Infographic - The Future of Electric Vehicles

US Automotive Industry: Efficient Vehicles and Sustainability Initiatives (GM, Ford & Tesla)

U.S. automakers are producing an ever increasing line-up of more efficient vehicles. However, efficiency measures in the auto industry extend beyond the vehicles they produce. American car companies must compete with more than 36 new hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) that have been or will be launched in 2013. Growing demand for highly efficient vehicles has compelled almost every brand to get into the EV market, which gives consumers an ever expanding list of vehicles to choose from.

In addition to expanded product lines, innovative sustainability measures are being adopted by automakers.  As explained by Green Car Reports, the major automakers are doing more on the sustainability front when it comes to their EV production lines. They are reducing their waste, increasing their use of solar power while reducing their energy usage.

Automotive brands are increasingly seeing value in greening their operations and products as evidenced by Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, which counted four automotive brands in the top five spots. The ranking evaluates companies based on their environmental performance and the public’s perception of their green credentials.

Infographic - Fastest Electric Vehicles on Earth

Volkswagen's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking, Volkswagen came in seventh. Volkswagen has an efficiency leading concept car known as the XL1. It boasts an ultra-light structure (1,750 pounds) that makes extensive use of composites, and a hybrid power train.

The 0.8-liter diesel twin produces 48 horsepower and comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The diesel engine is assisted by a 27-hp electric motor system powered by a 5.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. All together, the power train produces 68 hp and 103 lb-ft in its 'boosting mode.'The XL1 can go 310 miles on a single charge.

BMW's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

The 2014 BMW i3 electric city car is part of the BMW iSeries. This series of electric cars has zero emissions and an affordable price tag. What sets the BMW iSeries apart from all other electric cars is their luxury and modernity as well as their technological sophistication thanks to a novel partnership with Apple.

The i3 is a four-door made out of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). About 25 percent of the plastics used inside the car are recycled, and the eucalyptus wood veneers used on the trim are "responsibly harvested." The door trims and instrument-panel surround also use fibers from the kenaf plant, an increasingly popular sustainable element in car interiors.

Nissan's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Efforts

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Nissan ranked fifth. The Leaf is the most widely sold electric passenger car of all time. In February, 2013, the company announced that it had produced 50,000 LEAFs. The Leaf boasts a fuel efficiency rating of 115 MPGe and the EPA rated 2013 Leaf's range at 75 miles on a single charge.

The Nissan Leaf, is by far the volume leader, part of what makes the Leaf so successful is the fact that it is efficient, affordable and it offers better range than most electric vehicles.

Honda's Efficient Cars and Other Sustainability Initiatives

According to Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands, Honda ranked third. The 2013 Honda Fit EV gets 118 MPGe combined (132 city and 105 highway), with a range of 82 miles. Although at present it is only available by lease, according to the EPA, it is the second most efficient electric car in the world today. However, the company is producing only 1,100 Fit EVs.

The EPA rates the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid's electric range at 13 miles, during which its efficiency rating is 115 MPGe. After the battery is depleted, it behaves like a conventional hybrid and is rated at 46 MPG combined. It is the only mid-size sedan to boast such numbers. This plug-in uses Honda's new two-motor hybrid system, with powerful electric motors and multiple modes of operation. The plug-in hybrid Accord will be followed by the 2014 Accord Hybrid that will be launched later this fall.

Toyota's Efficient Cars and Sustainability Leadership

Toyota retained the top spot on Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking for the third year running. Toyota’s 2013 Prius line is dominating the greener car market. The Toyota Prius C, a compact version of the Prius that boasts fuel economy of 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. The Prius is one of the best vehicles on the market in terms of tailpipe emissions.

Combined the four model variations of the Prius sold 236,659 units last year, making the vehicle the Toyota Prius the most popular hybrid car in the US. In total more than 2.9 million Prius models were sold worldwide in 2012.

Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2013

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard a	MPG: City	MPG: Hwy	Green Score
FORD F-350 FFV b	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD F-250 FFV c	6.2L 8, auto stk 4wd	Bin 8	11	16	17
FORD E-350 WAGON d	6.8L 10, auto	Bin 8	10	13	17
CHEVROLET G2500 EXPRESS (CARGO CONVERSION / GMC G2500 SAVANA (CARGO CONVERSION) (MDPV) e	6.0L 8, auto	Bin 8	10	15	18
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K2500 / GMC K2500 YUKON XL f	6.0L 8, auto 4wd	Bin 5	10	15	19
BUGATT VEYRON	8.0L 16, manual Awd [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	8	15	19
FORD E-150 WAGON FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G63 AMG	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	14	21
BENTLEY MULSANNE	6.8L 8, auto stk [P]	Bin 5 / LEV II	11	18	21
MERCEDES-BENZ G550	5.5L 8, auto 4wd [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	12	15	22
FORD F-150 RAPTOR	6.2L 8, auto stk	Bin 4	11	16	22
FORD E-250 VAN FFV	5.4L 8, auto	Bin 8	12	16	22
[P] denotes premium gasoline. "auto stk" denotes manually adjustable automatic transmission. a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 5 / LEV II) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications. b The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 c The 2wd version of this vehicle scores a 19 d The E-250 Van earns a score of 18 . e The passenger version of these vehicles score a 19 f The 2wd version of these vehicles score a 20

Source: Greenercars.org

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The Greenest Vehicles of 2013

Make and Model	Specifications	Emission Standard	MPG:	MPG:	Green
TOYOTA PRIUS C	1.5L 4, auto	SULEV II / Bin 3	53	46	58
HONDA FIT b	Electric (Li-ion battery)	ZEV	3.9	3.1	57
TOYOTA PRIUS	1.8L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 3	51	48	55
TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID c	Electric (Li-ion bat.) / 1.8L 4, auto CVT	PZEV / Bin 3	3.9 / 51	3.0 / 49	55
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID	1.5L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 2	44	44	55
HONDA INSIGHT	1.3L 4, auto	Bin 3	41	44	54
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID	1.4L 4, auto	PZEV / Bin 3	42	48	53
MERCEDES-BENZ SMART FORTWO CONVERTIBLE / COUPE	1.0L 3, manual [P]	ULEV II / Bin 5	34	38	53
SCION IQ	1.3L 4, auto	ULEV II / Bin 5	36	37	53
FORD FOCUS b	Electric (Li-ion bat.)	ZEV / Bin 1	3.3	2.9	52
TOYOTA PRIUS V	1.8L 4, auto	SULEV II / Bin 3	44	40	52
FORD FUSION HYBRID / C-MAX HYBRID	2.0L 4, auto	Bin 3	47	47	51

[P] denotes premium gasoline.
"auto CVT" denotes continuously variable automatic transmission.
^a A listing with two emission standards (e.g., Tier 2 bin 2/ PZEV) denotes a single vehicle carrying both a Federal and a California emission certification. Green Scores for such listings reflect the cleaner of the two certifications.
^b Fuel economy for electric vehicles is provided in miles per kilowatt-hour.
^c Fuel economy for plug-in hybrids is provided in miles per gallon for gasoline operation and in miles per kilowatt-hour for electric operation

Source: Greenercars.org

Related Articles
Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2013
Ford Motor Co.: Green or Greenwashing?
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Volkswagen's Sustainability Efforts Include the World's Most Fuel Efficient Car
The Electric Tesla S is Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2013

Ford Motor Co.: Green or Greenwashing?

Ford Motor. Co. has a long, albeit mixed history of developing greener vehicles. Their strategy appears to focus on offering more choice to consumers than their competitors. Ford started working on cleaner vehicles in the 1990's when they explored air-hybrid cars, but they abandoned the plan because they lacked the necessary technology to move forward with the project. Around 2005 while the company was selling large volumes of gas guzzling SUV's Ford was simultaneously making big promises about delivering greener cars. However they failed to live up to their promises.

Ford now offers a wide range of vehicles in a number of different classes. Their lineup includes everything from large horsepower combustion powered engines to fully electric engines and everything in between.

In 2008, while other American automakers were on life support Ford moved forward without a government bailout (although they did benefit from the government's Cash for Clunkers program more than the other US car makers).

For the last few years Ford has enjoyed considerable success. In 2010, Ford swept the North American Car and Truck Awards, marking only the third time in the 17-year history of the award that a single automaker has claimed both titles.

