Autoblog Green

Lutz says new CAFE standards will increase car price by $6k

John Neff — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Green

Ten months ago, Bob Lutz said GM cars would be $5,000 more expensive if the Bush administration got its way with fuel standards by raising fuel economy 4% every year through 2017. Bush didn't get his way, but Congress did with its newly-signed-into-law energy bill that requires automakers have a fleet average of 35 MPG by 2020. According to Lutz, that's going to be even more expensive: "This is going to be a net average cost of $6,000 per vehicle, which will have to be passed onto the consumer."

Lutz said that the premium would actually range from $4,000 to $10,000, and that "it won't come all at once, because 35 mpg doesn't kick in all at once." No one said that saving the world was going to be cheap -- but $6,000 per vehicle? We look forward to figuring out which vehicles will bear the brunt of the plan. Add $10,000 to the price of a ZR-1 and no one's really going to notice. Add $6,000 to the price of a CTS and, depending on how much more expensive its competition gets, things could get interesting. Add $4,000 to the price of an Aveo and you've probably sent a fair number of buyers elsewhere.

[Source: Detroit News]

Lutz says new CAFE standards will increase car price by $6k originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to build plant to support hybrid efforts

Erin Mays — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:41:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Honda Motor Company has announced plans to build a plant in Mie Prefecture to build components for its hybrid vehicles, the Japan Times reports. The plant will increase Honda's capacity for electric motors to 200,000 per year to match up with Honda's expected sales of 200,000 hybrid units once the company launches its small hybrid in 2009. Honda's banking on the idea that mass production of hybrid components will also lower the overall cost of producing hybrid vehicles. The plant is expected to go online in 2008.

[Source: The Japan Times]

Honda to build plant to support hybrid efforts originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NICE intros new MEGA City electric car in London

Alex Nunez — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Etc., Europe, Green, Technology, Misc. Auto Shows

The NICE (No Internal Combustion Engine) car company unveiled the MEGA City electric car this week at the British Motor Show.

In the wake of the unveiling of the spectacular Tesla Roadster sports car, the MEGA City seems completely boring by comparison. Beyond the 2-seat passenger configuration, the Tesla and the NICE couldn't be more different. With its 4kW maximum output, 40 mph top speed, and 38 to 50 mile range on a full charge, no one is ever going to accuse the MEGA City of setting any performance benchmarks.

Then again, the NICE isn't about all that. It is a pure city car designed to be used on the streets of London, where its exempt from the congestion and road taxes, pulls a low insurance premium, and qualifies its driver for free or cut-rate parking. Oh, and it also won't break the bank with its £9,995 starting price. NICE even has an agreement worked out with self-service car rental agency Streetcar that will let drivers rent a VW at reduced prices if they need to go somewhere outside of the EV's range.

The NICE MEGA City is a robust-looking little package that's available in 5 colors and is reasonably well-equipped right out of the showroom. Beyond that, the list of available options is highlighted by a satellite navigation system that has London's free Park-and-Charge recharging points pre-programmed into it. Nice touch. Drivers will be able to download updates via the NICE website.

For London's urbanites, the NICE MEGA City offers a stylish, zero-emissions automotive solution that's affordable at the same time.

(Additional info after the jump)

Source: NICE

Continue reading NICE intros new MEGA City electric car in London

NICE intros new MEGA City electric car in London originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 23 Jul 2006 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid Concept: Eco-friendly rotary power

Alex Nunez — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:18:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Green, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

At the British Motor Show, Mazda is showing its "green" side with the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Concept. The 5-seat MPV (Mazda calls it an MAV - Multi Activity Vehicle) is fitted with Mazda's dual-fuel Hydrogen/gasoline RENESIS rotary engine. It, in turn, is supplemented by a 30kW/40PS electric motor, which allows for torque assistance, stop/start functionality, and regenerative braking. Both units fit underhood thanks to the RENESIS' compact size.

The Mazda5's FWD configuration allowed engineers to locate the gasoline tank and lithium-ion batteries beneath the second row of seats. The hydrogen tank resides where one would normally find the third row of seats. This still leaves storage space for luggage in back, and a storage shelf was placed atop the hydrogen tank.

