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[Hybrids, EVs driving wider acceptance of diesel, CNG and hydrogen]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pictured from left to right: Tom Stricker, Toyota; Robert Bienenfeld, Honda; Reg Modlin, Chrysler.

Now that car buyers are starting to accept hybrids and EVs, there's more willingness to consider other green car technologies, including diesel, CNG and hydrogen. But the road to wider acceptance - and affordability - is being slowed by a lack of infrastructure and overlapping state and federal regulations that are sometime are at odds with one another.

That's the view of environmental and regulatory experts from three automakers, Toyota, Honda and Chrysler, who spoke speaking to an audience of journalists and policy-makers at the opening of 2013 Washington Auto Show, now underway.

Chrysler's head of regulatory affairs, Reg Modlin, said he is optimistic that investment by corporate fleets in CNG and electric will drive (pardon the pun) infrastructure development, citing that 20 states now are pushing CNG fleets. "The government has a role, but the marketplace has a bigger one," he said.

Robert Bienenfeld, Honda's manager of environment and energy strategy, is hopeful that the network of 100 hydrogen fueling stations California is planning to will "send a strong signal" for the viability of fuel cell vehicles, first for fleets, then for consumers. Honda's FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan has been leased in California for several years already.

What about renaming the technology as "natural gas fuel cells" to bypass consumer reluctance to hydrogen?

Toyota's VP of energy and environment research, Tom Stricker, predicts more collaboration between competing automakers to reduce R&D costs, such as Toyota's partnership with BMW on fuel cell research. He even suggested using natural gas to make hydrogen, and renaming the technology as "natural gas fuel cells" to bypass consumer reluctance to hydrogen.

All three agree that oil companies should ramp up production of low-sulfur fuel. "Direct injection engines need it to live," said Chysler's Modlin. Having one national standard for Tier 3 fuel will help lower prices nationwide, said Honda's Bienenfeld, adding, "if you don't have consumer support, you can't have policy." All three are optimistic that EPA fuel economy standards for 2025 will be met, although Striker describes the rules as "not really about fuel economy, but about CO2 reduction."

Honda's Bienenfeld noted that 40 years ago, cars were "1,000 times more polluting and half as fuel efficient." He predicts engines will continue to get cleaner and more fuel efficient, further narrowing the gap between conventional powertrains, including diesel and hybrids.

Hybrids, EVs driving wider acceptance of diesel, CNG and hydrogen originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchryslercorporate average fuel economyfcx clarityhondatier 3toyotawashington dc auto showWed, 06 Feb 2013 10:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20448121/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20448121/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/20448121/article-detail.xml 20448121 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/automakerpanel2013washdcautoshowevelynkanterc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/automakerpanel2013washdcautoshowevelynkanterc.jpg <![CDATA[DOE Secretary Steven Chu resigns, talks about future of plug-in vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/doe-secretary-steven-chu-resigns-talks-future-plug-in-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/doe-secretary-steven-chu-resigns-talks-future-plug-in-vehicles/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/doe-secretary-steven-chu-resigns-talks-future-plug-in-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

doe energy secretary steven chu

One day after announcing the Workplace Charging Challenge expansion for EV Everywhere at the Washington Auto Show, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced some big personal news: he will resign, giving President Obama one more chair to fill in his second term. In his 3,700-word resignation letter that was made public today (and available below), Chu only briefly touched on electric vehicles (and only indirectly alluded to hydrogen in the phrase "science that could lead to the direct conversion of solar energy into transportation fuels"), but we know plug-ins have been on his mind.

Following the WCC announcement yesterday, Chu spoke to reporters at the DC show and answered questions about the future of plug-in vehicles, more Advanced Vehicle Technology loans and how sometimes we need to remember that gasoline stinks.

When asked if we will still get to a million EVs by 2015, Chu said, "It's ambitious, but we'll see what happens ... I understood that the Chevy Volt has sold 24,000 since 2011 and the Nissan Leaf has remarkable price reductions that we're very, very excited about. With the current [US and California] subsidies, this actually puts it under $20,000. But, as I said before, we need $20,000 with no subsidies by 2022. This would be very exciting. When you get close to that, even $25,000, the market will speak for itself and so that's why we're so focused on improving the technology."

"I'd be a little surprised if, within 5-10 years 80 percent of the new car fleet in the world doesn't have start-stop."

The cost of all alternative powertrain technologies will come down, Chu said, so much so that, "mild hybrids will almost become the de facto. Stopping your engine when you're at a traffic light, for example. I'd be a little surprised if, within 5-10 years, 80 percent of the new car fleet in the world doesn't do this."

What about affordability and getting new car shoppers to buy EVs? "Some people say, 'unless you get every single feature of an internal combustion engine car, the customers won't accept that. Every single feature? Let's talk about features you could not get with an internal combustion car or a normal hybrid. I look forward to the day when I have a smart phone of some kind and, two minutes before I get into the car, I push a little button and say, 'make my car cool' or 'make my car warm,' because most of the trips are 5-10 minutes and you're either freezing or you're sweating for the first couple minutes. With an EV, even a mild plug-in, you can condition the thing before you get in. For those of you that actually pour gasoline into your cars, you might, at some time, have spilled gasoline on your hands or clothes, and when I do that, my hands stink of gasoline. So, look at all the other features."

