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Hybrid car conversions getting 80 MPG right now
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- About a year ago, CEO's in Silicon Valley challenged one another to start driving electric. On the eve of a huge conference in San Jose, high tech leaders say the plug-in movement is well underway.
Last week Tom Hayse was getting 40 miles a gallon driving his hybrid Prius. That was before his plug-in conversion and a lithium battery packed in the back.
"With the plug-in hybrid, I'm getting actually getting close to 80 miles a gallon, so I'm pretty happy with that."
Tom is one of 30 Silicon Valley CEO's and community leaders who have pledged to be part of what they call the 'plug-in revolution'.
"If only ten percent of the million or so Prius owners converted their cars like we're doing, the price of the battery conversion would come down," says Sass Somekh, Ph.D of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- About a year ago, CEO's in Silicon Valley challenged one another to start driving electric. On the eve of a huge... more -
They’re Electric, but Can They Be Fantastic?
ELECTRIC cars are the future. That, at least, is the message automakers are sending to consumers as they trumpet big plans for cars that can bypass the gas pump.
Of course, backers of electric vehicles, or E.V.’s, floated those assurances in the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, when General Motors released its star-crossed EV1. Today, almost no one drives an electric car.
But with a gallon of premium gas topping $3 on average, and as carmakers and entrepreneurs pour money into the latest generation of electric cars, the prospects appear brighter.
Trading the internal combustion engine for batteries could bring well-publicized advantages: reducing pollution, raising mileage, promoting energy independence. E.V.’s and plug-in hybrids could deliver the gasoline equivalent of 100 miles a gallon or more. For consumers, that would in effect roll back the clock to buck-a-gallon gas. Car owners could save money in their sleep, recharging in the off hours when electricity is cheapest. ELECTRIC cars are the future. That, at least, is the message automakers are sending to consumers as they trumpet big plans for cars th... more -
Comparing Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
First shown at the Paris auto show in 2004, the two-seat Venturi Fetish roadster, powered by lithium-ion batteries, has a claimed top speed of 100 m.p.h. and a one-hour charging time. First shown at the Paris auto show in 2004, the two-seat Venturi Fetish roadster, powered by lithium-ion batteries, has a claimed top ... more
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NYC speeds transformation of yellow cabs to green
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.
There are already more than 1,300 hybrid taxis in the city, and each one saves its drivers about $6,500 a year, Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairman Matthew Daus said in a joint statement with the mayor.
Bloomberg aims to accomplish 127 green initiatives before his second and final four-year term ends in 2010. In December, the Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to require all vehicles that join the taxi fleet to be hybrids by October 1.
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 Wednes... more -
PIVO 2 The future is electric for Nissan and that future is around the corner
Pivo 2 takes the idea of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter vehicle and delivers fun, functionality and a unique relationship between the car and driver. Pivo 2 is powered by advanced Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and employs 'by-wire' technologies for braking and steering.
Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design, made reversing obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility concept to a new level. Each of the four wheels are powered by Nissan's advanced electric In-wheel 3D Motor and can turn through 90 degrees to allow Pivo 2 to drive sideways as well as forward.
This might be one of the first fully environmentally friendly cars to see the market, rumors says that this car will be available in USA and Japan in 2010 and will open the doors to a new market of environmental conscious customers. Pivo 2 takes the idea of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter vehicle and delivers fun, functionality and a unique rela... more -
Renault-Nissan Partnership to Develop Electric Cars for Israel
Renault and Nissan are joining forces to develop electric cars that Project Better Place will sell throughout Israel under a government-led campaign to promote alternative fuels.
We've been following the plan by Project Better Place to bring EVs to the masses by creating a network of charging stations and battery exchange depots. The idea, according to founder Shai Agassi, is to sell EVs like cell phones, where a monthly fee gets you access to batteries and the charging infrastructure.
The Isreali government quickly lined up in support of the project, and now Renault and Nissan have signed a deal to mass-produce electric vehicles they'll begin selling in Israel in 2011.
The cars will use lithium-ion batteries and offer a range of 60 miles in the city and 100 miles on the highway. They'll offer performance similar to a 1.6 liter gasoline engine.
Project Better Place says it will install 500,000 charging stations throughout Israel, and Renault is developing battery packs that can be replaced at automated exchange depots.
