Archive for the ‘Green Cars’ Category

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Chevrolet, GM, Green Daily

During his stop today at the General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the production Chevrolet Volts will soon roll off the line, President Obama did something unusual for a president: he got behind the wheel of a car and went for a drive. It was a short one – just ten feet – but that’s what happens when you need not only GM’s permission but also the Secret Service’s to drive a not-yet-in-production, new-technology Chevy Volt in black. We won’t be geting a full-length review from the President, but he did give his initial impression after stepping out: “I’m telling you guys, pretty smooth.”

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said after the event that Obama has driven at a Secret Service training facility this past April and also piloted a Dodge Charger at a closed-press event. Other than these two times, Obama hasn’t driven since getting Secret Service protection in early 2007.

[Source: ABC | Images: AFP/Getty Images, Jim Watson and AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

Obama drives the Volt… all of 10 feet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: MPG, Green Daily

Between 2000 and 2009, the United Parcel Service (UPS) managed to significantly increase fuel-efficiency across its fleet of 60,000 delivery vehicles. During that time, UPS reports that its U.S. ground fleet boosted its average miles per gallon by a rather remarkable ten percent. The ten percent improvement allows the company to boast that UPS drivers logged 77.3 million more miles in 2009 than they did in 2000, yet fuel consumption decreased by an astounding 3.2 million gallons.

While a ten percent boost is certainly good, UPS believes that vehicle technology, sophisticated routing technology and fuel conservation efforts can improve fuel efficiency even more. The company’s latest Sustainability Report outlines future goals and targets a 20 percent increase in overall fuel efficiency from 2000 to 2020. With nine years down, UPS is already at the halfway mark. In the coming years, UPS will focus on adding additional hybrid diesel electric and compressed natural gas vehicles to its fleet. Click here (PDF) to read about UPS’ plans for a greener tomorrow.

[Source: United Parcel Service via Green Car Congress]

UPS sets new target of 20% increase in fleet fuel economy by 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily

Now that we’ve covered the ethanol-related debate surrounding a move from E10 to E15 from almost every angle, it’s time to move on to a discussion about E12. With the Environmental Protection Agency choosing to postpone its decision regarding E15 until further testing can be conducted, an interim move to E12 is now the suggested solution by farmers, ethanol blenders and proponents of renewable fuels.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) have teamed up to convince the EPA that an immediate move to E12 is necessary. The three groups issued a joint letter to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, a portion of which reads:

Based on the EPA’s delay in acting upon the full E15 waiver and on our concerns that the Agency will restrict the use of E15 to cars made in 2001 and thereafter, we encourage the EPA to formally approve the use of E12 for all motor vehicles as an immediate interim step pending any ongoing additional testing on E15.

While a move to E12 may seem harmless to some, we still believe that even a two percent increase in ethanol content in gasoline should trigger thorough testing prior to approval. Click here to read the entire letter sent to the EPA and voice your opinion on E12 in the comment box below.

[Source: Domestic Fuel | Image: r-z - C.C. License 2.0]

Ethanol industry finds voice on E12 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Hybrid, Honda, Racing

Got a hankering to waste some of your precious Thursday evening on a video game? Like hybrid cars? Well then, we’ve got great news for you! Honda has gone ahead and created the online game of your wildest dreams: 3 Mode Mania. Naturally, the subject of the game is the new 2011 CR-Z, and, as is the case with just about every racing game ever created, the goal is to drive along a course as quickly as possible.

There are three tracks to choose from, a bunch of CR-Zs in multiple colors and, as its name suggests, three different modes (Econ, Normal and Sport), each a bit faster and harder than the previous. Give it a whirl. It’s certainly not the best automotive video game we’ve ever played – in fact, it’s probably one of the worst – but perhaps it’ll give you something to do while passing the time until the So You Think You Can Dance results show comes on… Check it out here.

[Source: Honda via Carscoop]

Take the Honda CR-Z on a virtual race with 3 Mode Mania originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hyundai, Kia, Green Daily

With all of the talk about the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt, it’s easy to overlook some of the other happenings in the world of battery-powered cars. Fear not, cause we’ve got it all covered. Turning our attention to Hyundai-Kia for just a moment, South Korea-based SK Energy Co. announced that it will provide lithium-ion batteries for upcoming electric vehicles from both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors.

SK Energy’s lithium-ion batteries will first appear in Hyundai’s i10 EV, scheduled for release sometime in 2011. Sporting SK cells with a claimed energy density of 140 Wh/kg, the i10 boasts a 99-mile range and a top speed of 81 miles per hour. SK Energy’s advanced lithium-ion batteries utilize a unique lithium manganese oxide cathode material; a surface-modified graphite on the anode; a gel polymer electrolyte; and a ceramic-coated separator. Of course, SK Energy would like us to believe that this high-tech talk amounts to a better battery, but it just reads like your typical li-ion lingo to us. Hat tip to Dan!

[Source: SK Energy via Green Car Congress]

SK Energy to provide lithium-ion batteries for upcoming Hyundai, Kia electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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