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[Charge electric motorcycle race documentary comes to theaters this week]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargee-bikeelectric motorcycleewan mcgregorisle of manisle of man ttmark nealett zeroTue, 21 May 2013 14:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576735/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576735/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/charge-electric-motorcycle-race-documentary-comes-to-theaters-th/20576735/article-detail.xml 20576735 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/charge-movie-trailer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/charge-movie-trailer.jpg <![CDATA[Kartelec 2013 brings electric go-cart racing back to France]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/kartelec-2013-brings-electric-go-cart-racing-back-to-france/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/kartelec-2013-brings-electric-go-cart-racing-back-to-france/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/kartelec-2013-brings-electric-go-cart-racing-back-to-france/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

kartelec 2012 electric go-kart racing

If you've always wanted to whip a low-slung go-kart around a corner without the noisy rumble of a gas engine behind you - or at least watch - Kartelec 2013 awaits you. For the eighth time, Kartelec will bring students and their battery-powered go-karts the track in Vierzon, France later this month.

The international educational event will bring together more than 40 e-karts that were all designed and built by students from high schools, universities and engineering schools. The competition will take place on a 300-meter track, where the students will participate in a variety of challenges, things like a 50-meter drag race, race for the fastest lap and two endurance runs, of two and four hours.

As you might suspect, Kartelec 2013 is about more than the on-track events, it's about the students actually learning something (see also: the Eco-Marathons). There are the decisions that go into building the karts, of course, but the e-Kart Association is also interested in training students to work on the "electric and hybrid vehicles of the future."

Kartelec 2013 takes place May 23-25. Admission is free. There's a video of the 2012 event below.

Continue reading Kartelec 2013 brings electric go-cart racing back to France

Kartelec 2013 brings electric go-cart racing back to France originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 20 May 2013 12:22:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576328/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576328/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/kartelec-2013-brings-electric-go-cart-racing-back-to-france/20576328/article-detail.xml 20576328 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ekart-2011-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ekart-2011-628.jpg <![CDATA[This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

national plug in day 2011 santa monica

It's tough to know for sure how many plug-in vehicles have been sold throughout the US, but if anyone has been keeping count, it's the fine folks at Plug In America. And, according to them, somewhere in America this weekend, maybe, someone will buy the 100,000th electric car. PIA says it expects the "historic milestone" to happen by Monday, May 20, 2013.

This isn't counting golf carts or GEMs or any of the old-school EVs, things like the EV1 or the first-generation RAV4 EVs. No, PIA is only tracking vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S that have come along in the last two years or so. We know Nissan has sold over 25,000 Leafs in the US and the Volt has sold more than 36,000 as of the end of April. That leaves 40,000 more from the likes of Tesla, Fisker, Ford and all the others we write about all day. PIA is promoting the event with the #PIA100K hashtag and notes that plug-in vehicles are approaching 48 percent annual growth, so the next 100,000 can't be too far away.

Continue reading This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US

This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>piapia100kplug in americaFri, 17 May 2013 19:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574223/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20574223/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/buy-100000th-electric-car-in-us/20574223/article-detail.xml 20574223 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/national-plug-in-day-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/national-plug-in-day-2011.jpg <![CDATA[A family's 10-year history with a 2003 first-gen Toyota Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-gen priushybridmpgsmall cartoyota priusFri, 17 May 2013 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/20572714/article-detail.xml 20572714 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius.jpg <![CDATA[Renault Z.E. center celebrates first birthday with 21,000 EV test drives]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/renault-z-e-center-celebrates-first-birthday-21000-ev-test-drives/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/renault-z-e-center-celebrates-first-birthday-21000-ev-test-drives/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/renault-z-e-center-celebrates-first-birthday-21000-ev-test-drives/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

renault fluence

Renault is ready to party at its Z.E. (zero emission) Center in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, near Paris. While it's being called a birthday celebration, the Z.E. Center actually opened up almost a year and a half ago, in January 2012. Renault says that it's the first electric vehicle test center in Europe.

