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[Japan may subsidize, deregulate 100 new hydrogen fuel stations]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/japan-may-subsidize-deregulate-100-new-hydrogen-fuel-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/japan-may-subsidize-deregulate-100-new-hydrogen-fuel-stations/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/japan-may-subsidize-deregulate-100-new-hydrogen-fuel-stations/#commentsFiled under: ,

honda fcx clarity

Here's a story that certainly plays to stereotypes: a new network of hydrogen refueling stations being built in Japan are the work of, surprise, oil companies. As The Japan Times reports, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. and 12 other companies - including automakers - are working together to establish about 100 new H2 stations, mostly in major cities.

For its part, the government is ready to "provide financial assistance and is considering deregulation," The Japan Times writes, in part because it can cost up to six times as much to build a hydrogen station as it does a gas station. JX Nippon Oil installed the first of its planned 13 stations in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, last month.

Two Japanese automakers, Honda and Toyota, have long been bigger fans of hydrogen than pure electric vehicles. Honda has been leasing the FCX Clarity (pictured) for years and Toyota is working on a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for 2015. Hyundai, BMW, Daimler, Nissan and General Motors are among the automakers also publicly active in readying H2 vehicles for the near future.

Japan may subsidize, deregulate 100 new hydrogen fuel stations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 May 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>h2hydrogenjapanjx nippon oilMon, 20 May 2013 14:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576535/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576535/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/japan-may-subsidize-deregulate-100-new-hydrogen-fuel-stations/20576535/article-detail.xml 20576535 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/honda-fcx-clarity-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/honda-fcx-clarity-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mitsubishi will double Outlander PHEV production after finding fire cause]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi is looking to make up for lost ground from some fire-related issues by doubling production of its Outlander Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in Japan, Green Car Reports says.

The Japanese automaker will ramp up to 4,000 Outlander PHEVs a month, up from the 2,000-unit target it set last September. Mitsubishi will consolidate the Outlander PHEV motor and battery installation operations to help speed things up.

The company plans to start selling the Outlander PHEV in the US next year. In March, the company halted Outlander PHEV production because of a melted battery at a Yokohama dealership. Mitsubishi since discovered that the batteries, which are produced by Lithium Energy Japan, are short circuiting from a screening process (since discontinued) that infected the batteries with contaminants.

Lithium Energy Japan is a Mitsubishi joint-venture with GS Yuasa, which makes batteries for the Boeing Dreamliner. That airline model was recently affected by a number of fires recently.

Mitsubishi will double Outlander PHEV production after finding fire cause originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 12 May 2013 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryfiregs yuasalithium energy japanmitsubishioutlanderoutlander phevoutlander plug-in hybridSun, 12 May 2013 16:34:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565385/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20565385/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/12/mitsubishi-will-double-outlander-phev-production-after-finding-f/20565385/article-detail.xml 20565385 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/outlanderphev-1366843281_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/outlanderphev-1366843281.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[Mitsubishi extends Outlander PHEV production halt]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-production-halt-extended/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-production-halt-extended/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/15/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-production-halt-extended/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi continues to cool its heals because of one hot battery. Specifically, the Japanese automaker hasn't found a reason why the lithium-ion batteries in its Outlander plug-in hybrid-electric SUV are overheating and therefore will continue its production moratorium, Automotive News says. The Outlander PHEV's batteries are made by Lithium Energy Japan, which is owned by a joint-venture of Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa. The latter company makes batteries for the Boeing Dreamliner, which sustained a number of fires earlier this year.

The Outlander production stoppage stems from a March 21 incident in which a battery pack in an Outlander PHEV overheated at a Yokohama dealership. At the time, Mitsubishi said drivers should refrain from external charging until the cause was found. Last month, Mitsubishi also disclosed that it was stopping production on the i-MiEV all-electric vehicle because of a battery fire. The company has since restarted production on that model using Toshiba-made batteries.

