AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Official: 25-million-gallion cellulosic ethanol plant opening in early 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/19/25-million-gallion-cellulosic-ethanol-plant-opening-in-early-201/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/19/25-million-gallion-cellulosic-ethanol-plant-opening-in-early-201/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/19/25-million-gallion-cellulosic-ethanol-plant-opening-in-early-201/#commentsFiled under: ,



Cellulosic bio-ethanol is poised to see large scale production for the first time next year. Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC, is ready to start construction of a plant in early 2014 that will produce 20 million gallons of cellulosic bio-ethanol annually, later ramping up to 25 million gallons. That's a lot, but to compare, the US uses 8.7 million barrels of gasoline per day (2011 average), not counting diesel fuel, and the US makes an average 832,000 barrels of corn-based ethanol each day.

Poet-DSM's Project Liberty will make the bio-ethanol from corn cobs, leaves, husks and stalk. The plant is being built in Emmetsburg, IA, by the two companies who formed the Poet-DSM 50/50 joint venture - major ethanol producer Poet, LLC, and global science-based company Royal DSM. Some of the plant already has been built on the facility; a biomass receiving and grinding building, which can process about 770 tons of biomass per day, is nearly complete and other sections are in the works. The next steps include continued erection of tanks, concrete, plumbing, underground electrical and installation of equipment. Once it's all functioning this fall, farmers in the area will be delivering an expected 120,000 tons of biomass bales to Project Liberty. More details on the construction project are available below.

In 2011, Poet announced it would start producing up to 25 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol a year at its site in Iowa by 2013, so it's all taking a bit longer than expected. The next question will be: Can Poet sell 25 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol a year? We suspect it can, but perhaps not as E15.

Continue reading 25-million-gallion cellulosic ethanol plant opening in early 2014

25-million-gallion cellulosic ethanol plant opening in early 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelcellulosic ethanolethanolpoetWed, 19 Jun 2013 07:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20625238/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20625238/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/19/25-million-gallion-cellulosic-ethanol-plant-opening-in-early-201/20625238/article-detail.xml 20625238 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/poet-dsm-cellulosic-plant_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/poet-dsm-cellulosic-plant.jpg <![CDATA[Report: South Africa taking three-year study to see if it's ready for EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/18/south-africa-taking-three-year-study-to-see-if-its-ready-for-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/18/south-africa-taking-three-year-study-to-see-if-its-ready-for-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/18/south-africa-taking-three-year-study-to-see-if-its-ready-for-evs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 nissan leaf

Plug-in electric vehicles are heading for another global market, South Africa, but it may take a while. Eskom, a South African electricity public utility company, told the legislature it will conduct a three-year study to see if the local power grid can handle a bunch of plug-in cars.

Testing started in March when Eskom received 10 Nissan Leafs for its program. Barry McColl, Eskom's GM for research, testing and development, told Parliament the testing is being done to determine what effect a surge in the use of EVs might have on the national power grid. Eskom is already vulnerable to rolling black outs as the utility operates with very narrow reserve margins.

South Africa wants to cut emissions to one ton per person by 2050. In a country of 50 million, this is a problem for a utility that generated 230 million tons in 2011.

The potential for reducing carbon emissions will also be examined, since the country has an ambitious goal to cut these emissions to about one ton per person by 2050. Since there are 50 million people in South Africa, this could be a problem for the utility. In 2011, Eskom generated 230 million tons of carbon dioxide, making it one of the largest emitters in the world. Eskom has already launched a program to reduce emissions through redesigning its power stations in Kusile and Medupi so they emit 15 percent less carbon than other coal-powered stations. It's a start.

McColl told Parliament's portfolio committee on energy that the effect of EVs on the power grid could be significant. The three-year study is being done to ensure that the utility is prepared for the future. McColl said that the sale of EVs has been slow - about 100,000 worldwide. Taking time to do a three-year study will only slow things down more, and the introduction of EVs to South Africa already been dragged out. EV sales are much slower than expected in North America and Europe, where concerns over grid capacity in these regions don't get raised much anymore.

South Africa taking three-year study to see if it's ready for EVs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleseskomevsnissan leafpower gridsouth africautilityTue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20625952/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20625952/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/18/south-africa-taking-three-year-study-to-see-if-its-ready-for-evs/20625952/article-detail.xml 20625952 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/nissan-leaf-road-trip_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/nissan-leaf-road-trip.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Nissan Europe gets first director of electric vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/nissan-europe-gets-first-director-of-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/nissan-europe-gets-first-director-of-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/nissan-europe-gets-first-director-of-electric-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 nissan leaf

Nissan Europe would like to see sales of its Nissan Leaf go up - how unusual - and has brought in an experienced marketing executive to make it happen. Jean-Pierre Diernaz moved from Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti, where he served as director of marketing and communications, to become Nissan Europe's first director of electric vehicles for the region.