So far, the Center has organized over 21,000 electric vehicle test drives for professional, institutional and individual customers and guests. These visitors have driven the family of Renault EVs - Zoe, Twizy, Kangoo Z.E. and Fluence Z.E. - more than 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles). Visitor who go for a drive are accompanied by EV experts around a two-kilometer (about one and a quarter mile) track. Along the way, they learn more about the services, benefits and charging infrastructure details that come with EV ownership. Through April 2013, Renault has only sold 24,688 EVs throughout Europe, or roughly the same number as it's had test drives at the Z.E. Center.

Visitors have included race car drivers Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel, photographer/journalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand and a few French government officials. It's got to help Renault to gain such exposure, but the trick will be expanding the sales figures way beyond the number of visitors.

Continue reading Renault Z.E. center celebrates first birthday with 21,000 EV test drives

Renault Z.E. center celebrates first birthday with 21,000 EV test drives originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 May 2013 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boulogne-billancourtelectric vehicleelectric vehiclesevsfluencefrancekangoorenaultrenault z.e. centertest drivestwizyzoeWed, 15 May 2013 09:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20569329/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20569329/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/renault-z-e-center-celebrates-first-birthday-21000-ev-test-drives/20569329/article-detail.xml 20569329 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-fluence-z.e._thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/renault-fluence-z.e..jpg <![CDATA[Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota's eco-mobility charging station

Toyota, looking to further boost the "shiny, happy" quotient of the model eco-district it's built in Japan's Toyota City, has installed a charging station specifically to be used for its single-passenger electro-mobility vehicles.

The Smart Mobility Park charging station, located in Toyota Ecoful Town (yep, that's what it's called), will be used as a Ha:mo1 Ride2 ("Harmonious Mobility" Network) station starting in the fall, allowing folks to rent EVs to speed their voyage to the nearest public-transport station. Specifically, the station will serve three single-passenger COMS vehicles and five Yamaha PAS electric bikes.

The station will also have solar panels so the vehicles draw less (or, in some cases, no) juice from the grid, and will come equipped with general household outlets, making it potentially useful on blackouts by homes in this shiny, happy land. Check out Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station

Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 May 2013 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationecoecoful townecomobilityelectric vehicleevha:mo1 ride2smart mobility parktoyotatoyota citySat, 11 May 2013 16:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564378/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564378/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/20564378/article-detail.xml 20564378 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyotamobility_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyotamobility.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hyundai's rooftop solar-panel system at its Asan factory

Hyundai's green-cred future's so bright, its factory roof's gotta wear shades. The South Korean automaker will install that country's largest solar-panel system when it deploys about 40,000 solar voltaic panels on the roof of its Asan plant later this year.

The system will cover about 2.2 million square feet, or about 50 acres, of rooftop and will supply 11.5 million kilowatt hours, or the equivalent the power consumed by about 3,200 households. Hyundai makes the Sonata Hybrid at the plant, further bolstering the car's treehugging credentials.

Hyundai says the solar system will eliminate about 5,600 tons worth of CO2 emissions. Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) will purchase the electricity and redistribute it throughout the factory. Check out Hyundai's press release below.

Continue reading Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest

Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asanfactoryhyundaihyundai sonata hybridsolarSat, 11 May 2013 09:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564994/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/11/hyundai-50-acre-rooftop-solar-panel-system-south-korea-largest/20564994/article-detail.xml 20564994 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/hyundairoof.jpg <![CDATA[Ride The Future EV advocates plan very quiet, 3,000-mile drive across US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/ride-future-ev-advocates-plan-quiet-3000-mile-drive/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/ride-future-ev-advocates-plan-quiet-3000-mile-drive/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/ride-future-ev-advocates-plan-quiet-3000-mile-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In 1946, Bobby Troup penned the ultimate road-trip tune (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66. Almost 70 years later, a group of ambitious electric-vehicle enthusiasts are putting their own spin on the prototypical east-to-west US voyage with the Ride The Future Tour.

Kicking off July 4 (how American), Ride The Future will feature a gaggle of electric cars, bikes and motorcycles making a very quiet, gasoline-free convoy 3,000 miles west. The group says it will set a number of Guinness World Records, including the longest ride on both an electric motorcycle and scooter, the Christian Science Monitor reports. In all, the tour will hit 43 cities (and many more charging stations) in 43 days as it winds from North Carolina and finishes up at the Google headquarters near San Francisco. Check out the group's website for further details.