Mitsubishi extends Outlander PHEV production halt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firegs yuasalithium-ionmitsubishioutlanderoverheatingphevplug-in hybridyokohamaMon, 15 Apr 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539311/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20539311/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/15/mitsubishi-outlander-phev-production-halt-extended/20539311/article-detail.xml 20539311 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/outlanderphev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/outlanderphev.jpg <![CDATA[Sim-CEL has Tesla-quick performance, lasers for high beams]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/sim-cel-has-tesla-quick-performance-lasers-for-high-beams/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/sim-cel-has-tesla-quick-performance-lasers-for-high-beams/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/sim-cel-has-tesla-quick-performance-lasers-for-high-beams/#commentsFiled under: ,



Sim-Drive continues to move towards its goal of evolving the gloriously fantastical all-electric eight-wheeled Eliica into a mass-produced passenger vehicle by 2015. Introducing the SIM-CEL (Cool Energy Link), the third iteration in the Sim series of prototypes.

At first blush, this latest creation would seem to be taking a few steps backward - it only seats two and its range is given as 324 km (201 miles) on the JC-08 cycle, 17 fewer miles than its predecessor. However, a closer look at the numbers, and the car itself (pictured above), reveals the progress; this thing is amazingly aerodynamic. It boasts a slippery drag coefficient of 0.199. Combined with its four direct drive in-wheel 65-kW (87-horsepower) electric motors, it is now said to achieve an efficiency of 91.2Wh/km (again, on the JC-08 cycle). That's rather impressive.

What makes the SIM-CEL even more remarkable, and helps it stand out from other super-sleek efficient contenders, is the fact that it can also move with a quickness. Its 0-to-100 km/h (62 miles per hour) time is given as 4.2 seconds, which puts in the same class as a Tesla Model S Performance. How now, VW XL1?

Another big difference in this latest vehicle is its construction. While its 1580-kg (3483-lb) weight is identical to that of the previous SIM_WIL, despite having a smaller, 29.6-kWh battery, its dimensions are significantly larger in every direction. (Click here to see a photo of all three Sim-Drive vehicles parked adjacent each other.) To accomplish this, the CEL retains the space-frame substructure of its siblings but uses CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) for its exterior shell.

The high tech incorporated into this prototype doesn't stop there, though. Included in the package are laser-driven high beams that work with LED headlights to illuminate the night 1.5 times as far as the previous lights.

Scroll down for a short clip of SIM-CEL in motion. While the quick blast of acceleration doesn't translate impressively to video, it does give us a chance to check out that unique body work.

Continue reading Sim-CEL has Tesla-quick performance, lasers for high beams

Sim-CEL has Tesla-quick performance, lasers for high beams originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerodynamicselectric vehiclein-wheel motorsim-celsim-drivetesla-quickThu, 04 Apr 2013 18:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522399/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20522399/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/sim-cel-has-tesla-quick-performance-lasers-for-high-beams/20522399/article-detail.xml 20522399 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sim-drive-sim-cel-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/sim-drive-sim-cel-628.jpg <![CDATA[Discovery of rare earth metals in ocean mud could help Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/discovery-rare-earth-metals-ocean-mud-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/discovery-rare-earth-metals-ocean-mud-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/discovery-rare-earth-metals-ocean-mud-japan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

rare earth metal

There might be a crack in China's domination of rare earth metals - a mud-filled crack, thanks to a discovery by Japanese scientists. Vast reserves of rare earth metals that can be mined cheaply have been found in deep-sea mud on the Pacific ocean seabed. These essential metals are needed for a wide range of technologies - from consumer electronics like smartphones and TVs to advanced weapons systems and hybrid and electric vehicles.

"We have found deposits that are just two to four (meters) from the seabed surface at higher concentrations than anybody ever thought existed, and it won't cost much at all to extract," said professor Yasuhiro Kato from Tokyo University, the leader of the team, to The Telegraph.

"It won't cost much at all to extract" - professor Yasuhiro Kato, Tokyo University.

Some of the metals are found in other parts of the world, but the heavier metals such as dysprosium, terbium, europium, and ytterbium are the most important. After driving rivals out of the business in the 1990s, China became the source of 97 percent of these heavy rare earth metals. In 2009, China decided to restrict exports, which caused protests and legal complaints from the US and the European Union. China's actions also motivated more companies to set up shop in China to access the rare earth metals.