Diernaz started out in the car business in 1994 at Ford France and held a number of marketing executive positions with the company until moving over to Nissan Europe in June 2005. He became general manager of marketing communication in January 2007, and was credited with contributing to the successful ad campaign for the Qashqai crossover, Nissan's top-selling model in Europe. To increase EV sales, Nissan and Renault are open to trying out various niches like carsharing and fleets.

Nissan and Renault are playing a leading role in EV sales in Europe, but the numbers are still way below their expectations. Nissan increased the range and lowered the prices for the 2013 Leaf. Last year, it only sold 5,210 Leafs in Europe, which fell short of the 9,000 originally anticipated. Mr. Diernaz, meet your challenge.

Nissan Europe gets first director of electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelectric vehicleseuropeevsjean-pierre diernaznissannissan europenissan leafrenaultWed, 12 Jun 2013 18:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20609800/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20609800/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/12/nissan-europe-gets-first-director-of-electric-vehicles/20609800/article-detail.xml 20609800 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/2013-nissan-leaf-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/2013-nissan-leaf-628.jpg <![CDATA[Study: RFA accuses Big Oil of 'far from factual' E15 test results]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/rfa-accuses-big-oil-of-far-from-factual-e15-test-results/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/rfa-accuses-big-oil-of-far-from-factual-e15-test-results/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/rfa-accuses-big-oil-of-far-from-factual-e15-test-results/#commentsFiled under: ,



Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is adding to its campaign arsenal to block Big Oil from winning the E15 battle. This time it's going with debate tactics.

Kristy Moore, vice president of technical services at RFA, posted on the association's blog a detailed list the "far from factual" items in the Coordinating Research Council's engine durability study. The American Petroleum Institute (the leading Big Oil association) has used the CRC study to convince the public and courts that blended gasoline with 15 percent ethanol (E15) is very bad for engines.

Moore presented a chart from the study and referenced API/CRC press releases to throw out a couple of damaging statistics - 33 percent of the tested vehicles failed on gasoline with no ethanol; and 75 percent of the eight vehicle models tested passed on E20, yet somehow one of the duplicate models failed.

Moore said the US Department of Energy confirmed that the test protocol used by API was highly speculative. The RFA didn't participate in the API study because the protocals and pass/fail criteria were questionable, the vehicles in the study were geared to provoke engine failures, and the test fuels included weren't accurate. "In my assessment, the RFA and government agencies didn't want to participate simply because they didn't want to waste taxpayer money on political science," Moore wrote.

RFA accuses Big Oil of 'far from factual' E15 test results originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american petroleum institutebig oilblendede15ethanolrenewable fuels associationrfaWed, 12 Jun 2013 11:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20611065/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20611065/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/12/rfa-accuses-big-oil-of-far-from-factual-e15-test-results/20611065/article-detail.xml 20611065 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/e15-1370924846_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/e15-1370924846.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Mahindra planning electric Verito for 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/mahindra-planning-electric-verito-for-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/mahindra-planning-electric-verito-for-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/12/mahindra-planning-electric-verito-for-2014/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mahindra Verito

Indian automaker Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. will be launching an electric version of its Verito Sedan next year. EV technology made by its subsidiary Reva will be used in the e-Verito, said Ravindra Shahane, senior general manager, marketing, automotive division of Mahindra.

"There are some challenges in the electric car market which need to be addressed before we can come out with the electric version of Verito. We hope to launch it next year," Shahane told The Hindu BusinessLine and other media during the launch its Verito Vibe compact car.

Shahane was likely referring to the Indian government recently ending federal subsidies that lowered purchase prices for consumers. As is the case in Europe and North America, automakers in India are struggling to build the right amount of EVs that are likely to sell in the marketplace.

This year, Mahindra Reva is launching its E20 electric microcar. The automaker hopes to sell 30,000 E20 units by 2015-2016, with half of them being exported. These cars are being built at its recently-opened Bengalaru factory, which can produce up to 30,000 units a year. Mahindra can build 3,000 units a month of its Verito Sedan and Vibe at its Nashik unit in Maharastra. Mahindra sold nearly 15,000 Verito Sedans last year.

