AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 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[Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The winner of the first year of the EcoCar 2 Challenge is the design for a series-parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from Mississippi State University.

EcoCar 2: Plugging In to the Future is a three-year competition where college students try to make the most efficient modifications to a base vehicle - in this case a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The first year is spent emphasizing "engineering design though modeling and simulation to select and virtually test their plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architecture." Now that the deck work is over, the actual mods can get started. Fifteen schools are participating in the competition, which is the second three-year event of this type. The first was the Ecocar NeXT challenge, which Virginia Tech won with an E85-burning extended-range electric Equinox.

Parhaps you've noticed that there are only General Motors vehicles involved here. EcoCar 2 is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, GM and 25 other government and industry leaders. Last year, Virginia Tech managed to squeeze 81.9 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent out of their Equinox. We can't wait to see what the teams can do with their Malibus.

Continue reading Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu

Mississippi State University wins Year 1 of EcoCar 2 with plug-in hybrid Chevy Malibu originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet malibuchevy malibuecocarecocar 2ecocar2malibumississippi state universityplug-in hybridvirginia techThu, 24 May 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244475/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20244475/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/mississippi-state-university-wins-year-1-of-ecocar-2-with-plug-i/20244475/article-detail.xml 20244475 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecocar2-side-profile_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecocar2-side-profile.jpg <![CDATA[Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius C

It seems like it was just a few years ago that car manufacturers used to laugh at us when we'd ask why a new model didn't get any better fuel economy than its outgoing predecessor. "Car buyers don't care about fuel economy," was the refrain, "They certainly won't pay for it."

A few years of three- and four-dollar-per-gallon gas has apparently changed that attitude. According to a new study by Consumer Reports, 37 percent of respondents said fuel economy was now their leading consideration in car shopping, topping all others by a landslide. Quality was the second-most-important factor at 17 percent, while safety was mentioned by 16 percent, and value by 14 percent of shoppers. Two-thirds of respondents said they expected their next new vehicle to beat their current one on fuel economy. And yes, it is the economy, stupid, as 90 percent of those surveyed said high gas prices were the reason why they wanted a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

None of this is too surprising, given what has been going on both in the auto industry and in the larger economy since the economic meltdown of 2008. But we still kind of wonder how performance managed to rate number one with just six percent of those surveyed? Is that it then, there are six times as many tee-totalers than auto enthusiasts out there in the world?

CR says that it called 2,009 people across the country to get its results, obtaining 1,702 responses from adult car owners. Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car

Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsfuel economyfuel mileagempgTue, 22 May 2012 14:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242681/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242681/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/20242681/article-detail.xml 20242681 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

toyota prius tent

Sold on eBay for $90 (plus a $10 shipping fee), the Habitents Toyota Prius tent turns your Liftback model (2003-present model years) into an efficient little camper. We're not sure why using this is any easier than just setting up an actual tent or what, really, it gets you, but maybe we're just not the target market. At least the Habitent packs small - the sellers say it fits into the glove compartment - which appeals to our sense of frugality. It's better looking than the Prius Relax Cabin conversion, that's for sure.

When all set up, the Prius tent offers around 80 by 40 inches of sleeping space and a large zippered door and windows. Of course, if you're going to be using your Prius as your bed, you can't be carrying too much luggage as it's just take up your napping area. We suppose you could put your stuff into waterproof - maybe animalproof, depending on where you're camping - containers to leave outside overnight, so the right person or couple could make this work.

Check out a video of how to set up the Prius tent below.

Continue reading Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car

Toyota Prius Habitent turn your hybrid into a sleeper car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 21 May 2012 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car tenthabitentpriusprius camperprius tenttoyotatoyota prius campertoyota prius camper vantoyota prius tentMon, 21 May 2012 12:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241788/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241788/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/21/toyota-prius-habitent-turn-your-hybrid-into-a-sleeper-car/20241788/article-detail.xml 20241788 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/habitents-toyota-prius-tent_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/habitents-toyota-prius-tent.png <![CDATA[BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

byu sae formula hybrid

We can't say we've ever seen a Toyota Prius rip through a slalom course like this, either.

