Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Joule EV update: first vehicles coming in 2010, full production by 2012]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/joule-ev-update-first-vehicles-coming-in-2012-full-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/joule-ev-update-first-vehicles-coming-in-2012-full-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/joule-ev-update-first-vehicles-coming-in-2012-full-production/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for a gallery of the Optimal Joule

Optimal Energy, the outfit behind the six-seat Joule electric vehicle, is taking the next step towards producing the space age minivan in South Africa. First introduced at the Paris Motor Show, the practical Joule is on target for a debut on South African streets next year thanks to funding that was secured by Optimal to build the car there (specific details on the plant will be announced later this year). The money is coming from private and public sources, and full volume production - 50,000 units a year, most for export - is planned for 2012. The plan is for the li-ion Joule to be offered with either an asynchronous permanent magnet motor powering the front wheels or asynchronous permanent magnet in-wheel motors for either rear or four-wheel drive. Batteries will be leased. Range should be about 250 miles, but that will change based on the battery configuration the buyer chooses. A 120-mile pack should cost around $160 U.S. a month, says Green Car Congress.

Gallery: Optimal Energy Joule


[Source: Optimal Energy via Green Car Congress]

Joule EV update: first vehicles coming in 2010, full production by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Jouleoptimal electrical vehicleoptimal energyOptimal Energy Jouleoptimal jouleOptimalElectricalVehicleOptimalEnergyOptimalEnergyJouleOptimalJoulesouth africaSouthAfricaMon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Egypt converting motorcycles to natural gas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/15/egypt-converting-motorcycles-to-natural-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/15/egypt-converting-motorcycles-to-natural-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/15/egypt-converting-motorcycles-to-natural-gas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



On many roads of the world, motorcycles greatly outnumber cars and a good deal of those two-wheelers use old 2-stroke technology, which is almost always significantly dirtier than newer 4-stroke engine designs. Count Egypt among those locations, with an estimated 300,000 2-strokers running down busy metropolitan streets, belching out plenty of oil-filled blue smoke along the way. Naturally, this is a problem, so Industry Canada and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency have jointly started a $1.4 million project to retrofit these motorcycles to run on natural gas.

A Canadian company called Yugo-Tech (no, not that Yugo) and the Egyptian Light Transportation Manufacturing Company have created the necessary technology to make these conversions a reality, using numerous sensors and computers to precisely meter the operation of the older engines. Compressed natural gas burns significantly cleaner than gasoline and the Egyptian authorities hope that this will be a first step toward introducing much more stringent emissions regulations in the country.

[Source: The New Cafe Racer Society]

Egypt converting motorcycles to natural gas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cngcng egyptcng motorcycleCngEgyptCngMotorcyclecompressed natural gasCompressedNaturalGasnatural gas egyptNaturalGasEgyptMon, 15 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[World financial mess slowing South African electric car plans]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/world-financial-mess-slowing-south-african-electric-car-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/world-financial-mess-slowing-south-african-electric-car-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/world-financial-mess-slowing-south-african-electric-car-plans/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The credit crunch is not only playing havoc with plans at Tesla and other green (or not) car companies. Indeed, the effects of the financial crises are global and so it comes as little surprise that Optimal Energy, the South African company that recently showed off it's all-electric Joule at the Paris Motor Show, is now saying that they expect their car to take a little longer to bring into existence than first suggested. The companys need about $130 million to build an assembly plant and that kind of investment capitol is a little harder to come by than it was even a few months ago.

The CEO of the private company, Kobus Meiring, is optimistic sounding about the future though. He says that although the timing of their launch with the collapse of the market was unfortunate, he feels his company has the kind of value a savvy investor should be attracted to. In his words, "In a sense the market is good and bad. Its bad because a lot of the discretionary part of funds have disappeared and funds have to regroup, but its good ... if you are looking for a real-value proposition. From that point of view we will attract investors," He says they will need to eventually produce 20,000 cars a year to be viable and expects 80 per cent of that production to be shipped overseas. He wants to be in full-volume production by 2015 and has €25,000 ($32,235) as a target for the price tag for the six-seater.