The driver can control whether the engine runs in gasoline or hydrogen mode via a control in the cockpit. Furthermore, if the car runs out of fuel in hydrogen mode, it will seamlessly transition to gasoline operation. Maximum power in hydrogen mode is 109 horsepower, while in gasoline mode it makes 210. Curiously, fuel economy and emissions stats were not provided. With a "green" vehicle, these are the numbers people are most interested in.

In any case, a hybrid powertrain in a package like the Mazda5 would likely be attractive to people who are looking for greater utility than a Civic or Prius can provide, but aren't interested in an SUV like the Highlander, Lexus RX or Escape/Mariner/Tribute. The Mazda5 Hydrogen RE concept is an interesting study that blends different alternative fuel technologies in a practical vehicle. Furthermore, the use of RENESIS engine emphasizes the car's "Mazda-ness."

(Additional info and more photos after the jump)

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid Concept: Eco-friendly rotary power

Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid Concept: Eco-friendly rotary power originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live Green, Go to the Hospital: Plant employee canned for drinking ethanol

Alex Nunez — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:14:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green, Plants/Manufacturing

Corey Neddermeyer worked for Iowa-based Amaizing Energy until this past April, when he was let go by the company for drinking on the job. Right about now, you're probably wondering what this has to do with cars. Well, here's your answer:

Well, as it turns out, Amaizing Energy produces ethanol for use in vehicles. One day in April, Neddermeyer arrived at work to find that there had been a large spill. Consequently, there were hundreds of gallons of the 190-proof fuel in a holding pond. This was apparently too much for Neddermeyer to bear.

By his own account, Neddermeyer, a recovering alcoholic ,dipped in and tried about 2 or 3 ounces of the fuel in a moment of weakness. The next thing he remembers is waking up in a local hospital room. He's lucky he woke up at all, as his blood alcohol content was reportedly a staggering .72. That kind of reading is often accompanied by an autopsy report, so Neddermeyer should count his blessings.

He was fired when plant staff found three empty bottles with traces of the fuel alcohol in them at his workstation, and he was just denied unemployment benefits this week.

The moral of the story: if you can run your car on it, it's probably best not to drink it -- something Mr. Neddermeyer now knows all too well.

[Source: Fox News]

Live Green, Go to the Hospital: Plant employee canned for drinking ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GE works on cheaper hydrogen electrolysis

Eric Bryant — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Trends, Hybrid, Green, Technology

Ask any pragmatic member of the automotive community when we might see a hydrogen-powered vehicles (fuel cell or internal-combustion engine), and the answer will probably range from "several years" to "several decades". General Electric looks to be trying to push that towards the lower end of the range with a prototype electrolysis device that promises low-cost hydrogen.

GE has replaced certain expensive metal components in the electrolysis process with Noryl, an inexpensive thermoplastic (although not by the standards of the resin world!). We're guessing that this is Noryl GTX, which was developed for use in electrostatic paint processes and thus is electrically conductive by means of embedded carbon fibers. By doing so, the cost of hydrogen may potentially plummet from $8/kilogram to $3/kilogram, or what is said to be in the same realm as current gasoline prices (presumably, this still doesn't include the costs of storing the hydrogen in a practical "fuel tank").

As the saying goes - what should come quickly usually takes a lot longer than anyone thinks, and what looks to be way out on the horizon often appears much more quickly than anyone expects. The category that hydrogen happens to fall into remains to be seen.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

GE works on cheaper hydrogen electrolysis originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seven Honda hybrids eligible for tax credits

Erin Mays — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green, Honda

Seven vehicles produced by Honda Motor Company have achieved certification from the U.S. government that they're fit for tax credits, the Internal Revenue Service reported on Thursday. In a roundabout way that would be tedious to explain here, the perk generally cuts off after Honda has sold its 60,000th hybrid vehicle. Vehicles in question include the 2005 and 2006 Civic, Accord and Insight models. Tax breaks range from $650 to $3,400, according to the release, which you'll find after the jump.

