AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/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/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Tessa Baughman didn't exactly set any speed records on a recent visit to her Arkansas family from Michigan, unless you factor in the time saved on not filling up a few times.

The energy engineer for the Chevy Cruze Diesel, interviewed in a short General Motors video (available below), said she was able to go 900 miles on a single tank during the first leg of the drive. The catch is that she drove "five below speed limit" the whole way down, but she certainly more than backed up the EPA's Cruze Diesel fuel-economy rating of 46 miles per gallon, the best of any non-hybrid vehicle. Heck, that's a well-north-of-50 mpg pace for the model, which comes equipped with low rolling-resistance tires, a six-speed automatic transmission, tire deflectors and other fuel-saving features.

Baughman went at a slightly brisker pace on the way back, i.e. with the flow of traffic, but was still able to wring 800 miles between fill-ups. We're guessing there were no speeding tickets involved, either.

Continue reading Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel

Chevy engineer squeezes 900 miles from one tank in 2014 Cruze Diesel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkansaschevrolet cruzechevrolet cruze dieseldieselfull tankmpgtessa baughmanTue, 14 May 2013 07:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20567242/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/chevy-engineer-squeezes-900-miles-one-tank-2014-cruze-diesel/20567242/article-detail.xml 20567242 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/cruzediesel-1368480064.jpg <![CDATA[GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 chevy cruze

As if one of the world's largest automakers needed additional advertisement, General Motors now is getting big-time support from biodiesel advocates for being the first US automaker to have made one of its light-duty models be able to run on diesel with a 20 percent biodiesel mix, i.e. B20. The National Biodiesel Board calls GM "proactive and progressive" for making its 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel B20-ready. Biodiesel Magazine even goes so far as to instruct its readers to "tell GM thanks."

Marking a long-awaited return to diesel powertrains for its cars, GM said last month that the Chevy Cruze Diesel would get an EPA-rated 46 miles per gallon highway, the best of "any non-hybrid passenger car in America." GM says the car will be able to go as far as 700 miles on a tank. Another way to look at that number is up to 140 biodiesel miles per tank.

GM 'thanked' by biodiesel groups for making the Cruze Diesel B20-ready originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselchevroletchevycruzedieselgeneral motorsgmSun, 12 May 2013 09:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564254/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/gm-thanked-by-biodiesel-groups-for-making-the-cruze-diesel-b20/20564254/article-detail.xml 20564254 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-chicago.jpg <![CDATA[Next-gen Chevy Volt could be $10,000 cheaper]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Volt

A sub-$30,000 Chevrolet Volt? General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says that could be in the making within a year, Car and Driver reports.

Akerson, speaking recently at a green-technology conference in California, said the company may be able to shave as much as $10,000 off the sticker price of the next-generation version of the extended-range plug-in. He also said the car, which loses GM money each time one is sold, could be profitable at that price.

At just shy of $30,000, the newer Volt would be in the price range of the Nissan Leaf and plug-in Toyota Prius and Ford C-Max models. Akerson said GM was getting better at pulling weight out of the Volt but didn't give much as far as additional specifics. This isn't the first time we've heard the next-generation PHEV will be a better deal. In January, GM North America President Mark Reuss said the company would cut "thousands of dollars" off the Volt's sticker price for the model's next generation, citing improvements in the model's electric motor and battery pack.

Through April, Volt sales were up 3.2 percent from a year earlier to 5,550 units after selling almost 23,500 vehicles in 2012. Sales of the Leaf, which underwent its own price cut for 2013, have more than doubled from a year earlier to 5,476 units.

Next-gen Chevy Volt could be $10,000 cheaper originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevy voltdan akersonelectric vehiclegeneral motorsplug-in hybridpricevoltWed, 08 May 2013 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562581/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562581/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/next-gen-chevy-volt-could-be-10-000-cheaper/20562581/article-detail.xml 20562581 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/volt.jpg <![CDATA[GM signs Ceres declaration, says 'responding to climate change is good business']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-signs-ceres-declaration-responding-climate-change/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-signs-ceres-declaration-responding-climate-change/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/gm-signs-ceres-declaration-responding-climate-change/#commentsFiled under: , ,

climate declaration

General Motors has signed on to the Ceres "Climate Declaration," which is dedicated to stopping - and therefore acknowledges - climate change. While other major corporations like Starbucks, Ikea, Intel and eBay also signed on, GM is the only automaker so far to do so.

The signing took place at the Ceres Conference in San Francisco, and was organized by sustainability advocacy group Ceres and its Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP) coalition. Signers of the declaration are calling on policymakers to deal with climate change by promoting clean energy, energy efficiency and limiting carbon emissions.

Climate change tends to go through periods of public support, followed soon by waning interest. The petition does not in any way say that humans are responsible for climate change. Last year, GM got into trouble for funding the climate-change-denying Heartland Institute. Owner revolt ended that.

GM has worked with Ceres for more than two decades to refine its sustainability strategies. Ceres has been pushing for its mission of reducing climate change while building economic opportunities and job creation. In 2011, the group supported the strong 54.5 mpg by 2025 federal mandate, and actually wanted the limit to be set even higher.

Continue reading GM signs Ceres declaration, says 'responding to climate change is good business'

GM signs Ceres declaration, says 'responding to climate change is good business' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 May 2013 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceresclimate changeenergy efficiencygeneral motorsgmsustainabilityThu, 02 May 2013 15:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20555396/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20555396/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/gm-signs-ceres-declaration-responding-climate-change/20555396/article-detail.xml 20555396 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climate-declaration-ceres-gm_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/climate-declaration-ceres-gm.png <![CDATA[Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Astute readers and Tesla Motors took issue with a line from a General Motors press release yesterday that claimed the start of electric motor production for the Chevy Spark EV made GM the "first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in United States." The question was whether or not Tesla, which builds the Model S in California, isn't already doing exactly that.

So we asked GM, which told AutoblogGreen that, "from our understanding Tesla does not 'wind' their own motors. 'Wind' is a verb that has a broad meaning synonymous with 'build' since the winding processes are the most capital- and process-intensive part of motor making, whether it is round wire (like theirs) or square wire like ours ('winding' for us means all the wire forming, wire insertion, twist, and welding are done at the same facility)."

In response, Tesla told AutoblogGreen: "We manufacture all parts of Model S motors here at the factory in Fremont, California. We have a winding line at the factory where we wind our own stators off of spools. We also manufacture the rotors and other components to the unit."

This all might be a bit of a semantic disagreement, but it is nice to see automakers fighting over the rights to say they were first in this particular aspect of electric vehicle manufacturing. It also makes us smile that the two companies involved both have "Motors" in their names, so maybe it's a point of pride. Now, if anyone wants to look into the history books and see how EV motors were made in the early 20th Century, we assume neither GM and Tesla could lay claim to being "first."

Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/20543943/article-detail.xml 20543943 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire.jpg <![CDATA[GM's Opel may add electric side to diesel engines]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


General Motors' Opel division is confident that its slate of diesel engines will allow it to meet stricter European emissions standards set for 2020. As for the even stricter ones expected in 2025? Not so much.

Stop us if you've heard this before, but that's why Opel says it will consider adding hybrid-electric options to some of its diesel powertrains in the next few years, Automotive News says, citing an interview with General Motors executive Pierpaolo Antonioli. As it is, Opel is upgrading 80 percent of its engine inventory during the next three years to meet the fleetwide European requirements of a 130 grams per kilometer emissions limit for 2015. Opel's next engine to debut is a 1.6-liter diesel coming to the Zafira Tourer minivan later this year.

By going diesel-electric, Opel would be joining a number of automakers. Mitsubishi debuted a diesel-hybrid pickup truck concept at the Geneva Motor Show in February and Volvo started selling its V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel in November. Peugeot has been selling its diesel-hybrid 3008 HYbrid4 in Europe since 2011.

GM's Opel may add electric side to diesel engines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselelectricemissionseueuropeeuropean uniongeneral motorshybridopelplug-invauxhallMon, 15 Apr 2013 17:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539339/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539339/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/gms-opel-may-add-electric-side-to-diesel-engines/20539339/article-detail.xml 20539339 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/opel-logo-new_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/opel-logo-new.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Chevy Volt available in two new colors, Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/#commentsFiled under: , ,



General Motors is adding two rather businesslike color choices for potential buyers of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in: Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic.