[Source: Guardian]

World financial mess slowing South African electric car plans originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>investmentJouleKobus MeiringKobusMeiringmanufacturing plantManufacturingPlantOptimal EnergyOptimalEnergyThu, 06 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST<![CDATA[New mileage record for the Peugeot 308: 69.15 mpg]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/new-mileage-record-for-the-peugeot-308-69-15-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/new-mileage-record-for-the-peugeot-308-69-15-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/new-mileage-record-for-the-peugeot-308-69-15-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Not satisfied to show off its hypermiling credentials in Australia and the UK, Peugeot is showing off that its compact 308 HDI can spot great mileage in South Africa. A 308 participated in the Coast2Coast challenge running 1689.7 km from the East Coast city of Kleinzee to the West Coast city of Umhlanga - on a single tank. The average fuel consumption of the car was just 3.4 liters for every 100 km. That translates to 69.15 mpg U.S. The model was a standard 1.6-liter 110 hp model fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter and Peugeot's automatic double clutch gearbox, named EGS6. Standard emissions from this car are 120 g/km of CO2, so it's got that going for it. If you think that proving 308's efficiency required an expense and polluting event, well, at least the Challenge Coast2Coast decided to offset its emissions by planting trees in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.

Gallery: Peugeot 308



[Source: Auto News, Auto World]

New mileage record for the Peugeot 308: 69.15 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengecoast2coastdpfEGS6hypermilingsouth-africaThu, 30 Oct 2008 19:16:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Optimal Energy shows off their Joule on new website]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/video-optimal-energy-shows-off-their-joule-on-new-website/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/video-optimal-energy-shows-off-their-joule-on-new-website/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/video-optimal-energy-shows-off-their-joule-on-new-website/#commentsFiled under: ,



Even though word slipped out early about their upcoming all-electric car appearing at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Optimal Energy played its cards pretty close to its chest and kept their web presence on the down low. Now that the world has been officially introduced to the MPV-sized Joule, the South African company has completely redone its website so we can now better examine their creation and learn more of its features. They have also released video of the car's presentation to a select audience in South Africa that preceded its European debut, complete with short speeches and lots of footage covering every angle of the six-seater.

So, what interesting information might be gleaned from the new website that we haven't already learned? Well, besides pics and short bios of the top folks at the 70-strong-and-growing company, we found some juicy technical details about the car itself. For instance, it will have two available powertrains. One follows the more traditional approach and features an asynchronous permanent magnet motor powering the front wheels through an 8:1 reduction gearbox. The other option moves the motors into the wheels themselves and so can allow for rear or four wheel drive. Sounds good, no? Now if only there was an American auto-maker currently without any EV plans who might be able to speed this cars arrival to the American market. Video after the jump.

Gallery: Optimal Energy Joule



[Source: Optimal Energy]

Continue reading VIDEO: Optimal Energy shows off their Joule on new website

VIDEO: Optimal Energy shows off their Joule on new website originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric MPVElectricMpvJouleMPVOptimal EnergyOptimalEnergySouth AfricaSouthAfricaWed, 08 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Preview: South African Joule electric MPV to debut]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-preview-south-african-joule-electric-mpv-to-debut/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-preview-south-african-joule-electric-mpv-to-debut/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/paris-preview-south-african-joule-electric-mpv-to-debut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The first images of the Joule from Optimal Energy have now turned up on the interwebs. The Joule will be officially unveiled this week in Paris at the Motor Show. The six-seat hatchback stores energy in a lithium ion battery pack that can nominally propel it for about 120 miles. A second pack can be added that doubles the range. The plan is to eventually offer packs from a number of suppliers with different characteristics. This would allow drivers to opt for longer range or more performance. South Africa-based Optimal Energy is still looking for a site for its factory and the city of Gauteng is said to be in the lead. The car is expected to be available toward the end of 2010. Thanks to Matt for the tip!

[Source: CarToday]

Paris Preview: South African Joule electric MPV to debut originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jouleoptimal energyOptimalEnergyparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowWed, 01 Oct 2008 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Preview: Joule from Optimal Energy sure to dazzle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/paris-preview-joule-from-optimal-energy-sure-to-dazzle/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/paris-preview-joule-from-optimal-energy-sure-to-dazzle/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/paris-preview-joule-from-optimal-energy-sure-to-dazzle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Optimal Energy is the latest company to announce that they are unveiling a new electric car at the Paris Motor Show this year and it's one that should definitely impress. Coming all the way from South Africa, the Joule may very well be the world's most practical electric car to date as well as one of the more stylish. Although it has been shown to a handful of journalists there haven't yet been any published photos but it has been described as "an uncluttered mix of a Renault Scenic and a Citroen Picasso." The Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, had a chance to drive it last week and he called it "simply gorgeous." If that's not convincing enough, consider that the designer of this compact 6-seater is Keith Helfet who, while he worked for Jaguar, impressed many sets of eyes with the XJ220 and the F-Type Concept.

