AutoblogGreen

Fisker reaches out to Middle East; DOE reaches for loan consultant

Danny King — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:52:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, Africa, USA, Middle East, Fisker

Fisker Automotive may not exactly be chummy with the U.S. federal government these days, but at least it's getting some love from the Middle East.

The California-based extended-range plug-in vehicle maker reached an agreement with Al-Futtaim Group to distribute its cars throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Al-Futtaim sells Lexus, Volvo, Jeep, Toyota and other vehicles throughout the Middle East. The distributor will open a Fisker dealership in Dubai this year.

As for the U.S. government, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which has $193 million in loans out to Fisker, is working with Los Angeles-based investment bank and restructuring expert Houlihan Lokey to keep tabs of Fisker's attempts to raise its own cash, Bloomberg Businessweek reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the situation.

The DOE, in an e-mail to Bloomberg, copped to hiring consultants to tracking companies that have received its loans, but didn't specifically comment on Fisker. The DOE, which slated $529 million in loans for Fisker, froze the credit line after distributing less than $200 million because of production delays related to the Fisker Karma. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and John Thune (R-SD) are among the members of Congress that have questioned the DOE's decision to grant a loan to Fisker.

Last week, ex-Fisker Chairman Ray Lane went as far as blaming Mitt Romney for the loan-distribution issues, saying that the Republican presidential candidate is using the issue for political gain. Meanwhile, Fisker is still deciding on whether it will use a former General Motors plant in Delaware to build its upcoming Atlantic (formerly Project Nina) sedan.

Continue reading Fisker reaches out to Middle East; DOE reaches for loan consultant

Fisker reaches out to Middle East; DOE reaches for loan consultant originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Leaf headed to South Africa in 2013

Eric Loveday — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:42:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Africa

It's official. Nissan will launch the Leaf in South Africa "as soon as conditions allow."

While addressing attendees at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show, Pierre Loing, Nissan's vice-president of product and strategy, told showgoers that the success of the award-winning Leaf has paved the way for acceptance of electric vehicle technology.

Following recent discussions with South Africa's government, Nissan now intends to release the Leaf there, possibly within the next two years. Nissan South Africa managing director Mike Whitfield stated:

We intend to bring the Leaf to South Africa in 2013, subject to confirmation of government policy on charging infrastructure and customer incentives. There is more work to do before we can confirm its launch in South Africa but this underline both Nissan's, and this country's, commitment to delivering a more sustainable future for road transport.

The moral of this story seems awful similar to that "Field of Dreams" flick: If you build the infrastructure, the Leaf will come.

Nissan Leaf headed to South Africa in 2013 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Petrobras drillship attacked by pirates off coast of Africa

Eric Loveday — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:46:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Africa

Pirates? Terrorists? You make the call.

gCaptain reports that just months after arriving on location, the Petrobras-owned Ocean Rig Poseidon was recently attacked while drilling for oil off the coast of Tanzania, Africa.

Officially, Tanzania's Registrar of Ships released this statement:

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has received reports of an attack on an exploration vessel known as the Ocean Rig Poseidon.

According to gCaptain, seven pirates aboard a small boat attacked the massive drillship with "weapons." Poseidon's security personnel, along with the Tanzanian Navy, responded by returning fire. The pirates were reportedly subdued and arrested on the spot. The attack came less than a week after Shell agreed to purchase a 50-percent share of the wells drilled by the Poseidon crew.

Taking control of the ship and seeking ransom was the likely goal of the pirates, but heightened security off Tanzania's coast meant that the seven individuals aboard the boat stood little chance of accomplishing their risky, unlawful task. You see, the Tanzanian government escorts vessels that request security while exploring for oil in or near its water and Poseidon seems to be one of the vessels that takes to the seas with a military escort. Looks like drilling for oil off Africa's coast is a bit riskier than some might've thought.

Petrobras drillship attacked by pirates off coast of Africa originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nigeria bans two-stroke engines, adopts Euro II emissions standards from 1996

Eric Loveday — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:09:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Legislation and Policy, Africa

It may not be on most people's news radar, but the West African nation of Nigeria has a problem with the effects of roadside pollution. As Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria has its share of smog-filled cities, congested roads and aging vehicles. In an effort to clear the air, Nigeria will, effective December 1, 2012, require all vehicles sold within the country to meet Euro II emissions standards, according to Nigeria's National Automotive Council (NAC).

Aminu Jalal, director-general of the council, says Euro II standards will apply to vehicles manufactured in Nigeria, as well as to all imported automobiles. Additionally, Jalal says that no manufacturer or importer shall be allowed to assemble a vehicle that makes use of two-stroke engine. We'd assume this two-stroke stipulation doesn't apply to scooters and motorcycles.