A team of engineering students from Brigham Young University won the 2012 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Hybrid competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after finishing second last year.

BYU's "Hybrid Blue" used its 100-horsepower, 450-foot-pounds-of-torque hybrid powertrain to win the competition's acceleration, endurance and autocross heats. BYU, which has been competing in the annual event since 2009, beat out teams from 40 other universities. BYU has released a video of the winning car, which you can see below.

Hybrid Blue, which runs on a combination of E85 (gasoline with an 85 percent ethanol blend) and electricity, had 75 percent of its electric charge remaining after a 14-mile endurance run. The students boosted the car's performance by cutting the car's length by more than a foot and reducing its weight by 80 pounds.

Continue reading BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition

BYU wins SAE 'Formula Hybrid' competition originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 20 May 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brigham Young UniversitybyuFormula Hybridhybridnew hampshiresaeSociety of Automotive ENgineersSun, 20 May 2012 08:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240226/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240226/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/20/byu-wins-sae-formula-hybrid-competition/20240226/article-detail.xml 20240226 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/byuracecarhybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/byuracecarhybrid.jpg <![CDATA[Honda finds a way to make the Segway look elegant [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/honda-finds-a-way-to-make-the-segway-look-elegant/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/honda-finds-a-way-to-make-the-segway-look-elegant/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/honda-finds-a-way-to-make-the-segway-look-elegant/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda Uni-Cub Personal Mobility Device

Honda is jumping into the personal-mobility vehicle market associated with the Segway, and the Japanese automaker even has a cute name for the device.

Honda will start demonstration tests for its UNI-CUB vehicle in June of 2012 with Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

Honda, which has been working on a plan for personal mobility devices since 2009, says the vehicle will offer firm balance and all-directional capabilities, similar to the Segway, though the person will be sitting lower on the device, allowing for "eye-level" stature, the company said.

No specifics as far as sales and price have been disclosed, but Honda says the UNI-CUB sits about 29 inches tall, has a maximum speed of about three and a half miles per hour and a single-charge range of about three and a half miles. Read all about it in the press release below, along with a video of the machine in action.

Continue reading Honda finds a way to make the Segway look elegant [w/video]

Honda finds a way to make the Segway look elegant [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclehondajapanpersonal mobilitysegwayuni-cubTue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238406/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238406/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/honda-finds-a-way-to-make-the-segway-look-elegant/20238406/article-detail.xml 20238406 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/honda-uni-cub-001-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/honda-uni-cub-001-opt.jpg <![CDATA[UK journalist ready to soup up old Enfield EV]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/uk-journalist-ready-to-soup-up-old-enfield-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/uk-journalist-ready-to-soup-up-old-enfield-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/uk-journalist-ready-to-soup-up-old-enfield-ev/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A UK-based car journalist has bought a 1974 Enfield 8000 battery-electric vehicle and has big? little? big plans to soup up the two-seater with a modern, more powerful electric motor. The car's original electric motor was damaged in a flood, according to writer Jonny Smith's blog.

About 120 Enfield EVs were produced between 1973 and 1976 as a response of sorts to the oil crisis that caused gas prices to spike in both the UK and U.S. The boxy EV was made with parts from a number of different vehicles, including brakes and wheels from Mini and lights from a Capri. The car, which is about a foot shorter than a Mini, had a single-charge range of between 35 and 55 miles and a top speed of about 40 miles per hour. It also cost about twice as much as a Mini.

You can tell Smith is a storyteller, since he is naming the car the Flux Capacitor as a nod to the gizmo that powered the time-traveling DeLorean in "Back to the Future." Great Scott!

UK journalist ready to soup up old Enfield EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleenfieldenfield 8000enfield evflux capacitorjonny smithU.K.ukFri, 11 May 2012 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235701/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20235701/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/uk-journalist-ready-to-soup-up-old-enfield-ev/20235701/article-detail.xml 20235701 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/capacitor_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/capacitor.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The company may be best known for tire-melting Hemi engines, but at least some of its dealerships are showing some love for the environment.