Continue reading Mahindra planning electric Verito for 2014

Mahindra planning electric Verito for 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclegovernment incentivesindiamahindramahindra revamahindra veritorevaWed, 12 Jun 2013 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20617332/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20617332/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/12/mahindra-planning-electric-verito-for-2014/20617332/article-detail.xml 20617332 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/mahindra-verito-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/mahindra-verito-628.jpg <![CDATA[Read This: Will low EV prices bring in buyers who aren't ready for plug-in vehicles?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/07/will-low-ev-prices-bring-in-buyers-who-arent-ready-for-plug-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/07/will-low-ev-prices-bring-in-buyers-who-arent-ready-for-plug-in/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/07/will-low-ev-prices-bring-in-buyers-who-arent-ready-for-plug-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Honda Fit EV - on the move

Car shoppers are getting some pretty sweet deals on plug-in electric vehicles lately, with Honda joining the price cutting war with its Fit EV. Now that the early adopters are no longer in the market - they have theirs now - automakers are being pushed to bring down sticker prices to increase sluggish sales. The big question has become: What if these new car owners are dissatisfied with the EV experience?

Nissan led the way this year, cutting 2013 Leaf prices by $6,400. After slashing the price 18 percent, the Japanese automaker saw Leaf sales more than triple from previous months in March and April. Honda joined the fray last month, cutting the monthly payments on its 36-month Fit EV lease from $389 to $259. Its dealer network will be increased to expand the market - from 36 to more than 200. Ford produced more than twice as many Focus EVs than it was able to sell last year - 1,627 units manufactured but only 685 sold - and has now cut the sticker price by $2,000 and has been offering discount financing packages.

What concerns me is that we'll ... attract people who might not be best suited for an EV - Honda's Steve Center

The trick is that cutting prices probably won't be enough to make this second wave of EV buyers into long-term, loyal owners, says Steve Center, American Honda's head of environment business development. Honda never expected to sell a high volume of these cars, but the results have been discouraging so far. When the Fit EV was launched 10 months ago, the automaker expected to sell just 1,100 units over three years. So far, there has only been 161 units sold, but that appears to be changing, finally).

"What concerns me most is that we'll have a situation of excess supply, creating artificially low prices, and [attracting] people who might not be best suited for an EV," Center told Automotive News. "Then you will get a certain percentage of people who are going to be dissatisfied with the EV experience, and that will damage that option going forward."

It's going to have to be worth it for new owners to take the EV experience seriously and have good things to to talk about with their peers. Higher gasoline prices, reliable battery performance and a plentiful charging infrastructure would help, but those three variables remain, to one degree or another, up in the air.

Will low EV prices bring in buyers who aren't ready for plug-in vehicles? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car shoppersearly adopterselectric car saleselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesev salesevshonda fit evnissan leafprice warsFri, 07 Jun 2013 13:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20602970/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20602970/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/07/will-low-ev-prices-bring-in-buyers-who-arent-ready-for-plug-in/20602970/article-detail.xml 20602970 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/2013-honda-fit-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/2013-honda-fit-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Florida repeals law requiring 10% ethanol blend in gasoline]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/florida-repeals-law-requiring-10-ethanol-blend-in-gasoline/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/florida-repeals-law-requiring-10-ethanol-blend-in-gasoline/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/florida-repeals-law-requiring-10-ethanol-blend-in-gasoline/#commentsFiled under: ,

e15 gasoline cap

It looks like ethanol - especially when blended into gasoline - is facing some pushback. Florida has decided to repeal its Renewable Fuel Standard, which had required all gasoline sold in the state to be blended with nine-to-10 percent ethanol or other alternative fuels.

Florida Governor Rick Scott just signed into law HB4001, which repeals the state's Renewable Fuel Standard as of July 1, 2013. The bill was passed by the Florida House and Senate in April. The Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act took effect December 31, 2011 and required all gasoline sold by terminal suppliers, importers, blenders or wholesalers (i.e., those up the supply chain) to be blended. These parties were also required to submit a monthly report to the Department of Revenue on the numbers of gallons of blended and unblended gasoline sold. Retail gas stations had not been expressly prohibited by state law from selling or offering unblended gasoline, Green Car Congress reports.

In his signing statement, Scott called the state's Renewable Fuel Standard, "a state mandate on Florida businesses that is duplicative of the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard and inconsistent with the efforts to reduce the regulatory burdens that have helped Florida create over 330,000 new private sector jobs in the past two years."

The state of Maine is going in a similar anti-ethanol direction. Legislators are concerned about the damaging impact ethanol blend going up to 15 percent in gasoline (E15) could have on engines and the environment. They approved a bill by more than a 3-to-1 margin that would ban ethanol blends in Maine, as long as two other nearby states do the same. State leaders also supported a resoltion asking the government to ban E15 altogether.