Of course, when it comes to all-electric cars, the range is of utmost importance and the head of the company, Kobus Meiring, has said that two lithium ion battery packs will move the Joule for 400 km (248 miles). Plugged into a 220 volt power source, a full charge is achievable in 7 hours. The body, said to be a mix of plastic and composites, sits on a steel space frame and is described as spacious and versatile. It has taken the company over two years to reach this point and it hopes to begin production by the end of 2010. If they can achieve the targeted retail price of R200,000 ($24,618), they should have a real winner on their hands. We'll be watching.

*Update: The 7 hour charge time given is for a single battery configuration.

[Source: IOL]

Paris Preview: Joule from Optimal Energy sure to dazzle originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Paris Auto Show2008 Paris Motor Show2008ParisAutoShow2008ParisMotorShowelectric carElectricCarJouleKeith HelfetKeithHelfetKobus MeiringKobusMeiringOptimal EnergyOptimalEnergyParisParis 2008Paris Auto ShowParis Motor ShowParis2008ParisAutoShowParisMotorShowSouth AficaSouthAficaThe JouleTheJouleMon, 15 Sep 2008 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[The top five upcoming green events, number three: The Great Race]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/the-top-five-upcoming-green-events-number-three-the-great-race/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/the-top-five-upcoming-green-events-number-three-the-great-race/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/the-top-five-upcoming-green-events-number-three-the-great-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Although The Great Race has been postponed due to the recall of travel permits through China, the show will go on. According to the official website, "Great Race Sports owners, executives and participants are dedicated to honoring the history of this illustrious race." We think that the race, assuming it does take place, could gather a great deal of attention the world over. We've been keeping an eye on the race with posts on the E85-powered 1967 Aston Martin DB6 that will take part and other ethanol participants. This bears watching.

Vroom on to Number 2.

The top five upcoming green events, number three: The Great Race originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>great racegreat-raceGreatRacethe great racethe-great-raceTheGreatRaceTue, 22 Apr 2008 15:36:00 EST<![CDATA[The ten cheapest cars in the world - #7 - Tata Indica]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/the-ten-cheapest-cars-in-the-world-7-tata-indica/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/the-ten-cheapest-cars-in-the-world-7-tata-indica/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/the-ten-cheapest-cars-in-the-world-7-tata-indica/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Tata Indica: India. $8,500.

The Indica has always been the ugly duckling in the European market, where it survives because there's nothing cheaper available (well, the latest Fiat 600 can sometimes be found for under 6,000 EUR). The car is also sold in South Africa, where it's a huge success.

The Indica is driven by a 1.2-liter engine or a Xeta 1.4-liter I4, good 70 HP, or a 1.3-liter DICOR diesel (newer versions will be sourced from Fiat). You can even get an Indica converted to run on Compressed Natural Gas. Sadly, The Indica doesn't have many good green credentials. The most popular option, the Xeta 1.4 version, has decent-but-not-great mileage, delivering 33 mpg in mixed cycle and 23.5 mpg in city usage. Tata claims that the Indica models produce 158 g/km (diesel) and 167 g/km (gasoline) of CO2.

Gallery: Tata Indica


Ready to move on? Return to the list of the cheapest cars in the world.

The ten cheapest cars in the world - #7 - Tata Indica originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dicorindicatatatata-indicaxetaMon, 03 Mar 2008 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Dutch Kia buyers can offset their vehicles through African jatropha biodiesel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/dutch-kia-buyers-can-offset-their-vehicles-through-african-jatro/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/dutch-kia-buyers-can-offset-their-vehicles-through-african-jatro/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/dutch-kia-buyers-can-offset-their-vehicles-through-african-jatro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Let's set this story up by placing the players on a map. First, Kia, which is a South Korean automobile company. Secong, Mali, which is a country in Africa. Third, Kia Netherlands, which sells the Korean cars in Holland.

Now that we're clear on who's where, here's the story: According to AfricaNews, Kia Netherlands is offering new car buyers a chance to purchase carbon offsets by funding biodiesel production in Mali. New Kia buyers in the Netherlands can calculate their annual CO2 emissions and donate money (between 15 and 65 Euros) to a Dutch charity, Trees for Travel, which will then plant, among other things, jatropha plants in Mali. The oil from the jatropha seeds is then processed into biodiesel and distributed locally. It may take a global network to organize this scheme, but on the face of it, it makes a lot of sense.