The team of Japanese scientists first discovered the Pacific ocean reserves two years ago, with that supply possibly being 1,000 times the supply of land-based deposits. The team's latest discovery is in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone in deep-sea mud. It's 5,700 meters below sea level around the island of Minami-Torishama. The researchers says that while the rare earth metals are down deep, they can easily be distracted with minimal disturbance off the seafloor using pressurized air.

Professor Kato thinks the exploration will take another two years before it can be scaled up for production. Over 50 percent of the discovered deposit is heavy rare earth metals and they doen't need the radioactive by-product thorium that makes the metals hard to mine in China.

Discovery of rare earth metals in ocean mud could help Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaelectric vehicleshybridsjapanlithium ion batteriesmudocean floorrare earth metalsThu, 04 Apr 2013 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20528513/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20528513/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/discovery-rare-earth-metals-ocean-mud-japan/20528513/article-detail.xml 20528513 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/rare-earth-metals_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/rare-earth-metals.jpg <![CDATA[Mitsubishi halts production of i-MiEV, Outlander PHEV after two plug-in car fires]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/mitsubishi-halts-production-of-i-miev-outlander-phev-after-two/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/mitsubishi-halts-production-of-i-miev-outlander-phev-after-two/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/29/mitsubishi-halts-production-of-i-miev-outlander-phev-after-two/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mitsubishi i

Last week was a rough one for Mitsubishi and its efforts to broaden its appeal among potential plug-in vehicle buyers. Two fires caused the Japanese automaker to halt production of both the Outlander plug-in hybrid and a version of the all-electric i-MiEV. The two separate incidents - both in Japan - involved plug-in vehicle battery-pack fires and, until the cause is found, production will be suspended, reports Automotive News.

The first fire occurred March 18 in the battery pack of a Mitsubishi i-MiEV (known in the US simply as the i) at the company's Mizushima factory. The pack overheated, causing a 98-minute fire in which no injuries or building damage occurred. The accident may have been caused by what Mitsubishi calls "a change in the manufacturing process of the battery supplier." As a result, the company is calling fleet-vehicle operators with i-MiEVs whose batteries were made under the same process as those that overheated and is working on a possible fix.

Meanwhile, on March 21, a battery pack in Outlander PHEV overheated at a Yokohama dealership. About 80 cells within the battery overheated, damaging one of the three blocks of cells in the battery and causing the unregistered car to not be able to run. Mitsubishi says owners of the Outlander PHEV should hold off on external charging until a further investigation of the cause of the incident is conducted. Mitsubishi says the fire will not delay the plug-in Outlander's US launch and there is no official word if a recall will be required for either vehicle. Mistubishi has sold 4,000 Outlander PHEVs in Japan.

Mitsubishi uses battery cells that have an indirect connection to the fires in the Boeing Dreamliner earlier this year, the batteries that Tesla Motors CEO called "fundamentally unsafe." Mitsubishi't cells come from Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture between Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa that was started in 2007. GS Yuasa makes the batteries for the airplane, but Boeing says it will not stop testing the Dreamliner in light of these fires.

Mitsubishi's press releases on the incidents are available below.

Continue reading Mitsubishi halts production of i-MiEV, Outlander PHEV after two plug-in car fires

Mitsubishi halts production of i-MiEV, Outlander PHEV after two plug-in car fires originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterybattery firecellfiregs yuasai-mievjapanlithium-ionmitsubishioutlanderyuasaFri, 29 Mar 2013 19:23:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20521370/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20521370/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/29/mitsubishi-halts-production-of-i-miev-outlander-phev-after-two/20521370/article-detail.xml 20521370 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mitsu_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/mitsu.jpg <![CDATA[Japanese Leaf owners praise EV's low cost of ownership, want more range]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/japan-leaf-owners-praise-ev-more-range-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/japan-leaf-owners-praise-ev-more-range-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/japan-leaf-owners-praise-ev-more-range-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan's Leaf-ownership meeting in Osaka

In a message that can't be lost in translation, Japanese Nissan Leaf owners want a longer single-charge range from their electric vehicles.

That was the primary qualm from about 100 Leaf owners who attended a recent Nissan event with Nissan-Renault chief Carlos Ghosn. The owners, a small sample of the approximately 54,000 Leafs sold worldwide, were generally happy with the car, praising its quickness and ability to provide owners a relief from high Japanese gas prices.

