Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com Autoblog Green http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/green.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog Green http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mitsubishi i MiEVs to become taxis in Tokyo]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/mitsubishi-i-mievs-to-become-taxis-in-tokyo/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/mitsubishi-i-mievs-to-become-taxis-in-tokyo/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/mitsubishi-i-mievs-to-become-taxis-in-tokyo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you want to take a taxi in Tokyo, you now have an electric option. At least if you are in the Otemachi, Marunouchi or Yurakucho districts between the daytime hours of 8:30 and 5:30. The Hinomaru Limosine Company is adding a pair of Mitsubishi i MiEVs to its fleet, making it the first in Japan's capitol to offer an electric vehicle for hire. The fare will be the same 710 yen ($7.85 at today's rate) for the first two kilometers (1.24 miles) as the company's other taxis, though they will principally be driven by women able to provide their customers with local area and tourist information. They will also feature a pleasant aromatic oil to help you relax. No, really.

While they may be the first in Tokyo, they will not be the last. Although not on the road yet, another company and Better Place have been working since January to prepare cars and a battery-swapping station for a similar scheme. The ZeRO TAXI service, in the meantime, will be officially launched this Thursday with a ceremony at the Mitsubishi building in Marunouchi followed by some complimentary drives for the attending media.

[Source: Hinomaru Limosine Company via Green Car Congress]

Mitsubishi i MiEVs to become taxis in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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California plans to implement an emissions control law called Assembly Bill 32 in 2012. The law grants the state the rights to set emission standards and implement greenhouse gas guidelines. Additionally, the state will be able to promote alternative fuels and technologies by way of rebates and other incentives. The focus of A.B. 32 is to drive down harmful emissions statewide with a goal of turning back the clock to emissions levels seen decades ago.

The law has been met with some opposition. The California Jobs Initiative was recently formed to block the implementation of A.B. 32. The Initiative aims to block the implementation of A.B. 32 until the state's jobless rate drops to 5.5 percent. Currently, the jobless rate sits at 12.5 percent. The Initiative claims that implementation of the law would result in the loss of thousands of jobs.

In order to block implementation, the Initiative must collect signatures of registered voters, a labor intensive and time consuming process. Typically, initiative campaigns are organized to block future laws. These campaigns require funding and that's where big oil has stepped in. The California Jobs Initiative has filed papers with a state office to get the initiative on the upcoming ballot. Green Car Advisor has uncovered information about current funding for the initiative which now approaches one million dollars.

Who tops the funding list? Oil refiner and gas station chain Valero has committed $500,000, oil refiner Tesero committed $100,000, gasoline distributor Tower Energy Group committed $100,000, oil refiner World Oil Corp. committed $100,000 and the list continues on. Absent from the list is any group or company associated with job placement, job creation or any other job related field. As it appears, the big oil companies are interested in saving some jobs, their own.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Bid to block California's A.B. 32 emission standards funded by big oil originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A.B. 32A.b.32Big OilBigOilcaliforniaCalifornia Air Resources BoardCaliforniaAirResourcesBoardemissionsemissions reductionsemissions standardsEmissionsReductionsEmissionsStandardslegislationlegislationsoil companiesoil companyOilCompaniesOilCompanypolicypoliticalpoliticsSun, 21 Mar 2010 12:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Irish we had more electric car chargers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/irish-we-had-more-electric-car-chargers/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/irish-we-had-more-electric-car-chargers/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/irish-we-had-more-electric-car-chargers/#commentsFiled under: ,



Having just celebrated St. Patrick's Day, it's pretty obvious that the whole "Irish I had a beer" thing is a pretty lame stereotype. Maybe the opening of the first on-street electric car chargers in the country will help people see there's more to Ireland than leprechauns and green beer. Ah, who are we kidding?

Still, the chargers are coming. The Irish electric utility Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is helping to install four curbside chargers in Dublin that will be operational by the end of the month. That's not a whole lot, but ESB says that it will install 1,500 across the country in the next 30 months, according to the Irish Times. These are quick-chargers, taking between one and two hours.