[Source: AfricaNews]

Dutch Kia buyers can offset their vehicles through African jatropha biodiesel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaafrica-biodieselbiodieselbiodiesel-kiakia-malikia-netherlandsmalimali-biodieselmali-netherlandsTue, 19 Feb 2008 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Guinea Bissau's excess military staff will grow crops, produce ethanol]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/guinea-bissaus-excess-military-staff-will-grow-crops-produce-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/guinea-bissaus-excess-military-staff-will-grow-crops-produce-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/guinea-bissaus-excess-military-staff-will-grow-crops-produce-e/#commentsFiled under: ,



I'm pretty sure this is AutoblogGreen's first story about Guinea Bissau, the small west African country. An official in that country's Defense Ministry said last week that Guinea Bissau Armed Forces has a plan to make ethanol "within a few years" through a military program. In the short posting of this news over on Macauhub there is no mention of the feedstock that the ethanol will be made from. Instead, the article mentions why the military would be involved in growing crops for biofuel: too many members of the armed forces. The Guinea Bissau military apparently has 3,000 too many staff that can be ordered to grow fuel (and raise cattle). The Defense Ministry's production, modernization and social action department is responsible for the program.

[Source: Macauhub]

Guinea Bissau's excess military staff will grow crops, produce ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaafrica-biofuelafrica-ethanolarmed-forces-ethanolguinea-bissauguinea-bissau-ethanolmacauhubmilitary-ethanolTue, 05 Feb 2008 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi will test High Performance Clean Diesel engines in Dakar 2009]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/mitsubishi-will-test-high-performance-clean-diesel-engines-in-da/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/mitsubishi-will-test-high-performance-clean-diesel-engines-in-da/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/10/mitsubishi-will-test-high-performance-clean-diesel-engines-in-da/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The 2009 Dakar race will be the longest ever, so having an improved and powerful diesel under the hood is something Mitsubishi is probably quite happy to have. That these new diesel powerplants are also being called "clean diesels" is something the rest of us can cheer.

Mitsubishi announced today that the"High Performance Clean Diesel" engines will be used in improved versions of the Pajero Evolution used in the 2008 Dakar event. Mitsubishi CEO Osama Masuko is looking to extend Mitsubishi's string of victories, but VW is just one of the competitors that isn't going to let them win easily. Mitsubishi car buyers might be the real winners here, because Masuko also "announced that the event will be providing essential technical feedback for the all-new range of high performance clean diesel engines, which have been confirmed will make their debut at the Dakar in 2009," according to the press release pasted after the jump.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution at Dakar


Related:
[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi will test High Performance Clean Diesel engines in Dakar 2009

Mitsubishi will test High Performance Clean Diesel engines in Dakar 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mitsubishi-dakarmitsubishi-dakar-pajeromitsubishi-dieselpajero-evolutionpajero-evolution-dakarpajero-evolution-dieselMon, 10 Dec 2007 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[VW tackle longest ever Dakar Rally with 4 Race Touareg 2 TDIs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/vw-tackle-longest-ever-dakar-rally-with-4-race-touareg-2-tdis/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/vw-tackle-longest-ever-dakar-rally-with-4-race-touareg-2-tdis/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/12/02/vw-tackle-longest-ever-dakar-rally-with-4-race-touareg-2-tdis/#commentsFiled under: , ,



January 2008 will mark the thirtieth running of the Dakar Rally in which competitors spend sixteen days racing thousands of miles across the Sahara. The course has been lengthened 3564 miles this time and Volkswagen is set to take another shot at beating the Mitsubishi Pajeros. The Mitsubishis have won nine of the last eleven races including all of the last seven. VW will be continuing their commitment to diesel engines in racing with the factory team entering four Race Touareg 2 TDIs. While the production Touaregs use a 3.0L V-6 TDI, the race version uses a 2.5L inline-five that puts out 285 hp in the 2007 race. The 2008 race starts on January 5.

[Source: Motoring.co.za, via GermanCarBlog, thanks to Christian for the tip]

VW tackle longest ever Dakar Rally with 4 Race Touareg 2 TDIs originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dakardakar-rallytouaregvw-race-touareg-2-tdiSun, 02 Dec 2007 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Zimbabwe opens first biofuel production facility]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/zimbabwe-opens-first-biofuel-production-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/zimbabwe-opens-first-biofuel-production-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/20/zimbabwe-opens-first-biofuel-production-facility/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Zimbabwe has opened the first biodiesel plant in its territory. Considered the fifth largest one in the world, the plant was built in Transload, 15 km north of the capital Harare. The capital came from a joint venture of Zimbabwean and South-Korean companies and is expected to produce about 100 million liters of biodiesel per year from wheat, soy and sun-flower seeds.

It is expected that this plant will help the country save $80 million in imported oil. Something very necessary for a country which is currently under international sanctions against president Robert Mugabe.

[Source: Afrol news]

Zimbabwe opens first biofuel production facility originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselbiodiesel-zimbabwemugabezimbabweTue, 20 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST