Plug-in Hybrid Charging Stations to be Installed in Raleigh, N.C.
March 1, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
San Francisco has just installed 3 charging stations for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Now the News & Observer reported on the 24th Feb. that Raleigh, N.C. plans to install eight plug-in charging stations over the next few months, under a program called Project Get Ready. Read more
Japan Auto Exports to US Plunge 76.5%
February 28, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
According to figures from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, passenger car exports from Japan plunged 60.9% in January to 200,347 units (including 7,560 knock down units), down 311,969 units year-on-year.
Auto shipments to the US plummeted 76.5% to 45,876 units; exports to Europe fell 63.2% to 50,864; Asia-bound exports fell 54.8% to 18,021; and shipments to Latin America dropped 54.4% to 19,941. Read more
Algal Biodiesel - Where is it Now?
February 28, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
When I first heard about algal biodiesel it seemed like the liquid fuels problem had just been solved. Unfortunately like so many things that sould a little too good to be true, so it has turned our for Algea harvesting for biodiesel. Read more
Best Buy to sell the Brammo Enertia Electric Bike in May
February 26, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
In September Brammo Motorsports received a lot of investment money from Best Buy Capital, the distinct possibility was raised that the biggest of all Big Box electronics retailers might start selling the electric motorcycle from their own retail locations.
Now that it’s been confirmed, it’s pretty exciting to think that the fully electric Brammo Enertia will finally be available in May, at 5 selected West Coast Best Buy locations. Read more
Pininfarina B0 (B Zero) still only a Concept Car at Geneva 2009
February 25, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Pininfarina unveiled the lovely B0 at the Paris Motor Show early last October and the good news is, it’s coming to the 2009 Geneva Motor Show as well. However it won’t be the working prototype that had been expected.
As reported by Reuters, the Pininfarina family is selling off a majority stake in the company in an attempt to deal with its debt which, thanks to an 80 percent drop in its stock price over the past year, is many times its market capitalization. Production has been slowed at its three factories in an attempt to reduce costs as the effects of the global economic slowdown on its customers increases. Read more
Biomethane to be used in British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s trucks
February 24, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Clean Air Power has announced that one of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, Sainsbury’s, has signed a contract with them to expand the use of biomethane in their trucks.
In August 2007, Sainsbury’s tried Clean Air’s technology for the first time and in August 2008, it began to operate one of its Mercedes-Benz Axor Euro 3 vehicles fitted with Clean Air Power’s Genesis’ Dual-Fuel combustion technology. The system will now be used in five additional units. The system burns biomethane mixed with diesel fuel and is claimed to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent.
The biomethane used by Sainsbury’s is supplied by Gasrec from a local landfill.
Pictured above is the grocer’s first electric van.
Toyota Australia Unveils Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle at Melbourne 2009
February 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Toyota’s Australian arm will begin producing its own Camry Hybrids one year from now. To mark the new contract, Toyota Australia has created a new concept called the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle), and it has just debuted at the 2009 Melbourne Auto Show. Starting with the refreshed 2010 Camry Hybrid as a base, the HC-CV features a redesigned front fascia that’s highlighted by vertical fog lights and a lower grille with a random pattern said to be inspired by nature. Read more
New Teaser Shot of Tesla Model S
February 22, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
A new teaser shot of the Tesla Model S has surfaced that shows a bit more detail of the car’s greenhouse profile. Most of the car appears to be hidden in this image but there are details if you adjust the image in Photoshop. This reveals the same fender trim seen on the earlier shot as well as the wheels. Read more
$12.5 Billion for Plug-in Cars in the Stimulus Bill
February 21, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
When the big stimulus bill was passed this week, the number that rose to the forefront was a $2 billion investment for plug in vehicles. But, if you add in all the additional plug-in help for things like infrastructure, the actual plug-in stimulus package is closer to $12.5 billion, according to Plug In America’s legislative director Jay Friedland. Read more
Cayenne S Hybrid Details Released
February 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
More information has just been released by Porsche on the new Cayenne S Hybrid that will finally launch in 2010. The company has changed up its powertrain plans since originally announcing the hybrid.
Instead of the older 3.6L normally aspirated V6, it will now use the new supercharged and direct injected 3.0L found in the new Audi S4 and A6. The 333 hp V6 is paired up with a 52 hp electric motor sandwiched between the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The combination of the engine, motor and nickel metal hydride battery can propel the Cayenne to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. Read more