Why this ambitious rollout? Planning for the future. The head of the ESB's electric vehicle division said in December that he thinks the "vast majority" the cars in Ireland will be replaced by electric vehicles by 2035. ESB is in partnership or talking to Renault-Nissan, Peugeot-Citroen and Mitsubishi and wants to bring around 2,000 electric vehicles to Ireland by the end of 2011.

[Source: Irish Times]

Irish we had more electric car chargers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The name John DeLorean is synonymous with the automotive industry. From his days at General Motors, where he turned Pontiac into the automaker's de facto performance division with the creation of the GTO, and, therefore, the muscle car genre in general, to his days running his eponymous car company that gave us the classic stainless steel gullwing wedge that became an iconic time machine through the magic of the movies, DeLorean was at the forefront of the industry for three decades.

Sadly, John DeLorean died in March 2005. We'll never know what exactly he may have had in store to bring DeLorean Motor Company back to the market, though a telephone call two weeks before his death gives us a few clues. Apparently, DeLorean was planning to relaunch DMC with a new take on the classic DMC-12, complete with an engine from Renault with an optional hydraulic hybrid drivetrain and carbon fiber panels to keep it all lightweight and efficient.

The above information comes courtesy of our sister site AOL Autos' Maintenance Editor Tom Torbjornsen, who had planned an interview with John DeLorean that was to take place one week after his death. Torbjornsen pieced together information from a conversation he had with DeLorean and his "best guess at what [he] thought John might have said based on [their] conversation." It's an interesting read, and you can check the whole thing out by clicking here.

[Source: AOL Autos]

What could have been: DeLorean had reportedly been planning hydraulic hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeLoreandelorean dmc-12delorean hybridDeLorean Motor CompanyDeloreanDmc-12DeloreanHybridDeloreanMotorCompanyhydraulic hybridhydraulic-hybridHydraulicHybridJohn DeLoreanJohnDeloreanSat, 20 Mar 2010 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[2007 Prius rated most dependable compact car in J.D. Power survey]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/2007-prius-rated-most-dependable-compact-car-in-j-d-power-surve/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/2007-prius-rated-most-dependable-compact-car-in-j-d-power-surve/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/2007-prius-rated-most-dependable-compact-car-in-j-d-power-surve/#commentsFiled under: ,


2007 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all of the negative coverage pouring in over Toyota's recent problems, how about a story that breaks away from the trend for a moment to recognize the achievement of the 2007 Toyota Prius? The vehicle was recently named the top compact car in long-term dependability by J.D. Power & Associates.

The award recipient is chosen based on consumer response to surveys sent to owners of three-year-old vehicles. Thousands of surveys were returned and the Prius garnered the top spot in the compact class once again. The 2007 Prius now holds the same honor with both the 2005 and 2006 model year vehicle.

To date, the Prius is the only hybrid to ever hold a top spot in the long-term dependability study by J.D. Power. We'll see if recent recalls, ongoing investigations, braking problems and other mishaps prevent the hybrid from a run at the award for the fourth consecutive year. The J.D. Power survey was completed prior to news of Prius woes. We anticipated that the current public image of the vehicle may influence future survey results and reduce owner satisfaction ratings, but still send our congrats to Toyota for its achievement.


Gallery: Review: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring


[Source: J.D. Power]

2007 Prius rated most dependable compact car in J.D. Power survey originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardshybridhybrid carhybrid carsHybridCarHybridCarshybridsJD POwerJdPowerJdPowerAndAssociatestoyotatoyota priustoyota prius hybridToyota Prius PHEVtoyota recallToyotaPriusToyotaPriusHybridToyotaPriusPhevToyotaRecallSat, 20 Mar 2010 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, touts fuel efficiency improvements]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/chrysler-kicks-off-production-of-pentastar-v6-engine-touts-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/chrysler-kicks-off-production-of-pentastar-v6-engine-touts-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/20/chrysler-kicks-off-production-of-pentastar-v6-engine-touts-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine begins production - Click above for high-res image gallery