Chrysler, which launched a program last year to commemorate its most eco-friendly dealers, has named its first batch of 30 winners as part of its Dealer ECO (that stands for Environmentally Conscious Operations) Program.

The U.S. automaker awarded five dealers in Michigan as well as three dealerships each in New York and California among the 30. One Arkansas dealership was rewarded for having a 2,000-square-foot solar-panel system on its roof (pictured), while another, in Michigan, was singled out for using used motor oil to heat the facility.

In all, the dealers were noted for their energy efficiency, oil containment, waste recycling and community involvement. And each of the dealers received a bamboo plaque commemorating their achievements.

Continue reading Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo

Chrysler fetes its most eco-friendly dealers, with bamboo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 May 2012 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiachryslerecologyenvironmentmichigannew yorkFri, 11 May 2012 10:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234980/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234980/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/11/chrysler-fetes-its-most-eco-friendly-dealers-with-bamboo/20234980/article-detail.xml 20234980 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chrysler_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chrysler.jpg <![CDATA[Honda wins appeal in Civic Hybrid fuel mileage case]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/honda-wins-appeal-in-civic-hybrid-fuel-mileage-case/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/honda-wins-appeal-in-civic-hybrid-fuel-mileage-case/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/honda-wins-appeal-in-civic-hybrid-fuel-mileage-case/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Heather Peters Honda Civic Hybrid lawsuit

A judge has reversed a lower court ruling against Honda over the automaker's fuel economy claims. Heather Peters successfully sued Honda in small-claims court in February, claiming her 2006 Civic Hybrid didn't return the advertised 50 miles per gallon Environmental Protection Agency rating. Peters was awarded $9,867 in damages in the lawsuit, but now Judge Dudley W. Gray II of the state Superior Court in Torrence, California, has reversed the lower court's ruling.

Honda has offered owners a settlement in a larger class-action suit, paying out either $100 or $200 depending on the vehicle and as much as $1,500 toward the purchase of a new Honda. According to The Detroit News, around 1,700 Honda owners have declined to participate in the class-action suit.

Continue reading Honda wins appeal in Civic Hybrid fuel mileage case

Honda wins appeal in Civic Hybrid fuel mileage case originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civic hybridcivic hybrid lawsuitcivic hybrid mileageheather petershondahonda civic hybridhonda lawsuithonda small claims suithybridsmall claimsWed, 09 May 2012 20:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234944/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234944/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/honda-wins-appeal-in-civic-hybrid-fuel-mileage-case/20234944/article-detail.xml 20234944 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/heather-peters-honda-civic-hybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/heather-peters-honda-civic-hybrid.jpg <![CDATA[EVS: Watch live as Bob Lutz, Nissan's Andy Palmer discuss consumer adoption]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-watch-live-as-bob-lutz-nissans-andy-palmer-discuss-consum/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-watch-live-as-bob-lutz-nissans-andy-palmer-discuss-consum/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/evs-watch-live-as-bob-lutz-nissans-andy-palmer-discuss-consum/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you couldn't make it to Los Angeles for the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium this week, you can still listen in live some EV experts discuss the next stage of the modern EV era, the one when the "emerging mainstream" begins to investigate plug-in cars. Specifically, according to the promotional material for the panel, which takes place today, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. PST:

What will it take to drive widespread adoption of electric vehicles? How do EV manufacturers in North America, Europe, and Asia plan to win the hearts and minds of buyers? Hear from leading industry and consumer experts on their strategies to build consumer interest and market share for electric vehicles entering the market in the coming months and years. Find out how the industry plans to engage consumers through a new proactive public education campaign beginning with this event.

The panel includes some Hollywood/entertainment types as well as Bob Lutz and Andy Palmer of Nissan.

If you'd like to view the panel, you will need to give the organizers your email contact information. You can do so here. You can also submit questions through Twitter to be answered (if you're lucky) by the panel, using the #EVS26 hashtag (speaking of Twitter, you can follow AutoblogGreen there, too).

EVS: Watch live as Bob Lutz, Nissan's Andy Palmer discuss consumer adoption originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy palmerbob lutzconsumer adoptionevsevs23paneltwitterwebstreamWed, 09 May 2012 10:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234365/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234365/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/evs-watch-live-as-bob-lutz-nissans-andy-palmer-discuss-consum/20234365/article-detail.xml 20234365 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/consumer-adoption-panel_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/consumer-adoption-panel.png <![CDATA[Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Burning rubber? Not on Bridgestone's watch.

That's what the world's largest tire and rubber company is saying by ratcheting up its tire-recycling program. Bridgestone Americas is looking to ensure that, by the end of the year, 100 percent of the used tires returned to its company-owned stores when new tires are purchased are recycled for other uses.

The effort is part of Bridgestone's One Team, One Planet Spent Tire program. In addition to enforcing recycling for its company-owned stores, the Nashville-based company will, next year, start pushing affiliate retail stores to recycle all used tires as well.

So far, the company appears to be pretty vigilant about its tire-recycling efforts, as it currently has a 98-percent tire-reusage rate at the company's 2,200 U.S. stores. That compares favorably to the 85-percent recycling rate for "spent" tires, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

Continue reading Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program

Bridgestone ratchets up "One Team, One Planet Spent" tire-recycling program originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bridgestonerecyclingrubber recyclingtiresTue, 08 May 2012 17:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233888/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233888/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/bridgestone-ratchets-up-tire-recycling-program/20233888/article-detail.xml 20233888 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bridgestone_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bridgestone.jpg <![CDATA[Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chevy volt in thailand

Last fall, Thailand was hit by a devastating flood that damaged parts of 65 of Thailand's 77 provinces, killed 815 people and affected the lives and homes of more than 13 million. Some parts of Bangkok were under over two meters (6.5 feet) of water (PDF) and normal life in the city came to a halt. Those are incredible numbers, but the story of what happened since then is just as amazing. Aside from the intense work of the people, which is astonishing in its own way, we recently learned that the country - the local auto industry included - is bouncing back.

This is something that the Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) was eager to show a group of invited journalists earlier this year, and we got to see first-hand how Thailand recovered from the flood and is now ready to once again make cars for markets around the world. Thailand's auto industry was hit hard during the flood, forcing Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda had to stop production. Both have since restarted, and Honda could spend up to $650 million to re-open a 240,000-cars-a-year plant in Ayutthaya Province, 50 miles north of Bangkok, that was hit hard by the flood. Once the waters receded, it became clear that the flood did not damage the enthusiasm of outside companies to keep investing in Thailand. Toyota said in January that it would it would spend $257 million in Thailand, for example. This is good automotive news for Thailand and its neighbors.

After all, Thailand is the 12th largest automotive manufacturing country in the world, building 1.6 million vehicles in 2010 and exporting 55 percent of them to countries in the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East. We were interested in visiting Thailand for a few reasons, but the most applicable one was to get some details about the country's Eco-Car program. We ended up learning far more than we expected.

Continue reading Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking

Thailand's green car manufacturing took a beating, back to ticking originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boiboi fairchevroletecocarelectric vehicleplug-in hybridthailandthailand board of investmentthailand ecocarthailand floodingthailand manufacturingvoltThu, 03 May 2012 19:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20193684/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/thailands-green-car-manufacturing-took-a-beating-back-to-tick/20193684/article-detail.xml 20193684 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/thailand-boi-chevy-volt.jpg <![CDATA[Alt-fuel vehicles generated more than $150 million in incentives last year *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/alt-fuel-vehicles-generated-more-than-150-million-in-tax-credit/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/alt-fuel-vehicles-generated-more-than-150-million-in-tax-credit/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/alt-fuel-vehicles-generated-more-than-150-million-in-tax-credit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

car2go smart fortwo in washington dc

Now here's something that will make fiscal conservatives feel warm and fuzzy.

U.S. buyers of new electric-drive vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf battery-electric and Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug in were eligible for more than $150 million in federal and state incentives in 2011, or more than $8,000 for every one of the approximately 18,000 electric-drive vehicles purchased or leased last year, Edmunds.com's Inside Line reported.

