Study: Gasoline consumption rises in the Northwest despite stalled economy
Filed under: Etc., Green Daily
Gasoline consumption across the U.S. has steadily declined during the last decade. Analysts have chalked up the drop in gas usage over the last ten years to the rise in more efficient technologies, better public transportation, the stalled economy and steadily increasing gas prices.
While most of the U.S has stayed consistent with the trend of reduced consumption, the Sightline Institute reports that the Northwest states of Idaho, Oregon and Washington have bucked the trend. These three states have shown an increase in personal gas consumption, leaving analysts perplexed. Idaho led the way with a four percent per capita increase in gas consumption in 2009. Oregon’s consumption increased just under one percent, and Washington was not far behind.
Though the increases appear minor, all three states had shown steady decline for more than a decade and any jolt in gas consumption is unexpected. In addition, diesel fuel consumption in these Northwest states dropped off last year, further confusing those who are trying to make sense of the rising gasoline consumption figures. The Sightline Institute suspects a recent drop in gasoline prices in the Northwest likely contributed to increased consumption. To counter the increased consumption, the institute recommends imposing pollution fees or enforcing a strict energy and climate policy. But we feel that if low gas prices are to blame, then that often-argued-about gas tax might just be the perfect solution. Click here to view the entire report (PDF) and don’t forget to follow the jump for more info.
[Source: Sightline Institute | Image: FutureAtlas - C.C License 2.0]
Continue reading Study: Gasoline consumption rises in the Northwest despite stalled economy
Fiat Punto to acquire newly built 4-cylinder engine (BR)
Fiat Group’s plant in Brazil, formally belonging to Chrysler, will produce engines for the new Fiat Punto. Since the late ‘90s, Tritec Motors, built 1m 4 cylinder 1.6 litre engines for Minis and the Chrysler Neon and PT Cruiser. Since March 2008, the plant has belonged to Fiat Group.
The 538,000 sq/ft facility, located on 321 acres near Curituba, had previously been the focus of media reports, which a Chinese manufacturer wanted to dismantle the factory and take it back to China. Instead, through Fiats investment into Chrysler, the factory has been renovated to the tune of $250m. On three shifts, the plant is aiming to make 40,000 engines by 2014, 40% of which will be exported.
As well as the current 1.6 litre engine, Fiat has developed a new 1.8 litre, producing 130bhp on the E100 ethanol that is supplied throughout Brazil and 128bhp on petrol, both at 5,250 rpm. That engine will be debuting in the Punto Essence 1.8 and Sporting 1.8, linked to a 5 speed Dualogic gearbox.
Both engines are called E.torQ: the E allegedly stands for engineering, energy (dynamism), environment and emotion, and torQ means the twang on low-end power, as much as 80% of maximum torque at just 1,500 rpm. The larger engine replaces the 1.8 litre Opel/Chevrolet engine used since 2001 under the GM-Fiat joint venture, which continued to be supplied after GM and Fiat broke up in 2005.
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New Top Gear books on the way
Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities, Humor
It’s time to update your holiday wish list, kids. Top Gear is rolling out some new books, including an updated version of Where’s Stig. The new volume, called Where’s Sting: World Tour, hits UK bookshelves in September and has everyone’s favorite test driver meandering around the globe and stopping in spots like Monte Carlo and Bolivia. Hours of entertainment are likely to ensue.
If staring at cartoony illustrations while searching for a single, tiny character, isn’t your idea of a fun read, Top Gear has something different on deck for you. The Top Gear Official Annual serves up a behind-the-scenes look at the show and compiles a number of fun facts and activities pertaining to episodes from this year’s season. Think of it as Highlights with a pulse. The Top Gear Official Annual is set to hit UK bookstores next month. Also due in September are Top Gear: 100 Fastest Cars, The Big Book of Top Gear, and a new collection of Jeremy Clarkson’s Sunday Times columns.
[Source: The Bookseller]
New Top Gear books on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video]
Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, SUV, Technology, Videos, Ford
![blind driver challenge 630 Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/blind-driver-challenge-630.jpg "Prototype cart with feedback controls lets the blind drive [w/video]")
Virginia Tech takes on the Blind Driver Challenge – Click above to watch video after the jump
Researchers at Virginia Tech are teaming with the National Federation of the Blind to build two Ford Escape test vehicles designed specifically for visually-impaired drivers. After building a small buggy last year equipped with an audio steering wheel and various other “non-visual interfaces,” the team decided to take a stab at going full-size. Drivers will use a vibrating vest and gloves, as well as a tablet-type device that shoots puffs of compressed air to represent the road course.
If you’re skeptical about allowing the blind to drive, you’re not alone. Researchers say the end goal of the project isn’t to start a blind-driving movement, but to explore and further develop blind-interface technology. The work could lead to innovations that could in turn be applied to other aspects of visually-impaired life.
\Virginia Tech’s Ford Escape test vehicles will head to the Daytona International Speedway next January, where they’re scheduled to put on a full demonstration. Hit the jump to see a quick video on the Blind Driver Challenge.
[Source: Engadget] Read more…
Report: Tesla CTO confirms building two mules for Toyota
Filed under: Toyota, Tesla, Electric
AutoblogGreen had the rare opportunity on Friday to chat with Toyota CEO and president Akio Toyoda. During the conversation, he revealed that a prototype vehicle with a Tesla electric drive unit was under construction. Tesla’s Chief Technology Officer, J.B. Straubel, has confirmed this to CNN Money, saying that the Silicon Valley company is indeed preparing two mule vehicles for Toyota. Tesla battery packs, power electronics and motors are being installed into Toyota bodies.
Straubel expects to deliver the vehicles to Toyota by the end of of this month. Toyota officials told ABG that the initial plan is to just test the performance and durability of the Tesla packs to determine whether they meet Toyota standards. If Toyota proceeds with a production program using a Tesla-style battery (employing small laptop-type cells) it will be for a new vehicle, not the iQ-based EV arriving in 2012.
[Source: CNN Money]
Report: Tesla CTO confirms building two mules for Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Maruti A Star Automatic on the cards
Maruti is contemplating to launch an automatic variant of its small car A-Star. Since its launch A-Star could not sell in large numbers as Maruti would have expected. An automatic variant would sell the cars in large numbers aiming people who want hassle free driving in city traffic.
Currently in India only Hyundai i10 and i20 is being offered in Automatic Transmission in small car segment. i10 Automatic costs over Rs 5 lakh for the base variant where as i20 Automatic is priced over reach at Rs 8.5 lakh. A-Star Automatic priced just below Rs 5 lakh can definitely snatch the market from the Hyundai.
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35 years for lithium-air batteries to mature
Innovations and decades to mature
The lithium-ion replacement
Battery Project 500 is an IBM research project focused on developing next generation battery technologies that can achieve 500 miles per charge with a particular focus on lithium-air batteries.
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