At the event, Ghosn said that he wants to put Nissan in a "leadership position" of electric-vehicle production in China, where government officials are hoping that 2 million EVs will be on the road by the end of the decade. Earlier this month, Bloomberg News reported that Nissan may build a version of the Leaf with China-based Dongfeng Motor Group in the Chinese province of Guangdong, where BYD makes its the all-electric e6.

Check out Nissan's video of the Osaka event below.

Continue reading Japanese Leaf owners praise EV's low cost of ownership, want more range

Japanese Leaf owners praise EV's low cost of ownership, want more range originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnelectric vehicleghosnnissannissan leafosakaTue, 26 Mar 2013 19:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517871/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20517871/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/26/japan-leaf-owners-praise-ev-more-range-video/20517871/article-detail.xml 20517871 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissangroup_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/nissangroup.png <![CDATA[EV grin on early adopters can fade after buying electric vehicle]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/early-adopters-not-happy-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/early-adopters-not-happy-electric-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/19/early-adopters-not-happy-electric-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Japan has been a real test market for electric vehicle ownership, especially for the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. What have EV owners experienced in this market? While about one third are "green enthusiasts" who love the low energy costs and comfortable driving experience, another third say they're not interested in buying one again.

These numbers come from McKinsey & Co., which recently conducted a study on Japanese consumers who bought an electric car in Japan in the previous 24 months. The study found enthusiasm waned fairly quickly for a lot of them. For the 34 percent not satisfied with their current electric vehicle (see chart above), facing higher electric bills and locating places to charge their cars were the key stumbling blocks.

Higher electric bills and locating places to charge were the key stumbling blocks.

These skeptical EV owners were first "seduced" into the purchase by low energy costs (compared to gasoline), attractive subsidies and a good test drive. They tended to be less well informed than green enthusiasts who love EV technology. The McKinsey study suggests automakers will need to adopt retention and education programs to avoid negative market feedback from EV owners who've had less-than-satisfying experiences and could "poison the well" for potential buyers.

The price of the EV ownership experience is keeping these potential buyers away from ownership, the study found. Early adopters were comfortable with pricing, but prices will need to drop to the point where EV acquisition uptake stimulates charging infrastructure development; this is where automakers need to step in to build customer loyalty to broaden the market for EVs, McKinsey said.

The report doesn't mention the impact of the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown on the EV ownership experience. The low cost and clean energy benefits of EV ownership were thrown for a loop in the post-earthquake and tsunami environment. Perhaps electric utilities will need to work with automakers on getting skeptical car shoppers to gain confidence in the EV owner experience.

EV grin on early adopters can fade after buying electric vehicle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationselectric vehiclesev driversev ownersevsimievjapanleafTue, 19 Mar 2013 13:42:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20509760/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20509760/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/19/early-adopters-not-happy-electric-vehicles/20509760/article-detail.xml 20509760 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/japanese-ev-owners_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/japanese-ev-owners.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota's electric delivery truck

In California, "low rider" has long implied a gas-guzzling hot rod. Toyota is now making that term a little more utilitarian in Japan. Toyota, working with Hino Motors and Yamato Transport Co., is testing out a pair of all-electric delivery van that will be used for refrigerated trucking in Tokyo.

The EV with a one-ton-payload, which will be tested starting this month for about a year, weighs about 6,000 pounds, has about 100 horsepower and about a 36-mile-per-hour top speed. The truck is about 185 inches long, or three inches shorter than a Toyota Highlander SUV.

While Toyota is not disclosing the truck's single-charge range, the automaker is pitching the truck's lack of engine noise as a bonus for early-morning deliveries through residential areas. Additionally, Toyota says the electric motor and battery-on-the-bottom layout allows for a truck bed that's about 17 inches off the ground, or about half the bed height of a conventional delivery truck.

Read Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan

Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deliveryelectric vehicleevhinojapantoyotatruckvanyamatoSat, 09 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490118/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490118/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/20490118/article-detail.xml 20490118 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyotaelectriccover_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyotaelectriccover.png <![CDATA[Fuel-saving, self-driving trucks on the road in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/fuel-saving-self-driving-trucks-on-the-road-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/fuel-saving-self-driving-trucks-on-the-road-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/fuel-saving-self-driving-trucks-on-the-road-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,



Readers of a certain age might remember those bumper stickers with Yosemite Sam toting two six-shooters and yelling "Back Off!" He wasn't yelling "So you can burn more fuel!" but researchers are looking at how tailgating could save gas, and, in this case, are working with big rigs.