Renault boss Carols Ghosn told Reuters that Israel is perfect for EVs because 90 percent of Israelis drive less than 45 miles a day. He wants to sell as many as 20,000 EVs a year in Israel.
Renault and Nissan are joining forces to develop electric cars that Project Better Place will sell throughout Israel under a governmen... more -
Renault to develop electric cars for Israel
The Renault-Nissan alliance on Monday signed a deal to begin mass producing electric cars as part of an Israeli-led project to develop alternative energy sources and slash oil dependency.
Renault-Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said the cars, with a range of about 100 km in city driving and up to 160 km on the highway, will accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 13 seconds and have a top speed of 110 kph -- similar to many gasoline-powered cars.
Ghosn said a key reason why the company chose Israel to launch the project is because 90 percent of Israelis drive less than 70 km a day and all major urban centers are within 150 km of each other. For Israel the cars would mean less dependency on oil imports, mostly coming from Russia.
The cars, to be made in Europe, will run on a battery developed by Nissan and Japan's NEC and will be available in 2011. A prototype is already on the road in Israel and various models will be sold by Renault and Nissan.
"It will be the most environmentally friendly mass-produced car on the market," Ghosn said at a Fuel Free Transportation ceremony at the office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, adding the main appeal of the cars is that they were as "normal as possible" while operating quietly.
He said the car would cost the same or less than comparable gasoline engine autos and would have a lifetime warranty.
Ghosn said Renault-Nissan will also market the cars in yet to be determined European countries and Asia and later to the United States.
"We expect this car to be successful," Ghosn told reporters. "We want to make sure we mass market 10,000 to 20,000 cars a year in Israel ... We are determined to make it a success."
The Renault-Nissan alliance on Monday signed a deal to begin mass producing electric cars as part of an Israeli-led project to develop... more -
Nissan-Renault to mass-market electric vehicles in Portugal
The Nissan-Renault auto alliance, charged up lately to promote electric vehicles, has formed a partnership with the Portuguese government that includes plans to sell its electric vehicles in Portugal in 2011.
The deal includes studying ways to create a nationwide network of charging stations and raising awareness about electric vehicles, Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of the French and Japanese automakers, and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said Wednesday in making a joint announcement in Lisbon, according to Nissan.
The move is the latest in Nissan's aggressive forging of deals with cities and governments on electric vehicles as soaring gas prices and worries about global warming make the green technology more appealing.
Tokyo-based Nissan Motor Co. and alliance partner Renault SA have previously announced deals with Project Better Place, based in Palo Alto, California, which promotes electric vehicles, to mass market electric vehicles in Israel and Denmark in 2011.
While other car manufacturers are concentrating on fuel cells and hybrids, Nissan is going all out on electric vehicles, promising to sell the emissions-free cars globally in 2012, with the first models arriving in Japan and the U.S. in 2010.
The Nissan-Renault auto alliance, charged up lately to promote electric vehicles, has formed a partnership with the Portuguese governm... more -
Nissan set to become an Eco First company
The Japanese Minister of the Environment, Ichiro Kamoshita, has endorsed Nissan’s environmental commitments and will award a special certificate to the car manufacturer at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Environment today (1st July 2008).
Nissan will now be known as an Eco First company. The Eco First Program serves to recognise and promote the environmental actions of companies that are compliant with the Kyoto Protocol.
The Nissan Green Program 2010 has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions while also reducing other emissions to protect water, air and oil resources. Nissan’s commitment does not stop there, the motor company aims to achieve a 100% recycling record for its rate of resource recovery in Japan. Nissan has, as a business, reduced its environmental impact by reducing harmful emissions from its operations and has sought to raise environmental awareness within the local community.
Nissan will systematically report on the advance of its environmental commitments to the Ministry of Environment. Nissan will now be permitted to use the Eco First Logo in all its communications to further promote environmental awareness. The Japanese Minister of the Environment, Ichiro Kamoshita, has endorsed Nissan’s environmental commitments and will award a special c... more -
Nissan to Introduce Electric Car in 2010, Mass-Production in 2012
The Slow Green Conversion of Carlos Ghosn
About 2 years ago, Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn wasn't too impressed with hybrid cars, saying that they are "a nice story, but they’re not a a good business". Then a few months later, he announced that Nissan would license technology from Toyota for its Altima hybrid, and then develop its own hybrid technology. Now this year, Ghosn was heard saying that we needed "zero emission vehicles" to "prevent the world from exploding" (!), and that his preference was for electric cars.