Ride The Future EV advocates plan very quiet, 3,000-mile drive across US originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 May 2013 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleevgooglenorth carolinaride the futureFri, 10 May 2013 09:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562985/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562985/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/10/ride-future-ev-advocates-plan-quiet-3000-mile-drive/20562985/article-detail.xml 20562985 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ride-the-future-logo_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/ride-the-future-logo.png <![CDATA[100-year-old electric vehicle 'Sociability Run' revived]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/100-year-old-electric-vehicle-sociability-run-revived/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/100-year-old-electric-vehicle-sociability-run-revived/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/100-year-old-electric-vehicle-sociability-run-revived/#commentsFiled under: , ,



These days, electric vehicle activists want to see more public events like EV ride-and-drives and plenty of time for education and socializing. The annual National Plug In Day brings out a lot of fans, but it's certainly not the first time such an event has taken place. On Memorial Day - May 27, 2013 - drivers and fans will show up in Washington, DC, to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the Electric Sociability Run of 1914.

On May 27, 1914, a group known as the Electric Vehicle Association of America gathered 54 electric vehicle owners to rally in a caravan down a 14-mile stretch. It took the group more than an hour and 15 minutes to travel that distance and reach Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC.

The current group of EV drivers will arrive at the same destination as the original gathering. Just like the first group, they'll have a picnic, participate in contests and try for prizes for their achievements. They're hoping this year's event will be biggest gathering of EV owners in the nation's capital since 1914.

EV activists want to see more gatherings where EV owners meet and talk shop about their experiences. They'd like the public to understand that electric vehicles were mass market EVs 100 years ago, before affordable and prolific gasoline and internal combustion engines bumped them out of the mainstream.

The Electric Vehicle Association of America was led by a group of auto dealers who wanted to educate people and spark enthusiasm to purchase EVs. They were able to do that in 1914, but it's taken a century for EVs fans to witness a real comeback. As the Electric Sociability Run states on its Meetup page: "We are witnessing the rebirth of mass market electric cars with thousands of people getting new EVs each month. The automobile is finally being brought back to its electric roots."

100-year-old electric vehicle 'Sociability Run' revived originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 May 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW brought 80 software developers and computer programmers together to tackle the themes of sustainability and electro-mobility in a hackathon last month. BMW hosted the Sustainability Hackathon to deal with a widespread problem - electric vehicles that get parked at charging stations - for example, during the workday - for extended periods of time beyond the few hours needed for charging.

One typical problem the coders were trying to solve was this: a driver shows up at a charge station needing just a few minutes of charging to reach his destination, but there's another car hooked up. The solution could be to anonymously contact the driver of the parked car to request permission to charge for a few minutes, and reconnect the original car upon completion. The winning apps in the contest would enable this sort of communication to more efficiently use charging stations. Fifteen apps for smartphones and mobile phones competed for first place in seven award categories. A total of $3,000 in prize money was awarded to the most practical, creative apps. The Hacker League page has a list of categories and winners.

The event, held April 27-29 at BMW's Technology Office in Mountain View, CA, was sponsored by BMW's car sharing subsidiary DriveNow and charging station network developer ChargePoint.

BMW EV hackathon works on anonymous driver communication to make charging easier originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 May 2013 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbmwchargepointcharging stationsdrivenowelectric vehicleevhackathonplug-in hybridsmartphonesustainabillity hackathonTue, 07 May 2013 18:25:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560568/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560568/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/bmw-ev-hackathon-works-on-anonymous-driver-communication/20560568/article-detail.xml 20560568 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bmw-sustainability-hackathon_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/bmw-sustainability-hackathon.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[OSU, Venturi EV aims for world speed record in September: 435 mph]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/venturi-ev-world-speed-record-in-september-435-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/venturi-ev-world-speed-record-in-september-435-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/venturi-ev-world-speed-record-in-september-435-mph/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ohio State and Venturi shoot for the EV land-speed record in September

Top that, Wolverines! Ohio State University is once again teaming with Venturi in an effort to set land-speed records for electric vehicles, with the team's next escapade set for September. Meet the third Buckeye Bullet, also known as the Venturi VBB-3.

OSU, known among other things for a pretty hardcore rivalry against the University of Michigan, is getting driver Roger Schroer behind the wheel of the 3,000-horsepower Venturi Jamais Contente ("never satisfied" in French) for a run across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats that could hit 600 kilometers per hour (373 miles per hour). That's pretty darn fast, but next year, the group is setting a goal of 700 kmh (435 mph).

Venturi has always kept things fun for the green-car set, showing off a door-less EV at the Paris Motor Show last September and unveiling an all-electric dune buggy at the 2010 Paris show. As for OSU, it teamed with Venturi back in 2009 to take what was known as the Buckeye Bullet to a top speed of about 301 miles per hour. How leisurely. Check out Venturi's press release below.

Continue reading OSU, Venturi EV aims for world speed record in September: 435 mph

OSU, Venturi EV aims for world speed record in September: 435 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonneville salt flatselectric vehicleevland speed recordohio stateventuriTue, 30 Apr 2013 08:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552195/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20552195/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/venturi-ev-world-speed-record-in-september-435-mph/20552195/article-detail.xml 20552195 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/venturicover_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/venturicover.jpg <![CDATA[Honda gets "Zero Net Energy" Smart Home in CA, goes for wind power in Brazil]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/honda-zero-net-energy-smart-home-ca-wind-power-brazil/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/honda-zero-net-energy-smart-home-ca-wind-power-brazil/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/honda-zero-net-energy-smart-home-ca-wind-power-brazil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Honda Fit EV

Honda is broadening its green credentials on two continents, building a trial "smart home" in Northern California and embracing wind-power for its Brazil factory.

The Japanese automaker this year will build a home at University of California, Davis, that, among other things, will be powered by solar energy (which will charge a Honda Fit Electric in the garage, of course), use energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems and be constructed with sustainable materials.

Honda built a demonstration "smart" home in Japan last year and is now looking to help California meet a state goal of having new homes be energy-neutral (i.e. making as much electricity as it consumes) by the end of the decade. Honda calls it "Zero Net Energy."

Meanwhile, a little further south, Honda's Brazilian division is building a wind farm in the southern part of the country that's slated to be completed by September 2014. With nine turbine windmills, the farm will produce 85,000 MWh of electricity a year and cut CO2 emissions by more than 2,200 tons annually. Honda, which has been building cars in Brazil since 1976, is investing about 100 million Brazilian réais (US $50 million) in the project.

Check out Honda's press release on the Brazilian wind farms and a presser on the UC Davis smart home below.

Continue reading Honda gets "Zero Net Energy" Smart Home in CA, goes for wind power in Brazil

Honda gets "Zero Net Energy" Smart Home in CA, goes for wind power in Brazil originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilfactoryhondasmart homeuc davisuniversity of californiawind powerzero net energyMon, 29 Apr 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20550092/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20550092/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/honda-zero-net-energy-smart-home-ca-wind-power-brazil/20550092/article-detail.xml 20550092 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fitev-1367006631_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fitev-1367006631.jpg <![CDATA[Neil Young fills up LincVolt, back from the dead, with cellulosic ethanol]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/neil-young-lincvolt-cellulosic-ethanol/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/neil-young-lincvolt-cellulosic-ethanol/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/25/neil-young-lincvolt-cellulosic-ethanol/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Neil Young and LincVolt

Long may you run, Neil. That's our take on reports of Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Neil Young cruising around the country in his 1959 Lincoln Continental that's been converted to run on cellulosic ethanol, or biofuel made from wood, grass and non-edible parts of plants.

Young recently showed off the LincVolt in Sioux Falls, SD, where the artist filled up on the biofuel, Domestic Fuel reports. Young touts the LincVolt's ability to reduce emissions by 80 percent compared to a conventionally powered car. He said that the car is one way to draw attention to climate change. "It's just not a fast moving subject," he said. "It's a slow moving big story. But it's not going to be going away unless we do something."