Euro II was implemented back in 1996, so Nigeria is most certainly behind the times. Come January 2015, Nigeria will adopt the slightly more stringent Euro III standards, which went into effect in Europe in 2000. Given the choice between dated emissions standards and Nigeria's current, non-existent guidelines, we know which ones we'd choose.

Nigeria bans two-stroke engines, adopts Euro II emissions standards from 1996 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Libyan rebels claim Gaddafi's all-electric Fiat 500 as prize

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Africa

Libyan leader (ex-leader?) Muammar Qaddafi apparently had some unusual items in his personal collection. Rebel forces stormed his compound this week, and we now know he had a scrapbook dedicated to former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, lots of weapons and, oddly, a doorless, all-electric Fiat 500 (similar to the model shown above).

According to Corriere Della Sera (Google translated version), Qaddafi had "many" electric cars, and the Fiat 500 was converted to battery power in 2009 by Castagna of Milan, Italy. Aside from the powertrain swap - giving the 500 a 34 kW electric motor with two "mammoth" batteries that offer a range of 260 km (160 miles) - the "mysterious client" who ordered the car demanded:

"Interior cream with green trim, sandy-colored soft top, green and gold bodywork. ... on the left upright, a back-lit image of the Lion of the Desert, on the A-pillar on the right, a circle with the symbolic representation of the Libyan society. On the nose, instead of the Fiat brand, a logo with the black silhouette of Africa, with Libya highlighted in green [Note: this translation has been slightly edited].

Sounds intense, so it must have given the anti-Qaddafi forces quite a thrill to drag the 100,000-euro custom ($144,000 USD) through the streets as a spoil of war. Corriere Della Sera hints that this particular car might live a nice second life - once it's repainted. Check out pics of the actual car being pushed through Libyan streets at the link below.

Libyan rebels claim Gaddafi's all-electric Fiat 500 as prize originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Gulf oil spill looks small when compared to what Shell's done to Nigeria

Mark Sumner — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Green Culture, Africa

BP's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year has moved off the front pages in most of the nation, though the damage done to the environment and economy of the Gulf region is far from repaired. However, at least that spill once had some attention from the nation and the world.

In the waters off Nigeria, Shell Oil has been drilling and extracting oil for decades, and over much of that period there have been sizable spills from both platforms and tankers. According to an article at Caradisiac, these spills have been especially large and damaging in the last few years. So much so, that it would now take an estimated 30 years to clean up the area.

The consequences are obviously tragic for the people of the region where the ecosystem has been devastated. The residents of the area, mostly fishermen, have seen their livelihoods disappear and their groundwater contaminated. UNEP, the United Nations program for the environment, estimates that 7,000 oil leaks totaling 13 million barrels of oil have occurred in the area since extraction began in 1989. UNEP has also estimated that Shell and other oil companies working in the area have polluted 1,000 square kilometers of land and that the level of oil in the water is now 1,000 times greater than that recommended by the Nigerian government.

A spill is a spill is a spill, and every one should get attention and be cleaned up, no matter where they are in the world.

The Gulf oil spill looks small when compared to what Shell's done to Nigeria originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kenya eliminates import duty on battery-powered vehicles

Eric Loveday — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, Africa

Kenya, of all places, is looking to get in on the plug-in vehicle action by eliminating import duties on battery-powered vehicles. With Somalia to its east, Ethiopia to its north, Uganda to its west and Tanzania to it south - and bordered by the Indian Ocean to the southeast and situated near the equator - Kenya might not be the first nation that comes to mind when you think of plug-in vehicles, but finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta feels confident that the African country is ready to dump the pump and pick up the plug. Kenyatta announced that:

We need to encourage usage of environmentally-friendly vehicles to reduce carbon emission and noise pollution. In this regard battery operated vehicles will be duty exempt.

In Kenya, duty usually accounts for a significant portion of a vehicles destination costs, with actual rates determined by depreciation. With battery-powered vehicles now exempt from import duties, the question is whether there's a market for electric autos in Kenya, the world's forty-seventh largest country.

[Source: Business Daily Africa | Image: eguidetravel - C.C. License 2.0]

Kenya eliminates import duty on battery-powered vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards $1.5M for human waste-to-biodiesel project

Eric Loveday — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:52:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Africa

Converting human waste into useable fuel is not a breakthrough idea. In fact, it's been done for years. However, here's a new twist: in the capital city of Ghana, Accra, Colombia University professor Kartik Chandran will make biodiesel and methane from human waste using his self-developed "Next-Generation Urban Sanitation Facility" (not pictured).

Chandran's idea is rather simple: provide local African communities with access to affordable fuels while eliminating the potentially negative public health impact of improperly treated waste.

The Columbia University professor's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recently, Chandran was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Though $1.5 million probably ain't enough, it's a start.