"Fuel cells can be incredibly reliable. But our target is a $20,000 vehicle that can compete with a 45- or even 50-mile-per-gallon internal combustion car."

Chu was non-committal on further loans being made under the Advanced Vehicle Technology Loan Program, but he did say, "We used to be the undisputed leader in the auto industry. We were not at the beginning. We didn't invent the internal combustion engine, we didn't invent the automobile. That was done in Europe. But very shortly after that, we took the lead and held it for roughly a half century. So, that program is an important program and if we can use it to actually have sustainable businesses that succeed as something to bring back and retain our leadership in the future, we will look at all applications."

Oh, and despite their current expense, hydrogen fuel cells remain part of the portfolio, Chu said, which is why the DOE "will continue to support the fuel cell program. I think in the last year or two, I have been saying this is an important technology and we want to continue to support the research. Fuel cells can be incredibly reliable. There are many fuel cells in buses that have been running in buses for ten year, rock solid. But our target is a $20,000 personal vehicle that can compete with a 45- or even 50-mile-per-gallon internal combustion car."

Continue reading DOE Secretary Steven Chu resigns, talks about future of plug-in vehicles

DOE Secretary Steven Chu resigns, talks about future of plug-in vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doeelectric vehicleobamaplug-in hybridstephen chuFri, 01 Feb 2013 15:33:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20446398/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20446398/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/doe-secretary-steven-chu-resigns-talks-future-plug-in-vehicles/20446398/article-detail.xml 20446398 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/stephen-chu-washington-auto-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/stephen-chu-washington-auto-show.jpg <![CDATA[Squeaky wheels, rejoice: How 2013 Nissan Leaf was changed with EV driver suggestions]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/squeaky-wheels-rejoice-how-2013-nissan-leaf-was-changed-with-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/squeaky-wheels-rejoice-how-2013-nissan-leaf-was-changed-with-e/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/squeaky-wheels-rejoice-how-2013-nissan-leaf-was-changed-with-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 nissan leaf

During today's announcement about the expansion of DC fast charging stations in the US, Brendan Jones, Nissan North America's director of Leaf marketing and sales strategy, said that one reason the company is working harder on getting more chargers out there is because drivers asked for them. As one Leaf driver told him, "Give us more confidence by putting in more infrastructure and we'll drive further." Turns out that the 2013 Nissan Leaf itself was updated with EV driver input, a new industry style to match the new drivetrain.

"We frequently rely on them for what's working and what's not working. They're not shy."

"I'm an old-school car guy," Jones told AutoblogGreen. "I've been in the industry since the '80s. The amount of evangelism and groups - the Bay Area Leafers, for example, are between 300 and 350 strong - is different [with the Leaf]. We frequently rely on them - there's an Arizona club, a Tennessee club - for what's working and what's not working. They're not shy. It's great because even if sometimes there's critical information, it's good information.

"In San Francisco, we took 30 customers to one of those 'have-it-out-sessions' and they brought up the light [in the charge port]. They started yelling. 'It's absolutely crazy that you guys don't have a light!' When we put out the car, no one thought about that. Little things like that that improve the ownership experience. You can't buy better customers. They're great evangelists and they're very involved and they make us as a manufacturer better. I've launched other vehicles, and it's never been like this."

This light is just one change that was applied to the Leaf after early adopters pointed out how the car didn't meet their expectations. The headrests were made smaller, for example, and the electronic parking brake was removed. Also, the charging port now locks the cord in place, so no one can disconnect the charging process except the driver.

"The customers are going to play a big role in helping us make it better than anyone else."

The interaction between Nissan and Leaf owners heralds a bigger change that the Leaf itself is a part of. "The gasoline engine has been around forever," Jones said, "and when Henry Ford put the Model T out there, everybody started adopting it. This [the Leaf] is brand new, so this technology is at the beginning. It's only going to get better and better and better, and the customers are going to play a big role in helping us make it better than anyone else."

Squeaky wheels, rejoice: How 2013 Nissan Leaf was changed with EV driver suggestions originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan joneselectric vehicleleafnissanThu, 31 Jan 2013 19:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20445218/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20445218/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/squeaky-wheels-rejoice-how-2013-nissan-leaf-was-changed-with-e/20445218/article-detail.xml 20445218 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-grey-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-grey-628.jpg <![CDATA[EV Everywhere expands with Workplace Charging Challenge]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/ev-everywhere-plan-expands-with-workplace-charging-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/ev-everywhere-plan-expands-with-workplace-charging-challenge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/ev-everywhere-plan-expands-with-workplace-charging-challenge/#commentsFiled under: , ,

steven chu

The big policy announcement at today's Public Policy day at the Washington Auto Show came from Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The news is that President Obama's EV Everywhere program will be expanded to include a Workplace Charging Challenge, a plan to get more electric vehicle charging stations into more workplace parking lots. And the WCC is starting with a bang.

There are 21 Workplace Charging Challenge "founding partners and ambassadors," including all of the Big Three automakers, Nissan, Tesla, Plug In America, Google, Verizon and the Rocky Mountain Institute. By signing the Workplace Charging Pledge, the partners need to "assess workforce PEV charging demands, and then develop and implement a plan to install workplace charging infrastructure for at least one major worksite location." The ambassadors will work to "develop and execute plans to support and promote the workplace charging initiative." Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Chu said the DOE was not at this time providing taxpayer funding to promote the WCC and no target number of installed chargers was given that would indicate success. Press releases from the DOE, PIA and Calstart are available below.

As a refresher, the EV Everywhere program works to reduce the cost of plug-in vehicles, with the goal of making the cost premium for a five-passenger EV take less than five years. More details are available here.

Continue reading EV Everywhere expands with Workplace Charging Challenge

EV Everywhere expands with Workplace Charging Challenge originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleev everywhereplug-in hybridstephen chuwashington auto showworkplace charging challengeThu, 31 Jan 2013 14:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444932/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444932/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/ev-everywhere-plan-expands-with-workplace-charging-challenge/20444932/article-detail.xml 20444932 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/stephen-chu-washington-auto-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/stephen-chu-washington-auto-show.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan will triple number of DC fast chargers in US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/nissan-will-triple-number-of-dc-fast-chargers-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/nissan-will-triple-number-of-dc-fast-chargers-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/nissan-will-triple-number-of-dc-fast-chargers-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Leaf Freedom Station evgo

As it has done in Europe, Nissan is forging ahead with putting in DC fast charging stations so people can get many miles into their Leaf electric vehicles in short order. At the Washington Auto Show today, Nissan announced it will work with eVgo to bring 40 Freedom Stations to the DC area, and 500 more quick charge stations in the US in the next 18 months.

500 new DC fast chargers in the US would represent a three-fold increase, since there are only about 160 such charge stations installed today, according to Nissan (the Department of Energy says just 114). None of them are in the Washington DC area.

Nissan believes that it makes sense to install fast chargers in three public areas: Nissan dealerships, workplaces and at "opportunities within local neighborhoods." With a Nissan fast charger - which is what the eVgo Freedom Stations in the DC area will use - a Leaf can fill up to around 80-percent full in under 30 minutes. That represents around 60 miles, based on the Leaf's official range of 73 miles.

When we take Level 2 chargers into account, according to DOE figures, there are just over 5,000 public stations in the US. Nissan previously announced a goal of selling 2,000 of its own DC fast chargers worldwide by 2014.

Continue reading Nissan will triple number of DC fast chargers in US

Nissan will triple number of DC fast chargers in US originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc fast chargeelectric vehicleevgofast chargingfreedom stationnissanwashington auto showwashington dcThu, 31 Jan 2013 13:15:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444079/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444079/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/nissan-will-triple-number-of-dc-fast-chargers-in-us/20444079/article-detail.xml 20444079 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/leaf-freedom-station-evgo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/leaf-freedom-station-evgo-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda Skyactiv wins inaugural Green Car Technology Award in DC]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/mazda-skyactiv-wins-inaugural-green-car-technology-award-in-dc/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/mazda-skyactiv-wins-inaugural-green-car-technology-award-in-dc/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/mazda-skyactiv-wins-inaugural-green-car-technology-award-in-dc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ron cogan Mazda Skyactiv Green Car Technology Award

At previous Washington Auto Shows, Green Car Journal has handed out what it called the Green Car Vision award to honor green vehicles that were not yet on the market. Vehicles like the Ford C-Max Energi, Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt were all winners there. Now that the market has a fair number of green cars, Green Car Journal is shifting focus and today named the first Green Car Technology Award winner, the Mazda Skyactiv system.

The idea behind the Green Car Technology Award is to highlight various components and technologies that help reduce fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions, not specific vehicle models. Skyactiv is certainly a broad look at saving fuel, a strategy that includes lightweighting, better chassis and overall better internal combustion engines. It eschews plug-in electric vehicle technology (for now). Americans will get a new taste of Skyactiv-D when the 2014 Mazda6 sedan with a 2.2-liter clean-diesel engine arrives later this year.

Skyactiv beat out nine other finalists, including the Fiat MultiAir, the powertrains in the Fisker Karma, Tesla Model S and Toyota RAV4 EV vehicles, Ford's Energi plug-in hybrid system, stop-start and EcoBoost technologies and Honda Eco Assist. The odd ducking on the list was the Nissan Easy-Fill Tire Alert system, which does in fact help save fuel but doesn't always get the credit it deserves. All ten were named to Green Car Journal's Top 10 Green Car Technology List for 2013. Green Car Journal also gives out its Green Car of the Year Award at the Los Angeles Auto Show each November. Last year's winner was the Ford Fusion.

Continue reading Mazda Skyactiv wins inaugural Green Car Technology Award in DC

Mazda Skyactiv wins inaugural Green Car Technology Award in DC originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclegreen car journalgreen car technology awardmazdaplug-in hybridskyactivThu, 31 Jan 2013 11:09:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444583/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20444583/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/mazda-skyactiv-wins-inaugural-green-car-technology-award-in-dc/20444583/article-detail.xml 20444583 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mazda-skyactiv-green-technology-award_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mazda-skyactiv-green-technology-award.jpg <![CDATA[Green Technology of the Year finalists announced, broad range included]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/green-technology-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/green-technology-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/20/green-technology-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Green Car Technology Award nominee Fisker Automotive powertrain

Green Car Journal, which gives out its Green Car of the Year Award at the Los Angeles Auto Show each November, has created a Green Car Technology Award. The first award of its kind will be will be presented at the Washington Auto Show January 31, 2012.

The award was created not for specific vehicle models but for components that help reduce fuel use and greenhouse-gas emissions. Motors, on-board communications systems and powertrain components are among the technologies that fit GCJ's bill.

With that in mind, Green Car Journal's 10 nominees include the Fiat MultiAir, the Fisker Automotive extended-range plug-in powertrain, the Ford Energi plug-in hybrid, the Mazda Skyactiv system, and both the Tesla Model S and Toyota RAV4 battery-electrics (which were both built by the same cast of characters). Ford's EcoBoost direct injection system and its Stop-Start hybrid systems also made the list, as did the Honda Eco Assist fuel-saving system and the Nissan Easy-Fill Tire Alert system.

Green Car Journal gave this year's Green Car of the Year Award to the Ford Fusion. Check out the announcement press release below.

Continue reading Green Technology of the Year finalists announced, broad range included

Green Technology of the Year finalists announced, broad range included originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefordgreen car journalgreen car technology awardmazdamodel snissanplug-in hybridteslatoyotaThu, 20 Dec 2012 12:07:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20407989/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20407989/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/20/green-technology-of-the-year-finalists-announced/20407989/article-detail.xml 20407989 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/fisker-1355978900_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/fisker-1355978900.jpg <![CDATA[DOE's David Sandalow defends Obama's auto record]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

david sandalowOne of the differences between the Washington Auto Show and car shows in other cities is the almost overwhelming appearance of politicians and government officials. Whether they come to learn or to lecture (or both), these folks create a well-worn trail from the Hill to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center every January.

One such official who spoke at the show last week was David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the Department Of Energy. His main point? That "this [auto industry] revival wasn't destined to happen," and only happened because of the "difficult" and vital choices that the Obama Administration made to save the auto industry, choices that are now paying off with jobs and an improving economy. From here on out, he said, we have to keep things humming by supporting innovative technology that makes our cars cleaner and better.

Sandalow, who also wrote "Freedom From Oil," said he was amazed at how fast technology has evolved in the last 15 years, the lifetime of his teenage daughter. "It's an incredibly exciting time," he said. "Technological innovation is sweeping the globe."

To that end, the DOE is supporting a lot of different research avenues, including light weighting, fuel cells, plug-in cars and biofuels. "Advanced batteries is a particularly important area that we're investing in," he said, citing the Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies Program at Berkeley National Lab as one strong example.

As a plug-in car driver himself, Sandalow said that, "One of the advantages of electric vehicles is that we have a widespread electricity infrastructure." Of course, building out a Level 2 network will require "some investment," he said, adding that the research shows that most people will charge their vehicles where they currently they park their vehicles: at home at night.

On this point, he told a story about a panel discussion on clean car technology that he saw a few years ago. Two auto execs (he declined to name them) were discussing the potential of introducing plug-in vehicles to the U.S. market. One of the execs said that plug-in cars aren't worth it because only half of U.S. drivers park where they can plug in at night. The other one said his company was very excited to introduce plug-ins here because half the people can charge up at night. Apocryphal or not, that right there tells you all you need to know about people who lead and people who follow.

DOE's David Sandalow defends Obama's auto record originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david sandalowdc 2012dc auto showdepartment of energydoeelectric vehicleobamaplug-in hybridwashington auto showFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161222/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161222/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/03/does-david-sandalow-defends-obamas-auto-record/20161222/article-detail.xml 20161222 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-sandalow-b-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-sandalow-b-1.jpg <![CDATA[VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/28/vw-announces-two-year-partnership-with-bikes-belong/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

dc auto show vw jetta with bikes

2011 was a good year for VW - the best since 2002 - said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, and this gives the company a license to think outside the car. Thus, at the Washington Auto Show, Volkswagen announced support for another type of pedal power: for the next two years, VW will sponsor Bikes Belong, a national organization that works to get more people on more bikes more often, as part of the automaker's expanding Think Blue campaign, which was launched in the U.S. last May. In D.C., Browning said that the Think Blue initiative is about "delivering sustainable mobility on all fronts," and that now includes two-wheeled, human-powered bicycles. It should go without saying, but the benefits of biking include reducing traffic congestion while improving health and lowering travel's impact on the environment. It's good to see VW embracing this alternative in a real way. Previously, VW showed off the bik.e, a foldable bike concept that fits into a spare wheel well.

VW's Bikes Belong sponsorship will include these three major areas:
  • Peopleforbikes.org: A way to get people to publicly promote bike riding. The goal is to get a million riders together to "urge policy makers to endorse cost-effective legislation that improves bike paths, lanes and trails nationwide."
  • Safe Routes to School National Partnership: Sort of a "hey, let's have kids walk and bike to school" program. Also known as being sensible.
  • Bicycling Design Best Practices: An effort to "create more bike-friendly communities across the United States by helping cities adapt the world's best bike facility models, policies and state-of-the-art designs."
Browning called the sponsorship, "a perfect example of our Think Blue initiative," and Bruno Maier, vice president of Bikes Belong said that VW "complements our mission." The automaker "understands that when people ride bikes, great things happen," he said.

Continue reading VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong

VW announces two-year partnership with Bikes Belong originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the second year in a row, Ford drove off with the Green Car Journal Green Car Vision award at the Washington Auto Show, this time with the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle. In 2011, Green Car Journal (GCJ) editor Ron Cogan handed the award to Ford's Sue Cischke for the Focus Electric. This year, the retiring Cischke was on hand once more to accept the award (look at this picture compared to the one above. It's déjà vu all over again), a fine cap on a long and ambitious career.

GCJ's decision will likely not sit well with our readers, who overwhelmingly picked the Tesla Model S to win this year. Our unscientific poll had the Model S winning with 83.6 percent of the vote, followed by the BMW i3, (6.5 percent), the Cadillac ELR (5 percent), C-MAX (2.9 percent) with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell picking just 1.9 percent to take up the bottomw spot out of the five nominees.

Each year, GCJ's Green Car Vision award goes to a "green vehicle" that is not yet available on the market, but does show a possible way forward to increase fuel efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions or in some other way have a lower environment impact. The 2010 Green Car Vision award was won by the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt won in 2009. Speaking at the press conference today, Cogan said the C-Max can meet the utility requirements of a wide variety of drivers because the interior space and powertrain are both versatile.

Ford C-Max Energi wins 2012 Green Car Vision Award originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-max energidc auto showelectric vehiclefordgreen car journalgreen car vision awardplug-in hybridron cogansue cischkewashington dc auto showThu, 26 Jan 2012 12:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20157577/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20157577/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/ford-c-max-energi-wins-2012-green-car-vision-award/20157577/article-detail.xml 20157577 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2012-green-car-vision-award-energi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2012-green-car-vision-award-energi.jpg <![CDATA[Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

autoline dc

If you can't be at the Washington Auto Show today but want to know what's going on, join John McElroy and the crew of Autoline in just a few minutes for the skinny.

Starting at 12 p.m. EST, Autoline will be broadcasting from the floor, interviewing a few industry execs about the automotive political goings on in the nation's capitol. The expected list of participants includes Margo Oge, director of the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory at the EPA; Roland Hwang, transportation program director, National Resources Defense Council; Jake Jones, executive director, external affairs and public policy, Daimler, and Phil Murtaugh, CEO of Coda Automotive.

You can watch the stream, live, after the jump starting very soon. If you'd like to get particular questions answered, use this link to submit them.

Continue reading Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show

Autoline goes live from the Washington Auto Show originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codadc auto showelectric vehiclemargo ogephil murtaughroland hwangwashington auto showThu, 26 Jan 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20156601/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20156601/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/autoline-goes-live-from-the-washington-auto-show/20156601/article-detail.xml 20156601 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/autoline-live-washington-dc-2012-web2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/autoline-live-washington-dc-2012-web2.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S, BMW i3 among 2012 Green Car Vision finalists]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/tesla-model-s-bmw-i3-among-2012-green-car-vision-finalists/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/tesla-model-s-bmw-i3-among-2012-green-car-vision-finalists/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/13/tesla-model-s-bmw-i3-among-2012-green-car-vision-finalists/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



Tesla's Model S, the BMW i3, the Cadillac ELR, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell and the Ford C-MAX Energi are the finalists for Green Car Journal's 2012 Green Car Vision awards. The winner of the award, which is given to the most innovative "green vehicle" that's either in its demonstration phase or nearing its public launch, will be named at the Washington Auto Show on January 26.

Of the finalists, two - the Tesla and the BMW - are pure battery electric vehicles that are scheduled to be available for the 2013 and 2014 model years, respectively. The C-MAX is a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle slated for the 2013 model year, while the Cadillac - expected as a 2014 model year - uses an extended-range plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to that of the Chevrolet Volt. The F-Cell hydrogen fuel-cell electric, which has been available in limited numbers for lease in Southern California, is slated for a 2014 model year debut.

"It's no surprise that electric drive continues to dominate the thoughts of automakers as they look to the future," writes Green Car Journal, which hands out the award. "While all five finalists integrate electric drive, they power their motors in distinctly different ways."

Last year's Green Car Vision award was won by the Ford Focus Electric, while the Nissan Leaf won in 2010. The Chevy Volt won in 2009. Who should win this year? Take our poll after the jump.

Continue reading Tesla Model S, BMW i3 among 2012 Green Car Vision finalists

Tesla Model S, BMW i3 among 2012 Green Car Vision finalists originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsbmw i3cadillac elrFord C-Max energigreen car journalgreen car visionmercedes-benz f-celltesla model 5washington auto showFri, 13 Jan 2012 11:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20147765/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20147765/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/13/tesla-model-s-bmw-i3-among-2012-green-car-vision-finalists/20147765/article-detail.xml 20147765 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/cadillacelr_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/cadillacelr.png <![CDATA[DC 2011: Novozymes wonders how far you can drive on a ton of corn biomass]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-novozymes-wonders-how-far-you-can-drive-on-a-ton-of-cor/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-novozymes-wonders-how-far-you-can-drive-on-a-ton-of-cor/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-novozymes-wonders-how-far-you-can-drive-on-a-ton-of-cor/#commentsFiled under: , ,



dc auto showHere's a question. Take that one-ton bale of biomass (specifically, corn cobs and stalks) in the picture above, turn it into cellulosic ethanol and mix it into E85 (so, dilute it with a bit of gasoline). Now, pour it into the flex-fuel Ford Fusion parked before it and start driving. Once you leave the DC Auto Show, where we came across all of this, how far will you be able to go?

This is the question that Novozymes is asking auto show attendees, and we're reproduced the company's possible answers in a poll below. You can't win a prize by playing this way, but you can take a stab anyway. Novozymes declares two assumptions. First, that the flex-fuel Fusion will get 20 mpg the entire way. Second, that a ton of corn stover can make 100 gallons of ethanol. As you can see in the poll, 2,000 miles is not an option. Novozymes will announce a winner, chosen randomly from all the right answers, February 7.

What else did Novozymes share with people in DC? Amy Ehlers, Novozymes's government relations manager, said:

It will take a strategic desicion in this country to move to a flex-fuel transportation infrastructure to provide market choice for consumers and energy security to our nation. We need to keep moving forward with continued support from the federal government and key strategic technology partnerships like the one we have with Poet.

Poet is the largest producer of ethanol in the world, with 27 plants in seven states. The company makes about 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of animal feed a year. It also has a pilot cellulosic ethanol plant.

Novozymes has gotten government assistance in the past. Then-President Bush visited the company in North Carolina in 2007 and Novozymes received $2.2 million in DOE grants 2002 and $12.3 million in 2008. Last year, Novozymes brought two ethanol-powered vehicles - a Chevrolet HHR and a flex-fuel Ford F-150 to the DC Auto Show with the theme of government waste. The twist was that the vehicles were refueled with ethanol made from government office waste paper and waste cardboard. Get it?


View Poll

Continue reading DC 2011: Novozymes wonders how far you can drive on a ton of corn biomass

DC 2011: Novozymes wonders how far you can drive on a ton of corn biomass originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>novozymesnovozymes e85novozymes ethanolpoetpoet ethanolFri, 28 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19818601/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19818601/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/28/dc-2011-novozymes-wonders-how-far-you-can-drive-on-a-ton-of-cor/19818601/article-detail.xml 19818601 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/novozymes-corn-stover-dc-auto-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/novozymes-corn-stover-dc-auto-show.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: Baltimore Grand Prix wants to be "most sustainable" race in U.S.]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-baltimore-grand-prix-wants-to-be-most-sustainable-rac/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-baltimore-grand-prix-wants-to-be-most-sustainable-rac/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/dc-2011-baltimore-grand-prix-wants-to-be-most-sustainable-rac/#commentsFiled under: , ,



dc auto showThe American Le Mans Series calls itself "the global leader in green racing," and it's got over five years of working with the DOE, EPA and SAE to earn that title. Currently, there are eight manufacturers racing with the ALMS, all trying to "improve the breed" by increasing efficiency in a harsh environment before the technology hits the production line, as ALMS president and CEO Scott Atherton said at the DC Auto Show. The yellow Corvette pictured above, for example, was a test-bed for green technology on the track before it moved over to road-going cars (orange infused tires, for example). The Mazda Dyson LMP1 (which stands for LeMans Prototype 1, also pictured above) ran on isobutanol fuel, and ALMS has also used ethanol (made from corn and cellulosic sources).

The latest addition to the green race track will be the Baltimore Grand Prix, which announced in DC that it has signed a five-year contract to host ALMS races starting this Labor Day. BGP President Jay Davidson said that the BGP is shooting to be the "greenest motorsport event in the U.S." The broad steps BGP will take to reach that goal - including solar lighting, hybrid support vehicles, clean water runoff and more - will take time, but by the end five years, that's the goal. See the full list of announced green efforts in the press release after the jump. Davidson said that, since the Grand Prix races through the heart of downtown Baltimore, being sustainable is even more important than it would be on an oval somewhere.


[Source: Baltimore Grand Prix]

Continue reading DC 2011: Baltimore Grand Prix wants to be "most sustainable" race in U.S.

DC 2011: Baltimore Grand Prix wants to be "most sustainable" race in U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsalms green challengeamerican le mansamerican le mans seriesamerican lemansamerican lemans seriesbaltimore grand prixbgpFri, 28 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19819404/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19819404/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/28/dc-2011-baltimore-grand-prix-wants-to-be-most-sustainable-rac/19819404/article-detail.xml 19819404 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/alms-mazda-lmp1-_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/alms-mazda-lmp1-.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: GM on DOE loan withdrawal: "It says a lot about the financial health of the company"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-gm-doe-loan-withdrawal-financial-health/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-gm-doe-loan-withdrawal-financial-health/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-gm-doe-loan-withdrawal-financial-health/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ed welburnToday, General Motors basically told the U.S. government: we're doing fine. It did this by withdrawing its $14.4 billion loan request from the Department of Energy (DOE) through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMP). The withdrawl request was conveyed to the DOE this morning.

The president of GM North America, Mark Reuss, was trapped in Detroit thanks to a big snowstorm, so Ed Welburn, the vice president of GM Design North America, stepped in to deliver the keynote address at the DC Auto Show. Afterwards, we asked him to explain why GM has cancelled the loan request. He said it wasn't because of the delay the program is experiencing. He said:

We don't want to have those kinds of debts to deal with. I think it says a lot about the financial health of the company. We will not back off on the work that we're doing, the development of technologies, the development of new vehicles. In fact, if anything, that is accelerated.

If GM is against big debts now, why did it apply for the loans in the first place? Welburn said, "We're in a very different position today than we were then." GM's Greg Martin told AutoblogGreen that asking for the loan was, "the only viable option as the time." Martin added that the DOE did not give any guidance about withdrawing the loan.

dc auto showThe old GM asked for a $10.4 billion loan in the fall of 2008 and the new GM re-submitted a $14.4 billion request in late 2009 (which supplanted the first request). We'll never know how much GM could have received, since one of GM's competitors, Ford, asked for $11 billion but only got $5.9 billion. Now that GM won't take (more) government money, does that give the company a marketing advantage compared to Ford? "I would certainly say that the American public would feel better about [us not taking the loan]," Welburn said.

DC 2011: GM on DOE loan withdrawal: "It says a lot about the financial health of the company" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmpatvmp loandoe loandoe loansed welburnThu, 27 Jan 2011 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817950/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817950/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/dc-2011-gm-doe-loan-withdrawal-financial-health/19817950/article-detail.xml 19817950 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ed-welburn-in-dc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ed-welburn-in-dc.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: Bosch says diesels really show you the money]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-bosch-says-diesels-really-show-you-the-money/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-bosch-says-diesels-really-show-you-the-money/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-bosch-says-diesels-really-show-you-the-money/#commentsFiled under: , ,

bosch at dc auto show

dc auto showCuba Gooding Jr. would be proud. Carnegie Mellon University released a new study today that shows that people who drive modern diesel vehicles can get financial benefits from their oil-burning rides. The numbers work out like this:

The average price premium for a diesel compared to a gas-powered vehicle is around $1,800 (the premium is around $4,300 for hybrids). Using national averages for driving styles and fuel prices, the study found that drivers of a diesel passenger car can save up to $3,600 over three years. People in a medium-duty diesel truck can save up to $3,100. That puts the return on investment for the diesel powerplant at around 18 months, which is incredibly fast. It'll only get faster if fuel prices continue to go up.

The study looked at initial purchase prices and and resale costs, as well as cost of ownership. Instead of relying on book values, though, the study looked at actual transaction costs. Bosch's Lars Ullrich said that, "For a long time, we have understood that real world data is important for consumers to understand."

The study was underwritten by Bosch, which says it is technology neutral. While we often see the company promoting diesel technology, it does supply other types of powertrain components to OEMs.

Carnegie isn't totally down on hybrids, saying that "Volkswagen clean diesel technology vehicles and the Toyota Prius retain a greater percentage of their initial purchase price than conventional gasoline vehicles." We don't know if the study compared a diesel to a car as efficient as a Prius, but we'd like to see those numbers, too.

[Source: Bosch]

Continue reading DC 2011: Bosch says diesels really show you the money

DC 2011: Bosch says diesels really show you the money originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boach dieselboschcarnegie melloncost premiumdieseldiesel premiumdiesel priceThu, 27 Jan 2011 15:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817797/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817797/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/dc-2011-bosch-says-diesels-really-show-you-the-money/19817797/article-detail.xml 19817797 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bosch-at-the-dc-auto-show_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/bosch-at-the-dc-auto-show.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: Green Car Summit tones it down, looks ahead]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-green-car-summit-tones-it-down-looks-ahead/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-green-car-summit-tones-it-down-looks-ahead/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-green-car-summit-tones-it-down-looks-ahead/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

green car summit 2011

dc auto showThe 2011 Green Car Summit didn't have quite the fireworks that the event has had in the past, even with the addition of the Center for American Progress' Joe Romm, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. One key quote from Romm, said in a set-up to his explanation why the price of oil and global warming will create a difficult-to-predict shift in the market: "The new Congress might be people who don't believe in science, but nature does." Getting politicians to come to a consensus on tobacco science took many decades, he said, and climate change is following that same road.

The panel featured:
  • Jim O'Donnell, President, BMW North America
  • Susan Cischke, Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company;
  • Michael O'Brien, Vice President of Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America;
  • Donald G. Hillebrand, Director, Center for Transportation Research, Argonne National Laboratory;
  • D. Hunt Ramsbottom, CEO, President and Director of synthetic fuel producer Rentech;
  • Arun Banskota, Senior Vice President, President of EV Services, NRG Energy;
  • Dr. Joseph Romm, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Read more about the panel after the jump.

Continue reading DC 2011: Green Car Summit tones it down, looks ahead

DC 2011: Green Car Summit tones it down, looks ahead originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc auto showgreen car summitjoe rommThu, 27 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817212/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817212/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/dc-2011-green-car-summit-tones-it-down-looks-ahead/19817212/article-detail.xml 19817212 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/green-car-summit-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/green-car-summit-2011.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: Ford Focus Electric wins Green Car Vision Award]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-ford-focus-electric-wins-green-car-vision-award/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-ford-focus-electric-wins-green-car-vision-award/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/dc-2011-ford-focus-electric-wins-green-car-vision-award/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ford focus electric green car vision award

dc auto showWell, we knew it was going to be an electric car that would drive away with the Green Car Journal's Green Car Vision Award for 2011, we just didn't know which one.

At the Washington Auto Show today, the Green Car Journal announced that the Ford Focus Electric won the title, which is given to a vehicle that vehicle "best envisions the future of transportation" but is not yet available in production form. The Focus also won our informal poll of AutoblogGreen readers that included the five finalists. The other finalists this year were the Honda Fit EV, the Mitsubishi i electric vehicle, the Toyota RAV4 EV and the Volvo C30 DRIVe. For the past two years, a plug-in vehilcle has wont the award, the Nissan Leaf won in 2010 while the Chevy Volt won in 2009.

[Source: Green Car Journal]

DC 2011: Ford Focus Electric wins Green Car Vision Award originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingelectric vehicleford focusford focus electricgreen car journalgreen car vision awardThu, 27 Jan 2011 11:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817177/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817177/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/dc-2011-ford-focus-electric-wins-green-car-vision-award/19817177/article-detail.xml 19817177 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ford-focus-electric-green-car-vision-award_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ford-focus-electric-green-car-vision-award.jpg <![CDATA[General Motors withdraws $14.4B loan request from DOE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/general-motors-withdraws-14-4b-loan-request-from-doe/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/general-motors-withdraws-14-4b-loan-request-from-doe/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/27/general-motors-withdraws-14-4b-loan-request-from-doe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ed welburn dc auto show chevy volt

Earlier today, General Motors announced that it is withdrawing its request for $14.4 billion in direct loans from the Department of Energy's (DOE) $25-billion program aimed at retooling factories for the production of fuel-efficient vehicles. GM's chief financial officer Chris Liddel, outlined the automaker's choice to cancel its loan request, stating:

This decision is based on our confidence in GM's overall progress and strong, global business performance. Withdrawing our DOE loan application is consistent with our goal to carry minimal debt on our balance sheet.

Speaking at the DC Auto Show, GM's Ed Welburn said, "This decision will not affect the strong investment we are making in new technologies and design."

For the past several months, The General had debated canceling its request for DOE loans, which the automaker first submitted in late 2008. Last week, GM's board of directors approved the decision to withdraw the application. However, GM's ongoing commitment to develop and produce fuel-efficient automobiles can be seen in vehicles like the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt and the 40-plus miles per gallon Cruze Eco.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading General Motors withdraws $14.4B loan request from DOE

General Motors withdraws $14.4B loan request from DOE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced technology loansatvmpatvmp loanbreakingdoe loaned welburnelectric vehiclegeneral motorsgmplug-in hybridvoltThu, 27 Jan 2011 10:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817832/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/19817832/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/27/general-motors-withdraws-14-4b-loan-request-from-doe/19817832/article-detail.xml 19817832 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ed-welburn-dc-auto-show-chevy-volt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/ed-welburn-dc-auto-show-chevy-volt.jpg <![CDATA[DC 2011: Rep. Levin announces bill to raise plug-in vehicle tax credit cap to 500,000]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/26/dc-2011-rep-levin-announces-bill-to-raise-plug-in-vehicle-tax/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/26/dc-2011-rep-levin-announces-bill-to-raise-plug-in-vehicle-tax/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/26/dc-2011-rep-levin-announces-bill-to-raise-plug-in-vehicle-tax/#commentsFiled under: , ,

sandy levinThis'd be a sweet deal for automakers. At a kick-off event for the DC Auto Show today, Representative Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak, MI, pictured) said he will introduce a bill to increase the limit on how many plug-in vehicles an automaker can sell before the $7,500 (max) tax credit expires from 200,000 to 500,000. Sander's younger brother, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) will introduce the bill in the Senate.

Sander is the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Carl talked last fall about the possibility of eliminating CAFE standards all together in favor of a "longer-term approach that gets us to a better result."

Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden expanded on President Obama's State of the Union plug-in vehicles plans during a visit to battery maker Ener1 today. As we already noted, the Obama Adminisration wants to changes the tax deduction to an on-the-spot rebate. Obama also proposed increasing federal subsidies for "vehicle technologies" to almost $590 million, an increase of about 90 percent

[Source: Detroit News]

DC 2011: Rep. Levin announces bill to raise plug-in vehicle tax credit cap to 500,000 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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