Chevy will offer the two new colors on the 2014 model-year Volt, which folks can start ordering next month. The addition brings Volt's color total to nine, including Black, Crystal Red, Summit White, White Diamond Tricoat, Blue Topaz Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic and Silver Topaz Metallic. We forgive you if you lost interest there, since they all kind of sound the same. Except Black. That's nice and straightforward.

Last week, Chevy said that its Volt fleet collectively surpassed 150 million electric miles. During the first quarter, GM sold 8,244 Volts during the first quarter, up 8.4 percent from a year earlier. Volt sales tripled last year.

2014 Chevy Volt available in two new colors, Brownstone Metallic and Ashen Gray Metallic originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy voltcolorgeneral motorspaintplug-in hybridvoltTue, 09 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534227/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534227/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/2014-chevy-volt-two-new-colors-brownstone-ashen/20534227/article-detail.xml 20534227 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-volt-brownstone-metallic-ashen_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-volt-brownstone-metallic-ashen.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet says those on-board gas-powered generators in the Volt extended-range plug-ins are getting kind of lonely.

The General Motors division estimates that Volt owners have collectively passed the 150-million-mile point when it comes to driving on electric power. That's roughly the distance from Earth to Mars (provided that the Volts could fly) or, back on planet Earth, 60 million really quiet laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in case anyone was curious. Chevy says the typical Volt driver goes about 900 miles between fill-ups, saving about $1,300 a year in refueling costs.

Through the first quarter of 2013, US Volt sales were up 8.4 percent to 8,244 units. Last year, Volt sales tripled from their 2011 levels to about 23,500 vehicles. Check out Chevy's press release below.

Continue reading Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles

Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>150 million mileschevychevy voltelectricextended-rangeplug-in hybridFri, 05 Apr 2013 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530287/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20530287/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/chevy-volt-fleet-racks-up-150-million-electric-powered-miles/20530287/article-detail.xml 20530287 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volt-1365092539_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/volt-1365092539.jpg <![CDATA[Mascoma backs away from IPO plans]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/mascoma-backs-away-from-ipo-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/mascoma-backs-away-from-ipo-plans/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/31/mascoma-backs-away-from-ipo-plans/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Mascoma, a cellulosic ethanol maker, has been working on gaining capital investment from just about every funding source out there. But now it looks like the attempts to go public and raise $100 million have been pulled off the market.

Gigaom's Katie Fehrenbacher had been puzzled that a company with weak financials - including 86 percent of its revenue coming from government grants - filed to launch an initial public offering. That happened about a year and a half ago but the effort never made it to the stock market.

The other 14 percent of Mascoma's revenue came from selling its next-generation yeast to corn ethanol makers to cut their costs. Mascoma has wanted to go in a different direction - producing next-generation cellulosic ethanol from plant waste and not corn, with the waste coming from wood waste in a Michigan factory.

The company said it was "market conditions" that made it withdraw the public offering.

The Mascoma stock market launch was waiting in the wings until this month, when the company quietly withdrew its IPO plan. The company said it was "market conditions" that made it withdraw the public offering, even though, as Fehrenbacher writes, macro IPO conditions seem a little bit better this year than in 2012.

Another confusing pre-IPO action was Mascoma raising a few million dollars in debt during two rounds over the past six months. That didn't make a lot of sense for a company preparing to go public. Government grants have taken a bigger slice of the pie since the initial filing a year and a half ago. Its latest revenue numbers, from a year ago, said that government grants and awards made 93 percent of its revenue - up seven percent since its initial filing six months earlier.

Mascoma was founded in 2005 by Dartmouth professor Lee Rybeck Lynd. Since that time, company management has secured government funds and at least over $100 million from private capital firms and corporations including Khosla Ventures, SunOpta, GM and Marathon Oil (General Motors took an equity stake in Mascoma in 2008). The US Department of Energy awarded it $80 million, though its not clear if all the funds came through. The state of Michigan offered the company a $20-million grant to build its factory in Michigan.