Young and the car also stopped by Jack White's Third Man Records this past weekend for Record Store Day to record a song in the Third Man Records recording booth. Young was inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. The LincVolt project car was nearly destroyed in a warehouse fire in late 2010. You can see a three-minute video of Mr. Young and the LincVolt in Sioux Falls below.

Continue reading Neil Young fills up LincVolt, back from the dead, with cellulosic ethanol

Neil Young fills up LincVolt, back from the dead, with cellulosic ethanol originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellulosic ethanolethanollincolnlincvoltneil youngsouth dakotaThu, 25 Apr 2013 19:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549155/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20549155/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/25/neil-young-lincvolt-cellulosic-ethanol/20549155/article-detail.xml 20549155 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/neil_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/neil.png <![CDATA[First US speeding ticket given to electric taxi in 1899, for a blistering 12 mph!]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/first-us-speeding-ticket-electric-taxi-1899-12-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/first-us-speeding-ticket-electric-taxi-1899-12-mph/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/first-us-speeding-ticket-electric-taxi-1899-12-mph/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nissan Leaf electric taxi

Apparently, electric vehicles have long tempted drivers to go faster than the law allows. According to a historical tidbit on Today I Found Out, the first-ever speeding ticket handed out in the US was given to a New York City cabbie driving a battery-electric car, all the way back in 1899.

Of course, life was a little slower then, so the illegal speed was just 12 miles an hour. This is how fast the Electric Vehicle Co.'s Jacob German was hauling down Lexington Avenue in his cab on May 20, 1999 - four mph above the legal speed limit. Not only was he stopped by a cop, he was also apparently thrown in jail for his offense.

Yesterday, Nissan and New York City kicked off a year-long electric taxi pilot program using six 2013 Nissan Leaf EVs (pictured, since we can't seem to find a dash cam of Mr. German getting arrested). Today I Found Out claims that, in the era of German's ticket, 90 percent of the taxis in NYC were powered by electricity. The early EVs were mostly made by the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia.

First US speeding ticket given to electric taxi in 1899, for a blistering 12 mph! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1899cabelectric vehiclefirst speeding tickethistoryinfractionspeeding tickettaxiTue, 23 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547078/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547078/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/first-us-speeding-ticket-electric-taxi-1899-12-mph/20547078/article-detail.xml 20547078 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-taxi-1366663650_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissan-leaf-taxi-1366663650.jpg <![CDATA[Ford, KB Home partner on green-living concepts with ZeroHouse 2.0]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/ford-kb-home-partner-zerohouse-2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/ford-kb-home-partner-zerohouse-2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/ford-kb-home-partner-zerohouse-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford C-Max Energi PHEV

Herbert Hoover never actually promised "a chicken for every pot, a car in every garage" in his 1928 campaign, but the message is associated with the former US president. Now, 85 years later, KB Home is envisioning a green world where the car in all those garages is a Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid connected to the home's "smart" utility functions designed to cut energy usage.

The homebuilder, which is showing off a concept home in San Marcos, CA (about 35 miles north of San Diego), is showing off the ZeroHouse 2.0 model home. It can be programmed to charge up the C-Max plug-in at nighttime, when energy rates are lower. Other green features include having its refrigerator make ice at night (again, during off-peak hours) and including systems that cut water use by 20 percent compared to similar-sized homes.

Through March, Ford has sold 1,166 C-Max Energi vehicles, almost exactly half as many as its primary competitor, the Toyota Prius Plug-in. Read Ford's press release below.

Continue reading Ford, KB Home partner on green-living concepts with ZeroHouse 2.0

Ford, KB Home partner on green-living concepts with ZeroHouse 2.0 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-max energifordkb homeplug-in hybridsan marcosTue, 23 Apr 2013 10:08:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546032/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546032/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/ford-kb-home-partner-zerohouse-2/20546032/article-detail.xml 20546032 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fordkb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/fordkb.jpg <![CDATA[NYC launches electric taxi 'fleet' with six Nissan Leaf EVs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/nyc-launches-electric-taxi-fleet-with-six-nissan-leaf-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/nyc-launches-electric-taxi-fleet-with-six-nissan-leaf-evs/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/nyc-launches-electric-taxi-fleet-with-six-nissan-leaf-evs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

nissan leaf nyc taxi

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg drove up to the news conference in Rockefeller Center that introduced the first-ever all-electric NYC taxi in the back seat of - you guessed it - an EV taxi. Nissan and NYC chose Earth Day, today, to launch a zero-emission taxi fleet.