The artist engine formerly known as Prince Phoenix has officially hit the assembly lines at the Chrysler Group's plant in Trenton, MI. The first version of the mill, which now bears the Pentastar moniker, displaces 3.6 liters and will see its first production application in the engine bay of the brand new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Expect this all-aluminum, 60-degree, dual-overhead cam (with variable valve timing) powerplant to see lots of use in the near-term future - Chrysler boasts that the Pentastar V6 will replace seven current V6 engines. In the new Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar will put out 280 horsepower (a 22 percent increase) at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque (an 11 percent improvement) at 4,800 rpm.

Just as importantly, Chrysler tells us that the new engine will be 11 percent more fuel efficient than the unit it replaces and that it will run on either regular 87-octane gasoline or E85. This family of engines represent a $730 million investment, and the 822,000-square-foot Trenton facility will be able to produce more than 400,000 engines per year. See the complete press release after the break.



[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, touts fuel efficiency improvements

Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, touts fuel efficiency improvements originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 jeep grand cherokee2011JeepGrandCherokeechryslerchrysler pentastarchrysler pentastar v6chrysler v6ChryslerPentastarChryslerPentastarV6ChryslerV6grand cherokeeGrandCherokeejeep grand cherokeeJeepGrandCherokeepentastarpentastar v6PentastarV6trenton michigantrenton plantTrentonMichiganTrentonPlantv6v6 engineV6EngineSat, 20 Mar 2010 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey says: Only one-quarter of Americans would consider an electric car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/survey-says-only-one-quarter-of-americans-would-consider-an-ele/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/survey-says-only-one-quarter-of-americans-would-consider-an-ele/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/survey-says-only-one-quarter-of-americans-would-consider-an-ele/#commentsFiled under:

Nissan Leaf - Click above for high-res image gallery

Considering that hybrid vehicles - an established technology - comprise less than three percent of U.S. new vehicle sales, the fact that 26 percent of Americans would consider an electric vehicle (EV) for their next purchase probably sounds pretty good. However a survey of 1,752 adults conducted by Consumer Reports showed that 72 percent were unlikely to consider an EV. At this point, aside from a small number of people that can afford a Tesla Roadster and those with limited requirements that can use an NEV, there are no affordable EV choices anyway.

It also remains to be seen how those consideration numbers will change once people see what EVs actually cost. Nissan, Ford and General Motors will all be releasing electric vehicles (or ER-EVs) over the next 18 months but none of those companies have given any firm indication of what the vehicles would cost. Estimates range from the $25,000-40,000, but no one is certain if that will include the cost of a battery and whether it comes before or after tax subsidies.

One fifth of respondents indicated they would not pay a premium for an EV while another fifth said they would pay up to $5,000 extra. The median premium that people would pay was only $2,068. Given that hybrids typically cost $3,000-5,000 extra than standard gasoline vehicles and that EV batteries remain very expensive, it seems that any hopes of getting EVs into double digit market share in the next few years would be a long shot at best.



[Source: Consumer Reports]

Survey says: Only one-quarter of Americans would consider an electric car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are four big reasons why Hawai'i is an ideal electric vehicle market: no real range anxiety, a lot of eco-minded citizens, current high energy costs, lots of solar potential. We've been saying as much since 2006. Since then, there has been some progress made: a partnership with Better Place in 2008 and the first public charging station that opened up earlier this year. This year's First Hawaiian International Auto Show shows that the electric car movement is still moving forward in the islands. For example, a sponsor is the Hawaiian Electric Co., which will be on hand "touting the coming age of electrics." A Tesla Roadster and a Mini E will also be on display. Good signs in a state that is dependent on petroleum for 90 percent of its energy. The Honolulu Advertiser says that one prediction estimates up to 10,000 of the state's million vehicles could be electric in five years. In ten years, that already ambitious number could climb to 43,000. Yowza.