Nissan Shareholder Meeting
The latest stage of Mr. Ghosn's conversion happened at Nissan's shareholder meeting. Ghosn said that Nissan, along with Renault, "has an opportunity to be a world leader in mass-marketing [zero-emission vehicles].” Ghosn said that he hopes to sell 1 million of electric cars a year globally, although without specifying a date. If this was American politics, he would be called a flip-flopper. Thankfully, in the real-world it's a good thing to be able to change your mind. The Slow Green Conversion of Carlos Ghosn ... more -
General Motors blames its lagging hybrid tech on public.
Head of GM Rick Wagoner, speaking at an industry conference in Dallas commented, "We have to build cars and trucks that people want to buy," in response to why GM's hybrid lineup is lagging behind.
Autoblog continues, "..your company also has to have at least a modicum of foresight in order to be successful in the tough American market these days. For instance, Toyota is just now reaping the benefits of its hybrid electric vehicles, despite the fact that the automaker has been building them since 1997. Did Toyota know something that GM didn't? Not really".
Head of GM Rick Wagoner, speaking at an industry conference in Dallas commented, "We have to build cars and trucks that people want to... more -
Top 10 Least Expensive Hybrids To Own
1 Honda Civic
2 Toyota Prius
3 Nissan Altima
4 Chevrolet Malibu
5 Ford Escape
6 Mercury Mariner
7 Toyota Camry
8 Mercury Mariner (AWD)
9 Toyota Highlander
10 Lexus 400RX h
Source: Edmunds.com 1 Honda Civic 2 Toyota Prius 3 Nissan Altima 4 Chevrolet Malibu 5 Ford Escape 6 Mercury Mariner 7 Toyota Camry ... more -
Toyota to build Prius in US, stops truck production
"The company said Thursday it will start producing the Prius in 2010 at a plant it is building in Blue Springs, Miss. Toyota already builds a hybrid version of the Camry sedan in Kentucky, but this will be the first time the Prius, which has been on sale for more than a decade, will be built outside of Asia." -MSNBC
Toyota is also planning on temporarily stopping US production of its trucks and large SUVs because of declining demand. The plants will either temporarily close or build hybrid SUVs instead.
This is great news both for the environment and for our economy. It will ultimately result in more jobs for Americans and strengthen the "green-collar" job market. This is evidence of our economy's shift in the right direction.
What do you think? "The company said Thursday it will start producing the Prius in 2010 at a plant it is building in Blue Springs, Miss. Toyota already b... more -
Which is Greener: New Prius or Used Car with Good MPG?
Your query is a serious toughie, as we don't really know how much energy it takes to manufacture a hybrid. Toyota does admit that because the Prius' engine and battery are relatively complex, assembling the hybrid requires more energy than making a similarly sized nonhybrid vehicle. But the company has never quantified that energy premium, so the Lantern will have to rely on an educated guess. If our informed figure is in the ballpark, however, a fresh Prius beats virtually all used competitors—assuming you follow the Lantern's golden rule and keep your car running until the bitter end.
Your query is a serious toughie, as we don't really know how much energy it takes to manufacture a hybrid. Toyota does admit that beca... more -
Ferrari Hybrid;
And you thought the Prius was cool. It is great to see car companies of all types stepping up to the plate.
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Tesla Will Supply Mercedes-Benz With Batteries For Electric Cars
The German car maker plans to make electric versions of its A- and B-class vehicles, as well as its Smart cars as soon as 2010.
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DIY Electric Motorcycle Kicks Butt, Gets 300 eMPG
It just takes some brain power and elbow grease!
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Australia gives Toyota $35 million to build hybrid Camry
Australia Gives Toyota $35 Million to Build Hybrid in Melbourne.
Last week, whilst in Japan, the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, announced the Federal government would provide Toyota with $35 million AUD, to assist them in bring production of their hybrid petrol-electric cars to the state of Victoria.
The Camry uses the same technology as the much lauded Prius but is a bit larger and heavier. It has been suggested that a hybrid four cylinder Camry can save 40-50% in the fuel use over the standard model for a 14% higher purchase price. (5.7 litres of fuel per 100km, instead of 9.9 litres.)