On the federal level, support is still there for E15 from the US Environmental Protection Agency. States are being slow about supporting the transition from E10 to E15, but Kansas and a few other states have adopted it. Bob Dineen, president and CEO of Renewable Fuels Association, says it's Big Oil that's attacking E15 and fulfillment of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard's targets for biofuels - just to sell more gasoline.

Florida repeals law requiring 10% ethanol blend in gasoline originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelsblende10e15ethanolethanol blendfloridarenewable fuel standardWed, 05 Jun 2013 13:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20597176/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20597176/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/05/florida-repeals-law-requiring-10-ethanol-blend-in-gasoline/20597176/article-detail.xml 20597176 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/e15_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/e15.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Honda joins H2USA to ready infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/honda-joins-h2usa-to-ready-infrastructure-for-hydrogen-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/honda-joins-h2usa-to-ready-infrastructure-for-hydrogen-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/06/05/honda-joins-h2usa-to-ready-infrastructure-for-hydrogen-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: ,

honda fcx clarity

Honda has joined up with industry colleagues and become a member of the H2USA partnership dedicated to the development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The US Department of Energy program was started up last month and includes Toyota, Mercedes, Hyundai, Nissan and other manufacturers, government agencies and suppliers.

H2USA is a public-private partnership focused primarily on advancing the hydrogen fueling infrastructure to make fuel cell electric vehicles more viable for US consumers. The automakers participating in the project are looking into the best ways to encourage adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles, plus solutions to make the hydrogen highway infrastructure more cost effective.

While its sales numbers have never hit the top of the charts, Honda was the first automaker to lease a modern fuel cell electric vehicle - the FCX Clarity - to US retail customers. With a new wave of H2 vehicles scheduled to arrive in the next few years, H2USA will support development of the hydrogen refueling infrastructure and leverage other hydrogen energy sources including natural gas and renewables, Steven Center, American Honda's vice president of environmental business development, said in a company statement.

Honda is one of a group of foreign automakers to become a member, with none of the Detroit 3 yet to join the partnership. General Motors has shown interest in fuel cell electric vehicles through its Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell SUV. Through Project Driveway, participants have put in a lot of miles behind the wheel and shared their experiences with GM's research project.

Honda joins H2USA to ready infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The dust is starting to settle for Coda Automotive as it wends its way through bankruptcy proceedings. While formal agreements needed to be submitted to the court for approval, the judge granted a request by the parties to sign final orders approving the failed electric carmaker's debtor financing and sale plans.

Coda's attorneys had met behind closed doors for several hours with creditors to resolve disputed issues. Attorneys for the US trustee and official creditors committee had argued in court papers that Coda's financing and sales plan was tipped in favor of a group of lenders led by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group. They didn't like the lead, or "stalking horse," bid of $25 million that the Fortress affiliate had placed. The stalking horse is also called a "credit bid" where a lender uses owed debt to buy a company's assets rather than cash. Judge Christopher Sontchi had expressed concerns about the company's bankruptcy plans at a hearing earlier in May. Sontchi said the changes made the documents more reasonable.

The judge also allowed $1.5 million to be set aside pay expenses of the creditors committee and to provide an initial dividend to unsecured creditors. This makes unsecured creditors able to share in any proceeds from lawsuits that might be filed later in connection to the bankruptcy.

This is the first potentially "good" thing to happen to Coda in a while. The automaker had to deal with US Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) Act proceedings. In addition, the bankruptcy court received a filing by the automaker to "conduct a voluntary recall of Coda Sedans to replace roof-mounted side curtain airbags." Another recall had taken place last August, when Coda recalled 78 of the 100 vehicles it sold due to improper installation of side-curtain airbags.

Coda bankruptcy moves forward, Fortress Investment Group bids $25 million originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stop-start battery systems continue to gain traction with automakers. The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) has now awarded a $2.28 million stop-start development contract to Leyden Energy Inc. of Fremont, CA. USABC is a consortium group made up of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors - and this award was also funded in part by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

The 16-month program will develop an advanced lithium-ion 12-volt start-stop battery system to meet or exceed the performance, life and cost targets set by USABC. Leyden Energy will design and develop the 12-volt using its own Li-imide chemistry. The project is co-funded by the DOE and includes a 50 percent cost-share by Leyden Energy.

This is the second USABC contract won by Leyden; previous research included a $117,733 contract for evaluation of its lithium-ion technology for EV applications in a pouch cell in relation to USABC EV battery goals.