Some groups have been working to bring electric vehicles to Hawai'i a long time. We posted a two-part series on those efforts here and here.

[Source: Honolulu Advertiser]

Report: Hawaii could have 10,000 electric vehicles in five years originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cleaner emissions? Well, that depends on what exactly you are measuring and what you are comparing it to. In the case of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus seen here, the answer would probably surprise the 5,385 voters on Fail Blog that gave it a resounding thumbs down.

Sure, it looks dirty with all that ugly black smoke bellowing from the rear exhaust stack, but the hybrid people mover boasts the following statistics: 14% improved fuel consumption, a 56% decrease in nitrogen oxide, an ozone precursor, and a 96% decrease in particulate matter compared to a standard bus. All good things, no?

Still, we did indeed chuckle when we first glanced at the pic, especially with the arrow that points directly to the source of the smoke screen. Thanks for the tip, Wes!

[Source: Fail Blog]

It's Friday: Cleaner emissions? Maybe, maybe not originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bus emissionsbus failBusEmissionsBusFailclean busCleanBuscleaner buscleaner emissions busCleanerBusCleanerEmissionsBusemissions failEmissionsFailfailfail blogFailBloggreen failGreenFailSeptagonStudiossoutheastern pensylvania transportation authoritySoutheasternPensylvaniaTransportationAuthorityFri, 19 Mar 2010 17:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Customize your Smart with stickers and Brabus accessories]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/customize-your-smart-with-stickers-and-brabus-accessories/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/customize-your-smart-with-stickers-and-brabus-accessories/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/customize-your-smart-with-stickers-and-brabus-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Smart fortwo - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you are looking to take your Smart fortwo to the next level of personalization, then some snazzy new exterior stickers are just for you. Combine the stickers with newly released Brabus interior and exterior accessories and your Smart car is sure to stand out.

The new art stickers represent yet another way to customize one of the most customizable vehicles available. The art stickers are available in six different motifs that range from sporty to trendy to flowery. Each motif will suit a different taste and make every Smart unique. The adhesive foil stickers are applied to the tridion safety cell of the vehicle and provide a "look at me" factor that some owners may be fond of.

If stickers don't suit your taste, you can choose one of the new Brabus accessories to customize your Smart. On the inside, Brabus offers an eight piece, carbon fiber look dress up kit. On the outside, Brabus now offers a light emitting diode daytime running light kit and a LED third brake light kit.

All of the artsy stickers and accessories can be purchased from and installed by your local Smart dealer. Customization does not come cheap. The stickers retail for over $300, the carbon trim comes in around $400, daytime running lights set you back another $750, and that third brake lamp comes in at a bargain-basement $175.


Gallery: Smart Brabus Customization


[Source: Daimler]

Customize your Smart with stickers and Brabus accessories originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit Connect - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following yesterday's announcement that Canada Post would acquire 1,175 Ford Transit Connects for its fleet, DTE Energy has acquired 19 of the vans as part of its sustainability efforts. DTE Energy is one of two utilities that dominate the Michigan market for electricity and natural gas. DTE Energy is currently using the first batch of vehicles to deliver inter-office mail as well as deliver equipment and materials from warehouses.

The Transit Connect is rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway by the EPA which is the primary reason for DTE to choose it. The Transit Connect is replacing full-size vans and pickups in these initial applications and is achieving double the real world mileage. Some of the service personnel that use the Transit Connect are on call so they take the vehicles home. Having an enclosed vehicle like the TC provides extra security for parts and tools as well as extra convenience for reaching everything.

If the initial pilot phase works out, DTE will likely add more Transit Connects to its fleet. With the recent announcement of the compressed natural gas Transit Connect taxi, it wouldn't be surprising to see DTE use the same fuel in many of its own vehicles in addition to using the Transit Connect Electric when it goes on sale later this year.