Advanced biofuels has been a very tough business to break into, and other companies have failed in taking cellulosic ethanol to scale.

Mascoma backs away from IPO plans originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 31 Mar 2013 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelscellulosic ethanolgovernment grantsinitial public offeringipomascomastock marketingstock offeringSun, 31 Mar 2013 08:46:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522626/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522626/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/31/mascoma-backs-away-from-ipo-plans/20522626/article-detail.xml 20522626 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/waste-wood_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/waste-wood.jpg <![CDATA[Q&A: Larry Nitz says GM "committed to electrification as a long-term journey"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/qanda-larry-nitz-says-gm-committed-to-electrification-as-a-long/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/qanda-larry-nitz-says-gm-committed-to-electrification-as-a-long/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/11/qanda-larry-nitz-says-gm-committed-to-electrification-as-a-long/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Buick Regal eAssist

larry nitzAnyone who still doesn't believe that General Motors is serious about advanced technology in general, and vehicle electrification in particular, hasn't yet learned that post-bankruptcy GM is a very different company run by different people with a different set of priorities, most of which we would all applaud. One clear sign of this was the company's offering of a long list of key executives, including top technology leaders, for media interviews during January's Detroit Auto Show.

"I hope that we can look back at the Volt in 20 years as the inflection point where we started this journey."

While it's typical for automakers to put sales, marketing and (sometimes) design execs out there, if anyone else sent its top technology types out for media grilling at Detroit this year, I was unaware of it. And that is why I had the opportunity to interview both GM chief technology officer John Lauckner and global electrification director Larry Nitz. I began by asking Nitz about the cost vs. benefit of GM's mild-hybrid eAssist system standard on the mid-size Buick Regal and available on the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu.

Continue reading Q&A: Larry Nitz says GM "committed to electrification as a long-term journey"

Q&A: Larry Nitz says GM "committed to electrification as a long-term journey" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroleteassistelectric vehicleelrgeneral motorsgmlarry nitzplug-in hybridvoltMon, 11 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20497409/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20497409/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/11/qanda-larry-nitz-says-gm-committed-to-electrification-as-a-long/20497409/article-detail.xml 20497409 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2012-buick-regal-eassist-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2012-buick-regal-eassist-628.jpg <![CDATA[GM CEO Akerson confirms 200-mile EV in the works, says death of the V8 "greatly exaggerated"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2014 chevy spark ev

General Motors isn't talking about how far the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV can go before it needs a charge, but par for the course for today's electric vehicles i2 around 70-100 miles. GM CEO Dan Akerson today confirmed that the company is working on a 200-mile EV (perhaps a Spark, perhaps not) during a speech at the IHS Ceraweek conference in Houston. According to Bloomberg, he said, GM is "running a dual play" with EV technology to develop both a 100-mile and a 200-mile EV.

Akerson also pushed for a coordinated public-private effort to invoke an energy policy that will broaden natural-gas use, reduce foreign oil dependency and greenhouse-gas emissions, and provide cleaner water and more affordable energy to US citizens. Akerson also promoted quality improvements in the company's smaller cars as well as the cost benefits of natural gas and fuel-economy improvements in GM's larger engines.

"I believe the President should immediately appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to develop a 30-year energy policy framework."

"I believe the President should immediately appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to develop a 30-year energy policy framework," Akerson said in prepared remarks. What that actually means is anyone's guess, but at least Akerson insisted that the policy be required to hit certain "checkpoints" every five years.

Akerson, whose company's small-car sales have surge on a broader product line and higher gas prices, allowed that GM's early efforts in that arena were less than successful.

"It's no secret that our small cars back then weren't built to the standards of our other vehicles," he said. "Mercifully, those vehicles have since been recycled into Energy Star refrigerators and other useful goods."

"Mercifully, those vehicles have since been recycled into Energy Star refrigerators and other useful goods."

Akerson also spoke positively about broader adoption of natural gas use among fleet operators, estimating that "a typical Class 8 operator" may save as much as $3,500 in monthly refueling costs by switching to liquefied natural gas (LNG). He also said that GM's vaunted V8 engines will remain relevant because of fuel-efficiency gains, noting that "the death of the V8 engine has been greatly exaggerated."