[Source: Biofuels Digest]

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards $1.5M for human waste-to-biodiesel project originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saudi Arabia increases oil output to compensate for shortage from Libya

Eric Loveday — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:49:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Africa, Middle East

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Saudi Arabia has boosted its oil output to compensate for shortages in global crude supply caused by the unrest in Libya. Reports confirm that Saudi officials have met with European refiners to discuss the amount of oil required to fill the shortfall, estimated to be 1.2 million barrels of oil per day. An IEA spokesman released a statement claiming that there's "every indication that increased volumes are now being made available to the market".

Prior to the onset of the Libyan protests, Saudi Arabia claimed it retains sufficient spare oil capacity to crank out four million barrels of crude per day. Not everyone is certain this capacity actually exists, but Ali Naimi, the nation's oil minister, made it known that Saudi Arabia is standing by to use this excess capacity:

We have done this so many times, responding to emerging crises on the side of supply. We have enough credence to tell you that we will meet any shortage. I want this to be transmitted to the markets so people can sleep tonight.

Oil crisis averted... at least for now.

[Source: Financial Times | Image: nestor galina - C.C. License 2.0]

Saudi Arabia increases oil output to compensate for shortage from Libya originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diane Rehm talks oil prices, Middle East unrest and plug-in cars

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Legislation and Policy, Africa, Middle East

If you're interested in hearing how the turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East is connected to the recent spike in gas prices, we hope you've got an hour to spare. That's how long it'll take to listen to today's Diane Rehm Show, which is a great "where are we now" piece on a lot of the factors that connect the demonstrators in Libya with Saudi Arabia, the U.S. gas tax with biofuels and more.

Some callers to Rehm's radio program wondered why the price can climb so quickly when there's trouble somewhere (man-made or natural), but the gist of the wide-ranging answer is that the future is uncertain, and that's what is causing gas prices to climb. The U.S. average today is $3.189 a gallon, up almost a nickel from last week.

Rehm's panel this morning included author and Foreign Policy contributing editor Steve LeVine, the Center for American Progress' vice-president for energy policy, Kate Gordon, and Lucian (Lou) Pugliaresi, the president of the Energy Policy Research Foundation (EPRINC). It's kind of interesting to hear Publiaresi play Wormtongue to the oil industry's Saruman throughout the discussion but we expect most readers to disagree with his proposals. Click here to listen to the broadcast. We think you'll be happy you did.

[Source: The Diane Rehm Show]

Diane Rehm talks oil prices, Middle East unrest and plug-in cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Optimal Energy conducting real-world tests of four Joule EVs

Eric Loveday — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa

Joule EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Optimal Energy, the South African-based company behind the funky five-seat Joule electric vehicle (EV), is reporting that real-world testing of four of its battery-powered minivans has officially commenced. The Joule, first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and initially expected to launch in 2010, has been delayed until late 2013 - at least progress is being made.

Delivery of the first four Joule EVs, hand-built in Port Elizabeth by Hi-Tech Automotive, occurred earlier this week. The four battery-powered MPVs will be placed into Optimal Energy's marketing and evaluation fleet and will partake in a nationwide tour in 2011. Optimal Energy plans to drive each of the four vehicles on public roads for at least 62,000 miles before evaluating their performance and making modifications prior to its scheduled launch. The Joule is claimed to scamper to 37 miles per hour in less than five seconds and top out at 87 mph. In addition to those specs, the production Joule will supposedly offer:

A range of 230 kilometers (143 miles) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or 300 km (186 miles) using the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), integration with existing charging infrastructure, a genuine freeway cruising capability, seating for five, a 5-star NCAP safety rating and a retail price that will place Joule in a competitive position in the C-segment of the automotive market.

Gallery: Optimal Energy Joule

[Source: Optimal Energy]

Continue reading Optimal Energy conducting real-world tests of four Joule EVs

Optimal Energy conducting real-world tests of four Joule EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ethiopia gets geared up for biodiesel

Eric Loveday — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Africa

Challenged by fluctuating oil prices and stricken with poverty, Ethiopia is searching for a way to boost the nation's economical situation and perk up the country's poor living conditions. Some Ethiopian leaders believe that the solution lies in renewable fuels.

Statistics show that Ethiopia spends Birr 10 billion ($800 million U.S. at the current exchange rate) to import petroleum a year. This astounding figure represents nearly 90 percent of the earnings that the country makes each year in foreign trade. By cutting its dependency on foreign oil, Ethiopia could perhaps keep some of the money inside the country and prosper.