USABC has a cooperative agreement with the DOE to "develop electrochemical energy storage technologies that support commercialization of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles," according its press release (see below). USABC seems to be confident in stop-start battery systems, as do other automakers. Lux Research thinks there will be eight million of these vehicles on North American roads by 2017. The fuel savings are excellent, offering an increase up to 12 percent; but AAA has found that drivers have concerns about the durability of engines that shut off and fire back up constantly during their daily trips.

Continue reading USABC awards Leyden $2.28 million contract for lithium ion stop-start battery

USABC awards Leyden $2.28 million contract for lithium ion stop-start battery originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 03 Jun 2013 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kurbwatt Electric Postal Van eBay listing

Here's a tough sell on eBay: an old electric postal delivery van that only gets eight miles of range. It could go up to 40 miles on a charge, but that would cost about $1,600 for a new battery on top of the $2,400 asking price.

The vehicle up for discussion is a Kurbwatt electric van, which runs on 14 six-volt, deep-cycle batteries that take all night to recharge at 220 volts. Its top speed is 55 miles per hour. Oh, and there's one more thing to consider: steering is on the right side and shifting is done with the left hand.

The seller's sons used to use the Kurbwatt to commute to high school - an 11-mile drive each way. They made this trip every day for years and found it to be reliable and required little maintenance. The kids also used the van to haul their rock and roll band gear - drums, amps, keyboards and guitars. The van also features an ancient swappable battery pack, which should make upgrading the pack easier than if it was all built in.

Originally built by Grumman, this Kurbwatt is one of 50 electric vans sold to the US Postal Service in Cupertino, CA, during the 1980s. There are three days left to bid, if a project car like this is up your alley.

Quirky Kurbwatt electric postal van from 1980s surfaces on eBay originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayelectric vanelectric vehiclesgrumman kurbwattkurbwattpostal delivery vanus postal serviceuspsSat, 01 Jun 2013 15:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20592245/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20592245/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/06/01/quirky-kurbwatt-electric-postal-van-from-1980s-surfaces-on-ebay/20592245/article-detail.xml 20592245 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grumman-kurbwatt-electric-postal-delivery-van_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/grumman-kurbwatt-electric-postal-delivery-van.jpg <![CDATA[World's first Tweet-powered car is Minddrive's 1967 Karmann Ghia EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/30/worlds-first-tweet-powered-car-is-minddrives-1967-karmann-ghia/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/30/worlds-first-tweet-powered-car-is-minddrives-1967-karmann-ghia/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/30/worlds-first-tweet-powered-car-is-minddrives-1967-karmann-ghia/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you think it's hard to find a plug for your electric vehicle, be glad you don't need to look for a Twitter friend every time you want to drive. But that's the restriction that a group of at-risk high school students built into their electric Kharmann Ghia as they attempt to drive from Kansas City to Washington, DC. The only way the car will move if is they kids gain followers and fans on social media. The team has attached Arduino electronics hardware to the electric vehicle drivetrain and programmed it to move the car forward only when people are Tweeting about it or sending other social media buzz.

The teens developed the electric 1967 VW Ghia as part of a Minddrive project, which was shown at the Kansas City International Autoshow in March. Minddrive says its teaching students how to use "social fuel" to get other people to support what they're doing. To move the car forward, followers are using the hashtag #MINDDRIVE or mentioning @minddriveorg on Twitter, Facebook likes and shares, Instagram follows and shares, and YouTube video plays, follows and shares.

As part of this year's Social Fuel Tour, Minddrive brought in digital marketing agency VML to work pro bono. Students are being taught how to get the word out about Minddrive and the program's corporate sponsors, and how to use social media in the work environment. Last year, a Minddrive student went on to work in social media outreach for the MLB All-Star Game.

With corporate sponsors having millions of connections on Twitter and Facebook, the electric Ghia should be able to glide right through to Washington, said Steve Rees, the programs director. The Karman Ghia is the third car electrified car in the Minddrive project - along with a 1977 Lotus Esprit and one built on the chassis of a converted Lola IndyCar.