The six donated vehicles begin a year-long pilot program as soon as next week, after installation of recharging units is completed. That includes charging units in the homes or garages of participating owner-operated taxis and fleets, and several fast-chargers in strategic spots around Manhattan, which can provide 80-percent battery power in around 30 minutes.

Taxis average 70-100 miles a day in NYC. The 2013 Nissan Leaf has an official EPA range of 75 miles (aka 84 miles), and probably more in the stop-and-go of urban traffic, thanks to regenerative braking, so drivers might not have to recharge at all during their shift. "We want to demonstrate that drivers can integrate the technology without losing business," said David Yassky, the city's taxi and limousine commissioner.

The first Nissan Leaf taxi driver, London-born Uppkar Thind, told me his 12-year-old son thinks the EV taxi is "cool," and that the vehicle is stable and sturdy. Thind was one of more than 100 owner-drivers and fleets who applied for one of six pilot program Leaf vehicles, which requires drivers to provide feedback to Nissan, the city and other governmental agencies and utilities. But that's a small price in return for avoiding the time and expense of gas pumps.

All participating drivers received training from Nissan on adapting their driving style for electric, including feathering both gas and brake to get full advantage from EV torque. All the pilot Leaf taxis are production models, to which meters and the taxi TV screens have been added.

NYC launches electric taxi 'fleet' with six Nissan Leaf EVs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earth dayelectric taxienvironmentnissannissan leafnyctaxiMon, 22 Apr 2013 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546920/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20546920/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/nyc-launches-electric-taxi-fleet-with-six-nissan-leaf-evs/20546920/article-detail.xml 20546920 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissanleaftaxilaunch628p_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/nissanleaftaxilaunch628p.jpg <![CDATA[Shell Eco-marathon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/shell-eco-marathon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/shell-eco-marathon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/12/shell-eco-marathon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

An Oil Company Spends Big To Teach Students To Use Less

shell eco-marathon mater dei

The Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013 is over, the winners declared. Thousands of excited students came to Houston last weekend with 140 cars and the winning team managed to get upwards of 3,580 miles per gallon. Now that the cars have been packed up and shipped back to schools throughout the hemisphere, from Alaska to Brazil, we can look back and discuss some of the bigger issues that the three frenzied, fuel-efficient competition days - and the months of hard work leading up to the event - raise.

Before leaving Houston, we got to sit down with representatives from Shell, which spends an undisclosed amount of money to put on these Eco-marathons around the world. It's a huge undertaking, and one that has lots of positive angles and some particularly thorny ones. But first, a short history.

The story goes that the first Eco-marathon started as a bet between two Shell engineers. The year was 1939 and the winner managed to hit 49.39 mpg.

The story goes that the first Eco-marathon was started as a bet between two Shell engineers to see who could go further on a gallon of fuel. The year was 1939 and the winner managed to hit 49.39 miles per gallon in a 1933 Plymouth. They had so much fun they did it again and, by 1949, the winner was getting 150.53 mpg. The numbers kept going up from there. 1968: 244.62 mpg. 1973: 392.02 mpg. And so on. The event was known as the Shell Mileage Marathon, but in 1985, a name change signified the start of the event in its current form. That year, students from 20 European countries in 25 teams competed in the first Eco-marathon in France, and the winners managed to get 1599.45 mpg. The 1997 event was canceled because of heavy rain and in 2006 the first solar cars ran the race. In 2007, the event was held in the US for the first time, in Fontana, CA, and Asia joined the party in 2010. Today, across the three events, over 400 teams participate each year. Next year, a fourth location will draw teams from the Middle East and Africa. The current record is 8,914 mpg, set by a French team in 2003.