[Source: Ford]

Continue reading DTE Energy testing Ford Transit Connect to improve sustainability

DTE Energy testing Ford Transit Connect to improve sustainability originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dteDTE Energydte-energyDteEnergyfordford transit connectFord Transit Connect ElectricFordTransitConnectFordTransitConnectElectrictransit connecttransit connect 2010transit connect bevtransit connect electrictransit connect evTransitConnectTransitConnect2010TransitConnectBevTransitConnectElectricTransitConnectEvFri, 19 Mar 2010 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar Roadways completes prototype, becomes ACE award finalist]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/solar-roadways-completes-prototype-becomes-ace-award-finalist/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/solar-roadways-completes-prototype-becomes-ace-award-finalist/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/solar-roadways-completes-prototype-becomes-ace-award-finalist/#commentsFiled under: ,



The day when the roads we drive on are as smooth as glass and replace our coal-fueled power plants is officially twelve feet closer. Solar Roadways has made good use of the cash they were awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) and completed the first prototype of a panel they would like to see supporting the nation's traffic and electrical grid. The mockup module, which doesn't include the use of custom hardened glass with embedded heating element, solar panels or capacitors, is profiled in a series of photos on their new and improved website, and features micro-circuit controlled LEDs to "paint" situation-appropriate lines and messages. If the DOE deems the project fund-worthy after going through the Phase I reports and looking over the polycarbonate-protected prototype, Phase II will involve a "commercialization plan to begin the manufacturing process" and hopefully beget a more advanced product.

The DOE isn't the only group who's taken a fancy to the concept of having an intelligent, self-healing, decentralized power grid for a highway system. Solar Roadways also made the finalists list for the EE Times Sixth Annual Creativity in Electronics Awards for Most Promising Renewable Energy Award. The winner will be made known on April 27th. We wish them luck.

[Source: Solar Roadways]

Solar Roadways completes prototype, becomes ACE award finalist originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Department of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergyDOEEE Times Sixth Annual Creativity in Electronics AwardsEeTimesSixthAnnualCreativityInElectronicsAwardsself-healing highwaySelf-healingHighwaysolar highwaysolar roadSolar RoadwaysSolarHighwaySolarRoadSolarRoadwaysFri, 19 Mar 2010 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Natural gas-powered VW Caddy on 15,534-mile Ecofuel Transamerica journey]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/natural-gas-powered-vw-caddy-on-15-534-mile-ecofuel-transamerica/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/natural-gas-powered-vw-caddy-on-15-534-mile-ecofuel-transamerica/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/natural-gas-powered-vw-caddy-on-15-534-mile-ecofuel-transamerica/#commentsFiled under: ,


Rainer Zietlow's German company Challenge4 GmbH has spent the last few years driving immense distances in a Volkswagen Caddy EcoFuel powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). In 2006 and 2007, the vehicle went all the way around the world and also did a Eurasia crossing. The current journey is Ecofuel Transamerica, which is a 15,534-mile route from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska. Zietlow began driving on January 2, 2010 in Rio Grande, Argentina at the southernmost natural gas fuel station in the world. Yesterday, it stopped in Los Angeles, about halfway through the journey to the world's northernmost natural gas fuel station in Barrow, Alaska.

According to an automatic CO2 calculator on the Ecofuel Transamerica, the can has so far traveled 19,628 miles and emitted 4959.47 kilograms of CO2. Compared to a Volkswagen Caddy with a 1.6L petrol engine going the same distance, this is 1295.15 fewer kilograms of CO2. Considering this is further than the entire trip, we're not sure what the calculator is actually counting. In any case, there are a bunch of videos from the transcontinental trip here.