Additionally, Akerson reiterated his claim from November that GM will have a half-million electrified vehicles, which is about equal to all registered vehicles in Vermont, on US roads by 2017.

GM CEO Akerson confirms 200-mile EV in the works, says death of the V8 "greatly exaggerated" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletdan akersonelectric vehiclegeneral motorsgmhoustonihskeynoteplug-in hybridvoltThu, 07 Mar 2013 19:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491155/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491155/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/07/gm-ceo-akerson-confirms-200-mile-ev-in-the-works-says-death-of/20491155/article-detail.xml 20491155 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/chevy-spark-ev-action-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2011 cadillac elr concept

john lauckner gmJohn Lauckner, one of the masterminds behind General Motors' breakthrough Chevrolet Volt EREV, has a full bag of big responsibilities these days that he calls the "technology trifecta." First, he is GM's chief technology officer. Second, he's R&D vice president. Third, as if those two jobs were not enough, he's president of GM Ventures, the company's venture capital subsidiary. "Basically," he says, "I'm deeply involved in technology."

I caught up with him for a brief chat at the Detroit North American International Auto Show in January and started with the same big question I've asked a lot of industry executives lately:

ABG: How will GM, or any full-line manufacturer, meet future Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates, and California's ZEV mandate? You will be required to sell increasing numbers of zero-emission EVs and other electrified vehicles regardless of consumer demand for them?

JL: We're going to have to schedule some invention. If you look at the technology we're working with today, you have one view of what's possible. But the technology is rapidly changing, so we focus on five areas where we think important breakthroughs will likely occur:
  • One, automotive clean tech and propulsion-related technologies. That means batteries. motors, power electronics, emissions control devices and fuel economy technologies.
  • Two, connected vehicles and infotainment, where information and entertainment intersect.
  • Three, advanced materials - lightweight, eco-friendly and space-change materials, and forming technologies - the kinds of materials that cars and trucks of the future will be made of.
  • Four, sensors, processors, and memory. There is a lot of capability that more advanced sensors, processors and memory will let us unlock.
  • And five, manufacturing-related technologies.

"Within the fuel-economy regulations, there is a "check-up" in 2017."

Those are not the only areas where we will see new technology, but those are the ones where we believe that having a competitive advantage will probably drive longer-term and more sustainable benefits. Also, within the fuel-economy regulations, there is a "check-up" in 2017, where we will see where we are and figure out what that means for the regulations in place for beyond that time.

Continue reading Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer

Q&A: John Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476398/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476398/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/qanda-john-lauckner-general-motors-chief-technology-officer/20476398/article-detail.xml 20476398 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2011-cadillac-elr-628.jpg <![CDATA[PSA Peugeot Citroen, Bosch working on compressed-air, battery-free hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/26/psa-peugeot-citroen-bosch-compressed-air-battery-free-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/26/psa-peugeot-citroen-bosch-compressed-air-battery-free-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/26/psa-peugeot-citroen-bosch-compressed-air-battery-free-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PSA Hybrid Air

Nike single-handedly popularized the term "swoosh." If a new and unexpected project works out as planned, PSA Peugeot Citroen might do the same with "whoosh."

PSA Peugeot Citroen is working on a drivetrain that would hybridize a conventional engine with compressed air in one of the automaker's B-segment compact hatchbacks. The vehicle, which could go into production as soon as 2016, would include a hydraulic pump that allows the car to run in all-gasoline, all-air or combined (aka "hybrid air") modes. The system, which is being developed with Bosch, could offer more than 80 miles per gallon (on the more lenient European driving cycle) without the need for a big hybrid battery. PSA Peugeot Citroen is ultimately looking to develop an air hybrid that would get 118 miles per gallon.

Additionally, a PSA Peugeot Citroen spokesman tells Automotive News that General Motors may use the air hybrid system as well. Early last year, GM acquired a seven-percent stake in PSA Peugeot Citroen as part of an agreement in which the two companies plan to share vehicle platforms and components. PSA Peugeot Citroen's press release is available below.