Continue reading Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeelectric vehiclegasolinehigh schoolhoustonhydrogenhypermilingmater deimpgshellshell eco marathontexasFri, 12 Apr 2013 14:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534478/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534478/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/12/shell-eco-marathon/20534478/article-detail.xml 20534478 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-mater-dei-628-1365471129_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-mater-dei-628-1365471129.jpg <![CDATA[Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013 winners wring 3,587 miles from one measly gallon]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/shell-eco-marathon-americas-2013-winners-3587-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/shell-eco-marathon-americas-2013-winners-3587-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/shell-eco-marathon-americas-2013-winners-3587-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013

On a sunny, at times windy weekend in downtown Houston, TX, 131 vehicles competed in the Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013, racing round and round Discovery Green for two full days. All told, they used like a gallon of gasoline.

The headline winner rocked 3,587 miles per gallon, which was the winning result from Quebec's Université Laval in the gasoline prototype category. The Purdue team we spoke with over the weekend did, in fact win in the EV urban concept category, with 78.1 mi/kWh in their tricky solar-powered EV. Mater Dei, which did well in previous years, also won, but only in two categories: prototype EV (600.1 mi/kWh), urban concept gasoline (849.2 mpg). Last year, the school won four and competed with four vehicles again this year - in case you were wondering if the competition remains fierce.

140 vehicles came to the event, but only 131 managed to pass inspection and participate.

You can read our on-site reports here and here. As we learned in Texas, the challenge wasn't just on the track, since it takes a lot just to get to the starting line. 140 vehicles came to the event, but only 131 managed to pass inspection and participate in the competition. There are two main categories - urban concept and prototype (the main difference is the number of wheels, four vs. three) - and six categories within in each of those: gasoline, battery electric (which includes solar), gasoline alternative (not available in urban concept), diesel, alternative diesel and hydrogen. There were also off-track awards, including the eco-design award for the bamboo car from Houston's West Side High School. A complete list of winners can be found here (PDF). The overall Shell Eco-marathon record is 8,914 mpg, which was set by a French team in 2003. Later this year, Shell will host two other Eco-marathon events, one in Europe and one in Asia. Next year, an Africa/Middle East event will be added to the roster.

Continue reading Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013 winners wring 3,587 miles from one measly gallon

Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2013 winners wring 3,587 miles from one measly gallon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclehypermilingmater deimpgpurdueshellshell eco marathonMon, 08 Apr 2013 19:48:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534152/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20534152/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/shell-eco-marathon-americas-2013-winners-3587-mpg/20534152/article-detail.xml 20534152 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-mater-dei-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/shell-eco-marathon-mater-dei-628.jpg <![CDATA[Zappos CEO will share 100 Tesla Model S EVs in Las Vegas Downtown Project]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/zappos-ceo-share-100-tesla-model-s-evs-las-vegas-downtow-project/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/zappos-ceo-share-100-tesla-model-s-evs-las-vegas-downtow-project/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/zappos-ceo-share-100-tesla-model-s-evs-las-vegas-downtow-project/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

tesla model s

Tesla may be claiming a real-world cost of $500 a month to lease/own a Model S, but if you live in downtown Las Vegas, you can get 100 Model S vehicles, all the bus rides you want and access to 100 bikeshare bikes - as well as a collection of 100 neighborhood electric vehicles - for under $400 a month. One minor detail: you don't get to actually drive the Model S.

Called Project 100, the idea is part of the Downtown Project by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. For now, the beta project is invite-only and still in the planning stages, writes GigaOM. The Verge says that the monthly cost should be less than $400, because that "represents an average car payment plus insurance." GigaOM says tiered pricing will be available.

Project 100 will be app-based, and using that app, you can call up one of 100 Model S taxi, unlock the bicycles and NEVs or ride the buses to any of 100 stops. Think of it as mobility sharing, with Teslas - and a high price tag.

Continue reading Zappos CEO will share 100 Tesla Model S EVs in Las Vegas Downtown Project

Zappos CEO will share 100 Tesla Model S EVs in Las Vegas Downtown Project originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carsharingdowntown projectelectric vehicleteslatesla model stony hseihzapposMon, 08 Apr 2013 10:18:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533593/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533593/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/zappos-ceo-share-100-tesla-model-s-evs-las-vegas-downtow-project/20533593/article-detail.xml 20533593 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/model-s-alpha-black_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/model-s-alpha-black.jpg -1 2