[Source: Ecofuel Transamerica]

Natural gas-powered VW Caddy on 15,534-mile Ecofuel Transamerica journey originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Caddy EcoFuelCaddyEcofuelchallenge4 gmbhChallenge4Gmbhcngcompressed natural gasCompressedNaturalGasEcoFuelecofuel transamericaecofuel vwecofuel world tourEcofuelTransamericaEcofuelVwEcofuelWorldTournatural gasRainer ZietlowRainerZietlowVolkswagen CaddyVolkswagen Caddy EcoFuelVolkswagenCaddyVolkswagenCaddyEcofuelFri, 19 Mar 2010 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[GM to build new small sedan for emerging markets]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/gm-to-build-new-small-sedan-for-emerging-markets/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/gm-to-build-new-small-sedan-for-emerging-markets/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/gm-to-build-new-small-sedan-for-emerging-markets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Chevrolet Spark - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has given the green light to produce a new small sedan at its Uzbekistan YoAJ joint-venture facility. The sedan, expected to be slightly longer than the Spark pictured above, will be engineered in Brazil and sold in smaller, emerging markets.

The upcoming sedan is part of a family of GM products in a class that the company refers to as global small vehicles for emerging markets. The initial launch will include a sedan-only body, with the possibility for a hatchback variant a couple years from now. Hatchback availability will be determined by individual market demand.

GM states that the small sedan will be priced to compete with other low-cost brands. According to Ward's Auto, production should begin by the end of 2012 with a release date by early 2013. Target markets include Mexico, South Africa, Middle Eastern nations, Uzbekistan, Russia, with more to follow.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

GM to build new small sedan for emerging markets originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevychevy sedanchevycarschevysedangeneral motorsgeneral motors sedanGeneralMotorsGeneralMotorsSedangmGM plantgm sedanGmPlantGmSedansedansedanssmall carsmall sedanSmallCarSmallSedanuzbekistanFri, 19 Mar 2010 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[If you're green, are you more likely to be mean? A new study suggests you are...]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/if-youre-green-are-you-more-likely-to-be-mean-a-new-study-sug/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/if-youre-green-are-you-more-likely-to-be-mean-a-new-study-sug/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/if-youre-green-are-you-more-likely-to-be-mean-a-new-study-sug/#commentsFiled under:


2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're like us, you've probably heard the Toyota Prius referred to as the "Pious." The joke, we think, is that Prius owners feel holier than thou because they drive a hybrid. But it's just a joke made by people who wish they could achieve 50 miles per gallon around town, right? If you ask Canadian psychologists Nina Mazar and Chen-Bo Zhong, you may get an answer that sounds a lot like 'environmentally conscious types are liars, cheats, thieves and just plain mean,' and they're not even talking about hybrid-driving politicians.

The Detroit Bureau reports that a Mazar and Zhong study in published in Psychological Science focused on the social behaviors of green consumers, and the results were pretty damn surprising. The psychologists set up tests to gauge the behavior of environmentally conscious types against consumers who are less likely to consider environmental impact during the purchase process.

In one study, both groups of university students (90 students) were asked to identify which side of a computer screen had more dots. If you chose the left side, you received .5 cents for your efforts. If you chose the right side, you received five cents. The result? The green types chose the right side 51.4 percent of the time, while the non-green consumers chose the right side 42.5 percent of the time, far closer to the actual answer of 40 percent right.

Another test of both types of consumers involved money in an envelope that was to be used for purchases. The test subjects were told that they were to pay themselves for purchases and share the rest with another test subject that didn't actually exist. In the end, green store shoppers shared, on average, $1.76, while conventional shoppers shared $2.18. So what's 42 cents between friends? The psychologists say that the difference shows "acting upon one's values establishes moral credentials that can subsequently license deviating behavior." We're not sure, but we think that means the green shoppers felt they were holier than thou. Click here to read the entire study in Psychological Science.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau Psychological Science]