World's first Tweet-powered car is Minddrive's 1967 Karmann Ghia EV originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 30 May 2013 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclekarman ghiaminddrivesocial mediatweetstwitterThu, 30 May 2013 19:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20587932/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20587932/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/30/worlds-first-tweet-powered-car-is-minddrives-1967-karmann-ghia/20587932/article-detail.xml 20587932 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/karman-ghia-electric_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/karman-ghia-electric.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Recargo, Xatori merge in one giant assist for plug-in vehicle drivers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/28/recargo-xatori-merge-in-one-giant-assist-for-plug-in-vehicle-dr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/28/recargo-xatori-merge-in-one-giant-assist-for-plug-in-vehicle-dr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/28/recargo-xatori-merge-in-one-giant-assist-for-plug-in-vehicle-dr/#commentsFiled under: ,



Two companies have announced a merger that should assist plug-in electric vehicle drivers around the US. EV mobile application developer Recargo, Inc., is merging with Xatori, Inc., creator of the popular PlugShare charging station finder.

Both companies have seen membership double this year, as more and more EV drivers out there access the companies' charging locator apps, Recargo Station Finder and PlugShare. The companies will now be combining their resources into a mega-directory with more than 20,000 EV charging stations under the PlugShare brand. It will also offer more than 30,000 station reviews and 14,000 photos to assist with navigation.

Recargo's Brian Kariger will remain as CEO of the company, and Forrest North, CEO of Xatori, will serve as COO. All current staff are staying on after the merger. The company will retain its offices in Venice, and Menlo Park, CA, to continue to attract and retain talent and clientele in what it calls "the hottest EV markets." More details are available below.

Continue reading Recargo, Xatori merge in one giant assist for plug-in vehicle drivers

Recargo, Xatori merge in one giant assist for plug-in vehicle drivers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 28 May 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationselectric vehiclesevsmobile appsplug-inplugsharerecargoTue, 28 May 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20584860/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20584860/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/28/recargo-xatori-merge-in-one-giant-assist-for-plug-in-vehicle-dr/20584860/article-detail.xml 20584860 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/recargo-charger-map_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/recargo-charger-map.jpg <![CDATA[Official: A123 Systems, now B456, wins court approval to exit bankruptcy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's official: A123 Systems Inc. is passing through its final phase. The bankrupt lithium ion battery maker, now going by the name B456 Systems Inc., has won court approval for its plan to exit bankruptcy that pays off creditors from proceeds gained by selling off virtually all of its assets.

Objections previously made by creditors had been resolved prior to the hearing where US Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey approved the company's plan. Creditors had voted "overwhelmingly in favor of the plan," Caroline Reckler, a lawyer for B456 Systems, told the Washington Post.

Now that the plan has been court approved, B456 expects to exit court protection in about three to four weeks. This will complete bankruptcy proceedings started by A123 last October, and which was the source of political jabs by then-presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The Republican candidate had condemned the Obama administration for failed attempts at financially supporting alternative-energy industries.

The A123 name was removed in bankruptcy proceedings, which was required by the court in order to be purchased by Chinese company Wanxiang. The changeover to the B456 corporate identity was made in March as part of a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission when the company declared that its old assets were liquidated. The good parts of the old A123 live on under Wanxiang's new A123 Venture Technologies division.

As the recovery plan was being executed, plug-in hybrid carmaker and former partner Fisker Automotive came to a settlement with former A123. Fisker agreed to reduce about $140 million in claims by 89 percent to $15 million.

A123 Systems, now B456, wins court approval to exit bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123a123 systemsb456bankruptcyfiskerli-ionlithium ionWed, 22 May 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20578981/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20578981/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/22/a123-systems-now-b456-wins-court-approval-to-exit-bankruptcy/20578981/article-detail.xml 20578981 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/a123-systems_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/a123-systems.jpg <![CDATA[Two Wheels: Charge electric motorcycle race documentary comes to theaters this week]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



For lovers of electric bike racing, director Mark Neale's documentary about the first-ever electric motorcycle competition that started on the Isle of Man TT course June 12, 2009, Charge, is now in theaters. The updated film chronicles racing teams preparing for the 2009 race, and their return in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The film was released for theater showings in 15 US markets on May 20. It's part of Cinedigms's new DOCUDRAMA film screening events. We've got the trailer, and a list of cities where the movie will be screened below. Charge is narrated by British film star and motorcycle enthusiast Ewan McGregor.

The trailer shows one of the longtime TT race fan who was deeply offended by the classic racetrack being switched over from the roaring motorbikes to quiet, hissing e-bikes. "This is the TT," he says in the video. "It's recognized throughout the world. They come to see our event race our motorbikes - not piss about on battery-powered scrap."

For fans of electric bike racing, it's a different story. A year after the start of e-bike racing in 2009, the 2010 TT Zero saw a huge leap in performance. "Proof that racing really does improve the breed and that maniacs on motorcycles can be a force for global good," according to the press release.