Other air cars (not hybrids like this one) have been tried before, but the promises we heard about those didn't always turn out.

Continue reading PSA Peugeot Citroen, Bosch working on compressed-air, battery-free hybrid

PSA Peugeot Citroen, Bosch working on compressed-air, battery-free hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 26 Jan 2013 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air carcompressed airgeneral motorsgmhybridhybrid airhydraulicpsa peugeot citroenSat, 26 Jan 2013 17:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20438551/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20438551/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/26/psa-peugeot-citroen-bosch-compressed-air-battery-free-hybrid/20438551/article-detail.xml 20438551 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/psa-hybrid-air-2-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/psa-hybrid-air-2-628.jpg <![CDATA[With Chevy Silverado, GM promotes low cost-of-ownership instead of high MPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/chevy-silverado-gm-promotes-low-cost-of-ownership-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/chevy-silverado-gm-promotes-low-cost-of-ownership-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/chevy-silverado-gm-promotes-low-cost-of-ownership-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2014 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ - front three-quarter view

General Motors has a couple of problems to deal with: a glut of pickups on dealer lots and the inability to claim best-in-class fuel economy for its usually strong-selling Chevrolet Silverado pickup. In light of the situation, GM's marketing message has transmuted into something else: "hey, at least they're cheap to own."

Recent Chevrolet TV commercials have been sending the message that the Silverado offers the lowest total cost of ownership for full-sized pickup trucks, citing a 2012 Vincentric study that ranked the cost of ownership for 2,400 US model configurations. Vincentric analyzes average transaction price, maintenance costs, depreciation and other factors.

The nationwide cost of ownership campaign was just started, GM North America President Mark Reuss said in an interview. "Inside of that is maintenance and real-world fuel economy," he said.

Real-world fuel economy is not the same as best-in-class fuel economy. GM has been watching its rivals boast about fuel economy achievements including the re-engineered 2013 Ram 1500 pickup getting best-in-class 25 mpg on the highway. Ford has been singing accolades about its F-150 offering both high towing capability and low fuel efficiency powered by the truck's EcoBoost V-6 engine.

For the automakers, making fuel economy improvements to trucks and large sedans plays a significant role in meeting federal mpg standards, especially if they're selling a lot of them. While upgrading high-mileage car like the Toyota Prius to 60 mpg from 50 won't matter too much in a driver's annual fuel bill, increasing a pickup truck with mileage in the low 20s by two or three mpgs per year can make a real difference.

With Chevy Silverado, GM promotes low cost-of-ownership instead of high MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletcost of ownershipecoboostfuel economyfuel efficiencygasoline pricesmpgsilveradovincentricThu, 17 Jan 2013 10:24:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428399/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20428399/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/17/chevy-silverado-gm-promotes-low-cost-of-ownership-mpg/20428399/article-detail.xml 20428399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2014-chevrolet-silverado-ltz-1358269461_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2014-chevrolet-silverado-ltz-1358269461.jpg <![CDATA[Bob Lutz: Volt plug-in powertrain should have gone into Escalade first]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/bob-lutz-volt-plug-in-powertrain-should-have-gone-into-escalade/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/bob-lutz-volt-plug-in-powertrain-should-have-gone-into-escalade/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/bob-lutz-volt-plug-in-powertrain-should-have-gone-into-escalade/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Now he tells us. Bob Lutz, who helped spearhead the development of the Chevrolet Volt at General Motors, told UK's Autocar that the Volt's extended-range plug-in powertrain would've been better developed for full-size SUV than a smaller-sized car because of the greater opportunity to cut fuel use compared to gas-guzzling models like the Cadillac Escalade.

Lutz figures prospective customers would be more wiling to pay the plug-in premium if the model in question was an SUV rather than a small-to-mid-sized car because of the greater potential for savings. Despite the actions that he took in the development of the Volt, he now says that he would've first designed an extended-range powertrain for a model like the Escalade before making the powertrain available in smaller vehicles.

Lutz is currently drumming up support for automotive startup Via Motors. This week, Lutz and Via presented three converted GM models at the Detroit Auto Show, including a pickup truck, a SUV and a van. Via, which is expected to price the models at between $70,000 and $80,000, estimates that it will produce 2,700 units in 2013 and about 20,000 in 2014.

