People Want Fuel Efficient Vehicles

According to a Consumer Reports survey, 93 percent of respondents "support increased fuel efficiency." People want greener cars as is evidenced by the fact that 77 percent are in favor of car manufacturers producing more fuel-efficient vehicles, and 80 percent agreeing with fuel economy standards requiring fleet averages to top 55 miles per gallon by 2025.

Breakthrough in Affordable Hydrogen Cars

According to researchers from the University of Connecticut a new process for producing fuel cells could help bring the cost of hydrogen cars down significantly within 10 years.

Eight Green Cars for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick's Day is upon us, to commemorate the occasion here are the eight greenest cars in Ireland:

REVA Electric Car
GreenAer is an Irish organization focused on fostering awareness and sales of environmentally friendly modes of transport. They're big proponents of the REVA, an economical electric car with a crazy rad turning radius and several easy options for charging. You're in luck, Europe — this green vehicle is priced right, starting at €11,500.

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.

GM Collaborating with LG to Develop EVs

Consumer electronics leader LG Group, the second largest South Korean conglomerate, is expanding its collaborating with with automotive giant General Motors (GM), the largest US automaker. The new partnership will see the two companies team up to design and build hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The Crucial Role of Public Private Partnerships in US Battery Technology

Public private collaborations have played a fundamental role advancing the US position in the development of commercial scale energy storage systems for cell phones, laptops, hybrids and electric vehicles. National laboratories conduct vital research that make it possible for the private sector to achieve commercial scale.

According to Jeff Chamberlain, who currently heads up battery research and development for Argonne National Lab, "In the U.S., businesses tend to invest in research that will pay off in the short term. National laboratories are filling a gap by conducting the essential research that will change the game 10 to 20 years down the road."

Ford Collaboration with Zipcar

Ford and Zipcar are collaborating to deploy hundreds of car-sharing vehicles in college campuses. Car sharing is a more environmentally sustainable approach to transportation than ownership. It is an important way of minimizing traffic and emissions.

Ford and Toyota Collaborating on Hybrid Technology and Telematics

Ford and Toyota announced that they are working together on a new more efficient hybrid system and advanced telematics. Ford has developed an excellent reputation for trucks, and Toyota has owned the hybrid car market for a couple decades. So, it stands to reason that the two should be partnering to develop a hybrid system for light trucks and SUVs.

Fisker Buying Engines from BMW for New Cars

Electric vehicle developer California based Fisker Automotive is collaborating with Germany's BMW to procure the engines for upcoming Fisker mid-sized cars. Since its inception in 2007 Fisker has been working on luxury high-performing extended-range electric cars. The current generation of cars is sold under the name Karma, it has an all-electric drive range of more than 50 miles (51.6 miles or 83 km) and a solar roof. The Karma can go from 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds (5.9 seconds).

GM and BMW are Collaborating on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development

General Motors and BMW are planning to collaborate on hydrogen fuel-cell technology for passenger cars. GM has invested almost $2 billion in development costs of hydrogen fuel-cell systems. GM focuses its fuel-cell R&D in Germany, which lends itself well to the possible collaboration.

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.

Global Demand for Hybrid Vehicles

The worldwide market for all vehicles will grow by about four percent per year over the next six years, analysts at Pike Research estimate that the electric vehicle market will grow at a rate of almost 20 percent over the same time frame.

EV Sales Predictions in the US

Analysts expect the sales of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to significantly increase in the US over the next several years. The anticipated annual growth rate is expected to be 43 percent between 2011 and 2017. Annual sales will reach approximately 360,000 vehicles by 2017.

Ford's Solar Powered Charging Stations

Ford Motor Company is using SunPower Corp.’s panels for its solar electric vehicle charging system. The charging stations will fuel Ford's new EVs (Focus Electric and C-Max Energi). The system employs rooftop solar panels which feeds power to an electric vehicle charger. Under Ford’s “Drive Green for Life” program customers can get the 2.5-kilowatt solar-powered charging station for under $10,000. The price includes federal tax credits but not state or local rebates. Loans and leases to offset the cost of the solar roof are also available.