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is testing what's been known in some circles as a road train program with heavy-duty trucks in Japan, The Verge says. Under the program, a convoy of four trucks are computer-programmed to drive about 13 feet apart, which cuts wind resistance and boosts fuel economy for the trailing vehicles, The Verge reports. In fact, fuel efficiency could climb as much as 15 percent through such a program. NEDO will expand such testing efforts later this year.

NEDO's efforts are similar to those that Volvo has been testing since 2009 with variants of SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment), the company's own road train concept. SARTRE involves a truck followed by three cars driving at about 13 feet apart at 55 miles per hour, and is said to cut fuel use for the trailing cars by as much as 20 percent. Volvo, which said it finalized the most recent phase of that program last September, hasn't released details on possible further testing or expansion of its road train efforts.

Check out some videos on the project below.

Continue reading Fuel-saving, self-driving trucks on the road in Japan

Fuel-saving, self-driving trucks on the road in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big rigsdragfuel efficiencyfuel savingjapanroad trainsartretruckswind resistanceMon, 04 Mar 2013 17:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485283/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20485283/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/04/fuel-saving-self-driving-trucks-on-the-road-in-japan/20485283/article-detail.xml 20485283 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/semi-trucks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/semi-trucks.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan New Mobility Concept is "perfect even for mom" [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/nissan-new-mobility-concept-is-perfect-even-for-mom-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/nissan-new-mobility-concept-is-perfect-even-for-mom-w-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/nissan-new-mobility-concept-is-perfect-even-for-mom-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

nissan new mobility concept ev

Nissan is taking the careful approach as it brings out its second electric vehicle. To show off the car's practicality, Nissan gave seven moms in suburban Japan the chance to test drive the New Mobility Concept vehicle to see how it works transporting their kids, going shopping and running errands. The Tokyu Corp. has joined with Nissan and the city of Yokohama for the Yokohama Mobility Project Zero, which was designed to increase low-carbon transportation locally.

Nissan thinks that its Leaf and the upcoming two-seat mobility cousin are ideal for the narrow, crowded streets of suburban Japan. The New Mobility Concept is based on the Twizy electric vehicle previously launched by alliance partner automaker Renault.

After driving it a couple of laps, trial participant Yoko Sonobe fell in love with the New Mobility Concept. "We own a big, eight-seater car, and it always seems a little over the top to use it for such small things as going shopping. But if I had something this compact, it's much less of a hassle to drive the children around or to run small errands to the supermarket," Sonobe said in the Nissan video. Watch the video below to find out if the New Mobility Concept could be "perfect even for moms."

Nissan said the volunteers will use the new mobility concept vehicles at home for two weeks - taking four-hour, full charges from their home sockets. Akihiko Hoshi from the Ministry of Transport said it's important to teach people how to use the electric car safely. After a three-year trial period, the NMC could be ready for launch, according to the video.

Continue reading Nissan New Mobility Concept is "perfect even for mom" [w/video]

Nissan New Mobility Concept is "perfect even for mom" [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are quite a few taxi operators testing out electric cars by adding Nissan Leaf EVs to their fleets - whether that be New York (pictured), Hong Kong or Mexico City. It's a channel for the global automaker to sell more of the cars and give more people their own experience of being transported in a Leaf. But there can be a downside.

The experiment hasn't gone well in Osaka, Japan, where many cab owners and drivers can't wait to drive a non-Leaf taxi. In February 2011, the city made a deal with Nissan and 30 taxi firms to bring in 50 Nissan Leaf taxis. The Leafs were subsidized with incentives from the city and the national government that brought the price down to 1,780,000 yen (about $21,000 US) for the taxi firms.

Taxi drivers liked the Leafs at first. One taxi driver loved the Leaf and told Japan Today: "There's no vibration or knocks from the engine. They just glide smoothly. The electric power is far cheaper than outlays for gasoline, and there are few mechanical failures. Eventually we're certain that EV taxis will become the most common type on the road."

