric Cars - 2008-01-18 Google.org's announcement to spend more than $25 million in new grants and investments includes money for monitoring and predicating the effects of climate change, producing renewable energy cheaper than coal, and supporting plug-in vehicles.
Fisker Automotive Unveils the Karma Luxury Plug-in Series Hybrid - 2008-01-16 The four-door plug-in hybrid premium sports sedan will have a starting price of $80,000. Initial deliveries of the Karma will commence in the 4th quarter of 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 cars.
One company has just pioneered a new nuclear fuel additive - called beryllium oxide - that can prevent Chernobyl-like disasters... while saving billions in fuel costs.
Nuclear fuel suppliers like Westinghouse are already lining up... And soon, no reactor will be fired up without this new fuel.
The full report - including why the company behind it could triple in price - is available here.
Subscribe to