GM's Solar Powered Charging Stations

GM Ventures L.L.C., the venture capital arm of General Motors Corporation is investing $7.5 million in Sunlogics P.L.C. a maker of electric vehicle charging stations. As part of the Chevrolet Green Zone program, Sunlogics will construct solar charging stations for GM. These “solar canopies” charge electric cars with low weight photovoltaic panels. The solar charging stations are rated at 20 kilowatts and can take up to 24 electric vehicle spaces.

GM's Greener Manufacturing of Fuel Efficient Vehicles

Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM produces fuel efficient cars like the Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway. GM also produces the well known Chevy Volt which allows up to 50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles.

Chevrolet is Investing 40 Million to Offset its Car's Emissions

Chevrolet has announced that it is investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Its goal is to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over next few years. The company plans to invest $40 million on efforts that reduce environmental impacts. The initiative is focused on projects that promote energy savings, renewable energy, responsible use of natural resources and conservation in communities across the U.S.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Changing Perceptions

A 2011 study suggests that consumers are changing the way they look at transportation. This is one of the key findings of an Accenture survey tiled Plug-in Electric Vehicles: Changing Perceptions, Hedging Bets.

The Accenture survey also found that:

• Purchase price is only one deciding factor in buying an electric vehicle. Recharging convenience, range anxiety and even the source of the energy for recharging are all of concern to potential buyers.
• Today's consumer favors plug-in hybrids over full electric vehicles
• Utilities will have to invest in infrastructure upgrades to meet consumer preference for where and when they recharge their electric cars.
• Utilities may face competition for charging services from new providers.

Consumer's views on hybrid and fully electric vehicles are maturing as is the market and infrastructure that supports them.
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Indian Government is Supporting the Development of Electric and Hybrid Cars

The government of India is helping its automotive industry to develop greener vehicles by supporting hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). The government of India's National Electric Mobility Mission will enable companies to develop batteries with lower running cost and maintenance.

“There are several players in India making different kind of electric vehicles but lack of infrastructure to charge these vehicles and the high-price of hybrid cars has prevented growth,” said Ambuj Sharma, joint-secretary, ministry of Heavy Industries.

In India hybrid vehicles cost twice the price of those powered by a combustion engine alone. The cost of EVs is particularly relevant in India, where higher costs have slowed the widespread adoption of greener cars.

The higher cost of battery technology represents a major obstacle to the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles. By investing in greener cars the government of India is capitalizing on an under-utilized segment and building an infrastructure that will generate economic growth and reduce emissions.
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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China Poised to Challenge Global Auto Giants in the Greener Vehicle Market

Under the government"s long-term science and technology plan China is exploring a variety of greener vehicle technologies. In 2006, the Chines government issued a policy directive to encourage the development of small cars with low fuel consumption and low emissions.

China's Chang’an Auto is already mass producing a hybrid vehicle for about $20,000, which is $10,000 less than the Toyota Prius hybrid. Chang’an produced 50,000 Jiexun-HEV hybrid cars in 2010.

China's efficient low emission vehicles are part of its global strategy aimed at the greener global vehicle market. In addition to the growing domestic market, China is increasing exports to developing nations, as well as to the US and Europe.

Inexpensive compact cars like the Chery QQ, and the Geely Panda are selling well domestically. There is also a resurgence of demand for larger sedans in China. These larger models are important to its export strategy. In 2009, 30,000 of the 190,000 Chinese cars were exported.

Geely plans to increase its overseas sales to 1.3 million vehicles annually by 2015, with assembly plants already operating in Russia, Ukraine and Indonesia, and another one planned in Mexico.

Chery, exported 120,000 vehicles in 2009 and has over 20 overseas plants designed to boost sales in Russia, the Middle East, South America and South Africa. The company also signed an agreement to produce compact cars under the Chrysler brand for US and European markets.

The Chinese are positioning themselves to take on the global giants in global sales of greener vehicles.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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