The driver's prediction was way off the mark. The Leafs are being utilized only about half as much as regular taxis in Osaka. The problem started right after the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown, right after the Leafs were delivered to the taxi fleets. Electricity had been an appealing alternative to gasoline for taxis as a clean, safe, and non-polluting source of energy. The positive image faded as electricity became scarce and the source of the power was called into question.

The cars themselves became another problem for taxi drivers - more specifically, the battery pack performance declined. "When the cars were new, you could drive about 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) on a full charge; but after two years of use, their maximum range is down to about one half of that. So you have to refuse passengers who request long trips," a taxi driver said.

On cold days, some taxi drivers even shun the heater and offer passengers chemical pocket warmers and blankets.

Charging has brought another wall to climb. Taxi drivers had been able to charge in about 15 minutes, but, recently, it has been taking 40 minutes or more. There are only eight charging stations in Osaka, and driving around to find them takes time out of finding potential rides. The problem gets worse on cold-weather days, when using the heater consumers more electricity - some drivers even shun the heater and offer passengers chemical pocket warmers and blankets. It's become a money-losing proposition for taxi drivers and owners.

What makes matters worse is that the government subsidy was a three-year program, and there's one more year left before the taxi operators can bring in a more practical car. "I'm getting out of this business," one of the Osaka cabbies said. "This is no way to earn a living."

With blankets in cold weather, Nissan Leaf taxi experiment not working in Osaka originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery degradationbattery packelectric carelectric vehicleevjapanleaflithium ion batterynissanosakataxiTue, 26 Feb 2013 11:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476154/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20476154/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/26/with-blankets-in-cold-weather-nissan-leaf-taxi-experiment-not-w/20476154/article-detail.xml 20476154 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nissan-leaf-taxi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nissan-leaf-taxi.jpg <![CDATA[Nuclear energy and the Nissan Leaf]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/nuclear-energy-and-the-nissan-leaf/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/nuclear-energy-and-the-nissan-leaf/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/nuclear-energy-and-the-nissan-leaf/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

isao natsuyagi nissan leaf

Read into this what you will, but Nissan may have given a subtle hint that it would prefer to have its all-electric Leafs powered by something safer than electricity make at a nuclear plant. The reason? The Japanese automaker recently presented a Leaf to an award-winning actor who starred in a dramatic film inspired by the deadly Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown in 2011.

During the 67th annual Mainichi film awards (sort of the Japanese version of the Oscars) the winner of the best actor award, Isao Natsuyagi, snagged a Leaf for his role in the film Kibou no Kuni ("The Land of Hope"). The film portrays the victims of a "what-if" Fukushima-like storyline and Natsuyagi plays an elderly cattle raiser who found out his home and family were close to a radioactive exclusion zone.

"This car is a mystery."

Natsuyagi said he identified with the character, and that the film's discussion of energy use is important not only in Japan but globally. "We humans need to think about what kind of energy we need to use in order to survive," Natsuyagi says in a Nissan video available below. It was the first time he'd ever been in a Nissan Leaf, or any electric vehicle, for that matter. "Only the image of a toy car comes to mind when I think of an EV," he said. "The car I received has the latest technology and it's amazing."

While taking it for a spin, the actor learned two things - zero tailpipe emissions and that EVs are very quiet. The Leaf impressed him when compared to his two personal cars - a Citroen DS21 and a Volvo. "Both of them make quite a bit of noise. Bom-Bom-Bom, like that. For me, this car, which does not emit smoke and is impossible to know if I turned the key or not, is a mystery," Natsuyagi said.

Continue reading Nuclear energy and the Nissan Leaf

Nuclear energy and the Nissan Leaf originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>award showelectric vehicleevfukushimajapannissan leafnuclear powersafetyMon, 11 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20455748/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20455748/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/11/nuclear-energy-and-the-nissan-leaf/20455748/article-detail.xml 20455748 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/isao-natsuyagi-awarded-nissan-leaf_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/isao-natsuyagi-awarded-nissan-leaf.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda will build $286-million Skyactiv transmission plant in Thailand]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/mazda-will-build-286-million-skyactiv-transmission-plant-in-tha/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/mazda-will-build-286-million-skyactiv-transmission-plant-in-tha/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/03/mazda-will-build-286-million-skyactiv-transmission-plant-in-tha/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mazda's SkyActiv transmission

Mazda has some good news for a Thailand auto industry rebounding from floods that crippled production less than three years ago. The automaker will build a 26 billion yen ($286 million) factory in the country's Chonburi Province that will be used strictly to build Mazda's SkyActiv transmissions.

The plant, which will be located about three miles north of the Mazda-partnered AutoAlliance factory, will employ about 500 people and will start churning out the transmissions by September 2015, with a capacity of 400,000 units a year.

Mazda has largely eschewed electric-drive technology in favor of its SkyActiv system as a way to meet stricter fuel-economy standards both in the US and abroad. SkyActiv gets its fuel-economy gains from advancements such as a higher compression ratio, lighter engine block and improved engine timing, among other things. Read Mazda's press release below.

Thailand is home to the world's 12th largest auto industry and was devastated by a 2011 flood that killed more than 800 people. Toyota and Honda each owned factories in the country that were damaged but reopened by the middle of 2012.

Continue reading Mazda will build $286-million Skyactiv transmission plant in Thailand

Mazda will build $286-million Skyactiv transmission plant in Thailand originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 03 Feb 2013 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Old-school Toyota Prius

How's this for a "willing buyer"? Toyota is going to recycle nickel-metal hydride batteries from old hybrids into energy management systems and will then sell those systems to Toyota dealerships in Japan.

Starting in April, the company's Toyota Turbine and Systems Inc. division will sell an Electricity Management system to dealers as part of its effort to get those dealers to cut energy consumption costs. Toyota is also getting its distributors to move towards solar power, LED lighting and other tree-hugging energy policies.

The recycled-battery systems can story up to 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power (by comparison, a typical US home uses between 15 and 20 kWh a day). The systems can be used for backup power and can cut costs by, for instance, being deployed as a primary energy source during peak usage and pricing hours of energy consumption.

By the way, those systems weigh about 2,100 pounds each (not all that much lighter than the early Prius models, actually), and are small enough that about six of them can fit into a typical parking space. Toyota's press release is avaiable below. You can see how else Toyota is repurposing old Prius parts here (rollercoasters) and here (recycling).

Continue reading Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers

Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryenergy managementenergy storagejapannickel metal hydridepriusrecycletoyotatoyota turbine and systems incSat, 02 Feb 2013 08:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441262/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441262/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/02/toyota-recycling-old-hybrid-batteries-into-energy-storage-system/20441262/article-detail.xml 20441262 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/priusold_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/priusold.jpg <![CDATA[CHAdeMO 'disappointed' by European Commission's fast charging decision]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/chademo-disappointed-european-commissions-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/chademo-disappointed-european-commissions-fast-charging/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/28/chademo-disappointed-european-commissions-fast-charging/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CHAdeMO

The association representing the world's most prevalent fast-charging standard may be based in Japan, and the region in question might be Europe, but the CHAdeMO Association made its feelings clear about the European Commission's (EC) charging-infrastructure strategy in very, very plain English.

The CHAdeMO Association says its "disappointed" that its fast-charging standard, backed by automakers such as Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi, was left out of the EC's specs for DC fast-charging. Why the hate, the group wondered, when there are more than 600 CHAdeMO chargers serving more than 20,000 CHAdeMO-equipped vehicles across the continent.

CHAdeMO was launched in 2010 and is the quick-charging standard of choice for vehicles like the Nissan Leaf. Conversely, European and US automakers support the less-established SAE quick-charging standard, claiming it is better because it requires just one port for both fast- and standard-charging.

Earlier this week, the CHAdeMO Association said the number of quick-charging stations worldwide doubled last year and will double again this year to more than 4,000 units. While most of the stations are in Japan, the number of Europe's stations almost quadrupled last year. Check out the CHAdeMO Association's statement below.

Continue reading CHAdeMO 'disappointed' by European Commission's fast charging decision

CHAdeMO 'disappointed' by European Commission's fast charging decision originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CHAdeMO

True to their name, the number of CHAdeMO-standard quick-charging stations for electric vehicles is growing real fast. The number of global stations that use Japan's quick-charging CHAdeMO standard has doubled in the past year to more than 2,000 units - and will more than double this year, as more public and private entities look to give EV owners the option of recharging their cars in a matter of minutes.

While Japan accounts for about two-thirds of the world's CHAdeMO stations, the number of stations in Europe has almost quadrupled to 601 units in the past year. The number of US stations has jumped more than tenfold to 154, according to the CHAdeMO association, which estimated that there are more than 70,000 CHAdeMO-compatible vehicles in the world. CHAdeMO stations can recharge an electric vehicle to 80-percent capacity in around 30 minutes. Check out the press release from the CHAdeMO association below.

The CHAdeMO standard was launched in 2010 and is backed by Japanese automakers like Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi. Even Tesla Motors said earlier this month that its Model S sedans earmarked for Japan this year will have a CHAdeMO adaptor.

CHAdeMO has competition, though. BMW, General Motors, Ford and Volkswagen are among the European and US automakers backing the SAE quick-charging standard, which is less established but which its backers say is superior because it requires just one charging port for standard- and fast-charging stations.

Continue reading Number of US CHAdeMO stations jumped tenfold in 2012

Number of US CHAdeMO stations jumped tenfold in 2012 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademochargingfast chargingnissanquick chargingsaeThu, 24 Jan 2013 10:05:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20435578/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20435578/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/24/number-of-us-chademo-stations-jumped-tenfold-in-2012/20435578/article-detail.xml 20435578 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/chademo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/chademo.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S will have available CHAdeMO adaptor in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/11/tesla-model-s-will-have-available-chademo-adaptor-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/11/tesla-model-s-will-have-available-chademo-adaptor-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/11/tesla-model-s-will-have-available-chademo-adaptor-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Model S

Tesla Motors has confirmed that the all-electric Model S luxury sedan will have a CHAdeMO quick-charging adaptor when the model goes on sale in Japan. The news was first reported in Japan, where CHAdeMo is the winning fast-charging option. The adaptor will make it possible for Tesla owners to recharge at almost 1,900 quick-charging stations across the country, Green Car Reports notes, where CHAdeMO is the DC-fast charge standard for models like the Japanese-made Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i.

More than 20 Tesla stores in Japan will start selling the model later this year, though no pricing has been announced. Tesla hasn't said whether CHAdeMO adaptors will be available for US versions of the Model S, which in November won Motor Trend's 2012 Car of the Year award.

The CHAdeMO quick-charging standard was established in 2010 and is supported by Nissan and Mitsubishi as well as Toyota. US and European automakers such as BMW, General Motors and Volkswagen are supporting the newer SAE Combo standard because of its ability to have a single charging port for both standard and fast-charging stations. Tesla doesn't like either of these protocols, and developed its own Supercharger technology, which is why an adaptor is necessary in the first place. No similar adaptor for the SAE Combo connector has been announced.

Tesla Model S will have available CHAdeMO adaptor in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chademochargingjapanmodel ssaeteslaFri, 11 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20426582/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20426582/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/11/tesla-model-s-will-have-available-chademo-adaptor-in-japan/20426582/article-detail.xml 20426582 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/tesla.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota may integrate carbon fiber after Lexus LFA shut-down]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/10/toyota-may-integrate-carbon-fiber-after-lexus-lfa-shut-down/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/10/toyota-may-integrate-carbon-fiber-after-lexus-lfa-shut-down/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/10/toyota-may-integrate-carbon-fiber-after-lexus-lfa-shut-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lexus LFA

Toyota could integrate carbon-fiber components into some of its future models after shutting down production of its Lexus LFA supercar last month, Automotive News reports.

Carbon fiber is both stronger and lighter than traditional vehicle-body materials. It makes sense for Toyota to take advantage of the carbon-fiber production facility, especially now that the company's become an expert of sorts in how the material can be used in cars. Still, using carbon fiber remains cost-prohibitive because it remains in limited production and molding process is labor intensive.

Toyota produced its 500th and final $375,000 Lexus LFA in December, about two years after opening its carbon fiber factory. Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini are among other automakers that use carbon fiber. In 2011, BMW partnered with SGL Group to open a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plant in Washington State.

Toyota may integrate carbon fiber after Lexus LFA shut-down originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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