Bob Lutz: Volt plug-in powertrain should have gone into Escalade first originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzchevroletelectric vehicleerevescaladeextended rangegeneral motorsgmplug-in hybridsuburbanvia motorsvoltvoltecWed, 16 Jan 2013 19:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430298/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20430298/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/16/bob-lutz-volt-plug-in-powertrain-should-have-gone-into-escalade/20430298/article-detail.xml 20430298 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/cadillac-escalade-hybrid-platinum.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt sales jump to 2,633; Nissan Leaf steady at 1,489]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/chevy-volt-sales-jump-to-2-633-nissan-leaf-steady-at-1-489/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/chevy-volt-sales-jump-to-2-633-nissan-leaf-steady-at-1-489/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/03/chevy-volt-sales-jump-to-2-633-nissan-leaf-steady-at-1-489/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chevy volt nissan leaf mashup

It wasn't the best Chevrolet Volt sales month ever, but GM's plug-in hybrid climbed out of the November slump of 1,519 sales back up to 2,633 sales in December. The record for most Volt sales in a month thus remains with October 2012 and 2,961 sold. For the year, Chevy sold a total of 23,461 Volts, way up from the 7,671 sold in 2011.

The other long-timer we've been tracking, the Nissan Leaf, sold 1,489 units in December. That's roughly in line with the last few months, when it sold 1,579 units in October and 1,539 in November. In all of 2012, Nissan sold 9,819 Leafs.

As always, we'll have our more details report on December's green car sales, and the final 2012 numbers, up soon.

Continue reading Chevy Volt sales jump to 2,633; Nissan Leaf steady at 1,489

Chevy Volt sales jump to 2,633; Nissan Leaf steady at 1,489 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleleafleaf salesnissanplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesThu, 03 Jan 2013 12:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20416180/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20416180/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/03/chevy-volt-sales-jump-to-2-633-nissan-leaf-steady-at-1-489/20416180/article-detail.xml 20416180 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volt-leaf_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/volt-leaf.jpg <![CDATA[Vauxhall Ampera gets 'love it or return it' offer in UK]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/vauxhall-ampera-gets-love-it-or-return-it-offer-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/vauxhall-ampera-gets-love-it-or-return-it-offer-in-uk/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/vauxhall-ampera-gets-love-it-or-return-it-offer-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vauxhall Ampera

General Motors' Vauxhall division in the UK is looking to spur sales of the Chevrolet Volt sister vehicle by giving prospective buyers a chance to drive the extended-range plug-in for 30 days - then return it if they don't like it.

Vauxhall is offering a 30-day holiday-themed "satisfaction guarantee" on the Ampera. Within that time period, drivers can return the car with "no questions asked." Vauxhall continues to promote the car's 50-mile all-electric range and its 360-mile electric+gas range as well as the fact that the plug-in is exempt from London's congestion fees. Vauxhall also offers a 100,000-mile warranty on the car's components plus an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the battery.

In March, the Ampera won the European Car of the Year Award along with the Volt. Check out Vauxhall's press release below.

Continue reading Vauxhall Ampera gets 'love it or return it' offer in UK

Vauxhall Ampera gets 'love it or return it' offer in UK originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>30-dayamperachevroletgeneral motorsgmguaranteeplug-in hybridukvauxhallvoltThu, 20 Dec 2012 15:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20407881/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20407881/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/20/vauxhall-ampera-gets-love-it-or-return-it-offer-in-uk/20407881/article-detail.xml 20407881 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/vauxhall_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/vauxhall.jpg <![CDATA[Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/affordable-lead-acid-electric-vehicle-advanced-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/affordable-lead-acid-electric-vehicle-advanced-batteries/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/10/affordable-lead-acid-electric-vehicle-advanced-batteries/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Why Not Improve The Cheap Chemistry?