Event - Fuel-Efficient Car Show at the Silver Diner

The Fuel-Efficient Car Show at the Silver Diner will take place on May 19, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cherry Hill, NJ. Have high gas prices got you down? Come check out dozens of car models that get at least 35 MPG highway, including hybrids, electric cars, and high-mileage cars that run on gasoline and diesel.

There will also be a fully-electric, zero-emission motorcycle that runs up to 113 miles on a charge, and an electric charging station.

In Cherry Hill, NJ, car and truck emissions account for nearly 30 percent of our greenhouse gasses. Be part of the solution and drive a fuel-efficient car!

Sponsored by Cherry Hill's It's In Our Power campaign.

Ford Motor Co's Waste Reduction Efforts

On February 27, 2013, Ford Motor Co. revealed a five-year global strategy to reduce waste sent to landfill by 40 percent per vehicle. The initiative which began in 2011 will run until 2016. According to Ford, its vehicles will produce a mere 13.4 pounds of waste per vehicle. To achieve these goals the company will implement lean manufacturing practices, improved waste-sorting procedures, and investments in waste reducing technologies.

Previously Ford has successfully reduced waste sent to landfill by 40 percent per vehicle between 2007 and 2011, (cutting waste from 37.9 to 22.7).

The company is also working to reduce waste on a number of fronts ranging from better packaging through their global suppliers to addressing kitchen waste at Ford facilities.

Volkswagen's Sustainability Efforts Include the World's Most Fuel Efficient Car

Volkswagen may have been slower to engage sustainability than some of its automotive competitors but the company appears to be making up for lost time. Prior to the last few years sustainability was not a strategic priority for Volkswagen's business operations. They were also producing vehicles that emphasized price competitiveness rather than fuel efficiency.

While the Volkswagen Group has brought some greener vehicles to market, they also own some of the dirtiest automotive brands on the planet.

Increasingly Volkswagen appears to be pursuing a more environmentally friendly approach in terms of their production facilities and the vehicles they produce. Volkswagen's sustainability program is known as Think Blue Factory, and at and the end of 2011, the company launched a campaign to reduce energy, water and CO2 emissions. The goal was to see 25 percent reductions in energy, water and CO2 by the year 2018 (compared to a 2010 baseline).

NextGen Auto International Summit China – Innovating technologies: Sustaining the Future (Event)

This event will take place on December 11 to December 13, 2012 in Shanghai, China. Inspira Event Limited is the conference advisor of the “NextGen Auto International Summit China – Innovating technologies; sustaining the future” organized by Messe Frankfurt which is launched alongside Automechanika Shanghai, one of the leading global automotive trade fairs supported by the Shanghai government.

The NextGen Auto conference is expected to bring together over 500 senior executive decision makers from throughout the industry.

The conference will explore and evaluate a number of important issues including how to:

US Fuel Efficiency Standards Surpass Europe

President Obama's new US fuel efficiency standards may catapult America ahead of Europe by lowering vehicular emissions. The burgeoning US electric and hybrid car market will most certainly benefit from Obama's actions. The President first introduced a fuel standard of 35 miles per gallon (mpg) for 2016 and starting in 2025, American cars and light trucks will have to achieve a standard of at least 54.5 mpg.

Electric Vehicle Buyer´s Guide

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Toronto Greenhouse - Green Cars Event

On July 24, 2012,Toronto Greenhouse will present a Green Cars event in Toronto, Ontario. This event will answer questions like: How sustainable is your vehicle? Should everyone drive electric? Is fuel efficiency the answer? The discussion will be focused on green cars and will include representatives from General Motors, smart Canada (Mercedes-Benz) and Plug'nDrive Ontario.

Greener Vehicles Growing Cleantech and Providing Green Jobs

In 2011 greener vehicles were one of the driving forces behind the growth of US cleantech. We expect to see the habitual greentech drivers like solar and wind, but in 2011 we also saw tremendous growth in EVs and hybrid cars in the US.

Hybrids Could Substantially Reduce US Fossil Fuel Consumption

Barry Stevens, PhD, is the Managing Director of TBD America, Inc., here is his response to a question about the impact on petroleum usage if all passenger vehicles in the US were as energy efficient as Toyota's Prius.