This will encourage many Australian drivers who are currently reeling under prices of $1.65 per litre for unleaded fuel. And who knows how high the pump price will be when Toyota rolls out a projected 10,000 of the hybrid Camrys in 2010?
The article continues at the link.... Australia Gives Toyota $35 Million to Build Hybrid in Melbourne. ... more -
Turn any car into a plug-in hybrid
Soon drivers will be able to get at least double the gas mileage of a Toyota Prius hybrid, thanks to a spate of new aftermarket kits that convert any car into a plug-in electric vehicle. But they’ll have to pay upwards of $10,000 to do so.
Auto manufacturers are at least a year or two away from launching the next generation of hybrids, called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), that recharge by plugging into a wall outlet. But battery companies are ready to start selling aftermarket kits within the next few months that convert hybrids, and in some cases regular vehicles, into plug-in electric cars.
A123Systems, an automotive technology company and battery supplier based in Watertown, Mass., is now taking orders for its Hymotion L5 conversion kit, which turns a Toyota Prius into a plug-in electric car. The $10,000 kit, due this fall, works with Prius model years 2004 through 2008 and adds a special, range-extending lithium-ion battery to the Prius' existing drivetrain.
Using A123’s plug-in system, the Prius, which normally runs only short distances at slow speeds on electric power alone, will have added battery power to extend its electric-only range and boost gas mileage to more than 100 miles per gallon. The Prius normally gets an estimated 46 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
Even if electricity costs as much as 15 cents per kilowatt hour, fully charging the 5 kilowatt-hour battery to run up to 40 miles would cost less than a dollar.
Soon drivers will be able to get at least double the gas mileage of a Toyota Prius hybrid, thanks to a spate of new aftermarket kits t... more -
The CAFE Standard Shell Game
This guy is great - read the entire article at the link above - it gets even worse. Bush has put his cronies in charge of every regulatory agency and this is the result.
by Tam Hunt, Community Environmental Council
I've made my punch line the title of this piece. I was never good at telling jokes. This joke, however, isn't really funny anyway because it is a boondoggle being played on the American people.
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were created by Congress in 1975 as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Over the first nine years of its existence the CAFE standard — and powerful market forces — led to 62% improved vehicle fuel economy. Over the next twenty years or so, better vehicle technologies were used to increase power instead of to increase fuel economy. The end result: average fuel economy for cars in the U.S. is only about 26 miles per gallon in 2008.
In the era of skyrocketing oil, gas and diesel prices, however, Congress took bold action, passing the Energy Independence and Security Act in December of 2007. The key feature of this law was a re-vamping of the CAFE standard for the first time in a generation, setting a new standard of 35 mpg by 2020.
Or so the story goes.
Upon examination, the CAFE standard "improvements" are revealed as little more than a loophole-ridden shell game.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the proposed CAFE regulations in March of this year. The regulations cover model years 2011-2015 and "require" all cars and trucks to achieve 31.8 mpg by 2015.
The major changes in the new regulations are a new tradable credit system and a new way of calculating required vehicle improvements based on the size of each vehicle model sold instead of a fleet-wide requirement.
The tradable credit system makes the CAFE "standard" a cap-and-trade system instead of an actual standard. Standards are the prototypical example of a command and control regulatory approach, which, while generally effective in achieving outcomes also generate strong resistance from the regulated businesses. Cap and trade is more market friendly because it sets a limit on the activity at issue but also gives some choices to the regulated businesses as to how they meet that limit. In this case, each size class is "limited" in terms of the gas mileage it must achieve. The "trade" part of this cap and trade allows each manufacturer to trade credits with other manufacturers who are exceeding their requirements, and to trade between size classes within each fleet — and to buy credits from the U.S. government at a set price ceiling.
It is this last part that is most disturbing. By allowing manufacturers to avoid actually improving gas mileage by simply buying credits from the government at a set price, the cap itself may be completely destroyed because there is no limit on how many credits the government may sell. So it's not really a cap and trade system either. It's just a trade system with huge potential to be gamed without any guaranteed benefits for consumers or the environment.
This guy is great - read the entire article at the link above - it gets even worse. Bush has put his cronies in charge of every regul... more
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