[Source: Internal Revenue Service]

Continue reading Seven Honda hybrids eligible for tax credits

Seven Honda hybrids eligible for tax credits originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 03 Jun 2006 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota addresses Congress on hybrids

Erin Mays — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Toyota

Ethanol was just getting entirely too much attention, so Toyota Motor Company is back on its soap box hawking hybrids and demanding equal time. The automaker addressed Congress on Wednesday, hoping to offset the support Detroit automakers are receiving over their push toward E85 fuel and remind everyone out there of the importance of hybrids. The automaker announced it could make one million hybrids a year, more than doubling the number of hybrids on the road in the United States today and contributing to lessening the country's dependence upon foreign oil. General Motors, Ford Motor Company and the Chrysler Group have all pledged to increase their hybrid investments as well, but neither will come close to knocking Toyota off as king of that particular hill.

[Source: Reuters]

Toyota addresses Congress on hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 26 May 2006 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senator Clinton pushes ethanol, calls for creation of "Strategic Energy Fund"

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 24 May 2006 07:20:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Green

In an address to the National Press Club Tuesday, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) jumped on the ethanol bandwagon, calling for a massive expansion of the U.S. ethanol distribution infrastructure to reach half of the nation's gas stations by 2015, aided by a 50-percent tax credit for station owners installing ethanol pumps.

Sen. Clinton called for an overarching energy goal of cutting U.S. imports of foreign oil in half by 2025 - a reduction of almost 8 million barrels a day.

In addition to widespread adoption of ethanol fuel, Sen. Clinton proposed a $50 billion "Strategic Energy Fund," paid for out of the windfall profits of big oil companies. Senator Clinton announced that she is introducing legislation to create the fund, which is intended to support "research, development and deployment of energy technologies that will reduce America's oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions."

The full text of Senator Clinton's speech, and details of the proposed Strategic Energy Fund are available here.

[Source: U.S. Senate web site - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton]

Senator Clinton pushes ethanol, calls for creation of "Strategic Energy Fund" originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 May 2006 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DaimlerChrysler's over 1 million mile fuel-cell experience

Joel Arellano — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:24:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Green, Daimler

DaimlerChrysler (DCX) reports it has logged over 1.2 million miles of fuel-cell experience, the longest among all automakers. This is the accumulated mileage of over 100 fuel-cell vehicles driven, vehichles such as the Dodge Sprinter hydrogen fuel cell van and the Mercedes-Benz F-cell car.

The automaker, which has been working on fuel cells for over a decade, continues to aggressively pursue the nascent technology as well as other technologies such as its Bluetec diesels. DCX works with such partners as the oil company BP, Ballard Power Systems, and is a founding member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

[Source: The Auto Channel]

DaimlerChrysler's over 1 million mile fuel-cell experience originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two motorcycles that joined the alternative power movement

Joel Arellano — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:37:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Etc., Green

Motocycle company Vespa is currently developing hybrid scooters based on its LX 50 and the Piaggio X8 125. Both prototypes' drivetrains will deliver a 25% power increase while delivering a 20% better fuel efficiency. Unlike today's production hybrids like the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner, the scooters' batteries can be recharged via a regular household plug.

London-based Intelligent Energy developed the Emissions Neutral Vehicle, or ENV (pictured), which Autoblog reported in March last year. Jerry Garrett of the Copley News Service reports riding the prototype. He found the noise, or lack of, from the ENV's motor most disconcerting. Otherwise, he found the bike responsive and easy to maneuver, and had no difficulty slaloming test cones.

[Sources: Treehugger; Copley News Service via Boston Globe]

Two motorcycles that joined the alternative power movement originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editorial: Critics missing the point when it comes to hybrids

Erin Mays — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green

While at my parents' house for Easter, Dad read this headline from the Chicago Tribune to me over breakfast: "Gas price run-up not turning tide for hybrid SUVs." He went on to summarize the article, which says that gas-electric hybrid SUVs like the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are becoming dealer inventory headaches compared to the likes of the new Chevy Tahoe. Evidently, people don't want to spend another $3-4K (and $10,000 over the price of comparable vehicles produced by other manufacturers) just to get the hybrid technology, particularly since the gas savings isn't really all that stellar (to be conservative, let's say 10% or so). Then we started chatting about the increasing criticism of hybrids in general, and while it's not surprising, the criticism is disheartening considering rising gas prices, among other issues.

Continue reading Editorial: Critics missing the point when it comes to hybrids

Editorial: Critics missing the point when it comes to hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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