The federal government accounts for about $135 million of those tax credits, with states and local governments covering the rest, according to the website. Leaf buyers are eligible for about $72 million of those tax breaks.

Not surprisingly, California, which isn't exactly flush with cash, was a big payer with more than 5,000 electric-drive vehicles purchased or leased in the Golden State alone. California offered as much as $5,000 in incentives per vehicle during the first half of 2011, and $2,500 for the second half of the year.

InsideLine points out that, while $150 million is a substantial sum, it pales in comparison to the more than $10 billion in low-interest loans that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded to makers of alt-fuel vehicles and their components over the past few years. The publication added that the tax-credit number will likely jump for 2012, with new electric-drive vehicles such as the Ford Focus Electric set to debut and President Obama talking about increasing the EV federal tax break by another $2,500 to $10,000.

And just in time for the election.

*UPDATE: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that California is extending tax credits for the purchase of electric-drive vehicles and references the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP).

A representative of the CVRP said the program "provides rebates of up to $2,500 for CA purchasers or lessees of light-duty zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. These rebates are not tax credits, and were not tax credits in the past. The CVRP is funded through CA vessel and vehicle registration fees, as well as smog abatement fees."

Alt-fuel vehicles generated more than $150 million in incentives last year *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Department of Energyelectric vehiclegovernmentobamaplug-in hybridtax breakstax incentiveswashington d.c.Wed, 02 May 2012 11:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229088/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229088/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/alt-fuel-vehicles-generated-more-than-150-million-in-tax-credit/20229088/article-detail.xml 20229088 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/car2godc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/car2godc.jpg <![CDATA[Gas-guzzlers will pay more at this Boston-area parking lot, greenies pay less]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It'll cost you a little more to pahk your cah in this yahd.

That's what one Boston parking lot owner is saying to SUV and other gas-guzzler vehicle drivers planning to use a new parking lot near the city's TD Garden, according to the Boston Herald.

Dinosaur Capital Partners will adjust pricing at its new Green Park & Charge to account for either particularly good or particularly bad fuel economy. Drivers of hybrids and plug-ins will get a 10 percent discount from the $10 hourly rate, while cars that get less than 15 miles per gallon will be charged an extra 10 percent.

The lot owner, which is spending $1.5 million on the new lot, is going one step further by including eight parking stalls that will have free charging stations, though the city government is paying for the stations themselves, according to the publication. Dinosaur Capital's Scott Oran justified the extra charge for SUVs, telling the Herald that heavier vehicles tear up parking lots quicker. Especially when they start doing donuts on it after having to pay $11 an hour.

Gas-guzzlers will pay more at this Boston-area parking lot, greenies pay less originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In extreme sports, they say "go big, or go home." Car2go's doing both.

Daimler AG's car-sharing division, which has operations in places such as Amsterdam, Vienna and San Diego, last week launched service in Berlin in its native Germany with by far its largest fleet of Smart ForTwo two-seaters available for short-term rentals.

Car2go Berlin has 1,000 vehicles available for the approximately 65-square-mile area where customers can pick up and drop of the two-seaters. Car2go is charging a one-time registration fee of 9.9 euros (about $13 at current exchange rates) and will charge 12.9 ($17) euros an hour to drive. By the time the service started up in Berlin, 2,000 people had already pre-registered for the service.

The car-sharing service, which has about 70,000 members throughout Europe and North America, launched in 2009 in Austin, TX. Last month, Car2go started service in Washington, D.C., and Portland, OR and said it would debut in the UK in this fall.

Continue reading World's largest Car2Go fleet deployed in Berlin

World's largest Car2Go fleet deployed in Berlin originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berlincar sharingcar2gocarsharingdaimlerfortwogermanysmartMon, 30 Apr 2012 17:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227481/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227481/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/worlds-largest-car2go-fleet-deployed-in-berlin/20227481/article-detail.xml 20227481 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/car2goberlin_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/car2goberlin.jpg <![CDATA[Massachusetts will distribute happy little EV license plates]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/massachusetts-will-distribute-happy-little-ev-license-plates/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/massachusetts-will-distribute-happy-little-ev-license-plates/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/massachusetts-will-distribute-happy-little-ev-license-plates/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



What, did you expect them to have a Yankees logo on it?