Continue reading Charge electric motorcycle race documentary comes to theaters this week

Charge electric motorcycle race documentary comes to theaters this week originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargee-bikeelectric motorcycleewan mcgregorisle of manisle of man ttmark nealett zeroTue, 21 May 2013 14:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576735/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576735/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/20576735/article-detail.xml 20576735 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/charge-movie-trailer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/charge-movie-trailer.jpg <![CDATA[Official: 2013 Ford Fusion Energi earns five-star safety rating from NHTSA]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-ford-fusion-energi-earns-five-star-safety-rating-from-nhtsa/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-ford-fusion-energi-earns-five-star-safety-rating-from-nhtsa/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/2013-ford-fusion-energi-earns-five-star-safety-rating-from-nhtsa/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ford fusion energi plug-in hybrid

The Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid has had a charmed life so far. Qualifying for California HOV lane status and getting impressive range and miles per gallon equivalent numbers are all bound to help its market image. Now, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi has earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score, the highest possible, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA tests measured vehicle performance and safety in frontal and side-impact crash test, along with resistance to rollovers. The plug-in hybrid follows the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which already received five-star safety ratings. Ford highlighted another safety perk in its press release (see below) - the Personal Safety System with safety belt technologies and advanced front impact airbags.

So far, the Ford Fusion Hybrid has sold ten times more units than the Fusion Energi. The April sales total for the Fusion Hybrid was 3,625 units sold versus 364 for the Fusion Energi. But it's still very early in the game, and the Fusion Hybrid has a potentially huge problem to deal with that could hurt sales.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Energi earns five-star safety rating from NHTSA

2013 Ford Fusion Energi earns five-star safety rating from NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 21 May 2013 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The automotive industry is getting more evidence that it's time to expand product offerings or switch over to another business. A new study by the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) says the "driving boom" is over. While Baby Boomers loved their cars, their kids - aka Gen Y or Millennials - have different idea.

From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year.

The numbers tell the story, and the total miles driven, per capita, in the US has been declining. While gasoline price spikes and the Great Recession play a role, the numbers have been dropping gradually since 2004. That marks the end of a 40-year driving boom that started up in 1964, according to the PIRG report. The number of miles driven by Americans increased each year an average of 2.5 percent per capita and 3.8 percent total during that time. From 2004 until 2012, the total miles traveled remained about the same, but the amount, per capita, decreased by one percent each year.

Urbanization appears to be causing some of the trend, and use of mass transit and carsharing has been increasing. On top of that, boomers are aging and will be driving less and Millenials don't like to drive as much. Automaker executives have been voicing concern that young people are much less interested in driving and owning cars then their predecessors. The PIRG report's authors are concerned that highway system authorities have been too focused on expanding the nation's roads rather than accurately gauging the landscape.

Another study shows young people not so keen on driving originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby boomerscar shoppersgenymillennialsyoung consumersSat, 18 May 2013 08:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20573135/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20573135/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/18/another-study-shows-young-people-not-so-keen-on-driving/20573135/article-detail.xml 20573135 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/young-motorists_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/young-motorists.jpg <![CDATA[Official: Ford hit with another lawsuit over C-Max, Fusion Hybrid mpg claims]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/ford-hit-with-another-mpg-lawsuit-claim/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/ford-hit-with-another-mpg-lawsuit-claim/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/ford-hit-with-another-mpg-lawsuit-claim/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ford c-max

Ford is waiting to see if it will be facing several class action lawsuits over its mileage ratings - three of which were filed in late April. Suits filed in federal courthouses in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California claim Ford is overstating the average mileage ratings for its 2013 Ford C-Max and Fusion Hybrids.

Marianne Cibeu, a Massachusetts resident, filed for a federal class action lawsuit claiming she's only getting 32 miles per gallon in her Ford C-Max hybrid despite the EPA/Ford rating of 47 mpg. As you can see in the complaint filed in a US District Court, the suit is asking for $5 million in damages for Cibeu and all Massachusetts buyers of 2013 C-Max and Fusion hybrids.

"Plaintiffs purchased a Fusion Hybrid or C-Max Hybrid, only to be stuck with under-performing, less valuable vehicles that inflict higher fuel costs on their owners."

In California, two law firms combined their cases against Ford for making "false and misleading" claims. When we first reported on the case, back in December, there were reportedly hundreds of C-Max and Fusion Hybrid owners who'd joining the lawsuit. Not much later, Consumer Reports conducted extensive tests for both hybrids and found their performance to be significantly worse than the US Environmental Protection Agency mileage ratings. A similar case has been filed in US District Court in Philadelphia. "Plaintiffs are some of the tens of thousands of consumers who purchased a Fusion Hybrid or C-Max Hybrid, only to be stuck with under-performing, less valuable vehicles that inflict higher fuel costs on their owners," according to the complaint.