When General Motors launched its pioneering two-seat EV1 in 1997, its batteries were "advanced" lead acid (PbA). That means they were big, heavy, had low energy density and a limited life. But it was the best available chemistry at the time. That first EV1's T-shaped pack of 27 PbA modules weighed nearly 1200 pounds and stored the energy equivalent of a half-gallon of gas. The fact that you could coax 50-70 miles of (warm-weather, flat-road) range out of that tiny amount of on-board energy was a testament to the extreme efficiency of that car.

Then, by working hard with Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) developer Ovonic Battery Co., GM was able to offer an optional NiMH pack for the '99 EV1. Roughly the same size and weight as the PbA pack, it required the addition of a cooling system and was much more expensive, but it approximately doubled on-board energy. So, 1999 model year NiMH EV1 drivers could leave home with the equivalent of an entire gallon of gas in their "tank" and drive 100-plus miles.

But lithium-polymer, the next generation battery technology that was supposed to make BEVs much more affordable and practical, never came close to matching expectations. And it wasn't long before PbA's low energy and NiMH's much higher cost put an end to California's ridiculous EV sales mandate - and all the major automakers' production pure EV programs - for a while.

Continue reading Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries?

Is there hope for affordable lead-acid EV batteries? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

It was lucky for me that GM's recent media forum on its electrification efforts was in San Francisco, since I would already be there for the press launch for the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. And GM promised a session with its new global product guru, Mary Barra, and a brief drive of a prototype 2014 Chevy Spark EV.

Ford C-Max Energi

The C-Max is Ford's answer to the Toyota Prius - especially the more cargo-capable Prius V - and the plug-in Energi version takes on the Prius plug-in and trumps it in a number of ways, including performance, dynamics, EV range and efficiency.

The plug-in C-Max Energi takes on the Prius plug-in and trumps it in a number of ways.

Billed as "America's most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid," it offers 188 (gas/electric combined) horsepower vs. the plug-in Prius' 134 and 100 combined MPGe (equivalent) EPA economy vs. the Prius' 95. Ford also claims an electric-only range of "up to" 21 miles vs. the Toyota's 15, although both fall short of those numbers in real-life driving. The C-Max Energi typically starts its engine at 12 or 13 miles, the Prius plug-in at six or seven.

Continue reading The Electrification of Detroit: A look Ford C-Max Energi, GM's EV efforts

The Electrification of Detroit: A look Ford C-Max Energi, GM's EV efforts originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>at witz endc-maxchevroletelectric vehicleenergifordgary witzenburgplug-in hybridspark evFri, 07 Dec 2012 12:10:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20396282/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20396282/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/07/electrification-of-detroit-ford-c-max-energi-gm-ev/20396282/article-detail.xml 20396282 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan Leaf (1,539) outsells Chevy Volt (1,519) for first time since January]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/nissan-leaf-1-539-outsells-chevy-volt-1-519-for-first-time-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/nissan-leaf-1-539-outsells-chevy-volt-1-519-for-first-time-s/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/nissan-leaf-1-539-outsells-chevy-volt-1-519-for-first-time-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Last month, GM sold 1,519 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, up from 1,139 in November 2011 but way down from the record-setting 2,961 Volts sold in October 2012. And here we thought maybe Chevy was on the way to breaking the 3,000 barrier for the first time. GM says that tight supply constrained deliveries, which makes the recent production shut-down seem questionable, but that was to retool for the current model year as much as anything.

The Volt's decline was countered by a slight decline in Nissan Leaf sales, down from 1,579 units in October to 1,539 last month. This means November 2012 was the first time since January 2012 that the Leaf has outsold the Volt. In November 2011, Nissan sold 672 Leafs.

The field of plug-in vehicles is getting a nice and crowded these days, but it's always interesting to see how the first two models out of the gate are still doing. We'll have our larger write-up of November's green car sales coming soon.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf (1,539) outsells Chevy Volt (1,519) for first time since January

Nissan Leaf (1,539) outsells Chevy Volt (1,519) for first time since January originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletelectric vehicleev salesleafleaf salesnissanplug-in hybridvoltvolt salesMon, 03 Dec 2012 13:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20393025/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20393025/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/03/nissan-leaf-1-539-outsells-chevy-volt-1-519-for-first-time-s/20393025/article-detail.xml 20393025 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/leaf-volt.jpg -1 2