If you're green, are you more likely to be mean? A new study suggests you are... originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer psychologyConsumerPsychologymaxar and zhongMaxarAndZhongpsychological sciencePsychologicalScienceFri, 19 Mar 2010 11:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Once lowly four-cylinder gains market dominance over bigger engines]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/once-lowly-four-cylinder-gains-market-dominance-over-bigger-engi/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/once-lowly-four-cylinder-gains-market-dominance-over-bigger-engi/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/once-lowly-four-cylinder-gains-market-dominance-over-bigger-engi/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mini Cooper four-cylinder engine - Click above for high-res image

Back in 2008, skyrocketing gasoline prices sent car buyers in search of efficient four-cylinder vehicles. As the numbers show, sales of V6 and V8 engines dropped from 63.9 percent to 57.1 percent during the gas price hike. This was part of a trend, as sales of V6- and V8-equipped models have shifted downward, falling from a five-year high of 76.2 percent back in 2004.

With gasoline prices dropping, surely 2009 would be a better year for the large displacement engines, right? Nope. The numbers show yet another decline. The latest data is in and, in the car segment, the four-cylinder has become the engine of choice.

At 61.9 percent of total passenger car sales, the once lowly four-cylinder is now on top by a wide margin. Compared to 2008 numbers of 51.7 percent, the four-cylinder engine displayed market gains unheard of in previous years. In addition, the once-dominant V8 now represents only 4.9 percent of the passenger car market, way down from its 88.9 percent share back in 1969.

Larger four-cylinder engines have slowly replaced V6 and V8 models. Four-cylinder engines with a displacement of 2.0 to 2.9 liters encountered the largest increase in the passenger vehicle category, while smaller four-cylinder engines, those below 2.0 liters, saw a slight decline.

There was a time when owners bragged about their powerful V8 engine, but now the numbers show that most are content with just the lowly four-banger.

[Source: Wards Auto - sub. req.]

Once lowly four-cylinder gains market dominance over bigger engines originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4cylinderbreakingfour cylinder carfour cylinder carsfour cylinder enginefour cylinder engine manufacturingfour-cylinderFourCylinderCarFourCylinderCarsFourCylinderEngineFourCylinderEngineManufacturingv6v6 egnineV6EgnineV8v8 engineV8EngineFri, 19 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds suggest driver error may have caused runaway Prius in NY]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/feds-suggest-driver-error-may-have-caused-runaway-prius-in-ny/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/feds-suggest-driver-error-may-have-caused-runaway-prius-in-ny/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/feds-suggest-driver-error-may-have-caused-runaway-prius-in-ny/#commentsFiled under: ,



Last week, we told you about an incident in New York involving unintended acceleration in a 2005 Toyota Prius. This accident occurred just after the high-profile case involving Jim Sikes and his Prius in San Diego, but, unlike that incident, where the car eventually came to a complete stop, the Prius in New York crashed into a stone wall with the driver suffering minor, non-life threatening injuries.

Now, after a full investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ruled that this accident was simply caused by driver error, rather than a faulty brake system. NHTSA delivered this message to reporters:
Information retrieved from the vehicle's onboard computer systems indicated there was no application of the brakes and the throttle was fully open.
Toyota spokesperson John Hanson says that the accident is being looked over by the Harrison, NY police department, and that the automaker will not comment until the investigation has completed. And, while Toyota did join in with the investigation of Sikes' Prius, it is not clear if the automaker will take a closer look at this second incident.

[Source: USA Today]

Feds suggest driver error may have caused runaway Prius in NY originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new york priusNewYorkPriusnhtsaprius unintended accelerationPriusUnintendedAccelerationunintended accelerationUnintendedAccelerationFri, 19 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla and Tag-Heuer kick off round the world Roadster tour]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/tesla-and-tag-heuer-kick-off-round-the-world-roadster-tour/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/tesla-and-tag-heuer-kick-off-round-the-world-roadster-tour/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/19/tesla-and-tag-heuer-kick-off-round-the-world-roadster-tour/#commentsFiled under: ,

TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Tesla and Tag-Heuer unveiled a special edition version of the electric Roadster at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, they promised a further announcement this week when the car appeared at the Baselworld watch show.