Massachusetts' department of transportation this week said that special license plates with a silhouette of a green car with a plug on the back will be available for drivers of hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

Massachusetts is the second state (OK, it's technically a commonwealth) in the U.S. to distribute specially designed license plates for alt-fuel vehicles (Hawaii was the first). The so-called Electric Vehicle Plates won't cost any extra (see the Mass DOT's statement here), even for hybrids.

Officials say the new plates are about more than vanity or green cred. They actually argue that, with some alt-fuel cars looking just like their gas-powered counterparts, the plates let emergency respondents know that the car is alt-fuel and may need to be turned off differently to minimize safety risks. So for all of you folks using your Nissan Leaf to ghost-ride the whip on Comm Ave, you'll soon have that little extra something going for you.

Massachusetts will distribute happy little EV license plates originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleElectric Vehicle license platesEV license plateshybridlicense platesmassachusettsplatesplug-in hybridFri, 27 Apr 2012 14:07:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225501/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225501/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/massachusetts-will-distribute-happy-little-ev-license-plates/20225501/article-detail.xml 20225501 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/massev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/massev.jpg <![CDATA[Killacycle battles Predator head-to-head, new record set]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/killacycle-battles-predator-head-to-head-new-record-set/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/killacycle-battles-predator-head-to-head-new-record-set/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/killacycle-battles-predator-head-to-head-new-record-set/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

predator vs. killacycle

The weather wasn't cooperative for the EV drag racing faithful at the recent Bookman's Spring Thaw, but with the largest assemblage of top machines and drivers on hand ever, even a little rain and wind couldn't completely get in the way of some battery-powered racing awesomeness. With the action being postponed for one day though, the "money match-up" - a head-to-head contest between the Killacycle and Predator - could only be held once. Luckily for us, tape was rolling.

It was a pretty epic race. Jeff Disinger on his Predator seemed to own the contest, but when the bikes crossed the line a 1/4 mile from the start, Scotty Pollachek had managed to pull out the win for the Killacycle team by .005 seconds with an 8.3002 time. That's close! And quick!

With travel pressures intervening, that was the last run of the day for the Killacycle, but the Predator was just getting warmed up. With a pair of hyperspeed runs, one at 7.9 seconds and another at 7.843, Disinger took back the record from the Killacycle in the DMC/A class (drag motorcycle, less than 300 Volts).

Scroll down for the head-to-head race and record breaking runs. (NSFW expletives on both). We also have footage of the White Zombie running a 10.5 against a somewhat hampered DC Plasma below and a video of the Smoke Screen electric pickup truck doing some bracket racing.

Continue reading Killacycle battles Predator head-to-head, new record set

Killacycle battles Predator head-to-head, new record set originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been said that God rides a Harley. Now we have a Toyota Prius that tows them.

uShip, a community of about 250,000 registered carriers, posted a blog item last week about a Prius driver who uses his hybrid to tow motorcycles across the U.S.

Adam Winters is the man behind Green Technology Transportation and now drives about 20,000 miles a month shipping motorcycles around the country. With hybrid adapted to tow bike, he can now undercut other shippers on price because his fuel economy is - surprise! - far better than the typical pickup or semi. Winters also said he has an advantage because the Prius' relatively small size makes city deliveries easier. Who needs motorcycles shipped across country? Winters said much of his business comes from people who buy motorcycles sight unseen on eBay.

Prius convoy, anyone?

Prius 'trucker' tows Harley motorcycles across U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam wintersebayhybrid motorcyclemotorcycle deliverypriusprius hybridprius motorcycletoyota priusushipWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:12:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223999/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20223999/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/25/prius-trucker-tows-harley-motorcycles-across-u-s/20223999/article-detail.xml 20223999 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priustrucker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/priustrucker.jpg <![CDATA[Happy Earth Day, Happy Birthday]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/#commentsFiled under: ,



It's the 42nd Earth Day today, and we hope as many of you as possible were able to enjoy something natural, something earthy, something outside today. We certainly did, and we just wanted to stop in and make note of the Earth in some way before the day ends. Sure, nature and natural resources are a subtext to a lot of the posts we write - national security folks, this would be your cue to chime in that burning less gas protects more than just the environment - but once a year we like to make it explicit. Plus, we get to celebrate twice today.