In an effort to reduce this crude dependency, the Ethiopian government and its many developmental partners have begun planting crops for use in biodiesel production. Due to Ethiopia's arid conditions, growers have turned to non-traditional biodiesel plants like castor seeds and jatropha curcas and have found that there are more than 25 million hectares of land in Ethiopia that are suitable for these two types of biodiesel crops. If the land is fully exploited, Ethiopia could become the largest biodiesel producer in the world, cranking out 20 million liters of biofuel per year. That will undoubted bring its own share of problems, but that's a problem for another time.

[Source: Renewable Energy World | Image: sashafatcat - C.C. License 2.0]

Ethiopia gets geared up for biodiesel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joule EV update: prototype phase complete, production vehicles coming in 2014

Eric Loveday — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, Africa

Joule EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Optimal Energy, the South African-based company behind the ~~six~~- five-seat Joule electric vehicle (EV), reports that its funky, battery-powered minivan is now one step closer to reaching production-ready status. The Joule, first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and initially expected to launch in 2010, is now scheduled to reach full-scale production status in late 2013, with vehicles arriving in showrooms by early 2014. That's quite a delay, even for the EV industry.

Optimal Energy confirmed that the Joule has undergone prototype testing and that production of a small marketing fleet is currently underway. Additionally, the company has modified the Joule's spec sheet and updated its design goals to reflect these changes. The production Joule will now offer:

A range of 230 kilometers (143 miles) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or 300 km (186 miles) using the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), integration with existing charging infrastructure, a genuine freeway cruising capability, seating for five, a 5-star NCAP safety rating and a retail price that will place Joule in a competitive position in the C-segment of the automotive market.

Hit the jump for more on the status of Optimal Energy's Joule EV.

Gallery: Optimal Energy Joule

[Source: Optimal Energy]

Continue reading Joule EV update: prototype phase complete, production vehicles coming in 2014

Joule EV update: prototype phase complete, production vehicles coming in 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solaris Elettra sparks electric car interest in Ethiopia

Domenick Yoney — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa

Ethiopia may not spring immediately to mind as the most likely market for electric vehicles - its electricity system is not wholly reliable - but that is not stopping Freestyle PLC from building the Solaris Elettra at its facility in Legetafo, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Already in the solar business for 15 years, the firm feels that the East African country's hydro power development will make it a natural for this technology. Operating under the slogan, "From a green country to a green world," Freestyle envisions eventually exporting the car to other countries in the region.

The car itself is being assembled from parts sourced from China, Korea and Singapore and looks like, well, let's just say it looks like what's in the picture. With a top speed of 80 kilometers an hour (50 miles per hour) it wouldn't be a threat to a Tesla at a stop light either, though that is not really the point of the vehicle. More important is the price, which will be somewhere between $13,000 and $15,000 depending on the specific model chosen. The government may drop an import fee which would bring the cost closer to the $10,000 mark for the 5.0 model and the company is considering a credit system to help make it more attainable. It is said they are producing six vehicles a week but should be able to bump that production up to 30 in a few months. There does seem to be some amount of interest in the vehicle, despite the lack of a proper website. It can quietly boast its own fan page on Facebook. Hit the jump for video of local news coverage featuring ~~high amperage action~~ some shots of the Elettra in motion.

[Source: BBC / The Reporter]

Continue reading Solaris Elettra sparks electric car interest in Ethiopia

Solaris Elettra sparks electric car interest in Ethiopia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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South African Joule "may miss the boat" thanks to production delay

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:15:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa

The latest on South Africa's entry into the electric car field - the Joule - is that the vehicle's multi-year delay in production might cause it to "miss the boat" in having an impact on the country's place in the new green car universe.

To recap, the Joule was first revealed to the world in 2008 at the Paris Motor Show, with production predicted for the end of 2010. The company behind the Joule (in our head, we spell it "jewel"), Optima Energy, is now predicting full-scale production will start at the end of 2012, even though 100 units will be road tested during the World Cup this June.

KPMG director and automotive industry specialist Gavin Maile told the Weekend Post that the project is taking "too long," and that, "When first announced, the Joule had the capability to be a world leader and it is also known that the government is very keen to have a South African-built electric car." This world leader bit is not looking very likely any more, Maile said, but we'll be happy when the Joule sees the light of day anyway.

For more on what the Joule is/could be, see this.

[Source: Weekend Post]

South African Joule "may miss the boat" thanks to production delay originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joule EV update: first vehicles coming in 2010, full production by 2012

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa

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 AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Egypt converting motorcycles to natural gas

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST

Filed under: Natural Gas, On Two Wheels, Africa

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 AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World financial mess slowing South African electric car plans

Domenick Yoney — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Africa

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 AutoblogGreen on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New mileage record for the Peugeot 308: 69.15 mpg

Xavier Navarro — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:16:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Peugeot, Africa

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 AutoblogGreen on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Optimal Energy shows off their Joule on new website

Domenick Yoney — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Africa

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 AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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