As part of Tag-Heuer's 150th anniversary celebration and Tesla's efforts to promote the Roadster, the special car is going on 24,000-mile round-the-world road trip called the Odyssey of Pioneers that will last eight months.

Leonardo DiCaprio, who was one of the early buyers of the Roadster is driving is on hand for the beginning of the first stint in the two-tone sports car. The car will make stops in 150 towns and 15 major cities in Europe, Asia and North America along the way.

The trip will tracked along the way with a special website http://odyssey.tagheuer.com/ although it doesn't appear to actually be live yet.

Update: Tesla spokeswoman Rachel Konrad let us know that DiCaprio is not actually driving the special Roadster. The driver in the photos is Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen. We've replaced the initial note from Tesla with official press release after the jump.


Gallery: TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster


[Source: Tesla]

Continue reading Tesla and Tag-Heuer kick off round the world Roadster tour

Tesla and Tag-Heuer kick off round the world Roadster tour originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In reality, the California Highway Patrol isn't taking sides with anyone regarding the recent speeding Prius of Jim Sikes. But the CHP doesn't see any reason to doubt Sikes' version of events that led to his hybrid reaching speeds of around 90 miles per hour, apparently unable to bring the barreling vehicle to a stop. Also of note is the fact that a Border Patrol agent had also responded and was leading the Prius with its emergency lights on when the CHP officer arrived.

The officer that responded to the scene states that he "could see the driver sat up off his seat indicating that he was possibly applying the brake pedal with his body weight... His back was arched and both hands were pulling at the steering wheel." A short time later, the officer positioned his patrol car in front of Sikes' Prius when he "noticed that the Prius' speed had dropped dramatically" before coming to a complete stop on the highway. According to Sikes, this happened after he applied both the standard and parking brakes.

Paramedics arrived on the scene and found that "Sikes' blood pressure and pulse rate were very high." Another interesting tidbit is the the officer encouraged Sikes to speak with the media, despite the fact that the driver indicated he preferred not to. Later at the station, the officer took a statement from Sikes, who described his Prius as 'feeling funny' under braking, saying that the "whole car was shaking and vibrating" when the brakes were applied.

Sikes also claims to have manually pulled up on the gas pedal three separate times with no effect, and he was afraid that shutting the car off would cause the steering to lock up. The officer reports seeing the car's brake lights on and off intermittently, smelling the scent of worn brakes and seeing that the pads were worn completely down after the event.

CHP spokesman Brian Pennings has said that it is the CHP's position that no evidence has emerged to doubt Sikes' version of events. See the CHP officer's complete report in our image gallery below. For a slightly different view, click here and here to see what Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found after inspecting Sikes' Prius.



[Source: California Highway Patrol, USA Today]

CHP report seemingly sides with Sikes on case of the Runaway Prius originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the challenges to making electric vehicles (EVs) "work" in the real world is figuring out how, where and when to recharge them. If you have a garage, then those questions kind of answer themsleves. You come home, take 15 seconds to plug the car into the wall and undo the plug in the morning with a full charge. One previous Greenlings looked at EV charging basics and another Greenlings explained some of the options for home recharging. We recommend reading through those pieces as a primer for the article that follows if you're unfamiliar with some of the underlying concepts for recharging electric cars. As more and more plug-in vehicles come to market, though, we'll need to be able to figure out answers for people who can't easily recharge in their own garage. So, today, we're going to answer a question from reader Kellan O., who wrote in to ask:
I live in an apartment along with a lot of other urban residents of the world. How would I realistically recharge a plug-in hybrid or pure battery car (aside from a 200 ft. extension cord out of my window)?
A 200-foot extension cord would indeed be a problem. Continue reading after the jump for some answers.

[Image: Jason Pratt - C.C. License 2.0]

Continue reading Greenlings: What realistic electric vehicle recharge options are there for apartment dwellers?

Greenlings: What realistic electric vehicle recharge options are there for apartment dwellers? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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