When we started AutoblogGreen six years ago, on Earth Day 2006, we had no idea what it would turn into, and we're happy to say that the future has never looked brighter, both for the site and - more importantly - for cars that offer reasonable, reliable, rocking alternatives to pure gasoline. Granted, we're not all the way to where we want to be quite yet and it's clear that the way forward will continue to be fraught with political disagreements about how to get off oil as well as immense technological challenges. But for now, we're just happy to be here - and that we can head on outside once again.

Happy Earth Day, Happy Birthday originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earth dayearth day 2012Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221405/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20221405/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/22/happy-earth-day-happy-birthday/20221405/article-detail.xml 20221405 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/small-earth-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/small-earth-628.jpg <![CDATA[eBay launches new 'Green Driving' site to promote eco-car sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ebay-launches-new-green-driving-site-to-promote-eco-car-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ebay-launches-new-green-driving-site-to-promote-eco-car-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/ebay-launches-new-green-driving-site-to-promote-eco-car-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Yes, Elon, there's a new way to buy Teslas on eBay.

The world's biggest online auction company has launched a new site dedicated all things alt-fuel in an attempt to attract more car shoppers feeling stung by rising gas prices.

eBay's "Green Driving" site lets the anti-gas-guzzler set break down their shopping attempts by categories such as electric, hybrid, diesel, "high MPG gas," ethanol and compressed natural gas (CNG) - and find links to related auctions on the eBay Motors site.

Moreover, users can check out the "compare fuel types" page, which does side-by-side comparisons measuring things like petroleum use, emissions and annual fuel cost. For instance, users can find out that electric vehicles have the least emissions and incur the lowest refueling costs. The site says that, when it comes to lowest petroleum use, CNG wins out.

eBay Green Driving "combines tools and resources, as well as eBay's unique green vehicle and parts inventory, into one comprehensive, informative, and idea-rich shopping experience," the company said on the site. And, by the way, the site links to online auctions for three used Tesla Roadsters, including one priced at a cool $144,900.

eBay has sold cars on its eBay Motors site since 2000, though the company doesn't break out how much revenue it generates from the site.

Continue reading eBay launches new 'Green Driving' site to promote eco-car sales

eBay launches new 'Green Driving' site to promote eco-car sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncngdieselebayebay green drivingebay motorselectric vehiclegreen drivinghydrogenonline auctionplug-in hybridFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219935/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20219935/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/ebay-launches-new-green-driving-site-to-promote-eco-car-sales/20219935/article-detail.xml 20219935 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ebaygreendriving_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/ebaygreendriving.jpg <![CDATA[Jeremy Clarkson professes his love for... bicycles?!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/jeremy-clarkson-professes-his-love-for-bicycles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/jeremy-clarkson-professes-his-love-for-bicycles/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/13/jeremy-clarkson-professes-his-love-for-bicycles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson

Occasionally, we get the impression Jeremy Clarkson is simply screwing with the rest of the world. Either that, or he has no bodily control over over the way his lips, tongue and vocal chords move.

In the past, the "Top Gear" presenter has been notoriously belligerent toward any form of transportation that doesn't involve the burning of hydrocarbons, bicycles included. After famously railing that bikes and cars have entered into an undeclared war in London, Clarkson has come out in support of Copenhagen's bicycle culture, calling it "fan-bleeding-tastic." If that's not strange enough, he claims he would live in the city in a heartbeat.

Confused? According to Clarkson, the difference is that, while bikes are forced to co-exist with cars in London, Copenhagen cyclists simply have to contend with one another. As a result, there's no weird high-visibility clothing required and significantly less hostility toward your fellow man.

Makes sense to us, though we have a hard time envisioning Clarkson on a bike. The last time the personality took to something with less than four wheels, it didn't go so well.

Jeremy Clarkson professes his love for... bicycles?! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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