So far, the wave of lawsuits hasn't hurt sales of the C-Max or Fusion Hybrid, though it's still early in the legal battle. The EPA, which determines (sort of) the mileage numbers Ford and other automakers put on window stickers, says that it's confident the ratings of both Ford vehicles are sound but will review them. Both Ford and the EPA have emphasized real-world mileage results are completely dependent on how the driver operates the vehicle. That hasn't gone over well with people filing class action lawsuits.

Ford hit with another lawsuit over C-Max, Fusion Hybrid mpg claims originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 17 May 2013 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>47 mpgc-maxclass actionfordfusion hybridlawsuitmileagempgFri, 17 May 2013 17:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574111/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574111/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/ford-hit-with-another-mpg-lawsuit-claim/20574111/article-detail.xml 20574111 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid.jpg <![CDATA[Read This: A family's 10-year history with a 2003 first-gen Toyota Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Toyota Prius has put in its time as the benchmark for hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles on American roads. For Scott Burns, it's put in time as a family car as well, and one he's been incredibly happy with.

Burns, writing in the Houston Chronicle, says owning a 2003 first-generation Toyota Prius for the past 10 years has been smooth. (The larger, iconic second-edition Prius was launched as a 2004 model a few months after he purchased his). He calls it "a practical companion," and notes that even after 115,000 miles on the odometer, the metallic green Prius will live on with his 16 year-old granddaughter.

The Prius has only needed one expensive repair. It's been trouble-free over the years and has handled whatever road conditions it's been subjected to. While naysayers have voiced worries about the life of the Prius battery, the pack is still going strong. He's met several other Prius owners who've never replaced the battery and put a lot more miles on it.

While the second- and third-generation Priuses are known for getting 45-to-50 miles per gallon, his car averaged about 43 mpg. He estimates saving about 1,000 gallons of gasoline in the Prius compared to a comparable size non-hybrid, saving about $3,300 in the past decade.

Ten years later, Burns notes there are a lot of appealing hybrids on the market today, such as the Ford C-Max, which is larger and more fun to drive than a Prius. There's also a lot of high-mileage, cheaper small cars out there - which have become the Prius' strongest competitor. The Burns family is buying a new Honda Fit Sport model. It may not get 40-plus mpg, but at $20,000 it costs about $10,000 less than most hybrids - and he figures that will buy a lot of gasoline. Read his whole article here.

A family's 10-year history with a 2003 first-gen Toyota Prius originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 17 May 2013 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-gen priushybridmpgsmall cartoyota priusFri, 17 May 2013 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/20572714/article-detail.xml 20572714 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius.jpg <![CDATA[XL Hybrids, Knapheide will offer aftermarket systems for commercial fleets]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/xl-hybrids-knapheide-offer-aftermarket-systems-commercial-fleets/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/xl-hybrids-knapheide-offer-aftermarket-systems-commercial-fleets/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/xl-hybrids-knapheide-offer-aftermarket-systems-commercial-fleets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hybrid electric vehicles are gaining appeal for fleets of all types as more models make it to showrooms bearing a variety of price tags. Even commercial fleets are finding more available products, from pickups and vans to medium-duty trucks. Now, there's a new option.

XL Hybrids, Inc., and the Knapheide Manufacturing Company announced an agreement for installation and distribution of XL Hybrids' low-cost hybrid electric powertrains, which are designed for class 1 to 3 commercial fleet vehicles. Knapheide is a longstanding commercial vehicle equipment provider in North America, and provides fleets with other alternative fuel vehicle choices.

The announcement was made at the 2014 GM Fleet and Commerical Product Preview, where the companies displayed a hybrid Chevrolet Express cargo van upfitted with XL Hyrids' powertrain system at Knapheide's booth. XL Hybrids' technology will be installed by Knapheide through its existing ship-through process, offering fleets a one-stop purchase, upfit, delivery and invoice experience. Nationwide delivery of converted hybrid 2014 Chevy Express and GMC Savana vans will start Aug. 1. 2013. XL Hybrids and Knapheide are also available for installation on what the press release refers to as "bailment pool vehicles," or as a retrofit for 2010 to 2013 GM cargo vans. Read it below for more details.

Continue reading XL Hybrids, Knapheide will offer aftermarket systems for commercial fleets

XL Hybrids, Knapheide will offer aftermarket systems for commercial fleets originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 16 May 2013 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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